It Wasn't Supposed To Be This Way!
The next day came, and the anticipated punishment awaited Askyros at the morning roll call. As soon as the trainees were lined up, Sitros wasted no time calling Askyros up to the podium.
"Junior Trainee Askyros! Come up to receive your punishment!" [Sitros]
The sudden summoning surprised the trainees, causing them to whisper amongst themselves.
"Askyros? Who's that?" [Confused Trainee]
"The guy who beat up Nikal." [Blunt Trainee]
"That was real?!" [Curious Trainee]
Askyros left the line and climbed the stairs to the podium. The whispers grew in volume, but was immediately silenced by the cold gaze of their seniors.
"As you may all know, there was an incident at the south barracks. We had two injured trainees and multiple cases of destroyed property. The one responsible is the one standing next to me, Askyros." [Sitros]
As he spoke, a singular applause came amongst the crowd.
"Bravo, Bravo!" [???]
The trainees below turned their heads to look for the source, but Askyros identified the origin in an instant.
("Nikal?!") [Adam]
Nikal stood amidst the sea of trainees, staring at Askyros with a grin.
("Didn't Askyros break his ankles yesterday?! How is he fine?!") [Adam]
"...Nikal, I ask that you remain silent during my speech." [Sitros]
Given his warning, Nikal shrugged and ceased his applause.
"Allow me to continue. Askyros, you will suffer corporal punishment for these misdeeds. You will receive... Fifty canes!" [Sitros]
("...The hell is fifty canes?") [Adam]
The trainees gasped. The juniors were stricken with fear while the seniors held a grim expression.
"Heh." [Nikal]
With a nod from Sitros, four men in black uniforms surrounded Askyros. They brandished the batons on their waists and awaited their next order.
("Fifty canes… Sticks… I'm going to be hit fifty times?!") [Adam]
"Begin!" [Sitros]
The four men unleashed their fury, smashing their staves on Askyros at the very moment the command was given.
"Ngh!" [Askyros]
He braced himself for the blow, snapping all the batons in half upon impact.
("...What?") [Sitros]
The uniformed men were at a loss. They looked to Sitros for help, but he was also as perplexed as they were.
("...Should I just end it here?") [Sitros]
He snuck a glance at Nikal's expression, but all he saw was dissatisfaction. Realizing it wasn't enough, Sitros issued out another command.
"If wood isn't enough, use Iron rods!" [Sitros]
The uniformed men scrambled to equip themselves, returning with poles resembling pipes.
"Continue!" [Sitros]
Lifting their weapons, they beat Askyros left and right. His skin tore and blood splattered, leaving their clothing covered in red.
"..." [Askyros]
("Agh! GODDAMN IT! THIS HURTS LIKE HELL!!!") [Adam]
"Stop!" [???]
A familiar voice rang out from the trainees. Blinking the blood out of his eyes, Askyros saw Ryse pushing his way through the mob.
"Don't you think that's enough?!" [Ryse]
He attempted to climb the podium, but was pulled back by his peers.
"Don't! You'll get yourself killed!" [Concerned Trainee]
"He's my friend! Please!" [Ryse]
The cruel beating continued. Most of the trainees averted their gaze, but Ryse insisted on saving Askyros. With tears in his eyes, he struggled in vain.
("...I'm sorry.") [Sitros]
The only one who found enjoyment was Nikal. Laughing hysterically, he seemed to be holding a crystal that played the event back to him.
("Is he… recording this?!") [Adam]
After 3 minutes had passed, the uniformed men ended their assault. Panting and wheezing, they let Askyros go.
"Someone, bring him to a healer." [Sitros]
Askyros tilted forward, inches away from falling. Suddenly, Ryse broke free from his peers' grasp.
"Askyros!" [Ryse]
He clamored up the podium and caught Askyros before he fell.
("Ugh! He's heavy!") [Ryse]
Straining his muscles, he carried Askyros on his back. He walked step by step, making his way to the field hospital slowly.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
By the time he entered the tent, Tida was already there awaiting their arrival.
"Wha-?! He's in a worse shape than last time!" [Tida]
Assessing the situation, she guided Ryse to a nearby bed and helped him place Askyros on it.
"You, get me some bandages! I'll try to slow the bleeding!" [Tida]
"O-okay!" [Ryse]
She urged Ryse away and held her hands above Askyros. Mumbling to herself, a golden light appeared along with many circles that surrounded her hands.
"Lo hal geld thanem, holy prayer!" [Tida]
A brilliant light filled her field of view, but dissipated not too soon.
"...What?" [TIda]
Askyros' wounds closed, but only slightly. Tida's eyes were wide open, stunned by the effect of her magic.
"...Impossible! That should' have healed him!" [Tida]
Sitros entered the tent and flinched at the sound of her voice.
"Ow! My ears!" [Sitros]
Coming in to check on Askyros he crouched next to Tida.
"Is he not healed yet?" [Sitros]
"...I don't think he can be healed with holy magic." [Tida]
"...Enough with the jokes. You healed him with holy magic last time, didn't you?" [Sitros]
"DO YOU THINK I'M JOKING?!?! Someone is literally dying in front of us, and you think I would joke?!" [Tida]
"I have the bandages!" [Ryse]
Calling from across the tent, he came running up to them with a box full of rolled cloth.
"What took you so long?!" [Tida]
"I'm not really familiar with the layout of this place-" [Ryse]
"Give me that!" [Tida]
Swiping the box from Ryse's hands, she began to wrap Askyros wounds at an astonishing pace.
"It's not enough! Bring me more!" [Tida]
"Yes ma'am!" [Ryse]
Heeding her words, he rushed to the back for more bandages.
"Don't you dare die on me!" [Tida]