Chapter 13 SURVIVAL

Chapter 13 SURVIVAL
Aria's POV

I glanced at the boy on the floor, shaking from pain, embarrassment and fear. I hated how much of Payten’s life was identical to mine. I hated seeing myself in him over and over again. I want to be better. I felt rage well within me, my brows knitting firmly. 

“Didn't you hear us? This building is occupied.” the boy repeated. “Leave.”

Ciora stepped forward before any of us, she walked with deliberate strides, her feet hitting the floor in a thumping echo. “Hand him over to us,” she said simply. 

Her voice was shaky, deeper. Although she had been mad at me once, I still couldn't imagine that she could get this enraged.

“A little girl, if you don't understand the meaning of privacy and minding one’s business, I am afraid I will have to teach you some manners.” The boy threatened. All the three of them were facing them now. 

“She is a year one? Seems they all are year ones.” The boy scoffed. “I am guessing little Payten has found friends.” The boy who had his foot on  Payten spoke.

Ciora walked past the two boys in front and shoved the one whose foot was placed on Payten away. She ignored them completely, kneeling in front of the boy. “Payten?” 

“Go away,” Payten said softly. “Just go, you don't need to be dragged into this. Just… leave.”

Ciora wanted to speak but a hand grabbed her by the hair forcefully. “Who do you think you are?” one of the bullies growled.

Zephyr, who hadn't spoken since, wanted to rush forward to help, but the next sequence of action made him halt. 

Ciora grabbed the boy's hand, and twisted it. She then suddenly struck the guy at the base of his neck. The boy crumpled to the floor like a sack of potatoes, unable to move. She glanced at the remaining two. “You see, I am from the Flure Kingdom and although we are pacifists, we don't stand for bullying. Also I have studied human anatomy since I was three. Your magic is useless against me.”

One of the boys began to construct an ice spear in his hand but Ciora was already on him. She jabbed him twice, by his side and his shoulder and the boy was knocked out cold. The last of the boys shivered and turned to run. 

He headed for Zephyr and I hoping to barge through us and as expected we side stepped but I struck out my leg and it sent him sprawling to the ground. He caught himself a few moments later and ran off.

Ciora gently lifted Payten from the ground. “We need to get him to the healer.” she announced. 

We headed to the infirmary wordlessly. Throughout the journey, Zephyr's eyes were fixed on Ciora and he had a mix of awe and happiness in his eyes. He was grinning all the way like he’d found a precious gem that was worth a fortune. 

We left Payten in Nesari’s care and when we came back out, I spoke first. “How the hell did you do that?” 

She scoffed. “Not something I like doing, I can identify pressure points in people, and I am able to disturb them enough to cause distabilization. I can paralyze people temporarily with it.”

“You can kill with it too,” Zephyr said. 

“Must everything be about killing for you?” Ciora retorted angrily. 

“No. No. I am sorry. That came out strong. I just… I…” he paused, gathering his words. “You were awesome. But doesn't this contradict with your beliefs?” 

“No, it doesn't. Pacifism doesn't mean you should put your hands in your pocket. We can protect ourselves and our loved ones. We just don't make weapons of mass destruction and call them charms.”

Zephyr gave her a long look. I realized it was the same way I feel myself looking at Kael. I shook the thought out of my head as the boy spoke. “We will argue about that another time. I am not a fan of war as much as you think but I don't believe in pacifism, either. What about you, Aria. What are your beliefs?" 

“Survival,” I said simply. Unlike them, I have just started to understand what it means to leave and not cower every time a shadow grazes past.

“Neat,” Zephyr nodded. “Now, if you girls will excuse me. I need to go run some errands. Remain pristine ladies,” he smiled and waved at them. For some reason when he was enough distance away, he decided to yell. “Oh, and greet Payten for me.” 

Ciora waved at him. “He is so annoying,” she shook her head. 

I dimmed my gaze, giving her a suspicious look. “What?” she asked.

“You and him,” I said, gesticulating the rest of the meaning with my fingers. 

“No. Never.” she said, rolling her eyes. 

“Come on, he ain't that bad.” I said. 

“Nah, he is too mysterious. And I don't like him, he is not my type.” she said, although all her cheeks were red now. 

“Yeah, right.” I chuckled.

Ciora gave me a light nudge on my shoulder. “Come on let's go, we will come and check on him in two hours.” 

“Alright,” I replied and we left the infirmary, heading for our rooms. 

I realized for the first time since I have been here, I was actually enjoying my stay. Well, I realized that too soon because standing directly in the passageway to our room was Vianka. 

She stood in the middle of the road as if expecting me. When we approached her she gave me a mean look. “You,” she pointed to me, ignoring Ciora’s existence completely. “Come to the dungeon after hours.” she said simply.

“And if I refuse?” I demanded. 

“Then your stay in this school will be painful and long!” She said, barged into me with her shoulder and began to walk off.

I hated that confidence but the guilt of what I did to her… what I almost did to her held me back but none of that concerned Ciora. 

She tapped her on the arm. “Hey. She isn't coming anywhere tonight. And if you were the one who kidnapped her yesterday then both of us need to talk. We really need to talk,” she held on to her hand tightly as she spoke. 

Lightning flashed in Vianka’s eyes. “Let go of me, peasant.” 

“Say that again!” Ciora said, gazing at her intently.