"And that is how abyss born beasts came to roam Aethros".
The class was boring. Cassian already knew all these topics. Everybody did, but still they listened. His eyes struggled to make out the new word on the chalk blackboard.
It didn't help that the class seemed unusually quiet today, like everyone decided to toture him.
How long had they been here. it was longer than an hour, surely.
So why was he still talking?
Cassian's head lolled left, and his eyes caught something black. A bird.
It sat on the marble statue at the centre of the square.
Grand Archon sorin. The first Archon of Korvus. Aside from Korvus and House Carmine, no one alive was greater than a holy man. An unspoken rule since time immemorial. Cassian wondered if the bird could be killed for sitting so carelessly on a man of his caliber. Or maybe it would be forgiven for its ignorance. He wished he was a bird, then he could just fly some place far and fall asleep.
The statue was looking at him, smug thing it was. His head rocked one more time before he jerked it back up. Maybe if he stacked up enough of these short naps, he could stay awake. It seemed like a solid plan.
"Cassian."
A voice called out.
His head was on the wooden desk.
He raised it and saw all the other students staring
When did that happen?
And in hindsight, the short naps were a bad idea.
"Cassian" Acolyte Akira called again "Since you find the class so boring, why not explain this concept to the class"
Cassian stood up. He lingered for a few seconds, sleep threatening to pull him down if he rushed. One leg in front of the other, one step at a time. And was he walking oddly? They all seemed to keep staring.
Ten steps, or was it twelve? He couldn't quite keep count. The distance between him and Acolyte Akira grew smaller, until they were an arm and a chalks length apart.
He took the chalk from him and stood in front of the board. How were Abyss born beasts made.
Easy. They were born from the resentful nature of the devil. Beings of pure evil whose only goal was to damage all the good that Korvus made. Physical manifestations of divine jealousy.
He put the chalk to the board, but his hands wouldn't move. Just write the answers. He knew them, he was sure he did. So what was holding him back. Maybe it was the sound of Acolyte Akira tapping his feet—it reminded him of the sounds of people running, screaming.
The white on the board looked familiar too. It's horns had that same color. That night.
Acolyte Akira said something, he couldn't quite make it apart from the ringing in his ear. His breath caught in his throat, like the answers at the tip of the chalk. The blackboard was dripping, no longer black, only red.
"Oh I know this one" He heard a voice. Loud, and jarring enough to pull him out.
"Aren't abyss born beasts born from evil or something like that"
A voice spoke from behind the class. Cassian looked up to see it was Cain. Of course it was.
"Yes, Cain. It wasn't your question, and you're technically wrong but kudos for trying I suppose"
"Kudos accepted."
Acolyte Akira sighed
"Seeing as Cain has given us the answer, you may return to your seat Cassian. And please, try to stay awake this time."
As he walked past him, Cain threw his hands up.As if to say you're welcome. Cassian never did understand him. But he still liked him
Acolyte Akira continued the lecture. What was that, why was he experiencing it now? Of all times. He thought he'd overcome it, but it was still there. Still gnawing at the back of his mind waiting for him to let his guard down. So it could sneak up on him, and strike.
He saw the statue again. The bird didn't damage it.
The class ended, after what seemed like an eternity, people flocked out, all through the single door at the front. It never did seem practical to Cassian, why they only had a single door for a hall this big.
"There he is, the blank out prodigy"
Someone yelled behind him. He knew that voice anywhere
"Say that to me when I score higher on the test"
"Oh I don't doubt that"
Cain. The only person he could possibly bear to talk to in this place. Everyone else was always so Strait-laced. He worried that he'd slip up and say something blasphemous. But not with Cain.
Cain, just like him, had certain qualities that were considered unholy.
"Seriously, it's not even that hard. Just go to the board, and write the answers then sit back down."
"Easy for you to say. They never call you"
"Because I'm never dozing off in class"
"Ha"
"Are you getting enough sleep though?"
"What do you think?"
"That you're letting the pressure get to you. Which you shouldn't by the way"
"And why is that"
"Well, don't mean to add anymore pressure, but even though passing the written basically guarantees you're set for life, the real reason anyone takes these tests is the ritual"
"And?" He had something more he wanted to say
"And, that's beyond our control. Quite literally. We can't do anything but hope we're chosen. So loosen up a bit"
"So you're not doing the ritual?"
"Farm boy like myself? No way. I'll just pass the written and start a merchants guild simple as that"
Cain was never too ambitious, but he was ambitious enough that Cassian could tolerate it
"Good luck with that"
He looked at Cassian, there was something to that look
"What?"
"You know you have brains, I could employ you at my merchantry. Maybe Vice president, or a bookie if you don't want to stand out"
"Is this a recruitment offer?"
"Could be. If you take it"
Cassian didn't respond.
"You know why I can't take the offer Cain"
"You're still thinking about it aren't you?"
"Every day"
"It wasn't your fault. You know this."
Cain put his hands on Cassian's shoulder
"You weren't there"
Cassian shrugged it off
"It was my fault, it's always been my fault"
Cain sighed
"Fine, just don't go being an enemy of the kingdom. Would be bad for my merchantry if people found out I was friends with you"
"I'll most definitely be telling everyone. Any chance I get."
Cassian liked these parts of the day. It was light, light enough that it made him forget the pain.
A flock flew across them. They were black and loud
"Damn Crows, they're in migration season. Silly little things are everywhere these days."
They circled around for a bit, before heading south.
Well, I should head back, give the genius time to read. And also get my own act together. Assuming they keep us separated, I'll have to be capable of holding my own."
"Oh so you do plan to pass this test?"
"Obviously. If you fail, you have to wait three winters? Did you know that, three. I have to pass in the first sitting. Can't sit around for three years while my best mate is slaying demon spawns"
Cassian laughed. The thought seemed vague before, like a distant future. And now, it was so close. When he came here, he didn't have a dream. Or anything for that matter, but somehow, all the blurry lines started to clear. And he could see all the things he wanted in his grasp. All he needed to do was take it.
Cain said it was out of their control, that there was nothing they could do. It was true, he couldn't control the outcome. But after all this time, all the years he spent toiling, blaming himself. He'd be a fool if he didn't try regardless.