HELLO. And welcome back to another fan fic!
This will be regularly updated, I promise!
This one is somewhat OOC, but I wanted to create a story from a school perspective, but it's not going to be typical harem style story, this will focus on Zed, Syndra and other champions abilities, as well as their power!
Please enjoy, and let me know what you think, I'd love and appreciate some feedback!
In a far off valley in the distance of the Ionian mountains lay a private school, one built by the Institute of War to house and train candidates for the League, and also to house those who cannot control their gifts. It was a fairly new building, but it still held many of the accents of Ionian architecture, making it appear much older than what it really was. The landscape surrounding the school was beautiful, and was one of many things the school prided itself in, it was the perfect environment to calm these power-hungry teenagers that struggle to suppress their talents.
However..
It was also the perfect environment to test the limits of one's ability.
A while away from the school in the dead of night, in the centre of a thick forest, lay a cheaply- constructed arena. It was fairly large, it could host up to a thousand people, if there ever were that many people attending the school. Its stone walls stood 9 foot tall, there was one way in and one way out. Over the top of the wall, you could see the backs of people's heads, where those with the highest seats were sat. There were another 4 layers of seats, declining in height, and stretching outward. Between the lowest level and the arena stage where fighting took place, lay roughly eight meters of lush, thick grass, it looked soft enough to absorb some sort of falling damage, but in reality, it probably didn't do much.
The crowd cheered in delight and excitement as they waited the announcement for the first two contestants, within the crowd sat a black-haired delinquent, an orphan known as Zed. He was popular, but not because he's the joker of the class, he is feared by many in the school because of his power to control and manipulate shadows, or rather his lack of control. He sat in the middle of both starting points for the two contestant, a perfect view for the fight.
It really was a beautiful part of the forest-covered valley. The moon shone brightly nearly every night, it was quite romantic, especially with torch-bugs floating gracefully, and the lanterns, lighting up the odd patch of bench here and there throughout the arena.
It was completely and utterly full of students, but the arena still had plenty of empty seats, rumours had spread that a girl who murdered her master had joined the school, rumour also has it that she has joined to fight in the arena.
"Hey, Zed." His friend, Kou spoke as he took a seat next to Zed, but alas with no response. He was sat leaning forward, with his elbow leaning on his leg, allowing him to rest his head on his fist, but he seemed really distant, and not with it.
"Hey." He clicked his fingers in front of Zed's face this time. He snapped out of his daze.
"Oh, sorry.." he spoke calmly and solemnly, he turned his head to Kou. "Hey."
"You ok? You seem really.. out of it." As Kou said the last few words of his sentence, he looked into Zed's open satchel bag which rested in between his legs on the floor, he noticed a small pill bottle. Zed was still drunkenly looking at his friend with a seemingly dead expression.
Kou leaned in closer and asked with a concerned tone "Dude, have they upped your medication?"
"Yeah.. it's stronger, apparently.." he turned his head back to the arena.
"Not apparently, I think it's too strong! You're half.. dead! Or asleep, I can't tell." Kou closely examined Zed's face, but there wasn't much to examine, he was emotionless.
"I don't.. feel any different. I feel calmer, I didn't have a nightmare last night, so it works, at least.." He seemed oblivious to his real behaviour, Kou could barely believe what Zed was saying.
"Zed, maybe we should go and get that prescription changed back later? I don't want a zombie for a friend." Kou smiled, Zed laughed a little bit.
"I appreciate the concern, but I'm honestly fine.. as long is it stops these damned nightmares.." Zed clutched his long black hair in his fists as he lowered his head. Kou placed a hand on Zed's back and gave him a light pat.
"I know, buddy. I know." He sighed.
"Ladies and gentlemen! As always, I am your host for this months Arena Fights!"
The crowd cheered louder and louder in pure excitement. Zed lifted his head fast pace to resume his view back to the arena.
"Haha yes! It's starting!" Kou spoke with excitement.
"My name is Kai, and let me tell you.. where do I begin to tell you what we have in store this fine evening." He stood in a shirt and tie with black jeans, you could see the outlines of his built body underneath. His short blonde hair was spiky, and his face was handsomely chiselled, the girls went crazy for Kai, especially when he dressed in more modern clothing.
"The rumours are true! We have a murderer amongst us tonight.." the crowd whispered and gossiped between them, the biggest, most exciting news of the year so far was true.
"A lovely maiden, and her name I hear you ask? Syndra, The Dark Sovereign!"
The crowd cheered and hollered in support for the newest contestant.
"Damn, that's quite the title.." Zed spoke softly.
"Kai did tell me earlier what she is known as, I obviously can't give away information, but yes.. it is quite the title." Kou spoke in agreement.
"Your brother takes this seriously, I seem to forget.." Zed seemed to be spacing out again, his eyes were closing as though he were being pulled into a deep sleep. Kou grabbed Zed's shoulders as he started to fall to one side.
"Woah, Zed. We really should go to the infirmary." Kou stood up still holding onto a shoulder. "Come on dude."
Zed snapped out of it again.
"No, no, I'm fine." Zed shrugged Kou's hand off his shoulder, he sat back down.
"It's starting soon anyway, hopefully that will wake me up."
Kou couldn't help but be concerned for Zed, he was his best friend after all, but he also understood Zed in a way not many others do. Kou can't control his power either, it has brought him to near-death many a time before. He holds the power to manipulate the elements, but cannot control them for long before it suffocates him, of both oxygen and rational thinking.
"Without further ado.. Syndra, The Dark Sovereign!"
The crowd sat silently, with some whispering and small conversations happening around them, waiting to see what she looked like, what her power was, what she sounded like what she could do.
"I wonder if she can control her powers, whatever they are.." Zed spoke, staring intently at the gate, waiting for her to walk into the arena.
From around the corner of the entrance, entered a short, pale girl, with long white hair. She was wearing the school uniform, which for the girls consisted of pleated black skirt with black knee-high tights, a white shirt with a purple tie, and also a black blazer, which held the Ionian crest.
"There she is.." Kou spoke softly. His eyes opened wider in amazement as she walked closer into the arena.
She walked in, head down, fists clenched, seemingly uninterested in being there at all, but deep down, she was nervous.
"Let's give her a warm welcome to the Institute of War shall we guys?" Kai raised a hand, and the crowd roared with cheer. Nervously, she took a step forward, and the crowd cheered louder. Syndra looked around the arena in awe, at the amount of people, the amount of magic users, and also how intimidating some of these people look.
"I never thought so much destruction could come from someone so small." Kou spoke.
"Me neither." Zed agreed.
Amongst the cheer in the crowd, the whispering turned sour, and full of critique.
'She's so cute! No way she has that much power'
'You think she took the fall for someone? Certainly looks that way'
'I bet she gets kicked out.'
The whispering turned to talking, about before she knew it, the arena was drowned in the sound of chatter. Syndra tried to ignore them the best she could, but the sound was too much for her to take, she focussed her eyes to the floor and stepped up to the stage. Kai walked up to her, and held out a hand with a smile. She looked up at him, his smile could really make you melt into a puddle. She blushed a little bit and took his hand.
"Now now, let's settle a little bit.. for today, we have a returning champion! Please, put your hands together for our reigning fighter, Kayn!"
The crowd chanted 'Kayn' as he waltzed up to the stage, waving at the crowd and smirking at the various groups of girls in the crowd.
"Take your positions please, and be ready to fight! As always, no tapping out-" Kai signalled to the crowd for them to join in, "-Fight until you pass out!"
"Ready?" Kai looked at both Syndra and Kayn, and took a few steps back.
Syndra stood, staring Kayn directly in the eyes, he returned the look, admiring how small her stature was. He boasted confidence on levels that Syndra couldn't even begin to understand, her hands started to shake. She let out a slow, long exhale of nervousness. The sound of cheer and excitement around her drowned out as Kai lifted his hand. She tried as hard as she could to focus on the Sovereign, but she is too powerful for Syndra to control. Her mind had begun to sway, and her eyes had started to glow a light purple colour.
"FIGHT!" Kai dropped his hand and promptly jumped off of the stage, and ran towards the entrance, where a small pedestal stood. Syndra's hand began twitching, she casted her eyes downward as she watched herself become consumed.
"Awhh, what's the matter? Nervous?" Kayn taunted, rolling up his sleeves. Syndra's vision began to fade, as did her strength, she trembled and feel weak at the knees, unable to cope with the dark magic that was slowly taking it's hold, she stumbled trying to stay stood up, but will power isn't enough on it's own.
Zed became increasingly concerned, as did Kou. The crowd however, was loving every moment of it, there was constant cheering and chanting happening all around the arena.
"What is she doing?" Kou asked, also with a concerned tone.
"I don't know, but I don't think this is good." Zed anxiously switched his view between Kayn and Syndra, watching with great impatience, and with care.
Syndra dropped to the floor on her hands and knees, and tried to control her breathing at much as possible, but the pain and the overflowing mana swept through her entire body, she could no longer take it. She clenched her fists, and heard the Sovereigns voice appear once more.
"Want me to come play again? I'll show him what he's up against. I will destroy you this time, little girl." She spoke in a seductive and sultry tone. Only Syndra could hear this sentence, she managed to whimper a pathetic 'no' before suddenly blacking out.
Syndra was no more, the Sovereign was what Kayn had to fight now. Syndra's body didn't move when she blacked out, but her head slowly lifted, and with one pulsating hand movement, several spheres of dark magic surrounded her limp body. Only the Sovereign could use such strength, since Syndra became corrupted, she was no long able to control her magic to this extent, and only now, was she able to float above the ground, when it wasn't even her conscience controlling her.
The sovereign laughed.
"You know, it's rude to talk down to someone like that." She said with an evil smirk. Kayn took a step back, the Sovereign just floated closer. The crowd were waiting anxiously to see what would happen, conversations were beginning to take a turn for the worst.
The smirk suddenly disappeared off her face, she clutched her head and began writhing uncontrollably.
"No stupid girl! I am in control!" She screamed. The spheres around her began to move erratically.
"This is how her elder was killed, she can't control her powers!" Zed shouted and stood up. He looked at Kou, and signalled to Kai.
"We need to get everyone out of h-" before he could finished his sentence, a clap of thunder roared through the valley, and the rain started to pour, there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. Syndra's body still writhed in agony, as the Sovereign tried to fight Syndra off in her mind.
"Stupid, stupid girl!" She cried with anger.
Zed leaned a hand forward to command his shadow to move, but Kou placed his arm in front of Zed, stopping any movement.
"No, you stay here."
"Why?"
"Because, you haven't been yourself, you can't expect me to think you're suddenly with it all, can you?" Kou explained. Zed wanted to fight back, but his slow mind wasn't letting him make the final decision, it was holding him back.
"O-ok, I'll get everyone out." He said hesitantly. Kou nodded in approval, he valiantly stood up and jogged over to the pedestal to meet with his brother. Zed starting pushing and guiding people out of the arena, other people joined in to help get everyone out. Kai stepped away from the pedestal and started walking with Kou towards Syndra.
"Plan?" He asked in a serious tone.
"I was hoping you'd come up with-"
"Excellent! I have just the plan!" Kai replied with an excited and upbeat tone.
"Now, I need you to concentrate, you have the wider variety of magic, so I need you to summon vines to grab her, and restrain her whilst I cast a calming spell." Kai had a very serious tone to his voice once more, he needed to reassure Kou that he can do this.
"Ok. Concentrate. That's all I need to do." He started to breathe heavily in order to muster up his strength.
Kou had to concentrate to get this spell right, his thoughts were focussed only on growing and controlling the vines right now. This was the easiest of his abilities, in comparison to conjuring and controlling fire or re-directing the wind.
He leant on one knee and placed the palms of his hands on the ground, keeping his eyes focussed on Syndra. She was still screaming uncontrollably and writhing in pain, her spheres stilling spinning around her erratically, as a protective barrier of sorts, but more and more were appearing as time quickly went on.
Zed and the others weren't even close to getting everyone out of the arena, everyone was so spread out. Syndra had a blip, the Sovereign had gained control once more, she screamed and pushed all of her dark magic spheres out towards the crowd, dozens upon dozens of them flying outward in every direction.
Kai quickly summoned his blade into his hand and slammed the ground with it, placing him, Kou, Syndra and Kayn into a protective bubble. The force and shear power of her spheres cracked the shield all around, shattering it into millions of pieces.
"Impossible!" Kai shouted. Everyone in the arena stared in awe, Kai was the most powerful shield caster the school had, this must be an unholy, dark power.
The Sovereign seized her opportunity to lunge Syndra's body at Kayn, summoning all power she could to end his pathetic existence. Kou closed his eyes and within a split second vines shot up from the ground, through the wooden floor of the stage, and wrapped themselves around Syndra's body, climbing upward from her legs all the way to her arms.
"What? No!" She screamed and tried to force her hand towards Kayn, straining her muscles to try and move it, but it was no use. Kai held his hand to the sky and switched places with Kayn, blinking in an instant, he focussed his power on Syndra, a calming spell. Golden, sparkling light poured from his hand and travelling across the floor, up the vines and encased itself around Syndra's body.
Zed watched in pure amazement, seeing how composed Kai was with his magic, how in touch he was with his abilities. It made him jealous a little bit, but he was mostly impressed. He returned to pushing everyone out, but by the time he turned back, everyone had reached the entrance already. He was the last one left.
She squirmed and tried to resist the spell, but Syndra was fading back into consciousness, it was a mind game, a battle if you will between the Sovereign and Syndra. A battle between power, and wisdom, between the power that had festered within Syndra for years, and the wisdom that she had grown up with and been taught.
Kai pushed his hands further, forcing everything he had to calm Syndra, it was as if she was draining him of his power. Kou still held the same position, holding his strength too.
'Just.. a little.. longer..' he thought.
After a few more short moments, Syndra's body fell limp. The Sovereign faded into the back of her mind once more, and her purple glowing eyes faded. Zed stepped over a layer of seats and started making his way down to the arena's stage. The rain and thunder stopped, and Kou couldn't hold it any longer, he pulled his arms from the ground and fell backwards, but was caught by Kayn. Zed cast a shadow to the stage, to the spot where Syndra would fall to and swapped places with it, swiftly catching Syndra in both of his arms.
"Are you alright?" Kayn asked.
"Yeah, thanks." Kou shook his head and rubbed his eyes, Kayn helped him stand up. Kou placed his hand on his head and stumbled a little bit, only to be caught by Kayn again.
"I think.. I need to lie down.." He was struggling to get his words out.
"I think so too, let's go." Kayn put Kou's arm on top of his shoulder and helped him walk back to his room. The forest was on pretty even ground, so the walk shouldn't be too hard.
Kai stumbled and took a few steps back, his vision had gone blurry.
"My god.. It felt like my power was just, being sucked away." He blinked a few times to get his vision back, "And, eh, nice catch, Zed." He was intently looking at Syndra's face, she was even cuter up close. Her skin was so smooth, her lips a little bit plump. He turned around to face Kai.
"I don't know which room is hers, so I'll take her to the infirmary." He said, still looking at her features. Kai limped towards Zed and placed a hand on his shoulder, he also started looking at her face.
"I wonder what her glowing eyes meant. I also thought she couldn't talk." Zed switched his eyes to Kai.
"She's mute?" Kai nodded and let go of Zed.
"Yup, at least I thought she was, that's what I was told. I suppose we'll find out more when she wakes up. I'm gonna stay here for a moment and just.. Compose myself."
Zed nodded. And with those last words, he turned around and started heading towards the school. The whole school stood by the entrance, making way for Zed as he walked towards them. He quickly caught up with Kayn and Kou, but decided not to stay at their pace.
He wanted to make sure Syndra was ok.
Hope you enjoyed! Please leave a rating, let me know what you think! Is there anything you really want me to write? Is there something you want to read? Let me know! This is fresh and ongoing, so I'm up for writing something new!
DISCLAIMER - I know Zed basically raised Kayn from the age of 10, but this is what I mean when this is OOC. Kayn is younger than Zed though, He's about 15 or so years old, Zed is about 18/19, so they're sort of brothers! :D
