by Immer C. H
A group of twenty defense guards rush into the room, breaking us apart by using a powerful paralyzing spell that stiffs us like the point of their staffs. With my potentials if I want I can effortlessly break the spell. But I remain captivated by the force, like the others. Some instructors come upon us. In them, I see Srogeri shaking his head in disappointment. I want to shout, “it’s not my fault, not this time!” but she enters, bringing fear to us all. Her arrival creases my skin. Something I notice of the headmistress is her obsession with the color black. Never have I seen her wear another color. “You again,” she says, her eyes on me. She scoffs, and heads towards me, hastily assuming I’m the one who caused the chaos.
“You should have left when you had the chance,” she whispers, staring straight into my eyes. Her eyes are captivatingly beautiful…gray, with such crystal clearness one can see the light. “I hope you all know what happens when these scenes occur.” She shouts loudly moving away from me, standing on the center of the room.
“You want to fight. Very well, it will be done. Since you boys decided this… deathrow has now been unlocked," at once people talk among each other. Deathrow is the place where fighters' brawl until death in the arena, but that’s if challenged by another. Yet, if nobody selects a rival, the headmistress herself chooses who fights who. The room falls still. No-one wants to risk their lives. No one will challenge anyone. “Me!” someone bellows, “I challenge Jorsay!”
- 10 -
Preparation
Stillness falls so heavy in the room I can hear every person’s breathing. The explosion within me when I heard Jorsay’s name was petrifying. I feel as if I'm holding a high-tree branch, and underneath are only spikes— deadness now takes over. I fear, but it’s not death I fear, but to get hammered down repeatedly. With his first punch I dropped kissing the floor. The pain so excruciating I wanted to die. I can still hear a tingling sound in my head, a sound that puzzles the life around me. To think I have to support more of those, to think I have to go against this monstrous boy, who hits as if his knuckles are made of rock, scares the hell out of me. Jameson is going to beat me down so hard, I’m going to lose my life.
“I decline. I challenge him!” like the good friend he is, Ramuso intervenes, he’s pointing at Jameson. I sniff, that boy is always sticking with me. I’ve finally met true friendship, well, Jorsay has.“I decline as well. The kid won’t make it. He has less than a month here. Therefore, I challenge the rival,” Onnet says. Another friend, I snivel. I’m so sentimental I fear crying. How lucky am I to have them? Sandrine shakes her head. “Once a challenge is made it cannot be broken. The deathrow will start in four days,” she speaks indolently. “Meanwhile, you can all spend it in prison, for creating trouble. Take them away!” Sandrine commands the guards. They magically chain our hands together, and take us by force. Onnet, Osys and Ramuso are thrown with me, as the rivals are thrown to the other side of the prison. Ikumus was saved for he left the scene before her arrival.
Ramuso, Osys and Onnet, look at me with snotty faces, making me feel guilty for the accusations. I bow down my head. “I’m sorry I got you fellows into this, but this time I swear it wasn’t my fault. He started it,” Osys sits hugging his legs. He’s shaking. He’s afraid of his surroundings. Terrified like a kitten. “I can’t believe I’m here. I've never been here,” Onnet growls hitting the wall, his fangs longer when in anger. I’m starting to think he really is part wolf.
“I’m used to this,” Ramuso says coolly.
“Yeah, keep pissing them off! Once you hit twenty-five broken rules, you’re dead moron!” Onnet screams at him.
“I’m already dead by being in this damn castle!” Ramuso yells back, showing a rage I’ve never seen before. It’s obvious he hates being in the war castle more than anything else. His bad behavior has plenty to do with him being removed from his mother and father. That same day, he watched how his village with his family burned, supposedly because of the hot suns. Ramuso thinks it was the leaders idea to burn them all down that way they can take all the young people. He doesn’t believe in the sincerity of the collectors, and isn’t thankful for anything.
“Lower your voice creep!” Onnet yells back, a second more, and they are going to be pulling each other’s hair. Thankfully, the prison gate opens, silencing us. We stare speechless. “Srogeri!” I say gushy, next to him is Ronneto. I partly smile.
“Don’t look too happy. This time you over did it,” he hisses. I shake my head.
“It’s not my—”
“Let us go, now!” he breaks in, not giving me a chance to explain.
“I’m not going anywhere without my friends,” I assure, Srogeri chuckles. Ronneto’s and Srogeri’s eyes meet. “Want to bet,” Srogeri looks at me artfully. I cross my hands on my chest. Srogeri and Ronneto point their staffs at me, and together yell, “Helinatte!” a lightning collides with me, capturing my skin. I can’t believe it. They used a teleporting spell on me.
Headmistress Srovio granted Srogeri and Ronneto permission to pull me out, for they named themselves my caretaker, and because I have four days to prepare myself for my battle, concurrently, they let Jameson out with the court of another instructor for he too, has to prepare for battle. Srogeri lectures me, and speaks of his disappointment, but this time I won’t let him place all the blame on me. I blurt out the entire truth—Jameson’s and Jorsay’s conflict. “Could you believe that? That kid says Jorsay trapped him, insane brat. He hits hard too,” I rub my nose, still awfully sore. I’m sitting on Srogeri’s headquarters, Ronneto is with us. He sits silently, watching me in dismay. Srogeri sighs. “Jorsay is very powerful…just like his father…” I gasp.
“You believe him!”
“You’re brother might have a magic deficiency, but that does not say he is weak. He is not easy to handle. Your father was very reckless. He would’ve always gotten in trouble, the things he did when he was a boy are just too chaotic.”
“Right… my father, not Jorsay. They are not the same person,” I sass, Ronneto chuckles. “Enough with that. Listen carefully Judyala, for we will tell ye the arrangement.” Ronneto says. I give him all my attention, and he explains the rules of deathrow. For one-hourglass, we’re going to battle until death. If in an hour we’re both alive, the fight stops. To hear this, I fall at rest. I see a surviving chance. Until Ronneto admits how the last five challengers died because of head injuries during the fight. For half an hour glass, we’ll physically battle, beating each other up with punches and kicks. Many have failed to survived this, therefore, Srogeri begs me to avoid falling into Jameson’s fist, who has survived a year of war, and two deathrow challenges. After the half an hour, both fighters are allowed to use magic, but my instructors insist for me to use no strong powers, but a paralyzing spell, that way we waste time. “Ye’z task is to let the hour run—stay away from the kid, and paralyze. Ye understand.” A serious Ronneto demands. I nod.
“Carry your stone with you, that way if he catches you there is no harm done,” Srogeri says. I swallow hard. Maybe now that I possibly might die I should tell him the truth. Nah, he’ll kill me before the fight. I agree with a nod.
“If she paralyzes her opponent, wouldn’t it be dangerous? Can I not use magic for her?” Srogeri asks Ronneto. Ronneto moves his head from side to side.
“A barrier’r encircles the area. No magic can enter or get out. I do not know how it is done…but it is. Judyala will have to do this on her’r own.” Srogeri sighs distressfully. I can see my old man worries for me. One day I’m going to give him a heart attack.
“Ye will do intense training. But this is only utilized if needed. Ye personal trainer’r is Corr-thesious Delsio. He will train ye every day for twelve hours." It reddens my skin to think Corr is all mine. But twelve hours of training, that’s just torture.
I sit in the castle’s meadow, avoiding sitting in the mealroom. The day of the battle is near, and everyone comes towards me, wishing me luck, but it’s obvious they mean to say, farewel
l forever little chump. No one has hope for me. I guess it’s hard to believe a scrawny kid can beat that huge kid. Strangely, Ikumus is almost kind to me, and I think he too feels sorry for me. It’s Corr whom has put his mind and soul to train me, teaching me all he knows. He thinks I can win, and for that, I’m thankful.
My life has been quiet since the brawl. Ramuso and the others are still in prison. Goodness, how I miss his hyper activity, Onnet’s scolding, and Osys’s fear of everything. It’s unfair they have to pay for defending me. It’s unfair I can’t visit them… what if I die…I’ll never see them again. “Apple,” it’s the first-time Azania speaks to me since our misunderstanding. I take the red-apple from her hand. She sits next to me. “You came to feel sorry for me too.” I say looking straight to the garden.
“No, why would I… you’re going to win. You’ll see,” I move my sight to her. Her optimistic behavior touches me. She’s so damn sweet.
“About that day…”
“Please, let’s not talk about it. I’m…humiliated already,” she says immediately blushing. “I know I’m not the type of girl boys like… I’m not pretty or appealing…”
“Oh, don’t say that. You are beautiful. You really are,” I insist, again I did it. She stares at me with sparkling eyes. “You see… I have a problem…I… I like boys…it’s why I rejected you.” I almost spill the truth. Holy crap, if Jorsay knows I’m tainting his life, he’ll cut my throat. Azania's eyes rise. She smacks her hands on her chest, I fear a stroke. “B-but you are so p-perfect…I thought…” she falls into a strange stupor. It’s obvious the cute elf girl has feelings for my brother, and I’m breaking that opportunity. Azania is a girl I would love for my brother to date. She is innocent, and kind. Maybe I should tell her the truth, tell her she still has a chance… Jorsay likes girls…too damn much really. “Well, I guess I kind of understand. Don’t worry. I promise it’ll be our secret,” although disappointed, she’s faithfully sweet.
“We can still be friends, right?” She asks smiley, with a stunning grin, bringing out a serene glow that outlandishly calms my nerves.
The fact deathrow battle is a day away pushes my heart down to my stomach. There is no prior interest in studying. In my mind I simply repeat the plan. Waste time; don’t let the kid hit me. Then, paralyze his bulky as, nothing more.
“Zayras,” I hear a constant voice repeat itself. My head rests on my hand that’s on the desk. A dark figure steps in front of me. I carelessly look at Khysso who stands near me. “I asked you a question. But it seems you are not here. Apprentice Zayras, in this division you either pay attention, or you leave. You comprehend me.” I sigh annoyed by him. Trust me, if I have the strength I would leave. This fellow has no consideration.
“Sorry…” I say quietly yet not changing my attitude. He chuckles, and walks away from me, surprisingly without saying another word.
The hourglass ends, and I miserably pick up my material. “Apprentice Zayras, can I have a word with you?” I exhale and nod. Let me guess, he too wants to say his farewell, show me pity, like the entire classroom. Khysso waits for the class to empty, then, as he coolly sits on his chair, he takes something from his pocket and lays it on the desk. It is a palm size black mineral, with white cracks that bring out a gaudy blue glow. “Take it, I’ll lend it to you,” I scoff. How dare he lend it to me? It belongs to me. Well…it belonged to me.
“It’s been so long…” I whisper reaching for it.
“With this, you ought to stay alive,” he says before I take it in my hands. I yank my hand away from the stone. “You think…I can’t beat him,” I utter sentimentally.
“You expect me to think a girl can beat a chap like that,” I clench my teeth, the girl in his phrase bringing out the flame in me. “You think I can’t beat him because I am a girl!” I snap. He lifts his eyebrows. He’s staggered by my attitude. Even if we once related, he’s still my instructor, and I’m his apprentice. He chuckles. I can see he’s trying to endure with me, in which is peculiar, because this is the instructor no one talks back too, the one everyone fears. But not me, maybe it’s because of the secret we share or because we befriended years ago.“No, because… he has a lot more experience than you. Very well, you can overcome if its sorcery against magician, but physical strength…do not compare. You are scrawny, intolerant, and delusional if you think you have a chance,” although he says it calmly, I’m infuriated that he, like everyone else doesn’t believe in me.
“Whatever, I don’t need the stone, thanks anyways,” I say disenchanted and rather emotional. “Zayras wait…” I hear him call me, but there’s no turning back. I’ll show them all that I, Judyala Zayras am not only a great sorcerer, but an outstanding fighter as well. You will all see…
That night, although I attempted to shut eye, it was impracticable. The fight is the only concept in my mind. It is no longer about the anxiety or dying. It is about showing the world… especially Khysso, I am capable of defeating that boy. I don’t understand my interest to overcome, but profoundly within me; it is what I need to feel release. I take a deep breath and sit up from my bed. Sleeping intensely is Corr and Ikumus. I walk towards Corr. He is the only one who truly believes in me.
“Thank you…” I whisper, observing his perfect face fall into a deep slumber. That moment, as I see him sleep my heart tickles. It’s there I realize my crush is growing for Corr. He has control over my anger. His gentle words always calm me down. Corr’s blonde hair falls on his face. I reach my hand to fondle his skin,
“Casandree…” his word freezes me. I pull away from him. I'm a fool, for crushing on a man whose heart is already taken.
After hearing Corr called her name, I no longer wanted to be in the room. I need to feel at ease, thus, I walk to the swan garden, for its beauty drifts me. It's uncommon to see the place at such an hour. The area is peaceful. It's delightful to view the unfamiliar obscurity. I head to the area where Azania took me, which in the dusky night, the fireflies increase, looking prettier than ever. I attempt to capture one to embrace its beauty, but they move too quickly. Exhausted with my life in Doomsvell, I lay on the grass, feeling more relax than any other day. The stars twinkle, and the moon is almost full. Staring at the sky, I envision myself winning the battle. People praise my name, many times, Judyala.
The silence takes over my skin, and I gradually fall into a doze, in my mind is my little brother, who I miss more than anything else in the world. An inhuman shriek draws my attention. I wake up accelerated by the noise. The loud wail scares me, but I’m also curious. I follow the bellow that now sounds like shared panting. I stride profoundly into a path of hedges to find a dark-hair man on top of an almost topless woman. I gasp. Holy crap, did I just interrupt a couple in their intimate moment.
“I’m so-sorry…” I stutter, their attention on me. The dark night does not reveal them, but as he rushes away from her, and she stands in a hurry covering herself, I take a good note of her appearance. My heart sinks, and my skin curls with revulsion, not supporting the encounter I run away. I now identify her and the dark hair man. I run without a stop, until I reach my room. There, in front of my door, I crash in agitation. I place both hands on my mouth. My body is hurting. I can’t believe it…it was them, Khysso and Casandree, together.
-11-
Capricious
When I look deeply into his eyes, I want to confess the wretch of a woman he loves, but the admiration I feel towards him doesn’t allow me to say what I saw. He doesn’t deserve it. He is too good. Corr takes my shoulders. His light eyes meet mine, the heat of his body fleeting through my skin, tenderly concerning my emotions. “You can do this, don’t look back…and fight. If you feel you are stronger with magic than physical, distract him. If you think you are physically stronger, put him down,” he reminds, seconds before entering the center of the ring. The arena has over a thousand people. The instructors all sit on the center, on the best seats, watching how two young boys kill one another. It’s sad to know deathrow is n
ever going to be shut down. It was created years ago by the great leaders. A way to show we work united, and if we don’t get along, then we can kill one another. It is a justification, a way to force us to get along. This has worked great on plenty of people, but not on Jameson. He is angry at Jorsay. His anger turns him into a monster, one who doesn’t care about killing. His desire is to kill me like he did to a young kid a year ago; a blow on the head knocked him dead. Now it’s my turn. Jameson's soul is lost. He cares for nothing, but his victory.
My hands are wrapped in a black strap up, protecting my fist. Although we aren’t allowed to wear a top, I wear a round neck sleeveless tunic, with calves brown slacks. “If I don’t make it…I want to say, thank you for being my friend. You and the others have been my first companions and…”
“Hey! Stop being a girl. Nothing bad is going to happen to you. Go fight!” Corr commands. I press my lips together. I want to blurt out the truth—I’m a girl, Casandree is a bad person, and my heart races for you, but there is no time. The first bell chimes. It is the call out ring. I leave the dim preparation cavern and walk to the center of the arena. Jameson too comes out, but from the opposite side. The audience doesn’t applaud—a few kids scream Jameson’s name, but over their cheers I also hear my name. Ramuso and the others are on the first row, calling my name, being the great friends they are. A heavy weight falls from my chest. I’m relief they’re safe. In the end, my old man kept his promise of taking them out. I feel stronger now. I can win this.