Eclipse of the Damned || Original Story ||

Chapter 10

The morning began with a loud, jarring bang that echoed throughout the halls of the exorcist quarters. A collective groan rippled through the sleeping exorcists, followed by mutters and annoyed whispers. Ace was making his rounds, banging on doors with his fist and shouting loud enough to shake the walls.

"Rise and shine, everyone!" Ace bellowed, his voice ringing out with relentless energy. "The sun's up, and so should you be! We don't have time for slackers here—let's move it!"

He made his way from room to room, knocking vigorously on each door. "Training waits for no one! Up, up, UP!" He paused just long enough to let the groggy faces and squinted eyes register his excitement, then moved to the next unfortunate soul.

Irene was already up, lacing her boots as she heard Ace's voice approaching. She gave a small, knowing smile, having experienced plenty of Ace's 'motivational wake-ups' before. Blossom, however, was less prepared. She shot upright in her bed, clutching her blanket, looking like a deer caught in headlights as she heard the insistent banging getting closer.

"Blossom! Let's go!" Ace called, slapping her door with a loud thud. "Don't make me come in there and drag you out myself!" Cherry, who shared the room, barely stirred but cracked one eye open, chuckling sleepily at her sister's panicked expression.

With a sigh, Blossom stumbled out of bed, fumbling to get her gear on as fast as she could. "Is he always this... loud?" she muttered, casting a half-desperate look at her mother, who was slowly stretching, seemingly unbothered by Ace's morning antics.

"Yup! Get used to it," Irene replied with a grin. "It's his way of... motivating us!"
She pauses. "Better check what you got in your closet to put on."
She grinned before turning away.

Upon hearing that, Blossom groaned in exasperation yet listened to her mother.

The banging continued down the hall as Ace walked in circles.

"Wake up!" Ace shouted, rapping on the door with more intensity. "Get your lazy selves out here! The day's not gonna wait for you!"
Finally causing the rest of the exorcists to let out a collective groan as they dragged themselves toward the door like it weighed a thousand pounds.

"Hi fellas!" Ace spoke cheerfully. Seeing all the exorcists groggily walk out of their assigned rooms. Blaine hummed tiredly as he immediately stepped out outside, ready to start training. Both Rue and Sapphire followed him as well, like absolute zombies.

"Die." Alea blurted as she walked past him to reach the kitchen inside the base.

"Dang, still not a morning person after all these years?" He spoke teasingly causing Alea to glare at Ace threateningly. "Let me have my coffee first and then we'll talk." She spoke with a venomous tone.

"Be sure not to drink too much Alea, dear." Thorna intervened, grabbing herself a glass of water as she stepped past the rest. "I've heard it's bad for your skin."
Alea rolls her eyes. "With the scar I have on half my body, I could literally care less." She grimaces as she pours herself a bunch.
"Hm I'd listen to Thorna." Amora grins as she takes a cold glass of water as well, gulping it down with a satisfied sigh. "She knows best."

Alea scoffs as she takes her cup of coffee with her, stepping out.

Blossom steps out of her room, dressed in a new attire. "Who designed this?"
Ace gazes at her before chuckling. "Your mother did, she wanted to give you a uniform that could match with hers too."

At that Blossom's mood lightened up instantly, giggling as she spun around. For the first time, acting like the child she was. "It's perfect!"
Ace smiled at her fondly at this behavior.
"I'm glad you like it sweetheart." Irene walks towards her, giving her a tight hug which caused a ripple of laughter as she offers her hand towards Blossom. "I don't just like it, I love it!" Blossom smiles widely, taking her mother's hand as they begin to walk outside.