The Sphere of Time

by TIME, S. O.

  I struggle up the rock, skinning one knee in the process, but manage to get to the top for a clearer view. Off to my left, I spot a two-dimensional Tear, very similar to the one that I saw in Hana’s lab. It fills the air with an ominous buzzing, but thankfully this one doesn’t start sucking everything in. I slide down that side of the boulder and the dust begins to clear, allowing me to see the boy up ahead, sitting on the ground with an injured leg. I run toward him as he cries out again. I’m only a few meters away when I hear the roar of a nymian crossing through the Tear. The boy screams and struggles to his feet, but he doesn’t move.

  “Run!” I shout to him as the nymian rushes him. The boy staggers a few steps as I charge toward him, yelling to get the nymian’s attention. But the creature is focused on the boy. This nymian is different from the one I saw with Kou—it’s a bit smaller, and there isn’t any sickly sludge dripping from its jaws. I reach into my pocket as I watch the nymian swing for the boy. I hope this works.

  I slide between the child and the beast right as the blow falls, and hear a thunderous crack as the beast's claw smacks the shield. I look to the boy and find him on the ground again, watching as my shield repels the nymian’s strike. I glance back at my shield and see that it is cracked. I need this encounter to end, and fast.

  I look to the boy once more, but he’s already gotten back up and started running off without me, wobbling unevenly as he struggles to keep weight off his injured leg. Several other Tears open around us as I scramble to catch up to him. Nymians are leaping from the portals left and right, each one charging at the boy. Because my shield only covers a small radius around me, I have to stay right beside the boy in order to protect him. I can’t project or expand my shield like the other blue users can.

  Each strike cracks my shield further, and I feel as though it will break at any moment. I follow the energy of the instructors and turn to see a gate nearby. That has to be the exit.

  “This way!” I shout to the boy after reflecting yet another attack against him. He turns in the direction we need to go and I continue to get bombarded by the attacks of nymians. White cracks splinter across my shield, affecting my visibility. With four nymians actively attacking my shield, sections of it now begin to fall off in chunks, and I have to turn and shift awkwardly to ensure their strikes land on solid sections. We’re about twenty meters away, and more than half of my shield is gone. If these were real nymians I’d be dead for sure.

  As we approach the door, what remains of my shield is too broken to maintain its form and it breaks off into bright blue shards. The brief flash of light startles the nymians, allowing us to get a few paces away. Completely exposed, I look at the boy limping ahead and realize he needs more time to reach the gate. I turn back to face the beasts. I have to show that I’m willing to sacrifice my life for the boy. I just hope this doesn’t end up actually killing me.

  I close my eyes and stand still. I can hear the nymians growling, and soon a pounding, uneven rhythm rings in my ears. I can’t tell if it’s coming from within me, or from the massive beasts rushing toward me. I open my eyes and see all of the nymians pouncing on me at once.

  Chapter Sixteen

  I raise my hands to cover my face as I brace for whatever damage comes my way, but the nymians freeze in midair and disintegrate before they hit me. The dust particles left in the air fall back to the earth and the arena resets itself, as if the entire encounter never happened.

  “You’re alright now,” an instructor says from behind me. “It was only a simulation.”

  I simply nod, my heart still thudding oppressively in my ears. I turn around to see the door is open, a purple corridor inside it. I know the attack wasn’t real, yet my breath is still heavy, and I feel pain from the damage I took. My hands tremble slightly. I’ll need to inform Hana about the inadequacy of the shield. There’s no way I would have walked away had those been real nymians.

  “Come with me,” the instructor says, gesturing down the hallway. As we walk through the corridor, I notice the instructor’s brown, bald head reflecting the lights overhead. Several instructors are bald, though I’m still not entirely sure why; everyone else I’ve seen in Maluii has some kind of hair or other scalp adornment, no matter their age.

  We soon reach a set of double doors sporting the ever-present Matsuo emblem. We head through them into a large, spartan room containing a number of students. They look over and clap as we enter, and a few closest to the door offer me a fist bump. They must be the ones that fell through before me. Most of them quickly turn back to the holographic display in the center of the room, where a new student is falling into the arena. The display provides an aerial view that lets us observe everything that happens.

  The instructor stops and stands in front of me. “This is the briefing room, but for now it’ll be the hub for your training. This is where you’ll come for your lessons now. When we engage in real missions, this is where we will hold our briefings.” He pats me on the shoulder, “Congratulations on passing your initiation,” he says before walking away.

  “Good to see you passed after all,” Try says as he walks past me. He waves and heads toward a short table where other students sit in lounge chairs. Behind them, others play billiards.

  Kou appears at my left and gives my arm a friendly bump. “I thought your shield would last longer,” Kou says, shaking his head.

  “I did, too. I’ll have to talk to Dr. Kurosawa about it,”

  “All I got to do was hit dummies.”

  “Did you fall into the arena like us?”

  He sighs. “I mean I did, in an arena opposite to the one you fell through. But the bots they had me fight were so weak. These fakes won’t help me fight real ones.” We really could have died against that nymian we faced. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at his disappointment with these.

  I look behind him and don’t see Hitori anywhere. I turn back to Kou to ask, but, as if reading my mind, he shakes his head and says, “Not done with her test yet.” I look to the arena, but I don’t see her there.

  “She’s not gonna be there either. Healers, Illusionists, and Surveyors gotta take a different test. Theirs are more endurance-y so it’s longer.”

  Most of us gather around the hologram and watch as each new student attempts the rescue. I don’t pay too much attention to the red users or how they fight, but I closely monitor those that use shields. For some, it seems as though no effort is required. They activate their shields and practically walk through the course with the fake child. Out of all of the students that I watch attempt the rescue, none of their shields take as much damage as mine did. My shield was the only one to break.

  #

  About fifteen tests later, Hitori finally walks in with a large number of other students, mostly white users. She joins us as the rest of them disperse to various friend groups. They’re the final group to arrive. Hitori’s demeanor is calm, but I sense heavy fatigue in her energy—she’s almost as tired as she was when she gave her all to heal Kou in the forest. They must have really pushed her abilities during her test. Within a few moments General Bartek walks in and silence fills the room. The students that were sitting race to stand, but the general lifts his hand and shakes his head.

  “No need to stand—you’ve all earned a break after what you’ve gone through today.” He walks to the holographic arena and it shuts off. We all watch silently. “I am incredibly proud to officially welcome all of you to the School of Special Condenser Operations. From this point on, you will no longer be limited to the recruits’ areas. This here is the briefing room, where you will learn about your missions and analyze past operations. Across the hall is the fitting room, where you will learn to use tactical gear. In addition, you now have full access to the library and condenser lab. Use these resources well.”

  The general takes a hard look at the faces of the recruits around him. “You will all be ranked based on your performance today, and will be placed into squads of eight. Those of you placing within
the top ten are to stay for an extra assignment. I’ll see you all back here tomorrow, bright and early, to join your assigned squads,” He pauses briefly. “Remember, the people of Maluii need us to keep them safe. Comport yourselves accordingly. Dismissed.”

  The general walks out of the room and everyone scrambles to follow behind him. The chatter picks back up initially, but quickly quiets again when the general reaches the entrance to the building and opens the door, revealing the somber faces of silent protesters right outside.

  I can sense anxiety and animosity in the energy of students as we follow the General out—what I sense from the protestors is not much different. On our way to our transport pod I hear Kou and Hitori talking to each other about their experiences in their tests, but I don’t pay attention to what they’re saying. Instead I’m distracted by the glances the protesters and the students give each other. The protesters are closer to our walkways this time, and they seem to have almost doubled in size. There are more of them than us now. Though none of the students show any physical signs of discomfort, their energies tense up, as if preparing to flare out at any second in self-defense. The wind gently pushes cherry blossom petals through the air, but even this breeze makes no sound, as if afraid that any noise would snap the tension into something brittle and sharp. The overlapping energies coalesce as warm and cool air would, creating a tornado of apprehension and hostility that makes me feel sick and dizzy.

  “Hey man, you alright?” Kou says as I snap back to reality. We’re standing next to the pod and Hitori is already inside. I hadn’t even noticed that my hand hovers over the handle to my door.

  “I’m fine, I just need to rest.”

  “Alright, well, let me know.” He sticks his knuckle out at me and I bump it with mine.

  On the ride back, I notice that some of the artistic pieces have changed to a darker tone. Out of place with the happy or abstract works, I now see a hologram that shows a pleasant house on one side, while from another angle it shows the same house destroyed and collapsed. Some murals standing by intersections show images of families holding hands, then dwindling in number as their backgrounds shift to gray. Kou and Hitori continue their conversations, but I can feel them growing more uncomfortable at the sights.

  I look at the sky as clouds begin to cover over more of the sun.

  Once again Kou and Hitori drop me off at the Kurosawa mansion while they go to do their own thing. I walk inside and past the kitchen where Chives is cooking with at least a dozen helpers. He sees me and we wave at each other. Ever since the incident in Hana’s lab, he seems to be paying more attention to me.

  I enter the elevator and descend to Hana’s lab, but when I step out, she’s not there. I walk around and pulse out to find her energy, but I still can’t pinpoint her location. After some looking around, I spot Aldrea standing by the contraption that started the Tear. I feel my body jump slightly. I’ve never seen her leave the garden before.

  “Are you sure you should be up here?” I ask, walking over.

  “I have access to all the cameras.” She stares at the machine and doesn’t turn to look at me. “I saw Kou leave. We’re safe. Plus, I need to talk to you.”

  I sit on a chair beside her.

  “What’s going on?”

  She takes a deep breath before finally turning to me, and the expression on her face is grim. I pulse out for her energy and can feel a strong mix of fear and worry emanating from her body in the room below.

  “What’s wrong?” I muster.

  “They’re here again. They’re hiding something.”

  I purse my lips and tilt my head slightly. “Who’s here? Who’s hiding something?”

  Aldrea shoots up and stands beside me. In a hushed voice she speaks, “Mom’s meeting with the Council again. They shut themselves in a room I can’t access.”

  “Is that really uncom—”

  “No, you don’t understand,” she interrupts, “Usually they meet in the garden. They’ve just recently started meeting in this room, and I’m denied access. I’m worried something bad is happening, and mom’s trying to fix it alone.”

  Her voice is void of the lightness it usually carries and her expression is etched in harsher lines. “I need you to help me listen to their conversation.”

  “How would I even get you in there to listen?”

  “Not us, that.” She points to a small plant on the table behind us. I stand and lean over to study it. Long green leaves reach out from the base of the stem, their veins standing out as thin gold lines that trace elegant geometric patterns along their surface. The flower itself has five large petals the color of warm auburn and dotted with gold speckles. A closer look reveals that each petal is made up of dozens of smaller petals nestled against each other. They ripple gently at my slightest breath.

  It’s beautiful, but I don’t see how it relates to the situation at hand. “A plant?” I ask, looking back at Aldrea.

  She smiles softly. “Lilioideae Aldrea. Aldrea’s Lily. Mom created it. It resonates soft echoes that this hidden microphone will pick up and transmit back to me. Sneak that in the room and we’ll be able to hear without being seen.” She reveals a tiny black bud that she’s hidden between one of the long leaves and the stem.

  I straighten as she steps closer to me.

  “Please.”

  I wonder if Hana is talking to the Council about what’s been going on in Maluii. Maybe I’ll find useful information about what’s causing the growing bitterness and fear among the populous. Or maybe none of that will matter if I get caught and she kicks me out of the household. I look back at Aldrea, and my gut twists as I take in her anxious, hopeful expression. I nod hesitantly and reach for the plant.

  “Yes! Thank you!” Aldrea shouts, visibly lighter with relief.

  “How close does it need to be?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never been in that room. As close as possible?”

  I sigh.

  “The room is on this floor,” she says, pointing to a corridor to the left of the machine. “It’s three rooms south from here. They usually break every three hours or so, and I’ll know when they step out into the hallway. You can place the plant then.”

  I pulse out for Hana’s energy, and sure enough, I find it in a room I’m not familiar with. I can sense three others with her.

  “How will I get in if the room is so secure?”

  Aldrea’s smile is crafty. “I may not have access inside the room’s walls, but the doors are all on the same system. You’ll be able to walk right in.”

  “You can control all the doors in the mansion?”

  She nods primly.

  “And more!”

  “You’re kind of scary, Aldrea.”

  “Thanks, Eiji. Oh! They’re leaving. Get to the elevator. I’ll be able to transmit my voice into your ear to guide you past anyone walking by—until you’re in the room. Once inside, just place the plant as quickly as possible and get out.”

  Inside the elevator, I grip the potted plant as my heart speeds up unpleasantly. I push the fear away. I haven’t been able to open a Tear to help Aldrea—the least I can do is run this little errand.

  “Ready?” Aldrea asks as the elevator doors open. I wipe a bit of sweat from my forehead and nod.

  “Ready.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  T o my great surprise, I manage to enter the room and place the plant without getting caught or fainting. I find a decent spot for it between two other decorative plants on the left side of the room, far enough from the meeting table that it’s unlikely to be noticed.

  As soon as I slip out of the room, Aldrea’s voice is hissing in my ear.

  “Left! Left down the hall now!”

  I bolt. The second I’m around the corner I hear footsteps coming from the hall I just vacated. Nearly dizzy from panic, I manage to follow the rest of Aldrea’s less desperate instructions to a nearby room.

  The door closes behind me as I enter the small study, and Aldrea’s ho
logram appears, grinning. “Excellent. Turn that on. I had it set up the other day,” she says, gesturing at a small device on the desk. As soon as I do, I hear Hana’s voice through the speaker.

  “—ternate solution. I don’t see another way to prepare.”

  “But arming our officials is against our beliefs. Force isn’t the way!” I recognize the strident voice of an irate Councilor Raza.

  “The baria are not weapons. They’re shields that anyone can use—for defense and nothing else,” Hana retorts.

  “Are we even sure they’ll work?” Pele asks.

  “I have someone testing out a prototype as we speak. Every day more protesters show up, and I fear we may not have any other way to protect them should something happen.”

  The voices carry through, as Aldrea said. We can hear the Council meeting as clearly as if we were in the room. I hear the door I just came through lock as Aldrea and I sit down beside the speaker. I turn to ask Aldrea how she can possibly control so much of the building, but I bite back the question when I take in her look of fierce concentration as she focuses on the conversation.

  “I think Hana’s device is worth considering,” Mishal continues. “We’re not sure when the next phase will come or what it will be.”

  I hear someone sigh followed by the rustling of paperwork and chairs.

  “We still have not confirmed that he has anything planned. We might be worrying over nothing,” Raza replies.

  “Are you blind? Can you not see how dangerous he is?” Pele demands. “I have no doubt he’s already testing that serum of his in secret. He’s admitted more students this year alone than any before, he’s defying our orders, and we have every reason to believe he’ll only get worse,” she adds sharply.

  Aldrea and I both look at each other. Her energy spike and raised brows tell me she probably knows enough about Isao to realize this isn’t good.

  “Please,” Aldrea says quietly as the Council’s raised voices tumble over each other, “Please look out for Kou and Hitori. I know I’m asking a lot from you as is, but please…I’ll find a way to repay you.”