The Legend of Team NDGO

Episode 13: Behind Silver Eyes (part 1)

  Desmond throws two punches, the bag in front of him buckles down and the seams nearly split. He grunts as he ducks to the left and slams his fists into it again, listening to the sound that rings throughout the empty gym as his wrapped fists make contact with the leather sandbag. His eyes flash red and he sees fire and ash. He smells smoke and he hears crying. His eyes flash red again and he sees a destroyed farmhouse. He grits his teeth and slams his fists against the sack once again. He feels the vibrations roll up his arm and into his shoulder. He feels his blood heating up, his fists grow tighter. His fingernails pierce the skin of his palms, his mind continues to flash back to that scene. He releases one final roar of fury and slams his fist into the bag one last time. His fist tears through the bag and out the other side. The bull takes a very deep breath, closing his eyes. He yanks his hand out of the bag and sand starts spilling onto the floor. He looks at his hands, blood beginning to bleed through his bandages.

“Tch…” He clenches his fists, looking at the sports wrap around his knuckles. They were completely shredded. He glances back at the bag before him, sadly hanging there. He holds his fist up and smashes it into the side of the bag, sending it flying across the room and onto a large pile of other broken punching bags. Desmond’s silver eyes fall to the floor. He is looking at the pounds of sand on the floor. He grunts to himself before using his boot to push the sand toward the drain he takes a deep breath before grabbing his towel and dragging it across his forehead as he walks out of the empty gym and toward his dorm room to start his free day.

Dez pushes the door open and sees Olive sitting with Grau at his desk. Grau was helping Olive with a homework assignment as usual.

“G’mornin’ Dez!” Olive cheers, and Dez grunts in response. Walking toward his closet, grabbing a tank top, a pair of pants, and some drawers, and walking to the restroom. Dez showers, he shaves his beard down to stubble, and brushes his teeth. Once he’s out of the restroom, he finds Grau explaining aura to Olive.

“It’s essentially a shield wrapped around your entire body that comes from your soul, as you take damage, your aura drains. You also spend your aura to be able to use your semblance.” He explains, as he fastens his arm bracers. Olive nods as she ties her boots, she looks at Dez and waves. Desmond once again grunts in response and walks toward the miniature fridge toward the back of the room, he grabs some jerky and tosses a piece in his mouth. He’d have to hit the mess hall later, he was starving.

“What’re you two gettin’ ready for?” Dez asks, turning around and looking at Grau and Olive.

“Grau and I are gonna go to the training dome to spar. He’s gonna teach me how to use my semblance during combat scenarios!” Olive explains excitedly. Dez had never seen someone so excited to learn.

“I’m also going to help Olive install a ranged component to her weapon.” Grau adds, as he steps back and wraps his belt around his waist.

“You can come with if you want.” Olive offers, holstering her tonfa on her hips. Dez shakes his head and tosses another piece of jerky into his mouth.

“Nah. I’m good. I’ve got plans.” He responds. Even though he intended on working out all day, he was just taking a break to rehydrate and eat before continuing his routine.

“Okay…” Olive says, a little disappointed. The two finish getting ready and leave, leaving Dez alone in the dorm room. Half of him wishes he took the offer. He tosses another piece of jerky into his mouth before setting the bag back in the fridge. He figured it was time to get an actual meal.

Dez sits alone in the mess hall, his tray stacked tall with high protein foods. He looks around briefly, his eyes immediately falling on a fellow with bright red hair and splotches of bright red skin. He was sitting at his table with two women on either side of him, smiling widely as he told boisterous stories about his exploits before coming to Beacon. Desmond scoffs before grabbing his fork and shoveling food into his mouth. He was utterly surrounded by people on all sides. But he was starting to feel alone. He thinks back of Olive’s offer. He decides that he’s going to check out what kind of training Grau and Olive were doing that day. Once he was done eating that is…