Destiny No More

Chapter 4

Pyrrha struggled with the clasp of her blouse, before sighing in frustration and sitting back in her chair. She looked back towards her bed, wishing nothing more than to go back to sleep, but knew she had lessons to attend.

The few hours of sleep she had gotten since her nightmare had been dreamless, thankfully, but not nearly enough. Rather than the eight hours she usually got it, it felt like only a two or three. It left her tired and irritable, a fact that her team had already picked up on. She hadn't snapped at them or anything, no angry outburst or enraged accusations, but it had apparently been enough.

She had apologized, of course, telling them to go on to breakfast ahead of her while she finished getting ready. They had been a little hesitant but she had managed to convince them it was for the best. It gave her the time to focus on what was wrong without having to keep up appearances.

Not the plastic smile kind of appearances, she had moved well past that with her team, but more so the 'I'm fine' variety. She didn't want to worry them and so she would rather struggle alone. Or, so she'd thought.

The only thing she'd been able to think about was her dream. It had all been so... vivid. Her hands still shook when she thought about it, that also being the reason she was struggling to button up her uniform.

After a few more minutes of trying, and a few impolite mutterings towards the inventor of buttons later, she was dressed. She opened the door to the bathroom, checking herself in the mirror to make sure she was at least somewhat presentable.

Pyrrha let out a disappointed sigh at what she saw. Her clothes were on right, a little wrinkled here and there but nothing to be concerned about. Her hair looked fine from a distance, but upon closer inspection it was clearly a mess, at least by her standards.

The part that bothered her however were her eyes. Bloodshot with not too subtle bags under them, it was all too easy to tell she hadn't slept properly. Her hands fidgeted at her sides, refusing to hold still as she tried to force on the fake smile she so often relied on.

It would be enough to convince most but if anyone looked too closely they might assume she was falling apart, and she felt like it. Her body had ached from the moment she had woken, feeling sore in a way she hadn't been familiar with since her last tournament match.

The exhaustion of a difficult fight, one that was a test of mental fortitude as well as physical prowess. She had loved that feeling once, the adrenaline rush of real combat where either side could come out on top. It had been the largest motivator for her to start fighting.

This was different however, this was something more. It wasn't reassuring, there was no satisfaction of a fight well fought. There was only pain and a deep sense of something being wrong.

Pyrrha shook her head, ignoring her reflection and the headache that came with it, as she turned away. Stopping only to grab her scroll and take a deep breath, she stepped out into the halls of Beacon.

Thankfully most of the students were either still in their rooms, training, or in the cafeteria at this time. That meant she would have a few more minutes of peace at least.

The walk to the cafeteria felt longer than usual but she ignored it, assuming it was due to how she was feeling.

Her stomach churned as she stood outside the large door, unsure as to what might have caused it. She couldn't recall the last time she had eaten, that must have been it. Her body was in pain, her head felt like it was splitting, and now she felt nauseous.

She considered turning and heading for the nurses office, but a quiet, cold voice in the back of her head said it wouldn't matter. Sighing, she entered the cafeteria and set off in search of her team. It didn't take long to find them, partly because they always sat in the same area and partly because she could hear Nora from the entrance.