I broke out in a cold sweat as I sat straight from my bed. My head was fuzzy, and I was shaking. I could feel myself about to tear up. I hated this feeling. Whenever I dream about the day, I always get like this, and I can't help but stop it. A slit from the blinds in the window invites a piece of light that hits my eye. Shakily, I block the light with my hand before standing up and thoroughly inviting the light into my room. Outside, I could see other buildings towering over one another. These are structures that I would never have seen if I had stayed back in that village.
There are the cars I once dreamt of riding as a kid. People walk on less clean sidewalks than in my village, but I suppose when living in the big city, the people don't care about cleanliness? It hasn't been A while since I moved from my little town. However, the scars that I got there have stayed with me. These past four years have been a nightmare. From the things that happened to all the training I'd done. While looking out into the city, I couldn't help but chuckle despite being so on edge.
I had some time to think before I came back to my senses with the sound of knocking coming from my door. "Hey, Danny! Wake up, man; we've already planned the whole day!" There was a pause. "Let's not waste sunlight!"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm getting ready!" I yelled before changing into my appropriate attire for the day as I looked at myself in the mirror. My hair has grown way longer than it has since I've been in my village, Humlide Inizio. Long enough that I could put my hair into a braid and almost long enough to cover the right side of my face. Do I dare say I see some chin hair coming? Nah, not yet; it's still a baby face. I sigh before finishing up in my room to go to the restroom and do my daily routine there. Afterward, I enter the kitchen and see my best friend and roommate, Adrien, preparing breakfast.
He was wearing his favorite apron with his uniform underneath. "Here you are, eat up," he says before serving me my food on our dinner table. I sat down and said my thanks before chowing down on some good grub. Adrien is a pretty well-versed cook. Looking around, our apartment isn't the best, and we don't have the most fantastic income, but the dishes Adrien whips out from nothing are astonishing. I probably wouldn't have survived without my best buddy around. I finished my food and thanked him before taking my dishes to the sink and cleaning them. Adrien finished his food soon after.
"Today we have to hit our quota... before tomorrow..."
"Orientation tomorrow, right?" I asked.
"Yep, we have a big day tomorrow, so let's do our best today."
Today, we have to help around. What I mean by that is our civic duty to keep the peace in our town. We earn a small compensation when working with the police force to keep the peace in the city. Although I have reason to believe they undercut us a little because of our age, at least I know I'm trying to do the right thing. You can say that Adrien and I are mercenaries for hire. Today is supposed to be light, though; there are no life-or-death situations. At least, that's what we're hoping for.
Tomorrow is our first day at our new school in the big city: Dalton Academy, one of the most prestigious academies in the state. Adrien and I got accepted due to our great entrance exam scores... Well, Adrien got excellent scores, and I did just enough to pass. Luckily enough, the physical exams were my saving grace. My pal did great on both. As a result, we moved to the city and got this tiny apartment. I hope to turn my life around with this new beginning I have been given. Hopefully, I can be content with my path by this road's end.
Lost in thought, Adrien returned me to my senses by snapping. "Let's get on with it, man." I nodded promptly before we headed out. A gentle breeze from outside collides with me as I open the front door to our building complex. Despite it being summer, today was more refreshing. It was almost like spring had sprung from its bed and gone to work. However, with the autumn season around the corner, this weather makes sense, even just a little. I take a moment to breathe in before taking my strides outside.
Adrien and I patrolled around New Dalton, finding whatever we could do to help the residents. We began with minor activities, such as helping the elderly and distressed kids. Stopping a man who stole a purse was another. Eventually, we did enough to report to the men in uniform back at the station. As we were walking, chatting about our plans, we heard a commotion coming from a street over.
Adrien and I nodded as we both ran around the corner. A commercial street is filled with many stores. Between the many stores lies a small bank. The bank, locally run by the city, was in the process of being robbed—a couple of gray vans lined up before the bank with smoke escaping the open doors. I felt a cold sweat drip down my face. I wanted to help, but could I? Was I ready for something like this? I looked at Adrien and reckoned he was thinking the exact same thing.
Civilians around, keeping their distance from the bank, watch as the event unfolds. Some are on their mobile devices or calling, with what I can only assume are the police, and others are video recording. Pretty daring, I say, for the civilians. I decided to do something. There were no first responders yet. I ran towards the scene, and Adrien followed suit. Some civilians yelled at us to return, saying it was dangerous, but I didn't listen.
Just as I was about to reach the entrance, a red dot appeared from the ground. I stopped in my tracks and looked up. It was a flying machine! Something I have never seen before. I overheard some civilians say that it's helpful. I looked on in amazement, and then a man opened one of the doors of the flying machine. He tossed a rope down before more men and women came descending. Inspecting them, they didn't look like police from their uniforms... They were mercenaries.
Once the first merc came down, they grabbed Adrien and me and returned us to the civilians. "Sorry, kids. I know you're trying to play hero, but leave this to the adults, " the woman said before rushing back into the scene. Another man followed behind her, yelling at all the civilians to leave the premises. Within seconds, the civilians began walking away.
Most people were pretty relaxed; some looked irritated, but almost no one was scared. "Was this normal?" I pondered out loud. "It seems so. In any case, it looks like we aren't needed." Adrien said, following my pondering. Reluctantly, I agreed. We decided to head to the police station. Sirens get closer as the first responders begin reaching the scene. One of them stopped before us. The driver's seat window moves down, exposing the officer in the seat. It was a man we knew, Adrien's cousin.
"Hey, Cuzo! Are you heading to the station?" The lady yells.
"Hello, Olivia, you look spritely as ever," Adrien said, deadpanned.
Olivia smiles and laughs at Adrien's comment. "Always the jokester you are." She looks over to me and waves. "Hello, Danny boi! Thanks for always keeping my dear ol' cuz company."
I smile and wave back. "Hey, Olivia! It's no prob, but uh... shouldn't you be going back to what you're doing?" I say as I point back to the robbery in progress.
She chuckles before looking over at the bank. "Yeah, yeah, it's practically over anyway. Check it." As she nonchalantly points over. Men covered by balaclavas, detained by the mercenaries, leave the building—some civilians who stayed clap on. Olivia shifts in her seat, ready to drive.
"Alright, I should go now. Head to the station, you two, and report your work. I'll be there in a little bit. See you!" She says, winking at us both before driving off into the scene. Adrien sighs after she leaves.
"What a pain she is..." Adrien says while pinching the bridge of his nose.
I chuckled before patting Adrien. With that situation done, we continued forward. By the time we made it to the station, we were able to help some more people and made it before evening. We turned in our board with the signatures of the people we helped. One of the officers looks over it and nods. "Everything seems to be in order, good work." He smiles before going over to his desk and opening up his checkbook. He writes the amount we earned today and signs it. Adrien takes the check and looks at it, his eyes widening.
"This is a lot! Are you sure this is right, sir?" Adrien says, shocked as he looks back at the officer.
"It's no big deal. It's the city that pays for it, not me. I know you kids will be busy now that the new school year starts tomorrow, so I gave you a 'little extra.'" He smirks as he leans backward on his chair.
I took a look at the check he had written for us. I gasped, looking at it. A check for 50 electrum pieces. That's worth five gold coins or half a platinum coin. Currency in this world is vastly different from that of a century ago. Society gave up on paper and switched to coins of their true worth. The lowest is copper, then silver, electrum is next, gold comes next, and lastly is platinum. In comparison, our apartment rent is five electrum pieces and ten silver, which could make our rent for a couple of months.
"Good luck with your studies, lads. Being in an academy like Dalton is a great prospect." The officer says before making a gesture for us to leave the room. Adrien and I nodded before bowing to show our respect. "Thank you, sir; we appreciate all the support you've given us!" We both said in admiration before we left his office. We said our goodbyes to everyone at the station before leaving. Just outside was Olivia, out of her uniform, smoking. Her hair was long and straight, and she wore an outfit that fit a punk rock girl—a complete 180 from her work uniform.
"There you two are! I've been waiting; I even took the time to change." She smirked as she burned out her cigarette on the public ashtray and discarded it into the trash.
I wave to her while Adrien looks at her with disgust. "Why are you wearing that outfit? Aren't you supposed to be a public servant?" He chastised.
An awkward smile forms around Olivia's face as she puts her hands on her chest. "Whoa, what's with the scolding? I'm going to a concert in a couple of hours. I just wanted to prepare beforehand, besides..." She retorts as she puts one hand on her waist and the other on the back of her hair. "I look way too cute in this outfit~," she says as she winks at us.
I awkwardly chuckled as Adrien was visibly getting more frustrated.
"Anyways, I heard you two got a nice payday today. So let's get something to eat! I'm starving!" She proclaims as she quits her pose and starts the car.
"With our money! No way!" Adrien yells, having had enough of her nonsense.
Quickly, Olivia gets defensive once more. "N-No! I'll pay, so come on!" She exclaimed as she quickly got into the driver's seat. Adrien sighed once more before giving up and hopping in the car. I followed right behind.
We didn't go to any special place, just some local burger joint. I picked the spot, of course, because I loved burgers and wanted some. Olivia and I got the same order, while Adrien got some fries and a milkshake. We got our orders and sat down to chow down. I happily ate everything, savoring the greasy goodness from the burger and fries. I thought of what was to come in life, thinking about what would happen tomorrow at orientation. I wondered at all the people I'd meet; then anxiety ran over. Which Adrien and Olivia can see.
Olivia chimed in. "Everything will be fine, kid. We know it might be hard on you, but you'll do great. Make lots of wonderful memories." She says with a heartfelt smile. I could feel her concern for me, and I smiled. I thought of Olivia as a cool big sister, and she's doing precisely that. Adrien nods as he stares back at me. "I will be there too. Just know you're not alone going in there, pal." I smile as I can feel my face warm up. "Thank you, both of you, I appreciate it."
Their security helped me clear my mind. I had thoughts of what the other students would think of me when they found out about me, if they found out about me. I had trouble in my school in the village, but now it's different. No one knows about me or what I am. I can have a fresh start in this academy. I open my hand and remove my glove to reveal the eye formed from that day. It has been dormant since. I put back on my glove and tightened my grip, forming a ball in my fist. I nodded to my thoughts.
"This time, it will be better." I proclaimed to myself, and the two nodded afterward. We finished our meal and left the restaurant with smiles and full stomachs. Olivia stretched before grabbing her keys from her jacket pocket. "Alright, let's get you boys home before I head out." Agreeing, Adrian and I made our way into the backseat of her car. No matter how often I sit down on this seat, it feels so surreal that I'm experiencing it. I never thought I would be able to sit down in a car. Back in the village, there were only horse-drawn carriages. Content, I hum to myself while Oliva starts the vehicle, and we drive away.
The day draws closer to the end as the sun begins to set, forming an excellent shade of pink. Olivia turns on the radio as she drives. I stare over at Adrien, who appears to be in deep thought. I wonder what he could have been thinking about as I stare out my window. In that instant, I saw a flash through one of the alleyways. I noticed a woman and what appeared to be two other people on the ground. We drove right past.
"Olivia! Stop the car!" I shouted.
"Huh? What?"
Adrien looks at me, confused. "Stop the car!" I yelled again.
"Alright! Jeez..." Olivia bleated as she drove to the side of the road and stopped.
I hopped out of the car and ran back to the alleyway, not knowing what was in store for me, but I knew I had to do something; those two on the ground seemed to be in dire trouble. I heard Adrien and Olivia scream at me about what was happening, their voices growing fainter as I continued running.
As my friend's voice grew more desolate, other unknown voices emerged. I hid just behind the corner of the alleyway and peeked my head around. Deep in the alleyway was a group of people. Two people, a man and a woman, stood above two others. The people on the ground had their faces covered by masks. Regardless, I could tell they were both female from their appearances. They both looked beaten and bruised, as I can only assume the people responsible laugh at their agony.
"You thought you two could beat us?" The man proclaimed.
"It seemed close, but really, you two didn't stand a chance." The woman smirked as she gave one of the girls an unnecessary kick.
One of the girls spoke out after coughing. "You won't get away with this, " she scowled.
"Oh yeah? And who's going to stop us, eh?"
Right on cue. I step forward, revealing myself to them. "I will."
I retorted as the four looked over at me. The two adults start to snicker before going into full laughter. "Oui! Who's this little runt!? A friend?" The man said, amused.
The girl who hadn't said anything yet responded. "No, we don't know this person." She groaned. "You! You need to leave now! These two are strong!" She pleaded, trying to stand up before crashing back down.
I only smirked. "Sorry, no-can-do." I brought my hands together, clasping one with a fist, my embers aerating.
The two seemed shocked when they saw the sparks of my flames. Of course, they are. They probably have never seen purple flames before, given that they should be fiery red. "Don't get so cocky, kid!" The man screeched as he lunged towards me. The girl on the ground closest to me yells at him to stop, but he presses onward regardless. The man pulls his arm back and swings it towards my face. From their perspective, it probably looked like he connected, but I held on to his clenched fist.
The man struggles to break free from my grip. "Oui! Let go!" he yells, continuing to struggle. I bring my free hand backward, readying an attack. "My turn," I impart to him as I charge my flames. The man coils in what may appear to be fear. When I am ready, I punch him directly in his face. The man flew backward, hitting the ground with a thud.
The woman stood in her spot in shock. "Why, you little..." Irritated, she raised her arms. Suddenly, spikes of metal formed along the ground. I could dodge them, but one came right at me as soon as I touched the ground. I was unable to evade in time. I had to take the hit. I tried to prepare myself before a wall of earthy mass appeared. I looked behind, and it was Olivia. I smiled in relief. Adrien came right from behind as well.
Once the wall came down, the woman's eyes widened. She knew now that she was at a disadvantage. She clicked her teeth and grabbed her friend. "I know when I'm at a disadvantage when I see it. I'll be taking my leave." Before I could retort, she pulled a ball from her back pocket and threw it onto the ground. Once it connected with the hard floor, it exploded into a cloud of smoke. Within seconds, the smoke dissipated, and the two aggressors were nowhere to be seen.
Relieved, I grabbed my bearings before turning my attention to the two girls on the floor. I went over to help them both.
"Are you two alright?" I doted concerningly. Both of them seemed to make it through with minor bleeding. The first girl looked at me with awe. I couldn't see her eyes, as her mask covered them, but I could tell. Or maybe I was overthinking it.
"You're strong!" she exclaimed. "You were able to knock that guy out with one punch!"
"Yep! All in a day's work of being a hero."
"Hero..."
The girl looked down; she seemed saddened by my words. Did I do something wrong? I thought. She looked up at me. "Oh! You didn't do anything wrong, good sir!" she blurted out. Could she read my mind?
Just then, Olivia came running behind. She kneeled next to both of them, helping them sit up. "Don't worry, I'll help you too. I may not look like it right now, but I'm an officer of the Law." Olivia held her hand, and a faint green glow lit up her palm. In seconds, the two girls' wounds began to heal. In mere moments, they were fully healed. Olivia had two elements: Earth (like Adrien) and Healing, a rarer element.
I've had healing potions, but never seen anyone use their healing powers. It was quite a sight. Afterward, both girls thanked Olivia and me and stood up and introduced themselves.
"I'm Pantera. Thank you for being so helpful." The girl on the left introduced herself first.
"And I'm Endure. We'd be goners if it weren't for you two." The other girl introduced herself next.
The three of us also gave out our names. Olivia then began to ponder, snapping her fingers.
"Ah, I remember you two! You two have helped us multiple times!" Olivia exclaimed, remembering the two.
Adrien and I looked at each other and shrugged. I had no idea who these two were. I'm assuming that they are using an alias. A hero's name, perhaps. I respected the craft as I nodded to myself.
Eventually, we all concluded the night. Olivia, now in a hurry, said her goodbyes to the local heroes and pushed both of us away back to the car. As we were getting pushed, I looked behind to see both Pantera and Endure smiling. Pantera waved us goodbye as she turned around and vanished into the alleyway. I hope those two will be okay. Olivia drove as quickly as she legally could to our apartment. As we got out, she rolled down her window.
"Hey, Danny!"
I turned around to face her.
Olivia gave a thumbs-up. "Good work today. You did great, " she beamed as she finished. I smiled and saluted.
Afterward, she rolled up her window and drove off. I held onto my smile as I turned back to see Adrien opening the door to our building. We make our way into the building and enter our home. We did our regular nightly routines, and eventually, I found myself back in bed as the sun set and the moon entered. Lights from buildings and street lamps lit up the night. It was a beautiful sight. I lay in bed, anxious. I pondered everything that had transpired that day. Then the events could follow tomorrow.
"This time, it will be better," I said once more before stifling my thoughts and drifting to sleep.
The following morning, I arose suddenly shaken. I heard a voice trying to reach out to me. It sounded familiar, and then I realized it was Adrien.
"Hey, Danny! Wake up, man! We have to get a move on!"
"Eh..? Just five more minutes..." I said groggily as I turned away from him.
"No! Come on, and get ready! We need to eat and get to the Academy!" He says with a hint of irritation. I can hear his footsteps as he leaves my room.
Grudgingly, I got out of bed and put on the uniform the academy had mailed us. Even during high school, I'll still wear a uniform... I thought to myself. The morning routine went as expected. Adrien and I headed out the door once we had everything in order. Walking down the streets, I could see kids like us walking to the academy, wearing the same uniforms with slight variations between the boys and girls.
Aside from the people we noticed, the trip to the school was pretty mundane. It wasn't until we had to take a special bus that we entered the academy's grounds. I had never been on a bus before, so seeing so many students getting on this massive vehicle was astonishing. Chatter filled the bus as we entered, and we searched for some seats. Conveniently, there were two seats near the middle of the bus. I looked out the window the following time, admiring the surrounding landscape.
Beautiful landscaping with gardens, forests, plains, and the like. It almost makes me think we're not in the city of Dalton. I suppose the academy holds significant land property, seeing that the whole area is under the jurisdiction of the academy. Students can roam free in these parts without worry—around ten minutes of gazing pass before we finally reach the school building. Well, one of the school's many buildings. This site was ginormous. The building itself is probably in the same area as my village.
I instinctively gulped upon seeing the colossal structure. Nervousness overcame me, and a cold sweat dripped down my face. Then, like a sudden jerk, I was shaken out. Adrien had hit my back. I looked over at him and smiled. "Thanks," Adrien nodded promptly. Knowing he had my back reassured me. After finding my bearings, I proceeded forward, slowly increasing confidence with each step.