Chapter 290: Life Isn’t Worth Living Anymore…

Chapter 290: Life Isn’t Worth Living Anymore...

The dark energy rattled at Beatrixs touch and exploded outward in a flower of indigo spikes. A spike shot out into her hand with a painful icy grip. She cried in agony and fell back. She rolled on the floor as her body seized up. Her mana flow fell into complete disarray as the freezing sensation spread across her body.

Stryg slowly sat up and pushed himself to his feet. He walked over to the wheezing Beatrix and stared down at her, his lilac eyes alight in a soft glow.

Beatrix looked up in sheer terror.

W-what a-are y-you!? she gasped with chattering teeth. Her lungs felt as if they would freeze over.

The Ebon Aspirant bared his small fangs and smiled wide. There was no warmth in his eyes. Beatrix frantically tried to crawl away but her limbs had gone stiff.

The Aspirant reached down and pulled the orc up by her black hair. She grimaced and cried out weakly. He narrowed his gaze and looked her over as she dangled helplessly from his hand.

The Aspirant raised his other hand and wrapped his fingers around her throat. He squeezed down slowly and watched the air seep out from her strangled breaths. His sharp claws dug into her red flesh with ease. Blood trickled down his fingers and filled his nostrils with the scent of iron. It would be so easy to squeeze down on her slim neck, like snapping a twig underneath ones boot.

The orc wheezed a quiet rattled noise, the last wisp of air escaping her pale lips. Gone were the pride and confidence she had marched into the arena with. Gone were the taunts and mocking remarks. Gone was the anger raging beneath her calm demeanor. All he saw now was the fear in her amber eyes.

Beatrix stared at him with panicked eyes and saw her reflection mirrored in his lilac irises. She froze and her listless movements wilted to a halt.

The Aspirant didnt understand. Where was her rage? Where was her anger at her defeat? Where was her fear of death?

She bit her lip and closed her eyes tight. A single tear slipped down the side of her red cheek.

Then he saw it. What he hadnt before. Frustration. A frustration born from the inability to do the one thing everyone expected of her and the dull acceptance of knowing that she never would live up to those expectations.

How had he not noticed it before? He had seen the same expression staring back at him countless times in his own reflection.

He pulled her in close, his hand still wrapped around her neck, her limp feet dragging on the sand. What am I? he whispered her question back to himself.

Am I a Shield to my friends?

Am I an Ebon Aspirant to the Realm?

Right now he felt like neither. All he felt was

Stryg smiled, satisfied, and with a quiet methodic cadence, he whispered, I am the son of Blood Fang and the father of Ebon Hollow... I am Stryg and I see you, Beatrix Morrigan.

Her eyes slowly opened wide.

Stryg released his grip and lowered her to the ground. He glanced up at the Heralds Tower looming over the coliseum and looked up at them expectantly.

I-IT SEEMS THAT BEATRIX DAI-MORRIGAN IS UNABLE TO FIGHT ON. THE VICTORY GOES TO STRYG OF TEAM HOLLOW SHADE! Jane Stemme announced.

~~~

Stryg dragged his feet through the southern tunnel underneath the coliseum. Even from down here, he could still hear the roaring cheers of the crowds in the stands up above. Many cheered for Hollow Shade, but there were some who cheered his name over and over. Stryg couldnt stop his lips from curling ever so slightly.

He stumbled and placed his hand on the wall to steady himself. He sighed and continued on his way to his teams training room.

Whatever clarity spell Beatrix had cast on his body had left him feeling woozy. After a minute, though it seemed more like an hour, he reached the training rooms door and knocked once.

The door swung wide open and slammed into the wall. Sylvie stood in the doorway, hands on her hips, and a glower expression on her face.

You didnt use the dagger I picked out for you, she said in a miffed voice.

What? Oh, right, Stryg said slowly and glanced at the dagger still in its sheath and strapped around his thigh.

Sylvie, move out of the way. Give the boy a moment to breathe before you grill him about his inadequate footwork and whatnot, Ismene called out.

But his footwork did falter, several times, actually, Sylvie grumbled.

Give him pointers later. Move now, Ismene slammed her cane into the floor.

Fiiine, Sylvie moaned and moved out of the way.

Stryg smiled half-heartedly at her strange disappointment. His classmates and professors, save Loh and Vayu, were already waiting for him in the room. Stryg had made it clear he didnt want to see Loh and she had respected his wishes. Vayu on the other hand seemed to still be guilt-ridden over accidentally spilling the secrets he had held on tightly for so many years. No one had seen him leave his room in days.

Three cheers for todays victor! Tauri hollered.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Sylvie shrugged, Im just saying, it looked like you were about to kill that girl, and then you suddenly stopped. Why?

Stryg closed his eyes and sighed, She reminded me of someone

Is that it? Sylvie burst into laughter. I thought you were the pragmatic one of our team. When did you get so sentimental?

Stryg opened his mouth, but he didnt know what to say.

Tauri walked over and placed her hand over Strygs shoulder, His choice to spare her was the logical one. The Morrigans hold very close familial ties with House Katag. If Stryg had killed her it would have placed a lot of strain on our families alliance.

Stryg said nothing, but he sent her a grateful glance. Tauri winked.

Oh, I guess that makes sense. You gotta keep the alliances up, Sylvie nodded to herself. But you gotta admit, a bit of conflict would be interesting too, no? Spice things up, am I right?

No, not really, Callum said dryly.

Tauri, get your hand off Strygs shoulder. I cant read Strygs flow like this, Ismene said bluntly.

Oh, right, sorry, Tauri said and took a step back.

Yes, I too agree, Lady Ismene, Cornelius nodded vigorously. Miss Tauri should not lay her delicate hand on one of her students.

Now youre just making it weird, Tauri said distastefully.

Cornelius raised his hands up and spoke with an innocent voice, All Im saying is that a young man like Stryg might get the wrong idea if someone as beautiful as yourself were to touch his naked body. He might not be able to control his urges.

Stryg isnt naked, he just has his shirt off, Tauri frowned. And hes engaged to my sister.

Even still, you never know what is going through an adolescents mind, Cornelius whispered. One second they take their shirt off and the next thing you know they're stark naked and are about to pounce on you!

Is that so? Tauri raised her eyebrow in disbelief.

Cornelius straightened his back and swept a hand over his stylized hair, It truly is. I myself have come across several young women who just saw me and began to rip off their clothes and throw themselves at me. But I resisted! I did indeed resist their seductive charms and emerged unscathed because I am an honorable aristocrat above all!

How heroic, Tauri said sarcastically.

Cornelius did not notice her tone and went on with a proud voice, Your words, not mine, Miss Tauri. But yes, it was quite heroic. I do pray that you never find yourself in such a similar situation. Im afraid there is no young man who would be able to resist your beauty and charm.

Your flattery has not gone unnoticed, Tauri said dryly.

I simply speak the honest truth. Just look at Stryg, he already has his shirt off from merely being in your presence. Imagine what might happen if you stay any longer. Hed strip down to nothing and then I shudder to think what he might do next. Come, Miss Tauri, let us leave this place, you and I, and go somewhere much more peaceful. Perhaps a restaurant? Some dinner to soothe your worries?

...Does Does this work on any woman youve ever met? Tauri asked, flabbergasted.

I dont quite understand, Cornelius smiled widely.

I have already been naked in a room with Tauri and she still seems fine, Stryg said.

WHAT!? Cornelius screeched.

Oh, now you decide to finally speak up? Tauri rolled her eyes. And thats so out of context, Stryg.

Stryg shrugged, Fine, let me clarify; there was another naked woman in the room too, she was lying in bed with me after we had sex.

Thats not what I meant, dammit! Tauri yelled angrily, her face redder than usual.

Cornelius fell to his knees, his face aghast. Life isnt worth living anymore

Stryg, stop moving! Ismene snapped.

I cant tell if Cornelius is being overly dramatic or if we should strap him down before he hurts himself, Callum said.

My bet is on Tauri hurting him first, Freya said.

So did Stryg and Professor Tauri do it or not? Sylvie furrowed her brow.

You know, Callum looked at Stryg and Tauri arguing with each other, I really dont know.