Unresolved Tension

"Hey, Luka," Liam called out to the timid boy, though his eyes remained fixed on the ginger-haired cadet who was talking with his sister and Linx.

He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he didn't like the guy. Slimy was the word he'd use to describe him.

"Y-yes?" Luka appeared at Liam's side so quickly it was as if he had teleported, giving a slight bow as he approached.

Liam glanced at Luka out of the corner of his eye, his hand resting under his chin. To others, it might have been imperceptible, but Liam noticed the faint tremors running through the boy's body. Just watching him was enough to make Liam feel anxious.

The longer he observed him, the more irritated he became. The boy acted as though Liam had killed his entire family!

"All right!" Liam snapped, deciding to set aside his issues with the ginger-haired cadet for now. "What's your deal, anyway? Why are you so afraid all the time?"

Luka froze like a deer in headlights at Liam's sudden outburst, taking a sharp breath. He didn't want to explain, but the truth was that his fragile and weak physique had made him a constant target for bullies.

The previous year had been a reprieve for him, as most of those who had tormented him for years had left for the academy. But his world shattered into a million pieces when the military came knocking at his door. Not only was there a chance he'd encounter his former tormentors again, but he also feared others would treat him the same way.

Liam sighed after waiting for an answer that never came, resting his hand on his hip. He didn't care enough about Luka to press him for answers, and seeing how the boy was determined to maintain his timid demeanor, Liam decided to seize the opportunity before someone else could snatch him up and turn him into their personal errand boy.

"Whatever..." Liam muttered, touching his forehead with his fingertips. "Since you're so scared of me, let's make a deal," he proposed with a smirk, crossing his arms.

"A deal?" Luka asked, watching as Liam straightened his posture and held his head high. He couldn't help but feel a pang of envy—and a little jealousy—wishing he possessed even half the qualities the taller cadet had: good looks, confidence, and the strength to back it all up.

"Yeah, you do what I say, and in return, I won't hurt you. I might even defend you if you prove useful," Liam suggested, hoping Luka would accept. It was a fair deal for both sides, especially since Liam had no intention of harming him.

'So basically, his slave...' Luka thought. He had hoped for something better but was left with a bitter taste of disappointment. Was this what his life had come to? Trading one master for another...

He scratched his chin, considering the offer. The deal didn't sound too bad coming from someone who solved problems with his fists. Liam had already proven himself capable by blocking the lieutenant's punch earlier. And did he even have the right to refuse?

"A-all right..." Luka stuttered, unsure of his decision. He knew he was playing with fire, but things couldn't get much worse. If anything, he'd try to leech off Liam's strength to survive—such was the fate of the weak.

"Great!" Liam exclaimed. He'd always wanted someone to serve him like royalty, a treatment befitting someone of his stature. Finally, the time had come.

Feeling his antennae beginning to rise from excitement, Liam quickly stilled himself and ran a hand through his hair to keep them hidden.

'That was close..'. he thought, glancing away as a drop of cold sweat trailed down his left temple. He really needed to use those hairpins Ava had given him.

"Here's your first task, then! Keep my belongings safe. You should be able to handle that," Liam muttered the last part under his breath, hoping it wouldn't be too much of a challenge. Luka was so frail that a strong gust of wind might blow him away.

"Oh, and call me 'master' from now on!" he added, tossing his black travel bag and backpack at the young boy's feet.

Luka clenched his fist at Liam's final demand. It was better than being hit, but it still felt humiliating, a stark reminder of his place at the bottom of the food chain.

"As you say... master," he replied after a long pause, questioning every life decision that had led him to this moment.

Hearing Luka comply stung Liam's ears. It had sounded much better in his head.

"Actually, just stick to my first name," Liam waved his hand dismissively, retracting the command.

"Anyway, I'm going to see what that guy wants with my sister. I should be back soon," Liam added, hearing a low rumble coming from Luka's stomach.

Come to think of it, he'd never seen him eat.

Digging through his pocket, Liam pulled out a small, brown food pill wrapped in transparent packaging and tossed it over his shoulder to Luka.

"Take it. There's also a bit of water left in my backpack," he offered, though he wasn't entirely happy about it. He had enough supplies for himself, but it felt like a waste to spend them on Luka.

Luka clasped his hands together, stepping forward to barely catch the pill.

"Huh..." he murmured, staring at the gift before raising his head to watch Liam walk away. 'Is this a trick? Or does he actually care... No, he's just making sure his 'servant' doesn't collapse.'

'And his sister is nothing like him,' Luka thought as he observed Ava. Her rich, chocolate-brown hair was tied in a high ponytail, and he tried to find some resemblance between her and Liam, but they were like night and day.

"Oh? Liam! Come here for a second!" Ava called out to her brother, her smile stretching from ear to ear as she saw him approaching at just the right moment.

"Hm? What's up?" Liam asked, leaning against a tree with his elbow and shooting a glare at the ginger-haired cadet. The guy was about his height, maybe slightly taller, though it was hard to tell unless they stood side by side.

'Great, another idiot,' Linx thought, rolling her eyes. She had no interest in talking to the two boys. A fruit fly probably had more intelligence than the two of them combined.

"Nothing, I just wanted to talk to you," Ava replied, hoping Griff would lose interest now that Liam was here.

"You want to have a conversation with me after you left me with that loser?" Liam raised an eyebrow, still not over her choosing Linx over him. But not everything was bad—now he had his own personal servant.

Griff covered his mouth, trying to hold it in, but he burst out laughing. "Seriously, man? How are you going to catch a girl if even your sister ditched you!"

"What did you say?" Liam's voice dropped, low and threatening, with a growl underlying his words. He clenched his fist, stepping closer to Griff until they were face to face.

Something about Griff's jab struck a nerve, and it wasn't the first part—it was the latter.

"Are you sure you want to fight?" Griff challenged, raising his fist and igniting it with emerald-green flames that danced around his skin, shifting to sapphire blue at the edges. Despite their appearance, the heat was barely noticeable, even to Liam, who stood closest.

"Heh, you think I'm afraid of your little fl—" Liam didn't get to finish his sentence as Ava suddenly stood up, punching Griff in the abdomen and sending a kick toward Liam, who managed to catch her leg just in time.

"Enough!" she yelled, unwilling to let the conflict escalate further.

'I should have done this earlier instead of dragging Liam into it...' Ava bit her tongue, feeling a weight in her chest. Her attempt to keep things peaceful had only made matters worse.

"Hey! What gives? I was about to knock some sense into him!" Liam complained, glaring at his sister.

"You...bitch..." Griff groaned, clutching his stomach. His face turned red, unable to believe Ava had dared to hit him.

Hearing Griff's words, Liam's eyes narrowed. He rushed forward and punched Griff in the face, sending him stumbling to the ground.

Blood dripped from Griff's nose as he suffered the same fate as Ray, falling victim to Liam's temper. Liam rubbed his wrist, proud of his work, but his triumph was short-lived as a commanding voice echoed across the field.

"Cadet Liam! One hundred push-ups, now!" the lieutenant shouted, pointing to the ground.

'Ugh! Why does everyone have a problem with me?!' Liam thought, glancing at Griff, who was panicking over his swollen, tomato-like nose.

Without another word, Liam dropped to the ground and began his push-ups, eager to get it over with. He had no regrets, though. Only he had the right to insult his sister, and he'd make sure anyone who dared to do so would pay.

"This isn't over yet!" Griff threatened, getting to his feet after recovering from the shock. But Liam ignored him, his attention suddenly drawn elsewhere.

"Cadet Liam! Why are you stopping?!" the lieutenant yelled, but his words fell on deaf ears.

The young hybrid could feel a faint vibration beneath his fingertips. Something was moving under the dry, cracked earth—and it was moving fast.