What We Exchange For Power

Prolouge

Akiyama Kamara woke up, it was the middle of the night and their neighbor's house was on fire. It was bound to happen, there was a teen robbing people in the middle of the night. He had broken into her house the previous night. He wore a black hoodie hiding his face, along with jeans and boots. She had caught him in the act, and she had managed to kick him. In that moment he had frantically burned her lightly, and he felt free from all of life's distress. The new world motto, "fear is freedom" was true. Akiyama had wrapped the burn, and covered her arm for good measure. Her parents didn't need to know he was ever there. They didn't ven listen to her now, so why would they then she reasoned.

She heard a tap on her window, and looked over. It was the same boy as last night. Akiyama opened the window and popped out the bug screen. The young male climbed in, holding his shoulder. This time his face was visible, and she saw clearly his face and knew him. His name was Victor Torose, and his house was currently burning down. He looked at her, and noticed her arm bandaged. "Heh, looks like I hurt you," Victor chuckled.

Akiyama glared at him before smacking him. "No shit Sherlock," she growled at him. He sat on the windowsill after closing the window. Victor rubbed his back, now that she knew it was him he couldn't do anything. "So idiot why are you here and why is your house on fire?" Akiyama hadn't realized she that she was saying that until it was out. She acted unaffected as she walked to the bathroom for a medkit. Victor looked at her, he was confused. She seemed not to care, but something in her voice told him she cared.

"My mom and I got into an argument. She...she found out. She didn't turn me in. B-but she tried to force me to do it more and only for her to live a high life. I only robbed people to make money for my father's hospital bills. I refused because I hate her, she doesn't care about my dad at all! She got pissed, and she used her exchange. She started tearing me apart, and I couldn't do a thing. When it was finally over, a set the house on fire. I just hope that stops her. I came to you, because well. I trust you, Akiyama you always have good will even if you come off as cold. Simple as that."

By the time Victor had finished his explanation, Akiyama was back with the medkit. "Alright. I guess that makes sense. At least the part about why you came to me. A parent should never do what she did to their child." Akiyama said. He just hummed in reply. "So where are your injuries?" Akiyama asked lightly. He removed the hoodie, leaving his chest bare. All along his body were slashes, clearly made with a knife and fingernail scratches. Akiyama got out the disinfectant and started to gingerly rub it in the wounds. He hissed in pain, but didn't say a word. She examined each wound and determined the severity of each. Some needed stitches, and some were shallow and would only need to be wrapped up.

As she worked, he played her hair, it was layered with berry blue and plum purple and it was natural. Her family had gotten hair color as part of their exchange, though she still had her own exchange to do. He wove his fingers through her long hair mixing together the colors. It distracted him from the pain. He honestly felt really scared, but he was free from his mother so it didn't matter.

Akiyama finished treating the wounds, she stood up and returned the medkit to the bathroom. She returned and asked her guest, "would you like any tea?" He nodded and she left. A few minutes later she returned with 2 cups of green tea. She handed him a cup, and he thanked her. She spoke casually, breaking only to take a sip of tea. "You can stay here till three a.m. and no later. My parents wake up around that time and I don't want you to get caught. I'll meet you at the café that everyone in town loves around noon. Oh and before you leave put this on, so nobody will recognize you as the robber." Victor blinked when he saw Akiyama held out a navy blue hoodie that was big on her. He saw her wear it to their final testing.

Akiyama gathered their cups when they were done and brought them down and cleaned them. He laid down next to her bed on the floor. She laid down on the bed when she returned, and set an alarm on her phone for 3 in the morning. He looked over at her as she zoned out. 'Someone is going to realize he's the one who set the house on fire. He's the only one in town with a fire exchange. If he gets captured by the Arachniel or more commonly called Celestial Association what will happen to him? Will they keep him as a prisoner? Or will they use him as a lab rat? They aren't exactly known for being kind, but they do defend us.' She closed her eyes and eventually dozed off.