The Beast Within

CHAPTER NINE

*One Year Later*

“Bastard Feyrer!!!” He yelled, punching the other right in the face…

Ceraun did not step away from it, although he could have easily done so, he let Adrik’s fist hit him square in the face.

His lower lip split open with the force of the first punch which sent him staggering backwards.

Adrik didn't give him the time to recover, aiming for the other Mage’s gut, making Ceraun double over in pain, coughing up blood, his vision doubling.

The onlooking guard soldiers were all stunned by this unexpected turn of events, they made no move to seperate them and could only look on as Adrik bloodied his fist on Ceraun’s already bloody face.

Ceraun was numb to the blows raining down on him, the fiery rage trapped in him hurt more, so he did nothing even as his face got swollen and his vision dimmed.

Adrik on the other hand planned on beating the s**t out of him until he got the old Ceraun back and in his frustration grabbed the base of his head with both hands to lift up his form and head bashed him so hard blood ran down the sides both of their heads.

Ceraun gasped at this, fingers tingling even as he yelled and drove a knee up into Adrik’s middle.

To the surprise of the bewildered onlookers this made Adrik grin, dodging Ceraun’s next blow but wasn’t fast enough, Ceraun’s fist catching him hard at the side of his face.

Lightning arced with the blow, Adrik instinctively reached out with his Magic to shield himself from the impact of it, although this meant he had to close his eyes briefly because they would glow.

He was absolutely sure that had come from Ceraun who looked hellbent on getting Adrik to the same bloody state as he was but that was impossible, the bastard couldn’t even use his family’s magic, much less use magic without a glow in his eyes, no Mage could.

But yet here was Feyrer, lightning crackling around his fist again as he aimed for Adrik’s nose, he also noted that he was much faster now - there was no way that Adrik would be able to dodge this.

His eyes went wide in shock and horror, limbs going slack, there was no way to avoid this blow without getting caught for using his magic while Feyrer’s eyes remained completely black, no glow to them at all.

The Ration Master swung his whip at this moment however, the crackling sound tearing through the air, accompanied by a loud yell. “Halt or I swear you scums are going to be spending this night at a labor camp.”

That was enough to freeze up Ceraun’s movements, his raised arm dropping to the ground even as he dropped to his knees, panting from the exertion and the pain, blood dripping down his face.

“Scum should always behave like what they are.” The Ration Master continued smugly, their brutal fight no doubt satisfying his thirst for a Mage’s blood. “Morton, give the devil’s spawn a new barrel, I wish to lay my eyes on them no further.”

The cleanly shaven one that the Ration Master had referred to as Morton sneered at this, noting that even with all the beatings he had received, the jagged scar was untouched, glowing that ominous blue-green at the side of his bloodied face.

He made no protest, silently moving to do as ordered, although he couldn’t help but feel uneasy at the way the devil’s spawn’s black eyes tracked him, he reached up shakily for the goodluck charm placed around his neck to grip it hard.

Ceraun let Adrik help him up, his legs too weak to hold up his body but even as he suppressed his smile, the twinkle in his eyes was bright enough.

They silently made their way back to Ceraun’s house, Adrik helping him to hoist the barrel full of water while Ceraun limped beside him, trying to not attract attention.

But news traveled fast even in a dead man’s town like Thrika and by the time they finally got to Ceraun’s hut, his mother was already waiting for them, quite frantic with worry.

“The Pillars save us.” She mumbled in stricken horror when she laid her eyes on them. “Ceraun! Whatever happened?”

“Nothing of importance, mother.” Ceraun was quick to say.

Adrik might have panicked as well with Feyrer’s mother but the wildfire was back in his eyes again and Adrik never imagined he would be relieved by Feyrer looking like he was about to blurt something absolutely moronic again.

His mother was not thinking along those lines though or perhaps her fright at her son’s ghastly wounds didn’t allow her to see what Adrik did.

“Nothing of importance?” She repeated in disbelief, already directing him to his room to lie down on his pallet. “And you look like you were beaten up cruelly?” She started to complain. “Tell me who it was that did it.” Tes demanded, visibly upset. “I’ll have your father go place a complaint to the Head Guard, we do our duties right, you shouldn’t be treated like this…” She broke off, near tears.

“There is no need for all that.” Ceraun muttered a tad sheepishly, Adrik standing beside the door to offer his help if needed and to make sure his friend was okay. “I just got into a fight, Adrik saved me.” He’s quick to add, the words feeling like wild lotus in his mouth.

Adrik started in surprise by this declaration before realizing that although he had been able to easily wipe the blood from the cut beside his head, he was still bruised and Feyrer had wanted to remove him for his mother’s list of suspects, his surprise transforming to a smug look that Ceraun wanted to punch off.

“Such a good child, thank you so much Adrik…” Tes started to say to Adrik before her eyes widened and she whipped her head back to her son. “Wait, you got into a fight, Ceraun?” She cried with the utmost disbelief, an almost happy expression on her face.

‘So she had also noticed’ Adrik thought to himself even as he excused himself and exchanged his greetings to Ceraun who was yelping as his mother attended to his hurts, she might have to get a Healing Magic user.

Adrik couldn’t help his smile as he made his way back to his hut despite the aching throb in his face, this didn’t mean that their future had gotten brighter or their present any better but what was living if it was done indeliberately?