"Didn't think you were that close to Captain Aurelle."
I blinked.
She tilted her head.
"What? Did I say something wrong?"
I swallowed. "Chichi... Hi."
"What was that just now?" She asked.
"W-what was what?" I stuttered.
She smiled. "Oh, I don't know, maybe, how it looked like Aurelle kissed you from afar."
She gasped.
"Are you double dating both captains? You are so naughty, hehe."
I pinched the bridge of my nose, then exhaled.
"I just want to eat..." I whispered.
She grinned. "Well, you've got two premium options already."
I blinked. "Wha?"
"Anyways, I was just watching Aurelle address her vanguard." I muttered.
"Oooo. Already at first name bases." Chichi replied, slightly covering the smile on her face.
I sighed. "Why exactly are you here, did Feona send you to bother me?"
"What, me? Nooo. I'm here for the same reason as you." She answered.
"Uhh, the departure of Captain Aurelle's squad?" I asked.
She walked ahead.
"They are called the Imperiums. Frontline mages? I don't know how to describe them. But they use blessings in a way others don't."
She flung her hands.
"And no, I'm also heading to the cafeteria."
I followed. "Ah, I see."
We continued on our way to the cafeteria, making small talks along the way.
"So, Chichi. Is that actually your real name?" I asked, curious..
She laughed. "Of course not."
"Oh.. I see" I stared onward.
She smiled. "My name's Chiessa Chillan, from a poor family from near here, the outer wall."
"Hmm, Chiessa Chillan..."
My eyes widened.
"Yes, yes, ChiChi." She laughed, nodding her head.
"How did that come about?." I asked, still laughing.
"Oh. It was during my first mission."
She took a breath.
"In the dark forest, you have to be quick with everything. Especially when it comes to calling someone. So I got called Chichi for the first time, and everyone just accepted it."
We walked on for a bit in silence. Then she continued.
"To be honest, I can't even remember who started it. But I got used to it and everyone did as well. Sooo."
Her smile faded. "The person is probably dead..."
"Oh.."
I turned to her.
She continued. "The Dark Forest claims more lives from our vanguard particularly, since we are usually the first to map out and explore new Voids."
"I really need to read more on the Dark forest, but I can't really find much information at the library." I said, rubbing my head.
"Oh." She laughed. "Books about the Dark Forest aren't kept at the library. Maybe just a general knowledge of it, but besides that it's just outdated books."
"Really?"
"Yeah, haha."
"So, where can I get books about the Dark forest?
The atmosphere changed slightly.
She didn't answer.
"You know, Zandren."
She stopped working.
"I don't know who you are, nor do I trust you yet. I find it strange that you managed to get this close to Eimira."
I didn't reply.
She continued. "No one knows where you came from. You just appeared. Not even sure if you are a Veil or not. And despite not having any Blessing. You are unnaturally strong."
"Chichi..."
I stopped her.
"I understand how much you and the rest worry about Eimira." I said.
"I never expected us to get this close this fast too. It just happened." I added.
The trees rustled, as the breeze blew gently around them.
"So? What are you trying to say?" She asked.
"My main reason for being in the Academy is to learn about the Dark Forest and get strong enough to venture into it. So I can find out who I am."
I paused.
"I-I need answers too."
She chuckled slightly. "Just this once..."
"Uhn?"
"Just this once... I'll help you."
"Oh really? Th-"
"But it doesn't mean I trust you yet."
"I understand." I replied.
"And if the information I provided to you gets exposed in any way, then..."
Her left eye flashed gold.
"I don't care what Eimira says, I'll end you. I'd rather have her mourn you than blame herself for another's death."
I swallowed. "U-Understood."
"Good."
Her bright smile returned.
"Now that that's settled."
She brought out her aurastone, and infused it with her blessing.
"I'll let the vanguard know I'll be bringing you."
"Wait, today?"
"Yes. I'll have our pathfinder explain things to you. He loves to study and talk about the dark forest—"
"Hmm, Chiessa, what's up?" A male voice came from the aurastone.
"Yareth... Hi hi."
"Hi hi, you beeped me. What's up?"
"So, I have someone here with me who's as interested in the dark forest as you are."
"Oh wow. That's nice. So who's this person?" He asked.
"You'll meet him, don't worry. We'll be coming after breakfast."
"Ok." He replied. "Oh, yeah, Chiessa. Do you have an idea of when the captain is going to return to base?"
"No, not sure. But I could ask."
"Ok, I'll be waiting for you both."
The aurastone beeped and went off.
"I still don't get how those work." I muttered.
"What?"
"The aurastones."
She laughed. "I'm not the right person to meet for info about these things."
She shoved me slightly. "Let's go eat now. "
Chichi and I made our way to the cafeteria first. We talked a bit more, though it still looked like she still hadn't fully trusted me yet.
After eating at the cafeteria, we left for the dedicated base for the lost Aegis Vanguard.
"So what's this vanguard base?" I asked.
"Hmm?" Chichi turned to me. "Oh, every vanguard has a dedicated base. Some are located here in the academy, just like ours. While others are scattered all around Terraka, like Captain Aurelle's vanguard"
"Oh, so that's where they were matching to?"
"Yeah.", Chichi nodded. "That vanguard is Terraka's main offense, then Ours and finally prince Yunok's."
"Hmm, ok."
We walked for a moment in silence.
"So uh, when are we going to get there."
"You are tired of walking too right?"
"Yes. yes I am..." I replied, nodding.
"Me too." Chichi stretched out her hand. "Hold on to me."
I held her hand.
Chichi stomped the ground,and it instantly became loose. The loose ground rose up like a wave and started to move both of us quickly, and Chichi controlled its direction.
"I hope I don't get caught again. Haha"
"Is this a problem?" I asked.
She laughed. "Yeah, Terra gliding is banned at the Academy."
"Wait, Stop—"
She ignored.
"Hang on tight."
Her laughter echoed.
****
The Lost Aegis Vanguard's base was a mid-sized fortress located close to the rear gate of the academy. One that led towards the first wall and the Dark Forest.
The training yard spread wide within the inner walls of the fortress.
Stone tiles stretched across the courtyard, worn smooth by years of boots, blessings and falling bodies. High battlements surrounded the ground on every side, their towers reaching the sky.
Steel clashed.
Grunts echoed.
The sharp strike of wood hitting wood rang across the yard as members drilled in pairs. Some fought with blunted swords, stepping and striking in tight patterns. Others trained with wooden dummies wrapped with hays to imitate the toughness of a body or armour.
Chichi stepped forward, heading towards a pair training.
"Kellan. Lysa." She called out.
Both stopped mid spar and turned to us.
Kellan wiped the sweat off his face."Oh, Chichi. What's up?."
"Didn't know you were coming today." Lysa said, hugging Chichi as she got close.
"Urggh—" Chichi tried to push her away. "You're sweaty."
"Shhh shhh, I know." Lysa hugged tighter. "This is love."
"You don't love someone by making them dirty. Ew." Chichi strained. "Get off me."
"Noo." Lysa said, smiling.
Kellan laughed, then he turned his attention to me.
"So, uh... Who's he?" He asked, slightly pointing.
"Uhh..." I turned to Chichi.
"Oh, he's uhh... the captain's really really close friend."
Lysa's eyes widened in excitement.
She ran to me, grabbing my hand and forcing a shake.
"By the Primords... The man who captured our cold captain's heart, and warmed it up."
Kellan chuckled. "Lysa, don't rip his arm off."
She let go in an instant.
"Oh oh, sorry. I got a little bit too excited."
I smiled. "It's fine."
She smirked. "Who knew the captain had taste. He's handsome, a little bit taller than her. Which is perfect."
"So uhh, what's your name?" Kellan asked.
"Yeah, my name's Zandren." I answered.
"Wait a minute. Was he the one we found when returning from our recent mission?" Lysa asked, curious.
"Yeah, he is." Chichi answered.
"Ahh, I see." She smirked. "I should venture into the Dark forest more, maybe I could find myself a handsome man too."
They laughed.
But I chuckled awkwardly.
Chichi noticed this.
"So, uhh. Where's Yareth?" She asked.
"Where else?" Kellan replied.
"He's either in the training room or the library." Lysa added. "He did mention you were coming."
"Ok ok. I'll be going now then."
"Alright then." Lysa hugged her once more.
"Urggh..."
"I hope we meet again, Zandren." Kellan shook my hand. "I look forward to knowing more about you.
He gave my hand a slight squeeze.
I returned with a squeeze of mine.
He grunted a little, and gave a small acknowledging smile.
We left the training ground to look for Yareth, leaving Kellan and Lysa behind.
"He's really got some luck to be able to date the third captain." Lysa said.
"No. I think she's lucky." Kellan nodded slightly, staring at his hands. "He's really strong."
"What's on your hand?" Lysa asked.
"Oh, it's nothing. Just a show of strength. Let's get back to training."
The little squeeze had left a mark on his hand.
The sound of wood hitting wood resumed, merging with other sounds of training.
****
Chichi and I entered the main building of the Lost Aegis' base.
The interior opened downward into a massive well lit training pit. Rows of stone steps with built in seats circled the arena, descending toward the centre where soldiers fought. Etched into the stone floor lay the emblem of the lost Aegis. A wolf, head lifted into the sky, mid-howl.
Chichi scanned around. "He usually loves to read in one of these seats but it seems he's not here."
"Yareth!" She yelled.
Her voice echoed all over the place.
"Hmm no answ—"
She gasped.
A deep rumble rolled through the ground as Chichi forced a wall from the ground to shield them from incoming projectiles.
Bam!
Bam!
The projectiles slammed against the wall, leaving a crack on our side of it.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry." A blindfolded male voice said, approaching us quickly.
The wall returned to its original form.
"You in veil juice, Yareth?" Chichi yelled.
"I was in the middle of my telekinesis training, when I suddenly heard your voice." Yareth explained.
"So?" Chichi kicked a small stone at him. "How does that explain us being attacked?"
"Oop." He dodged the stone. "I was also practicing mental target imagery. Whoever I imagine is targeted by what I control."
He smirked. "I'm so close to achieving free target locking."
My brows furrowed. "Telekinesis?"
"Yareth is a two eyed Writer." Chichi answered.
He turned to me.
"And you must be Zandren. Our beloved captain's lover." He laughed.
Yareth slowly removed his blindfold.
Both his eyes were a mix of red and yellow with symbols in them, each having different ones.
"W-wow."
I turned to Chichi then back to Yareth.
"You can actually see with those eyes?"
He laughed. "Of course I can. What are you on about?"
He walked past us, leaning in to me. "Walk with me."
We proceed to make a downward descent towards the centre. With Chichi right behind us.
"The Writer's Eye is one of many mysteries of Caramien. People think we can't see since we have no pupils but our pupils are just right behind the symbols. Just not visible" Yareth explained, gesturing as he did.
"So it's like two layers, the one with the symbol being the outer layer." I muttered.
"Exactly." He turned to Chichi. "He's smart, I like him."
"So what exactly is the point of Writers?" I asked.
"You are smart. Perfect question." He chuckled, excitedly.
"Writers are people who manifest things with just their words. For example."
He stepped forward and held his hand out, stretching out a finger.
He started writing.
On air.
A bunch of golden symbols illuminated the space he had just written.
"Manifest." He whispered.
A wooden sword appears out of thin air.
"W-what?" My jaw dropped.
He laughed. "What we say or write comes to life."
He turned around and continued walking.
"Prophesies are what we were used for, until..."
He stopped. His eyes pulsed slightly.
"Oh, wait. You were here about the Dark Forest. Not the boring history of writers. My apologies."
"N-No it's fine. I'm intrigued now." I said, catching up to him.
He just gave a slight smile.
"Chiessa."
"Yes?" Chichi answered.
"Mind getting me something I could write with?" He asked, politely.
"Just write on the air like you usually do." Chichi responded flatly.
He chuckled, lightly. "No. It's important that I write this one down."
Chichi groaned, but went either way.
"Why do I never get involved in grown up talks? Is it because I'm short?" She murmured as she left.
Yareth smiled.
Chichi turned around and gave him a silly face.
"So, how was the trip here, Zandren?" Yareth asked.
I groaned. "It was rough. Terra gliding with Chichi."
"The academy has warned her multiple times not to do that." He laughed, softly. "That girl, stubborn to the bone, but also cheerful. A weird mix."
"Stubborn? If Chichi is stubborn then Feona is a whole nother breed." I thought.
"She's also protective and caring and can get a bit... defensive." I added.
Yareth chuckled. "Yeah..."
We both laughed, and it slowly faded into silence.
"So, any particular reason you sent Chichi on an errand?" I asked, clearly knowing he wanted us to be alone.
"Zandren..."
"Yes?"
"Would you be able to forgive Eimira if she ever decides to kill you?"
"What?"