Chapter 16
[Embercrown 19th (8/19), Year 1356 of the Arcane Calendar]
| 10:00 PM |
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[ Bristol city, Clifton district ]
buzz... buzz...
In a bedroom, an elf sat propped against the headboard, glasses sliding slightly down her nose as she read beneath the dim light. The sheets were pulled halfway up her body, her green eyes tracing each line of the book.
Black hair spilled across her shoulders, catching the flicker of the lamp.
She raised her voice, calm but firm.
"Lyanna, can you get the door?"
From outside the room came a reply."Alright."
In the kitchen, Lyanna untied her apron and set it aside.
She smoothed her hair quickly, straightening her skirt before making her way through the quiet living room toward the entrance.
Creak...The door hinges groaned as she pulled it open.
The door swung open, and three familiar figures stood beneath the lantern glow.
"Welcome, Uncle Zack, Kyzen, and Liam," Lyanna said, stepping aside.
Zack gave her a warm smile, adjusting the large travel briefcase in his hand.
"Thank you for looking after my wife while I was away. Truly." His gratitude was plain, his voice roughened by the long journey.
Kyzen lifted his hand lazily in a half-wave. "Hey." His eyes were bloodshot, rimmed with exhaustion, and even in the dim light, it was obvious he hadn't slept properly.
Liam, behind him, fumbled through his own greeting. He waved, then quickly tucked his hands into his pockets like he'd been caught doing something embarrassing. "Uh—hi." His voice cracked halfway, and he coughed into his sleeve to cover it.
"I'll, uh… go help Charles and Anna with the bags."
Without waiting for an answer, he spun around a little too fast and nearly bumped into the doorframe on his way out, muttering something under his breath.
Lyanna raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering at the corner of her mouth.
I stepped inside, letting a yawn out that nearly split my jaw.
Throughout the journey, Liam let out this ridiculous snort, sharp and sudden—like the train brakes screeching all over again. Even though we booked the best suite, Liam's snorting was not helping; at least I could bathe on the train.
I just gave up on sleep at that point.
Entering the house, just a few steps in, a bedroom opened on the left. Inside, Liam's mom was talking quietly with Uncle Zack.
"How are you, Aunt Tia?" I asked, trying to sound concerned.
But instead of answering, her gaze went straight to my eyes—hollow, bloodshot, dead-looking. She frowned. "I'm doing well, but you look worse than I. Go and sleep for a while."
Zack nodded firmly. "Yeah, Kyzen. You need rest more than anyone."
I didn't argue. Walking out, I passed the kitchen, which was open into the living room, modern by Earth's standards. Lyanna stood there, wiping her hands on a cloth.
"Kyzen," she called, "I made dinner. If you want, I'll serve it now."
"Sorry," I muttered, dragging my feet. "Too tired. I'm just going to sleep."
"Alright. Good night," she said with a soft smile.
I trudged upstairs into Liam's room. Two single beds sat side by side, designed to be pushed together into one big one. I stripped down, changed into something loose, and slipped under the covers. The sheets were cool, the pillow soft. For once, peace seemed possible.
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Darkness. A jungle. The air was thick and wet with night fog.
From somewhere deep within the trees—
GRRRHHHRAAAAAHHHHHHHH!
The sound tore through the silence. Something monstrous, its call, shaking the ground, rattling my bones. My chest tightened.
Huff… huff… I ran, the trees bending and twisting, shadows growing teeth. The roars came again, closer, circling me like prey.
I flung up awake, heart hammering. Sweat clung to my face.
Then I heard it. The noise again—low, guttural, choking.
I turned my head.
Liam, dead asleep, snoring like a dying beast trying to claw its way through the underworld.
I buried my face in the pillow, groaning.
Please… someone, anyone… kill this guy.
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The next day, I woke up pretty late. My pocket watch on the bedside table ticked past eleven. No one had woken me, and for that, I was truly grateful.
Yawning, I dragged myself lazily to the bath. Unlike the grand tubs I'd seen in noble houses, this was something different—a shower, mage-crafted. Water streamed down from a rune-etched head above, mimicking the design of modern showers but powered entirely through sorcery.
Veyl-infused runes handled the mechanics: water runes controlled the flow, while fire runes adjusted the temperature. It was the kind of invention only magic engineers could dream up—a clean mix of science and sorcery.
Of course, it still needed a touch of Veyl to start, which meant anyone without magic was out of luck.
Warm water sprinkled over me, washing away the exhaustion clinging to my body.
After the bath, I went downstairs to see what was going on.
Zack had already gone to work. In the living room at the back, where the dining table was set, Lyanna sat with Liam. He looked like he was helping her with her studies—though judging by his face, he was the one working harder.
"Oh, finally you're awake," Liam called out. "Thought you'd sleep the whole day."
I shot him a look. I wonder whose fault that is.
"Anyway," Liam continued, "Lyanna needs to head home, and we were waiting for you to wake up. You should come along too."
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Anna in the kitchen.
Since she was around, Aunt Tia wouldn't be alone, so it was fine if I went with them.
"No, it's fine. You guys go. I'll visit later."
Then I leaned against the wall, casually adding, "Oh, and Liam—did you give her the present yet?"
His whole body stiffened. "W-What present, Kyzen?" His voice cracked, his fist tightening at his side.
I grinned, watching his face all but scream: For the love of the gods, shut up before you say anything else.
"The pink dress," I said cheerfully. "You know, the one you bought so thoughtfully. Spent your own money and everything—for Lyanna."
Lyanna blinked, setting her pen down on the book. "Really?" she asked, turning to him.
Liam swallowed his saliva before continuing, "…Yeah. It's nothing. I'll, uh… go get it."
He practically bolted upstairs, his "brisk walk" looking more like a panicked escape.
I sat down in a chair across from Lyanna at the dining table, chatting with her while Anna began setting out brunch for me.
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The rest of the day slipped by with me doing nothing but lazing around until the next day's evening. By the time I checked the clock, it was already past 5 PM. I figured I'd just rest in bed again tonight and go into town with Liam tomorrow to buy the books.
As I was about to head upstairs, Liam raised an eyebrow. "You're seriously going to sleep this early? Cale and Lyanna were planning to drop by. We were all supposed to go to the festival tonight."
"Festival?" I repeated, only now remembering. Tonight was the Festival of Spirits, dedicated to Auralis —the Goddess of Spirit, Harmony, Balance, and Unity.
Though Duskwane, the ninth month of the year,Each god had their month, when devotion and connection to them were said to be strongest.
I paused, drifting into thought, but Liam cut through my silence with a loud sigh. "If you don't want to go, just say it. No need to overthink. I'm not going to drag you out. I'll just tell Cale and Lyanna you're too tired, and you can meet them some other time."
I shook my head quickly. "No—I'll come. I need to get used to this sort of lifestyle again… especially since we'll have to survive in that hell once more."
Liam blinked, then his face shifted with recognition. Celestria Academy. That hell.
Each year was split into two semesters, five months each, with holidays divided between a three-month break after the year ended and two months between semesters. On paper, it sounded generous. In practice, it barely kept you sane.
Around two hundred students enter every year.
Not because there was a shortage of aspiring mages—but because only those with the mental fortitude to endure could last the full six years. The tests were brutal, designed to break both body and will.
I still remembered the nights Kyzen had gone without sleep, the weight of exhaustion crushing down until his mind felt like it was tearing at the seams. Sometimes, I shivered just remembering it.
We both sighed at the same time.
Zack, watching from the side, just shook his head with an amused smile.
"Let's go," I said, stretching my arms, forcing a grin. "I need something fun before I lock myself away for another five months of suffering."
The truth was, I had another reason for going. The voice.
Go and… bzz… pray to the goddess Auralis.
It had been a long time since I last heard it. Now, the whisper was becoming clearer, threading into my thoughts like static smoothing into speech.
Pray? I frowned inwardly. I guess he wants me to visit the church of Auralis.
Whatever this being was, I knew one thing: it was watching me—drawing closer with each passing day.
We got ready for the festival and left within ten minutes. Aunt Tia pressed a crisp ten-shill note into each of our hands before we stepped out. Liam had already told Cale and Lyanna to meet us at the festival when he walked her yesterday.
We took a carriage there, costing us 40 pence.
The streets buzzed with music and chatter, lanterns swaying overhead. As we reached the square, I caught sight of Lyanna sneaking up behind Liam, clearly plotting to startle him. I pretended not to notice, playing along.
She leaned close to his pointed ear and whispered something I couldn't make out over the festival noise.
Whatever it was, it worked instantly—Liam's face flushed red. I bit back a laugh. Poor guy. He'd been crushing on Lyanna for ages, but she was completely oblivious. And Liam? Too spineless to confess.
Dear goddess Nyxira, Weaver of Fate and Keeper of Knowledge, I prayed silently, please, for the sake of my sanity, give this fool a push.
Liam cleared his throat, scrambling for composure. "Sneaking up like that? My ears are sensitive, you know," he muttered, feigning annoyance.
Lyanna just laughed, her smile bright as the lanterns above. Liam's ears, however, stayed very, very red.
The warning struck like a thunderclap.
kzz BE.. HIND… YOU.
Cornelius's voice. Clear as if he stood beside me, though I knew he wasn't.
His words jolted through me, and instinct seized control before thought could. My hand lashed out, clamping around a wrist with crushing force.
A startled yelp snapped me back.
"Chill, man! It's me—Cale! Can you, uh, let go? That kind of hurts!"
My stomach dropped. I released him instantly. "Sorry," I muttered, shaken.
Cale rubbed his arm, flexing his fingers. "Since when did your grip get that strong, Kyzen? We should arm wrestle later."
I forced a chuckle, though my chest still buzzed with adrenaline. Cornelius had only been warning me about Cale sneaking up—nothing more. Still, the reminder that he could slip into my head whenever he wanted was unsettling.
The festival pulled me back into its current, vibrant, and alive. Stalls blazed with color: amethyst silks rippling like banners, golden tassels glimmering under lantern light. Vendors shouted over the din, waving skewers of glowing star-berries and ladling steaming bowls of spice-laced broth.
Not everything is tempting. Pastries twitched on their trays like eels clinging to life. I grimaced and turned away, though the scent of caramelized fruit and charred spice still tugged me closer.
Performers whirled through the streets, and spirit bonds shimmered into sight. I caught Liam's bond, Reina, darting high above, reveling in the freedom of the night sky.
It was an artist's paradise. My fingers twitched for my sketchbook, desperate to capture even a fragment of the chaos.
"Liam!" Lyanna's voice cut through, playful and sharp. She stepped in front of him, auburn braid swinging. "You're not just going to sulk, are you? Come dance with me!"
His half-elf ears twitched as he scowled, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Lyanna, I don't dance."
"Then fake it," she grinned. "Or I'll drag Kyzen instead."
I raised both hands quickly. "Not me."
Her grin turned sly. She leaned closer, whispering, "Fine. But if you don't, I'll tell Kyzen about that lunch at Fenies, when you—"
Liam had a habit of doing things he'd regret later, giving us plenty of blackmail material. His face went scarlet as he seized her wrist.
"Alright! Fine. One dance. Just shut up about that!"
Lyanna's laughter rang out as he dragged her to the floor, triumphant. I blinked after them, wondering what she'd almost revealed.
The music swelled—flutes and drums weaving into a lilting rhythm. Lyanna moved with radiant ease, confident and fluid. Liam stumbled at first, stiff as stone, but slowly loosened. His gaze lifted, settling on her—and for a heartbeat, his scowl softened.
Unlike ballet, this was simply a fun dance with no form..
Lyanna's smile brightened, unguarded. Something flickered between them, fragile but real.
Cale nudged me, grinning. "Think Lyanna's got a thing for him, or just torturing him as usual?"
I snorted softly, eyes still on the pair. "Maybe they're both clueless."
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This world never ceased to astonish me, pulling me deeper into its chaos and its beauty.
Our wandering brought us at last to the Church of Auralis —a place unlike any other. From the outside, it looked like a cathedral carved from the same pale stone as Clifton's oldest halls, its windows glowing with soft stained glass. But once inside, awe swept me.
The nave stretched wide, its vaulted arches drawing the eye upward to a ceiling of glass. Beneath that crystalline canopy stood the Spirit Tree, rooted at the very heart of the sanctuary.
Its bark shimmered faintly with veins of silver light, branches stretching toward the heavens as if to pierce the glass and touch the stars themselves. Moonlight poured down through the roof, mingling with the tree's glow until the chamber felt weightless, touched by divinity.
This place was once just a parish chapel, long before Clifton claimed it as its district shrine. Now it was the holiest ground in the district.
The pews filled quickly. A priest in plain white robes stepped up to the front, his voice calm and steady as it carried through the church.
"O Auralis, Spiritual Mother, hear us.
May your Branch shelter us and your Light mend what is broken.
Bind our hearts in harmony and guide our steps with grace.
Keep us steady through trials and true in our bonds.
O Auralis, guide us, O Auralis, keep us."
The words were spoken in Keth, a language everyone understood.
One by one, the people joined in, their voices rising together like a single wave. Some whispered their worries, some pressed their foreheads to their hands, but all became part of the same steady prayer.
I closed my eyes and lowered my head. I had studied rituals before, but this felt different. With each line,
I didn't follow the priest. Instead, I repeated the words Cornelius spoke in my mind, different from the prayer the others spoke. His voice carried me through every line, calm and certain.
"O Auralis, Spiritual Mother, hear us.
May your Branch shelter us and your Light mend what is broken.
May your Light join what was meant.
May the Eternal Root of Anchor bind us as one.
O Auralis, guide us. O Auralis, keep us."
His voice carried me through every line, calm and certain, something inside me shifted—fragile but real. My spirit, whatever tied me to this world, stirred in rhythm with the prayer. Not the Veyl organ this time, but something deeper, more personal.
The festival's noise outside faded until all I heard was the chant, all I felt was the hush of leaves above me.
And then the weight came. Cold, sudden, suffocating. My knees weakened, vision blurring as the floor seemed to tilt beneath me.
No… not again. Please, not here.
My heartbeat roared as I collapsed, the stone floor rushing to meet me.
Then, through the rushing dark, I heard it.
"Kyzen… Kyzen… Kyzen…"
A voice, soft as breath, wrapped itself around my name. Not harsh, not cold—but insistent and familiar.
"Oliver, it's time to form the contract."