Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter 22

Demitria Frostine

Nightmares have been disturbing me lately. My dreams were showing me unknown and unexplainable scenes that I haven't seen ever in my life.

Sometimes, someone is calling me. I could hear the call and the voice but since there was no everything other than pitch black, I couldn't continue following it.

I have been anxious with myself lately because I was still confused as to why those scenes kept bugging me.

"Tomorrow is the day, I hope you all had your training well, and congratulations to all of you."

The headmaster signaled us that we can now exit his office. He gave us the instructions for the battle and the sequence of who are we battling with.

I look at the paper he gave me as soon as I reached my room. I closed the door and went straight to my bed. I sat on the edge and opened the paper.

We will be given fifteen minutes to physically damage our opponent and when the time ends, the most damaged student among the two is the defeated one.

"How could I damage those students? They were all amazing and powerful..." I laid down on my bed blankly staring at the ceiling.

"They all mastered their elements so I guess I have to think of tactics that I could use to lure them."

It was almost night and the moon is already setting above us but I decided to go to the library, expecting to gain more knowledge about the other elements and also about mine.

Camellia said that books about the elements are located in the shallow part of the library. I quickly went there and took all the books that are related to what I am looking for.

I was about to open the books when I heard someone entered the library. I hid behind the shelves and peek at the person who entered.

"I must not be seen here or I'm dead," my thoughts.

Seems like the person had forgotten something so it went back to the library and took it. I saw the small ball of light suddenly disappearing so I slowly went out but the books fell out of my hand.

"Who's there?" I heard someone asked.

It was so silent inside the library that I could even hear the shifting pages of the book or the whistling wind.

"Is anyone there?"

Sh*t! I'm done.

I ket myself hidden behind the shelves until the footsteps grow louder. I thought I was about to get caught when the sound of the footsteps stopped.

I peek again and saw that the person was already leaving the library. Even though I want to stay, I decided to go back to my room but brought with me the books that I might need.

I walk gently towards the hallway when a hand suddenly grabbed me by my neck and pushes me towards the wall. I gasped for air as the grip tightens.

Her hood fell and I saw Lorcan's mother, Sophia. Undoubtedly, she was physically strong that I have no match for her.

"I asked who's there," She said and remove her hand on my neck.

I fell on the floor and touched my neck. It will leave a red mark for sure.

"I was j-just..." I tried to explain but I couldn't and I don't even know why.

"Next time, don't try peeking on me. Council members are allowed to use their power without getting questioned," She said and stepped on my hand.

"Y-yes, Ma'am. I w-will," I answered and stood up.

She looked down at me and smirked. She walked elegantly away from me but immediately stop. I was about to walk back to my room but didn't when I noticed her.

"You're trying too hard to save your brother," She started.

"Why wouldn't I? That is my brother," I strongly said.

"You were not blood-related besides do you know him well?" She asked and walking back to me.

"You were so eager to find him, but what if he doesn't want to be found by you?"

"Blood doesn't define family membership besides my relationship with River is better than your chaotic family tree,'' I said staring straightly into her eyes.

I immediately saw her mood shifting from one to another. I received a strong slap that pushed my whole body to the floor. But all I could say is that I hit the bull's eye.

"At least we are all alive, sadly your brother is gone and is not being held captive anymore," She said as she leveled herself to me. Her eyes met mine and I could feel the great tension between us.

"W-what did you say?" I asked, my voice even cracked when I realized what she said to me.

"Who knows if he's dead already?"

"Shut up! Don't say that! What do you even know about him?"

I screamed, trying to hold back the tears so she will not think that she had won over my emotions.

"Don't underestimate me, Demitria. I know everything," She said and stood up, laughing her way from me. She never returned nor looked back at me.

I felt devastated. I didn't know that he was not in the enemy's prison cell anymore. I have met the headmaster a while ago, why didn't he told me anything? What should I do? I think I'm taking so much time.

What if they already killed him? What if they did something to him?

I hugged my knees and lean on them. I let myself cry in the dark hallway. My heart was beating so fast that it wanted to burst out of my chest, I want to scream, but where?

"Demitria? Is that you?" I heard someone said. His voice was deep for the night.

"Lorcan?" I asked without even looking at the person.

"No, it's me Liro," He said and chuckled.

"I'm sorry, why are you still awake?" I asked brushing off the tears that I had on my cheeks.

"Were you crying? What seems to be the problem?"

"No, everything is fine. I was just tired so I sat for a minute and I almost took a nap," I explained to him trying to laugh it off.

"Okay," He said and put his hand in his pocket.

"I'll head back to my room," I said and bid goodbye.

When I got back to my room, I sat in the corner and hugged myself. I wanted to ask the headmaster but he left the academy already. They were doing a secret mission including the best instructors in the academy.

"I'm sorry, River..."

"Please just be alive... I will soon find you..."

I woke up this morning looking so tired, dark circles were visible under my eyes. I felt sleepy too but when the room check started, I have to stay awake until they were done.

I tried creating as many tactics I could use but I ended up losing my focus and blankly staring at everything. I heard a knock on my door and I randomly know who it was.

"Demi! I wish you good luck!" She said and hugged me. As usual, she was still the energetic and joyful Camellia that I know.

I wonder what will happen in our battle later.

"I wish you the same."

"Hey... Are you okay? You seemed so unfocused," Camellia asked.

"Yes, I just didn't have enough sleep last night," I reasoned out.

Camellia didn't say anything but she let outa deep sighed and went towards me. She hugged me again and gave me a small flower. I laughed. An appreciative laugh.

"Thank you, you made my day better," I said.

"Anything," She said and went out of my room.

When I finished preparing myself I looked at the mirror and examined myself. This is not me. The Demitria from the town was almost gone. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"Whatever happens, I will continue looking for you, River. Wait for me,"

I went out of my room and a lot of students were in the hallway. All of the last ten students will be wearing a different uniform today so we all shine even in the dark.

Eyes were looking at me as I walked towards the exit of this building.

Excitement reigns the academy but the thought that River was already nowhere to be found bothers me.

Everyone was cheering on the battlefield. This was a larger one. The field was divided into five normal-sized battlefields. Two students for each battlefield. Fifteen minutes battle and fifteen minutes rest.

Healers are all present on the field for they will be healing all our injuries at a speed of minutes. The more physically damaged you are, the lower the rank you can get.

As much as possible I aspire to get 6/10 and up. Hopefully, I could do it although I am being bothered.

"Welcome to the Ingram Academy annual battle of the best! I present to you today the ten remaining students who will be battling with each other."

"Lorcan and Tallulah." The two appeared on the field and straightly went to their respective battlefield.

"Liro and Seraphina." The screams become louder when Seraphina and Liro appeared.

"Camellia and Dylan." Camellia was still smiling and Dylan kept his straight face.

"Illiana and Imelda." Imelda looked at me, rolled her eyes, and proudly walked out of the hallway towards the field.

"Zephyr and Demitria." I let out a sigh and followed Zephyr as he started walking.

"Everyone, get ready! The battle of the best begins in...

3...

2...

1..."

"Demitria!"