by Wolfe Locke
This time, I barely felt the feeling of traveling between worlds. I was too preoccupied by the pain. All that registered was the feeling of the grass beneath my feet as I stumbled through to the other side and fell down.
I blacked out for a second, and when I opened my eyes, I was on my back and looked up to see the other cadets staring back at me with shocked expressions. I must have looked like hell after my fight with the manticore. I got back up but only made it a few more steps before I crumbled, but by then Markus was there to catch me.
“Whoa, easy Valdanes. You’ve done enough. Let’s get you to a healer. We need to make sure you’re going to be alright.” Markus told me it sounded like he was a little worried, but in the state I was in, it was hard for me to hear him.
Off to the side, Vozrun nodded to Migral. The wolf faced demon marched toward the gate and went inside. There were a few tense moments as Vozrun kept staring at me, but a moment later, it came back and nodded toward Vozrun.
“The first challenge has been completed.” Announced the demon. “Worry not about your friend. He has been marked by the Hollow realm and will heal quickly. Though his fatigue will remain until rested.”
The assembled crowd of cadets cheered and applauded. While others looked at me with awe, and some with fear and envy.
“Savor this victory.” Said Vozrun, and the cheers died down. “You will not have many, if any, more like it. The challenges will only get harder from here, and these gimmicks you have shown will not always help you. If you do not grow stronger, you will not survive.”
I heard none of it. Not the cheering or Vozrun’s proclamation. I slipped into unconsciousness as soon as I hit Markus’s arms as the changes in my body from the exposure to the Hollow realm began to heal me.
Chapter 13: Let Us Cling Together
* * *
My dreams were dark. I dreamed again of the ruined future that I’d visited, and the mark on my arm flared. For the first time I found myself wondering more about it, where it had come from. The me from the dream had said they discovered it too late, and Vozrun seemed to recognize it, but that was it. When I thought of the mark, I felt a shadow seemed to stand over me, but it was not a dark shadow, more a shade of something else, something greater. I tried to talk to it but sensed only disappointment and frustration from whatever it was, as if it wanted to talk to me, but couldn’t yet. The shadow disappeared and with it, the nightmare.
When I woke, I found myself once again in the medical wing with Markus sitting beside me. A look of worry on his face. My body felt cold and clammy. I was covered in bandages.
This time, there was no levity from the bigger cadet. No attempt at jokes. Just concern for my friend.
“Tristan! Man, I thought we had lost you.” Markus admitted. “I’m glad you survived.”
“So did I.” replied I with difficulty, my voice hoarse. “How long have I been out this time?”
“Just over a day. You haven’t missed much.” Markus replied, seeming relieved that I had woken up.
“Damn, that’s way too long.” I admitted.
Just as before, I tried to get up. However, this time I had a horrible pain in my chest and shoulder to go with the lightheadedness.
“Lay back down Valdanes. You almost died. Even if you’re supposed to have some sort of healing power, you’re not ready yet. Rest.” Markus commanded.
Markus’s voice had an edge of authority to it that I wasn’t going to ignore. Immediately I obeyed and was laying back down before I knew what I was doing. The bigger cadet stared at me, concern and seriousness all over his face.
“This isn’t like last time, man. This isn’t just fatigue. You almost died in there. You need to take it easy.” Markus said. “I know you felt guilty about not doing better on the field when the attack first happened, but you can’t be reckless either.”
“We can’t afford to take it easy, Markus. There are going to be other challenges and I need to be ready. We need to be ready.” I replied. I understood why Markus was bothered, but he hadn’t seen the ruined future like I had.
Markus took a heavy breath to settle down and sighed. “Look, I get it. I do. I want to get them out of here just as much as you do. But you won’t be able to do that if you push yourself and get yourself killed. Besides, the Triumvirate hasn’t announced the date of the next challenge yet. So, for now, get as much rest as you can. Something tells me that it’s going to be a rare commodity in the days to come.”
I wanted to argue with him, but I knew that my friend was right. Dark days were ahead, and I didn’t have the heart to tell him that. Besides, he was right about the rest. I wouldn’t help anyone by rushing off before I had a chance to recover. It was as I was laying there that the reality of what I had been through really began to sink in.
I almost died back there. It was a stroke of luck that I was able to beat the manticore. It was getting ready to end me right then and there, and that was only the first challenge. Who knows what else these demons will throw at us? Why, though? I still don’t understand it. It seems like their trying to train us, but for what reason?
Markus broke the silence, bringing me back to the present and out of my thoughts.
He looked down for a moment as if what he was about to say was difficult. “We heard what you had to fight in there. A manticore.”
“How did you find out?” I asked
“Vozrun told us. I said that we should know that way we could learn and Vozrun agreed.” Markus responded.
“Learn how?” I asked. “I doubt we’ll face the same challenge twice.”
“I don’t know. But I’ve a bad feeling about what any of this means for us.” Markus admitted. “Maybe I wanted us to learn what kind of challenges lay ahead. Manticores are no joke, Tristan. Those things are known for wiping out entire squads. You’re lucky to be alive, let along to have taken it down by yourself. I can’t say that I would have been able to do the same. Maybe I want to keep growing in power like you are.”
“Oh please,” I countered, “You would have been fine. You’ve got King’s blood remember?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t want to know. It’s bad enough that whatever I end up facing will be even worse than that. A damn manticore on the first challenge. Makes you think what else they have lined up for us.” Markus replied and, in that moment,, I worried about him.
“Hey, whatever it is, we’ll face it down, together. For the fallen, for the world. Remember? Those weren’t just words.” I tried to console him.
“Yeah, I remember. Speaking of which. Mathias won’t stop talking about you to the other cadets.” Markus said.
“Oh yeah? What’s he saying?” That worried me a bit.
“He’s going on about how an Iron ranker managed to single-handedly take down a manticore. I think he’s trying to use it as a way to bolster morale and build up everyone’s courage, you know? Like, if you can do it, so can anyone. A way to say don’t be afraid. It’s not a bad plan.” Markus explained.
“No, it's not.” I agreed. “Hey, maybe that’s what they need. If what I did helps others overcome their fear and allows them to keep fighting, so be it.”
Before Markus could respond, the voice of Vozrun sounded overhead. Markus grimaced.
“Attention cadets of the academy. Proceed to the gate, now. The Dullahan’s have been instructed to strike down any of you who think they can linger in the shadows and not participate. That is all,” Vozrun’s voice faded.
A spike of adrenaline went through me. I was anxious, but strangely excited too. “The next challenge already? Why now?” I muttered more to myself than to Markus.
“Hey, don’t worry.” Said Markus. “If that’s what it is, someone else will take it up. You did your part already. I’ve got the next one, or Mathias. You’re not going back in there until you’re up for it. Besides,” Markus grinned before continuing. “I can�
��t let you have all the glory.”
I nodded; I didn’t want to tell him I felt like I was ready to go back in. At least that’s how I felt, but my body wasn’t quite there yet. With some help from the bigger cadet, I got to my feet. The going was slow, much slower than I thought it would be. Markus was right. I’m not ready yet. Every bit of my body ached. Whereas last time, I and Markus were the first to arrive, this time we were the last.
Soon as we came into view of the gate and assembled body, the heads of every cadet turned toward us, and I saw on each and every one of their faces a look of respect. Mathias clapped and the rest soon joined in as they all cheered me on. Markus whispered a joke in my ear. “Don’t forget to smile. Wave a little for the fans.”
That’s not a bad suggestion. Finally, Markus and I reached the front of the crowd and joined Mathias. Finally, I and Markus reached the front of the crowd where Mathias was waiting for us.
“Alright, I’m good man. You can let go of me now. I need to stand up on my accord.” I told Markus and he nodded as he let go, though he stayed close enough for a second to make sure I wasn’t going to fall down or anything.
The entire time, the demon Triumvirate stood watching, waiting for everyone to arrive. Vozrun looked up towards the dorms and snapped her fingers. In the distance we could hear a scream we all recognized as that of pain.
“It would seem not everyone amongst you took my warning to heart. Pity. Still, there are plenty of you remaining. Now, for our business. I would like to congratulate you all again on passing the first challenge. Very interesting, though it took only one attempt by one of you to complete.”
Vozrun glanced at me as she spoke, and her eyes glanced at the mark on my arm again.
“As I remember it, before we came to your world and assumed control of this academy, you all operated around a kind of ranking system, from weakest, to strongest. However, it appears that that system was flawed.”
At the declaration, murmurs went through the group of assembled cadets. The three of us at the head of the formation glanced at each other as if to say, what’s about to happen?
“The order.” Vozrun continued. “If I am correct, went from Bronze to Iron and then to Silver and Gold with a few very special individuals ascending to Platinum, and the possibility beyond even that of ascending to Diamond. Though there are no Diamond tier cadets if I understood correctly.”
“Over the last week, I have seen that the ranks you all have been given are not always accurate to your skill levels. I have seen many a Silver ranker and Gold rankers break under the pressure of your current situation. And I have watched as an Iron ranker faced down my manticore one on one and came out on top. In a display of power and skill far above what the rank of Iron would imply. I will rectify this.”
“Much like the curriculum at the academy being changed, so too will this failure. The ranking system will be changed in accordance with my design.”
More murmurs came from the assembled cadets. The ranks we used now were the same ranks that had been used since the academy’s inception. A tradition that went back hundreds of years. Tradition that had been ingrained in our very culture and law. These were the same ranks used in the academy’s all over the kingdom. They had been a staple of our lives both before coming to the academy and would remain a staple after.
“Fear not. The ranks you so cling to will not simply disappear. Instead, I offer a solution. The standards for each rank will simply be…changed. As of yet, only one of you has proven his worth in the Hollow realm. The rest of you have proven nothing. As such, effective immediately, all cadets are demoted to the rank of Bronze.” Vozrun looked out at all of us, and I could tell the demon was waiting for somebody to do something stupid so she could make an example of them.
There was immediate chaos and complaints from all of the cadets. They had worked extremely hard to earn their ranks. Now these demons, these monsters, were going to tell them none of that mattered anymore? I understood it, but at the same time. I didn’t matter anymore.
“Silence.” Vozrun said the word in a manner different than her usual speaking voice, the effect was immediate. All protests and chatter died away as a chill of dread spread across the area and all noise disappeared.
“Do not confuse my tolerance of you for weakness. Remember those who no longer walk among you that have made the same mistake. I want you all to look at yourselves. Really look at yourselves. Especially those who were among the highest ranking among you and if you have the nerve, if you have the strength, tell me I’m wrong. Your Cadre were equivalent to the rank of Gold and they were slain with no effort what so ever from the weakest member of our triumvirate. How can you all, especially those who were ranked on par with them, tell yourselves that you deserve that rank. When that rank and the power it stood for means death?” Vozrun glared and looked around, daring any of them to defy her.
None did, and Vozrun continued. “As I have stated, only one of you has proved yourself thus far in the Hollow realm. That is why only Valdanes will retain the rank of Iron. Further ranks will be decided on a case by case basis. You must all prove your worth.”
“I would like all of you to let that sink in. The cadet who defeated a manticore single handedly is the best among you, and still, he is only strong enough to be slightly higher ranked than you all.” Vozrun looked at me again and smiled a cold smile. “Against my Migral or Tokoth, he is still nothing, as are all of you.”
“In the Hollow realm, among the monsters, a manticore is nothing. A starting point and nothing more. The challenges you will face in the coming days will make that beast look like an imp in comparison. Let us be clear. We offered you this opportunity so that you could continue to learn and at least provide some sort of semblance of worth, be it as servants, or as entertainment. It would not have been enjoyable for us to slay you all as you were then when the portal first opened. Your world ends with you should you fail these challenges. If you fail, the blood of all your kind will be on your hands, and we will have no choice but to unleash ruin and fire upon your world.”
Vozrun stepped back, and Migral stepped forward, his bestial face terrifying and animal. “You heard her. Now, return back to your rooms. Rest. Prepare. Hone yourself. Your training resumes tomorrow. Let us see who among you will prove yourselves and who will fall. Heed my words, if you are weak hearted, I will find you. You will be mine. There is no room for cowards and weaklings here. Dismissed”
All of the cadets filed away back to the academy in silence. More than a few tossed me hostile glances on the way as if it was my fault. Most of them had just been stripped of the rank that they had earned. Some were angry, but others knew what the demon had said was true. How could any of them lay claim to their rank when the best of us had been taken down like nothing? They need to know it’s a challenge and nothing more. Rank doesn’t matter. Only how strong we can get.
Chapter 14: The Time After
* * *
The air around all of us cadets as we marched back to our rooms was full of despair and defeat. This was our school, our home, and it was under siege from the very beings which we had vowed to defeat. But when push came to shove, we hadn’t been strong enough to resist. Now, those very same monsters were telling us that no matter how hard we trained, there was no hope. That somehow, we were all meant to fail, and that if we somehow managed to not fail, our fates were sealed regardless.
Hushed mutterings met me as the other cadets quickly stopped talking when I passed by them on the stairwell back to my room in the dorm. I knew what the looks meant, and the mutterings stood for. Traitor. Monster lover. The hate they felt towards their helplessness was being redirected at me, and there wasn’t much I could do about it. It didn’t help that I understood why they needed to do that. They need somebody to blame.
As I walked through the common area just outside the stairwell, I noticed a red stain near a lingering Dullahan. I thought of the s
cream of pain I had heard earlier. Is that where they died? I wasn’t sure if the Dullahan was the same monster that had struck down at least one of the stragglers, or if by whatever magic covered the Dullahan’s existence, if it had been spawned at the death of one of my classmates. I tried to ignore the question until I could find a better way to fight them.
Once I was back in my room, I locked the door behind me, and sank down to my knees in front of the door. The entire events of the last few days were weighing on me. The more I thought about it, the less I understood what was going on, and eventually I started to laugh as the stress of the situation I’d found myself in felt it was too much to bear.
Eventually, I got up and looked at myself in the mirror. I wasn’t the same person I’d been a few days earlier. I looked more tired than I’d ever been. My skin had grown a little taunt, but it was my skin that surprised me most. It had become a bit grey and ash like. It was grayest towards the mark on my arm, and as I gave it attention, the world stood still, and time stopped, but this time, I seemed to be joined by an almost mirage version of me, but not just any version, this was me I’d dreamed about from the ruined future.
♄ Saturn’s Crest ♄
You’re gaining power. I who exist within the crest can talk to you more directly. Things are accelerating at a rate I didn’t think possible, and already your path has diverged so far from the path I walked when I was still alive. You have encountered the triumvirate so early, and yet, in my time they did not reveal themselves until our forces were exhausted. It is strange they would come to you like this, it is worrying.
Saturn’s Crest has changed the future, and it has drawn attention to you that you must be careful of. The triumvirate has their own designs for you, whatever else this farce might be, it is all about you. Not the academy, not the others. You.