Blood of the Ancients

Yves started to see how the white room began to disappear; with each fragment that disappeared the more his anxiety increased. 

Before Yves could think of anything to say after he appeared, he felt himself free-falling into a white abyss. The color of the abyss is a white that he has never seen; the intensity of the color made him feel more at ease.

Yves felt a hard surface on his stomach, face, legs, and arms. He knows that he has reached the original world, but he can't bring himself to open his eyes. However, no matter how much he tries to act as if he is still in the white room, his desire to see another human increases with each second that he lays on the cold surface.

Yves sat down while keeping his eyes closed. He hears no sound, leading him to be confident enough to know that no one is close to him.

Yves opened his eyes. Tears flowed out the second Yves saw color beside white.

Yves went back to his room. The room was organized exactly as Yves left it. However, there was one red petal on his pillow that made him realize that someone was there. 

He tried to figure out who did it but gave up since it was time for him to face his biggest fear. 

Yves took a deep breath and walked to the main door, and as soon as he opened the door, he felt a strong emotion of fear spreading to every nerve in his body.

His instinct was to close the door, but he realized that he had overcome more obstacles. 

Yves took another deep breath and took one step. He prepared himself for strong pressure, but the opposite happened. The pressure inside his heart felt weaker; now, with more confidence, he prepared himself to arrive at the training center.

Yves walked in an awkward manner. His mind hasn't adapted to how different this world and the other world are. Leading him to walk like a penguin, he looked at many homes, and he soon realized that a lot of things happened in the six months that he left.

The first thing Yves noticed was the improved quality of houses and the appearance of new people, making it more crowded. Yves was happy that there were a lot of people since he could blend with the crowd until he adapted to the world.

Yves felt someone tap his shoulder; his body trembled at being touched after such a long time.

He turned around and saw a kid no older than fourteen wearing the same outfit as him.

"Excuse me, can you tell me where the training center is located?" 

Yves was out of words, so he just nodded and continued to walk. 

The kid looked intrigued by how Yves walked, but he concluded that it was the doing of his mythological being. He still found it funny how Yves walked.

The walk was very quiet; the kid was interested in Yves' walk and trying to make himself look better, while Yves was trying his best to walk normally while thinking about what to say when they saw him.

They both arrived at the training center; Yves walked through the barrier without any struggle; similarly, the kid walked inside with no problems. Yves paid no attention to this as his mind was occupied with the rising anxiety.

"Thank you very much." The kid thanked Yves and ran away to enter the building.

Yves gave a small smile before he continued his movement.

Yves arrived at the main door and opened it with his badge.

As he felt his heart relax, he was met with ten personnel, all pointing their weapons at Yves.

Yves was left stunned; he suddenly saw a familiar figure appear out of the shadows.

"Who are you?" Fabio appeared with hostility against Yves.

"Fabio? Do you not remember me? I am Yves!" Yves was surprised that he could say those words so effortlessly.

"My friend told me he would arrive in three months, and six months have already passed. So, who are you exactly?"

Yves's biggest fear came into reality. His problem wasn't that they would be worried for him, but how they would come to the realization that he arrived in double the amount of time he promised.

"I can't explain, but how can I persuade you to believe that it is the actual me?"

"Tell me, what was the last thing you told me? I am sure you remember."

"You know I can't say that just in the open!" Yves remembered his confession; his face became red.

"I don't believe you then. It's just a few words, so say it."

"I-I-I… I can't say it." Yves couldn't muster the courage to confess.

"That is fine." Another familiar figure came out of the shadows. "Say it to her directly." Leia appeared beside Fabio.

Yves' heart skipped a beat; it had been such a long time since he saw her, and now she looked ten times more attractive. Her face became more mature; her glasses complemented her new medium-length hairstyle.

Leia looked at Yves and was left speechless. She quickly looked away.

"I-I admire you, Leia." Yves talked but modified his words.

"Nuh-uh! Say it correctly!!" Fabio gave Yves a stern look.

Yves took a deep breath, relaxed his entire body, lubricated his throat, and said, "I love you, Leia." 

"There, so it is you, Yves. Now, what will my sister say?" 

Leia pushed Fabio away and spirited away.

Yves was dead inside; he never thought that this would be more painful than being inside the white room.

The personnel lowered the guard at the command of Fabio.

Fabio walked up to Yves, put his hand on his shoulders, and started walking.

"So, where were you? Why didn't you come earlier?"

"I will explain later, but let me take in the moment." Yves felt his heart more relaxed as there was now very little burden in his heart.

"Oh, I am sorry. I knew that it was you. You wouldn't even enter without the badge since you… you know." Fabio talked in a very careful manner to not hurt Yves even more.

"You don't have to worry anymore; I am a lot stronger than before. Just wait until my next spar with someone else. I will show you why I left." Yves talked sincerely.

Yves saw a folded piece of paper fall onto the ground. The black-colored paper interested Yves; he bent over and grabbed it.

"What is it?" Fabio asked as he looked over Yves's shoulder. 

"I don't know; let me read." Yves unfolded the paper.

He read it, and his heart began racing; his face became red enough to be seen through his light brown complexion.

"Wow," Fabio read the note and was surprised.

Boom!!!

Fabio saw how Yves exploded.

The smoke and sound caused a commotion; a lot of people suddenly appeared, and teachers and students came out to see the explosion. Teachers stood in front, waiting for the smoke to fade.

"Yves, are you crazy? How did you reach C-rank with a letter saying that she also has feelings for you?" 

"Ink, you truly make no sense." Yves grinned as he achieved two incredible accomplishments in less than an hour.

"I kind of get why they were so interested in you." 

Yves felt that Ink facepalmed himself before disappearing once again.