The lady in limbo paused, letting the dread of her commute to the Arcrite Hall fill the cave. I was antsy for more information yet she seemed keen on letting the moment sit a bit longer. I didn't know if she was doing it on purpose or she was reminiscing. It could've been both.
"...Zeek must've felt really cool sticking up for you." I tried.
She cocked her head. I was worried she might not have understood what cool meant.
"Ezekiel certainly felt like Geire's presence was more a nuisance than threatening." She said. "Like a kitten pretending to be a lion."
"...But he was dangerous wasn't he?" I argued.
She didn't answer. More so, it was as if she didn't quite know what words to use.
"What did he try something during the Banquet?" I edged closer. "And what about Lin Hua? What happened to her? Did you talk with Lucius and Arthur? And what about-"
She reluctantly raised a hand, craning her neck away as I began hounding her with questions.
"What?"
She turned her head back to him, a pained smile forming on her face. "...I was getting to that."
"….Oh..my bad."
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By the time Ester's group caught up, they were surprised to see carriages, black and gold, lined up outside the HoS. Starless swarmed the nearest one, excited, nervous, climbing over each other to get inside.
Markos stood at the top of the HoS steps, watching with folded arms. He glanced back at the latecomers, then gestured to a carriage near the back. "Be civil."
They looked at him, confused, and climbed in.
Then they saw him.
Geire was huddled in the corner, biting his nail. His hollow eyes tracked them as they entered, but he didn't move. He just bit his nail harder.
"Tch." Ezekiel spat.
No one moved. No one knew what to do.
"Instructor Markos!" Ezekiel spun around. "Can we change carriages?"
Markos sighed. "What did I just say?"
"But-"
"Sir." Kris put a hand on Ezekiel's shoulder. "Geire...makes us all nervous... He could've seriously harmed Saphy and Ester the other day if not for Instructor Burnad."
Kris turned to look at Geire. The boy flinched.
"He's too unstable," Kris said.
Markos was quiet for a moment. Then he stepped forward, placing a hand on the carriage frame, his head bowed toward Ester and Saphy.
"I am...truly sorry for the distress he's caused you."
Saphy raised her hands in a fluster. "Instructor, you don't have to-"
"But i assure you," Markos said, his voice low, "Geire is a sweet boy….He just needs proper guidance."
He turned back to the carriage. "You won't do anything bad in there right Geire?"
Geire didn't answer. His eyes never left the Starless. He looked like a cornered animal.
The others stole glances at Saphy, anxiously waiting for her answer. If she said no, they would oppose, riot, even fight Markos's claim. Yet she nodded quietly and Ester could've sworn Geire flinched again, but this time for a different reason.
"Ah, perfect timing." Markos said from outside the carriage. "Make sure they don't kill themselves in there."
"Isn't this something…"
Ester's heart dropped as soon as she heard Se'raf's voice.
Lucius and Arthur entered as well, and the carriage seemed to shrink.
The ride was silent. Horses' hooves on stone. Wheels turning as they trotted further up the Holy lands mountain. Saphy and Ester exchanged awkward glances, trying not to stare at the pair of Heroes across from them. Se'raf seemed to enjoy the show. An amused glint shone in their eyes.
Ezekiel glared at Arthur, arms folded. Arthur pretended not to notice.
"You are so handsome." Ezekiel shouted. "Why? It's pissing me off."
Saphy elbowed him. Kris sighed.
Arthur blinked. "Uhm..well…"
Ezekiel turned to Saphy. "Isn't he?"
"Y-yes?!" Saphy straightened up, almost immediately clapping a hand over her mouth. "I-I mean…" She tried stealing glances at Arthur but ended up in a trance. "You are gorgeous…"
"Oh um…" Arthur forced a laugh, scratching the back of his head. "Thank you. You look amazing yourself...I mean, you all do." His eyes swept the carriage, matching with Ester until she broke it almost immediately.
She didn't know why he kept looking at her but she felt sick every time. Nauseous when talked. Nauseous when he looked at her. Why was he acting so bashful? She didn't understand it. Every time he looked at her, a similar emotion would emerge from her. The same emotion when her Uncle had cornered her. When her parents let him. She felt anger. She just didn't know who it was directed at.
"If I may," Kris leaned closer. "Why are you two only just arriving at the HoS?"
Lucius had been quiet the whole journey, causing the others to squirm in awkwardness as he stared at nothing.
"For me," Arthur cleared his throat. "It was bandits."
He opened his mouth to explain, or deflect but before he could, the carriage lurched to a stop. Outside, torchlight bled through the gaps in the curtains. Voices. Movement. The other carriages had arrived.
"We're here," the carriage drive grumbled.
Ezekiel jumped out first, stretching like he'd been confined for hours. Kris followed. Saphy glanced at Geire before she climbed out. Then Ester.
The cold hit her immediately. Not freezing, but enough to notice. Officials stood at the base of the inner ring, watching. She couldn't stop shaking.
Starless were being guided into the Arcrite Hall in groups. One of the officials, bored and expressionless, did a double take when he saw Lucius and Arthur with Ester's group.
"R-right this way!" He squeaked, eyes impossibly wide as he gawked from Arthur to Lucius. "Just up the flight of stairs."
Ezekiel scoffed as he passed, accidentally bumping him.
"What's wrong?" Lucius called, amused. "They didn't recognise you?"
Ezekiel's ears turned red. "...Shut up."
They reached the entrance. Another official stood outside, stammering as he saw them, pressing himself against the wall. Ezekiel wasted no time, opening the doors while the man was still gaping.
The whispers they could faintly hear outside was now full fledged chatters.
The room was enormous. Ceilings so high they disappeared into shadow. Chandeliers hung like frozen stars. Stained glass windows lined the upper walls, images of important figures glowing faintly in the moonlight. The floor was so polished, Ester wouldn't have been surprised if she found her reflection staring back at her. Candles on holders flickered on every table, adding to the overall mood.
"This place is so fancy." Saphy awed.
"I guess we find a place to sit?" Arthur said, glancing at the heads that were now turning to them. Ester could hear some of the whispers as they passed tables.
Why is Lucius with them?
I wanted to talk to Arthur more...
The tables were arranged in a U shape. Five tables on each side, forming the arms. White cloth, silverware that caught the candlelight, empty plates waiting.
Each table could sit roughly eight...maybe ten.
The tables closest to the entrance were already taken. No one wanted to sit too close to the head of the U. The Arcon's table. Longer and higher with empty chairs that felt imposing. As if even his table demanded respect. Steps on both sides led up to it.
They had no choice but to sit at the left arm, second closest to the head.
It was then she noticed three figures that stood around the Hall. They weren't dressed up for a Banquet, but they wore the HoS uniform with capes hanging from their backs. She saw the blue hair.
"Is that-" she whispered to Saphy. Saphy followed her gaze and her eyes lit up. She waved at Elijah who casually leaned against a wall, the same scowl etched in his face. He noticed them and gave them an upward nod.
"He never looks happy does he." Saphy said.
In the other corner, the same girl they saw as they returned from the Capital, Vanessa, was yawning. She was captivating a small crowd as she waved at the Starless who were enchanted with her beauty. She had already noticed Arthur, biting her finger as she smiled at him.
And the other corner, Ester recognised the same scrawny boy. The glasses were unmistakable. Cosmo was fiddling with his fingers, darting his head back and forth across the whole hall until they landed on Ester. They both waved at each other frantically. Ester couldn't help but smile.
"Why are third years here?" She whispered as they sat down.
"They probably volunteered." Se'raf said.
"Why?"
"For merit."
Whilst the entire hall buzzed with chatter, their table wrestled with uncomfortable silence.
Lucius took the far end, facing the Arcon's table. Se'raf sat to his left. Geire followed, drifting into the seat beside Se'raf, surprising Arthur. He wasn't thrilled yet he took the next spot.
Ezekiel sat on Lucius's other side, across from Se'raf. Perhaps he wanted to talk to him more, or study the great Lucius. Kris sat besides Ezekiel. Ester would have sat next to Kris, but that put her opposite Arthur.
She swapped with Saphy instead who would sit opposite to Geire.
She settled across from Arthur, looking relieved, mouthing something. Thank you with a grateful smile. She turned back to Arthur.
"So Arthur." She beamed, leaning close to the table, batting her eyes. "How strong are you, really?"
He gave the same dumb surprised look. "Oh! Um… I don't really know…"
Saphy waited for him to keep talking, eager to carry on the conversation, but he went quiet again.
"...That's it?" Ezekiel grunted, one hand on his chin. "You're awfully reserved aren't you?" He turned his head, muttering under his breath something about the things he'd do if he looked like Arthur. He began chuckling to himself.
"...Is he normally like this?" Arthur whispered around to anyone who would answer him. They nodded immediately. Unanimously.
"Why...are you sitting next to me?" Lucius asked turning his head to Ezekiel's direction.
"Because you're supposedly strong," he replied. "When else will I have the opportunity to sit next to the Arc's authority?"
Lucius didn't reply. Yet he gave a resounding hum as if he made a good point. "Just...try not to be annoying though...For your sake." His voice turned low as he said this, the air heavier under his words.
"...I-is that a threat you bastard?!" Ezekiel shouted standing up. Voice unusually high. He drew attention towards them all as Kris yanked him back down. The tension was cut short by the sound of Lucius chuckling.
"You're not easy to scare are you?" He chimed.
"...I can't become strong if I'm scared." Ezekiel muttered, eyes glued on the table.
Lucius just tapped his finger on the table a single quiet mutter under his breath. Bullshit.
"...What?"
Lucius turned to face Ezekiel. "Bull.shit." He pointed to Geire across the table. "He has frightening power and potential and all he has done is bit his nail and stay quiet." He pointed at Arthur. "Arthur is the avatar of a primordial force and he can't even hold a conversation."
"Hey." Arthur winced. The table burst into a half hearted snickers.
"And she…" Lucius faltered when he his finger landed on Ester. They turned to her. "...It's you."
It felt like all the oxygen was ripped from her lungs. She had been noticed.
It felt like the whole table was watching her.
In that moment, a chime could be heard from outside the Banquet hall. Chairs screeched as everyone stood up.
Six figures entered first. Robes a mix of gold, white and black between them. They were hooded, moving in perfect unison as they began a silent shuffle across the polished stone.
As soon as the Arcon stepped into the room, the pressure in the air changed. He appeared to be in his forties. With short grey hair. Ester couldn't help but be reminded of Matteus. He wore a white robe that fit him perfectly. Close through the chest and shoulders, shaping his frame without any creases. The fabric narrowed around his wrists before falling into a smooth, flowing length below. The sleeves sat perfectly at his arms, neither loose nor restrictive, and every seam seemed deliberate.
One of the hooded began singing. Then another joined in, then another. Then the Starless began. The stance they practised and the chorus they were taught.
Blessed is he, O blessed is he,
The Arcon of Geneeva
Ester joined.
He bears the weight of all to see,
A shepherd to believers.
Ester noticed Lucius, watching, not following the others as they sang along.
The figures in front of him fanned out as they passed the Starless, ascending the steps on either side of the raised table. Two to the left and three including the Arcon to the right.
The singing died down and the figure with the chime struck it again, allowing the noise to penetrate the hall.
"Starless."
The Arcon raised his hands, looking at everyone. His eyes warm and a smile so genuine it sent shivers down the back of her neck.
He retracted his hands back together into a position that was suspended around his core, as he took a few seconds to properly look at everyone in the room.
His eyes looked over at Lucius and his smile grew ever so slightly. He then snapped back to focus.
"Please," he said. "sit."
And so the Starless did, almost immediately, except for Lucius who had to be pulled down by Se'raf who now moved their chair closer to him.
"My name is Atlas Leonidas." he said, his voice calm and sweet. "The second Arcon of Geneeva."
He let his words hang in the air.
"I would like to say how wonderful it is to see a room teeming with such potential," he continued with a sigh. "You all look wonderful tonight."
Low thank you's rippled across the hall.
"I apologise for how this Event came about so quickly." He said. "It was supposed to happen next week when you were all settled but timing and other matters…" He shook his head. "Alas. We are all here now."
He clapped his hands and immediately, the doors burst open. Women, wheeled in trolleys laden with food, spreading dishes across the U-shaped tables. The smell hit Ester first, she didn't think she had smelt anything so heavenly before.
She heard Saphy's stomach grumbling as she eyed the food on the table. Ezekiel, Lucius and Geire seemed impatient to start eating whilst Arthur watched the food with a grim uncertainty.
Maids made their way to the Arcon's table, bowing as they carried dishes up the steps.
"Before we begin," the Arcon said, turning to Markos, causing him to flinch.
"Instructor Markos. Are there any Synchrites not currently in the Banqueting Hall?"
Markos's jaw tightened. His eyes fixed on the floor. "Y-yes your Eminence." Ester saw his fist clench. "Two Starless have requested to leave the HoS."
Whispers broke out.
"Oh? So soon?"
"Yes. The training… and the scene in the marketplace... it shook them."
"I see." The Arcon's voice carried a hint of sadness. "I hope you tried to change their minds?"
"I did, Your Grace." Markos looked up. "Perhaps I didn't try hard enough… Maybe I can try again-"
The Arcon raised a hand cutting Markos short. To make someone like Markos so on edge, a bad feeling crept down Ester's back.
"They've made their choice." He simply said. "Tis unfortunate."
He turned back to the Starless, his smile returning. "The rest of you… I think you deserve a feast."
He lifted his hands high, lowering his head and they followed him into a Prayer.
She saw Kris's face, how his jaw clenched as they recited the words. How Arthur mumbled half heartedly. Ester couldn't help but feel sorry for the two Starless who wanted to leave the HoS. She couldn't blame them, yet she wondered what would happen to them. If non Synchrites believe that Synchrites are dangerous, what would happen to those not aligned with the Church and the HoS? Surely they wouldn't… She pushed away the thought.
The Arcon raised his head, a warm smile returning to his face.
"Let us eat."