Squad 6: Royal Blood

Chapter 2- Cassandra

Cassandra

Cassandra's let out a whimper as he back collided with the ground. She scanned for an opening, gritting her teeth in frustration. She wouldn't win the fight.

Majesty placed a blade firmly underneath her throat, keeping her pinned. Cassandra glared at her.

"You lose," her sister said, grip easing.

She moved away, offering Cassandra a hand she accepted with reluctance. Majesty beating her in practice sessions had become a regular occurrence, one she didn't welcome. "How do you do that," she asked, trying to catch her breath.

Her ponytail had fallen apart, strands falling in her. She willed herself to straighten, looking up from the blue mats in Phi's empty training base. She adjusted her leggings and Mike's grey T-shirt.

"You're predictable when you fight," Majesty deadpanned. She looked pristine, her red ponytail high on her head and bangs falling over her forehead. She had barely broken a sweat, standing barefoot on the mat, her shoes thrown into a corner.

"That's a first," Cassandra said. She was never predictable to anyone before.

"To me, you are. Your moves are similar to mine when I first started training," Majesty said.

I'll have to surprise you then, Cassandra thought, launching herself at her sister.

Majesty ducked out of the way, moving back. Cassandra threw a fake-out, her fist brushing her sister's side as she jumped out of the way. Majesty charged forward with determination, throwing punch after punch.

Cassandra retreated back, using her arms as protection. The two of them were matched in strength, their fights often relying on clever tactics and catching the opponent by surprise. The more they trained together and learned each other's styles, the harder it was for either to win.

Today was just not Cassandra's day.

Majesty managed to land a kick to Cassandra's chest, sending her to the ground. Cold air hit the bare skin on her stomach as her shirt slid upward.

Majesty's eyes traveled to the scars on Cassandra's stomach, the excitement from the fight replaced by an awkward silence.

Cassandra rose, clearing her aching throat.

Majesty lowered her arms to her side, looking away. "I didn't know who you were when I ordered them to do that," she said, referring to the scars. They were the only physical reminder of the torture Cassandra had endured four years prior when she was still a Phi agent and trying to kill Majesty.

"I think I've had my ass thrown around enough today," she said, slipping on her shoes.

"How do you fail to dodge my punches but excel at dodging my attempts at an apology? I don't give those out often," Majesty remarked.

Cassandra's mind flashed to the night she repeated the words I'm sorry into Bill's shoulder. "An apology doesn't change the past, it's just words."

She left the training room without waiting for a reply and made her way towards the dormitories.

Phi grounds had been empty for months and the grass on the clearing had grown a good few inches during the winter. Good, Cassandra thought, pushing the glass door open and climbing up to the second floor. Let the world forget this place existed.

Once Phi had fallen apart, they locked most of the buildings, but Cassandra sometimes sneaked back inside the dorms to stare out the common room window. She imagined there were people around her, her friends, teammates— they were all gone.