"I did it!!!" I heard foot steeps coming to my room, Higen didn't knock he just kicked the door open sword in hand, "Ozwald, I heard you screaming what happened, is it the spider again?" I shook my head and pointed to the staff, "Listen, listen! I was practicing like I do every morning before going to school and I managed to summon the staff without the need for blood!!!" he banished his sword back into his gloves, "that is amazing, I didn't like that you had to prick your finger or bite yourself to get it out" I nodded, at first it was difficult to do it, but I didn't have any other chose but now I can just summon it, it does take more time and I have to concentrate but it's great to see that my training is going somewhere.

  After we arrived at school, we decided to sit outside, it was a nice day, with no clouds in the sky, and tomorrow we were going to have a long weekend for a festivity of this realm, it's probably going to be a lazy weekend, Higen wave at Niko, he came, sat on the ground, and sighed "why the long face Niko? Are you also sad we don't have school tomorrow or on Monday?" Higen asked "What? no!, is just, that the band was going to have its camp this weekend" "Was? What happened" I opened a pack of juice I took from home as he told us his problems, "a few people dropped from the band because of the rumors of what happened at camp."

  "They say that people disappear when the camp happens, especially the good musicians, like they just waltz into a different dimension never to be seen again" Higen and I look at each other, could it be a titan's doing? "I mean seriously who would believe in monsters at this age, they aren't real" We look at each other again, "What's up with the looks guys?" "Nothing, nothing, so there's not going to be a camp this time?" he nodded sadly "Yeah unless I find a singer and a keyboardist in like an hour" Higen pointed at me "Ozwald sings" he quickly covered up his mouth as he remembered that I don't like the attention "what I mean is that... am... he... does it in the shower, yeah definitely not all the time"

  He crossed his arms and smiled proudly as he thought he salvaged the situation, "Ozie, would you please join the band for this week?" "Niko... I don't know if..." Niko started to sniff and his eyes started to water "ughhhhh fine you know I can't say no when you do that" I pointed at Higen, "and he is coming too" he was surprised "But, but, but!!!" I shushed him "Oh no, you put me in this mess you are coming to so good luck with the keyboard, it's like a piano or something, right Niko?" he nodded, Higen made a surprised and anxious face "What`s up with you Higen? you don't have to be a master or anything" "... I don't want to play the piano..." he said and looked down at the ground "Listen I don't care if you can only play maracas you are coming too!" he pouted "fine, I'll go to this dumb camp" "great I'll inform the band teacher about it and add you to the chat, this is going to be so cool, thanks guys!!!" Niko dashed to the auditorium as Higen and I glared at each other.

  "Why did you do that Ozwald?" he told me angrily, he had never been this angry at me "You literally offered me up, what's your problem?" I defended myself "My problem is that I don't want to do this!" "And you think I want to? I don't like people looking at me!" as we were shouting people started to gather around us "Are they going to fight?" "Damn, Higen angry, what's next Carter been good?" "Kick his ass Ozwald!!!" we glared at each other this is the first time we fight over anything like this, like any other friends we have dumb little fights, but this was escalating quickly.

  Higen took his bag and threw it around his shoulder, "listed, I will do this because I like Niko, but I will not go near any piano" and he walked off leaving me surrounded by disappointed people, what the hell just happened? Why is he so irrational about the piano? Is just an instrument, I won't pay it any mind he is just acting like a child he'll get over it, we need to find out the truth about camp.

  After the fight I have to admit, I felt guilty afterward, I went to the practice of the running team, but all the time I was unfocused and demotivated, I ended up being benched for all the mistakes I was making "Hey Ozie I heard about the fight you had with Higen, how are you doing dude?" Donna sat next to me on the grassy field, "bad... I feel guilty for what I said, I didn't mean to force him or corner him against a piano, but I don't understand why he popped off like that..." I hugged my knees and wondered what would Malika do here. Higen is not Talo, I don't think the motherly saying "the Voloros are better together" applies here, should I apologize? Should I wait for him to apologize? I really don't know how to fix this situation.

  "Listen, my advice as an unbiased friend I think you should take some space and let him have some space too, figure out what you feel and how to put it in words, and when you are ready tell him "Hey this is how I feel about it" and see where it leads you dude" I nodded, "yeah I just... I don't know do you fight like that with your friends or Carter?" I asked "Yeah from time to time, but the important thing is that after you talk it out and apologize you come back stronger" She ruffled my hair like Malika used to "So don't worry about it dude" I smiled I felt better after the talk with Donna, "thanks girl I needed that" "any time dude, now come on, couch is calling us"

  "Have you considered punching the pipsqueak in the face?" Carter told me in the dressing room after the practice, I sighed "Why did I ask you about this?" I reprimanded myself "Because when you stop and think about it we are friends, well kind of" "I'm not punching Ozwald in the face it was my fault in the first place, Marten" "Look you didn't want to do something, said so and he forced your hand is not your fault you are an airhead and told a fact about someone, is not like you did it out of malice or to give him a hard time, I should know I would have done it to give him a hard time" when you take the condescendence out he rises a good point, "but anyways why don't you like the piano is it too difficult for you? I used to play the flute but my hands were too big and hated it" I guess I could tell him it's not like he can tell anyone relevant to me "Marten imagine you like doing something then something bad like really, really bad happened and suddenly the thing you like makes you feel bad"

  he thought for a moment "Yeah I kind of get what you are saying, I used to like a band that later was found out that they did playback and nothing was the same, listen take it from me you don't owe him anything and if it bothered you this much maybe you shouldn't do it or you know you could talk to him about your feelings or something" "it's more difficult than just not going... but thanks Carter for the advice, you are surprisingly good when you want to... can I ask another question?" I've been wondering this for weeks now, he nodded "what is it Ba... Higen" "Why did you pick on Ozwald from day one?"

  "... I'm not so sure myself dude, I mean he does have one of those punchable faces but, I mean I know I can be a dick, that's who I am, but, it was weird, at the start of the term when we were at the cafeteria, I thought I heard someone say "throw" at me I assume one of my boys was challenging me but after I had that strange epileptic episode I asked around but nobody said anything" a compulsion of a titan? Maybe a divine word user forced him? But that made no sense, Ozwald and the melodists from Tartaros should be the only ones capable of that, I'll look into it after the camp is over.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  We arrived at the parking lot of the school waiting for the band teacher to arrive with the bus, Higen and I have not spoken to one another since yesterday, we don't seem to agree on this matter, but is okay I know Higen he will turn around in about five minutes and... "Higen I'm impressed you joined the band, that is so cool!" one of the girls said while holding his arm, "yeah we'll have four days all to ourselves in the woods you know" another girl clanged to his other arm, he looked at me and smiled mischievously "yeah I think it would be fun to hang out with other people for a while" they all laughed and went to the bending machine for some snacks.

  I felt so angry at him right now, who does he think he is? this is so annoying, I didn't realize that I lost control of my emotions, and the staff came out, "Well this is great!" "Hey, Ozie... what is that?" "this is... am... my hiking stick, you know since we are going to the forest and all I thought about bringing it" "Oh cool I didn't know you did hiking, are you and Higen still mad at each other?" he asked me concerned, he felt bad about the fight "well we manage to be in the same room without cursing at each other so that's an improvement" I sighed "listen Niko don't blame yourself, we will work through..." "wow can you lift me with only one hand?" I felt a surge of anger cursing through my body "Through this!" a stone was lounged against one of the windows of a nearby car.

  "The hell just happened?" I need to think quickly "Probably some kids playing rough anyway I need to talk to Higen be back in a bit" I quickly made my way to him, grabbed him by the arm, and dragged him somewhere private, "are you finally ready to say your apologies Ozwald?" he said while crossing his arms, "apology for what? You put us into this situation and then you let those... those hussies fondle your arms like it was nothing!!!" he smirked "oh so you are jealous I have other friends and I don't have to do everything you say? Is that what you are saying?" we glare at each other I ground my teeth and held the staff "you are being a baby!" "And you are a jerk!" "at least I didn't try to kill someone on day one!" that was it, I didn't tough before I talked and said the most hurtful thing I could to him "At least I have a loving family!!!" we both opened our eyes with that last declaration, "I hate you!!!" we said in unison as the beeping of the bus indicate its arrival "Hi... Higen I" "Don't, let's just go" he walked without looking back how could I say such a thing?

  This is a nightmare and I can't wake up, I wanted to sit next to Him but he gave me the cold shoulder so I ended up sitting with Niko, I pulled my hoodie up and was lost in my thoughts for the whole trip when we arrived at the center were we are going to stay I grabbed my bag, the band teacher informed of the rooming I, Higen and Niko were going to stay in one of the rooms, we were going to have activities and by the end of the camp a talent show, "and here is our room guys" Niko opened the door and we all walked in "... do you want me to go so you can talk?" "There isn't anything to talk about Niko" Higen said coldly, "yeah, nothing..."

  "all right everyone line up, Niko you go first let me hear your chords please," Mrs. Orisa the band teacher asked Niko to play chords on his guitar the room filled with the normal scales, I looked to my side and noticed that Higen was looking my way when our eyes meet he quickly look to the front, last night we went to look for the titan's labyrinth but we didn't found anything more over we weren't able to cooperate at all, I still don't understand how a piano lead us to this situation, Mrs. Orisa told Niko to play anything he would like and he picked a very rapid tune probably form a song I didn't know.

  "Very good Niko, now how about one of our newcomers Higen why don't you..." "I would like to go" I raised my hand, Higen was surprised, I'm not saying that I'm wrong, however, he always protects me I think I can do the same with this, I took Nikos spot he held his thumbs up, and wished me luck, Mrs. Orisa clapped happily for my initiative, her curly hair dancing in front of her golden framed round glasses "Okey Ozie, can I call you that?" I nodded "Awesome, now Niko told me you never had proper singing training, so we are going to take it slow, I'm going to harmonize, and I want you to try to follow me, sounds good?" "Ye...yeah I'll do my best."

  Who does he think he is? He forced me to come here when I didn't want to and then he offered himself instead of me... I miss him, in another time he would ask the girls to leave my arms alone I don't like to have them dangling from them, it was fun at first but now is just annoying, "Haaaa-haaaa-aaa!" when I heard his singing I wanted to apologize right then and there, but I quickly shook that idea off my head, I'm determined that he will apologize for forcing my hand, in time he was done I had to cross my arms as to not applaud his performance "he is not half bad but I have heard better" "yeah he sounded like if a cat was dying at the end right Higen?" I wanted to growl at them for the backhand remarks, but I retained my composure and just took her arms off me, as Mrs. Orisa asked me to walk to the keyboard seat.

  "Okey Higen, have you ever played the piano? Because if you do that keyboard is similar but with different tunes... Higen, are you okay?" Mrs. Orsia asked me, I heard my own heavy breathing, "I... I" I looked around people were looking at me, and whispering I tried to focus on something, on anyone, Ozwald mouthed "You okay?" but I was absorbed by a memory, happy days with my father at home he sat me next to him and teach me to play the piano, all of them moments I treasure now tainted by his absence " I'm not feeling well, I have to... go!!!" Mrs. Orisa tried to stop me, but I was faster, how could I possibly explain that to Ozwald? That I'm a coward who can do something so simple, I dashed throw the place to somewhere I don't have to face this.

  Another day have gone by, and even though the bandmates are always nearby I feel so alone, I want to talk to Ozwald and let him know he hurt me but every time I look his way he scampers off, this has also gotten into our investigation, since we don't want to be alone with one another we haven't found out anything useful, Niko asked me to move some on the instruments back to the utility closet, I wonder who would need to take out a Chielo at midnight, but no matter, I'll just take this thing back and then I can look for the titan again.

  I opened the door to the closet and looked for the light switch, and when I did, I saw Ozwald standing in the center of the room, "what are you doing here?" I asked as I heard the sound of the door being closed behind me, I turned and banged on the door "Higen we need to talk, I asked Niko to do this" "and you couldn't just talk outside like normal people?" he shook his head "I needed privacy, please?" I crossed my arms, "Fine go ahead" he walked to get close to me and started "You know how... the people from the underground are resistant to fire and high temperatures right?" the question was odd, but I nodded, that is the common trait amongst them, I heard from my grandfather that our weapons were made from one of the cores that is considered to be the most intense one.

  "Why is that important now Ozwald?" he turned around and grabbed the bottom of his shirt, "Because after a few days of being here, I realized a little bit why were you so upset about the piano kind of and it wasn't fair for me to force you here" he lifted his shirt and what I saw left me stone cold, on his back there were several burning marks, making intricate and painful patterns in his tan skin, but this is impossible he′s from the underground, his family is filled with basically legendary smiths "what happens? Did you go to the center of the core?" I asked that had to be it, there's no other explanation "No... I can't even get near the door to the furnace" he said as he removed his shirt completely.

  "Eh... what do you mean you can't? You said you didn't like it" I question him, "this is why I was bullied and mistreated at school the one thing I should be good at and I'm not, this is something I hate people to see, how could I ever tell you I'm not even good at something I was borne to do?" I wanted to get closer and touch his back the thought filled with pain when he got burned was all around my mind, but I couldn't bring myself to do it, I didn't know how would he react to my touch "I don't know..." he started "I don't know what the piano means to you, I don't think I can understand it, but when you got close to it I saw your face and it was the same face I made back at the royal palace when your maids and butlers ripped through my shirt, I'm sorry I really am"

  I bit on my lip until it bled how was I so petty "I'm sorry too, I was upset and didn't mean to remind you of what happened with Carter" "I'm sorry I said your family didn't love you I'm sure your grandpa does" I took a step forward "I'm sorry I wasn't a better friend Ozwald" he turned and did the same, his shirt on the ground "no I'm sorry I wasn't a good friend Hiegn, I don't hate you" "I could never hate you" we said and hugged as the light of a Titan labyrinth appear before us.

  "...do... do you think that..." Ozwald started to say as the labyrinth started to suck us in, I grabbed his hand and the door handle for support "Two persons... alone in a closet at night, one shirtless and "hugging" summoned it?" "My god... Niko is going to think we are doing indecent things!!!" I yelled "Dude that's not the problem right now!!!" as the handle broke as we were lunged to fight the titan.