[INTERLUDE]
Darsius River never faced defeat since his inception into the world, but now the bitter taste of it lingered on his tongue. He could only smile as he watched Cassian's blade dangle by his neck.
He and Cassian were in the same boat. Both were sailing in streams of pain that raged within their bodies. Cassian's eye lost the purple hue that shone gently during the fight and Darsius was skeptical about it. A thought for some other time. He dismissed it.
The crowd was silent. There was no applause for the winner. Murmurs only circled as Cassian exited the colosseum, adorning his usual indifference. The crowd was stirring with feelings of uncertainty and Darsius was a bit confused about what to do. The speech he had prepared was now obsolete. For he had lost, now he had to come up with a new one.
He steeled his body, bottling the pain of using two battle arts without resetting his aether channels. Though it was lethal to some, he could handle the backlash. So, with his insides churning violently, he proceeded to the center of the colosseum. As soon as he cleared his throat, the hall went quiet.
"I apologize for the display shown," He started," I could not prove that I was capable of defeating the monster he is. As the primus, it is my duty to shield you all from such threats, and I have proved that I am not as sturdy as I thought I would be. But that does not mean I won't do anything I can to protect you all. I will lay my life on the line to ensure you have a future you all deserve. And I thank you all for your continued support, and I hope this will continue till the end of my reign." Darsius bowed slightly," I will become a hero you can all rely on.
Darsius was showered with praise and adoration as he left for his room as well.
*------*
His mind was isolated from the world. Drifting into nothingness that he was told brought peace and serenity, but for him, that was not the case. Meditation allowed him to relive moments of his life he wished to forget.
He would like to forget about his father, his past, and most importantly, his duty. However these were chains that bound him to a divine destiny he had to confront with profound strength, which he lacked.
The duel with Cassian was a new wall. One he had to demolish to reach close to his goal. A noble one at that.
That night's meditation replayed something he yearned to remember. From the blank space of his mind, the duel with Cassian played out once more. He dissected how Cassian moved. He confirmed that Cassian was no swordsman; instead, he was a great dancer. Because what he was doing with a sword in hand seemed like a dark dance.
No form. No footwork. No technique. It was a compilation of archaic movements that only attacked his weak points with frightening accuracy. He could only come up with two explanations for these. One was that he had a relic that allowed him to sense, or rather see his weak points. Or second was that he had incredible instincts (a genius at combat). He was not so sure about that one.
He was more drawn to the first due to the purple gleam in his eyes.
As days went on, the meditation sessions gave birth to hypothetical duels with different scenarios playing out in his mind. Some of these simulations they used their virtues, some they dueled with real steel.
He knew too little about his opponent; hence, the projected outcomes of these fictitious duels were very biased, leaving him as the winner. Those hollow wins did not give him comfort. It was a deterrent to his goal. He had to figure out the variable that was Cassian Atrius Valerian before it was too late.
*------*
Darsius had been swamped with work and the exam preparations all week. The bodily strain from the fight still lingered, forcing him into a lazy stroll. He pushed through the pain, his wide smile faking the agony and hiding who he truly was as he went by the hallway.
He stopped for the occasional hello and rarely engaged in draining small talk. He was looking forward to reaching his room. He had not recovered enough to continue with his training all while he was getting tired of meditating.
The constant thought of Cassian looped in his mind. It was concerning. He needed to unwind. Forget he is even for a split second.
His smile vanished as soon as he reached his door. The door creaked open. Darsius sensed a familiar presence within the room. He unhooked the sword from his hip placing it on his study desk then snapped his fingers ushering in the room lights.
The blue lights were on her. Dancing gently wherever her dark skin was exposed.
"What are you doing here?" Darsius asked.
"You know why I'm here," Serenya smiled.
Her smile was a testament to her presence. Confident, striking and very seductive. She was lying by the bed, her Ossari robe drawing out her body. Darsius' eyes lingered more than they should have.
Darsius took off his blazer throwing it to the side. His body screamed as he sat right by his study desk. He viewed Serenya diagonally as her head rested on her arm, her eyes glued to his.
They let the room breathe. Basking in silence as they stared at each other.
"I hear your golds are on it again," Darsius broke the deadlock.
"Drop the act. I know you don't care what happens to those girls."
"I care," Darsius said. His voice was lacking conviction.
"Then you might be lost in your performance," Serenya sat up, leaning on the bed's headboard.
"Is this an act?" Darsius asked.
"Yes it is. You know I'm not this," She paused," gentle."
Silence set back in.
"It was nice seeing you lose," She teased.
"Did you know Cassian was that strong?" Curiosity got the better of Darsius.
" Before Nighthold, he was a great fighter but for some reason he could not break through into the second tier of his virtue. Which changed then."
"What happened at Nighthold?"
"You are asking too much, dear."
Darsius thought for a while, then he looked at Serenya, "I will owe you a favor."
She chuckles," That will be the second favor you owe me."
"I remember," Darsius said," So what the fuck happened?"
"All I know is Cassian killed a few people including a Head Palatine's daughter and punished the Head Palatine for abandoning him when he fought a zoinist."
"So the palatine hoped Cassian would die in the fight as revenge?"
"I think so."
"What was Cassian doing in Nighthold in the first place?"
"Ask him that. Ain't you friends now?" Serenya answered.
"Hahaha, very funny, Nya," Darsius answered sarcastically.
Serenya just smiled as she stood. Grace carried her towards Darsius. Her lithe body was silhouetted within the shadows of the room as she towered over Darsius. Carefully, she sat on top of him.
Darsius could not help but wince as his body bore her weight. Her hands traced the invisible paths that led to the shirt's button. She unbuttoned the first buttons, then leaned in. Her hot breath reddened Darsius' ears as her head settled on his shoulder.
"It seems we can't do it today," She whispered.
Darsius did not speak. Serenya leaned out. Their eyes spoke of yearning, impatience and lust in ways their words could not. Locked into one another until Serenya stopped.
She got off him.
"We were to have fun but since it will prove difficult, how about I call on one of the favors?"
"What is it?" Darsius questioned.
"Meet me in the basement of the dorm in ten," Serenya was by the door," It's a surprise."
She blows him a kiss as she closes the door.
*------*
Darsius was not accustomed to darkness despite his ability to see within it. Its metaphorical affiliations to death and destruction reminded him of his chains, specifically his virtue. Nevertheless, his pace towards the noise was steady and measured. Bits of aether coursed through his channels in case anything went wrong.
Despite their relationship, Darsius had little to no trust in Serenya and he believed Serenya did not trust him either. He did not trust in himself. Why would she? But what is trust if not another chain? Darsius did not need another chain for those that bound him to his past, present and future were burdening enough.
The clanking noise led him to a heavy-set door that seemed to protect the world from what was held inside. He banged on the door three times.
The door was heaved open.
The scent of blood struck Darsius the hardest. As he spread his aether into the room to scan it, he picked up the residue aura of death energy. It was weak, which meant someone was about to die or they died a long time ago.
He felt the presence of four people within the room. The familiar signature of Serenya lingered at the edge of the room. He saw two people tied to wooden chairs at the centre of the room.
The last person was by the door.
"Took you long enough," Serenya commented.
"Torturing students now," Darsius was disgusted as he noticed the bloody uniform set aside in Serenya's corner.
"They are no longer students," Serenya was stepping towards Darsius," They are enemies of the crown. Rebels. Like your ancestors."
"Why does everyone have to remind me of it ?"
"Because they were wrenches who wanted to tear everything down," Serenya was now in Darsius' face.
"Why am I here?" Darsius deflected.
"I was hoping your presence would prompt them to talk and if not. We kill them then you use your virtue to read their memories for information," Serenya explained.
"How sure are you I won't lie?"
"I trust you Darsius," Her hand was on his shoulder. Her eyes located him even in the darkness.
"I don't think they will be cooperative," Darsius said.
Serenya's smile turned violent, turning towards the captive. Ready to send them to the Underworld.
"I will do it."
Darsius stepped forward towards the captives. He knew both. All too well. And they were to die; it had to be by his hand.
Tobias. The captive to the right raised his head. His left eye was too swollen, while the other was not. He smiled as he saw Darsius. Not a broad smile. Not because he was hoping to be saved. Because he was dying for the greater good and there was no other greater honour than that.
Darsius' right hand rested on Tobias' chest amidst the purple patches that mapped where he was injured. Pure aether bubbling within Darsius began changing as it flowed towards his palm. As it approached his palm, the volumes of aether morphed into death energy. Once Darsius had built up enough, he called upon his virtue. It answered.
[Death Palm]
Tobias' body slouched. He was dead.
Darsius moved to the last captive.
Karl was not as brave as Tobias. He wriggled within his chair as soon as he felt Darsius' hand on his chest.
Darsius was on the brink of tears. Fighting with himself as hard as Karl fought. He steadied his trembling hands, all while holding out the death energy that coalesced on his palm. He did not hesitate. He told himself it was for the better of everyone. He called upon his virtue once more. Karl's body crumbled with the ropes barring him from falling off.
Darsius stepped back, using the pain to ground himself. He had to not show any weakness.
Another reminder to him of how dangerous his future was. He looked at the bodies. He sent them off with a prayer. He felt Serenya beside him.
"I knew I could trust you. Now the hard part," She commented.