Oh, I loved this! What a great insight on Blade's temperament and character. I can just hear Vortex laughing at him. Poor Blades. He reminds me of the forgotten little brother.

Actually he reminds me quite a bit of my son in this story, always frustrated at being held back by his age, that the older kids he hangs with are so much faster and can do things he can't. So then he takes on something he really isn't up for...