Chapter 30: Corrupted Mentality

Skysin Rillem-

Elaine sat Tenko down, and all of us began approaching Nirvana. However, Nirvana lifted her hand and shook her head, signaling us to stop. We all hesitated at first but decided to let her handle the pair.

"Looks like you're in for a bad time. You ready Dane?" The dirty blonde-haired boy chuckled malevolently.

"Of course Samuel!" Dane lifted his arms, creating icicles from thin air. As a translucent barrier surrounded them; he fired a barrage of ice at her.

Nirvana quickly waved her hand, using wild flames to melt the ice as it came in contact. Then Samuel hardened his body as his hands and face became rough like rusty metal. He took a step and dove towards Nirvana as Dane resumed his bombardment of jagged ice.

Nirvana took a deep breath and made flames revolve her to cease any further ice. Then moved forward to the incoming boy. Just as Samuel threw a punch to her lower abdomen. Nirvana weaved her body from the attack, and Samuel shot past her. As he did, she formed earth completely coating her shin. Nirvana lifted her leg and swung it down on the back of the Samuel's neck. The force of the kick sent his face and body slamming into the ground with a hard 'thump.'

Dane flinched in fear, creating more spears of ice, and projected them at Nirvana. She rose her arm and blasted a wave of fire, melting all of it in one fell swoop. Dane was startled by this, faltering his movement forward as sweat sheathed his face. Yet, he gritted his teeth and charged at her screaming, covering his fists in crystal ice.

Nirvana made a small wisp of wind ripple from her feet sweeping across the ground, and made the boy trip, falling to her. She nimbly shot her leg up horizontally, kicking Dane right on the bottom of his chin, sending him a few feet away from her.

Nirvana looked at the now unconscious boy, lying on the wooden floor. When the barrier disappeared, she rotated and went to check on the other sophomore who was badly beaten.

Me, Elaine, and the others walked over to him as well. "Good thing your fine… is this guy ok though?" Elaine asked kneeling down to inspect his injuries.

"Yes… he should be fine. He didn't receive any mortal wounds, just some scars and bruises. I'll have to call a nurse." Nirvana stated examining him.

"Well then, so much for helping. You handled that fast and perfectly." I jested unconcerned crossing my arms. "Hahaha, it's all because of that training we endured for years." Nirvana looked up to me with a compassionate smile.

"NIRVANA LOOK OUT!!!" Razon frightfully screamed running to us.

At that moment, the crowd around gasped in shock.

Before I knew it, Nirvana's smile had faded, her rosy skin grew extremely pale. Her mouth had gaped open, and her brown eyes had nothing but fear and distraught in them as they began to gradually close.

*Drip*

I discerned faint sounds of liquid hitting the floor. I quickly glanced down to see blood… My eyes broadened when I noticed the side of her stomach. Impaled by a long, hugely sharp icicle.

"N- No… Nirvana!!" Elaine's voice started to crack from anxiety as tears ran down her face, moving over to Nirvana, holding her still as she slowly started to fall. Nirvana began to cough blood… a lot of it.

Then, the ice started to fade, only viewing a large gaping hole in her stomach. Elaine quickly sat her hand on Nirvana's stomach, and utilized her telekinesis, attempting to stop further blood loss. But it wasn't helping.

"Ni-Nirvana… just stay awake…" Elaine wept, keeping a hold of Nirvana as her clothes were soaking in crimson.

'Should I use my ice?? But what if it makes it worse? She has a hole in her stomach… this isn't anything like Aunt Taekhyu's wound!' I contemplated to myself in turbulence. My mind was swirling like a whirlpool filled with fret.

"We need to get a medic! Rolland come on, now!!!" Razon shouted, running to the nearest nurse's office with Rolland.

I couldn't believe what I was witnessing. I heard a indistinct voices shriek in the background as the crowd began to panic.

Next, I looked up to see Dane on his back, with his hand aimed right where Nirvana was. Having tears trailed down his face in horror. "I-I-I'm sorr-sorry I didn't mean to do that!!!" Dane cried apologizing. But still, he erected to his feet and started to retreat from the scene. Stumbling as he streaked away.

I could feel pure rage envelop my body, it felt like my skin was searing in flames of wrath.

'Kill.'

I felt this… sudden surge of power that I've never encountered. A sinister sensation, began to gradually flow out of my body, only watching chaotic black aura slowly reach out of my arms, like headless snakes. My head was filled with venom and fury, my consciousness only had one thing in mind; kill him.

When Dane ran down the hall, in unimaginable speed, I tackled him. Crashing us both into the wall on the right, then on the ground. I stood before him while Dane laid on his back, his eyes sheltered in terror.

"You disgusting bastard…" I snarled as my voice became grim. "It was only an accident, please. I didn't mean to harm Nirvana; it wasn't supposed to hit her." Dane clasped his hands together, pleading for forgiveness.

"Then WHO?!! Why even do that in the first place?!!" I roared, filling the air in this frigid blackened aura seeping out of me. "I don- I don't know!! I was only trying to make a w-warning!!" Dane ran his elbows and the heel of his shoes across the floor, attempting to back away.

'Cover the floor in his blood…'

Just as this uncanny voice demanded, I walked to the boy as he tried to move further. Before Dane could word anything, I coated my leg in crystal ice and ran my foot across his jaw, hearing a sharp and bloody 'crack'. Dane covered his mouth and released muffled wails as tears continued to run down his face. I didn't care… I had to make him pay.

I kicked his chest in, making him gasp for air. Then as he laid once more. I went above him, pressing his arms down with my knees and freezing the ground so he wouldn't move.

I lifted my arm and slammed my fist into his face, causing his head to collide with the floor. I could hear Elaine crying out Nirvana's name while she bled out, losing consciousness. I'm supposed to help… but I couldn't stop myself from beating Dane. I was starting to enjoy it, watching him suffer.

"Die." I shot consecutive punches, at his face and chest, smothering him in blood and fragments of ice.

'Sin, stop! Hey!!' Tenko shouted in my head, but I ignored him.

I wanted to make this guy agonize in pain. As I continued striking him, I could feel his warm blood splatter onto my face and see red liquid sheathe my hands.

Tenko, Crim, and Razon ran over to me, trying to pull me away.

But a hand suddenly grabbed my collar, and slammed me into the wall. I looked up to see an older boy, maybe a senior. Wavy light green hair that fell to his squinted eyes and wore two rings. One diamond, with another platinum, having a fist encased on it.

I glanced down to see the boy in a bloody mess, surprisingly he was still breathing. Then I gazed at the crowd staring at me, like I was a wild animal.

I looked over my right, seeing Ms. Wallzeen, a nurse wearing a grey robe, Elaine, and Delilah by Nirvana. Who still had a hole in her stomach.

Just when I was about to word something, the boy struck my temple, knocking me unconscious.

****

Before I knew it, I woke up in a grey bed in the infirmary that had closed blue curtains on the left of me. The windows behind me shone orangish rays of light. It had to be around the late afternoon.

I lifted my head to see Tenko sleeping on my stomach and looked over my left viewing Elaine, Crim, the three other high ranks for freshman, Ms. Wallzeen and principal Zynsim. All sitting in chairs.

Ms. Wallzeen amber eyes glanced over to me, "oh, Skysin, you're awake. Looks like you really did a number on that boy. Any more attacks-he would've died." She stated fixing her glasses.

I tried my best to recall what transpired but couldn't get full images of what I did. "How's Nirvana? Is she ok?" I asked as I sat Tenko to the right of me, sleeping soundly.

"Nirvana's fine… luckily the nurse gave her a supplement, so the wound healed. But she'll be unconscious for a week or so."Wallzeen informed.

"I'm… I'm sorry about earlier. I don't know what came over me." I apologized clinching onto the grey blanket.

Zynsim stood, "it's fine Skysin… I understand how you reacted. Seeing someone who's basically a sister near the brink of death because of another person's actions." He made a solemn face as his thin eyebrows lowered.

Crim sat his hand on my shoulder, "it's ok Sin…. at least Vana's going to be fine." He said this, but Crim's grip tightened on my shoulder. I could tell he was just as angry as I was.

"Yes, she will. As for the two boys'… they'll be expelled for assault and attempted murder." Ms. Wallzeen briefed going over some papers she had in hand.

"As for you, Skysin… we'll have to send you home for the time being. Just until things die down in the meantime." Principal Zynsim said.

"But why? Sin was only protecting her. I know that it ended up being way worse than it intended to be… but that boy almost killed Nirvana." Elaine quickly stood, rebuking his decision.

"I know, but this is merely for the boy's safety. After all that, Dane is in critical condition and the son of a noble family at that. His family may try to hunt Skysin down to either kill him or worse…"-Zynsim waved his hand shutting the argument down- "this is as much as I can do in the meantime. It's only to ensure his safety. Even if he's strong and the son of a general, that may not help if multiple men were to attack if he was alone at a time."

Elaine bit her lip and dropped her head out of spite.

"It's alright - I don't really want all that unwanted attention on me anyway." I stood, setting my hand on Elaine's crème head.

"It'll just be a little weird without you." Crim added scratching his head.

"He's right about that - classes won't exactly feel the same…" Delilah agreed as the others nodded.

"Only for a week or two is all. It won't be forever… trust me." Ms. Wallzeen gave a reassuring smile.

"Well then, let's get you ready. I'm sure the boy's family already got the news. I'll just lie and tell them you got expelled." The principal gave a light chuckle.

I gave Elaine a hug, still angry from my departure. "Don't worry Laine I'll be back before you know it." I smiled brightly.

Crim gave me a fist pump and I said goodbye to all of them. "Can I… see Nirvana really quick? Just so I know she's doing fine? It'll help calm me down a bit." I asked turning to the principal. He smiled and gestured his hand towards the curtains. I walked over and opened them, seeing Nirvana sleeping in a white, long sleeved patient gown under the covers.

I sat my hand on her head. "I'm glad you're ok, Vana. I'll see you soon." I smiled passionately leaving the bed and closing the curtains behind.

"Ready?" The principal asked. I lifted Tenko's small body and sat him on my head as he slept. "Yep."

The principal pulled out a ring with a purple gemstone imbedded in the middle. He grasped my shoulder, and in an instant, we stood in front of the white rift at the central building in Vaim city.

"We've already grabbed your things for precaution and notified your family as well. I'll see you in a couple of weeks Skysin." Zynsim bowed making a blue suitcase appear from thin air.

"Before I go…may I ask what that ring is?" I asked, my eyes studying the vestige.

"Hahaha, of course. This one in particular, is made with a spatial gem. It's called Telemage. Which allows me to teleport anywhere that I've already visited. Although it has its limits to how far I can travel, it's quite useful." The principal chuckled.

"Interesting - but thank you for not expelling me principal Zynsim. I appreciate that. Plus, I'm sure my mom would've killed me." I bowed holding Tenko in place so he wouldn't fall.

Zynsim nodded, "it's nothing at all. We'll be waiting for your return Skysin."

I grabbed the luggage and waved goodbye as I entered the rift.

***

While I was in the carriage, heading home with Tenko still asleep on my lap.

Night had arrived, revealing the beautiful stars twinkling while I gazed above from the carriage windows. But I began to recollect about Nirvana being impaled. That strange energy I felt, it wasn't normal. As if some other essence was taking over me. It didn't feel anything like my regular vital, or my amalgamation at that. The voice too… it was basically commanding me. Such an eerie feeling, I can't even come to mind about what it was.

Exiting the carriage, Tenko was wide awake jumping out with me. When I gazed at the ivory house, shined on from the moon's luminescence, dad was seated on a white porch chair with Melluna asleep, laying on his chest.

Melluna suddenly awoke and squinting her plum-colored eyes, peering at me walking up the stairs. "SinSin!!" She ran over to me hugging my waist.

"Hey son, you feeling ok?" Dad asked assisting me with my luggage. I picked up Melluna as she hugged my neck, "yeah… I'm fine." I assured him, nodding with a rather gloomed smile.

We entered the house and walked down the faintly lit hall from amber gems in the ceiling. Coming to see mom, sitting on the living room couch reading a book while the flames briskly danced in the fireplace.

Mom looked over her shoulder to see me holding Melluna. She closed the book and walked around the couch to embrace me. "We heard about what happened Sin. I'm glad that Nirvana's fine." She said with a gentle smile.

After we all took a seat in the living room, dad asked me how it all happened.

After I explained about Nirvana being stabbed. "I felt some rush of power, but there was more to it though. It's hard to explain… my aura had become completely black. The air wasn't the same coolness I usually felt, it was ominous and eerie. There was a voice too, some odd voice in my head telling me to end him. I almost followed through, until a senior and my friends stopped me." When I explained this, Mom and dad looked at each other with distraught but had a face like they seen this happening.

"Val, I think it's time you told him." Dad uttered with a sigh. "Tell me what? Is everything ok?" I asked, feeling anxiety spike in me.

"Come on Melluna, it's bedtime." Dad picked her up rubbing her head.

"But daddyy!"

"You'll see him tomorrow Luna." Dad chuckled as they headed upstairs.

Mom sat next to me with a grimaced expression. "Mom what's going on?" I worriedly asked.

"I should've just told you this when you were younger, but this is the normal time for our race." She stated.

It didn't really click what she said, our race?

"Sin, the reason I never told you about my family… was simply because I didn't want you to know, for my own selfishness - which was dumb on my behalf. But it's best you know now, since the metamorphosis is starting to take place." She added, combing her hair back with her fingers.

"What do you mean? I don't get it…metamorphosis?" I questioned her, completely perplexed.

"It's best if I just show you…" As she said this, it was that same, sinister sensation I felt at school. Coating herself menacing blackened aura.

As it faded, I came to see a drastic change with her features. Her canines became longer, growing razor-sharp fangs. Her long, silky pineapple-colored hair, altered to a color of light grey. Mom's lavender eyes turned to midnight-black, to the point I couldn't see her pupils. Yet, they were ethereal. Lastly…two black horns emerged. Protruded on the side of her head, curved to the back, pointing upwards, transfixing the air. Almost like a grimly made crown.

This pressure was absolutely suffocating, her power felt like aunt Taekhyu's. The only difference was the ambiance, this unsettling atmosphere made the miniscule hairs on the back of my neck stand like a hedgehog.

Mom sat her soft hand on my head. "You're mixed with two different clans. Kitsune from your father… and the Fiendevors on my side. Skysin, you have pure Fiendever blood running in your veins..."