Chapter 47 - Ceremony (4) (2/2)

”You over there in the hood.” Lydis was close to the robot now. The girl turned her head to face Lydis. Her cold lifeless eyes shifted up and down Lydis.

”New entity registered. Searching database. Recognized as Lydis Fawn. Proceed.” The girl moved her mouth slightly along with the words. Lydis was standing in front of the girl now, their faces almost level.

”Leave childhood behind. Talent doesn't matter. Strength prevails above all.” As soon as Lydis finished speaking the girl extended both hands holding her stuffed rabbit toy out in front of her. The girl didn't say anything. Lydis stared at the rabbit.

”Take to next grounds.” Lydis reached one hand out and took the rabbit from the robot's hands. As soon as she had the robot girl headed further down the clearing edge. About twenty meters down. Lydis could see it reach into a tree and pull out a different stuffed animal. Staying still, it was like nothing had changed. Just the location and toy.

Wary of other kids, Lydis quickly changed locations. Now that she had the directions to the next area there was no need to stay in the clearing any longer. She went deeper into the forest, following the animal trails and then branching off. Ui sensed the change in environment and crawled out of Lydis's bag.

”Master Lydis. Before we proceed any further may I remind you that Valfafer isn't here?” If Ui didn't mention Valfafer, Lydis really would've forgotten about him! When they were still walking to the clearing Lydis had released the leash from his harness, letting him run around freely while she was busy. She pushed a button on the retractable leash on her wrist. It would send a little shock to the harness until Valfafer came back on his own. Satisfied, Lydis sat down in a small undergrowth clearing surrounded by small wildflowers. The ground was worn down enough to suggest it was a resting place for animals.

Lydis flipped the toy over but didn't find anything like a map or anything on it. She poked at the eyes but found that they were plain glass. Ui crawled onto it and began using his fine sensors to rake through it's fur. A few minuets passed when Lydis got a little notice from her wrist. The small screen on the leash said two words.

”Pet incoming.”

Lydis heard Valfafer before she finished reading the second word. He burst through the surrounding grass and flew towards Lydis, tears streaming from his eyes.

”Maassterr!” Valfafer sank into Lydis. A few minutes ago, he was happily chasing a random kid in the forest when he got the shock to his back. At first, he had ignored it but when the shock came at steady intervals he knew that Lydis was somehow the cause of it!

”Hey, Valfafer!” When Valfafer had rammed into Lydis the toy and Ui had flown from her hands. They landed in the dirt. Lydis was a bit ticked off. This dumb dog always managed to make her angry at the right times! If she didn't see value in his small size and fluffy fur, who would keep such a clumsy pet? Lydis pushed Valfafer off and reached for the toy.

As she grabbed it's neck, her finger slid into a small cranny at the base of the bunny's neck. Her finger pressed on a slight button and the head of the rabbit sliced open. Cotton and fabric littered the ground as a small robot tore it's way out. Lydis looked at Valfafer's confused expression and wondered if he really was useless in these situation. Ui instantly placed itself between Lydis and the smaller robot.

”Instructions for the next area.” The little robot was about the size of a quarter. It laid flat on the ground and displayed a map directing where to go next. Lydis's eyes followed the lines and found that they led back to the dorms. Checking again to make sure, the map stayed the same.

”Ui, is there any way you can get information from this thing?” Lydis pointed at the small robot. Ui shook it's dragon like head.

”I'm afraid if we do the main server will be notified. I've yet to fully explore the expanse of the network inside of the academy so any unnecessary actions I suggest against. On the other hand, I'm fully capable of scraping any information it might have, out.” Ui pulled out it's little guns on both sides as a demonstration while smaller lasers and tools popped out as well.

”Ha ha, no need Ui. If it's not one hundred percent safe, I don't want to risk anything now.” Lydis tapped Ui's head. It retraced everything and went back to looking like a mini dragon. Valfafer saw this and got a weird feeling in his chest. Like something was twisting his lungs around in circles again and again. He didn't like the feeling. It made him hate himself and Ui but, he really liked Ui, so why?

Lydis went back to the map. Checking again to see if it had changed. Sighing at the unchanging mao, Lydis packed the broken toy and little robot with her. Making sure to clean the extra cotton and fabric strewn on the ground.

”Ui, time check.”

”It is currently zero six forty seven.” Lydis was surprised by how little time she wasted at the clearing. She expected it to be a little past seven but with the added time to her calculations Lydis felt a little relieved. On her way back to the dorm she didn't want to interact with any children either going to the clearing or just messing around so she was going to take the long way and circle around. If she left now she'd have a little over half an hour at the dorms.

Taking off in a sprint, Lydis was determined to get there without bumping into anyone.

Owen stared at where Lydis had disappeared. He tried hard to find her again but after the group of laughing children dispersed, she was gone. He knew that Bennox had plans involving Lydis but he didn't know what exactly. In public he was supposed to look like the wary, unlikable one while Bennox played the role of the softie with a big heart. That was what they planned, or at least, what Bennox did. Although his character was somewhat like that, the extent of it was different. Bennox on the other hand was the complete opposite.

Surviving in the slums took more than a smile and soft heart. Those are what got people killed.

”Owen! Any sign of her?” Bennox yelled up at Owen. He was getting impatient now. Owen had two choices now. Either lie and wait there for another ten minutes or tell Bennox the truth that Lydis had disappeared. Maybe it was Bennox's pacing or the way he was off edge but Owen decided to tell him the truth.

”Hey Bennox? I lost sight of her.” Bennox slammed his fist into the tree.

”I KNEW IT!” Bennox bit his finger fiercely now, blood seeping from his thumb.

”Bennox…?” Owen looked down and saw Bennox going crazy. Thrashing and punching things, kicking rocks and pulling at his hair. Eventually Bennox started smashing his head against the tree. Owen watched with horror, Bennox was having a panic attack! Usually people would have difficulties breathing and such but Bennox was different. His resulted him viciously attacking anything and everything around him, even himself. Owen had only seen Bennox become like this when he was deeply stressed, his emotions were wild or when he felt greatly betrayed.

Prepping himself, Owen jumped down onto Bennox's back, holding onto him like a monkey. Bennox swung crazily and screamed his groans. Going low then high. Bennox managed to grab onto Owen's ear and began pulling hard. Owen bashed his head into the back of Bennox's, giving him a second to act. He quickly wrapped his legs around Bennox's waist, pulling Bennox to the floor. He placed both hands over his eyes.

”Sweet aster, sweet daffodil. Sweet aster, sweet daffodil…” Owen continued to repeate the words even as Bennox clawed at Owen's hands, scratching them. Thins lines of blood ran down Owen's arms. Even still, he continued to say the words. Bennox had told Owen to say those words while closing his eyes whenever he had a panic attack. It was something his former foster parent had done and it worked. The words could soothe him.

”Sweet aster, sweet daffodil. Sweet aster…” Bennox was calming down now. His hands no longer clawed at Owen's. Although his breathing was ragged he took deep breaths. A few more moments and Owen's chanting was stopped by Bennox's tapping.

”I'm okay now Owen…” Bennox's voice was a little hoarse but his breathing was calm now. Owen sighed in relief and loosened his legs while removing his hands.

”I think that's the worst I've seen it Bennox.” Owen already shifted himself onto his feet. Bending down he offered Bennox his hand. Smiling gratefully, Bennox took Owen's hand firmly.

”I know, I'm sorry you had to see that. I'm good now-!” Bennox sucked in a sharp breath. He brought his hands to his face. Streaks of his own blood bled over the dried blood from Owen. The wind blew again and Bennox flinched as well. ”Looks like I really did a number on my face huh?” Bennox tried to smile it off but even moving his face muscles to smile was extremely painful.

”Let's go back to the dorms. We can get you treated there.” Bennox nodded and left regretfully. As they got onto the main road to the training grounds Bennox looked over his shoulder one last time. He wanted to catch a glimpse of Lydis before giving up but sadly he didn't even catch a hint of her blazing hair. Owen nudged Bennox along and they left the clearing in silence.