Eclipse turned away from the mirror and gasped at the thought. “I hope not. That’s the last thing I need right now, especially with how everything is turning out.”
“Are you saying that you’re not interested in men?” asked Athena, curiously.
Eclipse could feel the blood rush to her cheeks. “Of course, I’m not. I’m not interested in such silly ventures. Once, yes, a long time ago, before I became the person I am now.”
“I think no matter how we change, we always need someone. Having someone makes us a better person, or so that’s what my mother always used to tell me,” said Athena.
“Was she right?” asked Eclipse.
“I don’t know. I’ve never had anyone before,” replied Athena.
Eclipse was surprised. “Do you like anyone, now?”
Athena had yet to get ready herself and was preparing her own dress. It appeared she was trying to avoid the question.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry,” said Eclipse.
Athena placed her dress on Eclipse’s bed and shook her head. “No, it’s not a problem. I just thought I did, but now I’m not so sure. To be fair, it’s all rather confusing.”
“Men are confusing,” agreed Eclipse.
Athena laughed at that. “They are.”
Eclipse and Athena had become much closer since they had their meeting in the library over a week ago, and the tension between them and Kry somehow brought them closer together.
“Kry’s the most confusing one of them all,” said Eclipse.
Athena blushed. “He was so gentle, kind, and understanding not so long ago. It scares me how fast someone can change like that.”
“He’s not himself. He’s still all those things. He just needs to listen,” said Eclipse.
“Men are stubborn, and Kry is the most stubborn of them all,” said Athena.
Eclipse smiled. “I can agree to that. I hope Whisper can still keep his young innocence intact and not be as stubborn as Kry or even Abel. Both of them are equally as stubborn as each other.”
“Abel…yes; he and Kry are similar. Their egos match each other,” said Athena.
They laughed together.
Athena took her dress and went to get changed in the bathroom. Her yellow embroidered dress was a different style to Eclipse’s, and she had added the touch of lily flowers which she had sewn to the lower part. After some time, she came out and twirled around for Eclipse to see. “How do I look?”
Eclipse was stunned at how beautiful she was. These dresses certainly changed how one looked. Athena’s hair was curled and emphasized her cheekbones and lips. “You’re good at this,” said Eclipse.
Athena bowed at her compliment.
“You really do look like her,” added Eclipse.
Athena knew what she was talking about. It had come up several times before, but it had not bothered her then. “Rhea, you mean?”
“Sorry, I know you two are different. It’s just that you remind me of her.”
Athena smiled. “I am me.”
“Yes, you are,” said Eclipse.
Athena lowered her eyes to the floor.
“What is it?” asked Eclipse.
“Kry liked her, didn’t he?”
Eclipse sighed. “He more than liked her. Her death affected him a lot.”
“I wonder if he sees her in me, and it brings him pain…” said Athena, solemnly.
Eclipse shook her head. “No, don’t say that. Before Kry started acting strangely, he was always telling me how he enjoyed his time with you in the library. He would always talk about you with such enthusiasm. He enjoyed your company, and not because you looked like Rhea, but because you were you.”
Athena fixed one of her lilies on her dress which had slightly fallen. “I wish we could go back to that. He hasn’t stepped one foot back in the library since his fight with Aiyax. And that scar on his face…”
Eclipse understood. “He’ll be there tonight. He can’t ignore us there. I’ll make sure of it.”
In the distance, from her dormitory window, were flying banners attached to great poles which almost reached the ceiling of the university barrier—banners of different colors, shapes, and forms. The large gymnasium, mainly used for events, had been dressed and coated for a party. Tonight would be a party to relieve the growing tension in the university. All that remained were for the students to arrive.
****
The blaze of colors was horrific. If anything, this was the last place he wanted to be, but Katar had stated that all the professors had to attend the party, to mingle and connect better with the students. As if he needed to connect to anyone, let alone the students.
Zero slowly sipped a glass of brandy. Katar had arranged the party to be filled with rich food, drink, and music. He watched silently from the corner of the gymnasium, blending himself into the darkness. Students were quickly arriving, many dressed in clothes and outfits from their respective countries. The Japanese women students wore their elegant kimonos, while the men were garbed in their ancient yukatas. They moved with agility across the floor in their wooden sandals.
The Russians were mingling with the other students. The women wore sarafans, a traditional Russian dress, all with different colors. The men wore embroidered kosovorotka silk shirts, much more simple than their female counterparts, but no less outstanding.
It was not often he was impressed by traditional clothing, but with all the different nationalities in one room, it emphasized the uniqueness in each one.
The Chinese were impressive, too. The women were beautiful and dressed in their traditional cheongsam, a one-piece dress made from silk. The men wore the changsan, a long-sleeved silk shirt. Everyone here was dressed to impress. Students from all across the world were wearing their traditional outfits—from Africa to the Middle East, from India to Asia, and the Americas. The Europeans wore their countries’ traditional outfits, but some stuck with a more simple gesture of a suit or evening dress.
Despite all the interesting outfits, Zero had decided to dress as he always had: in black. His robe hem touched the floor, trailing behind him, but this was of no concern to him; for he had other plans for this evening. He drank more of his brandy and paid close attention to the other professors stationed throughout the gymnasium. The ceiling had been fitted with several rotating balls of energy which shone sparkles of light like diamonds across the room. The light also pinpointed where each professor stood. Tonight, his focus was on one particular professor more than any other: Professor Himura.
****
“This suit is uncomfortable,” complained Whisper. He had been put in a black tuxedo with a cute, little black and white bowtie to match.
“You’ll get used to it. You look smart.” Thrace was dressed in a black suit, slim-fit style, and heavily pressed pants. His spiky red hair was now brushed back behind his head, and Whisper thought he looked much better this way.
Inessa hung on Thrace’s arm. Her beautiful blond hair flowed down her back across her red silk dress which revealed her soft white skin. Unlike the other Russians, Inessa had decided to choose a modern dress rather than a traditional one. She was beautiful.
Whisper enjoyed seeing all the outfits and colors, and even Akira looked elegant in his navy blue yukata.
Inessa squeezed Whisper’s cheeks. “You’re so cute!”
Whisper pulled his face away in embarrassment. “I look stupid!”
“If you look stupid, then I must look even worse,” said Thrace. “I’ve never liked suits myself, but Inessa wouldn’t let me come in my shirt and jeans.”
“Of course not!” Inessa cried. “You can’t dress like that for this type of event. It’s not often that the professors host a party like this for us, so we should look our very best. And you do.” She kissed his cheek softly.
Whisper cringed. He could never get used to seeing people kiss.
Inessa laughed at his awkwardness. “When you get older, you’ll enjoy kissing as much as Thrace does.”
It was Thrace’s turn to blush this time.
“Never,” said Whisper, defiantly.
The others laughed, knowing how wrong he would be.
Music soon drifted into the gymnasium. It was a slow and methodical rhythm, the beats relaxing the students. The lights began to dim as the music increased in pace.
“The party’s already started, but I don’t see Eclipse,” said Akira.
Inessa chimed in. “Athena was helping her get dressed. Eclipse had no idea what to wear. You know how she always likes to wear her black combat outfit. I think she should learn how to become more of a woman and show her lady side.”
“Lady side?”
They all turned around to see Eclipse standing before them. Whisper was stunned. It was not only him, but Thrace and Akira were also surprised. Inessa gently closed Thrace’s mouth for him.
“Athena did a fantastic job!” said Inessa. She went around Eclipse in a circle inspecting her every curve.
Eclipse frowned.
“Perfect fit; perfect color. What do you guys think?” Inessa turned to them.
Thrace’s mouth had returned to the open position, and Whisper was not sure who was standing in front of him. Eclipse looked so different and so unlike her fierce self which she always maintained. Now the woman standing before him was beautiful with not a shred of fierceness about her.
Akira spoke something in Japanese to Eclipse.
Eclipse bowed with a slight embarrassment in her eyes. “Thank you,” she said. “It’s all Athena’s work.”
“Where’s Athena now?” asked Inessa.
Eclipse pointed to the bar. “Getting some drinks for us. It looks like everyone has already arrived. The hall is packed.” She drifted her eyes across the room. “Kry?”
Whisper shrugged his shoulders. “I haven’t seen him all day.”
Eclipse sighed. “It’s not often I say this, but I think I need a drink.”
****
This was how it was supposed to be. She knew it could be like this. There was laughter, happiness, and most importantly no fighting. Athena held the bottom of her yellow dress to avoid dragging it across the floor and made her way to the bar. There were glances from several men which made her feel uncomfortable as she moved in between them. She did not like the way they stared at her. They looked at her with hungry eyes.
She quickly walked passed them and found herself at the bar.
“A drink for the lovely lady?”
“Why are you behind the bar?” Athena asked.
Yujin had to bend down a little to avoid hitting his head on the bar roof. “I wanted to help out, and I’ve always loved drinking,” he said, smiling at her. “You look extravagant.”
Athena smiled back at him. “Can I get two cocktails?” she asked. “I don’t mind what kind.”
Yujin maneuvered around the bar, pulling different concoctions out and mixing the alcohol together. Within moments, Yujin had prepared two different cocktails with sliced fruit dashing the top of each glass. “Enjoy the night,” he said and returned to serve another student.
Athena picked up the cocktails and was about to return to Eclipse, but then noticed Abel sitting by himself at the end of the bar. He was dressed in a brown leather jacket and suede pants. By his side, there appeared to be a drink of the non-alcoholic type. He seemed lonely, and Eclipse could wait a moment. She walked to him and sat beside him on a bar stool.
Abel turned to her. Athena felt his gaze, but it was not the same as the gazes of the other men. It was something else.
“What are you drinking?” she asked him.
Abel picked up his glass. “It’s just juice.”
Athena thought as much. “Why don’t you drink something more exciting? It’s not often we have parties, you know. Here, have a try of my cocktail.” She pushed her glass toward him.
Abel shook his head. “I don’t drink, sorry. I like to keep my head clear.”
“Boring. You need to lighten up a bit. Come and join us over there with the others,” she said.
“I prefer to be alone. I like it where I am,” insisted Abel.
“You’re so stubborn. Stubborn and boring,” she said.
Abel turned away and looked into the crowd of students. A classical tone of beats were being played as the students mingled and danced. He then turned back to her. “You look beautiful,” he said, suddenly.
Athena almost knocked her cocktail over, but Abel instantly reacted and held up the drink. “Careful.”
Athena took the glass from his hands and looked into his eyes. “Thank you.”
****
It was hot and stuffy. Students paraded around without a care in the world, all forgetting why they were here in the first place. But he knew. He would never forget why he was here.
Kry had spent the morning with Zero in another of his lessons, and he could already feel how much stronger he was becoming. Zero had shown him many things, but one thing he had said was that anger was not always a bad thing. Anger can give strength when in the most dire situations, but like anything must be controlled. Zero had a talent for bringing out his energy more so than any other professor, and sometimes he wondered how Zero knew so much. But Zero was smarter than the others, and he knew what it took to reach one’s potential. Although he had shared a few lessons already with Zero, he still did not know much about the Professor. Zero was secretive, guarded, and shrouded in mystery, but all he cared about was what Zero could do for him: to make him strong. And Zero had done just that.
Kry watched Zero in the corner of the room. Zero returned him a glance and then disappeared into the crowd. Zero had made it clear to him that they should not be seen together, or people might suspect favoritism. The other professors would get angry that Zero was providing private lessons and would ask Katar to cancel them. Zero had asked Kry to keep their training a secret. To Kry, it mattered little, as long as he was improving.
Kry stood alone among the students and watched them all mingle. The faction leaders seemed content, and even different factions danced together. The animosity between factions was gone and in its place was a harmony he had not seen before. But he knew it was all lies and pretense. This party was just a small break from the storm that was building.
He adjusted his black leather jacket and tightened the straps of his collar. Zero had provided him with this new jacket which was made of the finest leather. The touch was exquisite. Zero was kinder than he would like to admit.
Kry pushed past some students who became annoyed. He cared little and ignored their looks of annoyance. He needed a drink and made his way to the bar. As he approached, he saw Yujin serving the students.
Yujin caught sight of him and waved to him to come over.
“Yujin, what are you doing behind the bar? The look doesn’t suit a former champion of the Cube,” mocked Kry.
Yujin was not offended. “There’s no shame in serving.”
“A duty left to others, but not someone of your standing,” said Kry.
Yujin looked seriously at him. “You’re so angry these days. About what happened in the Cube—”
“None of your concern, Yujin. You’re here just to serve drinks, right?”
Yujin winced. “Did you forget how I took you out on the first day when you arrived in Japan? We laughed, ate, and drank.”
“I remember. I remember the Flash wine you introduced me to. Speaking of which, I’d like some Flash wine. Would you be so kind?” asked Kry.
“I’ve seen what happens to you when you have Flash wine. I think it best you try something else,” said Yujin. “There’s much more available. I can give you another drink.”
Kry narrowed his eyes. “I asked for Flash wine. Is this a party for students or not?”
“It is, but you’re no ordinary student,” said Yujin, firmly.
“Ah, I understand. You’re scared I might turn my eyes into white fire and burn this place down?”
“Join your friends, Kry,” Yujin said, forc
efully.
“Friends?” scoffed Kry. He did not have any idea where his so called friends were anyway. “Just one glass.”
“Go on, Yujin. Just give him one glass.”
Kry turned to see Zero beside him.
“We’re here to relax,” said Zero.
Yujin did not like it but gave in. He brought out a special bottle and poured a glass for Kry. Kry took the glass and smelled the aroma. He was about to thank Zero, but he had already disappeared.
Kry could not see Zero anywhere and instead began to drink the Flash wine. He remembered the taste and the way it made him feel confident and invincible. The wine was warm on his throat as it slipped down into his stomach. It was already taking effect, and he felt as if nothing could stop him. He relished the taste and wanted more, but he knew Yujin would not give him any.
Sudden laughter distracted him, and he turned to see Athena at the other end of the bar with Abel. She had two cocktails in front of her and was laughing. He did not know why, but this made him angry. When had Abel ever been funny? He saw them together, talking, drinking, and what bothered him the most was how Abel looked at her. There was a longing in Abel’s eyes. He knew what that was like. Kry finished the rest of the wine and moved down the bar toward them.
“You’re so strange, you know that?” Athena laughed as if she was slightly tipsy.
Kry saw that her cocktail was almost empty. “I never realized you two were such good friends,” he said as he took a stool beside them.
Athena stopped laughing and turned around to him. “Kry…” She looked him up and down, seeing his black leather jacket and then focusing on the scar down his face.
Abel watched him carefully and saw the empty glass in his hand.
“Oh, this?” said Kry. “Flash wine, only one glass, though. The power it has is extraordinary.”
“Flash wine also has negative effects,” reasoned Abel.
Kry squeezed his glass and almost crushed it before letting it go. “And what are you drinking?” He looked at Abel’s glass and laughed. “Juice?”
Athena became nervous as she sat in between them. She looked back and forth as they locked eyes on one another.
Rise of the Young: Warriors are not made; they are forged (The Ascended Book 2) Page 37