At This Point I Should Just Make A Side Blog Shouldn't I-

I was grateful for the warmth of my horse's neck. I held on to her as she galloped through the city, skillfully going around people who ran everywhere. Searching for shelter in the night, but Only worsening the chaos.

Another lighting struck a building me, causing another yell of screams.

"EVERYONE HOME NOW!"

I shouted, praying that my voice is heard to all through the thunderstorm.

"DIRECT ORDER FROM THE KING!"

"HOME NOW!"

My horse, steadfast as she was, ran through every street. Inspired by her persistence, I kept yelling to the crowd. Ignoring the thunders, the pouring rain and my rattling sword.

We kept going until the crowds dissapeared. I whispered to my horse to slow down, caressing her neck. I allowed myself to lead her to a small market stall, where we could rest from the rain.

Maybe, just maybe, we finished our part. Maybe our night now ends.

"HELP!"

Of course.

I jumped down and ran towards the voice.

"My sister!

She is stuck under the fallen tree!"

I turned and searched for a tree in my eyes, but there is no... NO

The sound of an unleashed sword stood out against the rain.

I sprut towards my horse, but my sheeth was already empty.

Of course. Someone will try to use this disaster.

This will be a long night.

I saw the blade's shine from above me, and recognized a person climbing the nearby stone building.

She balanced herself on a window, then swiftly brought herself to the next.

"Halt!"

Whether she heard me or not, she made no sign to care. So be it.

I got on my horse and stood up on her saddle. My legs shook, but I managed to hold on to grab at the side of the closet window. I tried to move legs up to it, thankful for the empty street. There was no crowd who saw me wobbling in my armor. I looked up to the stranger, she watched me from afar. I couldn't see her face well, but her head was tilted to the side in an amused way.

I let go of the window's side and started taking off my armor, leaving only a dirty shirt to fend me from the cold. Slowly but surely, I climbed up.

I was cold, clumsy and sluggish, but had a small smirk as I managed to make my progress. This troublemaker picked the wrong knight.

The roof was just above me.

I raised my hand to climb there, and a lighting struck above it. It was the closet one I saw. I would want to believe that it's power made me tremble, but nothing but my own terror caused me to lose my grip.

I fell and- No.

A hand caught my arm, and I grabbed the roof tightly. I felt myself being pulled up signed in relief as rested on concrete matter.

The woman crouched down next to me. Her hood's shadow covered her eyes, but I could see her cocky grin clearly.

"You screamed a little, sir craven."

This could go unmentioned.

I inhaled and looked right into her.

"Thank you,"

The cold was taking it's tall at my exposed skin as I tried to keep my voice confident.

"But I cannot let you steal a weapon of the king's knights.

Tell me where the sword is and we both can go home safely."

Just let us go home.

"I have no evil motive,"

She said assuredly.

"It is right there."

She turned around and I could see my sword.

It was a few meters behind her, emedded in the center of the roof.

"And it needs to stay here. This is the only way to keep the lightings at bay."

She did not sound like she was lying.

And if she had any intent to harm me, she would have already done so.

But danger wears many faces.

I started getting up.

"I am sorry, it is my role t-"

A radiant white light crossed from the sky to the roof.

By incstinct, I tackled onto the hooded woman and placed myself between her and the light. I stayed above her, careful not to let us touch and make us both defensless.

Shaking, I waited for a strike.

"We are safe, craven."

Her voice was so sweet, I could barely tell it was the same person.

"Look."

I slowly opened my eyes.

Her hood fell, and revealed a freckled face and a beaming, knowing smile. Her sparkling, green eyes gestured to the sword.

I unwillingly turned back to it.

It was magic.

The very next lighting struck it as well.

"How?"

Her smile grew brighter.

"A witch never tells."

The white lights only highlighted her eyes. She was far more mirthful than I ever thought a witch would be. Far bolder and kinder, too.

I realized that I was smiling as well.

"Also, you have an awful method to protect someone from a lighting."

She said, deciding I was too happy.

"But, thank you, you are..."

Her smile turned softer.

"Yes?"

I urged her to continue. It was my turn to smirk.

"You are not as much as a craven as you seem."

I tilted my head, still smirking.

"Try not to drool too much, my lady."

She merely rolled her eyes and I laughed. Feeling safe for the first time since the night came.

My smile died down when she started getting up.

"Thank you for your chivalry,"

The witch said, pushing dirt of her cloth.

"and the amusement, of course."

I moved aside to let her stand, yet my eyes were unable to let go of her. I did not even know her name.

"But it seems like your duty is done and mi-"

"Wait, just..."

She did.

The cold barely mattered anymore. I searched for a reason, an excuse, for her not to leave. The way her eyes stared into me made it seem like she was looking for an excuse, too.

"Tell me what is needed to protect the city,"

I said then. Praying that the glint in her eyes was not just my imagination.

"I can get more weapons, and people who will embed them wherever is required."

The witch merely stared at me. Looking for any sign of dishonesty. Then her childish grin came right back.

"If you manage to climb down without fainting, I might just cooperate, sir craven."

Her taunt only made me smile.

"Your challenge is accepted, my lady."

I gestures to the roof's end, bowing a bit. She bowed dramatically, holding her hood with both hands as a dress. Her movements were swift and gallant as she jumped to the window, and soon I started following her.

There was a long night ahead of us.I did not mind that at all.

Prompt #5

“Hero? Are you okay?” Villain moved around the corpse of Supervillain, blood pooling, there was so much of it-

“I... I didn’t want anyone to find out...” Hero had curled into a ball, shivering, tired. “It’s not a heroic power...”

Villain shook their head. “Hero, you used it to save me, and all those civilians. That’s about as heroic as-“

“I just killed Supervillain... use- using that... when the Hero League finds out I can cause people to bleed just by looking at them...” Hero sobbed, tears falling down to the floor.

“No”

If you need me

Just a little longer

Hero took it step by step. Trying to ignore the pain in her leg. Trying to ignore the dread of being weaponless.

Sleep. You will sleep soon

She could already see the campus dorms.

You just need to get in and not get caught or get followed.

Everything was dark. Too dark to tell if she left blood on the floor. Signing, she started taking the steps to the common rooms.

When she reached the top, ever closer to her heaven, she saw a light.

Someone sat on one of the dusty chairs, reading by a lamplight. She doesn’t know how well she’d handle another bout with Villain right now. “Nice of you to come, Hero.”

Never mind. I prefer Villain

“Civilian.”

“Are you limping to your dorm at midnight?”

“Are you sitting alone in the common room?”

“One of these questions is more urgent.”

Hero tried to walk slower, hoping to hide her injury.

“Just go to sleep. We have a morning class.”

But Rival stood up and walked to her.

“Morning class is the least of my worries now.”

Both of them were almost completely in the dark, but she could tell he was sincere. His voice was rarely devoid of any cynicism or playfulness. He took her silence as a breakthrough.

“You don’t need to tell me anything, but if you’re hurt, I can help.”

“R-”

“Look, I know you’re tough. Everyone knows. That’s why I hate you. You have nothing to prove. So if…”

He cleared his throat, and turned his look from her. Despite hardly even seeing her face.

“If some bastard needs to learn a lesson, I can help you. I won’t tell anyone.”

Just barely, she could see his honey eyes shining. But the aching pain that constantly throbbed her leg reminded her of the dangers that follow.

Why can no one else know of Villain

“Hero?”

Rival asked, she could imagine the anticipation in his features.

“I’m fine, Rival.”

“H-”

“This is none of your business.”

Her tone wasn’t as harsh as it could be, but rather heavy-hearted.

But he didn’t push it longer, just stood as she at last continued walking towards her room.

She didn’t hear him move or speak until she almost closed her dorm door, his voice barely audible.

“I’m here if you need me, Hero.”

There were about three more seconds of silence.

Rival’s heavy footsteps filled the silence. And following them, much quieter, slier steps. These steps were coming towards her dorm.

“Wh- HERO RUN”

She heard Rival spurt back to her dorm’s way. 

Cursing, she hastily thrust her door open, fearing there was no time even for getting her hidden gun. Disastrously, she was right.

Villain held a dagger.

He held a dagger above Rival’s throat.

“Leave him.”

Villain smirked at her. 

His grip on Rival’s arms and the dagger he kept on his throat remained indifferent, both to her threat and to Rival’s struggles.

“Care much?”

“You know this will be a fight to the death, Villain.”

Hero answered, unleashing her own hidden blade. “And you know I will slit his throat way before you limp one step,”

She did her best to not show her dread. Not to imagine the light leaving the honey, radiant eyes she knew.

“But there’s a way to make this less bloody, is it?”

His message was clear. Hero glanced at Rival, his message was clear too. Ever so slightly, he shook his head.

“You are going to leave him, and we will take this outside, civilly.”

“H-”

Villain gripped Rival’s chin.

“Perfect.”

He threw Rival to the floor, almost cutting his jaw in the process.

“YOU PIECE O-”

Villain caught his face again.

“Shhh… we don’t want to make this harder for your girlfriend, do we?”

Rival seemed enraged, like he would murder Villain right here if he could, but before he tried to fight again, Hero got to him.

She pushed him away, hugging him, burying her head in her neck. Just below his ear.

Bewildered, Rival froze.

“under the bed”

She whispered, and let him go.

“Oh ~ it almost makes me regret I’ll kill you ~”

Grinning, Villain moved aside and gestured to the stairs. “Ladies first.”

Hero signed, giving one last look at Rival, who seemed disturbed, but determined as well.

As she walked down the stairs, feeling Villain creeping ever closer behind her, loudly thinking of just pushing her down, she hoped she heard Rival searching her room.

Soon later, when she could feel Villain breathing at her neck, a bang was heard. Villain’s grin froze on his face as he fell. Hero moved aside and looked up, meeting with radiant brown eyes.

I might prefer him over Villain

The next day, after dealing with the police, and after the noise from the tired yet curious students died down, Hero slept like a rock.

When she did wake up, slowly realizing that her morning class is long over. 

Signing, she got dressed and tried to calculate how many library search hours she’d have to go through.

But when she stepped towards the door, she saw something that was sled to her dorm.

They seemed to be, neatly written, detailed lecture notes.

Above them, rested a small sticky note, reading “I’m here if you need me”

Didn't think I'll witness so much antisemitism in my lifetime thought we agreed on "never again"

Chess Partner

Rival had that glint in his eyes, she noticed, the one he recently has when they play.

"Things don't look too well for you, don't they?"

The perfect, still, poker-face Heroine mastered kept away any information he tried to get.

"That is what you have said last time."

He frowned a bit, but his eyes kept their shine.

"So you do have a plan..."

"Hopefully."

"Then I shouldn't eat your knight..."

"If you doing this is in my plan."

Rival leaned in and squinted at her. Sometimes, just sometimes, he was too dangerously cute. Heroine hated to admit that to herself, but the way her lips urged to smile at his sight left no doubt.

"So you DO want me to do this...!"

"You can try to interogate me all day, or actually think for yourself."

Hero almost let out a chuckle as she answered. He pouted again, adding a frown and a crooked nose. She finally let out a laugh, dropping her straight face.

"You're a pleasure to play with..."

Rival was quite for a moment, his smile was... It has never been that soft. God her heart beat so fast.

"I can say the same for you."

He blushed a little and looked away. Scratching his scalp, Heroine used the distraction to take mental notes.

He brushed his hair, which she doesn't remember him doing in any other day they met. A warmth grew in her as she hoped that she read the signs right. His clothes were nicer, too. He replaced the usual seeatshirt and sweatpants with a polo shirt and jeans. The shirt's sleeves were shorter, which was nice and...

He has a scar. Right at the back of his forearm, barely noticeable.

"That's it. I'm not eating that. It reeks with a scheme."

Hero knows that scar. And she knows that man. Villain grinned at her.

"Knew this was your plan. Scared now?"

She immediately returned her poker face.

"Plans change."

She played her move quickly and quietly. Villain took some time but made finished his turn.

"I'm gonna win this time, I can feel it."

Hero didn't respond or banter back. She didn't say anything for the next few turns, no matter what he tried to do to tease or make her laugh. He grew more worried each turn.

"Hey ummm..."

She needs to finish this and think of the next step. This was her chance to catch him once and for all.

"You good?"

Looking up, she noticed his worried expression. It was completely geniune when she smiled and reassured him.

"Yes, just got lost in thoughts for a bit."

He smiled back.

"I actually had something weighing on me too, mind if...?"

"Go ahead."

He took a big breath. That moment, she knew what was about to happen. What she wished one of them will be brave enough for. She wished for this ever since they first played her. Ever since he truly challenged her. Ever since he took his loss with a laugh and adoring eyes.

"I know we only ever meet here to play, and that I have annoying jokes and... And an annoying self..."

Even the dread she felt didn't stop her from chuckling.

"But I like... I don't know... This. Playing wit- Even when you win. So you I thought..."

The fact that she knew of his identity didn't stop the butterflies she felt. Making her wish he was who she sees now. Just a softhearted, clever guy she met at an urban chess.

"We could go get ice cream aft-, or something less childis- I mean... Well you-"

This is her chance. Even if not for love. She showed him the best smile she could master.

"How about coffee tomorrow? I know a perfect place."

A coffee shop 50 meters away from a police station. It will be easy.

He smiled shyly and let out of all the air he held in his lungs.

"Sounds perfect..."

His blushed and relieved face turned her stomach. Imagining how he'd look at her tomorrow, when he'll realize who she really is.

But now Heroine must forget about it. She'll smile and laugh and be happy, genuinely happy, that they like each other.

They were chess partners, and she can't allow him to guess her next move.

‏‎#sellartonline #nintendoswitch #drawing #sketchbooktour #sketchbook ‎‏ https://www.instagram.com/p/B4mHtMEhN5a/?igshid=rzymegfstisc

Spill

“What’s one goal you would fulfill if we weren’t about to die?” Villain asked, fists clenching as cold water touched his fingertips. Soon, it wouldn’t matter that his fingers retreated. The water was rising, and it would only continue to do so.

Hero, in turn, didn’t clench her fists. She said- rather declared, “We’re not going to die.”

“We’re in a tight-sealed box- at the bottom of a lake- with a leak the size of a safety pin point. We’re dead. So tell me your goal.” As a series of silence followed, Villain continued the conversation. “Fine. I’ll go first. I would have liked to done enough damage to a particular someone that I gave them nightmares for the rest of their miserable life.”

“Is this supposed to be some weird introduction to your tragic backstory?”

If Villain could have glared at Hero, he would have. “Spill.”

“That’s not the most appropriate word to use in this scenario.”

“Thought you said we aren’t going to die.”

There was a sigh. Hero shifted, shoulder blades clashing with Villain’s. The water was up to her knuckles. “I don’t have any.”

A hum. “Not sure I believe that.”

Now, another sigh. Hero attempted to pull her hands apart from Villain’s. No use. They were stuck like this, not even able to stand together and investigate their little box. “I’m going to sleep.”

Villain pulled his shoulder forward before slamming it back. “Like hell you are. I’m not sleeping until I can feel water up my nostrils. I’m finding a way out of this.”

Groaning, Hero said, “Now who thinks we’re not going to die?”

“I think the chances of surviving are extremely low, but it’s going to be none if we don’t even try.”

Hero shook her head then leaned it against Villain’s head and closed her eyes with a soft huff. “Supervillain wouldn’t let us die. He just wants a reaction. Thanks to you, he’s getting one.”

“One, get your head off mine before I bust it. Two, he will kill us, and I’m not going down without a fight.”

“You and your dignity…” Her voice almost turned sour but she controlled it. “That’s what’s going to be the death of you.” Hero didn’t move her head.

“No. Water will be. It’s going to fill both of our lungs.”

Hero gave a false chuckle. “You were so bent on us dying just minutes ago. What happened?”

Villain shrugged. “Guess I’m more hell-bent on that goal of mine than I thought.”

Silence. Hero lifted her head.

Then, “That person you want to haunt so badly is Supervillain…” She turned her head, only barely able to see Villain’s cheek. “How long ago?”

“What?”

“How long ago did he traumatize you?”

Big breath. Villain stiffened before saying, “I never said it was Supervillain.”

“Who else would it be? Your parents are gone, you have no siblings, and you only care-” Hero blinked, a realization stunning nearly the same as the freezing water touching her wrists. “Do you care about me? Is that why you showed up to save me?”

When Villain didn’t respond, Hero demanded, “Alright, spill.”

******

Part 2 here

Prompt #183

[Villain] shoved [Hero] forward as they walked down the long hallway. [Hero] closed their eyes and took a deep, shaky breathy. They knew what was at the end of this hallway; they both did.

“Why are you doing this?” [Hero] whispered, their voice scared and shaking.

“Because it’s my job.” [Villain] growled out, shoving them once more when [Hero]’s pace began to slow.

“You told me that didn’t matter. None of it matter as long as we were-”

[Villain] barked out a cruel laugh, “Did you really think I’d love you? That I’d leave all of this, for you?” [Villain] shook their head as their laughter died down, “I never loved you. Never.”

“Then why are you crying?" [Hero] asked as they finally reached the end of the hallway.

"I’m…” [Villain] touched their cheeks and, oh, they were crying, how did that happen. They cleared their throat and wiped away their tears, snarling, “Finding a new nemesis will be a pain.”

“You can stop this,” [Hero] begged, "It’s not too late!“

"Yes, it is.” [Villain]’s face hardened as they dragged [Hero] through the doors.

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