The Cursed: Legend of Neil

Episode One-Part IV: The Unauthorized Match

Class went by slowly, and the silence was deafening. Neil could literally hear the heartbeats of everyone around him—some steady, some racing, some faint as whispers. The rhythm of it all pressed against his head until the big brass bell rang, cutting through the stillness. Ms. Wade excused herself and left, and in an instant the room returned to chaos. A storm of chatter and laughter erupted, almost violent after the quiet.

Neil remained seated, trying to distract himself, but the noise was overwhelming. He was about to leave when a finger tapped his shoulder. He turned and saw Jade.

“Hey,” she said softly.

“Hey…” Neil replied, shifting slightly to make room.

They shared an awkward silence until Jade slid into the seat beside him.

“Busy day, huh?” she asked.

“Not that much.” Neil looked around, his lips twitching into a faint smile. “Just not what I imagined.”

“You were hoping for peace and quiet?” Jade tilted her head.

“Sadly…” Neil sighed. “But what can I do? He’s having fun with your doppelgänger.”

He pointed across the room at Jayden.

“Doppelgänger, you say…” Jade chuckled. “That’s my twin brother.”

“Figured.” Neil leaned back. “But I doubt Sandy’s going to see it that way.”

“Why?”

Neil gestured toward Sandy, who had joined a group of card players. Sandy was trying to interact with Clint, but his eyes lingered instead on the boy still holding a flower.

“What’s a girl doing in the midst of men?” Sandy asked with open disdain.

“Dude.” Ned flipped his book without looking up. “He’s a boy.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Sandy wheezed.

“Nope, not kidding.” Ned shut his book with a snap. “Besides, this delinquent is actually my distant cousin.” With that, he stood and walked out of the classroom.

“That explains the pants,” Sandy muttered.

“Got a problem with a lady wearing pants?”

The voice came sharp and cold. Sandy turned to see Cheryl glaring down at him, her expression unfriendly. Neil knew that look in Sandy’s eyes—he was about to explode. Neil had known him long enough to recognize the signs. Sandy’s temper was like dry straw; the smallest spark could set it aflame.

“Excuse you,” Sandy snapped. “I don’t like your expression. Got a problem with me?”

Cheryl opened her mouth, but before she could answer Neil cut in.

“Sandy,” Neil said firmly, rising to his feet. “We’ve got another class to be in. Let’s go.”

Without waiting for a reply, he headed for the door. Sandy clenched his jaw but followed reluctantly. Jade caught up with them, waving goodbye to her brother before veering off toward the female segment to change into her training uniform.

In the boys’ changing room, Neil sighed as he tied his uniform collar. “You seriously need to chill out, Sandy. Snapping at every person who looks at you wrong is going to get us in trouble.”

“Us? What do you mean us?” Sandy frowned. “I’m the one who’ll be in trouble.”

“Don’t forget you got this recommendation through Dad,” Neil shot back. “If you keep it up, it’ll put a dent in his reputation.”

Sandy growled. “Using Dad again, huh? Ngizokuklomelisa maduze nje.”

Neil froze, his eyes narrowing. “What did you just say?”

“Nothing.” Sandy shrugged.

“I know that’s another curse,” Neil sighed. “At least stop saying them in Zulu. You’ll slip up in front of the wrong person one day.”

“I’ll take my chances.” Sandy smirked, slipping a pack of cards into his pocket.

They entered the training hall, and Sandy’s eyes widened. It was massive, more a stadium than a room, the polished floor stretching out under high ceilings. Echoes of voices bounced against the walls, the scent of chalk and ozone hanging in the air. Neil tapped his shoulder, snapping him back.

“Focus,” Neil said. “I’m your sparring partner today.”

“Fine. But let’s make it interesting.” Sandy grinned. “Whoever loses has to grant the winner’s wish for a week.”

“Sweet deal.” Neil smirked. “Don’t expect me to take it easy on you.”

“Bring it.” Sandy cracked his knuckles.

They stopped halfway across from each other, eyes locked. The air between them buzzed with tension. Sandy moved first, dashing forward in a blur too fast for the eye. His right leg swept out, aiming for Neil’s head.

Neil barely flinched. His left arm came up, deflecting the kick with practiced ease. He countered with a punch, but Sandy ducked under it, smiling as arcs of lightning began crawling across his arms.

Neil closed his eyes for a heartbeat, then opened them again. His pupils shifted—purple eyes with black spirals rippling from pupil to sclera, two petal-shaped marks replacing the iris.

Sandy slowed, his smirk faltering for just a second. Then he launched himself forward again, dust scattering under his feet. Neil raised his fist to meet him, but at the last second Sandy spun in a full three-sixty, appearing behind him and driving a fist toward Neil’s neck.

It connected with stone. The brick wall shattered into pieces.

“Wow.” Sandy grinned. “Looks like you’ve mastered that three-sixty vision. Substitution with a brick, huh?”

“Not bad yourself.” Neil smirked.

Sandy turned just in time to see Neil rushing him from across the room. Too slow. Sandy darted forward, his knee lashing at Neil’s stomach—but again Neil vanished, reappearing behind him. Sandy twisted midair and flipped back, landing lightly as Neil charged again.

Both boys smiled.

“You were serious,” Neil said.

“I don’t want to be outrun by you ever again,” Sandy laughed, lightning crackling across his skin.

“Fine then.” Neil shifted into another stance. “Enlighten me.”

The floor quaked as Sandy released a bolt of lightning, the energy cracking against stone. Neil dropped to one knee, sliding back from the impact, then stood and gestured for Sandy to come again. His taunt was deliberate, sharp, and Sandy felt the insult cut.

“Wow, you’re enjoying this.”

The voice broke their focus. Both turned to see Jade approaching, her uniform neat, her expression eager.

“Mind if I join?” she asked.

“Umm…” Neil hesitated, clearly ready to brush her off.

“Where’s your sparring partner?” Sandy asked cockily. “You can’t take on both of us.”

“Hm, you’re right,” Jade said with a shrug. Then she scanned the hall, her eyes settling on a quiet figure in the corner.

“Hey, Delia!” she called, waving. “Want to be my teammate for this spar?”

Neil’s jaw dropped. “What?!”