Chapter 6

・Nectar・

“I believe in you. Fly high and try your hardest. That’s all that matters.”

The excited voices of children bumbled around into the clear, moist air as the sun beat down upon the rough, concrete pavement, ringing-round the famed, gemstone lake that glittered in the blinding gaze of heavens star above. Parents watched eagerly as their children ‘lined up’ in what was more of a huddled heap at the marked starting line where teachers handed out cups of water to combat the blazing heat.

“Me and your mother will be waiting for you here. This will be your last sports day so, give it your all. We both believe in you.”

Nectar stood in the huddle. Zoning out the crowd’s chatter as he tightened his mind on his task… That was until – he felt his focus falter upon a pesky noise rattling around from his right.

“pst.”

‘I’m going to do my best today and make my parents happy.’ Thought Nectar, subconsciously drowning out the noise and the dismal world around him.

“psst.”

Finally, as he felt a faint hand tap his shoulder, Nectar’s bubble of focus popped upon turning to face the source of the sound.

“Nectar, you awake?” Asked a scrawny young boy next to him. His nose was slightly deformed, enough for you notice, not enough to point out, his thin, straight – golden brown hair ran down his face in clumps, stopping just halfway at his eye lids casting this odd shadowy effect over his face as he glared forward.

“O- Oh… What is it, Jake?”

An odd silence threw him off balance as Jake’s faint grin hailed his undivided attention.

“Throw the race.”

“huh?” Muttered Nectar, wide eyed.

“You wanted to be friends with everyone, right? Throw the race – and I’ll be your friend and then if I’m your friend, everyone else will be your friend too.”

“Wh-…?”

“I think we both know how important the results of this race are going to be for joining the military ranks of the empire. Sinful scum like you won’t be able to get a job anyway, so you might as well give this race to me.”

“I- uh... I don’t know… My- parent’s really want me to try my hardes-”

“tch, come on Nectar, just be a pal and throw the race. That’s what friends are for, right? Helping each other when they need it so, come on.”

Nectar felt an inescapable, magnetic pull to whatever others desired of him. A drowsy overbearing shadow cast over his shoulders as his lip quivered in hesitation – before, suddenly, a warm hand placed itself upon Nectar’s left shoulder, bringing a shining light with it, that illuminated the gloomy shadow around him. Nectar turned to Emily, who now stood at his side.

“What’s wrong Nectar?” She asked with a curious gaze, pulling her shoe around her heel, using Nectar as support.

“Uhm, nothing…” He muttered; Emily glanced at Jake with a knowing glare before staring forward as the teacher announced the beginning of the race.

“EVERYONE READY!?” Exclaimed the teacher as the energetic screeching of the children bombarded the air in response.

“3!”

“2!”

“1!”

“Nectar. Throw—the race.”

“GO!!”

Stampeding forward, the crowd set off, Nectar however, acted as a frozen pillar as his classmates shoved past him in a hurry. Everything zoomed in on him as reality itself became a black, shadowy mass.

A few meters away, Emily halted in place, turning back to him in confusion after noticing he hadn’t moved an inch.

“Nectar?” She muttered, walking over as he stared into the floor with watery eyes.

“He- said to throw the race…”

“Well? What makes you think you have to listen to him?”

“huh?” Murmured Nectar as Emily placed both her hands on his shoulder, garnering his full attention as the world lit up around them.

“He doesn’t get to control your life and your decisions. If you want to give this race everything you’ve got – then go for it.”

“You think, I should?”

“Why wouldn’t I? We all believe in you Nectar. They’re only just at the corner, you can still catch them if you go now.”

Nectar’s face lit up like the new years, night sky as he felt all his weighted worries disperse and the world come into colour as his mind snapped to his goal with Emily, his family and their smiling faces as his driving force.

“Emily… I really appreciate you. Thanks!”

* * *

-SMACK-

“What the fuck were you thinking?!” Exclaimed Jake, shoving Nectar back after slapping his face, prompting the sneering cackles of Jake’s entourage of classmates, who stood eagerly behind him.

“I said throw the race Nectar! Well?! What are you gonna do now?” He exclaimed as the dark shadow of rain clouds above haunted the air with their dreary presence, preparing the lash down a cluttered spray of drizzle. Nectar embraced their lingering gloom as he stared through Jake and into his apathetic eyes with a fierce aura of menacing dusk surrounding him.

“The smiles on my parents’ face’s when I came round the corner to the finish line with no one behind me and no one in front. They thoroughly want the best for me, I can clearly see that, and so, I want to return that belief they had in me by allowing them to smile like that again when I live up to their expectations.-

-Ridicule me for who I am all you want, I’m okay with that. But when you go to my home and throw rocks through my window and cause my mother to shed tears…-

-You’ve taken it too far.”

Jake tossed a mirthless chuckle at Nectar.

“heh. Maybe you don’t understand Nectar, the Mistralton Empire is sending its scouting unit to the village tomorrow and when they see who you are, your life is over-”

-SMACK-

Sending him flat on his ass, Nectar walloped Jake with a swift right hook to the face as he tumbled into the grimy ground.

“What the fuck Nectar!” Mumbled Jakes entourage as the boys bumbled towards him in a vexatious mess.

Raging into a torrenting attack – Nectar slammed his fist into the tallest boy then, fumbling into another, landing a second punch before being tackled to the ground. Flipping over himself, Nectar kicked the boy off him and took back to his feet, blocking a punch to the face from the tallest boy before lunging his fist into him for a second time, knocking him to the floor.

Nectar’s eyes glossed across his 3 remaining classmates as he jolted forward to make a move, only to be grappled against a tree, managing to spin around and slam his combatant against the trunk, slackening his grip, allowing for Nectar to headbutt him and then thrust his foot into his stomach, as he did that, however, one of the other boys grabbed him from behind. In a panic, Nectar slammed his head back into the boy’s nose and, as he recoiled, lurched his elbow into his stomach, prompting him to fall back onto the ground.

As Nectar turned to finish off the last standing enemy, he heard the boy, whom he slammed against the tree, take to his feet in hysterics, screaming at the top of his lungs as he charged towards him.

In that moment, as the two approached him, Nectar felt the essence of life bloom within him. A radiating warmth and tranquillity that acted like a flowing body of water, surrounding his being and mimicking his every move, flowing with his momentum.

Nectar moved in a split second. His eyes were overflowing with focus. His mind and soul were in a heightened state of vigour. Ultimately overwhelming the two boys, Nectar pulverized them in an instant. He felt that he moved with the world – and the world moved with him.

Both boys collapsed to the floor.

. . .

The spur of adrenaline subsided as Nectar’s mind fell to a blank slate and the world around him combusted to a standstill in that moment, only being reigniting upon the feeling of a single raindrop dripping onto his head as he found himself surrounded by the unconscious bodies of his classmates.

“I—did it…”

* * *

Shrieks and cries of bloody murder erupted into the air as the ravaging carnage carved its way through town. Soldiers on horseback, armed with shining, silver spears rode down the streets ruthlessly gauging people apart as they scoured the village.

“You’re the empire!” Called out a man who sat cradling his blood engulfed wife on the ground. “You’re supposed to be helpi-” Suddenly, the man squealed out in agony, gargling on his own insides as one of the soldiers pierced their spear through his gullet.

“This place is infected by sin. After the boy.” Commanded what appeared to be the head soldier as a battalion squabbled after Nectar, who ran for the side forest paths.

“Take his ‘parents’ and imprison them.” Said the commander, a poisonous grin plastered upon his face.

* * *

In the corner of his eye, Nectar spotted his parents being escorted to a carriage in cuffs but the hairs on his neck raised to the ever-increasing colossal tone of horse hoofs, stampeding against the ground behind him. Every cell in his body moved in synchrony towards the single, suddenly daunting, task: run.

Dashing and ducking, lunging over mossy logs and overgrown roots that scattered the trail, Nectar fled from deaths grasp as it grazed through the forest behind him, with a ghostly presence. It felt like they were an arm’s length away from snatching him up, at all times – no matter how hard he ran, prompting adrenaline to zip around his body at lightning pace.

‘If I can just—Get, there… She’ll know what to do… She’ll – save… me…’

Just then, Nectar rushed out into an opening, his eyes adjusting to the sun as he exited the trees and reached his destination. The hidden grotto, overlooking the lake where he and Emily shared their first picnic together, only to find, not Emily, but a robust, muscular looking individual, smoking a cigarette scanning over the lake ahead.

Nectar stumbled towards him, out of breath.

“Well? What’s tha matter kid?” He asked, just as the squadron of soldiers on horseback came out through the clearing.

“Drop your weapon, sir and – hand over the child!” Exclaimed one of the soldiers.

“Drop my weapon? Hrmph- I’m here on an important mission, you can hav the kid. Non of my buisniss.”

“I said! Drop the weapon, SIR!” Roared the soldier again.

The man turned sharply, his glare that of 100 nightmarish realities coexisting in a single monumental moment.

“You want me to drop my weapon?! Here.” He said tossing his sword aside and moving Nectar behind his back, placing his hand over his eyes.

Then, the man held his right hand out before suddenly, the atmosphere fell dull, as if all life and texture in the air suddenly evaporated into nothing and a vortex of pulsating energy became the centre point of focus for all that saw it as it began amalgamating in his palm.

“S- Si- Sihr… Sir, stop that.” Mumbled the soldier.

“Hey! You told me to drop my weapon… I did as you asked. Now—let’s see you drop yours.” Said the man as he fired the orb of energy at the soldiers who fumbled around in panicked disarray before being abruptly obliterated upon impact as the orb exploded into a sparkling display of blinding energy. Their contorted limbs ricocheting off the trees as their shimmering, velvet blood splattered the heavens.

The man removed his hand from Nectar’s eyes as he turned him away from the callous carnage.

“Well? Why were they chasin you?”

“I- Th- They took my family…” He muttered as tears swelled up in his eyes.

The man sighed. “Look, I- I’m sorry kid... There really isn’t much I can do for ya. Your parents are probably the couple in cuff hauled off in the carriage, right? They’re already out of town, there’s no way you can catch them now.”

“H- How do you know?! You don’t know anything!” Screamed Nectar, falling to his knees, clenching the soil.

Sighing again, the man put his hand on Nectar’s shoulder. “My name’s Drey. How about you come with me, back to headquarters. Perhaps we can do something for you.”

“W- What about my family…”

“I’m really sorry… Once the empire has them, there’s not much that can be done like this. But—I believe I’m makin’ the right choices and I’m bringin’ you to a place that I believe can disturb that iron defence of the empire. Once that happens, we can get your parents, so – just trust me. I’ll do my best, kid.”

* * *

The lightening-like movements of Benji and Nectar ruptured the fabric of space around them.

Nectar watched on as he noticed Benji’s control of spirit energy had tightened and became more condensed. His strikes and movements more defined as the weight grew upon Nectar’s shoulders.

Just then, pouncing forward in a speeding dash, Benji lashed his sword into Nectar’s, a ringing clash swarmed the forest, as the raw power sent Nectar tumbling back off his feet, his face turned red upon scraping through the moist, mossy ground as soil slipped into his mouth upon gritting his teeth to endure the pain.

The rapid tapping of Benji’s swift footsteps against the floor perked up Nectar’s ears as he heard the impending approach of his combatant.

‘Killing him now will alleviate him from the curse of their torture. I won’t let him go through the same thing that I went through – I’ll save you. I’ll do it!’

Rolling back up onto his feet, Nectar snapped his sword in place as Benji rushed into him, with an electrifying intensity, blocking with seconds to spare as the force sent him skidding across the ground, in stance.

Wide eyed, Nectar struggled to control his breath as the pressure piled against him.

* * *

“Your ‘son’. His name was…?”

“Nectar.”

“Well – the higherups believe this, Nectar, can be of use in figuring out where abilities manifest from. After all, he took out an entire platoon on his own so, they’re willing to take any information he has, as the possible youngest person possessing an ability, in exchange for your freedom.” There was a short silence as Mr Silvis processed the information. “Do you really still think he will be coming?”

“I do, I believe in him with every regard.”

“You do know… Today is the day of you and your wife’s execution.”

“I know.”

“And you still think he’s coming?”

“I do – I do, because he is my son.”

* * *

The thumping sensation of his heart against the fierce dragon-like presence of Benji ignited his spirit as the two clashed in a final, exhilarating skirmish. Nectar felt exhaustion’s burning grasp clutch his throat as phlegm built up at the back of his mouth.

‘I HAVE TO WIN!’

Leading down into a hefty swing, Nectar slammed his sword through the air at Benji, who side stepped back, out the way. The leaves on the ground exploded against the impact of Nectar’s sword before Benji lunged a snap kick straight into Nectar’s face, sending him stumbling back.

‘I Have to-‘

Tightening his glare, Nectar flicked up his sword, blocking Benji’s next attack as they fought head-to-head.

‘I have… to-”

* * *

“If Nectar comes back, will you go save his parents?” Asked Hugh as he and Drey walked through the woods.

“heh – don’t ask me questions like that… But… If- he comes back, I guess I’ll give it an honest shot…”

* * *

Benji’s thrashing spirit lashed through Nectar like a tsunami. The world fell against him as tears leapt from his eyes.

‘I can do this, can’t I? For my family, it’s for a good cause, so why…?’

* * *

The rattling of Mr Silvis’s shackles echoed as he walked down the dusty, narrow aisle towards the guillotines, his sorrowful eyes were locked to the weeping face of Mrs Silvis who sat in the parallel apparatus, looking on at him as the sun beamed down on the back of his head upon entering the courtyard.

“In the case of Mr and Mrs Silvis – the higherups have found them guilty of sinful marriage, going against God’s direct will and breaking the rules he gracefully bestowed upon us.”

The wind blew through the air; It whistled an irksome tune against the courtyards silence.

“And with that, are to be sentenced – to death.”

Just then, the announcer waved his arm and the shimmering silver sheet, slid down towards their necks.

* * *

Sweat seeped from Nectar’s brow as he snapped up his arm to block Benji’s swift, overhead assault but – just then, the world broke apart before him as the shattering clutter of Nectar’s blade showered his face with pieces of glimmering steel.

Nectar felt the focusing strain on his eyes ease and the tightening of tension loosen as the moment fell to a slow tempo in his clouded mind, watching as Benji’s blade slashed through his sword, towards his shoulder.

* * *

Mr Silvis could hear the scraping of the guillotine above him as it slid towards his neck in his final moment.

‘I believe – in my son.’

A single tear, slipped down his cheek.

-SLICE-

Nectar felt his breath shorten as he looked up at Benji through his hollow eyes. The cold latches of death embraced his heart as his existence began its declining march to an indefinite halt.

Placing his hand on his shoulder, where his insides bled from the empty crevasse that split down the right side of his torso, Nectar shed tears of saddened regret as he leaned back against the trunk of a tree behind him.

“I’m sorry… Benji.” He muttered in a wobbly tone as he glared up through the leaves to the empty, blue sky.

“Nectar…” Said Benji. “Throughout this whole fight, not once did I sense a pinch of hostility or murderous intent. You never even intended on killing me… Did you?”

Nectar chuckled into a warm smile as blood seeped from his mouth. “What can I say… I had a good upbringing, I don’t think I could bring myself to kill, but – don’t tell Drey that… He still needs to think I’m worth his time, so he saves my parents.” Nectar let out a light chuckle through his depleting breath.

“I’ve set you free, Nectar – just rest now.”

“Benji? Will you, do it?” Asked Nectar as he slid down the trunk and onto his side. Benji turned to him.

“Do it?”

“Will you inherit my resolution…? My fate…? Saving my parents and ending the unjust reign of the empire… You can do that for me – can’t you? Set things right?”

“Yeah… I’ll do it, for you – Nectar Monos.”

Nectar smiled again as he lay on the blood-stained ground, watching as Benji walked off through his blurry eyes towards the town. Then, reaching out his hand in his final moments, Nectar whispered to himself.

“Save me again, won’t you… Emily.” As his final tear slid down his face.