To Be Free

The First Meeting

"Hup!" you threw yourself over the edge of the steep slope.

Your hands sat comfortably in your pockets as you skidded down the side of the mountain to the village entrance. You hopped on the paved roads when you came to the mouth of the forest, just to avoid an awkward landing. The birds sang about your head in the dawn, you leaned forward to dust off your knee-highs. When you straightened yourself you blinked once, then again. A person sat arched over, a little distance from the forest. The sight wasn't unusual to you, this was the mouth of the Monsters' Forest.

The Monster's Forest place teeming with the dreadful beast who ruled the night. You trotted over to him and crouched. Although he was hunched over You could tell he was tall. You didn't resist brushing his shiny black hair that curtained his face. Strangely, a bandage covered his forehead. Is this a fashion choice or was he self-conscious of something? Your eyes drifted to his broad shoulders. White shirt ribboned with red, making him seem worse for wear, but your eyes would not be fooled, his wounds were light. By his breathing, you could tell he was still conscious.

"Good morning", you smiled. His eyes slowly open to reveal onyx gems. You couldn't recall seeing eyes this dark but so beautiful. "You'll be fine", you reassured him.

Blue flames gushed forth and engulfed his whole body. Little did you know he watched the flames that "healed" him with intensity. You noticed a small detail as you poured your nen into him. A chain around his heart. Was he afflicted by another nen user? The flames died down and you focused on his chest, you could get that off. The flames converged at your fingertips and you pressed into his chest. Your finger grazed the chains as a test, it resisted your touch and coiled tighter.

His expression pinched. "Sorry", You apologised quickly worrying over him.

He nodded slowly. Eyes fixed on you rapidly distorting features. Black filled your sclera, your pupils became elongated. A reptilian pattern decorated your ultramarine iris that seemed to glow. His lips parted in a small gasp, the chains were coming loose. On the last loop, You felt ominous energy and immediately stopped. The blade mimicked the cross, a sign of salvation but also judgement. You pulled away from him immediately, not allowing the chain to come loose, "why is there a chain in the first place?"

They held each other's eyes. "Why?" he panted.

"Next time let your buddies patch you up when you play too close to the forest", you looked in their direction. Although you could not see them you knew the male and female's exact location. You rose to your feet and dusted yourself off, "I gotta go so... bye." You rose to your feet unusually hurried, you'd wasted a lot of time and it was a long trip to Heaven's Arena.

You jogged into the building and immediately shivered, someone had their eyes on you. You did a slow 360 but couldn't find the owner of the intense stare. You shook off the fear crawling under your skin and headed to the waiting room. Today would be your last fight on the lower tier, You would move to the 200th floor. That meant no money. You considered giving up this match to keep earning, you's done it before. When your number was called you entered the arena. The crowds cheered wildly You was a fan favourite under the name "Phoenix". You considered all the variables and decided this would be your final fight. Too many people knew you face it would only be a matter of time before your true identity was discovered.

The body hit the ground with a resounding thud and the area erupted in deafening roars. "Pheonix is the victor!" The announcer screamed. You were out of the ring before he could finish his tirade and explanation about your advancement.