Guardian of My Heart

Chapter 28: One Bad Day

Iruma's POV:

As the Sun set over the horizon and made way for the twin moons of the Netherworld, the students of Babyls all made their way towards their battler stalls, or in the case of many first years, they were simply wandering around the school and the other Battlers. While I had told Kirio that me, Alice, and Clara would be scouting out the other battlers, he asked to be excused so he could conserve his energy. His request was simple enough, and believable with the amount of blood he was constantly coughing up, but I had a feeling I knew the real reason he wanted to disappear. Can't start the fireworks with an audience to witness his crimes. As long as Kalego and the others do their jobs, there won't be any fireworks. Saying our goodbyes, my friends and I simply ventured around for a while. The sound of roaring laughter eventually caught our attention. "To all who dare, be sure to come forth tonight so that you may witness a splendid reenactment of a glorious battle where our renown Demon King took on an army of 10,000 abominations single handedly and survived with nary a scratch! Come one come all, as you witness the role of Demon King played by yours truly, Sabnock Sabro!" "Hey Sabnock." The blond warrior looked down to see the three of us, me and Alice looking at him with neutral expressions, while Clara had a giddy smile on her face as usual. "My rival, welcome! I do hope you and your allies make time to come watch my performance tonight, it is the epitome of how a future Demon King ought to act." "If there's time, we'll consider it. Can I talk to you privately?"

By now our other classmates were walking up to us. Jazz was telling everyone how his battler, the New Magic Battler, was presenting a project about creating water from stones, while Goemon generously gave everyone some food he had picked up earlier. Sabnock seemed to pick up the look in my eyes, as he quickly nodded and beckoned me to the back of his battler's stall. "Sabnock, I understand why you told Alice and Clara about my secret, but did you really have to go behind my back?" My eyes weren't edging on blackness yet, which was a good sign. Regardless, I could see how uncomfortable Sabnock had become. "It was not a decision I made lightly. As someone aiming for the throne of Demon King, I value honor and loyalty in extremely high regard. However, I could no longer keep my oath to you while continuing to watch you fall into the abyss. You needed serious help, a gift I was incapable of providing directly." I sighed, bowing my head as I knew Sabnock was right. Looking up, I smiled at the blond demon. "Thanks for looking out for me, Sabro." "I aim to be king one day, and a king is a river to his people." Before we exited, I pulled Sabro in close. "Be careful, and keep the class safe, please. Not all is well tonight." Not finding myself strong enough to keep my composure much longer, I left Sabro's stall and rejoined my friends. ". . . others to look out for include the underwater circus and magic beast battlers! Everyone seems to be stepping their game up big time this year." Goemon shook his head slightly, clearly just as worried as the rest of the class was about their chances for winning the grand prize. The only ones not concerned were me, Alice, Clara, Sabro, and Kamui, but he didn't count because he was just distracted by the girls.

Jazz put his battler's hood back up. "Well, either way, whoever wants to win big is gonna have to stand out. May the best battler win." "I plan to!" We all shared a hearty laugh with Sabro, who cracked a knowing smile at our antics. As we parted ways, I heard the demon call my name once more. "Yeah, Sabro?" "Do not forget to take care of yourself as well, my rival." "Right! I'll see you later tonight!" At least I hope I do. Already I could start to feel the beginnings of my danger sense awakening, like my bones were freezing over. My skin felt prickly, and my fur was becoming slightly matted. "Iruma-chi, are you feeling okay? Do you need more water?" I was about to protest that I was fine, but a small nudge from Ruin inside our mind made me realize that I was approximately two seconds away from tripping over my own feet. "Uh, yeah, actually I could go for a couple swigs." Immediately a bottle was placed in my hand and soon enough the blessed liquid was sloshing down my throat. "Thank you, Clara. I didn't realize how badly I needed that until you pointed it out!" "Have you been sleeping well, Iruma?" Again, I felt the impulse to lie come easy, but Ruin swiftly banished the notion and helped me speak the truth. "No, not really. I'm starting to worry that something is gonna go seriously wrong tonight, and that the teachers aren't gonna be able to stop it." Comforting hands made their way to my shoulders as Alice led me to a tree and gently helped me sit down, my back resting against the old wood. Clara snuggled her way under my left arm and hugged me close, while Alice took a spot at my right side, pulling me and Clara onto his body.