Chapter 7: The Arena
Ability Index (Darey)
Dark Nebulium: A Special Ability that generates a mass of condensed energy in the form of an orb. It can also absorb surrounding energies to add to its mass and force. Causes an explosion when it is released, depending on the energy it has amassed, it can be very destructive.
YEAR: 2161
LOCATION: School Grounds, Beginner Region, Secondary Academic Grounds, Orion Inner Zone.
Darey stared hard at Theo, his new "friend" and was short of words.
He had realized something was off about him since they had started talking. Darey could not sense any Ability emanating from him, or any information from him which indicated he possesses any.
However, Orion was strictly an institute for Ability Users. They would not have allowed him step foot within the grounds without some sort of Ability. This was what Darey battled with as he conversed with Theo, until he finally asked the question.
Theo's response indicated that even he was unsure of whether or not he actually possessed any Special Ability. This would have placed Darey at an impasse, being stuck in an impossible situation... But Darey had figured it out.
"This is quite tricky indeed. You're the first for me... So that's how it is..." Darey muttered to himself.
"Uh... Um, what is it?" Theo asked, a bit nervous.
"Oh nothing" Darey quickly replied.
Theo looked a bit unsure and scared. Was Darey turned off by this sudden revelation? Would he not want to be his friend anymore? Was he going to be alone again? These questions floated in Theo's head.
Darey could tell what was bothering Theo, he knew of his inferiority complex which greatly affected his personality... Which was exactly what inhibited him. Of course Darey had no way to prove his theory in concrete... Yet. He, however, knew how to.
"Hey, Theo... Are you busy tomorrow?" Darey asked suddenly.
Theo's face immediately brightened up as he heard this. Darey wanted to hang out with him the next day? How could he refuse.
"Uh... No, I'm not. Y-You wanna hang o-out?" Theo said excitedly while stuttering.
Darey smiled at his cute behavior. Theo saw Darey smile, and embarrassment immediately enveloped him as he blushed.
"Such an honest boy" Darey thought to himself.
"W-Why do you keep smiling and staring at me like that... Its... Embarrassing..." Theo muttered, looking away softly.
"Are you really a guy?" Darey asked point blank, not wanting to believe that this very cute person with his cute behavior was actually of the male species.
"What do you mean by that... Of course I'm a guy!" Theo quickly answered, raising his voice in protest.
Darey paused, as he was a bit taken aback by Theo's sudden assertiveness. Then he sudden broke into laughter.
"Alright, Alright. I believe you." Darey said mockingly, patting him from behind.
"You're making fun of me aren't you?" Theo pouted, blushing as he hid his face.
"Well... Maybe I am" Darey answered.
They both laughed, enjoying the nice atmosphere with the tension gone.
[A Few Hours Later]
Darey was on his bed in his living quarters. Since Orion was quite large, he had his room to himself; A parlor, kitchen, toilet, bathroom, and his bedroom. All these were basic things in every Orion room, though some special chambers were better than this.
He thought about the peculiar boy called Theodore. If he was right about him, then this could be one of his greatest allies... But if he was wrong he would be one of his biggest burdens. Everything hinged on a bet, and he just hoped things would turn out the way he hoped.
He could try using the Reaper's Ability which he got, THE PERFECT CRIME. But he had not gotten the time to properly train this Ability he had. Usually, with a few exceptions, it took him quite some time to get the hang of any Ability he took from the dead. The exceptions were simple or automatically activated Abilities.
An example would be the INSTANT INFANTRY ability he got that saved him from death during the Harvest. It activated automatically whenever his life was in danger, and it took him nearly 3 months to learn how to activate it intentionally.
Since these Abilities were not originally his, he needed to work extra hard to assimilate himself with them. This was one of the reasons why he barely had 2 percent of all his extracted Abilities. It would take a while for this body of his to be fully integrated with them.
"Tch, how bothersome..." Darey said to himself.
He decided to get some rest. If his theory was right, he would need as much energy as he could for the next day.
[The Next Day]
"So, what do you have in mind for today?" Theo asked in excitement.
Darey smiled. Theo was looking very expectant and excited for the day. Darey could tell that he had hardly slept due to his anticipation for whatever they would be doing. He hated to disappoint Theo, but there was nothing 'fun' in what would be happening.
"I want us to have a duel" Darey said plainly.
There was initial silence between them. Theo tried processing what Darey said, but he couldn't comprehend it.
"C-Could you say that again?" Theo said, hoping it wasn't what he had heard.
"Lets have a duel, you and I" Darey restated.
"W-W-W-What?!" Theo said in surprise.
"Why would you want to do that? I told you already, I don't even know what my Special Ability is, or if I even have one." Theo protested.
"Theo... Calm yourself. I wouldn't do this without a reason. Do you trust me?" Darey said calmly.
"Well... Yeah, I guess..." Theo muttered.
"Good. To be honest I am intrigued by this situation of yours, and be honest with me. Aren't you also curious as to what your Special Ability is? And why you can't use it?" Darey asked.
"That's true... I'm sorry for my outburst earlier... Please forgive me" Theo said apologetically.
"Oh, never mind that" Darey said while waving his hands, a little embarrassed.
"Well then, what do you say?" Darey asked.
"I...I'll do it! I said this before, but I don't want to be scum. I want to have the courage to stand up for myself too. So if this will help me finally uncover this mystery, then I'm ready!" Theo said with determination.
"Good!" Darey said. "Then let's go to the Beginner's Arena for our match."
The Beginner's Arena was the official spot for dueling within the Beginners Region. While certain ruffians and bullies were content with causing fights on the grounds, civilized and actual duels took place within the Beginners Arena.
When it came to important matters like Rankings, street brawls don't cut it. An official match had to take place for such matters to be decided. Duel challenges, as well as sparring also took place here. Since it was technically a duel, Darey decided to make use of the building. Besides, he wanted a private space where they would be alone.
Darey and Theo entered the large building, and in no time they had secured a Battle room for their duel. The entire building was very huge, the third largest in the Beginner Region. The first being the Lecture Hall, and second being the Study Hall.
They took their positions opposite themselves, staying at the extreme sides of the room. Darey smiled, and he could tell that Theo was nervous. This was the moment of truth after all.
"S-So... What now? How do we do this duel?" Theo asked Darey.
"Oh, It's simple." Darey said.
"Just stand still, right there... And I'll handle the rest." Darey said with a smile.
Theo was still confused about what Darey meant when Darey raised his hands immediately and said
"NERVE COROSSION" Darey whispered to himself, snapping his fingers.
Suddenly Theo felt unimaginable pain searing throughout his body, starting with his brain. It seemed like it would explode at any moment. The pain was so much that he felt like screaming at the top of his lungs but he couldn't. He fell down flat, and as his entire body grew numb and the pain took over, he was beginning to black out.
"Am I... Going to die...?" He asked himself as he felt his consciousness fading.
"I... Darey... Even though we haven't been friends for long, I was so happy being with you. And I don't understand what's happening right now, but... I trust you..." Theo said, before losing his consciousness entirely.
Darey watched as Theo's body lay on the ground, and if he was right, he wouldn't keep that up forever.
"Any second now..." Darey said slowly, readying himself.
Suddenly, there was a massive shockwave. The source was from Theo's body on the ground. The wave sent Darey flying a few steps back, but he quickly regained balance. As he opened his eyes, after closing it in recoil, he saw Theo standing upright.
"I knew it!" Darey said to himself.
"You..." Theo's voice came forth.
This time it wasn't the usual gentle and soft voice. It was deep and ominous, having elements of animosity within it.
The person before him was not the Theo he knew... It was a stranger altogether.
TO BE CONTINUED.......
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Magecrafter
Magecrafter Theo awakens, but who is this other Theo we see? And what are his abilities? I want to hear your thoughts on this guys.
-- Gift
received