Pyro of the Craven

Chapter-3: Omega, The Whisper of Darkness

Isayama slowly walked back to where he had left Ramaraju and the other two. Retrieving the bag had taken him longer than he had thought it would. The two unknown thugs had put up a good fight, but in the end, Isayama had gotten the bag back, though it had cost him a burn on the leg and what felt like a pulled muscle.

As he got within sight of the place where his three students were located, he heard someone scream. "Ramaraju!" he thought with alarm and broke into a run.

As Isayama entered the small pine grove at a run, he was surprised to find that there were no enemies but understood a moment later the reason for Ramaraju's screams as he looked more closely at him. Ramaraju seemed to be having a nightmare.

Isayama put his hands on Ramaraju's shoulders and gently shook him. Ramaraju snapped awake and when he saw who it was that had woken him up, he immediately turned away from Isayama. Isayama went to the tent where Vamsy and Siya were. He checked their pulses and noted that their breathing seemed to be better.

"Ramaraju, what were you dreaming about?" asked Isayama as he walked out of the tent. "Nothing!" said Ramaraju. "I highly doubt you were dreaming about nothing, Ramaraju," replied Isayama quietly. Ramaraju got up and started to walk away. Isayama swiftly walked after him and grabbed him by the back of his shirt. "Ram I-" Isayama started to say. "Let go of me!" said Ramaraju irritably as he tried to pull away from Isayama. Isayama did not let go. "I have nightmares too, young Ramaraju," Isayama said softly. Ramaraju stopped struggling for a moment as he turned this revelation over in his mind. Isayama took this opportunity to put one hand carefully on Ram's shoulder. "Do you dream about not having Odic-Force like the rest of your friends?" asked Isayama. Ramaraju said nothing, but flinched slightly, which was the only answer Isayama needed.

"Young Ram, everyone has their own problems. I know it's been hard for you. But trust me, things will get better."

Ramaraju finally turned around to face Isayama. "You just don't know how painful it is all the time. I have no hope if I don't have any abilities. How will I live in this world? I can't even fight properly," he cried. "We understand." said Isayama. "Many of your teachers, including your homeroom teacher Isaac and the Principal, have said despite lacking the Odic-Force, you are a talented and obedient boy."

"And," added Isayama, "All of them admire you in a way."

Ramaraju was staring at Isayama in shock as he struggled against his emotions. "I don't care." He gasped out. "All of us care about you, even if you don't care about yourself, Ramaraju. And we always will. Just remember, this is not like any other school you think it is." Isayama replied quietly. Eventually, Ramaraju fell asleep and Isayama gathered him up in his arms and laid him next to the other two.

Several days after the mission, after they had finally delivered the mail to the proper people, Isayama had learned that many of the ordinary-looking letters which he had been carrying were actually important documents only meant for the Nuville city's top officials. That was why there had been more trouble than Isayama had expected.

As Isayama was turning in the final report of the mission, he happened to meet up with Isaac. "How did the mission go?" asked Isaac anxiously. "It went..." replied Isayama. "No one was killed, no major wounds." Isaac nodded. "That sounds like the mission's difficulty was harder than expected."

"Indeed. How was your mission?"

"It was smooth."

They both then went to turn in their final report of the mission to Vasuda at her office.

"I didn't expect such things on a mission for the First-Grades. But, I'm glad everyone returned safely. Thanks to you, Isayama." Vasuda said after hearing about the events that occurred lately.