Reanimated As Death's Bane

Pete’s face hit the platform and blood dripped from his nose. His cheek was red from the countless punches he received from his opponent, leaving him weak on the floor. His opponent's knuckles gave a faint spark radiating heat waves as he approached, the half unconscious boy, bleeding on the floor. Mutant High Academy’s sparring arena, had been filled up with students who both came to spectate and fight. It was a tradition that for a student to rise to the top and claim the yearly student free loan, he or she must fight his way up to claim it. And that was what Pete was doing. Fighting for his life even though he knew he was nothing but a powerless level one weakling with nothing to offer. His parents sacrificed everything they had to send him to this school, and the student loan was the only means of furthering his education. The roar of the crowd drowned out Pete’s ragged breaths. At sixteen, he was the only powerless kid in a school of freaks who could summon fire or snap bones with a thought. “You don't belong here” Jax sneered, circling Pete like a wolf. His veins glowed faint blue, he was at second-stage of spark fist ability. He had always hated Pete's courage because, for generations, no powerless mutant had even made it to the academy before. Weaklings are only meant to serve them as servants, not to compete with them for power, which they don't have. “Don’t tell me what to do,” Pete muttered, he wiped the blood off his lips and used his shaky arms to help himself up. The academy was the Fortress of mutants, birthed by a war with a shape shifting alien species known as the Dashkyr Decades after Earth modern civilization. Mutants suppressed regular humans in every aspect, so serums were created to transform regular humans into mutants with abilities. But the few who didn't consume serums to gain abilities were known as the originals, the ones directly affected by the war with the Dashkyr. The mutants classified themselves into different stages, and Pete was at the first stage, not possessing any superhuman abilities, only enhanced senses. The majority of the students in the academy were second-stage mutants, like his opponent, Jax. While very few who came from rich backgrounds with lots of resources had reached the peak of the second stage. The stages were sub classified into three steps, low, mid and peak stage. The difference between each stage was like a drop of water and an ocean. So if mutants of different stages fought the battle could already be decided. The crowd's roar drowned Pete's ragged breath as he staggered, he knew he couldn't beat Jax. He was only trying to get that loan, but seeing the hatred in Jax's eyes, he couldn't help but think of a way to save himself without being disqualified. As he stood at the edge of the platform, still lost in thought, a sharp pain slicing his cheek, brought him back to reality. He turned, only to see a girl with pink hair, in a group of girls, licking her fingernail that was stained with blood while looking at him with a mocking smile. “Fight fucker!” One of the girls yelled as if she were already bored to death, causing the others to burst into laughter. Pete turned to the instructor's platform the next second, seeking Justice, hoping that the referee would end the fight. It was clear that he had worn out his strength, but their cold gazes said otherwise. His eyes locked onto a general, Kade. He had heard the stories about how he alone cleared the Dashkyr base, sparing none. The Fierce creatures that smashed armor tanks and trucks were pests before him. Pete hoped maybe he would intervene, but the look in his eyes said otherwise. He only valued the strong, and to him, Pete was dust in the way. Jax launched at Pete who was barely standing, the sparks on his fists grew larger, he wanted to finish Pete off. “Why do they want him dead?” a girl spectating in the crowd sighed “Because he is weak” her friends laughed. In the last seconds, a flaming blade cut through the stage, causing Jax to retreat. A youth wielding two flaming curved blades rushed through the crowd in a blur, leaving fire trails. He leaped onto the platform, swinging his blades, sending two fire arcs at Jax. The blade closed in quickly, and Jax managed to sway his head to the side, but his upper shoulder was slashed off. His loud cry echoed through the silent arena, with his eyes shut, he braced himself for the second blade, but it never came. The referee had intercepted it. “Dave?” Pete whispered, they were childhood friends who grew up together as neighbors in Manchik City. Before they were forced to come to this Academy on an unknown island, by an attack in their city, Dave's parents' lives were claimed during that attack, and Pete was separated from his family. Dave's long black hair reached his chin, with a silver band around his forehead, the thin scar across his eye, along with his wide jaw and armor chest piece, made him look like a knight. Whereas Pete was the exact opposite, a skinny boy whose clothes barely fitted him with a round baby face. Pete was the only Family Dave had although not related by blood, but a shared childhood experience, so going to such an extent to protect him was understandable. “Jax wins!” The referee said, “And you, Morrow, if you can't fight, you won't survive here. The labs await you. He turned to Dave. “Rebel, Interrupting this fight has crossed the line You would be sent to Sahel for correction. The crowd gasped in unity at the mention of the Sahel grounds, gossip started, and rumors spread in the arena. Dave's look of determination was replaced with shock, Sadness, and fear. He had heard the rumors long ago. The referee stepped off the stage with a carefree look like he hadn't sentenced the duo to hellholes with the general's order. The academy was run by a major General, and after him was Kade, then the other generals followed in the rankings, and lastly, the sergeants, who guided the students' activities in the base. On several different Islands, there were other bases like this one, totaling five academies, with one man overseeing them all, the Supreme Commander. He stayed at first base while Pete stayed at the fifth base, the least ranked of all five. The next set of students were called up to battle according to their tally numbers. The atmosphere was still tense, and the chatting continued. “I heard the Sahel grounds don't just break you, it strips your mind.” “The underground labs aren't any better, No one has ever come back the same way that went in.” “Those guys, it's over for them.” Students formed small groups, discussing the Duo. Some pitted them as they walked through the arena with their faith sealed. “You didn't have to interfere, I had…” “Cut the crap, bro. I'm not ready to lose you.” Dave interrupted. His giant figure shadowed Pete, who trailed behind him watching the khopesh blades hang in an X on Dave's back. He was the only reason Pete hadn't been attacked regularly by bullies, he was at the mid-second stage of mutation surpassing the majority of the students and this made most bullies reconsider before approaching him. Nothing spectacular took place in the remaining fights but one thing was sure Pete would be ranking at the bottom. When the event came to an end, the duo sat with their arms crossed staring blankly into space in the almost empty Arena. When a gentle voice caught them by surprise. “Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you,” the girl smiled. She was about Pete's age, but her looks said otherwise. She was well endowed with curves and beauty, but not height. “I thought I should apologize on behalf of my friends.” Pete raised a brow, he was confused, and so was Dave. She placed her hand on her cheek, the same spot Pete had been grazed, then pointed at him. “I'm sorry,” she whispered, and with that, she left. “What was that about?” Dave asked “I think she's one of the girls who threw the can at me back there.” “Hmm, trying to redeem herself.” Dave smiled, he glanced at his watch, and suggested they get going before curfew caught them. He dragged himself up lazily, his legs wobbled slightly as he approached the exit. Pete couldn't help but feel guilty as he glanced at him. “I'm sorry I dragged you into this, bro,” Pete said, placing a hand on Dave's shoulder. “It's nothing, that's what brothers do,” Dave laughed, hoping to ease the tension, but he worried the most. “So there's no information on how to get to the places we're supposed to be.” Pete smiled, scratching his head. “Nahh, I can't imagine us walking into our own deaths,” Dave teased as both of them laughed, approaching the housing area. Dave and Pete shared their room with a casual student, aside from greetings and issues concerning their apartment, they barely spoke, but it was different tonight. “So you managed to get yourself a ticket to hell after all the trouble you've caused,” Ryan said to Dave, who entered the room with Pete. The room wasn't large, but it had enough space to contain three beds, a wardrobe, a fridge, and a bathroom on the inside. “Better than crying over a girl who played you,” Pete retorted, crashing on his bed. “f**k off, weakling. At least I wasn’t born useless,” Ryan responded, controlling himself from driving his fists into Pete's face. Dave burst out in laughter. He grabbed cola from the fridge and tossed it to his roommates. He knew that this might be his last normal night for both himself and Pete. In the late hours of the night, two figures, masked all over, one in green and the other in white, approached Pete's apartment. The one in white released a gas inside the apartment through the hole under the door, while the one in green focused on disabling the lock.