Riven

"I dunno man. There's just something about her." Sky says as he takes a step back.

"What, you're smitten after one chat?" I demand as I point my training sword in his face. Really, he's free from Stella all of two minutes and he's already found another chick to obsess over.

Sky swings- Block. Block. Twist and kick.

I grin as the kick lands against Sky's back.

Block. Block. Attack. Sky spins. Attack.

"What is it with you and the crazy ones?" I question tauntingly. Come on, take the bait. Sky glares up at me, eyes narrowing.

JAB. Straight in the stomach.

Sky groans as he straightens up.

Giggles erupt from the side.

I glance over, looking for the source. There's no one there. Just our gear causing shadows in the sun. My brows furrow as I turn back to face Sky. We begin circling each other as I spin my "sword"

"How do you know she's crazy? You haven't even met her." Sky challenges, raising his sword at me.

I cock my head to the side as I say "She's a goth chick. They've all got daddy issues." I paused, pointing at the sky again with the sword. "Amazing shags though"

A scoff from the side. I glance down. No one.

"Oooooh, you speak from experience?" Sky taunts. "Didn't realise your hand was a goth"

Attack. Block. Get kicked in the stomach.

I grunt in pain. Straightening up to block Sky's attack.

Block. Block. Strike.

And then get flipped in the air.

Sweet Hades, that hurt.

"You got slow this summer" Sky mocks. A small grin lights up his face.

I flop back in exhaustion.

"Correction, I got high" I say as I bring my hands behind my head to make a cushion.

"Really" Sky demands as I raise my brows in mock offence.

Disapproving stare. I can feel it. I glance to the side again. Rage begins to build as I realise the side is empty. I reach up to clasp Sky's arm as he pulls me up.

"Look, whatever big-brother speech you're about to give me..."

"There's no speech"

"I don't wanna hear it" I rub my head, annoyance beginning to build. I glance around at the other training platforms. Looking at the groups of friends standing by platforms to support their team-mates. I glance at the kids hanging by the weapon racks. Nothing. They're all absorbed in their own little groups. There was no one there.

"What do you keep looking for?" Sky questions. He turns to face me, brows furrowed in confusion. Great, he probably thinks I'm having a breakdown thanks to the drugs.

Maybe I am.

"Nothing, thought I heard someone was all '' I quickly answered. "Besides, a better use of your time would be to distract your aggro father figure so I don't get expelled" I bend down to grab my stuff, slipping a joint behind my ear. I see Sky glance at Silva as I stride off towards the forest in search of a quiet place to smoke.

Sky

I look over at Silva, watching as he gives his infamous welcome speech to the first years.

"So after your classes, you are all mine," Silva spoke aloud, raising his sword to point at the first years standing in front of him.

Glancing past Silva I pause as I see a familiar figure sat in the shadows of one of the trees.

"And eventually....."Silva continues on. Octavia is watching Silva and the specialists (I totally mean me) too, I realise. A thrum of excitement rushes through me at the thought. Helios, I've known her for what? All of 10 minutes and one conversation. I sound like some stalk-

"...him" Silva is throwing a sword at me that I quickly catch.

Silva doesn't waste a second before lunging at me. Duck, slash. Get disarmed. I grab my knife from my chest strap. Darting forward to strike-

I freeze.

Silva is standing in front of me - grinning. The swords are crossed in front of me, ready to strike down.

"He fights even better with a bit of advanced warning." I say apologetically as I return my dagger to it's holder in my vest. Silva smiles as he lowers the swords.

"He did alright, Favoured his left, but what else is new?" I chuckled along with Silva. Looking around I realised that nearly all of the specialists had stopped to watch us train. I turn to walk away looking up at the tree where Octavia was. She's stood up now and is facing towards me. I can't help the blush that rises as I realise she was watching Silva and I spar. Embarrassment washes over me - she also saw me loose.

I don't get long to dwell on the thought as Silva says, "Sky's father was Andreas of Eraklyon."

My face drops.

Octavia

I glance at Sky as I walk over to the specialists. "That made him a legacy admission, but he still showed up on the first day and he did the work." I watch as Silva walks over to an uncomfortable looking Sky. Shaking his hand as he says "well done".

I get in line with the first years. I'm starting in at second year but since it's my first time here I should probably get the lay of the land. I see Sky glance back at me as he walks away.

He's embarrassed you saw him loose

I pause.

I thought he fought well?

He did. Darkling replies. But no man wants the girl he likes to see him loose

Heat fills my cheeks. I glance up at Sky who now stands beside one of the weapons rack. His blonde hair is shining in the sunlight and I'm transfixed by his movements as he stretches to reach one of the swords.

"... this place will seem like hell" I tune back into Silva. Ridiculous. Of course I end up crushing on the golden boy. "Until actual hell comes." Silva continues on, the boy besides be smiles mockingly. "We are the first line of defence. A certainty when the future is uncertain."

The boy sniggers again. He thinks its a joke.

Silva whips towards him.

"Is that funny." He demands, Pointing his sword at the boy.

Dane. First year..... Totally bisexual. Little Shadow says

Totally crushing on riven training with sky you mean. Darkling murmurs.

White hot jealousy rushes through me. I snarl at the thought of him flirting with the two older specialists.

"It's just your taking about preparing for the future. In a castle with kids using swords" he scoffs out, interrupting my thoughts. He blatantly chuckles in Silva's face

Insolent child. malevolent hisses

"How naive you are," Silva mocks. "How sheltered and protected you have been." Silva prowls towards the boy. "Tell me, how much of the real world have you seen. A place where your nightmares would look like daydreams" Silva and the boy are standing toe to toe. Dane's eyes are planting firmly down. Refusing to meet Silva's raging gaze. "How little you fear, that disrespecting our duty and sacrifice seem acceptable"

Silva scoffs. Straightening up and taking a step back. He seems to control himself before speaking again.

"Do you know why the barrier exists?" He questions softly, his voice deceptively calm.

Dane stutters. "To protect the school from burned ones."

Silva clicks his tongue. "Have you ever seen a Burned One?" Head tilted in question. Face blank.

Silva nods mockingly as Dane says "Nobody my age has, but that's kinda my point. Isn't that all over now?"

I pause. Is it over now.

No, mistress. No war is ever truly over. The repercussions can last for centuries.

"What if it's not?" Silva asks, "Do you think you would know what to do?"

Silva leans in closer to Dane. Head tilting as he catches his gaze.

Trauma. He's filled with grief.

"I was ten when I saw one for the first time." His voice is low in a way that promises violence. "I was gathering firewood with my father, and we heard it. It was like a rasp"

I freeze. Noises filling my mind. A forest not to dissimilar to this one. Bea's screams as we run. Her cries as she falls. The clicking as it gets closer.

"A clicking. My father shot it twice. Once in its chest," He smoothly jabs a finger into Dane chest, "Once in its head" His finger reach up to mimic a gun against Dane's head. Each move is controlled and precise.

"It didn't matter" he whispers harshly, "Burned One's have inhuman speed and strength, and if they cut you the infection that follows is swift and severe."

Black eyes. Veins filled with tar.

"I watched it happen. I watched the light dim from my father's eyes and when he dropped his shotgun, I knew what I had to do." Dane had gone pale. Silva was trembling. "Be thankful you've never seen a Burned one. But if you ever do," Silva looks down. "Pray it kills you so the ones you love will not have to."

I freeze. Desperately trying to stay in the present instead of the past. I'm shaking. I can feel the sweat on my brow, the clenching of my hands, my eyes locked in the distance.

Waves of crushing fear roll over me. I'm back there. In that black room. Their rasps fill the haunting silence.

I lurch back. Ice fills my veins. Walking away as the students disperse. I rush towards the training field. I need to hit something. Anything. Helplessness grabs hold of me. Useless. I couldn't keep her safe. I can't fail again. I make it to the training platforms, barely sparing a glance at the training second years. I move towards the weapons rack. A knife, sword, bow, axe or dagger. Anything. Anything that won't make me feel powerless.

"Wow. You are so lost"

I freeze. Silence.

"I'm impressed with your confidence in the face of complete ignorance. Issue is, you're overcommitted. I mean, you're essentially running. And now that I'm here, you can't possibly give me the satisfaction of turning around-"

He thinks we're lost. Like we shouldn't be here

"I don't need help. But thanks". I snap, not bothering to look at the blonde.

Sky chuckled. "I don't remember offering it"

I pause. A weight lift of my chest at the light and easy sound of his laughter. I turn to look at him and freeze.

"So presumptuous you must be a fairy. " He raised an eyebrow in question. His arms are crossed,the veins sharp and prominent. Sweat drips down his face as he grins roguishly at me. "You never answered me in the courtyard"

"I was- am - a fairy" I couldn't help the sadness that crept upon me at the thought.

Sky frowned, I could see the confusion in his eyes.

"Sorry, I'm still getting used to saying that" shit. I wasn''t supposed to say that. No one was supposed to know that. What am I doing?!

He's concerned. Darkling whispered. He wants to know what you meant

"That's concerning since you're standing in a college for fairies" He states, one eyebrow raised as his eye shine with curiosity.

"Yeah, I don't get out much" I say nervously. I can practically feel my eyes darting around like a nervous foal. Skys eyes darken in concern. The blue reminding me of dark oceans.

"If you are lost, which I'm not saying you are, and you need help which I'm not saying I'm offering... " Sky says, hesitantly smiling at me.

He's trying to make you more comfortable. Little shadow whispers he can feel how tense you are

I tense up more. Sky's eyes flash. Shit.

"This is the specialist training ground," Sky continues on. "The fairy training area is over there - in the forest but the stone circle" He smiles kindly.

Cute. Little shadow.

Mansplainer. Darkling.

"Thanks. But I was here for Silva's 'welcome' speech" I say tightly, though I can feel the tension unravelling from my body.

Sky reels back, shock evident on his face.

"Oh... I thought you said you were a fairy" he pauses as if reevaluating my previous words.

"I am." I replied hastily, taking a step back as if he had burnt me. "My... upbringing, was different to those in Alfea." He looks at me. His face is carefully blank but his eyes are dark with dangerous curiosity. "Fairy's are trained in combat as well." He continues to stare. "In case magic fails us..." I trail off. Not like Drea's training was to truly help me in the long run.

Sky seems to remember himself and takes a step back. Giving me much needed room to breathe.

"So you're not from the Otherworld then?" He questions hastily, face tight with confusion.

"I-, well. My family is." I pause. That probably sounds like I have some sad tragic backstory.

You do have a sad tragic backstory Octavia. Mal mocks.

Sky seems to tense as well. Though his shoulders sag and his eyes dim. He opens his mouth to reply but I cut him off quickly.

"They thought my powers would be better trained out with Solaria." Guilt fills be as Sky straightens up. It's like a mask is pulled over his face as his walls go back up.

He was going to try and relate to you, Darkling whispers.

"In Britain, it's In the first world" I rush out, eager to give him more in apology. "They have a different view on fighting."

He nods slightly but those walls remain high.

I sag at the sight of his hidden thoughts. My chest tightens in pain. I shiver, the once warm sunlight now feels cold against my skin and I feel the shadows huddle against me in comfort. One around my left wrist and another huddled against my neck, hidden by my hair.

"You're hoping to join the specialists then?" Sky asks, light coming back into his eyes. His smile feels forced.

"I have joined the specialist." A savage grin splits across my face as I see the shock that flickers through Sky's eyes. "Silva came and spoke to me earlier about it with Dowling." Granted, he never did say anything, but I assume it was his intention before Dowling and I's little dominance spat.

"Oh, so you'll be joining the first years then" This smile of his feels less forced. "Shall I give you some pointers" He teases.

I chuckle, unable to stop the sound.

Arrogant shit.

"Hmmmmmmm..." I reply non-commitently. "We'll see"

I turn away walking towards the woods.

"I'll see you tomorrow then?" Sky calls out. I grin to myself as I wave him away, mockingly.

Stella's watching. She's not happy.

I stumble slightly but quickly regain my footing.

There's history between the two. She's jealous.

I speed up. Walking as fast as I can towards the forest.

-*  .*. .._- :— * .* —-..*. ——..*__.:*.—  -*.: -__**..:

I look around the forest, gazing at all the life surrounding me. It's so full of light. Once I would have been able to move the rays of light flickering in through the trees. Turned them into glittering stars of colour, made rainbows flicker through the mist. Now, I feel nothing. It's just light. There's no connection. No sparkly beauty. If anything there's an aversion. Like I'm some vampire who shouldn't be in the sun.

I briefly pause as I pass through the barrier around the school. It swirls and shimmers a vibrant purple and my shadows swarm around me as if keeping it from touching me.

I continue on. Walking slowly through the the forest, eager to take in the freedom it provides. I come across a pile of boulders. Finally, somewhere decent to sit. I stop.

Someone's there

There's smoke coming up from behind the boulder. I take a step back but end up stepping on a twig that snaps.

Riven. The specialist, the one into drugs

"Who's there?" Riven calls out, his voice raspy and low.

I hesitantly walk around the side of the boulder catching sight of lithe body, tense with adrenaline. Riven whips around at the sound of my steps. His eyes are glazed over slightly but are still bright in anger. Or maybe fear.

"What can I do for you Pixie?" He taunts. His demeanour turns pliant and cat like as he sprawls back against the rock. He looks like he's lounging on a throne.

I roll my eyes. Annoyance flashes through me, the previous fear and anxiety turning quickly to anger at the sight of the cocky specialist.

"I was just looking for some quiet time alone," I say, Riven looks at me questioningly. A smirk tugs at his lips. "Annoying room mates and all"

You've not even been to your room yet. Little Shadow chastises

And then you'll bitch to us about having to unpack later. Darkling continues

Riven bolts upright. His eyes are transfixed to the side of my head.

"Don't move" He snarls.

I freeze.

What does he see.

Threat? Is there a threat?

Riven is on his feet in seconds. He swiftly pulls a knife from his back and stalks towards me. I take a step away from him, heart clenching in pain and fear at the sight of him prowling towards me.

"I said don't move" He snaps. I comply. Riven's eyes are still transfixed to my head.

There's nothing here, mistress.

Riven moves to the side slightly. His gaze never leaves me.

Him. Him. Riven must be the threat.

I stare at Riven. His eyes are ablaze with anger and- fear.

He's not going to announce himself as a threat now is he.

He's scared for me

Well he's the one hunting her.

Riven's not scared for me. He's scared of me. Because he's glaring at my ear - where the shadow's are whispering to me.

I run.