The Institute for Mianite Arts

Chapter 75: Alee's Midpurge: Comfort and Killing

Today was the midpurge and to say I was excited would be an understatement. We were all teleported to the arena and we were off. I ran towards the forest with my now sharper cutlass. I had sharpened it the other day and now it was more deadly.  I swiped my blade at an oncoming Mianitee who fell on the floor before dissipating. I got the chance to run a few feet before a sharp pain shot through my spine. I fell to the ground and almost immediately I was trying to get back on my feet. My back was sore but I wanted to win this purge. I managed to get up but only to be knocked down again. This time though,  I could see who did it. At first I didn't recognize her but when she spoke I new who she was.

It was that girl that made fun of Izzy, the one that Eddie had yelled at. She was straddling me with a deadly look in her eyes. "You're friends with that Izzy girl aren't you?" She said it as more of a statement than a question. She laughed and slide a knife slowly across my throat. Enough to make a cut but not to kill me. She dragged the knife down towards why chest, making another cut in my throat and  a tear in my shirt. "Andor would be devastated if I were to do this..."

I thought she was about to change her mind but a smirk appeared on her face. "I was waiting for an opportunity to hurt that fucker." That sentence gave me enough motivation to kick her off me. I did the same thing as her. I straddled her and held a knife that was tucked away in my, what I call, battle boots to her neck. I wouldn't want to ruin my Converse. 

"Honey, Andor isn't around. In case you have forgotten, this is a purge. I will respawn darling. You're hurting no one." I slit her throat and smiled triumphantly when she disappeared. Immediately after I had said that to her, her cocky look had vanished and been replaced with one of surprise. Bitch got it easy.

The wind was knocked out of me when I was tackled to the ground again. The person on top of me was a lot heavier than the last girl, Hannah I think. I was about to kick this person in the gut when they whispered something in my ear.

"I quite like this position." It was Andor.

"Why did you tackle me?" I whispered.

"I was being chased by a group of Dianitees and I saw you so I guess my instinct was to protect you by tackling you." He explained. I raised my eyebrows but still didn't question him. We fell into a comfortable silence. Andor rested his elbow next to my head and stared straight into my eyes.

"You know, your eyes are the most beautiful thing I've seen all my life. Besides the rest of you." Andor complimented with his signature smirk. I couldn't control the big grin that made its way to my face.

"You know, your smile is the most beautiful thing I've seen all my life. Besides your eyes." Andor smiled. I giggled quietly. I kissed him softly and quickly. Lasting no more than a few seconds.

"You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." I wrapped my arms around his torso and rested my head in the crook of his neck. "We should probably get up. I think you lost those Dianitees."

"Five more minutes?" Andor pouted. He looked so adorable that I almost obliged but I pushed his shoulders. "No, get up."

He muttered something under his breathe before standing up. He held out his hand to help and I happily took hit. He pulled me up, never letting go of my hand. I pulled out of his grasp to pick up my weapon but immediately went back to holding his hand, of course though, with my non-dominant hand.

We walked around cautiously, no one seemed to be around. As soon as we stepped over a fallen tree, a hand grabbed my ankle and pulled me to the ground. I didn't even get the chance to fight back before a rapier was stuck in my chest.

I appeared at the spectator room and not long after Andor appeared next to me. "Couldn't win without me?" I asked jokingly.

"I would much rather be dead with you than be alive without you."

<3<3<3<3

Ianite had won the purge and I couldn't be happier. I might not have made it to the end but I was still insanely proud of the other Ianitees. Andor had left for something and I was walking back to my dorm. I opened the door and was greeted with the sight of Izzy crying on her bed. I ran over to her and pulled her into my arms.

"What happened? Are you okay?" I asked worriedly. She was sobbing and shaking in my arms. She shook her head. "Eddie...he...he..." Sobs broke up her sentences.

"He left to join The Ianite Land Corps." She hugged me tighter and reached for a tissue on the bedside table. "He didn't warn me or anything. I overheard him talking to Dianite. I-I don't know what to do."

"There's nothing you can do Izzy, Eddie is a very persistent person. He's not going to let this go. When did you hear this conversation?" I stroked her back comfortingly.

"Just a few minutes ago. Why?" She answered softly.

"That means that he's probably in the dorm." I gave her a small smile before getting up and walking to the Ianite common room.

When I reached the room, I didn't have time to ogle at the statue like I always do. I needed to talk to Eddie. I shoved through a group of friends that were in my way and I even jumped over someone laying on the ground. I may have purposefully kicked their side a little.

I found Eddie sitting on a couch talking to Andor and Tyler. I didn't have time to ogle at Andor like I usually do. They all turned to look at me and Andor gave me a big smile. I smiled back and gave him a kiss on the cheek but turned to Eddie and dragged him away. I waved at Tyler casually while pulling a man forty pounds heavier than me.

"What's wrong with you!?" I whisper-yelled. I didn't want to cause a scene so I decided it would be best to whisper.

"What? What did I do wrong?" Eddie whispered back with a confused look.

"You're joining The Ianite Land Corps!"

"How do you know about that? And what so wrong with me joining?" Eddie threw his hands in the air angrily.

"Izzy overheard your conversation with Dianite. She was sitting on her bed sobbing!" I said. "And there isn't anything wrong with joining. I'm just a little upset that you didn't tell Izzy. Where you even going to say goodbye to her?"

"I-I don't know. I feel like if I say goodbye to her I won't be able to leave. I want to fight in The Ianite Land Corps more than anything but if I saw just one tear on her face I might give up on that dream. I really don't want to give up on it. If I don't say goodbye though then there is a possibility that I will never get the chance to." Eddie looked at the ground in thought. He was deciding between giving up his dream or giving up someone he loved dearly.

"You know Eddie, you don't have to give up anything. You can fight in the Land Corps and still have Izzy's heart. She won't give up on you if you leave. If you don't follow your dream because you were scared of losing her then she would never forgive herself. There's nothing to decide here Eddie. You have the option of choosing both."

"So, in short, don't make the wrong decision."