Matthieu could only watch as Adarius' fury grew ever stronger. There was only so much the tutor could do to keep the battle contained.
"While it is true that each person must find their own strength to overcome their pain and sorrow," Durant began, the sympathy ringing in his voice, "it would be foolish for anyone to believe that they can traverse all obstacles in life completely by themselves."
Before he could continue, Matthieu was surrounded by darkness once more. This then gave way to reveal a moonlit walkway under the trees. Opposite the tutor stood his wife and child. He wished to call out to them, until he saw an image of himself approach from amongst the trees. He smiled, knowingly - this was not the first time he had been taunted with such deception.
"My love! You're alive!", the illusionary young man cried out as the three figures ran towards each other and embraced.
Then suddenly, the scene dissolved, and Matthieu was once more in the gym, and his opponent was launching another frantic attack. His eyes followed Adarius, as he teleported this way and that, appearing on various sides, before bursting through the air, striking Durant in the stomach. The older man fell to one knee, and, hearing his students' mocking tone, he groaned to himself in frustration. He stood, and walked calmly toward Adarius, towering over the boy.
"I am at peace with my past, with my suffering. Whereas you believe it gives you power. If only you would learn to control yourself, and see that such beliefs are holding you back. I was in a similar situation once, and I was taught by vampires much older and wiser than myself." Durant paused, and his stern look faded. "I know not of your sorrow, but for the moment, I will assume that it is of equal weight, if not greater than my own." He held out his hand. "If you would let me he-..."
At this, there was an outburst from the other side of the room. It was Amarie. Golden rays blast forth from her, surrounding Adarius. Durant took several steps back, and simply watched. As the effect subsided, he looked over to Amarie, who had fallen to her knees. Durant, fully aware of his duty as tutor, rushed over to the side of the room. Finding a water-cooler, he took one of the paper cups from underneath it. Piercing the skin on his arm swiftly with one of his fangs, he filled the cup, then approached one of his students.
"Here. Give this to her. She should recover, a little."
He watched with mild concern as his request was carried out. Then, as he returned to Adarius, the bell rang, to indicate the end of the lesson. He marched past, picking up his whistle from the bench, and blowing it loudly. He announced that the lesson was over, then spoke quietly to Adarius.
"I am afraid I have no more time to waste on such matters, and I will not allow you to disrupt my lessons in this way any further."
