Refulgence 11

[Normal Pov]

"They tell me that I'm mad... " The woman's melodious sing-song voice was now as coarse as sandpaper. The blood gushing from her throat was contributing to this. She was staring right at him, but her eyes told him that she was seeing something beyond all this. Young, chirpy, beautiful. all these words could once be used to describe the abominable ghoul which was standing right across him, whimpering in a language of her own. She is holding a bundle in her hands and crying on it.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry..." she's chanting these words under her breath. Despite being this far away, He can taste the salt of her tears as though she was crying onto him, not the wrinkly bundle in her hands. Each broken note that left her lips, pulled a different string in his heart. Transfixed like a puppet, he walks towards her until he is in the maiden's embrace.

He feels happy. The happiest he has felt in ages. He notes that holding him has calmed the woman a bit. Her face Is buried in his shirt. But she was mumbling something. The boy leaned down to hear her, but at that moment she pulled him down and within a second, he felt a cold blade stab his eye. The last thing he sees with his one remaining eye is a bloody fetus dropped from those clean white blankets... The last thing he hears is a howl, "...And they are right"

When he opened them, Kai's eyes were the same color as his iris. They were bloodshot with all the tears the teen refused to shed. The nightmare was over, but the images didn't vanish the way dreams usually do. He was gripping his sheets tightly, and despite the internal screams, not a sound would escape his throat. He was paralyzed with fear.

A moment ticked off, and then an hour passed. When Kai was finally back, he looked around and immediately noted that the bed beside him was vacant. The clock showed 3:30 in the morning, but Tala was nowhere to be seen even at this hour. Kai was about to overcome his dread and get some more sleep when a harsh knock was heard on the door. He opened the door and found Bryan.

KAI'S POV

"Tala asked me to check on you. He said that you looked like you were struggling in your sleep."

"Where is Tala?"

"Doing an errand for Boris." Then he added with a scowl, "No one gives a f**ck about you. It's just that the director thinks that you are too precious"

"Must suck to know that someone took your place. Is it true that you set your clothes on fire when you tried to use Black Dranzer ?"

I saw the color rising on his face. It had been amusing to overhear those guards talk about how each blitzkrieg boy tried to control Black Dranzer but failed miserably.

"You ******!" he threw a punch which I luckily dodged. Bryan was good at this. He threw me against the wall and tried to Hit my eye, but his hands stopped just inches away from my face. I was even more confused when I saw him retract his hand slowly, a wicked grin was growing on his face. "See you around, precious boy" He mocked and left me alone, totally baffled.

I knew it was vain to try sleeping anymore, so I spent some time studying a few Beyblade spare parts which I had been given along with Black Dranzer. They were totally different from the ones Kenny made.

At sharp 5, our training began. The heat of the upcoming tournament was scorching. Boris took full advantage of the situation and tortured us. Failure was unacceptable. This was drilled into our heads. It was win or die. Throughout the session, I felt the director's gaze burning into me, when I took the risk and stared back into his eyes, I knew exactly what he was thinking. This practice was nothing. I was expected to end matches even before they began. At 10:30, we were finally allowed to go and rest. Before dismissal, Boris said, "The tournament this year is unlike any other. So there will be a Ball tomorrow, just before the opening ceremony. Don't rejoice too much boys. You are my soldiers. Consider this as a gleam before the war. Find a partner."

I don't know whether I was imagining things, but it seemed like Spencer was glowing a bit. Bryan and Ian were totally nonchalant. They will probably pick up any unfortunate girl, and not care to even glance back at them once the party was over. For the first time, I realized how shameful my feelings for Tala were. They hadn't completely matured yet. I consoled myself, in fact, ordered myself to rip that sapling off. Love itself was meaningless, but by ordinary standards falling for a guy or even considering that possibility was disgusting.

With these thoughts hovering in my mind, I went to baths near the training room to change. I was hungry but didn't want to eat covered in sweat. I opened my locker room, stripped off my clothes, and went into the shower with just my boxers on. It was just a quick wash, so I left the spare clothes outside on the shelf. I had just turned on the water when I heard the unmistakable click of a lock. With pinpoint precision, the windows also closed at once. I didn't need to think who was behind this, Bryan's laughs could be heard from the other side, accompanied by Ian's cackle, "Payback is sweet"

What the fudge! I was stuck in here, without my blade with doors that wouldn't even bulge after hitting repeatedly. Calling out was useless, most of the people who came to this place were kids who were exhausted after practice. They would probably wet their pants if they see Bryan guarding the door. I tried a lot, but those 2 morons had done their homework. There was too much weight on the other side. Fed up, and in a way exhausted with this childish prank, I decided to just go with the flow. I sat on the floor and waited. Screaming for help was unnecessary, Bryan couldn't keep me here forever, and when I get out of here, he is gonna die. An hour passed and out of boredom, I broke the spout at the corner. There was a certain joy in separating the parts and then putting them back. Experimenting on what would happen without one. While I was at this, a small metallic ring fell from my hand and went under the cabinet. I crouched down and was engrossed in getting it out of the narrow slit, that I didn't notice the door behind me open.

"Just a quick sho- You look delicious"

I sprang up so fast that I hit my head on the cabinet. "What are you.." Tala reduced the distance between us. My face turned beet red when I recalled my lack of clothing and that suggestive position Tala must have caught me in. Then I remembered what he said, and I slapped his hand away. Delicious? What on earth Ivanov!

"Get out." I was a volcano that could erupt at any moment now.

"What if I don't? You look soo... For a lack of a better world, I'll say that this should be illegal"

"it's not my mistake that perverted insatiable dickheads like you exist"

Our fight was about to get more intense, but we heard the door get locked yet again. "Try to keep the volume low and do it safely" Bryan was going to die the most painful death. I could even hear Spencer. Tala looked back at me, and we had the most awkward moments of our lives. Then that pervert dared to step between my legs.

That volcano exploded.

I pushed Tala aside and kicked the door open with inhuman strength. I dashed out so fast that I couldn't even see my teammates at the entrance. I didn't know what was a greater blow to my pride : (a) I just let this happen!

(b) Complains aside, I was excited.

Tala's POV:

I walked out of the room in utter confusion. All my life I had been lied to that cheetah was the fastest animal... Based on what I just saw, that pussy cat must be glad that it hasn't met Kai. My brain returned to Earth. That was just amazing! This impression changed the moment I saw The other blitzkriegs.

"I think Kai just lost it," I said.

"His ego?"

"His sanity?"

"his virginity?"

"Shut up you little s**ts! What do you guys think you were doing!"

"just helping you out Tala since you seem incapable of getting laid on your own"

"Help me by staying a mile away from my love life!" I wanted to break their bones. My bad, we have a tournament to start tomorrow.

Spencer and Ian looked a little ashamed, but Bryan was just as unapologetic as ever. I tried to tell myself that with these 3 involved, things could have got a lot more.. explosive. I turned to walk away, but Bryan yelled, "This was your advance Christmas gift"

Kai's POV:

Zia was panting and gripping the rails to avoid falling. I had to admit: she was way more athletic and smart than I thought. This was my third and last session with her. I had taught her a few routes; surprisingly, she hadn't given up even when I introduced routes that took a lot of effort.

"That was fun. I would like to do this every day"

I didn't show any reaction except a brief nod. But internally I was smiling. During these days I got to know Zia better. She was the one who did all the talking, but her personality didn't seem pretentious. She once told me that she wanted to become an Airforce fighter pilot. Even her notebook which she brought along one day was filled with sketches of airplanes and jets, with detailed marking of parts.

I decided never to introduce her to my grandfather. Their shared interest in flying killing machines would not be a pretty combination.

Then the time came to part ways. Anybody would give a sappy goodbye filled with hugs and promises for a revisit, but Zia knew that I would just ignore it. That was drama beyond my processing capacity. I gave her a firm goodbye and turned around when she called me back. "Hey, I heard that there is a ball tomorrow. I see you as a little brother, but if there is no one you are planning to go with shall we go together?"

For a moment I was speechless. Then with a glare, I said, "Don't tell me you are all in love with me now. You are elder than me and I don't find you attractive. Plus you look better with Spencer"

"He is the reason why I am asking you Hiwatari. Today that jerk came to see me, and thought that ruining my latest sketch by writing a letter in my book, and running away after that was somehow romantic"

"Well, some people think telling you that you are 'delicious' is romantic"

"Is Tala that... Uhm erotic? He seemed pretty decent to me.."

What was it with people randomly bombing me with his name? I reminded myself that Spencer must be sharing a lot more with this girl than what we knew.

"Kai, are you planning to go with Tala?"

"Yes, when you and Spencer get married and have your 18th kid, Maybe I'll consider it"

Zia sighed. "you'll never have to, then"

There was a moment of awkward silence.

"Yes, I will"

"WHAT!? you really are gonna give Tala a chance?"

I rolled my eyes. "No, I meant that I'll take you to the Ball, genius"

"My inner fangirl almost got hopeful... Anyways, what caused the change of mind?" she asked.

"Tala and Spencer both need to be taught a lesson and I have no interest in picking up some squeaky fan from the crowd and dancing with them. With you, I can at least be sure of the motives."

For the first time, we wholeheartedly agreed on something: Teaching those stalkers a lesson. And thus our agreement was made.

At the Blade breaker's room

Tyson was jumping up and down with excitement about the upcoming tournament. In Kai's absence, Tyson kept giving his team pep talks (Not that Kai gave many of them. His teammates usually considered themselves lucky if they even heard him talk)

"Guys, there's a party after the inauguration tomorrow!"

"Don't eat too much Tyson"

"Shut up chief, how can I even think about it when we have a tournament to win" Tyson replied with a silly smile that made it clear that that was exactly what he was thinking.

"But-"

"Cut it chief. Tyson may be a Little glutenous but he knows when to get serious" Ray was ready for damage control.

"Yeah, especially when we have some Russian asses to beat!" Max cheered.

Tyson and Kenny bricked and went back to their rooms. Instead of following them, Max pulled Ray aside. "Is there anything that's been bothering you?" Ray tried to avoid the question but finally admitted it. "Yeah... It's about Kai."

"What about him?"

Max didn't understand what was wrong with Ray. Kai had messaged them several times after going to the Abbey for treatment and even called them yesterday to inform them that he would be present at the stadium.

"I dunno.. just have this bad feeling."

"Maybe you are just hungry. Go eat dinner"

Ray had to smile at this. "Yeah let's go before Tyson finishes it all"

Tala's POV :

Tonight the clouds had formed a special oblate ring around the moon which made it look like it was a huge glowing white eye staring at me from a world that I couldn't reach. I just loved the moon. Whenever I felt tense, scared, or even excited, I would come here onto the terrace to watch the night sky and clear my head. We had rigorous practice after lunch today, and when we were done, l had gone to my room to rest. But that had been a mistake. My room was just above the 'special room' that the guards used. I could hear muffled screams and pleas coming from below the floor, a voice that I instantly recognized as that of the boy who fell during training today. I tried to block out the bloodcurdling shrieks, but with every new scream, I felt that it was the boy's last one.

So, to escape from that torment, I was back here on the rooftop. This place was filled with memories for me... And even memories of him. KAI. My face heated up a bit when I recalled the beautiful position Kai was in today. It had been so awkward and yet amazing. When we were kids, I and Kai would lock Ian up just to have fun. Today, Ian's payback, Bryan's jealousy, and Spencer's kinky mind had given me that gem of a moment. I laughed a bit when he recalled Kai's expression. The boy was just soo beautiful. This being said, Kai's exterior wasn't the only thing that made me so obsessed with him. He never left my mind even when he went away from the Abbey. I used to have imaginary conversations with him whenever I felt alone, and then when I saw him again, I realized that we weren't that different. My darkest secrets and brightest hopes were all linked with him. I wanted to share things with him, and I think I wanted him romantically because I needed to bond with him in ways neither a brother, father, friend, or in some cases even a normal boyfriend couldn't. I wanted him that badly. There were so many things that I only trust to tell him because I don't think anyone else will understand them. Taking those fears and worries with me to the grave was better than having people see how weak I was. I wanted to reserve that side of my personality only for him.

I was thinking of ways in which I could convince him to go to the ball with me without forcing him when I suddenly saw a glow right in front of me and grabbed the light source. It was a firefly.

**Flashback**

"Kai? What do you think these things are for" the redhead asked. His hands were cupped to prevent the bug inside it from escaping. They were in their rooms at the lower levels of the Abbey. The lights were out indicating that they should be asleep.

"It's a Firefly Tala"

"Firefly? Tala opened his palms and examined the glowworm closely.

"Kai... It reminds me of you!" The elder boy said with a proud expression, but the younger one was pissed at being compared to something that small and powerless.

"I'm not like it," he said while furrowing his brows."

"You have a fire bit beast."

"That doesn't-"

"It flies like a firefly."

"Shut –"

"and you make me happy. Like a Firefly" Tala looked like he had solved the greatest question in this universe.

"So that makes you a firefly" Tala exclaimed.

"If I'm a Firefly, then you are a Snow Pup"

"That's silly, firefly. There isn't even an animal like that"

"U count as one, snow pup"

"Firefly"

"Snow pup"

"Firefly!"

"Snow pup!"

The war stopped when they heard the footsteps of an approaching guard. The boys pretended to fall asleep when the man opened the door to inspect. When he was gone, Tala yawned and they decided to call it a day. Bother the boys went to sleep, but that wasn't before Tala poked Kai one last time with, "Good night, firefly"

When Tala returned from his trip down memory lane, he opened his hands and let the poor insect fly. He wished nothing more than to be able to relive those moments again.

...

AN; Guys, I have some news! I started a deviant art account and will be uploading Beyblade Fanarts. I'm no professional, But I have been drawing traditionally for a long time, and now I'm experimenting with digital art. So, If any of you are interested, the link is mentioned in my bio!

With that done, May it never be said that this chap wasn't long. It's one of my longest. {sort of compensation cause I couldn't update last week} Review if u liked it.

That's all, bye!