Revelation Of The Chosen (Book 1 of The Radiant Warrior Series)

Chapter 23: Competition and Bullies

Apprentice Hall was a place where exceptional students attended to develop their special Rudimental powers, under the teaching of the now seven strong and noble Hyods. 

Arion materialized with lightning slithering off him into the main section of the House of Wind.

It was a massive stain glass dome atrium with pillars surrounded by tornados, walls of white marble stone and three red grand staircases leading up to the upper levels.

There were long circular couches witch cushions that looked like literal clouds and several fireplaces exhausting not fire but a small gust of red and white wind.

Arion moved towards the grand staircase, which headed towards the slumber chambers where he could get a quick shower to rid himself of all that occurred in the tunnel.

It was a world of its own which hosted expatriates who were in terrible shape from a battle with who knows what and of course the brazen Warrior of Fire who was able to match him, a warrior of Apprentice Hall without any formal training.

He neared the staircase when someone forcefully grabbed his upper arm and swerved him around.

"Get your filthy hands off of me Hyflame (Hi-flime) or suffer the consequences," asserted Arion with ferocity in his voice while gazing into his captor's dark eyes.

Hyflame was tall, bronze skin and had dark wavy hair. He was draped in the colours of the House of Fire and Wind, a grey chestplate and red and black attire.

"Whose hands are you calling filthy? If I were you, I would look in the mirror," replied an irate Hyflame.

He looked Arion up and down and was most likely wondering what had happened.

Arion grabbed his arm out of Hyflame's strong grip and howled, "What in the Hyod's name do you want? What are you angry about now?"

"You know exactly what I'm angry about so don't play the fool," grunted Hyflame. "Flain (Fe-lane) told me a message for help came from the summoning flames for an Elder Apprentice and that you had taken the call."

"And your point is?" said Arion while heading to the stairs.

"It was my turn," replied Hyflame, pointing to his chest, "To answer the call from the flames, not yours."

Arion reached the first step of the staircase. He was enjoying the anger sent forth to him from Hyflame.

He finally stopped, turned around, smiled, and replied, "You were not there so I had to respond to it."

Arion returned to the stairs and saw Hyflame in front of him. He had just finished materializing, fire escaping his body and disappearing.

"You were well aware you could have summoned me and I would have embarked to the call, but you sought the glory for yourself."

Arion and Hyflame both curled their fists while gazing heatedly into each other's eyes. They were about to make contact with their fists when a shorter Apprentice shouted in a boisterous, high tone.

"The two of you better not commit such an act in this House?"

It was Flain. He was silver skinned and had short white hair. His eyes were silver white and he wore the House of Metal and Wind colours, clothing fashioned into armour.

Arion focused his fuming attention towards Flain who was standing at the base of the staircase. "You should try and find your spine one of these days. It's pathetic how you, third in command is so scared of Hyflame you have to report everything to him, all the time."

Flain appeared shocked. It was like his character was in question. He almost looked like he was about to take a stand and defend himself.

"Hyflame asked where you were and I told him. I was being honest, a foundation this House is built on."

Hyflame interrupted Flain's defence. He gawked at him, giving him a mean look while he said slowly, "He should be afraid of me because I am stronger than he can ever dream to be."

Flain scowled at Hyflame, but did not rebut. It was almost like he was accustomed to such harsh and chilling words from Hylame.

"I should have been chosen as the top Elder of this House, the Elder of the other five positions and not you," said Hyflame while pointing at Arion who merely brushed off his comment.

Arion was aware of the direction the jealous Fire Warrior was heading.

"The Lord of Wind chose the best of us," interjected Flain. "And it was Arion."

Arion smiled. Flain's words would give rise to Hyflame's anger even more even if he had not meant too.

Hyflame bestowed upon Flain the nastiest look he could muster. It was like he had found something distasteful at the bottom of his booths.

Flain subsided and stepped one stair down.

"The only reason why I lost to Arion for the position of Lead Elder was because the Lord of Wind favoured him since he had no one in his corner to cheer for him."

"He felt sorry for the loner Thunder Warrior. He wanted to give him purpose and the Lead Elder position was the answer," said Hyflame, clearly with the intension to inflict harm.

Arion was furious. He had always known his fellow housemates thought he had received the position of Lead Elder because the Lord of Wind helped out with his upbringing since he had no trace of family or ancestry.

He wanted to heave a hurt on Hyflame's face so badly for his villainous words but the Lord of Wind taught him better.

Hyflame stormed down the stairs, pushed Flain to the ground and stormed down a dark corridor with the two leering at his vanishing portrait.

Arion aided Flain up whose pride seemed injured.

"I believe the Lord of Wind made a conscious and impartial decision when he made you Lead Elder and warriors like Hyflame will receive everything they deserve. Everyone who's nasty, eventually pays for it."

Arion was not pleased by Flain's words as he headed up to his chamber. "Hyflame is our comrade and we should not wish that on him or anyone."

Arion defending Hyflame appeared to puzzle Flain as if it did not happen too often. 

Question:

1) What are your thoughts on Arion's housemates Hyflame and Flain? Would either one be your friend?