The Gambler

The End of Training

"HIRO!" Aurelian yells as he throws spell after spell at the barrier that Hiro had put around them. Hiro glances over to see Aurelian attempting to break it with everything he has. Hiro snaps out of his daze and sees Yumida on the floor in front of him. Aurelian stops for a second and mutters something. The a massive explosion Aurelian appears kneeling next to Yumida.
"Breathe, kid. I got you." Aurelian grabs the torso and head of Yumida onto his knees. Blood covering the beautiful robes of Aurelian, staining his hands.
"HEAL HIM, HIRO!" Aurelian yells. Hiro quickly kneels in the blood and focuses his healing abilities on Yumida's injuries.

"Do you think he'll be alright?" Hiro asks, walking with Aurelian down a hallway of trees.
"He has the best healers in all of the Elven Kingdom trying. If your magic couldn't heal him though-" Aurelian begins, glancing at Hiro. Hiro has no fear in his eyes, nor tears. He shows no sign of remorse.
"Why did you do it?" Aurelian asks, stopping.
"I heard him talking this morning. He was apparently wanting me to be mentally unstable for something. I don't know. I don't understand it. I guess it made me angry. I'm not sure." Hiro can't meet the eyes of Aurelian. Not out of shame, just because he doesn't want to.
"Wanted you to be mentally unstable?" Aurelian asks, continuing walking. They reach the end of the corridor of trees to see a man standing in front of them.
"Aurelian." The King's voice booms through the entire area.
"My lord." Aurelian says, taking a knee in front of the King. Hiro follows suit.
"Why is the Captain of my Assassin's currently in the hospital?!" Aurelian and Hiro stand.
"I'm terribly so-" Hiro starts, "I was NOT addressing you, Mage!" The King cuts off Hiro with a yell.
"It was my fault, sir." Aurelian begins, "He was not ready to handle a mage as capable as Hiro and I made him."
"Aurelian this is not-" Hiro starts, "Quiet, Hiro. You've done enough." Aurelian cuts him off.
"Will he live?" The King asks.
"I'm not sure, sir." Aurelian responds, his head facing down in a bow.
"You are hereby relieved of duty." The King says, turning away from them.
"SIR! This is not-" Hiro begins again, "ENOUGH! Aurelian is unfit for the position of Archmage and will furthermore no longer be in the position. You are to return to your hometown and never return, Aurelian." The King interrupts before walking away. Tears drip onto the floor while Aurelian is still in the bowing position. 
"Aurelian-" Hiro begins but this time, cuts himself off.
"Goodbye, Hiro." Aurelian says before walking away. Hiro just stands there, feeling empty.
"I failed again. Aurelian was just trying to help me." Hiro's hand is shaking. He clenches his left hand into a fist and squeezes so hard blood begins to drip from in between his fingers.

"Royal Guard Hiro." The King says. Hiro is in front of the throne on one knee. The Queen and Princess Elara sit in seats next to the throne. 
"My Lord." Hiro responds.
"You have hereby graduated training and will begin your duties immediately. Your skills far surpass those in the company, though. So you are now the Vice Captain under Jefald." The King says, looking over at the Princess. Jefald stands tall next to her, his face as serious as ever.
"Thank you, my Lord." Hiro starts, "about Aurelian." The King stands in response, "Do not bring his name up in front of me again. He is not to be spoken of. He is banished from this Kingdom. He has failed, end of story. Unless you wish to join him, that is."
"No, sir. Good day." Hiro says as he stands, bowing once more before leaving the throne room.

"Hiro!" Elara yells as she jumps onto Hiro. Hiro embraces her, realizing it's the first time someone touched him in a nice manner in a long time. 
"I missed you." Elara smiles, standing in front of him. Her arms still on his shoulders, his still on her hips.
"Vice Captain." Jefald's voice makes Hiro jump. He lets go of Elara and steps to the side, saluting Jefald.
"Sir!" Hiro panic yells.
"Congratulations are in order." Jefald says, smacking Hiro on the back. Hiro lets out a heavy sigh, as if he was holding his breath that whole time.
"Thank you, sir." Hiro smiles a nervous smile.
"I figured you'd also want to know, Sir Orincha is recovering just fine now." Jefald says as he begins to walk away.
"Oh, that's very good, Sir." Hiro says, though he doesn't mean anything he said.

"Why don't you like Yumida?" Elara asks, plopping next to Hiro on her bed. Her room is as beautiful yet empty as the other rooms in this castle. The tree branches enveloping the room are the decor for the wall, with a single desk on the side of the room. The bed takes up 40% of the room with a giant window behind it that shows the beautiful garden outside.
"Ever since I first met him, he just gave me a bad feeling. Ever since, I just haven't felt comfortable with him." Hiro responds.
"Is that why you tried to kill him?" Elara adds, running her hands through Hiro's hair.
"No- I mean, I didn't mean to hurt him so bad. We were just training. I went all out as he was also supposed to do." Elara puts her head on Hiro's shoulder.
"It's okay. I don't blame you, nor am I mad. My father is also more impressed than he is mad. A Human mage that was able to almost kill the Captain of the Assassins. Means your strong." Elara says as her hand is moving up and down Hiro's right arm. 
"Hiro?" Elara asks, sitting up.
"Yeah?"
"Do you- like- anyone?" Elara smiles, and blushes at the same time.
"Well, that's an easy question."
"It is?"
"Of course. From the second I laid eyes on this girl so many years ago, she's had my breath, my soul, and my heart. I can't close my eyes without thinking about her. I can't eat without thinking about her; Hell, I can't breathe without thinking of her. She has taken my mind captive, and I never want her to give it back." Hiro says, staring into Elara's eyes. Hiro's head begins moving closer to Elara's.
"Is that so?" Elara asks, inching her head closer as well.
"It is, very much so." Their lips are about to touch when Elara's door opens.
"Princess, it's time to go." Jefald says as he looks up from the paper in his hand to see Hiro and Elara sitting on the bed, staring at him. Both of them are blushing and acting nervous.
"Did I- interrupt something?" Jefald asks, just as shocked.
"Nope. Not at all. Let's go." Elara says, rushing out of the room. Hiro, is still sitting there.
"Vice Captain." Jefald says, looking at the door Elara just rushed through.
"Sir."
"Be more careful next time." Jefald walks out of the door.
"Sir." Hiro responds letting out a heavy sigh. His heart is racing.