The Ever Clinging Past

The academy's morning bell rang. The sound cut through the silence as my eyes snapped open. I didn't move immediately, yet I stared blankly at the ceiling of my room. It's been a few weeks since the entrance exam.

Yet another day where I am haunted by what had happened on that day.

The day I lost everything.

I sat up in my bed, running a hand through my hair, still groggy from a night of restless sleep. The dorm room was filled with a single bed, a desk cluttered with books and training manuals, and a wardrobe with my academy uniforms. 

Through the thin door, I could hear the other cadets already ready and started to walk towards the assembly room. Their muffled voices blending with the sound of their boots.

L'arc Academy was supposed to be my fresh start. A place where I could once again achieve my goals for my own future. But no matter how much I tried to move forward I can't escape the sensation of thay day.

The day I lost everything.

The memories of South Jaka City were always cycling in my mind. The screams, the blood, the smell of burning flesh. Involuntarily My fingers started twitching. I can feel her touch. I recalled the sensation of Amus's warm hand and how she reached out to me at her last moments and her eyes suddenly becaming lifeless.

I clenched my jaw.

How am I so useless…?

No not today I have to…

A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Thal, you awake?" Ray's voice came through, steady and familiar.

"Yeah," I muttered, shaking off the last remnants of my nightmare. "Come in."

The door creaked open, and Ray stepped inside. His uniform was already neatly pressed. He tossed me a protein bar without a word. Naturally, I caught in and started eating it. "Thanks," I said as a chocolate-like flavour filled my mouth.

"You ready for today?" he asked, leaning against the wall.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied, rolling my shoulders. My muscles were still sore from yesterday's drills, a constant reminder of how relentless the training in L'arc Academy was. My instructor was a lady in her 30s named Instructor Hale. She was always giving me and Ray tough jobs.

Ray eyed me carefully. "You look like you didn't sleep much."

I shrugged. "I'm fine."

He didn't push it, but his silence told me he didn't believe me either.

"I heard we're doing combat exercises today," he said, changing the subject. "The instructors are pairing us up for sparring matches."

"Great," I muttered, though the thought of another fight sat uneasily in my chest. Combat had always been my strength, but it also dredged up memories of things I didn't want to relive. "Any idea who we're up against?"

"Not yet, but my guess is they'll pair you with someone like Aric."

Aric was a specialist in sword fighting, while I specialized in using daggers. Since the combat practice only allows one type of weapon to be used, Aric will gain the upper hand since the standard for a duel in this academy is to use a sword.

Ray smirked, reading my mind. "If it's Aric, keep your guard up. He's fast, but he's not invincible. You'll find an opening."

I let out a dry chuckle. "Thanks for the advice, but I'll be all right."

"You've been in your head a lot lately," he added, his smirk fading.

I paused, my fingers tightening around my belt as I finished dressing.

"I'm adjusting. That's all."

Ray gave me a long look before sighing. "Look, I get it… especially after everything that has happened. But you're not alone in this. In fact, please don't keep it all alone. Don't let it get to you. You're one of the best fighters here. Even more than that, you're my best friend."

I nodded, "Thanks, Ray." He was sincere about the comment, but I doubt I was one of the best fighters here

"Anytime.." he said, patting me on the shoulder. "Now, let's get moving before Instructor Hale forces us to do daily quests."

By daily quests, Ray meant to do 100x pushups, jumping jacks, squats, and situps.

***

The training field was already buzzing with activity when we arrived. Cadets paired off, warming up under the sharp eyes of our instructors. Some exchanged friendly nods, others smirks of confidence. The air was thick with tension, anticipation crackling like a storm waiting to break.

"Cadets!" Instructor Hale's voice boomed, silencing the chatter. "Today's exercises are not just about skill. They're about resilience, strategy, and pushing past your limits. When I call your name, step forward and pair up with your assigned opponent."

As people were paired up, my name was suddenly called.

I straightened, waiting for the inevitable.

"Thalamik!" I stepped forward and await the name of my opponent.

"Will be fighting Aric." Instructor Hale said.

I sighed through my nose. Of course.

I stepped forward, locking eyes with Aric across the field. He was already smirking, his stance relaxed but predatory, as if he were a wolf sizing up prey. Again everything is up to his advantage. We had battles before and he always won due to how skilled he is with a sword. I can't say this battle is unfair though. Well the instructor's prohibit us to use Mana so it's kinda unfair for a person like me who is accustomed to using Mana.

As we met at the center of the field, he tilted his head. "So, they put me up against you again huh prison boy?" His tone was mocking, but there was something else. Is he deliberately trying to provoke me.

I kept my face neutral. "Guess so. Let's see if you can handle it."

His smirk widened. "Oh, I'll handle it just fine. Question is, will you?"

Before I could reply, Instructor Hale clapped his hands. "Begin!"

As soon as Instructor Hale's hands clapped together, Aric exploded forward, his sword flashing in the sunlight.

I barely had time to raise my blade before he was on me. The moment our swords clashed, the force rattled up my arms, nearly making my grip falter. He pressed forward immediately, launching a relentless flurry of precise, cutting strikes each one meant to push me back, to keep me from ever finding my footing.

I gritted my teeth, parrying as best I could, my boots scraping against the dirt.

Aric was fast. Too fast.

"You're too slow, Thalamik," he sneered, twisting his wrist to deliver a downward slash. I barely managed to block it, but the impact sent a jolt through my bones.

I stepped back, angling my blade defensively, searching for an opening. But Aric gave me none.

He's controlling the fight. Just like always.

I moved, shifting my stance, trying to force him into a mistake. I slashed low, aiming for his legs, but he dodged easily and then countered with a vicious thrust aimed straight for my chest.

I twisted just in time, the tip of his blade grazing my ribs instead of piercing through.

He didn't give me a second to breathe. Another strike. Then another. His blade was a blur, whistling through the air as I struggled to keep up.

This isn't working. I need to change tactics.

I adjusted, exhaling sharply, and launched forward with a sudden, aggressive counterattack. I faked high, forcing him to raise his guard, then swept my sword low in a mighty arc aimed for his side.

Aric barely caught the strike, his footing shifting for the first time.

I pressed the attack.

For the first time, he was the one stepping backwards. My blade came at him from unexpected angles—diagonal slashes, sharp thrusts, quick cuts that forced him to move rather than strike. I kept my movements fast and unpredictable, not giving him the control he thrived on.

Aric's smirk faltered slightly. "That's more like it."

Then he drove his boot into my gut.

Pain shot through my stomach as I stumbled back, struggling to keep my grip on my sword.

Aric lunged again, his blade flashing like silver lightning. I barely had time to react before he was right on top of me, sword aimed directly at my throat. I parried it yet again as we clashed more and more.

But the sound of metal against metal blurred into something else.

A different battlefield.

A different fight.

The screams.

The blood.

The heat.

I faltered for a fraction of a second.

It was all Aric needed.

He feinted left, baiting my defense, then suddenly twisted his stance and drove his knee into my ribs.

Pain exploded through my side as I stumbled, my vision flickering.

"Come on, Thalamik!" Aric taunted, blade spinning effortlessly in his grip. "Is this all you've got?"

I gritted my teeth, forcing my body to move.

Focus, damn it.

Aric came at me again. This time; I was ready.

I pivoted sharply and slammed the flat of my blade against his exposed ribs.

Aric staggered back, eyes flashing in surprise. He hadn't expected that.

"Not bad," he muttered, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip. "But I'm just getting started."

I steady my breathing, trying to keep my mind in the present. But the past had its claws in me.

Aric struck again, his blade cutting through the air with deadly precision.

I matched him. I moved. I blocked.

But my breath was shortening.

The edges of my vision blurred.

I saw her again.

Amus.

The twins.

My parents.

Their blood pooling at their feet.

I froze.

Aric's sword crashed into my side, the steel slamming into my ribs with brutal force. My breath hitched, the pain pulling me back—

But not fast enough.

A second later, a powerful roundhouse kick slammed into my chest, sending me flying. My sword slipped from my grasp, clattering against the dirt.

I crashed onto my back, pain roaring through my body. The world spun.

But none of it compared to the crushing weight in my chest.

The weight of that day.

The day I lost everything.

I lay there, gasping, the sky spinning above me.

Then, a shadow loomed over me it was Aric.

Aric stood there, his breathing heavy, his sword pointed at my throat.

His smirk was gone. For a moment, there was no mockery, no arrogance he was just a measuring my condition with an unreadable expression.

"You've got skill, Thalamik," he said finally. "But you're fighting more than just me out there. You need to get your head straight."

I said nothing.

Ray was suddenly beside me, his hand outstretched. "You okay?" he asked quietly.

I took a shuddering breath, forcing myself to sit up. My ribs ached.

"Yeah," I lied.

Ray pulled me to my feet. "Don't let him get to you," he muttered.

I exhaled sharply, glancing at Aric, who had already turned away. The other cadets were watching, murmuring amongst themselves.

"He's right," I admitted. My voice felt hollow. "I'm carrying too much."

Ray's expression softened. "You don't have to do it alone."

Even if what he is saying is true. I still can't let it go.

My past clings everlastingly to my heart.