Professor Finley held the classroom in a captivated silence as she carefully began to slice the bread.
“So although none of the Levels are exactly the same, they are still made from the same ingredients. Some may have slight differences, the languages or dialects for example, but even these would stem from the universal language.” She said about half way through the cutting.
“They may have different cultures and activities and beliefs. Some may look different, having evolved or mutated slightly from our own genetic makeup, but in the end, we are still all carbon based life forms, made up of the same elements.” She finished cutting and gestured down to the bread. “One is still all, and all is still one.”
She placed a hand on either end of the loaf and pressed the segments lightly together, “As you can see, once sliced there is space between the slices, even if they are butted up against one another, there is still space, they will never fit back together. That may seem insignificant to some, but to us, this was our first major discovery.
“The space between space. It exists between Levels, it exists within the Levels - it is a fuzzy, static filled space that barely outlines reality, but has physical presence. We call this space the ‘Snow’. This is where the Flickers originate and where we first discovered their migration patterns, but again, that is for another time. Back to the bread.”
She picked up one of the slices and held it up for all to see. “There is a limit to how many times a loaf can be cut before the pieces become too thin and start falling apart, and we feel the same is true within the Levels. We know of seven Levels so far with our reality being ground zero.”
Sky wasn’t nearly as bored as he had anticipated, and he totally forgot about napping.A student near the middle of the classroom raised her hand. Professor Finley nodded at her with a smile.
“What about the sub levels, Professor Finley? I think I’ve heard them called echoes?”
Professor Finley clapped her hands together in an excited fashion - accidentally shutting off the board. “Excellent question! Echoes are a fairly new discovery, although they were always thought to exist, we now have substantial proof.” Professor Finley came around to the front of the desk. “Think of the echoes like slicing a slice like this…” She picked out one of the slices and cut it down the middle. “An echo is a split from a Level, but is not actually what we classify as a Level itself. We can’t be sure what causes them, but they seem to be alternate versions of the same reality. But, honestly we don’t know all that much yet.”
“Are we going to explore the echoes as well as Levels?”
“Perhaps someday, but for now, we’re just trying to figure out the Levels themselves. Baby steps, you see.”
Another student raised their hand, “What about the Haven races? I heard they only exist in our realm.”
Professor Finley clapped her hands again, this time springing the screen behind her to life. “Another wonderful question! Yes, Haven races do in fact only exist in our Level. As far as we know their genetic codes are never repeated in any form anywhere else. This is one of the reasons why we believe this is Level 1. The Haven races were made before there were even thoughts of a Living realm, although they are here, they are not from here and so their ingredient is not dispersed throughout the bread.”
“What about the theory that they are the ones who created the Levels?” The question came down from one of the upper rows. It was a voice he recognized instantly.
“I’ve heard the legends, but there is little scientific evidence to support such a theory. The amount of power it would take to perform something is well beyond what we believe an Iko or Telic is capable of.” Professor Finley pushed her glasses up her nose once again. “I’m sorry, Ms. Rekkert.” Professor Finley directed her response to the question above Sky’s head. “I know the history of your clan have their own stories about the creation and purpose of the Levels, but it just doesn’t seem to be a theory with much weight.”
“I wouldn’t dismiss it all together.” Sky blurted out without meaning to. “I mean, I wouldn’t dismiss it as a theory just because of lack of evidence. Legends often have more truth in them than the records of history – you just have to look a little harder to find it.” He fought the urge to look up. He didn’t have to. He could already feel the heat of Sara’s spiteful gaze.
Sara let out a little laugh, “I never put much faith in the legends. I only wanted it confirmed. The Haven races are weak and selfish creatures that mankind put too much trust in, only to be abandoned and betrayed.”
“What do you know about it?” He turned in his seat to face her, a fire starting deep in his veins. “It’s the humans fault all that happened.”
Sara’s face glowed with a menacing smile.
“Believe what you want.” He shrugged, “I don’t need to defend them.” He forced himself to calm down. Her smug look was all he needed to see in order to realize she was just pushing his buttons.
Sara backed off with a huff and a shake of her head. “Good. And you don’t need to be defending silly legends of people you know nothing about either.”
The class remained still and silent as he turned back around. He was sure none of them had any idea what that whole ruckus was about. Honestly, he didn’t either. He should have been used to people talking badly about the Haven races.
After a look of sympathy, Professor Finley moved the lecture along, but Sky was done paying attention. He was much too busy picking at the small scratch in the finish of his desk to hone in on any of her words.
Well, at least until he heard her say. “Looks like we’re out of time.”
Sky shoved his books and tablet back into his bag. He didn’t get Sara, not at all. He looked back, but she was already gone.
He pushed his way out of the room, just wanting to get to the sanctuary of the courtyard.
“Well, well, well.” A somewhat familiar voice oozed. “Look who it is.”
Sky turned slowly, knowing he should just keep walking. “Hey, Puss face. How’s it going?”
Joshua Harmos bristled at the insult, his repulsive face turning down into an even uglier state. “Seeing you in that uniform makes me sick to my stomach.”
Sky wanted to walk away, he really, really did. “Maybe it’s something you ate.” He spun back around with the door as his target.
“How’s your dad?” Joshua called out after him, “Oh, that’s right, you probably haven’t seen him much lately. My dad has him working overtime since his other contract fell through.”
Sky stopped. He didn’t want to, but he did.
“Oh, you didn’t know that, hmmm? He probably didn’t have time to tell you that after my dad found out about his other contract, he pulled some strings to make sure that it didn’t happen and now he’s got him working back to back runs. Astrodeli makes up for more than ninety percent of your business now.” Joshua came up behind him, close enough that he could feel his stinking hot breath on the back of his neck. “We. Own. You. Everything you have is because of my father.”
“That’s a twisted way to think about it.” He tried to sound like he didn’t care and refused to turn around. “My dad earned everything we have by working hard, something you wouldn’t understand.”
“Well, if you want him to keep earning, you better start knowing your place.” Joshua stepped even closer and leaned over his shoulder, “There is a certain order to things around here and if you break that order, first-year, I can make your life hell.” One of his clammy hands griped tight around Sky’s forearm.
Sky yanked his arm away and turned to face him, “Never touch me.” He hissed. “And I don’t care about your order or your rules.”
But Joshua wasn’t listening - he was examining the hand that had touched Sky’s arm like it was now infected.
“Stay away from me.” Sky was pleased as the right mix of anger and sternness punctuated his words.
Joshua shook off his infatuation with his arm, “That’s not going to happen. You cro
ssed me first remember, and now the Havens have brought you here to me.”
Sky stood his ground as Joshua stepped up toe to toe with him, his lumpy face glistening in a thin layer of grease.
“I don’t like you. I don’t like your father and I don’t like his kind.” A mist spit sprayed out his filthy words.
He wanted to punch him. He wanted to punch him and run, but he couldn’t do that, could he? There were students everywhere around them.
“You’re disgusting and pathetic and don’t deserve to wear that uniform.” He went on.
He wanted to rip his face off, but no, that wasn’t what normal people would do. What would Con do? He would make a joke. “Should take it off? Right now?” That was a terrible joke.
Joshua’s face went completely blank for a split second and his mouth snapped shut. The bits of unblemished flesh on his face turned as red as his zits and his fists began to clench. “What is that supposed to mean?” He whispered.
“Nothing.” Sky backed up. He knew rage when he saw it. “Just settle down before your zits explode.”
“I will destroy you. I will make you wish you never came here. I will bring down your father.” His voice was rising, drawing a few quick glances from the passers by. “I would take out your mother too, but she took care of that herself didn’t she.”
Sky couldn’t stop his body from tensing, his breath from freezing in his lungs.
“That’s right, I know about that. I know everything about you. I know that even your own mom hated you. She hated you enough to kill herself to get away from you.”
Sky’s mind went blank and his vision red. He could feel the yell that started in his belly reach his throat and his arm fly back at the ready.
“Shut up and leave him alone!” It was Sara’s voice that cut through the chaos of his mind.
Sky blinked once, and then again. His anger didn’t go far, but it receded back far enough for him to regain control. He focused on Sara’s back that was now in front of him.
“You mess with him, you mess with me.” Sara had a finger up to Joshua’s face.
Who was this girl? It couldn’t possibly be the real Sara.
Joshua backed away from them with eyes full of terror. There were myths about the Blue Stars, about how they could rip out your soul or steal your dreams and Joshua was certainly narrow minded enough to believe them.
“Get out of here, now!” She yelled and Joshua scrambled away without a glance back.
He hated the look of pity on Sara’s face when she turned towards him. He backed up a step, his jaw clenched and his ears shut. He didn’t want to hear whatever she had to say to him. Not her. She wasn’t allowed to insult him, then protect him and then, worst of all, feel sorry for him.
“I didn’t need you to do that.” He growled at her, unable to stop his shoulders from hunching forward and his head lowering in shame.
“Shut up.” She pounded a fist into the wall next to them, but he could tell her anger was forced. “It’s not just you that gets in trouble if you cause problems, haven’t you learned that yet? Geeze, try thinking of someone other than yourself for once.” She shoved him back, but there was no force behind it.
He couldn’t stand her looking at him like that. “I’ll try to remember that.” He growled and stormed away.
“Sky,” She called after him, but he didn’t stop. He wouldn’t stop.
He made his way through a sea of students, his mind a buzzing mess. He wanted to scream. He wanted to run. But most of all, he wanted to hit something.
By some twist of fate Al’s bright face bobbed in front of him just outside the commons.
“Hey!” Al chirped, but his smile dropped instantly once he got a good look at Sky. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” He lied, his voice and body still shaking.
“No. I know that look.” Al put a hand out and stopped Sky in his tracks. “Go home.”
“What?” Sky scoffed and pushed past Al. “I’m not going home. I’ve already skipped one class today and I told Con I would stay late and train.”
“Go home, Sky. You’re looking for a fight right now.”
“I am not.” He gritted his teeth, and realized he had balled up his fist tight enough to turn his knuckles white.
“My next class is with Professor Blanks, I’ll tell him you weren’t feeling well and went home.”
Sky shook his head. “I can’t. It’s not that bad.”
Al looked at him hard and steady. “Skyden.” His face softened to a look of understanding. “What happened? You want to talk?”
Sky shook his head, avoiding Al’s eyes, “I’m fine.”
“If you say so.” Al said slowly. “I have to go to class, but I trust that you know the right thing to do.”
Al jogged off and left Sky scratching the back of his neck. Al was right. He had to get out of there. He could feel the anger just beneath the surface - one wrong look could set him off. “Fine.” He said aloud to himself and let out a burning sigh before heading towards the closest door.
Chapter Eleven
Sky made his way down the path towards his home. The ship was gone from the back lot as it had been for the last week. His dad’s latest job was gonna keep him away for at least another day, just as Joshua had said.
Something shifted just beyond the light of the trail. He stopped, holding his breath to listen, but there was nothing but the wind. He knew the woods, and he knew there wasn’t any real danger, so he had no choice but to laugh it off.
The front door creaked open in its usual protest, as he slumped into the entryway.
He threw his wav-com onto a nearby crate and jumped as the clank of the metal against wood reverberated through the silent house. He didn’t know why he was so on edge. No, that was a lie. He was a creature of habit and his body was programmed to be anticipating a fight. Al had certainly been right about that.
Loosening his tie he made his way up the stairs. Routine had always made life in a habitually empty house more bearable. First on his agenda was to ditch the stiff uniform and find the kind of clothes that you would only dare to wear in your own home.
At the top of the stairs he was greeted by a narrow hallway gaudily decorated with seemingly hundreds of pictures, statues and printed decor of adorable animals. Never in his years had they ever owned or talked about owning a pet. He assumed this was Ixanna’s not so subtle way of telling them that they should.
He paused as a moment of alarm swept a chilly hand up his spine. Something felt off, but nothing looked out of place. He walked silently down the hall. The air around him seemed different; the smell, the weight, something just wasn’t right. His heart began to beat in his ears and grew louder with each passing step. Something dark caught his eyes, his head swung left and he found himself greeted by his own reflection. Letting out the breath he’d been holding he scolded himself for being so paranoid. This is what Arche training did to you.
He stared into the elaborately carved mirror, decorated with paw prints of all shapes and sizes. Leaning over the narrow desk he got a better look at his darkened reflection. He looked angry, or was he scared? Neither emotion seemed right. He had come home to relax.
A sound echoed in the darkness and his head snapped to the right. He searched the shadows, looking with more than his eyes. Maybe, he wasn’t being foolish. No, he was certain he wasn’t. This time he had heard something for sure and grabbed the heaviest looking cat sculpture he could find. Clenching his jaw he forced his legs to carry him forward.
He barged into his own room, the metal sculpture of the cat raised high above his head. His room was as he left it - bed unmade, a heap of cloths in the corner, and the desk covered in dishes and piles of notebooks.
Something crashed into Sky from behind and sent him flying into the room. He spun around just in time to see a blur of a figure come barreling into him once again, hitting him square in the guts. His only means of defense flew out of his hand and clattered uselessly to the floor, well ou
t of reach. As he doubled over a hand came up and caught him under the jaw. In a sea of stars his head snapped back and he found himself on the ground as the world shifted in and out of focus above him.
The dark outline of his attacker loomed over him; it swayed back and forth in time to an unheard rhythm. Black robes that blended seamlessly into the shadows covered the intruder and flowed in a soft ripple, as if being blown by an invisible wind.
“Creepy.” He muttered and forced himself to focus. Gritting his teeth, he leapt to his feet, catching his attacker by surprise.
He took a sloppy swing that was easily dodged, but that was only meant to distract the intruder from the real punch that whipped up from the opposite arm. He felt his fist connect, but there was no give in the flesh he hit.
He let out a brief cry of surprise and pain, then grabbed his throbbing hand. “Who are you?” He growled, trying to straighten up and be intimidating.
They faced each other in the small room. He calmed his ragged breath and hoped the sweat that was building up below his hairline wouldn’t give away his fear. He couldn’t read his opponent - try as he might; he couldn’t see the intruders face under the oversized hood and swirl of shadows. If he had to guess at who he was fighting, his best guess would be the boogieman. There was no way this guy could be real.
Is this a test? He wondered desperately. He wouldn’t put it past Con to pull something like this.
The figure lunged towards him without a sound. Sky instinctively protected his aching hand by thrusting a kick into the chest of his attacker that resounded in a hollow thud. To his own surprise, the kick sent the figure back into the opposite wall where Sky’s collection of souvenir bottles crashed down upon the intruder in a kaleidoscope of colors, textures and scents.
In the brief disturbance Sky found his legs and ran. His wav-com was down by the front door, if he could get to it and make it outside he would be fine. The woods around their home were a dense mass of foliage covering a treacherous terrain and no one knew them better than him.
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