Deep Kvy Chapter Ii

[Lien Kocurek]

Anotherelement to etiquette comes from customs and behaviors between the kingdoms and authority figures. In our world, for example, a deeper bow is a sign of deeper respect and reverence to the one you are bowing to. In Terria, the Tamian have various degrees of bows they perform in different situations, from a simple head bow to an extremely elaborate gesture used to show that the one giving it has the utmost trust and respect for the one receiving the gesture.

With the Jahad Empire and FUG on the verge of a war after the shaking events in the Walls of the Peaceful Coexistence, having just survived the attempts on their lives from both, Bam and his friends must climb much more discreetly, in deeper complications than ever with the Jahad Empire and FUG. With new allies yet also new troubles, Bam in particular is pushing himself to grow in might and skill as he prepares for the inevitable confrontation between him and Jahad, as he tries to remain strong in his chosen path of protecting and saving those who needed saving, drawing comfort and strength from the presence of his friends as much as he could.

However, Bam and his friends quickly discover that conflict is much more inevitable than what they would expect, as the Jahad Empire and FUG continue to wage war with one another from the shadows, culminating in Bam finding himself in the crossfire of the battle that would mark the beginning of the war.

From the opinions/poll I did on one of my other works, this fic (Idea 3) narrowly won amongst the group. Idea 1 was pretty close, but due to the fact that I will likely have to redo the entirety of the prologue, this fic is posted first! Thank you, again, for all of you who posted your opinions!

First of all, I would like to say that, personally, I do really like how this series is going. This canon divergence fic is simply the creation of a curious reader who likes to imagine other possibilities. I will forever enjoy SIU's work. Which brings us to our next point...

After a difficult conversation with a certain Princess of Jahad, Bam comes to realize that perhaps in the better interest of both himself and the team, Rachel should not accompany them to the Hidden Floor. The decision has some immediate effects in their lives, forcing them to face inner struggles, past trauma, and uncertainties about the future. But above all, this simple change causes a massive upheaval in destiny, including a shift in team dynamics, new feelings coming to light, and an entirely different future to come.

After all, just as one wave can cause a storm that will devour the Tower whole, so can one simple change interrupt the destructive fate to come. But, unfortunately, this fate may not be more merciful.

"It's a service." Endorsi grinned with a mischievous glint in her eyes that reminded Bam of Khun's handsome, knowing smirk. Sweeping away the long hair from his face, he delicately brushed his fingers against his cheek, where Endorsi's lips had just laid. He knew what a kiss was, though never had experienced one himself prior to this moment nor had he ever given one himself. He knew what a kiss was and what it meant, which made this moment that much more confusing.

"Come on, let's go shopping!" Endorsi called him over, as she strutted through the field of grass with the elegance of a model at work. Bam's eyes followed after her, a frown settled deep on his forehead. His long ponytail blew gently in the breeze, bangs lifting in the wind to reveal bright golden eyes. He was more confused than ever why Endorsi would do such a thing and then simply walk off. Did she not want to talk about it?

"Bam, are you more worried about Rachel's safety than mine right now? Aren't I a part of your team now too?" Endorsi asked with a furious gaze, looking back at him with a thinly concealed veil of disappointment on her face. He knew the look well by now, recognizing it from the dozens of other times Endorsi had glared at him, recognizing it even from Khun.

The metaphorical stab wound in Bam's back dug viciously harder into him, causing him to avert his eyes in shame. Even after all these years, perhaps he had never changed. Hwaryun's words bounced around in his head, throwing salt in the wound.

If Endorsi saw his pain, she ignored it entirely and continued to stride forward, ever confident. "If you plan on letting Rachel join my team, you need my permission too. So don't try to stop me." His gaze remained on the ground. A part of him wanted to let Endorsi go, let her walk right up to Rachel and let the other girl have it. A part of him wanted Endorsi to tell Rachel all the things he couldn't. But another part of him wouldn't let her. He deftly ignored that part of himself.

But then the footsteps were madly going towards him and he almost flinched when Endorsi got right in his face to look him in the eye properly. They were only a few centimeters apart right now, her face uncomfortably close to his own. Her orange eyes were narrowed as they peered at him, searching for something Bam couldn't identify but he wished she would stop looking for. Though he was cringing away from her at this point, she showed no sign of moving away. If anything, she leaned in closer as he strained back to get away from her.

He had been prepared for her to say something incredulous, not quite believing him or thinking he was making some awful joke. He had not been prepared for her to flick him on the forehead for absolutely no reason.

He jolted back with a grunt of surprise, a hand flying to his forehead where she had inflicted a meager amount of pain. Even with the hand on his forehead, he still managed to stare at her in shock, disbelief painted on his face as to why she would do that.

"Oh good, I was wondering if you were an illusion or something," Endorsi remarked, leaning back and placing her hands on her hips. He could never understand how she moved with such confidence at all times, when he only had courage or bravery when lives were on the line.

She huffed. "Yeah, I know. Why do you do that, anyways? We never stabbed you in the back like she did. Why do you care so much about her? I know that she was everything and blah, blah, blah but," Endorsi stopped herself, but she only paused because she continued, "you have us. Is she really your everything that it makes the rest of us nothing to you?"

"I never-" Bam stopped, physically hurting by now. His parched throat scratched and irritated him. "I never meant for any of you to feel that way." Carding his hands through his hair, he held back the strong urge to pull at the locks, short again after having them so long as Jue Viole Grace. He swallowed a long breath. "I'm sorry." The words shuddered and sounded pathetic, reflecting his actions or so he felt. Silence lapsed, but not for long.

"You never answered my questions. Why do you ignore us? Why do you still care so much about Rachel when she couldn't give a-" Bam held up a hand, silently begging her to end that sentence there. To his surprise, she did and fell quiet. The seconds dragged onto minutes, though it felt like hours in Bam's pained mind. Endorsi held her ground, though. If there was something to be said about Endorsi's stubbornness, it was that she would do whatever it took to get what she wanted.

"I don't know, Endorsi. I mean, all I want is to know why. I want to know why she abandoned me like she did, even though she had taken care of me for so long," Bam muttered lowly. "I want to know why she taught me what it meant to live only to try and take away any meaning I had for living. I don't-" He choked on his words and clutched his shirt tightly, breathing heavily despite the fact he had talked at a slow pace. He squeezed the fabric of his shirt between his fingers, feeling the scratch of his fingernails through the thick material. "I don't know. All I know is that I never meant for you to feel bad or less important to me. I never wanted you to feel like I didn't care. Because I do. Maybe too much."

Bam's gaze fell to the floor and never rose, the throbbing pain in his chest more powerful than the pulsing pain in his metaphorical stab wound. That stab had been from Rachel, and every time he saw her it felt like the wound grew wider, every time she pushed him away the wound grew deeper. But even when she wasn't here, she still caused him so much pain. Had her betrayal caused that gaping wound, but also caused a gaping rift between him and his friends? Or had that been created from his own careless actions?

"I know," Bam murmured in shame, rubbing his arm. Endorsi examined him closely, eyes roaming his figure, then clipped him behind the ear. Holding that side of his head, he rubbed the spot tenderly. He peered at her cautiously, unknowing what she was thinking.

Bam nodded. "I'll try." He smoothed out his hair. "I'll have to tell Khun and see what he wants to do with Rachel. I'm not sure how many will go with us, but hopefully we'll have someone to keep an eye on her."

"I know. I figured," Bam sighed fitfully. "Bye, Endorsi. Thanks for the talk." He waved her goodbye and turned down the hall. Just as before, in his cave, the walls towered over him, dwarfing him in their size. But this time, he did not chase nor did he follow. But he still walked alone, perhaps he always would.

"What changed your mind?" Aguero asked him curiously. Bam sighed, averting his eyes away from Aguero. The action piqued Aguero's interest further, causing him to patiently wait for Bam's response. His friend settled down on Aguero's bed, far from Aguero's spot at the desk. Had the distance been intentional, or unconscious?

"I had a talk with Endorsi earlier," Bam began to explain, gaze focused on the ground between them. At the mention of Endorsi, Aguero couldn't help but grimace. The Princess of Jahad, capricious as always, could have easily made matters worse. There was the slightest chance that her and Bam's conversation could have gone well, but seeing Bam like this, sunken and solemn, Aguero highly doubted those odds.

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