by Dixon, TJ
“I am ok, but Hinata hasn’t said anything since the attack.” Asuna says and Peter frowns. His eyes glaze over for a moment and then he gasps. Blood has started to spill from his chest again. “What happened?!”
Lucy heals it again, but she is starting to look weak as if it is draining her power too much. Then an elf and a young woman port in. An elf?! Peter looks up at them and smiles calmly. “Thanks for coming so quickly.”
“Damn you!” I hear and turn to see an angry looking girl standing beside Asuna. I can’t believe it is the same girl who was kneeling there blankly a moment ago, but there is no doubt.
“Hinata?” Rin asks in shock.
“You think you can beat us this easily? Don’t make me laugh! This host is worthless but you’ll have to kill it if you want to stop me.” Hinata says with a grin and flames spurt from her hands filling the room instantly. I react with water and I sense Rin’s water too but then a blast of air empties the room of both flames and water. Hinata falls to the floor. Even as a water user I can tell she has been robbed of air. She will soon die if it is not returned.
“Dairon, use the Song of Freedom.” Peter says and then the elf begins to sing. I am enchanted by his words and filled with vigour. Then the song ends and Hinata gasps. Her air is returned and she looks up. Then she cries. Asuna picks her up and hugs her tightly.
“Was she possessed by David?” Rin asks Peter.
“Yes.” Peter answers.
“Then does that mean Elucia is dead?” Rin asks sounding really scared.
“No.” Peter answers.
“Freed?” Rin asks hopefully.
“No.” Peter says sounding sad.
“How can he possess more than one person at a time?” Rin asks confused.
“Not at the same time.” Peter says. “He just hops between bodies and when he’s not in them he leaves them enchanted like Hinata was. Dairon broke the enchantment, which also made it much harder for David to possess her. It also seemed to break the enchantment that stopped my wound healing properly. That song book is really useful. We should have spoken to Silmarion ages ago.”
“So we can free Elucia the same way we freed Hinata.” Rin says sounding relieved but Peter shakes his head.
“Elucia has too much power. Freeing her will be much harder.” Peter tells Rin.
“So how do we free her?” Rin asks.
“I can’t answer that. GCHU means he will know my plans if I tell you them.” Peter says looking at the ground. Rin sighs but accepts his answer. Then she looks at me and Rose.
“You must be wondering what you’re gotten yourselves into.” Rin says with a wry smile. I am caught off guard and everyone is looking at us now.
“It can’t be worse than slavery.” Rose says.
“So you’re Lily?” Rin asks.
“No.” Peter says. “She’s Rose.”
“You can tell us apart?” Rose asks in surprise.
“Of course. There’s a fair difference in your auras.” Peter says.
“He can tell Sherry and me apart the same way.” Cherry says with a smile.
“We shouldn’t keep the rest of the club waiting any longer. They’ll be worried.” Peter says. “Rin and Emma, please port everyone to the training grounds.”
Emma ports Rose, Yu Kii and me. Rin ports everyone else. It seems that the training grounds are simply the forest. To my surprise there are tables filled with food. It is simple food, but it smells nice. There are large pots filled with curry, soup and stew. There is plenty of sliced bread and lots of rolls.
As we arrive everyone bombards Peter with questions. Mostly they seem to want to know that he is alright. He assures them that he is, but that he is hungry. Everyone seems to take the hint and so we all take a seat and start eating. It is very different from the food I am used to but it is delicious in its own way. I am sitting opposite Rose on one of the tables for just four people. Beside us Cherry and Sherry are sitting but I have no idea which is which.
“I’m Sherry.” The girl next to me says and I realise she must have guessed what was on my mind.
“I’m Lily.” I tell her.
“So you’re the lucky one.” Sherry says sounding a little envious.
“Lucky?” I ask confused.
“Elves are good with water, but not with fire.” Sherry says and I am even more confused. “I guess you haven’t met Dairon yet, but he’s an elf who can train our club members, unless their element is fire. That means you’re lucky but Rose, like me, is out of luck.”
“I have met him actually, but if he’s been training you then no wonder you beat us!” I exclaim with a laugh.
“Sorry!” Cherry says from across the table.
“I always wondered how Peter got so good.” Rose says with a laugh.
“Actually Peter didn’t really learn any magic from Dairon. Dairon helped the rest of us, but he never seemed able to teach Peter. I don’t know why.” Cherry says.
“So how did Peter get an elven slave?” I ask.
“By beating him in battle.” Cherry answers and I drop my spoon into my dish in shock.
“Peter beat an elf?” I ask sure that I must have misheard.
“Yes, that’s right.” Cherry answers.
“How many of you were there to help him?” I ask.
“I think he had Yu Kii and maybe a couple of other people with him. I’m not really sure.”
“To beat an elf with just four people is impossible.” Rose says echoing my thoughts.
“Ask Peter or Dairon if you don’t believe us.” Sherry says sounding annoyed. I don’t want to annoy the other club members on our first day.
“It’s not that we don’t believe you.” I say quickly. “It’s just elves are supposed to be super strong. It’s not meant to be possible to beat them without an army. Unless of course you’re the Queen.”
“I suppose we were pretty shocked when we first found out.” Cherry says with a smile and Sherry nods reluctantly.
“The food is nice by the way. Where did you get it?” I ask.
“The bread we got from the academy cheaply because we were buying so much. The rest we made ourselves.” Sherry says with a smile.
“You made it?” I ask surprised. “This is really good. I’ve never cooked in my life so I really am impressed.”
“We were taught that if you don’t cook you don’t eat. At least, not until you’re married. Then the guy is supposed to cook.” Sherry says. “That curry you’ve got there is the one I made. Cherry made a soup. I think Yusa is the best cook though. You should try her curry. It’s the rainbow coloured one.”
“I must admit I was a little suspicious of that one.” I say.
“It may look a bit dazzling but the taste is out of this world.” Sherry says with a smile and Cherry nods.
“I’ll have to try it. Did you not want some though?” I ask.
“We had some first.” Sherry answers. “If we just took that, there wouldn’t be enough for everyone. You should take some quickly though, or it will all be gone.”
“Then I’ll grab some once I finish this, if there’s any left.” I say.
“Me too.” Rose says.
“It’s just such a waste for a girl to be such a good cook. If Yusa was a boy I’d marry her in a moment.” Sherry says with a laugh.
“You do occasionally hear of girls marrying other girls. Maybe you should still consider her.” Cherry says and Sherry chokes. I quickly pat her on the back.
“I know you’re joking, but please don’t.” Sherry tells her sister with a hurt look.
“Sorry.” Cherry says with an apologetic smile.
“You both joined at the start of the year, right?” I ask.
“Yes.” Cherry says clearly glad of the change of subject.
“So what made you decide to join?” I ask.
“I was impressed by Peter and I figured it would be better than joining the regular military. Plus I wanted to learn how to fly like Peter. I could already fly but I’v
e improved so much. The last week has been especially good.” Cherry says.
“Why the last week?” I ask.
“I got to train with Peter on my own every day. We got through a load of healing potions, but I learnt so much.” Cherry says and then she frowns. “Yesterday wasn’t so good though.”
“What happened yesterday?” I ask.
“Lots… but I guess I shouldn’t talk about it.”
“Did Peter do something to you whilst…?” I start to ask but Cherry stands up angrily.
“Don’t be ridiculous!” Cherry says angrily. She is drawing a lot of attention, but after a moment she sits. “There’s no way something like that would happen.”
“Are you alright?” Sherry asks concerned.
“Yes.” Cherry mutters and focuses on her food. Sherry glares at me but doesn’t say anything. We eat in silence. It is an uncomfortable silence. I’ve never been good at making friends and it seems I’ve messed up again.
After our early lunch we are given some free time but told to be back in three hours. Everyone ports away. I port away with Rose and we spend it in our room just talking. An hour passes and then there is a knock on our door. I open the door and find Cherry and Sherry standing outside.
“I’m sorry about earlier.” Cherry (?) says.
“It’s fine. I didn’t mean to offend you, but I suppose I said something stupid.” I say.
“Can we come in?” She asks.
“Sure.”
“So are you Lily or Rose?” She asks.
“I’m Lily. Are you Cherry?” I ask.
“Yes.” She says.
“So how do we tell you apart?” Rose asks.
“With difficulty. Peter can tell us apart by our auras, but nobody else has been able to. Not even our mother.” Cherry says.
“I normally wear this broach. That way our classmates and teacher can tell us apart. I didn’t today, because I didn’t want you to be able to tell us apart whilst we fought, other than by our magic. Not that I expected it to make any difference.” I tell Cherry and point at the white lily broach on my shirt.
“Our mother used to make us do something similar, but we always found it annoying.” Sherry says.
“You mean you did.” Cherry says with a smile.
“It’s like being told to wear a label!” Sherry protests.
“I guess it’s different if someone tells you to.” I say.
(Hinata)
I feel a bit better for having eaten something but I still don’t feel good. Of course the worst thing is remembering that mother is dead and replaying that awful scene in my head. That is the only thing I remember from that day, but I wish I could forget it.
I am in my sister’s bedroom. Apparently it is also now Peter’s bedroom. I should be more bothered to know that my sister is sleeping in the same room as a boy, but strangely it doesn’t really matter to me now. Perhaps they are doing adult things together, but even that doesn’t seem to bother me now.
I am glad to be freed from that awful enchantment but what I want now is revenge. I want to kill the evil man who possessed me. The man responsible for my mother’s death. The man who killed so many of the people from my town.
“How do we kill David?” I ask. Peter, Rin, Dairon, Lucy and my sister Asuna all look at me but it is Peter who answers.
“I have a plan but I can’t tell anyone.” Peter says.
“Why not?” I ask.
“David has a magic called GCHU. I forget what it stands for, but it means if I tell you my plan he may find out even without you telling him. Of course it is possible he may find out even if I don’t tell anyone, but that can’t be helped.” Peter explains.
“So, how long until you kill him?” I ask.
“I can’t tell you that either. No longer than necessary though. He has already attacked my friends more than once now and I have no doubt he will do so again if I don’t hurry.” Peter says.
“You’re not planning on doing this on your own, are you?” Rin asks suspiciously.
“No. I will take Lucy and Dairon with me.” Peter says.
“Take with you…?” Rin asks concerned.
“Yes.” Peter says.
“Are you abandoning the tournament?” Rin asks.
“I hope to be back before it is over, but I would rather abandon the tournament than my friends.” Peter says.
“Then take me too.” Rin says.
“I’m sorry, but that’s not possible.” Peter says.
“Why not?” Rin asks angrily.
“I’m sorry.” Peter says. Rin glares at him for a moment before sighing.
“You haven’t forgotten your promise have you?” Rin asks.
“Don’t worry. I’ll come back alive.” Peter says with a smile.
“So when are you leaving?” Rin asks.
“As soon as we finish talking.” Peter answers.
“So soon?!” Rin exclaims.
“So, do we get a choice?” Lucy asks.
“Dairon doesn’t, but I suppose I can’t force you to go.” Peter says looking at Lucy in surprise.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go. It would be nice to be asked first though.” Lucy says with a huff.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” I ask. Peter stares at me for a moment before answering.
“Are you willing to risk your life?” Peter asks.
“Of course.” I reply without hesitation.
“What can Hinata do?” Asuna asks incredulously.
“Sorry, but I can’t tell you that either.” Peter says.
“I’m getting annoyed with that bloody phrase.” Rin mutters.
“Whatever you want Hinata to do, please have me do it instead.” Asuna says and I glare at her.
“I am able to do some things myself!” I protest.
“Sorry Asuna, but it’s not something you are able to do.” Peter says and I smile smugly at Asuna.
“My sister is only capable of doing very basic magic. She never bothered to work hard at magic or anything else. She has no practical skills worth mentioning. I don’t see what she can do for you that I can’t.” Asuna says and I feel like hitting her. “If she had known a bit more magic maybe she could have saved mother.”
“Asuna…” I say in disbelief. Tears fall from my eyes.
“Asuna, I know you are only trying to protect your sister, but you went too far. Apologise now.” Peter says.
“It’s only the truth.” Asuna says. “I’m not apologising for saying the truth.”
“Your mother was a very capable mage. If your mother was unable to beat her attackers, there is no way that Hinata could have made any difference. Even if it had been you there the outcome would have been the same.” Peter says.
“We don’t know that!” Asuna shouts.
“You feel guilty that you weren’t there.” Lucy says. “That’s why you’re trying to push the blame onto your sister. It doesn’t work though. You’ll just feel even guiltier.”
“What do you know?!” Asuna shouts at her.
“There’s no point trying to reason with her right now. She’s your slave, but she won’t even obey a simple order to apologise. Let’s go.” Lucy says to Peter.
“Until I get back you are to obey Rin.” Peter says looking at Asuna as if he is very disappointed. Asuna just glares at him for a moment but then she breaks down into tears. He then looks to me. “Hinata, if you’re coming then hold onto Dairon. Lucy, land on Dairon.”
I grab hold of Dairon’s hand and look back at Asuna. It may be the last time I see my sister. My voice is teary as I say. “I’m sorry, Asuna.”
“I’m sorry too Hinata.” She says through tears of her own. Then I am ported.
Author’s Afterword
I hope you enjoyed reading the second book in The War of Contractia, which is part of The Chronicles of Contractia. Peter’s story will be continued in Peter and the Kuroneko, the next book of The War of Contractia. I hope that you continue to follow Peter and his friends as they
strive towards their dreams.
If you bought a legal copy of this novel you have my thanks. If you downloaded a pirated copy of this novel and enjoyed it, then please consider supporting the continuation of The Chronicles of Contractia by buying a copy on Amazon Kindle Store. The more copies that sell, the sooner each book will be available.