Chapter 4: Trouble
July 19th,, 2010 0630 hours
Several days later...
Location: Heierlark - North Osea
Awakening to the sound of my watch. of night still held its grip over Heierlark. Still half sleep, I tried to get out of bed by rolling out forgetting that I am on the top bunk, only to end up crashing to the floor with a thud.
Damn clumsiness."Ow." I groaned.
"You okay?"
Nagase who's already up, glanced at me with slight concern and amusement before continuing to write her something in her book. Grunting in response I lift myself off the floor and precede with what I was planning to do; taking a shower. I grabbed what I need to shower and head for the men's bathroom which is down the hallway from our room.
Upon reaching my destination, I ended up running into Chopper who's also heading to the bathroom. The moment Chopper noticed my presence he sped up his pace, making me speed up as well. A few moments of speed walking a devious grin snaked across my features as I raced past him, laughing along the way.
Chopper quickly realized my plans and ran after me. Although he's slightly taller than I am faster than he was getting to the bathroom first. Not waiting for him to catch up, I opened and closed the door quickly, causing him groan in frustration.
"C'mon Blaze, you had a head start," Chopper whined.
I opened the door slightly and respond," You were too slow. Better luck next time."
With a groan from Chopper who obviously don't like waiting. Shutting the door Before I could take another step, I groaned as a powerful bursts of pain surged through my temples. The pain
Voices began to appear, much clearer this time with each pulse of pain.
"You cannot stop it no matter how hard you try, Demon Lord."
Why do you seek to control me. Haven't I caused enough death already?
"Yes you have; quite impressively I might add. However, this is not why I contacted you."
What do you want from me?
"You know exactly what I want Cyrus."
No. I don't.
"Are you sure about that? Let me remind you then."
Powerful burst of pain intensified, causing me to yell out in total agony. My scream seem to alert Chopper as he begun to knock on the door.
"Yo, Blaze? You alright in there," Chopper called from behind the door.
"This time your under My control. Do not try to resist."
"I'm...fine..." I growled.
The
"You WILL do as I say, Demon."
Suddenly the painful throbbing ceased leaving me breathing heavily on the floor, each exhale sounding like faint growling.
"Welcome back Demon Lord."
My eyes were shut tightly, hands and knees flat on the floor. Reopening them my peripherals viewed only the titled flooring, I knew this was going to happen, I just didn't know when.
Knowing I can't win. With the sound of defeat in my voice, I gave in to the voice.
"I submit."
"Good. Now you'll obey me, without question."
With that the voice disappeared along side the red tint in my eyes returning to their original sapphire blue color only leaving light remnants of red around my pupils. Once I gather my strength, I stood up and leaned on the sink staring into the mirror.
'What have I become?' I thought as I sighed, and continued on with my previous task.
Eight minutes later, I emerge from the shower and got dressed with the clothes I brought with me. I did a quick shave and brushed my teeth then left the bathroom not bothered by my still wet hair. Chopper stopped me dead in my tracks, as soon I was out of the bathroom.
"Yo man," Chopper said, worry in his voice."You sounded like you were dying in there; Are you sure your okay?"
"I said; I'm fine, Chopper." I replied, coldly.
With that, I left and head back to my room. Chopper just stood there for a moment bewildered by the change of attitude as he watched me walk down the hallway. He just shrugged and enter into the bathroom.
Aware of my presence, Nagase glanced up at me, "You're back."
I ignored her for the moment and continue to put my stuff away. Unaware of the sudden change of my behavior, she went back to writing in her book.
"I'm going to get breakfast," I spoke softly. "Want to come?"
She didn't say anything in answer to my question, and followed me out of the room.
Kei and I made our way to the mess hall where all the other nuggets were hanging out and eating their breakfast. Me and her had a bowl of cereal, with toast and some milk.
Immediately, I'd noticed couple of nuggets huddle in front of the t.v watching the "Knights of the Belkan War" documentary created by that journalist Brett Thompson. He was the one that tried to find me, in hopes to get my thoughts of Belkan War.
Right now the interview is on Larry Foulke. It seems that he is volunteer soldier for ISAF judging by the ISAF flag in the background. He always have the sly look on his face when tries to apologize. For some reason, this last interview always gets me. The sadden look on his face when he know he's made a huge mistake. I continued to eat and watch the rest of interview.
-On the television-
"I should of died that day. But I didn't. I dragged my wounded body and reached ground zero of the nuclear detonations. A barren, empty land. I felt unbearable sadness when I witnessed that were still people living there. They were the ones that saved me..." Pixy trailed off.
"...It may be true that the world has no need of borders. But would getting rid of them really change anything? The world won't change for the better unless we trust people. Trust is vital in a peaceful world. But that will never happen. I'm still on the battlefield. Right now I'm near a border. I want to see for myself what borders really mean and what their volition really is. I may not find what I'm looking for, but I still want to try. Anyway, that's what I've come to believe, and I think that's enough. Will he see this video? If you do meet him, give him a message for me..." Pixy asked. The camera zoomed in response to his request.
Oh no.
"Yo Buddy, you still alive? And thanks friend. See you again." He finished.
A smile formed on my face upon hearing that phrase again. I knew that Pixy was truly sorry for his actions. Many would express hatred towards him for what he did. It doesn't matter what others may think of him, he's still my buddy. As the documentary concluded now showing the end credits, I overheard a group of nuggets discussing the interview they just watched.
"Hey, James. Do you really think that journalist found Cipher yet," the younger nugget asked.
James shrugged in reply, "I doubt it."
"Of course that journalist will never find the pilot." said a voice coming from behind, "That's because Cipher never existed."
The group turned their heads and gazed at the speaker in shock by that time Chopper entered the mess hall.
"Hey man, what's up," Chopper greeted.
Smiling at him, I returned his greeting."Sup, Chopper."
Nearly forgetting Kei who is sitting next to me, I decided to introduce them to each other.
"Chopper, this is Kei Nagase." I said while gesturing my hands in introduction," Kei, this Chopper."
Chopper and Kei both greet each other with 'Hi's' and 'nice to meet you's' then he sat down across from me and Kei. All three of us, continued to chat about why one another became a pilot. Of course I didn't tell them that I am Cipher. We were cut off by someone shouting, me, Kei, and Chopper turned our heads to the source of the shouting
"C'mon, really! Do you think this so called 'Cipher' actually exist?!" Shouted the man, gaining attention from other pilots and a few instructors in the hall.
The blond haired male often called 'Hunter' continued on with his rant,"Cipher, is fake. He's not real, that reporter filled all of your pathetic heads with fairy tales!"
With that remark, earned many disapproving groans and angry outbursts from several pilots. Chopper and Nagase were one of them, I on the hand, just sat there laughing to myself at this ridiculous display of pure ignorance.
"How dare you speak of Cipher that way, he's the greatest Ace in history," yells one pilot.
"Yeah. You won't last a single second against him." Argued another.
Hunter ignored them and continued, "You people are morons to think Cipher can beat me on a one on one dogfight? If he does exist, I'll make sure to kill him myself, and be crowned the new Demon lord. I'll be greatest Ace in history!"
I laughed even more at the display. This asshole has some nerve to trash talk about Ciph- I mean me.
"Trust me kid," I smirked."You're going to regret challenging him."
Hunter spun around to meet my gaze and chuckled ruefully,"Oh? Is that so? And what makes you say that, hm?"
"First..." I paused, listing my reasons why he will never defeat me." ...He's way beyond your flight skill. Cipher will pretty much massacre you within seconds and leave you to the dogs. Third. He WILL show no mercy towards his targets. Once your in his line of sight your good as gone." I finished my explanation, earning gasps from the other pilots.
Hunter made his way towards my location and got into my face,"What? You think Cipher's better than me," He questioned, earning a glare from me.
"Much better. In fact: If he was here right now, he will probably turn you into dog food," I mocked.
I didn't answer him which angered him. Hatered fumed on his face. Doing the unthinkable he took my tray and poured it all over me. Cereal and milk spilt everywhere. Nagase gasped in disbelief of what this asshole just was about to say something, but I quickly hushed him and told I can handle it.
"What the hell is your fucking problem." I roared in anger. The irises of my eyes changing from blue back to red from before. Now standing up to confront him.
Hunter marched towards me in blinding rage. He swung a right hook at me which I swiftly dodged with ease. This angered me even further. With almost inhuman strength that I never knew I had. I lift him by his neck and slammed him against the wall hard behind us; pinning him there.
"Foolish mortals. Death comes for you now. Kill him, Cyrus. Kill him now, let the rage consume you."
Still having him in a death grip, he wrapped his hands around my wrists, trying to pull me off his neck. I tightened my grip, causing him groan in pain. The other pilots didn't dare interfere with our conflict, everything and everyone stopped. Nothing but dead silence.
Hunter stared hard into my now reddish colored eyes. He shuddered once he seen the true nature behind them.
"What the hell," I growled lowly, tightening my grip even more to the point of choking him."You think it's funny to pour food all over me?"
Hunter gasped for breath, "Go fuck yourself. I can do whatever I want." He spat out.
"Yes, yes! Kill him now!"
Wrong answer. Tightening my grip, he began to gasp for air. Hunter tried desperately to get out of my clutches, he had some nerve to spit in my face causing me to release him. Hunter made a hard right hook again, this time getting me square in the face. I stumbled slightly, but still manage to stay on my feet.
Now he's in for it. Hunter made an sloppy right hook at me aiming for my head. Quickly recovering, I caught his fist in mid swing. Hunter stared angrily at me, while I returned the glare. Having his right fist in my left hand, I grabbed his wrist and twist it painfully; hearing a distinct crack coming from it. Hunter cried out in agony before attempting to stomp on my right foot which I quickly moved.
Taking advantage of the situation, I moved closer in for an uppercut but he dodge it by countering it with hard right jab to the face. Jerking to the right, missing me by inches. Without hesitating I swung my right leg into a roundhouse kick, he moved to the left causing me to miss him.
Hunter let out a war cry and charged at me; tackling me to the floor, landing flat on my back with him top of me. Fury of non stop punches from him landed on my face, busting my lip. The taste of my blood seeped its way into my mouth, I did my best to block with only one arm free while my other arm pinned by his leg.
Enough of this! Using the last of my strength I tried squirming out from under him but he held me in a choke hold, attempting to choke me. Holding on to his wrists tried to pull him away from crushing my windpipe, but he tighten his grip cutting off my air intake. Without weighing any other option; I manage to bite down on to his arm as hard as I can.
Hunter screamed out,"Ahh!"
Hunter released his grip from my neck I took this opportunity to throw a shovel hook knocking him back from me, I felt another burst of sudden strength pump through my bloodstream. With style, I slid my hands over my head and lunged forward landing perfectly on my feet. Hunter, now aware of me back on my feet tried to tackling me again! This time I moved slightly to the right causing him to miss me completely and slam into the wall head first. Hunter held his forehead in pain. Time to end this, Now that he's stunned I ran with great speed and swung my left leg in a reversed roundhouse, getting him straight in the head, knocking him out cold and fell to the floor unconscious. Before I could move in for the killing blow, Chopper grabbed me by the waist and pulled me back.
"C'mon Blaze! You got'em," Chopper grunted, as I struggled to free myself from him.
"Let go of me!" I growled.
While everyone else cheered for me with the defeat of the ignorant pilot. Chopper and Nagase made attempts to calm me down. Suddenly the fueling anger I had earlier vanished in an instant. I immediately calmed, Chopper noticed the relaxed expression on my face but still didn't let me go. The color of my irises slowly returned to their normal color; blue with the hint red around the center. Taking a deep breath, I reassured Chopper that I am okay now.
"You can let go of me now." I spoke softly.
Noticing the calmness in my voice, he released his hold on my waist. Before long, several instructors came running in because of the commotion in the mess hall.
"What the hell is going on in here?!" yelled Major Castillo.
Everyone immediately got quiet, Castillo looked at the unconscious pilot and then to me with bloodied lip, then back at the pilot. I knew what was coming. Harken is not going to like this, not one bit. I've been here for only several days and I get in trouble, this not the first time this kind of thing happen.
"You. Come here." He said angrily pointing at me.
Without any question I followed him, facing what was to come...