Chapter 6: Conflicting Thoughts on Power
I took the next two days to prepare myself against Klug, training late at night rigorously. I couldn't let him win, I didn't want him to prove me wrong. Deep down inside, I knew that I was right. Through of all this, I discovered two new spells that will help me catch Klug off guard. On the second night of training, Ringo found me. "Dave… what are you doin' this late at night? I explained what has happened to me involving Klug to her. "Ah… I see…" "Okay Ringo, I think you should get your sleep, I'll be fine. Oh yeah one more thing, make sure to come and watch so that you can cheer me on. Plus, you'll be able to help me get back to Suzuran after I'm done." She left in assurance that I can do it. At last, the day came to duke it out with "you know who". I went through my classes as usual. Around lunch, Lemres and Feli were somewhat concerned about me. "Dude, are ya okay? Ya didn't seem like yourself for the past couple of days…" Lemres asked. "I don't want you to be miserable, Dave…" Feli worried. "*sigh* Alright, I think that it's time to explain what's been happening with me… Basically this one guy named Klug, said that I shouldn't have this much power already. He challenged my belief that magic power comes from caring about others. He doesn't buy it for a second, so we made an "agreement". We are to fight it out today to see what truly strengthens magic the most." "Ugh, Four-Eyes is causing your troubles?" I was shocked. "Wait, you know him, Feli?" I asked. "Yes… I despise him and his bullshit…!" She was not happy with this development, clenching her fists. "I think everyone hates him for how much of an asshole he can be…" Lemres pointed out. I told them that I was going to have Klug learn the error of his ways. They were rather intrigued to see how this will go. "Hm, how about we watch you? I would love to see Klug have a change of heart." Lemres dreamed. "Maybe at this rate, I'll never have to be concerned with Four-Eyes' actions ever again…" Feli hoped. "Well whatever happens guys, I just want him to stop being a dick to everyone that isn't himself." We enjoyed our time bonding with one another.
A couple of hours later, I'm in Accord's room learning an actual lesson for once. I rather enjoyed it too, there was just something so whimsical about the it. Of course, it was only ever whimsical when Klug didn't ruin the atmosphere. We were being taught how certain elemental spell types interact with others. Here's a quick example, some spell types are strong against direct opposites. Wind spells erode earth spells, water spells douse fire spells, so on and so forth. The bell claps and the class ends, me and Klug both stared at each other. We were both ready for the showdown that would decide a new outcome. We headed inside the forest and I saw Lemres and Feli follow behind. A few minutes later, Ringo finds us located at the deepest section of the forest. She stands by Lemres and Feli to spectate my battle along with them. "So Dave, are you ready to submit to me?" Klug teased rudely. "Not a chance... Klug, I will show you why I can't lose in this situation." We both ready ourselves, this place was about to become a battlefield. I take the first move, hoping to end this swiftly. "Cryogenic Bomb!" Klug yelled out a spell of his own. "Crater!" I watched an explosion take form. I saw a hole that wasn't there before. "*gasp* He must have used it as a means to dodge my attack…!" "Correct. Looks like someone caught on, even if it was delayed… Anyway, your "attack" was sluggish and easy enough to avoid." "Alright... if that last attack was "sluggish", then look out, I have a fast one to compensate." He looked at me as though he thought that I was bluffing. "Heh, I know your one trick, and you don't have any more to…" I made him choke on that last incoming word. "Lightning...Clap!" I clapped my hands once and a zippy bolt shot out connecting with its intended target. "Ack-! Wh-what?! But how?! You only had one spell to work with!" "So I see... you're confused about that. That was two days ago, this me is different than the me from then. I trained for the time that I had free, putting in hard-earned effort and I became connected with new spells to use. You think I just didn't do anything up until now? Come on, even you can't be this gullible..." I explained.
Klug was at a loss for words momentarily. "Grrrr…! Okay then, I was just holding back before, but now, I'm going to hold no punches. Not only will I have intent on winning against you, but you've pissed me off to no end… I'm going to kill you!" He screamed. I was lost in thought as this went on. He now wants to kill me, for such a stupid and selfish reason. We continued to brawl it out as we talked. "Klug, you're letting hatred and jealousy consume you! Don't make yourself out to be a murderer. As much as you are jerk to everyone else, there's still room for you to change! You can be a good!" "Shut up! You don't know anything about me, what makes you think that you understand my position?! Ursa Major!" He unleashed a particularly powerful spell at me as I braced myself. I started to bleed from my arms and legs. Cuts in the shape of a constellation appear throughout. "...! Argh…! *pant* Dammit...!" I winced. "Oh no, Dave!" My friends all yell out to me. "Now, Dave, how about you go ahead and die for me…?" Klug offered. However, I refused to give up at that point. "Sorry, but I don't plan on... dying. I just want to know, Klug... Why do you disrespect other people to begin with? What's your reason?" I asked. "Pah, you really want to know that badly? Fine, I'll tell you through a backstory of mine." He reluctantly decided to tell me.
"It all started years ago, I was ten years of age at the time. I came from a prestigious family of spellcasters, always being told that we were the best around. All things were also happy and peaceful in my home. But then... my father went berserk one day, lashing out on anyone that didn't meet raised up expectations. The one person that he did end up lashing out on… just so happened to be me. I was hurt and traumatized so much by the experience that... I loathed my father for betraying family morale. I wanted revenge against him for the hell that he had put me through! This is why I'm a… "jerk" to anyone outside of my family." He finished his backstory with that. "But... don't you see, Klug? You're getting back at wrong people! Why can't you just take your revenge and get back at your father?!" "You still don't understand, Dave… I would have done so already if I was able to find the bastard! However, I haven't seen him since that day. He ran off, never to be seen or heard from again, and no one else knows where he is. And since I can't find him, I have to take my bitterness, and have someone else suffer so I don't feel shitty anymore. So since I hate you the most right now, you are my target to kill." Klug had explained his final point for all of us to hear. On one hand, I understood his feeling actions... but on another, he was going about this all in the wrong way. "Klug, your pain will never go away unless you find your father. Even if you do though, you might not be strong enough to defeat him on your own… you need me… let me help you… please..." I begged. "Quiet! I've just about had enough with you! I am strong enough and I will prove it by having you die beneath my feet! Besides… this is not any of your concern! This is MY problem that I must resolve myself…" He insisted.
He then pulled out a book and starts chanting in an unknown language. He started to transform, skin tone changing and increasing body height. "My God, what has happened to Klug?!" I exclaimed. "My, what has summoned me here? It's been a long time since I've had a vessel like this to live in." I was perplexed, that wasn't Klug. "Watch out, Dave...! That ain't the Klug that I know!" Lemres warned me. "*gasp* Four-Eyes willingly allowed himself to be possessed by an evil spirit...!" Feli yelled. "Possessed…? Oh no… Dave… be careful…" Ringo said. "You're not Klug! Who the hell are you?!" I demanded for an answer. "Ah, so is that the name of the vessel I'm currently in? Well, he was certainly foolish to let me out of that book. He has thrown his own life away and his spirit is now trapped in the very book that I remained in damnation for all these years. To answer your question: You may call me... Gulk." He answered. "What?! I'm trapped in here?!" I heard a voice from somewhere. That voice was coming from the book, Klug's voice in fact. "Hm? ... Ah, you thought that possession would only be temporary... I'm assuming that you wanted me to finish the job against this guy… and then you thought that I would go away afterwards. Well, I am sorry to say that possession doesn't work the way you think it does..." He told Klug. I was taken aback by this taking shape, I needed stop him. "You son of a bitch, give Klug back his body now or face a fate worse than death!" I exclaimed. Klug's visible spirit perked up with confusion from the book. Gulk seemed to be rather amused by my threat. "Is that so? Do you not know my strength, you mortal worm?" He asked me.
With a snap of a finger, he had a force grab onto me tightly. "Aaaaaaah! What is this... overwhelming grip?! Ack-!" "Heh, you will be dead soon enough and join up with Klug's demise. As for the rest of you…" He pointed to my friends. "...once I'm through with him, you are all next…" I couldn't let him harm my friends, not then, not ever. So at that point, I released my third spell. "Grrrrrrrr… Gulk, you won't have your way... I'll protect my friends and save Klug from his entrapment made by you! Heavenly Flare!" The blast of light was so strong, it knocked away whatever held me still. My friends shielded their eyes, and Gulk was shocked beyond belief. "Ah! What is happening to me, why am I leaving my vessel?!" The evil spirit drifted away from Klug's body. "Feli, now!" Lemres yelled. "I got it! Significator!" Feli was pulling the spirit with dowsing rods back into the book, and in the process, bringing back Klug to the realm of the living. We had successfully trapped the evil spirit back in his place, I sighed in relief and said this... "We have to make sure that this thing doesn't ever fall into the wrong hands again. Let's have this book be buried in a spot where no one will ever find it." Lemres took the book from my hands. "I'll bury it, I happen to know the very place to do so." I thanked Lemres and he left us with Klug.
Things were okay at that moment and we were all safe. "Oh my God! Dave, I'm so glad that you are okay!" Ringo said as she hugged me in relief. "Oh hey, Four-Eyes is regaining consciousness…!" Feli noticed. I turned my head around to take a look at Klug. "Klug! Are you okay?" "I-I am, but why...? Why did you want to help me, I don't understand... and where's the book?" He asked. "Look, if you couldn't get back your body... you will never be able to get revenge on your father. It's like I told you before: When there is a problem that needs solving, I jump in to help. I know that deep-down inside, you are a good person. This curse on you will never go away until you take revenge on the man that ruined your time in years past. I'm willing to help lift that mark off and eliminate it. You see, Klug… I've had an experience similar to yours. I know the feeling all too well, that's why I can't ignore this issue. Come on, Klug... grab my hand, we're gonna track down this shadow that has lingered for far too long. As for the book, we had Lemres bury it so that no one evil can let that spirit run loose again." I told him as I reached out my hand. Klug was at a loss for words, his jaw remained dropped for about a minute. "Do you really mean everything that you say wholeheartedly, Dave…?" He asked me. "Of course, what are friends for?" I reassured him. He stared at me a for seconds. "Friends… thank you. I finally see the message you were trying to tell me. I was blind, idiotic, and… foolish. True power comes from dedication, teamwork, and friendship..." He realized. I helped him stand up steadily as he smiled, and I smiled back. "I think we're both a little bruised up from this Klug, let's go back to our homes and rest up." I had Lemres and Feli help Klug out, while Ringo did the same for me.
By the time we got back, I could barely stand. "Uuugh, I can't keep carrying you like this… you're too… heavy…!" She drops me carefully next to the entrance. "I'll get my parents, you stay here." I stay as she told me to. "Oh poor Dave, what has happened to you? You are covered in scratches." Ms. Ando wondered. "Trust me, you do not wanna to know... it's a long story." Mr. Ando helps me onto a couch, where I started to rest. I hear a conversation go on in the kitchen. "Ringo, tell us the truth please, who did this to our precious guest?" Ms. Ando asked. "Weeell... I would, but the guy that did it to him is sorry about it, let's just say that it was all an accident… one that went completely out of control." Ringo explained to her parents. "If it was a couple of simple scratches, then I would understand… but there are so many complex ones carved out." Mr. Ando said. "Well honey, it doesn't matter who or what caused those… what truly matter is that Dave is okay." Ms. Ando comforted Mr. Ando. Ringo came up to me about a half hour later, hand delivering me food. "How are you feeling, Dave?" She asked me. "Oh these? They hurt, but they're not the worst thing that I've felt, I'll be fine." I said, and she smiled. I sat up as carefully as I could and ate. Once I was done, I was carried up to bathroom so I can bathe. Of course, there was no way in hell that I was able to take a shower, not in my current condition. I opted for a bath instead, at least then my legs could not give up on me. I eventually finished and dressed up in fresh clothes. "*Sigh* Ms. Ando needs to sew up my uniform… I can't have it be like this..." I checked the cabinets for any bandages. I was in luck, a couple of rolls were together in one of them. Wrapping around my cuts, I felt a stinging pain throughout. I went through that night and Sunday in some pain, but it was all healing surprisingly quickly… maybe a little too quick. By the time Monday morning showed its face, I was good to go again.
Author's Notes: And so, Dave makes a new friend in Klug. Through the rough battle and struggle, he and Klug have come to understand one another. The two vow that they together will bring revenge to Klug's father. Next chapter, Chapter 7: The Search for Klug's Father Begins.