'Damn, you're getting your ass beat.' Crouching down in the low temperature surroundings, Catalina heart pounds fiercely, her hyper fixated gaze meandering two neon bugs wrestle on the ground. The crown of her silvery white hair is intricately braided and fashioned into matching side buns.
"I hate this fucking class," Kallias sneers, his skin buzzes in heat, sweat cloaking his arms and thighs as he's stooped low beside her.
The pungent smell of rust and rubber permeates the space. Rhea airs her shirt as she speaks: "One more week."
Drawing back from the stench, Calix groans, "We say that every week."
His whine makes Kallias and Catalina roll their eyes, though; they both feel like weeping too.
The group shares a haven tent that is lightweight and adorned with shimmering fox illustrations reminiscent of rune artwork. The flexible dark gray poles poke slightly into the bright white fabric, which appears silky, yet hardened like stone when set up.
Survival skills.
Obviously, everyone was expecting instructions on how to survive—starting fires without power or hunting for food, not thrown into the need for it. They were learning while experiencing it.
They need a fire? They must first experience what it's like to not have it. If they pick up on how to start one quickly, they're good. Need food? Eat and find out what's not good or hunt.
Catalina does not mind these parts; it's easy for someone like her. She has incredible physical strength and endurance. Hunting a bear or tiger without getting hurt is as simple as stretching. It's the dead forest and the unpredictable nature she despises.
The air would suddenly become unsafe, the ground would shake and melt, or the sky would appear to fall, crushing them with heavy pressure, as if the gods themselves were hovering over them. Despite having the rejuvenation trait, it doesn't help her in this situation. She can get hurt and heal, yes, but that doesn't mean she wants to feel the pain.
Her lungs would collapse and burn, making it difficult to eat or breathe for hours, while her body would go into shock, as if paralyzed from the density.
They can defend against the murky air with the haven tents. As for the ground, those with flight or angelic wings managed fine, and the others must climb and camp out on trees that are ancient and would remain like unmovable giants during the dead forest episodes.
When the sky appears to fall down on them, they have to gather together and form a spiritual barrier by combining divine energy.
For some reason, grouping together did not work until week two. People were stubbornly independent, which got many killed. Rhea tried her best in the beginning to get them to cooperate with Kallias's and Catalina's aid, but her words seemed to fall on deaf ears.
Catalina silently laughed. Not at Rhea and others—though she side-eyed the girl for not using her control of emotions despite her evident desperation—but the ones who refused to listen. She couldn't help herself. Death is funny when it's stupid.
'You could have lived, but your pathetic pride killed you! It's so absurd it's fucking laughable.'
Her mind still chuckles till this day. She admits she can be horrible at times. She regrets not forcing them, feeling guilty for not being able to find the courage to help in the open.
The freshmen 4078-year class was down to three hundred. Started at three hundred and eight-seven. The number had gradually halted about a day ago as students began to hone divine energy fluently into their system.
The seekers couldn't start actual usage of their power until next semester, but because of their consecutive absorption of the energies, their bodies became stronger to the point the murky air no longer bothered them so much. They needn't rush to take out the tents in seconds, but for a minute. Eventually, they will be able to breathe in the air and wander the dead forest while being unfazed by the chaotic atmosphere.
It amazes Catalina every day that it's only been a month since the first semester started and already, she wants to call it quits. Despite the internally negative, she knows she will never give up. She strongly desires to.
"Winter break will be soon," whispers Catalina. That's what really keeps her going. The future promise of freedom, even if only momentarily. When she gets home, she can laze around with her guard completely down and binge watch her favorite anime. 'Ah, my sweet bed, mommy misses you!'
Rhea's round at Catalina's uncharacteristically enthusiasm.
"Yeah, I miss my grandma," Kallias muses. "In three weeks, I'll be able to eat her delicious sweet potatoes and strawberry cheesecake," he says in a humming hopeful voice
'Oh, family.' Catalina does not give a crap about seeing her family—that is a lie; she misses them dearly—but what she wants most is the freedom to be herself in a safe environment.
"Man, I wonder if the gods ever felt like this." Kallias bounces on his heel and jerks his hood over his head repeatedly. "Training so damn hard to reach a higher height of life. Did you know that Heavenly Father is like the father of gods? Solar Goddess is said to be His successor and will become the Lady of Divinity."
"Reaper of the Celestial doesn't tolerate Her though and is backing God of Enlightenment to be the successor. Of course, this is all rumors spread by the popes of the Phthartic gods."
In a moody mood, Catalina gives him a sink eye to shut up, which he unabashedly ignores. She groans in exaggerated misery, craving her headphones and feels half tempted to shatter her own eardrums. Sharing classes with Kallias has given her insight into his personality and habits.
What deeply irritates her the most is his rambling. He will murmur random facts about anything and everything.
Today is the history and drama of gods.
Gods existed—she never did not believe that. Someone had to create the universe, stars, and planets. She would have liked to believe some powerful force was behind it and not formidable intelligence high entities.
However, in this day and age, divine beings graced mankind with their presence every now and then.
The Eight Phthartic; the deadly destructive gods.
Mankind managed to defeat the lost gods because Heavenly Father, who is also known as Lord of Divinity, sealed them into the sky as stars. He was the sole god for a time until the ancestors of the Four Holy Clans raised to heaven and forged their own thrones beside Him.
Solar Goddess, God of Enlightenment, Mother of Angels, and Reaper of Celestial.
Later, three others rose and claimed a portion of heaven. Everlasting Fairytale, God of Prophecy, and Sovereign of Devils.
At the beginning of this generation of Recollection of Age, they formed the Eight Phthartic, with Heavenly Father as Their ruler, with the Seven as his henchmen. Every divine being in the Elysian Cosmos is currently vying for his throne.
'The pillars of earth are substantial gods compared to the Eight.' Catalina rests her head on her knees; eyes dart around, habitually looking for a place to rest her gaze. "I never understood why there's so many gods."
"Me neither," Calix agreed, tying his shoelaces repeatedly for a good moment. "One is enough."
"Shouldn't you know this stuff?" Rhea pulls at her clothes, the material sticking to her flesh and emanating sweat. "You know, extraordinary memory and all."
"I'm sure there's a reason in the history books; I simply don't give a shit about that stuff." He grins broadly. "I like me some gossip."
"The books focus more on a logical and realistic point of view—barely entertaining." Raking a hand through his beautiful hair, Kallia agrees with his brother's thirst for drama and tilts his head thoughtfully. "I think I did know why there isn't one god during the trial, but the second I deem a memory unnecessary, I fill that spot with something more important. Like fighting techniques, survival skills, or Shadeen lessons."
Catalina gives him an inquisitive look, to which he shrugs at. "You're lucky. You can throw a memory away and keep the trash. It's unfair," he remarks, puffing his lips in a sad manner.
"You think everything is unfair."
"Am I wrong this time?"
Catalina snorts dismissively. "Yes, and in more ways than one it's embarrassing."
Kallias rolls his eyes. "Then I guess we're both embarrassing bitches."
"Don't remind me," she groans, earning a hearty laugh from him.