The Path to Redemption

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒯𝒽𝒾𝓇𝓉𝓎

↞･:*✵*:･↠

"If it isn't my favorite prodigy," Velut grinned as I entered the ballroom, which, quite quickly, had been converted into a training arena. It had been three days since the ball, and already those recruited were restless. Velut had explained the situation at hand with Colton earlier, before they'd all arrived at the palace, and it appeared they had taken his words to heart.

In the far corner, Amon and Eris sparred with swords borrowed from the royal guard. It appeared Eris was far more swift than Amon as she dodged his parries with an agility I knew I would never possess. As the two fought, Eris would occasionally call out the names of the moves she was using in an effort to educate Amon though it appeared to be pointless as he was so concentrated on his movements he had no time to listen.

Nix and Edra stood towards the middle, with Edra circling Nix while listing off the many ways to tend to wounds if need be. It appeared that there was a trade-off going on, where they would all take turns absorbing information and heightening their combat abilities. None of them seemed to be using their true abilities. Not at the moment.

Crocotta stood close to Velut, her silver eyes surveying me as she panted, taking a break from her own lesson in combat. Her and Velut had apparently been partnered together, and both seemed to have been working hard by the sweat dripping from their faces.

I laughed as I approached Velut, returning the smile that was plastered on his face. He was flushed from exertion, his cheeks beat red, but he appeared to enjoy that he was actually training. It was better than being cooped up in a palace, anyhow.

"Velut, Crocotta," I nodded to both, and they bobbed their heads in return. "What exactly am I going to be working on today?" I cocked a brow, eyeing Velut with excitement. I had never worked with other people like me, not that I remembered at least.

"I figured it'd be good if we all started with basics. It wouldn't be any good to exert our abilities until later. Build up stamina," Velut explained casually, though his eyes shined with pride. These were his students; he was their teacher, and he was going to help them succeed in whatever obstacles were thrown their way.

"That sounds good. Is there anyone open?" I glanced around, noticing that each person had a partner. I'd just have to wait for an opening of some sort in order to get my training in, then.

"Not at the moment, but you can join Crocotta and me. We wouldn't be able to spar, though. There would be too many people, but we could have her use her ability. She's quite powerful, I saw her summon a few canines back when we were travelling for the rest. She managed to fend off a few thieves who were prowling the forest," Velut beamed down at Crocotta for a moment before looking back up at me.

"I'd be fine with that," I nodded, sending a soft smile to Crocotta, who was a few inches shorter than me. A flush appeared to have tainted her pale silver skin when Velut had complimented her though the red had vanished in a matter of seconds, leaving her staring at me with a harsh glare. I wasn't sure if she meant to be so bold or if that was just how she looked. Either way, she was intimidating, especially for a fourteen-year-old.

"Fine, but if you kill one of my dogs, it'll be the last thing you do," she threatened, her eyebrows arched. She took a step back, distancing herself from Velut and me. Her lips parted slightly as if she were about to whisper, but no sound came out. She kept her eyes locked on me the whole time, and I kept mine on her. I didn't want to appear as a threat to the girl, but if she was going to stare me down, I wouldn't back away.

Velut turned to commentate on what Crocotta was doing when he paused, his gaze averting to someone behind me. He lifted a hand toward Crocotta, politely pausing the fight that was about to occur as he turned his attention fully on the person approaching. I turned also, a small smile crossing my face as I saw it was Gale. My smile vanished, however when I saw the expression on his face.

"Sorry I'm late," he mumbled, wringing his hands together in dissatisfaction. "Those idiotic nobles."

"No worries," Velut chimed, waving his hand in the air dismissively. "I'm just glad you've come to spectate, see what all of us have to offer."

"Spectate?" Gale frowned, watching Velut with a confused expression.

"You want to train?" Velut blinked, looking baffled by the idea. He still didn't know about Gale's abilities. I hadn't gotten the chance to tell him about that night when Colton had taken Gale and changed him. I glanced up at the royal, his eyes meeting mine for a mere second though the meaning was clear. Velut was oblivious.

"Well, I mean, you can," Velut rambled, desperate to not offend his friend. "But when they start using their abilities, I'm not sure if you-"

"Velut," Gale cut him off before he could continue. A moment of silence hung in the air as Gale waited to speak, mustering all the strength he could. This memory was not a good one, and who could blame him. "When you were gone something happened. Something....bad." Gale's eyes flickered around the room, not meeting Velut's, though they met mine for a second. He seemed to be full of desperation, almost wishing that if he didn't tell his friend, the truth would be no more. He would no longer be plagued with the new abilities he held.

"What?" Velut's voice was gentler now, his gaze darting between Gale and me.

"I was....taken-" Gale pushed on, his voice quieter than earlier, "-by Colton. And he, well. Apparently Aldous had tests left in his lab and.... Colton managed to get them." He lifted his head, finally meeting Velut's eyes. Velut paused as he soaked in what Gale had said, his gaze firm, unwavering. He only faltered when he realized what Gale had meant.

"You mean-" he paused, pointing to his own eye in reference to Gale's. "That's because you're.....you're like us?" His face was pale, his eyes wide. It seemed he was affected by this as much as I had been. He was mortified. None of us could have ever imagined something like this could happen, and yet it had.

Gale didn't respond, his eyes back on the floor. In one swift movement, he flexed his fingers, allowing a small clump of marble from the ballroom floor to rise. Velut gasped audibly, his eyes so wide I feared they would leave their sockets.

"Good God," he breathed airily before his tone was replaced with anger. "I'm going to kill that bastard."

"Not if I get to him first," I muttered, my eyes still on the marble that had now receded to its normal state.

"Well then," Velut spoke after a moment of hollow silence. "Welcome to training your majesty, I hope this little arena will fit your taste," he gave a lopsided grin before shooing the others--who had all stopped to listen--back to their sessions.

Instinctively, my hand reached Gale's arm, my fingers brushing his sleeve before I started forward into the crowd to begin my training.