Date: 19 Berunei
Time: 06:10
Lctn: Outdoor Training Grounds
"Toryn, you're with me."
Seth stood before me, looking amused at our pending physical exchange. His hand was on his hip and his lips were curved into a sly smirk. I brushed off my insecurities and walked to him, accepting the challenge.
As he came into better view I was reminded of his dashing appearance. He didn't look too much older than me, but his face and body were well toned, and he had a mature nature about him. I wondered if his red hair could have been natural, like the Draconians, but dismissed the thought as it crossed my mind. If he were, that would make him all the more impossible to resist.
"I take it you're not a beginner?" Seth asked.
"Hardly." I narrowed my eyes with a teasing smile, not caring what consequences my dalliance would bring. Impressed, he raised his eyebrows then stepped toward me. I tried to maintain my posture as I felt my heart rate quicken.
"So you won't mind if I don't take it easy on you?" He stared me down as if to taunt me. Usually, I would have puffed out my chest and informed my opponent of the threat he faced, but with Seth, everything seemed to be an exception.
"Try me," came my provocative reply. My senses anticipated contact with him, and I didn't mind that it would be in spar form. Fighting was in my nature; the adrenaline had a tendency to turn me wild, which sounded like a lot of fun with Master Forges.
Coming to the military was the best thing that could have happened to me. I fit in with the combat crowd so well, and that was a nice change from feeling out of place in my family. There were good role models for me at Chikamuyo. I really idolized Atma's discipline and confidence, and strove to be as brave as him, if I could. I'd do anything to gain the kind of respect he deserved, and that included beating the snot out of my instructor, no mater how attractive.
"Get ready." Seth took on a fighting stance, and right away I could tell that he had excellent technique. I stepped one foot back, putting my hands ahead of my body for protection.
In an instant Seth was right in front of me, his fist already mid-swing. My left arm came up on instinct, just in time to intercept the blow. Our faces were in dangerously close proximity, and I wondered why he had paused with that penetrating stare. I tried to fight off the blush that threatened. I could only hope he didn't feel the heat on my cheeks.
"I am very impressed, Toryn." He withdrew his arm and smiled at me. "You are good."
I sighed in relief as I let my arm drop. As soon as he noticed that my guard was down, he attacked me with a mad rush. He was advancing on me, forcing me backward to avoid his flailing knuckles. He landed a few punches, but I guessed he was more concerned with his accuracy than his power, because they barely made me flinch.
Seth's leg swept at my ankles in an attempt to trip me. I jumped over his foot and countered with a power-kick of my own. The lace of my foot slammed into his jaw and he was sent flying backward. He crashed into a pile of cardboard boxes that had been stored neatly against the wall of the gymnasium. The whole pile came tumbling down on him. I stood aghast, impressed at my own strength.
The crash seemed to attract everyone's attention. Draco was standing nearby, and I heard him give a derisive snort. I found it interesting because although he always seemed irritated, he never expressed an opinion openly.
"Looks like we'll be needing a new instructor," he muttered under his breath. "This one is hardly worthy."
I wondered for a moment if he was insulting myself or Seth, but passed it off as irrelevant. Draco was stuck-up, self-centered and power-driven; always had to be the best at everything, always tried to intimidate everyone. I wouldn't let him look down on me, though, and strangely he seemed to respect me for it.
I noticed that Calypso was also looking over at Draco. Why she kissed Atma and not Draco was far beyond me; she had never been so inconsiderate to me before. I was sure I hadn't done anything to provoke retaliation of that magnitude.
I searched the grounds for Atma, who had surprised me with his actions the other night even more than Calypso had. I didn't think he'd ever touched a drink in his life, and he seemed dead-set against derailing his training for a girl; I would know, I'd been trying to capture his heart for years. Though I was furious with Calypso for betraying me, I was secretly dying to know how she broke him of his unwavering resolve to live by academy code.
Atma was looking back and forth from me and the pile of boxes with what looked like incredulity. My sense of pride only surfaced for a moment, soon overpowered by the lingering pain from his rejection. My eyes drifted toward the dirt, but I was distracted by a bright light coming from the boxes. It was Seth. With a yell, he released a wave of eisra that sent boxes flying in every direction. To witness such an explosive outrage from him felt strange, for all he'd shown to me was compassion and comfort.
A white aura was eminating around Seth's body. He was feeding planet energy through his muscles to build on his strength. Perhaps he should have done that before the fight had started instead of underestimating me.
"Not bad, not bad." His eyes glared, but he smiled with amusement. "And now we turn up the heat, sweet cheeks."
"Fine with me." My body became tense as I drew on eisra to aid me in my battle. A blue-tinted aura flared out from my body, flowing out at an impressive distance around me. Since different emotions resulted in different colours of energy, sometimes one's aura would too. The only set back was that it could give one's opponent an advantage in which element they should counter with.
Seth and I had a staring competition as we faced off. I tried my hardest not to let his beauty affect my concentration, but I didn't let it concern me too much. In my blood, I could already taste my victory. Just like the Draconians I so admired, I too had a thirst for battle.
I decided to initiate the attack. I raced for him in air rather than on foot. He flew at me just as quickly, and when our auras met, they created a loud, bright explosion. We were both sent backwards, and as the light faded, I noticed Seth had vanished from his previous location.
I looked up to see him firing a sharp orange wave at me and I grinned at his mistake, for the emotion opposing the fearful eisra that he used in his attack was my specialty. My hands tensed in front of my chest, their palms turned inward, their fingers rigid. I summoned the faith of the world into my body, and channeled the energy it provided into my hands. A blue glow came into existence between them, throbbing with power. With a swift motion to the sky and the words: Berupham Rhapsody, the glow burst into light and the beam was blasted at Seth's. As they met, I felt a strong force against my hands and I needed to steady myself to control the direction of power.
Seth must have noticed that the meeting point of the waves was slowly nearing him, because he released his energy and moved out of the way. I dropped my beam and let the energy fade and disperse throughout the planet. In a flash, Seth was next to me. I launched a backhand at him, but he caught it. As I turned to face him, he spun round, swinging his leg at me. I just managed to back out of reach, and he growled in frustration. I punched at his head and he swiftly dodged it. I sent my other fist at him, but with the same result.
The duel was getting no where, so I decided it was time I stopped holding back my abilities and let him taste my real skill. As he swung at my face, I ducked and plunged my fist deeply into his stomach. His hard muscle turned to jelly around my knuckles. He doubled over in pain, his aura fading. I released my concentration of energy as I crouched in front of him.
"My goddess, are you alri-?" I stopped short, realising my mistake. It was highly disrespectful to use the goddess' title in the place of profanity. The immortal Goddess Ocarina, as everyone had been taught from childhood, had saved the people of Elidi from an alien aggressor, and so we honoured her with our greatest respect. According to the priests and priestesses, she was hidden away in a temple whose location no one knew. She was rarely seen by mortals, but she was said to be the most beautiful being one would ever lay their eyes on if ever they had the privilege. As I looked down at Seth, I felt my pulse racing. If I could never look at the goddess herself, at least I could gaze at his seductive brown eyes.
Seth grunted and looked up at me, chuckling. "I underestimated you."
"I'm so sorry," I said, then put my hand on his shoulder, and blushed at my own forwardness. I drew my hand away quickly.
"How old are you again?"
"Eighteen," I replied cautiously, wondering what he was getting at.
"Then you're not too young." His voice was deep and smooth.
"What do you mean?"
He put his hand under my chin. "Join me for dinner tonight ..." I was startled stupid as he pressed his soft lips against my own.
I supposed that everyone was finished fighting, because we were being gawked at. I could feel their eyes on my back, but I couldn't tear my vision away from his stare. I was mortified to have been caught being intimate with my instructor, especially when we were expected to be sparring. It didn't help any when he spoke with a hushed tone into my ear.
"Powerful women ... are such a turn on for me."
Time: 18:30
Lctn: Women's Dorms
I had no idea why I was sitting on the front step, awaiting my instructor. My conscience kept swinging back and forth between the anticipation of a new relationship and the horrible trouble I could get in to if it became public. To have such a handsome man want me over anybody else ... After years of trying I hadn't gained any ground with Atma, so it was natural that I would enjoy being pursued.
My eyes squeezed shut at the thought of Atma and I turned my head to the side in my arms. Every time I thought of him that gut-wrenching image of him kissing Calypso would flash in my mind, and a sharp feeling would attack my chest. I had really thought that he liked me. Before, when I would think of him, I would be filled with the warm comfort that maybe he was thinking of me too.
Despite the conflicts occupying my mind, I had dressed myself as best I could to impress Seth. I wanted so much for him to like me and that included the way I looked. Besides, he seemed brave in the ways of fashion, so I thought I'd look bold to match.
I had to admit that the thought of being asked out by an older man in a position of authority was pretty exciting. Usually I played it safe in school, and the chance to break the rules seemed to awaken a daring side of me that had been wanting to get out. I wasn't sure if I was ready for it, or if I could even fathom what awaited me, but I welcomed it with an independence that I didn't know I had.
The academy didn't favour dating, even between students. Of course they understood that teenagers couldn't help having crushes, but it was highly advised not to get involved, as it was too distracting from training. Physical relationships were all but forbidden because fighters required a strong sense of self-control in order to succeed. Instructor-student couples were completely unheard of in our academy, so I couldn't guess what the punishment would be.
I hadn't told any of the girls where I was going or what I was up to. If the wrong person found out about our date, they could easily take it to Headmaster Bobshi, and I'd be in for it. I especially didn't want my sister to know. She already believed I'd made stupid decisions of late, and I knew how much she hated Seth and the way he acted. I wanted so much to be a good role model for her, but my loneliness was starting to get the best of me. After all, she had Dagan.
I spotted a figure coming my way from the main building. It didn't take long for me to recognise it as Seth. I felt anxiety begin to set in. Part of me wanted to escape into the dorms, another part wanted to run into his arms. Unable to decide, I sat still, and the seconds that passed as he closed the distance between us felt like an eternity.
"Good evening," he greeted and looked me over. "You look perfect." I blushed, so relieved that he was finally in front of me. He seemed so much less scary in person than in my thoughts. With the way he looked at me, I figured the age and rank differences between us didn't matter. He was interested, and I was interested, and I would be an idiot to refuse the offer of his callused hand.
He pulled on my arm and I stood quickly in surprise. He walked around me while holding my fingers, scanning my ensemble up and down. I tugged on my short dress to make sure nothing showing unintentionally.
"Yes, you are delicious," he reiterated, and he put his arm around my back and began guiding me toward the parking lot. "You know, you really taught me a lesson today. In order to keep my dignity I think I'm going to have to return the favour."
I looked at him, shocked at the implication. The side of his lip curled into a smirk, but even the sight of his teeth made me feel shy yet tempted. It dawned on me then that he must have had plenty of experience with women, but he wouldn't let me dwell on it for long.
He walked me around the side of his hovermobile, which actually looked quite stylish when it wasn't almost running over my sister. He opened the door for me to reveal black leather seating illuminated by a dim light. After a brief moment of timidness, I sat, and he shut the door promptly. I watched through the tinted windows as he walked around the front of the HM, sucking on my lip at how low he always wore his pants.
It was like slow motion as he slid into the seat next to me, and the slam of his door echoed in my head. We were alone. The instructor and I. We were in such a small space, alone ...
Thankfully, he broke the tension when he picked up a red rose that was lying between the seats and presented it to me.
"That's very sweet, thank you," I said as steadily as I could. I reached up to take it but he pulled it away and looked at me with a suggestive smile. I gulped and felt my hands turn cold, second-guessing my understanding of his offer.
"Seth -"
He touched the rose to my lips and my eyes closed with a sigh as I welcomed its soft, silky touch. I felt the rose drag down my chin and neck, and further still; my heart was pounding. My chest rose and fell with my breath as he slid the smooth petals down my skin. I heard his breathing get heavy as well, and he dropped the rose so he could embrace me and kiss me.
It was wonderful - he was so strong and passionate. As he held me in his thick arms, I couldn't help but wonder if that was how it felt to be embraced by Atma's, which were undoubtedly larger and -
"You seem distracted," he said suddenly, looking at me as though he'd readily make all of my sorrows disappear.
"It's just ... it's still light out, and we're in the school parking lot," I covered, even though those things did concern me. "Anyway I'm getting hungry, aren't you?" His leer stimulated me, seizing my senses, and his lusting tone gave me chills the likes of which I'd never felt before.
"Starving ..."
Time: 22:05
Lctn: Women's Dorms
I came through the front door fighting a huge grin. Not only had I managed to break the rules, but I had spent a wonderful evening with the most coveted man on campus. It was easily the most thrilling night of my life ... and I could barely walk straight from the warm sensation that had enveloped my skin all night.
There was no one waiting in the hall to pounce on me about where I'd been for the past few hours. Everyone was packed into the sitting room around the television. It was on one of the news channels, but they weren't really paying attention to it. I came into the room and instantly all eyes turned to me.
"Someone's in trouble," Mercedes sang from a lounge chair.
"In trouble?" I repeated. "Me? Why?" I looked over my shoulder to see if an instructor was standing behind me.
"Bobshi's on to you," said Calypso. "Word is someone offered evidence that supports the possibility of you spending the evening with a certain instructor." I followed her line of sight and wasn't surprised by who was sitting there on the sofa, propped upright on a giant pillow.
"Why do you have to be so annoying?" I snapped at my sister.
"You know the rules, Tory," she said. "No intimacy between members of the school. They aren't so lenient with the rules in terms of students and instructors as they are with just students. In this case, Master Forges will lose his job."
"Only because they know!" I flopped into a free spot on the couch with a sigh. "So I guess this means I can't see him again. I feel so bad he got fired because of me."
"Well, not necessarily," said Kitty. "There's, like, no guarantee that he was with you. I mean, no one can, like, prove it or anything, right?"
"I suppose," I said with little hope.
"You just shouldn't see him anymore," said Lilicia. "Because you may not be so lucky next time."
"Plus it's just wrong," Mercedes added.
"You'd do it if you had the chance," said Calypso from her seat in front of Lilicia on the floor. After speaking she went back to her focused contemplation of who-knows-what. She never really seemed to be on the same planet as the rest of us. At least she shut Mercedes up. For a while, we all sat in silence.
"So where were you anyway?" Lilicia asked.
"In a classroom?" Kitty beamed.
"No," I laughed. "He took me out. For dinner."
"Tell us everything!" Kitty, bounced with excitement on the couch. Lilicia shook her head in disapproval.
"What's to tell?" I asked innocently.
"You just had, like, a private dinner with a super-mega hottie!" Kitty squealed.
"He's not that hot!" Lilicia stressed.
"Did he kiss you?" Kitty leaned forward, impatient for my answer.
"A few times," I grinned.
"With tongue?" Calypso asked deviously. I couldn't help but glare at her. Her attempt to make light of the situation between us didn't impress me. I wasn't planning on forgiving her for a long time, if at all. I chose to ignore her, hoping to seem too good to pay her any mind.
"You mean like the tongue you were giving Atma?"
Everyone turned at the mutter that had come from Mercedes' lips. She hadn't expected anyone to hear her, but didn't try to hide what she'd said.
Calypso stood to face her with her hands on her hips. "There wasn't any tongue!" she defended, glaring down at Mercedes.
"How can you be so sure?" Mercedes asked. "You were so drunk, do you even remember?"
"Excuse me?" I said, trying to intervene. They ignored me. I felt a twitch begin in my brow as they reminded me of that horrible night.
"So were you!" Calypso shouted. "Don't you remember making a fool of yourself with Reuben?" She wouldn't deliberately try to anger me by mentioning my brother ...
Mercedes' jaw dropped and she rose to her feet. "How dare you bring that up! Reuben's not your responsibility!"
"Neither is Atma yours, Mercedes!" My voice came over the both of theirs. Mercedes hushed instantly and cowered. Since it had turned quiet, I let my volume drop. " - Or yours, Calypso."
"Well, I bet you he'd rather go out with me than put up with Dee," Calypso sassed, completely oblivious to my discomfort. My eyes widened in disbelief.
"Gimme a break," said Mercedes. "You guys were drunk. That kiss was a one-time sample."
"It's the most he ever got," Calypso grinned.
"Well, let's settle this," said Mercedes. "Let's call Atma and find out for sure which one he prefers. Me, or you." She and Calypso stormed into the kitchen to contact Atma using the academy phone line.
"Please, don't bother asking him what he thinks of me, you don't have to go out of your way," I joked. It was obviously a tough front, but the other girls snickered at it none-the-less.
Kitty bit her lip as she thought of a way to change the subject. "So, like, are you and Seth a couple?" she asked after a long pause.
"Well," I sighed, "we sure won't be for long."
Next to me, Lilicia stretched out her arms. "Well, I don't think he's worth it. He's not the type of guy you'd want to bring home to meet mom, Tory."
"What? You're being, like, way too picky, Lilicia. Don't hold a grudge just because he made, like, one tiny mistake. He looks like a great way to get over Atma." Kitty smiled at me, trying to cheer me up.
"Thing is ..." I said softly, "I'm not so sure I want to."
"Toryn," Lilicia said, nudging my knee with her toe. "I was just worried about you." She gave me a half-smile as she asked for my forgiveness.
I was trying to come up with a reply when the television caught my attention. The news reporter was detailing a catastrophic event. I leaned against the back of the seat and watched as heartbreaking pictures flashed across the screen.
" - roughly eight hundred priests and priestesses of the goddess are unaccounted for across the world after this week's events. Two more temples disappeared this week, for a total of seven temples that have mysteriously vanished. The only item remaining at each of the sites is a broken statue of the goddess, which leads authorities to believe that this is the work of a single organized group. There are no suspects at this time, but - "
"This has gotten, like, really frightening you guys ..." said Kitty. We'd seen news coverage on the issue before, and many civilians were beginning to panic. Everyone I knew followed the teachings of the goddess, so we were all - at least indirectly - affected. I wasn't scared yet, but the attacks were growing more severe and more frequent. The last I'd heard, two temples were missing. That was a month ago. It felt like something terrible was on the horizon, so I did my best not to think about it.
"Who would be so ungrateful as to do something like this to the goddess?" Lilicia wondered.
"A coward, that's for sure," I said. "But if Goddess Ocarina saved our whole species from extinction, why can't she save her servants now?"
"I don't know," said Lilicia sadly. "Temples vanishing ... it sounds so strange. Things don't just vanish."
"This can't be the work of any ordinary person," I agreed. "But who on Elidi would have the power to do that?"
"Not only that," said Kitty, "but, like, no one sees it happen. There hasn't been a single witness yet. I mean, what if their target, like, extends to the military or something?"
"Well I don't think it's come to that quite yet," said Lilicia.
"You know what," I said, suddenly empowered, "I hope they do come here. Because when they do, I'd sure like to give them the punishment they deserve. At least the military can offer a defence."
"Someone should, like, notify them," Kitty smiled. "I know I fear your wrath."
Lilicia got up and turned off the TV. "We shouldn't be worrying ourselves about this stuff," she said. "We should be focusing on the tournament, and school. So far there haven't been any incidents in Eastern Elidi, and I'm sure when there are, the military will give us a part to play. We're going to need a lot of brain power in order to solve a mystery like this, and even more training in order to stop people ... that ..." She paused, fear evident in her eyes. "That can make temples and ... eight-hundred people disappear ..."
"You're right," I said. "We have to keep our heads straight. We're going to need a good sleep to get up for training tomorrow, so let's stop stressing over things we can't control."
"We should stop stressing," Lilicia added, "over boys."
I looked at her, and the truth slowly sank in. "You're right." I shook my head at my own foolishness and followed Lilicia out of the sitting room. "Once again, you're right."
Looking back I saw Kitty on the sofa hugging her knee - nervous, and still at a loss. I thought I should ease her worries.
"Hey, Kitty, if you get up early enough maybe you can watch us train with Seth in the morning. Watching how awesome your friends are should give you some piece of mind."
I snickered at her, but she startled me as she jumped up, her face shining with anticipation. "That is if he still has a job!" she squealed. "Would he seriously, like, sacrifice that to be with you? That's so romantic. Your night must have been amazing, he's like, a walking hormone." I shrugged and walked down the hall and she chased me with over-excited babbling.
"Is he as great as Bobshi foretold? Does he sweat a lot? Come on, tell me!"
Kitty didn't let up the whole time I was getting ready for bed. She had such a bubbly personality and proved to be the perfect medicine for a rough day. Before I came to the school I didn't think anyone could be so happy or talkative. In tough times, I thanked the goddess for Kitty.