Paladin's Path

The short brown haired girl jumped in fright at the sound of the voice behind her. Before that she hadn't seemed to even notice that someone had even walked in, or maybe she didn't even notice that she was currently standing in her position.

'Maybe she's been got too.'

Jon instantly seen her eyes widen as she looked at him, 'there it is.' The fear that Theon was talking about, Jon could see it clearly and mixed in was also a strong want and eagerness to fulfil something grand and Jon could easily guess what that may be.

"Didn't mean to scare you." He didn't even know if that were what he should be saying now. He didn't want to be here. And as soon as the thought popped into his mind his phone buzzed... [Confront her feelings for you!]

Confusing and weird wording but Jon probably knew he wasn't going to get out of this situation otherwise.

Elena didn't even say a thing in response instead she quietly shuffled and tried to walk past him to the single exit until he stopped her.

"Wait." his voice was calm, dim even. He didn't want to scare her anymore than he already may have. "I got something to ask you."

Jon knew that the likelihood of him being recorded was high in this situation as well so he really wanted to watch his words as best he could.

Elena acted as if she didn't hear him and was starting to put in her earphones and was about to run out of the room.

'The hell.' Jon couldn't let her leave just yet so he did something he instantly regretted and used the fear she had of him to his advantage.

"I said wait." His voice still dim and now his right hand latched onto her arm in a quickened pace that she couldn't keep up with with her mind bridled with worry.

Elena began to stutter... "I... I have somewhere t...to be now."

"My bad." Jon let go of her hand. "This won't take too long though." he then nodded over to some chairs to their side and led her over. She took the seat closest to the exit of course and Jon had let her at least have some modicum of control.

Elena kept her head down staring at her feet and keeping her hands clasped together. 'Bad move.' Jon analysed.

"Elena, I just wanted to know if you know me from somewhere. Some people in the class as well as I have noticed the stares you've given me," Now it was time for him to put in some lies. "At first I was thinking it was a crush or something..."

The reaction was instant, she briefly glanced toward him but put her head back down as she noticed his eyes hadn't left her. Her eyes had disgust in them as he said that, as if saying that the chanced of love between them was nil.

Jon understood it.

"...but then I started to notice that the stares have started to look more familiarly, like you scared of me for some reason. So I just wanted to know if we may have had a bad past or something." Jon didn't want to do this, he knew that she must be going through a multitude of different emotions now but he also didn't want to be exposed, call him selfish he didn't care. He wanted to be a better person but that didn't mean he was going to be perfect.

Elena took time to answer which worried Jon. He started to think that he should have had a more aggressive tone to scare her into simple answers that he can take advantage of, maybe the calm and kind act gave her too much time to think she can be comfortable in this situation

"Well..." she didn't stutter but her voice was lower. "At first I thought I did know you... I mean you looked a lot like someone from my past."

"Did this person hurt you?"

She finally set her eyes on him again, the emotion of fear still not fully gone but a greater hate was making its way forward, part of Jon didn't want that in a situation that could be used to expose him but another part of him was happy. He didn't want to continue living his as some sort of boogeyman.

"They..." her breathing had become more shallow, the answer was there but she didn't want to say it. "They hurt someone very close to me."

"And that had hurt you too, seeing them hurt right?" Jon wanted to laugh at how much they kept saying "They" he was happy that if this conversation were being recorded it might be hard that this "They" being spoken about was him.

But in his mind he knew what was truth here.

Elena didn't give an answer other than a simple nod.

'Oh who cares.' Even if he was being recorded there's already a audio recording of him saying he was an assassin.

"Can I ask, do you hate this person?" There was a halt.

Jon didn't know how this feeling came about but it felt like he was stopped in time. He was used to being hated-he was a killer someone who had ruined the lives of many sliced apart relationships and shattered family dynamics so he was used to feeling the strong hate in any atmosphere he was in.

But it being directed at him, he wasn't used to that. The cold and venomous feeling was something that was making his skin crawl as if someone was trying to pull out his soul and toss it into a hot pot and keep it shut leaving him swirling in there for eternity.

That was the strongest way the emotion radiating from the petite girl sitting beside him.

"Yes. I want to say that I hate this person." her tone, usually punctuated by a nervous stutter was now clear and resolute and she would take her eyes off of him. "But there's some stupid part of me that wants to believe that there is change in everyone. That they don't just let go of the past because it hurts but instead they walk with the burden and choose to do better."

Jon's eyes widened at that.

"So I can't say that I hate that person, but I most certainly hate the actions that they took that night. Those actions that condemned me to a life of incomparable grief and solitude. I hate the way their evil made me feel. That is my answer for you Jon."

This sparked a new realization to Jon. For some reason he thought that becoming a paladin and saving a bunch of people would simply right his wrongs. He was so wrong, just a dumb kid wanting to forget a past that he didn't want to own.

'I can't undo my life.'

Elena had already left and Jon was left pondering in his own mind, he didn't care that time had now cut into his detention or of the fact that his phone had been buzzing. He was sick of it all.

But he knew in staying still like a sick little babe would do nothing for him.

He had left the guild already and he made it far out of their clutches into a new environment.

And so now everything that happened was down to him fully and he couldn't cry over his actions.

He will continue to fight and he will be better than he was.

_________________

Theon hadn't paid much attention in his classes as his mind was filled with thoughts of something going to happen later on that day.

He had only briefly been pulled into some class discussion when Chloe had told people about him sniffing his way to class which got some looks of intrigue and then jokes about him being a dog by Cole and Corey.

Those two were ignored without much thought but Theon could recognize that there was a lot more aggression in Cole's tone when he tried to throw a dig at him.

Throughout the classes while Theon was instead thinking on his classmates. He knew the powers of the few, part of being a paladin was sharpening analytical skills and quickly gaining insight through the subtlest of clues.

From the messages that he remembers Jon receiving and the way Robin was acting it was obvious that their stalker was a boy. Someone that was probably incredibly prideful as well. Off that alone it didn't help much as the person who carried the most of that sin had not been in class for the whole week.

The person was also smart too, whatever phone they were using most likely wasn't one issued by the program for paladins.

Which would only mean that they got it in through using their power to hide it somehow. That got Theon to believe that someone in his class had an incredibly powerful ability to mess with space in some way, most likely their own personalized hyperspace.

Something that can carry a load, big enough for just a phone or two would be almost useless so there may be some conditions on its use already.

So then does this person have multiple powers, Theon thought on how they have been observing things as well. He hadn't really seen much indication, simple stealth abilities like camouflaging wouldn't have worked on him since his [Revelation] would have tipped him off if his nose hadn't.

Invisibility would have been a better way since his nose wouldn't pick on it, he still had Revelation but he didn't believe it to be as simple as invisibility.

And out of everyone in class there was only few who he still had rarely said more than a greeting to. Elena, who he knew it couldn't be, so that left two people he had been suspecting more so as the days went on.

Arte Graham and Eli Sazaki.

Both quiet but at least with one of them, Arte, he seemed more approachable. Eli didn't look intimidating in any way. He was just too shy and shook with anxiety a lot more so than Elena. He tried to jump in conversation and no one had shooed him away but he would simply stick to quiet one word answers while only passionately speaking on topics he seemed to really enjoy.

Topics like stories. Stories about heroes as well as some beliefs that some crazy cultish fanatics held about The Seven Pillars.

The seven pillars, there were many different iterations about them. But the most notable ones being that, at the climax of the Duskfall War which was a war and persecution on awakened people during the mid to late 1800's seven angels led awakened and even normal people to a far off country that emerged from the sea.

Atlantis, the lost city of myth had risen by the end of the war and the seven angels brought a new populace to a new land of peace.

Theon had learned of the story before but couldn't imagine an entire country much less one as big as a continent emerging from the vast ocean. Atlantis was a continent east of the United States and was a wonder to the world, a natural wonder that supposedly had been blessed by the seven angels to be a land of prosperity and peace.

"... which is why they don't suffer from Chimera." People believed that since the seven angels founded the lost city they granted upon it a blessing that protected the island from evil.

"It would be cool to go there someday." Corey spoke out what was in the minds of many people in the classroom.

The Atlantis was a large economy with a large populace of 700 million people, one of the largest in the world. It was a place for the wealthy, very few paladins were there as they weren't needed as much although that didn't mean at all. Even though there weren't any chimera there were still other threats.

"I want to meet the pillars." Eli said causing some quietness in the class before some people gave him odd looks. It was probably the loudest that Eli had ever spoken before and other than it being surprising some didn't know whether to take it as a joke.

It was a weird topic for awakened people as it felt like subscribing to a faith that they felt was unbelievable. Alhena was the subconscious of the universe and that was probably the closest thing to a God most awakened people would believe in as they believed it to be where their powers came from.

"You believe in that stuff Eli?" Cole asked from the front of the class as he looked back to Eli who sat at the corner of the room.

Eli seemed to realise he had been the center of attention and nervously fiddled around as his face went red with embarrassment.

"Well a little bit yeah. It sounds cool to think of saviours of our people." That was weird. His use of the phrase 'Our People', it was obvious he was speaking about awakened people but even awakened people were still human.

Throughout history they were segregated, persecuted and much more but people as young as teenagers never really thought to group each other in such a way.

Theon didn't turn his head abruptly to eye his classmate as he thought he would stop spilling out information about his character as soon as he thought he was being weird.

"Then why would they even be alive. If history were true and those 'Angels' did exist wouldn't they have died to old age by now." Yes, that would be the obvious response. Humans, awakened or not still lived as long as a natural lifespan could afford them unless they got lucky with their powers.

Theon hadn't experienced the world at large yet though. He knew there had to be so much more, so much more fantastical elements to the world, there were even rumours of elves and fairies but that seemed too otherworldly for him.

But if it were true he would be fine with even seeing one elf throughout his lifetime just to be part of the lucky few.

"Well." Eli tilted his head in a thinking pose. Not one where he was formulating an answer but picking one he already had instead. This topic was probably one he had in his head at all times. "... they could be eternal, they're angels. Or their in heaven."

And that's one answer.

Cole scoffed and then gave out his own opinion.

"Sounds like crap. Them being angels was probably just some metaphor or something if they did exist. And there's no such thing as heaven dumbass."

More people had turned in their seats as they listened to the conversation going on throughout the classroom.

"But if they were real then there may be more reason to believe they're alive since many people still say they receive revelations from them." Juno had joined in the conversation adding in her own two cents while briefly looking away from a book she was reading.

It was interesting as many people have claimed to receive revelation in their dreams coming directly from the Seven Pillars themselves and so it is just left to whether one believed it or not.

Even the current Pope in the Vatican has spoke up and said he has received revelations from the supposed angels and typically hangs around Atlantis for a much longer time period whenever he is on his international tours.

But the Pope's revelations were not a topic in the class.

"Every Religious freak claims to receive some revelation." Cole spat out in ignorance without even glancing at his classmates. Juno put her head back down to her book not wanting to give him anymore time.

She like many others had already gotten used to Cole's personality. He was headstrong and set in his ways, he simply was not one who wanted to hear different views on things believing only his view is the right one.

Theon gave a subtle glance in Eli's direction and he looked to be lost in thought, Theon still had reservations about him. He seemed to just be a shy and normal person but he was not going to just ignore the possibility that he is who he's searching for.

He so badly wanted to tell Jon. And he was even thinking of sending him a quick text before deleting it as soon as he seen a blue tick signifying it had been read but decided not to chance it.

'Revelations then... right.'

He would just have to find another way. And his gut was telling him that tonight would be the night.

Theon didn't care anymore for the conversation that was going on he thought on a plan. He wasn't going about it all alone anymore.

There was still the chance that it was simply a senior that had been tormenting his friends but then again, it will all be revealed soon. Everything done in the dark will come to light.*

Just then Mr. Adams had come into the class and the lessons begun...

__________________

Chloe would be a good choice, but Ava was the best.

That's what Theon believed. Chloe with her ability would be a good choice to help him get his message across to Jon but Ava may be a better option.

Both would most likely be interested in why Theon isn't sending the message himself so if letting one of them know, Ava was the better option. With her being the daughter of a paladin and most likely received some training from him as well as from the training drills in class she usually done extremely well so having her on his side from the beginning would be good.

Theon also believed that Chloe would be more likely to jump at the chance to help while Ava may want to bring whatever matter it was to a teacher so Theon thought it best to put her in a position where her only option was to help.

The long curls of red hair rounded the corner into one of the many small pathway's that people took on their way out of the campus grounds.

Her purple eyes sparkled with curiosity and her striking red hair framed her face.

"Theo?"

Theon expected the surprise so calmed himself down quick so that he could get his point across quickly. He believed that the stalker wouldn't be watching him now that he believes him to have left both Jon and Robin alone.

"I'm lucky I caught you before you left." she crossed her hands and gave a small tired smile. "I have a favour to ask of you."

She showed a spirit of inquiry but like many people was still on guard.

"It's about Jon..." she relaxed more somewhat and then cut Theon off.

"Are you two fighting?" Theon had a surprised look on his face as he caught the worry in her eye. "You two seemed to get along really early on and then you just stopped hanging around each other so some people had started to think that something happened."

Well it was expected. And maybe Theon can run with that for now.

"Something like that. He's just not talking to me for his own reasons now so that's why I need you." she was completely relaxed now but seemed to want to actually help and nodded her head.

"Jon's still in detention now but should be finished in a couple minutes so I wanted you to give him this note." Theon took out an envelope that was decorated at its edges with pink flower petals and a rose at its center.

Ava took a look and then took on a look of shock to which Theon quickly rectified.

"It's not what you think it is. The favour actually extends somewhat further now."

She had a smirk on her face that was simply meant to tease which was annoying in its own way but Theon was not a child, he can't be bothered by this.

"I actually want you to act as if its from you, as in a confession and then subtly tell him that its actually from me." The first face Ava made was one that was ready to deny but then she pondered for a few seconds longer and asked 'Why?'

Theon was prepared for any question she would ask and even though he had an answer he didn't want to reveal any names yet.

"It's just supposed to be a setup for someone else to see it. He noticed someone tailing him and leaving love notes for him and he wants them to stop. But since they haven't confronted him then he wants them to see it happen like this." Ava looked straight into Theon's eyes which gave him the jitters, he didn't expect her to have such an invasive look.

Ava was smart but Theon seen the way she interacted with people. She was kind or nice, too nice even and was happy to please. This led Theon to thinking that even in this situation she would happily put herself in between the love affairs of someone else.

But she was searching, searching for something that she for sure knew was hidden.

"Who?" she asked and Theon gave a confused stare as he didn't know what she was talking about. "Who's the one with the interest in Jon?"

Theon shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, haven't seen them, it might be someone from our class or even a senior."

She nodded her head while looking down.

"Nah probably someone from our class since there hasn't been much presence from our seniors." Ava paused for a moment.

"I don't mind helping you out this way but I really don't want to hurt one of our classmates this way."

Right, she was nice.

"But I'll help you with this. And anything else you need." That caught him off guard. Theon never actually needed help from anyone before so he never asked. Even now he had only asked for a specific purpose, he knew he could always find ways to supplement the aid of another himself.

"Thank you Ava." he thought on his words as he wanted her to also show up for him later. "Well yeah there might be something else I need help with in the near future but I can tell you about that later."

She smiled and then went off back inside the school to find Jon while Theon had turned away he had also left a small dragon attached to her. She didn't act with any suspicion so he walked off with the belief that she was none the wiser.

The dragon was tiny and unlike his other ones he had figured out a way around his previous limitations and was excited for an opportunity to truly test it out.

Not long later... probably fifteen minutes went by before he received information from his dragon that had dispersed. The information was clear.

Jon had received the message and what else, Ava had acknowledged the dragon after she had handed Jon the note and left him.

'Nice.'