Two Week's Time

Dawn of Days

They say that every school has its secrets. There are those that have the cheaters, the liars, and the affairs- and then there are those with deeper, darker enigmas. Murders, thieves, gangs.

Karasuno is of the latter. They say that there was a fall from glory- but why so sudden? Why such a change? Some may argue bad luck. Others may go so far as to enlist it as a curse. Then, there are those that know the truth.

They call him the Raven. Darker than a crow, infinitely more deadly, and with wits to match. But; of course, he no longer poses a threat.

Because he's dead.

Legend has it if you chant his name three times in a gym window, you can summon him. He's a tricky thing- a fiend, really. A deity able to grant any wish. With a price, of course. The Raven will take one very important thing from you in exchange for your wish. If you guess the item's identity within two weeks, it is returned and wish kept. If not, then you lose the item... and fate is twisted to his every desire.

Perhaps the team got too greedy. Wanted too much. Maybe it was just one, single person who doomed the Crows to their failure. Either way- they couldn't guess the item. They lost the bet, and they paid for it.

    Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
    Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before...

~~~

Every year, new boys enter the gym. Big, small, tall, rounded- all very different. They all had one thing in common. Every single one of them was a volleyball player.

I watched in intrigue as a new face entered the gymnasium. My back was pressed up against the ceiling, using the boundary as a perch. The boy greeted the Captain- Daichi, if I could recall from the year prior- before beginning to practice.

Idly, I dropped down to view him. His face was knit in a scowl. A snicker fell from my lips at the expression- his face would be rather fair without it. Navy blue eyes and a chiseled jaw bone, messy yet kept hair- he was quite a pretty face. Yet, the scowl...

I lifted my legs into the air, drifting through the air thoughtfully. Wonder how many there will be this time? Not that it mattered, of course. Karasuno would have a losing streak either way. I can be sure of that.

My back drifted along the wooden floor, skirting across the boundary like ice. I chewed on my lip thoughtfully. The boy had a crisp serve and fine-tuned movements- surely he could have attended a better institution than this.

"You!"

A sudden, pitchy voice caught my attention. Head snapping to view the first year, I couldn't help but to quirk a brow. He was tiny. Spitfire, sure, but easily mistaken for a fourth-grader nonetheless. A breathy chuckle escaped my lungs. This will be interesting.

There was a spark between the two. A rivalry, surely, or perhaps bad blood? I questioningly tilted my head, watching the two argue. Their words fell on deaf ears. There was simply nothing for me to gain from listening to their quarrel. Eventually, Daichi tried to intervene. It was entirely useless.

A sly smirk lit my lips. It was hilarious; really, watching the two exchange heated words. Particularly whenever Tangerine has to break his neck to look at Mr. Unhappy. I drifted between them, arms shifting through their shins.

Oh? Tangerine kicked his leg, sending it just out of my reach. I quirked a brow. Rarely could people feel my presence. It wasn't unheard of for a person to have a tether to the Lost realm, but very uncommon nonetheless.

I slowly reached out a hand, fingertips grazing the exposed skin around his ankle. The first-year's face knit in confusion. He took a few steps backwards, argument never ceasing.

Interesting. My legs flipped upwards towards the roof, sailing through the air without restriction. Being dead did have its perks. Aerial maneuverability was one of them.

"...One on One, Hinata!"

I couldn't help but listen in on the conversation. Especially now, whenever the Tangerine- Hinata- had ensnared my attention. Not only was he gullible- but he also had a connection to the Lost. It was an interesting but deadly sixth sense to have.

The one vs. one began earnestly. Kageyama; as the others had shouted, would be serving to Hinata. Failure to hit it would result in Hinata's loss. Success would result in Kageyama's.

I rested against the net, making the middle droop. The first-years failed to notice the change. Third-years, on the other hand, whispered quietly amongst themselves at the sudden change.

Daichi and Suga had long since expected my presence. Tanaka was a little more dense- but even now, I could see his gaze flickering from the air vent to the net. People are so quick to try to label the unexplained, I shook my head at their naivety.

Boom! My head jerked towards Kageyama, watching as his serve soared through the air at a breathtaking speed. A sweat drop caressed Hinata's cheek. Pressure increased. Oh? Is he going to go for it? He jumped out of the serve's range at the last second, ball hitting the floor like a cannon shot. The sound reverberated off every wall.

I cruised over towards Hinata, observing his face. Determination was laced in ever feature. Knit amber eyes, racing heart. My hand drifted out to run through his hair. The strands didn't so much as sway. Despite that, Hinata's gaze wearily drifted upwards for a moment.

Wow! He really is, my inner voice cheered. The prospect was thrilling. Maybe; just maybe, they would try to contact me. As long as Hinata could note my presence- then I had a shot.

How long has it been since the last time? One year? Two? Surely, it couldn't have been more than that. My muscles suddenly tensed. How long has it been since I've been here? The thought was chilling. Definitely no more than three? My hair stood on end. It was an unnerving thing to ponder.

I need get in contact with them, I decided. One way or another. I gazed critically at Hinata, following his eyes to see Kageyama gearing up for another serve. Oh~ I have an idea!

I smirked, floating up to the middle of the net. Kageyama's serve was sure to come fast. That much is true. Another thing was even truer, however. I'm faster.

BOOM! My eyes befell the ball. Time seemed to slow. I watched as the volleyball soared through the air. Noted every rotation, eyed every outcome, found Hinata's location. My fingers grazed the ball. It was ever-so-subtle; just the tiniest of touches, but it was enough. Strength was sapped from my body as the ball was manipulated.

The ball hit Hinata's arms with a sickening thud, flying off his reddening skin and back towards whence it came. I watched the ball soar with a heightened sense of pride. Kageyama stared at my spot with a paling expression. Balls don't just change trajectory, not midair. Not like that.

I almost wanted him to say something. To accuse Hinata of foul play, or mumble a nonsensical sentence. So badly did I want it. So badly do I want to watch him crumble.

Wait, what? My hands raked through my hair, grounding me to the present. I don't want that. I don't want him to look psychopathic. Why did I think that? A soured expression lit my lips. Being alone for so long was definitely taking its toll socially. Hell, I've probably forgotten how to act. That must be it.

I drifted from my perch, hovering above the ground until I reached the congregation of panicked boys. A toupee laid in the middle- haphazardly thrown from someone's head, according to what they babbled. The urge to laugh bubbled in my chest. Poor first-years.

The very second Daichi left, Hinata and Kageyama began to bicker over whose fault it was. Suga narrowed his eyes in a silent threat. The two were entirely oblivious to it. What a funny group, I thought with a light grin. It'll be interesting to see them play.

Even more interesting to see them fall.

~~~