War and Survival

"Winner— recruite Kanima Hapota". Eloth said as he walked towards the centre of the hall, at the location of the duel, his arms still behind his back.

He reached the unconscious body of the teenager and nudged him with the tip of his black combat boot.

At that moment, the bell rang.

The Combat training for the Class Unique had ended. And, according to the time table, they had the next class in about five minutes.

"O.I.T Zilah, O.I.T Ikem ", Eloth called out. The two recruites, male and female walked out from within the herd of teens. "Sir!!" They replied.

"Kindly escort Recruite Neely and Recruite Hapota to the healers office" Eloth ordered whilst turning. He walked quickly towards a door at the corner, "Do that now, before you head to your next class". He reached the door, placed his palm atop a light green runic inscription that lay on it. The door slid open, he walked out, turning left in the hallway.

A few moments after he did, the students also rushed out of the hall through the open door, heading in the same direction. Words concerning the duel never leaving their mouth as they walked.

Ikem turned to speak to the girl; Zilah, she happened to be the one that had flung Drey Iguas to the back of the class out of frustration.

Kanima had already began walking towards the door, wiping away the droplets of blood flowing down her nose. She shook Zilah away; who had tried supporting her as she walked.

"Suit yourself", Zilah had waited silently for a few moments before speaking. She made for the door, Fully intended on leaving them behind "I'd be late to the next class if I helped anyways".

Ikem silently lifted Morgen's collapsed body off the ground, placing it dismissively atop his left shoulder, he turned to walk.

He walked pretty quickly, intending to catch up with Kanima.

"Hey", he greeted. He slowed down as he reached her, walking on her left [ his right].

Kanima acted like he was air and did not bother replying.

"Hey. Hello, Kanima, I'm talking to you," Ikem tried conversing, although he had expected a wall from her, but not one this solid.

They both had now entered into a hallway, opposite to the direction Eloth and the students had taken. The rune empowered door closing quickly behind them.

"Kanima?", Ikem tried once more. He made to grab her shoulder but his hands were caught midway.

"What?!", Kanima asked, she had stopped walking to stare at the guy intruding on her personal space.

"I just wanted to talk", he answered honestly, "Nothing else to it". His voice was calm as he tried his best to offer what he thought was a reassuring smile.

"Well I don't feel like talking, and especially not with someone as gloriously infamous as you". Her tone was icy, and her eyes slightly narrowed as she spoke.

"What?" Ikem was stumped. He didn't know what else to say. He stood in silence for a few moments and had not noticed when Kanima began walking.

"Wait!!" he chased back after regaining his senses. The body of the huge, unconscious teen on his shoulder weighing almost nothing as he trudged foward.

Once again he stretched out a hand for Kanima's shoulder.

"Touch me and see what I'll do to you!", Kanima scowled, her expressionless façade disappearing. What could she do to be alone; her silver gleaming eyes seemed to ask.

Ikem didn't hear her threat and proceeded to touch her shoulder.

His arm was caught sharply, and a silvery light injected into it.

His right arm was paralyzed. He knew this as he felt a sense of numbness spread through it

"What is the meaning of this?", he asked whilst taking a few steps backwards. 'Is this girl mad' he wondered mentally. "Undo this at once" he ordered solemnly.

Kanima gazed into his eyes as she began muttering some words.

'Prayers!', Ikem reeled.

He stared dumbfoundedly as his right fist moved on its own, punching him squarely on the face.

He took a step back.

"Crap", he muttered, "What for?, This is just because I touched your arm?".

Kanima turned back to walk, she snapped her fingers; mentally releasing Ikem's arm from her paralysis and control.

Ikem shook his head in distaste as he stood, he wanted to retort but reasoned against it. Staring intently at the departing back of his classmate."That crazy girl means a lot of trouble" he uttered aloud.

He had just meant to ask about her movement techniques, and how she seemed to defy the law of physics as she fought. To his understanding, it wasn't supposed to be part of her Supernatural abilities or the presiding abilities within her body.

He sighed,'Looks like I'll have to verify this some other way then'. He began walking.

Kanima seemed to stop and start as she walked. Her movements seemed less purposive and bordered almost to the line of visible confusion.

She staggered.

"Are you okay?" Ikem asked from behind her watching her tumble, he thought it must have been due to the injuries she had gotten previously. He had no idea about the slow healing abilities of the Blesseds. Going to see the healers was just a display of formality by Instructor Eloth and to allow the duelers a short time of reprieve and rest. It was a known fact that If a blessed was allowed a period of rest, their body would be able to heal itself on its own; due to the gift of gods.

Kanima continued her strange and unreadable movements.

Until, she turned back. Staring at Ikem for a prolonged period of time. Her gaze was cold, and her face; aloof.

The two of them stared at each other just in front of a non linear intersection in the hallway. Time seemed to pass by awkwardly with none of them choosing to speak.

Ikem sighed once more. "What?", he asked, the tone of his voice showing clearly of how much he longed not to talk to her.

"You, Infamous Kid", she called.

Her words made Ikem look around,wondering if he was truly the only person with her.

He was. Well, him and the unconscious Morgen on his shoulder.

"Yes?", he addressed her, trying his best to be polite.

"Which hallway leads to the healers office?" She asked, her face stoic and showing clear signs of being unabashed.

"You're lost?" Ikem asked, trying hard to suppress the smirk growing on his face.

"Answer the damned question!".

Ikem's smirk receded.

'Crap!!'

He screamed mentally. He himself didn't know the directions to the healers office, he had never been there before.

"So?", Kanima queried.

"I don't know" she was supplied an answer.

For a few moments the atmosphere around them turned awkward.

And, just then, the unconscious body on Ikem's shoulder stirred.

Morgen groaned pitifully as he awoke. He was then dropped heavily on the floor.

He slowly sat upright as he looked about, subconsciously covering his crotch as he caught sight of Kanima standing a few feet in front of him.

–Instinct they say, saves lives.

A glimmer of hope was ignited in Ikemefuna's heart. He bent down, grasping Morgen by the arm and forcing he to look at him.

"What!?", Morgen asked warily as he tried to break free from Ikem's grip. He knew Ikem as the guy who was ostracized by the class on the belief that he had murdered an Instructor. And Ikem, staying together with Kanima; his previous opponent didn't seem to bode well for him.

Ikem's grip was too strong. "Le... Let me go" he struggled.

"Morgen, Morgen, listen to me please", Ikem pleaded desperately, "Do you know the direction to the healer's office".

Getting caught loitering on the Camp Hallway was a punishable offence, and a great one at that. And the reason for it's graveness was unknown.

"No, I don't", Morgen finally succeeded in shrugging Ikem's hands off, he rose up, leaving Ikem on the floor, "How could I?, these hallways look incredibly similar!!!". He emphasized by waving his arms wildly towards the hallway they stood on and the next [they stood at an intersection].

Ikem's hope vanished, and after further questioning it was found out that none of them knew the way back. To Hall Unique or their next class.

Time was ticking.

'Curses!'