CAMADA'S POINT OF VIEW.
My heart makes a drumming sound against my ribs.
-I am barely controlling the urge to puke-
I curl up in concealment under the overturned cart even more, my sword flanked to the side.
I shouldn't feel guilty, after all, I'm the only one with a serious injury on my shoulder.
-These aren't the usual beasts that are defeated by a single strike, nope- these creatures are unpredictable, intelligent and crazy strong-
"Charge at once!" Taki's voice, normally confident and commanding is altered by exhaustion.
I hold my breath as I peep out;
Struggling to properly manipulate the plants around her, she is barely keeping the beasts surrounding her at bay.
The rest of my colleagues aren't doing any better;
-Mage Grant instructed us to take charge over a sudden beast attack in a village, we were given weapons since we've not yet learnt to properly harness our abilities, and if things got out of hand, then he would send reinforcements; well, I think it's about time-
My eyes span across the battlefield, to sum it up, the small village has been turned upside down.
-At least we managed to evacuate the villagers-
Also, nobody seems to be using their weapons, they are rather relying on their abilities;
Sesugh is pushing back against a creature with his forcefields; a rather futile attempt if you ask me.
Meanwhile, Yal continuously splashes water harmlessly at a creature, all his attempt seems to do is to irk the creature.
Infact, the only person who seems to be doing something right is;
-Rave-
Instead of manipulating his ability, he is utilising a rather obnoxious looking axe to hack across the beasts.
He rams his axe into creatures as if it's some sort of dance for him;
-Twirling, spinning, swaying; elegantly evading beast's attacks, and yet finding enough momentum to hurl his own strikes at them-
Purple blood splatters all around;
-During Screenings, the creatures we faced off had red blood-
His axe is blurred in motion as he darts round, battering into the creatures.
-However, exhaustion is telling on him as his pace slows remarkably-
I simply cannot move;
-It's like I've been frozen solid, and every instinct is telling me to remain hidden-
The beasts I barely defeated during the Screenings are nothing compared to these creatures that have swiftly turned this atmosphere into a maelstrom of doom.
I peep out again just in time to see a creature quite close to my hiding spot, dragging up someone.
If I don't do anything, then...
-I count to three-
Then I dart out of my hiding spot.
I run towards the creature, my sword raised and a dramatic cry on my lips.
-JAB!-
The weapon barely grazes the beast's back, yet it shatters into bits upon collision with the monster's tough skin.
The thing turns to me whilst dropping the other person.
It bounds up to me, towering over me;
-I gulp hard and flee-
CAMADA'S POINT OF VIEW END.
HYDE'S POINT OF VIEW.
"You may look thin and bony but you sure have a lot of energy don't you?..."
I turn to see Faria staring down at me as I chop the tree trunk into a log with my prosthetic arm.
-Lord Fenice taught me that my arm can be morphed into an incredibly sharp axe-sword with the right amount of energy-
I stand upright and wipe the sweat off my forehead;
-I may be thin and bony but I have a lot of experience when it comes to menial tasks-
I feel Faria's strange eyes regard me;
-This is the first time since Lord Fenice came that she's spoken to me-
She sighs heavily and sits on a large stump and looks up at the sky meditatively;
-She seems deep in thought-
"Hyde, if you really wanted to then why didn't you just do it?"
She questions suddenly;
-I can't make sense out of her words-
"I mean, why didn't you try striking Lord Fenice?" she clarifies.
A small gasp escapes my mouth;
"I...I don't think I'd be alive right now if I had done that" I mutter, she smiles;
"Yep"
She stands up;
"Tomorrow we're raiding the city to get some food items"
I nod as I turn back to chopping the wood, but I still feel her presence.
Just before she leaves she turns back;
"Do you ever think you'd rather have died?"
-What is with Faria's questions today?-
"No I don't..." I mutter simply.
She nods in approval;
"Good, you've gotta have that will to live in this business" she winks at me before skipping away.
I can't make sense about what she said but it's not like I can do anything about it.
I strike at what's remaining of the trunk.
HYDE'S POINT OF VIEW END.
THE HOODED ONE'S POINT OF VIEW.
-I have probably ignored the knocks too long-
The steady rams become intrusive pounds, and distract my studying immensely.
I exhale deeply;
Snapping my fingers, the door is thrown open and Zael stands there looking as sour as a drenched cat.
My frown turns to a grin as he charges in with grumbles.
"I've cleared out the weeds from your Petunia garden..." he rumbles.
I bob my head;
"That's excellent Zael, now let me go see for myself, the product of your endless labour" I say good-naturedly.
He growls,
-He decided to attempt clearing up my garden after he gave up the first time, and I must say, I am quite inspired at his determination-
I arise and go out.
I crouch to inspect closely;
-Indeed, the small garden is rid of weeds-
I stand up clapping;
"Good job Zael!, You've exceeded my expectations!"
He gives a half shrug, his face turned aside;
"So, tell me about the Chosen"
-He's getting straight to the point-
I chuckle;
"But of course...-" "Hooded Boor!...when they told me you lived in a place like this, I nearly didn't believe them!"
Someone interrupts me.
-If I'm correct, that's...-
A colourful personality clad in a vibrant, rainbow dress, eyes belonging to one at the verge of insanity.
She slaps me on the back familiarly;
"You've completely forgotten an old friend right?"
Zael stares at us both in puzzlement;
"Mr Hooded One, you have friends?" I hear him undertone.
"I didn't know you had returned from Euphora Mau..." I say flatly.
-She doesn't seem so convinced-
"Oh bother! Even if I was in Pandora, knowing you, you probably still wouldn't have reached out!..." she asserts matter-of-factly.
-She hasn't lost a shred of her boisterous voice-
"I had to return after hearing what happened to Hemba...I mean, Fenice IS going all out to prove his point, so who knows if I would have been next in line for assassination!" she cackles;
"But you shouldn't be worried-" "-You're thinking Fenice wouldn't hurt an old friend either right?, well think again, that guy is nuts!" She cuts me in.
-Well, look who's talking-
"No Mau, I'm saying that as an ambassador of Pandora, you should have enough security to breach an attack..."
She chortles in response;
"Nah, I'd rather not test Fenice's capacity" she mutters whilst grabbing my hand to herself and turning to Zael;
"I once had a huge crush on Hooded Boor here" she taps my shoulder and winks at Zael.
-Oh God, I'm about to die of embarrassment-
Zael snickers as Mau whisks me away.
END OF POV.
**********
THE HOODED ONE'S POINT OF VIEW/MEMOIR.
"Let me introduce you to Mau..."
Fenice drags me to a corner of the hall.
-What is he going on about now?-
Huddled in the corner is a fellow student who I can swear I've never noticed despite her peculiarity, her appearance takes me back;
-She's so colourful, and has completely mutated the ideal of our uniform-
"Mau, Hood-Hood, Mau" Fenice blurts.
"Hi, I'm a big fan!" she screams extending her hand.
"Oh, she's just naturally loud" Fenice explains as I muse about her shrill vocal.
I receive her hand, but she doesn't let go.
"Mau also has a crush on you..." Fenice mutters bluntly with a snicker.
-I shake my hand out of hers-
"They're always bullying Mau, so we'll stick up for her from now on Hood" Fenice declares.
I turn to go;
"Speak for yourself Fenice"
MEMOIR END.
NETYISHA'S POINT OF VIEW.
I regard Mage Grant anticipatorily;
-Still, he insists on not sending reinforcements-
Waer standing beside me leans close and whispers;
"I don't think Mage Grant has any plans of sending reinforcements until those kids are completely wrung out"
I sigh heavily;
-According to Reverred Standards, their successful rescuing of the villagers has already guaranteed a credit for the students, but do Mages take a more disciplined approach?-
I look at Mage Grant;
-He strokes his stubble without a care in the world-
"Uh, sir" Mage Yura calls to the principal gently.
"It would seem our students are at breaking point" she mutters nervously.
-Yes it's quite obvious from the spherical orb which we use to observe the students-
So it isn't about Mages being extra disciplined.
Mage Grant draws a long breath;
"How then would you expect our students to learn if we choose to baby them..."
-Baby them?-
He clears his throat gruffly;
"Until real blood is drawn, I don't see any reason to interfere"
NETYISHA'S POV END.