Cyrus Solaris
The sun was settling, and I was finally able to get some alone time back in my run-down room. I was satisfied with my performance using the astronomer tools, and it started to feel like I was coming into my own in understanding the position as a whole. But on top of that, I have to be wary of Giovanni; he's been going to extreme lengths to figure out who I am.
I can't allow that.
But now I had to turn my attention to another matter. I needed to find out as much as I could about this creature so that I could hunt it down.
I logged in to the Starchive and began searching for information about the myth of Xhatal Academy.
There wasn't much information about the situation. Still, there were a few forum accounts dating back forty years explaining what happened and where in the academy, but nothing has been documented since then.
When I clicked on the thread, a disclaimer appeared: "All information here is speculation, and authorities have found no evidence to support the claim."
Of course, they wouldn't have found any evidence; it's too elusive.
I clicked the thread and read through the conversation.
The accounts all seemed to recall the same things I encountered, regarding its appearance, the sounds, and the abilities it displayed. Along with where kids were found sleepwalking, some kids even claimed they were attacked.
But then something else caught my attention. One person stated that it reminded them of an old legend from their home continent of Elyria, home to the Shademaul, Morhphaelis, and Arkanos clans.
The legend was known as the Dread Moon Choir, and there was a creature that would siphon victims' energy.
That sounds just like what attacked me.
I found a few images depicting a creature made of shadow with large fangs, but all of the other information was the same. The legend originated in the Era of Man, but no one could confirm whether the creature was a behemoth.
Could a behemoth live that long? Could it have had offspring? Why and how did it end up here in Xhatal forty years ago?
So many questions filled my head, leaving me feeling more lost now than before I started researching.
I went back and read through the forums in the starchieve again, and I was drawn to where these events happened at the academy and any place that was mentioned multiple times.
All the hits in the Starchive included: old dorm rooms, Founders Hall, and the main library.
I hadn't gotten a chance to check out any of these places yet. Hopefully, they provide some clues.
I logged out of my Starchieve and prepared to leave to check out the spots where the creature was sighted. But I quickly realized that it was already curfew.
Dang.
I couldn't afford to get caught; the staff was looking for any reason to find me guilty. So I decided on the next best thing.
Astral Projection.
I lay in my bed and performed my breathing techniques; my body and mind calmed, and I transitioned out of my body.
I floated out of my dorm and got an aerial view of the trees, the planetarium, and the gigantic telescope. I was surprised when I didn't see any other astral projections floating around, but I guess everyone would be too tired or scared to do anything past curfew.
I commanded my astral body to drift toward the academy's central isle. As I made my way over, a glowing figure descending from it caught my attention.
Who could that be?
I tried to get a better image of the astral projection; I even thought about following, but learning more about that creature was a higher priority.
I wanted to visit all three places tonight, but I really didn't want to risk being caught.
So I settled for Founders Hall.
When I arrived, I saw a large, rustic old building, as if it had been transplanted from a different era. There was also an older lock on the door, infused with cosmic energy.
Why is that? I wonder what's older: this building or the behemoth bones that were dangling from the ceiling in the auditorium?
I pushed the thought aside and phased through the door.
Inside the Founder's Hall, there were vaulted ceilings, polished stone floors, tall windows, statues of influential figures, and plaques that described various achievements. There was also a large bronze plaque stating the date of its founding.
900 PL.
So this place is over a thousand years old.
It looked like no one had set foot into this building since then, as I saw cobwebs hanging from the ceiling and dust piled everywhere.
The poor upkeep of this building doesn't make sense. Is it going under construction or something?
I continued floating through the building as I looked at the paintings and statues illuminated by faint strobe lights, hoping to see anything that would jump out at me as a clue.
For a while, nothing did, until I saw a large mural at the very end of Founder's Hall.
On the far right side of the mural, I saw multiple shadowy winged figures baring fangs at a man who was running away from them.
The winged creatures reminded me of my encounter. The helplessness. The drained feeling. It was cemented now, angering me to the point my astral projection began flickering.
The only way I was going to get rid of this feeling was to either kill or capture the creature.
Calm down, Cyrus; you need to look for any clues.
I brought my focus back onto the painting.
The man in the painting had pale skin, red eyes, and red hair. As I continued to observe the large mural, a legion of bugs appeared to be charging towards the man from the left side of the painting.
So the pictures I saw in the Starchieve were part of a bigger image? And there could be more than one of these creatures? Just my luck.
I continued scanning the mural until I saw a small description of the painting: a depiction from the historical novel Vlad of the Night, a gift from founding member Lord Lugat.
I continued staring at the painting, committing it to memory, when I heard a door creak open at the entrance. Panic hit me, and I floated through the ceiling and ended up back outside.
I didn't even bother to look back at who had entered. I knew I was cutting it close being out here, so I rushed back to my dorm.
But at least I left with some new information.
Let's see what Vlad and Lord Lugat have to offer.