The Doorway God

by Tom Early

  Sofia took a closer look at Dimitris and gave him a sudden smile with more than a little edge to it. “Oh, you must be that boy who cried when he got lost on our estate a few years back! I thought I recognized that lovely curly hair.”

  I watched with interest as a blush colored Dimitris’s high cheekbones and his face contorted with what looked like an unhealthy mixture of embarrassment and rage. I had to admit, it was kind of fun to see Aiden at work when I wasn’t the target. And it seemed Sofia was just as terrifying as her older brother.

  “Now, if your inferiority complex has completely gotten the better of you, I can schedule a duel with you this afternoon,” Aiden said. “You would work perfectly as a chance to provide the reason for all of you to not upset me. So tell me, would you like to help me out?”

  For a moment I was sure Dimitris was going to take a swing right there, but then he let out a shaky breath and stepped back, refusing to make eye contact.

  “Pity,” Aiden said, completely unmoved. “Anyone else?”

  Nobody said anything.

  “Very well. Next on the list are the rules of the house. First, after midnight you are expected to keep noise level to a minimum out of courtesy to your….”

  I zoned out after that. It was basically a list of common-sense rules with a few exceptions—apparently there was a basket in my room that was enchanted to wash, dry, and fold any laundry I put into it. My mom would have a fit if she saw that—I made a note to see if I could learn that enchantment, even though I could already hear the lecture on hard work being its own reward. Once Aiden had finished listing the rules, we were free to spend the day as we so desired. The campus was free to explore, and dinner was served in Ceres Hall from six to nine.

  “I suggest you check your tablets for your personalized schedules for the upcoming week,” Aiden said. “It is also capable of answering most any question you might have, and any other students you run into might also be able to help as well. Also”—Aiden smiled—“I look forward to your prowess in the Arena in the next week. Be sure to represent Obsidian well, as the Families take notice of those who do.”

  With that, Aiden walked off, Sofia in tow. Even from where I stood I could see that despite everything I would’ve expected, the two seemed to genuinely care for each other. It was almost disturbing to see Aiden act normal. It made it harder to shoehorn him into the aggressive, not-to-be-trusted persona he’d had earlier.

  Everyone else started to filter out as well, some to their rooms, others out to explore.

  Sam glanced at me. “You feel up to exploring right now?”

  I shook my head. “I’ve got some thinking to do. Apparently if I want to live, I need to be about as me as possible. See you at dinner.”

  Sam hip-bumped me, somehow making the impact feel fond. “You know I’m willing to listen whenever, right? Just use Synchrony if you want to talk, since our phones seem pretty useless.”

  “Thanks, Sam.”

  “No prob. I’m going to go find my own fun, maybe traumatize a few people in the process.” She smirked. “Hey, how much you wanna bet I get challenged to a duel before the day’s up?”

  I rolled my eyes. “It’s still the first day. You could at least give them one day before causing trouble.”

  “I could,” Sam said, then grinned. “But where’s the fun in that?”

  I couldn’t help but grin in response, and then she was off to go cause trouble somewhere. I made straight for my room, threw the tablet on the floor, and collapsed on my bed. Thinking about being merged with Winter could wait. If I didn’t let myself nap now, I was likely to simply collapse while walking any moment. There was something about being ruthlessly manipulated immediately upon arrival that tired me out.

  It had only taken a day for me to realize that my dream of fitting in and being normal wasn’t going to work out, not even here. And even though I knew, logically, that it didn’t make sense, that hit me harder than anything else.

  I WOKE up, groggy and still feeling emotionally raw a few hours later, with Sam knocking at my door.

  “Fay, wake up! Time for dinner! I made Aiden promise to give me the rundown on how the Arena thing works, so don’t make me late!”

  I rolled out of bed, blearily reaching for my clothes until I realized that no, actually, I’d never taken them off. The sensation of wearing slept-in clothing was gross, but I’d have to manage.

  Sam met me outside my room, and together we went to Ceres Hall, which ended up being adjacent to Ares. Inside was a sort of cafeteria setting, with dozens of round and square tables set up around an absolutely gigantic buffet. The walls of the cafeteria were beautiful glazed tiles in intricate patterns, shining orange from the firelight of the four open hearths in the corners of the area. The food looked perfectly prepared, and it didn’t look like there were any servers. I was privately grateful for that—the few colleges I’d toured before my life decided to get even weirder had people working in the cafeteria, who would hand you the food. The less interaction with people, the better.

  Aiden hailed us over to a table that seemed to belong to only him and his sister. Despite there being six open seats, nobody dared get too close. Probably because both of the Ombras were smirking, and if that didn’t terrify you, you clearly had no survival instinct. Naturally, Sam strolled over to them like she owned the place, but that didn’t exactly come as a surprise.

  “’Sup, nerds,” Sam said, pulling out a seat and placing her sketchpad bag on it. “What’s good to eat here?”

  Sofia looked like she was going to say something, but Aiden beat her to it. “Everything,” he said. “The university isn’t the sort of place to skimp out on meals. I would be cautious with things you don’t recognize, however; Gaia provides flavors that make some of Earth’s most infamous spices look weak.”

  “But then, you do seem the adventurous type,” Sofia added sweetly. “You know, the sort that never thinks before they speak.”

  Sam gave her a flat look. “Really? I’m pretty sure you’ve got the monopoly on that sort of thing.”

  I glanced at Aiden, just in time to see him give me a small grin. I stared at him. “You knew they were going to be like this.”

  “I hoped they would,” he admitted. “You have no idea how refreshing it is to see Sofia targeting someone who isn’t me.”

  Sofia snapped her head toward him. “Unfair, brother mine,” she said, shaking her head. “I could never match your wit, and you know it.”

  “Doesn’t mean you can’t give a few barbs of your own every time you try.”

  “You know,” I remarked, “somehow I’m not surprised that it’s weirder for me to see you acting like a big brother than it is to be, well, here.”

  Aiden’s answering smile was predatory. “Oh, I’m still dangerous. Don’t go doubting that. I’m just happy to dote on my dear sister too.” And despite the sarcasm always present in his tone, he actually did look on Sofia with fondness. Very, very weird.

  I got back up to get some food as Sam and Sofia started to bicker again. I sincerely hoped the two of them never became friends. I was pretty sure there was nobody on the planet who’d be able to deal with both of them working together. I spotted pizza on several trays in the corner, and I made a beeline for the familiar comfort food. I’d get around to trying the new foods when everything else wasn’t also so… new. And out to control me.

  When I got back, Sam was digging into a giant bowl of salad with gusto, and a plate of pasta next to it lay already half-demolished. I’d learned early on not to even bother trying to keep pace with her eating speed. With the amount she worked out to stay in fighting shape, Sam could eat just about anyone under the table.

  Beside her, Sofia and Aiden were both staring at Sam with an expression on their faces that could only be described as some mixture of awe and horror.

  “I’ve… never seen someone eat quite that fast,” Sofia said, voice faint.

  Aiden’s mouth was hanging open. “I’ve dined with the cen
taurs from Verdant before, and she puts them to shame.”

  Sam finished another giant bite and swallowed. “Are you two just going to sit there and watch me? Because if you are, I feel like I should be getting paid for the show.”

  Sofia shook her head. “Somehow, my appetite is diminished.”

  Aiden put a hand on her shoulder as she stood. “You won’t have the chance to eat again before tomorrow,” he said. “I suggest you try to now despite the distraction.” Sofia nodded, and together they headed out to the buffet. The two of us were left eating in peace for about a minute before they returned. The meal passed mostly in silence after that.

  When we were done, Aiden carefully wiped his mouth with his napkin before placing it delicately on his plate and pushing the plate away. “Now,” he said, “I believe I said I would explain the Arena to the two of you. Sofia, you already know about the Arena, but I ask that you stay for the purpose of refreshing your memory.”

  “How could I ever pass up the chance to hear you lecture?” Sofia said sweetly. Or sarcastically. Possibly both.

  Aiden clasped his hands together on the table. “The Arena’s purpose is simple: Janus University believes in practicality above all things. That is why classes test students primarily in practical assessments and not simple tasks of memorization. The goal is that by the time you graduate, you will be ready to assume the most natural role in the profession of your choosing.” He smiled. “At the very top. Graduates of the university outstrip any other magic user in any profession, exceptions only rarely encountered in particularly powerful innate magic users,” he said, giving me a nod at that. “But even if you choose the most nonviolent profession available to you, such a rise to the top tends to earn you some enemies. To that end, the Arena exists. You are tested weekly against each other, sometimes in teams, sometimes alone. By the time you graduate, you will be more than capable of defending yourself, should the need ever arise.”

  Aiden paused in his speech briefly as a tall, blonde girl passed by the table and proceeded to give Aiden the most overtly lecherous look I’d ever seen in my life, which Aiden responded to with a smirk and a small nod, like he was accepting his due. That done, he turned back to us.

  “The Arena is the same place where the Trials took place for most of the incoming class. They are open affairs, and the higher-ranked contenders often draw quite the crowd.” Aiden grinned. “There is also a healthy side-business of betting on the winner that goes on as well. That brings us to the rankings. As I’ve said, you fight weekly. The result of each battle is recorded, and your ranking is calculated accordingly. Those in the bottom quarter of the rankings will sometimes be tested by instructors, or required to attend special training sessions to improve. Despite the headmaster’s earlier warning, the only real danger of expulsion from doing badly in the Arena comes from refusing to put in the effort to get better. The Houses do not fight their own, unless a duel is requested. You are told at the beginning of each week about the theme of your battle, whether you fight on your own or in a team. Any questions?”

  “Do we get to choose our own teams?” Sam asked.

  “No, but the proctors take notice of people who work well together, and have your Trial teams on record. It’s likely that the two of you will be placed together fairly often,” Aiden replied.

  “How does the requesting of duels work?” I asked. “Do both people have to agree?”

  “In most circumstances, yes,” Aiden said. “But if one party can bring proof of wrongdoing to one of the Speakers, they can force a duel. It’s a good way to bring any attempts of bullying to a head, quite fast. Especially since the victim party may request a champion.”

  “How often does that happen?” Sofia asked.

  “Rarely. There’s enough opportunity as is to deal with your aggression here. Spending it on another student is wasteful, unless it’s to improve your rankings.”

  I shook my head. It didn’t surprise me that Janus University had a built-in violence requirement, not after the Trials. But to hear it spoken about so matter-of-factly still made me feel drained.

  “Thanks, Aiden,” I said, picking up my plate. “I’m going to head out now. Thanks for showing us the ropes.”

  “I’ll see you later,” Aiden said. “Congratulations on surviving your first day.”

  “Want me to come with you?” Sam asked, but I saw the yearning looks she was casting at the far side of the buffet table.

  “Don’t you still have dessert to demolish?” I asked, grinning. “I’ll be fine, Sam. See you tomorrow.”

  I walked away, just as I heard Sofia asking exactly how Sam still had room in her stomach for more food.

  The lawn was dark and quiet now, only a few other students walking across it. I went straight back to my room and collapsed on my bed. I didn’t know if I could go right back to sleep, but I was done with this place for today. I glanced at my bags, still unpacked, and decided that could wait until tomorrow.

  I picked up the tablet lying on the bed next to me and blinked in surprise as it turned on at my touch. It was clearly technological in nature, not magical, but I had a feeling it’d have a few extra features than the usual ones. My name was displayed prominently at the top of the screen, and there were several icons below it. A few of them seemed fairly general; there was a weather app, and another one that displayed the dining hall menu for the day. Another just had a question mark for an icon; it wasn’t hard to guess the function of that one. Next was a schedule tracker, which seemed to already have stuff in it. Then there were two apps for mail and internet access. I let out a sigh of relief at the last one.

  Just as I was about to open the schedule, there was a gentle knock on my door.

  “Who is it?” I called.

  “Fay, is that you?” a familiar voice called back, slightly muffled. “Oh, cool, this thing actually works!”

  I could feel the silly grin spread across my face at the sound of Tyler’s voice. Had it really only been a few days since I’d seen him last? It felt like so much longer. I forced myself not to run over to the door and walked instead, before swinging it open to see Tyler standing just outside, an unfamiliar room behind him. His blond hair was slightly tousled, and there was dark blue paint on half of his face as he smiled at me. He was painfully beautiful, and I swept him into a hug immediately, taking solace in being able to hold him.

  Tyler returned the hug with gusto, and when I’d loosened my grip a little, he pushed the door closed and pulled me in for a kiss. We broke apart, and he leaned his forehead onto mine, his cheeks flushed slightly red in that way that just made me want to kiss him senseless.

  “I missed you,” he said, looking right at me.

  “I missed you too,” I said, still soaking in his presence. Somehow it now felt like everything was going to be all right, even though nothing had changed. Tyler just had that effect on me.

  Eventually we separated, even if only by a little bit. Tyler looked at me, his eyes dark with—was that concern?

  “Are you doing all right, Fay?” he asked. “I, um, the familiar bond? A few hours ago I swear I felt something.”

  I looked at him in surprise. “You can feel my emotions?”

  Tyler scratched the back of his neck. “Not really? It’s more like the strong stuff makes it through sometimes. And it really didn’t feel good earlier.”

  “And so you came to check in on me?” I asked, my heart sinking a little. I’d hoped he’d just come because he missed me.

  “Well, no,” Tyler said awkwardly. “I’ve kinda been missing you, so I was planning on seeing you today because it was your first day here, and I didn’t know if the key could work at your house, and… oh, sorry, I’m kind of babbling. Point is I was going to visit you anyway, and then I felt whatever that was, so it became even more important to visit.” He offered me a lopsided grin. “So, uh, yeah.”

  The whole thing was painfully endearing to observe, and I felt a twinge in my chest just watching it. “I love you,” I s
aid seriously, watching as his cheeks reddened again. “You know that, right? You’re kind of ridiculously perfect, and I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I am so glad you’re my boyfriend.”

  The small, private grin he gave me in return was blinding. “I love you too.” Then he dropped the grin. “Now please tell me what happened.”

  And so he sat down on my bed, and I got to lay my head in his lap as he absentmindedly ran his hands through my hair. As boyfriend perks went, that was way up there. It also let me know, better than any words could, how Tyler felt about the whole thing. When I described Didas’s ultimatum, his hands tightened around my hair, the gesture verging on painful for half a second. When I told him that Sam and I were already working on a plan to make sure I didn’t either die or get repossessed or turned into someone that wasn’t me, he relaxed, but only slightly.

  When I was done, Tyler let out a long breath. “Sounds like a lot to deal with,” he said. “But it sounds like Didas has you well in hand, here. I know you, and if you can help Aria, you will. Even if that means risking yourself in the process.”

  “I have to help her,” I said. “I can’t do anything for the people Winter killed, but… maybe I can do something for her. Maybe I can help, at least a little.”

  “And you aren’t mad that Didas manipulated you?” Tyler asked. There was no judgment in his tone, only curiosity.

  “I was. I wanted to hurt him for using me like that, and you know what he did when I stood up? He slammed me back down into the chair, paralyzed me, and refused to let me speak fully until he was done explaining. Once he was done, I was just numb.”

  Tyler maneuvered my head out of his lap and stretched out next to me, wrapping his arms around my chest. For a minute we just lay there, listening to each other breathe.

  Then Tyler sighed. “You know what really sucks?”

  “What?”

  “If all of this was, y’know, normal, I could posture and threaten to kill Didas to make you feel better. Hell, I’d probably try if I thought it would. But instead, he’s like a fairy-tale bad guy with enough power that I’d probably die just from thinking about hurting him.”