Chapter 28 - part 1

Back in the shadowy underground of the training pit, Haiden moved slowly, unsure of what had just happened. He was prepared to fight with his all against Danil to take back what was rightfully his, what he had taken away from him, but the man simply gave them back. He couldn't understand the reason behind Danil's actions and what was even more of a mystery to him was why had he done it in the first place.

Slight sensations of familiarity with the darkness began to bloom in his heart. Flashes of the sky, blinding lights and scents flew through his mind. The memories began to unfurl deep in his consciousness. He tried to focus on one particular smell, of field flowers and something warm. That scent that drove him crazy with questions of doubt, a scent that lingered even after his loss of memories. But why? Why was this so important to him? He thought back at Regor as his heart still ached for the loss, Haiden had thought that he was the first to introduce him to this wonderful warm aroma that enveloped him in a tight embrace of calm. He wasn't the first, and he wasn't the last. His mind went to Tasgal as their first meeting the man emanated the scent through every pore of his being, just like Regor, just like...someone else. Someone important that lingered on the very top of his subconsciousness waiting to be revealed now that his memories are back. Haiden contemplated on the thought as he walked mindlessly through the dark winding ways until he servant grabbed his shoulder.

This was the first interaction ever since he came to the Academy in which a servant had touched him. Take a bit aback his head snapped at the man in simple robes, his short dark hair seemed dusted and his skin pale.

"My apologies Wielder, I have been sent to fetch you by the GrandMaster Headmistress Vice." The man began, his head bowed avoiding eye contact at all costs. "The last fight of the Trial of strength must commence immediately. Your opponent is waiting, Wielder."

"Right." Haiden shook away his train of thought. "Take me to the arena,..." He waited for the man to reveal his name but he remained silent. The servant turned around and marched ahead at an alert pace. Haiden broke in a light jog to catch up. The pressure on his mind increased as the memories as a few more pieces revealed themselves to him.

Lock the knowings away! Screech boomed in his mind, urging Haiden to follow Danil's advice. He was certain he felt it too. He must have also felt Haiden's desire to keep them out in the open, to find out what the scent meant, and most importantly who he was. His stomach tightened as wished the answer to the latter would slip up to the surface, but nothing came. With disappointment he envisioned the heavy door behind which he placed everything that Danil gave back and closed it shut.

There. He told Screech, wishing he could've had a bit more time before he had to lock them away.

Focus on the fight. Not want to go back to the other side.

"We won't." Haiden said out loud without realizing.

"I beg your pardon, Wielder?" The servant looked over his shoulder.

"I said I'm ready." Haiden lied. The servant nodded and opened a pair of wooden doors that Haiden didn't notice. Light spilled through, blinding him momentarily then revealing the stone arena in the center of the pit. Bras was already waiting on the other side, visibly unhappy.

The moment Haiden stepped out of the protection of the darkness the crowd began to boo and shout at him curses and vile things that made his skin crawl. Calling him names and for the Creators to strike him down where he was. He tried to push through and ignore them but they were incredibly loud.

Bras waited with an annoyed look on his face as Haiden climbed on the arena and took his spot.

The crowd went silent when the Headmistress raised her hands. She didn't look happy either.

"Finally you have decided to join us. Without any further delay let the final battle begin." The moment she put her hands down the mass of people watching closely burst into another round of cheering and cursing.

Haiden bent his knees slightly and quickly shielding himself with a strong barrier. Are you ready? He asked Screech.

Yes! Let's crush him. Haiden felt the eagerness in his voice. It would have been a lie if he said he didn't share the same feelings as Screech. His heart raced as the thought of finally knocking some sense into Bras settled in.

Haiden watched his opponent's every move carefully. Bras had already raised a barrier around him, though Haiden felt it was nowhere near as powerful as his. The static from his own spell was strong so he had to be more attentive than usual.

It was hard to focus with all the racket and Haiden tried to tune it out, but it was almost impossible with the constant pressure on his mind from the memories. Even behind the locked door, he still felt their presence.

Focus. Remember what the old man said. Screech warned. Haiden gave a quick nod and locked eyes with Bras.

"Well, come on." Bras called out, a sickening wide smirk slashed his face. His green eyes were darkened by the sun, but Haiden could see the evil glint in them. "What are you waiting for, nobody? Too scared or what?" He laughed.

Haiden ignored the taunt. He was better than that. He waited patiently for Bras to make the first move.

"Answer me, Yeva'Ah!" Bras shouted from the top of his lungs. Gasps escaped the crowd as they heard the word leave his lips. Whispers overcame the stands as people began to talk in a hushed voice, scared of the Order.

Haiden's heart sank to his stomach and fear began to creep through his legs giving them a slight tremble. He peaked at the crowd hoping that Tasgal was there, watching and praying for him. He didn't reply back which infuriated Bras. Grinding his teeth he groaned in annoyance.

"Very well, Yeva'Ah. I will give you the painful death you deserve." Bras screamed from the top of his lungs. Haiden felt the build-up of Fios around both of his hands, he was ready for whatever Bras had in store for him.

With a swing of his arm Bras threw a massive force blast at the stone at Haiden's feet shattering it in an explosion of debris. His other arm followed immediately in another explosion.

Sharp stones bounced off his shield, while others went straight for the crowd. Were it not for the Masters of the Academy raising a barrier within seconds the people standing over the common area would have been wiped by a shower of stone blades and debris.

Haiden gritted his teeth at Bras' lack of care for others. He extended his hand and with a swipe, the stones Bras created from his attack pulled towards him flowing in a swarm around him, creating a while of stones. Haiden began shooting a barrage of stones at Bras' shield. He put great force behind each and every one of them. They slowly chipped away at his barrier but it was not enough. His opponent was feeding it constant Fios, he needed something more.

Not wanting to waste any more time, Haiden dropped the pebbles and sent his Fios through the arena. Following Bras' example he sent a wave of sharp spikes, manipulating the stone to his will. He had yet to perfect the matter manipulation spell, it was crude just like Bras' back then but it did the job. The spikes penetrated the barrier destroying it completely.

Bras had managed to dodge getting hit, but it left Haiden with an opening. He quickly formed a multitude of icicles, modeling them into the sharpest spears he could and sending them flying towards the exposed Wielder.

His opponent regained his footing and swiped at the icicles and spikes releasing a force blast that shattered everything in sight into dust. Stone and ice alike. The blast hit Haiden pushing him a few feet away.

Bras began to laugh as Fios pooled around Haiden. There was too much to gauge the intent behind the spell but the air began to taste different and his breath hardened. By that time it was too late for Haiden to react as his eyes bulged when a cascade of flames engulfed him. If it weren't for his barrier he would have been burnt black to a crisp. It poured all around him increasing the temperature within his barrier and sweat glistened on his forehead.

It was a futile attempt from Bras to play the same trick Maree did with his Ashen opponent. Haiden was a Wielder after all and he managed to cool off the air around him with a simple tweaked heat cloak, but that was not Bras' intention. His vision was now obstructed by the flames and the constant Fios around him made it hard for him to feel the static of the spells. He closed his eyes trying to see with his mind the energy of Bras' next attack but it was useless as the energy already around him blinded him.

He could hear the screams of the crowd through the roar of the flames. He was definitely preparing something.

Haiden decided to take another approach and expanded his barrier and concentrated his energy outward. The barrier opened to let the flames in and they got sucked up inside taking the form of a vortex towards Haidens opened palms. The flames condensed into a ball of white flames, sucking everything around him until he regained his vision of the arena.

He saw Bras smirking. He hadn't moved an inch, but above him floated a sea of glowing blades of energy, the shine of which darkened the sky above. Haiden took a step back in shock.

The ball of condensed fire he was holding began to tremble as it was losing integrity. Without a second's thought he shot the ball towards Bras, exploding around him in a tornado of orange and black fire.

The energy blades remained in the sky letting him know that Bras was untouched. The fire dimmed almost instantly and Bras laughed.

"Is that all, nobody?" He taunted in a baby voice. "Let me show you how it's done." He began to laugh while raising a hand to the sky. He waited for a second to savour the moment, meanwhile Haiden prepared his barrier adding the technique he learned from Camila. Miniscule vortexes embedded within the barrier, strengthened it against any penetrative force while turning it into an offense opportunity as well. He poured all the energy he could until Bras dropped his hand towards Haiden, pointing at him with his index.

A shining blade of energy came down loudly in the blink of an eye. It cut through the air as it moved releasing a piercing scream that lasted seconds.

Haiden tried to move out of the way but it was too fast, even with the strengthened barrier it penetrated cleanly through and grazed his arm. He screamed in pain as blood dripped down his arm. Screech felt the pain and he was restless in his mind.

Close it! Quick! He told Haiden. Before he could do anything else Bras raised another hand and sent a shower of energy blades towards Haiden. All he could think of was to raise another barrier which was useless against the attack, the blades would slice right through it. His heart pounded in his chest as he saw the raining lights come down around him first plunging smoothly in the stone arena as if butter, the next ones surely to hit.