The Chosen One

Chapter 9:

I woke up in my bed in the room I shared with Corey and I wasn't alone. Corey was seated on the bed next to me and Saph was dozing in a chair on the other side of my bed. The stranger I bumped into in the hallways was also here, sitting next to Corey and making light conversation. Corey stood up and hurried over when he noticed me looking. "Are you okay?" His concerned face filled my vision and I suddenly realised how close he was. I could feel his breath on my face and just as suddenly as he had leaned in, he moved away.

I sat up, "I feel like I've been hit by a truck, but I'll live," I grinned. At the sound of my voice, Saph jolted up from her nap and rushed over as well, sitting at the foot of my bed.

"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!" She screamed at me. "You could've gotten killed!"

"Sorry," I mumbled.

"I'm just glad you're okay," she pulled me into a hug, "please never do that again."

I held up a hand, our special salute, "I, Valentina Rose Asteria, promise to never run into the face of certain death ever again" I dropped my hand with a giggle, we've done this salute since we were little kids, making silly promises to each other.

She smiled, "if it weren't for Kal, that dragon would've almost eaten you." I turned around to see the boy from the hallway incident.

"Thanks."

He turned away. "Anyone would've done it, no big deal."

"Yea, anyone would've run into the jaws of a fire-breathing dragon to rescue a girl they barely knew," Saph said.

"It was the right thing to do." He stood up and headed out the door, Corey following him.

Corey turned as he was almost out of the door, "We're meeting Enol in one hour, take a nap and get changed."

@_@

After my short nap, Saph and I walked through the mansion, towards Enol's office. He smiled as we entered, "ah, here you are." 

Kal was already there, standing impatiently in the corner of the room. But I was surprised to see Daria standing next to him, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face when she saw me enter

"I suspect Corey will be late, as usual." He sighed.

As if on cue, the door flew open as Corey ran in. "Don't start without me!" Kal smiled at his best friend, I guess he does this often. His eyes darkened when he saw Daria. "Oooh look, the princess is here," he snickered.

"At least I didn't try to screw a statue when I got drunk." She retorted

"It was ONE time!" He turned to the rest of us, "and in my defence, it was a very pretty statue."

Enol sat at his desk and we circled around him, "We told the students that the dragon was a test, but this is not true. This dragon was sent here to harm students." My mind swirled, who would want to hurt high school students?

"Because of this, we're upping the security for The Chosen One," I shrunk down, trying to hide my embarrassment. I didn't do well with attention, I feel claustrophobic in crowds.

He addressed everyone, "It's up to you four to keep her safe," he paused and I butted in.

"I'm pretty sure I can take care of myself."

"Definitely not." Said Saph.

"You're basically a dumb kitten," said Kal as Corey nodded in agreement.

I blushed tomato red, "I'll be better with more training. I'm not completely incompetent."

"You're gonna need a lot more training to defeat the Dark Queen," Daria spoke up.

That's just great, everyone thinks I'm stupid and weak. I was so sick of it, all my life everyone thought I wasn't good enough. It was time I proved them wrong, I HAD to defeat the Dark Queen and restore peace.

"Up my training then, I'll do classes in the night and use my evenings to train," I said. I had to prove myself or else everyone will just keep laughing at me.

"Done." Said Enol. "You will train with Kal and Daria as well, there is a lot they can teach you."

Daria did not look happy. "Why do I have to use my precious time training this..." she gestured in my direction, "this... uncultured, untrained baby? My time would be better spent training on my own skills."

"This is exactly why you will train with her," said Enol, "you need to learn to be a team player. Do you think if you were not rich and the best in your class you'd still have your 'friends'?" 

Daria looked down and I felt bad for her. It must hurt knowing that people only like you for your skills or money.

"I trust you will all be able to work together," said Enol, "to succeed in life, one must have many friends. That is what you all lack. You are very formidable fighters on your own, but together you could be unstoppable. Never forget that." He leaned back in his chair.

"Are we done here?" Said Kal impatiently. He turned and left the room, his footsteps echoing down the halls. The rest of us streamed out in silence.

Daria turned to me. "Don't think that because you're the Chosen One I will bow down and be your servant. You don't deserve to be the Chosen One, once they realise their mistake, they'll send you packing." She sneered and walked away. I could see why Corey didn't like her. I sighed and walked back to my dorm, some people are just assholes and I guess there's nothing I can do.