Epitome of a Hero

FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN

As I walked into the university, I realized that from my world into this one--- some things really just never change. The gazes thrown upon me were still cold, as well as the ambiance that lurks into the place which continuously seeped to chill my bones. As much as I was familiar on the warmth that existed in this girl’s home, the anonymity that covers this entire place tripled my worries and my fear of the unknown.

I shook the shivers away as I clenched my hand into a fist. I needed to get it together. There were whispers on the corridor and I knew that it was about me. The words ‘weirdo, psycho, odd girl’ were the only ones I heard but their mocking faces were enough to fuel my irritation.

I have been walking on this seemingly endless corridor for a few minutes now and I still haven’t been able to find where and what class would I belong to.

“Uhm, Triz?” A soft voice of a girl popped up behind me and so I looked at her. Her hair was brown and her skin was tanned, she looked innocent and also nice. Is she her friend? “Mr. Jonathan has been looking for you, he said you can come to the guidance office before you head to class.”

Guidance Office?

I nodded at the girl and she nodded back, completely empty with words but indifferent with her glances.

“Hey… Can you come with me?” I asked and a wobbly smile formed on her lips. She could help me find where it is without me asking about directions.

“Okay.” She held on her bag pack with her hand and started leading the way without any words being said. What’s with these kids? I tried breathing in the tensed air and started to strike a conversation.

“So, how old are yo--? Darn, that was a weird question if she was her classmate. I mean, why do you think Mr. Jonathan called for me?”

The girl blinked her eyes at me and shrugged before speaking. I noticed her I.D. hanging from the lace on her neck and I got a chance to look at her name, Natania Fei. “I think it’s about the incident the other day, with you—and Andrei. Andrei?

“The insolent child?” I huffed and Fei giggled while staring at me, dumbfounded. “Why?” I rolled my eyes at her with a smile. I know I shouldn’t be harsh to a kid but that boy deserves a little bit more discipline.

“I haven’t heard you speak those kind of words.” She smiled and I was amused. Was Tricia too silent?

“Well, thank you—for accompanying me. I could really use a friend right now.” A friend, huh? I wonder where this is coming from but it’s got a good feel…

Fei gave me a joyful nod and reached out to touch my hand, “Thank you Triz. See you in class!”

I gave her a squeeze before she went off and ran. A door with a tag ‘guidance office' was already before me and so I grabbed the door knob when a sting of fear haunted my core. What is this? I can’t move…

Faint voices rung on my head, and I can hear an old man speaking in a loud manner. “I can put you on that literature contest if you want… but you know--- just a little bit of effort is required…”

“Ms. Caprius.”

I regained myself, realizing that I was freezing. Droplets of sweat started to pour out of my forehead and my heart—it was being holed up by a pain, a hinge of fear that I cannot even grasp. What was that about?

“Ms. Tricia Caprius!”

A man had his tone accompanied by his dismal eyes as I looked upon him. “My apologies, I just had a headache.” I replied. I cannot even breathe, what is going on?!

The man just raised his brow and gave a firm nod. “Please do come in, Ms. Caprius. We’ve got something to talk about.”

I followed Mr. Jonathan and sat down in front of the desk where he pointed. He seems like the big man up here. Guidance counselor? I looked at his name plate on the desk and then back at him.

“Ms. Caprius, this is about the incident yesterday.”

Darn, I don’t even know what to say… nor how to act.

“I am sorry for the it may have caused Mr. Jonathan—but I am not sorry for what I did.”

I responded with firmness in my voice since I know where to stand.

“Well… I am not here to ask you to apologize to them since I already talked to him and said he must be the one to apologize to you first.”

Thank goodness for that.

“Thank you, Mr. Jonathan.”

“I’m just doing my job.”

He stood up and I did so as well, ready to get off the room, and bowed down a little to show my gratitude for his sense of action.

“If you have any concerns, you can talk to me,” he uttered and I gave him a nod.

The man seemed kind but there’s something in his eyes which bothered me, or maybe not really me--- but this body that I am in.

I was about to go out of the room when I feel a hand that laid on my shoulder, making me automatically revolt and back away.

The man raised his arms and exclaimed, “I am just escorting you out.”

Well. I don’t really feel right about gestures or is my world really just—out of connections.

“Forgive my reaction, I am just a little bit tensed today. Thank you again, Mr. Jonathan.”

I nodded once more and dashed out of the door. As I loomed through the corridor, some students already started to go inside the classrooms and I realized that I was already standing at the door of the class I belong in.

How did ---?

The faces were all unknown but all of them felt… familiar…

But it wasn’t all that welcoming, not at all.

“Be careful, she is a war freak…”

A girl with a straight black hair and red pouty lips whispered to the other girls whose styles were just like her. She really made sure I’d hear with that whisper.

I am indeed a war freak and I am glad they know. I smirked before walking past them, heading towards a seat which I am pretty sure is mine. At the corner of the very room.  

As I walked through the gossiping youngsters, a girl with classes caught my eyes and she kept her head buried on the desk.

That’s Fei.

I sat down and leaned my back to rest on my chair while I stare at the desk before the class even began, being reminded of my world where I felt small and shrouded like this one.

*****

“You can’t be a knight! You are weak!”

One of the contenders threw me away with force, making me fall down the solid ground as we fought. My sparring sword also flew by the time I fell down, inches away from me.

Everyone was already talking about me with their grimly sneers, “A woman, a knight? She should know her place more. Finish the fight!”

One of the noble man shouted as my enemy walked around where I sat. I never have to try to struggle, what am I really trying to prove? It was obvious that the world was against me.

No matter how good I was on what I do, it never really mattered to people. They have their own ideals of things, and how biased they was—it was terrifying but what can I do? Nothing.

“Damian!”

That voice… That voice was already enough to make me stand up immediately, to grab my lost sword in an instant, lashing out all of my burdens to my enemy.

What of the world? It hates me.

If there is nothing I can do about this unjust fate, they I will do justice to myself!

“I! Will! Always! Win!”

I shouted at every punch at my enemy’s armor, disregarding the fact that I do have a sword. This strength is all of me and I will win!

Fight after fight, I did win.

And as I did, I looked at where the voice that called my name came from, Uncle… and beside him was Duke, and a familiar face, a memory of Julla.

“Tricia!”

A woman called by the name I now own and I didn’t realize that the whole class was already looking at me. Apparently, the professor was already in front of the whole class, calling out for my attention.

“Nerd,” voices muttered. I didn’t realize that I was clenching my fist while I stare at these girls.

“I’m sorry Ma’am. I just spaced out a little.”

The woman nodded and smiled at me ,making me feel a little bit welcome.

“It’s okay, get yourself together Ms. Triz.” I sat down when she told me to and she started speaking again.

“Let’s begin our class. Kindly turn your books to page 72.”