8 Chapter 7

RAIN

"During the challenge, students are not allowed to use their powers. It will be sealed by the faculty. Only their brains and skills in fighting are allowed to be used.”

I stared at Erin as she was saying the rules of the challenge that would be happening for the coming weeks.

Because the elites were missing one member to be qualified for the said game, they decided to include me in their group.

And as the only creatures that befriended and became close with me, I accepted their offer.

And they agreed to train me for two weeks before the big day.

And here I was, sitting on the floor of the personal training room of the elites.

"So, do you have any questions?"

I shook my head then looked at the person at the farthest of the room.

Actually, Storm had told me the things I had to keep in mind about what would happen.

Erin nodded, “Good,” then turned to Panther, “Panther, the floor is yours." After she said that, she went to where the other girls were sitting.

Panther stood in front of me and told me to stand. Lu came to us and patted Panther’s shoulder. "Panther here will teach you the basics of self-defense. We presumed you do not know anything about martial arts and other staffs regarding that."

"To tell you honestly, I know how to do self-defense. I was an outcast in the world that I came from, yes, but someone taught me such things."

Lu gave me an ‘okay’ sign. "Good. All we have to do now is to show you the venue and the possible things that might happen."

"While we are inside the arena, other teams will try to outnumber us. The rule is, the team that will earn lots of points by collecting lots of flags and who will gonna get out with all the team members present will be proclaimed as winners."

“So should we divide into sub-groups or we stick together?"

"It depends on what our team leader would say. He has the final word regarding that matter," she said and looked at Storm who seemed to be sleeping then turned her gaze back at me, “So, let's start?"

I eagerly nodded and listened well as she discussed. After showing me the whole arena where the challenge would be held, we rested shortly.

I was in the middle of quenching my thirst when I felt something approaching me. I stealthily avoided the sharp tip of the knife then looked at the direction where the weapon came from.

I heard everyone gasped in horror at what happened.

"Storm! You could have hit her! That was dangerous." Sere shouted at the person who almost killed me.

Storm just looked and her flatly. "It's time for her training, Serenity."

After he said that, he disappeared from our sight and the next thing I knew he was behind me, ready to lock me down but I immediately ran away from him.

'Fight me, Serena. Fight me with all you've got.’ He said through his mind and attacked me again that I just avoided. I was just evading his attacks when his voice echoed in my mind again.

'Do not just defend yourself, Sforza. ATTACK ME LIKE HOW I ATTACK YOU! ‘

I didn’t know why but I just found myself throwing punches and kicks on him.

We exchanged several hits until we became exhausted. Nobody let another one touched or hit any parts of our body.

Tired, we lied on the floor.

After a moment of silence, I heard claps.

"Well done, Rain! Well done!" Nero shouted while still clapping loudly.

"No one had ever countered Storm’s attacks. You were the first one," Reya uttered and I could sense the admiration in her voice.

Still catching my breath, I replied. "I've experienced worse."

The noise coming from their applauds died down and replaced by silence.

‘Good thing you've been through it all.'

I looked at the guy beside me who’s then smiled. ‘It was horrible. But I’m thankful I experienced it all. I became a better person. I've managed to tolerate all the pains I've been through.’

He slowly wiped my tears that I never realized that’s already falling on my cheeks.

"I'm proud of what you've become." He said as admiration sported in his eyes.

"Gracias."

I felt our surrounding changed. And when i looked at and him was about to ask what’s happening, I was taken aback by the most gorgeous smile I've ever seen. He’s smiling. Only for me to see. "That's why you trapped us in your own world."

He shrugged and stood up. He offered his hand to make me stand that I immediately accepted.

"Let's go. We’re going to train here. There are a lot of nuisance in the training room."

I bit my lips to stop myself from smiling.

And inside his made-up dimension, I saw the real Storm Gabriel Isaac that's hidden from everyone.

------

DIEGO

"Did the two get back already?" Panther asked as he entered our room.

"Not yet. Let them be. They may be doing something right now that we wouldn’t want to see," said Nero while chewing popcorn cooked by Rey.

After Storm and Rain disappeared from the training room, we decided to return to the dorm and watch movies while passing the time.

Panther just left a moment because he visited the Demon Kingdom.

We're talking about what we were watching when Lu spoke. "Until now I am still wondering why they permitted us to join the Campus Challenge. We’ve never been part of it for all I remember."

I also thought of what she said. "You're right, Lu," I said as an agreement and looked at the headmaster's son, "Do you know anything about it?"

Nero raised his hands. "Actually, no. I have no idea about it. And dad and I never talked since he returned from a trip. And it's been a month since then. He said he's busy."

I heard Reya's sighed. "Derene, do not you have any sightings? Is there no new prophecy given to you?"

Derene shook her head. "No. The last sight I’ve seen was the incident with Rain. And I thought it’s weird. Grandma always has a prophecy passed on to me."

Derene's the granddaughter of the goddess of prophecy and healing.

"Guys, don’t think about it like something’s goona happen," Sere spoke calmly.

"Or a calm before the storm."

What Panther said left us deep in thoughts.

"I hope it's not that, Panther. We're maybe ready for war. But we're not ready for what might happen. You've known Storm. Even I, a daughter of Evil and you, a prince of the Demons couldn’t control him when he goes berserk,” Sereya said seriously.

I sighed.

She’s right. No one could stop Storm when he’s mad.