The sky bled red, trees decayed to dark lifeless barks. The full moon ever so present, glowed bright white, boldly claiming the expanse. She looked down: bodies. Five bodies. Lifeless—sprawled—on the ground.
She took a step back, a hand flew to her mouth. But the morbid stench flared her senses and she gagged. What on arvistia…
Her hands were tainted.
A lone crow flapped as it perched on one of the withered branches, the beak faced sideways but its amber eyes bore straight to Adeleine's turquoise hues, silently watching. It screeched.
She gasped awake.
"You're up."
It was just a dream… Adeleine sighed. It felt real. She didn't know whether to be disappointed or be relieved.
"Bridget, quickly, assess her," Headmaster Verkel commanded.
"O-oh, um, yes! I-it seemed to have calmed down. The light energies around her- ermmm, aura…" Bridget worded with uncertainty. "Isn't wild- um, flaring like a while ago."
The headmaster rubbed his chin, this time, it was of contemplation instead of fascination. He then grinned, dispelling the thought that he maybe have an ounce of pity on the poor assaulted girl. "Even more fascinating than initially thought. So this proves, even though not seen, that dark energies exist. It may not be as particles but, it could be a Letherian's aura… or both," he thought out loud.
What is he mumbling about? Adeleine squinted her eyes at him as if he was scheming once again an evil plot against her.
"Did you notice any particular difference from before?" he asked.
Bridget cast her gaze down on the floor. "Uhm, she… During the mission, I think she doesn't have a repulsive aura around her."
Re-repulsive? She knew the girl wasn't particularly pertaining to her appearance, but…
"I didn't see anything strange… I don't know… The light energies flowed naturally so I didn't think there was anything strange but…" She suddenly fell silent as her thoughts raced back to her youth, the time when they were still trapped on that dilapidated island.
Adeleine was eager to hear her next words. "But what?"
It snapped the timid girl out of her stupor but before she could say anything else, the headmaster intervened.
"I understand. Well, this is the first that it has happened."
Adeleine burned holes on the side of his face while he only cheekily smiled, knowing what he did. You bastard, tell me what. It. Is.
"What- what do you mean, Headmaster? Is it something important? I've never seen this change before."
"The world still yet has to know, though it is a pill hard to swallow. But who knows," He shrugged, "Time is a catalyst and a catalyst of change."
Adeleine rolled her eyes. "Wow, ever so cryptic. Helpful," she muttered.
"Says the person whose existence is a riddle itself."
"Are you insinuating that I shouldn't have been born?"
Headmaster Verkel spun to face her as he got to the door. "The question you should be asking, dearie, is what in Astrea's name happened, to you, and to them," he waved his hand to the other unconscious patients in the infirmary.
She recognized those faces; she despised those faces.
"And you should thank the kind gentleman over by the corner. He found you all lying deep in the woods. Now," he knowingly smiled, "I shall be off."
Adeleine diverted her attention towards the "kind gentleman" who saved her life while grumbling profanities of the headmaster. She paused.
No way. Clandes made eye contact. "You saved me?"
"Would you rather be left lying in the woods?"
"Well…" Adeleine found herself tongue-tied.
Clandes snorted, smirking as he heard no retort.
The few seconds of silence felt like bliss to the young man but to her, it was fast shots of her previous memories. She dropped supine on her bed as her eyelids closed. It was no use, however—she can't sleep.
"How did you find me?"
"*Inibiki* told me to come and fetch you. She stayed for a while but other important matters require her attention."
"Inibiki?"
"I meant the master," he replied coldly.
"I see…" This 'kind gentleman' must have been the one to take her back here for treatment. But anything before that, she vaguely remembered, only her dream.
The silence in the room made her head throbbed. For the first time, she dreamed of other than the endless loop of that morbid memory of her mother. But the change made her all the more confused and anxious.
What happened to the people who were with her exactly? Why are they in the infirmary with her, unconscious? She didn't do anything, did she? It's not related anything to her dream, she kept telling herself that…
They're not dead, right?
She immediately checked the one beside her. Breathing: check, no scratches, no marks, no missing parts. She sighed in relief.
Good, she wouldn't be accountable for any deaths here. That would land her in a heap of trouble, worse, punishment would cost a life for a life. She survived for so long, there would be no point in ending it here now.
"What did you do to them?" She paused. Surprisingly, the "kind gentleman" was the first to initiate a conversation.
"I don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know? You were there. What did you do?"
"I mean *I don't know*. I have no recollection of what happened. They lured me and then attacked me, and then blank. That's all there is," she said, annoyance laced in her tone. "I was the one assaulted here! Why are you making it seem like they're the victim?"
"When I found you, all of them were on the ground, so were you. No conscious. So I'm asking you what happened."
"I don't know!" she threw her hands up. The more they talk, the more she can't bear the pain in her head. It was like a drill poking small but deep holes. "They cut my hair and I blacked out! They—" She stopped as she realized something. "They cut my hair…"
She gathered her long tresses. A large strand on her side was now reduced to merely the length above her shoulder.
Clandes noticed her bottom lip tremble. It was apparent that there was an unjust form of treatment here, something he was adverse enough to know well. But perhaps, she was less fortunate to be born with a predestined ill fate unlike him.
Taking deep breaths, she composed herself. She wouldn't dare lose her tact in front of this person lest she wanted to lose all of her dignity left.
She looked at each of the faces who stared at her with contempt before this incident. Now, they lie on their beds, never knowing if that was the last moment they'll ever catch a glimpse of light.
She hopes it'll be.
One thing that indicated they're still alive was the writhe of their faces other than their heaving chests, as if they were experiencing a nightmare.
"They wouldn't wake up no matter what. As if they're in an inescapable cycle of sleep. You were the first to gain consciousness," he added.
"Then it's not my problem anymore," she waved her hand dismissively. They deserve it.
Clandes crossed his arms as he leaned back on his chair with a tepid sigh. "There's no point in pursuing it then."
Then no one knew what happened? No one other than these five people lying on their beds. It was hard to say she wasn't curious. Heck, she was bent on knowing. Does her dream have something to do with it?
Is it even a dream? Was it real?
She doesn't know. But then, how was she able to do it?
It's not like anything she knew, it wasn't one of the elements in Arvistia. What power did she actually possess?
A power that could make the sky bleed and the earth decay… It's like something that could only be executed by a celestial. Like Luna, the moon celestial and night, herself.
Could she had been dangerous? Only shall the celestials would know; only they can bestow one such gift.
The door opened and Kellie came in. An intricate cape of white hung around her shoulders, formal but not too lavish and boastful. Across her torso was a band with a pinned medallion, etched was the academy's proud insignia. "Oh thank our sun patron, you are safe."
The lady came back from a brief summoning by the council regarding her next mission. Now, she'll have to set off right after. These matters were done with great importance, therefore, actions must be swift and precise.
Adeleine hugged her. "Kellie! You're here! They used your name to ambush me." She pouted, feigning cuteness in order for Kellie to take pity on her.
"They… did?" Kellie looked shocked, despite having no real reaction on her face.
She asked hopefully, "Will they be expelled?"
"You…" Clandes gritted his teeth. "You're using her to get around what you want!"
The lady thought for a second. "The decision is up for the headmaster and the dean to decide. But expulsion… I've never heard of a student being expelled before. The only extreme is to be suspended. They cannot go back to their homes, however, during this period. Once you enter the academy, you cannot leave. It is to avoid unwanted info leaks."
"You mean, academy secrets?"
"Not to that extent but, every information is deemed valuable in warfare." Seeing Adeleine's face droop from the unserved injustice, Kellie reassured her. "Do not worry, we made safety precautions to ensure that they wouldn't be able to approach you. As for their punishment… Dean Helios will make that statement."
"So they'll still be in the academy?"
"Aren't you listening? They can't leave. Didn't you know that there's a law in the empire that once one forms a contract with a spirit, they must complete the basic education offered to them by the academy. It is not a requirement, it's the law." Clandes crossed his arms. "Until then, they'll be living in this prison."
"Clandes, you mustn't speak like that."
"Also, Bridget said that I have a repulsive aura. Can you tell me what this is supposed to mean?" Adeleine raised her brow. Kellie had been recently avoiding her questions by saying 'you don't need to know' or 'it's not important'. Some, she provides, but some she doesn't; like that one time, she asked why they have silver-white hair instead of the usual golden color.
She knew Kellie is with Headmaster Verkel with this one. Even if Kellie was the closest person she has, it doesn't mean the same for the lady. She's still a Letherian in their eyes, after all; the lady just took pity on her.
"Auras…"
She noticed the slight hesitation.
"For her to describe it that way…you must be favored by your patron to bless you as such. The heavier or thicker your dark aura, the more she favors you."
If Astrea was life, light, and luck, then Luna would be the opposite of that—death, destruction, and demise. Gifted with misfortune, or cursed…
Adeleine, deep in thought, asked, "Am I loved or hated by the moon celestial?"
"Huh?"
"Sorry. It was a weird thing to ask."
To change the subject, Adeleine noticed the formal attire. It's hard not to when she got used to seeing the lady in plain white shirts and black pants. "What are you wearing?"
"I was summoned by the council. I came back as soon as I can and I'm glad to hear you're safe." Kellie returned her gesture. "A new mission was placed under my jurisdiction. By the time I'm gone, take care of yourself."
The lady knelt down and looked straight in her eyes, petting her hair.
"And…I apologize if it's such a quick notice."
Hiding in the corner of the room, Clandes clicked his tongue, turning his head away at the sight. Kellie noticed this and said, "I want to hear no trouble."
"Hmph, that's all?"
Kellie made no reply, only sending him a look that meant everything she said.
Adeleine paced her eyes back and forth to the two members of the clan, feeling the tension in the air. Whatever these two have, the "kind gentleman" was rude to her queen.
No one disrespects her queen like that.
"Why is it me? Why not her?" Clandes, unable to bear the look, pointed at Adeleine, enraged.
"No trouble," Kellie stressed each word while he growled. But with nothing to refute, he shut up and sulked.
Someone is getting roasted.
Adeleine cackled inside her head.
"While I'm gone, I left someone reliable in my stead. Rest assured, his talents are trust-worthy." She gave her shoulder another squeeze. "Take care."
"Wait-!" Adeleine grabbed her arm. "Why are you leaving?"
"I cannot disclose any information regarding the mission. But I will try to finish it as soon as I can." Kellie gently removed the girl's grip on her as she stood up, straightening the medallion on her strap. She threw one last look on Clandes before leaving the room. "Don't argue, you two."
Adeleine sighed. Kellie didn't even ask how she was doing, or what happened... The mission must have been dire considering how it was stated by the council—a circle that holds the highest authority in the empire when issuing state-of-affair decisions, composed of representatives each from the Four Royal Houses and the Emperor.
She'll have to keep searching for answers herself if she wants to know the enigma of her abilities, and her roots...
Would that mean her mother lied? Was her life an entire lie? Or her mother had the reason to? Is it connected to her peculiar powers?
Another day, another question, another existential crisis. What a great life.