'Lies are vulnerable.'
Beyond the academy's grounds spread a magnificent wilderness of towering trees with bark that shimmered when brushed against.
Even more impressive were the giant white mushrooms that rose above the forest's green crown, their ghostly forms scattered across the landscape in overwhelming abundance.
The breathtaking sight, the strange atmosphere, both sharp and warm. The reality of their predicament hit them with crushing weight.
Yet paradoxically, this magnificent vista only fueled Halo's desire to learn more about this alien realm.
However, they soon discovered three additional staff members beyond Clever, along with unnamed personnel who would handle their meals for reasons not yet explained.
During their four-week academy stay, they would study the Lost World's history, survival techniques, martial arts, and receive comprehensive instruction about how this world functioned.
***
"Your arrival here marks the certainty of awakening. The gods will grant you an ability, and by using it, you honor their will."
With Liam on one side and Aeliana on the other, Halo settled at his desk and focused intently on their new instructor, Frey.
The man was clearly approaching sixty, but his eyes burned with youthful curiosity, taking in every student, every corner of the room.
The lanterns cast a warm glow across his balding scalp, the light playing interestingly against the formal lines of his black uniform.
While Frey was on the verge of introducing them into the world's mechanics, Halo found himself wondering, drifting between thoughts he couldn't gather himself to ask freely, even if his laid-back personality allowed him to.
Clever looked to be in his mid-to-late twenties, an age that made Halo overlook some clear indicators, while Frey was elderly, too experienced for Halo's initial approach.
They were all summoned as teenagers, between sixteen and eighteen, which meant Frey had been stuck here for decades.
The weight of that realization crushed his chest. Would they waste their entire lives trapped in this nightmare?
"Among the pantheon of gods, four reign supreme through worship: Despair, Destruction, Lust, and Torture. Their names are whispered like prayers… or curses."
Before Halo could process Frey's words, an abrupt movement to his left grabbed his attention. He turned in its wake to see Aeliana, her golden eyes darting on the floor as she struggled to speak freely.
"Uhm… uhm…"
Halo found himself blinking in confusion. He respected Aeliana's intelligence; like yesterday, she was clearly excited to share her insights with him and possibly Liam, who seemed lost in his own thoughts.
But her delivery was problematic: constant stammering made her hard to understand.
Even so, he forced himself to pay attention. Her theories had proven accurate before.
"I… I believe the gods chose us because we are drowning in our sins. Each of us carries a sin that gnaws deep into our souls."
Halo listened carefully, his head nodding on each of her words. He didn't want to give her the impression that he wasn't interested. It took a lot of her courage to speak; the smallest gesture could strike her wound.
"I know they don't seem like sins, but… they still hurt those closest to us. For me, it's my shyness. For Liam… it's his anxiety."
Aeliana's eyes glanced upward, finding Halo's face. "Each of us has a sin that rules us… even you."
The second she finished speaking, her head turned to the left, drowning herself in shyness once more.
But Halo genuinely listened, letting her stammering words sink in and take root.
As he examined them more closely, he realized Aeliana had touched on something profound about human nature.
Their group was a study in contrasts: Theron's almost manic cheerfulness in defiance of their terrifying reality, Seraph's desperate grip on her perfect facade, and the quieter but equally distinct ways he, Liam, and Aeliana herself were each trying to survive psychologically.
In their own way.
'Humans indeed do have persistent sins. But what about the righteous? Do they not sin by believing themselves above all others? Perhaps righteousness itself is the most dangerous sin of all.' He frowned.
Halo desperately hoped someone else in the group would reach the same understanding and speak up with their usual questions.
Seraphim? Theron? Surely someone would ask?
But his hopes were dashed as Frey began methodically explaining exactly what Aeliana had already figured out and shared with him.
At least the instructor soon moved on to reveal something genuinely important.
"This world runs on three things: sins, wishes, and purposes."
Frey's gaze moved restlessly around the room, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of resentment and envy as they settled on each student in turn.
"We are sinners; the world labels us cursed. But the true Sinners are the monsters that rule this place. You'll fight them forever, and don't be naive: other humans are no exception."
Halo felt his throat constrict as anxious murmurs filled the space between the walls.
The reality of having to fight, let alone face both creatures and fellow humans in battle, had escaped all their considerations, even though Clever had dropped clear hints that Halo admitted he'd failed to properly heed.
Halo clenched his fist.
'I knew it. These gods weren't going to hand us power without purpose. No… they want a spectacle. They want us to turn our blades on each other, to bleed, to scream, to entertain their cruelty. Such monstrosity of the gods… no, such predators… watching us like prey.'
"How do you expect us to fight, and still worship the gods?" Seraph finally rose to her feet, assuming her usual dramatic appearance.
Frey's expression remained unreadable, staring steadily at Seraphim as he blinked heavily, as though her entire presence disgusted him.
"Your worship is bloodshed. The gods demand it: you will use your abilities to slaughter one another, and to hunt the Sinners." Frey's words came as though he was being forced to speak.
"What?! So why should we fight if you're not even lifting a finger?" An energetic voice echoed from Halo's front.
Frey's expression didn't crack, but Halo could see his skin shiver abruptly. He couldn't tell if it was from his old age or if he was simply irritated.
"I fulfill my purpose by remaining here, as do the other staff. Our purpose ceases the moment your stay ends."
He let out an annoyed sigh. "You won't grasp it now, but in the coming days… you will."
As the anxious murmurs in the hall grew louder, Halo felt increasingly uneasy with each passing second. He needed all the information; he couldn't wait around for the staff to hold up information just for the sake of effective lectures.
They'd been pulled into the Lost World through God's Call, which felt more like torture than any divine summons.
Yes, they could return home, but only by sacrificing all memory of this place. And their reward? Supernatural powers that came with the obligation to kill both Sinners and innocent humans?
This was truly just a game for the gods. Dark, cruel entities. And this wasn't something he could spend four weeks passively learning about; he needed to investigate immediately, even if it meant setting aside his reluctant nature and actively seeking information.
Quickly, Frey dismissed them, concluding his lecture and departing the hall. Halo felt a flicker of satisfaction. Tomorrow's martial arts training would consume the day, leaving no time for investigation.
With Frey gone early, though, he could either visit the library or track down people who had answers.
With a warm smile on his face, he quickly got to his feet and smoothly moved away from Liam's trembling legs as he started down the stairs to the podium.
"Not the body, Wick. The stairs."
A voice came at Halo, coursing his heart to skip a beat in shock while simultaneously catching his step midair as he nearly lost his balance.
Sweat broke out on his brow as he turned toward the voice's source. Theron stood there, basking in the attention of several ladies, smiling as he pointed to whatever was beneath Halo's foot.
"You would have wiped that, Wick." He added.
Halo hurried to check beneath his foot to see Theron's name inscribed on the floor beneath. "Theron Rebury."
Halo already felt disappointed as he shook his head, finally watching his steps to avoid erasing Theron's embedded name.
'Such a proud folk.'
Who was Wick?
They all had their shortcomings. Indeed.