Morning came too fast and with it reality hit Kalen like a ton of bricks. He sat up in the infirmary bed staring at nothing in particular. His chest still felt warm, but not painful or uncomfortable just active, like something inside him had woken up and refused to sleep again.
"Took you enough " Lyra said; and of course it was her. "You're still here." Kalen replied. Then Asha'Kareth's voice followed "We are not separate from you." Nyxara added, her voice softer, ". We won't be leaving."
Kalen let out a breath. "Great" he said. Just then the door opened. A man stepped in, Tall with sharp eyes wearing an academy uniform that radiated authority. "Instructor Varos" he introduced, "you'll be coming with me." Kalen stood up no argument, no hesitation.
As he walked he felt eyes watching him judging him. The academy halls were massive, polished and structured perfect and filled with students who all noticed him. "That's him " someone said, "the F-rank?" "He doesn't look like anything " another student said. Kalen ignored them. The whispers followed him until they stopped completely when they reached a sealed section of the academy.
The doors were heavy with runes etched into the surface and energy humming faintly beneath them. Varos placed his hand against the panel. The doors opened slowly. "This is where you'll be staying " he said. Kalen stepped inside. The door sealed behind him. The air felt different.
Thicker
Heavier
Alive.
"The Sovereign Wing" Varos said.
Kalen stepped inside. The door sealed behind him. And instantly the pressure hit.
Nyxara's voice dropped to a whisper.
"…this place…"
Lyra's tone shifted too.
"…they built this to contain things like us."
Asha'Kareth remained calm.
"Expected."
Kalen looked around. The room was large but minimal and the walls were layered with suppression runes. "You're considered unstable " Varos said, "this wing is for students who deviate." Kalen smirked faintly "F-rank deviation?" Varos didn't respond, instead he just left. The door sealed, locked and there was silence.
Then Lyra appeared, faint, half-visible sitting casually on the edge of the bed. "You know what this means right?" she said. Kalen didn't answer. Nyxara appeared next closely standing just behind him. "It means you don't get space anymore " she said. Asha'Kareth appeared last; Fully and solid, standing in front of him owning the room the moment she existed within it. "It means " she said calmly "that we proceed without interruption."
Kalen crossed his arms "And that involves?" Asha'Kareth stepped forward closing the distance always closing the distance.
"Synchronization" she said. Nyxaras hands slid lightly along his arms, not forceful, but not shy either. "You felt it last night " she whispered. Lyra tilted her head ". We barely started." Kalen's jaw tightened, "You're all very comfortable with this." Asha'Kareth didn't stop moving until she was right in front of him "You will be too."
Her hand lifted, resting over his chest on the core. This time Kalen didn't pull away. The system pulsed instantly.
[SYNC INITIATED]
Energy surged again stronger this time. Nyxara pressed closer from behind, Lyra leaned in from the side and Asha'Kareth held his gaze.
Three directions.
Three presences.
One center.
The room itself reacted runes flickered the air vibrated. Kalen's breath hitched, " Too much" "Not enough " Asha'Kareth corrected, "Stay with us."
Nyxaras voice softened, "Don't fight it…" Lyra grinned, ". Or do. That's more fun." The energy peaked, then stabilized.
[SYNC PROGRESS: 27%]
Kalen exhaled sharply the pressure eased. The connection didn't fully disappear. It lingered, like heat under the skin like something waiting, watching and growing.
Asha'Kareth stepped back first feeling satisfied "For now this is enough."
Nyxara didn't move away her presence lingered just a second longer, than necessary. Then she pulled back.
Lyra stretched lazily "Welcome to your life." Kalen looked around the sealed room at the three of them then at the system. He exhaled, "This is going to be a problem."
Asha'Kareths lips curved faintly "No this is going to be power."