Mirror Soul

Chapter Forty Five: How to Usurp a King

Bruce sat on the floor in a random hallway he aimlessly walked to. He sighed deeply.
Thank god for dark skin He thought as he remembered how he just humiliated himself. I’ll never be able to look cool in front of those two again!

As he sulked, he heard voices coming down the hallway. Ravel and Layva were talking amongst themselves until they saw him sitting on the floor.

“Is something the matter, Bruce?” Ravel asked. The boy laughed for no reason and stood to his feet. “Nah, just taking a walk before the meeting.” He began to fake stretching. “Can't be too stiff if I’m fighting Majesty, right?”

Layva blinked before walking closer to Bruce, getting in his face. “You plan on helping us fight Majesty?” Bruce leaned back from her.

“Hey, back the hell up! And yeah, that creep jacked my sister! I’ve got a cannon with his name on it.”

Layva didn’t move back, instead she narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re really going to walk into a fight of your own free will? Aren’t you scared?”

Bruce felt himself getting defensive. “That’s what I just said, isn’t it? You can call me a coward if you want, I couldn’t care less.”

Ravel looked between the two in uncertainty. “Well, I’m going on ahead to the meeting room.” She said awkwardly while wheeling away. “See you guys in there.”

Now alone Bruce suddenly felt uncomfortable. He took another step back from Layva. “Look, I don’t want to talk about it.” He said before turning to follow after Ravel. “I’m going, like it or not.”

He barely took a step before Layva called out to him. “W-wait.” Bruce paused and looked over his shoulder at her. His annoyance was clear.

“You’re misunderstanding me!” Layva exhaled. “When we were in Limbortory you protected Ravel.” She reminded him. “And after we escaped Count’s soul rupture you decided to stay with us instead of running.”

Bruce laughed dryly. “Yeah, and what a brilliant idea that was. Remind me to never listen to any of your dumbass plans ever again.”

“That isn’t my point.” Layva replied through her teeth, forcing down her irritation. “What I was trying to say is that… you fighting the man who frightens you is… the opposite of cowardly.” She managed to get out. 

“Oh.” Bruce exclaimed, realizing his overreaction. He turned and pointed at Layva. “Well it’s not my fault you suck at giving compliments!”

Layva took a step closer to him.“I’m a warrior! Not your damn mother!” She growled. “It’s my job to kill nadirs not make you feel better!”

Bruce smirked at her while taking a step of his own. “Yeah, you’re certainly not my mom. She killed two Court members while you struggled with one.”

Layva rolled her eyes at him. “Keep talking and I may end up killing two people today, after all!” 

“Save it for Majesty, you two.” 

The two of them stopped their bantering as Kai and Clover walked past them. “The meeting is starting right now.” Kai said as he winked knowingly at Bruce and Layva.

“Yeah.” Clover added. “Can’t you two save…” She gestured to them. “Whatever this is for later?”

Bruce and Layva stepped away from each other and followed the others into the war room. Upon entering they found everyone was already in attendence. Fordnay held a tray full of snacks while Rolist and Beangula stood in front of a large whiteboard. Even Jean’s medical bed had been rolled into the room.