After the sparring session we all went to have some food.

All of us.

The only times I’d been out with a lot of people was when Iraklis would go out with some of our classmates, and even then he’d practically drag me along half the time. It would always be awkward and uncomfortable, as I sat there, watching them all talk with one another.

I definitely felt pings of that all throughout today too, since everyone would mostly talk among themselves, while I would be confined to struggling not to look at Azam while he stared daggers at me.

But there were other moments as well. Moments where Birgit would slightly nudge me, or hold my hand. Moments where Ahmed and Ivan would be debating something and would each call to me to settle the debate as if my opinion held more weight. Where Sofia would turn to me to discuss whatever small things about heroes.

Eventually the sun set, and we all headed back to our dorms.

“I gotta hand it to you man,” said Sadid as he closed the door to our room.

“What do you mean?”

“Well,” he sat down on his bed. He made a few weird gestures and arm movements. “That kahba that came to the island the other day. He attacked you. You-you took that well, all things considered.”

I was fiddling with the seams of my gloves by that point. Truth be told, I didn’t know how to respond to that. On one hand, it was years of training that taught me how to hide my emotions. On the other hand, I almost felt like letting everything spill.

“Thanks,” I said instead. “Sorry about just bringing Birgit over yesterday. I didn’t mean to-I don’t know, I’m new to the whole roommate thing. And the dating thing too, to be honest.”

“It’s cool. Just a heads up, I’ll be bringing…people over too.”

“People, as in?” I said, trying not to sound too much like one of those old ladies that fished around for information to spread and falsify.

“Girls. Guys. it wasn’t really something that I could just…do back home. It’s a long story. So I’d appreciate it if you just…knock?” He looked away and shrugged at that.

I took a deep breath. This was almost like some sort of bad movie where I ran the danger of being locked out of my own damn room. I didn’t say that though.

“Just don’t overdo it,” I said, trying to keep a light tone. “Because I will make your penis like the gym’s floor.” I almost winced at the joke. Maria’s face flashed before my eyes, this time joined by Azam’s for some reason.

Stolen novel; please report.

Well, I knew the reason. Still, Sadid laughed, and we talked some more before finally going back to sleep.

I knew I was in a nightmare almost immediately.

I was surrounded by nothing. I could almost feel the fact that there was nothing next to me, in front of me, or behind me. Not even the tiniest of atoms.

Actually, that was a lie.

Azam was there, laying down on the floor. Blood was running down his arm, which was almost completely torn in half. His breathing was quick and shallow, and I could all but directly see the fear in his eyes as I neared him.

It was…satisfying. I realised I wasn’t wearing my gloves. I felt the urge to go there and finish off the job. Just place my hands on his face. Both of them. Feel his head be destroyed, bit by bit, while he could do nothing to stop it.

And even if he did, it wouldn’t have mattered.

Because I’d come back again tomorrow. Or the day after. This was practically the recipe for my nightmares.

And so, I did it. I put my hands on his head. He screamed, at least at first. After a few seconds it was more like gasping and laboured breathing.

When he died, it wasn’t a big, powerful moment. It just happened. And I woke up.

My body felt heavier than the earth. I was completely drenched in sweat. I couldn’t get up, so I just turned in my bed and tried to get myself back to sleep.

The rest of the week went by relatively normal and, before I even realised what was happening, it was time for the semester to begin.

“Never thought you’d be going on such crazy adventures, hero-in-training, I gotta be honest,” said Iraklis. It was the night before we would have our first lesson, which was apparently going to be Hero History One. It was also the first time that we properly talked to each other since before the written exams.

“What can I say, short-and-blond.” He chuckled at that, and I had to admit that talking to him felt like a change of pace. It felt…normal. “I am getting better at fighting, though. Next time we face off, I’ll show you what Atlantis has to offer.”

“You haven’t even started your first term, yet!” said Iraklis indignantly. “Which, I have to admit makes me feel a little jealous. Honestly, my father’s army stories sound more fun than this!”

“Oh, come on,” I said lightly. “If there’s anyone that can make it, it’s you.”

“Oh, we’ll see how you feel tomorrow,” he said in a tone of voice so grave that it sent shivers down my spine.

“O-kay, now I’m scared.”

“I have some good news too, though,” he said, now sounding almost giddy.

“I see you’re very stable in your emotions,” I said lightly. “What’s the good news?”

“In about four months from now, I’ll be coming down there.”

“Oh?” was all I could say. I didn’t want to get my hopes up too high, but I also couldn’t help it. “Really?”

“Yeah,” he said, not even attempting to hide his excitement. “Apparently, we’ll be in the Inter School Tournament this year. Hey!” he said, very, very, loudly. “Maybe we’ll finally get the chance to face off. You could put your money where your mouth is, as they say in English!”

I smiled at that. “Call me Poseidon, because you’re about to lose as bad as the Morticioner.”

“Oh, you did not just say that,” he said in mock-offence. “Just for that, I’ll make sure to make my victory even more of a landslide.”

“Well,” I said, casually. “May the best man win.”