1: Quatro Amigos

Reign Yrven

The nights are hot, flames engulfed the city and only ruins, ashes, and screaming people are to be seen outside. But after a while, it became silent. The screaming, the people, gone. I have to peek from this wall that I am hiding, realizing that I have been alone all these time. I pull my gun out, making sure I have enough bullets to survive this day. My comrades, they got separated from me and I ain’t sure where the hell I should be going.  

“The time has come for you to die, guardian.” A voice called out to me from behind as I hear a gun cocks and swords being taken out from their scabbards.

“If you had surrendered, you might still live. But you did not. And that’s why you need to die now!”

I slowly turned around to see who these motherf*ckers are. And it’s them! These military bastards! War is your truest intentions huh.

“I will die killing you, son of a b*tch! ” I replied and shot one of these soldiers of the opposition in the head and quickly jumped over the ruins to evade being mowed down by these people.

F*ck! My blade was broken, my comms are jammed, and guns ran out of bullet as my mags fell. How could I f*cking face these b*stards? Throw shoes at ‘em?

I can’t see anything but flames and debris. Did the people safely got away? Did my comrades save them? I really need some backup.

“Where are you, guardian? Come out now,” I heard, behind the wall I was leaning. “Get me the RPG.”

After I heard that, I quickly jumped into the hole I saw not far away. As the wall I was leaning get blasted by the RPG. Damn, now my ears are ringin’.  I feel weak, why are these kittens so strong? I mean yeah, they are soldiers of f*cking Kanzeri.  What do I expect? They come to my house with a boxed wrapped with a pretty bow on it?

My eyes are throbbing, it’s painful. I had to press my palms above my eyes as I thought they’re gon’ pop out. F*ck why now? Why does this always happen to me?

“Found you, guardian.”

A blade was just inches away from my throat, and a wrong move could get my throat slit.

“Now die!”

I gasped for air as I woke up from a bad dream. I am sweating cold and my heart was racing. It was that dream again, been in my head for a while now. Is this how I should live my life?  Having dreams about a war that Kanzeri allegedly started, me having enhanced senses that are a little bit uncontrollable, and seeing things that mess with reality.

My classmates looked at me with utter disappointment. Uhm, okay? F*ck off. I tried to compose myself as I look outside.

The clouds looked grumpy today, might rain for a while. I just want to skip classes and indulge myself with food and games, after all the anxiety my nightmares had given me I wanna listen to some good music to pass the time and compose myself but where am I now? Inside a boring Math class talking about numbers and Xs and Ys. I just hate the sight of these figures but it seems like I will be here for another hour.

Man I slept again in this class, no wonder why everyone hates me in this time of day—

Thinking about irrational things, huh?

“Hey, Mister Fernandes? This is the 7^th time you are doing this in my class, I had enough of your crap!” My train of thoughts cut short by this bald man at the blackboard. He seemed a little pissed off. Crap.

“What’s up?” I casually asked. I don’t know what’s up but I know I messed up again.

“Nothing much, just your activity sheet being torn apart and now you are zero. And constantly sleeping in my class?You got some nerve, son. Get out!” The teacher was really pissed off? By what? I was just thinking about how stupid his subject is and for Pete’s sake—whoever that is—I don’t think out loud.

“Oh! You poor little b*tch, another zero for sleeping I guess,” one of my classmates said. “Maybe when you sleep tonight, don’t bother waking up because we all know you are a good-for-nothing bast*rd.”

The class responded with mockery towards me.

“Hey! Jerric, mind your tongue here, boy. You are in no position to say something in this. Mind your business. And class? Shut up!” the teacher scolded.

But that bastard keeps badmouthing me, and honestly, I  wanna give him some A+ for attention seeking. I grabbed my backpack and as walk towards the door, this Jerric dude tried to trip me by his foot and I am no idiot.

I can see you before you make a move- well not every time but still I can sense your foul intentions.I avoided his foot and as soon as I pass by him I nudged my shoulder to his nose. I broke ‘em.

“I don’t remember being inferior to a stupid ass punk as you, I might put every polygon and every Mathematical equation in your face just to make you shut the f*ck up. Don’t try me, I don’t have any chill,” I said with the coldest stares in everyone and talking in such low voice.

They all fell silent, and that’s hilarious like heck. I wish I have something to capture this moment, I can’t hold out my laughter for so long.

Then the room suddenly became empty, filled with fire and everyone was gone. Not this again.

I immediately exited the room and all I heard was a groan from that dude who—what’s his name again? I forgot.

Well if I forgot maybe he ain’t that important. But good thing I snapped back to reality or else I could have drowned in that weird vision.

I just walked past the school grounds chilling out while the clouds, threatening to discharge massive amount of rain. Is rain also H2O? or was it like a different combination of elements? I rolled my eyes before I knew I already did it. Now, I am being a stupid science kid. Just trying not to think about seeing things that people normally cannot.

It had been like this ever since I was ten. I learned to compose myself whenever that happens but sometimes it’s just too frequent that I have to lock myself and gasp for air.

A while ago I was just talking about polygons and Math equations and now— 

“Hey!” My train of thoughts was once again cut short by this cute girl standing in front of me. Oh! It’s Hiraya, never mind.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“Did you broke your classmate’s nose?” she asked back. Man, how does she know that? Our rooms are like the opposite sides of  the building, how can she know that when I was just exiting the class?

“Maybe,” I cheekily answered.

She fixed the bridge of her glasses and oh, my goodness gracious! She is adorable. My cheekiness has earned me a cute friend. But she seemed disappointed again at my remarks.

“What?” I innocently asked, raising my brows. When I am with her I feel the ease, it’s a good thing because these weird visions and dreams rarely appear when I am with her.

“You know you can be expelled from doing those right? How frequent did you return to the guidance office today?” Hiraya asked. Well to think about it, I have been there for like… I don’t know. Maybe 5 times already?

“Ahh, I think you shouldn’t ask me that because you might get me grounded if Gramps will know about this.” I tried to calmly resolve this conversation so that she won’t snitch on me.

“No, Reign. I will tell your grandfather that you do such things so you will be punished accordingly. Aren’t you even afraid that they will take revenge on you?” She sounds worried and her ocean eyes really mesmerize me. Damn she’s pretty.

“Uhm, why should I be worried? All of them picked up a fight with me and I just gave them what they want. I was just being generous and all. It’s not my fault that they are picking up a fight they can’t win,” I explained as I stand up from the bench I was sitting.

“Reign, I was just worried about you. What if they gang up on you or something like that?” Now, I am confused why she would tell me that. What am I, a weak ass punk? I know self defense like duh!

“Aya, you are overthinking too much. Want some snacks? My treat.” I tried to lift up the mood because I am also hungry and have no strength to deal with her worrying..

She had no choice but to walk with me towards the cafeteria and gone to the farthest table. This lass really wanted to make me lie-low on my mindless brawls, I mean yes I don’t like fighting as these are nonsense but I just couldn’t help myself.

I bought her favorite fries, milk tea, and burger combo and I got myself some mountain dew and burger. Well, that should do it.

When I proceeded to our table, she was being teased by these underclassmen. And left her alone when she gave them like a hundred bucks. What the f*ck is that?

“What in Sam’s hell was that?” I asked, while giving her her snacks.

“Nothing, just nothing.” She seemed odd. There was something amiss in her body language. I looked at the guys who were now laughing out loud inside the cafeteria. One of them looked at me and stared mockingly. Wow, what a d*ckhead.

“Aya, what did they do?” I asked again but Aya is shaking. “Did they tried to touch you?”

She looked at me for a second and I saw her tears roll down, then, she immediately wiped them. Oh those damn dolts harassing my girl like that? There is no way in hell I would let that slide. No one touches my Aya!

I kinda sound like a f*cking boyfriend to her right now, what the f*ck.

“Wait for me here.” I instructed.

One more thing scarier than those visions I see is that I am physically more capable than that of a normal person. When I say more capable I mean I am more agile, stronger, faster, and can tank most of physical attacks without being hurt. I can kill, if I don’t control myself.

So I try to not do rash things when I get into a brawl, or things can go south and messy. I trained myself to restrain my power. None of my friends knew my capabilities as they see me as a war freak, but still a dependable person.

“Reign, stop! Please don’t!” she tried to stop me as she lower her voice.

“I’ve had enough f*ckery for this day. They touch even a strand of your hair and I’ll break their bones.” I meant that, but not really. Maybe just two bones?

As I walked towards them, Aya stood up and tried to stop me but I just glared at her and she sat down unwillingly, because she knows there is no stopping me.

As I approached them, one guy came up to me. He’s like a foot taller than I am. He made a cracking sound with his fist and his neck intimidating me.

“What’s the matter, little man? Scared of getting your ass-whooped or maybe you are frightened I might steal your girl?” he taunted then smirked at me.

“Step aside, big show. I don’t wanna waste my time at worthless craps such as yourself,” I seethed. I pushed him back and rushed towards that son of a b*tch who tried to molest Aya.

“Hey, what’s your deal with Aya?” I asked calmly.

“That girl is my h*e, I own her. I own everything in this land you walk on, punk.” After he said that, tens of students circled around me and oh, boy! They look terrible. Like a low class punks in animes, they sure are ugly.  This brat in front of me is the only one who is good looking, all of them are ugly as f*ck!

I snickered. The brat thinks he’s tough?

“H*e eh?” I shook my head in utter disappointment. “What’s your name again?”

“Diego, Diego Mondragon.” He then let out a sassy walk towards me in which I burst out laughing in his face.

“Man, you look like a b*tch,” I mocked and stopped laughing. “And to tell you what, I don’t care who you are or what you do. You disgrace Aya, you’re f*cked. H*e eh, might as well call you a gordang d*ckhead.”

I said that like I am a cowboy or something.

“You think you’re cute?” Diego laughed maniacally and tried to punch me in the face all of a sudden but I caught his hand. I can see your move before you make ‘em.

“B*tch, I’m adorable.” I pulled him in and do a head-butt at his face in which he fell down. His underlings made their move and they tried to gang up on me. Not gonna lie, they aren’t just talk. I keep on evading their punches and retaliate with me kicking them in the balls, give them the ol’ trusty right hook, doing some body slams and a little bit of b*tch slap.

When all of them were down, I grabbed this Diego guy by his collar. His eyes are tearing and his nose is bleeding. Aw, he cried.

“You will pay for this you scum! My father won’t let you live another day—”

“Talk to the hand.” I then showed my palm right at his face. “Oh, no! Handyman is not talking to you, better knock you out.”

I then proceed to throw a punch at his face but someone grabbed my arm and stopped me from doing so. Why do people keep on interfering my ‘punch line’. Pfft, get it? ‘Cause I am about to punch? Yeah! Okay, never mind.

“What now?” I asked, rolling my eyes.

“Stop, you are having fun without us? That’s violation of the bro code!” I am getting criticized by this stupid guy named Kevinjec—oh! Wait that’s my buddy. Never mind.

“Here, punch him then.” I offered. And I forced this Diego to stand up by grabbing him and pushing him to Kev.

But he just stepped aside making Diego fall down face first to the cafeteria floor. Oof, that’s bad. Might as well call some plastic surgeons because that face is f*cked.

“Why did you do that?” I panicked. Well, not really.

“Did what?” he asked back. Seriously why does all of them answer my questions by questions? That’s kinda weird.

“Dude, you let him fell down!” I yelled at him, but he just shrugged his shoulders. “Well to be fair I kinda liked it so it’s fine.”

“We better get the hell out of here before you got sent to the guidance office again. Or worse, the other office. Which is scary,” he warned. We then began to walk away but I purposefully kicked Diego at his gut.

“Leave Aya alone,” I commanded.

I know it’s bad to do things like this. Fighting inside school grounds and such, are not something I would be proud of doing but I think bullies and people who disgrace others just to make themselves look cool needed to be taught a lesson. I may behave all goody shoes one moment and a rampaging idiot the other, I know for a fact that they deserved what I did. Rest assured that I don’t do something like being too hard as I can kill someone with these bare hands and that my strength was in restriction by this bracelet I wear which my grandfather gave me, he was the only one who knew what I was capable of.

Because who in Sam's hell would be glad to see their friend getting harassed by pitiful scums like— what’s his name again? Diego? Ah, sh*t! I just remembered that he is the son of the principal! Oh well, never do anything you don’t want anyone to do to you.

We got out of the scene and when we were about to exit the cafe, I noticed I haven’t got my food yet so I returned and took it before sprinting away. Aya and Kev are walking beside each other and they sort of flirting—I mean Kev was flirting. That jack*ss really wanna have some ‘smackaroonies’ at his face.

“Hey, wanna hang out tonight?” I asked them.

“Dude, I always wanted to hang out especially when you treat us some heavenly pizza!” Kev replied, brushing his hair with his hands and winking at Aya.

“Pizza my ass, you ate the whole d*mn thing and never even shared, you pig!” I scornfully said.

Aya just laughed at us and I ate my burger because why not? Looking at their faces when we were together feels like I don’t wanna have this day to end, but I hate Kev’s mocking grin and I want to smack his face when he does that.

We sat at the green grass at the quadrangle and waited for our friend Jon, who has classes today. Aya and Kev have their classes ended so they can loiter whenever they want and I just got sent out which is fun. Well it’s fun and games unless I get sent to the counsellor again.

After a few more minutes, we saw Jon exiting his class and walking towards us with his eye on his books again, reading while walking. Freaking bookish lad.

“Hey, Jon!” I gestured a wave to catch his attention. He walked towards us and when he got here, he let out deep breath and looked at me in the eye.

“What?” I raised my right brow at him.

“You imbecile maniac!” Jon taunted then smacked my head by the book he is holding.

“Ow!” I screamed. “What the f*ck is wrong with you, you bookish idiot?”

“You’ve done it again! How many times do I have to tell you to not get involved in fights, huh?” He asked as he repeatedly smacking my head with his book, I covered my precious head with my hands but that still hurts!

“Well it’s not my fault. They are incompetent people who harass others, I am just doing my part in this society, man!” I tried defending my point but he ain’t stopping. Kev won’t give a damn and he just laughed.

“Come on man, I did what I needed to do! I ain’t doing sh*t for a matter of selfishness, they did harass Aya!”

Jon stopped when he heard that but Aya is too scared to talk.

“Oh, I apologize. Who are these scums? I need them to taste the wrath of me, for I, Jon Ray Cliffordstone is never going to let this slide! I will crush them beneath my feet and—”

“But I beat the sh*t out of them. You are like, an hour late for the main event,” I cut him off.

“Dude, I just want to sound heroic just one time and you don’t even let me. Get up you, puny humans, we need to get going. To our sacred homes! To arms, my brethren!” He then raised his hand like he is summoning a storm by the raging clouds.

Alas! The rain has fallen!

“You moron! Hurry we’re gonna be soaking wet!” Kev shrieked as he winked.

We ran towards a nearby shed and laughed hard because of the puddle of water getting splashed at us by passing cars. Damn, what a heck of a day to be alive. But my smile faded when I saw some robed man staring at us grinning. But as one car passed by and then he’s gone.

Then it hit me, its happening again. It’s still raining, but I am all alone here. I looked up ant the sky was filled with glowing circles with some weird characters along them and geometrical figures appearing and disappearing, rockets flying and exploding, and I see people die! I see them cry and hear them plead!

Airships! I see airships bombing-

“Dude!” I snapped back to reality when Kev tapped me at my shoulders. I nearly lost my balance.

“What’s wrong?” Aya asked.

I just shook my head and we moved along, I really should ask gramps about this. I don’t know what the heck is going on now!