Chapter 12 - Part 2

["I'm certain." He said locking eyes, he turned his hand upwards and their hands clasped together. He was holding Haiden's hand and squeezing it gently. Haiden was certain the deep red of his face plastered in shock with his mouth ajar was beyond attractive. His heart pounded so loud he could hear it in his ears. Tasgal's darker complexion than Haiden's was lightly dusted with pink. Haiden attributed this to his earlier workout. After an unnecessarily long pause Tasgal snatched his hand and quickly got on his feet, snapping Haiden from his daze. "Besides, who's going to teach you how to fight?" ]

Haiden shifted his weight on his other leg and lunged over towards Tasgal. The Ash'en expertly dodged and with a spin to his left he landed behind Haiden locking him down in an inescapable lock.

"I give! I give!" He shouted although if it was up to him and he would have simply laid there in Tasgal's sweaty arms. As always, his shirt was nowhere to be seen but Haiden didn't complain. He never would have guessed five months ago that he would be learning how to fight with his hands in order to defeat the son of one of the most important people in the Empire instead of doing everything he could to regain his long lost memories. Suddenly his past didn't seem as important as his future with a certain someone, even if it's just as friends.

Haiden was surprised how glad Maree and Camila were to have Tasgal back at their table, enjoying the luxuries of the Wielder dining hall. They enjoyed Tasgal's stories he had collected from his fellow Ash'en and loved watching Haiden's ass getting handed to him in the training pit. They usually sat as close as possible shouting profanities and cheering both of them on as well as staying and watching other Ash'en spar. It was their chance of landing themselves an Ash'en that they got along with. It had became a new tradition of theirs and soon started giving notes to the fighters. Haiden had earned himself a solid three while Tasgal always got straight tens from both of them.

"Three, again?" Haiden complained. "I was definitely a four out there!"

"Tut tut. The jury doesn't accept any appeals at the moment, take it to the headmistress." Maree clasped his mouth to contain his laugh.

"The jury hath spoketh!" Camila shouted before bursting into laughter in her seat.

"Don't mind them, Haiden. You're improving steadily. Slow progress is better than rushing, which will get you killed in a real fight." Tasgal patted his shoulder.

"Thanks?" he asked with uncertainty. "I suppose I don't enjoy getting killed."

They met every other day, whenever their free time allowed for overlap. Tasgal's training schedule had intensified as well as Haiden's classes. Compounded spells, even if they were Simple spells were an entirely different beast. The complexity was unmatched and the concentration needed to maintain a sequence of spells to get the desired effect was exhausting. Haiden didn't want to admit it but he had grown to admire to an extent Bras' abilities. To be able not only to cast Compounded spells so easily but a Standard level spell as well. He was above Haiden in every aspect of Wielding except for sheer power. The Councilman's son was still missing and no Master Wielder said anything about it. They just shrugged it off when asked. Haiden was certain that they knew where he was but didn't tell. If it wasn't for Maree's new hobby, brough by his newfound freedom, of overhearing conversation, the mystery would have gone through until the end of Summer. Maree had overheard Bras' two brainless goons talking about how he had decided to train with a private Wielder in his father's guard in preparation for the Trials of the Three Sisters. When Haiden had heard this from Maree his blood had chilled. No way he would now be able to defeat Bras. He had one again gone to Master Rwoy and he could not confirm nor deny that Bras was now training with a seasoned Master Wielder, and Master Rwoy was tied by the strict curriculum of the Academy and could not help him. The conversation ended with no other hints of help from the Master Wielder. All he could do was train as much as he could on his own although his spirit was shaken. He lacked the vast resources Bras had at his disposal.

On a solemn breezy night belonging to the blue sister, Haiden was reading up on the Compounded spell Explosion. It was one of the easier offensive spells but it was unreliable and blocked by the weakest of shields. He read and re-read the proper sequence for Explosion at the light of his spell that Screech had taught him which he simply called Light. Glancing a few times to the perfect blinding sphere that was hovering above he put down his book and pondered if this spell would be classified a Simple or Standard? And how come no one had ever thought of it before? He came to the conclusion that it was definitely a Standard, probably, just to feel the gap between him and Bras close in even if it's just by a fraction or hype himself up for the upcoming trials. The spell required knowledge of the specific action that allowed for light to be emitted. He had documented everything in his own journal and various experiments with the spell Light. Light was most efficient with certain types of motes, while others were unstable. Through simple trial and error he could now change the color of the light, which wasn't in the least helpful but he deemed it looked cool. He had many more tests laid out in his journal he was planning on doing but what had caught his attention the most was how he could increase the intensity of the light. He scribbled down the only use in battle would be to blind his opponents, but a major downside was that it blinded everyone. He hadn't told anyone about this spell, he had to keep it a secret, at least for now. He wondered how Screech knew such a spell. He hadn't seen the pitiful creature in weeks. He tried to call upon it multiple times but with no success. It has been an entire week since he last tried and decided to try again.

"Worst can happen is he'll not answer." he told himself. He extinguished his spell and with his mind he called. Screech. Are you there?

No one answered. He sighed and called again this time he pictured himself shouting. Screech! h he waited a few moments and then he felt it. A presence in the room but there was no one there.

Screech? Is that you? He called again

Yes...Me Screech. Screech here.

Where have you been? I've been trying to talk to you for a while? He asked

Resting. Charging. Screech used much energy last time. Was to weak. Haiden immediately thought back of when he had helped him and Tasgal get to the surface.

Oh... Are you alright now?

Yes. Screech charged! Seemingly out of nowhere the blob appeared in front of Haiden.

I'm glad. I never got the chance to thank you, Screech. You saved my life and Tasgal's.

No need. We bound. If Haiden goes back Screech goes back. Screech likes feeling again. But not hurt. His voice suddenly sad with a tinge of fear. This made Haiden's heart sink.

I'm sorry for what happen, Screech. I wasn't in my right mind. I was sad, and thought you were bad. I now know you're not bad.

Screech good! It insisted

Yes, Screech very good. The creature twirled in the air, pleased at Haiden's words. I need to ask you something.

What? The neckless creature turned its hole body sideways instead of just his head. It was amusing to Haiden. Now that he looked at it with different eyes it was strangely morbidly cute.

You showed me this spell. Haiden waved his palm upwards and the light sphere appeared with ease. He had a lot of practice with it.

Yes! Yes! Screech taught.

How do you know it? He asked.

Screech knows much and little. Haiden creased his brows. He didn't understand what the creature meant.

What do you mean, Screech?

Screech used to know much, mucher than everyone! But time took it. Screech now knows little but mucher than you.

So you too lost your memories? Haiden asked in shock. It was such a coincidence that both of them had lost something so precious but to his surprise Screech shook his entire being to say no.

Time took Screech knowings. You not the same. Your knowings stolen. It sad as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Haiden stood there with his mouth open. Unable to process what Screech had just said.

No, no. That can't be. I lost my memories in an accident I cause. My parents died!

Screech can see. It brought his bony finger to Haiden's forehead. Knowings stolen.

How?! That can't be, no.

Yes! Screech yelled. Screech don't know how.

Ca-can you give me back my memories, Screech? He scrambled towards the creature trying to grab it but his hands passed through it. It giggled.

Tickles.

Can you!?

No. Screech not stole your knowings. Only them can give back. It said with a sad tone then pat Haiden's head. He felt the static of the creature as it wanted Haiden to feel him. Haiden collapsed on the bed. Tears pooling in his eyes.

What's going on? He asked himself in self pity. He fell asleep as he thought back at the few memories he retained with clarity. The day of the accident.