Oh, great mother, Mistress of all. Befall us your wisdom - How do we kill our lord?
We are in a Cave—a large, cold, misty cave, with walls that seem to be damaged, with cracks spreading through every nook and cranny of the room.
Unlike the other cave, light from any of the three suns or the seven moons was forbidden, so suspended ambers of bright blue flames illuminated the cave.
The ceiling couldn't be seen, just thick darkness hiding it.
We have been in frightening, cold places with terrifying inhabitants, but the habitat of this coven is beyond fear - it's dread, and the fleeting feeling of hope.
Between two large flames was a large sculpture of a dragon skull carved into a wall. The tongue resembled a seat, with the person, or thing, sitting on the supposed throne, was ugly, horrible, and dreadful.
The creature bore no semblance of a human, but perhaps... a demon?
It was gargantuan; 84 craters in height. Its skin was scarlet red, with 6 yellow eyes with bloodshot pupils, with a bigger one on the forehead, but with a cross symbol replacing the pupil.
The mouth was occupied by 2 tusks, with its long, red hair, which didn't look to be taken care of. The creature appears to be dressed in a red robe, with blue trimmings, yellow bangs decorating the sleeves, purple sashes, and black bracelets to top it all off.
The creature radiated nothing but dread. The Dragon's throne looked realistic, so that it could instill the fear of being eaten by it.
Who dares to stand up to this beast? Who will be mad enough to face this abomination?
Something that counters the fear of death is the greed of man.
A human was there, far below the dragon's throne, and standing patiently on the bare ground of the cave. The human looked nothing special.
Blood was splattered everywhere, but none was on the man. He stood between an entire fleet of dead soldiers, who looked like smaller versions of the giant demon.
The human stood brave, with valour in his eyes. I wish not to describe his physical attributes, but he was adorned with a long black robe with gold trimmings to combat the cold, but I wasn't sure which was colder;
An entire cave shrouded with freezing mist that can kill a normal living thing.
Or.
The human standing in his triumph over dead soldiers while maintaining a fashionable taste with a stare as hard as steel.
State your name, the demon bellowed. You wretched animal. The giant demon's voice was so loud, but so hollow.
The human looked at his side, studying something that wasn't there, like an invisible menu of food.
Baarak, the great devourer, the human murmured. That is your name, right? Now tell me, are you the demon king? The Man's voice was calm and polished, and his statement brought a shock to Baarak's face.
You insolent fool, how do you know my name? Baarak asked. I have been shrouded in darkness for centuries. How can a pest like you call on my mighty name?
The man didn't seem to pay attention because he was busy studying the same invisible menu, and he began to murmur to himself.
50,000 xp, and 18 extra stat points. The man chuckled. This battle is going to test my limits. Baarak isn't the demon king? That explains why his abode skinks.
The insult of the human depleted Baarak's patience.
You foul animal, Baarak roared. It smells because you have decided to plaster my walls with the blood of my legion. Baarak was furious, but hesitant. A plain-looking human defeating his army, how possible is that?
I should check his power, Baarak thought inwardly.
His forehead eye glowed deep crimson, with the cross projecting itself in a dim blood color. Baarak's face was flushed with color.
His grace is little, Baarak siloqiuzed. Who is this human? He reminds me of...
The blinding light of a sword flashed in his memory, and a shiver ran down his spine. He remembered the only human who ended his reign a long time ago and forced him to live in the shadows.
Millennials of tyranny ended with the blade of a masked human, with a sword that glows green. Baarak's entire glory and ego were stripped, with most of his army terminated. Now, another human aims to kill him. Humans... the race that feeds their greed by taking from others.
Well, I guess I have no choice. The man then turned to Baarak. Uh, can you please not kill me as I kill you? I promise it will be painless.
Baarak stood up from his throne and jumped down to meet the human. The sound of the landing was deafening, and the shockwave was deadly, but the Man wasn't fazed. Who is this man, you might ask?
He came from nowhere and claimed he was lost and that he was from another world. What a joke.
The man freed his hand from under his robe, and a dagger appeared in his hand. The dagger had a purple rose hilt, with a crooked, blue blade, with the edges glinting under the light of the blue ambers.
Baraak also freed his hands and brought out a shield. The shield was 10 times of a human, constructed out of bones and beating organs, with strange markings and drawings.
You humans think you are very powerful, Baarak grinned. If you want to kill me, you have to do it while I try to kill you. Doesn't it make it more fun?
Baraak roared, and the warm, blue amber flames turned into scorching red flames. The room temperature rose by 500 degrees Malcey.
Sweat trickled from the human's skin, but he grinned. He took his stance, and his eyes glowed bright purple. You are right, it is more fun.
The human grabbed his dagger fiercely and rushed to his opponent.
Time to survive, the human whispered. Bane by blood
The human attacked Baarak, and three giant stone spears appeared above him.
Calm down, the war is young, and our soldiers are younger.
Hello Fen, Chalybe shrugged. Long time no see.
Fenrir's eyes went dark, and his teeth vibrated.
Hello, Chalybe, Fenrir shivered. You look... well.
When Fenrir laid his eyes on Aurelia, he swiftly hid behind Caesar. Fenrir suited his torn blazer and brushed his spiky hair behind with his nails, which was able to smooth it a little.
My fair lady, Aurelia, Fenrir bowed. You look as wonderful as always.
Aurelia looked disgusted at Fenrir and walked away.
What did I do? Fenrir whimpered. Was it my breath?
No, not at all, Izobel waved her hands. She just... uh.. had somewhere to be.
Izobel, you can't keep lying to comfort me.
Fenrir looked unhappy fast. He fancied Aurelia for a very long time, but she was in love with Caesar.
Everyone was aware of it - That was the major reason Fenrir asked his father to teach him to be mature.
But anyway, I haven't seen you guys since the trials, Fenrir dusted himself. I remember it like it was yesterday.
Caesar wasn't excited when he saw Fenrir, and neither was Chalybe. The two battled in the Trials, and the fight was intense. Every battle was intense, make no mistake, but this particular battle took a lot from Chalybe and Fenrir, and the winner was equally surprising.
Izobel chuckled. Has your wound healed, Fenrir?
Fenrir touched his face and sighed. It took weeks for it to completely heal, ya know, and even now, I still feel the stinging pain of the scar.
Don't you think you have enough scars already? Caesar joked.
The group burst out laughing, but Fenrir suddenly stopped and sniffed the air.
Fen, Izobel touched his arm. You okay?
Fenrir quickly shifted his gaze to an Unkindness of Ravens. The ravens gathered on a fruit tree and began cawing loudly.
That's weird, Fenrir brushed his hair. Slaver beak Ravens are rarely seen in the Morning.
It might be a good omen, Izobel stared in amazement. But they scare me.
The Slaver beak Ravens aren't creatures to marvel at. They possess sharp claws, deep midnight black feathers, and four royal blue eyes that seem to pierce into your souls.
Caesar noticed Chalybe frowning at the flock, and he looked like he wanted to kill every one of them.
Still angry about the miscarriage? Caesar patted Chalybe's back.
They were always present when my mother had them, Chalybe sighed. 3 times, Caesar. 3
Caesar looked at his companion as Chalybe returned to his calm demeanor.
A loud siren boomed across the entire compound, and a male voice was heard.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the voice began. On behalf of our Grandmaster, Reginald Dan Gerald, I welcome you all to the Black Meadows Academy.
All the students cheered.
Everyone here has awakened their Divinity, a gift bestowed upon us by our god, the Almighty. May he be worshiped, Amen.
Everyone chorused the same, Amen.
But don't be so comfortable, you growing sparrows, the voice charged. You might be a prince, a scion, a Heir, a majesty - but here, what determines your status is your power and drive. Do you have what it takes to climb to the top and serve your kingdom with all your strength? DO YOU WANT TO BE A KNIGHT!!!!
The student roared, Yes!!!!
The voice laughed. Welcome to your new chapter, you Diamonds in the rough.
When the voice ceased and a 15-creter-high Oberon door swung open, revealing the Interior of the Academy.
Race you there. Caesar ran off, and his companions followed.
As Caesar, Chalybe, Izobel, and Fenrir walked into the Chilled inside of the Academy, entering the main hall, they were shocked. None of them would have imagined that the gruesome school would be so magnificent.
The hall was massive, with marble pillars holding the wide roof, decorated in various and detailed murals and chandeliers. The floors seemed to change colors, from red to orange to pink, which made Izobel delighted.
Four major staircases sat in the middle of the hall from the walls, each with a diverse outline and symbols. The walls of the Academy were decorated with multiple paintings that seemed to move, with stone, marble, gloydon, steel, and bronze sculptures of knights adding more beauty to the hall.
In between two Red Stone sculptures was a Machine. The machine was large, triple the height of Chalybe, with a panel covered in countless carvings and initials, presumably from former Black Meadows pupils.
A loud voice called out from a distance. Yo, Caesa.
Caesar turned around in excitement as one of his great companions entered the room.
I was wondering when you would arrive, Caesar grinned.
The loud voice drew the attention of the entire crowd, and everyone admired him.
The living embodiment of grit and hard work, Zues Orson Lancelot, the son of Leto Micah Lancelot, The governor of Shawnforth.
Zeus was tall, taller than Chalybe. He was muscular, looking confident and highly competitive. He had scarlet eyes, beautiful braided hair, with the side skillfully trimmed and the 'Z' initial carved into it.
He casually walked over to Caesar, with his blazer hanging on his shoulder, and his bag hovering by his side.
Yo, Zeus waved. Miss me?
My man, Caesar, waved back. Looking good, I see.
Well, I had a makeover. Zeus touched his braids. Courtesy of my sister, Artemis.
Zeus, Izobel spoke up. What a pleasant surprise! How are you?
Zeus turned to Izobel. Hello Izobel, I'm very well, and the prince...
Zeus looked at Chalybe, who smiled at him.
Yep, the prince, Chalybe said.
Zeus turned to Caesar. The announcement just now was rather spirit-lifting, don't you think?
Yeah, they sounded serious about the whole 'power deciding your status, ' Caesar answered. Are they trying to make this academy a battle royale?
Caesar wasn't a believer in the typical 'the weak die and the strong survive' mindset. Any person in a story or real life who says that is just overconfident of hasn't met those far more powerful than them.
But, we will get to the top, Zeus smiled. It's just a matter of who reaches it first and becomes a knight.
That's so you. Caesar laughed. You literally spent like...what? Your entire pre-teens to force your divinity out. I'm still in shock that that is even possible.
Don't forget me, Chalybe said. I might be number 1 first.
In your dreams, boys, Izobel flung her hair. What if I reach it first?
I just want to be good, Fenrir chided. But, yeah, number 1 it is.
The entire group broke into laughter. Caesar knew Zeus' real talent - his gift to fire up the competitive spirit in anybody, and that is why he adored Zeus; Caesar loved challenges.
Zeus' gaze shifted to the machine in the hall, standing tall and bold.
That machine is the faction randomizer. Zeus wore his blazer. It is the device that chooses our faction for the Academy.
Everyone admired the machine. Caesar knew that the same thought ran through everyone's head - That piece of metal, wires, and circuits is going to put them in random factions, and it was indeed very random. The probability, the faction, the number of rolls, and even the leniency of the machine were random.
Caesar wanted Chalybe, Izobel, Zeus, maybe even Fenrir, to be in the same faction.
I like to gamble, Chalybe said. I am going to check my faction first.
Fenrir walked away before anybody could change his mind.
Fenrir cleared his throat. I would like to go next, then Caesar, then Izzy, and last will be Zeus. Any objections?"
Nobody objected, and the procedure was followed.
The four Factions of black Meadows Academy were named after the four Mythical amber beasts: Juhnzu, Absalom, Thunderclaw, and Madagar, 4 magical creatures with an absurd level of grace. Their origins are unknown, but their powers are undeniable.
Remember when I mentioned that Caesar wanted all of them to be in the same faction? The machine had other plans.
Chalybe joined the Thunderclaw faction, which was where the west staircase led to. The thunderbird was a unique member of the White Ravens, a distant relative of the Slaver beak ravens. The Thunderclaw was 5 times bigger, faster, and smarter than its peers, and was stated to have flown to the 5th level of Paradise, the closest any living thing has gotten.
Fenrir joined the Juhnzu faction, which was where the north staircase led. With obscured interpretations, Historians theorized that the Juhnzu was made by the infamous and mysterious black snow samurai and someone called 'Pride'. You will know them soon enough.
Zeus joined the Thunderclaw faction, same as Chalybe. Chalybe looked delighted to be with Zeus, but Caesar didn't recall them being close.
Izobel joined the Madagar faction, which was where the south stairs led to. The madagar was an Adagar, but it was different because it was born on the scorched earth of the extinct Rainbow clan. Its horn was a gambling game, as it had the power to restore or destroy anything.
Izobel wasn't pleased because she was in the same faction as Aurelia.
Caesar, against all odds, joined the Juhnzu faction. The same as Fenrir.
Caesar bade his companions farewell and advanced towards the North Staircase, each of them aiming for the "number 1". The staircase was wide, with smooth, wooden handrails and ceramic-coated floors.
Caesar and Fenrir stopped at the door that led to the faction, took a deep breath, and advanced, as Caesar's right eye turned bright crimson.
The cries of the Unkindness faded outside.
Beckoned by the enormous space, Fenrir was in awe.
Caesar was worried about Izobel because he knew she would have problems with Aurelia, but he was confident in Chalybe and Zeus.
The stairs that took Caesar and Fenrir to the Juhnzu faction seemed to move from door to door, and the stairs picked the room with available space. As Caesar tried to walk into the room, they began to float.
They were aware of the bizarre conditions of their room, but the aesthetic was still breathtaking. The room was massive, according to Fenrir's intuition.
Bunk beds were stationed at the circumference of several platinum colored metal pillars, each bed floating and slowly completing rotations around each bar.
The interior of the Juhnzu faction was impressive, with the walls plastered with several murals and graffiti, some indicating: an armored samurai with its armour being pitch black, self-portraits of former Junzu pupils, famous knights, and initials.
At the far east of the hall, there was a hand-painted picture of a beast with a large golden mane, bright blue skin, six powerful legs with sharp claws, and an open jaw housing deadly canines, while chasing some prey. It was The Juhnzu - the legendary king of the forest, the only one.
Suspiciously, some areas seemed covered in white powder to erase some drawings, and it got filled with portraits.
The large room had no ceiling, just a large plane of glass with gloydon trimmings and reinforcement, welcoming light from the three suns in the morning, and the seven moons in the night.
Inside the wide diameter of the pillars were wardrobes that were filled with students' personal belongings that were posted to the school a few days before the resumption day.
Isn't that Caesar, a girl whispered. He is so cute.
I wonder what he is thinking. Another girl stroked her hair. And Fenrir is also very muscular and powerful. Do they struggle with anything?
Caesar waved at the girl, and they joyfully waved back. The other students threw glances at Caesar and Fenrir, and they both greeted them warmly.
Caesar and Fenrir recognised most of them, some from nursery, playdates, family functions, ot even arranged outings.
Whoa, I see Rebecca, Fenrir said. And Jaxon, Julius, Colby, Farah... they are all here.
The diversity of the room was spectacular.
Humans, ghouls, titans, neptunians, hoggoth, frosters, skylanders, and even the legendary dwarves were all present in the large room.
As Caesar arrived at his bed, he felt a chilling presence. Students immediately stopped talking, and time seemed to slow down.
G...g...good to see you, the voice stuttered. B...b..rother Ca...esar.
Caesar slowly turned around to see a mischievous grin addressing him.
The sound of bullets rang in his ears, the smell of gunpowder blocked his nose, and the heat of machinery scorched his skin- all the unpleasant memories of the trials flooded back into Caesar's head.
In the entry trials of Black Meadows, as Chalybe battled Fenrir, Caesar battled another powerful opponent.
The battles are well known for being intense. The intensity was so unbearable that it has been recorded that children have died of three things: killed by the contestant, killed by overusing their divinity, or killed by just pure stress and shock.
Caesar was sure he stared into the cold face of death on that day, as he stared at the boy who almost took his life.
His name - Jacques Loius Valeur IX, the son of Henri Pierre Valeur IV, the fleet admiral in charge of the Zion kingdom's Navy.
In another domain in the institution, there was a secluded room filled with monitors and rows of employees. The employees intently studied the students' behaviour and well-being, while skillfully documenting their observations.
In the middle of the room, on a raised platform, there stood a man hidden in the shadows. He watched on a larger monitor, spectating the current confrontation of Caesar, Fenrir, and Jacques in silence.
Good work, Jermiah, for the opening speech, a male employee said. That was a hard announcement. I don't know how you do it.
Jeremiah stared at the screen was untouched concentration, his face blank with emotions.
Well, a female employee smiled. What a wonderful start to term, don't you think, Jeremiah?
Jeremiah ignored the woman's gesture.
As the employees returned to their work, a low voice said, Interesting.
All the workers turned to Jeremiah, showing a glint of interest.
What is? The male employee asked.
Jeremiah studied Caesar's facial expression, understanding his fear.
We have three prodigies together, Jeremiah murmured. Isn't that interesting?
The workers looked at themselves in confusion.
But all Students are special, the female worker gulped. Aren't prodigies and geniuses the same...
Wrong!!, Jeremiah interrupted her, and the employees gasped.
Prodigies and Geniuses are different, Jeremiah said. Let's look at geniuses, which makes up 97.66% of the current school population.
A genius is someone who has learned to use their divinity almost perfectly. These are fast learners who embody pure hard work and determination to thrive.
Jeremiah's eyes were filled with greed. They are those who are gifted with intelligence to be the standard building block of a society structured in power.
But we have Prodigies, Jeremiah said with disgust. I still remember the one that scarred me.
All employees looked at each other, not with confusion but fear.
What is wrong with a Prodigy? The female asked.
Jeremiah's eyes were tainted with rage. People like Caesar, Fenrir, and Jacques...They are just curses.