A CRY FOR HELP
"GOOD!!" Raz exclaimed as he deflected with his red laser sword, all the bows the boys threw at him. "You guys are quick learners" he complimented and swerved his laser sword in the air with grace. He was no longer bored as he was initially when they started the training. The two boys were putting up a good show with all the things he had taught them. "Should I be frightened by your performance? Perhaps you guys might beat me today."
Jeff and Matt stood some paces away panting heavily, the training house was becoming warm and its old wooden floor was whining under their feet, as beads of sweat streamed down their faces and wet it. On their hand was a laser sword beaming dangerously with crimson light. This was the first time in one year, that Raz has allowed them to use the laser. The weapon was supposed to feel strange in their hands but the two boys managed just fine.
"The pair of you is strong, but you are still weak and get tired easily." Raz said as he circled them, his brown eyes were buried on the two. His dark long hair flew behind him, contrasting his sand color skin which had no sweat on it. His black training gear was designed with red trends running on its sides, from his collar bone, to his armpit down to his waist. Dangling on his waist like a pendulum bob was two pen-like devices, the Sol-X.
Matt and Jeff attacked him again with full force. Both boys attacking uniformly from all angles, with all the speed they could muster, giving the older boy no other choice but to defend blow after blow.
"This is getting serious" Raz complained just as he deflected another blow and jumped back. Jeff smiled a little when he saw Raz trying to hide his fatigue. He was happy that he and Matt could march the older boy's skill.
"Getting tired pretty boy?" Jeff asked with a smile that never reached his eyes.
"Not even breaking a sweat, let's see how fast you are." Raz said and took a different stance. Jeff and Matt gasped as Raz's dark hair turned Red immediately and his oval eyes glowed dangerously with deep red color. Like a speed of light, Matt's and Jeff's laser swords were knocked out from their hands without warning, and as if that was not enough, they felt great pain in their diaphragm as the unseen force slammed it, sending them crushing to their kneels.
"You cheated!!" Jeff groaned as he wrapped his hands round his painful stomach.
"Cheat? No I didn't." Raz said calmly, he was back to his normal self. The reddish color of his hair was gone and his eyes were back to its brown color. "You have to be ready at all times; an enemy won't play by the rule." He picked one of the Sol-X on his belt and absorbed its energy before stretching forth his hands to pull Matt to his feet.
"How does that work? Matt asked pointing at the now empty Sol-X, which the boy stuck back on his belt.
"It's complicated" Raz said
"If you say so, but I must confess that was amazing" Matt complimented the older boy, who also pulled the reluctant Jeff to his feet. They were all of the same height but Raz was much older. He was skinny and was nowhere near muscular.
"Don't compliment me just yet; I was only trying to prove a point. This training is useless, you witnessed what happened when I glowed, you could barely see me, let alone defend yourself. What is the essence of training when the only person you could defend yourself against is your fellow gray?" Raz asked. He twisted the hilt of his laser sword and its light died down.
"We have gone that way for twelve months since we caught you doing the unthinkable. You promised to teach us everything about self-defense. But if you are reconsidering, perhaps Matt and I should be heading to the principal's office." Jeff said and watched Matt from the corner of his eyes trying to suppress the laughter that was growing on his face.
They had caught Raz, stealing working tools from the school's collection one night when everybody was in bed. Stealing in the academy was a huge crime and its punishment might lead to expulsion. Raz was in his third year and to save his stay in the academy, he had promised to secretly teach both boys all about self-defense, so long they remain quiet and allowed him keep the tools he had already collected.
"You two have lost your minds" Raz laughed "Do you actually think I decided to teach you self-defense because of that?" he shook his head regrettably "You have no idea what is coming do you?"
Matt and Jeff found themselves frowning uneasily, they thought they had a hold on the boy but now they can't actually tell.
"What is coming Raz, apocalypse?" Matt asked
"I have taught you the basics in self-defense" Raz said totally ignoring Matt who was wiping his brow with his clothe. "Learning how to defend yourself against an extractor is left for you. I can't teach you everything." He turned to leave.
"You didn't finish the story about the Extractors" Matt pointed out; he watched Raz stopped and heaved a noisy sigh.
"Am not here to baby sit you Matt" Raz said biting his lower lips. "Where did I stop" he asked as he strode towards the only window in the room. The sun was just over the horizon, giving golden radiance to the green vegetation of the school farm. They needed to be quick, soon it would be dark and the prefects would be parading their hostel with registers, to check those who are not in bed.
"The part where the demon was defeated; and Anadan was created." Jeff said facing the boy, with exhaustion written all over his face.
"Remember what I said initially, apart from the fact that we could absorb the sun's energy and use it to defend ourselves, the rest of the stories are myth. Like the fact that Anadan isn't a real word." Raz said and Matt and Jeff nodded their heads with great understanding.