“So”, she began, “first of all, I’d just like to say you’re all my friends. Though I know some of you better than others, everyone here has been in this… family, even, since a young age. We told ourselves that we were explorers, adventurers… fearless, even. Well, that last part may not be true, but with the trouble we always could’ve gotten in, we may be the closest thing.” Laughs sounded around the group. Sky took it as a good sign, continuing, “We told ourselves that even if we didn’t always fit in with what our villages and families wanted us to be, we could still be ourselves. We told ourselves that we didn’t have to live a boring existence. We told ourselves that we could have fun full time, and not have to grow up like everyone else.”
Sky took a deep breath, “Well, what we just saw really showed us, didn’t it? Yeah, I think we all definitely understand now that life can’t always be fun. Life can’t always be an adventure. Now, maybe you already knew this. To an extent anyway. I’m not calling you naïve; I’m just acknowledging that all of you, like me, are optimists at heart. While you rationally know that what we’re doing is crazy, you can’t help but feel that it’s all going to work out for the best.” Heads nodded around the group, and Sky could see Max grinning widely out of the corner of her eye. She wasn’t even sure where all this was coming from, but she supposed that it was working. So she kept going.
“We know now that, no matter what we do, we have to grow up like everybody else. But we also know that we don’t have to grow up and be just like everybody else, if you get my meaning. We grew up today. We saw a part of the world that we can’t take back, no matter how we try. But we don’t have to grow up in the same way everybody else does. We can choose to grow up to meet the challenges, instead of shying away.” Sky paused, a little self-conscious, but continued, “We’re lucky enough to be not only young, but free as well. And as a result, we can choose to smile in the face of adversity. And that’s enough for me.”
She sheathed her dagger with an emphasis, and turned to walk out of the circle. Before she made it, however, a resounding cheer went up amongst the crew. Jon jumped up on a box and spread his arms out, proclaiming, “There you have it! The hunt is still on. Who’s with us?” Another roar went up as a hand grabbed Sky from behind. She turned to see Max standing there, grinning from ear to ear. She tried to look exasperated, but couldn’t help it. She smiled.
Max raised his eyebrows, “Told you, didn’t I?”
Chapter Thirty-One
Training had been particularly brutal on this Friday, but Lyght had to stay awake and focused. As a class leader, he couldn’t doze off in front of his classmates. He had to pay attention, he had to focus… but he just was so tired. He sat now next to Mikael in Lyn’s lecture on “increasing and maintaining your spirit capacity”. Lyght knew he needed to listen to it, but he was honestly struggling. Yawning widely and shaking his head, Lyght tried to focus in on Lyn’s words. He was saying something about sleep and spirit regeneration… yeah, he just wished he could get some sleep right now.
At this point, Lyght had been in Zone Zero for nearly thirty-six hours. After arriving here yesterday morning and going through the typical mix of classes and training, it had been announced that they were doing a surprise test to determine their aptitude at this point in the program, as well as their chemistry with each other. Unfortunately, this test had involved staying up all night, trying to find their way through a confusing and dangerous obstacle course set up for them in the Zone. Not only that, but it had been a Dark night. Lyght had to think that was intentional.
So Lyght had faced the challenge of leading his usual team – unfortunately still including that kid Ben, who questioned his judgment and orders every step of the way – in very low visibility in a field of a few dozen hostiles on the other leaders’ teams. They’d had to work their way through the Zone, following clues to get to the end, facing obstacles all the while. Lyght’s team hadn’t done terrible – they’d come in second to Iri’s team – but he was utterly exhausted the following morning. And now they’d had to sit in class all day (thankfully they didn’t have to train) and try to stay awake. Lyght had been doing a decent job, but he was slipping a bit now. He needed…
“Lyght? Lyght, are you listening to me?” Lyght snapped his head up and saw Lyn speaking directly to him. He flushed, a bit embarrassed, but Lyn seemed not to notice, “Didn’t you say earlier in the week you and Mikael had to leave a bit early on Friday?” Lyght snapped to his senses. That was right; they had asked Lyn on Monday if it was okay to leave early today. Lyght nodded to Lyn, “Sorry, I forgot. Can we go now?” Lyn nodded his assent, so Lyght caught Mikael’s eye and stood up, heading out of the room amidst curious stares from his classmates. Shutting the door behind him, Lyght slumped against the wall and sighed a bit, closing his eyes in fatigue. “I forgot we had to go to this, didn’t you?”
Mikael laughed a little bit, “Had to? I was under the impression this was something we get to do, you know, rather than an obligation. Something fun. You know, meeting the King of the Dreamscape, the First Legend, and all that.”
Lyght snorted. Fun? He agreed with Mikael anyway, “Yeah, you’re right. I wasn’t complaining, I’m just saying – I’m going to have to sleep in tomorrow.”
Mikael raised his eyebrows, “Well, obviously. It is Saturday tomorrow, so don’t worry about it. C’mon.” He motioned for Lyght to follow him down the hallway, and they headed down the stairs, across the atrium, and out of the base into the forested expanse of Zone Zero.
Lyght checked his watch; it was just after 6:30 PM. They’d have to hurry somewhat to make it to Triumph by the prescribed eight o’clock start time. Without further ado, they took off at a light jog through the trees, using touches of Dreamcasting power here and there as they alternately ran and jumped off trees, keeping a consistent momentum. This way of moving had been burned into them through repeated exercises and drills, and it now seemed as natural as running or walking. And it sure was faster if you had somewhere to be.
Mikael, of course, broke the silence as they ran along, wet leaves slipping under their feet, “So… what do you think?”
Mikael didn’t have to say any more, and Lyght didn’t have to ask. He already knew what Mikael was referring to. He was asking Lyght’s opinion on the upcoming event; the one they’d been eagerly anticipating since last Sunday when they had received their invites from the messenger girl. The invitation to the monthly Legion dinner with the senior Legion members, the First Legend, and of course, the King himself. Decimader Vuruman. More than anything else, Lyght was excited to meet him. Sure, it would be pretty cool to meet the First Legend as well, but the King was someone of the highest acclaim, someone who Lyght had always looked up to and admired from the stories. But at the same time, he was someone about whom Lyght felt he knew very little.
Lyght thought for a minute before replying, “Well, I don’t really know what to think. As to why we’ve been invited to this in the first place, I’m as confused as you are. I guess we’ll see, won’t we?”
Mikael laughed out loud, twisting and pushing off a tree trunk from his position in mid-air, Legion cape flying behind him. He turned to look at Lyght, “Always the voice of brevity, aren’t you? And here I was expecting an interesting debate on the subject. Oh well.” Lyght shook his head with a half-smile and bantered back, “I’m not brief, I’m just observant. I simply find it more important to see what you are going to say on the topic. See, I already know what I think. Although, I’ll admit it’s not much. I really don’t know what’s going to happen at this dinner.”
Mikael looked over. “What’s going to happen? Simple.” He reached over his shoulder and drew his sword with a flash, twisted it intricately into a dramatic grip. Lyght sighed at the display, but Mikael went on, “The King, and maybe the First Legend too, are going to want to see our skills. Fighting, Dreamcasting, whatever. Obviously, they’re interested. And I’m interested in them, so…” Mikael shrugged, sheathing his sword as they contin
ued to run along, near the edge of the Zone now. “It’s that simple, I guess.” Lyght just shook his head, amused but not surprised by his friend’s take on the situation. That was typical of Mikael, although he was probably half-kidding when he implied the King was truly interested in their talents. Sure, that was what he’d said in the invites, but obviously that was just manners. Lyght knew his friend was wondering, just like him, what this meeting would all be about.
They kept their speed as they emerged out of the Zone and headed out across the rural land that separated the nearby city from the Legion’s training grounds. Keeping to the path along the channel, Lyght couldn’t help but notice that passerby looked at them with something Lyght had previously been completely unused to seeing. He’d been used to seeing respect in people’s eyes, but never this level of awe, adoration… wonder, even. He supposed that the Legion uniforms he and Mikael wore sent the wrong message; people thought that they were already bona fide members of the Legion. Of course they weren’t yet, but it still astounded Lyght to see how people looked at the members of the King’s Legion. He knew they weren’t called Legends for nothing, but though he had dreamed about it, he’d never really thought he’d actually become one, especially so early in his life. It was odd to see people twice his age looking at him like that, but he had to admit it felt good at the same time. He couldn’t figure out how he really felt about it. He knew what Mikael felt about it, though; he loved it.
By approximately 7:00, the pair reached the hotel in the city where the whole Academy was housed. Lyght ran up to his room to quickly shower and change. He put on nicer clothes underneath; a fine black shirt with red accents, matching pants, dark leather shoes; he even clapped on parts of his recently acquired black armor onto his forearms for good measure. He’d bought the armor in the city armory, and he hadn’t gotten a chance to try it one yet. He had to admit, it did look good. He’d have to try on the rest later.
And of course, he wore his deep blue Legion cape tied at his collarbone, cascading down over his shoulders with the pure white slanted L symbol on the back. Lyght wore his sword sheathed at his belt, as it was traditional for Legends to remain armed when in public or on occasions (Lyn had advised him on that). Even as someone in the Academy, he wanted to make a good impression; wanted to show that he was the real deal. Even with being named a class leader, this may be his biggest shot so far. He was determined not to waste it.
Lyght checked himself in the mirror, impressed himself with his suddenly formal appearance. Overall, he just hoped to dress well enough that his appearance wouldn’t be a distraction. He was running a hand through his hair when a knock sounded on his door. Knowing who it was, Lyght went to answer it.
Indeed, it was the messenger girl from before who was supposed to escort him and Mikael to the tower for the dinner. Lyght frowned; she was oddly dressed up too. She wasn’t going to the dinner with them, was she? Lyght couldn’t see why, but he supposed he didn’t really know her, so it was best not to judge. She wore a flowing gold and green dress, he could tell, but for some bizarre reason she still wore a hooded sweatshirt over the top, hood up as before. Deciding after a moment not to ask, Lyght stepped out of his room and shut the door, locking it behind him.
What was her name again? It was something… oh yeah, Lyaness. Weird name, I guess, but whatever.
She motioned for him to follow, and he did so, as they headed up the stairs to pick up Mikael. She turned to look at him as they crested the stairs in the dim candlelight, “So.”
Lyght frowned, “So what?” She lifted her chin and gave a hint of a smile, “What do you think? Are you ready to meet the most powerful men the Dreamscape? I have, and I could tell you what it’s like… but I won’t. I’ll let you experience it for yourself.” Before Lyght could answer, the girl walked three doors down and knocked, and Mikael emerged a few seconds later, wearing a crisp light gold shirt under his Legion cloak. Nodding to his friend, Lyght waited for Mikael and Lyaness as they walked over to join him at the stairs. Mikael motioned with his hand out, looking at the girl with her hood up, “Lead the way.”
They walked down the numerous flights of stairs to the landing of the hotel, then out the double doors into the darkening city. It still bustled with activity, even at this hour. As they headed down the street, merchants called out from their booths, people milled about talking in the cobblestone streets, and groups of friends, families, and couples headed up and down through the crowds under the bright white streetlights.
Lyght supposed his shouldn’t have been surprised; after all, it was a Friday night, and a non-Dark night. He guessed people would be out late across the city. He had to admit, he felt a little self-conscious seeing some of the natives dressed in their Friday finery, heading out to dinner with friends or dates. Being from a small tropical town himself, Lyght didn’t feel he had much of the same fashion instincts as those who grew up in this mega-city. He frequently saw men wearing rich watches, expensive suits, and other luxuries. Lyght clearly stood out as different in his more warrior-like garb, he noticed.
Not only that, people clearly thought he and Mikael were Legion members, and it showed. A few people even bowed as they passed. Lyght was a little uncomfortable at this, but Mikael seemed to be soaking up all the attention, smiling at everyone and even giving them his name. It slowed them down a little bit, to be honest, but they reached the sparkling diamond tower of Triumph just before the eight o’clock start time.
Lyght looked up at the tower, sparkling with the fiery reflection of the lights of the great city, all the way up to the tip, which was still mysteriously clouded by what looked weirdly like Dark… though Lyght couldn’t see exactly why that would be. He and Mikael followed Lyaness through the massive entranceway – the guards waving them on in – and into the expansive, luxurious atrium. Despite the intricately carved dark steel walls and ceilings, the base floor was still bathed in warm light and populated with a good amount of people milling around, mostly government bureaucrats in suits. It surprised Lyght a little to see them working so late on a Friday, but he guessed the business of running the Dreamscape never stopped.
In here, they weren’t as openly in awe of Lyght and Mikael as the people had been outside – he guessed they knew a real Legend when they saw one, working here – but they still nodded in respect as the trio headed towards the lift and hit one of the top buttons, level ninety-five. It took them awhile to get up, with all the government workers getting off at various levels, but finally they reached the highest floor they could get to and stepped off. There was a heavily armed group of six guards posted in front of a heavy dark steel door, led by a Legend. The Legend motioned them over, and a pair of guards undid the latch with a grunt, slowly pulling the door open.
As they worked, Lyght looked out in wonder at the great capital city sprawling beneath them. The floor-to-ceiling diamond wall was completely see-through, and Lyght could see people even from this height bustling around on the streets far below. Looking out, he could see even the tallest towers in the Heart of the city below, and could see all the way out to the Belt – and the country beyond. The fiery lights of the city and the dark steel buildings faded out to a low field of yellows and oranges in the Belt, and finally to an even navy field out in the country. Lyght had definitely never seen a sight like this, and as he looked out with Mikael across the capital city of Glory, he felt – truly for the first time – that they had really made it. Coming from a small tropical town, all the way here, and now on top of the tallest tower in the world, about to meet the King of the Dreamscape himself. As Lyght looked over at Mikael, he could easily read the look in his friend’s eyes. He could tell they were both thinking the same thing. In fact, they both spoke at about the same time.
“That’s so cool.”
Surprised a bit at the timing, the pair shared a laugh as they stood in the King’s tower above the great capital city. Lyaness rolled her eyes and motioned for them to follow, a wide stone staircase now revealed behind the
dark steel door. “C’mon”, she said, and Lyght followed, a getting little tense now with anticipation. The trio only climbed a couple flights of stairs before exiting at the very next door – a rich mahogany one with gold inlays – and pushing through to a red-carpeted hallway. Heading down the hallway, they emerged after a couple turns in front of a pair of deep blue double doors, emblazoned on one side with the slanted L, and on the other side with the Royal Seal of the King. A pair of servants waiting outside nodded to the trio, checked them on the list, and then opened the doors to let them in. As the door’s shut behind them, Lyght felt his stomach turn over nervously as he took in the scene.
A scattering of richly-dressed and clearly powerful men and women stood around the room in small groups, holding drinks and talking to each other around three mahogany tables that took up a good portion of the room. Lyght saw Legends in their capes all around; apparently the most senior advisers of the King, the leaders of the Legion. People that Lyght had always aspired to be like.
Though it was hard to take his eyes off the Legends, Lyght also noticed people in robes of white and various shades of red – with most being a deep crimson, some even almost black. Though he didn’t know for sure, Lyght figured by process of deduction that these had to be the Senate members. Appointed by the King, these were the representatives of the people in the Dreamscape. Some, in fact, were retired or inactive Legends. Others were not. It had always confused Lyght a little that the King appointed them, yet they were supposed to represent the people. What made them listen to the people, anyway? Lyght knew that nobody where he came from ever thought about their senator; in fact, he couldn’t even recall the name of theirs at the moment. Regardless, they were officially in charge of the government, while the Legion was in charge of the military and pursuing their own mission – though not many seemed to know what that could be. The King sat over both of them, though both advised him on matters relating to their expertise.
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