Cloud Invictus

With the Force of a Thousand Suns

Victus
Lincoln Med Bay

"I told you Vic, I don't have anything for the pain."

"That's fine."

The needle pierced my skin and began its work. Within a few minutes the small wound had been patched up by Mrs. Boeing.

I pulled the bloody t-shirt off and buttoned my Navy jacket up all the way.

When I stood up, I looked over past Luna and Hailey, and saw Cloud being treated as well.

"That'll scar up real nice." I pointed to the gash on bridge of his nose.

He shrugged, "It'll tell a story, at least."

I nodded to his sword, "nice piece."

He nodded, "yeah, a piece of my old life."

"Know how to use it?"

Cloud looked up, then tried to twirl it in his hands, dropping it on the floor.

The nurse placed the final of two butterfly closures on his nose. "Come on, it's lesson time." I said.

Cloud hesitated, "alright, if you say so."

Cloud

The Lake

"Welcome to your training grounds Cloud." Victus glared at the waters with a smirk. This place radiated with a tinge of the past. I know I have been here, because my notebook had drawings of lakes.

"How long have you been playing around with swords?"

"It's not playing. Swords are a weapon of choice, and a deadly one at that." Fair enough. We walked down to the rocks erupting out of the Earth, roughly 10 feet apart and took our stance.

" Elbows up. Posture is key in the art of swordsmanship. It looks better, and it is more effective."

This guy knows his shit.

Hours flew by, as I obtained the knowledge about the ways of Zuxano. I'm described as a loner, but this sword will always be in my company from now on. Whether it is sheathed or drawn, it will never leave my side.

Welcome to the team Zuxano.

The sun was shimmering over the horizon, on the brink of disappearance.

"Want to head back Vic?"

"You bet your ass I do."

Like a bird in a nest, Luna called from her branch, apparently observing our training session.

With boredom in her voice she called, "Close combat's a lost cause, you losers should work on your marksmanship." Her words were followed with a smile. Hopping down, she made her way to Victus's rock. She clearly had a thing for him from my analysis. Victus motioned for her to hand over her gun, and oddly enough she obliged.

Yeah, they definitely have a thing.

"And you should stay at your post. I don't need to work on my marksmanship," as if on cue, a bush rustled and the rifle was instantly pointed in the roamer's direction.

BOOM! Bullseye.

"If you want tips, feel free to ask." And with that, he tossed the gun back to Luna and started walking back to Lincoln. I'm the young grasshopper of a certified badass.

On the walk back, for the first time, Victus started a conversation. Would've been nice if he included me in it though. As I see them walking side by side in front of me, the sight of it hit a nerve. A single image kept itself in my mind, persistent throughout. As if I was in Victus's shoes, and Stephanie was in Luna's.