Frozen in Time (1/1)

OMO!! I neglected this since February! I'm SO sorry to my......four subscribers, but this will teach me not to start a fic and uni at the same time haha~But here is a no doubt long awaited update, I can only hope that you guys haven't quickly run away from this story.Welcome to any new readers aaaaaaand enjoy guys! ~ Tao let his bag slide off his shoulder and stretched his neck before checking his reflection in the mirror. The shadows under his panda-like eyes seemed darker than usual; lack of sleep might be to blame for that one. No matter how much he concentrated on sleep at the moment, no matter what medication he took or indeed how much, he just couldn’t stop thinking about time. How much time there was, how much time there would, what time had passed, even the concept of altering time; perhaps stopping it.“Plotting a plan of attack are we?” Tao’s reverie was interrupted as his fighting partner Qiang walked into the changing room, followed closely by the slim Lihwa who stole Tao’s beanie and stuck it on her own head with a cheeky grin.“You’ll have to watch yourself,” Tao smiled lazily. “As per usual.”“Careful now, pride comes before a fall.” Qiang threw his jacket and bag into a nearby locker. Tao merely scoffed at his friend before shrugging off his own jacket. It was only as he moved his hands to his trousers that he realised Lihwa was still standing behind the both of them.“Surely our little princess doesn’t want to corrupt her mind?” He teased.

“I fight with guys, I’ve seen everything.” Lihwa smirked at Tao.

“Not me.” Tao turned to face the small girl who always made his fight classes interesting. When she first arrived, Tao – along with every other guy in the place – had doubted she could ever measure up to their level what with her slim build and a name that meant ‘princess’. But she was a surprise, one that Tao approved of. He’d never fought her and he didn’t really want to because he knew that no matter the outcome, someone’s pride would be damaged. Didn’t stop the two from openly making digs at each other. A handful of the other guys called it flirting but Tao didn’t want to say anything out loud.“Well, there’s a first time for everything.” Lihwa took a step forward.“Children…” Qiang’s voice interjected and Tao let out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding.“Today isn’t your lucky day princess.” He gently shoved Lihwa toward the door and swiped the beanie off her head as she snuck around the corner. After standing there for a moment Tao turned back to his locker, smiling as he threw the beanie inside. Qiang clapped him on the shoulder as he headed out of the room.“You’re too young to be doing anything foolish Tao.”Tao turned his head slightly, listening as Qiang left, before laughing half-heartedly and moving to tape his hands. As he slammed the door shut on his locker he saw a flash behind his eyes. A scene similar but different to what had just occurred blazed as a single image on the inside of his eyelids and he reeled back from his locker. It was bad enough these thoughts of time wouldn’t leave him alone at night, but during the day, they seriously weren’t needed. The majority of Tao’s fighting class passed without incident or injury, as they usually did. Everyone in the class was friends, but if ever a challenge was presented they all fought for it. Tao was that challenge most of the time. He was the most skilled in the class and everyone knew it and everyone wanted to fight for the title he had. His level of determination was that which the teacher had never seen before and a fire constantly burned in his dark eyes. It wasn’t bloodlust so to speak, but more of a desire to keep climbing, to keep improving, to overcome obstacles.“Final combat for the day!” The teacher tapped a sheathed dao against a nearby pillar to get the students’ attention. “Now, it’s one that I’ve been planning for a while and one that might provide us with a bit of entertainment today.” He paused to give everyone a moment to guess among themselves. “Lihwa and Tao!” Here was an obstacle he wouldn’t overcome. Tao’s eyes shot up to meet Lihwa’s across the room. Her gaze remained on him for but a second before breaking into cocky grin as the guys on her side of the room began calling out encouragement and jeers alike. Tao just kept staring as she walked forward, hands in the air encouraging the noise from the group. She stopped in the centre of the circle that had formed and lazily began rolling her neck round and stretching her arms. She looked perfect from the back; strong shoulders, a smooth back and small waist that could be seen under the fabric of her shirt, some of her dark hair had fallen loose from her ponytail and Tao just itched to reach forward and –“Tao, step forward.” The teacher voice reminded Tao that no matter what he was thinking, the proper rules of combat still had to be respected. Swallowing a lump in his throat, Tao stepped forward, meeting Lihwa in the centre where they both respectfully greeted each other.“If the opponents would like to choose a weapon, please do so now.” The teacher gestured to the weapons stand next to him and after a moment’s consideration stepped over to retrieve a chang gun. Members of the watching crowd “ooh’ed” as Tao spun his trusted weapon expertly in his hands.“You’re just showing off now.” Lihwa goaded. “I don’t need a stick to help me beat you.” She stuck her tongue out at Tao before readying herself.“You might want to re-consider that.” Tao twirled his weapon again before getting into his own fighting stance.“Students ready,” The teacher held the dao between the two. “Go!” The dao swung upward and out of sight but neither student moved. Lihwa and Tao remained staring at each other, Tao balancing the gun delicately in his fingers. They seemed frozen in time, each one waiting for the other to make the first move and finally, Tao broke. Leaning low, Tao spun the gun along the ground hoping to catch Lihwa off guard, but she was very quick. Tao was forced to graze the ground as she leapt over his head, landing him behind him and aiming a kick at his weapon. She was smart, Tao had to give her that. Springing up he held the weapon in front of him as a guard, prepared for Lihwa’s next move. A few basic punches were blocked by the staff before Lihwa attempted another swift kick, Tao dropped the staff down on her ankle and Lihwa grabbed it with both hands, preparing to twist it out of Tao’s grip. Tao angled it up and quickly twisted Lihwa so she was trapped between him and the staff.“You’re quick.” He breathed in her ear.“And you under-estimate me.” Lihwa whispered back. Throwing all of her weight onto the staff, she pulled it down to knee height. Leaning down she flipped Tao’s weight over her head and he landed on his back staring up at Lihwa as she backed off to give him a moment to stand. He didn’t take that moment however and instead shoved the staff mostly over to his right hand and flicked it around along the ground again before letting go of it and flipping himself lightly onto his feet. Retrieving the gun he stood in a offensive stance; staff horizontal against his back, one leg stretched out and the other bracing himself, his other hand in front. Lihwa blew a strand of hair from her eyes and feinted at Tao, who almost took the bait but stood his ground. The crowd around them was cheering intently but neither of them paid any attention. Lihwa feinted again and this time Tao returned the favour, a move that Lihwa took seriously and made her step into Tao’s vicinity. Swinging the staff aggressively, Tao aimed for her shoulder but Lihwa managed to lean far enough back to avoid the blow. With the staff out of the way Lihwa landed a sharp jab on Tao’s jaw.“First point.” She panted with a sly grin.Tao didn’t pause, he threw himself forward again, staff whirling, but Lihwa blocked it time and time again until the two had swapped positions in the circle. Sweat was making Tao’s fringe stick to his forehead but he had no time to worry about appearances, he couldn’t lose to a girl. Just as Tao decided that using the staff was becoming pointless, he saw an opening. Lihwa had positioned her hands to protect from her chest upward but had left her entire lower half exposed. Swinging the staff diagonally down, Lihwa prepared for an upper blow but let out a shout as she was knocked off her feet. Tao’s victory didn’t last long as Lihwa used her downward momentum to propel herself into a somersault before grabbing the lower point of Tao’s staff and pulling it behind him, causing his left arm to bend awkwardly backward before she landed a square kick on his opposite shoulder blade, forcing him to drop the staff and fall to his knees.Tao turned to see Lihwa now spinning the staff with lazy ease in her own hands before she dropped into her own offensive stance.“Second point.” She purred. Tao forgot completely about his staff and instead lunged straight for Lihwa’s unarmed wrist and blocked her armed hand as it swung round again. With a clatter the staff hit the floor and Lihwa threw her weight forward as Tao tried to pull her down. The two ended up tumbling before coming to a stop with Tao on top of Lihwa, pinning her to the floor.“Point to me?” Tao asked triumphantly.“You haven’t landed a blow though.” Lihwa pointed out.“I wouldn’t hit a princess.” Tao joked.“Your mistake.” Lihwa managed to bring one knee up to hit Tao in the centre of his back, forcing him forward far enough for her to then bring both legs up and cross them over Tao’s chest. Pushing down she managed to reverse their positions, unlooping her legs before she snapped them at an awkward angle. Just as Tao struggled to sit up Lihwa struck him sharply one more time, causing his head to snap back and connect with the hard floor below. Tao lay there dazed as Lihwa called the final point and the crowd began dissipating.He lay there on the ground chuckling to himself at the absurdity of the situation, not even caring that as he lay there, time kept flashing across his mind. Shaking his sweaty fringe from his eyes he saw Lihwa standing above him, offering a hand to help him up. At that moment, time really did freeze. Tao was astounded, or at least thought he was going crazy, but time had seriously stopped. Only his heartbeat echoed in his ears, all other sound was gone, a sweat drop hung in mid-air. But as quickly as time had stopped, it started again, and Lihwa was still standing there.

“Come on man, I didn’t hit you that hard.” Lihwa waved her hand to encourage him to hurry and he accepted it gladly and stumbled toward the shower in a daze. He took the longest in the shower, surrounded by a cloud of steam as he contemplated what had just happened. Had time seriously stopped? If so, how? He was the last one left in the change room when he emerged from the showers and had only just managed to pull his jeans on again when Lihwa swung herself round the corner.“What’s happening loser?” She casually strode up to him and Tao hurriedly reached for a shirt.“You could’ve knocked you pervert.”

“Aww, you don’t want me to see your battle scars?” Lihwa mocked him.“I let you win that round.” Tao smirked as he held his shirt in his hands. He heard Lihwa ‘tsk’ behind him and then felt her small hands on his shoulders turning him to face the mirror.“Well if I won, what’s my prize?” Lihwa rested her chin on Tao’s shoulder, her fingers trailing along his shoulder blade. Tao’s heart skipped a beat and it took a lot of his self control to not act upon whatever he was thinking at the current moment.“Honour. Like every other fighter.” Tao eyed her in the mirror.“Hmm…I reckon I’d prefer you as a prize…” Lihwa’s large eyes met his in the mirror before looking at him directly. “Got to make sure I didn’t hurt your pretty face though.”Tao watched the reflection as Lihwa now ran her fingers along the back of his neck, and her lips almost brushed his jaw. Not able to stand and watch any longer, Tao tore his gaze from the mirror, a move that took Lihwa by surprise. The two of them merely stood staring at each other before Tao dropped his shirt to the ground and tentatively slid one hand to the back of Lihwa’s neck, pulling her gently forward. A small noise of surprise escaped her as Tao pressed his lips against hers, his other hand moving to her waist. But all too soon, Lihwa broke the kiss.“I like that kind of prize.” Lihwa smirked as she stepped back, Tao merely nodded. “I’ll see you round. You’ve got a new battle scar by the way.” She pointed at Tao before she slipped round the corner and out of sight. Tao just stood there, disorientated and dazed by what just happened. Before sharply turning to face the mirror; checking himself over he couldn’t see what Lihwa was talking about, at least not on the front. Turning round and twisting his head back round to see his reflection in the mirror, he saw it. A strange, almost hourglass shaped bruise forming on his right shoulder blade. ~ “He has heart, this one does. He’ll lead the others through their troubles well.”“Emotions could get in the way though.”“Come now, we didn’t make them entirely robotic, they are natural beings. Feelings and devotion toward others run strong, we can’t deny them of that.”“But what of the girl? We didn’t see that any of them would get attached to anyone this close to their departure.”“Just let what will happen happen, we can’t choose their entire life path.”“This is going to hurt someone. Be it him, or her, or indeed any of the other eleven, your plan will hurt someone.”“Life is never easy my friend.” ~ Chen’s hand manoeuvred the pen aimlessly over the blank page before him. He should be taking notes, he knew that much. He was midway through his course of Applied Music and knew that this was a point in his life when he really should be making plans for the future.He really couldn’t be bothered though. What plans were there to make, where was there to go? No music industry he knew of accepted scrawny, glasses-wearing ‘geeks’. Sure, he could sing, he had an amazing voice – something his family had assured him of – but first impressions were everything these days, Chen was pretty sure his voice wouldn’t be counted if anyone got a good look at him first.The tutor droned on down the front of the theatre and Chen had no idea what was being said. It was all just hot air today, going in one ear and out the other. The actual air in the room however was a different story, Chen was close to drifting off but the only thing keeping him awake was the air-conditioning that seemed to be turned up rather high. Not that it appeared to be bothering the feminine and the chubby cheeked boy in front of him, both of whom were wearing t-shirts.“Xiumin knock it off.” The blonde haired boy punched his friend in the arm and looked around as though worried someone was watching. Chen carefully lowered his head to his notebook. He had no idea what anyone would be seeing because far as he could tell there was no unnatural phenomenon unfolding before his eyes. The room was feeling somewhat colder than normal, and Chen’s only guess now was that this Xiumin had somehow broken the heating system.“But I don’t even know that I’m doing anything.” Xiumin whined. “I can’t make it stop Luhan, I don’t even know how I make it start.”“Keep your voice down,” The blonde boy – Luhan – hushed him. “Just try and stop it or you’ll freeze the whole classroom. Do you want a repeat of what happened with the bus last week?”Chen’s eyes widened behind his glasses, his pen was no longer in his hand. Was this chubby cheeked kid responsible for the frozen bus that was found last week? Korea was currently in the middle of spring and while it has been a cold morning, no one could understand why a bus was frozen solid to the road; all the people inside needed treatment for hypothermia.“Hey, I did NOT mean for that to happen and if you keep nagging I’ll freeze another bus and leave you in there.”“Xiumin, stop it. Look around the room.” Chen tore his eyes from the couple and noticed that people were pulling on their jackets and Chen’s breath was fogging in front of his face.“I can’t, I don’t know how.” Xiumin voice rose to a panicked squeak.“Just try and concentrate.”“On what? There’s nothing physically here for me to concentrate on.”“Xiumin calm down.”“I’m trying!”“Relax Xiumin,” Luhan put his hand over his friends. “You’ve frozen your own wrist.”“Luhan…” Xiumin sounded completely worried now.“Xiumin,” Luhan’s voice suddenly changed from angered whispering to a very calm and controlling voice, the sudden change was almost unsettling to Chen. “Calm down okay? Just relax, you need the ice to melt. Relax, shut your eyes.”Xiumin did as Luhan was instructing and slowly but surely Chen could feel the room’s temperature beginning to warm up again. It was a subtle gradual change but obvious enough that three people in the room breathed audible sighs.“See, you just relax Xiumin and it will all work out.” Luhan’s voice quickly changed back to its original tone and Xiumin didn’t even notice.“Thanks LuLu. It’s weird you know? Like, when I start losing myself to it, it suddenly feels like…like…like there’s someone in my head actually telling me to calm down.”“It’s called a conscience Xiumin.”“No, no I don’t think it is. I don’t know how to explain it but it really feels like a person is walking around in my head, pressing the buttons, instructing me to calm down…it’s usually because of that, that I stop doing all this.”Luhan just stared at his friend. “You’re going loopy Xiumin.”“What?”“Completely insane. All because you’re now “magical”.” Luhan put quotation marks around the word, just as Chen’s elbow – which had been unknowingly slipping toward the edge of the table – moved a little too far and abruptly caused him to lose his balance and topple off the side of his table with an undignified bang. Hastily he righted himself, rubbing his elbow as he went, only to look up and see Xiumin and Luhan looking down on him with bemused expressions.“Alright there four-eyes?” Xiumin asked.“Uhh yeah,” Chen responded from his spot on the floor. “Look, when you say that you have magic –”“I said no such thing.” Xiumin shut him down immediately. “Nothing happened here, whatever you heard us talking about was just a…scientific practical joke. Nothing more.” Xiumin picked up his books and almost ran from the room with Luhan on his heels and Chen left on the floor. ~ So you guys liked it? Is it okay so far?Please feel free to leave a comment below, criticisms are welcome (but play nice kiddies) and I do NOT appreciate silent readers but I know you're out there.Be sure to subscribe to the story and I promise I will update soon!  Psst, here's a little riddle for you! If you figure it out, do NOT reveal the answer in the comments below, keep it to yourself and you'll have a little bit more insight on what's to come ;)Fire and ice can't stand each other

Time can't control that which keeps moving

Light bounces off water

Earth and lightning only come together at certain points

Flight can be altered by a change in the wind