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Don't we love introducing new characters...
Chapter 4:
Fragile
A fire-red haired youth ducked another swing from his opponent, beads of sweat forming on his brow. He was rather enjoying the challenge, a smile quickly passing across his face. It was definitely a welcomed change from the hours of horrendous studying he had the unwelcome pleasure of undertaking.
He back stepped the next strike, narrowly avoiding being struck as he brought his own sword to bear. He swung it in a wide, high arc, coming down with the force of his impressive strength into the guard of the other then recoiled as he brought it back for another swing. The crowd that had gathered on the sidelines roared with approval as the blades of the two combatants crashed together.
They had backed off, about to bring their arms to clash once more when an intercom sounded and brought all activity to a halt. An aged voice came over the system, the gruffness of it magnified tenfold from the worn out speakers.
"Cadets Cole and Draco! Move to the commander's quarters immediately!"
A few cries of disappointment came from several of the onlookers as they shuffled off, obviously knowing the fight was over. The taller Cole ran a hand through his messy black mullet while he sheathed his broadsword. Draco meanwhile slung his broad blade over his shoulder, a smirk on his face as he busied himself with dusting off his navy blue uniform and readjusted his tie and white shirt collar.
“Ooh, Cole was such a bad boy, now daddy’s a little angry,” he mocked before turning and walking to the small cabin in the middle of the academy.
“You dirty liar! You’re the one who jumped me on the grounds!” Cole growled as he flicked a fleck of dirt off his shoulder and followed behind.
“Only because you wrote that thing about me in the shower stall,” Draco responded as they entered the commander’s office.
“What’s wrong with spreading the truth!? It’s not like everyone doesn’t know already about your little issues with-“
“Quiet, the both of you!” the normally raspy voice of the old man uncharacteristically boomed, both lads quiet in an instant. The grey-haired old man wheeled out from behind his desk as Cole and Draco stood at attention against the far wall. Though wheelchair-bound, his still regal form and posture commanded the respect of the quarreling twosome.
He rubbed his temple with his thumb and forefinger while wheeling between the two boys. “What am I going to do with you two…”
“You could always send Draco to a military academy, sir,” Cole suggested. With a smirk, he added, “Though, I have a feeling it wouldn’t do too much good.”
Draco rolled his eyes and the commander shot Cole a severe glare, which only caused the callous youth’s smirk to bloom into a full grin.
The venerable commander sighed as he turned and wheeled back behind his desk. He had almost run out of ideas as to how he was to tame these two wild beasts, and he didn’t feel all too fond of the final option left to him. He didn’t like putting his cadets into such dangerous missions when they weren’t ready, but maybe this could teach them some responsibility.
“Cole, I want you to lead an expedition into the “Forbidden” Forest. Somewhere within you should find a temple. The monks there have been holding a foreigner, a certain reclusive scholar who goes by the name of Gwyndolyn. I have proof in the form of several personal documents that she’s been plotting against the government. I want you to use any means possible short of lethal force to bring her under arrest for interrogation. Choose two upper class cadets to accompany you.”
“Yes sir,” Cole replied as he clicked his heels together in salute and, with a flourish of his uniform meant to show Draco up, exited the commander’s quarters.
The old commander sighed as he watched the young man stroll away then turned his attention to the remaining cadet. “How long have we known each other?”
“Uhm…I think since I was eight, sir. Why?” Draco asked, taken aback by the sudden change in topic.
The old man nodded to himself, seeming to ignore the question before him. “So six years. It hasn’t seemed so long ago when you came under my care. Have I always treated you like a son?”
“Yes sir, I would say so, but why do you ask?” The questions worried Draco slightly. They made him feel as if something was amiss.
“Whatever happens over the next month or so, you must not hate me for it.”
Draco took an involuntary step back, his expression inquisitive. He had never seen the commander talk like this before, and it worried him quite a bit. He opened his mouth to speak once more, but the old man cut him off.
“I want you to find Junica. He’s out on patrol around the country, but he should be somewhere along the western shore by now. You will be transported as far as Vandrago. From there, it will be up to you to find the lad, and when you do I want you to report in and accompany him on his patrol. Understood?”
Draco nodded as he clicked his heels together in salute before marching out.
* * *
His body was on fire. Every bone felt broken, every organ crushed. It took all his concentration and will to keep from passing out. Never before had he felt such pain. He could feel the involuntary tears welling behind his eyes.
This is it. It's over. I've failed…Saria…
He watched helplessly as the Noble turned to face Theta, the ground pulsing with each monstrous step.
But something seemed wrong. Instead of running, she merely stood still in the middle of the monster's path, swaying back and forth. Her hood was up, but even its shadows couldn't hide her white glowing eyes.
Run… JP thought as the Noble halted its march and stared down at her.
It was then he saw it. A shining white aura of energy slowly faded into view around Theta as her body drew in the life energies of the surrounding area. She threw her head back and screamed in agony as it burst into a shimmering pulse of pure power.
The monster brought back one of its fists as it gave a joyous screech. As he sent it forth, Theta snapped her head forward, her robes flowing as if in a gale. However, the canyon air was still as death, from what could be felt. At the last possible second, she threw her hands up at the beast, the energy aura coursing throughout her being.
"Finsternis!"
The Noble's fist, its whole body, halted in place, transfixed by some unseen field of force. In front of her, the outline of the great colossus was surrounded by a misty purplish aura. A second later, an unnatural darkness seemed to float into the ravine from above, swirling and coalescing into an unholy mass around the feet of the frozen monster until it formed a translucent pillar of fog. She set her feet and gritted her teeth against the force as a blast of pure darkness shot down along the path of the mist with a hammering force. The monster emitted a scream of tortuous pain as it disintegrated. The blast dissipated, leaving only the jade gem behind as a sign of any extraordinary occurrence and leaving Theta very much exhausted and quite alone in the middle of the ravine floor. She limply fell to her hands and knees, coughing blood into the dust.
JP slowly and painfully crawled to her side. Each movement forced a gasp from his chapped lips. He had lost all feeling throughout his body, as the world slowly became one continuous blur.
He collapsed beside what he assumed to be her now crouching form. Tears streaked his face as he desperately sought her hand. She obliged, and he squeezed it tight.
"Is it over?" he whispered, the only thing his body had the strength to accomplish.
Theta nodded, offering him a weak, bloody smile as he lost consciousness. She was shaking involuntarily, but that was the least of her concerns. All that mattered right now was the brave, fragile boy before her.
She lifted him into her arms and carried him back to the camp. Already the air had turned so cold that she could see their breath. It wouldn't be long before they started to freeze.
She carried him all the way back to the camp. There, she collapsed inside the made tent, joining her traveling companion in deep slumber, unaware of the billowing midnight shadow that stalked at the edges of the camp.
 Prometheus-of-the-Pies · Tue May 08, 2007 @ 04:19am · 0 Comments |
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