Quod Fatum Desideriis (BrOhm)

Chapter 2

(Bryce's POV)

I groaned in annoyance as I swatted insects away from my face. My latest mission had brought me to a forest in the middle of nowhere, and to say the least, I was not very pleased. Sitting calmly on my shoulder was Ellie, who was staying there until I needed her. I knew that there was a Metum close by, I just wasn't able to fully pinpoint where. All I knew for sure was that I was getting closer, and I would come across it any second. I heard a noise off to my left and immediately raised my hand forming a stone spear as I aimed it near where I heard the sound. The bushes rustled and so I readied my spear, narrowing my eyes. 

I was completely caught off guard when a boy jumped out of the bushes, bending over with his hands on his knees breathing heavily. I lowered the spear slightly and stared at the boy. He had dark tan skin and dark brown hair that was pulled back into a small man bun. He looked up and seemed to jump back a few feet when he saw me standing there. I rose an eyebrow and put my spear down completely.

"Oh, thank god I found you. I need your help," he said, his breath coming out in short bursts. 

"What's wrong?" I asked him.

"I was just out here taking a walk with my friend, when we got separated. While I was trying to find him, there was suddenly this big, black, shadowy type of creature that began to chase me. I was running for who knows how long when I came across this clearing with a lake where a big group of guys were. I ran up to them for help, which is when the creature came out of the woods. The guys are currently holding the thing off, but I decided to go and try to find more help. Please, you've got to help." The Metum! So that's where it is. This is the perfect chance I have to get it. I looked at the person in front of me. 

"Lead the way. My name is Bryce by the way," I said, beginning to follow the kid back to wherever the Metum was.

"My name is Lui," he answered, and from there we broke into a run.

Lui led me through countless trees and bushes, resulting in me constantly having to push branches and leaves out of my way. At last, we broke into a clearing, where I heard Lui gasp. There was a beautiful crystal clear lake in the middle of the clearing. By one side of the lake, I was slightly shocked to see a large stone formation. There was no way that could be natural. I was surprised once again at the sight of a large rose bush, but what really confused me was the fact that the roses were a dark, violet purple, which was incredibly rare. What really captured my attention was the group of about 8 guys that were by the edge of the lake, facing off with what had to be the Metum that I had been tracking. That part didn't shock me all that much.

"Stay here, kid," I said, not wanting him to end up getting accidently hurt. I ran up quietly, being sure that I remained unseen by both the Metum and the group. I approached the Metum from behind, and with a small smirk, began my attack. I had done this plenty of times before, so this wasn't anything new for me. The two biggest parts of fighting a Metum were relatively simple. The main one being: don't allow any fear to show, as that only strengthens them. The second: don't stop moving. The easiest way to get rid of one of those things was to wear it down, constantly be on the offensive. Then, once it was weak enough, I could send it back to whatever hell it came from. A big advantage of having spirit as a power. 

I brought out one of my favorite weapons to use, my stone spear, and quickly hurled it through the air towards the Metums chest. Then Ellie swiftly jumped up as well, landing lightly on the spear before launching herself at the Metums head. The Metum wailed as the spear impaled its chest, stumbling backwards and allowing Ellie to begin climbing it, scratching all the way up. The group that was behind the Metum looked up what seemed to be shock. 

"Go towards Lui!" I shouted to them, don't get in the way, or else you may end up hurt!" the others didn't have to hear my warning twice before they were running from the creature. I couldn't help but give a small laugh. The Metum pulled the spear from its chest and threw it down in anger, its body turning to face me. I smiled, becoming excited. The Metum swung at me, roaring. I rolled back, narrowly avoiding its hit. 

"Alright, so that's how you wanna play, huh?" I grinned. I concentrated on the lake behind the Metum, creating a large wave that glistened in the sunlight. I launched the wave at the Metum, wrapping the wave around it and making it fly backwards into the formation of jagged rocks. Huh, how oddly convenient. The creature squirmed and wailed in pain, but I paid no mind to that and instead focused on sending it back to where it came from. I felt a flash through my body and next thing I knew, the creature vanished, its form disappearing in wisps of black smoke. 

The air was silent for a few moments, before I realized that I had my back to the group of guys that I had helped. I turned around, but noticed they were quite far away, almost hiding in the tree-line. I sighed, figuring I should probably walk over and explain what had just happened. I started walking towards them, and once I got close, I could hear one of the guys talking to Lui. The boy was tall, almost as tall as me, with red hair, a fabulous beard and horns on his head.

"We've got good news, kid. I think that our friend has found yours," he said. Lui looked up at him with wide eyes.

"Really?" he said, his voice coming out ridiculously high-pitched. Everyone laughed, and I will admit that I let out a slight giggle as well.

"Yeah, we can take you to him," the other replied, still chuckling. At that point, I thought I should make my presence known to the group, so let out a cough, successfully grabbing their attention.

"Right," the same guy said once he heard me, "don't get me wrong, thanks for what you did, but who in the hell are you? There's only one person I've ever seen be able to do that before a-" the moment he looked at me and our gazes met, he froze, his mouth wide open and his words cut off. I stared at him in confusion.

"What?" I asked, "is there something on me?" I looked myself over but found nothing. When I glanced at the others, they all had the same reaction as the first one. 

"No fucking way," the one with dark hair, blue eyes, and a blue hoodie said. 

"What the shit?" the dark skinned one in a blue and white hoodie followed up.

"This is impossible," finished the one in front of me. 

"What in the world are you talking about?" I asked, getting slightly annoyed. One of the ones in the back came up towards the horned boy. He had curly, caramel colored hair and a pair of glasses that covered his hazel eyes. He looked very, very familiar, and yet I couldn't place why. 

"B-Bryce?" his voice was small, "is that really you?" One part of me felt almost sad, as this boy seemed genuinely distraught about whatever was happening, but at the same time, I immediately became skeptical. I took a step back and gave them a slight glare.

"Who are you and how the hell do you know my name?"