Rising Hope - 3

[Gabriel pov]

Cold hard wood pushed against my grip. One that chafed against my hand, creating pseudo blisters that tried and failed to hurt me.

For I had not paid them any attention, for I had steeled my resolve. No longer was I in the privacy of a home, no longer could I be so vulnerable.

I was sent here for a reason, one to grow and create my reputation. To create the greatest tale for Abigail to take. For her to rise using the ashes of my ambitions.

And so, as the door opened, creaking with a light touch, I steeled my resolve. Pushing all the traumatic emotions, of my own raping, to the affections of that professor. Even to the feelings of the drug upon my tongue.

With resolve newly gained. No, it was more like I had rediscovered it. I had always had it. But now, in the trauma that had stewed in my mind for days, in the light of the newest situation. A trial for my… was she a love, that wasn't a question. It was my duty. 

And I had already resolved to give up my body, so be it. It was one instance, I would not let that consume my thoughts.

I turned through the monotone world. Through the tiles of white and black. Of gray silhouettes creating a cacophony of noise upon my entrance.

Through everything and to the empty seat. Where I sat next to another girl. She was tall, compared to me. But to others she was average. Though that was not the most prominent feature of hers.

It was the multitude of weapons she carried among her body. Of the countless swords and daggers, vials of poison and insects that crawled through her clothes.

I took a breath, stilling my thoughts as I sat down. Leaning my back perfectly against the chair. Greeting the girl in the most pleasant voice I could.

"Gabriel Belle, Well met." I spoke.

My vision faded back to one of souls. To the orbs of greatness and their even greater emotions. Yelling to me the world.

Yet hers, it was faded… No, the better word was jaded. She had this aura about her soul. One that seemed almost unreachable.

And as her voice echoed through the room. Through my ears. I could tell that something was wrong.

For a soul as great and unique as hers to be so scarred.

I wanted so much to just heal her. Yet some innate part of me knew that it was not possible.

'Not yet' It whispered back to me, sending shivers down my soul.

"Atalante." She spoke, her hand reaching over to mine. Touching it with that warm spark of hers. Fondling it as if it was some sort of toy.

I turned my gaze, to the front of the room. Where a great soul watched the proceedings. Finding some sort of enjoyment in the innumerable proceedings that happened around.

Of all the souls that messed around with the other, giving joyous air to the atmosphere.

Yet just as she allowed them to be, so too did she reign them back in. And I could tell that that was the last time that would happen. For there was a sudden turn in her emotions as she cut off any and all talk.

A brutal start to her lecture that had me turning my head like a swivel. Watching the symphony of fear wash through the souls of those around.

Was it truly that scary?

I had thought it not. But maybe that was my skewed perception for I had been in much worse situations without an ounce of fear.

"As this is just the first introductory course we won't go into much depth, rather we will cover the broad strokes of all the subjects that you then can start to specialize in."

I focused my emotions, furrowing my eyes harder. Only then did my breath release and with it bringing sight to my eyes.

The monotone gray and black, of white that played against those colors. Yet right now my focus was not on those background colors. But on the board that was being wrote upon so vigorously.

"For today there won't be much taught, as it is the first day. However I will be giving you a couple things. Use them in the appropriate way and just maybe… you'll learn something."

She turned once again, the board filled with complex equations and all kinds of shapes and lines. 

Only I wasn't able to focus on that, despite my intense want. As she waved her hand. Materializing dozens of strangely covered symbols, each one of them manifesting their own circles.

All to build some sort of block on our tables. Each and every student being given one.

"Use the next hour to figure out the secret to that cube. The victor will be given…" She paused. A smirk playing on her voice and face.

"You'll see."

It only drove the spirit of the students, inviting a blazing passion in their hearts as they fiddled with the cube.

I sighed, letting my sight fade away. It was still tiring to use it. 

…

When I opened my eyes once more, mere seconds after the cube had appeared upon my desk. I felt myself surrounded. Almost claustrophobic with how many were suddenly drowning me with their presence.

It was only by the saving grace of Atalante that I was taken from the situation. Her rough hands forcing me to follow her towards a darker spot. Where those souls refused to come closer to.

Yet I could still hear their conversations as they whispered lewd thoughts about me towards their cliques.

As they talked about what they would do if they got ahold of me.

I shivered in disgust, merely hearing those things was enough for me to want to vomit. I was promised to another. Even then, after what had happened before, I was in no hurry to ever touch another girl again.

Maybe if Abigail asked nicely though.

"Thanks." I absently spoke. Addressing the kind girl that had taken me.

"It is of no consequence." Atalante spoke, ending the conversation. It was nice, not to be ogled, and knowing that she actually held no interest in this body of mine.

I could tell, it was in her soul. When she looked upon me, it was not with lust and desire. But mere interest and indifference. A mess of contrary feelings.

Though even as she turned her head, as my body protested the movements I was forcing upon it. I still took her hand in mine.

Looking to where I knew her eyes were. Even as I blankly stared into them.

"Let me thank you."