Upon arriving, the group was greeted by the two maids—twins Eerie and Neerie—responsible for the Sleveren Estates. Immediately, Nova noticed something was off about them; they seemed to give off a vibe that wasn't welcoming.
They had arrived at the week's end.
| "Yooo, this estate is bigger than our school combined," Joan stated while gradually lifting his head to view the never-ending floors of the estate.
"I can't believe we will be spending a week in such luxury. I can now die in peace," he added looking as gloomy as ever, cutting Nova off from his line of thought.
While Nova, in turn, gave him a side-eye. Everyone who knew Joan understood he was obsessed with luxury; when he was little, he basically tried to propose to any inanimate objects that met his luxurious standards.
The Sleveren Estate loomed in front of them in a breath-taking of old world grandeur and cutting edge lumis powered technology .
Towering arches and stained-glass windows coexisted with sleek conduits running along the walls, their faint glow powered by the very essence of lumis. Hover-disks drifted silently between terraces, carrying supplies and staff across levels once only accessible by winding staircases. Bioluminescent vines climbed the columns, shimmering in time with the gentle hum of lumis flowing beneath the estate's foundations. Even the fountains in the courtyard, ringed by lush rose gardens, pulsed with a soft blue light—an elegant marriage of nature and technology that welcomed visitors into a world where centuries-old architecture thrived on the energy of the future.
The estate's iron gates, crested with intricate carvings, stood open just enough for their bus to pass. Once inside, rows of tall hedges formed a neat garden path, the leaves meticulously trimmed to perfection.
Everyone started unpacking their belongings from the bus, with the security guards helping out as best they could and the assigned teachers going ahead to scout the vicinity.
They spent the first day unpacking and being assigned to their rooms. Two students per room was the criterion to save space, and the boys were to stay in the west wing of the estate while the girls stayed in the east wing. Each wing had a guard assigned for further security.
The interior of the estate was equally impressive—ornate chandeliers dangled from high ceilings, and gilded mirrors with a light glow that changes colors based on what it was reflecting, lined the corridors, reflecting the awe on the students' faces. Plush carpets muffled their footsteps as they explored, marveling at priceless paintings and sculptures that dotted the hallways.
On the second day, Nova woke up earlier than anyone, recalling a dream of a tall girl just below his height with golden hair and long ears who did not seem to be a Terrarian, but she was breathtaking nonetheless. But a dream is a dream, Nova thought, casting it aside while heading out for an early-morning exercise through the woods—and spending some time with [Fyrinas]. Upon returning, he spotted Elsa sitting by herself on the edge of a cliff.
| "Booo," Nova shouted, trying to scare her.
"Kinggg," Elsa shouted as she continued, "Do you want me dead, or are you seeking revenge because I practically forced you into coming along?"
"Maybe," Nova mumbled, making Elsa smile a little.
"Anyways, what are you doing here at this hour?" Nova asked.
"I should be asking you the same thing," Elsa replied.
"Habits, I guess," Nova said as he carefully navigated a safe spot to sit so he wouldn't plummet to his death.
Gentle morning fog curled around the cliff's edge, making the drop below vanish into a soft haze. Nova could sense Elsa's tension easing slightly at his playful banter.
| "Finee. Since I was a child, I have loved a life of solitude, and visiting Gravity Falls aided in that pursuit. I eventually found this spot where I could sit and just appreciate the beauty of the world without any burdens," Elsa continued. "Oh sorry, I said too much, didn't I?"
"No, not at all. In a way, I feel the same," Nova replied.
For a moment, they listened to the distant calls of birds echoing across the valley. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and damp soil. They sat there for a while before finally deciding to head back.
As they approached the villa, Nova suddenly saw a figure running from the villa toward the woods behind the structure, and immediately, he took off. He didn't know why, but something in him compelled him to do so.
| "Hey, where are you going?" Elsa yelled.
"Go on in without me! I'll be back soon!" Nova yelled back.
But he couldn't keep up with the figure since it was the woods, and the person seemed to be really fast. The cloak they wore didn't make things any easier either. Immediately, he remembered a technique he had perfected to help him move faster than his species normally could, but it came with great consequences if used for a longer period of time.
With a sharp inhale, he activated his core muscles, focusing his gravitational pull downward. Energy surged through his body as the air around him seemed to condense. The first step propelled him forward with a force that cracked the ground beneath him. The world became a blur, his focus solely on his target. Each step carried him farther than the last, his feet barely brushing the ground before launching him again.
He noticed that the forest was coming to an end, so he used the opposite wind to slow himself down, finally managing to land on a branch.
The thick foliage swayed from the force of his movement, and leaves spiraled around him as he steadied himself. Heart pounding, he peered through gaps in the canopy.
The target finally stopped in an open field, and it seemed this person was talking to a group of people also dressed in black cloaks. He couldn't quite make out what they were saying, and to make things worse, as he tried to quietly descend the tree and move closer, he unknowingly stepped on a branch, making a loud snap that scared the group away.
Nova finally found his way back in the evening hours, covered with leaves and twigs. As he walked through the halls toward the west wing, it seemed that everyone was out back either talking or having fun.
But of course, there was one exception, and he wasn't surprised.
| "Lord, have you been fighting with the King of the jungle, or have you finally found your calling—bonding with the forest animals and making yourself their Alpha?" Joan said while struggling to breathe, laughing so hard he nearly fell to the floor from his bed. It was an unpleasant sight for Nova, as he had never seen a being try to combine a gloomy expression and laughter simultaneously.
| "Haha, I wish but no, I have been chasing someone. I don't think this place is…." He couldn't finish his sentence before Alex barged into the room.
"There you guys are! Hurry up—we're gathering outside to look at the meteors fall, which happens once per year."
Nova got into something comfortable and practically dragged Joan there. They stayed with the others for a while, enjoying the sight until late.
The meteor shower was mesmerizing, bright streaks of light dancing across the night sky. Students gasped in unison as each brilliant flare cut through the darkness, leaving a fading trail of stardust.
On the third day, Nova woke up not feeling rested and remembered having a dream with the same golden-haired girl again. This time, she was not standing—she was falling, and he was beneath her, stretching out his arms.
At this point, he started giving it some serious thought. Does she exist? Who was she? Was something trying to tell him something? He coupled these questions with the strange figure he had chased the other day, pondering if there was a connection. He unconsciously walked toward the window, and as he regained focus, he spotted the same figure. This time, he was determined to catch them.
He decided he was not going alone. Without any warning, he grabbed Joan, flung him over his shoulder, and jumped off the balcony, which was at least two stories high. Using his muscle core to move faster, the already-awake Joan screamed in his ear.
| "Have you gone insane? Are you trying to kill me? I wanna grow up, marry, and have children and grandchildren with all my body parts completely intact, you know!"
"Oh, keep quiet or you'll expose us," Nova whispered back.
"Expose what? What's going on?" Joan asked.
"I'll explain when we get there," Nova assured Joan as he sped up.
As he followed the target, he noticed it was farther this time, but he couldn't stop—not when he was this close to getting some answers to his questions.
The early morning sun cast long shadows between the towering trees, roots and rocks making the forest floor uneven and treacherous.
After hours of chasing, his muscles screamed in protest as he knew he was reaching his limit, and suddenly, he stopped, knowing full well the consequences if he continued.
| "Ouch, don't throw me down that hard," Joan yelled as he was dropped off Nova's shoulders. He noticed the downcast expression Nova wore, and didn't need any explanation for he knew his friend well.
"Hey, climb on. Let's find that rat."
"No."
"You want to find them or not? If you sit here sulking, we'll actually lose them."
"Fine, but if anyone finds out about this, you're dead!"
"Shouldn't you have said that before climbing onto my back without any hesitation?" Joan smirked.
Nova knew Joan wasn't as fast as he was, but he was a Terrarian who had also managed to manipulate gravity to a decent amount.
They spent a fair amount of time chasing after this figure, and as soon as they were close enough, an idea sparked.
| "Joan!" Nova shouted. "Brace yourself!"
Joan didn't hesitate. He slowed for a split second, crouching low, his back muscles coiling like a spring. Nova surged forward, planting a foot on his friend's shoulders and launching himself into the air.
Time seemed to slow as Nova soared upward, the canopy parting to reveal the sun setting. His muscles tensed, and he focused, activating his gravitational field. The air around him shifted, pulling him downward with controlled force.
Nova angled his body mid-air, using his gravitational control to adjust his trajectory. He wasn't just falling—he was directing himself, faster than gravity alone could take him. Leaves and branches snapped as he tore through the forest, closing the gap between him and the enemy.
The figure ahead glanced up through the mask. Nova was a blur, descending like a meteor.
With a roar, he reached out, amplifying the pull of gravity beneath him to increase his speed. He collided with the figure, the force of impact driving them both to the ground. The earth shuddered beneath them, leaves and dirt flying in every direction.
And finally, both boys pinned the figure to the ground, and after removing their mask, to their surprise, it was Neerie, one of the maids who was responsible for the estate.
| "Hahaha, I succeeded in distracting you," she said.
"What do you mean?" Nova shouted.
"Haha. By now, the Empire should have invaded both Terran City and the estate. Everyone you know and love would have been wiped out by the time you get there."
Nova felt a chill run through him, the weight of her words making his stomach twist. He glanced at Joan, who looked equally horrified.
At that moment, neither of them hesitated, and they rushed back—but they arrived too late. The Empire's soldiers had already invaded the estate; two of the teachers had defected, just like the maids, and one of the guards had lost an arm while the other was fighting to protect the students. However, the Empire's numbers far exceeded theirs.
Smoke curled from broken windows, and the once-immaculate courtyard was littered with debris. The sound of clashing weapons and desperate cries echoed in the air. Students huddled together, terror-stricken.
Before King could think, a soldier came rushing toward Joan. Joan couldn't react fast enough and didn't even try because if he did he would have exposed Nova to danger, and the soldier's lumis-powered red blade went directly through him.
| "Hahaha," laughter seemed to come from behind the soldier's mask as the soldier removed it, revealing the face of the other maid assigned to the estate—Eerie.
"You fools, you should have ran away whilst you had the chance. Now, none of you will leave here," she said as she dashed toward Joan and Nova again.
To be continued...