That day, Dominion Elite Academy felt different. Sunlight filtered through the large windows along the main hall, casting a soft glow that made the atmosphere feel warmer than usual. Despite the usual strictness, this morning brought a rare sense of relief to the students—a brief respite, a rare opportunity to clear their minds.
Rael decided to spend some time in the small garden at the back of the Academy, a place he seldom visited. It wasn't a typical garden; it was enclosed by high stone walls, with tall green trees and stone benches hidden among thick bushes. As he stepped inside, Rael felt as though he was entering a more peaceful world, far removed from the pressure and testing of the Academy.
Morning dew still clung to the leaves, and Rael walked slowly, savouring the cool, refreshing air. As he wandered further, he spotted a familiar figure sitting on a stone bench by the side of the garden, seemingly lost in thought. It was Eira, his friend from Umbra. Eira stared blankly ahead, her face reflecting deep contemplation.
"Mind if I join you?" Rael asked softly, trying not to disturb her reverie.
Eira gave a faint smile and patted the bench beside her. "Of course, Rael. It's rare to see you here. What brings you?"
Rael sat down, exhaling a long breath before replying. "I suppose after all the training and missions, we all need a bit of time to breathe. It feels like we never stop running."
Eira smiled, though her smile was distant. "Yes, exactly. Sometimes, I feel as if we're only being prepared to fight and survive. But… for what, really?"
Rael paused, letting her words sink in. He knew that most of the students accepted their purpose without question: to protect Dominion from threats beyond the walls. But for Rael, that purpose felt hollow, as if there was something larger, something still hidden.
"I often wonder too," he replied slowly, "what will happen after we leave this Academy. Will we just become tools of the Holy Council? Do our lives belong entirely to them?"
Eira looked at him, her gaze penetrating, as if she were searching for the same answers. "Perhaps," she said quietly. "Isn't our life already theirs from the moment we stepped in here?"
They sat in silence, letting her words linger in the air, heavy and full of meaning. At the Academy, freedom was something they rarely felt. They were trained to be soldiers, protectors of Dominion, but seldom did anyone think about their own desires, about the dreams they might have had before coming here.
In the distance, Rael saw a familiar figure walking slowly between the trees, holding a small book in his hands. It was Luca Valen, a student from Bellator known for his stern and determined demeanour. Usually, Luca appeared tense and serious, but today there was an unusual calmness in his movements.
Rael waved and called to him. "Luca! Over here!"
Luca looked up, then walked towards them with a small smile. In his hands, he held an old, worn-looking book.
"Rael, Eira," Luca greeted them, lifting his book with a touch of pride. "I found this in the library. Not many people know, but the Academy holds a few records about the world before Dominion was formed."
Rael and Eira exchanged intrigued glances. "The world before Dominion?" Rael asked, leaning in to get a closer look at the book. "What did you find?"
Luca opened the book, showing black-and-white pictures depicting ruins of cities that once stood proudly without high walls. The images showed buildings with strange architecture, people walking freely in the streets, unafraid. Some pages showed ruins, suggesting a peaceful life before the threat of the Gloomspawn changed everything.
"They say, before the Gloomspawn appeared, this world was very different," Luca said, carefully flipping through the pages. "People lived freely, without being confined by walls or trapped within a Dominion full of rules and castes."
Rael looked at the old pages with a sense of wonder and a longing he hadn't realised he felt. "If such a world ever existed," he said softly, "why did Dominion have to build all of this? Why did they create divisions with castes and towering walls?"
Luca sighed deeply, as if the weight of the question rested on him as well. "Perhaps they believed it was for protection. But who knows if that's the only reason?"
Eira added, "Every time I see how the Holy Council controls everything, I feel as if they're hiding something from us. Maybe even the truth about the origin of the Gloomspawn."
Rael felt something stir within him. This conversation was like opening a hidden door in his mind, a curiosity he had kept buried. "Could they be hiding the truth from us?" he muttered, almost to himself.
Luca looked at him sharply. "Whatever the case, they don't want us asking too many questions. They want us to stay on the path they've set for us. But there's something we need to question, Rael. They claim all of this is for our safety, but we don't even know what threat lies out there beyond the Gloomspawn."
Eira placed a supportive hand on Rael's shoulder, as if to encourage the intensifying conversation. "Rael, questioning is important. Sometimes, the unanswered truths are the most crucial ones to uncover."
Rael nodded slowly, realising they all shared the same curiosity, a desire to know the truth kept from them. But they also understood that asking these questions came with risks.
Above them, birds flew across the clear blue sky, casting shadows over the peaceful garden. Yet, the three of them knew that beyond the Academy, beyond the towering walls, there lurked threats, and perhaps hidden truths as well.
That afternoon, the Academy shifted abruptly from the morning's tranquillity to the bustling preparations for an inter-house joint training session. The sudden announcement captured the students' attention, and Rael felt a mix of nerves and excitement as he walked to the training area with Eira. Today, they would represent Umbra in a drill that required them to collaborate with students from Auctoritas, Ingenium, and Bellator—a rare and challenging experience.
Arriving at the training area, Rael saw some familiar faces already gathered. There was Kian from Ingenium, looking serious and focused, his hands busy tweaking a small device with a faint glow. Mira, now a Medius from Auctoritas, stood clad in lightweight but sturdy armour, exuding authority with her resolute stance and stern gaze. Yet, despite them all being on the same team, Mira maintained a distance, as if guarding an invisible line that prevented closeness.
"Rael, Eira," Mira greeted them with a flat tone. There was no smile, just a quick, cold nod. Her gaze lingered briefly on them before returning to her hefty hammer, checking it meticulously to ensure it was in perfect condition.
Rael returned her nod, understanding that the inter-house rivalry and Mira's Medius status made her reluctant to form any real bond. Eira beside him gave a slight nod, appearing unbothered by Mira's standoffish demeanour.
Instructor Lena Varis from Bellator stood before them all, her posture upright and her eyes sharp as she observed each student gathered before her. "Today, you will face a simulated Gloomspawn encounter in an inter-house formation," she said in a commanding tone. "You each have roles based on your skills and the strengths of your house. Remember, in real battle, teamwork is the only way to survive. There's no room for error, and no time to wait for help."
Rael felt his heartbeat quicken. This wasn't just another exercise; it was an opportunity to prove their skills and experience working alongside students from other houses. For him, today was a true test, forcing them all to set aside egos and house loyalties to survive as one.
The training began with a low bell tolling across the area. Suddenly, from the shadows of artificial trees and bushes, simulated Vilehound figures emerged. They moved slowly but with precision, their dark fur blending with the shadows, their red eyes watching with a terrifying hunger.
"Vilehound at two o'clock!" Kian called out, his tone tense yet measured as his hands swiped across the screen of his device, monitoring Gloomspawn movements and signalling to the rest of the team.
Mira immediately stepped forward, her heavy hammer raised in preparation. Without hesitation, she approached the first Vilehound, biding her time. With one powerful swing, her hammer struck the creature squarely on its side, sending it skidding back with a furious growl. Yet it quickly regained its footing, showing a resilience not to be underestimated.
Meanwhile, Eira moved deftly, slipping between the trees, studying the Vilehound's movements while signalling to Rael. "I'll distract it from the left. Be ready to strike from the right," she whispered softly, almost inaudibly.
Rael nodded. He advanced further into the shadows, his steps light and precise. In the darkness, he reached for his Silent Rope weapon, ready to ensnare the Vilehound from behind and immobilise it if needed.
Kian watched his screen intently, occasionally glancing towards Mira and Eira's movements. "Rael, Eira, watch out for the second Vilehound. It's closing in from behind," he warned, his voice low but urgent.
Mira glanced towards Rael and Eira, giving them a sharp nod. "Get ready. If I can't hold it back, finish it from the other side."
Rael took a deep breath, focusing his mind on the movements around him. Within the shadows, he felt at ease, almost as if he were part of the darkness itself. He moved slightly forward, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When the second Vilehound approached cautiously, Rael threw his Silent Rope, wrapping it around the creature's legs in one swift move.
Seeing the opportunity, Eira stepped forward, her short blade aimed at the creature's weak spot. With a swift strike, she thrust her sword, stopping the Vilehound's movements instantly. Rael tightened his hold on the rope, ensuring the creature was fully subdued before releasing it. Meanwhile, Mira struck the first Vilehound with a final, decisive blow.
After several tense minutes, all simulated creatures were defeated. They looked at each other, breathing heavily, but their faces displayed satisfaction and a newfound respect for each other's abilities.
Instructor Lena approached, her gaze assessing each team member. "You've shown great potential for teamwork," she said with a brisk nod. "But remember, the real world is far more unpredictable than this simulation. Out there, even the smallest mistake can be deadly."
Lena's words heightened Rael's awareness of how serious the stakes could one day become. He looked at his teammates, realising that they had just experienced a glimpse of the threats that waited beyond Dominion's walls.
"Good job, everyone," Kian said, lowering his device with a small smile. "Who would've thought we'd work this well together?"
Mira merely nodded, not smiling, but in her gaze, Rael glimpsed a flicker of genuine respect.
As they left the training area, Rael patted Eira's shoulder. "This was our first time working in formation with other houses, but… it felt like we were a true team."
Eira smiled, nodding enthusiastically. "Yes, who would've thought our skills could complement each other this well."
Rael glanced back, seeing Mira and Kian walking slowly, deep in conversation. Despite the clear differences in their characters, today had shown him that each house's unique strengths could be a powerful asset. Each house had its role—Auctoritas with its brute strength, Ingenium with its intellect, Bellator with its agility, and Umbra with its stealth. Together, they could become something far greater than just a group of students.
As the sun set that evening, Rael felt something different within himself. This training had taught him that their struggles at the Academy weren't just about survival or gaining rank. It was about finding true strength in unity and understanding the value of each role in safeguarding Dominion.
In the distance, Rael looked at the towering Aegis Wall, imagining the threats that lurked beyond, which they would have to face one day. But one thing was now clearer to him—with strength and teamwork, whatever awaited beyond, they would be ready to face it together.