Paladin's Path

Theon and Jon stuck together this time instead of separating instantly. Theon was more aware and didn't let anything distract him from a chance encounter with their oppressor.

"I got another text." Jon announced, the two of them were in the dorms, in Theon's room to be more exact and were sat by a desk on the floor of his room keeping an eye on everything in sight even the shadows.

Jon threw the phone to Theon who caught it and read... [You've added another player to the game how fun. But make sure he is the only one.]

Clearly pointing to Theon now knowing.

"So we were being watched." Annoyance and a growing paranoia was sprouting from the pit of Theon's stomach.

There were cameras in the halls of the dorms and for each room there were some more that were expertly hidden that Theon was sure some of his classmates wouldn't have realised if the apps on their phones didn't alert them to it already. So Theon kept his app open and checked every so often which was only heightened after reading the message on Jon's phone.

"This sucks." Jon caught his phone and slumped back with his head hitting a massive bean bag that was behind him to the wall of the common area of Theon's dorm. "Bastards acting like a game master now, guess I'll have to wait for whatever orders he dishes out." Jon got flustered but still had a sharp and steely gaze on his face.

Theon took the initiative to speak about what to do moving forward since Jon seemed more like he wanted to hurt someone.

"Lets just start summarizing the people in our class who could do something like this to you... we should probably start figuring out some of their abilities too."

"Yeah, I hardly know the names of most of them, just noticed the ones that seemed to have interesting powers or personalities."

Already off to a bad start, Theon was in the same boat as him in that regard.

"Well I doubt it would be Corbin or Lugh then."

Jon clicked his fingers. "And that's about all I know."

The corners of Theon's mouth tugged upwards as he gave a smirk.

"What about that girl you fought with in your trial would she be the type?" Theon knew her name was Aaliyah but that was it.

"Nah I doubt it. She seemed to be the confrontational type kind of like Corbin. I don't think she would play the waiting game, or even that people in their both could."

He was right, Theon couldn't imagine Corbin doing this especially after Corbin confronting him before.

Out of the people who did display their powers none of them seemed like they would be able to do this. There was Ava who was the daughter of a high ranking paladin so she most likely would have made Jon report himself, Cole and Corey both just seemed to be clowns that didn't have the disposition.

Juno, well none of them knew what her power was. And that was about it.

Then Theon remembered... "The chances are low, but there's still that girl Elena."

"Who?" Of course Jon hadn't remembered, the girl had a very shy personality on top of being terrified of him. She was a person that blended into the crowd.

"She's small and has short brown hair..." Theon took to explaining her appearance to him to try and get Jon to remember. "She's also real scared of you, when you and Aaliyah were going through your match she couldn't stop shaking when watching you, I thought it was real weird."

Theon didn't even have to ask Jon anymore, he took on an inquisitive look while trying to remember.

"Well I don't want to say it but the chance is always there that I killed someone she knows and that she may have even seen it."

That was what Theon had believed as soon as he seen how frightened she looked.

"What crappy luck you have if that were to be true."

Jon laughed, he was a lot more calm now though it wasn't a laugh of coming to some revelation or even genuinely finding something funny instead it tethered on the edge of resignation and a carefree giggle.

"I don't think it would be her though." Jon gave him a quick glance before asking *Why?*

"Well I just don't think she would be capable of that, we could easily confirm it tomorrow if needed." Theon knew it was wrong but if what he saw from Elena that day was real then she would most likely fold under the right amount of pressure.

"Yeah but I don't really want to scare her anymore." Jon spoke out from Theon's thoughts. "If I've already traumatized her that badly then what's the point in adding to it. She may already know and just be another person to watch out for. Plus you said you don't think she's got it in her so I'll trust you."

Theon furrowed his brows but felt a warming feeling in him at those words. He had never been close to anybody before so he didn't know what to say after hearing that but a quiet and simple. "Thank you..."

"Quiet you sappy prick."

"Oi."

The two boys stared at each other and then burst out laughing briefly forgetting about what they were setting out to do.

Jon got up from where he was placed and walked past Theon to put his shoes on. "Well we can continue this tomorrow. I'm heading back to my room now."

Theon looked at the minor space under the curtains that were pulled together to see that it had gotten much darker then when the two had got in.

"Oh alright then. Goodnight Jon."

Jon waved and opened the door to leave before leaving he stood by the doorway and slightly turned to Theon...

"Thanks Theo..."

______________________

A memory of a time in second grade in school slipped into his mind. Lugh O'Hara was different then, other than the fresh wound left by his mother who had passed away recently he was a generally happy child.

Of course there were problems though, he just didn't know how stunting they would be at the time.

At the time he was a lot more argumentative and very wordy mix that with a stutter and there's your first reason why he didn't have many people to call friend. There was one person though, someone who took a lot of sick days but when he was there he was someone Lugh could call a through friend, one who had his back.

Unfortunately for Lugh though this friend wasn't in during the spelling bee their second grade class had that day, and because of the odd number the class split into four groups and Lugh was on the team of someone who he really didn't get along with, the loud, rambunctious cousin of that one friend he still sometimes thinks of... Corbin Monet.

He didn't know why Corbin hated him so much but he had tried to get along with him and always showed himself as friendly to him more so because he was the cousin of his friend Lucas. But Corbin wasn't having it, maybe it was because Lugh was a new kid that had an odd strut in his step and a sharp mouth was glad to correct anything that was just wrong in his mind.

Corbin pushed Lugh and two other boys off to the side. *"You fuckers better not get anything wrong and lose me the prize or I promise you'll regret it."* Lugh Remembers the exact words Corbin let out at the time.

The prize that the teacher mentioned was just some slices of pizza that one of the other classes gave away. Looking back Lugh thought it was so stupid that Corbin would threaten someone for something like that.

Even though Lugh was the smart kid that stood up for himself, Corbin did make him somewhat scared and he knew how to throw a punch and Lugh didn't want to be on the receiving end of his hits.

But as he went to answer the question against one of the other people in another team he stuttered. Lugh knew the answer, he knew how to spell what was being asked of him

-NAUSEATED-.

It was what he was feeling as he looked at Corbin who had a hard glare on him and a big toothy grin that promised pain. In Lugh's stutter he added an extra E after an A and the teacher told him he was wrong.

Lugh felt like shit in that moment and even worse seeing Corbin and his tagalongs getting upset over the wrong answer. Lugh remembered his opponent getting the answer wrong as well and the teacher giving the two of them another word.

Since Lugh started first he was to go only if his opponent got it wrong.

But he noticed something. The teacher was not so pushy on time like he was when Lugh had went and Lugh could swear in the moment that he just ignored the blatant cheating that was going on from the teammates trying to spell out the answers with their fingers.

Lugh didn't know what he was feeling at the time other than the panic that was coming over him as the small little fat guy got the question right.

Right after that class he kept his head down and walked out only to be dragged to the school toilets and... that was the start. Demeaning words, broken glasses, bruises to his body to make sure no one could see them on his face.

Any slight inconvenience and Corbin and his cronies would make sure he knew it.

Lucas. Corbin's cousin and Lugh's friend came in with his mop of brown hair none the wiser. Lugh remembers him to be akin to an angel, he was polite, gentle and caring the exact opposite of his cousin who Lugh believed to be one of Satan's soldiers.

"What's wrong." Lugh had flinched as Corbin and his friends had walked past and his shirt had irritated one of the bruises on his body causing him to move even more awkwardly which didn't go unnoticed by Lucas.

A short "Nothing" was not enough to satiate him though. Lucas may have been quite dense but he was not stupid. He knew his cousin and how violent he could be causing him to confront him.

"Why would you hurt him Corbin?"

Lugh could see the annoyance on Corbin's face, it wasn't annoyance or anger at being confronted though, it was from the look in Lucas' eyes. Unlike everyone who Corbin pressured Lucas, his cousin never showed any terror or fear, sometimes it just felt unsettling.

"I'm going to tell my mum and then..." Corbin's face shook more so whenever his mother was brought up, it shook with irritation and great displeasure.

"Tell her then I don't care!" Corbin then gave a pointed stare to Lugh with a crazed smile.

Lugh steeled his resolve and clenched his fists to try and show that he had some backbone, he wanted to ask why he was always attacking him but decided against it since he didn't think any meaningful answer would come. So he asked another question instead.

"Corbin I heard that you wanted to be a paladin right? Well my mother was a keeper! she...."

Corbin's froze and glared at his cousin who had a look on his face that was similar to a child caught in the moment of taking a cookie from the cookie jar. And then Corbin he just went on and on about how Lugh would never be a paladin while spitting some minor insult to Lucas... and then he said something that he couldn't come back from, something that hurt much more than punches to bare skin that he and his lackeys threw at him, more so than the "accidental" trip ups causing him to stumble.

"...Stay Out Of My Fuckin Way Or I'll Send You To Dance In Hell With Your Dumb mother."

"Corbin!"

It wasn't even the fact that he was talking about the death of his mum that hurt Lugh so much, his fists were repeatedly clenching and unclenching as he was remembering how broken up his father was. The ashen blonde man who he had looked up to as a figure of strength only to crumble and fall.

Lugh had watched his father break down when he believed he had put him to sleep or how his knuckles hands seemed more worn out from burns and cracks. His youthful face took on a look that when looking at it one could say was simply just withered.

Silence was all that was left as Lugh thought of what his father would do if he were to die. How sad...

What was that reason for being a paladin?... he was sure when he was younger he would say something along the lines of wanting his mother to be proud of him.

But now as he was older he knows that wouldn't be true.

Lugh just doesn't want to be that weak and vulnerable again. He didn't want to look that vulnerable again.

But look at him now, he was in a hospital room fully mobile now but had been put here by the person he hates the most and still even has some fear just from looking at him.

"I failed..." he was sat up while thinking on his past and the look that would be on his fathers face if he could see him now. "I'm so pathetic..."

Tears had built up and dropped down Lugh's face as he pulled his recently mended left arm to wipe them away.

In the next moment he pulled his arms apart to look at his new bruises and thought with a clear resolve.

"But never again! I don't want to lose again."

___________________________

Jon had just got in his room when his phone buzzed again. He didn't even have to pull it out to know who it was. His mystery person with another way to fuck with him.

'How did I of all people get caught in something like this?' This was something that he was certain wouldn't have happened while back at the guild. 'Deserve it for acting like a baby and not noticing it.'

No deflection was needed, Jon knows it was his fault and what made it even worse was the fact that he got someone else involved in it. Theon, Theon was the first person Jon could even acknowledge as a friend, 'He's a little weird but genuine.'

That was all Jon wanted, and in the theatre of life, not everyone has a seat at the front row. Some aren't even given a seat and instead are forced to live in shadows, the underbelly of a society to take care of what the public shy away greedily from.

Jon didn't want to live a life like that anymore, he didn't care about being in the forefront either he just wanted another chance. *"Selfish, isn't it."* He couldn't even properly voice something like that with all the blood that has soaked his soul.

He took out his phone as he walked to his room to take in whatever message he was receiving.

[I will call soon!]

Simple as that, with all his musings and slowly taking off his shoes and other unnecessary clothing he wasted two minutes. Two minutes to prep, but even then what would he say. Jon was used to being in situations where he knew what he was going to be dealing with.

'Playing along may really be the best option I got.'

His phone was ringing and he let it ring a few times before finally answering.

Jon slowly put it to his ear, not out of fear but just in case something unordinary was bound to happen.

A muffled voice was all that was heard next... "[Don't interrupt me...]" Because of the muffled sound coming from the voice changer the tone and timbre of the voice on the other line sounded childish and playful.

"[I will explain to you how your life will go from now on.]" Excitement was definitely heard, it was grating on one's mind. To Jon it sounded like the mystery figure had found a new toy to play with.

"[You will do everything I say with no complaint or I will make sure everyone knows of your past.]" Jon being who he was still had doubts, he still had the confidence or maybe he was aware enough to call it arrogance, he had the arrogance to believe that he can still get out of the situation.

Jon's power was called [Crimson Command], the use of it is in the name really. He can control blood within his body. As an ex-assassin he learned of many subtle ways to use his power, amplifying his senses was an easy one.

By controlling his blood flow to his ears he could enhance his auditory signals, changing the flow in blood vessels was still dangerous and warranted a great amount of control, but Jon had been using his power for years now so he had that down already.

"[We'll start small. From now on I want you to act the villain. Treat everyone like crap and whenever there is an opportunity in training do not hold back.]"

'So isolation and seeing my capabilities.' Jon wasn't worried much about being isolated as an assassin he was usually alone anyway the last request though. Well he can find a way around that by beating up whoever it was as quick as possible.

"[That includes staying away from Theon Abara.]" Jon knew it was coming, it was actually something Theon had brought up to him before leaving. He hated that a wedge was so quickly being forced in between him and Theo but he knew Theo would still help in his own way.

"[Now grab a knife and carve circle into your hands to show how serious you are, I'll be staying on the line.]"

Bastard!

It was humiliating but Jon got up and got to his kitchen and ripped open a packet of silverware that he had bought on arrival week and still hadn't opened.

Jon was used to pain already so he picked up a small thin butter knife and reinforced it with his Od, there was no way it would pierce his skin otherwise.

His phone was placed on the table as he grabbed the knife and pointed it to the palm of his hand.

At first he thought to go about it slowly and carefully, but there was a budding rage mixed with abashment growing in the pit of his stomach. Pain was something Jon was used to, but this pain was different, it was humiliating.

The circle of blood was finished in a quicker manner as he dropped his knife on the kitchen counter. He then took a picture as he was ordered to and sent it to which he received a hearty laugh.

Through the embarrassment he was glad. His hearing was still enhanced from his power and those laughs that were let out had left crackling differences through the line, it was definitely a mans voice that was speaking.

The scratchy and childish qualities mixed in with pitch that hadn't fully broken into their adolescence told Jon that he was talking to a boy, a boy that was still his age so obviously one of his classmates.

Jon couldn't hear the full tone of voice to recognize who it may be but he still crossed out some names and now only needed to listen out for his other classmates and spot it out.

"[Great, I thought it would be harder than that, but since you showed me something I've got something for you.]" The call ended without Jon able to speak his mind which he so desperately wanted to.

The photo was received by him. The photo was grey and it was of a building that had clearly seen better days, the building had holes in it and looked like it was about to topple over with a great gust of wind.

'What even is this supposed to mean.'

There were holes in the building and burnt out patches of grass and a swing-set outside of the building with the chains rusting and basically fallen off the swing. Yellow tape wording {STAY OUT} was also there.

Something wasn't clicking right.

Jon knew it was sent to him for a reason, most likely a place that is related to him in some way but he can't recall it at all.

A notification appeared under the picture showing a countdown from ten. All messages were deleted after one minute of being sent out.

'Ah well,' Jon muttered to himself as he recalled the image well enough and put his phone down and got to cleaning up his wound. It had actually already healed.

Reason being Jon's power. By manipulating his own blood, he risked losing it if he didn’t control his abilities carefully, which also resulted in numerous scars from the blood leaking out. Over time, he instinctively learned to heal himself, but since his power wasn’t specifically designed for healing, he still experienced the typical drawbacks that anyone would face when trying to heal without a dedicated healing ability.

Jon will play along with this silly game and when he wins he will make whoever this is regret. Not kill him, but make him regret!

_____________

Theon was stumped. He walked into class and then seen Jon walk in a few minutes after him but instead of the usual nod he usually gave he completely ignored him, like he was deep in thought.

'Maybe he had more contact with his veiled onlooker.'

If so then there could have been threats made along with orders already, Theon had no way to find out unless he asked Jon. He wanted to walk over and do so now but he never really liked getting out of his seat and moving around unnecessarily like the rest of the class. It felt awkward otherwise.

The class started to fill up and then the homeroom teacher Mr. Adams walked in.

"Morning students!" Mr. Adams greeted the students and some moaned out a response back. Behind him though came Lugh...

There was something about him that seemed completely different. It was weird, like his whole demeanour changed and he was actually filling in to the persona he tried to show up with.

He was cold, stiff in the face but had a resolute look that spoke of some new awakening. The coldness matched his power, a power that Theon remembered being very versatile and Lugh being smart enough to use it even under conditions weren't the best.

'I guess that beating brought out something new in him.' Theon wasn't the only one who noticed as some more of the class had gazed at him with a more analytical vision of a new challenger.

Even though some students didn't act as though they were that serious after a few weeks of comfort within the schools halls they still most likely went back and watched the match since it was posted for student access on the school's website.

"Welcome back to class Lugh, I hope you had a comforting rest." Mr. Adams made a comment in the silence that he was expecting the students to fill.

"It was good thank you sir. And I'm ready for the rest of the month."

Mr. Adams gave the class a look and then smiled, there was still one empty seat in the room but that was for a reason everyone knew of some even still believed he should have been expelled.

Lugh walked to his seat and like the other students took out his books and pens.

"Well that's great to hear Lugh because today we will be going over a very important discussion with more advanced uses of Od being Oaths."