Three Spheres

Chapter 51 - Pairs

Amadeo walks with his head down, a few steps behind Eloah. She marches with an unshakable seriousness. The sound of her metallic boots against the stone floor reverberates like thunder before the storm.

Moments earlier, Amadeo had confessed his crimes: The experimental pair with one of the new members of the unit... with some random Parvus. Eloah declined to hear the details. "I'm sure Savill and Sen-Ki will explain everything properly", she said. Then she asked to meet the said-whose. Amadeo couldn't refuse, but he knew her intentions.

They walk through the fort in an uncomfortable silence, in the direction of the dorms where Johan is most likely to be found. Everyone they pass by greets Eloah with the same gesture: "Good afternoon, Lady Fortescue!", followed by a dramatic reverence. However, when they walk through the door of the training hall, Johan sees the pair of blond silhouettes and steps forward. By the doorstep, he exclaims, not courteous at all:

_ Amadeo, I left your things in front of your room...

The two Paragons stop and Amadeo turns around with terror on his face. He is staring at dead man. Eloah, on the other hand, turns slowly. Her marble face is replaced by a genuinely... restless expression. Her deep black eyes widen, while the pupils become point-sharp. Her red lips hang when she stares the ponytail man. Everything doesn't last more than an instant.

_ I believe that we do not know one another. _ She takes a step forward, letting the cape cover her entire chest; smiles _ I am Eloah. Amadeo was showing me the fort. What's your name, Parvus? _ She realizes that he doesn't have brooches in his uniform _ Where are your insignias?

_ Johan... _ He notices Amadeo's expression _ Ionani. I don't have a badge. They don't make those for Body Aberrations.

She takes another step forward and, broadening her smile, says:

_ What a unique opportunity! A Body Aberration in person. _ She touches him on the shoulder _ I would love to test my strength against with you, lad. _ She turns to Amadeo _ It won't be a problem, I believe. Our commitments can wait for a while.

Johan doesn't reply, but he soon finds himself inside the hall, in front of Eloah. Nayla leaves her sideroom and thinks: "Shit!". Amadeo doesn't move, petrified. Eloah puts her hair strands behind her ear, showing the huge scar that cross her face, and starts a countdown: 3... 2... 1...! The instant Johan moves his body, no more than a few millimeters, he is pressed against the floor.

_ Gravity. _ She moves one hand slightly downwards.

The seal she had planted on Johan's shoulder glows brightly. He can't move and feels the pressure build up progressively. The ground cracks around him. Eloah keeps her hand static and with the other performs a sequence of graceful gestures as she approaches, saying:

_ Indeed, a unique opportunity. It would be foolish of me, as an intellectual, not to check if some of our beliefs regarding Body Aberrations proceed. _ She bends down before him; Amadeo's eyes widen, understanding what she will do next _ Excuse me, please.

She touches the top of his head for the shortest second and says:

_ Purge.

The gravity spell lifts and Johan takes on an almost opistotone stance. He rolls his eyes and locks his jaw. Saliva runs down the corner of his lips, like a rabid dog. Amadeo and Nayla advance towards him and Eloah ceases the spell, amazed. The contraction stops and Johan remains unconscious on the floor. The blonde gets up, while Nayla kneels to help the boy. Amadeo threatens to do the same, but the woman takes him by the arm:

_ Hotak, take care of him. Apologize on my behalf, please. I didn't expect the spell to have such intense effect. _ She looks at Amadeo with a laconic expression _ We shall go.