Chapter 32: Beating the Fifth Best

[This is a metaphor, do not take everything literally]

Eader was woken up by the rain, the metallic clouds shot them, and Eader was safe from them, but he was injured and captured, down to his last breath, not being able to protect himself, ashamed of losing the weapon, no, his friend, they were partners, forged by the same wood. But now he's burnt down to the smallest spec of debris.

But he had no time to mourn the death, sorrow would only make him weak, he had to escape. Collect the resources outside the hideout, and it was falling primers and projectiles, so he had to be extremely careful. But first he had to get out.

The pain was still present but better, however he was stuck at the trenches, all men having a clear view of him, the other soldiers woke up, not knowing he was alive. Death would come close if they found out.

Luckily for him the most dangerous did not have eyesight on him, probably lost in the tunnels. The enemy did jot expect anything so he looked for the best position. No weapon means now exit, he had to get out fast even though his body was injured, the scars at battle haven't stayed but he could not concentrate when looking.

But he knew freedom was close. He with all the might life and death gave him, moved out making the sound the reaper captivate the foe. He was in a position where the enemy could not see him, good work cadet.

But the praise was retracted when he rolled sideways to the other side, through the holy curtains. This made a noise which could not hide their taste, but they were ruined by the electrical weapon, many men down, and no food for them.

Eader stayed at the place until it hit. He was grateful about it, but hoping they were not his. He prowled for the other exotic person. He spotted her, having the eyes of carelessness, and enjoyment, this annoyed Eader.

He saw the closure for men and thought about how to make a run. The pellets would open them for him but he had to time them perfectly or the ammunition would run out. He crawled over, but before touching the release it started so with the distraction, he marched up, and ran into battle. Then he walked away, feeling as free as a ghost.

Eader walked and checked as his body hurt a lot, he saw his things, but no sword.

My stuff is wet, and no sword.

He wondered if they noticed, probably not, he took a turn and after a few steps he got greeted by the rain, which wasn't as hard as earlier. He saw his stuff, luckily protected by the building- kind of. He was also disappointed that the free bag he got was not waterproof, but it was free, so he could not complain

. He grabbed the bag and ran in as he was covered in water. He opened it and saw a few soggy books, but they could be dried off. He checked and had everything there to, except one thing. But he did not care, or didn't realise, and made himself home.

People gave him looks on the noisy train, he did have burns all over and the nurse did give him a cream which made it feel better.

I should thank her.

He then got by his stop and walked home, excited he was almost home. But what he did not expect were people, familiar people. They looked at him. He was welcomed and not welcomed as there were four girls and a guy. He gave a thought full sigh, but still drooped his arms.

There goes my nice tea in the bath and my fall asleep time.

Even though he did sleep at the dignified school, he woke up, like a soldier trying to sleep in war. So he gave up. He smiled waving at them, they were talking that they did not even notice him. But finally saw him three metres from the house.

"Hi," Samuel greeted him.

"Hi," he replied, confused by how he found the location of his house. Emilia was looking away from him, and Evalynn and Mythra both looked at him, but Jennifer was there admiring his house.

"Why are you here?"

He gave a smile but his voice had anger, Mythra answered, rather annoyed with his attitude, "is there a problem meeting a sick person?"

Both made eye contact with glares.

"Well, I mean, the last time you arrived I was sick was your fault," he kept his face in hers but she used her head back, both making contact.

"Um, can we forget about that and go in," Evalynn was scared about the fact that they might start fighting, Eader sighed, and accepted he needed a rest, "fine, do you guys want tea?"

Mythra was content with the outcome, "yes, I would like some," the rest nodded, and entered the house. All were astonished by how well kept it was, no dust in sight, the floors were wiped and had shine to it. The couch had a beautiful colour, like bought new, Jennifer saw the tag, saying it was bought 10 years ago.

She was dumbfounded and impressed as he cleaned that well. Mythra sat down as if royalty, so did Evalynn. Jennifer looked at how she sat down, and copied her like a mirror.

Samuel stayed standing, having a better face than before. Emilia saw that there was no chair which she could sit on so she waited, impatiently.

Eader saw, and rolled his eyes and pulled his head back, so he put a lot of water in the cleaned kettle and walked over to the dining chair, which she did not notice, "may you sit down, my lady," he poshly said in a funny tone, Mythra snickered.

She rolled her eyes and sat down, this made Samuel jittery. She sat down, and he grabbed six cups, making him stutter for a second, Evalynn noticed, she stood up. He tried to reach the tea bags but could not reach them.

Suddenly a hand touched them and his hand, he got startled by her. She put them on the counter, he was pretty embarrassed. He grabbed the kettle, waited like a child getting dragged to a theatre there parents forced them to watch, similar to how the other people in the room were feeling.

It finished, poured it, and handed it out (actually, Evalynn did).

He finally asked when all the tea was out, seeing the people's satisfied looks, even Mythra was satisfied. He asked, "so, now what do you guys want? And, why are you here?"

They all first finished a sip, "because, you are my slave now," Eader drank his green tea but he wished he picked the brown one.

"He, eh-what?"

Eader just gave a confused expression.

Samuel also looked confused.

Eader was too tired, so he replied, "elaborate," the answer made Samuel know something bad was about to happen, so he set the cup on the glass coffee table.

Eader walked over to her, Jennifer put her hand in front but Mythra told her to lower it, she did as commanded. Both face to face again, Emilia was starting to get bored of the charade. "You don't want to get bullied, so I will protect you," making a professional face. Eader just gave the same look.

He understood what she meant but he didn't want to.

"let's be friends."

Even though he still had rashes, his face was nice, giving a shine, Mythra was so befuddled that Evalynn answered for her, "of course, that would be perfect," she gave a pleased face.

Mythra tried to object but Evalynn gave her a face, Emilia then spoke, "ok, then, fine, but you better not act high and mighty, ok," she said it spitefully, obviously not liking that idea. Eader looked blankly at her, like she was an idiot. This triggered her a lot, and it was silent, an awkward silence.

Eader then broke it for her," no, don't worry, do you honestly think I would?"

She thought about and closed her eyes a bit, and sighed, fully closing them.

Something made Jennifer and Samuel wonder something. Samuel walked a bit to the couch, and Jennifer stood up clumsily, hoping not to disturb her graciousness. But tripped, falling on top of Samuel, both landed on the carpet in an embarrassing fashion, the lot looked at them.

The tea was not as hot, luckily for the couple. Samuel was red, and Jennifer was blue, but Mythra and Emilia smirked, giving a delightful grin and thought.

Eader had no soul and said, "when you two are done, go up stairs there should be spare clothes for both of you," and with an extra bit of humour, "and please don't do anything… funny, ok."

They both got up and walked upstairs in silence, hearing their friends laugh.