Astrape did not return to class that day, instead he went straight back tohis dorm room after registering as a contestant for the upcoming Bash Tournament. He sat alone in his room; the silence felt heavy. He recalled everything that happened that had led him to this point. Hours passed before class had ended for the rest of the students and the door swung open.
"Astrape?", Danny called out, "What happened? How come you didn't come to class? Are you feeling alright?"
"Yeah, I'm alright", Astrape responded.
"You don't look alright. How many times have I told you not to think too much?".
"Is it that obvious?".
"Too obvious. Sometimes you look like you have family too feed at home or something", Danny sarcastically added.
"Wait what? That's crazy man, c'mon".
"It's true though, everyone says so".
"No way, there's no way I give off that vibe".
"Everyone knows it man".
"Anyway, enough about that", Astrape replied, he exhaled.
"Something did happen today, I can't tell you why but…", he hesitated, "I signed up for the Bash Tournament".
"What?", asked Danny as a piece a bread fell from his open mouth.
"I already signed the for and everything and by tomorrow you'll see my name on the list".
"Why would you do this without asking for my advice?".
"Advice? Why're you making it sound like you're my mentor?".
"Nope, more like you're my younger brother".
"No, I'm the older brother".
"Not when you're making decisions like that".
"Ahh, you're so annoying. Listen I just wanted to tell you before you found out from anyone else".
Danny sat in his chair and leaned back, "I hope it's really good reason then and I hope you know what you're doing".
"I hope so too to be honest".
The next morning his entire class seemed to know, names of the tournament contestants were posted publicly before classes. Weird glances followed him through the hallway and whispers soon after.
"Why would he even think of doing that?".
"Is he trying to prove something?"
"Who knows, maybe he could be the next big thing", one student added with slight laughter.
Students murmured behind his back and his classmates stole looks at him. Every glance felt heavier than the last and by the end of the day, the pressure had become too much to bear. As soon as class ended, he rushed for the door. This time not towards his dorm room but further, he did not where but anywhere would do, past the murmurs, past the glances and past the whispers as long as it gave him peace.
Until he found himself in a place unfamiliar, it seemed deserted compared to the rest of the academy. It was abandoned, isolated and… peaceful. He walked around the place while taking in the fresh air.
"Perfect", he thought to himself as he planned to spend the rest of the afternoon here. Until he found a tree or rather a person sitting beneath it. He could not recognize the person at first glance and so he moved closer.
"Red hair? The school doesn't allow students to dye their hair so it must be natural. Unless he's not a student here", thought Astrape as he approached the unfamiliar figure, "He looks young enough to be in my age range though".
"Hey!", the unfamiliar figure called out as he approached Astrape, "Are you lost?".
"No, why would you think I am?".
"Because no one comes here in the first place?".
"I was just looking for somewhere quiet, to be honest I didn't even know this place existed until now. What is it?".
"It's the old training grounds. It was used by students from the military program back in the day before the new was built".
"Oh, that makes sense. But then, why are you here?".
"Well, I'm part of the military program, so I use this place for practice from time to time", replied the boy as he turned his head to the side.
"Why these training grounds though? Why not use the old abandoned ones?".
"Well, I'm kind of… like a big shot in the training program y'know. Whenever I'm with them they stop acting like soldiers and act more like fans so… yeah", the red headed boy nervously responded.
Astrape was mesmerized, thinking that it might be fate that they had met he inquired, "You're like their ace? That's wild, in fact maybe it's fate".
"Fate?".
"Yeah. The thing is I kind of got myself in a little bit of a problem, alright no it a huge problem and I think you could help".
"How so?".
"I'm not part of the military program you see but due to some circumstances beyond my control, I have to take part in this year's Bash Tournament. I haven't fought in a while so since such a… big shot maybe you could train me, just this once at lea…".
"No, that's not happening", the red headed boy interrupted him, his low but audible enough.
"What the heck? Did I say something that ticked him off just now? He's aura completely changed.", thought Astrape.
"You think this is a joke? Do you even have an ounce of an idea of what you've gotten yourself into just now?", the red headed boy continued, "I won't help with your training but I'll give you this advice, drop out while you still can".
Astrape blinked, "Oh, so that's what it was", Astrape thought.
"No, I can't do that", Astrape responded, "I know and I've already thought about this for long enough already. I know about the risks and everything so please just…".
"I said no!", the red headed boy grabbed Astrape by the collar, "It not just that! You think this is a joke?! You don't just take part in the Bash Tournament on some whim or because you suddenly find yourself in some tight spot! Wining this tournament doesn't just happen, it would be a pride and joy for any of us in the military program to even just make it to the final because it would change our lives. It's an honor just be part of it! And you're going to tell me that…".
"It's not just a whim alright. I have my reasons as well and just because you don't know them as well doesn't make them less important", Astrape interrupted him as he placed his shivering hands on arms of the red head boy.
They stood there in the same position for a few seconds. No words, just a piercing gaze from one to the other until…
A sharp explosion greeted their ears.
They quickly turned their faces as a speeding ball of fire inched closer to them.
"Damn it, I have to…" thought the red headed boy as he tried to push Astrape out of the way but then his arms were covered in flaring blue sparks. Astrape was there in his arms and in an instant he wasn't.
"What the… where did he…?", but before he could finish his thoughts, he felt arms grab him by the waist as they forced him down. The ball of fire flew past them, blasting into a tree and setting it aflame.
"How did you…"
"Milan, the infamous Blight of Vex Academy", said a shadowy figure approaching from the shadows, "I had a feeling you'd be lame but not this lame. Needing someone who's not even part of the military program to save your ass. You've got quite the reputation amongst student of the military program uh… Astrape, wasit?".
"Leave him out of this Chunkz. He's got nothing to do with this", Milan responded.
"Nah, I disagree. He should've thought of that before he decided to join the Bash Tournament. A wannabe school legend and the so-called Blight of Vex Academy team up, you can't make this up", he chuckles.
"Why are you doing this now… here?", Milan inquired.
"I needed a good work out and with the reputation you have, with what all those rumors say about you, I don't think anyone would complain if you dropped out of the tournament for reasons unknown. Two birds with one stone but since you got some one on your side now make that three".
"Damn it, I can't afford to get in any trouble right now. Not when the tournament is this close".
BOOM!
Another ball of was released. This time directed towards Astrape.
Sparks surrounded the feet of Astrape as he was ready to dodge. But suddenly Milan jumped in front of him, catching it with his bare hands as he absorbed it and redirected the energy into the sky.
"Huh, did he just control someone else's Essent? I had no idea that was possible".
Chunkz stood there in silence, baffled at what he had just witnessed before quickly gaining back his composure. "No matter, he'sypou still no match for me. He's barely competition", he thought as he dashed towards them.
Landing right in front of Milan, he delivered a blow to his gut. Milan knelt down in agony as he drooled from his mouth. Before Astrape could think, another ball of fire was released and this time didn't miss. The ball of fire crashed into Astrape's gut, pushing him back off his feet as he spiraled into a tree.
Chunkz turned his attention back to Milan as he was getting back to his feet. Milan smiled at him as Chunkz's fist landed hard on his cheek. Chunkz continued his assault on Milan as Astrape got back to his feet. Astrape watched as Milan got back to his feet only to be brought down again.
"What's he doing? Fight back. Aren't you the ace of the military program? Fight back, please".
Chunkz did not stop as Milan took multiple hit to his face and all over his body. Fists of fire crashed hard on Milan one after another.
"He's not fighting back, why?", thought Chunkz as he raised his fist loaded with a ball of fire once more. As he threw his fist at Milan once again…
Poof.
There he was in an instant again, Chunkz's fist was caught in Astrape's grasp.
"That's enough", Said Astrape as his gaze pierced Chunkz with a straight face.
"Shut it!", Chunkz exclaimed, grabbing Astrape by the collar and tossing him aside.
"Don't be such a nuisance", said Chunkz as Astrape Hit the ground. Chunkz walked towards him, "Get up, I'll deal with you first!". Chunkz threw ball of fire at Astrape before running toward him. Astrape dodged all attacks before Chunkz crushed down on him fist first. Astrape dashed forward missing the crushing attack. Chunkz continued to attack Astrape who dodged every single attack, until…
Clasp.
His fist was still, caught in Astrape's hand. Astrape moved Chunkz's fist aside, his eyes now narrow. Chunkz stared back at him, his face contorted with irritation.
"That's enough Chunkz", said another student as he appeared from the nearby bushes, two other students by his side. "You take this any further and I will personally take this case to the student council myself", he warned.
"Tsk, damn teacher's pet", Chunkz Mumbled. "Besides, who are you trying to impress this time, huh? There's no one here to witness your heroics, Greg. No teachers, not hot girls and no student council members around as well. So just lemme get rid of the competition in advance", he replied, his fist still clasped in Astrape's palm. "Trust me", he smiled, "It'll be better… for both of us!", he exclaimed, plunging his fist into Astrape's palm.
Astrape felt it, the warmth of Chunkz's fist. He let go, dashing to the as Chunkz's closed fist went aflame.
"Did this dude just try to blow up my arm?", Astrape thought.
"I said that was enough", Greg stepped forward, three other students by his side, "I won't say it again".
"No wonder no one likes you, Greg. You always ruin everything. I guess we'll have to do this another time, I can't to see on that stage", Chunkz responded as he walked off. He stopped, he smirked, "Both… of you", he added, glancing back at Milan and Astrape as they stood side by side.