The bright lights faded as the growls and screams continued their loud and terror inducing reign across and within the terrible darkness that hid the calamity beast.
It was life, an eternal reminder of the inborn desire of the star beast to return home, though the bright and glorious lights continued to dim, further and further into oblivion, the profane growls and screams grew louder and louder shaking the darkness that had grown still at the immense depth of the sounds.
Once again, star beast Rujir had returned.
***
With a scowl, Uliger marched through the school's hallway as he muttered beneath his breath,
"damn that slimy bastard, how dare he... damnit"
The arched corridors of white crimson contained the annoyed sounds Uliger made as he walked on the red carpet leading to the meeting room. Floating candle lights showed his annoyed expression, his steps heavy as his plump body draped in a three piece brown suit covered with a white cloak walked ever closer to the intended destination.
Reaching his destination being burgundy double doors, he reached out and pushed upon the doors and was once again greeted by the white walls inlaid with silver and a commotion contained. Teachers, lecturers and instructors of varying stations were once again at odds with each other having been assembled by Ignhir who to sat there engaged in a heated debate with a young man of pale skin and fiery crimson hair, their expressions violent and offended.
Standing at the doors, Uliger's displeased expression grew even fiercer as he marched towards the left side of the war torn room, the multitude of ebony parliament chairs all filled with people made way to one made of crimson leather. Taking a seat with his displeased expression, he listened quietly as he waited for the dean to arrive commencing the damned meeting.
"I am telling you cowards that we have to begin the outdoor expeditions as soon as possible. Too many incidents have been occurring within this damned empire and even our closest rival, they too have begun sending their first years towards the outdoor expeditions. We can't be too ignorant and not send ours too."
"SHUUUUT-UPPPPP HERSNEVA!!! YOU CRETIN DARE COMPARE US TO THOSE COWARDLY WRETCHES?! I SHOULD CUT YOU UP AND SEND YOU TO THE DOGS FOR YOU USELESS DRIVEL!!!"
The atmosphere was tense with anger as the flaxen haired Hersneva sat there, his eyes brimming with unbridled hatred and disgust as he stared daggers at the pompadoured instructor whose expression was as fierce as a wolf.
"Forget the outdoor expeditions, I say we join in the war. Its the perfect chance to build and train the young nascent's that will be exposed to the world. Well what do you lot say, hmmm?"
...
"Well what you say makes sense, its better than sending the kids to the outdoors.."
The genial smiling old man spoke as he stroked his muted hair strands, a solemn smile gracing his aged expression. He truly seemed to be in thought considering the idea of sending kids to war but a sharp voice streaked across the room targeting the one that had grown quiet in ponder for this ludicrous idea,
"You damn bastards, now you're thinking of sending kids to war... what kind of depraved mentality would you need to have to even begin to consider such an idea?!"
Though his voice was controlled, the undeniable rage that coated each of his words sent murmurs into the targeted lecturers as Ignhir sharpened his gaze turning to face the rage filled Uliger, then a solemn silence equipped the room as all gazed at each other, decisions being subtly made till the voice of the dean grabbed the attention of all that were present.
"Good evening, let's start the meeting."
His voice calm and gentle as he continued to speak, fixing his rectangular glasses that had rested gently on his angular face. His gaze calm as focused as he clasped both his hands that had rested atop the white circular table
"but before we start I have a few announcements to make and I ask that we solve these before continuing forward with the main issue. The first issue being, the war in the west has taken a turn for the worse. Apparently the enemy has opened a rift within the borders of the holy kingdom shutting down the supply of victims that were being actively used within the war. I know many of us have family in the front lines of that war and this bad news must have dealt you a heavy blow but more news has been granted by his majesty."
His way of talk was smooth and eloquent but the emotions that displayed themself during his talk were not ignored. His hands tightly clasped, he gave a short reprieve to the members within the room as he silently observed.
...
...
...
All the present members of staff, all of them forgot to breath as they took in the news. Velarion's crimson eyes trembling ever so slightly as her mouth dried from the cold breath of shock.
Uliger's once rageful expression that had turned his face red now looked pale as he stood up unconsciously. His being trembling as he perspired greatly.
"y-you are joking... right?!"
Ignhir's words came out chopped and short but the undeniable shock was there as his grey hairs on his crown lost their little luster, turning a shade duller. His eyes quivering in disbelief.
...
...
...
"I wish I were joking Ignhir, I so greatly wish it were nothing but a bad joke,"
He said as chuckled darkly, his expression calm as he continued to deliver more news.
"Because of this, three imperial orders have been issued by his majesty the Emperor,
1. Any and all citizens who are eligible to witness the first birth must be slayed, post haste.
2. To all schools within the royal empire of Offttomann, all rules and regulations inhibiting the active use of techniques are to be cancelled immediately and the active use of a technique is to be taught within the schools as soon as possible."
Shocked gasps filled the room as eyes were surprised by this sudden decree many of whom sat listlessly, quietly surprised at the sudden change in imperial law. Hersneva quietly mumbling
"its.. impossible.."
The dean taking opportunity of the silence, continued being the bearer of the both good and bad news he had been entrusted with by the Emperor.
"And lastly, all outdoor expeditions are to resume within the next three months or death shall be delivered to those unwilling to go forth."
...
...
...
...
...
The silence hit like a blizzard as no one spoke for a good thirty minutes as they were all star struck by the sudden change of events, news and anything they had heard today. Even the bearer of the news too couldn't speak after a while because of the royal decree.
...
...
...
"So what are we going to do?"
Uliger spoke in a dead voice, his somber expression dampening the quiet room a bit but no one spoke.
Not a single one knew what to say much less do in this current siuation, even the stalwart dean sat the silent.
Seeing no one would speak, Uliger spoke up once again.
"Where do we send the kids?"
Then an answer broke up the silence.
"The island of Kuvastr..."
Gazes turned sharp as they landed upon genial smiling old man with muted green hair.
"kuvastr"
The words rolled of the mouth of many.
"Tell us why Kuvastr and not Omphilia.."
The deans voice cracked ever so slightly as he gazed towards the one had spoken with such confidence.
"Wait and think about it clearly. The war in the west was a doomed cause before it long began and we knew about it but choose to ignore it, hence when the generation prior decided to head of to the island, many thought we had lost our minds in agreeing to such an idea but look at it now. The seasons of war as prophesied by "him" have begun to send their early rains."
A roundabout and crooked answer that many could tell something was wrong with it but continued listening to.
"But you forgot the last sent message by Vivian 1785, it said that no one should come back... no one."
The voice of a brown haired teacher echoed through the meeting room as many thought about the words she said, opening her small mouth she continued.
"Even if we send the kids towards the island of Kuvastr, would it be wise to ignore the fact that over 3000 students perished on that island and the last known automaton made by Faulinher disappeared on that same island. I believe we shouldn't send them there but rather Mual, its safe and the perfect environment to train the students."
Her reasoning was sound as her mental faculties, this sound advise brought may to believe the quality spoken words of the brown haired teacher.
"But even if we send them to Mual, don't we risk contact with the other schools, after all, even their students died on that accursed land."
Many teachers discussed among themselves inclined to weigh the advise made by the average looking man who had spoken after the brown haired teacher.
"I say we send them to Omphilia, sure its second most dangerous island after Kuvastr but at least the amount of casualties listed on that island is far less than Kuvastr."
Though sound wisdom was being spoken by the teachers and lecturers, Uliger the main opposition who had adamantly refused for the kids to be sent anywhere due to immaturity, suddenly spoke.
"Let's not send them anywhere for the time being."
"Uliger you damn bastard, don't you see things have changed. Sure maybe your suggestion before we heard the imperial order might have been valid but now, now the war has changed. We might be forced to join in with the military and head off towards the front lines. The second and third years to might be conscripted to join in the army so, at this point we have nothing more other than to heed the imperial order and ship the kids off to the islands."
Ignhir's sharp counter brought again a sense of solemnity towards the meeting room. His sharp voice snubbing the faint voice of hope and resistance that wanted to bloom within Uliger's heart.
"I know and I hear you but... do you think its right to send kids to their deaths so that the lucky few would cross the threshold becoming soldier's. It's too cruel to even consider."
His voice containing a sense of disbelief as he heard the members within this hall continue to talk about the lives of children as though it were like livestock, whose only purpose was to enhance the owner.
"Uliger... truly things have changed. The slave market has reported an increase in the amount of people who have either chosen to become slaves or have been forced to become one. Back in the days nobody wanted to be associated with a slave but now..."
The dean had spoken in a somber tone hoping to ease the burning pain that had raged within Uliger's heart but he still spoke, denying that kids should be sent to their deaths all for the sake of power.
"Don't you lot realize that if we send the kids outdoors, more than 90 percent of them might die? Do you really want to be associated with a massacre of such massive proportions?!"
Waves of discomfort ran through across the meeting hall, not many wanted to be known as killers but the situation they were in demanded a certain level of flexibility which Uliger boldly refused.
"Despite all that I still want to believe in the rule of the emperor and that's why we have to teach them the necessary skills to survive. Not one man can survive alone but we are the members of Rivaegerlon, its our solemn duty to raise the strong..."
Seeing that he could persuade no one, Uliger sat there silently his presence becoming sparse like the summer wind.
"So where do we send them, Kuvastr, Omphilia or Ruvistr?"
Velarion had spoken, inquisitive and clearly and as though by unanimous decision they all spoke, saying.
"Kuvastr."
It was ironic, the teachers who held the lives of their students had just chosen to send them to the most dangerous island just so that some could advance and become soldiers, truly it was ironic and cruel yet undoubtably the best decision they could make given the times. Then the dean spoke,
"Now comes the second problem, the time we have been given is far too short to train over 5000 first years, so what are we to do?"
Then Velarion spoke once more
"Tournaments. Let's pit the first years against each other and let them all fight each other to the brink of death only then would they be able to fully understand their techniques and master them within the shortest time frame."
Shocked gasps escaped from some of the teachers but a vast majority of them had seemed to agree to this brutal non-standard approach.
"Velarion, you sure got some good ideas on you, I also agree, let the kids fight each other and then we'll figure out what we can teach them based on what we can see."
Ignhir spoke with an excited grin, his tone carrying the excitements of a child.
"Hersneva, you're a victim right."
A short man dressed in the finest laurels answered.
"Yes I am."
A crooked grin cracked across his weathered face as the muted green haired elder sighed in disbelief.
"Good, then the tournaments will begin after three days, prepare yourself and the other victims for they are going to be working overtime, hehe."
Doubt crept across Hersneva's face but he nonetheless still agreed.
"Since that issue has been dealt with the last issue remaining is who is going to manage the victims, Hersneva are you willing after all you are one of the country's greatest victims so would you be willing?"
Responsibility had become a partner to Hersneva such that he was actually shocked at the amount of work he had assigned just from this one meeting.
"You will be assigned helpers that will ease the burden but would you still do it?"
Shocked but help being provided, he reluctantly agreed.
"Sure I'll do it."
"Good. With that settled this meeting is over."
The dean spoke as he rose up from his seat marking the end of the meeting and his fellow workers rose up with him, each leaving to their posts even the forlorn Uliger rose and went his way, sadness and misery painting his world grey.
***
Despite seeing nothing but darkness, the former Telemenphen prince spent his days in great joy. Counting the cycles of which he could release the inborn power pulsating within him, the joy apparent on his ruddy features reached the caretakers who were assigned to him.
'3 hours, that's the maximum limit I can release this power and after that I automatically pass out... but, joy, Joy, JOY. I still feel so happy after all I have power and if I can master my power then I will be able so see, Hiiiiiiii, I'm so excited..'
Nobody would have guessed such thoughts ran across the stoic man who sat cross-legged, his eyes bandaged by a thick black cloth as his lean cinnamon body was draped in a silk white gown.
'I wonder if I will be able to do what big brother Elezia can do, uhh, what was it called again... ughhh... EXPRESSION. That's it expression was what it was called. He also said that once you're able to express yourself clearly you will be able to know what you're path is. The paths were, Supreme commander, Legionnaire, Benefactor, Liquidator, Vagabond, Visionary, Silencer and Victim-wait how am I able to remember the paths? My memory should be hazy and daft yet I was able to remember all the paths with perfect order, how?'
His brows scrunched as he let his thoughts wonder away from the path but noticing that discourse would bring no use, he brought his mind on track and began to remember the what were the qualities assigned to each path.
'Firstly, Supreme commander. From what I can remember from Elezia, Supreme Commanders are those who rule over all their base attributes.
Legionnaires are the manifestation of a legion making them the focal point of their attributes.
Benefactors... uhhh what were they again, uhhh, something about giving and taking, uhhhh I can't remember that one
Liquidator, my brother just called them 'certified bastards who deserve nothing more than a permanent death' well from that I could assume that they did something bad to him.
Vagabond, he said they're just a bunch of cretans whose word you can't trust.
Visionary, this one I strangely remember everything he said and he also said he was one of them. He said something like 'those who are able to see clearly what their path holds and where it ends.'
Damn, that sleep cost me too much now I can't even remember the basic words he said'
He muttered within the room that had now contained an old woman dressed in tribal clothing of a wolf-skin draped across their head and shoulders, its mighty maw encapsulating their weathered features and a dirty khaki dress that loosely hugged had her bent frame.
'Silencer, he said that they were very dangerous and were the most feared. Something along the lines of death and misery.
And lastly Victim... a bunch of miserable wretches whose only job is to win by sacrifice, what could he have possibly meant by that?'
He pondered quietly unaware of the approaching old lady who seemed to quietly observe him till she reached a distance so close one would have been alerted but alas the former telemenphen prince seemed ignorant of the dangerous distance he was in with that old lady.
"Boy"
"HAAAAHHHHHH?!!!"
A shocked scream diluted the silence within that room as a small thud reverberated. The old lady not shocked by the surprised scream and continued her talk, a way of speech both slow and aged,
"Who are you and what were you doing within the Instive region?"
His heart beating wildly as shock and confusion ran across his body, questions and terrors popping up within his mind as he steadied himself from the cold floor.
'Who is this old lady? should I... kill her?'
Murder ran across his mind as he subconsciously prepared to strike. The events of the close encounters he recently had exposed to by sheer coincidence scarred his mind so deeply that whenever a person spoke to him in a language he understood, terror and desire would call upon him demanding death and peace. Seeing this small action the old lady spoke once more, her tone baritone and hoarse,
"Boy, you want to fight me, death, death, death shall be wrought upon you should you move from that floor."
Her instructions were clear as her voice chilled the air around him, the terror and desire within him both being subdued and corrected as he sat there trembling and sweating cold buckets of sweat.
What a terrifying person..
Though he saw nothing but darkness, just the voice and way she spoke turned up the fear within him to unimaginable degrees. His heart pounding like a humming birds wings, time slipping away to a crawl.
"It seems you know how to value your life. Good. Now answer my question, Who are you and what were you doing in the Instive region?"
Her voice back to the slow aged voice it initially had which greatly soothed his palpitating heart to a slow steady beat.
His dry throat bobbing up and down as he swallowed his viscous saliva, wetting his dry lips in the process, he spoke.
"My name is..."