Acrilis

Sick Taste

Salvor and Heliot had been friends for as long as fate had brought them together. Even though they both went to different elementary and high school. It was no coincidence that they had both secured an admission into the same college. Their friendship had waxed stronger overtime and somehow Salvor had initiated Heliot into his clandestine world of fantasy which the latter had somehow found fascinating. They had met during a friendly football game hosted by both their elementary school. During the match, Salvor had busied himself with drawing a super hero comic book and while Heliot was trying to seek out his younger sis. He had stumbled upon him drawing away.

"Is that iron man?" he'd said peeking into his book. Salvor had looked up surprised to have caught an attention and had gave him a cheeky smile then returned back to his book.

"Blue Torch"

"what?"

"The name of the character...blue Torch"

"Oh!..." Salvor had scribbled more crayons to the awkward cloak of Blue Torch.

"He looks so cool. can I read it?" Heliot had the time couldn't contain his excitement".

"Sure, when I'm done".

"okey dokey " Heliot had said rubbing his palms together clearly thrilled.

"did you just call me a donkey?" Salvor looked up instantly looking upset. This gave Heliot a worried look considering he was just starting to bond with a wondrous fellow.

"I...No. I meant..." Then Salvor had given a short laugh.

"C'mon. I'm just messing with you"Heliot breathed in relief.

"So when will you be done?"

"just abouuuuut....now" Salvor said handing him over the book. Heliot couldn't contain his excitement as he was openly grinning in such a childlike manner.

"that was fast" he said opening it content and staring intently at the funny pictures

"yh...I was almost done anyways. that was #50" Heliot looked up from the book

"you mean there's more of this?"

"yup! I can show you all of em. but the rest are all tucked up at home" Heliot eyes popped like it was gonna remove from it socket..

"I want it all!" he screamed delighted. "can I have them?" his pupils were glistening rather adorably subsumed with self pity and hopeful sympathy. Salvor stared at him fascinated.

"of course you can have em all. But you have to assure me that you're worth it"

"what?" Heliot chuckled. "are we in a Thor situation now?"

"maybe, you never know what awaits your unfiltered destiny. Follow me" Salvor had commanded standing up from the spectators and leading the way past the crowd and towards an empty class just across the school field filled with broken mutilated benches, table, desk and whatnot. Of course Heliot followed obediently like a servant will to his mysterious master.

"so...what now?" he looked around the empty classes trying to get an hint of what this superfluous surprise could be all about but Salvor was taking his time. He went behind the severed whiteboard which seems to be lying helplessly on the ground, bent down and reached underneath it removing and revealing two piece of wooden sword before throwing one towards Heliot who caught it frisky.

"To prove yourself sir Aragon of the Aranian kingdom. I challenge you to a duel. If you come out alive and victorious in the end of my challenge, you shall have every unrestricted right to my holy scriptures, scrolls, magic potions and I, will personally grant you my personal sword of raging destiny." He said pointing the hedge of his sword at Heliot and taking a knight stance while mimicking some heroic voice. Heliot on the other hand looked totally stunned and at the same time consumed in confusion mixed with elation.

"I accept your challenge lord Drasus of.......Daranian Empire" he bellowed back taking his own stance and catching up with the drama at hand.

"very well sir Aragon...may the prime triumph"

Heliot who happens to be Sir Aragon at hand pointed his sword at Lord Drasus.

"may the prime triumph" he said grinning and with that both boys let out a war cry and charged towards each other ending in collision, they began striking each other rather emphatically with the hope of finding out an open weak space to bring the other opponent down while the same time defending themselves from getting hurt. There was the sound of clashing wood stick every where as both young warrior hammered away at each other and not long after, Sir Aragon raised his fictional lance in with the aim of bringing it upon Lord Drasus exposed head. It came down with an increasing speed and even Sir Aragon was beginning to wonder if this wasn't a big mistake but Drasus had anticipated it as he sidestepped him just a second before the lance came crashing on his head and it landed with a springing sound effect on the deck floor of the class. He spun around and jabbed Sir Aragon in the ribs with the handle of his sword. Aragon immediately let out a great shriek in pain and collapsed on the floor gripping the assailed placed and whimpering like a beaten dog. Lord Drasus stared down at him clearly taking it all in. His very first real victory it will seem. Seeing that he had been fighting with figs..wall..and his shadow almost all his life.

"Arise! Sir Aragon. You have fought like a true warrior today although you were defeated. I find you a true worthy and valiant warrior and for that I shall grant you a safe passage to my domain. You shall have no one threaten you while you're in my empire, not if they love their heads. Also I shall grant you access to my magic scrolls, maps and books but not my sword. For that you'll have to prove your unflinching loyalty and true worthiness before I can bestow you with it power and magnificence.

Sir Aragon although clearly still reveling from the shock and acute pain rose up and knelt with a bent head in amusing defeat.

"I can't be more grateful sire!" Salvor suddenly burst into laughter and no sooner than later Heliot joined in both laughing so hard till their stomach started hurting and they collapsed to the floor.

"You got me" Heliot had said amidst laughter.

"yh...that I did" Salvor had replied still choking on his own, then suddenly Heliot became all serious.

"you'll be given me your magical scrolls and books right?" And almost immediately Salvor looked at him dead serious too.

"yes sir Aragon, that and more" and they fall back into laughter. After then they'd both gotten to know more about each other. Thereupon, they had become quite intimate in their friendship. They were so absorbed with each other that they couldn't help seeing each other in every passing day. Lord Drasus had however fulfilled his promises has he showed him a compilation of different comic books, manga and video games. He had also introduced him into fantasy novels and together they had constructed a magnificent world of creation and imagination. But then, they were just seven and six respectfully. Ten years after that. They'd both grown much taller. Sir Aragon had gotten into sport and fallen in love with basketball and lord Drasus had remained obsessed with his fantasy world. He had written several series of comics, short fairy tales and hopefully he wishes to complete a novel. He had also open a channel for podcast on f*******:, Tic tok and YouTube tagged "The world of dreams". Irrespective of this mild changes, both boys had remained transfixed with each other as they both still shared the same belief and idea about unreality while still living in it world even though Sir Aragon stuck a leg out of the board.

They got to school quite early that morning and Heliot was all frisky all over him as they walk along the corridor

"Did Dayen win?"

"No"

"Then Elina won. I knew it!"

"No!"

"what?! Don't tell me Anthiope showed up" They arrived at their locker and and Salvor unlocked his locker covering Heliot extreme face with the door lock.

"No!" Heliot popped his head from the door lock.

"are you kidding me?. What gotten into you this morn and why are you being all buzzkill?". Salvor looked him squarely in the eye.

"I didn't finish it okay!. you ask me who's the actual buzzkill that'll be the mean Angel... She totally went berserk on the fun so...guess who's at fault again dummy."

"but you told you'd finish it before......Holy shit..." Heliot eyes suddenly went from their discussion to something captivating just along the corridor.

"what now?" Salvor asked absent minded busy scurrying through his locker.

"12 O'clock" he sounded so excited.but that wasn't abnormal. Salvor looked up and gasped. Just ahead of them was Melisandre, the most beautiful gal in school with her long beautiful blond hair which she kept twisting with her finger every now and then. She was a tall, elegant and hot lady. Not to talk of the fact that she was one of the richest and most popular kid in the whole school. At her age, she's was dating the most hottest guy in school, had been gifted two expensive cars by her parents, posseses a complete signed off personal exquisite house of hers which she invites friends to come party from time to time, an everlasting credit worthiness, rumors has it that she even had two large yachts and had travelled to all the affluent countries in the world. Her dresses can literally buy off Salvor and his entire family and to cut it short, she was the true depiction of living in Vogue and almost every single boy at "Emporium" was smitten or swayed by her lifestyle and exotic beauty. Salvor had been crushing on Melisandre since they resumed college, he had dreamt of a fictional world with her in different places and different times. He had drawn her countless time in different sketchbooks and had eventually made an artwork out of her existence. Sometimes, he boast to Heliot how she was some mythical adorable princess of some other stars and how someday he was going to walk up to her and propose his undying love before her graciousness then give her a long sweet romantic kiss. Of course both boys knew it was some fantasy tale that he conjure just to escape the pang of having to see the girl of your dreams in reality but yet remains as just a dream. Salvor kept staring for as long as he could remember... mostly at her bosom. She was wearing a tasty fashioned velvet jumper and a short skirt coupled with a skinny leggings which did no good in covering her sexy long legs. She had her back against the wall with one leg resting against the wall while Stephan, her hot cute boyfriend while closing in, had his hand against the wall close enough to her head and caressed her soft perfect formed cheek with the other. They looked so cute and perfect together and all Salvor could do was stare hard.

"Do you feel this is a wrong time to make a move?" Heliot said gently tapping him on the shoulder. Salvor gulped hard.

"No. it's not but I'm late for class already" and with that he snapped off from his delusion and grabbed his bag from the locker turning towards class.

"You're scared"

"what?" he stopped abruptly and turned back to Heliot

"Nah..that's not the word. You're shy. You obviously don't have the balls" Heliot went on

"Shush! Heliot, you know me more than that." he was trying is best to deflect the sting of that blow.

"yh I know you to be a boy who hides behind fairy tales but without the balls to put his fantasy into reality" Heliot snickered

"You"... Salvor stopped considering his next line of words. He breathed in and continued. " I see what you're trying to do here. You're tryna make some provocation outta me. but guess what?. I'm not gonna just stand here and watch you badmouth my reputation, so you can go on bickering all about how I haven't got guts and whatnot. I don't give a f**k!." and with he strode off hoping he could avoid the jackass as soon as possible.

"Yh, just what I thought. Scamper off wet pant" the mockery in Heliot voice was so intensive. Salvor stopped midway. and paused there like forever and without warning turned around and walked back towards Heliot with so much agility.

"You know what?. I change my mind. You wanna see who's got balls. I'm gonna show it to ya. But I do this. And you owe me an unlimited ice cream every Friday"

"but..."

"no buts, do we have a deal or not?". Heliot looked at Salvor quite uncertain. He was just about to lose his entire independence to the freedom of ice cream. He mumbled some incorrigible words.

"Fine. you have my words" he finally Said.

"Great" Salvor said with so much satisfaction. " Now watch an expert at work" This got Heliot grinning from ear to ear.

"This should be fun" he said in between his excitement. Salvor walked casually towards Melisandre and Stephan who were still so engrossed with their romantic conversation hardly noticing poor delirious Salvor.

"Hi" No answer.

"Hello" he tried waving now but still no answer

"Melisandre!" The couple stopped short at this point and turned to the intruder staring at him with such disdain as if he was a piece of s**t.

"That's your name correct?. I've been...." and out of the blue Stephan turned around kissing Melisandre. she in turn returned the favour. He grabbed her butts and pulled her even more closer as they went on wetting each other's lips teasing each other's tongue and making such annoying sweet moaning sound. Salvor felt petrified and embarrassed at the same time. He couldn't really foretell what was going on as his memory was somehow clouded with mixed feeling coupled with pain and anguish. He bit his lips and gently turned around, walking away from the scene silently. Just as he did Roger and his gang of buttheads (Stephan pile of cohorts) all good for nothing started laughing hysterically creating a massive scene.

" Boy wanted to show some balls!" One hooted. And there was a whole lot of more insane laughter

"End up pissing himself" another howled and there was an uproar of laughter . Roger came forward and obstructed his way while placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I know it hurts. I mean I for one think you don't deserve that s**t but just in case you still wanna kiss, my lips are all yours" Roger said grimacing and the laughter became deafening.

"Get your freaking hand off me" Salvor flushed yanking Roger's hand off his shoulder and with that he walked off feeling so red while the boys jeered at him and almost the entire school halted to pay attention to his utter failure.

"Let's go!'' Salvor hissed as he walked past Heliot.

"what?" Heliot was resilient

"I said let get the f**k outta here"

" No..No way!" The scowl was written all over Heliot face and with that he walked towards the gang leaving the defaced Salvor in shock.

"what are you doing " Salvor called after him but it was too late.

"Hey!" Heliot screamed. " Hey! you pieces of s**t!" That got their attention and they all converged scanning the impetuous threat.

"looks like someone's here to mop his puppy's spilled milk " Roger said snickering and the boys laughed again.

"Oh! the only milk I'm here to mop is the one that spilled off your mom's t**s since it'll seem. She totally failed to tuck it into that big.... loose and uncultured mouth of yours..asshole!". There was a gasp. At this point Stephan held girlfriend's hand.

"let get outta here. The boys will handle this one" he said and with that they walked off the scene.

"what did you say to me?" Now it was Roger's turn to be all red as he flustered and puffed with agitation.

"You heard me... Your mom's bringing you to life was prolly her biggest regret. since you exhibit nothing but an empty sacked brain filled with rotten yoke of stupidity and immense idiocy..You lack aim...goal and purpose, so I'm not surprised your life's consumed with childish nefarious behavior that shouldn't be found on a kid of 5. you ask me?.. I'd say the world can strive and survive better without scumbags like you. You worthless piece of crap!". Heliot was breathing hard and he kept his scowl fixated on poor Roger who looked so much like a trapped rabbit even with the presence of his squad. There was murmuring all through the hall..As some giggled, chucked, half laughed, simper and all Roger could do was fumbled with his Jacket.

"You are so dead!" he said finally finding his words and with that he sprang forward towards Heliot with so much alacrity and threw a punch at his face. Heliot clearly expecting the confrontation dodged it at the last second and punched him in the pelvis making him kneel down in pain before proceeding to elbow him in the gut knocking him out completely. There was a wild cheer but that doesn't apply to Roger's boys as they rushed towards Heliot fueled with the desire to extract vengeance but no sooner have they gotten any closer when the Principal suddenly showed up.

"What's going on here?!" Mr Gribimgold as he was known to be, called out and the effect was quite natural as everyone scampered and sneaked off not wanting to be part of a witness box or made a scape goat. Heliot stood his ground looking proud at his work. That is Roger who, having recovered from his short nap laid on the floor writhing in pain.

"Mr Heliot and Mr Rogers. To my office Now!"