MATTHEW'S POV
I may have been too anxious a while ago.
Turned out, the girls left and arrived safely. They were carrying at least two or three shopping bags from different stores I didn't recognize. It was about 7:45 at night when the girls came back.
"We're here!" Ashley announced. Samantha also made her presence known.
I waved my hand, welcoming them back. "So, how did it go?"
"Samantha obeyed my request by not dragging me into the stores. We just bought our basic needs." Ashley lifted a bag. Samantha set the shopping bags down and stretched. "There were s-so many people in the m-mall. I kept bumping into t-them."
Ashley nodded, confirming Samantha's comment. "It's true. There was almost no space to move around."
I chuckled. "Good thing you guys came back without being squished."
Samantha looked at me. "It did f-felt like that though."
Samuel walked out of the kitchen carrying a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. "You're back! Did you get anything for me?"
Samantha nodded and rummaged through one of the shopping bags. She pulled out a white and yellow lamp. "You said you b-broke your lamp a week a-ago. So, I bought you t-this."
Samuel smiled at her. He spoke with a mouth full of bread. "Thanks! I owe you one."
A few crumbs fell out of his mouth. The blue-eyed girl was disgusted. Ashley scolded him to stop speaking while eating. The blonde-haired boy pouted like a kid being yelled at by their mother. I stifled a laugh at the scene. Ashley could be a captain if she wanted to.
"I-I also have something f-for you, Matthew!" Samantha said. I saw her pick up a shopping bag and shoved it to my chest. She looked down with a smile forming on her face. Her cheeks were reddening a bit.
I pulled something out of the bag. I gasped when I saw what she got for me. It was a caramel-colored hoodie with a quote written on it.
"Don't let the past define who you are. There's always a future to change it." I read aloud. The message held a deep meaning, yet it was easy to decipher. I re-read the quote over and over again. Somehow, a strange feeling of encouragement surged through my chest.
"I saw that a-and thought of you." My cheeks warmed when Samantha said that. The girl realized her words and waved her arms around frantically in panic and embarrassment. "I-I mean... Not like that! E-Erm... I... When I saw t-the words, you came to my m-mind." She blushed even more. "Eek! That doesn't s-sound any better!"
I stared at her flushed state. She was looking down with a panic expression, trying to find the right words. She was a stuttering mess. Even so, I couldn't stop staring. She was so... Cute.
I mentally slapped myself. 'Stop that, Matthew! This is the second time.'
I gave Samantha a smile that told her it was okay. "Thanks for this, Samantha. I'll take care of this."
Samantha's gray orbs reflected the light in the ceiling, making it more entrancing. She paired it with a smile that could make even the angels mistaken her as one of their own. "You're w-welcome."
"I have to ask though. Why did you think of me when you saw this?" I hugged the hoodie. Samantha smiled even wider at my actions.
"W-Well, everybody knows that you're t-two years late at summoning a-a soul protector, r-right?"
I sighed in response. "Yes."
"Still, you didn't l-let that hold you b-back. I... noticed t-that you were always t-trying your best t-to show them you're qualified t-to be an elite, despite b-being late."
I swear, this girl always knew what to say. Her words always brought me a great sense of comfort and encouragement. She was the one who made me forget the dream's horrible words. Now, she was also the one who saw my efforts in being an elite.
I think I just saw Samantha in a new light. And this light was brighter than ever. She bought me this hoodie to tell me something.
'Keep going, no matter what others may say. Effort will not betray you.'
I patted the girl on the head - I seemed to always do that. "You're the epitome of kindness."
Samantha giggled at the compliment.
A honk was heard outside the mansion. I already had a hunch on who it might be. A second later, the principal burst through the door. "Are you ready, elites? It's time to depart."
I darted my attention towards the ticking clock. It was nearly 8:30, the time where we would go to the Night Fog Forest, thirty minutes before nine.
We, the elites who would go down to the underworld, packed our things that we might need. For me, I tucked the hoodie Samantha gave me in my closet. I was about to leave my room when I saw a glimpse of the moon. It wasn't crescent anymore. Its shape was a half one - also called the first quarter.
I heaved a sigh of relief. 'The moon is phasing towards full. I don't have to worry about a ventifio being stronger than me. For now.'
The thought of those creatures being stronger than me sent chills down my spine.
The first batch of elites was huddled up inside the limousine. I sat next to Samuel who scooted over to give me space. I patted my pocket to make sure my button was secured. I adjusted my gun that sat in its holster around my hips. The engine roared before I felt the car moving. Samuel leaned a bit closer to me and whispered, "What did my sister buy for you?"
"A hoodie." I spoke just as lowly.
"Looks like you and my sister are getting along." Samuel was still whispering.
I smiled at his keen observation. "She's sweet. A very good listener."
Samuel squinted his eyes at me. He said almost possessively, but still in a whisper. "Don't take my sister away from me."
I almost choked on my spit at what he said. "I don't-"
"Why a-are you guys whispering?" Samantha joined in, murmuring like us. I recoiled when she spoke. My red cheeks were a hint on what Samuel and I were speaking about. "I w-wanna know what you're t-talking about."
"O-Oh! It's nothing!" I spoke too quickly and loudly, ending the chain of hushed uttering. Samantha tilted her head and I saw Samuel trying to hold back a laugh. I discreetly shot the captain a glare. "We were talking about the hoodie."
It wasn't technically a lie, but a half-truth. I just didn't say all of it.
Samantha smiled cheekily. "Really? W-Why are you talking a-about that?"
"The quote really intrigued me." I butted in and pushed Samuel away who was about to speak. Samantha nodded in agreement. "The one who c-came up with that should b-be given an award."
As Samantha and I talked - with a jealous Samuel at the side - the car ride felt shorter than usual. "We're here." Mister Angelo informed us and parked outside the school gates. We checked for any sign of 'normal' people. One by one, we got out of the car when it was clear.
I looked up to see the 10-foot gate towering over me, leaving a looming shadow. When I first came to the university, I was amazed by the design - a rose with thorns. The design was simple yet elegant. I never imagined that such an enthralling gate would be a portal to the underworld.
"You know," I voiced out. "No one will ever know that this is a portal when it has that kind of style." I gestured at the gate and its design.
Ashley smirked and crossed her arms while also staring at the gate. "Good."
"Ad Sekim Yu Melia." The principal said what I liked to call the magic words. The gate dazzled with a purple aura, making it even more alluring.
The elites then started hopping into the portal. I took a deep breath to calm my nervousness. My heartbeat wasn't any help. If anything, it made breathing a challenge. I must look like I had asthma, which couldn't be since I was in the track n' field. Now that I didn't join that club, I feared my stamina might be lessening.
When I calmed down a bit, I jumped into the portal before I started to lose my nerve again. I shrieked in surprise when I no longer felt the ground underneath my feet. I tried to get my button out of my pocket, which was hard to do since I was doing somersaults in the air. My fingers finally took hold of the button. I held it tightly in my hands while I make an effort in calming down. I felt my soul snap in half, inflicting a twinge of pain. I threw the button in the air and Matt appeared.
He caught me before I plummeted to the ground. Matt placed me down on the ground. I felt my legs shook uncontrollably. I would never get used to falling. Matt returned to being a button. I picked the small object up, but I dropped it again in surprise when I heard a heavy crash behind me.
It was Samuel.
The captain was clinging on his soul protector's back. It looked like he was having a piggy-back ride. Rio - Samuel's soul protector if I wasn't mistaken - set Samuel down on the ground. The blonde-haired boy thanked his soul protector. The shadow figure said nothing but poofed back into a button.
Samuel stopped in his tracks when he saw me pouting at him. "Don't give me that look. What did I do?"
"You get to ride on your soul protector's back while I had to feel like I was a sack of potatoes. It's not fair." I complained. Samuel shrugged and raised his hands. "Talk to your soul protector about it, not me."
'Hey, Matt. Can you do the same for me?'
B̶u̶t̶ i̶t̶'s̶ f̶u̶n̶ w̶a̶t̶c̶h̶i̶n̶g̶ y̶o̶u̶ d̶a̶n̶g̶l̶e̶ l̶i̶k̶e̶ t̶h̶a̶t̶, m̶a̶s̶t̶e̶r̶.
'Sometimes I wonder if I really am your master.'
Y̶o̶u̶ a̶r̶e̶, I̶ j̶u̶s̶t̶ d̶o̶n̶'t̶ f̶e̶e̶l̶ t̶h̶e̶ n̶e̶e̶d̶ t̶o̶ g̶r̶a̶n̶t̶ y̶o̶u̶r̶ o̶r̶d̶e̶r̶s̶ a̶s̶ o̶f̶ n̶o̶w̶.
'Oh, really? Then what should I do to make you obey?'
B̶o̶n̶d̶ w̶i̶t̶h̶ m̶e̶, m̶a̶s̶t̶e̶r̶. Y̶o̶u̶ m̶u̶s̶t̶ t̶r̶e̶a̶t̶ m̶e̶ l̶i̶k̶e̶ I̶'m̶ a̶ f̶r̶i̶e̶n̶d̶. R̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ n̶o̶w̶, o̶u̶r̶ b̶o̶n̶d̶ i̶s̶ o̶n̶l̶y̶ a̶t̶ f̶i̶f̶t̶e̶e̶n̶ p̶e̶r̶c̶e̶n̶t̶. T̶h̶e̶ m̶o̶r̶e̶ i̶t̶ i̶n̶c̶r̶e̶a̶s̶e̶s̶, t̶h̶e̶ m̶o̶r̶e̶ I̶ w̶i̶l̶l̶ o̶b̶l̶i̶g̶e̶.
'A friend, huh? How do I do that?'
T̶h̶a̶t̶ i̶s̶ u̶p̶ t̶o̶ y̶o̶u̶, m̶a̶s̶t̶e̶r̶.
I didn't reply. I never thought that I had to make a soul protector my friend, but it was somehow understandable. I shared half of my soul to that entity, after all. I needed to be close with it.
I trudged along the muddy path of the underworld. The mist blocked my vision a bit, but the moving red eyes were hard to miss. I spotted a ventifio minding its own business, distracted by the trees.
I flinched when Samuel spoke. "Are you gonna take that one?"
"Why are you still here?"
Samuel raised an eyebrow. "I'm here to accompany you."
I remembered the nightmare I had. The dark voices of mom and Samuel played in my ears.
'You're a burden and a disgrace.'
Maybe I really was a burden to Samuel. He could've explored around the Night Fog Forest and eliminate twice the enemies than I could ever defeat. Instead, he was here following me in fear that I might hurt myself.
I didn't want special treatment. The other elites probably didn't have anyone to help them when they first stepped a foot in this place. What made me so special to receive this thoughtful gesture?
I shook my head. "I don't need help anymore, Samuel. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the times you've helped me, but I gotta be independent now. Besides, I think I'm already familiar with this area." I took a look around and saw the ventifio from earlier had disappeared. I frowned at this. Deep down though, I was relieved.
Samuel looked hesitant, and something flashed in his eyes. He looked around wearily, then at me. He searched for any signs that I was joking. When he saw none, he sighed.
"Are you sure, Matthew? I don't mind staying by your side a few more days." He was persistent in going with me, but I was too stubborn to accept.
"I'll be fine, Samuel. I got Matt with me. I gotta sharpen my skills through experience. Alone." When I added that last word, Samuel looked scared and worried... And angry? He walked closer to me, and with hard eyes, he spoke.
"You don't have to do everything alone, Matthew. That is why there are fifteen of us. The others could be busy fighting, so sometimes they can't come to your aid if you request back-up. We need to help each other. If you haven't realized it yet, those creatures can be the death of you. "
I knew that. I knew that he was only concerned for me. But with the dream I had, I took it the wrong way. I interpreted his words as if he was looking down on me.
'Doesn't he believe in me?'
I was hurt. I looked up to Samuel - I admired him. So when I assumed he didn't have faith in me, I just... Exploded.
"I know that, Samuel. Why can't you just trust me!?" I said so loud I thought I attracted a ventifio's attention. Samuel widened his eyes at me and furrowed his eyebrows.
"I do trust you, Matthew!" I just..." He trailed off. I narrowed my eyes at him and pressed further. "You just what?"
Samuel diverted his eyes from me. "I just... Think you're not ready yet. To be alone, I mean."
That was the last straw. He really didn't believe in me. I tried not to let my emotions take over. I kept telling myself to calm down, but the words spewed out of my mouth. "So... You think I'm not capable of this?" I said in a whisper.
He was about to place a hand on my shoulder, but I took a step back. "It's not that, Matthew. I just care about your life, okay?"
"No, it's not okay!" I wasn't usually like this. Samuel knew that. I hoped he did. Something inside me was messing with my emotions, and my emotions messed with my words. Words that I didn't want to say.
My lower back wasn't helping by generating pins and needles. It just agitated me even more.
Samuel was taken aback by my outburst. I kept talking, though my mouth seemed to move on its own accord. "All of you have your lives on the line by even thinking of separating so you can terminate a large number of ventifios. I respect and admire you guys. I may be late on summoning, nor do I have any knowledge of what's happening, but I do know one thing. And that's is I am still one of you guys. I am also an elite. Whatever you do, I can do it too! Tell me, Samuel, when you came into this daunting place, did you have anyone to help you? Did you have anyone to teach you things that sounded bizarre and makes you question reality?"
Samuel's silence was already my answer. I took a deep breath to calm my raging mind. I didn't mean to say of all that, but I didn't deny that I've been wanting to ask those questions for a while. Why did my mouth have to be so careless?
I clenched my fist. I gritted my teeth. And my eyes felt ablaze. The cold air of the underworld didn't help in cooling me down. I was surprised no ventifio ambushed us yet.
My throat felt dry after my outburst. Samuel blinked at me, and as if unaffected by my words, he crossed his arms. "Why do you even care about that? The past is the past. No one should look back on it unless it's a memorable one. And those things are the opposite of memorable. I'm trying to help you get used to these things - not just as a friend, but also as a captain. You are to stay with me until the next few days. Those are my orders."
I lowered my eyes, and I was almost certain my surroundings flashed a red color, which was weird since there were no other colors in this place besides black and white.
I looked back up to meet Samuel's gray eyes. I spoke in a low voice. Though I felt like it wasn't mine. "Then, make me comply, captain."
Turning around, I ran away from where I once stood, having Samuel yell out to me.