LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 5: Can't Fight Fate
Seeing Raten running directly at him, Vorden couldn't help but to smile. This was, after all, Raten. He would have been disappointed with anything less. He readied himself for the incoming onslaught. Returning his body to a balanced fighting stance, and cocking back his own fist, he launched himself into a run directly towards his brother. The clash was violent, and they both landed several powerful blows on eachother. Vorden striking Raten in the cheek, causing him to spit blood. Which made him smile even wider if that was possible. Raten connecting with the side of Vorden's head, leaving him staggering backwards a bit before resuming.
With their weapons knocked aside, the brothers began to vigorously trade punches. Their faces inches apart, Vorden and Raten exchanged rapid strikes, every move countered with split-second timing. Raten's brutal right hook sent Vorden stumbling again, but Vorden was able to recover in time to avoid the follow-up and took the opening to deliver a precision elbow strike right into Raten's ribs, the impact of which was so loud it reverberated through the room. Vorden's calculated maneuvers were just enough to counter Raten's relentless aggression. Raten tapped into his years of frustration, trying to overwhelm Vorden with an unwavering flurry of strikes. Vorden barely managed to block, his cool and stoic external appearance was about to crack under the pressure.
Both men went all out, blows were exchanged over and over, and it didn't seem like either one would be willing to concede. However both of them were starting to grow visibly worn out. Blood trickled from Raten's nose and Vorden's mouth. Bruising and swelling had already begun to show on both of their faces. It had simply been a non stop barrage of fists flying in both directions, with an occasional kick flying in from one direction or another. Vorden took a strong front kick from Raten right in the chest which sent him flying off away from where they were standing.
Vorden couldn't stop thinking of how nice a glass of water sounded having been utilizing the Fire ability throughout the entire match. The heat was getting to him. Raten however seemed to be more than happy to let their lifelong sibling rivalry drive them to near exhaustion.
Vorden pushed himself up, Just then Vorden noticed something glint in the natural sunlight that rained down from above, the item reflected sunlight the way that only metal could really do. He realized what it was... One of his swords! Without hesitation Vorden dashed towards the sword. Raten initially thought Vorden was charging in for another clash, until Raten noticed that he was running the wrong way. He stood up straight and with a confused expression followed the path of Vorden's spring. Noticing the same shiny object Raten's eyes widened in recognition and he instantly broke into a sprint himself. He had his daggers in his sight and hurried to the wall where they were implanted.
Vorden closed the distance and delivered a sweeping strike with both swords, forcing Raten to jump backwards as hard and as far as he could. This unfortunately meant he was left landing just on the edge of the matt, where a thick lip meant Raten landed on uneven ground and had to catch himself and rebalance. Using this moment to his advantage he began to move forward, however brief it may be, it was an opening and he was ready to charge in with his fist ablaze, ready to strike with all his might.
Just as Vorden had appeared to gain the upper hand, a stray punching bag that had broken loose from its stand came hurtling across the room and slammed directly into Raten, sending him flying across the room where he landed flat on his back with the bag on top of him, sprawling under its weight. The shock of what had just happened caught everybody off guard.
Vorden couldn't help but to laugh at his brother's misfortune,but he quickly composed himself. Rushing over, he was passed by a speedy blur of red. He reached Raten just as an unfamiliar face could be seen, eyes filled with worry, kneeling down by Raten's side shoving the bag off of his body and placing her hand on his chest.
"OH MY GOD, I AM SO SORRY!!!!" The face was unfamiliar but the voice was a whole different story. She leaned in placing her ear to his chest. "Please tell me you are ok!" She pulled her head back, getting close to his face and placing a hand on his cheek she pleaded with his lifeless body. A bit of worry began to creep into Vorden's mind. That is until she leaned her head down to place on his chest again and he opened his eyes for a second, winked at Vorden and quickly closed them again with an enormous smile on his face.
Vorden just shook his head and crossed his arms. "Don't worry, he is ok." He said to the woman who looked close to tears. She looked up at Vorden and did a double take, realizing that they both had the same face. Confusion followed as she sat back with her head cocked to the side. Just then Raten finally opened his eyes and the girl squealed with happiness. As Raten sat upright she threw her arms around his neck and gave him a big hug. Causing him to grimace in apparent pain.
The red haired beauty lifted her face with her eyes closed tightly. She couldn't face the broken man laying in front of, because of her punching bag. Her mouth opened slightly as she searched for the words to say. "I...I....I'm..." As she stuttered trying to begin her sentence Raten lifted his hand to her cheek. He cupped her cheek and wiped a single year from beneath her eye. He softly grazed her cheek as he slid his hand down to her chin which he placed a single finger beneath and gently lifted her head to face him. He shook his head.
"You have nothing to apologize for. You displayed incredible power, and skill. You can't be held accountable for the equipment lacking the durability necessary to accommodate power such as yours." He smiled at her. This smile however was far less creepy, not fueled by rage or bloodlust, but something else.
The encouraging kindness in his eyes was a shocking sight to see for Vorden. He had seen Raten angry, seen him frustrated, he had even seen Raten putting on a suave exterior to flirt, which was typically driven by lust. This was something else. Vorden knew that Raten was truly a kind person deep down. He always had been. Vorden had never seen Raten show that side to anybody else though besides Sil and Him. Vorden wasn't sure what exactly this was, or what it meant, if anything at all. One thing he did know though, was at that moment Raten was obviously flirting.
"You know what..." Vorden interrupted the blossoming little romance, "In this state of the art facility, this equipment is all brand new. For that bag to break loose like that..." Vorden trailed off, looking at where the bag came from, then shifting his gaze to the two on the floor in front of him he asked the Redhead directly "Who are you?"
The woman blushed slightly and sat upright. "My name, is Cassidy. Cassidy Kinney. I have only been here for a few days, so I am sure there are much stronger people here than me." Her voice was very shaky, like she thought she was going to be in some kind of trouble. Cassidy got up from the floor and walked toward Vorden.
Vorden reached his hand out to Raten who looked like he intended to protest as he tried to lean over and use his arm to push up from the ground. As soon as his weight shifted he immediately regretted the idea and sighed. Reluctantly he grasped Vorden's hand and the slightly smug Vorden had to try to stifle his pleased expression as he helped Raten to his feet. Raten was worse off than he thought and after a sudden groan and wince he quickly wrapped his other arm around Raten and lifted him the rest of the way. Supporting Raten while he was on his feet, the two brothers stood side by side, Raten panting and both covered in sweat still from the intense fight.
"I can tell you one thing Cassidy." Raten said as he looked past the sparse crowd of onlookers which had started to disperse, excitedly discussing the match as they slowly meandered back to their individual workouts. "I have lived a long time, and I've never seen anything like that before, not without the use of some kind of powerful offensive ability, or without at least some kind of strength ability. Not in a human at least." After he finished speaking he looked over at the now bright red Cassidy, who was trying not to meet his gaze. "I guess you were right before..." Cassidy forgot about her embarrassment for a moment as she looked quite confused at Raten. "You really ARE stunning." It took a second for Cassidy to realize what Raten was even talking about.
A moment later it struck her. Her eyes grew wide as she remembered being shoved over accidentally by a blonde man, and his friend trying to kiss her hand when they first entered the room. She hadn't gotten a long look at his face, and never really got a look at the other as he hadn't been the one standing there when she turned around. She thought they looked familiar but with so much swelling and bruising having already set in, a thick layer of dried blood covering much of their faces, and at least one broken nose she was pretty sure, it didn't occur to her exactly where she had seen them before. After their brief incident at the entrance she began to diligently engross herself in her training as she usually did, only slightly aware of some commotion on the other side of the large training hall. Interesting duels were typical through when among top tier fighters and skilled ability users such as the individuals accepted into a place like this, so she hadn't really bothered to pay attention.
"Romeo?" She asked slightly embarrassed, and upon remembering how attractive he was she blushed slightly.
Raten saw this and pleased by the reaction he properly introduced himself. "My name is Raten Blade". He went to reach out his hand but at the slightest rotation of his shoulder he winced and instead just smiled.
"Well I guess this means we're even then?" Vorden said jokingly as he smiled at Cassidy. "I am Vorden Blade, for what it's worth. With a kick like that, I'm sure we'll be seeing you around". Cassidy blushed once more and looked away. " C'mon Romeo, let's get you over to see the healer. Shiro's not going to be too happy with us I'll bet".
With that Vorden, allbeit sore and battered himself, helped his brother limp out of the training room and off to go get fixed up.