Rena. She reminded Tetramis of herself when she was younger. Observant. She was about to call for the class to assemble and remove unnecessary equipment when her head seemed as though it would split into two. She turned away, raising a hand to her temple...<br/><br/>******<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">For some reason, with the impeding death of a comrade, the forest seemed to hold a distinct vividness. Fallen leaves broke beneath her boots as she moved forward, ripping loose earth from the ground. Rainwater seeped through the myrtle canopy, landing on her shoulder and soaking into the fabric. She was deaf. She was deaf. She could not hear the muted shouting of the lady behind her.<br/><br/>"Wait! What the hell?! Come back here! That's an order!" Xoltchi yelled at Mavis. "Stupid bitch..." She turned back to face the other two young men, "We've got to follow her," and added a tint of false optimism, "We may be able to save Sir too."<br/><br/>Damain's eyes were blank but was still breathing when Mavis reached him and looked helplessly. </span>What now? Free him? Yes. Yes. I'll cut the rope.<span style="font-style: italic"> With a snap, the rope gave way as a needle of ice tore through the strings and the body slicked off the nails, pumping out a pool of blood which seeped into the moist earth. <br/><br/>Xoltchi burst into the tiny clearing and hurled a fireball randomly in attempt to draw out the feral. "What the heck Tetra?" She fired off expletives like a automatic weapon until she spotted the man-creature leaping off a burning branch onto another tree. "Get him!"<br/><br/>Mavis was first, the fastest. Because I'm always better. She froze the man-creature's feet to a branch and sliced it even as another trap was triggered behind her. "Go to hell you freak." She snarled, stabbing it in the center of its chest, splitting the solar plexus with a popping sound and then it became relatively quiet. <br/><br/>She turned, knowing it was too late if a trap had been sprung but no, nothing. Nothing was moving, save Xoltchi's heaving body. As Mavis crawled over, Xoltchi pointed weakly at her belly and whispered, "help me... please..." It was the first time she had ever asked for anything from Mavis but there was no way it could happen. <br/><br/>"I can't, I cannot help you." Mavis responded, realizing that medicine was not just meant for the dorks hiding in tents. "I'm sorry."<br/><br/>"I figured... I... have figured... it out," A blood bubble on her lips burst as Xoltchi spoke, "This is... This is all your fault you know...And yes, you are better..." She struggled to speak, "You're alive an' we're not. Y'killed us... you killed us good. You got us killed. Are ya' happy now? I- hahaha... I thought there was a reason as to why... as to why you were so proud... hahaha... ha... but in the end... you're just a fake... a lie... just like what you called me... All... your. fault."</span><br/><br/>You're angered, so am I<br/>A thousand fires burn<br/>A land of darkness from which I cannot return.<span style="font-style: italic"><br/><br/>******<br/><br/>Mavis returned to the school. Alone. Silent. The mission was a success but why was she not gloating about it this time? The gates swung open before her robe-clad figure, waiting for her to pass by and relay the news of her bittersweet victory.<br/><br/>++++++</span><br/><br/>When I awaken, remember why I've been running from your world, dishonored by your world.<br/><span style="font-style: italic"><br/>"So you admit that you disobeyed your leader's commands?"<br/><br/>"I do, but-"<br/><br/>"If you cannot even follow this type of commands how can we know that you will follow even when the stress is high? Tell me."<br/><br/>"It was- it was a mistake! I thought I could save Damian-"<br/><br/>"Which resulted in your entire squad wiped out in a fruitless attempt." The man held out a hand, "But sometimes, things just happen don't they? So now we'll be giving you another chance: we have another team going out. You are to accompany them. You will be monitored during this assignment. If we have deemed that you are capable, you will be summoned back, if not, you are to teach at Styx. <br/><br/>******<br/><br/>She was summoned. Now there was a slight hope. Or at least that was what she had thought. She had dealt with the feral effectively and quickly.<br/><br/>"Come in." Said the man. "We have gathered information about you during the last assignment and decided to summon you back to tell you this: you have allowed anger to cloud your judgement. Vengeance? Atonement perhaps? For what you had done?"<br/><br/>Mavis was speechless. "What?"<br/><br/>"You heard me. You practically ripped the whole area apart. What was that? a firework display or something? No, you wanted to let out some steam so why not kill it off? In case you did not notice, it was to be captured ALIVE."<br/><br/>"It was dangerous and I had to make sure it is dead. If not..." If not what? Images of what she did came to her mind. My blood is cold as ice, or so I have been told. <br/></span>Show no emotion, and it can destroy your soul.<span style="font-style: italic"> A world of demons wait, watching the movements and filling my heart with hate. She had tore the man to pieces with ice shards. The grain of realization was biting at the very least. "But I'm still an executor aren't I?" Please.... please...<br/><br/>"No. You are now on probation until further notice. You are to become a tutor at the Styx academy. If this train the students to become as good as you are. Or better. Goodbye Mavis." The man called at her as she turned to leave.<br/><br/>Better than me? Don't screw around old fart. I'm the best. Mavis wanted to forget this. To forget it all. She needed to change her name, to make a mask to cut the connection to her previous setback. Mavis Mavis...<br/><br/>I'm Tetramis.</span><br/><br/>******<br/><br/>Tetramis wiped a drop of cold sweat with a clammy hand.<span style="font-style: italic"> This is not happening.</span>She turned to face the class and cleared her voice, "Okay, for those who are here, please remove your weapons and other equipment so you can move around easily. Group with your fellow students of the same element. Now."