I grabbed my daggers tight as I bent low. Sliding on the floor, I barely avoided Daniel's blow. I swung at his back, but he reacted fast. He grabbed my waist and sent me flying across the room. I landed on my feet and quickly spun the dagger in my left hand, throwing it at his head. He eluded at the last second, spinning around he caught it in mid-air.
He grinned at me in approval, lifting his thumbs up.
He didn't give me much time to catch my breath as he charged at me once more. I ran up the wall, pushing off I did a backflip, landing right behind him. I used all of my strength I could muster, lifting my right leg, I kicked him hard, the force of my kick plastering him against the wall.
"Good job!" Maximillian beamed "That was an excellent move!" He clapped. "Watch out! Don't let him too close Korina!" He warned me as I dodged his striking fist, twisting it hard. He winced and kicked my leg underneath me. I lost my footing as he swept me off my feet, sucking a harsh breath at my stinging back. I barely had the chance to get up, when Daniel sprang at me and locked his arms around my neck. I threw a punch at his exposed stomach, forcing him to move backward.
He recovered quickly, spinning on his heel he was about to kick me. I reacted faster grabbing his swinging leg, I tucked it between my knees, throwing him off his balance as I turned.
He quickly sat up on his heels, kicking my knee in. I roared with the overwhelming pain as my knee turned in abnormal angle, my bones breaking. As that wasn't enough he grabbed me by my neck, smashing my head against the ground.
I couldn't do much but roll on the floor, grimacing in agony.
"Come on." He offered me his hand as I was still helplessly lying on my back. I groaned as I grabbed it, propping myself up. My bones were already rearranging and I felt a weird crawling feeling in my leg and on my bashed face. "You did very well." He nodded, his expression proud.
"Indeed!" Maximillian laughed, tapping me on my back. "Your hard work is definitely paying off."
"Thanks." I beamed, sighing in relief when I noticed the pain has finally subsided. Thank God for my healing abilities.
"Traxx and Ria said they are very pleased with your progress. It turns out you are quite a good student." He complimented me.
"Well, I think she is ready for a mission. What do you say?" Daniel looked at Maximillian.
"I say she is." He smiled.
***
I sat on the bench near the gym, catching my breath. I closed my eyes, frowning with annoyance. These past few days I had nothing but him on my mind‒the way his eyes looked, how he smiled at me.
I gave up and opened them again, deciding to watch Traxx's and Liam's sparring match instead. Traxx fought with such strength, his every jump and blow slightly shook the floor. He swung his battle ax with ferocity almost beheading poor Liam. It was clear who had the upper hand in this fight. I laughed quietly as Traxx taunted him, jumping from one foot to another. Liam became angrier, his judgment clouding as he fought with feelings completely forgetting about strategic moves.
I leaned back, playing with my comm fastened on my right hand. Out of curiosity, I went through my contact list, searching if his name was recorded in. When I saw it, my nerves went crazy as I thought of sending him a message.
I hesitated for a few minutes, then finally tapping on his name, I opened a messaging application.
I typed something in but it seemed ridiculous so I erased all of it. I feared he would think that I am an obsessed lunatic. Well, I was in a way, but then again I've never felt a pull so strong towards anyone before. Shaking my head, I typed again, trying to come up with something funny to say.
Hey! The team took me aboard, so I am finally allowed to join the missions. I will probably kill every demon just with the lack of my skill, swinging all around me! How about you, busy bossing around? ☺
Ok, not so funny. My face fell, but I sent it anyway. I just sat there for a few long minutes, nervously waiting for his response. But it didn't come.
I sighed, picking up my gym bag, I was ready to leave. My comm suddenly blinked, announcing I've got a new message.
I watched it in surprise since I wasn't really expecting his answer.
Good evening Korina! Congratulations on completing the first stage of your future career! I doubt you lack the skill, I saw you in a fight, remember? Of course, I am the boss! ☺
I felt my heart thundering in my chest when I read the message. I laughed, shaking my head.
Well, thank you, kind sir! Don't flatter me too much though, my ego might grow catastrophically high. Right, I forgot you are entitled to that, Mr. Cranky!
I typed, hitting send. I was headed to my room, intending to bathe and change out of my drenched clothes. As I stepped out of the elevator, I saw someone leaning on my door frame, impatiently tapping her foot.
"Where were you?" Ria almost pulled me in my apartment.
"Umm, I was training. What is wrong?" I said, lifting my brow.
"I am waiting here for ages! We are going to be late for dinner!" She snapped at me.
"Somebody is a little touchy when hungry?" I mused.
"More starved. Hurry up will you?" She said annoyed.
"Or you could always go on without me?"
"Not a chance, I am in a terrible need for diversion." She continued as she saw my lifted brows "Traxx and I had a fight about Rob."
"Why are you even insisting on him? You don't even like him. Traxx on the other hand-"
"-Traxx is bad for me Korina. Everything he does or says is a joke. He would never take me seriously." He lifted her hands as I opened my mouth to protest "Trust me, I've been his friend for a long time now."
"I still think you're mistaken. I saw how he is around you, he is different."
She shook her head in denial, looking away from me.
My comm beeped again, announcing another message from Yannik.
You know what little Miss Goody two shoes, you are distracting me. I have to work. See you at dinner.
I laughed at his ridiculous choice for my nickname. I wouldn't really call myself prim and proper.
When I looked up, I saw Ria's curious stare. "Who is that?" She sprang towards me stretching her neck to see my comm.
"Nobody." I casually shrugged. The last thing I needed was another rumor or misunderstanding.
"It's Daniel." She nodded grinning "Everybody knows about you two."
"What?" I said, completely taken aback. "For crying out loud I don't like Daniel, Ria!" I said annoyed.
"Tell me then!" She pushed on, insisting.
"No! Ever heard of privacy?" I laughed, shutting the bathroom door right into her face. I took my sweet time, scrubbing every part of my body, grinning to myself as I heard aggravated noises from the outside.
Finally, I opened the door, casually walking out. "You know what?" She growled at me "You are giving me your dinner tonight!" I laughed at her expression.
"You are still not telling me?" She asked and when I shook my head no.
"Well, I am going to figure it out! You must like this guy since you have such a pathetic shit-eating grin on your face."
I stopped smiling instantly, groaning as I felt the blush creeping up my neck. Way to go my dear traitorous body.
We grabbed our trays with food, Ria's was enormously loaded. I didn't know where she put all that. We plopped down next to Elliot and Sanna, only nodding in greeting since everybody looked wiped out.
"Finally." Said Ria, attacking her plate. I shared a knowing look with Sanna as we laughed.
"Poor girl, they let you starve again." Sanna said, smirking.
"Well I have a large stomach, face it!" She said, her mouth full. I couldn't help thinking about how similar she was to Traxx in some ways.
I spotted Yannik walking gracefully towards us and my breath caught in my throat.
"Hello." He said politely, sitting next to Landon and Rob as they joined him. He turned his head, smiling at me.
"What a shit day." Ria whined "That monster broke about every bone in my body." She said, indicating Traxx. "Robbie dear, how about a massage?" She flexed her legs, lazily grinning.
Oh, here we go again. I had a feeling this was about to end badly.
"Gladly." He grinned, looking at her greedily. Standing up he sat behind her and rubbed her shoulders, his hands occasionally wandering a little too low.
I sensed a sudden change in the atmosphere at warriors' table, so I stole a quick glance at Traxx.
He was so mad, his face literally scarlet. I knew this was getting out of hand quickly, when he slowly stood up, stalking towards Rob. I never saw him this furious.
"Get your hands off her!" He growled in a low voice. Something was truly odd with his face, but I couldn't put a finger on it. I nervously glanced towards Daniel, but he was chatting with a girl on his lap, oblivious to Traxx's outburst.
"She asked me." Robert grinned at him, shrugging. His biggest mistake was an obscene gesture he did behind Ria's back. In that second Traxx jumped violently at him, hitting him over and over with his fist.
I reacted as fast as I could, knocking Traxx away from Robert, who looked completely traumatized.
"Enough Traxx!" I put my hands in front of me, willing him to back off. "You don't want to hurt someone, do you?"
But he looked possessed, his irises red instead of bright orange.
He bared his sharp teeth at me, ready to attack.
"I don't want to fight you Traxx!" I said, fear rising in me. This certainly wasn't the friend we all knew so well. He behaved like a rabid animal.
He sprang at me, sweeping me off my feet. I hit my head hard on the table, seeing stars. He grabbed me again swinging me against the floor. A sickening cracking sound emerged as my skull hit a hard surface. I knew I needed to fight, or he will kill me.
I jumped to my feet, grabbing his neck, I smashed my knee into his face. As he was bent low in pain, I elbowed him in the back, sending him sprawling to the floor. He rolled away, evading my foot then he spun around on the floor, jumping up. He bailed his fists, swinging hard. I ducked with ease, nailing him in the chin. His head snapped back, blood spurting from his nose.
"Enough!" Daniel shouted from somewhere behind us and it was enough that I lost my concentration.
Traxx's enormous fist flew into my face and I crashed to the floor, yelling in pain.
Every instinct in my body evoked as he grabbed my neck. I spun around, sending him flying across my right shoulder. I roared, baring my teeth viciously. I lifted him up, crashing him down on the table. It broke under his weight as he hit its surface.
Daniel suddenly jumped between us, putting his hands around Traxx, squeezing him in a death grip. "Traxx pull yourself together!" He yelled. Traxx strained against him, trying to get to me.
Somebody gripped me tight from behind, pulling me backward. I tried to fight him, but it was no use since he held me immobile.
"Hold her tight!" Daniel yelled at the person behind me. "Ria come here!" He commanded her. She stared in disbelief at what was going on, shock evident on her face. "Ria!" He shouted annoyed. She awoke out of her stupor, stepping towards Traxx, her eyes wide with fear.
"Touch him!" Daniel barked.
"Hell no! He will kill me!" She said with horror.
"Touch him dammit!" Daniel roared. Ria stretched her trembling fingers, lightly touching Traxx's cheek.
Instantly his eyes turned back to normal, his crazed expression gone.
I relaxed my defense, straitening myself as I sensed the danger was gone. Only then I saw Yannik's hands around me, gripping me tight to his chest.
"What happened?" Said Traxx confused, looking around at the mess on the floor.
"Well, let see, first you attacked Rob and then almost killed Korina!" Ria spat through her clenched teeth.
"What?" He said shocked. He glanced at Rob's bloody face, then to me. "Oh God. Rob, Korina I am so sorry! I don't know what happened!"
"What is going on here?" Maximillian's stern voice boomed through the canteen.
"From what I saw, judging this was a jealous reaction." Daniel looked at Traxx, who was utterly shaken up.
"Considering the mess this was much more than a jealous reaction." Maximillian said seriously. "Daniel get him in my office! Now!"
Traxx's expression was saddened, looking at me and Rob. "I am so sorry Rob." He said when Daniel pushed him forward. "Korina!" He shouted, turning around "Please you know I would never hurt you!"
I sighed, nodding at him, watching as the two men led him away.
"Come on." Yannik grabbed me. "Follow me."
"Where are you taking me?" I said, wide-eyed.
"Korina! Are you ok?" Sanna and Ria watched my bashed face.
I could only nod since Yannik was already pushing me out of the room.
We stopped in the elevator, with him still gripping me tightly, as I would try to run from him.
We stepped out on the second floor, stopping before the room 202. His scanner beeped as he let us in.
"Is this your place?" I said, looking in disbelief at why would he bring me here.
"Yes." He said, leading me into the kitchen. He found a white cloth and held it under the cold water. After that he returned to me, pressing the cloth against my bloody forehead.
"I am already healed." I reminded him, smiling.
"I know, but there is blood all over your face." He nodded towards me. He still pressed the cloth to my skin, slowly cleaning the blood away.
Our eyes met, and I realized how close he was. Tension built in my stomach, igniting my insides. All I wanted to do right at this moment was to grab his shirt and push him even closer, devour him with my lips.
He must have realized he was standing too close as he discreetly stepped away, clearing his throat. I sighed as his absence made me feel oddly empty.
"What happened to Traxx, Yannik?" I said, remembering my friend's terrifying face.
"Considering his reaction to Robert‒he was acting possessive towards Ria. I am guessing that she must be his other half, otherwise, he wouldn't have lost himself in a rage like that." He explained, leaning on the counter.
"I knew that he loved her, but it never accrued to me that she would be that important to him. But why he attacked me?" I asked, confused.
"You were standing between Rob and him. If he'd wanted to destroy Rob, he would have to get through you first."
"But we are his friends!" I looked at him, not believing what he was telling me.
"And Ria is his other half. When you find someone like that, your mind is clouded. You can't think straight. The person you love is only yours, nobody else's." He glanced at me, then he pushed himself off the counter walking around it.
It sounded a lot like he already experienced it "Have you already found your other half?" I asked him, my throat suddenly painfully tight.
He laughed loudly at my question "No, and even if I had that bond would go horrifyingly wrong." He said, bitter.
"Why would you say that?" My brows furrowed at the absurdity of it.
"Let's just say that my plane history with women is a disaster." He said, opening the fridge.
"Why?" I said, shaking my head as he offered me Scotch.
He ignored me and filled a shot for me anyway. He slid it across the counter, without spilling a drop. "It doesn't matter." He said, looking at his drink. "Just drop it please."
I took the shot and as I was slowly sipping it, I grimaced at how it burned my throat.
I badly wanted to know about his history, selfishly hoping he didn't already have someone he loved. But I knew better than to pry, so I changed the subject.
"So. What do you do for fun around here?" I turned to look at the apartment which was similarly furnished as mine, only a lot bigger.
"Work." He said, and I was about to laugh, but then I saw his expression remained serious.
"I meant your hobbies, besides the work."
"You would laugh if I told you." He said, suddenly embarrassed.
"I won't I promise. Come on tell me!" I leaned forward in anticipation.
"I play video games." He gave me his lopsided smile, revealing his dimples.
I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to hide the smile behind it, but it wasn't really working since I laughed out loud.
"You promised!" He stabbed a finger at me, his eyes sparkling with humor.
"Mr. Cranky and serious is playing games, I think I saw it all now." I shook my head in disbelief.
"It's fun." He shrugged "You should try it." He smiled.
"Right." I said unconvinced "What game are you playing?"
"Just some boxing game. Want to try?" He comically wiggled his eyebrows.
"I would probably suck." I admitted.
"Oh come on." He insisted.
I followed him as he led me to the living room where his enormous TV stood. We sprawled on the sofa and he gave me the second controller. I chose my player, and we were ready to battle it out.
As I expected he was brilliant, and I sucked badly. He beat me every single time before I even started to get a grip on the controls.
"Perhaps a head start would be nice, this is hardly fair." I complained, pointing at the screen with annoyance as he grinned at me.
"You were right you do suck!"
"Thanks a lot!" I put on my best sulky face, pretending to be insulted. In reality, I felt delighted, I've never seen him smile this way before. He looked completely relaxed around me.
"Stop complaining and try harder." He smiled as we started another round. As I got used to the keys, I finally got slightly better.
"So what do you do for fun?" He asked me, his eyes locked on the screen.
"Well, I was an art major, so art is my passion." I said, grounding my teeth as he won yet another round. "I did warn you that I am bad!" I told him, pushing at his puffed chest.
"Do you sell your art?" He said, swatting my hand away.
"I did, at my parents' store. My mother is also an artist, but my father, well he is a fisherman." I said saddened, missing them both.
"Can I see your paintings sometimes?" He asked curiously.
I put away my controller, rummaging through my gym back. I pulled out my sketch pad I was carrying around with me everywhere. "Here." I offered it to him "You can take a look if you want."
He took the pad from me, placing it on his lap. He carefully opened it as if he would somehow damage it if he grabbed it too hard. He turned the pages slowly, intently assessing my every sketch. Some of them he even touched, gently sliding his finger across the lines I drew. He finally looked back at me, his face full of amazement.
"This is truly beautiful." He said, still staring at me.
"Thank you." I felt embarrassed under his scrutinizing look. I took the pad away from him "This is the sketch of my mother and father." I showed him, what I've drawn since I came here. "And these two." I said, my voice breaking "Are my two best friends‒Lena and Mark." I laughed suddenly remembering "Lena actually reminds me a lot of Ria." I shook my head, lost in the memories. "And Mark, well you would like him. He is also a computer whiz, and he absolutely adores video games." I said, looking at smiling Yannik. "Have you also left behind someone you cared about‒a friend or a sibling?" I asked curiously.
"A friend? Not really. I had a brother, but he was an elite. We played together as children, but when he grew up, our friendship was gone." He explained.
"This caste system is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard." I said, my eyes shining with anger.
"It is the way things are and always were." He sighed, but his look confirmed he felt the same.
"I've read some things about different planets in a book, but there was not much. I already know about the thick vegetation of Aeruk. But what is it truly like there?"
He put down the controller and rubbed his hands on his tights, thinking. "It differs from Earth, it's more advanced in many ways. When our plants are performing a process of photosynthesis, they are releasing not just oxygen but also another, denser gas. This gas is very useful to our people as we liquidize it and use it to fuel our machinery. Many of those plants also have a healing or soothing effects, so we make pricey pharmaceutical drugs out of them to sell them at universal markets. Another source of energy is water, which covers about 90% of our planet." He explained, his eyes bright.
I knew that no matter what he said, he missed his home. "Are the buildings similar to ours?"
"No. We usually build floating spacey capsules with an element similar to your iron, but much lighter. Those capsules are connected to each other, formed into a big community."
"Humans could learn a lot from the other races." I added, looking at his bright eyes.
"They could, but they are not ready for it. Besides, every race is selfish by their nature, hating everyone that might surpass them. Ours is especially proud."
"Right. A dream of uniting will always stay just that, a dream. Unless we would be forced to align." I stood up to put my pad back in the bag.
I noticed there were blueprints of the comm device on the table. I went through them, curious "What are those?" I turned back to him.
He stood and stepped closer to me, taking the plans. "This is a blueprint of the new, upgraded comm device."
"Really? How it would differ from the ones we wear right now?"
"They would be based on a DNA recognition. Every single comm will have specific genetic instructions integrated into them, to recognize the person who wears it. It will work the same, but it will lessen the chance of the undetected breaches." He explained to me.
"So no more retina scanners?" I asked.
"No. Those are gone." He smiled. "Only DNA ones."
"This is great." I smiled at him "It was a truly good thing they've sent you here."
"Of course, I got a friend." He shrugged, and I laughed.
Our comm devices suddenly beeped loudly, with Maximillian name displayed on it.
"It is an emergency call." Yannik frowned "Come on, we'd better go."
We hurried to the fifth floor and down to the wide corridor where the main offices were. I meant to knock on Maximillian's door, but they were already slightly opened. Ria, Traxx, Daniel, Liam, Kellan, Landon and Samantha were already gathered, standing in front of our leader.
As Ria saw me, she slightly lifted her eyebrow, meaning to ask why did we come here together, but her mouth stayed wisely shut.
"All right, we are all gathered now." Maximillian said, clasping his hands behind his back. "Central has detected a problem. It is happening here in Switzerland, so it is no coincidence." His face was grim and worried.
"What is going on?" Yannik stepped forward.
"A few tourists are trapped in a cavern system in Baar, on the northern side of the country. They were followed by lesser demons." He explained to all of us.
"How do we know they aren't dead by now?" Traxx's mouth set in a hard line. I noticed that Ria stood close by him, so they must have already resolved their conflict.
Maximillian started to pace back and forth, thinking hard. "If my deduction is right, this is Laurel's work. He is provoking us into a reaction. He thinks I am desperate enough to gather all of my warriors and go to Barr, leaving Korina here unprotected. But I am not going to do that."
"I will not allow another breach." Said Yannik, his face determined.
"I know that, that's why you and Landon are staying here. Make sure you finish your new defense system." He said with an uncompromising voice.
"Liam and Ria, I need you to lead the other warriors, prepare them for the possible attack. I need you here." He pointed at them. "Daniel, Traxx, Korina and Kellan, you are heading to Baar." He stepped towards Samantha, who was quietly watching on the side. "Samantha you must cloak Traxx before they go. We can have him scaring the humans." He turned back to us "You must travel unnoticed, so you will take a car. There are about three and a half hours to your destination, so you'd better hurry. I will also send the helicopters to distract Laurel, making him think I've brought all of my warriors. Demons won't kill the trapped humans, not until you get there."
"You will stay here? We can handle it!" Said Liam, his voice a little off.
Maximillian narrowed his eyes at him, studying him for a moment. Then he straightened his back "Yes. I will be waiting for him, and every traitor who dares to go against everything I have." He said dangerously.
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