Blood Knight

6: Test II

Zuki

The forest surrounds me, I can't see anything, The trees cover up the moonlight with their thick branches. It renders my sight useless. I can't see a thing and I hate it, I've felt like I've been running around in circles. I don't know where I am, I'm lost. It feels like I' m all alone, like it's just me in this world. I'm not scared however, for some reason I find comfort in this place.

it feels like I'm in my own world. In an unknown world. A World that I have to escape.

After running for a bit I hear the stream of water get closer. Once I reach it, all I have to do is follow it down to the training center. Simple enough. I hope that I get there soon.

I hear the water flowing, I'm nearing it. I feel relief and excitement fill me up as I near it. I speed up my pace, wanting to reach the stream faster. I hear it get louder and louder and Louder LOUDER AND LOUDER AND LOUDER and then... it gets further and further.

I stop my running in confusion wondering what went wrong. Damn it! I can't see anything! If only it wasn't night. If it was day then I could see. I look into the direction that I came from but to no avail. I only see darkness. I drop to the floor in exhaustion. I"m tired, my body doesn't want to move anymore.

Just then I hear rustling in the bushes near by. I jolt up to my feet and draw my dagger. I get into a defensive stance and wait. The rustling continues. It seem to grow louder. It's also like it's coming from all directions. Could it be wolves am I about to be attacked by wolves?

That would have been cool but no, instead...

"Ouch, Shit! F#$%! Damn It! Oh God my kidneys!"

"Oww, That hurt. Jeez I feel like I broke my back...I think I broke my arm...F*ck I definitely broke my arm."

"Whose there?" I speak towards the shadowy figure. He jumps in response. Like he's surprised. "Woah! Another human. Oh thank the heavens, I've been in these woods for the last 24 hours trying to find a stupid Military center."

We're in the same boat. "I am also looking for the same thing."

"Oh cool, so must be a new recruit just like me. Hold on my light went on just give me a second." He says. I hear rustling coming from him, I assume that he's digging around in his backpack. "Ah, got it." then he light something up. It's a torch, it lets me partially see his face. "I've been out here since the day. I figured that it would get dark soon and that I needed to find a place to camp out. So I've been collecting sticks that I could use to start a campfire. I lit this up with a lighter that I have in my bag"

"That's pretty smart"

"I know"

"So what's your name stranger?"

"I'm Zuki Yukahara."

"And I'm Quinn Jaybleu. It's nice to meet you." I can pretty much hear his wide smile on his face. I don't even need to see it. "How have you been navigating without light Zuki? I can't see a thing. wait...Do you have some kind of super power like night vision?

"No, I've just been following the sound of the river that leads to the training center."

"...what?"

"You know, I just concentrated everything on hearing. Some guy told me that the river leads to where we need to be."

I assume that Quinn Is staring at me in confusion. Do I need to elaborate?

"Just listen. Close your eyes and listen. You can hear running water if you concentrate enough."

I can see Quinn close his eyes as he concentrates. "Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Oh! Now I hear it. Yes, yes indeed it is quite obvious."

"Really? It Is?!" I say in excitement. "Nope, I'm just kidding. I can't hear a thing except for spooky scary night noises." My smile disappears in an instant.

"Well I can't hear it but you can, so lead the way Zuki."

"Problem. I can't find it." I explain. I explain how I ran and ran and how it got further away.

"Right well why don't we set up camp and find the river in the morning?" Quinn suggest. "Sure, I'm tired anyway."

Quinn and I looked around for an area to set camp at until we found a tree to rest under. Gathering resources until we had what we needed Quinn decided to light up the campfire. I hear shuffling as Quinn seemingly scours the forest floor for something. "Aha! got it. Now Zuki watch as I start a fire with a stick and a rock. Too some, impossible but for me...easy as saying one, two and three..."

You take peace for granted until you no longer have it.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHGHGHGHGHGHHAHHHHHH!!!!!!!"

Quinn furiously rubs his hands together in a fast motion but to no avail. He continues to screech as he twist and turns the stick on a rock. Eventually he rests on the floor, Panting and wheezing. Throwing in some coughing fits for dramatic effect. "Z...Zuk-i *cough cough* Tell-t-tell my wife that I love her..." His body goes limp as he passes out.

He really passed out?! Are you kidding me?! I'm out here in the wilderness with no light whatsoever and he passes out on me?

I continuously slap his face back and forth "Wake up, Wake up WAKE UP WAKE UP!!"

"Owwy! Okay I'm up! Gosh, you don't have to be so forceful and violent!" He says as he rubs his cheeks with both hands. "I'll start the fire myself Quinn, sit back and give me space."

I grab the stick and rub it against the rock, successfully creating a fire in less than two minutes. As the fire flares up I see a clear view of Quinn's face. Pink hair that fades into black as it lowers to his bangs. red eyes the shade of blood, dark crimson blood.

"You're a lot more good-looking than I expected Zuki. I imagined a short and stubby guy who sweats non-sto-"

"Shut it!"

.....

The two boys sit by the fire enjoying the comfort of the heat near their bodies, only the cracking from the flames making a sound. The light from the moon shining over the mysterious forest. Quinn lays with his arms under his head as he stares up to the stars the dance so lively in the sky. The boy grows curious of the light blue headed boy resting next to him.

"Hey man, why are you doing this?

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you trying to become a knight? You have a reason right? everyone has one."

"Yes I do have one. My reason is to protect the one I care for. My mom spends countless hours working just to provide for me. I rarely ever see her nowadays but every time I do she just looks tired. I want to be able to put her in a good spot, move her out of the slums, have her quit those jobs that she takes on. Overall I want the strength to be able to protect those that can't protect themselves"

Quinn stares at the boy, not a word is said for a moment. A feint sigh passes his lips as he smirks to himself. "That's a pretty good reason."

"What's your reason Quinn?"

"My reason..." He responds quietly. His eyes fixated on the stars the look so lively in the night sky. "Stars... live their lives, shining bright as they possibly can. Living with a purpose. To give light to those who would otherwise live in a dark place."

"Huh?" Zuki says.

"Let's just say that...I want to live life to the fullest."

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