Chapter 9 Interlude - Report.

I breathed heavily. The white halls went on and on beneath me. I didn't dare to look up as I was guided away from the Fold chambers. I couldn't fathom what had just occurred. I had fought with the Guardian Leader and despite of being told she wouldn't be much of a problem, I fought longer than I'd expected. And harder. She was a terrifying opponent and not because her martial arts were strong.

My mind kept replaying the fight, up until I had her neck within my grasp. A cold shiver ran down my spine thinking about what happened directly afterwards. I couldn't describe what occurred, but I remember feeling queasy and weakened. My intuition had forced me to let her go. I was certain I would have met my end if I hadn't. But what truly frightened me was watching how the Guardian healed in front of my eyes. The arm I'd broken returned to its former state and became useable again. Any cuts and bruises she had, disappeared as if they'd never been there. And her eyes glowed slightly.

"Wait here."

I looked up, blinking surprised. I'd forgotten where I was. I had to deliver my report. I had failed my initial mission, something my master would certainly punish me for. I watched how the clerk of Kandrakar entered the enormous doors in front of me. They closed and I was left alone. I took a deep breath. My head was already bowed and all I could do was stare at the lower part of the doors. Plain white, just like the rest of Kandrakar. How strange that a place with such grandeur could still look so immeasurably plain. As I waited, the doors slowly opened. The Congregation Hall greeted me. I only lifted my head for a few inches, seeing that I was not the only one called for the meeting. A large group, all dressed similarly stood patiently in front of the Oracle. The rest of the Council filled the benches that surrounded the large centre.

I calmly took my spot amongst the people, only recognizing a few from Basiliade. I figured that the others were most likely from other planets. As I scanned the crowd, I noticed that several had nasty burns. Others were drenched. A few had torn clothing and bleeding gashes, while remnant of the group looked as if they'd stepped out of a hurricane. Looking over at my own wounds, I thought I was lucky with just the one electrocution. My still burned hand brushed the cheek the Guardian had hit me on. It had been her first hit and it had been a nasty one.

"You have failed."

I winced. The voice of the Oracle was usually soft and gentle. Now it was loud and harsh. I didn't dare to look up. Instead I bowed my head in shame.

"You were tasked to finish the mission the Guardians were supposed to do if they proved to be disobedient."

I heard some movement and I dared to peek. Someone with green skin and horns had raised his hand. I almost wanted to hiss at him to lower it. There was no saving honour now. All they could do was wait and accept their punishment.

"My Lord. Please. We can still return. We only have to wait until nightfall and…"

"You will not. You have failed and now the circumstances have changed drastically. You shall receive your punishment."

A subdued, "yes, my Lord", followed. The doors to our left flew open and I closed my eyes. The punishment of Kandrakar would be added to what my master would give me. I doubted I would ever get a mission again. It had been by the graces of my master that I had been allowed to go on a mission at all. Students usually weren't allowed to perform missions, whether they came from the clan or from Kandrakar. But my master had sworn I wouldn't fail. And now, I've disgraced that trust.

"Orube of Basiliade, stay."

I halted mid-step. Someone bumped into me. I caught a glimpse of what seemed to be a look of pity on the woman's face before I looked up at the Oracle. His grey eyes bore into me. I lowered my head and remained in place, waiting for the others to clear out. The moment the doors slammed shut, silence ruled the room. I used all my focus to control my breathing. I didn't want to lose face in front of Him. And so, I waited.

"You have fought with the Guardian Leader. Please, give us your account of what happened."

I blinked and did so again. I looked up, surprised I was even asked this. The Oracle looked at me with more serenity than before. I decided not to push my luck. I took a deep breath and started to tell my side of the battle. At first I tried it to keep it as objectively as possible, but I was soon interrupted. The Oracle wished to hear my side. Which meant my opinions as well. And thus I told him about my obvious lack of concern when first meeting the Guardian, being slightly surprised to see her assume the same stance I did and then a general disgust when I learned she was but a novice. I admitted that my arrogance caused me to take a hit and how I felt energized because of it. I was impressed she dared to hit me with such power.

Then I stop. Thinking about the event was difficult enough. To say it out loud made me shiver. It made it real. I knew it was, but somehow I think I hoped I could downplay it as some sort of hallucination. Before the Oracle could ask me to continue, the words spilled from my mouth. How I first felt pity that she could not last longer. And then how I begrudgingly admitted to be afraid of her. How this strange, cold feeling reached through me up to my chest and pulled. How my instincts kicked in and released her. I felt tears crawl up as I explained. I forced them down when I took a short pause. However, the room was no longer silent. Whispers filled the space. I picked up words like 'dark magic' and 'Nerissa'.

"You speak of this, tell me, how did the Guardian Leader act as she did this?"

I looked at the Oracle. I racked my brain to remember the exact moment. Her eyes were glowing, her wounds were healing. But she…She looked. Confused. Confused and perhaps relieved.

"She appeared surprised, my Lord. And relieved."

The Oracle nodded. Disdainful whispers continued until he raised his hand. As the silence returned, I was asked to continue my story. I told them about my surprise to learn that she seemed more skilled than before. Somehow, I was not angered by this. Normally I would have been, knowing I was fighting an opponent who deliberately acted like she was weak. But the Guardian didn't seem to be doing it deliberately. It was as if her close brush with unconsciousness had triggered some hidden pool of talent even she wasn't aware off. I finished my explanation with halting the fight when I'd heard my master telling me to retreat. When I said that we exchanged names, new disdainful whispers arose, but the Oracle smiled. He nodded.

"You did well, Orube. Now go, your master will see you now."

I bowed deep, not daring to ask why I got this praise. I'd learned to take it when it was given. I walked out and indeed found my master waiting for me. Her long ears were laying flat on her head and her feline face was showed a look of disdain. I bowed my head.

"Master Luba."

"Orube," she said.

"I'm sorry for disgracing you. I shouldn't have taken so long with the Guardian Leader. I am sorry."

There was no reply. I kept my head bowed and waited. My muscles were sore and my hand still burned. My cheek was throbbing from the leftover pain. I truly wished to take a long rest, but I could not. Not until I'd received the punishment I deserved.

I felt a hand touch my head. I looked up, slightly confused. My master had her eyes closed and was muttering something underneath her breath. My heart skipped a beat when light shone from her hand. My head started to feel lighter and the room started to spin. She released my head. Everything stabilized itself and she looked at me with what I could read as concern.

"We both underestimated your opponent today. She is more dangerous than I previously thought."

I wanted to argue with her. The Guardian Leader was no threat. I shouldn't have provoked her. I wanted to test her skills, only to satisfy my own curiosity. If I'd gone all-out from the start, she'd never had a chance. A faint smile formed on my master's lips.

"Go to the gardens and meditate for a while. You'll feel better afterwards."

I nodded dumbly. I turned and began to make my way to the Kandrakarian gardens when my master called out for me once more.

"Orube. Was she really worth it to give her your name?"

I looked back. My mind went over our fight. If the Guardian Leader trained more, I was certain she would become an admirable opponent. And I was confident that we would meet again.

"Yes, master."

[A/N] That's the end of this chapter! Sorry it took so long, had some trouble in real life. But everything should be fine now. Don't forget to review!