Chapter 4: What's At Stake
The battlefield, though littered with obstacles and scars of strife, lay barren of all else. Dusk and Sherry stared each other down, conflicting wills at work. He, with his gun in his grasp, while she held the lasso of her gun like a whip. One could not find two more determined fighters in all Atlas at this time. Coal exhaled coarsely, making his discomfort audible to the other spectators.
"So, this is your solution?" He asked. "This is your idea of resolving the mess you started? In what way is this you taking responsibility?!"
Seraphina scoffs in disgust. "Does a minute go by without you prattling on about nonsense? Worry like that and you'll bald before you're thirty."
"Right, of course, silly me. I was simply hoping my head would still be attached for my thirtieth to actually take place."
"Ugh, calm yourself. This is a perfect solution."
"Explain to me how this is a solution of any kind."
With her arms folded, the psychic waggled her finger with a smile. "Either I have a heart to heart with Dusk, or its suddenly not my problem anymore."
Coal saw a clenched fist whiz past his face. It would have reached the psychic had she not expected such lashback. "Stand still and let me hit you." Viridian growled while flailing his fist.
"All right, all right, I apologize." She admitted with a scowl. Coal's frown disappeared upon hearing her response. She would never have apologized for anything. One who never regrets any action or pities a single soul is the type of woman she is. Once Viridian gave up his swinging and stomped away, Sera flashed Coal a smile. "I was being serious. I will have a talk with Dusk should he win."
His frown returned, stirring disbelief in the psychic. No doubt she could see his imagination at work, depicting the young soldier in service to vile sovereignty. Coal ignored her false claims and empty promises, disregarding her rebuttal. "Dusk is our friend. I don't want to see harm come to him, or anyone else for that matter."
"I'm well aware of that. " She replied. Then her tone softened. "I know that all too well. But we have our jobs to do."
"But it-"
"It isn't everything." She finished for him. Coal stood there in silence, a bit stirred, yet not surprised. "And you're right. It's time we grew up. And it's time for them to do the same."
She had changed. Perhaps not drastically or even quickly, but something affected Seraphina's icy heart. As though what had stunted her growth had weakened, even slightly. Coal turned his attention to the two fighters instead. Pretty words don't matter, he thought to himself. What matters is the result of this fight.
The Atlas arena was available for all students to use, especially as extra curriculum. Indeed, Team Canvas and Mustard and Passion weren't the only ones present. Few others that had used the stage until recently stood by. Dusk did one last checkup on his rifle. Everything was all prepared. With a confident smirk, he shouted to the only obstacle standing between him and Seraphina.
"I must confess, I'm surprised you agreed to such a duel! Such an invitation is nothing less than a declaration of your feelings."
Sherry waved her lasso around, until it retracted back into her gun. There was little she wouldn't do for style points. "The same goes for you, don't it? Sera's a nice catch. I didn't think you'd have the guts to comply with something like this."
What Sherry said was true. However unfortunate, spineless was a good word describing the soldier well. But this man standing there today... Dusk gave a chuckle, looking striking and bold. "My victory shall be testament to my feelings for her. What better way for a man to confess?" Who is this guy?!
"When love is on the line, it's all or nothin', is that it?" Sherry asked. "I couldn't agree more!" When did these two become like old war buddies? This entire debacle has thrown everything into chaos. Coal wasn't sure if this wasn't some kind of parallel universe where everything made sense and no one was crazy.
The screens lit up, and four profiles appeared. "Same rules as usual!" Dusk announced. "A fight in pairs, until Aura depletion or a ring out! Are you ready for this, Sylvia?"
"I'm always ready for battle." The berserker declared in a solemn tone, no battle crazed grin like usual. She held a poised battle stance, axe held firm in her hands, a serious expression gracing her. The parallel universe theory holds ground, Coal thought to himself.
Shery grinned. "I knew you'd have your strongest ally with you for this. The bond of partners is strong, after all. Exactly why I..." With a raised hand, the pink haired girl introduced her own reinforcements. Sandra pushed forward a very reluctant looking Plum onto the stage. "Chose my leader!"
"Wait, Sherry, I never agreed to this!" Plum blurted.
"But you have to!" Sherry cried. "C'mon, you're perfect for this, I know you are!"
"What about Nadine?!"
(5 minutes earlier)
"No." Nadine declared.
Sherry held her breath for a moment, shocked. "I didn't even say anything."
"My answer is no, Sherry. Find one of the other girls to help you."
"How do you even know I'm going to ask you a question? Maybe I came to say hi, or to grab a book." She gestured to the other tomes in the vast Atlas Academy library.
Nadine sighed, lowering her book. "I've known you for over half my life. There's no reason you would come to the library on your own, unless you've realized that academic studies are something you're lacking. And that is a very very slim chance. No, the only reason you would approach the library is either a guy that's caught your interest is on his way here or already inside, or your objective is me. Since it's still three months until we get new students, the former seems unlikely.
"That only leaves me. You always come to me whenever you have one of two problems; either with your studies again, or boys. I never see you approach for any other reason. Since I saw you arm in arm with Viridian on my way here, that makes the deduction even easier. To summarize, you're predictable and stubborn." Nadine took a sip from her drink, before staring a hole through her partner. "Am I wrong?"
A long time passed. Too long. Sherry's smile cracked, either through sheer embarrassment, or annoyed that Nadine had the gall to say something like that. "Naddy, I need your help."
"I hate being right sometimes." Was her swift reply.
"I'm entering into a duel, and I knew I could count on you."
"A duel?" The bookworm blinked in surprise. "Extra curricular phys. ed? That's unlike you. Good for you."
"So you'll help me?" Sherry chirped with glee.
"No, of course not." Hearing such a harsh answer made her gasp as though someone stabbed her in the gut. "Combat Training is my worst subject, and I'm fine with that."
"Naddy... This is a matter of life and death!"
Nadine's scowl returned. "So it is about boys. I should've known."
(Present time)
"Can you believe her?!" Sherry grumbled. Plum averted her gaze, staring into nothing. She furrowed her brow and pursed her lips, before nodding to no one in particular. "Anyway, you're my only hope now, so shake a leg!"
Plum sighed. "You owe me for this." She answered, readying a battle stance.
"Put it on my tab!" Sherry replied. Plum faltered, and her arms and head swung down.
"Let's not put this off any more than we already have!" Dusk shouted, firing a warning shot into the air. Sylvia dashed forward with inhuman speed, while Sherry bounced away. Plum made an ungraceful noise as she twisted her body to avoid the soldier's next shot. Gritting her teeth, she made a silent vow to get back at her daydreaming teammate one day. Her blades met Sylvia's, the sheer force behind the blow pushing Plum back.
And still the berserker pressed on. An unrelenting barrage of swift strikes, each with uncanny precision. Clacking her swords together to form a V, she fired the gun cartridges off. A ringing bang, followed by a black dust cloud. Plum had already backed away with a somersault, though she knew the berserker lay in wait. No coughing, she thought to herself. Sylvia must have known to hold her breath.
Gunfire, then a bullet split through the cloud, missing her leg by a narrow margin. Even through ash and smoke, Dusk remained a deadly shot. Plum dashed away, but with the field of battle empty, there was no haven from gunfire at such a range. What is Sherry doing?! She should be trying to draw his attention away so that I can deal with Sylvia!
And as though sensing the words on the tip of Plum's tongue, Sylvia charged through, a powerful jab leading her charge. The incredible reach of the two handed weapon all but grazed her. She swapped her holding of her swords, now parallel to her forearms, batting the mighty axe away. With a spin towards her opponent, Plum brought her free sword down.
But instead of making contact, Sylvia pulled herself towards her wayward axe. Turning her body, Plum's blade collided against the base of the hilt. Although the berserker's movements impressed her, she had tactics for such workarounds. The more flexible the fighter, the greater their strength. Sylvia's mistake was forgetting about Plum's left machete, still holding the axe back, but primed nonetheless.
She fired, the shrapnel of her round plastering the berserker's face. Plum fought the temptation to smile, proud of herself. Her discipline would not allow her to grow arrogant. With a spinning hop, her winding blades swirled. Like a whirlwind, she pelted Sylvia's defenses. Having had enough, Sylvia raised the lighter end of her heavy weapon. It's lightness meant a greater speed, catching Plum off guard. The blow struck her square in the chest, disorienting for the briefest of moments.
Twirling her weapon forward, the berserker continued forward with another jab. Then, swinging the weight of her body, she loosed a devastating horizontal blow. Plum performed a spinning jump, leaping over the deadly strike, her blades once again striking Sylvia. But Plum realized too late she had nowhere to go but down. With great effort, the berserker redirected her axe skyward, batting Plum higher into the air. She cluttered to the ground, though swiftly jumping to her feet.
"You're not the same wild fighter you were before." Plum admitted. "Very commendable. I should be grateful to be allowed a chance to grow alongside such a fine adversary."
Sylvia smirked back. "I dunno what exactly that means, but it sounds like a compliment at least."
(-)
Just as Dusk had hoped, Sherry made a beeline for the soldier. Even without cover and angles to bounce off of, she remained a versatile and swift foe. The traction on those boots are unreal. Even so, it became easier to track and predict her movements. Dusk's bulletspray had reached her, pelting her Aura. And then, to his surprise, she dove straight for him. Gliding above the ground, Sherry closed the distance, her body lower than he thought possible.
Once underneath, all it took was a motor powered kick to send Dusk high into the sky. Clever. Despite her tiny frame and weight, she used the ground as an anchor point. Otherwise, any kind of kick from her would simply send her off as well. Although Dusk doubted Sherry's intellect, she knew physics at least. Or perhaps it was instinct and practice.
Though the soldier realized too late this is no time for a thorough analysis. With his flight path easy to follow, Sherry's own bullets struck his defenses. Dusk gritted his teeth, focusing his Aura to maintain its shielding effect. Re-positioning himself, he fired in turn at her. And thus her evasive maneuvers resumed. The fire fight lasted another two seconds before Dusk finally landed.
Once again, his adversary closed the gap between them before he could react. Her foot narrowly missed his face, and in the freeze frame that followed, she wrapped her arms around his rifle as he motioned to raise it. Dusk struggled to free his gun, noting the confident smirk creeping on Sherry's lips. But that would be her downfall. If all his defenses were only a single gun, then he had no place as a proud Hunter of Atlas.
Dusk fired a buckshot of green sludge, which splattered on the ground. Now Sherry's smile faltered. She had no idea why he would do such a thing, the evidence written all over her face. True, with her firm grip on his gun, Dusk could not wave it around, let alone shoot such a close target. But Sherry's strength is in speed, not raw power. And although the soldier had less in the way of muscle mass than most at the Academy, it was more than enough to overpower a little girl.
His gun rose, and Sherry with it in tow. Dusk heaved his weapon and all things connected up, and fell forward. With a gross, yet satisfying squishing sound, Sherry splashed against the sludge, engulfed by it. Dusk finished his flip, his gun now free from her grasp. Sherry struggled and flailed, all the while making quiet whines of disgust. The more she moved, the further the slime encroached. With his rifle aimed at her face, Dusk felt a bit cool.
"I must request your surrender, Miss Permen." He declared.
Sherry blew a coil of her hair away from her face. Considering her situation, she seemed fine, if a bit annoyed. "Such a gentleman. Well, if I have the choice..." Something was wrong. Dusk pulled back, no longer certain. Sherry let something roll out of her sleeve, and with a quick flip of her fingers, a tiny flask popped into her mouth, caught between her teeth. A puny, blood colored crystal. With a wink, she finished her sentence. "I decline."
Her teeth dug into the Dust, and fire exploded forth. Dusk was right to retreat, yet miscalculated the distance. Feeling the surge of heat collide with his Aura, he fell back. When the smoke had settled, Sherry stood triumphant. A little singed, with her curly hair looking more wild than usual, but victorious nonetheless. Seeing the soldier's baffled expression, she stifled a giggle.
"What, did you think Plum wouldn't let us know about your tools? She takes combat and study almost as seriously as you do." Dusk hurried to his feet as Sherry swung her foot down. Another true strike against his Aura reserves. But not before he could whip out his knife and swipe away at the leg that kicked him. Sherry flinched back, annoyed rather than surprised.
"With what's at stake, I don't mind using all my tricks and tools." Dusk confirmed, his voice firm and confident.
Sherry gave him a soft smile. "You have good taste. Though I can't say I'm not a little sad." One hand to her cheek, she turned away, but kept her eyes on the soldier. Dusk noted on how gentle and prim she looked in this instance, which only made her next sentence that much more powerful. "You were always my next choice as boyfriend material."
He locked up. All thoughts currently going through his head came to a screeching halt. Even his senses refused to catch up, eyes taking on a dulled stare as Sherry swept her foot across his face. Only when he tumbled on the ground did the gap in his brain seem to vanish. After rolling to his feet again, his knees still shaking, he cried out.
"You tricked me! That's not fair in the slightest!"
She took on an interesting expression. As though unsure whether to blush, swell with pride, or laugh. Through stifled giggling, she answered "All's fair in love and war. And this is the rare exception where it's both. You see..." She lowered her gun, coyly holding it in both hands. Her shoulders tightened and she swiveled her body left and right. "I wasn't lying about-"
"You're too dangerous!" Dusk interrupted, the redness in his cheeks spreading to his entire face. It could have been that the blow caused the surge of color, but he didn't want to think of the alternative. "Tag out!" A mystical, violet pillar of light appeared and whisked the soldier away. When his vision cleared of the spontaneous light, he had moved, and Plum stood in his path instead. A sigh of relief, before he fired away.
(-)
"They're really going at it." Coal commented.
"Mmm..." Sera murmured, as if in answer. Irritated, Coal turned to face her, only to see her gaze fixated on Dusk. Still wearing that usual smile of hers. Coal gripped her arm, menacingly tight. Now her attention was on him, glaring back.
"You remember our little talk from earlier?" He hissed.
"Quite clearly. You really mustn't stress over this."
"Really?" Coal was taken aback. "You realize I'm stressing about this because you don't show the slightest sign of worry."
"Because I'm not."
The aspiring hunter began to storm off. "I'm putting a stop to this fight. Nothing good will come from this." Now it was Sera's turn to squeeze Coal's arm.
"Stop. And watch." Silence hung in the air, a stalemate of good intentions against whatever forces compelled Seraphina to allow such a farce to continue. "We are hunters, Coal. Combat is in our blood. Look at our friends, fighting as if their lives depend on it."
"Don't change the sub-"
"Look!" She demanded again, jerking his head to the arena. There, the two pairs sparred as they had done for some time now. Coal had no idea what in Remnant she was trying to do, but he had to- "They're giving their all." The psychic reminded, interrupting his thoughts. He was able to pull his eyes away from her, and onto the four fighters.
Sylvia fought, not with sheer ferocity and a primeval recklessness. There was grace, there was caution, there was firmness in each strike. No grin or any excitement, though sweat dotted her limbs and face. She had changed intermittently into her lupine form. For speed. For size advantage. All things she used at her disposal, all she could use. There was strategy at play.
And this was the first time Coal had seen Dusk use his Semblance at such a frequent rate. Positioning and surprise, both used to their ultimate potential. It didn't matter that there was no cover for ranged combat, or even that he was outmatched in close quarters. He made up for his shortcomings with daring and cunning. If he was being entirely honest, Coal wasn't sure what the soldier would pull out next.
Their opponents were no different. Although it was hard to make out, Plum zoomed in at irregular speeds, and dodged blows like a dancer. She was quick witted as well, and gave little room for Dusk to hold an advantage long. Standing her ground well against Sylvia is also a feat worth mentioning. He knew from her vigilant expression that she considered nothing but securing victory. All else did not exist in her eyes at this moment.
Though Sherry often shied away from combat during classes, she reminded everyone that she was a Huntress as well. And as such, a force to be reckoned with. Without obstacles to bounce around from, her main strength, she made do with the clear setting. She didn't take risks that would cost her Aura, neither did she waste an attack of opportunity. Even so, the bubbly girl made all this possible while still looking elegant and beautiful. As if combat itself was another craft she could refine.
The psychic took Coal's calm as a sign of understanding. She said "Each of them are fighting with everything they have. For love, for friendship, for recognition. It is our duty to witness such devotion. We owe them that much and more."
A question, weighing on the aspiring hunter's mind for half a year now, came to his attention. He could no longer hold back the need to know. Why do you work for Sorrell? Why do you enjoy that kind of vile work? Coal heard her swallow hard. He didn't need to see her expression to know what was on her mind. Living with a telepath for half a year can do that to you. Can give you insight someone's baggage.
It's cathartic, you know. To recognize wickedness in another, and tear them down for it. Using their foul nature against them, as a sort of just desserts. I don't know if its to justify my own misconduct, or if it even comes close to doing so. But sometimes when you're so attuned to the darkness in yourself, to the dark nature of man... "You fear the light." Seraphina mumbled, her voice shaking. Coal noticed her gripping her arm with unease. To the point it might cut off circulation.
There was a saying like that, wasn't there? Some kind of scholar or philosopher had no doubt once stated something about the abyss. And those that crept close to the abyss. The fight reached its crescendo. Although the battle itself may have at one point been close, to the point of undecipherable, Dusk and Sylvia held a steady advantage. Their overpowering unison ravaged Sherry and Plum's Auras. The four had joined together for an all out brawl of confusion, which began their downfall.
Using Dusk's Semblance, he could disorient and fluster their defenses. The berserker had somehow been able to weave through Dusk's teleporting with ease. Was this proof of the bond they had? Of their continued cooperation as partners? Coal couldn't see much other explanation, nor a finer pair. Their victory was assured. There was no further point in watching, or heckling Seraphina.
"Tread carefully, Sera. Dusk is soft and naïve. You should know that by now. Damage you do could last a lifetime."
(-)
Broken and beaten. All four fighters ended their battle in this state, yet the ones who remained standing were none other than Dusk and Sylvia. He had succeeded. He had won in a battle of rivaling passion. A wave of euphoria washed over the soldier, flushing out all sense of exhaustion. There were no words that needed saying. He was victorious, and had every right to court the woman he loved.
"I can't thank you enough, Sylvia." He stated as they returned, assisting Sherry and Plum to the stands. "I doubt I can ever repay something as grand as what you've helped me achieve."
Sylvia smiled back, with her huge, ear to ear grin. "Does this mean I'm off the hook for studies and all that garbage?"
Dusk frowned. "It's a phrase. You're not off the hook." But even after stating that, he couldn't help but laugh. And there she stood, the beautiful Seraphina, ready to welcome them from a battle well fought. Dusk himself grinned ear to ear, no longer averting his gaze. He wanted to commit every detail of her exquisite face and form to memory. Her awe, and her recognition was the drug he craved.
Although, he found that on every part of Seraphina's expression, there was a hint of melancholy underneath it all. Without thinking, his hand reached out, lumbering towards her face. Sera clasped it with both hands, snapping the soldier out of his daze. She congratulated him, her eyes sparkling. Everything he had dreamed of was unfolding. Were it not for his fumbling tongue, everything was picture perfect.
"I-I-I-I-"
"It's all right." She giggled. "We can arrange a time and place at a later date. I leave both up to you. But for now, you should rest. You fought for your life, and I can't express enough how overjoyed I am to see you victorious."
Something was off. Her words were kind, praise genuine. Everything she said sounded like bliss to his ears. Yet they made him feel... Concerned. As she lowered her hands and turned to leave, Dusk yanked her hands back. The surprise in her face seemed to pull the illusion apart. He tightened his grip on her hands, pressing both of his palms over hers. He felt she might slip away and vanish.
"Seraphina, will you join me for dinner Wednesday evening?" He announced, for all the world to hear. No words were spoken for several moments. Dusk calmed himself and straightened his posture. "I... There's so much about you I don't know. That I want to know. I'd love to know more about you. I... I love you."
Sera's eyes widened, appalled. He had worried for the briefest of moments that she only agreed to this entire debacle to chase him away. That anxiety never left during the entire fight. But when she started to shed tears, smiling back, all doubt washed away. She mouthed the words 'Thank you' in silence, and covered her mouth. And then, she turned and left. The world seemed to stand still for ages as he watched her back. A heavy sigh escaped him.
And then a grunt, as Sylvia slapped him on the back. "Way to go, man! Never thought you had the guts!"
"Wh-what?" The gears in dusk's head began whirring again, and he realized what transpired. His cheeks flushed, and the soldier felt the need to hide his face. Sherry looked to be fanning herself with her hands, also blushing and breathing hard.
"Even I felt that. That was smooth." She confirmed.
"I don't even... Thanks..."
"Hey." Sherry continued. "Don't waste this chance. Especially now that you've confessed, the job ain't done. Love isn't easy, and the fight for it is never over." With a final thumbs up, she saw him off, and left with Plum. Sylvia continued to praise him, exclaiming that Dusk seemed like a stranger all of a sudden. Dusk himself paid little attention. His mind wandered to that image of Seraphina, burned into his memory. Why does she look so beautiful despite looking so sad?
