Chapter 11: Male Rivalry

He was quite gregarious, this Desolate One; possessing both insight and charisma that I found surprising in such a malevolent being. He spoke with eloquence and fluidity that seemed to draw creatures of the same mind into his wake. He told me of a plan. A plot more intricate and diabolical than anything I could have ever envisioned. The Desolate One was a true visionary with insight like no other. This plan was going to shake the very foundations of the universe itself. Not only that, but it would become my trump card in my ambitions to reawaken the Lurranna family line.

Leon Lurranna once again read a passage from his father’s diary, and once again he was baffled by what he found. With a sigh of frustration, Leon set the diary down next to the black rose on his desk as he sat at the edge of his bed in utter bewilderment. After his disturbing encounter with Éclair, Leon retreated to the sanctity of his quarters. He wasn’t entirely sure why he was upset. Indeed, it had been a while since emotions had become a deterrent for Leon Lurranna. After what seemed like hours of contemplating the recent events, Leon succumbed to his old habits and once again delved into the mysterious passages of the datapad that his father had left him before he committed suicide.

What could it all mean? What plan for the future? Who is this Desolate One and what did he have to do with my father?

For years, Leon had tried to unlock the secrets of his past. For years, he searched and queried, performed every kind of research that he was allowed on his old family. However, despite all his time devoted to studious sleuthing, the only thing Leon was ever able to obtain was his father’s vague diary.

The odd thing was that his father sounded half-mad with delirium most of the time. That wasn’t the man that Leon had known growing up. That wasn’t the man that the universe knew. Lucius Lurranna was a man to be feared, a man not to be trifled with. A ruthless and powerful Mystic Lord, subservient to no one, be they human or Demon. And yet, Leon found not only had his father adhered to this Desolate One, but he admired him as if he were more than a mere mortal, more than a mere Elemental ... as if he were a god.

Lucius Lurranna was not a man who flaunted praise easily, and I know that better than most. Whoever this Desolate One is, he must surely be formidable.

A loud knocking resounded outside the door followed by the call of a familiar voice. “Hey, Leon! We need to talk!” Ryan sounded annoyed somehow, but Leon was hardly in a mood to care.

“Not now, Ryan,” replied Leon, in no mood to suffer fools.

There were times that Leon actually found Ryan’s frivolity somewhat reprieving, but at the moment, the boy was nothing but a nuisance. Still, considering the child’s tendencies, Leon probably should have been expecting what happened next.

Without warning, the door was suddenly blown from its hinges by a small explosion. As the metal slabs that were once the contents of Leon’s threshold came crashing to the ground, Leon observed the irritating form of Ryan Uruks looking positively miffed.

Honestly! What was I thinking becoming roommates with him? Must have been some form of sentimentality that was brought on from our brief time spent together fighting alongside each other against Galzar Slithe. It’s true that I wouldn’t have been able to defeat the Goblin without Ryan’s aid. Unfortunately, this may have triggered something inside of me equivalent to a bond of comradery with the unbridled youth. I shall take note not to be so careless in the future.

“You’re paying me back for that, you know,” said Leon in a cold voice, hardly in any mood for civility.

“You can add it to my half of the rent,” replied Ryan as he stepped on the decimated doorframe and entered unbidden into the realm of a Lurranna. The boy obviously needed to be taught some manners. Dragons were certainly not the only thing to be feared in the old legends.

“Listen. I don’t know what went down with you and Éclair, and honestly, I don’t want to know. But whatever happened left her heartbroken. You’ve got to talk to Éclair right now and make things right!”

So, this has to do with the Hamashe girl. I didn’t think she would involve Ryan in this. However, knowing him, he probably involved himself.

“Tell me,” said Leon leisurely as he sat on his bed. “Why do you care so much? As far as I know, this doesn’t involve you.”

“Look, I know it might be hard to understand for a guy as cold as you. But Éclair...” Ryan gritted his teeth as if he were in pain, as if he were trying to restrain himself. “Éclair is special to me, alright! It may seem stupid, but I don’t like seeing her in pain, and right now the only person that can make it right is you.”

He always gets so dramatic when he speaks. Honestly, does this boy have any self-control over his emotional state at all?

“Oh, is that it? You blew down my door for something as trivial as a girl’s feelings.”

“Stop treating this like a joke,” demanded Ryan, his temper rising. “You mean a lot to Éclair. She looks up to you. It may bug the hell out of me, but it’s the truth. You’ve got to go see her, Leon. If you don’t make this right, it could affect her performance during the exams. If she loses her fighting spirit altogether because of this, she might be forced to resign from the tests!”

“And would that really be so detrimental?”

“What?” Ryan’s fists were clenched now.

Leon sighed. “These exams are not for the faint of heart. If I’ve learned anything from my time spent with Éclair, especially recently, it’s that she’s far too gentle and kind for this sport. The life of an Elemental is an unforgiving vocation. And thus, the kind of people who pursue it must be equally ruthless. Although Éclair certainly has talent, I’ve come to realize that this life is just not suited for her. She’s far too delicate and forgiving, you see. Therefore, if she withdraws from the exam, perhaps it’s for the best. Who knows? If she’s intelligent, she’ll lock her Elemental powers away and leave the Ministry forever.”

“Careful, Lurranna,” said Ryan in a quiet voice as he lowered his gaze from Leon’s. “Because you’re starting to piss me off.”

That made Leon smile. “I’m trembling with trepidation.”

Come to think of it, I’ve been meaning to vent some frustration, and this might just be the perfect diversion for me. Who knows? A little tussle might be quite therapeutic for both of us.

“It’s not that I disagree completely,” Ryan proclaimed unexpectedly. “I’ve always kind of sensed that Éclair wasn’t meant to be a killer. Even when we were fighting at Gregory Tower, I noticed that she went out of her way to avoid taking life if she could help it. Hell, she even spared that asshole Gregory when she had the chance to off him! I know for damn sure I wouldn’t have let him live if it had been me!”

The boy’s a tad darker than I gave him credit for, observed Leon, feeling a small amount of respect seep into his estimation of the youth.

Ryan lifted his head, and Leon could have sworn that he saw fire in those red eyes. “But that doesn’t give you the right to label her. It’s true that Éclair may not be suited to be a killer, but that doesn’t mean she can’t follow her dreams and become an Elemental. It’s her decision ... her life. Even if she fails, she deserves the chance to try. And if you can’t support her in that, then you’re not really her friend.”

“Hmm, not really her friend.” Leon closed his eyes, contemplating the best way to rouse an even bigger reaction from the simpleton. “That’s fine I suppose. I never really wanted her friendship to begin with. From the first day I met her, she’s been following me around like a lovesick puppy. It’s a bit annoying, actually. Maybe if she’s smart, she’ll take a hint from how ridiculous you’re acting out of your own infatuation and learn to grow up.”

“That’s it!” cried out Ryan.

In a burst of red flames that scorched the carpet at his feet, Ryan dashed at Leon with surprising speed. If Leon hadn’t already anticipated the attack, it could have proven painful. Ryan’s fist connected with Leon’s hand. Ryan neglected to ignite fire in his hands, but his fist still felt hot in Leon’s grip. So hot that smoke sizzled up from contact. Having been thoroughly tutored by his father in most forms of physical torment, Leon ignored the slight discomfort to his palm.

“My, my, my. You have improved. But you should know that raising a hand against a member of the Dark Clan does not come without consequence.”

“You wanna take this outside?” asked a seething Ryan.

Good. The angrier he is, the better for me. Though I shall have to take care not to kill the brat.

“There’s no need. This won’t take long, and whatever minor damage you may cause with your meager talents, I’ll just add it to your half of the rent.”

“That’s fine by me! I’ll pay for your medical bills, too!”

Éclair Hamashe was confused. She was confused about Leon ... how she felt about him now that she knew some of the more sordid details of his past. She was confused by his reaction ... how quickly he turned on her. She’d never seen that side of him before. At that point, she didn’t know if their relationship could be salvaged, or if she even wanted to salvage it. But more than anything, she was confused about what had just transpired with Ryan, and she didn’t know why she was confused. Something about the exchange had Éclair feeling worried ... but at the same time, she felt strangely relieved that Ryan was there for her, and she didn’t know why she felt so relieved. By all rights, she should feel infuriated that he was interfering in this affair that really wasn’t any of his business. She should have been angry that he was butting in and should have said as much on the balcony. But she wasn’t angry. She was relieved. Why did she feel this way?

It’s strange, really, thought Éclair idly. Even if I was preoccupied, I don’t usually let down my guard enough for anyone to surprise me like that. My psionic ability to sense my surroundings should’ve alerted me to his approach. But for some reason, Ryan was able to walk right up to me and I didn’t even notice. How? How did he get that close? Come to think of it, this isn’t the first time Ryan managed to surprise me. More than anyone, maybe even more than Leon, Ryan is the most unpredictable person I’ve ever known.

Suddenly, Éclair realized what had her worried about their conversation. An underlying fear that did not take shape until that moment.

That’s right! Ryan is unpredictable! So much so that anything could happen while he’s talking to Leon. He is an addlebrained hothead after all. Even if he just wants to talk, it could quickly escalate into something far more. Despite the fact that they’re roommates, Ryan and Leon do seem to share a certain animosity for one another.

Cursing herself for not realizing the situation sooner, Éclair made her way toward Ryan and Leon’s apartment. She hoped that at least Leon would be mature enough not to engage in whatever tomfoolery Ryan might get up to. Even if Leon had been a jerk to her, she still didn’t want to have a hand in getting him expelled ... probably.

Ryan knew that this probably wasn’t what Éclair had in mind when she asked him to talk to Leon. He knew full well that what he was doing right now was not only wrong, but it was immature, selfish, and stupid. Not to mention a little reckless. Ryan had always known that even if they were teammates, and semi-friends, there had always been something dark about Leon’s countenance. Ryan couldn’t put his hand on it, but it reminded him a little of the feeling he got every time he heard the dark voice speak in his head. Not to mention the fact that Leon was ten times better and more experienced than Ryan. But Ryan had long decided that he would be the kind of guy that never backed down. However, he was starting to see the demerits of that decision, particularly during the part when Leon’s fist collided with his face and sent him spinning to the other side of the room.