The next day started off much better. I was up before the sun getting a cistern filled before the heat could sap my strength. I was starting to breathe according to what I had read in the way of Eternity manual. In through the nose the air expanding my lungs before I let it slowly flow through my mouth. I repeated the breathing deep breath, short, short, deep. The pattern taking all of my focus though I occasionally messed up or held the breath for too long. The day carried on normally until midday, I took a slight detour around the school so the Shadow Dreluk wouldn’t spot me, but I saw a group of kids who must have been taking a break for lunch.

They seemed to be crowded around something and pushing through the crowd I saw what it was. Erda was gasping for breath her face looking a little swollen and her clothes covered in dirt. Skerk was running around her whipping dust up behind him. His feet were covered in orange flames, wisps of black leaking out, as he darted around Erda. The pace was something I could barely follow. Erda it seemed was having similar issues.

“What’s the matter? You are not such a show off now.” Skerk said as he ran around her again and tugged her braid; as she lashed out with a backhand.

Her eyes were filled with rage but her panting was getting worse as spike after spike burst through the earth not being able to touch Skerk. Erda grit her teeth and tried summoning a wall of earth. The formation of a wall began as a giant wave of earth rose from the ground, but the skill seemed beyond her and it quickly dissipated to dust. Skerk using his blistering speed took advantage of this opportunity to get behind her and punch her in the back. The flames ignited on his hands and the punches rained down upon her till she was beaten to the ground.

When she hit the ground I rushed at Skerk. My hands gripped the wooden staff I was using to carry the jugs and I smacked him with a loud thud as the staff splintered. He stumbled but didn’t fall as he turned around.

“You again! Get out of here coward’s son.”

I didn’t move and Skerk was almost instantly within my reach as a fist lashed out and struck me in the bridge of the nose, I was reeling in pain but never got the chance to fall down as three more five more who knows how many more punches collided with my face.

My breathing was ragged and blood pooled around me. Skerk didn’t say anything neither did the other kids. I was not sure if they felt pity or if my gruesome appearance made them nauseous. Either way, the group dissipated and I helped Erda up.

“You shouldn’t get involved Jeru.” I heard her say he voice quivering with her labored breathing.

“ I was just trying to help”.

My heart was heavy and my vision was blurry as tears welled up.

“ They are only going to get stronger, stay away from them, a fight is no place for you” she said, as she pushed me off and struggled back to the school grounds.

I was in agony. My face was bruised, battered and bleeding, but it was my heart that was heavy. It beat so hard I felt my pulse in my ears. Hatred I could take, I could hate someone back, like that horrid teacher. Pity though was somehow worse, especially since I knew that right now she was right, a fight was no place for me. I spent the rest of the day doing the chores while seething. I went home early to avoid dinner and seeing my mother. By the light of a candle I paced back in forth in my room, practicing the Eternal Way movements.