Abelard looked curiously at the yellow haired child he had been observing for the past few weeks. Under normal circumstances he couldn't be bothered to pay attention to anyone in his class yet. After all, they were a long distance away from awakening their bloodlines to pose any physical threat. As for posing an intellectual threat, that was highly unlikely.
He showed extra attention to this boy because he knew that just like him, he was one of the students who got in via a recommendation. Normally, this would not be enough to warrant his keen observation. It wasn't common knowledge but he was not a person who paid much heed to issues that were not of his concern. It was what his father told him made him mindful of the boy.
"Look at this picture carefully Abe. Burn it into your eyes and engrave it in your mind. When you get to the academy and you meet this boy, do not under any circumstances, offend him! It will be best if you could befriend him. If not, stay away from him. If you offend him, I will not be able to save you. Even your grandfather will be helpless!"
Breaking away from his flashback, Abelard looked at the boy again. His mumbling and stuttering figure cut a sorry sight as he struggled to answer the question. Even then he still did not underestimate the blue eyed boy. His father's voice shook when he warned him a few months back! His father was not a man who succumbed to fright. For him to show fear that meant that the boy was backed by someone so terrifying that even his grandfather's might would be rendered useless.
Many did not know this but as a core member of the royal family, he was privy to some confidential information. He knew that the SSS- grade was not the final grade. He was aware that it was just the last stage of the mortal realm. He wasn't sure about the realms beyond the mortal realm but he knew his grandfather had transcended the mortal level. He began to feel sorry for Mr. Aikens.
He had a feeling the man had dug a very deep pit for himself- one that was filled with embarrassment. He did not have to wait too long until he was proven right.
Mane was more mature than most six year olds but he was not immune to disgrace. He stood with a red face as he watched his classmates laugh as he made a mockery of himself. It was clear to him that his teacher asked him to summarise today's topic to embarrass him and teach him a lesson.
For the first time ever he began to feel anger. Anger he had never felt before. It was as though it was residing in the deep recesses of his soul and had finally found a way to rear its ugly head. He kept hearing a voice, a deep thundering voice that pushed him to act.
He was thirsty. Thirstier than than he he had ever been. And he knew it wasn't water he wanted. He wanted something else. He wanted the soul of the man mocking him.
"Tear him apart. Destroy him", they said.
"He dared to shame us He dared to taunt us. Does he not know who we are?"
"I don't think he does"
"Then why don't we show him who we are, what we are!"
The voices were growing louder. Mane did not know who they were talking to but he knew it wasn't him.
It felt like they were speaking to each other. As though they were seeking council from each other.
They threatened to break free- to rid themselves of their cages if he did not act.
"What is this dark power?" the 6st asked, his usual playful tone was nowhere to be found with fear taking its place. He was not the strongest in this place but before he was trapped in this space he was an absolute monarch, an ascended! One who brought fear to his enemies and hope to his loved ones. He may have been trapped here but he still had his strength. He just could not utilize it.
For him to feel fear, that voice must have the power to threaten even he!
"3rd you are the most knowledgeable. What should be done?' the usually silent 4th asked with concern lacing his husky voice.
"He needs a clarity spell. 8th you're a physician. You should know one right?" the reliable 3rd answered and posed a question to the 8th.
"First and foremost I am an alchemist, not a physician. Don't lower my position. Secondly, I do know a spell of clarity."
Mane felt his mind breaking apart. He was losing his sanity. The voices had grown louder and he could feel them pulling him down into the darkness. They wanted to be closer to him. They wanted to be one with him. The harder he struggled to faster they pulled him down.
He knew that he would lose himself if he drowned in the darkness. He did not want that. He was only six. His life had barely began!
The voices had grown louder. They were so loud that he felt his head ringing as though a hammer was banging against his temple
They wanted freedom!
And they were willing to do anything to get it!
"Let us out!"
"Let us out!!"
"Let us out of our shells!!!"
Mane was losing his consciousness. His eyes felt heavy and he was light-headed. The voices were now so loud that he could not hear a thing they said. He could only make out a few words.
He began panic, he began to despair!
That's when he saw it. A bright light! Brighter than anything he had ever seen!
Out of the light came a hand that reached out for him. The hand descended with a loud noise, scattering the darkness that was threatening to consume him!
*BOOM*
As though terrified of the light, the darkness around him receded as the hand approached him. He could hear the angry screams of the voices hidden in the darkness as he was dragged into the light.