Nous Chapter 08
Chapter 08
The only fortunate part of Leliel’s day was that he didn’t dream, or if he did, then it was so normal that he couldn’t remember it by the time he heard his alarm. He quickly dressed for school but Leliel had no intention of going to his first two periods in light of the fact that he was going to duel at noon. He assumed that the reason why Pallas hadn’t decided to wait until six.
Asha wasn’t waiting for Leliel in the entrance as usual. He hung around for a few minutes but figured that Asha wasn’t going to show at all. Leliel wasn’t sure how he knew, but he felt that his friend would show himself only when they were about to start their duel.
For lack of anything better to do, Leliel wandered. He really had gone over the events of the last few days so many times in his head at this point that it was just easier and more fulfilling to think of nothing. Instead of worrying about something he couldn’t change, he paused in front of some of the buildings and listened, to hear any signs of human life within. The classrooms must have been far too contained within the walls of their buildings because whenever he did it he never heard a word from the inside.
His phone went off at eleven-thirty while Leliel was standing right outside the garden. He quickly drew it out of his pocket and silenced the alarm, staring at the numbers that conveyed the time to his eyes. He figured it would be bad manners to show up late, so early was really the only option for him. Leliel collected himself and headed off alone toward the north end of campus.
The student’s hand went unconsciously to the pin on his collar the moment he was standing at the foot of the clocktower. Strange, how his eyes were practically boring holes in the side of the building yet he couldn’t see it the way it truly was while standing on the outside.
The elevator doors opened the moment that Leliel was close and this time he didn’t hesitate to step past the threshold and into the lift. He slowly turned when he was inside and the machinery groaned to life, closing the gates as the platform went on alone. He watched the pattern change more thoughtfully than last time. It was evolving. So did that have some sort of significance to what they were doing? Or was it just some sort of meaningless trick?
Leliel did stall just a moment when he reached the stairs that led up to the entrance of the arena, mainly because it brought back memories from his dream. It was exactly the same. Warmer, and light since it was only midday, but the stairs were just as real. He didn’t look over the edge till he got to the very top.
“Wow. You’re a bit early,” Asha said, moving from under the archway so that Leliel could fully enter the arena.
He merely nodded to his friend and turned his attention to the young man standing at the other end of the floor, right near the edge. It was from faraway but, if possible, Pallas looked even worse than he had the day before. His hair was an utter mess, his jacket wasn’t even on straight, and he had deep shadows under his eyes.
Karta stood in the middle of the arena. She had on dark pants but the top was identical to her usual uniform. The young lady looked cold and incredibly uncomfortable. She had her arms crossed firmly over her chest and every now and again her eyes darted back toward Pallas. She turned her attention to Leliel the moment he arrived and moved forward to speak with him. Pallas scoffed and also closed the distance while Leliel and Asha came to the center.
“Leliel! So you really are involved in this. Pallas came to me this morning before my first class and told me he wanted me to be the witness of a duel between you and him. He said it had to do with me but…what’s wrong between the two of you?”
The young man shook his head. “I don’t know him but he didn’t seem to be in his right mind. He…seems to think that I’m some sort of threat…”
“And you are, Demir,” Pallas spat. He moved between Leliel and Karta.
“Well don’t you look well-rested,” Asha commented.
“I don’t think you should set him off just yet,” Leliel said.
“Enough talk. I just want to get this over with.”
Pallas put out his hand. His fingers twitched slightly as Leliel watched. He put out his own hand and they grasped each other for a moment. It was so hard on Pallas’ end that Leliel thought he was likely trying to break his fingers. A light similar to what had happened the first time sparked over their joined hands and the statue and orbs emerged from near the center of the arena. Karta and Asha both got the hint that the duel was about to start and each of them ran for opposite sides of the field.
“You’re the reason why nothing is working out for me. It was before this…she noticed you before you were special like the rest of us,” Pallas muttered, staring at the light that formed between them. Leliel blinked in confusion and tore his eyes away from the statue to regard his opponent.
“Wha-“
“YAAAAAH!” Pallas yelled. Their hands ripped apart and Pallas suddenly kicked Leliel’s legs out from underneath him. He couldn’t control his balance, the next thing Leliel knew, he was on the ground and staring up as Pallas’ rather broad blade was heading quickly for his face. He brought up his own sword to block the blow but he hadn’t gotten a great grip on the weapon. Leliel’s sword went flying and Pallas wasted no time in pressing his blade against his opponent’s neck.
Leliel waited for the pain to come but they stood there for a long moment, with Pallas trying to force his blade but nothing happened. He finally looked toward the statue to see that both sides still had all five orbs.
“What?”
Leliel didn’t waste Pallas’ surprise. He rolled away from contact and ran to get his own sword off the arena floor.
“What the hell? I had him! Why didn’t it work?” Pallas demanded.
“Oh…that’s too bad,” Asha said, grinning.
“Pallas…you forgot…” Karta started.
Leliel readied himself, half expecting Pallas to come charging at him again but the young man was still staring at the statue. Before Karta could finish her statements, the ground vibrated as the bells started ringing.
“…No duel can take place till the bells stop.”
Pallas laughed, putting a hand to his forehead and he pulled his bangs down farther over his shadowed eyes.
“Yes, of course. I guess I got a little hasty. Well, it doesn’t matter. I’ll still win.”
“Yeah, come over here and say that,” Leliel said under his breath. He spread his feet apart and moved into a defensive stance, making sure to watch his opponent for the first signs of action. Now that he was concentrating, the lessons that his uncle had given to him when he was just a child were starting to come back. He hadn’t wanted Leliel to be a brash, offensive swordsman. What was most important was to read his opponent and use his offense against him. The goal was to really only do one strike and to make it fatal.
Pallas dropped his hand to his side and he slowly walked across the arena toward his enemy. He was muttering to himself and it was inaudible at first, but the closer he got the more Leliel could hear what he was saying.
“The outcome of this duel is what’s important. If I don’t win then she’ll never see me as more than just a follower. Demir’s the one that’s wrong. He thinks he can get somewhere with her but it’s just novelty. Just because she’s known him and he doesn’t give her as much attention as I do. No. I’m not one of many. He is. Just part of the inane line of followers that she’ll just cast aside because their affections are only on the surface. Shallow bastard. No. I can win.”
Leliel frowned. Pallas’ reflection was a bit off. He could see a sort of dark outline around his body, wavering a bit as he walked. It was only present there, but Leliel was convinced that it wasn’t an illusion.
“So this is the darkness that Eligor was talking about?” he said.
“SHUT UP!”
Pallas moved far faster than Leliel figured he would, especially considering he made his way to him by walking. The young man was suddenly inches away from his body and he swung his blade inward toward Leliel’s stomach. He stepped back and returned it with his own hit. Pallas’ sword caught him lightly on the abdomen and Leliel scored a hit on his opponent’s shoulder. Leliel’s head spun with the sudden sensation of pain that spread from his middle and he staggered back. One orb went out on either side.
Pallas recovered quickly and he stepped forward to try and do another sweep with his blade. Leliel dodged it, partially by accident since he was doubled over in pain. His blade quickly moved across the other man’s hip and one of the left side orbs went out.
“Augh…why…?” Pallas started. He kicked Leliel in the shoulder and tried to get another hit but Leliel played it safe and jumped away from him. Distance was yet again established between them and Pallas’ free hand gripped his shoulder where Leliel had struck him first.
“Why are you making this so hard? You should just let me win! I’ve been through enough.”
“…That’s idiotic. You’re the one who challenged me…and you’re holding a grudge for a completely unnecessary reason. How am I a threat?”
Pallas’ head snapped up and Leliel saw his eyes for the first time since they started dueling. It appeared that he had gotten through to Pallas, even if just a little.
“Are you playing dumb? I’ve seen that smug little smile you give her. Like you didn’t know I was watching! It’s arrogance!”
“It is not. I barely even know you and I didn’t realize you were watching. Karta’s a friend.”
Pallas let go of his shoulder and he leveled his blade at Leliel. His eyes were horribly intense. So much that it took all of Leliel’s will power to not look away.
“Lies! You’re just like the rest of them! Always trying to get her to pay attention to you when I’m the one who loves her the best. You don’t want her to see that because you want her for yourself. You hate me!”
“You’re generalizing…throwing me in with everyone else that she talks to. I have no idea what other guys do around Karta but at least I’m not doing this because I’m out to get you,” Leliel said.
Pallas charged again. Leliel blocked his oncoming sword by holding his blade vertically in front of his body. They were at a stalemate, each vying to break their connection for a true hit.
“Shut up! You wouldn’t understand.”
“No. I can honestly say that I don’t but all you’re going to accomplish is going to just get you farther away from her. Even if you win, she’s not going to like you. You’ve been stalking her for God’s sake.”
“What?” The darkness swam around his mirror image but the intensity was less than before.
“You can’t say you didn’t see the way she looked today at the arena…she was nervous…Karta’s scared of you. Can’t you see that you’re being controlled by your own jealousy?”
“O…of cour…you’d….”
“Just look down if you don’t believe me.”
Pallas’ eyes moved downward in automatic response to Leliel’s words. His mouth dropped open and, at once, his blade cracked and shattered. The tension was gone and Leliel’s own arm reflexively moved forward, catching him hard in the chest. All of Pallas’ orbs went out at once and the bells started to ring again.
Pallas sank to the ground, covering his face with his hands. Leliel stood for a moment, glancing down at the other young man with something like pity as his own sword faded from his grip.
“Wow…that was intense…” Asha said, running up beside his friend. He slapped Leliel on the back and the young man jumped, startled out of his reverie.
“…What?” he asked.
Asha laughed. “Let’s just go. This wasn’t…much of a duel anyway.”
Leliel opened his mouth to oppose his friend’s words but Asha’s glare stopped him before he could speak. He cast one last glance toward Pallas before they turned to leave. His reflection was normal.
“Leliel!”
They turned to see Karta standing right behind Pallas. She smiled kindly toward him.
“Congratulations on winning your duel…”
“Thanks,” he said.
They turned away just as Leliel heard her speak again but he knew from the start that her words weren’t directed at him.
“I can see what you were trying to do, Pallas but…I can’t forgive you for what you’ve done. Leliel is my friend and you challenged him for such a stupid reason. I’ve already told you that I don’t feel the same way. Please, try and forget about me.”
Pallas didn’t answer but remained curled up on himself, hands over his face to block out any physical cues about his state of mind. Asha and Leliel reached the staircase just as Karta caught up. She smiled again, free of any sort of worry.
“Good thing that’s over. Would you two like to get some lunch? I’m not in the mood for class.”
Asha nodded and he started down the stairs. Leliel stepped back to let Karta follow and he looked back one last time toward the other duelist. He wanted to say something but Leliel knew better than that. The last thing he would want is to hear some sort of cheap sympathy from the person who had just beaten him. It was an insult. But still, he couldn’t go away without any sort of acknowledgement.
“…Pallas,” he shouted. The other student didn’t respond but he thought he saw his shoulders jerk just a bit.
“ You saw it too…that darkness. Rid yourself of it.”
“…What do you know?” Pallas answered.
Leliel smiled. “Good point.”
Without further conversation, Leliel descended the stairs behind his friends.
23,683 / 50,000
(47.4%)
The only fortunate part of Leliel’s day was that he didn’t dream, or if he did, then it was so normal that he couldn’t remember it by the time he heard his alarm. He quickly dressed for school but Leliel had no intention of going to his first two periods in light of the fact that he was going to duel at noon. He assumed that the reason why Pallas hadn’t decided to wait until six.
Asha wasn’t waiting for Leliel in the entrance as usual. He hung around for a few minutes but figured that Asha wasn’t going to show at all. Leliel wasn’t sure how he knew, but he felt that his friend would show himself only when they were about to start their duel.
For lack of anything better to do, Leliel wandered. He really had gone over the events of the last few days so many times in his head at this point that it was just easier and more fulfilling to think of nothing. Instead of worrying about something he couldn’t change, he paused in front of some of the buildings and listened, to hear any signs of human life within. The classrooms must have been far too contained within the walls of their buildings because whenever he did it he never heard a word from the inside.
His phone went off at eleven-thirty while Leliel was standing right outside the garden. He quickly drew it out of his pocket and silenced the alarm, staring at the numbers that conveyed the time to his eyes. He figured it would be bad manners to show up late, so early was really the only option for him. Leliel collected himself and headed off alone toward the north end of campus.
The student’s hand went unconsciously to the pin on his collar the moment he was standing at the foot of the clocktower. Strange, how his eyes were practically boring holes in the side of the building yet he couldn’t see it the way it truly was while standing on the outside.
The elevator doors opened the moment that Leliel was close and this time he didn’t hesitate to step past the threshold and into the lift. He slowly turned when he was inside and the machinery groaned to life, closing the gates as the platform went on alone. He watched the pattern change more thoughtfully than last time. It was evolving. So did that have some sort of significance to what they were doing? Or was it just some sort of meaningless trick?
Leliel did stall just a moment when he reached the stairs that led up to the entrance of the arena, mainly because it brought back memories from his dream. It was exactly the same. Warmer, and light since it was only midday, but the stairs were just as real. He didn’t look over the edge till he got to the very top.
“Wow. You’re a bit early,” Asha said, moving from under the archway so that Leliel could fully enter the arena.
He merely nodded to his friend and turned his attention to the young man standing at the other end of the floor, right near the edge. It was from faraway but, if possible, Pallas looked even worse than he had the day before. His hair was an utter mess, his jacket wasn’t even on straight, and he had deep shadows under his eyes.
Karta stood in the middle of the arena. She had on dark pants but the top was identical to her usual uniform. The young lady looked cold and incredibly uncomfortable. She had her arms crossed firmly over her chest and every now and again her eyes darted back toward Pallas. She turned her attention to Leliel the moment he arrived and moved forward to speak with him. Pallas scoffed and also closed the distance while Leliel and Asha came to the center.
“Leliel! So you really are involved in this. Pallas came to me this morning before my first class and told me he wanted me to be the witness of a duel between you and him. He said it had to do with me but…what’s wrong between the two of you?”
The young man shook his head. “I don’t know him but he didn’t seem to be in his right mind. He…seems to think that I’m some sort of threat…”
“And you are, Demir,” Pallas spat. He moved between Leliel and Karta.
“Well don’t you look well-rested,” Asha commented.
“I don’t think you should set him off just yet,” Leliel said.
“Enough talk. I just want to get this over with.”
Pallas put out his hand. His fingers twitched slightly as Leliel watched. He put out his own hand and they grasped each other for a moment. It was so hard on Pallas’ end that Leliel thought he was likely trying to break his fingers. A light similar to what had happened the first time sparked over their joined hands and the statue and orbs emerged from near the center of the arena. Karta and Asha both got the hint that the duel was about to start and each of them ran for opposite sides of the field.
“You’re the reason why nothing is working out for me. It was before this…she noticed you before you were special like the rest of us,” Pallas muttered, staring at the light that formed between them. Leliel blinked in confusion and tore his eyes away from the statue to regard his opponent.
“Wha-“
“YAAAAAH!” Pallas yelled. Their hands ripped apart and Pallas suddenly kicked Leliel’s legs out from underneath him. He couldn’t control his balance, the next thing Leliel knew, he was on the ground and staring up as Pallas’ rather broad blade was heading quickly for his face. He brought up his own sword to block the blow but he hadn’t gotten a great grip on the weapon. Leliel’s sword went flying and Pallas wasted no time in pressing his blade against his opponent’s neck.
Leliel waited for the pain to come but they stood there for a long moment, with Pallas trying to force his blade but nothing happened. He finally looked toward the statue to see that both sides still had all five orbs.
“What?”
Leliel didn’t waste Pallas’ surprise. He rolled away from contact and ran to get his own sword off the arena floor.
“What the hell? I had him! Why didn’t it work?” Pallas demanded.
“Oh…that’s too bad,” Asha said, grinning.
“Pallas…you forgot…” Karta started.
Leliel readied himself, half expecting Pallas to come charging at him again but the young man was still staring at the statue. Before Karta could finish her statements, the ground vibrated as the bells started ringing.
“…No duel can take place till the bells stop.”
Pallas laughed, putting a hand to his forehead and he pulled his bangs down farther over his shadowed eyes.
“Yes, of course. I guess I got a little hasty. Well, it doesn’t matter. I’ll still win.”
“Yeah, come over here and say that,” Leliel said under his breath. He spread his feet apart and moved into a defensive stance, making sure to watch his opponent for the first signs of action. Now that he was concentrating, the lessons that his uncle had given to him when he was just a child were starting to come back. He hadn’t wanted Leliel to be a brash, offensive swordsman. What was most important was to read his opponent and use his offense against him. The goal was to really only do one strike and to make it fatal.
Pallas dropped his hand to his side and he slowly walked across the arena toward his enemy. He was muttering to himself and it was inaudible at first, but the closer he got the more Leliel could hear what he was saying.
“The outcome of this duel is what’s important. If I don’t win then she’ll never see me as more than just a follower. Demir’s the one that’s wrong. He thinks he can get somewhere with her but it’s just novelty. Just because she’s known him and he doesn’t give her as much attention as I do. No. I’m not one of many. He is. Just part of the inane line of followers that she’ll just cast aside because their affections are only on the surface. Shallow bastard. No. I can win.”
Leliel frowned. Pallas’ reflection was a bit off. He could see a sort of dark outline around his body, wavering a bit as he walked. It was only present there, but Leliel was convinced that it wasn’t an illusion.
“So this is the darkness that Eligor was talking about?” he said.
“SHUT UP!”
Pallas moved far faster than Leliel figured he would, especially considering he made his way to him by walking. The young man was suddenly inches away from his body and he swung his blade inward toward Leliel’s stomach. He stepped back and returned it with his own hit. Pallas’ sword caught him lightly on the abdomen and Leliel scored a hit on his opponent’s shoulder. Leliel’s head spun with the sudden sensation of pain that spread from his middle and he staggered back. One orb went out on either side.
Pallas recovered quickly and he stepped forward to try and do another sweep with his blade. Leliel dodged it, partially by accident since he was doubled over in pain. His blade quickly moved across the other man’s hip and one of the left side orbs went out.
“Augh…why…?” Pallas started. He kicked Leliel in the shoulder and tried to get another hit but Leliel played it safe and jumped away from him. Distance was yet again established between them and Pallas’ free hand gripped his shoulder where Leliel had struck him first.
“Why are you making this so hard? You should just let me win! I’ve been through enough.”
“…That’s idiotic. You’re the one who challenged me…and you’re holding a grudge for a completely unnecessary reason. How am I a threat?”
Pallas’ head snapped up and Leliel saw his eyes for the first time since they started dueling. It appeared that he had gotten through to Pallas, even if just a little.
“Are you playing dumb? I’ve seen that smug little smile you give her. Like you didn’t know I was watching! It’s arrogance!”
“It is not. I barely even know you and I didn’t realize you were watching. Karta’s a friend.”
Pallas let go of his shoulder and he leveled his blade at Leliel. His eyes were horribly intense. So much that it took all of Leliel’s will power to not look away.
“Lies! You’re just like the rest of them! Always trying to get her to pay attention to you when I’m the one who loves her the best. You don’t want her to see that because you want her for yourself. You hate me!”
“You’re generalizing…throwing me in with everyone else that she talks to. I have no idea what other guys do around Karta but at least I’m not doing this because I’m out to get you,” Leliel said.
Pallas charged again. Leliel blocked his oncoming sword by holding his blade vertically in front of his body. They were at a stalemate, each vying to break their connection for a true hit.
“Shut up! You wouldn’t understand.”
“No. I can honestly say that I don’t but all you’re going to accomplish is going to just get you farther away from her. Even if you win, she’s not going to like you. You’ve been stalking her for God’s sake.”
“What?” The darkness swam around his mirror image but the intensity was less than before.
“You can’t say you didn’t see the way she looked today at the arena…she was nervous…Karta’s scared of you. Can’t you see that you’re being controlled by your own jealousy?”
“O…of cour…you’d….”
“Just look down if you don’t believe me.”
Pallas’ eyes moved downward in automatic response to Leliel’s words. His mouth dropped open and, at once, his blade cracked and shattered. The tension was gone and Leliel’s own arm reflexively moved forward, catching him hard in the chest. All of Pallas’ orbs went out at once and the bells started to ring again.
Pallas sank to the ground, covering his face with his hands. Leliel stood for a moment, glancing down at the other young man with something like pity as his own sword faded from his grip.
“Wow…that was intense…” Asha said, running up beside his friend. He slapped Leliel on the back and the young man jumped, startled out of his reverie.
“…What?” he asked.
Asha laughed. “Let’s just go. This wasn’t…much of a duel anyway.”
Leliel opened his mouth to oppose his friend’s words but Asha’s glare stopped him before he could speak. He cast one last glance toward Pallas before they turned to leave. His reflection was normal.
“Leliel!”
They turned to see Karta standing right behind Pallas. She smiled kindly toward him.
“Congratulations on winning your duel…”
“Thanks,” he said.
They turned away just as Leliel heard her speak again but he knew from the start that her words weren’t directed at him.
“I can see what you were trying to do, Pallas but…I can’t forgive you for what you’ve done. Leliel is my friend and you challenged him for such a stupid reason. I’ve already told you that I don’t feel the same way. Please, try and forget about me.”
Pallas didn’t answer but remained curled up on himself, hands over his face to block out any physical cues about his state of mind. Asha and Leliel reached the staircase just as Karta caught up. She smiled again, free of any sort of worry.
“Good thing that’s over. Would you two like to get some lunch? I’m not in the mood for class.”
Asha nodded and he started down the stairs. Leliel stepped back to let Karta follow and he looked back one last time toward the other duelist. He wanted to say something but Leliel knew better than that. The last thing he would want is to hear some sort of cheap sympathy from the person who had just beaten him. It was an insult. But still, he couldn’t go away without any sort of acknowledgement.
“…Pallas,” he shouted. The other student didn’t respond but he thought he saw his shoulders jerk just a bit.
“ You saw it too…that darkness. Rid yourself of it.”
“…What do you know?” Pallas answered.
Leliel smiled. “Good point.”
Without further conversation, Leliel descended the stairs behind his friends.
23,683 / 50,000
(47.4%)