Chapter XXIV

(6 Years Ago)

Year 2048

The morning sun gilded the Academy grounds in an amber glow, casting a false warmth across its sprawling lawns, yet Yoki felt none of its embrace. Each step seemed heavier than the last, his thoughts swirling in a ceaseless maelstrom that refused to still. The cobblestone paths twisted beneath his feet through manicured gardens and beneath archways etched with what he now knew to be runes. Familiar, yet today they felt strange—sharper, laced with unseen menace. Perhaps they were alarms of a sort, or a protection ward—he wasn't very far into his runes study yet.

Not expulsion, but execution.

Indigo's chilling words from the previous night echoed endlessly in his head. The weight of them settled on his shoulders like a physical burden, turning the very air he breathed heavy and sluggish. He had always known there was something different within him, some dark core at his center, but to hear it articulated with such finality—to be apart of the Tearing class of Nightwalkers, with the power to wield the forbidden arts... do these forbidden arts relate to the Painkiller living inside him, or was this a separate part of him before the Painkiller had spoken? But that wasn't even all.

There's a war happening, even if you can't see it now. It's out there, being fought on Earth and in other galaxies the rift touches.

A shiver ran through him, despite the balmy air. The scope of it, the unseen war raging beyond these walls—hidden agendas, conspiracies lurking within the Academy's very council—it all seemed insurmountable, and every step he took felt like one closer to the precipice.

"Yoki!"

Yoki looked up, startled out of his thoughts by the familiar voice. Enrique was bounding toward him, his ever-present grin only slightly dimmed by concern. They hadn't spoken much at the previous nights detention, and after Yoki had gone straight to bed. He had, after all, get up extremely early today to train—

"Hey, man. You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Yoki forced a smile. "Didn't sleep well, that's all."

Enrique eyed him carefully, his brow knitting. Concern flickered there, genuine and warm. "Well, maybe some elemental manipulation will snap you out of it. Can't have you zoning out and setting the whole class on fire."

Yoki snorted, though the humor didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, wouldn’t want that."

Together, they walked toward the Elemental Hall—the grand, radiant structure that shimmered as light bounced off its crystalline spires, a building as enigmatic as the lessons it contained. The throngs of students moving around them were vibrant, draped in the robe colors of their houses—Aquila's blues, Terra's greens, Umbra's deep purples, Luminara's pale golds, Aetheria's silver, and Ignis's crimson. Their voices were an unending buzz of chatter, punctuated by laughter or the occasional burst of animated excitement—discussions of upcoming exams, whispered gossip, and the ever-present multitude of mysteries surrounding the Academy.

As they entered the amphitheater-style classroom, Yoki's instinctively sought out Lucia. She sat a few rows ahead, her hair spilling over her shoulders like sunlight. She was transfixed with her compass in her hands, as it danced above her open palm, its needle whirling in languid arcs, an object almost alive, reacting to some invisible pull.

Yoki's heart quickened. That compass—the fascination had been on his mind ever since arriving. It wasn't just a tool; it seemed almost aware, navigating the moving Academy, attuned to its shifting pathways in a way no mere object should be. He had spent hours pondering it, chasing its mysteries in the corners of his mind where reason met fantasy. He was curious if it had to do something with the runes etched throughout the campus, but that'd seemed too easy of a puzzle on its surface. He'd have to research Runes more thoroughly in his free time.

"Still hung up on that compass?" Enrique's voice broke his reverie.

Yoki blinked, heat rising to his cheeks. "It's... something about it. It's more than just a device."

Enrique laughed, shaking his head. "You're hopeless. Just talk to her, man."

Yoki hesitated, then said, "I'll ask her sometime."

"Yeah, probably," Enrique agreed, a grin tugging at his lips. "But at least you'd get to talk to her."

Before Yoki could muster a retort, Professor Elara's melodic voice filled the room, silencing the hum of conversations. "Good morning, everyone. Today, we delve into the practical applications of elemental transmutation—an art requiring not just power, but precision, a nuanced touch, and a deep understanding of the elements."

All eyes shifted to the front as Professor Elara began. Yoki struggled to keep his focus, but his mind kept slipping—to the compass, to Indigo's haunting warnings, to the gnawing sense that something was brewing beneath the Academy's polished veneer, something dark and uncontainable.

"To begin," Elara continued, "I’d like a volunteer to demonstrate the basic transmutation."

Several hands shot up. Daniel Silki’s caught Yoki’s eye—the red-haired boy with sharp features, who stood up confidently, adjusting his glasses as he made his way down the steps. A murmur rippled through the room.

"Remember our first class? That's Daniel Silki, the one I told you about," Enrique whispered. "Tri-elemental Earthworker. Wind, water, and fire. His family's got some serious elemental pedigree."

Yoki nodded, his curiosity piqued. He watched as Daniel took his place at the center platform. He extended his hand, and a blue flame leapt to life above his palm, its brightness catching every eye in the room. With deliberate grace, Daniel manipulated it—first into water, a swirling orb that hovered, then into ice, sculpted with delicate intricacy, before allowing it to evaporate into mist.

A wave of applause followed. Yoki joined in, feeling a twinge of envy alongside admiration—the ease with which Daniel conjured and commanded the elements seemed almost unfair.

"Impressive, isn’t he?" Enrique remarked, his voice full of admiration.

"Yeah," Yoki agreed softly. "He really is."

Daniel returned to his seat, and Professor Elara’s gaze swept over the room. "Now, who else would like to attempt a transmutation?"

Yoki hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. Part of him yearned to prove himself, to show he wasn’t just the troubled student whispered about in the corridors. But the warnings from Indigo loomed in his mind.

You must embrace this part of you, or it will destroy you.

Before he could decide, Lucia's voice rang out. "Yoki, why don't you give it a try?"

By sanguis, Lucia!

Yoki took a breath, caught off balance. He stepped forward. It was time to prove himself.

"Go on," Enrique nudged him, grinning. "Show them what you’ve got."

With a swallow, Yoki rose and walked down the steps. As he passed Lucia, she smiled, a sly quirk of her lips. "Don’t disappoint," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He drew a breath, facing the class. He held out his hand, summoning a flickering spark, unsteady but present.

"Very good," Elara encouraged. "Now, attempt the transmutation."

He closed his eyes, focusing. He focused on the flame, willing it to shift. It flickered, darkening, a whisper stirring at the edge of his mind.

Not now. Control it.

The more he resisted, the harder it pushed back, like an unrelenting storm. He could feel the flame shifting—from orange to a deep, unnatural violet. He heard the gasps before he saw it.

"Interesting," Elara said, her voice tight with curiosity.

Yoki's pulse raced. The violet flame writhed in his palm, dark tendrils weaving through it—a corruption. He tried to will it back, to pull the darkness in, but it had a will of its own. The flame flared suddenly, then extinguished in a burst of black smoke.

An uneasy silence settled over the class.

"Thank you, Yoki," Elara said, her voice measured. "An... unusual display. We’ll discuss this later."

His cheeks burned, Heat crept up his neck. He clenched his fists, eyes fixed on the floor as the room seemed to tighten around him. He returned to his seat, Enrique glancing at him, brow furrowed. "Ya good?"

"Mhm," Yoki hummed, though he could still feel the tremor in his hands.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lucia—her gaze fixed on him, her compass still in her palm, its needle eerily still. Her eyes held that knowing curiosity he'd seen yesterday after his fight with Troy, as if she understood more than she let on.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

The rest of the class blurred by. Yoki couldn’t focus—the whispers in the room seemed louder, the weight of suspicion more tangible, suffocating. He heard them in the edges of his consciousness.

People have linked you as the Painkiller.

When the class ended, Yoki gathered his things hastily, hoping to disappear into the crowd, to escape the eyes and the whispers.

"Yoki, a moment please," Elara’s voice cut through his thoughts as students began to file out.

He froze, swallowing hard. Reluctantly, he nodded and approached. "Yes, Professor?"

She looked at him, her expression unreadable, her eyes kind but searching. "What happened today was... unexpected. Is there something you wish to tell me?"

He shook his head. "No, Professor. I’m still learning. It won’t happen again."

She watched him for a long moment, then nodded. "Mastery takes time, Yoki. But remember, the Academy is a place of learning—and safety. Be mindful of both."

He nodded, his throat tight. "Yes, Professor."

As he turned to leave, he nearly collided with Daniel, who had lingered near the door.

"Sorry," Yoki mumbled, stepping back.

"No problem," Daniel said, his tone calm. He adjusted his glasses, studying Yoki for a beat too long. "Your demonstration was... intriguing."

Yoki frowned. "Intriguing?"

Daniel nodded. "Elemental anomalies are rare. It shows an unusual connection to the elements."

"Or a lack of control," Yoki replied, the bitterness creeping in.

Daniel shrugged. "Sometimes, breakthroughs come from unexpected places. If you’d like to discuss theories, I’d be interested."

The offer took Yoki by surprise. "I’d like that."

"Good," Daniel said with a small smile before turning away.

Yoki watched him go, a flicker of hope sparking amidst the doubts.

"Interesting show," Lucia’s voice came from behind him.

He turned, finding her leaning against a desk, her compass twirling from her fingertips. "Glad you enjoyed it." he replied, .

She tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with mischief and something deeper. "There’s more to you than meets the eye, isn’t there?"

He held her gaze. "You could say that."

She stepped closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "Be careful, Yoki. The Academy isn’t as forgiving as it seems."

He frowned. "Do you know something I don’t?"

She shrugged, her smile playful but guarded. "Maybe. Or maybe I just like paying attention."

Before he could press further, she pocketed her compass. "By the way, if you’re so interested in my compass, you could just ask."

Caught off guard, Yoki stammered, "I wasn’t—"

She laughed softly, the sound like chimes in the wind. "Relax. Everyone’s curious about the compasses. They navigate the Academy’s shifting halls, but they’re not infallible."

"Limitations?"

"Everything has its flaws," she said, her voice taking on a mysterious edge. "And sometimes those flaws are worth exploring."

With a final smile, she slipped away, leaving Yoki more puzzled than before.

Enrique appeared beside him, a teasing grin on his face. "Ready for lunch?"

"Yeah," Yoki sighed, rubbing his temples. His head felt heavy, his thoughts muddled.

As they made their way to the dining hall, Enrique chattered on about the upcoming classes, his voice light and familiar, grounding. But Yoki’s mind kept drifting.

"You seem distracted," Enrique noted, nudging him gently.

"Just a lot on my mind," Yoki said, his voice tight.

Enrique arched an eyebrow, his tone taking on a hint of jest. "Like nearly summoning shadow fire in class?"

Yoki flinched. "Just an accident."

"Hey," Enrique said quickly, his tone softening. "I’m not judging. Just... be careful. People talk, you know?"

Not expulsion, but execution.

"I know," Yoki said quietly. "I'll be more careful."

They entered the bustling dining hall, the scent of food wafting through the air. Students gathered in groups, laughter and conversation filling the space. Yet, Yoki couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider, a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.

As they sat down with their trays, Enrique nudged him. "Look, if you ever need to talk or... I don't know, blow off steam, I'm here."

Yoki managed a small smile. "Thanks."

They ate in relative silence. Yoki picked at his food, his appetite nonexistent. Across the room, he spotted the tall girl with the authoritative presence—the one who had helped him find the main hall on his first day. She caught his eye and gave a subtle nod, her expression inscrutable.

"Do you know her?" he asked Enrique.

"Who?"

"The girl over there," Yoki gestured subtly.

Enrique glanced over. "Oh, that's Amara. She's the house leader of Ignis. Kind of a big deal. Why?"

"Just curious."

Enrique raised an eyebrow but didn't press further.

After lunch, Yoki excused himself, needing some time alone. He wandered the grounds aimlessly, his thoughts heavy. The sun had risen higher, casting stark shadows across the lawns—a reminder of the darkness lurking within and around him.

He found himself near the secluded gardens, drawn by the quiet. The path led to a small alcove surrounded by hedges and flowering vines. It was a peaceful spot, away from prying eyes.

Taking a seat on a stone bench, he closed his eyes, letting the ambient sounds wash over him—the rustling leaves, distant bird calls, the faint murmur of students in the distance.

I didn't want to hurt him... I didn't mean to...

Yet, you did. Why not want to hurt him, he is nothing to you. He wanted to hurt you—he got what he deserved.

The Painkiller was quiet recently, but he still managed to rile Yoki whenever he did speak. Guilt gnawed at Yoki. The incident with Troy, the unsettling display in class—it all pointed to a loss of control he couldn't afford.

You must embrace this part of you, or it will destroy you.

But how? Indigo's training was shrouded in mystery, her guidance both a lifeline and a source of further confusion.

"Lost in thought again?"

Yoki's eyes snapped open to see Indigo standing before him, her gaze as penetrating as ever.

"Master Indigo," he said, rising quickly. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"I often find solace in this garden," she replied. "It's a good place for reflection."

He nodded, unsure of what to say.

"I heard about your demonstration in Elara's class," she continued.

He looked away. "It was an accident."

"Perhaps. But accidents have consequences."

"I'm trying," he said defensively. "But it's hard to control something I don't understand."

Indigo studied him for a moment before gesturing for him to sit. She joined him on the bench, the silence stretching between them.

"The path you're on is not an easy one," she said finally. "But you don't have to walk it alone."

"Then help me," he implored. "I need to understand what this darkness is, how to control it."

She nodded slowly. "We will continue your training, but you must be patient. Trust the process."

He sighed. "It's hard when I feel like I'm stumbling in the dark."

A faint smile touched her lips. "Sometimes, it's in the darkness that we find our true selves."

They sat in silence for a few moments longer.

"Tonight, meet me at the Colosseum after sundown," Indigo instructed. "We'll begin delving deeper."

"I'll be there."

As she stood to leave, she paused. "Oh, and Yoki?"

"Yes?"

"Be wary of whom you trust. Not everyone is as they seem."

Before he could ask what she meant, she disappeared down the path, leaving him with more questions than answers.

Be wary of whom you trust?

His thoughts drifted back to Lucia and her cryptic remarks, the way she seemed to know more than she let on. And Amara's subtle nods, Enrique's concern, Daniel's unexpected kindness—it was all so tangled.

With a heavy sigh, Yoki rose and made his way back toward the dormitories. He needed to prepare for whatever Indigo had planned, but first, there was something he wanted to investigate.

Retrieving his own compass from his pocket—a standard issue for students—he examined it closely. Unlike Lucia's, his seemed ordinary, its needle pointing steadily north, unaffected by the shifting corridors of the Academy.

Why was hers acting so differently?

An idea struck him. Perhaps the answer lay in some of the runes he'd heard mentioned in passing and of the ones observed in The Academy's architecture— some form of runes used to manipulate space within the Academy perhaps.

Determined, he changed course. "Library," he whispered.

The compass, instead of spinning rapidly like Lucia's, his spun instantly to his left. He turned from the direction of the dormitory to the library, the compass seeming like it had some purpose within the scheme of everything that's been occurring. Yoki couldn't say why, perhaps it was merely just an obsession to help keep him busy like he noted before, but he let his feet draw him away to try and discover more about this hidden enigma.

──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ────

Yoki walked for what felt like an eternity, navigating the paths of the Academy until he reached the towering double doors of the library. The doors were etched with, you guessed it—runes. The building was adorned with brass handles shaped like mythical creatures. He hesitated for a moment, taking in the sheer grandeur of the entryway, and then pushed the heavy doors open. They groaned in protest, the sound echoing through the vast chamber beyond.

The library's silence enveloped Yoki as soon as he stepped through the heavy doors, the vastness of the place stealing his breath. It wasn't just quiet—it was the kind of silence that whispered secrets. The scent of old parchment and ink was thick in the air, mingling with something almost electric, as if the space itself was alive.

Yoki looked up, and his eyes widened at the sight of towering shelves that seemed to reach endlessly toward a ceiling so high it vanished into darkness. Ladders on rails stood poised to grant access to even the most remote tomes, while enchanted chandeliers drifted above, their light shifting and dancing like something sentient. The books seemed to stretch into infinity—some were old and worn, their cracked leather spines bearing faded titles, while others glowed softly, runes etched into their covers that pulsed with faint magic.

A spiral staircase wound its way upward, each step worn down by generations of eager scholars. Massive stained-glass windows lined the walls, their colored panes depicting mages wielding ancient powers, scholars studying celestial spheres, and shadowed figures standing at the brink of some mysterious abyss. Sunlight filtered through, casting hues of emerald, sapphire, and crimson across the marble floors, giving the library an almost otherworldly quality.

Everywhere Yoki looked, there were reminders of history—runes carved into the shelves, statues of long-forgotten scholars in alcoves, and old scrolls piled in brass-bound chests. Whispers seemed to cling to the air itself, as though the knowledge of centuries had taken on a life of its own, and Yoki found himself momentarily paralyzed, a sense of awe washing over him. This wasn't just a library; it was a sanctuary of knowledge, a place of secrets waiting to be uncovered.

He approached an area near the entrance labeled 'Archives Section,' feeling dwarfed by the magnitude of it all, scanning the shelves for anything on Runes.

"Can I help you find something?" a soft voice asked.

He turned to see the brown-skinned girl with striking green eyes—the one he'd noticed during orientation. She held a stack of books, her gaze warm but curious.

"I'm looking for information on runes," he replied.

She nodded thoughtfully. "Runic magick. It's a challenging area of study, but essential for those serious about understanding the Academy."

"Do you know where I might find something on it?"

"Try the third aisle, near the back. Look for a book called 'Runes of the Forgotten'. It's a good starting point."

"Thank you...?"

"Lila," she supplied with a gentle smile.

"Yoki."

"Nice to officially meet you, Yoki."

He offered a small smile in return before making his way to the indicated section. As he searched, he couldn't shake the feeling that pieces of a larger puzzle were slowly coming together.

He found the book Lila had mentioned and settled into a quiet corner to read. The pages were filled with intricate diagrams and explanations of how sunderglyphs were transcribed making a language of sorts, resulting in runes. He read a passage next to one of the diagrams: "Runes can alter perceptions of space and time, acting as keys to hidden pathways and secrets within The Academy."

Could this be how the compasses really worked?

Engrossed in the text, time slipped away. It wasn't until the fading light signaled the approach of evening that he realized he needed to prepare for his meeting with Indigo.

Replacing the book, he hurried out of the library, his mind buzzing with new knowledge but even more questions.

As darkness settled over the Academy, Yoki made his way to the Colosseum, the grand structure looming against the starlit sky. The air was crisp, carrying a hint of the unknown.

Indigo awaited him at the center of the arena, her seemingly perfect body silhouetted sharp against the moonlight.

"Are you ready?" she asked as he approached.

He took a deep breath, meeting her gaze with renewed determination. "Yes."

"Then let us begin."