Chapter 15 - Part 3

The morning sky was darkened with the iridescent colors of the Macoffies. Waves of purples turning green crashed into pinks and violets creating a vortex of swirls of color. It was their mating dance. A simple yet aggressive display of speed and power that came unexpectedly with their elegant appearance. It seems the mating season came early due to the untimely shift in temperature. Everybody had noticed it was unusually hot for this time of the year. But, in truth, no one complained as they welcomed the warmth of the sun after such a harsh winter. While the multicolored display was enjoyable to most, to Tasgal, who seemed to lack even the smallest droplet of luck, was nothing but a nuisance. Ever since they have begun roaming the sky above the Academy grounds the little 'shit cannons' seemed to always target him. He now always had a handkerchief to wipe away the bird shit that clang to his clothes.

Tasgal walked towards his morning training while stuffing the handkerchief in his pocket. He waved and greeted all of his fellow Ash'en and teachers as he strolled on the stone tiled ways. He was quite popular amongst his peers. He never gave too much importance on appearance but as soon as he joined the Academy, at the behest of his master, Tasgal suddenly saw the importance of being pleasant. Everyone would dance around your finger, even the teachers would be more lenient if you had a nice face. This was absurd to Tasgal. He wondered if this was the reason his master took him in when he was a child or that he felt bad for killing his family. He never dared question his decision as long as he put food on his table. Tasgal understood that death was a part of war and an expanding Empire was always on the brink.

Tasgal also never thought his master would send him so far away or even to such a prestigious institute, if he was completely honest, he believed he would have cut his throat the moment he grew tired of him, but the years passed and he felt more comfortable along his master as time passed. Another curiosity was that his master sent his only son to the same Academy as Tasgal. Why? Could be anybody's guess. An equally prestigious, some might argue even more so, would be the one at the Red Keep, which would also make it right in his backyard.

Tasgal remembered surprise in Bras' eyes the moment he found out. Rage surged within the young man and stormed out of the giant manor destroying everything in sight. Tasgal understood why he was upset. Bras had always been a mama's boy, and his just as rich and cruel friends were all in Red Keep. But there was one thing Tasgal now feared, Bras was now unchained. No one had any real authority over him now that his father is not here. He could do anything he wanted with no repercussions.

Tasgal knew there was a reason for why his master sent him here. He knew he had a purpose. An important mission for which his master trusted only him as he was his closest aid and guard, after all. Maybe a bit too close, he often asked himself as he would aid his master. Maybe this was why he turned him away. But he soon brushed away this train of thought as he saw how pleased his master was whenever he served him.

Soon that purpose soon came to light. A few weeks after he and Bras arrived in Elo'yn and he had no choice but to stay at the Academy while Bras enjoyed luxury at the most expensive hotels and ins until the year began, he found a letter on his bed. Elation bubbled up inside,It was from his Master. With his fears at bay he tore open the envelope. It detailed the content of his mission: Observe and report. It was simple. He could not believe his master would pay for his tuition and stay for such a simple mission. He was grateful, as this path would secure a possible future of his own.

Tasgal truly believed himself lucky, well, at least until he met Haiden in the most embarrassing way. Tasgal thought back at the incident and cringed at the way he spoke and tried to act cool in front of this guy who he had just peed on. He just couldn't help it. At the time he didn't know why he felt the need to act like that. But now he understands. It was his eyes, he told himself. They burned like golden fire. Determined but scared.

And luck had it, he was a Wielder. When Tasgal heard that he was overjoyed because that meant he would get to see more of him. And that he did.

Tasgal arrived in the training pit and saw Haiden waiting for him, as always. He was never late to their sparring sessions. It was a free day and he had managed to convince Haiden he needed the training to face Bras in the Trials. But this was just an excuse. He ignored the people that started to treat their matches as free entertainment and came to watch. He only had one target.

Haiden locked eyes with Tasgal, sending shivers down his spine right to his crotch.

Damn, he's fucking perfect. Tasgal thought to himself and smirked. He knew he shouldn't feel like this. He understood his position and how the world worked, if only he was as powerful as his master. The world worked differently from those without. He looked at Haiden in his green tunic, showing off his arms. His pale skin contrasted nicely with the dark colors. His jet black hair tousled back, it grew wildly, but clean. His pink lips were dry and Tasgal could clearly see Haiden had a habit of biting his lips. How he wished he could touch them right now but he pushed these thoughts away. Small patches of a red rash marked Haiden's forearms. This alarmed Tasgal, but kept it to himself. He learned that remarks like that would make Haiden retreat and run away. He made a mental note to ask about it some other time and focused on his blazing gaze. And as always, Tasgal with a swift motion of his arm removed his shirt. He saw Haiden being taken aback. He was not sure what it was that he saw in Haiden with that reaction, but he wanted to see more. He had noticed early on during their training that Haiden became more reserved and awkward when Tasgal removed his shirt. He could not read Haiden's expression. Was he appalled or did he like what he saw? Tasgal hoped for the latter and so continued doing his little gamble every sparring match.

"Ready to lose, little guy?" Tasgal said with a laugh as Haiden's eyebrows twisted with thought.

Damn why am I like this?

"Littl..." Haiden's cheeks reddened and gave Tasgal a death stare.

He is so adorable, Creators!

"I'll fucking tear you appart, Tas." Haiden showed him a fist and with determined eyes he took his fighting stance. "Just watch me." he said under his breath.

"Oh, I'm watching alright." Tasgal taunted with a becoming of his fingers. Haiden took his fighting stance. Something about him was different. Haiden was more confident this time. It took Tasgal by surprise as Haiden made the first step forward. He became more brazen. This made Tasgal even more curious on what could have spurred such change in Haiden.

Lost in his admiration of Haiden, Tasgal, was surprised by a tendril of water crawling up on of his legs and froze solidly holding him in place.

"Again with the cheap tricks, little guy." Tasgal taunted even further. Haiden rushed with his fist cocked, but Tasgal's reflexes saved him from a sore face. He easily grabbed Haiden's arm and with a simple twist he deflected the punch masterfully. He raised his other leg and made contact with Haiden's side only to strike something hard. It didn't feel like flesh, and he knew Haiden was not built like other Ashen.

Haiden smirked wickedly, unphased by the kick. Tasga's mouth became dry as a desert. He anticipated the move but did not know where Haiden would strike and tried to pull away but he couldn't.

His hand was frozen solid in contact with Haiden's arm.

"Fuck," tasgal whispered as he just saw the triumphant look in Haiden's eyes. A quick jab bellow Tasgal's rib cage drew out his breath. Tasgal, being the experienced warrior he was, recovered quickly, not allowing Haiden to land another blow and with sheer force and willpower he broke through his snared leg and taking advantage of their bonded arms flung Haiden to the ground. Landing face first in the grave dirt. When it came to fighting skills Tasgal was years beyond Haiden, he had been fighting all of his life, after all. But it was a different matter when it came to Wielders. Their tricks and mastery over the natural world gave them a powerful advantage, and without his armor and sword he was defenceless to Haiden's wielding. He was glad Haiden accepted to keep his Wielding to a minimum when they sparred, though minimum was a vague concept being left open to interpretation.

Tasgal landed on top of Haiden's backside, his lips twinging in a smirk. He twisted Haiden's arm just above his waist as he cradled him. Tasgal's blood rushed to his head as his crotched rubbed against Haiden. He swallowed hard and tried to control himself. Haiden writhed in pain beneath Tasgal which were not making things easier.

"Stop moving so much!" Tasgal breathed. I have to let go or else..."

"Make me!" Haiden said between gasps. Tasgal was much heavier than Haiden and he had no chance of toppling him off, but Tasgal was careless. In a slight moment where he had loosened his grip on Haiden's hand a force blast hit him in the chest making him land on his back. For a few seconds he regretted losing his shirt as pebbles pricked his skin. .

Good timing he told himself as he turned over to get his feet under him. He could have easily jumped in a gracious arch and landed on his feat ready for battle, but he needed a way to adjust himself.

Haiden did not give him the opportunity to fully regain his senses as he jumped on Tasgal pinning him back to the ground.

"Got you!" Haiden said. Tasgal saw how red Haiden's face was. His brows furrowed in concentration. Tasgal was in pain from Haiden's lock, but he could not hope but pay more attention to Haiden's features and gestures than the fight itself. No, he's just over exerting himself. Tasgal told himself and he became more aware of his body. Haiden straddled Tasgal awkwardly on his side, his legs wrapped around Tasgal and his arms frozen in place with his. Brushing against Tasgal's thigh was Haiden' crotch. Tasgal froze as something completely unexpected happened. He relaxed instantly and stopped struggling to free himself from Haiden. Something hard that twitched rubbed against his thigh. He felt Haiden stop as well and quickly melted his bindings and jumped away from Tasgal in an instant, topling on his backside on the gravel, with a horrified look on his face that crushed Tasgal's heart by just a little. They looked at each other in awkward silence as their audience screamed and cheered for Tasgal. He heard just three voices yelling Haiden's name and some inventive curses. That Maree, there was no doubt in Tasgal's mind.

But there was something more pressing on his mind. Haiden. Did he react to me just then? He asked himself. It couldn't be. Could it? Tasgal thought back when they saw that poor woman when he first met him. A very unfortunate event in which Haiden wanted to intervene was not for Tasgal.

Haiden covered himself with his cloak before Tasgal could take a better look. He cursed the black breeches that were part of the Wielder uniform, but, he had felt it. He was certain. Before Tasgal could collect himself and his thoughts, and stopping himself from displaying something to their onlookers, Haiden brushed passed him in a hurry.

"I forfeit," he said just as quickly and he went to collect his bag. Tasgal did not get the chance to say anything and Tasgal disappeared from view, being followed by his two friends and Master Rwoy. It looked like Haiden was not pleased and yelled at them as always before rushing away.

"What the fuck..." Tasgal grabbed a handful of gravel and threw softly in frustration before he dusted himself up.

"That was a good fight." said giving him a towel to dry off the water from Haiden's spell.

"Thank you, Kip" Didn't know you guys were watching."

"Yeah, Vick kept saying he wants to gouce how good the wielders are this year because and I quote "I don't want to get paired with a weakling and die in combat." but I told him it's just you and Harold, though that didn't stop him" said

"Haiden."

"What?"

"His name is Haiden." Tasgal repeated but his friend didn't pay him any attention as the rest of the group joined.

"You almost got your ass handed to you." Mav added.

"Zip it." Tasgal replied annoyed. He wasn't in the mood to entertain his so-called friends. Although they stuck to Tasgal almost everywhere he went, he wasn't too keen on their company. They were good men, but too their overly masculine attitude that needed validation put Tasgal off.

Tasgal made up some pathetic excuse that he was tired, refusing the invitation of his friends to lunch and retreated to his room.

He let himself fall on his thin bed, and looked around his very small room. It was such a sorry state. Sweaty clothes were piled in a corner in a mountain of musk. His sole little window did not keep up with the stench. This was the life of a Ash'en, training was their life.

Ignoring his own stench he thought back at what happened and could not help getting himself worked up. He replayed the moment in his mind over a million times. The position, he could not clearly see Haiden's body, but he felt his legs wrap around Tasgal's tree trunks like feebly ivy. But he had felt it. He was certain. And his face, so red. There was a twitch! Tasgal remembered. Blood rushed to his head but mostly south. Is he? He kept asking himself, trying to ignore his sudden rush of blood. He couldn't afford to misread the situation, as much as he wanted it to be real, he could lose his life, and his master. Tasgal thought back to every sparring match they had. Had Haiden always been so rigid when their body touched? He quickly answers himself with a firm yes, though he always thought this was because of his inexperience. After a few dozen matches Tasgal thought he would relax, but Haiden never did. He always knew something was different about Haiden.

Tasgal spent the rest of his day contemplating and mulling over what had happened. He was still barely believing it.

He had an erection. Tasgal finally admitted it to himself and his lips widened a genuine smile. He wanted to scream from happiness. This meant he had a chance. Even so, there was one thing that Tasgal could not understand that wiped his smile away. Haiden had run away. He pushed away any other thoughts on the matter. Creating scenarios in his head was not helping him solve something he simply did not know the answer to. And so he decided that it would be better to ask Haiden himself. He always had been the straight forward type. He hated beating around the bush.

Tasgal took a look outside and saw the green night. It was calm and windless with only the stars as company, and maybe Master Uligarth roaming around.

It's decided. He told himself and scrambled for a clean shirt from the floor. He smelled a few until he finally found a decent one.

He had to be careful, Master Uligarth was no small fry and he hated students breaking curfew. Leaving his dorm unnoticed was the easiest part. Most of his colleagues were long passed into the dreamworld. Some might argue that the Ash'en intense trainings were never designed for humans, but monsters.

Once on the stone tile ways, Tasgal crouched next to the flaking decorative bushes that were in full bloom. This will be easy, he told himself and began crawling towards the Wielder dormitories.

He saw the heavily ornate building with just a few lights flickering in the windows out of which Haiden's flickered the brightest. The dark green shadows did not cover him as he wished, he cursed at his white shirt. Should've gotten the black one.

He peered beyond the bush to his left, then on his right. There was no one. Perfect. Still crouching he moved slowly towards Haiden's window in the dead of night and once he was beneath the window he picked a few small pebbles and threw them at the window. They made a soft clack just enough to be heard by the person inside and the tensioned Tasgal managed to breathe in relief. He was worried someone else would hear.

But, Haiden did not open the window. Tasgal was certain he heard it. He saw the light move around and still no one peered through the window. Annoyed, he grabbed a few more pebbles and threw them with slightly more vigor this time. And the light went off and an angry Haiden threw open the window with surprising strength.

"Fuck off you green eyed t-" Haiden stopped in mid yell. "Tas?" He said in a low whisper poking his head through the window.

"Creators! Is that how you greet your friends?" Tasgal whispered back.

"I thought you were Bras." Haiden said concerned and looked around only to see the green soft lights and shadows of the grounds. It intensified the already green lawn and life that came along with spring.

"Why would you... Never mind that!" He shook away those thoughts. He didn't want to bring anything unpleasant now.

"Why are you here. It's way past curfew. You'll get in trouble."

"It's alright. I didn't see anyone. I need to talk to you for a moment."

"About what? It's way past the middle of the night, Tas. Can't it wait." Haiden looked around nervously.

"No. It has to be now." Tasgal pleaded.

"Fine, give me a mom - "he stopped as he saw a dark shadow break away from a far away corner. It came at an alarming speed. "Tas, watch out!"

Just as Tasgal turned around the ground around him collapsed swallowing his feet in place. He grunted as he tried to break free.

"Try as much as you want, you brute. You won't be able to escape." The shadow spoke. Haiden knew who it was.

"Bras, release him now." Tasgal warned.

"Or what? You and your lover will do shit!" he said and laughed maniacally. "I knew you two were dirty abominations! Yeva'Ah!" he spit on the ground.

"Father will be pleased with me disposing of you, wouldn't he...Tas, was it?" He continued to laugh. Haiden jumped from the window, gliding slowly to the ground with the levitation spell that Screech had taught him.

"Did you know, the Academy's palace is older then Elo'yn itself?" Bras began as he slowly moved closed.

"I don't care about what you have to say, Bras. Leave now, or else!"

"Don't be like that, Haiden. We're just two friends, talking about history. Right?" The soft green light landed on his cloaked face. His smile was sickening. Haiden did not reply but he was ready for a fight.

"Don't do this, Bras?" Tasgal pleaded. He cursed himself for not having his sword at hand, he got too complacent at the Academy. "Master's not going to be pleased with this!" he warned.

"Don't interrupt me, scum. Not only you're an Yeva'Ah and a lowblood, but you're also unblessed! If it weren't for father I would have killed you years ago. You disgust me!" He yelled and them immediately said. "Oh, where were we, Haiden, friend?" in a collected tone. "Ah, yes. The palace. A marvelous feat of architecture and engineering. Don't you think? No one knows who built it, that's why it doesn't have a name. It's just the palace, Academy's palace. And you know what else is special about it?" Bras looked eagerly at Haiden for an answer.

"No. And I don't care." Haiden said between his teeth.

"Oh, but you should, you see. It most certainly concerts you...or it will." Haiden looked at him with caution as he closed in on Tasgal. "The palace has thousands of miles of underground tunnels that connect to strange caves or canals. Not many know about these tunnels, just a few.

If it were for someone to...I don't know, maybe end up in one of these tunnels... no one would be able to find them. So, I say it very much concerns you, Haiden."

Haiden managed to reach up to Tasgal and placed a hand around his shoulder. "Are you alright?" he asked. Tasgal gave him a nod and turned back to Bras.

"Why are you doing this, Bras? What do you get out of it?" Tasgal tried to reason with him.

"What do I..." he laughed. Without even answering he continued with his speech. "Remember that tunel that saved your life back in the backwoods? Unfortunate miscalculation on my part, I admit it. But, it gave me the greatest idea. Why not use the same tunnels that saved you and your lover from eating dirt. Quite poetic, don't you believe?" Bras asked, but Haiden was not going to answer. He had readied his shield a long time ago. He was ready for anything that came his way. "Fine! Be like that!"

"Be careful Haiden. He's more powerful than you think!" Tasgal warned.

"Isn't that precious! He really loves you, doesn't he?" Without missing a breath Bras spat on the ground and yelled "Disgusting!" He then fell to his knees and slapped the ground with great force. Haiden felt a great mass of Fios. The static was so dense and charged it sparked across his skin. With one final motion of his arm, Haiden broke Tasgal free and helped him get up.

"Not so fast," Bras said with open palms on the ground. An earthquake shook both Tasgal and Haiden and from Bras a crack opened in a flash. Haiden could only brace himself and fuel his shield as much as he could, expanding it to Tasgal as well.

"Hang onto me!" Haiden told Tasgal and they awaited the impact but none came. Instead, just like in the backwoods the earth broke open in a gasm that engulfed both of them. Bras closed the gasm behind. The green dark night became pitch black as they fell in.