Quantum Book 1: Stranded

Chapter 6

I hate a lot of things, and I found myself thinking on that fact as I walked behind Goodwitch, as we had found out the angry blonde was called. The one thing I hate the most is love. All I have ever gotten from love is pain. Pain that I can't escape no matter what I do. Pain that follows me into my dreams. Pain that tears my soul apart like some sort of fucking animal. I hate love, so why, why do I feel it when I think about Chora? I don't want this. But I can't stop it. This fucking bullshit life of mine, it's always one thing after another, I can't leave my troubles behind for even a moment. I live in agony, every waking moment is spent regretting every action I have ever taken, and every moment that I sleep I am tormented by my actions. I pray, not because I want forgiveness, but because I want peace. If I'm being honest, I hate myself, and I hate my life, I only live because I can fight, not because I want to.

I felt something grab my hand as we stood in the elevator, and looking down, I saw Chora had grabbed my hand, Squeezing it comfortingly. I hate these feelings, but I can't resist. I feel a warm fuzz in my brain as I think these thoughts, and I feel myself disassociating. A squeeze on my hand pulls me back, and I look and see Chora looking at me. I nod to her and look back to the doors, which open with a ding.

"Ah, I'm glad to see you slept well. Now, can you explain why you jumped through a window?" Ozpin asked.

"I wanted to avoid an awkward situation, I'll pay for the window" I said, lowering my head.

"Thank you. It isn't my business, but I hope you recover from last night's ordeal, you went through something terrible" he said solemnly.

I simply nodded and turned, going back into the elevator with Chora, who once again grabbed my hand. Why did I let her? I could tell her to stop. I should tell her to stop. But, I can't, this is why I hate love.

"Chora" I said, breaking the silence of the elevator, "I don't know why, and I don't understand it, but I think-"

"I know" Chora cut me off.

We rode the elevator down in comfortable silence, walking hand in hand back to the FOB. Once we came into view of it, we separated a bit to keep up our professional look, but I could feel the understanding between us. Walking past a few MP's, we found ourselves in front of Admiral Mendoza, who rightfully looked pissed.

"You dumbasses" she started, "I oughta kick the shit out of you two"

"Sorry ma'am, I was the cause" I said.

"I don't care who was the cause, you made us look bad" she said.

I simply nodded in understanding.

"High Command is preparing an operation, you two are taking part" she said with a sigh, "stay on the ship for now, and for the love of god, don't leap from the deck"

We saluted and boarded a Black Hawk to fly up to the carrier. Upon landing, Chora grabbed my hand and practically dragged me with her to the training deck. We walked into the empty boxing arena, Chora taking the lead and climbing into the arena.

"You were gonna say "I love you" in the elevator right?" Chora asked me.

"Am I that easy to read?" I asked, a little concerned that my emotions might be more visible than I thought.

"No, I just know you better than most" Chora said, flashing me a cheeky grin.

"So, why did you drag me to this arena?" I asked.

"My people have an ancient rule, if a male and female are to enter a relationship, the Male must fight for the Female. Since you don't have any competition, I figured that I would serve as a suitable fighting partner" She explained.

"So we have to fight?" I asked, just to confirm. She nodded her head, so I climbed into the ring.

The bell rang and immediately Chora leapt for me, but I have fought many of the Lyrasi, so I am quite experienced with this style of fighting. I slid underneath Chora, because the Lyrasi are surprisingly agile, even mid air. Coming up on my knee, I blocked a kick with my arm before hooking my arm around Chora's other leg and pulling it out from under her. She quickly righted herself and kicked me in the jaw, sending me skidding across the ring.  I corrected myself just in time to narrowly avoid a broken nose, as Chora launched a fist at my face. I grabbed her outstretched arm, using some jiu jitsu moves to throw her on her back and put her in an arm lock. Chora knew she had lost, so she tapped my leg and I let her go.

"Damn, I thought I had you that time" she said, panting.

"Nope, still too good at this to lose" I said, grinning at her.

"I'll kick your ass one day Harper, just you wait" she said, laughing.

I laughed too, and I wish I could cherish those moments more, but my mind had always been prone to wandering. I wondered what my sister was doing, what my mother and father thought of their only two children. I was broken from this train of thought by Chora moving to stand up.

"Well, I guess you've earned the right to be my mate" she said, flashing me a smile.

"I honestly never thought I would move past Serene" I said, my heart beginning to hurt all over again.

A hand on my shoulder stopped me from wallowing in my self hatred.

"Stop, please Harper, do you think she would want this for you? To watch you destroy yourself?" Chora asked me, and honestly I had never thought about that.

"No, she probably would tell me "stop acting like a bitch" and then slap me across the face before running off so I couldn't retaliate" I said, chuckling at the memory.

I felt Chora grab my hand, and I let her guide me out of the training area, and back to her room.....