Life is crazy. I'll explain later.
You've waited long enough.
Go for it.
Her blue eyes flitted to the arena and her sharp vision narrowed to the focus on the three simpering faces of her friends perched merrily in the stands with all the other courtiers. A boyish-faced man next to her gave another small cough into his arm. He was so gross. This was the fifth time he'd cough this hour!
The guy behind her shifted so that his boney knee poked the top of her back.
Here she was, Selena the Utpote sitting with the soldiers like a common… well… soldier. Her blond curls that usually hung down around her shoulders were swept up in a ridiculously hideous knot at the top of her head. Her uniform, the scratchy, mismatched outfit that moron Balgus was so fond of was replaced by something at least a little more flattering – at least, for now that is. Her simple cream blouse with large shoulder pads made her look mannish and stiff. The coloring on her long brown skirt was completely the wrong color.
And don't even get her started on the Trials! At first, she was pleased. The people in the stands – even her fellow trainees – jeered at the bloodhead as she made her way out of her under-cove.
Selena scowled further. It all went downhill from there. A secret part of her was thankful she still retained the feminine dignity to not participate in gambling like the uneducated idiots around her. Of course, she'd never admit that if she had bet, she would have lost all her money – not that she even had money anymore.
But that wasn't even half of it. Van. She couldn't stand the way he was acting. Popping in and out before and after every battle, catching her as she fell, carrying her in his arms, holding her as their armor swirled together – UGH! It was sickening. What did anyone see in that little scrimpy girl? Okay, yes, fine, Selena had to admit she was powerful, but she wasn't attractive or graceful or charming. Her power came from Rutilus, so really that wasn't really her anyway.
What infuriated Selena the most had to be her own brother was defeated by her.
Allen.
What a weakling.
Selena swallowed down her growl of frustration. The guy behind her gave another accidental nudge with his knee as he turned to the person beside him and shouted, "Wow! That technique the Pilot used with the acrobatics. Think of how flexible she could be, you know, outside the arena – if you know what I mean…"
"Yeah, the king is one lucky guy. I haven't ever seen someone pull out that kind of speed except for Sir Gadeth. She's actually keeping up with the king…. Whoa! Did you see that? Look! It's a stand-off!"
"Two bronze for her winning this round!"
"You're on!"
"Will you two be quiet!?" Selena snapped, flicking her head haughtily to glare at the two loud men behind her.
They both gave her an identical frown. "What?
She scowled angrily. "How could you bet for her to win against our king? Don't you have any respect for our ruler? And she's not even Fanelian! I bet she isn't even human!"
"You got something against non-humans?" A deep voice rumbled out, and Selena turned with a gulp to see a female wolf sitting several rows down. She lifted a little part of her lip to show her sharp teeth.
Sucking in a deep breath with her eyes wide, Selena shook her head quickly and glanced back to the arena.
A rumpling snort came from the woman. "That's what I thought. Why don't you sit there and shut up, slime-head?"
Several of the trainees around her smirked and another one with a definite canine background laughed out loud. "Slime-head, huh? I think that's a pretty good nickname for someone who can't stand mix-breeds. Hey, slime-head, wanna make fun of me because I have claws? Oh, you have disposable thumbs? Well, I can crush you with my paws. Let's make fun of me for that, huh?"
"Yeah, slime-head, my grandpa was from the hog-clan. I have a desire to occasionally roll in mud. I'm a dirty, dirty pig, aren't I?"
"I've got a mother whose distant cousin was kitsune. What do you say to that?"
"What about those white nurses? Several are blue birds! They have the nerve to have feathers, guys!"
Selena stared straight, her blue eyes frozen on the crowd completely across from her.
Don't cry, don't cry, don't you dare cry.
"I'm part rodent, but I'm in the military. You want to make a comment about how all mice are cowards?"
"Or all dogs have that nasty coarse fur?"
"Or the gazelle-clans with their ugly white skin?"
Jumping up from her seat, she felt her core sizzling. Her fists clenched and unclenched by her sides.
"Oh, guys, I think she's getting upset."
"Is little Miss Perfect having a temper tantrum?"
"Sit down, slime-head, I can't see properly."
Closing her eyes against her tears and her desire to release her core, she sat down and bowed her head. Wishing she could hide behind her hair, she tried to ignore the world. This wasn't her life. This couldn't be her life right now. She was Selena Schezar. She was a princess in a completely different class than these people here. She didn't belong. She was different than them.
Her watering blue eyes focused on the dueling king and the bloodhead. A flash of lightning – so powerful, so beautifully frightening – hit the Pilot's golden sword as she thrust the weapon to the sky.
Selena couldn't watch. This was too much. Just too much…
"Hey, slime-head, how does it feel to-"
"Alright, enough," a soft tone piped up followed by another small cough. "I'm trying to watch and I can't concentrate with all of you shouting." Selena gasped audibly and her head jerked up to see the man beside her with the baby face scowling at the people around him. He caught her gaze with sharp green eyes and instantly looked away to the arena. She noticed the tip of his chin and nose was a bit pointed… distant bird-clan in him. Even his hair, a glimmering blue-green in the dark torch light, had a strange soft featherlike look to it at the tips that curled around his ears and down his neck.
The trainees fell quiet and he coughed into his hand.
Selena flicked her blue eyes away and down to her lap.
He coughed again.
She found she didn't feel as annoyed about it as she did before.
Watching her march back to the iridescent circles that had appeared back on the sandy arena floor, her spine straight and her head held high with pride, the flaring exclamations from the multitude watching finally washed over Van's ear drums. Glancing up at the crowd with his eyes still tinged red, the corner of his right mouth lifted briefly in surprise. Judging from the outrageous cries, several spectators had bet against him; losing their money with wide gestures of disbelief. Though he should have felt a little weird that several of his people were rooting for her instead of him in the Trial, he had to admit they had a point. Up to this moment, Hitomi had proven herself again and again against his Vehotus. She had gone so far as to challenge the king of their country. That's definitely worth betting on.
His gaze turned back to his opponent and he saw her step into the circle; the tips of her fingers wavering in golden light. A snap of electric current flickered briefly from her palm and Van quirked an eyebrow.
With abundant reluctance, he followed her and stepped heavy-hearted into his circle. The familiar drums followed. They faced each other, gold connecting to crimson red. He watched her swallow briefly and, to his astonishment, she said lowly, "The bet we made. You knock me down and I have to tell you what happened in Hospesland, correct?"
He tilted his head slightly in thought and his wild fringe brushed over his forehead. "That was what we agreed on. Or was it I knock you down twice? Honestly, I can't remember anymore." A brief smile lifted his lips. "I am fine if you do not want to tell me."
"But… I kind of do, and then I don't," she answered cryptically. "I feel like, if I tell you what happened that night, it will make us take a step in a direction…" her face blushed brightly even in the growing night. "…a direction I'm not sure you want to take."
"What do you mean?" His chest tightened strangely and his heart tossed into a flooding beat. "Just what did you tell that guard, Hitomi?"
Her golden eyes left to drift quietly to his feet.
"Do you really want to know?"
Van sputtered, his guard breaking slightly. "Of course, I do. Whatever direction you take us, as long as I'm with you we can handle it." He forced his red eyes to remain on her face as the surprise of his declaration hit her. He tried to keep his face impassive, but his shaking arms and legs betrayed the weight of his confession. As her right foot shifted forward automatically, Van found he wanted to leave the circle, break the fight once and for all, cease this tangling ring-around they'd been playing with each other. He wanted to get everything out in the open already.
"Whatever direction you want to go, as long as I'm with you we can handle it." He repeated both to her and himself. "If you want me there, that is."
He was shocked to see her eyes glance at his feet once more and envelope in a large, beautiful smile that spread across her pale cheeks and brightened up her already glistening golden eyes. With a loud shout, her arm extended to the sky and a crackle of lightning burst through the arena. The blast erupted so loud and fast, Van hardly had time to respond. He backed away from the brilliant light, his feet stumbling over themselves and his ears ringing – the iridescent circle at his toes gone. With a curse under his breath, he gathered up his red vox and tried to summon his sword, but she was too quick. He transported away instantly just as the blunted spokes of a trident whistled through the empty air.
"Good reflexes, Your Majesty." She laughed twisting around and spinning the pole of her weapon in her fingers. Her face was relaxed, confident, alighted with happiness. Van emerged to her right and he felt his red sword fall into his palm. Lifting up the blade with both hands, he struck her trident's kaleidoscopic pole and the weapons sizzled together. He surged his power forward, the red fiery lace of his crimson vox weaved from his fingers to his weapon. Likewise, he saw her energy flicker in retribution. They clashed, strength trying to overpower strength, gold and red sparks, crimson power sewing into blindingly spiking flashes of squirming electricity.
"Any direction, Van?" she whispered unexpectedly and another large smile graced her lips. Her auburn hair brushed back off her shoulders with the magnitude of their grading weapons. Her feet digging into the sandy ground, she increased her strength against him; he had to grit his teeth behind his lips. With a loud, unexpected cry, she gave him a righteous shove and cartwheeled to Van's left; easily avoiding his blade swiping the air in retaliation. He staggered forward and transported again just in time for her trident to strike nothing but the empty arena.
Hitomi began to flip her weapon over her fingers again. The ends of the trident swishing in the nighttime air; blurring with speed. She turned on foot as Van appeared behind her, his red lace ready to trap her like before.
"Not this time!" she shouted and as he raced the vox to catch her limbs, they hit the spinning trident. It twirled like a shield, protecting her against him. With a straining grunt and sweat beading down his forehead and back, Van changed the direction of his vox to her feet where the trident couldn't defend.
She stopped spinning instantly and slammed the spokes of her weapon into the sand. His red eyes grew wide with surprise and a race of panic hit him as the trident pulsed an electric charge into the sand and the granule ground acted as a conductor. There was still a small charge in the sand from the broken sound-system. White-hot voltage engulfed the arena, flashing dazzlingly like thick wiggling snakes from where she stood. Van disappeared as the traveling lightning came closer and he appeared close to her right to avoid getting hit. Lifting his red blade with both hands to catch her, he let out another unexpected gasp of surprise.
A golden sword had emerged from her right hand and graded against his, deflecting his strike perfectly. She stepped away from her trident – which was still stuck in the ground - and it disappeared with a strangled hissing sound. She took her pink-woven pommel in both of her palms, mirroring his pose. They faced each other. Van was panting. She was still grinning beautifully.
The two weapons were flung together and graded briefly as one for just a fraction of a heartbeat and Van found himself beginning to smile with her. Another hit, another blast of power and it was like the world was finally connecting. Another flick of the wrist and they hit again; his powers with hers. The weapon twisted and she thrust forward and he blocked her; his mind with hers. Together, they swirled around, his fire-lacing vox roaring, her golden liquid pulsing, a chaotic and exotic dance. Hitting together, deflecting together, and weaving together.
And finally they were at another stand-still. Both blades held against one another. Her face was close to his in the cross they made. Only inches apart. Though she was panting, her golden eyes shimmied with happiness. He was grinning like a fool, his breath also catching. The fire of his vox was burning a thick course in his veins, but he forced himself to keep pressing. She pushed back matching him perfectly.
"I… told the guard…" she hissed through clamped teeth. Van's muscles tensed and she gained a few inches against him. Swallowing, he willed his body to relax and concentrate on their stand-off.
But she kept talking.
"The guard… he let out us out… because I told him…"
Their eyes were unblinkingly staring at each other. He noticed a drip of sweat run down the side of her temple and a vein on her forehead protruded prominently.
"I told him…I was running…away with you…"
A flicker of pleasure shot down into his stomach and his grip slipped only millimeters. Unfortunately, it was just enough to make the muscles in his forearm quake painfully and his balance to tilter.
"He opened… the gate just… because of that…?" He panted back, wanting both to keep her confessing more and to take back his control on his sword – which was slowly wearing away. The sparks of their confronting blades were beginning to give her an ethereal look, her skin seeming translucent in the flashing light in contrast to the night sky. The red and golden flicks of their power caressed her features like a painter's gentle brush; each stroke carefully crafted from an imagination, a dream. It was as if she was a spirit, an apparition that had not shown her real form until now.
"I told him…" her lovely eyes drilled into his face and an expression of resolve flashed behind them. His grip slipped a little more.
"I told him we were going to elope because we fell in love."
Van flinched.
He couldn't help it.
His entire body reacted without his control.
And that was all the leverage she needed.
Sliding her golden blade down to his black-weaved pommel, she drove the edge of her weapon hard into his hand-guard and broke his grip. Van's sword dropped from his struggling fingers and flashed away with a blinking crimson vapor of finality. He stood, his mind blank, still trying to comprehend what she had told him as she lifted a hand and a golden Mindwave shimmering in the air.
His brain woke enough for him to realize he was defenseless, weaponless, and standing there like an open target. As her Mindwave pushed forward to hit him, he transported away just in time and appeared on the far side of the arena. The attack hit the back south wall with a thundering burst and many of the spectators shrieked in fear as it flicked up a backlash of sandy wind into their faces.
A red flashed in his palm and his sword reappeared. He whipped to face her and she turned to him; her feet spread shoulder-width apart, her arms holding her weapon at the ready. Her golden eyes – vibrant even from the great distance between them – sparkled at him. Her powerful vox flowed around her entire body; caressing her like water.
A gentle stream of golden water.
"I told him we were going to elope because we fell in love."
The night wind kicked up his black cloak and tossed it into the air. The cloak flapped, rejoicing in its own way the revelation; the revelation Van realized was already deep in his heart. He had known for a long time. She had mentioned taking a step into a direction she wasn't sure he'd follow. But what she didn't know is he had been waiting for her.
He'd been waiting for her to face that direction with him.
Glancing down at his sword, Van let out a slow breath and dropped his weapon.
It disappeared.
He paid no attention to the crowd standing up; shouting; calling his name, her name, shrieking for them to continue to fight. But really, there was no reason to fight anymore. He took a step towards her, and another, and another. He saw her standing still, ready for a surprise attack. But he was entirely defenseless. He had no weapon. His vox had slowed to a low flood in his body. Already it was beginning to seep back into the burning core in his chest.
But his heart.
Good Law, his heart was full to bursting.
He saw her golden eyes tense with wonder and confusion as he continued to leisurely step towards her. He watched her swallow and her muscles in her arms and legs flexed challengingly.
"So, you told the guard that we were in love." He commented in a strangely impassive voice, as though even his vocal cords couldn't wrap around the thought. "That we were running away to get married."
Her blush was the most beautiful things he'd ever seen. The blunted point of her blade dropped an inch, then two inches, then it fell to the ground. A whisk of gold and the weapon was gone from her fingers. She was unarmed just like him. Her hair flicked into her face and she reached up with a trembling gloved hand to brush the strands away and behind her ear. Van watched her every move.
Finally, she nodded shortly.
He took another step closer – only five more steps and he'd be close enough to touch her – and he stopped.
"Why did you tell him that?"
Her mouth dropped open slightly with her quick gasp. She closed her lips with a snap and blinked rapidly before saying, "I-I, well, I couldn't think of anything else, honestly. The entire time I was following you through the streets, I had doubts. I mean, I blindly decided to trust a strange man who had climbed through my bedroom window. How mental is that?" she gave a nervous giggle and he chanced another step towards her. "I thought over and over how crazy I was. That I shouldn't be allowing you – a strange man who didn't even know my language - to drag me to… Law knows where… and yet…" Her gold eyes, which were slowly growing greener in color, zeroed in on him. "And yet, I couldn't stop you. 'Go with him when he comes'. It rang in my head over and over. Even at the Wall, the very last part, I was scared to continue. But then, Grison, the night guard, he came out of nowhere and he was going to stop me. That's when I realized." She swallowed and she took a step towards him. Her lips curled into a soft smile. "I didn't want to stay in Hospesland. I blurted out that we were in love and eloping." She gave another quiet laugh. "Your face was priceless."
"Was it?" he asked, smiling as well.
She nodded still laughing. "You were so lost. You had no idea what was going on. I remember praying you wouldn't push me off when I grabbed you to me."
"I didn't though."
"No, you didn't." She agreed. "You put your arm around me instead." Hitomi swallowed again and lifted a hand to gesture in the air. "So, there you have it. My confession."
"You mentioned it would bring us into a different direction?" Van reminded her feeling a bit cruel as her cheeks grew even redder. His heart felt like he was running a mile.
"I don't know what to say. Forget I said it. I feel like I made a fool out of myself. I am tired and wasn't thinking clearly." Hitomi turned away, the right side of her body facing him. She sighed tiredly and it seemed like all the weight of the world hung from those small shoulders just from that small release of breath. Her back slouched forward; her neck bent to the ground. She closed her eyes briefly. "Everyone wants another epic battle out of me and I can't honestly muster anymore strength to summon my sword."
That was what he was hoping to hear. "Let's just stop this then."
Her green eyes opened swiftly and she shook her head. "I can't do that either. It'd feel like giving up."
"You've come so far, Hitomi. You are already where you need to be. You are Second in my Vehotus. You've gained a title."
She started at that comment, her face flickering with a furtive thought. Her eyes narrowed and he noticed a gold flash inside her pupils. Suddenly, something inside him told him that might not have been the best thing to say. He didn't know how, but he just knew.
"I have come so far. Everything is how it should be. I've done the best I could do." She whispered the words more to herself than to him. She took a step towards him.
"Right," he nodded, noticing a weird vibe coming from her and wondering why he was feeling an urge to back away. Regardless, he stood his ground and argued gently, "There's no need to fight further."
"Or is there?" she countered quietly, her neck rising and her back straightening. A wave of astonishment struck him. She was almost ready to give up. What in the world is she thinking right now?
"Is there? Of course, there isn't."
"Oh…" she tilted her head with a cute little toss of her auburn hair. Van found that startlingly attractive – and kind of annoying. "Oh, there isn't, huh?" she took a step closer to him.
He frowned. "No, you're tired."
Her lips curled into a smirk as yet another surreptitious thought crossed her mind. "Am I?"
"Stop turning what I'm saying into a question." His frown grew underneath his draping black hair.
"I confessed my secret to you, Van." She stood tall, her face slanted up to look into his eyes. "I was afraid to tell you because I didn't know how you'd respond to it. But now that you know, I realized that this fight isn't over." He opened his mouth to talk and she hushed him with a quick finger to his lips. "It's not over until I knock you down."
The race of danger and sour twist of a threat curled in Van's stomach and he wrenched himself away from her just in time to duck underneath a golden blade that emerged immediately from her right hand. He tripped slightly, backing away from her completely unprepared. She lifted her arm in the sky again and another bolt of lightning answered her call.
She twisted four steps into his range and he whipped into his core for his sword.
Just in time.
BOOM
He blocked her attack. But instead of a contest of strength like before, she let their blades slide away and flipped backward into a tumble; kicking the blade of his sword with her swinging foot. The unexpected hit made him let go of the pommel for a third time and he groaned in irritation as his weapon tossed up high in the air; flashing out of sight. Using his red vox instantly, he transported as she rounded out into a cartwheel. He appeared behind her, his lace-vox already at his fingertips, but he was getting predictable. His red lace missed her limbs within centimeters as she launched into yet another series of flips; her body twisting all around his with the flexibility of liquid.
Her sword in hand, she swiped at his fruitless attempts at catching her with his power as she kept switching all round him. She was too quick.
He couldn't keep up. He had to get away.
Just as Van tried to transport to escape, she slipped like water under his arm and the fingertips of her left hand grazed his white armored chest briefly. As he appeared on the other side of the arena, all he saw was her dazzling smile before a brilliant smack of solid golden power slammed into his chest.
He had transported her with him…
He struck the arena wall like a tossed doll, his body cracking hard against the edge of the arena. Bits of the rock crumbled as he slid down, his legs trembling, his red eyes blinking wearily, his back braced against the collapsing stone. There was an indent in the wall where he had hit it. She stood tall, waiting, her breath held. A trickle of blood wept down his neck and she gasped in disbelief and remorse. Her heart hurt in her chest, squeezing so tightly she could barely breathe.
"Van!"
He stumbled forward, trying to keep his balance, but he lost his footing with each step. Summoning her sword away instantly in her panic, she unthinkingly ran up and caught him in her arms just as he was about to fall.
She wasn't as prepared for his weight as she thought. He fell awkwardly against her body and her feet slipped on the sand.
And he landed on top of her on the ground.
His stomach swirled with nervousness and he hurriedly backed away from her surprised face as he felt his own heat up. Letting her mouth go swiftly, Van grabbed her hand, which was bracing itself on the ground and pulled her up to stand. The tight air felt suffocating and the ebony-haired boy turned around to the opening of the alleyway to create some space between the both of them. He had found his destination: the dark metal gates leading outside to the giant Wall. He would have to cross the main street to get to it. It would be a quick run, but the odds were on their side: None of the regiment seemed to be present on this side of the gate. Looking both ways just to make sure, Van took a breath before stepping out of his dim protection.
But as he lifted his foot to sneak into the main street, a small hand from behind him flew to his shoulder and pulled on his black cloak hard; forcing him back into the secluded shadows. Unable to catch his balance, Van stumbled back and knocked into the soft, warm person behind him.
"Oof!"
They both landed; their faces too close for comfort, with a muffled thud onto the hard scratchy sand just as the sound of squeaky leather boots made their way past the dark alleyway opening. Listening intently to the footsteps, Van kept his position on top of the girl and immediately put his right hand over her startled mouth, just encase she tried to scream again. Looking into her astonished face, Van took slow silent breaths and waited for the boots to tromp off.
Their current position could not be any more awkward. He lay on top of her, pinning her down on the sandy floor, his legs tangled within hers.
Her green eyes, if it could be possible, were wider than before as she struggled for a breath with his weight on her chest. He lifted himself slightly onto his forearms and her chest expanded gratefully. Trying to not focus on the part he had just freed, Van found himself really looking at her for the first time since seeing her that afternoon at the general's house. Her short auburn hair was spread like a halo on the sandy ground, and the thin nightgown she was wearing seemed to accentuate the glowing skin on her neck and shoulders. Her eyes held a strange intense anticipation behind her shock of him lying on her.
He smelled a familiar scent of flowers and river. It was strangely appealing and seemed to fill his entire senses.
Was it coming from her hair? Or just her skin? He could not figure it out.
The air was once again intense and stiff as he vaguely listened for the retreating footsteps of the stranger just outside the alleyway. The small warm winds did not help the alien mood as they lightly kissed her cheeks; spreading her fragrance all around him. His glowing eyes reflected their unfamiliar red softly through her own as she, very gently, lifted a hand to his face and slowly pushed some of his ebony hair away from his forehead.
"Vaan…"
Her voice was clearly saying his name… but his hand was still on her mouth… and he didn't remember telling her his name.
Wait. What was that noise? It sounded like a crowd. What was a crowd doing in the middle of the night in Hospesland? Maybe he could use the distraction to sneak closer to the gate. Should he transport her there with him? That seemed the easiest approach, but-
"Van, are you okay?"
The scene wobbled and blacked out. He tried to blink, but the vision kept slipping between two different places. He was on top of Hitomi trying to take her out of Castra…? But then it cleared and he was lying on his back, staring at the sky. The familiar constellations of his home. But he could still smell her scent. Flowers and water… but now there was a metallic hint mixed in. The sand of the arena…
Fanelia.
What was he doing back in his country? What about Hospesland?
Blinking, trying to focus his sight and memories, Van groaned and placed a hand on his head. The sand clung to his gloved fingers; scraping the skin on his forehead and cheek and he hissed at the painful throb that snaked into the back of his brain.
The crowd screamed and the sound pulsed in his ears.
And then he finally got it together.
The arena.
The Trials.
She got him.
"Van! Can you sit up?" Her voice was over his head and a small hand shimmied under his shoulders to help him sit up. Turning his spotted eyes to her, he couldn't stop his lips from curling upward automatically. How very different she was from the young, scared girl she used to be. Her green/gold eyes were the same beautiful shape, but her face was slimmer, toned, and confident. Even better, a soft glow of the golden armor shimmied all around her, the beautiful streams alive and active. They twisted around her slender body, gliding enchantingly.
He groaned again, but his smile grew wider.
"Looks like you got me…"
She shook her head and he noticed her blushing face. It was redder than even her normal embarrassed blush.
What happened?
"Are… are you okay?" He asked, his stomach hitching a little with worry as she looked away and bit her lip. Using his shaking arms and her shoulder for support, he carefully stood on his unsteady legs. A swirling bit of her armor detached itself from the boiled leather underneath and floated; looping over his head and encasing the both of them together.
"Hitomi," he said her name, his voice stronger with his increasing concern and curiosity. "Why are you quiet? What happened?"
Her golden eyes were down on the sand. Her fists clenched. The swirl glided on the back of his scalp briefly and the foggy pain subsided instantly. The water felt warm, gentle, and didn't leave his hair wet where it had touched him.
Healing spell. That sure was a nice thing to have. As the little river left him, looping back over is head and returning to its spot on her armor and she whispered in a voice barely audible:
"Van… I lost."
He frowned in confusion and gestured to the imprint in the sand where his body had been. "Lost? I don't understand. You knocked me down."
"Actually…" she pressed her eyes shut and exhaled a short breath. "I tried to… catch you as you fell forward… and you fell into me… knocking me to the ground…"
His face froze.
His body froze.
He even momentarily forgot to blink.
Her golden orbs opened to stare at him with a mixture of shame, mortification, and hints of self-frustration. Looking down at her small form, her sharp determination, he soaked in the bizarre and amusing words. After so much work. After beating Trial after Trial, knocking down each of his Vehotus one by one, she worked hard to take him on. This last fight was incredible. Absolute proof of her skill for strategy, weapon usage… she actually used his transport against him – predicting when and where he'd be – and still gave him a solid punch with a Mindwave. He glanced at the wall where a large crumbling dent concaved the stone.
Her eyes glistened with shame.
A snort of laughter escaped him and her expression – rightly so – knotted with an irritated frown.
"What's so funny?" she confronted.
"I-I…" he tried to stop, but another small chuckle came from his throat and he tried to hide it with a cough. "I-I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. This is inappropriate…"
"And humiliating," she added, her voice deadly quiet. The amusement inside him was extinguished like a doused flame as he noticed her eyes whelping up with tears.
"Wait, I'm sorry, Hitomi, I didn't mean to-"
"Now that my Trial is complete, I'm going to go disappear in my under-cove and let Balgus skin me alive…" her words were filled to the brim with bitterness and they gnawed into his already increasing guilt. "You just stay here and keep laughing, okay?"
Before he could say anything else, she left him; stomping away. He watched her lift a hand and swipe her cheeks.
She was crying.
Ah, damn it.
The crowd was quiet now; voices wondering, whispering. He knew what they were asking. Did their king win? Would there be a rematch? What did this mean?
Van stood transfixed, watching her go and feeling sick with remorse. His black cloak whipped with the evening's chilling breeze and flapped up to smack him in the back of his newly-healed head.
And he knew he deserved it.
Thoughts? Reactions? Hate it? Loved it? Wished I had done more? Wished I had written less? Wished I had put Gadeth in there? (me too... writing him makes me happy...)
Okay, so... I've been promoted at work. Before everyone cheers for me (because yes this is a good thing and it means I get more money - which is ALWAYS a good thing) this means I am super-dooper-crazy-hazy busy. I've taken over two other positions besides my own. So that means I've got my responsibilities+my old boss lady's responsibilities+some chick who used to work in Accounts Payable's responsibilities. Hence, the no update for the past several weeks. I worked like an insane person anytime I had free time to try and get this chapter together. Be Ready has been worked on as well, but I'm trying to get everything done on time here before I mess up and get fired, too.
I know there are probably a lot of mistakes, but it would take even longer for me to edit everything. I'm sorry if this chapter seems a little rushed in some places. I tried my best to make it as good as my usual, but I still feel like its lacking.
But I got a good Van/Hitomi moment coming up, so I'm hoping that will spur me on to keep at it. Once I get into a better routine with this new position, I'll be able to schedule time to get chapters out.
Of course, encouragement and feedback never hurt nobody too... ;) But seriously, I love you guys for the reviews, continuing to love and read the story, or just clicking onto it for the first time and reading all the way up to this point.
I'll try my best to keep up with regular updates. It has been an insane month and the next one is looking even crazier.
Love to you all! - And despite this slight scene with Selena... I still want to slap her in the face...
blue...