Dark Turn (Book One In War Of The Magi)

Chapter 3 - Dance of Devils

It was dark out when me and Josh walked into our rooms. We had already seen the entire campus just before dinner. The entire complex was enormous, three battle arenas, five dorms and dozens of other buildings. It was really a sight to be seen.

Sitting in the worn leather couch on the living room in my dorm I waited for the arrival of my roommate.

What could she have to talk about? I wondered if it was about any of the upcoming tournaments and competitions or even about something personal or... Damn! What could it be?

I heard the door unlocking and I knew she was here. Her golden hair swayed as she walked in. Her uniform looked a bit worn out. What had she been doing?

"Oh!" she said, noticing my presence. "You're already here. Good!"

Sitting beside me on the couch, I noticed the sweat dripping form her face. She looked completely tired.

"What have you been doing? If you don't mind me asking..." I said, not being able to hold back my curiosity.

"Battling in the Arenas. With the simulation soldiers of course!" She said.

That would explain the sweat dripping from her...

"Since you brought up the battle issue," She said clapping her hands together, "I want to ask you something..."

"Go ahead then." I said nonchalantly. 

"Have you heard about the Dance of Devils?" She said, sitting down beside me.

"Yes, I know what it is." I said staring at her, "It's a Tournament for Duos in which all the Empires call truce to put students from the their Academies in so that they can battle the other Academies." I said, pulling all of the information I could get about the topic.

"Exactly." She said, smiling like a fool. "So, what I really wanted to ask you is if you would want to be my partner in the tournament?..." 

Her expression was a mixture of hope and sadness. Her bright brown eyes were fixated on me as her face came ever so close to mine. I felt my cheeks heating up as her breath hit my face.

"Okay, fine, I'll be your partner!!" I said as quickly as I possibly could. "Now could you pull yourself back a bit? Please..."

She looked down and out of nowhere her face went completely red with embarrassment. Her body was almost on top of mine, and it would be if it wasn't for her hands on the couch. After noticing our position, she pulled back and sat back down.

"Sorry..."She said, her voice barely a whisper. Her face was still red as a tomato and I couldn't help but laugh. "What are you laughing at?!"

"Nothing," I said cleaning the tears that just decided to fall on their own, "Just you flustered face..." She punched my arm lightly and started to laugh as well.

"So you'll be my partner? Really?" She said smiling.

"Of course!" I smiled at her.

"Thank you!" She said. "By the way, what weapon are you going to chose tomorrow? In battle training?"

"Pistol." I said decisively.

"Pistol? Why?" She said, her voice showing curiosity, "I mean, to Arcane users, the best weapons are sniper rifles and heavy port weapons, so why a pistol?"

"My granddad used a pistol during the war, that's why..." Sadness hit me as I remembered him, always cheerful towards me and my family.

"Your granddad fought in the War of the Three?" The surprise in her voice was evident. "Wow... Which Empire did he fought for?"