Apology

The days progressed and Demi took over training for the entire group. Just like at the hunter’s guild, Demi would instruct and I would demonstrate. Tyler had taught his group to be ruthless. Now Demi was teaching practical sword combinations and battle tactics. This was easy for me since I had already been through Demi’s boot camp already. Once the lesson was over, we’d practice sparring, changing opponents regularly. At the moment, my opponent is Jer.

The ground below me began to crack at Jer’s command. I blew the debris in his face. He stopped it, but I had already maneuvered behind him. I pushed him forward with my wind. Jer rose the earth in front of him to prevent his fall. Tsk. I lunged at him, hoping to finish him off before he could turn around. Spikes of earth advanced towards me. I used my wind to shield myself before I got skewered. Hmmm, I wonder...I thought of my time in the orphanage, playing my flute with my bird friends. Wind gathered around me, lifting me up. Jer’s jaw dropped as he watched me float over his spikes. I landed right in front of him, only to hear the whistle blow. Time was up and we had a five minute break before starting the next fight. A grabbed my canteen and hurriedly chugged my water.

“I can’t believe you just flew! What were you thinking about?”

“Music and birds,” I replied. “Your control is impressive. What do you think about?”

“Horseback riding. And if I start to lose control I recite court law.” I blinked. Well, I guess that’s one way to calm down. Maybe I should start reciting the scripture the nuns made me memorize. That always put me to sleep. I thanked Jer for the insight.

It was time for the next round and the person standing before me...was Five. I tried not to make a face.

“Before we start, I’d like to apologize. I was seriously attacking you before, not because I don’t like you, but because I thought your presence was a hindrance to his highness.” Five bowed her head in apology. Honestly, I think I was less upset before she apologized. On top of that, even though Demi was busy giving Chris instructions, I’m pretty sure he heard what Five said. There’s no way Chris did something deserving of that monstrous expression.

“I don’t think I can accept that apology. If you really think that, there’s nothing I can do. Unfortunately for you, I’m not going anywhere.” I glared. Five nodded her head but who knew what she was really thinking. “Let’s get this fight over with.” I snapped. Since I was irritated, I took a lesson from Jer and started reciting all the verses I knew about being slow to anger.

The whistle sounded and the fight began. This time I started with a wind blade. It came barrowing towards Five, but I lifted it off the ground so I wasn’t carving trenches in the terrain. Learning her lesson from the previous battle, she immediately ran towards me. I grinned, and kept the blade going until she was almost right in front of me, then I lifted myself in the air and kicked her head. Everyone around us froze. Five had flown backwards and now had a bloody nose. I’m pretty sure she’ll also have a black eye in the not so distant future. I walked towards her and looked down on her with as much oppression as I was capable of.

“Now, I’ll accept your apology.” I quipped, and walked away.

I heard footsteps behind me, quickly catching up. Demi grabbed my shoulder and I turned to face him. He observed my expression, trying to decipher what was on my mind. I decided to have mercy on the man. “I’m fine. I didn’t lose control; I meant to do that.”

Demi smiled. “In that case, I really enjoyed it.” I laughed.

“It wasn’t too harsh a reaction?”

Demi gritted his teeth, “She voluntarily admitted to trying to harm you. And she had the audacity to say it was for my sake. You could have hit harder.”

“I knew you overheard.”

Demi looked embarrassed. “I can’t help but pay attention to anything concerning you.” Demi confessed. I blushed. After confessing our feelings, Demi was even more obvious about his over-protection. He didn’t make excuses and just said what he felt. As a woman it was exciting; as a hunter it was problematic. We each had our own roles to play and, in a way, Five was justifiably concerned. Doesn’t mean I have to like it. I also don’t think that my disappearance would be helpful. It would probably just make Demi lethally impulsive. I recalled how much Silvester’s death had affected him and came to the conclusion that I absolutely cannot die. If I die before him, this man will self-destruct.

We walked for a while, hand in hand, enjoying this precious moment of peace. Everyone has improved their fighting abilities. Soon it will be the time to put an end to this pandemic, but for just this moment, I let it be. To face an unknown and possibly deadly future, we should at least be carrying good memories.