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Chapter 4: Against Konimu
Merlock bowed his head, sighed, and cursed to himself. He knew he was taking too much risk. More than five years had passed since his hands came in contact with a basketball. But then, it was the only sport that he, together with his siblings, was able to learn. And, it was necessary for him to remember how to play the game. He would be doing it not only for the key, but also for Sara. His Sara, who was then standing at one corner of the court and leaning on the wall, with a very serious expression on her face. Certainly he did not want to visualize her with that violet-eyed flirt who was then spinning a ball on his finger. One could refer to Konimu's actions as showing off. Merlock's heart beat faster. He hated to admit it but Konimu's confident disposition seemed to show that he was endowed with great skill in the sport.
"Warm yourself up. The way to victory is ten points," Konimu said as he threw the ball to Merlock.
Merlock glared at him, then dribbled the ball in various styles. In his peripheral vision he saw Konimu performing a series of complicated hand gestures. Just then, people came rushing to the place. They sat on the chairs intended for spectators and produced a lot of noise. Merlock stopped dribbling for he noticed that his outfit was changed. Gone were the scarlet cape and blue clothes. His attire was then composed of a black sleeveless shirt, matching shorts, and rubber shoes. Just then, he felt like he was sinking to the ground. When he looked at his feet, he saw that the cemented floor transformed into small stones. He thought that if he were to run, he would surely stumble. Enraged, he let go of the ball, which bounced and caused a few stones to bounce as well.
"How do you suppose we can play basketball properly on an area like this?" he asked Konimu in a loud voice.
"I said you can choose the sport, but not the kind of environment where it would be played," replied Konimu with a grin.
"Are you making fun of me?"
"Seeing that reaction of yours, I suggest you give up."
"Of course I won't! Let's begin."
"Referee!"
A cube-shaped and rather cute yellow robot about one-fourth of Merlock's height appeared, took the ball, and motioned for the two of them to position themselves in the middle of the court. It stood between them.
"Jump ball!" the robot shouted as he released the ball into the air.
Merlock easily grabbed the ball, but had extreme difficulty in dribbling the ball on the stony ground. Konimu then was able to snatch the ball and he effortlessly made his way and dunked it in the ring. The crowd roared.
It was Merlock's turn to handle the ball. He wondered how the elf did it so well. He tried to just stick the ball close to his chest. He jumped and threw the ball to the direction of the ring. Yet Konimu was successful in having it rebounded. And Konimu made a shot and got applause from the audience for the second time.
"4 – 0. Only three shots more and I'll be the winner," he said to Merlock.
Merlock was losing his patience. He could not figure out how he would be able to dribble the ball and run on the damn floor. He would be the one to hold the ball again. Memories started to flood his mind.
"Merlock!" his sister yelled as she passed the ball to him.
"Nice one, Harien!" he replied as he caught it.
"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Shoot it now!"
"Yeah," Merlock said as he made a shot from the three-point line.
"Great! When I grow up, I want to be as good as you! No, I'll be better."
"Prove it, sis!"
The younger girl got the ball and attempted to dunk it. To Merlock's surprise, she was able to do it.
"We'll become members of the most famous basketball team when we get older," she said as she smiled at her brother.
Merlock focused on the ball. He psyched himself that we would control it no matter what. He began to dribble the ball.
"Come on, Merlock, you can make it," he thought.
"Come on, Merlock, you can make it!" he heard.
He glanced where the sound came from and saw Sara continuously cheering for him. He blushed, yet he continued to dribble. Konimu blocked his path, but then Merlock dribbled between his legs, faked a shot, and with flawless speed, went past his opponent. He made a victorious lay-up shot. The watchers' eyes widened.
Then, it was Konimu's chance on the ball. Merlock raised his hands and tried to steal the ball. With agility he escaped Merlock's dares and for the third time, made the ball touch the inside of the basket.
"Oh crap," Merlock thought.
"Oh crap!" Merlock heard, making him find the owner of the voice.
"What's wrong Magore?" asked Merlock.
"I can't make a good move today, bro. I guess this game doesn't work for me."
"Don't say that."
"All of you are wonderful players. You, Mieander, Mycroft, Mortmain, Muirouwe, and Harien. But me, I suck."
"Never degrade yourself. Someday you'll be good too. Just practice."
"You really think so?"
"Of course, bro, of course."
"Thanks," the little vampire replied, his eyes brightening.
"Remember, don't give up."
"Remember, don't give up," he said to himself. The ball was his again. And once more, he passed by Konimu and did a shot.
"Recap, 6 – 4," Konimu said, then added, "It's going to be my turn."
Indeed, it was Konimu's turn. And the elf had no plan of wasting it. He did not let Merlock go near the ball. He dribbled a bit then attempted a shot. The ball went through the basket, much to his liking.
"Stop being too hard on me, Mieander!" Merlock said with a frown when his brother had grabbed the ball from him then shot it into the ring.
"Why, even if I'm four years older than you, that doesn't matter in basketball. What you need to do is concentrate. Who knows, you might beat me one of these days," his eldest brother replied.
Muirouwe, who was then observing his two brothers playing, laughed.
"Now, what's so funny?" asked Merlock whose disappointment still shows in his face.
"You. You lecture Magore and Harien yet you do not live by your words," answered Muirouwe.
"Yeah, it's about time you truly kick your childish habits," agreed Mieander.
"I recommend serious training," said Mortmain who just stepped into the scene.
"Sign me up," piped a very exhausted-looking Mycroft.
"Where have you been?" Mortmain asked Mycroft.
"I played basketball at the public gym with my friends," replied Mycroft.
"Aren't you tired already?" questioned Merlock.
"Nope. I'm not the type of guy to be tired of making little brothers realize their foolishness," said Mycroft with a wink.
"Oh yeah?" chorused Mortmain, Muirouwe, and Merlock.
"That hit you too hard? Well then, get ready and see if you can win against me!" said Mycroft.
"Sure I will!" said Merlock.
"Sure I will," thought Merlock as the bouncing ball pressed against his palms again. He must be careful because Konimu was lacking only one shot in order to win. Using his full speed, Merlock ignored Konimu and made an impressive slam dunk.
When it was Konimu's turn, Merlock felt that a strange energy possessed him. Without batting an eye, he managed to steal the ball from Konimu and made a jump shot.
"Score is 8 – 8," Merlock said to Konimu with a smirk.
The past events of playing basketball with his siblings and Sara totally trusting his abilities were inspiring Merlock. He did not worry anymore that it would be Konimu's turn again, or whether the ground was cemented or stony. He knew he would win this game, thanks to those persons who meant so much to him.
So when, Konimu tried to shoot the ball, a really determined Merlock hurried to the basket and made a rebound. He then ran fast to the other side of the court while dribbling the ball. Konimu was not able to keep up with his pace. Thus, Merlock dunked the ball again, shouting, "This is for Sara and my brothers and my sister!"
The game was over. It was signaled by the creepy sound created by the robot. The spectators clapped then left the court. The robot vanished from sight too. Merlock rejoiced by leaping into the air several times, yelling "Yeah!" all the while. Sara approached him and gave him a sweet smile.
"Thanks Merlock. Congratulations. I knew you could do it," she said.
"You're always welcome, my dear Sara. Thank you too, for believing in me," replied Merlock.
"You look great in those clothes," said Sara.
"Thank you. Oh, my muscles ache!" said Merlock, who was beginning to get wobbly knees.
"Don't sit down, the pain will be more unbearable," Sara replied. Not minding the sweat that covered him, she wrapped her arms around him to prevent him from losing his balance.
"So, that was a nice game. You are a worthy opponent," Konimu said, shaking Merlock's hand firmly. Looking at Sara, he added, "And quite a lucky man."
Sara glared at Konimu.
"The key," Merlock said coldly.
"Oh that. Here," Konimu said, giving Merlock a tiny wooden replica of a basketball.
"Thanks," replied Merlock.
"Just shoot it in the ring and off you go," Konimu said, then he rode on a flat bat-shaped flying vehicle and left.
Merlock threw the little ball to the ring. As it made its way to the ground, it glowed a brilliant shade of amber. Seconds later they felt themselves being transported to another location.
It was raining so hard in the new area that Sara and Merlock got totally soaked. Due to the raindrops they could not see anything clearly. The road seemed slippery so they had a silent agreement to wait for the rain to stop before making another move.
"Sara I feel sick," said Merlock, followed by coughs.
"We'll be able to get through this, Merlock. Hold on."
Yet deep inside, she was in panic. The vampire was exhausted from playing basketball then he got wet in the rain. Anyone would surely get sick in that situation. She tried to remain calm, but she couldn't.
"Help! Help us!" cried Sara.
Suddenly, they felt strong arms lifting them up and carrying them, perhaps towards a shelter from the rain. They looked and saw that the arms belonged to seven or more winged beings whose faces seemed so angelic. They were too awed to even say a single word to them. The creatures with wings brought them inside a crystalline building and dropped them gently on a blanket in front of a fireplace. The beings held one another's hands, forming a circle around both of them. The beings uttered a language they did not understand, and then their clothes were changed into dry ones whose design was the same as those worn by the beings. The material of their garments was translucent and pastel-colored. Merlock's was a lavender long-sleeved shirt, matching trousers, pointed shoes, and some fresh leaves were in his hair. As for Sara, she wore a yellow-green top with sleeves whose ends reach the elbows, a matching skirt whose hemline was above the knee, pointed shoes, and a headband with dainty and colorful flowers stuck to it.
"Thank you," Merlock and Sara said to the creatures.
Merlock coughed, triggering Sara to put her hand against his forehead to check his temperature.
"Merlock, you have a fever!" she said.
Before Merlock could reply, another being of the same sort entered the room. He was wearing a crown with the letters "DH" engraved on it. He had shoulder-length blue hair and round magenta eyes. Compared to the others, he was the shortest yet his wings had the most intricate pattern of hues.
"What do we have here?" he asked.
The other winged beings talked to him in their language.
"I see. My name is Hyacinth. Welcome to Faeries' Abode. You can stay for as long as you wish. If you need anything, don't hesitate to speak to me about it," he said to Sara and Merlock.
"Thank you so much. This is Merlock and I am Sara," Sara said.
"My friends here have reported that your companion is ill," Hyacinth said.
"Yes, sir. Can you help us?" replied Sara.
"Just call me Hyacinth, please. In answer to your inquiry, we have medicines here but I am unsure if they are effective on beings like you. I suggest that you just let him rest until he is in good condition again," said Hyacinth.
"You deserve our gratitude, Hyacinth," said Sara.
"Very well, I'll leave you now," replied Hyacinth, and then he made his way out of the room together with the other fairies.
"Sleep, Merlock. We'll ask him about the key once you get well," Sara whispered.
Merlock held her hands and kissed them, and then he closed his eyes. Sara closed her eyes too. They deserved a time to relax, after all.
The fire continued to cast its heat throughout the entire room, a symbol of the fairies' warmth of welcome.
So ends the fourth chapter. Please review!