Fan art Story (ZNathan Animations): The Eternal Conflict Prequel

Chapter 7: Nathan

     "This is ridiculous. We're still gonna get chosen to be the attacking team! It's not even fair," Nathan complained about this the entire way to the forest. 

     Orion glanced at him. He let out a long-suffering sigh. "Dude, have some enthusiasm! Maybe we'll—well, at least one of us will get a day off! Come on, don't be such a child." He jogged towards the edge of the forest, where everyone was lined up to.

     There was faint whispers of students here and there that were talking, and teachers chattering away, but other than that, the place was quiet.

     "Where's Daemon?" Nathan hissed. "Isn't he supposed to make sure everyone got a role and had their equipment, including the fact that he is the one that is supposed to start the game?"

     "I think he's busy with something," Tefuel whispered back.

     "Quiet, you two. The teachers are talking." Orion shushed them. The two glowered at him. 

     "Thank you to all of the students that are participating in this contest game today! Remember, your safety is important, so please make sure all your equipment is with you. Now, assigning roles." One of the teachers announced. One by one, teachers started handing out roles. 

     Like always, Nathan got attack. He glanced at his friends' slips. 

     Tefuel squealed. "I got defending! Yes, finally!" She jumped around. 

     "Man, you're so lucky. Defending is so easy, and most of the winners come from defending. Oh well. What'd you get, Nathan?" Orion peeked over his shoulder and grinned. "Guess the boys are working as a duo, then!"

     Nathan didn't say anything. Instead, he looked over at the edge of the forest, listening. Then he was sure that he literally saw a figure stand beside a tree, then disappear. What was that? Nathan wondered.

     "Nathan, hello? Nathan! Did you hear me?" Nathan was shaken so hard that he thought his head would fall right off. 

     "W—What did you say?" Nathan stuttered. "Sorry, I wasn't listening." 

     "I said, should we make a plan?" Orion repeated his question. "I mean, it's best if you had a plan, right...?" In the evening light, Orion's face looked like a patch of orange. It looked unusual on him, since when he used his powers, his eyes and hair turned orange.

     "Oh. Yeah. Yeah, we should make a plan. Don't let Tefuel hear it!" Nathan pulled Orion away from Tefuel, who didn't even realize that her friends were gone.

     "So...what is the plan?" Nathan asked once they were out of earshot of any of the defending players. The attacking team was already gearing up. Nathan noticed that Vlad was in the attacking team. Great. Just what they needed. 

     Orion shrugged. "I dunno. Remember, I'm the kind of person that acts first, and thinks later. So, the plan will be based off of you." Orion fiddled with the edge of his gray shirt. 

     Nathan frowned. "Um...I guess we can sneak attack them, and one of us get the rose. And then, that person gets a day off." He glanced at Orion. Then he did a double-take. "Since when did you have a thinking face?" Nathan stared at Orion.

     Orion scowled. "A what now? Dude, what's a thinking face?" 

     "A thinking face is...You know what? Let's pretend that never happened," Nathan said. Nathan was pretty sure that his life had just gotten more messed up. "So, uh, sneak-attack plan? Be stealthy, and don't get caught. Got it?"

     Orion answered him. "Very classic, my guy. Very classic." And with that, thinking-face boy marched off, only to trip over his military hiking boots. 

     "Also classic, my friend," Nathan called out after him. 

     Nathan was pretty sure Orion had just cursed at him. This day was just getting better and better.