Rising Shards

“That’s…that doesn’t…” I stammered. That wasn’t possible. “She never mentioned you, the person she dated before me was named Harika.”

“You moron.” Ovie said. “The person she dated before me was Harika.”

I didn’t even know what I was feeling; my body was in panic and run mode, my brain was angry, my stomach was sick, my heart was devastated. It felt like another rug pull from Jeans on a rug I didn’t even know I was standing on.

“It took me a while to figure it out, sure,” Ovie said. “And then to realize it was you once we met here. And even longer to figure out how I wronged her that caused her to run to you. She fought your seduction, but she told me everything you did to corrupt her. It took me so long to win back her love. But I’m done with that. I’m making things right for me, and especially for her.”

Ovie pointed her sword at me.

“I want you to know what I’m going to do to you. I was weak before, and I softened when I gave you the tickets to Iho Vinai…but I’ve killed that side of me.”

“I don’t want to do this, Ovie—"

“I abominate you,” Ovie said. “I am going to not just defeat you, but prove to the entire world you don’t belong here. I will make sure to show you how astronomically I outclass you. When I’m done, you’ll be ashamed to see your fangs.”

“Please, stop this!” I said. The anger I felt at her at Iho Vinai was taking over again. My rational side was being overwhelmed by the anger and hurt. Jeans had put me in that space again, even though she wasn't on the beach with us, the pressure from her was.

“I am going to prove to her that I’m worthy of her love,” Ovie said. “And when I stand with her at the gates of her Harmony, the burden you brought to us will be long gone.”

I instantly remembered the dark mask Jeans was working on, that was somehow the key to her Harmony project in the void. The look in Ovie's eyes gave me the same deep rooted terror.

"Ovie, just—"

"No more," Ovie said softly. She charged at me, and I got my bloodsaber up in time to block her strike. Her form was quick and sadistic, and if I didn’t do something fast I would be seriously injured, or worse. I tried to block a barrage of quick strikes and slashes, but I could feel the cuts immediately on my forehead and arms.

I swung back, our bloodsabers clanging together and creating sparks. I clicked the blood collector with my finger, which charged up the veins inside the saber with electricity. That got Ovie to back off a bit, allowing me to land a few awkward swings that she blocked. Another swing from her, and our sabers grinded against each other, sparks flying from their combined energy.

“Just stop, Ovie!” I said, feeling either tears or blood or both running down my cheeks. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry. But Jeans—”

“Jeans SAVED me,” Ovie said. “You don’t deserve to even speak her name after what you did to her!”

Ovie took advantage of the emotional blow that dealt to slash at me more, getting me hard on one shoulder. I felt pathetic and helpless as I backed away from her, weakly blocking whatever strikes I could as she advanced. Her bloodsaber swings were calculated; directly landing where she wanted them to, directly hurting me. I was frantic and it showed in my attempts at defense. I tried to attack again, but with my cut shoulder, my arm strength was much worse and I could barely fight back. Ovie got another quick cut on my left knee, making me fall over.

I was on the ground now, and Ovie stood over me. I looked around and saw Oka. I didn’t know what I was doing, but I hoped she wouldn’t find my body if Ovie killed me here. I could feel warmth on my forehead, and knew I was bleeding. I didn’t want her to see me like this.

I didn’t want this to be the last time I saw her. 

Ovie glared down at me, and I didn’t know what her next move would be. Gloating, maybe. Slashing down at me and slaughtering me right there, possible. 

My mind went blank, and instincts took over.

I held my hand out, and a lightning bolt came down and struck Ovie. She screamed as the electricity shook her and froze for a moment after it ended. Then she collapsed to the ground. She was singed, but still moving. I still moved to her to check her pulse to make sure I didn’t just accidentally murder her. She jolted awake, and her eyes sprung to mine like a horror movie monster. Then, the anger faded, replaced by tears.

“I don’t understand…” Ovie asked. “Why did she…with you? What did I do wrong?”

I sat up, holding my head where the bleeding was the worst. I could feel pain all over my body, but my head was throbbing the most. I saw Ovie look to her sword. I didn't have the energy to fight anymore, and I hoped she didn't either. Without thinking much, I started to speak, my voice stronger than I would have thought.

“It wasn’t good with her and me,” I said. I didn't even know why I was telling her this. When I looked into her eyes, I saw the malice she had for me, malice I don’t know if I could ever forgive. But I also saw the same pain Jeans put me through. “Maybe it felt like it was for a bit. But she hurt me a lot. I’m still not…better from what she did. But I still want to move on. One day, I know I’ll be better. And what you’re going through, what she’s doing to you too…it doesn’t have to be like that.”

Ovie scoffed, but she was still defeated by the lightning bolt and took weak to do any more. Rain had softly started to fall over us, and I couldn’t tell if that was from my powers. The others remained frozen. I wasn’t sure how much time was left on her freezing power.

“I’m not offering my hand or throwing you a vine while you’re sinking in quicksand,” I said. “Because you’ve been horrible to me, too. But I'm sorry that...I was involved the way I was. I really, truly didn't know. All I’m saying is that you can move on from her. I’m trying to every day.”

“I can’t move on…” Ovie said, pressing her face to the ground. “How can you say to move on from someone you love? How can you say Jeans is someone you can just move on from?”

Ovie suddenly rose to her feet.

“Don’t you dare insult her like that again!” Ovie grabbed her bloodsaber and tried to swing. But she stopped. I didn’t have time to even process it as I looked up. 09 had Ovie’s wrist held so tightly Ovie could barely move against it.

“That time thing’s a cute trick, stranger,” 09 said. “But I’m afraid it doesn’t work on me the same as the others.”

“W-What?” Ovie said.

Bending her arm back so she dropped her sword 09 swept Ovie's legs and slammed her into the sand face first, knocking her out instantly.

The time stop ended, and colors fully returned to everything around us. We were back.

“Whoa,” Kalei said. “Did things just like…get weird for a second there?”

“Zeta!” Oka said, on me too fast for me to put up a strong face. “Oh my god, what happened?!”

I broke down crying right there, crying and bloody and bruised and pathetic as Oka held me. But I somehow had survived.

“Ovie Chirhart.” Amara said, also checking Ovie’s pulse. “I’ve noticed antisocial behaviors from her. Is she responsible for this?”

I could only nod.

“Oh god, dude,” Kalei said, holding me with Oka. “What the hell is wrong with her…”

Oka checked me over for major injury as Amara held Ovie down. Kalei had a weird look at the path leading to our spot on the beach.

“…Zak?” Kalei said.

“How perfect,” Zak Cavalier, the mysterious investigator/dog walker said, approaching with his partner, Biggs. “Just the girl I was looking for.”

Kalei ran to him and hugged him. Zak gave a slight smirk.

“Good to see you too, Kalei.” Zak said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some business to take care of.”