Chapter 45: Fallen Bloom Part 2

A Few Minutes Ago:

Nirvana Hyuseff-

I kept a brisk pace, hastily walking to the coliseum after Principal Zynsim had made his announcement. I just had to be late, all because I overslept…how foolish of me.

Making a turn right on the wall of a building, the giant grey coliseum was in view, 'hopefully I didn't miss anything.' I spoke in my head, increasing speed.

Just as I was about to pass the auditorium, Crim had made an appearance, walking from the opposite side to me. Crim waved with a small grin, "hey Vana, you know you're about to be late, right?" He jested.

"Yes, I know Crim." I chuckled. "I could say the same about you however." I remarked arching a brow.

"Oh ha-ha…"—Crim paused— "But anyways…can I speak to you really quick Nirvana?"

I didn't respond right away, taking a glance at the coliseum further behind. My attention had shifted back onto Crim, his grey eyes staring directly into mine. "Of course, is something the matter?" I worriedly asked.

Crim opened his mouth, then his eyes averted, down at me, "Nirvana…you're doing it again." He stated, his voice encased with a tone of concern.

I looked down, unknowingly, my hand was placed on the left section of my stomach, where I was impaled. "O-Oh… I-I'm sorry." I apologized, moving my hand to my side.

"Why are you apologizing Nirvana?" Crim moved closer, his eyes fixated on me, "it's my fault this even happened…"—He gently grasped my hand, moving it from my waist, and placing my palm on his warm cheek— "I should've been there, to protect you."

I could feel myself grow flustered from him, he's growing into such a handsome boy from how long we knew each other. "N-no it's fine Crim… it's my fault it even happened."

Crim took another step to me, entering my personal space, a few inches taller than me, face to face. Still clasping my palm, keeping it on his cheek. "Don't say that Vana. It wasn't." He firmly stated.

Crim continued, making a winsome smile, "y'know, Vana. For as long as I could remember. Five whole years – I always had the biggest crush on you." He gave a light chortle as his eyes softened.

This caught me by surprise, my face felt extremely hot. Feeling my lips wriggle from his confession. However, it's not like I didn't feel the same either. Instead of looking at Sin like the little brother I've never had, I always seen Crim as something different; more. But I tried to conceal it, despite my jealousy exceeding its limits when I see him flirting with other sophomores. "Are you telling the truth, Crim?" I softly asked, my voice sheltered in doubt.

"Now why would I lie to you." Crim chuckled, wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me in for a firm hug.

I became hesitant as he embraced me, uncertain as to what I should do. But the longer he held me in his arms, I finally succumbed to my heart, hugging his chest. "I-I like you too, Crim. I always did."

Crim placed a finger under my chin, and raised my head, staring at me while he kept that charming smile. He slowly moved closer, softly, lovingly, pressing his lips against mine. I always wanted this; us embracing each other, sharing a kiss. To be with him. Only him. "That means your gonna stop flirting with girls, Crim…" I quipped flatly, still feeling flustered.

Suddenly, I heard vague noises of children screaming. My eyes had broadened, watching a gigantic, lavender dome appear. Slowly enfolding the entire coliseum, causing it to become silent. "Wait, Crim loo-

*BOOOOM*

I quickly turned, discerning a thunderous explosion. Viewing nebulous, blackened smoke, and raging flames covering Vaim city on my left.

A few students and professors who didn't enter the coliseum shouted in dismay.

"We're under attack!!!"

"Enemy forces infiltrated Vaim!!"

All watching the horrific scene before them, others ran towards the coliseum to destroy the dome, firing an abundance of elements at it. While some decided to retreat or find military guards.

When I tried to move and aid them, Crim wouldn't let go, "Crim! What are you doing?! Let go, we're under attack!! We have to go and find Sin and Elaine!!" I shouted trying to remove myself.

"And because I care about you so much Nirvana, I can't lie to you…"—Crim's grip tightened, holding me in place— "People will be forced to kill each other in front of basically the whole school. While enemy forces will come here to attack."

I just couldn't believe what Crim said. I quickly utilized my kinetics, conjuring blistering winds and pushed Crim off me. "What are you talking about?!" I yelled at him, my mind in utter pieces trying to digest what he explained.

Crim dug in his pocket, pulling out a platinum ring with a purple gem embedded in the center. Using his aura, it activated, making a small projection appear.

I gasped, almost losing air from what I was witnessing. The seats of the coliseum were filled with students. On the stage, ten kids all wielded weapons in their hands. Plus, I noticed a woman's head, and Principal Zynsim's lifeless body on the edge of the arena.

Dazed; is all I was. My brain just couldn't process what was going on. Everything just happened so fast…

Crim rigorously grabbed my shoulders, "listen Vana…come with me, where you'll be safe from harm. We can be together, with no one getting in our way."

Shaking my head back into reality, I raised my arm and smacked his face, resounding a crisp slap. "What's your problem?! Skysin and Elaine are in there. We're all so close, Elaine and Sin are like your younger siblings – then you betray US?!!!"

Crim rubbed his cheek as he dropped his head, "y-you just wouldn't understand Vana…"—He extended his arm towards me— "please, come with me."

I shook my head, "I can't Crim… I just can't betray my kingdom, my friends, my family…" I replied, raising my arms and creating all four of the elements, revolving around me in large orbs.

"So be it Vana… I'm sorry."

It hurts so much, a feeling of agony in my head. The one boy whom I loved so much, became a traitor to the place he was raised in. To the people who all cared for him, Sin, Elaine, everyone…

Just as I was about to discharge a ferocious attack, Crim used the ring once more. Then, my body began to glow in lavender. Before I could comprehend what was going on, I instantly teleported in front of the threshold of the king's castle. "I-I'm in Valorrey??" I asked myself, bewildered by what just happened.

"Ms-Ms. Hyuseff?! How did you get here???" One of the officers guarding the castle walls, ran to me in a hurry.

The guard's words made me regain consciousness as I blankly stared at the threshold before me. "A-Attack…Vaim is under attack!!" I screamed running towards the large gates. When I did, I conjured the wind, making me soar, and speed over the wall. Landing right in front of the brown castle doors, I busted through them, desperately dashing through the halls, searching for Raine and Audrey.

Coming to the living area, I came to see Raine, Audrey, Rellgis, Valentine, and Melluna seated on her lap. When they all noticed me, "Ni-Nirvana?? What are you doing here? It's not time for the tournament yet." Audrey asked erecting to her feet.

Tears had finally trailed down my cheeks, completely broken from this situation at hand. I ran to Audrey, wrapping my arms around her waist as I hiccupped, "We're under attack! Elaine… Sin… the entire city is getting attacked!!"

Alarmed, everyone quickly stood, "dammit!" Rellgis growled grounding his teeth. He seized Valentine's shoulders, "Val, take Melluna home, now."

"Honey…what about yo- "Val…please, just go home. I'll get the kids…" Rellgis interrupted, kissing her lips. Valentine warily nodded and lifted Melluna into her arms, sheathing herself in purple, teleporting in an instant.

"I'm coming with too." Raine firmly volunteered.

"No, stay here. We don't know if they'll try to attack Valorrey as well." Rellgis denied. "I'll bring forces with me to protect the planet and get the kids from harm. Notify Alzar as well." Rellgis ordered as they exited the room.

As my restless breathing began to increase, Audrey took a knee and clasped my cheeks, "breath honey. Tell me what happened, ok?"

I began recalling everything that had transpired, the swelling in my head causing rigid aches. "A-A dome had appeared trapping all the kids and professors in the coliseum. Kids are going to be forced to kill each other. An explosion happened in the city by unknown enemies. And Crim, he told me everything… Crim betrayed the kingdom…"

After each thing I had explained to Audrey, her hazel eyes grew wider every moment. Then, after heeding my last sentence, her mouth had gaped open, trying to word something. "That means…Sa-Savitra!"

*****

Skysin Rillem

Indistinct clamors of everyone in the coliseum were filled with chaotic cries and questions. Down below on the stage – ten kids stood from each other, their faces blenched in fear as their eyes were teeming with confusion.

All while I was trying to keep my composure, scrutinizing the situation. Thinking back earlier, Ms. Wallzeen said Professor Cliff was up here – although he's deceased – including Ailen. Who's now on the arena floor. Plus, if Principal Zynsim was killed… why wasn't she either?

It doesn't make any sense; you'd expect her to be murdered as well. Being the vice principal of an entire academy. Unless… she's apart of this. Which my speculation could be true, regarding the fact, once again, she wasn't killed by Nitanz. 'It all starting to make sense now… dammit.' I cursed in my head.

If Professor Cliff was killed in a time before this all happened, how was he in such a state that didn't make it believable – except the fact his eyes were extremely dull – his arms had perfectly separated from his body. Could it be necromancy kinetics? Although I've never encountered it, however, that doesn't mean somebody can utilize that type of kinetic power.

Including Principal Zynsim as well, he sounded normal from the announcements earlier. Whatever that power is, there's a grand difference in the abilities of necromancy. Unlike from the depraved, Principal Zynsim and Professor Cliff acted, and spoke just like their selves.

"The-They're really not going to kill each other, right??" Shantae asked clinging onto Razon.

"I-I'm not sure, from the looks of it, that woman Nitanz wasn't bluffing…" Rolland replied, his eyes surveying the coliseum.

"Those projections…it's hard to call it a bluff. They looked entirely too real." Razon spoke, staring at the kids on the stage.

"Two minutes left!!" Nitanz' laughter chimed through the entire coliseum.

All the kids shuddered from her words, some taking a few steps back from each other. However, one bloke wielding a long sword, steadily moved forward. Lunging to another boy and piercing his chest, discharging blood onto the white stage.

With that, a massacre had begun…

'TENKO – TENKO?! Where are you! Can you hear me!!?' I yelled in my head calling for him, but he wasn't answering. My foot rapidly tapping on the marble floor, hysterically cursing to myself as more wails and screams sounded from everyone in the arena.

One girl attempted to run off the stage. But as soon as she jumped off, an armored guard in that section raised his hand, firing searing blazes of flames, burning her to a crisp.

As all the others continued their infinite thrusts and swings, I noticed Ailen, fighting off another boy who seemed to be a sophomore as well. The boy quickly recoiled his spear, and thrusted, sending it towards Ailen's head. Ailen bobbed, dodging the attack and coated his arm in blistering winds, shooting a devastating tempest through the boy's stomach, creating a gaping hole.

He stared at Ailen with a shade of hopelessness in his brown eyes, falling onto the ground, and dying.

When Ailen had backed away from the boy's corpse, a girl with a sickle had stabbed his spine. She moved from him, lifted her hand and conjured a giant ball of water, blasting it onto him, knocking Ailen off the stage.

As the battle prolonged, there was only six left, as for the others; nothing but bloodied cadavers. One boy shot a blazing ball of flames towards the girl. She briskly leapt over it, and while in air, she swung her sickle, sending two arched blades of water at him, slicing both of his forearms off simultaneously.

When the boy screamed staring at his crimson arms, another girl created a giant cube of earth, and slammed it down right on top of him, squishing the boy. His blood-curdling screams coming to a stop abruptly.

Meanwhile, two seniors were battling. The bloke brandished his short swords and dove towards the black-haired boy. He raised his arms, manipulating a stream of water, swirling around his limbs. He aimed at his opponent and discharged multiple sharpened pellets.

The boy quickly halted, and circumvented through the pellets, pivoting his foot, rolling onto the ground and leaping into the air while weaving the bullets of water. As he landed, he made crepitating lightning enfold his body, zooming behind the opposer. When he did, the boy thrusted his short swords into the nape of the others neck, killing him in an instant.

'This entire school…has fallen into hell.' I thought to myself, gazing at the bodies of students on the stage. I can't do anything, but sit here, and watch this massacre. My power is completely gone, and I have no idea for what the purpose could be. I don't remember doing anything that could've affected me. Yesterday, the only people I've really had contact with is Elaine, and Crim.

The source where I feel this bizarre sensation, is transmitting from my chest. The only person who had physically touched me there…is Crim. 'No…no, it couldn't be Crim. He wouldn't do this to me, he-he's basically my older brother…' I argued in my head, trying my hardest to deny this puzzle being put together.

All while I could feel Elaine's shoulder frantically shiver on my chest. Her hands covering her ears as she faintly sniffled, her face cringed in horror. I grimaced, my arms firmly wrapped around her back, keeping her close to me.

What can I do? How can we get out of this? Why am I so useless…? NO! Right now, my only objective is to make sure Elaine isn't harmed. I must keep her safe. Even if my body is worthless right now, I'll get her out of here…

Nitanz' hazardous chuckles resounded once more, notifying everyone. "One minute left, children…"