Whelp, hello again fanfiction dot net and the rest of the world. It has been a while since I have signed in, and I apologise for the lack of updates, and the speed in which I type and post them. Also, I will forewarn you that this, chapter fifteen, is very short (but hopefully worth your precious time to read!) I would have updated yesterday if not for the annoying thunderstorm. But, anywho…
Chapter 15: Awake
Whoever came up with the phrase 'three times lucky' was obviously never stuck in The World. After another failed attempt I begin to doubt myself. I hate it when that happens. It makes me feel weak, unworthy. If you don't have faith in yourself, then you have little pride in your ability. I had learnt a long time ago that giving up made you pathetic. Not everyone agrees with this, but it is something I have been brought up on. And now, as I stand in a desolate field, alone and pathetic, I begin to wonder if I have what it takes to be a hero. Have I been a naïve fool believing that I could change anything? What could I possibly do? I can't even leave this area. Something happened to me when I made friends. They made me weak. Now I am paying for it. I should have thought this through, I should have been more wary. I am beginning to doubt my once sharp senses. I hate self-doubt.
"Why can't I get out of here? What the hell is going on, dammit?" I kick the floor. I look around the field, and release a small chuckle of anger and realisation. I am stuck here.
"Humour me." I smile; the darkness hidden deep in my heart stings my chest. "Take this moment to laugh at my misfortune. It will be your last. Once you turn away from me, once you get in front of me, I'll kick you from behind and tell you to get going. I'll have the last laugh." I throw myself down to the floor, onto my back. My feather-soft wings stop me from feeling much pain. As I look up into the dull, dismal, never-ending sky, I close my hands into tight fists. I can't stay stuck here. It will drive me insane. Time floats on endlessly. It seems as if hours have passed, but in reality it is probably only minutes. Blood trickles down my left hand as my finger nails dig too far into the skin. But I don't care anymore. Nothing matters. No one can help me. Just like my life before, I have become an empty vessel. An incomplete being. An outer shell. I am alone. Someone. Someone, please, save me.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Covers rustled and shifted, as a bed-ridden figure began to wake. Max Mizuhara twitched, squinting his big blue eyes as he opened them slowly, adjusting to the light. The darkness of sleep had almost made him forget how beautiful things were when lit up by little rays of hope.
He didn't know how long he had been out of it, but his limbs ached for movement, and his stomach growled in hunger, protesting that he eat right away. But before he even pulled his almost dead-weight legs over the side of his bed, he checked his clean white sheets.
"Wha…what?" He exclaimed. Didn't he stain these sheets as crimson as Kai's eyes? "Kai!" Realisation hit Max. He had left the anti-social teen alone in The World. The addictive video game that even haunted him in his sleep. "It was…all a dream…" Sighing with relief, the blonde teen saw that there was no bracelet on his arm anymore. The blood he remembered throwing up had vanished. As he rose slowly from the bed, steadying himself as his legs wobbled, he made it to the top of the stairs when his father appeared from the bathroom.
"Maxie, you're finally awake! You look much better. Are you hungry?" The Japanese man beamed, his hair slightly wet still from the shower.
"Very! Oh. Is it possible for me to contact Kai after I eat? I'm sure he'll be online about now."
Considering this for a moment, Mr Mizuhara eventually nodded. "Alright then. Since you've been off the darn thing for days."
"Thanks Dad, you're the best!" And so, with a heightened spirit, Max jogged down the stairs for some breakfast. He was finally awake.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
"I've been waiting for you, Rei." A blue-haired figure announced, as the neko-jin wavemaster orbed into the safe house.
"Yes." He answered, his golden orbs surprisingly dull.
"I have something I must tell you."
"Go on. My patience is thin today. My mind is…clouded." Rei admitted sadly.
"I must…destroy him." Tyson uttered, his eyes hidden by the shadow of his hair.
"What? Who?"
"You know who. I must kill him, before he destroys The World."
"Tyson?"
"Listen to me, Rei!" Tyson shouted suddenly, almost making Rei jump. "Do you think I want to do this? Huh? But if I don't, who will?"
"What are you…?"
"It shall be done, my friend. You have enough to worry about right now. Leave it to me."
"I told you before. You should have taken my advice and not gone snooping. Now you have this ridiculous idea that you need to kill someone. I think you need a computer break, why don't you…"
"Stop it, Rei. Stop it! You know. You probably knew all along. Sometimes, even though you're my closest friend here, I wonder whose side you are really on. Your past isn't stellar, my old friend, but not now. Don't leave me now. Don't betray me…" Tyson began to shake, getting more and more worked up as he spoke. His voice sounded almost choked up.
"Tyson, I'd never…"
"Oh, Rei. I've been thinking this through and through. I have no reason to doubt my physical strength, my ability as a Blademaster. But, am I mentally strong enough to do away with him? He's like a new buddy. I like him, you know that. But, he has it. And so, I have no choice. Who knows what will happen if this isn't done. I wish it was someone else, I really do. Not that anyone deserves this…But…oh…" Slumping against the back wall, Tyson shook his head. "I can do this. I must do this. For the sake of The World and its many loyal players. I will be the hero, the saviour. Aura was wrong. Her predicted heroes were not destined to protect and save The World. They will only corrupt it further. And so, it must be done. I'm so sorry. So sorry, Max…"
TBC
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Yes, I know. Very, very short. But interesting…or, at least I think so! I can't tell you a fixed date for the next chappy, but it will be, I promise, updated quicker than my previous attempts. Having coursework set in the first few days of being back at school doesn't help, and neither does my busy schedule. But, bear with me people (those of you remaining readers, I admire your patience!) I'm going to keep trying my best!
Byezies,
Minako Angel xxx