In the Eye of a Hurricane

Aerus stepped out of the Acting Grand Master’s office into the dark, daunting corridor. All was still, only the faint footsteps of night patrol could be heard in the outside perimeter, scuffling as they made their rounds around the city. The sound of Aerus’s heart pounded in their ears like a million bass drums, ringing and banging and booming. Their fingers, covered by thin leather gloves clawed into their other arm as they gripped it as if their life depended on it. They took a deep, shaky breath and gently closed the massive wooden door behind them. 

“So you actually did it.” A voice interrupted the stillness of the halls. Aerus whipped around, terrified. Their hands relaxed and stopped gripping at their skin. Their worries immediately subsided as they recognized the owner of the voice. 

“[REDACTED]… hey”, Aerus gave their friend a weak smile.

The girl did not respond. She walked closer, the sound of her black training boots clacked loudly against the marble floor and echoed off the walls of the quiet corridor. She stopped in front of Aerus. 

“I can’t believe you actually left.”

Aerus’ eyes widened. “W-what…?”

“You left. You actually left.”

“I… I’m sorry… I couldn’t do it anymore…”, Aerus stuttered. They felt a lump in their throat. They swallowed. Cold sweat trickled down their brow as they once again found their fingers dug deep into their skin.

“You could have, Aerus. You could have.” The girl’s hands balled into fists.

“I-I couldn’t… i-it was too much… I-I’m sorry… [REDACTED]…”

“Tsk.” The girl’s fists trembled. She screamed. “Do you have any idea, Aerus? Do you have any idea HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD KILL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY?! And you threw it all away JUST LIKE THAT?!”

Aerus squeezed their eyes shut. “I-I know… I-I’m s-sorry… I’m so sorry…”

“Are you, Aerus? Are you? You think you’re so great, getting into the Knights at only twelve years old. For what?! Just to throw it all away?! I worked just as hard- no- I worked even harder than you, yet you get everything, EVERYTHING! And for what?! Just to throw it all away?! You’re selfish, Aerus. SELFISH!”

Aerus stared at their friend. Terrified, scared, guilty. Tears flowed from their eyes as they sobbed under the screams of their friend.

“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you… I didn’t know what I was doing… I-I”, Aerus said, their voice trembling and shaking as they held back their sobbing with all their might. 

“That’s the problem! You don’t know what you’re doing! You don’t know what you want! You don’t want this position! You don’t want this job! You don’t know who you are! You don’t know anything!”

“I-I’m sorry…”

“SHUT UP!”

“I-I thought you would understand…”

“SHUT UP! SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP!”

Aerus froze. The air turned deathly silent, only Aerus’ faint sobs persisted. The girl straightened herself and inhaled. “I don’t ever want to see you again.”

As the words left her mouth, a glow appeared. A brilliant teal glow. It descended directly in front of Aerus. Their eyes widened. Shock, panic, horror. 

An Anemo Vision.