Chapter 27 - Part 2

A burning warmth enveloped Haiden as he slowly awoke from a deep sleep. Long has it been since had ever slept so well, without any worries or nightmares to pull him from the comfort of restfulness. Although constraining he let himself fall into it, forgetting anything else but the presence of a second heartbeat as a hairy chest tickled his face gently. Haiden buried his face in it, inhaling deeply.

He always smells amazing. He thought to himself.

And you're always late. Screech said into his mind ruining the moment. His eyes fluttered open and the noon light blinded him, making him recoil with pain.

Tasgal groaned as he stretched his defined body, every muscle bulging with every move. As soon as their eyes met, a smirk tugged at his lips. "'Gmornin" he mumbled and pulled Haiden tighten.

Haiden wanted to fight back to get dressed and run to the Training pit, the place where the last Trial will take place but the moment Tasgal pulled their waist together feeling his hard throbbing cock Haiden melted like snow in the sun, feeling his blood rush away from his head.

"Good morning." Haiden said shyly and relaxed his body as his lips touched Tasgal's.

YOU ARE LATE! Screech yelled this time in his mind and he bolted right up throwing the thin blanket on the floor revealing both of their naked bodies. Haiden couldn't control himself as he saw Tasgal sprawled on the bed, his member on display.

"Oh shit! Oh shit! Oh shit!" He began as he ripped his eyes away from the man and began looking from his clothes one floor.

Finally!

"What?" Tasgal sleepily asked, his eyes bulging as he too saw the light of the sun shining brightly. "Fuck!" He too jumped out of bed and dressed as fast as he could. "We havta'hurry."

"No shit!"

Both of them were fully clothed in moments. Haiden headed for the door but Tasgal stopped him in his tracks. "Do you thing,"

"Oh, right." Haiden's presence disappeared right from under his eyes. There was not even a trace of his existence in the room. The door opened by itself and steps ran through the hallway. Both of them rushed towards the Training pit. There was a huge crowd of people huddling around one of the pillars that marked the pit. Tasgal went ahead and merged with the crowd, he had spotted his Ashen friends and blended in like no one batting an eye at his late arrival.

Haiden ran as fast as he could and hid behind some bushes, dropping his cloaking spell. He walked casually at the group of cloaked individuals and looked for Maree and Camila. They were among the very first in the group, examining a piece of paper placed on the pillar.

"Did I miss anything?" He asked as he heaved, he was out of breath, failing at his attempt to look composed.

"What happened to you? Your hair's a mess." Maree asked as he eyed Haiden briefly then turning to the piece of paper.

"You're late again! Don't tell me, you were sleeping?" Camila asked, looking angry, her arms folded around her chest as she stared past Haiden.

"Yes." It sounded more like a question than a statement. His face flushed as he then traced Camila's gaze as it went through the crowd. She was looking at Tasgal. Haiden swallowed a lump as his mouth ran dry.

"You better not make this a habit," Camila sounded irritated. .

"Make what?" Maree turned his attention back at them, "Hey stop pushing!" He elbowed someone.

"Being late." Camila quickly answered and turned her attention back at the piece of paper.

"You sure like to sleep in during important days, don't you." Maree chortled. "Take a look for yourself," Hai pointed with his thumb over his shoulder. Other people gasped as they read.

Haiden looked up and a bracket with the names of those twelve who successfully got through the Trial of Agility connected through neat lines that converged through a second row. He saw Kip and Malticia paired with people he didn't know. Next he saw Vick with Nolan, Maree with another name for which he could not place a face and lastly his name connected to Bras.

"Nothing new." Haiden said knowingly. It was no surprise for him. He knew from the very beginning that Bras would arrange it so that they would fight. He looked over the crowd and saw Tasgal's worried face peering from above. Haiden gave a quick nod, Tasgal immediately understanding what it meant.

Haiden forced himself to look away from Tasgal's worried face, not trying to draw attention and pulled Maree and Camila to the side.

"I don't know Haid, you don't know how much he's been training. Can you really do it?"

"Of course he can, Cams. Haiden will put that prick in his place and give him a good one in right in his square chin!" Maree punched the air

"I hope so." Haiden said, his voice filled with doubt.

"I think too much sleep has affected your brain." Maree threw his hand around Haiden's neck and pulled him closer. "We saw how you fought tasgal with just a fractio nof your power, I know you're hiding some good shit to fuck him up. I know it." He smirked.

While Haiden has been keeping a few tricks and spells just for this fight, he was not sure they would suffice defeating Bras. He had disappeared for a few weeks, no one had heard from him, and then he mysteriously disappeared with no word of where he went. Haiden was certain he went to a powerful tutor and learned advanced spells, to which he would never have had access to in the Academy. There was no advanced spell in the library and the Masters would have refused immediately to teach him because of the restrictions that Master Rwoy had mentioned. The only option was to seek an outside teacher.

"Even if he is hiding a spell that would knock that twerp off his feet, even if it's during the Trials, he has to be very careful! If you injure him too badly his father would hunt you down, or worse! If you kill him, even if he deserves it, your head will drop faster than you can say doomed." Camila brows furrowed, her hands on her hips. "Do you understand, Haid? You will have to win without injuring him too much."

"Come on, Cams. That shithead deserves a beating."

"All I'm saying is to just be careful not to over do it."

"No, you're saying to go easy on him like you forgot what he did to me, TO HIM!" Maree pointed overdramatically. "Tell her Haiden."

"Camila..." He began,

"Mhm, you tell her." Maree nodded approvingly.

"I understand." Haiden finally said.

"You what?" Maree froze, his mouth ajar.

"I will try my best not to harm him...Too much." Haiden's eyes were determined. This was his chance to prove not only to himself but to everyone something. Something he couldn't quite place yet, but he felt like he had to do it. As if it was important he came out triumphant. It lit a fire in his chest and eagerness overwhelmed the doubts in his mind. "I will do my best." He said as an afterthought.

"Good!" Camila approved. "You also missed the speech, Headmistress Helena was quite inspiring today. I think she's excited to show Maree off to the world, that or she's ecstatic with the upper echelon that's coming to watch the Trials today."

"Watch the Trials?" Haiden asked, confused.

"The Trials of Strength is the only day the Academy is open to the public, so they can watch how powerful the Academy's Ashen and Wielders are. Although Master Parvel did mention that for the last few years only Ashen had participated in the Trials and not a single Wielder; the audience had dropped since.

Haiden took this in, thinking back at all the trophies the Ashen had. Of course they had so many since only they participated, that meant that Vick was a liar. He looked at the man, his face was stern and jaw clenched. His eyes moved to the shorter man right next to him, Kip, his face was dark with worry.

"What's gotten into them?" Haiden jerked his head towards the Ashen warriors.

"Oh, Kip." Camila said in worry. "They're in the same predicament. They're against Wielders, Wielders whose family probably own a few cities and then some. Didn't you wonder why Malticia and Nolan didn't had a single scratch on them?"

"Not really..." Haiden paused to think back to yesterday, but his mind had been in too many places at once to remember clearly. "But Justinia has a black eye," He began and Maree giggled to himself and Camila rolled her eyes.

"She tripped over her own feet and fell head first into the wall of the trench. No Ashen even touched her, not even to help." Camila explained. "While Bras headed straight for you two, and you," He pointed towards Haiden. "you're a nobody and this clown right here, his family threw away their titles. You two are fair game for the Ashen."

"So, regardless how strong they are, they're going to forfeit." Maree said nodding in agreement with Camila. "Better than losing their lives I guess."

"That's not fair -"

"Life usually isn't, Haid. You should know that by now." Camila said over her shoulder as she began walking towards the stairs leading to the rows of the Training pit. People that now Haiden realized he had never seen in his life, their clothes were plain and civilian rushed through. "I'm going now! I want a good sit!" She called out and made her way through the crowd.

"Wait, It's starting now?" Haiden was taken aback.

"Oh yeah, you just got here. Helena said she didn't want our esteemed guests to wait. Come one, most of the other already went down. I bet you were exhausted from yesterday, can't believe someone would be able to sleep so soundly through all the racket we made outside your door." Maree laughed and Haiden joined awkwardly. "I don't know what you did to that door but we couldn't use Wielder to barge in." Maree added as an afterthought.

You're welc - Screech began in his mind before interrupting himself. A sense of urgency emanating from the creature.

Screech? What's wrong? He asked as they made their way through a side entrance that led to rooms that peaked at the bottom of the pit through barred opened walls. At the center of which laid a new smooth and circular arena, fresh gravel surrounded it along with new braziers that were now lit. Flags of the Empire, green and silver danced with the air as people cheered and screamed their lungs out and called out for blood, eager for the fighting to start.

The dark room was lit by a few stones outshined by the powerful rays of sun that sneaked through from every direction.

It's very near! Don't you feel it? Knowings close...

Haiden closed his eyes and extended his senses. He felt the pull of something, an almost imperceptible string extended from him towards the stands. Is this it? Are these my memories? Haiden eagerly asked, trying to get a better feel of the string. It never felt so present before.

He felt Screech nodding within his mind. Before he could say anything else the voice of another person joining them brought him back. His heart raced with anticipation.

"Hey Nolan," Maree greeted. The young woman sighed and shook her head in disbelief and took a seat on a wooden bench. "You're first huh, nervous?" He asked as he sat besides her.

She sighed and turned her head towards the stands, the first dozen rows were more spread out. People dressed in intricate and expensive clothing, with gold jewelry sparkling in the sun's light. Others whose garb was plain and uninteresting stood meekly beside them, those were mere servants that brought food and filled their masters cups awaiting orders, while slaves dressed in dirty rags served as footstools and fanned at the obscenely rich men and women. In one part of the training pit, commotion began as one fat man with food all over his hands and face began strangling one of his slaves. A thin man whose ribs were showing through his skin, hair cut short and uneven. He didn't say a word as his life began to slip away from him slowly. His eyes, shade of light brown that turned golden in the sun, were open as his lifeless body slumped. The fat man threw the body away with what Haiden had felt like was Fios, flying few feet away. Servants quickly scattered and erased any presence of the poor man in seconds, while others attended the man.

Above them, the very first rows were for those of common standing, but just like the everyone they cheered and cheered for the death of the slave.

The fat man laughed, his servants sprayed on with spit and food as he talked loudly for all to hear. "Incompetent animals. Can't even do your job properly. I should burn all of you as you stand!" He pointed at the other few slaves that surrounded him, they trembled where they stood, their eyes avoiding the man's eyes at all costs.

"That's father." Nolan whined in a bratty voice. "That must've been the third slave he disposed of today." She crossed her arms around her chest and pouted. "He promised to save one for me, but they're all so useless, he'll have to get rid of them before I get my turn." Nolan's brows were furrowed, her chin rippled as she was about to cry.

Haiden's stomach churned from the display, and more so from the young woman's reaction. She wasn't upset that a human just died, but that there would be none left for her to... dispose of. S

"I'm sure your father must've kept a few just for you." Maree said without one ounce of remorse or empathy.

Haiden's blood boiled as those words left Maree's mouth. For a moment he had forgotten that both Maree and Camila are of the same cloth as everyone else. Their disregard for slaves sickened Haiden to his core; the way they talked about them like they were objects, property that can be done with as the owner desires, just things that can be thrown away if no longer useful. But at least they had potential, he told himself, unlike the rest, they were his friends after all, they surely would listen to him and understand if he should to explain that slaves too are human lives, right? And yet he had always stood silent in multiple occasions as Maree and Camila brought the subject up

"Y-yeah," Haiden said, ashamed of himself. Not wanting to draw attention to himself, he had to say something that contradicted his beliefs.

"You really think so?" Nolan's face brightened up. "Oh, Creators, please make it so!"

Haiden's cheeks began to redden, he had gathered every drop of restraint he had in his body to not yell at his fellow Wielders. He clenched his fist tight, the white of his knuckles showed as his fingernails dug into his palm. Before he managed to lose all control a servant called from the back.

"Misters Wielder Nolan, it is time." The woman said bowing deeply.

"Well, I guess I have to go. Thank you Maree, Haiden. That really lifted up my spirit." Nolan said with a smile on her face, her Wielder cape flowing as she followed the woman.

Maree waited before she was well out of earshot before he said. "She's always been such a brat." He scoffed.

Haiden refrained for any further comment and preferred to change the subject. He took another look outside and saw Nolan coming out of an entrance, on the other side Vick awaited his opponent.

"It's starting!" Maree called out as he grabbed on the bars excitedly. "Look! There's the guests that Helena mentioned!" He pointed.

Haiden followed Maree's finger on a part of the stands that was cleared out and had an open tent with tables of food and comfortable sitting. They were surrounded by soldiers and Wielders on either side. A man dressed in simpler garb sat on a throne like chair, golden and gem encrusted, it was like a beacon in the bright light. His face looked bored as he leaned with his head in his hand. Flaking him, two men dressed in black Master Wielder robes chatted amongst each other, one with light brown hair that shined golden in the sun and the other one with dark hair tied in a neat ponytail at the nape. Haiden almost smashed against the metal bars as he recognized the latter.

"Danil!" He called out but the man was way out of reach and the screams of the spectators drowned his voice.

"What?" Maree turned to him confused. Haiden didn't repeat himself and Maree turned back to the show.

What is he doing here? Haiden asked, his mind's racing with thoughts. He felt the pull of the string, it was pointing straight to the tent.

I don't know. But they have the knowings. YOUR knowings. Screech replied, he was agitated and felt like he was pushing on Haiden's mental walls

He couldn't have! Haiden denied. No, it's impossible!

He must have. He has them.

Rage swelled within Haiden as he stared at the first man he saw when he woke up that was also his saviour. He looked exactly the same as back then. He was the one who helped Haiden regain his strength and will, that taught him how to read, that showed him his first spells. He couldn't quite get his mind wrapped around what this meant. It meant that Danil was the one who took his memories. He betrayed Haiden. Why? He kept asking himself. It doesn't make any sense. He helped me get my first memories! Why would he steal them?! He urged Screech mentally to answer.

I don't know. Some memories don't feel the same. Not you. Thems you. Your knowings. He pointed in Haiden's mind towards the tent.

Not me... Then who?! Whose memories are these? My parents. Haiden's flurry of emotions and confusion came to a halt. They aren't my parents. He came to a realization. He had never felt like he truly knew those people in his memories, the few he had. The nightmares, his own feelings it all clicked in this one moment. They're fake memories. Not mine. Mine were taken. He lifted his eyes to the stands, eyes shadowed by his rage as fire bubbled in his chest.

"Are you alright, Haid? You look like you're about to puke or something." Maree looked at Haiden with furrowed brows. He was concerned. "Don't tell me you're nervous too."

"Just a little." Haiden laughed nervously trying to not let his anger show. I have to go to him, Screech. I have to. He said in his mind then turned to Maree. "I think I'm going to take a breath of fresh air until it's my turn." And headed for the door but Maree quickly grabbed his hand.

"You can't. You can't leave this room before it's your turn. You'll be disqualified."

"What!? Why?" Haiden pulled his hand away.

"So you don't do anything unsportsmanlike, you know, like going behind someone's back and attacking them to take them out, or poisoning their food so they're in the lavatory all day."

Haiden cursed under his breath and sat back down, looking at the fight that was about to begin. The crowd screamed murder and chanted for blood. Even if he leaves after this ends, we can sense him, can't we?

Yes. Follow the bond. With that Haiden tried to relax and focus on the Trial.

"It's starting!" Maree said excitedly.

Headmistress Helena stood just at the edge of the cleared out stands on a podium. She was dressed in a long fitted gray dress that went up her neck flaring in a wide collar. The material of the dress was stoned with smokey stones that caught every ray of light.

"She's surely dressed to impress the guests." Maree noted. "Must be important."

"Thank you all for your attendance." Headmistress Helena began. The moment her voice booked over the Training pit every soul went silent and listened. "Today is a momentous occasion for the Academy of Elo'yn. One that will be remembered for many cycles to come and celebrated dearly. We take great pride to announce that His Radiance, The Imperial Majesty Ryel Ashanti has graced us all with his presence. We welcome you, your Supreme Divinity, Chosen of the Creators." She opened her arms and a great display of lights and colored fire shot out over the sky creating the emblem of the Empire for a brief moment. Haiden felt the vibrations of fios from both the Headmistress and the open tent. A strong barrier surrounded it like an impenetrable fortress.

"A momentous days that will go down in the history books of Elo'yn! Now, let us begin the Trials of strength. I ask the contenders to fully display their abilities. The rules are simple: The winner will be the one who pushes their opponent outside the arena by any means." The Headmistress stopped for the gasping and awes to stop. "And now, the first fight we have Nolan Reter'na, Wielder of the Academy against Vick Olander, Ashen of the Academy. Begin!" She boomed. '

Both Nolan and Vick assumed their positions. Immediately Haiden felt the barrier Nolan placed around herself. Vick ran towards the Wielder, defeat was apparent on his face. Nolan shot a few force blasts which Vick could have easily dodged or deflected with his sword. He swung it lazily, lacking the agility he showed during his fight with Maree. He allowed for one to hit him, sending him across the arena. He grunted as he fell on the hard stone. Nolan smirked as she quickly sent another wave, this time Haiden felt the increase in power, but Vick would have never expected it. It hit the Ashen with full force throwing him into the air. This was followed by a barrage that battered the man midair, pushing him down faster to the gravel outside the arena.

The crowd cheered as Nolan jumped up and down throwing cuss words at the fallen Ashen. Vick laid on the ground unmoving.

Maree clenched the metal bars, his face pressed flat between them. "Get up you fucking dickhead!" He yelled through, his brows darkened with worry as Master Coner and his assistant rushed to the Ashen. They immediately began healing him where he stood. Maree relaxed when Vick got up and limped towards the stands.

"That's so unfair." Haiden said between his teeth. Nolan was far from the best Wielder in his class. If Vick would have fought with his all she would not have stood a chance. He knew that, after he saw how he fought Maree.

"There's nothing he could've done. He can't go and hurt Nolan, even if was on the same social standing as her, he's unblessed and he knew that. At least he'll live." Maree said with a dead tone, he leaned back, withdrawing his face from the light. Over the past weeks, ever since their fight the young Wielder and the Ashen have grown closer, Vick even began respecting Maree and even joining in the dinner hall along with Tasgal and Kip. Haiden got to know Vick a little more and he came to like the man a little bit more than before.

"Then why did they even participate in the Trials?" Haiden asked as he watched the Headmistress getting ready to speak again.

"Pride, mostly." He replied. "I don't know.' He sighed and turned his head towards the arena again.

The Headmistress called for the next contenders, Malticia and Kip. Haiden looked for Camila through the stands. She was in the very first rows with a servant fetching her drinks as she watched. He couldn't tell what she was thinking from where he was, but he saw how they looked at eachother. It was just like how Tasgal looked at him in the privacy of his room.

The fight was just as fast. Haiden had never seen Kip fight for real, but he had seen the young man during training. He was incredibly fast, and his long thin blade zipped through the air with a flurry of stabs. He managed to avoid every hit from Malticia's icicle spell, the intricate design of the florets were flashy and elegant as they flew through the air, and she didn't shy away from burning herself out. Haiden felt her energy pour at incredible speeds to create thousands of ice florets, as sharp as a blade, pouring like rain towards Kip.

While he easily dodged and evaded her spell, he knew that he could not lay a hand on the young woman. He just evaded Malticia's spell as she cursed at him for not staying put. She quickly grew concerned and stopped.

The crowd yelled and screamed, they drowned what Kip had just said to Malticia but whatever it was it infuriated her. She snared at the Ashen warrior as she gathered every once of her energy into a single atac.

Haiden's mouth went instantly dry, his eyes began to water. The air around him resonated as Malticia pulled every ounce of water around the Training pit. It made it hard to breathe, the dry air was harsh on his lungs.

People began to scream as they pointed to the sky. A great shadow covered the Training pit arena. The area above the pit was covered in millions of icy blue florets ready to drop on the unfortunate soul that insulted her.

With a high pitched scream Malticia pushed both of her hands down with great resistance and the florets began to pour. They hit the ground with force in an explosion of ice and snow.

Kip began swinging his blade in repetitive motions, each hit targeting a different florette. The moment the sword touched the spell it dispelled into nothing. The shadow began to darken as the density of the attack grew and so did Kip's speed. For a few moments Kip disappeared from view being enveloped by countless fast projectiles that hit the ground with immense force.

The crowd went silent, waiting for the rain of icy blades to stop. The moment the last blade fell, the crowd gasped and cheered as Kip stood unharmed, with a circle around him that was untouched stone. The arena around Kip and Malticia was shattered and destroyed.

Malticia screamed and as she prepared another attack she slumped to the ground. Haiden could feel she had fully exhausted her Fios. Kip held his defense for a minute before he walked over to his feinted opponent. He simply picked her up and placed her outside the arena. The crowd booed as they hoped for blood.

"That was amazing!" Haiden's heart raced as he saw the display of power. Kip had played smart, very smart. He never knew he had it in him. He defeated his opponent without laying a hand on her. He found another way.

"Camila made the right choice." Maree added with a smirk. "Don't have to worry about her with him around."

"When did you have to worry about her. She always handled herself." Haiden laughed.

The next fight was between two unknown Ashen. Their fight was boring, but it lasted the most. They were a good match-up, equal in strength but in the end of them had more stamina and took advantage of his opponent's fatigue. Haiden was lost in thought, there were so many things happening at the same time, he had a hard time concentrating.

"Excuse me, Wielder Maree." The same woman who called Nolan approached. "It is time."

"Good luck!." Haiden managed to say as Maree stood up.

"Don't need it, watch and learn." Maree smirked and followed the woman into the shadows.