Chapter 6: Changes



The following day Setsuna went down to the gym to train with Dilandau. She walked into the isolated room where her lessons were. "You're late." He said to her coldly.

"Sorry," Setsuna said unsheathing her sword. For the entire lesson he seemed different. He seemed to have changed. What happened to him? She wondered. He use to be kinder.

After a small practice dual he burst out in anger. "You stupid woman! Did you forget how to handle a sword?! You're a disgrace!" Setsuna swallowed hard as she tried to hold back her tears. "You don't charge aggressively enough!" He barked at her again. The more he yelled, the more she failed to do her best.

"Well I don't think you would do any better if you had someone yelling at you!" Setsuna yelled back at him ready to cry. Angry at her, he smacked her across the face. A few tears spilled from her eyes and down her cheeks. Quickly she sheathed her sword and ran out of the gym. Dilandau just stood there looking satisfied. That'll teach her for talking back to me, Dilandau thought to himself as he sheathed his sword with satisfaction.

Miguel watched Setsuna run down the hallway in a hurry and noticed a red mark on her cheek. He turned around and followed her back to her room. After she slammed the door shut, he waited a few seconds to knock. When he did knock, there was no reply.

I feel so used, so violated, and after I had given myself to him? This is what he does to me! Setsuna thought between sobs. Oh God, why do I have to be tortured like this why? What did I ever do? She thought to herself some more as her sobbing began to cease.

Miguel turned the door handle and walked in slowly and quietly. There he saw her laying on her bed with her head dug into the pillow. A sudden sense of pity over came him as he watched her sob into the pillow. He shut the door quietly and walked slowly over towards her.

"Setsuna, are you all right?" Miguel asked not knowing what else to say. At the sound of his voice, her head shot up and she stared at him confused and bewildered. "What's wrong?" Quickly she wiped away her tears and sat up. "What happened? You can tell me." Setsuna smiled slightly.

"He . . . he . . . he hit me . . ." She managed to say. "I don't know what happened to him. He was so nice yesterday but then, this." A few more tears rolled down her face. Miguel sat down beside her and put his hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, it's alright, he tends to do that. He was probably in a bad mood any ways." She glared at him.

"A bad mood? You got to be kidding me. And let me guess, yesterday he was in a good mood." She said to him sarcastically. "I never want to have to see him again." She added quietly.

"You don't have to."

"Yes I do! He has to train me Miguel. And until my training's over, I'll have to see him every single day!" Setsuna prepared herself for another emotional break down. Miguel rubbed her back for comfort. She rested her head on his shoulder and cried into it.

"I'm sure if you ask Lord Folken, he could get someone else to train you." She removed her head from his shoulder and wiped away her tears. In her face Miguel could see a light of hope.

"You-you think he would be able to that?" He nodded and a smile grew on her face. "Can we go right now?" She asked him eagerly.

"Sure I guess." Miguel answered as he stood up and headed for the door with her following not too far behind. He led her to Folken's office where he then knocked on the door and went in. Miguel stood by the door and Setsuna went and sat down on a chair in front of a large desk.

"What is it Setsuna?" Folken asked with his gentle voice.

"I . . .I want a new trainer." She told him shyly.

"And why would that be?" Folken asked curious and concerned.

"Well, Dilandau seems to have become very vicious and it scares me." Setsuna felt like she could break down again. Folken sat there deep in thought.

"All right then, you shall have a new trainer." A smile grew on her face. "Your new trainer will be Miguel Labariel." He said and looked at Miguel who was shocked.

"Thank you so much Folken. It really means a lot to me." She smiled softly at him and left with Miguel who was still in shock.