Of Heroes And Villains (Book 4) (19 page)

“I don’t want you to hold back,” James said, his eyes steady and focused. “Not one bit. Strike me down if you have to. You have my full permission. Everyone here is a witness.”

“I don’t want to strike you down.”

“We’ll see if you feel that way in a moment.” James lunged forward, and Bastion lost track of the Master Sage. At the last second, he sensed him. He took a step back and swung his eidolon upwards, to parry James’ blow. Their eidolons clashed once more, but this time, James kept up the assault. He slashed and jabbed at Bastion with blinding speed, getting faster upon each strike, to the point that Bastion was on full defense. Stepping backwards and barely parrying each blow, he knew it was only a matter of time before he was hit, and he didn’t want to know what would happen if that occurred. He had already hurt Daisy because of his unfamiliarity with pain.

“COME ON!” James screamed, reaching forward with his left hand, and enclosing it over Bastion’s fist and hilt. Bastion’s eyes widened as James swung his sword down toward his wrist, aiming to sever it completely. A booming sound echoed throughout the room, and suddenly, Bastion was behind James, out of the Master Sage’s grip, and in his full, black Sage robe. The students were in shock, but no one more than James.

“No light to transform?” James asked in wonder, as he turned to continue his attack. But Bastion was on the offensive now. Bastion leapt in the air and brought down his blade onto James’ white eidolon. A crack echoed throughout the room, and James grit his teeth. He summoned the pillar of light. Because they weren’t outside, it was like the light had burst out from within him. Bastion sensed it was coming though, and instead of being blinded, he lunged forward. The Gladius grazed James’ left side, just as the Master Sage’s transformation was completed. His robe was ripped as soon as it appeared.

James jumped back and gained his composure. He cracked his neck and stared down at the small line of blood seeping from the rip in his robe. He looked up at Bastion and smiled, but the young Sage was not paying much attention. He was crouched low, keeping his sword held sideways in the air, as he waited for his teacher to make the next move. James cracked his neck again.

“Just so you know,” James said. “I’ve got a lot more left in me. You’ll have to do better than that.” He placed his left hand over his right rib this time, and a hilt emerged. He grabbed it and yanked it from his body. It was a black sword, rippling like the Quietus’ skin. Bastion’s eyes studied it meticulously. This sword was different. It was faster, stronger, hungrier…it had its own urges that needed satisfying. James’ demeanor became less playful as he gripped the two eidolons tight. Bastion grit his teeth, and then James made a move.

He was behind Bastion, then the side, then in front, then behind. Bastion’s eyes struggled to keep up, and soon he grew tired of the game. He slashed forward, and James exploited the opening. He ducked under Bastion’s swing, and then sprung up with both eidolons aimed forward. The blades both pierced Bastion in the chest and sent him skyward. James stuck out his foot, placed it on Bastion’s stomach and then pushed, shoving the young Sage off the blades and onto the hard floor.

Bastion rolled a few times, and then he sprung back to his feet. He held out his Gladius, and at will, its surface widened. Bastion infused it with more energy, and James just watched, with a bored expression on his face.
Fine!
Bastion shouted within himself.
If he wants to take this far, so be it!

He had never let go before. Not willingly. But he knew how to. It was easy to give in. He just quieted his conscience and shoved his inhibitions to the side. That feeling of bloodlust and anger that he struggled with daily—he let it rise to the surface, and instead of denying it, he embraced it. It was a strange feeling. It was like a fire in the pit of his stomach. He knew he was about to do something bad, but he did nothing to put the flames out. He let the rage take over, until he didn’t see James anymore. He just focused his sight on that black sword, that representation of his oppressors.

He saw it ripple, and his thoughts brought him back to Quietus again. He had the Quietus by the neck. All he had to do was squeeze. Just a little bit of pressure.
CRUSH IT!

Something snapped within him, and he found his legs sprinting forward.

James saw Bastion coming. He made no attempt at speeding up. Instead, he walked forward slowly. He slashed at James hard, each swing a killing blow. James dodged the blows easily, but then Bastion switched tactics, and opted for speed over strength. Appearing behind his teacher, Bastion jumped on James’ back, grabbing his robes with his left hand and raising his Gladius overhead with his right. James reached back, grabbed Bastion by the collar and threw him off.

Bastion landed on his feet, and suddenly, he was back on James’ back again, performing the same motion. James reached back, but then Bastion was in front of him, plunging his Gladius through the Master Sage’s abdomen. James clutched the Gladius’ surface to pull it out, but he only sliced the palm of his hand in the process. He swung at Bastion with his white eidolon and it shattered as soon as its edge hit the side of Bastion’s face. Bastion flinched, but he refused to let go of the Gladius. He twisted, and James clenched his jaw. He tried to grab Bastion’s eidolon with his now free hand, but Bastion quickly grabbed his fist and crushed it. James cried out in pain, but it registered no emotion from Bastion.

Bastion was a lot stronger than he had anticipated. He didn’t want to use
that
in order to beat him
.
But what choice did he have? The boy was
killing him.

James began transforming immediately, hoping to complete it before Bastion decided to do more than just twist the blade. As soon as his dark liquid like skin appeared, he noticed that Bastion immediately began to back off. The young Sage ripped his eidolon from James’ abdomen and began taking steps back cautiously. With a concerned look on his face, he let James continue.

James fell down on all fours and tried to complete his Quietus form as fast as he could. He still kept the black sword held firmly in his left hand. Once the change was complete, he roared at Bastion with all he could muster, scaring the young Sage back even further.

It was disconcerting and almost nauseous going back into full Quietus form. He knew all too well the urges that Bastion spoke of, except it seemed like he had a greater handle on it. If it wasn’t for how he looked, reminding Bastion of his past, he was sure that he would have been killed. In hindsight, the transformation could have easily caused a reverse reaction. He was glad it hadn’t.

James ran forward and dove toward the young Sage, who held up his Gladius in terror. There was no offense this time. The threat appeared over.

Bastion’s Gladius disappeared, and James halted his approach. Groaning and refocusing on reverting back, he wasn’t paying attention when Bastion had lunged at him. The young Sage tackled him to the ground and they went into a roll, punching and clawing at each other furiously.

James prolonged the battle no longer. A scythe emerged from each of his forearms, and he began slashing away at Bastion’s midsection. Eventually, Bastion must have started feeling the pain, because he rolled off James and scurried off to the side. With a hand covering his abdomen, sopping with blood, his eyes began to lose its intensity. James began reversing the transformation, after seeing Bastion nearly topple over from vertigo.

“I’m sorry,” Bastion winced, falling down to one knee. He gave James a smile. “At least we know that we can spar together.”

“Definitely,” James said, even though his mind was blaring with alarms.
I nearly died
, he realized.
But I can’t tell him that. He won’t stay here otherwise.
James turned to the students as he slowly healed his wounds.

“We’re done for today,” he said to them. His breath was short. “But I hope you have seen just how strong each of you can become. There is no difference between Bastion and you. He’s just had more time to work on his abilities.”

Bastion shot him a concerned gaze. That statement wasn’t true at all.

“I want to speak with Bastion alone for now, but I want each of you to check out the dorms. It’s first come, first serve, so choose your rooms and bunkmates wisely. Talia’s group should be heading there now as well. She’ll explain the dining hall schedule, and what else you can do tonight. More information will follow tomorrow.”

The students began leaving, but they could barely take their eyes off of Bastion. Bastion watched as the students gazed at him with admiration in their eyes. Even when he met their glance, they would turn their head back, only to steal a few more looks. He didn’t like the feeling. It made him squirm. When all of the students were out the room, James took a deep breath and rubbed his neck.

“I have to tell you,” James laughed. “I haven’t had a fight that intense in a long time.”

“You lied to them,” Bastion scowled, turning to face his teacher. “You lied to me.”

“What do you mean?”

“You told them that they were like us. That’s not true at all.” Bastion’s jaw was clenched tight as he pointed at the entrance to the hall. “This is not like before. There is no secret quest or mission that you’re preparing us for. I understood why Arimus kept that a secret back then. Even if he told every infantryman the mission, and he told them to stay back in Allay, they all would have went anyways. Arimus needed Sages, not liabilities. That made sense, but you’re just lying needlessly. They are not like us.”

“They can be, if only—“

“—stop lying!” Bastion screamed at him. “The only reason you’re even still alive is because of the genetics in your blood. That Quietus blood kept you safe, and that same blood is what makes you the strongest warrior in Allay. Without it, you would just be another Sage.”

“Hey, now—“

“—and we cannot fight each other,” Bastion huffed. “Once my head cleared some more, I sensed it all too well. I almost killed you back there. If it wasn’t for me being afraid, I would probably be in chains right now.”

“It’s true,” James admitted with a heavy sigh. “If we fought again, you would surely win.”

“Then why pretend like there’s something there when it’s not? I get it…I’m different. I can’t even spar with someone without losing it and hurting them. But what I can’t accept is the lies. What were you trying to do? Keeping me close so I wouldn’t quit the Academy? So I wouldn’t become something other than what you want?”

“Bastion, listen, I’m sorry. I really am.” James placed his hands on the young Sage’s shoulders. “I’m new to this too. I’m sorry if I lied to you. I just wasn’t sure how you would take it.”

“You have to be real with me. What if I hadn’t sensed how weak you were afterwards? We would have sparred again in the future, and you could have died. Just…tell me straight. If I ever become something that the Master Sages fear, just put me down. It might be better that way.”

“No one’s going to put you down,” James frowned. “Why would you think like that?”

“Because I’m dangerous. Why else would Catherine allow me to live in the castle?”

“Because she cares,” James said truthfully. “And she knows that you’ll do better not being surrounded by so many people. Not to mention that you will be someone people look up to someday, whether you like it or not. You may get quiet and secretive like Kyran, but they will still admire you. You won’t be able to escape the fame after they find out what lies within you, and especially not after a day like this.”

Bastion stared at James, trying to figure out what his true motives were, but he was unable to get a read through his warm smile and innocent demeanor. All he knew, was that he wasn’t so sure he could trust him anymore, which was terrible, because he already didn’t respect him that much as a Master Sage.

“So what do we do now?” Bastion asked, turning away from his teacher.

“We can train. I have an idea of how we can manage it too.”

“I think…I’ll pass for now. I’m sorry.”

“Bastion, you can’t just give up based on one incident. I’m the only one that you can spar with in Allay, and I know you’re not the type to go looking for trouble. Just give me another chance.”

“I’ll think about it,” Bastion said, giving him a weak smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He turned and walked away, leaving James with a heavy heart.

James sighed. It was only the first day, and already the harsh truth was right in his face: he wasn’t Arimus. Already he had made a couple of decisions that had setback his progress with Bastion, and he wasn’t sure how to rectify it. He would have to take it slow and regain his trust. It was the only way. The last thing he wanted was for Bastion to think he was just a weapon of the Kingdom. That wasn’t it at all. He just wanted to help the young Sage find his purpose and place in the world, and he knew how hard that was.

Zhou marched into the room and saluted James. James saluted back and started walking forward to meet him half-way.

“How’s your group?” James asked, and Zhou shook his head.

“They need work. Lots of training.”

“Well, it doesn’t come as natural to all of us like it does with you.”

“Speaking of, how’s the boy?”

“You mean, Bastion?”

“Hmm.”

“I made a couple mistakes, but it was a necessary risk. I sparred with him in front of the class. Did a great job of inspiring them, but not so much Bastion. He knows he can beat me.”

“That’s a lot of weight to put upon his shoulders so soon,” Talia said, walking into the room. “You shouldn’t speak so loudly. The students are still exploring the halls.”

“Who’s watching them?”

“Arimus and his Ashalynn. They relieved me. The Quietus want to talk.”

“And Hakin thought it was necessary for all of us to be there?”

“Apparently, it’s to be a very serious meeting. The Queen’s orders.”

“Then we better not dawdle then. Let’s go.”

Chapter 14 – Old Weapons

Bastion was the last to choose his room, not that there were any distinguishable differences between them. Each room had two sets of bunk beds, furnished with a bright red comforter and an immaculate, white pillow. There were no ladders, so he assumed those on the top bunk had to jump. There was a window in each room that let the sunlight pour in, and the walls were all painted a pastel blue. There was a small carpet in the center with the picture of a Terr’s face, and there were four small, tabletop desks, two on each side of the walls. It was so plain that it hurt to look at.