ACT VI - part 1

Act VI

x294

Parte et Rai

We were gathered in a large classroom in the southern halls of the church. Outside, parents sat on the rims of the southern arena, in the yard we trained and played everyday. The church had set stands and seats along the arenas for those watching the events of the day. Parents were being given the opportunity to visit the church and witness the work their children had been doing while away from home, firsthand.

Classes were open for supervision, and the fields available for attendance. The room we’re in; a larger-sized lecture hall. It had seats that rose on each step upwards and to the back of the room in a half-circle from the front, where the lecturer would stand. A massive chalk board stretched from the windows at one end of the room, all the way to the other end of the wall, ending awfully close from the door. We were about seven steps up, near the back of the room. The rest of our cohorts filled the stands within the first four. Marise sat next to the window in the last row of the class, followed by Ralah, myself, and finally Eurus, who sat next to me with his head down. Master Elrik walked in calmly, quieted the chatter and addressed us.

“If we have not had the pleasure, I am Elrik, a teacher at this school. I hope each of you are in good health today. I have been tasked with instructing you about our events, so please, pay attention. In simple summary, your parents and guardians are just outside, in the courtyard. They’ve been given the chance to witness the results of your daily studies here at the church. You’re free to carry on as you always have, both in and out of class. Just remember that, today, you’ll have extra spectators. The south courtyard is open for those of you who utilize this time for physical education. There are a series of competitions and contests awaiting you. It is, after all, Adora Day Festival. Do entertain your loved ones. With that said, you are dismissed.” He finished.

The exodus of students, led by those who were the most excited and followed by the most nervous, quickly rushed out as people headed to south field, classes, parents, or guardians. I only watched calmly. Ralah sat content, though disappointed that neither of her parents would be attending. Eurus let out a yawn. Fitting, since he found himself in a similar-enough situation. Marise however, was quietly brimming with anticipation. He was happy and smiling and seemingly without a care in the world. Still trying to hold some excitement in maybe trying to be considerate. I did not share his excitement.

“So… what do you want to do?” Ralah muttered. Marise looked over intently, while Eurus’ head still lay comfortably in his arms.

“My father is attending today, supposedly.” I revealed.

“Oh? The Evil Tyrant King himself is coming, eh?” Eurus murmured, stretching.

“Eurus!” Ralah snapped sharply. She’s more tired of that line than I am.

Master Elrik approached us; the class now empty. “It appears different instructions have been given to you four.” He half-frowned. Eurus turned his head and poked an eye out. “It’s my displeasure to inform you that the council has seen it wise to excuse you from today’s competitions. They believe it would dishearten some of your classmates.” He informed.

“And you don’t professor?” I rebutted.

“Why would I?” He snickered. “What’s the point of a contest if you wont search for the best competitors?! Adults who give up before children over a little risk don’t interest me.” He gave a discontent shrug.

We rose from our seats and walked out in a line between the columns. Eurus sluggishly led us toward the steps, while Elrik continued head. He stopped once I’d reached the end of the steps.

“Fenris.” He called. I walked over to him as he approached in a tangent.

“What progress have you made with the project you and I discussed when last we met?” He inquired.

The day after the incident with the Sages’ Seals, I came to him with an idea I’d been thinking about.

“An expected amount, I’d say. It’s working, but I still need to perfect it.” I replied.

“Wonderous. Do feel free to ask for any assistance. ‘Tis’ a fascinating idea you’ve proposed.” He said happily.

“Don’t bet on it.” I smirked, excited at his recognition. He laughed and strolled out to the hall where the other three were waiting. They stood side by side, each in their own unique stance, against the wall. The carefree, the staring-into-space, and the loudmouth mute.

“Marise, Eurus, Ralah.” They each perched up. “Let’s go.”

Together, the four of us exited the classroom out into the hall. Walking a few dozen mets towards the doors, we escaped into the south courtyard. A boisterous crowd of people; families and children, students, and teachers—and their guardians, spread out far and wide. The hustle and bustle of life, laughter and smiles mixed in the sounds that borne them. The familiarity of the scene left me with an admittedly bitter taste, yet the sounds of the footsteps behind me urged me ahead, nonetheless.

Contests of all sorts were taking place.

Races, comparing power and speed. Fights measuring skill and technique, using weapons of all kinds. Even tests involving output and control of Arcane. Outside the field on the grassy side of things, a group sat together with books in a circle: a visibly younger-aged group of kids. On the bottom third of the courtyard a field game was being prepared. Two goal-like arches with a net hanging from the back sat at opposite ends of the portion of the field. The stout, brown haired who enjoys mocking me appeared from across the field where they were setting up. He approached looking half-blank, half-unimpressed and entirely condescending. He must’ve been addressed with the earlier class before us.

“So… I heard you guys were excused from festival games.” Pero began.

“I guess the grown ups don’t think it would be fair if we did.” Marise replied humbly.

“I don’t get how. There’s a bunch of us that could easily stand up to you guys. You’re not all that special.” Perro scoffed.

“Jealousy is ugly, Perro.” Ralah muttered again, still depressed, turning away.

“I must be crazy handsome then.” He chuckled, taking himself seriously. “See that over there?” He pointed to a wall of rock where a line of other students competing to see who could create the largest impact. At one end was a crater surrounded by cracks. He pointed at it gleefully, smirking. “That’s proof that I can take any of you guys whenever I want.”

“That proves nothing.” I rebutted, starting to walk away.

“Then let’s test it out.” He goaded. He let out a loud whistle, pressing his fingers between his lips. Suddenly a group of seven children our age, maybe slightly older, gathered around in the field. “Since you guys are so far ahead, you shouldn’t have any problems handling us, right?” He pressed further.

“If its a fight you guys want, you’ve come to the right place.” Marise announced, grinning slyly.

“We can’t, guys. If you start a brawl out here now, we’ll all get in trouble.” A girl warned from behind Perro.

“How about a game of Chukku? You four against the rest of us. This should be easy for you since… you guys are all SO amazing!” He laughed aloud, smirking, condescendingly. The sarcasm was, to be honest, slightly stabbing.

“Three and a keeper vs seven and a keeper.” Marise pondered. “Hmm... that doesn’t sound too bad, actually.” He shrugged. Ralah also nodded in agreement.

“I’m not interested.” I firmly stated.

“Expected that one.” Eurus shrugged. “Perro, if we’re being honest, the eight of you could all go at us and you’d probably end up on your backs, so instead you’ve got a team and challenged us to a game. But I still don’t see any reason for us to play.” Eurus walked around from behind and landed in the centre of the two groups. Slowly, an evil smirk crept across his face. “So how about we make a bet? If you guys can beat any of us, one-on-one, or even all together, then my cute older sister Maralah will give you a kiss, Perro. After we win—”

“You’ll stay off the courtyard… for the rest of the season.” I interrupted.

“Yeah, right. She wouldn’t kiss me if I were the last boy on the continent! And where would we train if not on the courtyard?” He replied in a small fluster, scoffing.

“I don’t care. But don’t think you can challenge me unless youre ready to lose something.” I snapped back sharply. He growled. Whispers rung mildly in the air behind him, between the other children.

“Fine. But I’m choosing what I get when we win too, then.” He snickered.

“Hmph, do what you want.” The conversation came to an end and we went to our opposite sides of the field.

“This ought to be fun.” Eurus grinned.

“I hope he’s got a plan.” Marise added, as he stretched his arms. Ralah had already begun walking toward one of the goals.

Chukku. A team game usually played with even numbers, though it didn’t have to be. It involved a ball made up of a mix of rubber and leather that had to be outfitted with seals and sigils, to allow one to use Arcane on it without destroying it.

Usually, eight players take to the field, with one on each team serving as a goalie. Players in the outfield are not allowed to hold the ball with their hands and must play predominately with their feet. However, you are allowed a single touch of the ball with any other part of your body including your hand. The goalies are the only ones allowed to hold the ball with their hands and catch it. They are permitted to do whatever is necessary to prevent the ball from entering their goal. The ball must stay within the boundaries of the field, and aside from directly attacking other players, anything goes. Field length is usually 48 by 62 mets [A1] for most unofficial spaces.

“Ok. So, what’s the plan?” Marise began, as we gathered in front of our net.

“Winning. Winning is the plan.” Eurus scoffed; the sarcasm thick in his voice.

“They have a full team, so maybe we should at least pick some positions.”

“We’ll just throw Fenris out front, and everyone will be too scared to try and play against him.” Eurus commented.

“Goalie.” Ralah volunteered with a stern look on her face.

“Hmph. That’s a bit unfair. But I don’t mind.” I replied.

“Well, they asked for it.” Eurus shrugged as he strolled away to the far-left side of the field. Marise also walked to the far right. Ralah nodded at me. I could tell she was hiding some excitement, her earlier depression vanishing.

I stood at the apex behind and between Marise and Eurus, in the centre of our half of the field. The four of us took a wide formation. Ahead, our opponents stood arrayed, watching us closely.

“Hey!” Eurus called. “What’re we playing for here?”

“Can’t winning be enough?” Marise asked with a half-nervous smile.

“I only play for keeps.” I crossed my arms.

“LET’S GET STARTED.” Perro yelled from across the field. Suddenly, a brown-coloured ball went flying in the sky. The other children began to spread and move.

They kept a tight control, passing the ball quickly to each others’ feet. The three of us stood patiently, watching. The way they were moving, with and without the ball, made it clear they’d prepared beforehand.

“I suppose he thought he could catch us off-guard.” I smirked.

Is that supposed to be impressive?” Eurus stood with his hands behind his head. Soon, the attack came.

“Too scared to move now that we’re actually playing, huh? Well, too bad!” Perro grinned widely.

A team of five ran up to our half, carrying the ball along. They passed the ball from side to side, and eventually passed the three of us.

“Ha! You’re making this too easy!” Another child yelled. With a lob from one side to the next, followed up with a strong shot, the ball found itself heading for the far-right side of our net. Ralah took two steps to her right and caught it with one hand, dead in its track.

“WHAT?!” Assorted squeals chimed throughout the court. Perro’s face wore a baffled expression as he stared at Ralah. I couldn’t help but let a chuckle slip.

Ralah held the ball in the air, jumping with two hands quietly, further excited at having caught it.

“Throw it here!” Marise shouted aloud. With more force than imaginably necessary, Ralah drop-kicked the ball in Marise’ direction. It flew with a whiz adjacent to the ground. With a face that half-expected as much, Marise jumped, spun, and instantly kicked the ball with some force into the ground. With a loud thud it ricocheted into the air.

“Get him!” Yelled our opponents. Shouts and cries of battle resounding as they raced towards the boy whose eyes were stuck to the sky. The ball fell as they closed in on him. It bounced once. Then, with some finesse, Marise did a swift turn around one of the kids, cut around another and sped past a third. Touching the ball lightly once on each step as he went. He dodged to the edge of the boundary line; Eurus began to walk inconspicuously towards the enemy goal. As Marise tapped the ball forward, he noticed.

“Eurus!” He shouted. Eurus dropped his hands, and his face became dead serious for moment. Dashing, he leapt over the centre, 20 mets [A2] from enemy goal. Marise drove a kick, sending a lob that curled in the air, dipping above Eurus. Two more bodies flung themselves skyward, giving chase.

“Too slow.” Eurus grinned.

A twist with his body mid-air, and he unleashed a resounding strike with his foot against the ball. With a swirling trail, the ball zipped between the two slowly drifting bodies, hit the ground, and bounced into the top of the enemy net. Marise let out a cheer.

“Don’t forget what you agreed on.” I reminded Perro. He could only growl in disdain as he returned to his side of the field. A small crowd had formed along the sideline. I turned and walked back toward the net.

“Not playing?” Ralah asked with an unsurprised face.

“Isn’t this already enough?” I sat my spine against the left pole of our net.

“Stay here then.” She grinned, skipping into the field.

From this point forward the rest of the game wasn’t even fun to watch… at least for me. Eurus toyed and trolled, until everyone but Perro and a couple of others gave up on challenging him. Marise ran around, taking on anyone still willing to play. He at least kept it a game. Ralah stood close to the net, scoring each chance she could. Whether it was a small kick here, or a soft punch there. She began to make a show of it, using her elbows and head, and even diving. That, at least, was entertaining; seeing her play so much was unusual. It didn’t take long before we tired out the other team.

“Woo, you guys don’t give up easy.” Marise said with a wide grin.

“Never! We’re gonna bury you guys.” Perro rebutted with some confidence, which got him a mixed reaction of groans and awkward glances from his teammates. “Come on guys… Don’t give up yet! If we work together, we can at least score once!” He rallied, bolstering their moral.

The sun was now at its highest, and creepily descending. The crowd had grown, and, quite frankly, that made me uncomfortable. At this point, no one was tending to the score board anymore; the actual difference lost in the game. The opposition had split into the more and the less competitive. The challenge had become a memory of a self-confident and arrogant pair of boys. I couldn’t help but smirk. After all, when all the royal stuff fades away, we’re still only children. Eurus floated over quietly.

“Well, well… Look who’s enjoying themselves.” He grinned.

“Just barely.” I scoffed. Ralah also soon hopped over, brandishing a grin which, by her standards, was gleeful.

Marise was running around with the ball, dodging and diving past a seemingly infinite onslaught of opponents.

“HEY! Where’d you guys go?!” He shouted.

“He’s all alone! Get him!” Perro yelled.

The crowd of swiftly moving bodies collapsed onto Marise, and a dog pile ensued.

“Hey, hey! Watch it! I don’t have the ball anymore! Let go of my arm! That tickles!” Marise bellowed, laughing in a half-panic.

Bursting out from the mudslide of bodies, Perro came running toward our goal with the ball.

“Fenris!” He called as he ran. “I’m gonna score, no matter what. Now get ready! This time I’m serious!” He screamed.

I uncrossed my arms and took a stance.

“Open!” Eurus blurted as he rushed away from the net. Ralah scurried back from the corner of my eye in kind.

Perro rushed from the half-line, running at full speed. An aura gathered and seeped off his legs as he ran, flickering almost like a flame, with a dull shine.

From 40 yards out, he struck the ball with a resounding force, air rushing out as though the field had become the centre of a tornado.

I released some energy in response. Keeping it tight around my body, I let the glow of my Arcane envelop my right arm. The ball came at a breakneck speed. The crowd watched intently. With a wide base, I met the ball with my right fist. A clash ensued.

Gradually, the two forces canceled out, and I held the ball in my hand. I looked up. Perro’s sweaty face and ragged breath hung in the distance, and I couldn’t help but catch his silent gaze. His confidence faded with his breathing. I gripped the ball fiercely, instantly turning it into an orb of lightning. A light toss into the air, then lace to leather, I struck the ball with my right foot, twisting at the hip. In half a second it flew past him, like a bolt, dragging all surrounding light into enemy goal. Their keeper was unable to even react to it. I calmly walked up to him as they all stood silent and stunned.

“So… what will you do, now that you’ve lost your little bet?” I posed.

“Its not fair.” He started to choke up. “I work hard and train every day. I pass every test and do well in my classes. I never back down from a fight, I—” He continued to choke back the tears that spilled, uninvitedly, down his face. He hesitated to wipe them. “What makes us so different?” He clenched his fists in anger. “Why’re you so much stronger? Because you’re a Scion? If that’s the case, then why should any of us even try? It’s so unfair! What am I supposed to do? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO COMPETE?!” He yelled in a deep frustration. The rest of the children couldn’t help but look toward the ground, visibly caught in a swirl of similar emotions. Behind me, my three friends stood watching, silently. Partly sympathetic, partly unapologetic, and partly unmoved. Marise, Eurus, and Ralah had no words to offer.

“Wipe your tears.” I commanded. “You’re not weak.” The sounds of his sniffling kept me from continuing, and I waited for him until he managed to compose himself to a silent, steady breathing a few moments later.

“What you’re born as, Scion or otherwise; it makes no difference. We’re just a bit further ahead. Unfortunately for the both of us, we have no intention of just letting up on the race. There’s no need to compete with me. But if you’re so determined to do so, stopping now would be a betrayal to the you that worked so hard to reach today. Today you were defeated by a most powerful foe. Become stronger and challenge us again. After all, nothing is impossible, and no one is invincible.” I gave him a stern unwavering gaze, filling myself with all my determination to be a good example.

[A1]This is a good example of how this measuring term needs prior clarification. Because it lacks one, this sentence doesn’t convey anything to a potential reader, because they can’t infer or deduct the dimensions it’s referring to. Hence, they may find it difficult to visualize the dimensions of the game court.

Easy fix: Clarifying how a Met differs from a Meter early on, (example, it could be stated to represent a meter and a half), and why the term needed to be established in this world where, presumably, meters also exist. (Ex. maybe because people are able to build more often and more precisely using magical powers in this world, and thus, more exact terms needed to be implemented to communicate these uber-precise measurements, and the terms just “stuck” throughout the years).

[A2]I highly recommend using yards or feet as a measuring device here, as they’re easier to understand and “visualize” in a reader’s mind in this particular scenario.