The Renegade Establishment
Book 1: Beginnings
By: Zagan Arrne
Note: That this series is separated into several "Books"
Chapter ~1 Magic and Love
For some time people wander. Whatever the amount of time, and whatever the topic is is rather unimportant. What matters is why we wonder. For some it's just for the heck of it, a stroll in the park for a walk on the beach. For others. It's quite different. Especially for one, a teenager named Xegera Rixin. For him, many things had led to his wandering. From an early age, Rixin was rather neglected. Having two parents too involved into work to care for him. The only time he saw his parents was late into the night. This cycle repeated itself for many years. Until rixin was sixteen, then something happened.
Rixins parents were in a car, on an almost empty road. Paying little attention, the two didn't notice the black car behind them. Soon the car came to their side. Both gave little thought to it. The car swayed away from them, then it rammed the side of the car, pushing it in a head on course towards a concrete construction divider. Neither of the two survived the crash. From then on Rixin wandered off, searching for the men who killed his parents.
For two years Rixin wandered across the country. With Revenge being the only thing on his mind. Eventually he came to the city of Teragon Ohio. While walking around Rixin decided to stop at a vending machine. He walked into an alleyway where one was located. Before he got to pay, he heard a voice. "Help!" the voice cried. Rixin instinctively ran to the voice. He found himself at a new alleyway. Before him stood a man, knife in one hand, and a girl a little younger than Rixin.
"p-please…" The girl said.
"Let her go." Rixin firmly said.
"in your dreams punk." the man replied.
"Alright, guess i'll make you" Rixin said.
Rixin opened his coat. Revealing a black butterfly knife, he drew the knife from his pocket.
"take one more step kid, and i'll slit her throat" the man threatened.
Rixin chuckled. "I don't need to." he said
Rixin threw the knife, badly cutting the man's hand. The man dropped his knife.
"you little… I'll get you back someday." the man said running off.
Rixin smiled and walked up to the girl.
"you alright?" he asked.
"y-yea. Thanks." she replied "I'm Zed. Zed Larosa." she said, reaching her hand out, as to shake it.
"Im Rixin, glad I showed up in time." he said with a chuckle.
"T-thanks again for helping me." she said.
"No problem." Rixin said.
Rixin took a moment to look at the girl. Zed was shorter than Rixin, at least 5'4 Rixin figured was her height. She had short blonde hair, and blue eyes. Along with a slender figure.
"So, you live here or something?" She asked.
"No, just passing through. Might leave, might not. Really depends on what happens
"Oh, well from what I saw you gotta come with me." She enthusiastically said.
"A-alright." He said.
Zed led Rixin down several city blocks. Eventually they came to a brick wall surrounding what appeared to be around a school. Zed walked up to a gate, and the two walked into a courtyard. A building stood in front of the two. "Tera High" was written on a sign above the two doors. Rixin seemed a bit confused. He had not been to a school since his parents died, going to another one, just seemed a bit weird. Rixin stopped, seeming to think about if going back to school was a good idea. Zed sighed and grabbed Rixin's sleeve, as to motion him to come inside. They walked into a front office, and Zed led Rixin up a set of stairs to another room, then down a hall. Eventually the two made it to a door. A plaque sat to the side of the doorframe. " 's Office" It read. Zed looked at Rixn and nodded. When they walked in a man sat at a desk. Eyes seemingly glued to a series of files in front of him. Zed cleared her throat
"Mr. Howard. I want you to meet someone" She said.
"One minute, I'm quite busy." He said.
"But Mr. Howard. This is really important." She said.
"Fine, what is it. Oh hello there. I do apologize I do have some deadlines to meet." He said.
"This is Rixin. He kinda saved me just a while ago." Zed said.
"Is that so? Well we all do appreciate you helping. Why is he here now?" He asked.
"He has to enroll here. Come one , he hasn't even got a roof over his head." Zed said.
"Well, it all really depends on his decision." said.
Rixin thought it over, thinking if he was really ready to stop wondering for revenge.
"I'll do it." Rixin said.
"Well, I see. I suppose I can arrange something with a local home. After all if he helped you the least I can do Is provide some sort of comfort for him." replied.
"Thanks !" Zed excitedly said.
And so began Rixins time at Tera High. From here on Rixin was to live in a home for the orphaned. Now Began Rixins daring adventure into a life at tera High.
Beep! Beep! Beep!. The alarm clock rang, Rixin's hand slammed down onto the blaring clock. The beeping stopped. Rixin groaned and lifted himself out of bed, and walked to his closet. With a quick stretch he relaxed and grabbed his new clean uniform. He looked at the grey trench coat and grey pants. Confused as to why this school had trench coats as the set attire, he proceeded to put his new uniform on, and looked in the mirror. He looked at the long coat which now sat on his shoulders sleeves to the sides. He looked at the ends of the coat and spun around. After inspecting his uniform, Rixin walked out of his room and looked at the microwave clock.
"Dang, i'm late!" Rixin said, as he rushed to the plate of toast which laid near the toaster. He picked the toast up, placed it in his mouth, and ran out the door. Zed was at the bus stop. Rixin walked up to her and greeted her with a simple wave.
"Oh, Hi Rixin!" Zed said
"Hey. So what kinda classes do we take at Tera High?" Rixin asked.
"Well, Tera High is a combat training school. Although it's not affiliated with any outside organizations or armies. I'll explain some more stuff as the year goes on, it's rather complicated after all.
Rixin nodded. He had no prior knowledge any kind of schools of this variety even existed. Eventually the bus came. Tera High didnt have any of its own buses. However the school paid for the city buses, and fare was free for all students. Even after school hours. The two went on the bus, making some light small talk. The bus eventually came to a stop in front of the schools main gate.
"Well, I guess this is where we part for most of that day, i'm still a first year. Go to the office and they'll give you a schedule for your classes." Zed said.
Rixin nodded and walked into the main office, looking for some directions for the 3rd year students, as he had previously finished 2nd year at his last school. Eventually, Rixin had found the route to the 3rd year building. He began to walk down one of the outdoor walkways, then approached the staircase, which labeled where his next class was located. He walked up the staircase, passed the first flight of stairs and turned to climb the next flight. However a girl stood in front of him, A girl with bright red hair stood him. Rixin looked at the girl in front of him. She stood slightly taller than him, had green eyes and a slightly above average bust. She smiled and turned to Rixin
"Hey, you must be new here, I'm Ruby. Nice to meet you" the girl smiled, extending her arm to him. Rixin seemed confused. But he reluctantly reached out and shook her hand.
"I'm Rixin, I moved here a couple days ago." he said. Ruby smiled, she seemed to find the dashing Rixin cute, at least that's what Rixin had told himself. Ruby looked at the note sticking out of Rixins pocket. She reached for it, looking at what classes he had to come. Ruby smiled again. "Well it looks like we're going to the same classes for most of the day, I'll show you where all the teachers are." She said.
Rixin nodded and followed her to the first class. Secondary Combat Training. Rixin walked into the room, A series of knives, and blunt weapons neatly arranged on the walls of the room. A childish grin came upon Rixins face. He walked further into the room, looking at all the butterfly knives assorted on the wall. He reached for a black one, however a staff soon came down upon his hand, stunning him for a brief second. Rixin turned around, and saw a man sharply dressed in a suit and tie, along with a pair of black framed glasses.
"Exactly what is it that you think you are doing?" The man asked.
"What does it look like smart ass i'm getting a knife, this is a combat training class isn't it." Rixin yelled at the man. The man stood there, seemingly disappointed by the outbursts that Rixin had just said..
"It seems you are more hopeless than Mr. Howard had said. I'm I teach this class, you will learn respect for these weapons, and especially this class, you understand?" Mr. Kaplan seemed serious, Rixin realized it was pointless to argue with him. He nodded.
"Good. Now our class begins, you and ruby were chosen simply because of your skill. I see skill seems to be your only aspect ." Mr Kaplan remarked with a serious expression. "Now Ruby." Ruby nodded and walked to one of the three lockers which stood in the corner of the room. Mr. Kaplan moved to the blackboard, picked up a piece of chalk and wrote on the board, "combat, is an art" He looked over to Rixin, "Now Ruby, please demonstrate to Mr. Rixin on what a real fighter looks like." Mr. Kaplan ordered.
Ruby drew a Rapier from the locker. An intricate guard rested on the blade, as well as a damascus pattern along the length of the blade. She held the blade gently in her arms, and walked into the center of the room, where she stood before a wooden dummy. She prepared her sword, holding it firmly in her hand, while presenting the other in a guarding position, a gauntlet fixated on her arm. She began to lay blows to the dummy, even piercing the wood with just the tip of the blade. Her strikes were clean, precise, and fast. She quickly danced around the dummy, slashing and dashing around it while bits of wood flew from the dummy. Rixin was in awe, watching Ruby elegantly slash at the wooden dummy. "That's enough Ruby." said. Ruby stopped, she was breathing heavily, yet she seemed ready to strike at the dummy once again. She presented her weapon, and put it back into the scabbard. She smiled, and looked at Rixin.
"Well, what do you think?" she asked
"Pretty good, but I prefer a more up close approach" Rixin remarked with a smirk.
"Well, depends if you're fast enough to get inside." Ruby replied.
"Maybe a demonstration would help." Rixin said.
nodded handing Rixin a butterfly knife, as well as a dagger. "You best not disappoint me . I expect you to be level headed, and focus on the target which you swing at."
Rixin chuckled, he spun the knife in his hand, looking at the target from afar, sizing it up to see where the most deadly attacks would be placed. The spinning stopped, and Rixin ran full speed at the target. Delivering a deep slash across the stomach, then spinning around to stab the dummy in the neck several times. Eventually Rixin had tackled the dummy, delivering multiple blows to the chest and face of the dummy.
"Stop!" yelled. He placed his head in his palm, obviously upset at Rixin for being so reckless. "Hand the knife over boy, I expect only level headed play by my students do you understand?! The fact you have the audacity to even think that this behavior is acceptable in our school." walked to the window looking out to the courtyard which stood next to the building where they were in. Rixin stomped his foot on the ground.
"Hey old man! If you want to fight, let's fight, but I know what I'm doing. I fight how I fight now how you tell me to." Rixin yelled at Mr. Kaplan.
"Stupid boy, you have no control, you fight then suddenly burst into rage, a real fighter does not tackle his enemy unless he himself is injured. You know nothing boy! You are a child. A goodfornothing street fighter who relies or speed and rage to take his enemies out." yelled back
Rixin was furious, he clutched the knife in his hand and threw it towards . However the knife stopped midair, in the palm of 's hand.
"If you're going to do that, please. Make your aim better and not aim for the windows." Mr. Kaplan said walking to his desk, placing the knife in the drawer. Rixin was surprised that he had been able to catch the knife.
Ruby quietly stood in the corner of the room, waiting for orders. She walked over to Rixin, and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You need to control yourself while fighting, otherwise you'll get killed when you face someone whos faster than you." Ruby said.
"I can handle myself" Rixin replied.
"No you can't Rixin, you need to be careful when you fight." Ruby said back.
"Look Ruby, I know how to handle myself." Rixin replied
Ruby nodded, she knew Rixin would have to learn sometime soon, but he wouldn't learn now. The school bell rang. Rixin and Ruby looked at each other then proceeded to walk out of the room
"Bye " they both said.
Rixin looked at Ruby, "What's his problem?"
" just wants to protect us, he is a bit rough on the edges, but he is right you know. You need to control yourself better..." Ruby said.
"I guess, maybe I was a bit rough." Rixin replied.
"Maybe be a little less, stabby. If you get what i'm saying." Ruby giggled.
"Sure thing." Rixin said.
They walked downstairs. Ruby looked over to a larger building, "Hey Rixin, come with me" She said.
"What?" Rixin had little time to react before Ruby grabbed his hand. The two ran to the the building, and Ruby opened a door on the side of it.
"Check this out." She said as she opened the door.
In front of Rixin was an indoor stadium, with a simple arena stood in the center of the stadium. A sand floor with a red line drawn in the centre of the arena. Two banners stood on each side of the arena, the one to the right read Voodoo Plasma. The left side Read Gothic Spree. Ruby smiled. "This Is the 'thunder dome'. Sorry for the lack of originality."
"What is that supposed to mean" Rixin jokingly replied. Both of them chuckled.
"Every winter the teams within the school come here to participate in combat trials." Ruby said as she stared into the center of the arena.
"Sounds fun." Rixin said.
"It is...Till the end." Ruby said, as the color in her eyes started to fade.
"What happens at the end?" Rixin asked.
"When the season starts, we have to use fake weapons, Replica blades that shock you with an electrical shock, it's not lethal though. However at the end of the season...They use real weapons, Only one team can leave. The others...aren't so lucky."
"Oh. Have you ever…?" Rixin began to ask
"Yes! I have, and I never want to see that again! You don't get it Rixin, these people are you're friends. You're classmates, you know who they are and their friends and boyfriends and girlfriends. Being in there isn't fun and It isn't a game either. Once you get killed you're done, No coming back." Ruby said, physically shaking, grabbing a nearby rail to regain her balance. Rixin ran over to her, and reached underneath her arms to hold her up.
"Ruby! Are you okay?" Rixin yelled.
"N-no…" she said as she passed out.
"Ruby!" Rixin yelled.