Cineraceorum - Chapter 7 Fruits Of Our Labor

Chapter Seven Fruits of Our Labor

“DamianDAMIAN!”

“zzz”

SMACK!

“AHHHH, WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR!”

I jump upand hit my head againstLana’s?

“Ow, Dammit Damian, watch it!”

“Sorry, but what the hell are you doing here?”

I look around and see I’m in my living room. And I’m laying on Lana’s lap again. I’m not trying to complain or anything, but I am so confused.

“What, you don’t remember?” she asks.

“No, I donwait.”

As my brain shakes off the last traces of sleep, memories of the previous day start returning to me.

(Yesterday Afternoon)

“Alright Mr. Grayscale, you’re just about set. We just need to finish up some paperwork, and then you’ll be good to go.”

“Cool, thanks doc. I was starting to get tired of laying in bed.”

“hu-huh?”

“Finally awake Lana? The doctor said I can go now”

Lana stands up and stretches, before looking at me.

“Oh yea? Good, I was getting tired of staying here.”

Twenty minutes later, me and Lana are on our way out when she gets a phone call.

“Hold up Dami, let me get this. Hellouh-huhseriously? Okay then, we’ll be there. Thanks, see ya.”

“What’s going on?”

“Well apparently, the Magus Imperius wants to present you and your friends with medals for saving the city.”

“Wait, for real? When’s this supposed to happen?”

“Tomorrow at noon. Don’t worry about school, it’s closed after what happened yesterday.”

“Believe me, I wasn’t worried. Getting recognition for what I did sounds great.”

Lana flashes me a mischievous smile.

“I’m glad you feel that way, cause tonight, we’re gonna party!!!”

(Present)

“Oh yea, I remember now. I still can’t remember what happened last night though.”

“Some things, you’re better off not knowing.” Lana says while slightly blushing.

What the hell, that just makes me more curious!

“Anyway Damian, its already eleven, so get ready and lets go.”

“Shit, you’re right! I’ll be right back!”

Ten minutes pass while I get ready. I decide to wear my uniform, since I don’t have anything else resembling formal attire. I also decide to skip breakfast, since I figure they’ll provide food.

We arrive at the venue, which just so happens to be Antler Square. A massive crowd is hear as well, which isn’t surprising. I also see that the fountain has been replaced. Lana accompanies me to the makeshift stage, where the Magus Imperius is waiting. He looks just as important as his title would suggest. He’s about 6’3, well built and clad in a maroon robe with a gold trim.

“Nice to see you again Lana, it’s been a while.”

“Has it? I haven’t really noticed. As promised, I’ve brought the man of the hour.”

“Yes, thank you.”

The Magus Imperius examines me closely , before extending his hand.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you as well Damian. How are you doing?”

“Could be better. They do have food at this thing right?” I reply while shaking his hand.

“Hahaha! Unfortunately, no. The shops are still open so you can always grab something afterwards. Now come, lets not keep the others waiting.

I follow him on stage where the rest of my friends are. I take my spot next to them, while the Magus walks over to the podium in the center, and leans forward to speak into the microphone.

“If I may have your attention please. As you all know, our city was attacked by a group of rouge vampires. They attacked sentinel headquarters, but they also tried to force Manaris volcano into erupting. Luckily they were thwarted and no additional damage was caused. I believe that the heroes who prevented this deserve our thanks. With that in mind, please put your hands together for the heroes of Manaris cavern, first years from Helix Academy!” He says while waving a hand to gesture at us.

“WOOOOO!!”

“YEAAAA!!!”

“THANK YOU!!”

A thunderous applause comes from the crowd, as everyone expresses their gratitude. It’s a nice feeling. I look over to the side of the stage where Lana is smiling while giving a thumbs up.

“Settle down everyone, settle down. I would also like to present these students with medals, to commemorating their service. When I call your name please come forth. Armin!”

Armin walks over to the Magus and lowers his head, allowing him to place the medal around his neck.

“Thank you, young man. I expect great things from you.”

The crowd erupts with applause almost immediately before being silenced.

“Mika!” Armin walks back to stand with us, while Mika goes forward.

The ceremony continues like this for Talion, then Leo and finally me. After I receive my medal, the Magus tells me to stand with my friends one last time, while the crowd goes wild.

“Alright. With that the ceremony is concluded. Please enjoy the rest of your day.”

“Well, that was nice while it lasted.” Leo says.

“Yea, these things are cooland shiny!” Mika says.

“Well now that we’re done, do you guys wanna eat something? I’m starving.” I reply.

“I don’t mind, but what about Lana?” Leo asks.

“She can eat with us, she won’t mind.”

I walk off stage to go ask Lana.

“Hey Lana, me and the others were grab something to eat, you don’t mind coming with us right?”

“ActuallyI was hoping we could eat togetheralone.” Lana replies with a sad look on her face.

WHAT THE HELL?

“I’m sorry Lana, I didn’t know you felt that way.”

“Dammit Damian, look what you did! You’re gonna make her cry!” Leo yells.

“Absolutely shameful behavior from a gentleman.” Talion says with a disapproving look.

“Damianit’s not nice to make a girl cry.” Mika says shaking her head.

“Damn Damian, I didn’t know you were so cruel.” Armin says.

Dammit, she must’ve saw them behind me! She’s way too good at this.

“Chill out guys, she’s just joking!”

“Are my feelingsreally a joke to you?”

*sob sob*

Dammit, now she’s got tears in her eyes!

“Wow Damian”

“Disgusting”

“You’re the worst”

“CHILL OUT!!”

Ten minutes later, after Lana admits that she heard us on stage and decided to joke around, we all head to a nearby burger joint. Everything’s going well until two dudes decide to screw with us.

“Hey, you two are pretty cute, but what are you doing with these losers?” One of them asks.

He’s a little shorter than me, but he’s jacked. The typical asshole you would find anywhere.

“Hey, watch it man! You do realize we just saw them at that ceremony earlier right?” His friend asks.

His friend a little taller than I am, but unlike his friend, he’s lanky. He doesn’t seem like an asshole either.

“So what? They probably didn’t even do anything. They must’ve just been in the right place at the right time.” The first one replies.

“You should listen to your friend. Cause I’m seriously two seconds from kicking your ass.” I say.

“Don’t listen to your friend. I’ve been waiting for another fight!” Leo adds.

“Please guys, its not worth it.” Mika says.

“Oh, you think you guys are hot shit huh? Well come on then, me and my friend will fight you two, and when we kick your asses, those two chicks owe us a date!”

“PFFFFTTT!! I’m sorry, please continue.” Lana says trying to hold in her laughter.

“Oh, you’re on! Leo lets end this quickly, I don’t want my fries getting cold!”

“How did I end up as part of a bet?” Mika asks.

“Oh, don’t sweat the small stuff. You have to learn to enjoy the silly things boys will do to impress girls.” Lana answers.

“Leosit this one out.” Talion says.

“What, why?!”

“Because, I wanna fight him.”

Leo looks like he’s gonna protest, but then he starts smiling.

“I get it now. You wanna defend Mika’s honor don’t you? You’re so old fashioned Talion!”

“Hey, shut up! That’s not the reason whynot the only reason anyway.”

“What was that Talion?! Speak up, I can’t hear you!” Leo yells while laughing.

“See? Just like that.” Lana says to a blushing Mika.

We go outside the city so we don’t disturb anyone. Thankfully we have Lana, so we can use the front gate without the usual hassle.

“Alright kids, you know the drill. Make this quick, but don’t kill anyone.” Lana says after producing a barrier.

“Alright, you ready Talion?”

“Yea, I’m good Damian.”

The two guys in front of us start charging up their mana, and we respond in kind.

“Interfusa Coercet Terrae!!” The short one calls out the name of an earth spell.

Shortly after, a tide of rock starts rolling forward, trying to grab us.

“I’ve got this! Ventum exacuere vade!” Talion yells while waving his hands in a chopping motion.

Shortly after the rocks sliced in various places, until they’re reduced to an insignificant size.

“Nice one Talion!” My turn, Transiet!”

I open a portal that takes me behind our opponents.

“Vi(Tenebris)!” I throw an empowered jab hoping to take the earth user out first.

Unfortunately, his friend was ready for me.

“FLAMMA DECIPULA!”

As soon as I come out of the portal, the lanky one puts me in a cage made of fire.

“Nice one Jake! TER-”

Before he can finish casting his spell Talion comes up behind him, and uses a sweeping kick to take his legs out from under him.

“Don’t take your eyes off of me!”

This is my chance!

“Umbra Iecit!”

I concentrate dark energy into my finger and shoot it at the flame user. It strikes him in the head and makes him lose his concentration. As soon as the cage drops, I charge towards him.

“Vi(Tenebris)!”

This time I coat my legs in darkness and drop kick him. He goes flying and lands on the ground motionless. He’s probably out cold.

“Dammit, I can still fight!” The earth user says trying to stand up.

“No, you can’t. Dis(Ventus).” Talion says calmly, while pushing him back down with wind.

The boy slams against the ground, and it partially gives way to the force, leaving an imprint of his body. Talion might’ve went a little overboard.

“Hey, nice work Talion. We make a pretty good team!” I say while raising my hand for a high five.

Talion turns around to face me, but he isn’t smiling.

“What the hell was that Damian?! You left yourself completely wide open, and they almost made you pay for it!”

“Whoa, calm down man. I only went in like that because I trusted you to have my back.”

“Sometimes I feel like I don’t understand you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Do you know the main reason why I asked to fight with you?”

“Wasn’t it so you could look cool in front of Mika?”

“NO IT WASN’T!! I asked to fight with you so I could try to understand you a little bit better.”

“Whoa Talion, that’s sweet but I don’t swing that way.”

“Stop joking Damian. After the whole thing at the volcano, we haven’t really had time to talk things over.”

“Seriously? We already tal-”

“I know, I know. I justI thought about what you said, and it makes sense to me. I was raised to believe that murder is abhorrent, and when I saw you kill those vampires I took pity on them. They were clearly inferior to you, so why? Why did you kill them, I wondered. And after today I finally think I understand you a little better.”

“Oh yea? Hit me.”

“In your fight with Leo, you took your time while fighting. It’s not that he wasn’t a threat so much as you didn’t feel threatened. You saw him as a friend, and fighting him was almost like some sort of game. When we fought those vampires, you still went with the quick approach, but this time you were facing an enemy. In your mind these were people who threatened you and your friends and there was no benefit to keeping them alive. That being said, you still gave them an out. You gave them one chance to walk away, and when they didn’t you had no qualms with killing them. Today when we fought these two you did the same thing. You went in for a quick finish, but you obviously didn’t go for the kill. They weren’t threatening you or your friends, so you ended the fight without causing too much pain. Your actions show your character. You’re not some villain or psychopath, your hearts still in the right place even if it’s a little dark. So, I get it now.”

“damn. I don’t know what to say.”

“Then don’t say anything.” Talion says extending his hand.

I shake it andwait, what the hell? When did Lana drop the barrier?!

“No please, don’t stop Damian. This is so heart-warming.” Lana says gleefully.

“HAHAHAHA! HE FINALLY NOTICED, AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”

“DAMMIT LEO GET OVER HERE, I’LL KICK YOUR ASS!!”

A warm sun shines on us, and in this momentmy heart is at piece.