The Weight of Survival

By the time Ezekiel arrived at the waiting chambers, the scent of dried blood was already thick in the air from the conclusion of the battle royale. He was late.

He burst open the door, his eyes scanning the room where he had expected celebration. His students had survived the Battle Royale, after all. however, instead of cheers, he found silence. A heavy, suffocating silence.

They sat on benches, nursing bruises and wiping soot from their faces as the adrenaline of the melee faded from their bodies, replaced by the tiredness of  their bodies and the grim reality of what they had just done.

They had watched people die, almost dying themselves and somewhere in between all of that, the joy of the festival was gone, replaced by the cold shadow of the Colosseum.

"Teach…" Rain noticed him first, her usually bright eyes dim. "Is Meline really not coming back?"

Ezekiel's manic energy softened instantly. He looked at the empty spot on the bench where Meline should have been as the "Jester" inside him whispered dark things

they’ll all die, Eze, just like her it said, but he strangled the voice down, sighing as he gestured for them to gather.

"You all are wonderful children. To me, you are already winners. I know Meline is gone and I know it hurts. But that darling child wouldn't want you to drown in sorrow. She would want you to give your 200%. An extra 100% because she cannot."

Summer scoffed, crossing her arms something Ezekiel noticed.

"Even for those who wished to beat her," he continued, looking at the platinum haired girl, "wouldn't you rather succeed and show her your value? Show her how much better you are?"

Summer looked away, but her posture straightened. Ezekiel knew how to play to their pride.

Unfortunately, the touching reunion was cut short by the sound of a slow, mocking applause as the door to the shared corridor swung open, revealing the students of Dojo Ryōzan who stood there looking immaculate.

Their clothes were clean, their breathing steady, as if untouched by the grand melee, looking at the huddle of Sol Academy students with a kind of curiosity one might show a zoo animal.

"How touching," Shinosuke drawled mockingly, leaning against the doorframe,  his branch tattoos shifting as he crossed his arms. "Check this out Hina, The mongrels are licking each other's wounds."

Rain stepped out of the huddle, her eyes flashing. "Watch your mouth."

"Why?" Sakura giggled, stepping up beside Shinosuke in solidarity, staring at Rain with genuine pity. "It is simply the truth. The people of this land... your blood is thin. It is muddy. You cling to each other because you lack the individual strength to stand alone. That is why the Queen had to come. That is why Japan rules. We are pure."

"Pure?" Noah spoke up enraged, his voice flat as he stepped forward, the static in his eyes clearing for a second. "You imbeciles bleed just like the rest of us, don't you?"

"We bleed gold," Tsukihime said softly, her voice carrying an eerie weight. "You bleed dirt. Do not put us in the same bracket, mistaking your survival for strength. You survived the melee because you hid in the chaos. In the next round, there will be nowhere to hide."

Japan was a nation that had always worshipped the god of the moon, for the moon symbolised the inner strength of the soul. Tsukihime was a prime example of it, as if the moon personified itself in human form, she not only looked like the moon, but her aura screamed of it. Serene, silver, icy cool and strong.

Azrael watched the faces of the children from Ryōzan, analysing them. Though similar in age, all of them carried an edge of lethality to them, as if they had witnessed unspeakable horrors that had killed their emotions. Just as he was about to engage, a freckled hand was placed on Azrael’s shoulder, causing him to take down his hood and look back.

“Angry?” Kami asked, his eyes following the direction Azrael was looking at, landing on the pink haired girl.

Azrael shook his head, denying. “Nah. They aren't strong but,” he trailed off “they smell of blood.”

Kami nodded as Azrael shoved his hands in the pockets of his hood, returning to his nonchalant self. “I'm not worried about myself. Can't say the same for Rain, she is too naive and trusting. Oh, and that dumbass Loverboy, acting like Meline has died or something.”

Azrael's words stung as Kami's hand retracted, wanting to tell him yes, but knew he couldn't. It was a burden far too heavy for anyone to carry. In the end, all he could do was smile apologetically, as if it was his fault. For the condition Noah was in and for Meline’s death. “Give him time. He must be feeling lonely.”

Saying his piece, Kami retreated for some fresh air. With some time left before the next round still, waiting around with nothing to do felt too difficult.

Kami wanted to breathe.

He wanted a break in peace, entering a empty waiting room, he fell to his knees. A shriek left his lips, eyes threatening to overflow with tears as his hands clutched his chest, hating every moment he was alive and she wasn't.

It's all my fault!  

He thought. He was too obvious and Meline had been avoiding him, spending a considerable amount of extra time with Noah since he started hinting at her about his feelings. If he hadn't made her uncomfortable, she might not have gone to that isolated place with Noah. 

If i hadn't done that, she would still be alive.

He heaved, trying to catch his breath as his tears dried before falling. He was unable to cry, lost within himself.

“Kami?”  he turned his head, finding Ezekiel standing at the door. Seeing his instructor with an expression of worry, he realised he must've looked devastated. He tried to collect himself but for some reason, Ezkiel's voice caused his tears to finally fall.

The ginger haired boy who had been holding back tears since the fight ended, suddenly lunged forward, burying his face in Ezekiel’s chest. The boy sobbed, the weight of the carnage finally breaking him. Ezekiel wrapped his arms around the ginger prodigy. For a moment, he wasn't a warrior. he was only a child.

Suddenly the trumpets sounded and the intermission was over.

"Come on, you have to win this. For Meline." Ezekiel commanded, lifting Kami's spirits who felt much lighter after finally letting his emotions spill out of him.