Fire and cinders shaded the place. The buildings were broken down, debris was scattered everywhere.

Win sweated heavily, clutching a sword on one hand and Bright's hand on the other.

"Whatever happens", Bright began, "remember, I love you".

Before Win could reply, the scene changed. He was in a dark place.

Looking up, he found the Magnifer, Carmel, Love, Joss, and Bright chained feet above from the ground.

A scream of crooked laughter filled the area— the kind of laughter that burns your ears and kills your brain. A pale-faced woman with red eyes and red lips came out of the shadows with a hooded figure following her, laughing like maniacs.

"The Preserver of the Universe", the pale visaged woman mocked, twisting her face, "welcome to the death day celebration of your friends!"

"Who are you?! Leave them alone!" Win lunged forward only to find himself getting tied up by the ropes.

"It's not your day, youngling! It's mine", another peal of laughter and blinding blue streaks of light hit the chained-up people, making them shriek in pain.

"NO!!" Win gave out a futile scream, "LEAVE THEM!! PLEASE PLEASE! DON'T HURT THEM!"

His back seered up in pain as if he was being stabbed. It was unbearable. Too painful.

He gasped, snapping out of his dream. He was greeted by the familiar stone ceiling. He was still in his room. He was safe. Everyone was safe. Hopefully.

He hiccuped as he felt teardrops on his cheeks- he was definitely crying in his sleep. The dream seemed to be too dark, he felt it was like a continuation of the image he has seen in his Seeing class ages ago.

When he was finally out of the dream daze, he sat up only to find a sharp pain invading his senses. It was his shoulder blades.

He rubbed his tears off quickly before freshening up and putting on his uniform. Taking his bag he walked out towards the Breakfast Hall.

It was still early yet the first person he found there was Bright. When he reached towards him, Bright looked up and smiled at him.

"Good Morning Win!" Bright greeted. But all Win could hear was, "Whatever happens, remember, I love you" and he blushed.

"What happened? You alright?" Bright asked.

"Um, I– it's paining... My shoulder blades are paining", Win cleared his throat and answered. He cannot say what did he dream of— absolutely not!

"Since when?" Bright asked furrowing his eyebrows in concern. Few more students started to join them.

"This morning, maybe?" Win said, trying to remember when exactly did it start.

"If my hunch is correct, you might grow your wings soon", Bright grinned, his concerned face melting.

"Wings? Do you mean my wings? Really?" He imagined himself flying across the Midaster, flapping his big white wings.

"Yes. But I think you should go see a palace Healer as soon as possible", He rubbed his chin, nodding.

"Good morning Win, Bright", Love and Carmel joined. Their gleeful faces reminded him of the dream he had seen. He shuddered involuntarily.

"Good morn–morning, Love and Carmel", Win forced a smile.

"You look pale, mate", Carmel began, "are you alright?"

"I am! It's just—" Win was cut off by Bright.

"Win's expecting his wings soon", Bright answered.

"Really?" Carmel chirped patting Win's shoulder, "that's a thing to celebrate".

"But first we need to go to the Healers", Bright said, nodding.

"Let's go before the first class then", Love proposed.

•••

Joss had soon joined them outside the Healing room, gasping for breath.

"Mr. Win's going to have wings", a Healer came out and broke the news.

"As expected", Bright muttered.

Win came out shortly after that carrying the herbs and potions.

"Don't forget to take those, sir. And also practice those exercises I have taught you. It'll be enough I think", the Healer bowed and left getting a nod from Win.

"Let's go to the class now, how do you feel, Win?" Carmel asked.

"Pain is now tolerable", Win said making his way to the class.

"That's good then, you shouldn't make the pain die. The more pain, the better", Joss said, patting his shoulders.

"Why's that?" Win asked.

"They say the more it hurts the faster the wings come out", Bright explained.

Looking at Bright's face, Win suddenly remembered his dream. Whatever happens, remember, I love you. Win coughed, hiding an odd sensation in his stomach. The dreams feel so surreal now— feel oddly real. The tone, the look— everything.

"What?" Bright ruffled his hair, with a smile, "why are you looking at me like that, Raven–head?"

"No–nothing", Win looked away, making his way to the class.

•••

Win stretched his hands out at the unending discomfort in his shoulder blades, trying to soothe it a bit.

"Sir Tine's class was fun, don't you think?" Win asked, walking out of the History classroom, making his way towards the compound for fighting lessons. Due to change to routine and a surprise attack at the Aster City once again, Sir Sarawat was out there helping, so they have shifted the History class in fighting class' timings and vice versa.

"Says the one who fell asleep on the first day", Joss scoffed.

"As if you didn't?" Win counter-attacked, thoroughly amused.

"Stop it you two", Bright chuckled.

The lesson began soon after.

"We will start with fencing", Sarawat divided them into groups. Win was paired with Bright because being a Preserver it was important to learn from the best fencer.

"Remember the practices we did with the wooden sticks. Shield yourself perfectly, and throw an attack on your partner. For today we will practice this only. Now on with it", Sarawat said and started pacing around the groups.

Win and Bright circled each other slowly and carefully. Bright was the first to launch the attack and Win blocked it perfectly.

His luck, however, didn't last long and the shoulder pain took over, soon he was cornered and his sword fell out of his hand. He let out a hiss.

"Are you alright, Win?" Bright asked.

"What happened?" Sarawat walked towards them.

"I think Win's having the shoulder pain doubling up", Bright answered.

"Is it for the wings?" Sarawat asked.

"It is sir", Win answered, "but I am fine".

"You must be fine. A Preserver should know how to tolerate pain", Sarawat nodded dryly, "Carry on, then". With that, he walked away.

"Let's start again, Bright", Win said picking up his sword. He is not a weak little creature and he's definitely not going to chicken out.

Bright reluctantly attacked first again. It took all the strength that Win has to lift the heavy shield and brace himself.

By the end of the lesson, when Sarawat had gone back to the palace, Win volunato helped taking the Usicos to the stable. He has got an odd fascination on the animals. He stopped on his tracks, only to find Hendry standing there.

"What do you want?" Win asked impatiently.

"I wanted to see the Chosen One who dropped his sword so easily without even fighting back",  Hendry sneered at him.

"Fuck off", Win snarled, turning to walk away.

"Was that a pathetic human curse?" Hendry smirked, "listen you Scarpe poop, never dare annoy me, you get it?" He had quickly fisted Win's collar, pulling him up closer to his face.

"Leave me alone, fucker!" Win squirmed to release himself from his grip, but the guy was much stronger.

"Let's see what a weak Catrode can do, shall we?" Hendry put him down and punched hard on his face. Win stumbled on his legs and fell to the ground. "This was for making me irritate by your existence since the first time", he growled.

"Argh!" Win wiped the blood with the back of his hand while his shoulder pain killed him. He stumbled on his feet and he got up, ignoring the pain."You think you can bully me like that?" Win asked. He must tolerate the pain. He must show he's worthy to be the Preserver and that it was definitely not a thing of random luck.

"Why? What are you going to do to me, eh? Call your Podding friends and the Prince  and let them beat me up?" Hendry laughed.

With a cry, Win lunged at him, punching hard at his stomach, making Hendry wince in pain and fall on the ground, "DON'T CALL THEM THAT, FUCKER!" Win panted.

He walked out, ignoring a pathetic cry from the stable, "YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR THAT CATRODE!"

He didn't bother going for the next lesson and went straight to the Page's Wing, where,  he would be finally inside his room and let tears fall from his eyes out of the pain he was feeling and of gratification that he finally fought back a bully.

_________

"Whatever happens, remember, I love you" is my favourite dialogue from this chapter! :')

Anyways, Catrode is a small frail insect found on Midaster— I've added it to 'some terms' chapter.

And who do you think will fall for eo first? B or W? 👀🌚