The sky grew dark as two moons rose over white trees. Black leaves reflecting the stars began to fall one by one into the darkness. Red lights blinked in and out of the darkness of the void below. No sound was heard, not one word was spoken. When the last leaf vanished into the void lightning cracked through the air. Shortly after a white light split one of the trees in half.
"The last leaf has fallen." a voice spoke as a brightly colored monochrome figure exited the light. It was entirely green ranging from mint to a glowing forest green with the appearance of a humanoid bird. It brought up a taloned hand, the back covered in feathers as an image of the world appeared above it. The two moons circled as two dots appeared. "I will retrieve the artifact and return shortly."
Mint eyes stared down at the image, the light giving them a glow. A path was drawn from one dot to the other marking the way. The image vanished as the creature closed its talons around the image. The lightning struck another tree as the creature moved forward. Walking over the void like it was solid ground.
"Good morning Verotis City!" a voice called echoing around a mess bedroom. A hologram appeared next to a bed where a slumbering girl was. The girl rolled over reaching for a way to turn the voice off. She groaned, opening her eyes revealing grey irises. She glanced up at the hologram saying. "Off."
"It is time to get up, Ralkos." a mechanical voice spoke and the girl groaned before rolling over to get out of bed. "Do not forget that today is the day of the placement exam."
"I know, I know." Ralkos muttered before sitting up all the hair on her body was like feathers. The ones that made up the hair on her head stuck up while she yawned. Everything about her was bird-like except for her face and fleshy digitigrade legs. Her mouth was more human-like but there was a small beak. Everything about her was a different shade of grey.
"You know how important this day is." the voice told her as Ralkos got out of bed to get ready. Today was the day of the placement exam. Ralkos sighed as she replied. "I know House, I'm just not looking forward to You-Know-Who and her lackeys calling me a "Halfy" despite knowing that my race takes on a more bird-like appearance once the ceremony is over."
"I seriously doubt they know anything." the A.I. muttered causing Ralkos to laugh. "You have thirty minutes."
"Thanks House." Ralkos told the A.I. as she smoothed the wrinkles in her outfit. She looked at herself one more time in the mirror before heading out. The doors opened and closed as she passed through. She heard a click from the front door as she got outside and stretched the wings on her arms. Ralkos chuckled before letting out a sigh of relief. Today was the day of the placement test and one week from now was the Day of Adulthood. Where it would be determined what their role in the Alliance was going to be. The different worlds that made up the Alliance all had their own versions. On Venorosis, the Capital World, it was the placement test. It was something different every year and taken behind closed doors to ensure fairness. Ruffling the small wings that extended from her arms and her tail feathers, Ralkos set in for a long walk. The wings extending from her shoulder blades were also too small for her to fly on. One of the reasons why she was looking forward to the test.
"Walking today Halfy?" a high pitched sickly sweet voice called out and Ralkos rolled her eyes ignoring the flying car next to her. Inside was a human female with the same grayscale coloring as her though she was wearing a necklace with a chip inserted in the middle. Her hair was styled in the ways of diplomats representing her family's job. "Can't fly?"
"Neither can you without that car." Ralkos replied as she continued to walk before glancing over. "I like to get some walking in while I still can."
"Awww poor halfy still thinks she's a birdy." Ralkos shook her head as she continued on. "You'll never be beneficial to society if you can't respect your betters!"
"You're not my better, you're the same grey as I am." Ralkos called back as she sped up her pace hearing the car moving to catch up. She grinned as she ducked down a side road, a short cut to the government building. At the end was another human leaning against the wall and waved at her. This was her friend, Kas, they had known each other since they were little. Like her he was entirely grey. He had short hair that had some wave to it.
"Siti still bothering you?" the boy asked as he pushed himself off the wall and Ralkos chuckled. "She's the daughter of a government official and yet still doesn't know about the growth process of an Akakoa."
"Where does she even get off?" the human replied as he checked his watch. "Ready?"
"Let us go Kas." Ralkos told him before both of them took off running down the blue and grey road. Despite the monochrome people of Venorosis they never touched nature nor did they keep the world itself monochrome. It was a mix of colors to represent everyone working together.
"Guess you're looking forward to proving Siti wrong." Kas pointed out as he watched Ralkos jump into the air for a bit, her taloned fingers brushing against some leaves. Turning her head for a moment she glanced at Kas saying. "Oh yeah, she hasn't even grown out her favorite insult."
"I swear she thinks she can get away with saying that just because they haven't stopped her." Ralkos muttered before seeing their location. "Kas, there it is."
"Wow." Kas breathed as he stared at the building that would host the week-long test. It was a pure white building that reached beyond the sky.
"Forty-nine different buildings making up the base to ensure equal testing for the days." Kas said as he looked at it, letting out a whistle. Ralkos nodded in agreement, the height of the building was all the different rooms for everyone participating in the tests. Soon they were mingling with the large crowd out front, parents wishing their children luck. Most were just assuring their child that no matter what they were given they were still proud of them. There were a few that were just saying which jobs they would disown their own child for. Others, like Ralkos and Kas, came alone since their parents couldn't take the time off from their own assignments to attend. Ralkos was the daughter of a scout and a researcher, Kas the son of a weapon designer and a botanist. All were jobs with delicate tasks, so these children were disappointed but understanding towards their parents since they didn't see them much either.
"Greetings attendees." a voice spoke as an image appeared of a long necked alien that skin was like bark. These were one of the native species of Venorosis other than the Akakoa and two others. This species was known as the Botanasi, something akin to a living tree. Silence fell upon the massive crowd to listen.
"I am Moderator Lynnoak." the Botanasin spoke as it bowed, extending a long arm to motion towards the crowd with its equally long fingers. "Parents, this will be the last time you will see your child as a child. When they enter this building they will embark on a long exam and an equally long journey. When they exit on the Eve of Adulthood they will not be able to speak of what had happened during the placement exam until the next day. We thank you for following these rules and our traditions. Participants please remember that all needs will be taken care of while you are here. We recommend leaving any personal effects with your parents."
Some of the examinees looked around before handing their luggage back to their parents. Some were crying as they didn't want to be separated from their important items but they were comforted by their parents. Ralkos felt some bitterness rise, she had known this through the recordings House showed her since she was young. Yet she still wanted to bring something with her the night before but House wouldn't let her. It was a locket with a picture of her family that she had to leave behind.
"Those who are taking the exam please enter the building." Moderator Lynnoak said, waving a hand in a swift motion towards the building. All of those who were taking the exam moved forward, some already having jobs but choosing to take it again. Ralkos wondered what kind of job she would be assigned. An even bigger question rose in her mind. 'What is the exam going to be like if it takes a week?' Kas nudged her in the side snapping her out of her daze. Shaking her head for a moment the two began to follow the crowd. Ralkos spotted Siti and her lackeys watching them with smirks on their faces. She knew they were planning on something but also knew there was a very slim chance that they were going to be placed in the same testing section. The main area was large, large enough to fit the population of all the major cities of Venorosis in it. Ralkos knew that it had to fit a lot of the all adults in there as there were times they had an overpopulation crisis. Ralkos was thankful that this wasn't one of those times as she was able to stand in her own spot without bumping into someone.
"I thank you all for participating in this test, some of you already having been through this and wishing to take the test again." an image of a different Moderator appeared, this was of a human male standing tall. "I am Moderator Altos. Those that are, please follow the attendants shortly after we explain the rules as it is only fair to all for all to listen."
Ralkos felt her leg begin to itch but she knew how disrespectful it was to scratch so she did her best not to. The rules were simple: There was no killing of the other participants, no messing with the Moderators, any injury needed to be reported, and any injured party must be brought to the medical bay. Ralkos took a deep breath as Moderator Lynnoak appeared next to Moderator Altos. "Those who are retaking the test can go now."
Ralkos took note of who was separating and heading towards the attendants. She was curious as to why some people would retake the exam. 'Focus!' she told herself mentally as four more images appeared.
"These are the Moderators of your exam." Lynnoak explained, gesturing to them as she slowly looked from side to side. "Three are A.I. They are called: Wisdom, Administrator, and Purpose. The three organic Moderators are Altos, Lanus, and myself. You are not allowed to speak to us as we are here to observe you and come to the best judgement on what your role shall be."
Lynnoak glanced at all of the participants before smiling. "Now, your rooms have already been assigned, the tests shall begin tomorrow. May the light of the sun feed you all."
"Follow the attendant to your assigned rooms." Altos told them, waving a hand as he turned to leave. Lanus, a crystalline cat-like species known as the Ketervans, stared at them before muttering. "A building this tall and we still have to pair them up…."
The rest of his words were cut off as he turned to leave as well his image fading. Kas stretched his arms happily as he looked around for the attendant with his name above it. Ralkos quickly spotted her name, a little disappointed that she wasn't in the same group as Kas. She heard Siti make a very unhappy noise next to her. Glancing over Ralkos saw her standing at the edge of the group as well. 'Seems like she has been cut off from her support group as well.' she thought not sure if she should feel a weird sense of victory or dread. Their assigned group was 106 and there were over 100 examinees in it. Siti locked eyes with Ralkos and they both stared at each other for a moment. Ralkos was the first one to break the gaze as the group began to move towards the elevator that would bring them to their assigned area.
"Who is Ralkos?" Ralkos' turned her head towards the sound of Siti's voice. Since she was somewhere behind her that meant twisting her head all the way around. Instead she pondered for a moment before walking backwards. This meant that she had to be up front by the attendants but it also meant she could get in a quick jab. Siti paused before looking up at Ralkos. "Wait, I'm rooming with Halfy… wait your name is Ralkos?!"
Siti jumped in surprise before looking up at her with a smug expression on her face only for it to drop when Ralkos continued. "You see it's like two of your Earth owls mating, they're both owls, but different species of owls. I mean every Akakoa starts out with more human features and they become hidden the more they grow."
"Seriously?" Siti seemed rather dubious about this and Ralkos nodded, jerking her head to one of the other participants. "Yeah, he's one, a bit more far along but we all go through the Change when we hit adulthood."
"But I've see Akakoa, they're huge." Siti pointed out, Ralkos nodded, Siti lowered her voice as they walked into the elevator.. "Most species don't go through a growth spurt when they become adults."
"Most species, Botanasi go through the same thing as Akakoa, so does the other two native races to Venorosis." Ralkos watched as Siti processed all of this but she didn't even give a reply as the elevator stopped at their floor. The attendant turned to address the crowd. "Group 106, this is your floor. You will be housing with one other person and the nameplates will show you your assigned room."
"Finally." Siti muttered before hurrying away, Ralkos resisted the urge to itch. Her mother and father always warned her about itching without a scratcher. Their talons were sharp enough to cut through flesh so it was always important to use an itcher. Especially during the change and the week leading up to the Day of Adulthood. Walking forward Ralkos looked around for her name plate seeing partners already entering the rooms. She spotted Siti standing in front of a door staring daggers at the nameplate. Ralkos walked over and leaned down asking. "Are you just going to stare at it?"
"Considering who my roommate is, I would find that preferable." Siti snapped back and Ralkos looked up seeing Siti's name and her own. Ralkos let out a quick. "Ooooh."
"That's all the reaction you can muster?" questioned Siti as Ralkos reached past her pressing the button to open the door, answering. "Considering that I need to get inside, now, yeah that's my reaction."
Siti stared at her like she was insane and Ralkos just walked in and began the hunt for a scratcher. Siti followed in warily as if expecting her to try something. "What are you looking for?"
"I need to find a scratcher for my legs." Ralkos explained as she moved her search to the bathroom. Siti watched her for a moment before walking into one of the bedrooms asking. "Why not just use your nails?"
"My talons are for ripping flesh, not scratching an itch." Ralkos explained as Siti picked up a hair brush before feeling the bristles. She sighed before walking out tossing the brush to Ralkos saying. "You can use that for now and keep the brush."
Ralkos looked at the brush before looking at Siti. "This has been the only nice thing you've done for me."
"I don't want to fill out a medical report because you injured yourself." huffed Siti before shutting the door to her chosen bedroom. Ralkos shrugged her shoulders, she didn't like Siti but it was no use fighting with her while they were roomed together. Then she got distracted by the itch in her leg and proceeded to use the hairbrush to get it.
Shadows moved and writhed. Then a form appeared. Five solid red eyes opened, two large by the side and three smaller ones. Sharp jagged light purple teeth opened up letting out an exhale. Dust filled the air.
"You know your mission." A calmer, darker voice said, green eyes staring at the form. The stars glittering over the exam tower. "And make sure you are discovered before the ceremony. I want it to be exactly as planned."
"Yes… Lord Tyrus."
A hand reached out. And took the face, an almost spectral form over the human body. "Remember. You keep these fools distracted well enough and keep this host safe. And I will be sure to reward you."
The grip tightened. "Start mouthing off to everyone and I'll be making you a breeder for my own personal army. Got it? Stay hidden. I don't care if you have to possess one of these feathered freaks or the other examinees. Just stay hidden."
"I understand." the voice was low, almost a growl as the solid red eyes blinked before looking away. "I am… gracious for the purpose you have given me."
Siti was up reading a book that night, studying and trying to figure out anything about the tests. It was hard. Her parents were both commanders, in charge, leaders. Yet she didn't know if that was what she was. If that is what she wanted to be. She rubbed at her eyes before getting back to studying. Ralkos cooing in the bed next to hers. 'I have to figure this out.' Siti thought as she nibbled at her thumb. Not noticing the dark shadow entering the room. Red eyes opening up behind her as a breath stretched across her neck. Siti froze. Then her fingers clasped together as she bent forward and her lips began to move in a silent prayer. The eyes blinked before moving away then looked at Ralkos.
A breath passed before Siti opened her eyes as she looked at Ralkos who was sitting up and rubbing at her own eyes.
"Everything alright?" Siti asked, almost boredly.
"Yes, I am… fine." Ralkos replied, Siti observed her for a moment carefully. "Truly, the exam is tomorrow. Perhaps you too should rest."
"In a moment Ha- Ralkos." Siti finally said before going back to her studies. "I've got some other things I need to do."
"You called me by my designation."
"It's called a name, Halfy." Siti snapped at her. "And for your information…."
A beat too long.
"Nevermind. You wouldn't understand."
Ralkos stared at her before laying back down and closing her eyes.
Kas stood at the window of his room, staring out. A puddle of goo crawling through the room as his roommate slept. His green eyes taking in the scene as he pressed his hand against the window.
"It's going to be fine." he breathed as he lifted his face, a heart shaped crest appearing on his forehead. "I'll be fine. Everything will go perfectly. I'll complete this exam… I'm not crazy."
He pressed his forehead against the glass as the crest disappeared. Then he stood up straight, straightened his clothes, then headed back to bed.
In a different room a deer like alien rested while another floating on a cloud was staring at the ceiling before the goo creature fell down on the alien's face. A hand lifted up and pulled the goo off feeling the acidity burning his hand. He dropped it as the goo moved.
"A slime?" the floating alien asked as he rolled over to watch it. Then looked up. "That can't be."
"Kavis?" the cervintaur alien asked, waking up slightly. "What's the matter?"
"A slime, Larial, a slime. Not the good chaos I was hoping for." Kavis whispered as he looked around for the slime. His eyes shifting to pierce the darkness. "It got away."
"That is not a good sign." Larial spoke, almost peacefully and calmly as her eyes remained closed. "The forest starts to whither."
"We need to find out where the slime came from." Kavis replied as he jumped down to the floor trying to track it. "V'ack! It got away."
"Language. Chaos flaring does nothing to fertilize the soil." Larial warned as she laid her face into the pillow. "The canopy nets were more comfortable. I cannot breathe."
"They are called hammocks in common Larial." Kavis sighed as he shook his head. Unaware of an even more insane being living under their room.
The next morning Ralkos was sitting at the dining room table in boredom, Siti was still hiding in her room while Ralkos lazily scratched at her leg. Getting fed up she walked over to the room and knocked on the door saying. "I'm heading out to introduce myself to the neighbors."
There was silence in return, shrugging her shoulders, Ralkos headed out. The hallway was very bare with the same white metal as the floor. The neighbor to the left of their housing was being rather loud. It seemed like they were already arguing inside. 'Seems like the whole hallway is.' Ralkos mused mentally before moving to the one door that didn't have any arguing behind it. She knocked lightly on the door tapping the back of her foot. 'Should I have brought a gift?' she asked herself, she began to worry if she should head back into her room to grab something. The door opened before she could make the decision as an Elken stood there staring at her. Elken, a race that bore a slight resemblance to humans. They had pointier ears and their nose and mouth were separate. Males had large powerful antlers while females had thinner antlers. The lower part of their body had a pair of digitigrade legs covered in short fun ending in a pair of cloven hooves. Using this knowledge Ralkos determined that this was a female of the species by her horns.
"Hello there." the Elken spoke, her voice eerily calm and cheerful as a smile grew on her face. "A visitor, how nice."
"Hello, I'm Ralkos." the introduction carried a hint of nervousness in Ralkos' voice, she wasn't sure why the smile made her nervous. "I was just stopping by to say hi, apologies I did not bring a gift."
"Oh do not worry, we have everything we need." the Elken answered unblinkingly, which caused Ralkos to take a step back. "I am Larial of the Whitewoods."
"Nice to meet…!" Ralkos jumped as a hand grabbed her shoulder causing her head to spin around seeing who had just grabbed her shoulder. It was a rather strange alien, one that Ralkos had never seen on Venerosis. 'Considering how big the planet is, that doesn't surprise me.' she thought observing the newcomer: Standing about the height of an adult human male, this species had large eyes, a flat nose, pale skin, no ears, and its hair seemed to turn into cloud whisps that drifted away. It also had no distinct gender except for the voice, which resembled male. This creature stared at her for a moment before asking in a toneless and emotionless voice. "What are you doing?"
"Meeting my neighbors." Ralkos said, staring at this being. "What are you doing?"
"Oh!" the whole voice shifted into something very cheerful. "Well nice to meet you neighbor!"
The hand let go of Ralkos' shoulder allowing her to turn her entire body to face this new person. "Well nice to meet you."
The being reached forward and grabbed Ralkos' hand, shaking it with a lot of force. Ralkos noticed that it was levitating off of the ground as it continued to talk. "My name is Kavis, my family moved here about a month ago!"
"That explains a lot." Ralkos replied, chuckling nervously as Kavis floated around her. "I should probably head back now."
"Oh nonsense, I doubt you'll get much done with all that arguing." Kavis told her, floating up behind her and clasping both of her shoulders. "It seems like everyone is paired up with someone that they don't like."
Ralkos turned her head to glance at Kavis and Larial, both having a very similar grin on their faces. "Well, there isn't much to do in the housing at the moment. So I'm guessing that they have to talk to each other."
Ralkos gripped the hairbrush in her hand as Kavis began to laugh before reaching up and stroking the feathers on her head. "I know! It's chaos out here!"
The hands grabbed Ralkos' face as Kavis forced her to stare into its eyes. "Glorious chaos!"
"Yeah… chaos, yay." Ralkos didn't know if she should walk forward to escape or move backwards. That was when a hand grabbed her wrist and Siti's voice said. "There you are Halfy!"
"You're still calling me that?" questioned Ralkos with a sigh as she glanced down at Siti who was staring at Kavis. The strange alien let her face go and pushed off of her to go backwards. Something leaped from Kavis into the feathers of Ralkos before it got too far away. Ralkos was pulled away and back into the room as Siri turned to address her housemate. "You need to be careful. That was a Chaldresi."
"So that's what they look like." Ralkos mused before looking at Siti. "Thanks for getting me out of there. Chaldresi are really intense when they are on chaos overload."
Siti looked startled at the words of gratitude and blinked a few times before wanting clarification. "What?"
"Thank you?" Ralkos stared at her before looking around. "Is there something wrong with that?"
"No… I just never thought I'd hear those words from you." Siti huffed before looking away. "You hate me."
"When did I say that?" It was Ralkos' turn to ask the questions. "I'm irritated at you, sure, you've been picking on me since we were kids. I've never hated you though."
"You kept stealing all of my stuff when we were kids though." Siti pointed out and Ralkos frowned, she honestly couldn't remember doing that. However she did know that young Akakoa had little to no control over their instinct to horde shiny objects. It could have been her. Before she could explain, however, a hologram appeared announcing that the first test would be an interview. Siti bit her lower lip as she glanced towards her room as if wanting to escape. Ralkos was about to let her leave when she felt her skin crawl. This confused her as there should be no way her skin would do this. She was disgusted by the want to escape, so she reached back to touch the area gently. Siti eyed her for a moment before walking over with a sigh. "Let me check."
"Thanks." Ralkos replied as she crouched down so Siti could reach the area. She felt the fingers slide across the feathers moving them away before pausing. "You're burned."
"What?" Ralkos moved to turn her head but she was stopped by Siti resting her other hand on the back of her head. "Don't move, it seems like a slimy substance got onto you and it is slowly dissolving your flesh."
"That's not making me feel any better!" Ralkos' breath began to pick up as she felt her chest tightened.
"Hold on, I'm seeing something." Siti continued in a very serious voice, her fingers moving over to the spot that was itching the most. "It looks like a blob of something. Give me a sec."
Siti moved away and Ralkos turned her head to try and peek, seeing something crawl under her feathers. Glancing towards Siti, Ralkos spotted her grabbing some salad tongs from the drawer and a container.
Upon seeing her returning Ralkos quickly turned her head back around. She could feel Siti staring at the back of her head before grabbing onto what she had felt before. There was a sting of pain before the moving thing was finally off of her back. Ralkos let out a sigh of relief before she turned around.