He had been denied by REALM, the only school he would have wanted to go to. He had almost made it in too. He had passed the entrance exam and went through all the interviews with confidence. It wasn’t until they did the background check and discovered his ‘short temper’ and ‘tendency towards violence’ and his ‘near expulsion from primary school’ that they decided to pass on his application.
“Stupid. You think I don’t know you better than that?” Al stood up and began to pace in front of the stop. “You’re just being a lazy coward, as usual.” Al wouldn’t even look at him. “You could have appealed your rejection from REALM, but you didn’t, so how bad did you really want to get in?”
Sky sank even lower into himself with a scowl.
“Why did you even apply to Arche if you didn’t want to go?” Al stopped and finally looked straight at him.
“Whatever! I can’t wait to go!” He yelled, surprised at how violently it came out.
“Why were you fighting with those guys then?” Al’s own voice began to rise.
Sky shot up, stepping towards Al. “They were bullies, they deserved it.”
Al stared hard at him, his green marble eyes growing even larger, “Don’t tell me you didn’t know who that guy was?! You would rather go to the Center of Detention then go to Arche tomorrow. You’re on a path of self inflicted, self destruction!”
“I didn’t know him! They were picking on some kids, so I stopped them, that’s all it was!”
“You’re scared Sky, and you need to face it!” Al tried as hard as he could to be up in Sky’s face.
“Really,” he laughed, “I’m scared? Scared of what? Being away from home? Following orders? Homework?”
“Facing your brother.” Al shoved him back.
Al might have well just stabbed him in the chest. Words and sense left his brain; something that began as rage quickly twisted into a debilitating despair and he found his butt back on the cold steel of the bench before he realized he had sat down.
“Look, I’m sorry. Maybe it’s not my place to say, but everyone’s just been skirting around it.” Al already looked sorry. “It’s a big school, sure, but you’re bound to run into him, right?”
“It never crossed my mind…” Sky’s voice rang hollow in his ears. That was probably the biggest lie. Four years. Four years since he had seen Soulen’s face. Four years since the letters stopped, since the summers on Haigon came to an end, and since Zeph relayed the message that Soul needed “space” and no longer wanted to see his own brother.
“Just stop lying; you’re just making it worse.” The harsh words were off-set by his gentle tone. “Listen, everyone pretty much expected this reaction,” Al plopped down next to him, “and I’m pretty sure that no one really thought you would show up tonight anyway.”
“I didn’t realize I was so predictable.” His voice cracked a bit as he kept his eyes on the dirt.
“That’s not what I meant, so shut your face, I’m trying to apologize. I was taking it out on you when, really; it’s everyone else that I’m frustrated with.” Pulling his feet up onto the bench, Al rested his chin on his knees. “The moment you said you were applying to Arche someone should have asked you how you planned to deal with being at the same school as Soul, but no one ever said a thing, did they? And I didn’t either. I’m sorry.” He honestly looked miserable, which made Sky feel a little better.
The whole situation was messed up anyway; he didn’t really expect anyone to understand. Al was just looking into it too much, like he did with everything. Sky had thought about his brother almost everyday. He had been planning what he would say to him for four years and he actually welcomed the chance to see him again: After punching him in the face, he would tell him he forgave him and would then calmly accept Souls heartfelt apology. It was as simple as that. No, he wasn’t afraid of facing Soul, - that much he knew.
Al looked like he had more to say, but then, for maybe the first time in his life, didn’t say anything at all. It was odd for Al to act so strangely. Al never got mad, and never lost his cool… “You’re pretty freaked out too, aren’t you?” Sky said aloud as he realized it.
Al laughed - his smile once again lighting up his face to its usual luminance. “You brat. Of course I am; it would be unnatural to not be scared.” Al jumped up from his seat and pointed a finger sharply at Sky, “I’ve had a revelation.” His mood had shifted dramatically into one Sky was more accustomed to, “Since everyone is already mad at you, and since I’ve still got a little while till I’m expected home, lets just, you know, go do something!”
Sky sat up, a touch of the old excitement that usually preceded one of their adventures started to boil in the back of his brain. “What do you have in mind?”
“It’s your last night on the planet, you pick.” He smiled sweetly, tilting his head ever so slightly.
“That’s a dumb move.”
Al shrugged and looked back up at the illuminated schedule, “Whatever, I have a pretty good idea what you’re picking.”
“Ha! That’s what you think.” There was no way Al would guess it. “The only hint you get is that we’re heading to Cuor.”
Chapter Three
They waited ‘patiently’ for the transport - As long as patiently meant Al bouncing around reading aloud every advertisement he could see and Sky re-coding colorful words into any one that happened to be within reach.
The transport could finally be heard whirring its way down the street. It slowed long before it was necessary as if it knew the boys had been anxiously awaiting its arrival.
Driver Calhoun greeted them warmly as the doors screeched open.
“Seriously, are you the only driver around here?” Sky joked and climbed aboard.
“Glad to see you’re still in one piece.” Calhoun nodded as he passed.
“Nosey old man.” Sky gave him a quiet smile, knowing he understood the thank you behind it.
The ride to the city was a quiet one. Most people didn’t travel so late in the day, and the transport was nearly empty; as they bumped and jostled along in a comfortable silence, with their eyes on the passing desert.
It wasn’t long before the dirt covered road smoothed out into a level, blemish free surface as the Capital City came into view.
Cuor was the embodiment of perfection - the whole city seemed to be carved from a single block of stone; with the streets blending seamlessly into the sidewalks that hugged the towering structures.
Amongst the cityscape, two buildings stood out rather obviously - the Capital itself that sat in the center of the city with all streets leading to it like spokes on a wheel, and the institute of Research and Exploration of Adjacent Level Macrocosms – or, REALM as it was commonly known, which made its brilliant stand at the far edge of the city.
After exiting the transport, Al and Sky walked casually around the streets without purpose. Nobody paid any notice to the two boys as they strolled leisurely down the rows of shops, glancing in the occasional window as they passed. There were only a handful of other shoppers milling about the sidewalks, since most reasonable people would be home finishing up their suppers and talking about their long days, with their adoring families.
“I didn’t know your face had its own store.” Al pointed to an unusually rustic sign that read: Unusual Oddity.
A quick glance through the dusty waves of glass prompted an eye roll from Sky, as he assessed the neatly stacked, impressively outdated technology, from the ‘forbidden’ planet of Haigon. Most items he recognized - the largest of which was a tube TV, which was sitting next to something he recognized as a CD player. Just below that was what might have been a VCR, or a perhaps a toaster, but he really wasn’t sure on that one.
Al stopped mid step and pointed at the music player. “Ohhh! I need that.”
“Why in the worlds would you need another one of those? You know that stuff from Haigon is mostly junk. They don‘t even use half this stuff anymore.”
“The last one I got bro
ke, because someone thought it was a toaster, in case you forgot.” Al raised an accusing eyebrow in Sky’s direction.
Sky shrugged. “All their stuff looks the same; oversized with lots of buttons.”
Al shook his head with noticeable disapproval. “I mean really, Sky, who puts the butter on before they toast it anyway?”
Sky started walking, hoping to get Al away from the window, “At the time it seemed like a good idea. I imagined some sort of awesome butter infusion action.”
Al thankfully followed, “Hmm, that does sound delicious, but that still doesn’t mean that you get out of buying me a new one. I’ll let you off the hook today. I’m not lugging that thing around while we’re…” Al tilted his head curiously, “What are we doing anyway?”
Sky pulled up his shoulders and pushed his hands into his pockets, “Nice try. You’ll know when we’re there.”
“You’re up to something diabolical aren’t you?”
Sky let through a lazy smirk, “Diabolical? So now I’m an evil mastermind?”
“I wouldn’t say mastermind. Evil maybe, but never would I say your mind was the master of anything.” Al scoffed.
The buildings around them kept their height, but the colorful displays and advertisements of the store fronts were quickly replaced by neutral signs and open views of elaborate lobbies as they entered the business district.
They rounded yet another smooth corner, but the road that greeted them was wide and open and gave a clear vision of their true destination.
Al’s shoulders dropped along with his face as the gigantic structure of REALM loomed just a few blocks ahead. “You’ve got to be kidding. REALM, really?”
Of course Al would have his hesitations, but Sky knew it would only take a little push, “Oh, come on, I just thought we should take a quick look! See what you’re in for.”
“Sneak into REALM? No thanks.” But, despite his immediate protest Al kept his light pace right along side Sky.
“I never said anything about sneaking in.” Although it’s exactly what he had planned. “As of tomorrow you are an official member of the Academy, what are you afraid of?”
“Right, of the Academy in Delphos. This is the HQ - the main research center, they don‘t let just anybody walk on in.” Al shook his head.
“I didn’t say we were going in did I.” But they totally were.
“If we get in trouble you know that it’s just me that has actual consequences, right?” Al said, not losing a step.
“Relax, Al. We’re just taking a look around. They don’t own the street. Besides, we’re harmless adolescents - all we have to do is play dumb if they give us trouble.”
“That’s easy for you to say, since you’re an idiot. I, on the other hand, will have a hard time convincing anyone I’m anything other than a certified genius.”
The closer they got to the building, the more drive he felt to go forward. Sky had never been so close to the epic structure before, and he had to admit, it was intimidating – it rose up from the flawless street like a giant white wave that never crested.
“Holy Haven, look at all those stairs.” Al’s mouth turned down as his face looked up at the ridiculous incline to enter the building.
“Impressive, isn’t it?” A voice that rang with familiarity, said from behind them.
Sky turned to see none other than Zeph standing there with an entourage of academic groupies. The glare of their glasses and pasty, sun-deprived complexions nearly blinded him. “A little out of your territory, eh kiddies?” Sky half joked, noticing that every one of them had on the steel-gray uniforms of the Arche Academy. All the students looked to be around Sky’s own age, but wore looks generally reserved for old men and women.
Zeph joyfully clapped his hands together, “How exciting to see the two of you. Ditched your own party I take it?” Zeph punched Sky a little harder than what would seem polite. “I was planning to bail too, but then never showed up.” He shook his head as he laughed to himself.
Zeph, in everyway, was exactly the opposite of what people generally expected. He was one of the top minds in the galaxy, a medical genius, the founder of both the ILA Institute and the Arche Academy so, naturally, most would imagine a stuffy old man with a taste for tweed and a knack for intellectual conversation. What they got was a man that looked to be in his mid to late twenties whose wardrobe generally consisted of a bathrobe and bed linens. He could barely hold a normal conversation without being distracted by a random thought or shiny object. The only thing he may have had in common with a preconception was his shockingly white hair. His dad said it was on account of all the stress he put himself under, Zeph said he just simply forgot what color it was supposed to be. Sky was surprised to see him at REALM, and to see him in somewhat normal attire, looking more like a gentleman than he had ever seen him, was quite the shock as well.
“Do you know what exactly is going on here tonight, if I may ask, Sir?” Al was looking around quizzically at the suspicious amount of people flooding into the building when it was clearly after hours.
Zeph ignored the question and gestured towards two of the stiffs that made up his clique. “Roland, Isaac, come over here, if you please.”
“This here is the Mid-Level Chorister Soulen Regan’s brother, Skyden. Although slightly shorter and, as you can see, a lot less refined, their strength and abilities, in theory, should run side by side.” Zeph turned his back to Sky as he addressed his students in a lecture-like tone.
It was so rude! And Sky certainly did not approve of the way the two minions looked down their long noses towards him; like he was some sort of disease.
“And this little guy,” Zeph went on, stepping backward in order to slap Al quite hardily on the back, “Is Allen Kane. You’ve heard of the Kane…no, probably not, never mind, that’s a local thing. Anyway, Allen here is half Telic.”
Zeph’s minions took particular interest in this and snapped open their tablet writers to quickly take down notes as Al turned a shade of crimson, that Sky recognized as a mixture of embarrassment and anger.
“He tries his very best to look and act human and succeeds in most all areas. He has inherited almost all the Telic traits, but, from what I’ve seen, they are taking longer to mature.”
“That’s enough, Zeph.” Sky pulled Al away, stepping up to block him from the inquisitive stares of Zeph’s minions. “Lesson’s over.” He was beyond angry at this point. “What the hell are you doing here anyway?” He bit with a snarl and curl of his fist.
“Ah yes, and this one is much more aggressive and prone to violence.” Zeph stepped forward as well, ensuring that he was the only one in Sky’s direct path.
“Calm down,” Al shoved him in the back. “I don’t care, okay. Don’t worry about it.”
Sky defused just enough to unclench his hands.
Zeph’s tight lips relaxed, “We are here today to participate in REALM’s Annual Preview Lecture. I am a guest of honor, you know.” He boasted with a wide gesture to the hoards of people filing up the stairs towards the main doors.
“You?” He laughed with a snort. “Who in their right mind would let you speak in public?”
“Watch your mouth!” One of the students yelled at him, apparently quite irate over the slight insult to their beloved Master.
“That’s enough.” Zeph said calmly. “Roland, Isaac, give me your passes.” He put out his hands towards the two stunned looking boys at his side.
“B-but, Master Zeph,” The taller one stuttered, “How will we-”
Zeph simply raised a hand to shut him up. “You’ll be with us, genius. No one will stop or question you.” He seized the badges from their hands and promptly held them out towards Sky and Al. “I would be honored if you two would attend as well.” He said with a slight bow. “I am quite certain you will find it very interesting.” There was no mistaking the mischief behind his smile.
Sky grabbed the two badges without even thinking. He would be an idiot not to take an opportunity to
get a glimpse inside REALM.
“Well, I’m off.” Zeph turned, and before Sky could blink, he and his gang of grays were quickly swallowed up by the masses.
“Are you snapped?!” Al cursed and snatched one of the badges from his hand.
“What?” Sky shrugged, “Don’t tell me you don’t want to see what all this fuss is about?”
“You must think I’ve had a lapse in sanity! You think I’m going to march right in there, just because Professor Crazy said we should?” Al already had it pinned neatly to the left side pocket of his shirt.
“But you’ll do it for the sake of science and adventure, right?”
“Right. For science.” Al nodded, as he meticulously adjusted the badge on his shirt, until it sat at a perfect right angle, in the exact center of his pocket. He ran a finger quickly over the shiny, raised lettering, but paused when he got to the title of his fake I.D., “TLD, what’s that?”
Sky had no idea. “Tiny Limber Dancers? The Love Doctors?...No, those don’t sound like jobs at all…“
“Sky,“ Al cocked his head to the right, his telltale sign of annoyance.
“Well, whatever it means, it means we get in and that’s what’s important.” Sky charged ahead towards the massive building. “Geeze…you were right.” He paused, looking up towards the building. “That is a lot of stairs.”
“Only those truly dedicated to entering would journey beyond this point.” Al nodded soulfully beside him.
He had to agree, it was a bit excessive that any building would require climbing the equivalent of half a mile of stairs to gain something as simple as getting through the front door. “Do you think they would notice if we took the conveyers?” He pointed over to the snail-paced loading ramps to either side of the steps.
Creatures of Snow Page 2