Earth is an endless canvas that strokes new inspirations daily. A realm of resources even the gods envied, the world free in a way heaven and hell aren't. In the perceptive of other realms, mankind doesn't deserve earth.
In the first world, humanity could only reach heaven through death. It was unknown whether this was just reality or a twisted fate forged by the gods covet.
In the year 2020 of the first world, the era before divine forces graced mankind with their untamed wrath, they were given their first blessing from the heavens. Zodiac Paths.
These marks appeared gradually throughout the world, different from dull pointed stars; they were constellations with color, connected to paths, like roads leading to highways, granting humans the chance to glimpse past fate and embrace divinity.
In those distant times, humans who could wield the zodiac path without consequences were called sages. Nowadays, humans who have successfully achieved mastery over zodiac paths are called Ophanims. High humans that reached godhood.
It's unknown to this day who blessed mankind with zodiac paths, as the gods claimed to not have sinned in such a way.
Only gods can see zodiac paths as a physical existence and beyond the layer of energy, which ties to the Will of the Heavenly Father, who created everything between life and death, owning all properties of the cosmos itself.
****
In the Elysian Cosmos, the structure of supremacy consists of three ranks for mortals.
Seraphim, mythical echelon, is the beginning where humans become transcendent beings, no longer mere mortals.
Cherubim, divine status, is the secondary rank known for ascension, as humans merge halfway into divinity.
Ophanim, godhood, otherwise known as peerless, is when humans fully embrace divinity, becoming one with their power.
However, only Ophanim's are mentioned and revered throughout the civilization and population of the 10 coordinates of the star system—the true name of Elysian Cosmos. The other two ranks are disdainfully viewed as a disgrace: either because they quit the path to divinity or were unable to continue.
****
Catalina is in a good mood. The first day of school is coming to an end, and soon she can return to her bed—a privilege she took for granted—and eat, watch tv and sleep. Her favorite things in life.
She had no intention of hanging out with anyone. The thought never crossed her mind, and so when Rhea barges into the solitude area in the study, finding the location through Teal and asks her to eat dinner with the other freshmen in the cafeteria, she says no without any hesitation.
However…
"Is that all you're having for dinner?"
Rhea's question compels her to pause and gape at the pile of junk food on her lap for an entire minute with a complicated expression. 'Right. Food. Healthy food.' Her mind circles back to her impulsive vow about eating healthier to strengthen the use of her traits.
Catalina isn't supposed to feel exhausted from such trivial things like wandering for hours, hurried movements of setting up a haven tent, and then mentally storing all the lessons from her first class made her very tired.
She possessed a dragon's endurance, so all this exhaustion should be nonexistent, yet unfortunately, Catalina comes to a grave understanding that it means absolutely nothing if her body can't handle it.
When thoughts of today run through her mind, she can't help but unconsciously compare herself. She isn't as fit as her older sister or muscular like the males in the Melpomene family. She is 5 '6 and has a slender, yet athletic build, with sturdy arms and legs from training with her family.
The Four Holy Clans are the governors of earth, possessing lesser clans within them, with the main branch being the founding families of each. The Melpomene family—Winter Clan, Iniko—Sun Clan, Polymina—Star Clan, and Misul—Moon Clan. They are deemed royals by the world and holy existences on their respective continents.
Kaida, Sagan, and Valeria. Those three are the lesser clan's family names of the north, and each member could possess dragon traits, albeit only one. If she allows an extended clan first year to get ahead of her, it would be so humiliating and embarrassing.
She exhales, pushing herself up with a sad look, forcibly stashing the junk food in the gray bin she plans to tuck under her bed.
'I've been too carefree. Here, I can't be,' she grumbles internally. 'If I continue to be laid back, deep consequences will bite me in the ass in the future. I just know it.' Her mood is soured with a dose of cold reality. She's only glad she caught on to her behavior before something terrible transpired.
She's not weak and can hold her own in a fight—never loses a hand-to-hand combat match to this day—but she isn't powerful enough to be so carefree here. She could afford that type of attitude back at home because her father is the Snow God.
"Yah! I'm so glad you want to join us," Rhea's cheerful voice sends a spike of annoyance through Catalina, but since the girl played a part in yanking her into reality, she contains her disdain.
'My inner conflict pales to the worlds, yet struggle is what is common. Suck it up, Catalina,' she thinks, telling Rhea she'll meet her on the third floor after putting away the bin.
Trapped in her mind, trying to organize her thoughts to control her emotions better, she briefly says hello politely to anyone in passing without registering who they are.
****
They are both still dressed in the academy uniform as they make their way to the cafeteria. The halls filled with people heading back and forth, preparing for late night missions, some training, studying, or heading into the rooms for rest.
Occasionally, the silence between them is replaced by Rhea, and on their way there, they run into Manon Misul; one of Rhea's older sisters. She is wearing a royal blue gown, with her raven hair styled in a half-updo with the top section slicked back and secured with a glowing gold ribbon that illuminates her freckles.
"Rhea, I've been looking for you," she says, an affectionate smile tugging at her lips, spreading her arms.
"Sister!" Rhea smiles brightly, walking into the awaiting arms. "You've been looking for me? Why? What can I do for you?"
Manon pulls away; her face morphs into a solemn complexion. "Tell me why you messed with the speaker."
"Huh?" Rhea pales, her heart doubling over in panic that both sisters feel simultaneously, exposing her. "I-I don't, eh, follow?" She steps back with a shocked stagger. "How c-could I do a-anything when I-I am sle.. sleep!"
'Oh my.' Catalina averts her gaze, internally cringing. 'I thought Cas was the worst liar in history. Or is this Manon suppressing Rhea's control on her emotions?'
"So, it was you." Manon's lips curl down as she clicks her tongue. "Why?"
The silver-haired girl goes silent, shrinking back as her sister regards her with disappointment. Her pale blue eyes turned into a dark night hue, flickering over to Catalina pleadingly.
Catalina head tilts, unsure of what she wants her to do, tempted to just walk away, but the situation reminds her of her relationship with her own sister, and as if to add to the hesitance, her mother's words ring in her head.
"If someone shows you kindness, always return it, Kitty."
She sighs, cursing her stupid mind and speaks up in her euphonious low voice. "I made her do it."
Manon finally looks at her, her expression shifting into relief. "And you are?"
"Catalina Melpomene."
Manon's face turns unreadable, though she can see agony in the woman's doe aquamarine eyes, reflecting a slight similarity to Iskra's cold, empty stare. "I heard you were as talented as your brother, yet you're not him. He would never push someone to be someone they're not." Her tone is harsh. "I don't want you to hang out with my little sister. You're a bad influence."
'Okay?' Catalina isn't offended, as she's fine with this outcome.
Friends. She had a lot of them growing up, but as she started to really look around her, she had none, not since Alastair. She wasn't bullied, but girls would befriend her, only to hate and talk crap behind her back while smiling in her face. It's like she was a toy to them. One they picked up to play and have fun with when it benefited them. When they were in the mood to be her friend. Then, they would mock her with others because 'toys' were childish.
'It was more of a mental type of bullying,' she thinks, her eyes swirling darker. She feels her mouth curve bitterly. 'They never did hurt me in a way that was shown.'
"That's enough, Manon," Rhea says, her tone sharp, yet uncertain, dragging Catalina from her inky memories. "Who I am and not friends with are none of your concerns. To boot, have you forgotten who you align with? You're in a league with the heir to Sun Clan for Goddess's sake! Mother is still and forever pissed about that. She's this close—" Rhea holds up her fingers into a thin line. "—to disowning you."
Star Killer winces, as if she's been slapped, her eyes blowing wide in shock as hurt crosses her features. Rhea lowers her head and walks around her sister, her arm looping through Catalina's, pulling her along, refusing to wait for a response.