Double Edged Blade
Chase was taken aback, it was strange even for Poppy to make such a move, and it was clear there was some reluctance in her actions.
She pushed him back, and onto the bed that wasn't his.
Remembering that his dagger was still planted underneath his pillow, he once again steeled himself for the act of taking a life.
He remembered that dimly lit stair well of Phoenix Academy on the day that he had arrived, when he was stabbed by a dagger that should have killed him.
Her right hand was placed on his chest, and her eyes were closed but still in a calculating way that sort of scared Chase, even if he was ready to take her life.
He did not care for love or relationships, why would he? He didn't know if he would survive long enough to get to enjoy one, people he had cared about did not get that chance, so why should he?
He reached his right hand back, feeling the cold handle of his father's dagger brush against his fingers.
Then in one swift movement, Poppy reached back drawing an ivory dagger out of small particles, and Chase pulled his hand out from behind the pillow.
The moment following held much more meaning then any stupid kiss, or exchange between two people.
There was silence, silence followed by immense tension, but almost a sense of humor hidden between the lines.
Both having daggers only inches away from their throats led for a single moment of honesty from both, neither was going to kill the other, that was just how things were between them.
Neither had their own reason to take action when it came to their parent's affairs, just as Chase was not inclined to rebuild the Phoenix Clan or search for the underworld as of now, Poppy had no reason to assassinate someone that was of no threat to her.
Then the both of them couldn't help but laugh as their lives had been moments away from ending in such a cruel way.
Her hand trembled lightly barely able to keep a strong grip on her blade; however, his hand did not shake in the slightest, had his body known that neither of them were going to die? Or had his body not feared taking her life in the slightest?
She dismissed her dagger and sighed.
"You've changed."
She muttered, her crimson eyes sadly gazing into his.
He shrugged, and sat up.
"I guess."
He said, glancing into the darkness of the empty sky.
"There are some things I need to tell you."
She said sadly, her head lowering to the ground.
"Does it have to do with the academy not being safe?"
She nodded, but then shook her head.
"It's not safe for you, I can't speak for the rest of us, but you not necessarily safe anywhere you go now, but I can also say that Leander is not safe either."
Chase sighed.
"He is one of the strongest Paladins, how can he not be safe?"
She crossed her arms.
"You underestimate my father, and the other Paladins. Legal matters are a great thorn for all of the strongest warriors of Vallmora."
He scratched his arm, as he was lost in thought once again.
"Leander did not agree with Rider's actions..."
She nodded.
"Leander has been marked for treason, and will face punishment for it, but he may be able to get out of it as long as he goes without fighting, and states his reasoning for such an act."
Chase nodded, feeling that The Headmaster would not do anything rash enough to endanger his students.
"There is something else..."
Chase said, feeling that Poppy was not done informing him.
She nodded.
"You need to take the award that Rider will present to you at the feast tonight, and vow yourself a warrior of the eleven kingdoms. If Rider nor my father see you as a threat, than you may live under the contract of Vallmora and serve the kingdoms as a powerful night, you will have access to all of the best training, and libraries of the continent."
"And they won't kill me?"
He meant to say it seriously but it came out sarcastic, as if he did not care if they took his life.
She frowned.
"They might kill you either way, but at least you have a chance of survival if you play along with their rules."
Chase scratched the back of his head, and sighed.
"I don't want to fight anymore, can't they just exile me?"
She shook her head.
"My father already knows you have survived The Dark Forest once, although it was more of the southern parts and far safer, the chances of you surviving again are too high for my father's liking."
Chase shrugged.
"So I really am in a bad spot."
"Very bad spot."
She confirmed, with a sad smile.
He rested his chin on his fist, and gaze out of the window.
"Although... Never mind."
He knew what she was going to say, but it was out of the question, he was not going to surrender to the man who had ordered Frostfang to assassinate him.
He had seen it all when he had to survive Sazir's Trinity Art, he had seen everything at the cost of his own willpower.
He had seen the face of Eternity, which would normally break anyone's will to live, as it was not every day that an elder god looked you right back in the eyes from within someone else's eyes.
"Can I think it over?"
She nodded and stood up, with one last glance she left the room.
There was not much to think over, he already knew what he was going to do.