The Lost Child of Light

The Forgotten Lie

Lyn made a running jump and then proceeded with a scissor kick to the head. Her opponent ultimately dropped and was immediately deleted from the game.

"ERIN DANIELS IS EXEMPTED FROM THE FINALS. ERIN DANIELS IS EXEMPTED FROM THE FINALS. LYN MURAN IS MOVED TO THE FINALS. LYN MURAN IS MOVED TO THE FINALS."

Erin disconnected from the game and pulled off the headset. Others untied the cords so she could get out of the VB. The Virtual Box was one of our Training Methods. You went in with a suit that connected to hanging cords in the walls and then the VB itself would be raised from the ground. Hung in the air by other cords and manipulated by the VB Users, a VB could virtually turn and roll every which way without causing bodily harm to the Players. The inner cords would help balance and disorientate the player inside. This was what we did for fun around here. Well, actually, one of the things we did for fun. Erin was then lowered to the ground and let out of the box along with 4 others who were exempted also. After being freed from the 8x8 foot box, they hurriedly climbed the ladders to the top to watch on the ledge with everyone else.

Lyn, disorientated and critically bleeding in-game, took the opportunity to hide in a tree as 'night' fell. The three other opponents did the same and all was silent. The crowd grew restless and randomly shouted out to different players with hints and tips to egg them on. Still no movement. As all this happened, I watched from the back. Talla stood next to me, almost as lifeless-looking as I was. I had told Lyn that I was going to be busy with the Reports of my last 10 missions since I was too lazy to do them when I should've. That being said, I usually waited til the last second and pulling all-nighters to finish them at the end of each month. But I wanted to see how she would do. So far the signs were impressive. Yet...a lot of the moves she used were a cleaner-cut version of the ones she had used back then. Back when I first met her...

"MICAH ABERNATHY IS EXEMPTED FROM THE GAME. MICAH ABERNATHY IS EXEMPTED FROM THE GAME. THREE CONTESTANTS STILL REMAIN. THREE CONTESTANTS STILL REMAIN."

Lyn was still in the tree. She didn't have enough strength to use Healing Light on her wounds. So instead, she hid herself as the others battled each other out. Smart. For now. The two found each other and started battling it out. Their names were Ruby and Jason. Jason was Lyn's friend and usual partner in the actual Training. The two bonded over the fact that they were both different even for Light Children. Jason was exceptionally weak and slow in learning. But he had unrivaled expertise in his first Training of Recruits and a strange Master Level in the Light Bow. As for Lyn, she was the first Light Child in 58 years to have such a strong Light Ability at childbirth. But she was the only Light Child in this century, possibly since the age of Light Children was first established, to be able to control her Light Ability with such power, without even a conscious thought was something to be greatly feared for.

"JASON VENTA HAS BEEN EXEMPTED FROM THE GAME. JASON VENTA HAS BEEN EXEMPTED FROM THE GAME. ONLY TWO CONTESTANTS REMAIN. ONLY TWO CONTESTANTS REMAIN."

Ruby Kane. Daughter of Spencer Kane. A musician. Unsurprisingly, Her main power was in Soothing Light. But her fighting skill was a 58. Definitely higher than Lyn's 42.

She came within eight feet of Lyn before realizing her presence. Immediately she pulled out her spear and shot at the tree. But by then Lyn had dropped down out of the tree and was behind Ruby. The one thing Lyn had over her. Stealth. Ruby noticed the blood too late and Lyn drove a Light Sword into her thigh. A Light Sword looks like any sword but its hilt is a clear blue crystal while the blade itself emanates with Light. Usually, the Light Power used is the amount of Light and peace inside of the wielder, but hers had a Light as powerful as a Guardian's.

Ruby launched herself to the left, the sword still embedded into her thigh. Both adopted fighting stances similar but unique to each. Ruby healed herself and pulled the sword out. Lyn had pulled out her last Light Instrument: A Light Knife. The same kind of crystal as the sword, but it's hilt was a transparent gold. Ruby did a left jab which Lyn dodged, the sword sliced open her right shoulder. Ruby then did a sweep but instead of her foot connecting with Lyn's legs, it connected with metal and left a big gash. Driven to the ground, Ruby tried to Heal but wasn't fast enough. Lyn conjured the Light onto her hand and, when it grew big enough, she enveloped Ruby in Blinding Light mixed with the most powerful, Neutralizing Light. Ultimately grounding Ruby and exempting her from the game.

"RUBY KANE HAS BEEN EXEMPTED FROM THE GAME. RUBY KANE HAS BEEN EXEMPTED FROM THE GAME. LYN MURAN HAS DEFEATED THE GAME. LYN MURAN HAS DEFEATED THE GAME."

At the sound of that, I pushed myself into a standing position and turned to leave.

"You know, brother..."

I stopped and looked back at Talla with an inquiring look.

"You have a year left. When will you tell her?"

"Never if I can." A scoff. The VBs were being lowered to the ground and Attendees were untying them. I opened the doors and left. Her voice following me on my way out.

"The Sphere will be the worst on her. How can you say that with confidence? Are you willing to lose her that easily, Ven?"

The doors shut. Muffled voices were heard cheering on Lyn and congratulating Ruby for holding out so long. I smiled as I kept walking. A sad smile. "And that's why. It will be a lot easier for her to let me go." The voice and single tear were unheard and unseen by anyone as I walked down the halls. Except for Sirah. The girl who hid in the shadows. The one who saw everything. The one...that would help break the Curse of the Light Code.