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

Ep 17: The Camp Out!

Xander and Ren Wu were gone.

Another pair of bladers were taken, at this point things were starting to pick up. At first it was one blader but now it's two and if it keeps going at this rate then more bladers will be gone.

Zac, Cuza, Ren Wu, Xander, Toko, Diago, Free, Suoh, Kurt, Koji and Arthur.

11 well known and high ranked bladers gone.

But those bladers weren't the only thing on Fubuki's mind.

Valerie.

Fubuki wasn't sad or mad at her, instead he was just disappointed. Someone he liked and looked up to ended up being not as great as he thought.

It was disappointing for Fubuki. To think someone he considered as his best friend wasn't as great as he thought. But sadly Fubuki was used to this.

Ranjiro and Aiger have moved on to greater things. And maybe he did miss hanging out with them but he felt left behind. Like everyone was reaching greater strengths and heights but he wasn't even there yet.

But Shu had been there for him, even when he was having nightmares. Even when he was going through a rough patch or when he was worried he wasn't going to make the team.

Fubuki was sad that he had to leave Shu but he knew Shu would always be there. But Valerie was different, she was so sweet and kind. So what happened then what had made her this way.

Was it the virus? Was it Phi and Theodore? Or had she always been that way?

So many questions but few answers. Answers were something Fubuki wanted more than anything right now.

Why were bladers going missing? Why was Valerie on the other side? Where was Suoh?

But out of all the questions the one Fubuki couldn't figure out was: Why were Phi and Theodore working together?

Sure blader going missing could mean something like them training together. Valerie could've been corrupted for a long time. And Suoh was probably won't he other missing bladers.

But how did Phi and Theodore know each other. That was one of the biggest mysteries Fubuki couldn't figure out.

Theodore was a shady man while Phi was even more shady figuratively and literally. Sure the both of them working together made since but how would they know each other. But that question wasn't a priority at the moment. Right now Fubuki needed to focus on the tournament.

Taking out a hammock out of his bag, Fubuki tied either end to some rocks. Unlike Free, Fubuki preceded the circular shape of the hammock when he's away from home.

But Fubuki wasn't here to eat s'mores and think of ghost stories. No Fubuki was here to do some training. If Free De La Hoya was number one at one point then he must've been onto something big.

Taking some of the rocks Fubuki began lifting, running and throwing all in an effort to get stronger.

After training the sun began to set painting the sky with its warm pretty colors. It was a beautiful sight, and it certainly took Fubuki's breath away.

After looking at the sunset for a while Fubuki's thoughts began to swirl in his head. Phi, Theodore, Valerie. It was all starting to overwhelm him. Sitting up Fubuki decided to go on a walk to the stadium on top of the peak.

The closer he got to the top the louder the music got. It seemed like a party or something was going on. Spotlights were also shining their light all over the sky.

Once he made it to the top Fubuki couldn't believe his eyes.

The front doors were wide open letting in bladers of all ages in its walls. But of course people were still also standing outside waiting in line talking. The Dread Tower did not look imposing or scary at all. In fact the dark dreary skies had cleared but since it was night it was still dark.

But unlike all the happiness Phi was standing at the entrance greeting bladers with a smile.

It was strange to see Phi so happy but Fubuki couldn't help but feel like Phi was up to something. But what also sent Fubuki through a loop was the fact that Hyde wasn't around. Usually the Dread Tower was Hyde's domain so then why would Phi be running things?

After practicing his launches and moves for an hour Fubuki soon began to grow weary. And after mis-launching he was determined to get it right with one last good launch. There was something satisfying about ending practice on a good note.

Picking up Forenous, Fubuki headed back down to Free's old camp. No matter how many times Fubuki looked at the camp it was still a creepy site. Normally for bladers places like BC Sol or Begioma would be honored places for bladers achieving high feats. But other places like the Dread Tower or the Snake Pit were just creepy to some people.

Getting into his hammock Fubuki looked up at the stars. Fubuki hates admitting this but he was lonely. By now he was used to it and sometimes he even preferred it but there was something loud about the silence. Almost as if there was something missing.

The noise that was missing was Valerie. Valerie was always talking about something. Blading, Valt or BC Sol. Anyone of those subjects would get Valerie onto a talking rant for the next several hours.

Meanwhile Fubuki would just listen and he always preferred it that way. It was always amazing what you could learn just by listening to others when they didn't know you were listening to them.

Just how he had learned about the Global Gauntlet. The tournament was nearing and bladers were preparing. Or at least the bladers that were left.

Yawning Fubuki got into his hammock and pulled the cover up. Closing his eyes he rolled over looking at the stars. He smiled and fell asleep.

And for the first time in a long time Fubuki didn't have any nightmares. Instead he was filled with satisfaction and peace. Two emotions he hadn't felt in a long time.

Sorry it's been a while, things have gotten busy and writing has been a little hard. School is starting soon but after this chapter things are going to get interesting. Have a good day!