Editing Fides Army (section)

== Present: Solathàr ==
I felt the ice-cold blade twirl between my fingers, as I watched their combat commence. When Coleen crashed to the ground, I resisted the urge to chuckle.

"You are showing promise, soldier." I heard Captain's comment.

''I am better.''

The thought flashed through my mind. I knew it was true.

''I have always been better.''

My expression revealed no emotion, except fixed certainty.

I leaned back against the wall, and glanced up. Vivid blue stretched as far as the eye could see, shining across the mountain range. It tinted the world in heavenly brilliance. A supernatural glow emanated from the stone walls when sun rays hit them. The landscape was draped in green, its vibrant colors bringing life to this lonely cliff. A light breeze grazed my face as I turned away from the mountains and looked the opposite direction.

Across the gulf, the city showed all of its glory. The homes, built to adapt to the large rocks rising from the ground and towering over the sea, were stacked in a way that made you think of a majestic stairwell. Even from a distance, the business of midday was visible in the streets. If you listened close enough, the wind would carry the sound of laughter and conversing from the town. It would carry it all the way to this secluded complex.

My gaze followed the horizon, back to the rigid outline of each mountain behind me. As I turned back slowly, my thoughts went to the camp. Most of the locals had no idea that across the clear bay, lay the camp of an army in training. To most of them, the density of the trees and secludedness of the cliff was a boundary. Nobody dared to guess what might be hiding here.

That hadn't been the case with me.

One last time, I looked towards the sea. Somewhere not far, lay a beautiful island with Punta La Marmora towering over its subjects. Beyond that, you could reach the coast of Spain. It was my dream to discover those places, and get away from all of this.

They say I should be happy to have grown up in a place like this. They call it lucky to live in a paradise.

''But, tell me, what's so special about it?''

Standing against the door frame of the training arena, I was able to compare this bright scenery to the inside of the arena. It had no roof, instead covered with a rusty metal grate. The shadows shaped by the towering walls, loomed from all sides, fighting against the sunlight. It created something like a spotlight for the two combatants at its center.

I stepped closer towards the inside, embracing the dark and cold of the shadows. The cool breeze hit my skin.

''Inhale.''

I would choose these shadows over any sunny day.

''Exhale.''

I would choose this moment over any minute spent in the city of Sorrento.

My eyes caught the small dagger, twisting across the palm of my hand. Its spine easily slid between my finger tips, then twirled back around in repeat. The touch of steel, the sharpened side, its precise aim. It gave me a sense of comfort. It is something that I could control.

Finally, I started to relax in my surroundings. My stern expression curled into a smirk. The temptation to thrust my dagger into something entered the atmosphere.

It continued to linger as I looked around for a potential target. Besides the dummy figures we use for training, nothing of use was laying around.

I was bored.

Instead of continuing my search, I parted with the darkness. I stepped outside and leaned against the stone wall once again.

________________________________________________________________________________

I was dozing off, when Coleen came running out of the arena, bubbling over with joy. She was bubbling all over me.

It was disgusting.

"I think I passed! I only get my results tomorrow- I'm so excited!", she gasped excitedly.

I rolled my eyes.

"I'm headed to lunch.", I replied dryly, already on my way.

"Yeah, it's lunch time now anyway. Meet me at the dining hall?", Captain said, coming out of the arena.

________________________________________________________________________________

I had just cleared my plate, when I heard Captains voice booming through the hall.

"Alright, lunch is over. Is anyone ready to take their test?"

''It's time.''

I stood up, "I'm ready."

She nodded once, and walked towards the arena. A little flustered, I followed in a hurry.

Once in the arena, Captain sat in a chair, and leaned back.

"When you are ready, you may start." she stated, devoid of emotion.

"I am ready."

"Let's see what you've got."

I charged with a thundering war cry. A quick twist of my wrist and the sword came down on the dummy's neck. A step back. I dove for its lower body, sweeping it off of its feet.

Captain leaned forward, "Have you finished?"

I glanced, "No."

She sat back, watching closely.

I set the dummy back on its feet before continuing.

Then, I thrust my sword at the dummy once again. This time aiming for its heart, yet... missing. I stumbled forward aimlessly, in confusion. That didn't last long.

I grinned. Jumping off the wall in a backflip, I was airborne for a moment of quick glory. I brought the sword down, cleaving its head in two and continuing down its chest.

My slip-up was intentional. Or, that's how I made it seem. 

I was panting.

Turning towards the Captain I asked, "So?".

She stood.

"That was.... considerable."

''What?''

My mind hissed.

I stared at her blankly.

She continued, "A slip-up like that on the battlefield, however intentional it may be, could cost you your life."

Out of habit, I stood a little bit straighter.

My pride was damaged. Inside, I could feel it start to boil.

I answer, with a slight growl, "I shall do better next time."

Instead of responding, Captain simply walked over to one of the walls and picked up a sword.

Nervously, I took a defensive stance.

"I am going to attack you and I would like you to defend as best as you can." she told me.

"I promise not to hurt you too bad." I said winking, pushing down my anger.

The whole thing was a blur. All I can remember is she was too fast. Metal scraped the ground as she slashed at my legs.

I was seeing everything in slow motion.

I dove to the ground, avoiding her blade. Next thing I knew, I jumped back up, and her weapon was at my left arm. I saw it too late. Pain hit me. I quivered, her sword now an inch away from my face.

Stepping back, I dropped my own sword. The metal clattered when it hit the ground. Humiliation engulfed me.

She pulled back, and asked, "Are you alright?"

My emotions were in complete turmoil, as I looked at the ground. I had embarrassed myself. I wanted to hide. She kept staring at me.

My mouth tasted sour with anguish. I wanted to throw up. And suddenly, I wanted to hurt her. I wanted to see her face torn with pain. I wanted to make her pay.

''I need to leave.''

''Before I do something I'll regret.''

"Fine", I barely responded before storming off towards the barracks.

I wish she hadn't followed, but she did. 

"You beat me", I spat, "What now? Do you want to rub it in my face too?"

I knew it wasn't right, but I wanted to hurt her.

She simply raised an eyebrow. 

Her calm demeanor lit a fire inside of me. I was mad. I wanted to snap. I wanted to lift a sword and thrash it at her neck.

But I couldn't.

I wanted some kind of reaction.

But she didn't give one.

I needed to be here. I wanted to rise to her level, learn to be unbeatable. I wanted to earn her trust. I wanted her to believe I would stay loyal.

For that to happen, I couldn't push her boundary.

"That is no way to talk to your Captain." 

Fury burned and threatened to escape. The want to push her to the limit washed over me. But, I shoved it down.

"Look at me."

I turned and snapped, "What?"

I barely stopped myself from spitting at her again.

"This attitude will get you no place good", a hint of sadness leaking from her voice. More than anger or hurt, sorrow tinted her deep blue eyes.

Shame overcame me, and I looked back at the ground. I couldn't hold her gaze anymore.

''Keep it together.''

"You're only 19, don't make this anger of yours a reputation. You are very emotional on the battlefield, but you've shown promise."

Her voice reached out to me like a sympathetic hand. I wanted to reach back, but something was holding me.

A sarcastic, "Sorry", escaped me.

Everything hurt. I mumbled something.

"What did you just say?", her eyes were piercing. Her voice was suddenly hard.

I looked up, seeing that her gaze had changed. It was full of irritation, but the sorrow still lingered.

''Finally.''

''A reaction.''

"Sorry. Doesn't matter."

I knew this would get to her.

"There will be no mumbling", her voice stern but steady, laced with bitterness.

''Keep it together.''

I needed to remind myself. I feared I wouldn't stop pushing her buttons.

"Sorry Captain." I replied, faking humility. It was almost convincing.

She shook her head, disappointed.

"I won't have this."

''What? What does she mean?''

Fear started creeping in.

She could kick me out. She has power that I don't.

I was confused and didn't know what to say. Panic hit me like a shockwave.

"This is not how you treat anyone", she turned and started walking, "figure it out Sol. Otherwise you will be drinking your life away at the age of thirty."

With that said, she left me.

''Fine. Walk away. I'll show you.''
[[Category:Short Stories]]