Chapter 17 - Tribulation

Warning: Violent Chapter

7 September 2041 (Real Time) - Institute of Blades, Second Reality

"Attention. Darell Markell and Rory Weyer. Please proceed to Stage 4. I repeat, Darell Markell and Rory Weyer to Stage 4." came the announcement.

As Darell ran towards the staging area, the rest went back up to the first floor. Since the buildings ran as long as the fields, there was a clear view of each stage from any of the floors. Fortunately, the main building only allowed students so there were no civilians around.

There were masses of students scattered across all levels watching the events below. Although some of them had already surpassed the Adept stage, it was useful to keep an eye out for exceptional students that could be a challenge to them in the future.

Climbing the stairs of Stage 4, Darell drew his single blade.

"Rory Weyer. Late stage Adept. In terms of speed, I can't tell who would have the upper hand. Rory is fast and he is 2 years older than Darell. He's also been training here his entire life. This is going to be tough one bros." said Gilman.

"Yeah. Rory came from a small family but before you guys came here, he was considered a genius." added Corbin.

"He's still considered a genius. His dad's a butcher so he's also used to seeing blood and gore. He won't flinch so easily." said Foxwell.

The Markell brothers remained silent. They couldn't help but feel a certain level of apprehension towards the result of Darell's match. Their friend’s comments did not instill much confidence in Darell completing this match without injury. Meanwhile Darron and Lashell continued to remain inconspicuous out in the fields, determined to see the match through without interfering.

"Match, START!" shouted Flynn.

Neither of the contestants moved. Both had their blades drawn but they just stared at each other for the first few minutes. As if on cue, Darell and Rory approached the middle of the stage with deliberate steps. They stopped a sword's length away, taking their basic stances.

"They're going at it up close?" wondered Corbin.

"It looks like they both judged that their speed is about equal. They're going to try to settle it with close combat instead." said Gilman.

Gilman was correct. Darell and Rory attacked at the same time, their blades clashing over and over. They danced, back and forth, blades seeking entry into each others defense.

BANG BANG SHIINGGG BANG BANG BANG!

"Darell is slower." said Darron as he shook his head. Lashell didn't say a word but she was biting her lip until it bled.

Creases started to form on Darell's forehead as both contestants continued to exchange blows. Neither of them gave way to the other. As the minutes passed, it became more obvious who had the upper hand.

"Fuck. Darell's endurance is giving out." said Arron.

The two of them were considered geniuses but no two are ever the same. Rory's years of physical training that focused on stamina and muscle endurance came to the fore, allowing him to keep up the speed of attack. Darell was still building his foundations and although he had natural talent, the accumulation of Rory’s hard work and natural harmony with the blades surpassed it.

"We have to stop this." said Lashell as she took a step forward.

"No. Do not interfere Lashell." said Darron coldly and with force. "You know as well as I that sooner or later they will need to experience this."

"He is too young for that Darron!" hissed Lashell.

"We were too young too!" he hissed back. "You knew this was a possibility when we came back here. If you go out there now Darell will hate you for it not love you. Not in front of all these people."

Lashell looked at Darron, eyes misting. "Tell me. Will he recover..?" she asked.

"He is our son. He has our strength and our will." said Darron, his face grim.

Rory increased the speed of his blows and Darell tried to keep up. He had started to take some damage, a few minor cuts along the shoulders where Rory's blade slipped through the gap in his defense. Darell took a step back. Then another. Rory was pressing his attack and pushing him back.

Darell could not recover from a parry quickly enough. Rory took advantage and his blade came whipping back.

SHWICK!

Darell's arms came off, hands still gripped on his sword. Rory spun low.

“Arrggghhh!” screamed Darell.

SHWICK!

Darell's legs came off above the knee. Rory continued his spin as he came out for one last strike.

SHWICK!

Rory's blade sliced Darell open from left hip to right shoulder. Rory moved so fast that most people only registered the first strike. It wasn't until a few heartbeats later that blood sprayed like a fountain from Darell’s other wounds.

Lashell cried into Darron's arms, her grief stricken screams drowned out by the cheering crowd. They knew that he could be resurrected, but the memory will remain and they were afraid that this experience may break his mind.

On the first floor, a different scenario played out. Arron was red with anger. He broke Corbin's jaw, knocking him out as he tried to get downstairs to the stage. Foxwell and Gilman had grabbed onto Arron, restraining him. Hunter stood still, watching out the window, quiet.

"Fucking bitch! Let me go god dammit that's my fucking brother! Fuck! Son of a bitch!" yelled Arron as he kicked and kneed Foxwell who was restraining his lower body. Foxwell's eye was already purple and he had missing teeth.

"Arron. Enough." said Hunter with great calm. Those two simple words froze the three and everyone else in the vicinity.

Hunter's aura blazed with unrestrained violence. It was so thick that it made the air harder to breathe for those that were within 20 meters of him. Hunter radiated such energy that the air distorted as it would in a heat wave. Several early stage Masters who were watching the event on the same floor were now on their knees, sweat pouring from their faces like a flood.

‘Haa… haa… what the fuck is going on!?’ was the only thing running through the minds of the Masters within the area of effect.

Several Initiates and Adepts who were not participating were shaking in a corner as their bladder gave out, wetting their pants as their eyes popped out of their heads crying blood. Corbin and Foxwell had let go of Arron, their proximity to Hunter's aura was so oppressing that they passed out, their pants wet from piss and shit, blood trailing down their eyes and nose. Arron was shaking and his teeth were chattering so violently that several had broken off.

Arron couldn't breathe. He couldn't stop the snot and tears of blood from falling. His heart felt like it was being crushed and he felt utterly helpless. He felt his bladder loosen and he started making whining sounds. His eyes had started to close, his head felt like it was being pushed through the wall he was leaning on.

"Hunter."

Drayton had felt the aura and immediately rushed over. Placing his hand on his disciple's shoulder, he projected an air of calm. The violent aura subsided, retreating into its cage. He was still looking out of the window, eyes intent on Rory Weyer.

"Go to the wilderness and come back when you're done." said Drayton, his voice soft.

Hunter did not say a word. He turned and walked along the hallway, Adepts and Masters alike crawling out of his way.

**********

The medical bay suddenly received an influx of unconscious Initiates and Adepts, most of whom smelled of piss and shit. Drayton came in with them together with the Masters who had half carried the students. He brushed off detailed questions by the medics, saying that it was the result of a rampant aura.

The Masters knew better than to elaborate in front of the principal, taking their leave as soon as their burdens were stripped of their clothes and placed in healing pods. MediVance was informed of the event and it made them curious to find out who this person was.

Outside in the fields, it seemed that no one had noticed or felt what had happened. The elimination rounds continued and they were now down to the final 16 contestants. Arron was supposed to be one of the contestants called out first, but after a brief word from Drayton, they had stalled the event for 20-minutes.

Arron, Corbin, Foxwell and Gilman as well as other Adepts and Initiates, woke up from their pods. Drayton knew there was no way to keep anyone from talking. There were too many people involved. Instead he asked the group of friends to follow him to an empty room after they put on clean gear.

"I'm going to make this quick. We're down to 16 contestants. That's eight fights and three of you are in it. Put what happened as far back in your mind as you can and concentrate on your battles. We'll talk about what happened afterwards. Clear?" said Drayton, his tone brooked no argument.

"Yes, sir!" answered the four.

"Off you go." he said and he watched the four speed down out into the fields.

Arron, Foxwell and Gilman were all called out to the stages. Arron's opponent this time around was a man named Dirk Tronstad. Arron didn't know many of the Adepts outside of his class but in his eyes, Dirk looked to be in his twenties.

"I feel kind of bad being paired up with you. It feels like I'm a bully..." said Dirk as he faced off with Arron.

Arron tried to smile but couldn't, the incident on the first floor still bothering him. 'Seriously what the hell was that...'

"Match, START!" shouted Flynn, bringing Arron out of his thoughts.

Dirk didn't waste time. He saw that Arron was distracted and attacked immediately. Arron recovered just in time, parrying with his left blade and striking with his right. The two exchanged several blows before separating.

BANG BANG SHICK!

Arron noticed that he'd been nicked on the forearm. 'Tsk. Too careless..'

"Better stop daydreaming lad or you'll end up like your little brother." said Dirk. The comment about Darell was unintentional but nevertheless had quite the effect on Arron.

Arron's eyes focused and turned cold. He held both 40 cm blades in a reverse grip to widen his attack range. Dirk sensed the sudden change and he smiled.

"Good, good. Now come, boy!"

Dirk picked up his speed, blade darting in and out quickly that it felt as though there were two blades attacking. Arron focused on the small changes in Dirk's movements, watching for a twitch of the shoulder or how deep the elbow bent each attack.

He dodged left and right, Dirk's blade often leaving red blooming lines across his face, neck and arms. He ignored it all. Dirk became frustrated as none of his attacks scored real damage. Arron continued to read his patterns. Confident that he now had a good understanding, Arron began his counterattack.

BANG BANG BANG!

Arron parried three strikes before leaning outside of the next attack and slicing upwards.

[i]SHICK SHICK![I]

His left blade cut right underneath the armpit as Dirk extended his right arm to strike. Arron followed the motion, weaving under Dirk's blade before twisting his body to cut him just below the bicep. Dirk screamed in pain as Arron moved a distance away. Unable to hold his sword with his right, Dirk switched to his left hand.

Dirk grit his teeth, his right arm now hung limp on his side, his forearm barely held together by the damaged tendons. Arron pressed the attack, slicing the fingers that held the sword off. He weaved up and down, left and right, all the while cutting at every part of Dirk that he could.

"I surrender!" screamed Dirk. "I surrendeeerrrrr!". Arron didn't hear him. He kept spinning, his blades a whirlwind of steel as bits of flesh flew each time his blades met with a body part.

"Winner! Arron Markell! Dirk Tronstad surrenders!" announced Flynn. "Arron! The match is over! Stop! Arron!"

Flynn's words finally registering, Arron stopped spinning. As if a dam had burst, a flood of noise reached his ears. The most prominent was Dirk's ear piercing shrieks. Even the crowd around his stage had sobered up at the sight.

Arron turned his head to look at Dirk. He was alive, if only just. Both arms were missing chunks of meat and at it's most severe the humerus was exposed. Chunks were also missing from his thighs. His nose as well as an ear was missing. His flesh was scattered across the stage. Dirk looked like a half eaten carcass.

Arron looked at Flynn, devoid of emotion before scanning the faces of the crowd. Dirk's shrieks continued as tears flowed from his face. Arron took one last look at Dirk before he buried his blade through his mouth, silencing him. With a last look at Flynn and the crowd, Arron left the stage.

**********

Darron and Lashell had watched their son Arron's match. They were shocked by his lack of emotions towards the end but satisfied that he came out with no serious injuries.

"When we get back, we'll need to spend time with the kids. You and I, we are already fucked up." said Lashell as she shook her head. "Let's at least try to save some part of their humanity."

Darron nodded, not trusting himself to reply.

Foxwell and Gilman had both won their fights. They finished just in time to see Arron's brutality and they flinched at his cold demeanor. Neither said a word as they headed to the medical bay to meet Corbin and wait for Darell's recovery. By the time Arron arrived, Darell had just come out of the medical bay with Drayton.

"Good, you're all here. Follow me to my office." said Drayton.

It was now early evening and the floodlights around the field came on. Steel Flynn announced the end results, naming the 8 contestants that will participate in the quarter finals. The match-up was as follows.

QUARTER FINALSVSRory WeyerWard GilmanArmand FoxwellAnnelle KingstonArron MarkellNadia HoltzElyse DraytonJenny Warwick

While the festivities continued, Drayton prepared a large pot of tea and six cups. He had pulled up some extra chairs and they had crowded around two round coffee tables.

"First thing first. Every one of you did well today. No exceptions. I hope you can all learn from today's experience. This year was unique. It didn't matter if you had participated in past tournaments as it would not have prepared you enough for what you had to go through today.

What you all went through was very difficult, for both mind and body. I want you all to appreciate that at least here in Second Reality, you're life is not forfeit forever. We are living in an era of change. It might seem harsh of me to put you young ones through such a trial but one day I hope you will understand." said Drayton.

Perhaps Darell was the only one who did not fully grasp what the principal wanted them to understand. The others were old enough to realize the truth in Drayton's words. There were no second chances in the Real World, not where life hung in the balance. Sasha, Katherina and Carl’s faces flashed in the brother’s minds.

"If I live long enough, I hope you will find it in your hearts to forgive this old man." Drayton smiled sadly.

"Now for the second thing." he looked at Arron and Darell. "About your brother Hunter."

Darell looked up, curious. He wasn't aware of what happened but looking at the other four including his brother Arron, he could see sweat forming on their foreheads.

"Darell. After your battle, Arron had wanted to rush down to the stage to avenge you." began Drayton. Darell looked at his brother and smiled, warmth filling his heart.

"Your brother Hunter too, was very angry. In fact, angry is an understatement. He was absolutely furious at what had been done to you." he paused, looking at each of his students in turn before he continued.

"What you felt today was Hunter's aura. Every person who has experienced enough life and death battles will in time, form one. An aura can be used as a weapon when properly harnessed. Hunter, having spent six months in the wilderness fighting, dying and eventually succeeding against nature’s top predators subconsciously formed this weapon to protect himself.

It came at heavy a cost. A part of Hunter's mind shattered in the process, no doubt from the gruesome deaths that he experienced. It’s a violent, oppressive aura and he hasn’t been able to wield it properly. When he gets angry, well, I don't need to explain it. You had first hand experience of it."

Foxwell, still shaking from the memory said "Corbin. You were knocked out by then. Had you been awake, you would have pissed your pants." his laugh was awkward. "That feeling, it was worse than what we had to go through today on the stage..."

Arron and Gilman agreed. "For a while, I didn't think that it was my brother." whispered Arron as he detailed what he had felt before Drayton came to put a stop to it.

"Once your brother learns to control his aura, things like this won't happen anymore. Now, feel free to stay at the cottage with him. I have sent him out to the wilderness to cool off but I'm sure you all could use some company tonight." said Drayton.

**********

The group chatted with Drayton or a while longer but fatigue, both physical and mental won out. Foxwell left the group at the intersection of Drakesfair Lane but Corbin and Gilman decided to both stay with the Markells for the night.

On the way to Hedge Side, they came across Irene, Camilla and Heidi.

"Arron." said Irene. "We heard about your brother. The other Masters were sweating even as they retold a roomful of us about what happened. Is he okay?"

Arron nodded. "Principal said he told big bro to go out and cool off in the wilderness. He should be back soon, I hope. Want to come in?"

"That'd be great. By the way, this is my friend Heidi Alers. I know you met Camilla earlier today. Heidi, this is Arron, Darell, Dwight Corbin and Ward Gilman." said Irene.

Corbin and Gilman looked at each other, all thoughts of the day's battles forgotten. 'Bro... we went through such tribulations and now heaven has blessed us...'

Arron led the group into the cottage, then he and Irene went straight to the kitchen and whipped up some snacks. Camilla sat on the sofa conversing with Gilman and Corbin. Heidi noticed Darell sitting alone at the dining table looking dejected and deep in thought.

"Hey." said Heidi. "What's bothering you sport?"

It seemed that Darell was just waiting for the right person to talk to and Heidi was it. He told her in detail the experience he went through in the elimination rounds and she sympathized with him.

"Oh Darell, I'm sorry you had to go through that." said Heidi. She then recounted her own experiences when she first went out to the wilderness in the Real World and her own brushes with death.

"If Hunter allows it, would you like me to stay with you tonight?" she asked. "After my experience in the wilderness, I found myself having nightmares but it became easier when my mom stayed with me."

Darell looked up at Heidi. "I'm not saying I'll be a substitute mom but perhaps a big sister?" she said. Darell smiled, genuine since the tournament began and nodded his head.

An hour after they arrived, Hunter came back to the cottage wearing bloody clothes. Everyone worried for a moment until he smiled and said "Don't worry, I'm not injured and this blood isn't mine."

He exchanged hugs with Irene, Camilla and Heidi. Darell ran up to him and Hunter hugged his little brother. "How are you feeling?"

"Principal Drayton said you made everyone piss and shit their pants because of what happened to me." he said, eyes smiling.

"Yes I did. I'm glad you're okay" said Hunter as he ruffled Darell's hair.

"Can Heidi stay with me tonight?" asked Darell. The question caught Hunter off guard and he looked questioningly at Heidi. She smiled and said it was okay.

"Sure little bro."

"Hunter." said Irene. "I wish I could stay, but I need to head back to Elaine. Will you be alright?". He was touched by their concern for him and his brothers.

"Yeah. We'll be okay. Thanks for checking up."

"We'll see you guys tomorrow. Come watch us at the Masters division alright?" said Camilla. "Irene, let me walk home with you." Saying their goodbyes, the two left the cottage.

Corbin and Gilman settled themselves on the two sofas. Hunter stayed in the master bedroom, leaving the double bed room for Heidi and Darell and the single bed room for Arron.

Hunter stared at the ceiling, contemplating the consequences of his lack of control. Arron pondered his loss of emotions during the match with Dirk. Corbin tried to forget all the blood and gore he saw. Gilman's mind replayed all the deaths he dealt.

Of everyone in that cottage that night, the only one who slept soundly and untroubled was Darell.

**********

Outside of the cottage, two cloaked figures stood silent and unmoving as they watched Camilla and Irene walk down Ravensbrook Lane.

"Do you know them?" asked Lashell.

"Can't say I do. We've been away too long. It's likely that they were still babies when we left." said Darron.

"Do you think they're okay in there?" asked Lashell as she looked at the cottage with longing. She wanted to go inside and hug her sons.

"I'm more sure of it now than I was before. " smiled Darron. "Did you see him love?"

"Yes... our eldest has come home and he's okay." Lashell smiled back. "Seeing him up and about, I am truly happy."

"He's also changed. When he came out of the wilds, he felt more like a beast than a man... just what has happened..." wondered Darron, his tone full of concern.

"It doesn't matter... as long as he's back, nothing else matters. Once we get together we can talk about it and whatever it is we can work through it as a family."

"You're right. What do you want to do now?" asked Darron.

"Well, now that Hunter is here, I'm sure Teacher has also included him in the tournament. I'd like to stay and watch. It wouldn't be a bad idea to check up on who those girls are either." said Lashell, frowning as she thought of the girls.

"They don't seem to mean the boys any harm. If anything, it seemed that they were all rather concerned for our sons well being." said Darron. "Should we visit Teacher?"

Lashell shook her head. "No, it's okay. I think for now we just need to remain in the background. Teacher will have his hands full and I’d like to surprise the kids once the tournament ends." she looked at Darron, her demeanor radiating fire. "Let's head out into the wilds. I feel the need to do extremely violent things."

The image of Darell cut up was fresh in both of their minds. With a cruel smile that bared fangs, Darron said "That's a great idea love."

Giving the cottage one last look, the two of them sprinted off towards the wilderness leaving the occupants none the wiser.

**********

Author’s Notes

Have a good weekend. Caught the flu from my boss so I guess I'll be writing over the weekend instead of going out ha. Working on the latter half of day 2. As per last week, I'll post the next one on Monday around this time. It'll give me some time to put together a draft for day 3.

Thanks for the comments. I'm always happy to answer questions you may have. Also, thanks for coming this far with me.

-Harven.