I found myself standing across from Jake in a defensive sword stance in combat class a few months later. I could feel the ground rumbling under my feet.
Jake can manipulate earth. I have to watch my blind spots underneath. Aura reading would help pinpoint epicenters but that would be an advanced skill. I haven't gotten along fast enough to learn Aura reading. Surprisingly, Sara is naturally gifted in reading Aura. Aura reading turns everything into layers of color on top of black. Every single life form has a color that you can perceive and separate from the vast black layer.
A rock flies past my head. That was close. Too close for comfort. I had to twist my body to dodge that.
I sigh. I still can't summon my flames. A thought comes to mind. I close my eyes. Supposedly, I could make my eyes glow. I read in a book that the glow of red amber of the Axia bloodline has an intense effect on someone's psyche. I may not be as strong as Jake, but I'm determined to give him a run for his money.
I grip my blade hard in my right hand. Heat is rising in my palms but not enough to combust. The rumbling eventually stops, and I rush forward. Warmth floods from the edges of my eyelids. This is my power!
I swing.
Jake easily counters my swing, sending me back five meters, right on the edge of our training section.
He's strong. I understand this now.
My mind flashes. I remember something. Beside Jake, I could vividly see a kid with the same hair color and style.
"I want to be as powerful as you! I'll follow you to the ends of the universe and beyond."
I smile. He has kept his word and surpassed me in power. Jake has me on the ropes.
Jake smiles. "How was that block?"
"It was hard to brace myself but you're pretty strong."
"A compliment from you. I didn't think I would see the day."
I sigh. "I mean what I say. I don't know who I was or who I've talked to. I seek to stick to my new life. After learning about the seven bloodlines, I'd rather not dabble. The Irin Axia you know is gone, and I am the remnant of who he can become."
"Hmm, very deep. You are a different person. Heh, Irin used to seethe through his teeth when delivering a compliment to someone. Yet when we depended on him was when he went all in. Comparing, you both are the same, but when it comes to complimenting someone, the way you say it, the words slip like butter."
What an analogy.
I rush forward. "Enough talk, let's talk with our blades."
"You are determined. I always liked that about you. The spirit that you give off is why so many of us follow behind Irin."
Thinking back to my talk with my sister Sylvia, I could only cry on the inside. Do I have to compete with myself?
"As I told my sister who is in awe of me," I whisper, "Everyone must tread their own path." The glow of my eyes turns into streaks as my speed accelerates.
Jake furrows his brows. His sandy hair is wet with sweat. "I follow you because I am in your debt, but someday when you're strong again and surpass me, I will surpass you." Jake moves into a stance to intercept my strike again with a counter.
Ding.
Damn it. I can't back down now!
Jake beckons me forward. "Come on push forward."
I push forward.
Ding.
Ding.
Arghhh!
My arms are starting to lose their strength. It wouldn't be long till they felt like noodles. It might be time to call it quits.
"Jake enough. It looks like he is having a tough time continuing." Our combat instructor steps forward. He turns toward me. "Not bad for a newbie. Holding his own against a member of the fleet. I didn't hear what you both were talking about but you both were fired up."
"Thank you, sir," I huff.
Jake peels back and steps away.
Our combat instructor pats me on the back. "Just remember to put your all into the ranking match next week. I expect great things from you Terrans. Of course, Nansronian fleet members must sit out though. Fleet members would offset the rankings."
The ranking matches. How well you do in the rankings impacts your standing in the fleet. Rank increase and potential salary are all factored in at graduation. Even though we would go into battle way before we graduate.
Jake sighs and sheaths his blade. He quickly does a stretch and then leaps into the stands. He looks back at me.
"Don't let me down," is what his eyes silently say.
I nod. I will go beyond.
Our combat instructor waves everyone down. "Everyone dismissed. You six Terrans are to join the other Terrans in the auditorium. The headmaster is going to discuss the ranking match for next week."
"I can't wait to face him," Stephen whispers to Serena. "Soon I'll snatch all the glory. I've finally grasped the wind. I'm certain I'll destroy him in the rankings. He's nothing but gum under my shoe."
Serena smiles.
What do they have against me? Stephen is so sure he'll destroy me. Serena, so confident she could claim me. I could feel malice behind me, and I was confident that Stephen and Serena could. They start to shiver under Mari's cold stare.
Mari stop.
Why should I? She frowns behind me. She flips her hair.
[We are above them. I don't want to have anything to do with them] I think out calmly.
[You are very forgiving, and that might be your downfall someday Will.] Mari didn't sound convinced.
Isn't forgiving and showing kindness a good trait to have?
Mari gives me a sad look and shakes her head. [I don't want to lose you again, especially to some stupid grudge.] We both lock our eyes. [Promise me you'll think twice about issues rather than dive through them.]
I smile. The same goes for you. We both think alike so I ask you the same question. Would you think twice?
I would.
I shake my head. Liar.
[Everyone would go through fire for each other, especially for you, just don't get us killed.]
I freeze.
Mari's words hold truth. After exchanging brief dialogue with Jake this fact gives root in my heart.
[I trust that you guys would pull me from the edge if I'm about to fall.]
[We'd pull you back and tie you down. I'll even allow Sara to do the tying.]
[You wouldn't get your hands dirty?]
[That's Sara's job, she's your partner. Our Starlinked Bond is forsaken by me at that point.]
[Do you have faith in me at all?]
[Of course, I do. My faith has swelled greatly. I haven't given up like the others. Knowing that you were alive somewhere kept my mind at ease. If you were wondering if I have regrets about waiting around, I regret nothing.]
A weight lifts from my shoulders. Thank goodness. She's joking around with me. I should have more faith.
***
Master Flintelan stands there at the podium yet again. His voice echoes reaching my ears without using a microphone.
"The ranking matches. Next week they will go into full swing. Midsummer Academy will be separated into Divisions A through F. The victors and anyone with ties with the victors will be invited to spend time with the King of Nansron upon arrival in Nansron during a fantastic banquet."
Gasps ring out in the crowd.
"The King! A banquet!"
Just my luck. Here I was hoping that I wouldn't need to leave Terra. I forgot that we'd be leaving Terra after the Rankings.
Sara notices me in dismay and pats me on the back. "Welp you tried."
Emily frowns beside me. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet the King."
"Do you even know who the King is?"
Emily is about to say something and then closes her mouth.
Disheartening.
Now I really didn't want to win this tournament. If it wasn't for the fact I want to put an end to Stephen's grudge I wouldn't even want to try.
Someone projects a hologram behind Master Flintelan.
"We carefully placed everyone into separate divisions. Please check the board and your Berry for your division. Work hard and no matter the placement I'm sure you'll go beyond even your own expectations. Sit back afterward and reflect and then work towards becoming better. That is all that our staff ask of you. What do you say?"
I look up at the hologram. Stephen and I are in the same division.
Last year, Midsummer Academy had streamed the Rankings for the general public. From what I knew, someone almost died after their opponent nearly went too far.
Jason wraps his right arm around my shoulder from behind me. "You alright man?"
I wince.
"I'll take that as a no." Jason starts to pull away and I grab his arm.
"I'm sorry. I'm just stressed out. It hasn't been an easy few weeks."
"What's wrong?"
"Everything. I feel like a weight has dropped on my shoulders."
Jason squeezes my shoulder softly. "I am your best friend, we'll both walk into fire for each other."
"Thanks."
All around us, the crowd roars.
Master Flintelan throws up his hands in anticipation. "Yes! Yes!"
What an energetic man. After a minute he holds out a hand and motions downward.
"Alright, quiet down." The roars quickly lower to complete silence. His eyes quickly dart left to right. "Now like last year's students, the Rankings will be available for the public to watch. All week the Rankings will alternate between the first wave and the second wave. Second wave will go first. I trust that all of you will be fitted to armor before the first day. All your measurements, that you provided us, have been set to the Armory. A few of you have already gotten fitted. Do note that the school has already paid for the commissions you just need to step into the campus armory."
Students stare at Master Flintelan blankly. Many people, myself included, thought that we had to buy the armor ourselves.
Jason smacks his head and lets out a small groan. "I completely forgot that I needed to get armor," He grabs Sara's hand and blurts, "Sara, do you want to go with me to get armor? I know you and Emily grabbed yours the other day. Will got his a while ago. I'm a master procrastinator."
Sara relently nods her head and Jason brightens a bit.
My attention shifts back as Master Flintelan continues. "A week after the Rankings, you will all head to Nansron for the second half of the year. The week in between will give you much needed time to say goodbye to your families and to celebrate the Terran holidays. This will happen every single year. I would go into this more but I will talk more about this after the Rankings."
I look at Master Flintelan dumbfounded. I didn't know that we would have to spend our second semester on Nansron.
Mari's presence chuckles in the back of my mind. No one told you that?
I roll my eyes. [No one said a word about this in week. I was playing this by ear.]
[The twenty-one representatives are gathering soon Will. I'm pretty sure your brother is already preparing for your arrival.]
My sleezy brother, the King. I know small things about him, but who is he now? It's been five years since I've seen him, but too much can change.
I frown and direct my thoughts. [I can only recall a few things. What is my brother like?]
It takes half a minute for her to reply.
Mari continues. [Justin is a stern but kind person. Besides the occasional visits to the Academy on Nansron back when we were kids, I hardly ever see him. Jordan and Lacey are exceptionally busy like Sylvia said. In my opinion, diplomatic relations were more your forte. No offense to your sister.]
I press my head to my seat. I can't help them anymore. I have a long ways to go.
Mari sympathizes with me. [We are of a different breed, us twenty-one. It's decreed that we shouldn't have any influence on politics, or you'd be on the throne than your older brother.]
I raise a brow. [Wait, the crown is given to the one who gives the best performance?]
[Yes, Axia family law. The Elda Family runs the same way.]
I sigh. [I'd rather not be in that world of politics. Us in the twenty-one I think are very fortunate.]
We affect politics regardless.
***
Sylvia
"This is taking so long." I rest my face on the table bored. My brother, sister and their friends are currently in the auditorium. There was no reason I couldn't be sitting with them.
Mari rolls her eyes at me from across the table. "We are not from Terra, so we shouldn't be involved in participating in their Rankings."
That's a bummer.
We are currently in the mess hall with the other Nansronian students.
I start to whine.
"Why am I here? Can't I just sit this out?"
Josie shakes her head at me. Her soft green eyes are full of amusement. "We were asked to help out with the decorating for next week. Even you can't sit this out. Your status means nothing at the academy."
I hate it when she's right. I don't have free reign here like at home.
Jordan looks up from reading. His cold eyes stare at me. "Miss Sylvia, look at it this way, helping with the decorations will help you understand older brother and sister."
"Erm."
Mari starts chuckling out of the blue. She's probably having a thought conversation with my brother.
Interested, I tap her shoulder. "What are you and my brother talking about?"
She jumps in surprise. "Nothing much. He didn't know that Justin is having the students study on Nansron next semester."
"Wait. Everyone is coming to Nansron? I'll get out of these classes?!" I shouts happily.
Mari looks at me amused. "Don't get any ideas, Sylvia. You'll still be attending classes like the rest of us."
I slump down in my chair. Disappointing.
Josie turns to Mari. "So I heard that you, Jake, and Anastasia are helping with the announcements?"
Mari nods. "Yes. Master Flintelan is lacking some staff. A few of the teachers had to go prepare for the students arrival on Nansron."
"I haven't seen Anastasia in awhile." Josie tilts her head awkwardly. "How is she? She never went to see her aunt like the rest of us did."
"Josie, stop being so nosey," I retort, "she probably had things to do plus my brother never invited her to their house."
"Your mom's food was amazing by the way."
"You are avoiding the issue of being nosey."
"I apologize." Josie bows her head to me.
I roll my eyes. This is part of her personality.
***
I sit on the steps of the training grounds less than two weeks before I travel to a place that I couldn't remember. The night sky is shining bright. This is the place where I feel my life will become more chaotic.
The air is so moist here.
I look up from my feet to see Anastasia walking towards me.
"Hello cousin, it's been a while."
"So why are you sitting outside the training grounds?"
"Why have I hardly seen you since the beginning of the semester?"
Anastasia starts laughing. "Touchè. That's how you say it right?" Her face instantly grows serious. "But really, the people you find important are looking for you."
I look up at the night sky.
"The stars look amazing tonight. Before what we Terrans call the Fall, there were zero stars glistening in the night sky. Light pollution had completely made the night sky invisible. Looking back, most of us didn't think we would survive after that day." I start to laugh. "Am I dreaming right now?"
Anastasia stands over me and holds out her hand for me to grab. She smiles. "This isn't a dream Will. What happened, happened, and what is happening is happening."
I close my eyes. Everything is much different, and I am sure that my life is going to become more chaotic from here.