Chapter 9: Heartless

Tired from the night journey all three of them were sound asleep in morning.

Temperature became warmer as it was past 12 pm. Mrs. Felis knocked the door of room where Beatrice and Elaine were resting. Umid had already left the room.

Beatrice got up and opened the door while Elaine just sat on the bed still yawning and rubbing her eyes.

“It’s time, we have to go to the academy. Both of you can freshen up and get changed.” Mrs. Felis said.

“Alright” Beatrice smiled as the lady left.

“Hey Elaine, there’s a problem… I didn’t realize that I hadn’t packed any clothes with me, that bag I brought only has books.” Beatrice nervously said while leaning on the closed door.

“Haha, look who is careless now. Have mine, sure we can do preparations for later.” Elaine rummaged in her bag grabbed a black trouser with pockets and a dark blue long sleeved shirt and gave it to her.

“Ugh, these sleeves are so long, and trousers are so boyish.” Beatrice complained while rolling up the sleeves of the shirt.

“HUH? Shut it and wear it. It’s very comfortable.” Elaine said while taking her clothes in the bathroom, and came out in dark blue trousers, a grey shirt, and a blue jeans jacket over it.

Both of them came out in the hall where mayor was sitting with Umid who had already changed in new clothes. Black jeans, maroon t-shirt, and the same black sweater which he had on earlier.

“We should get going.” Mayor stood up from his chair and so did Umid.

“Is he going to come with us too?” Elaine glared at Umid .

“Is that an issue?” He walked up to her and glared back while his hands in pockets.

‘Ugh, not this again’ Beatrice thought to herself.

The three of them followed the mayor and they reached a huge gate. A clerk who was sweeping the grounds came and opened the gates.

“This is our training ground” Mayor said with a smile. Elaine and Beatrice watched with astonished faces. The ground was very huge, the surface was covered in fresh well-trimmed grass, at the end of grounds there stood a huge archaic mansion. It was horizontally long, with a second floor above. As they continued to walk, they passed a few students who were training with different kinds of weapons on the grounds.

They reached the huge door of the mansion and the mayor walked up the small steps made near the door and pulled a string beside it.

In no time the door opened with a creaking sound and a tall man around 6 ft who seemed to be in his late 40’s came out. He had a very strong build, short blond hair, a roughly trimmed beard and moustache, and sharp brown eyes.

“Greetings sir, as discussed earlier both of them have arrived.”

“This is miss Beatrice Drouet.” Mayor moved a bit aside while letting Beatrice introduce herself.

The man gave a stern gaze at Beatrice.

‘This man seems very strong I can feel a certain heaviness in air’ Beatrice thought to herself “Hello sir.” Beatrice nervously gave a slight bow.

“This is Sir Ethan the founder of this academy, and sir allow to introduce miss Elaine who as you know was taken in by Sage.” Mayor continued as Ethan stepped down from the steps and stood in front of Elaine while still glaring at her.

She looked at him in eyes and spoke.

“Greetings sir I –”

THUD before Elaine could speak further Ethan landed a straight kick in Elaine’s stomach and sent her sprawling onto the ground. It all happened so fast no one could process what had just happened. Almost immediately a crowd started surrounding them.

“AHHH HUHH HUH” Elaine pressed a hand on her stomach and grunted in pain.

“ELAINE!” Beatrice tried to go near her but Umid held her wrist tight.

Beatrice looked at him in anger, but he didn’t look at her and just watched the scene.

“SIR WHAT ARE YOU-” Mayor was cut off mid-sentence by Ethan as he raised his hand firmly “QUIET.” He came near Elaine as she got up shaking in pain and rubbed off the blood on her lips.

“(coughs) I am sorry did I offend you or something?” Elaine spoke in a low voice.

“ANSWER ME, WHY DID YOU COME HERE? WHAT DO YOU SEEK?”

‘THUD’ He lands another kick as she spits out blood and falls to the ground.

“NO WHAT ARE YOU DOING? STOPP!” Beatrice tries to reach her trying to free her hand from Umid.

“Let go of my hand Umid!”

“Wait.” Umid said while looking at Elaine.

Elaine shakes with effort as she tries to stand up while coughing. Some flashes appear in front of her eyes as she recollects hidden memories. The whole crowd gasps as she finally straightens herself.

“I SAID ANSWER ME!”

“I (coughs) I want to save people it’s… it’s my dream I don’t want someone else to go through what I had to; I could DIE for it.”

Once she finishes her sentence ‘THUD’ Ethan lands another kick to her and she falls to the ground motionless.

“NO… WHY ARE U DOING THIS???” Tears flow down Beatrice’s eyes as she looks at Elaine and remembers her grandmother and mother’s dead bodies and the pool of blood that surrounded them.

Ethan bends down and picks Elaine up by her collar.

“You are a foolish girl. IF YOU CANNOT SAVE YOURSELF, YOU ARE NOT WORTHY TO SAVE OTHERS! You can’t even stand mere three kicks and you talk about saving people? I respect Sage but he is wrong. You ARE NOT WORTHY”

Ethan puts her down and turns back to enter the mansion.

“GO back home”

“WAIT! (Coughs) I CAN stand...” Elaine had stumbled up; she was wobbling as she continued.

“If I am not worthy THEN MAKE ME!” Elaine took all her strength to scream a loud.

“I know I do not meet your expectations (coughs) but… but I am sure of one thing. YOU CAN MAKE ME WORTHY! Please... just give me a chance…”

Ethan was taken aback by her words, and he smiled a bit . ‘You win this bet Sage’ he thought to himself.

“FINE, you can train here, show me what you can do in the trails.”

Even though Elaine was in pain she gave a big smile and said in loud voice.

“YOU WONT REGRET –” Elaine suddenly lost her consciousness and was about to fall but was suddenly supported by Umid.

He was fast, Beatrice didn’t even realize when he left her side and came in the scene. She rushed near Elaine and gave her support. The crowd faded away and Sir Ethan went back in mansion.

“Hey, El? Can you hear me?” Beatrice was crying she felt as if the past was repeating itself.

“Don’t worry it’s just a concussion she will be alright. No one could ever withstand Sir Ethan’s three kicks. She has already proved herself worthy.” Umid said in small voice while he placed his hand on Beatrice’s shoulder.

But Beatrice slapped Umid’s hand away.

“DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH ME and Stay away of BOTH of us, Elaine was right. You are a Heartless monster .”

Umid widened his eyes but didn’t say anything, just stepped away.

Beatrice wiped her tears and got up supporting Elaine as a lady clerk came to help her, Mayor came behind them.

“Take her to the medical room it’s just at left.” Mayor said and Beatrice followed the instructions.

Chapter ends

Writer : Manasa