Welcome To My Dark Side

Chapter 7 What Is Going On?

It wasn't long after Commander Hilda had let everyone go that Lyria came across someone she was not expecting to see. She ran up to her mentor overwhelmed with joy by the fact that Lady Azura seemed to have gotten back ok. However before Lyria could get any closer,  Fractureverse Azura slammed what seemed to be a sheet of paper into her chest. "You haven't done any of your work." She said crossly. Azura was right. She hadn't done any of her work since she got back. She could understand why Lady Azura was disappointed with her. "I'm sorry but Commander Hilda forced me to do drill all afternoon and before that..." Lyria started to say nervously whilst scratching her head.

"Lyria I don't want to hear excuses. I have told you more than enough times to keep out of Commander Hilda's way. You know she gets annoyed quite quickly, especially with you." Fractureverse Azura interrupted. Lyria was confused. She had never heard Azura say that to her before and yet Azura claimed she had done so on multiple occasions. "I never remember you saying that and I don't remember Commander Hilda being so short tempered." Lyria said, puzzled. She had now noticed that Azura no longer had her leg brace on. "What happened to your leg brace?" Lyria asked. Now Fractureverse Azura was confused. "I've never had a leg brace." She replied. "But you did. You had one after you were injured by the Nether King's lightning." Lyria pointed out. "What are you talking about? The only person I know who was hit by electricity and was hurt was General Naeus. The only thing I've damaged is my shoulder." Fractureverse Azura explained as she pulled up the left sleeve of her lab coat to reveal a bandage.

Lyria did not know how to respond to such an unusual answer and chose to say that she was pleased to see that Lady Azura was now back. "I got back ages ago after the red angel cut my arm. Unfortunately I lost the crystal trying to lure her into a trap, however I did manage to injure her enough, leaving her stranded in the overworld. I arrived just in time to find out that you had run off." Fractureverse Azura huffed. Lyria was starting to get very frustrated with what she thought was a practical joke. "I'm fed up with you all teasing me. Can you not just stop and hand me the key?" She asked. "Here, have it." Fractureverse Azura said, pulling the key out of her pocket and handing it over. Lyria's jaw dropped. She had been trying to get hold of it all day. "How did you get hold of it?" She asked, clutching the precious item in her hand, unable to believe that she was actually holding it. "Officer Vimir handed it to me this morning so that I could give it to you but make sure you get all your work done or I'll take it straight back. I don't care how long it takes but have it all done by tomorrow morning." Explained Fractureverse Azura. On the one hand the last thing Lyria wanted was to be locked out of her room again, however she was worn out after everything she had endured through that day. "I'm sorry but do you mind if I do it tomorrow. I am too tired to do it now." Lyria said in the hope that Azura would understand. "No but if you're too tired then get your troops to do it for you. Why do you think you have them?" Argued Fractureverse Azura. "Well ok? I guess I could ask them." Sighed Lyria.

Since most of the soldiers would be in the tavern at this time, it wasn't difficult for Lyria to gather her squadron together so that she could ask them to help her. "Why should we obey a baby's orders?" Jeered one of the scouts. This was the second time she had been called that that day. At first she assumed it was a lighthearted joke, picking on the fact that she was one of the younger soldiers of the Frostbourne, even if she wasn't in the mood at the time to find it funny but she later understood that it was being used as an insult. "Please address me formally from now on as I am your captain." Lyria said sternly. "Yeah, yeah, yeah who says?" Sneered another.

Lyria was appalled by their behaviour and stamped her foot in order to try and silence their out of control laughter. "Looks like someone is having a toddler temper tantrum." Said the first scout who had started making fun of her. Lyria was shocked that she had completely lost control of her squadron. "Well at least I can fly better than any of you." She snapped in hope that this would regain their respect. The rebellious soldiers only became even more difficult after she said this. "That's what you think. You just think you are because you gave yourself a fancy title of Wind Walker." Said yet another scout who had spoken back to her. Lyria was completely lost for words. She was getting more and more wound up. "I didn't come up with that name. That's the nickname that everyone came up with for me." She reminded them. "Sure whatever you need to tell yourself." Was the response she got from them.

Fractureverse Siphon happened to be seated at a nearby table and got up to see what all the commotion was. "Is there a problem Captain?" He asked. Lyria felt relieved because she thought that he would soon put a stop to the soldiers' disrespect once she told him what happened. "Yes my soldiers have a complete lack of respect for me and they won't help me with my work." Lyria explained crossing her arms and stared at her scouts. "Then hit them." He said without a moment's hesitation like this was the most obvious choice. Lyria was not expecting Officer Siphon to come up with such a violent solution as if it was nothing. She wasn't quite sure what to make of it.

"Ha ha ha, go on then." Laughed whom she thought were her troops. Now she was very angry and lifted up her hand ready to slap them but she couldn't bring herself to do it. "Hit them!" yelled Fractureverse Siphon. "Go on Sir, show her how to." Chanted his archers who were watching the situation closely. "Hit them!" He shouted more forcefully. Lyria shakily lowered her hand down and looked at the floor, causing the entire tavern to now erupt with laughter, now aware of the difficulties she was having.

Lyria was very upset by this point and she could feel tears running down her cheeks. "Stop! This isn't funny anymore. Why are you all acting strangely today?" She cried. Everyone was quiet for a moment after she said this.They seemed to be puzzled. "Don't you think this is taking things a little too far?" She sobbed. Although everyone still had no idea what she was talking about, they no longer remained silent and instead continued laughing. Lyria was very hurt by this on top of other things that had happened since she got back. She ran out of the tavern to her room overcome with emotion.

The only good thing that had come out of her strange day was that she was able to unlock the door to her room so that she could finally change into some clean clothes. She threw herself onto her bed and stared up at the ceiling. 'What's going on? Why has everyone been acting so strangely? Ok maybe I did hit my head a little too hard so hopefully after I have a good night's rest then things will go back to normal once I am feeling better. I'm probably just a little disoriented at the moment.' Lyria sighed as she closed her eyes and fell asleep.