Looking Glass » ziam au // ON HOLD

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Chapter 6.

       Zayn's immediate reaction was to dodge out the way, flashbacks of the previous night coming back to him. He could tell Liam was a skilled fighter, every single one of his moves seemed carefully thought out while he relied on sheer luck to avoid the blade that was constantly coming at him.

       Finally caught off guard, he was tackled to the ground, cool blade against his throat, Liam above him with a mischievous glint in his eye.

       "How do you expect to fight someone without a weapon? Do you plan on just dodging blows until they tire themselves? Then what? You've got no way to defend yourself, look at how easily I got you down. Your head would've been rolling away if I was any other opponent," he said, standing up as he dusted himself off. "Up, again. This time, use your head."

        The other male stood, glancing around the room as he focused on the blade in the larger male's hand. Again, each blow was purposely thought out and Zayn felt as if Liam was always six steps ahead of him.

    Across the room, something metal shined on the ground and he sprinted over to it, picking up the dagger as he frowned at the feeling.

      Once again, Liam charged at him and he dodged out of the way, landing blows with his fists to certain parts of his body before slicing at his armor when he was in close enough contact. His movements were fluid, and it was as if the dagger had become an extension of his body.

     He dodged blows as many times as he landed them, finally tiring Liam out as the man sunk to his knees, Zayn pressing the blade against his throat with a triumphant smile.

     "Well done, again," Liam said, standing as he put away his dagger.  "Let's see how well you do in hand to hand combat, you'll find yourself doing plenty of that as well."

     He took a deep breath, as they started, landing several blows to Liam's ribs as he moved out of the way, light on his toes, not a single punch landing on him. This wasn't like Zayn, but there was something that set something in him off, it was as if he had been doing this his entire life.

       Fight after fight, the boys trained, ending with several bruises and split lips.

    Liam spat on the ground, standing up tall as he smiled at Zayn, stretching the cut in his lip as blood dribbled down his chin. Zayn had landed a harsh punch to his lip, causing it to split open in the third fight.

        "You're a lot better than I though, I underestimated you. Come now, you'll bathe , eat and then rest. Tomorrow, you've got a different kind of training." He explained, grabbing his things as he walked out of the room, Zayn following closely behind.

    "What do you mean a different kind of training? It's not just combat?" He asked in confusion as the other shook his head, laughing.

    "Heavens, no. If it was, we would've ended this long ago. We've got tons of men, this battle isn't only about combat, it's also got something that very few possess, and tomorrow we're going to test your abilities on that." Liam said, turning down a corridor as he pushed open a door.

      Behind the door was a lavish room, completely decorated in cream and pink, the same rose theme going on as it did throughout the place.

       "Dinner is at eight, surprisingly late today, don't be late. Wouldn't make Cheshire very happy if you were." He spoked before leaving the room.

      Zayn walked around the room, dragging his hand across the silk sheets that were fit for a king before finding himself in a large bathroom, a large tub in the corner of the room. He stripped out of his dirty, blood stained garments, sinking down in the water as he started to scrub the layers of grime and blood off of him.

    As he rinsed out his hair, the sound of a door opening set him on edge as he stayed quiet, before a small old woman, no taller than five feet walked into the bathroom, a bright smile on her face.

     "I was sent to ready you for your dinner with the Cheshire, don't be scared of me," She explained in her soft, calming voice that Zayn found quite comforting if he was honest. "Now, up and out of that tub, dear."

     Zayn got out of the tub, as the old woman toweled him off, before helping him into a silk robe that felt amazing against his skin, leading him off into the room as she sat him in front of a large vanity.

      "Such a handsome young boy you are!" She exclaimed happily as a small smile crept it's way onto his face.

    "Thank you ma'am." He spoke in a soft tone, the women giving him a sense of security.

     "No need to call me ma'am, everyone here calls me Millie, little old Miss Millie." She said, laughing happily as she ran her fingers through his dark hair before pulling it back in a tight knot behind his head. She continued on, soaking his hands in a warm mixture and picking out an outfit fit for a king himself.

     She helped dressed the boy in a silk top with many buttons along with pants and boots, handing him a robe that was heavy and furry, all the items made from the same dark purple color.

     His long fingers were adorned with rings, a long chain with an insignia on it hung from his slender neck. As he stood, he took in his appearance a small smile on his face as Millie appeared behind him, brushing off his shoulders.

     "Fantastic! Absolutely handsome! Now, come now, we must hurry, you cannot be late with dinner with the Cheshire for he has so few guests it would be rude to have him waiting." She spoke quickly, pulling the boy out of the room, as he followed her down a hall before stopping at a large set of decorated doors, watching the old woman open them before moving to the side, Zayn standing in clear view of the Cheshire Cat and the man who had kidnapped and started to train him, Liam.

     "Look who's finally arrived looking as gorgeous as ever, a fine King you'd make Zayn." Cheshire spoke, smirking as Zayn shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.

     "Thank you, sir." He spoked softly, standing as he was still unsure what to do.

    "Don't be a stranger, come, sit. We've been waiting to eat."