Aysu forced herself to open her eyes. The fluorescent, iridescent orbs fluttered absently above her. She tried to grab one and fell over the side.
She spent a moment in the pool glaring resentfully at the elegant, angelic movements.
One step out and Lislan surveyed her, analyzing. What was that girl thinking? Aysu fiddled with her hair, tangling it into a knot. Lislan nodded, scanning Aysu. "Good, you listened, you wore blue—the college's color."
"I—yeah. Why do you have that cape?" It was a pretty, soft thing with jewels sewn into the thigh-length material. "Isn't it…heavy?" Looked fancy but heavy.
Her hair was beautiful, loose on her shoulder. "Status! Noble House things. And why would it be heavy? All our cloth is naturally light, harvested from the venuh. Come on, let's go."
On their descent, Aysu glimpsed the library. Rows of books gazed at her, daring her to read them. Some of them glowed. She eyed them. They pulsed, taunting her: Aysu Quan, come and read our secrets! Aysu had never seen that many books before. She only had a few books from home and the rest were her mother's best attempts to replicate the stories. Her mother—
"Oh, Lislan. You have a library!"
"Er, yes. Books. Lots of books. Y'like them?"
"Oh, hells yes!"
"We can check them later! Y'know, for most Noble Houses, our library is small. Five aetheris scales for width, height, length—very small compared to others."
"It's big. I only read eight books. This is…?" Giddy with anticipant glee, she fell into silence. Noran gave a breathy laugh, and it pissed her off. So, she snapped a dirty glare at him. He returned the glare and her glee drowned.
If looks could kill, Aysu would be a rotting corpse already in the grave. If looks could kill, she would have had a short life expectancy.
Lidaen came with a plate of food and Aysu dug in. Eldreran followed, bringing a platter full of glorified bread.
"What's that?"
That didn't sound so smart when it came out of her mouth. Noran looked incredulous and had a scowl on his face, she was pretty sure he already had a scathing remark prepared. Aysu shifted, shooting a look at him.
"Pastries. Dessert. Try it."
Conclusion: The desserts were sweet.
Noran looked up before saying, "We better go. I'll teleport us there." He reached for Lislan's and Aysu's hands. She gritted her teeth. He gripped Aysu's hand so hard it was difficult not to cry out. The grip was crushing.
Then he closed his eyes and Aysu couldn't see anything. Aysu's first thought was: What a nice, pleasant place for a nice, pleasant person! Sarcasm was riled up and fervently attacked her circumstances.
It was not a nice or pleasant place. It was dark and she couldn't see anything besides the black flickers of movements that circled around them. The area tingled, cold and numb. And so dark. It was the dark in the night, when sleep wasn't easy and roars of planes streaking overhead for some strategic target…it reminded her of not good times.
Creepy. By extension, creep.
She understood why Noran held them tight. Lislan's skin was pale and Aysu felt her face in a rictus grimace, but Noran, he looked calm.
Lights, then life.
They appeared in a shadow, and Aysu's eyes burned from the light. Oh, but was she relieved to see it again. She looked around and stifled a gasp. Lush greenery surrounded them adorned with various ponds.
"Wow," Aysu whispered. The grandeur of this whole world astounded her. It was…ostentatious.
Sophisticated arches supported a kaleidoscope dome that was open in the center, clearing the way for a splendorous tree in the courtyard. Vines with colorful blooms wrapped around the shimmering structures; spiral stairs provided access to the higher floors.
Waterfalls fell over the balconies, lights in the water. The water circulated back up, gemstones within them—then the gemstones spurted flames, beads of light fracturing the water. It erupted into steam then disappeared—continuing the cycle. It was mesmerizing.
Various-sized tables were scattered throughout the large campus with flora streaking throughout the courtyard. Artistry was scattered throughout the area and music floated through the air. Fabulous works of architecture provided a studying area. The main tree however took the spotlight with its enormous proportions and aesthetic treehouses.
The courtyard was surrounded by structures all with different attributes. Each one had their names emblazoned onto their grand doors. They embodied their concepts.
Inspirova was exotic and splattered with bold colors whereas Quantex was restricted and balanced, serene purples patterns symmetrical. Virtuo was a citadel with diverse mosaics spiraled into a harmonious look of white and metallics. Sorceri had mystical qualities, inducing wonder with floating and sparkling structures. Vinether's "branches" curved towards the sky, flora claiming the tree and Rarui was futuristic with cogs, flasks, and screws circulating around it with veins of red. Lulong was a rigid fortress, limned with radiant edges, looking like it was preparing for war.
Alanveador took the qualities of the other colleges and combined it into their campus…yet there was something special about its construction. Aysu turned around, trying to memorize the fascinating structures.
There were wildborn, elves, gnomes, and ghostly shapes all around the campus of all physiques and proportions—from precariously thin to thick, slender and stocky—but they were all stunning.
Regardless of their features, they froze when they saw her.
"There are occasional new people going into the school, right? Like in the middle of the year?"
"It's the beginning of Cya," Noran answered. "The beginning."
So, their months were different. Great.
Noran continued, "Dad said the last one was three eras ago. An infiltrator. Destroyed Alanveador, killed the foster family. His predecessors had done something…similar."
"Oh."
That, admittedly, might be a reason to be scared, albeit, with a sprinkle of prejudice. A tiny dose of superstition, too.
More like a mountain of prejudice and an ocean of superstition.
"Why aren't there…sinners and humans?"
Lislan shrugged. "The sinners live in separate clans for the safety of others. The Aeyxin humans don't come to these schools, y'know?"
"Why?"
"Oh, they do other things."
"The sinners."
Lislan pursed her lips, hands on her hips. "Er, I believe I told you! They have BloodRage. It's…dangerous. Additionally, most of their abilities are meant for…control of others. How could we allow them to be with us!?"
The bell interrupted with sonorous bongs that echoed in her head. She rubbed her eyes, blinking.
"Here's your schedule, Aysu," a familiar voice said behind her as Aysu wheeled around.
"Rnlaip?" she said.
He nodded and gave her the papers. "I'm…here to help."
Aysu looked at her schedule and frowned. "Lessons with Saygin-Janlis. Room 2."
"What classes…?" Rnlaip asked.
"Homeroom, Melodic Expression, Magic Arts: Abilities and Charms, Discovery, lunch, then Physical Training." She squinted. "You have…Physical Training?"
"You don't? It's mandatory for us. I have Magic Arts: Abilities, Emotions, Artistic Expression: Designs, lunch, then Physical Training," Lislan said. She looked at Noran and laughed, pulling him away. "Er, his day is boring. At lunch, just come to the courtyard, we'll find you!"
Aysu looked at Rnlaip and he told her, "Saygin-Janlis is a wonderful being."
Aysu nodded, taking a breath before taking the first step into Alanveador. An organized mess assaulted her eyes. The main area was an atrium that had iridescent bubbles carrying various items: books, writing utensils, maps, and etc.. She reached up to one holding a map, and as it popped, a glade condensed in front of her. She took a step and it disappeared—Aysu supposed it was to tease her into wanting to explore the unknown.
Then, there were these shiny…circles hovering. She asked an adult to understand what it meant: "Expression is perfection" referencing the saintish Scriptures.
Interesting.
Little artifacts fluttered above her with interesting mechanisms, lights circling the machinery. Winding halls shifted, some transforming into stairways. Miraculously, the room always seemed to be the destination despite the shifting.
Which was lucky, or she might never have entered her homeroom.
There were floating poufs everywhere she looked. Names were embroidered on them in different hues—but the names were set in circles.
A silver seat glowed as she approached it, so she assumed it was hers. It was a circle with lines in them—like the other cushions and the expression mantra. Eight fine lines compared to the broad ones on a neighbouring pouf.
Aysu sat down. Crossed her legs. And decided she didn't want to think.
So she looked.
How was everyone else in her home doing? She had some school friends and they would be surprised—Aysu was thinking. Her groan was quiet as she turned her head—
What!?
Was that her old teacher?
The prominent, sharp jaw and upturned eyes with a small point of a nose. Curls of amber ran down framing a fair face.
Reason claimed it couldn't be Ms. Lee. They were on a different planet and Ms. Lee's last sighting had been in her house which had consecutively blown up.
"Ms. Lee? I mean, Saygin-Janlis!"
Her teacher looked up, plain features flashing. Aysu noticed that unlike Lislan, she could blend in with the humans. She was pretty with the aura, but not that beauty Lislan possessed. "Well, isn't this a pleasure? Aysu, so glad you made it here safely."
"Um. What?"
"Oh, yes, I forgot. Got tired of Nixthys—moved back here." She sounded so casual about it; her green eyes closed. "I…know I left so many beings there…but it wasn't my place to…intervene, apparently."
"Really."
Janlis looked at her, green shimmering. "I wish it could be some other way, Aysu. I was forced back here for the Council and Champion Missai. I guess that my arguments made it seem like I was willing to do some things. They wanted me here for my own safety," she said, wringing her supple fingers.
"How did you even…get there? Are you Ms. Lee?"
"Yes. Yes. I was…on Nixthys. Champion Missai showed their memories of their old home to allow me to cast the right teleporting charm—after essays of pleading. I know it is hard to leave that world near its own destruction but this world has its flaws. We need to focus on our home planet—they have to do their own work, understood? Focus here, I beg of you. Forget about Nixthys."
Aysu scowled. "Really."
"What is your Attunement?" Janlis asked, directing the conversation. Ha. That was not going to happen.
"What's yours?"
"Magic. I can use it to enhance someone's Attunement; it is very rare."
"Water-Weaver, I suppose," Aysu said. "Everything's very different."
What an understatement.
"I'm so sorry. Arcan isn't good for those of your circumstances—we are cruel. It is in our natures, though we do try to pretend. Now, the lecture will be focused on a recap of the previous year—to help you, and to help them. You may go back to your seat."
It was a command but Aysu was used to obeying teachers.
…
Others came.
Sklaip, made of sticks in a feline shape. Otrini, effervescent. Sunili, an elf with reptilian scales on her face and arms. Kidreran, a boy with dark skin, laughing with Ransaih, a saber-toothed cat with dapples of white on her coat. Zivazh, some kind of bird—all the wildborn were prehistoric imitations of those from her home of awesome proportions—soared away from all company. Dilin, a boy with a gray Halo joined Kidreran. Lokel Evylan, a boy with delicate features and Wiven Evylan with a light braid. A huge lupine spirit, Cailih, nodded to Saygin-Janlis and sat at her side.
He had a ghostly aura, but his colors were still distinct. When he walked, he floated, and tendrils of that aura followed him. If he strayed too far, it would dissipate. It had a ghastly effect.
"Let's begin."
…
Saygin-Janlis smiled and pointed at the gnome. "Sklaip, what era are we in?"
"Prologue of the Shards Era."
"First Era?" said Janlis as she turned towards Dilin.
"Creation of the Shards, obviously."
Janlis smiled. "Ah, name all of the Vindai in that era.
Dilin glanced at Ransaih and she shrugged in response. "In the Creation Era, there was…Cinu? Chansai, Lairan, Kaelis, Kimpri, Melnis…"
Ransaih finished with a toothy grin: "Daileinah, Sanha, Sisu, and the Lost."
"Very good. How long did that Era last, Ransaih?"
"One year."
Janlis looked at Aysu and asked, "How long did the next era last?"
"Around seventy million years."
"The next, Ransaih?"
"The Radiance Era lasted for one billion years."
Aysu stared, suddenly wondering exactly how old everyone was. Sure, they all looked young…but…now she understood the ridiculous enormity of it all. She did not truly think she'd ever accept this fate of infinity, though everyone said otherwise.
Oblivious, Janlis said, "And the one before the Prologue Era?"
"The Everlast Era ran for eight-hundred million years."
Janlis smiled and nodded. "Do you see a pattern, Aysu? Of course, no you don't. Our eras are determined by the Vindai; a new era is believed to start on the first Vindai's birth of the new era, but it's speculation. And Zivazh! Our world is marked by the Vindai and Saidri…Zivazh! What was the Saidri of the Remnants Era?"
"The Primordial Ocean, Saygin," said the huge avian wild-born. "Its nefarious properties killed three of the Vindai."
"How often do Saidri kill Vindai?"
Zivazh was interrupted by Ransaih, who gave a toothy grin. "The average death rate is fifty-seven percent, if we count all of the eras that happened. There was only one era where none of the Vindai died, and that is in the Radiance Era."
"Lovely, now don't interrupt. Aysu, it is key to remember the great sacrifices the Vindai make and to always, always respect them, regardless of their…mixed moralities—"
"—mixed moralities!? Some of them are evil!" Sunili said. "Assassins, the fiend? Isessh who killed twelve thousand beings just to enlighten us upon the natural laws? The thieves? The humans from Nixthys!? Though they have done a lot for good, they have murdered thousands of beings! They're mad."
If Sunili had been in Aysu's home, she'd be punished for this outburst. From the way the others looked, this happened often. Likely had to do something with, "Expression is perfection." Aysu knew that would bring trouble.
Lokel and Wiven swiveled their heads towards Sunili, fearsome expressions on their faces. Lokel snapped, "Shut up, felsyr. Did you hear Saygin-Janlis? Treat them with respect!"
Here we go.
"I will when they deserve it," Sunili said. "They destroy—"
"—Remind me, what have you ever done—"
"—I didn't destroy a whole household like your grandfather did, Lokel."
"—Enough! You both watch yourselves! I will not have this insolence, nor shall you make others endure through this petulance!" Cailih said, exasperated. "Express yourselves, but do so with tact."
Despite this challenge to Saygin-Janlis's control, she was downright grinning. "Thank you, Cailih. Sunili, Lokel, calm yourselves. And yes, Sunili, you're right. Many of them have committed atrocities, which brings me to my point. Don't ever trust them. They are broken and have reached the point of being the bad they were supposed to destroy. Though they may have good intentions, the line is very thin—and yes, Aysu?"
"Um, why is everyone so…beautiful?" Aysu said. "I wouldn't have expected a tree-thing to be stunning? And a wolf-thing—sorry, if that's offensive—to look so…good. So, why?" Admittedly, Aysu was already enchanted by both of the Evylans…and Sklaip. Should she be worried?
Otrini guffawed, shaking her head. Lokel and Cailih submitted soon after, shoulders shaking. They all laughed.
"I don't know why the Aeons made us all like this," Janlis began and paused. "Mayhaps, it was just a whim."
"So…they might have made other worlds? I didn't expect any of this to be real. So…?"
Wiven said, "There are other planets." Her voice was warm and husky, velvety and breathy at once. She was long-necked and plump, with glistening red around her amber eyes. It looked good.
Aysu asked, "Could you find out?"
"Why?"
"Uh." Aysu canted her head to inspect their perplexed expressions. "Nevermind. Is…Nixthys another planet? How were we created? Why?"
"Nixthys is a planet," volunteered Ransaih, "but well…we don't know how or why."
"Okay. Sure. How do you become a Vindai, then?"
"Hearsay claims that the Vindai have to say a sacred line, but what makes it sacred is obscure. There is no confirmation, however, in the Mystic of the Shards Era…"
…
Combat woke her up—partly, because she was worried about her chances of survival.
"Unlike last year, you will not be focusing on a singular weapon. We will bring what you have learned in Magic Aspects while incorporating elements of weaponry—"
"—Any strategy? Like…militrary strategy?" Aysu said.
Saygin-Janlis smiled. "That is for the Nobles. One minute to prepare. Otrini, stop that!"
"Lots of apologies, Saygin!"
Cailih swooped to her and said, "You have a good amount of Depths. But your posture is tense. In Weaving, you have to be more loose." He guided her through nuzzling motions—she couldn't feel it, but she was able to change her posture.
"Prepare yourself…"
Aysu nodded, tense.
"Hold."
Wiven's inspecting gaze captured her.
"Commence!"
Fizzing blades of light weaved towards Aysu. Aysu backpedalled, and one of the knives slashed her cheek—the other four hit their zenith, descending—
Aysu covered her head and seconds before they hit, Wiven pulled them back, concerned. She circled around, the blades looping back towards Aysu—
"Aysu, instinct! The Aeons will guide you!"
What in the unholy world does that mean!?
Shining silver rushed through the air. Aysu shrieked, her gut jerking with her hand. Water rose from the pool, encasing the knives—how!?—and froze. With a clatter, the fizzing blades fell. Wiven raised her hand, creating five more light-blades that soared through the air—
A twitch of her arm, and the ice tugged back to water. With one twist, Wiven was swept off her feet.
"My Aeons!" Wiven said.
"Wiv!" Lokel cried, rushing to her. She blinked, raising her head, and whispered.
"Good precision. Within time, I suspect that you can flood the whole world if you have enough training for your proportion of Depths," Cailih said. "Such potential. I'll tell your mentor that, understood? They'll work on suppression with you."
Aysu nodded, silent.
Accepting.