Fubuki Sumiye: The Escape from Dread Tower (Book 2)(Completed)

Ep 11: The Meeting

Out of all the chapters this one was the least expected chapter to make it in there. But it's one of my favorite intense ones. Have a good day!

"Alright then let's see what we've got."

Valerie took out her part of the list.

"Help Dylan summon bit beast, break the news that Olivia didn't make the team, meet with WBBA, etc. Well the first couple don't sound that bad but the rest seems hard what about you Fubuki?"

"Put training equipment together, figure out a new workout schedule, conference meeting, etc. Well that doesn't sound that bad either."

Valerie took off eager to get her side of the list done.

"Hey Valerie?"

"Yeah Fubuki?"

"Thanks for being here,"

"Of course Fubuki!" She smiled and took off.

"Alright first things first."

The first thing Fubuki started with was putting the training equipment together which ended up being a lot harder than he thought.

Two hours.

Two hours, he could've spent that time doing something, anything else but two hours to put a weight lifting machine together.

Then after that using Shu's old notes he made a new training schedule. It took a while but Fubuki didn't mind. When he was all done Fubuki had to go watch bladers practice.

Like Shu he jumped in telling people things like their launcher was tilted or to lower their stance. Then when practice was over it was lunch time but not for Fubuki.

Taxes, bills, practices, meetings, conferences oh my.

By the time Fubuki was done with the list he was exhausted. He wanted to sleep or to do nothing for the next hour. Just anything but the list.

How does Shu do this everyday?

After relaxing for a while Fubuki decided to finally eat lunch. At this point it was late in the afternoon and things were calming down.

But Fubuki was wrong, when he was trying to find something to watch he stumbled upon another missing blader message. Except this time was worse.

Toko Aoi and Arthur Peregrine missing. For Fubuki he didn't really know Arthur that well but based on what he heard he knew he wasn't the fan favorite. But Toko was a different story.

It was scary to think Fubuki had just seen Toko and Cuza a few days ago and now they had gone missing. It almost seemed too coincidental....

Then for the second time that day the doors out of nowhere.

"Come in."

"Why thank you."

Fubuki looked up from his work to see who was at the door. The minute he laid eyes on them his heart sank and his eyes widened.

Theodore Glass stood at the door with a smirk on his face. Phi was also behind him wearing a straight face.

Fubuki looked at this list but he didn't find anything on it about Theodore or Phi dropping in.

"What a lovely suprise, I was expecting Shu Kurenai. But you must be his student I've heard so much about: Fubuki Sumiye."

Fubuki didn't see it but Theodore closed the door behind him and locked it. Little did Fubuki know that Theodore still had his key to his old office.

"What do you want?" Fubuki tried his best to sound fearless but being in a room alone with Theodore and Phi was terrifying.

"Well to put it simply I want you to drop out of Phi's tournament."

"What how did you know I was.."

"What matters is you dropping out not on how I know about it."

Theodore took a seat in front of Fubuki.

"It's ironic I was once on the other side of that table and yet our roles are reversed how quant."

"Why do you want me to drop out?"

"It's simple quite really, you see Fubuki, bladers each have their own power. Take Free De La Hoya for example.. he can lift heavy boulders and he has incredible power and strength. But not all bladers can do that."

"Instead you have a different power, a unique power which I've never seen before. I'm sure you remember the events that took place during your schools play?"

"Yeah, it felt like I was possessed. But what does that have to do with things?"

"I'm sure you're familiar with the term Corrupted Resonance?"

Fubuki tried to keep a straight face on but Theodore saw right through his act.

"Aiger Akabane, I'm sure you remember his dark phase. Besides you were right there when it was happening. The way his eyes were, the darkened aura, the way his body would unnaturally move. But you, you're different. After your interaction at the school play you've come in contact with dark energy."

Fubuki looked down at Forenous trying to ask for answers but the Shark didn't respond.

"How do I get rid of it?"

"Well that's the thing that's special about you. You came in contact with dark resonance over a month ago and by now it should've corrupted you. And yet you're still normal although based on your power surges I don't know how long that will last. But still you really are something rare Fubuki. For bladers it's either light or darkness."

Theodore stood up straightening his suit.

"Now I don't normally do this but I'm giving you a once in a lifetime chance."

Theodore crept around Shu's desk. As he got closer Fubuki tensed up even more. He remembered Shu telling him about Theodore.

"Theodore is very manipulative and shady. He knows exactly what bladers want to use it against them."

"I'm giving you the chance to join us Fubuki, now remember I don't do this a lot but I'm a merciful man. In return for joining our organization I'll give you the chance to battle Phi for the championship title."

At this point Fubuki forgot that Phi was in the room. He was leaning against the wall lost in thought watching the people outside.

Fubuki thought it over, he was just about to answer when something Shu told him a long time ago came up.

"Sometimes the path to greatness is hard but there are no shortcuts. I tried to take the shortcut of going through the Snake Pit but I ended up losing my friends. That's why hard work and dedication are so important."

"No, I can't beat Phi, not like this, not here and not now. I'll find a way to get rid of my half dark resonance situation myself without the help of your shady connections."

Theodore put his hand on Fubuki's shoulder making Fubuki tense up
even more.

Bending down slowly Theodore whispered into Fubuki's ear.

"Know this Fubuki Sumiye, I've been playing this game longer than you've been alive. The blading world may be in despair but that only makes it more easy for me to manipulate. Besides.."

Theodore stood back up and walked back over to the door.

"This is far from over. It's only a matter of time."