Luna smiled. Humans with no powers were not allowed in the academy but there were exceptions to this rule, like those who worked in the kitchens and fields, and those, although they had no powers, learned martial arts. They were a select few. But she could plead on his behalf.
''It's difficult for humans with no powers to live here. Are you sure you want to?''
''I don't mind. It's better than being eaten alive outside here. '' Shane said and Luna giggled;
''That's right, the outside world is very dangerous. You'll be safe here. '' She smiled mischievously. ''Right, here we are. ''
Luna led Shane to a tall house, more furnished than the rest they had come across. He wondered who these elders were, their leaders or something?
''Wait here. '' She said and walked into the mansion. After a few minutes, she stepped out and waved at him to come in.
''Who are the Elders?'' Shane asked as they walked into the foyer of the residence.
''The guardians of the Academy. Here in the academy, there is a hierarchy of powers. The Elders are the oldest descendants, but due to their advanced years, they have retired from active duty, and now, they lead the younger descendants. The second strongest is the upper descendants, some of which are members of the Council, followed by the first rank of the lower descendants then the other lower ranks.
You most likely won't meet the Elders, obviously. But you will be attended to by the court physician.''
Luna explained, and she stopped in front of an enormous door. ''Go in. I'll be waiting for you outside. ''
Shane nodded and proceeded into the hallway. There was no one in. He walked around. Admiring the exquisite artifacts that had been placed throughout the spacious hall. Shane walked to one of them to inspect it. He had seen nothing like it on earth. He raised his hand to feel it, but a man's voice jolted him;
''Don't touch that!''
Shane jumped as he turned in the direction of the voice. Walking towards him was a dwarf, holding a jar with both hands;
''Do not touch things you know nothing of. You might get burnt alive. '' The man said and Shane gulped, stepping away from the stature;
The man studied Shane for a minute, then walked forward; ''follow me. ''
Shane followed the dwarf quietly to a door which led down to the underground house. The dwarf pushed open a door that housed a pool surrounded by golden statues of strange animals.
''Take off your clothes and get in the water. '' The dwarf said and Shane did as he was told. Although he knew there were no lost memories, he prayed that whatever the man was going to do to him, it would take him back to earth.
Shane submerged completely into the pool, praying earnestly that the next time he opened his eyes, he was back on earth. As he stayed in the pool, the dwarf spoke some enchantments and he lost consciousness.
When he woke up, he was lying beside the pool, half-naked.
Standing up, he looked around him and saw the Dwarf mixing some things inside the jar, and his heart sank. He was still here. He was still on this motherfukin planet!
Shane wanted the grounds to open and just swallow him whole!
''You are awake, '' the dwarf spoke, not looking at him. Shane did not reply, he just put on his clothes.
''There's something weird about you, boy, but I cannot really tell.'' The dwarf spoke as he turned to look at Shane;
''Did you get any of your memories back?'' he asked and Shane shook his head;
''I thought as much. I found nothing, but your energy feels strange. Something is really is off.''
Shane panicked at this point. He couldn't tell the truth and he could not risk them figuring it out. They might kill him the instant they find out the truth.
The dwarf walked to him, "let me see your wrist." He said and Shane gave him his right hand. The man took a brief glance at it before shaking his head;
''You are no descendant and yet you look like one. You have no powers, but why do I feel something strange about you?''
Shane remained silent, he knew better than to tell the dwarf the truth. They would see him as another demon and would kill him, his best bet was to keep his mouth shut.
''You'll be on your way. I found nothing wrong with you.'' The dwarf spoke, not looking at Shane again. It seemed he did not want to concern himself with matters that were too much for him to handle. The best thing to do was send Shane back to wherever he came from.
''I don't have any place to go. Can I stay here at the Academy?'' Shane asked, and the dwarf frowned. ''This is no place for humans, boy. You cannot stay. ''
''I'll get killed if I leave. I will do anything you ask of me, anything, please.''
The dwarf was quiet. Although he sensed unusual energy in the boy, it was not enough to send him out to the slaughter.
''I have no power over that. You meet the council. The girl can take you to them.''
''Thank you. '' Shane thanked him and left.
A few minutes after Shane had left, the dwarf stopped and turned toward the pool. His eyes widened in fear at what he saw. The healing pool had turned dark. Dark as death.
Luna was still waiting outside for Shane, and when she saw him come out, she smiled.
''I guess you're back to normal now?'' she asked, and Shane shook his head.
''No, it was unsuccessful. He asked me to meet the council if I want to stay here. Can you take me to them?''
''Yes, they let in descendants, I don't know if they'll let you stay. But not to worry, I'll help you in the best way I can. '' Luna smiled as she led the way.
''Which form are you?'' Shane asked as they walked.
''Water, I'm a first rank descendant. The strongest rank after the Council.'' Luna explained. Her voice was childlike and breathy. It seemed like she spoke seductively so much it had become part of her. Shane was finding it hard to believe that she was a first rank. She seemed too playful.
'''How powerful is the first rank?'' he asked;
''Hmm, very. We've almost mastered our full form, and our spirit energy is at its strongest. See."
She said, showing Shane her wrist. Shane's eyes widened when he saw the numbers on it,
23,638!
"Wow!"
He exclaimed and Luna chuckled, "yeah, that's your reward when you put your life on the line killing so many beasts.
When you get to this level, you can only lose mana when you fight high-ranking monsters.''
''I did not think that you were that strong,'' Shane commented and Luna laughed; ''I don't know why everyone says that. You will not believe me, but I am one of the strongest first ranks. ''
Shane laughed at her words; he could believe she was a first-rank but to be among the strongest, no.
''See, you don't believe me. '' Luna pouted.
''I believe you,'' he said and laughed again.
They were almost at the training ground when Luna cursed under her breath;
''What is wrong?'' Shane asked, looking at her in confusion.
''I did not think I would meet them first, '' Luna said, and Shane looked ahead and saw two girls who were putting on a unique uniform. Quite different from any he had seen. ''just keep quiet and only answer questions when asked. '' she said to Shane, and he nodded.
When they approached the girls, Shane was surprised. One was as petite as Nyx, and the other about 5 foot 6, but none of them looked like what he was expecting. He thought the Council members would be huge and fierce, but it did not seem like the case.
He looked at their wrists and their sigil had no numbers on them. He was confused for a moment;
''What is the matter?'' One of them asked and Luna hesitated before she asked; ''Have you seen Zuko?''
A frown formed on the girl's face and she looked at Shane's wrist; ''what is this human doing here? ''