Helios was a grandiose sounding name. Who could name their son after the sun other than royalty? And like the sun people kept their distance, in case they ended up burned. Helios envied the palace staff, merchants, commoners and even the nobles. Each of them had circles of people they could confide in. People they could just be themselves around.

Then one day he woke up somewhere unfamiliar. The air was still, and the rhythm of the world was gone. His first thought was kidnapping, but his arms were free. Where am I?

Not being able to hear the world sing left an unsettling feeling in his gut. How would he tell what season it was, the dulcet tones of winter or the peppy highs of spring? Of course, the season should be the same as it was yesterday using logic and reason, but he couldn't reconcile those thoughts with this quiet still room.

Gathering his thoughts, he walked to what seemed like a reception desk. Eyes flitting over the bizarre forms of the other people in the room. He felt like an impostor there. For one of the first times in his life he felt like he was somewhere he shouldn't be...

The form of the creature behind the desk was horrifying to behold, however, her attitude was... affable, if not enthusiastic. She explained the purpose of the place he'd found himself. His arrival there was not a mistake. The more she talked the more that little melody of excitement grew inside of him. A hesitant dance of notes to a full-on crescendo. How wonderful. A place far away from the pressures foisted upon royalty. A place where he was but one of many students. The additional education was merely an addendum to the deal.

After handing over his medallion, he was free to roam the halls. His heart was filled with awe. Such advanced mage-craft, in such an alien form. No song, no rhythm, simply steady static magics with wondrous effects. It went against all that he'd grown to understand. Like something out of a fantasy book.

The world he knew shrunk. His life became insignificant as he realised how little his corner of the cosmos meant in the grand scheme of things. And he loved it.

Passing a mirror on his way out he spots the familiar blond hair and refined features. What did catch his eye was the snake of lines that curl out of his collar. A closer look revealed a tattoo spreading from his chest. Musical in their dance around his torso and playful in their path along his limbs.

With a small effort, he found that they could pulse. Rhythm comes easy and he finds himself copying some of the familiar beats of his everyday life. So the music followed me here. Or perhaps it's easier to say that the music comes from inside of me. It was a novel experience. Creating the rhythm himself rather than adapting to a rhythm set forth by the world. It would take time for him to perfect the art, however.

Eventually, he found himself at the library. In awe at the massive collection of books. An attempt to pluck one off the shelf ultimately failed. But he did, to his surprise, summon the librarian. After a quick talk and he was able to select his courses. He didn't need his first general class to know that a safe and familiar selection would be best for his first set of courses.

His exploration was finally cut short as his time came to an end. Medallion in hand he watched as the arrow ticked over and left the region indicating his time at the Academy. He awoke back home, heart filled with melancholy.

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The gentle timbre of morning's light awoke him. The sound of the world had returned. Or perhaps it had never left.

Helios lay in bed as ideas, places and people he'd never met became memories he would never forget. The Academy in the Void, huh? What a wonderful dream. Although... a hand on his chest reveals the presence of a certain medallion. Or perhaps not.

Mysterious confidence wells up inside. His heart knew a new path was opening up. One which didn't feel stifled or restricted. He didn't feel the usual looming sense of entrapment. He had an interesting journey ahead of him, but first, he needed answers.

Rising from his bed he aimed to get a head start on his day. His servants would be in a fluster if they knew he was already up. Plucking a few practical clothes from the wardrobe he starts to change. A hurried set of steps told him his early activity was noticed.

The bedroom doors open with a hurried swish, only to be closed with a gentle but quick return stroke. "Your Highness!" Iris calls out.

Wearing a traditional maid's outfit she was the epitome of prim and proper. Only the gentle smile revealed the familiarity with which she attended to the prince. However this morning it was more of a frown.

"I do request that you wait for us servants in the morning." Deft fingers begin to tuck and correct his collar into a neat fold.

"I have lots to do this morning Iris. Something came up..."

The raised eyebrow she gives him is all she dare's ask. When exactly could something have 'came up' between midnight and sunrise? Is the unasked question.

Helios lets a mysterious smile grace his lips. When indeed? The memories meld into his consciousness like they had just happened, but his mind was as refreshed as a full night of sleep suggests it should be.

"Your schedule for this morning includes Sparing in the morning, followed by your usual cleanliness routine. Afterwards, you are booked with the tutors for Politics, Economics, and Magic Theory..."

"Iris, cancel my plans for the day."

He hears the splutter come from Iris as she fusses with his bed hair. "Sire? I'm not sure his Majesty will approve..."

"If he doesn't he can come to find me in the library. Please summon Dmitri, I could use his help." The dismissive attitude wasn't one of conflict between father and son. Nor was it a regular occurrence. Helios simply wouldn't find the time otherwise. His schedule was full, this was of too much importance to go the official route. A little irreverence for his responsibilities would just have to be the cost of knowledge.

"Understood." Her voice was level but Helios could hear the disapproval beneath her words. Iris had been with him for the longest and was the closest to being able to speak her mind. However, it was still more than her job's worth to contradict the prince. But this wouldn't stop her from reporting the princes' intentions up the chain. Word would eventually reach the king's ear. Though it would still buy him enough time to research for a few hours.

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Dressed and set for the day he departed for the library. Iris gave him one last frown as she split to carry out the tasks he had set her.

Deep within the stacks of the royal library, Helios found himself fighting the urge to sneeze from the plumes of dust he was disturbing. Old dusty volumes of history books gave no clues. Usually finding what you were looking for took a keen ear and familiarity with the tone of the subject. But the defining feature of the Academy was its silence. How could he find such a thing among the many volumes which vied for his attention?

Frustration mounted. With a huff, he places the latest volume on the pile he'd been reading. The dim light of the library strains his eyes. An idle hand massages his brow. No mention of Academy students. No extraordinary Mages using unknown techniques. No transdimensional travel or even a myth. Some passages had come close but they were clearly fables and not facts twisted by the passage of time. They were written in ways to suggest a moral rather than hidden truths.

A strange sense of incongruity wells up inside of him as he took in the sights around him. Stacks of books, the muffled din from the outside world, a place far out of the norm for his usual hectic life. A little thrill wraps around his heart at treading the unbeaten path. New ground that's been explored by no one but himself.

With a small smile, he picks up another volume. "Prince. How may I be of service." Only to be interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Dmitri, you've arrived." Helios feels a little relief as help arrives.

He turns to take in the distinguished gentlemen. Neatly combed black hair. A monocle over one eye. A gentle smile waiting for instruction. Helios sighs at the stifling attitude.

"You can relax Dmitri. Actually, I don't think I've ever seen you relax..."

Dmitri simply bows his head maintaining the same consistent smile. "What brings about your change of schedule today, your Highness? I was ready for our usual lesson when Iris came to collect me."

"Indeed. Have you ever heard of the Academy in the Void? Or the Void Academy of Magical Excellence?"

Dmitri's smile slips as he tilts his head in thought. A good mystery was just about the only thing that could move this stoic gentleman. "Not that I've heard of. What sort of Academy is this?"

"One that epitomises silence. A space between spaces. But one of steeped in the search for knowledge above all else."

Dmitri's eyes light up. His gaze wanders the many books discarded in the prince's search. He realises the significance of this description. "Silence... huh?"

With a flash of inspiration, he moved over to the shelves and begins plucking books with a deliberate focus. He was already in his own world. He sure does trust me. The prince could take some solace in the fact that his retainers were so ready to follow his whims. Although a barrier did exist something did pass through them.

A companionable silence fell between them. The shuffle of pages filled the hours. At one point Iris returned, bringing fuel for the search in the form of finger food that they could eat while they researched.

"You have set me a most difficult task, my prince," Dmitri comments at one point after replacing a rather heavy tome back onto the shelves. "It's like picking out the mute in a choir."

"Indeed, that's the same problem I've been having."

"If I may ask. What gives you the conviction that this place even exists?" Readjusting the monocle over his eye he ponders his next choice of book to search through.

Helios reaches up to his chest. Hand laying over the medallion hidden beneath his clothes. It was more than a conviction that this place existed. But how would he go about convincing the loyal researcher?

"Indeed, I would also like to know what has convinced you to abandon your studies, son?" The hand turning the page stopped. Looks like my time is up.

"Hello, Father..." With as best a feigned surprise Helios turns to the one man in the country with more power than him. Austere and refined. Making his annoyance plain in a way only a father could...

"Have I not made it clear the importance of education my son? Do we need another long chat?" Although the question was asked, it was clear he didn't need or want an answer. Bearing the full power of his oppressive atmosphere he commands Helios. "Come."

"Yes, Father." One last nod to Dmitri to signal his desire for him to continue had the man give him a wan smile. Iris has spent the entire time lowering her head in deference. Helios began to follow as his Father strode out of the room.

I seem to have really angered father this time. The intimidating air hung around his father as they marched through the palace. Duty. It was the shackle that tethered every royal to their life of service. One to the nation they ruled. One that his father took very serious.

All it took was one selfish king to ruin a country. Forget the needs of the people and the country would wither and die. These were the messages that were drilled into his head day in day out. How could I not see the burden you place on your old shoulders? How could I not see the glint of worry in your eyes that I may turn out like him...

Eventually, as expected, they arrived at an important-looking set of double doors. Engraved with an image depicting the people's power. Waves of people held up an image of the palace. While the royalty hoisted them higher in some inexplicable defiance of gravity. Flames of war grasped up from beneath but never reached the feet of the commoners at the bottom of the image. Musical notes danced throughout the image tying it together. Yet the discordant notes that fell to the bottom never mixed with the rest of the piece.

"Come." Was all his Father said as he pushes them open. Helios had expected the scene that lay before them, but nevertheless, it still fills him with awe.

A lone balcony stretches out before them. Overlooking the capital and the land that stretched out before them. They walked out onto the seemingly precarious, but well-built, walkway. The palace stretched out around them as if to embrace them. Curved with exquisite accuracy. A natural curve in the mountain range echoed its form behind the palace. The very reason for the palaces placement, mirroring the effect that was slowly filling his ears.

A parabola. Collecting and focusing the sounds of a nation. As they walked to the focal point he began to pick up a cacophony of melodies, but non the less they melded into one coherent piece. The light and jubilant sounds of the city were backed by the low rumble of the rest of the country. The music was a reminder to every royal to keep their people's needs in mind.

As they reach the seating area in the centre they both stood and basked in the atmosphere. Helios winced as one discordant note clashed with the rest.

"Hmm. Another. An ill omen of future trouble." The king strokes his chin in thought.

"Indeed. I've never heard so many in one week." Helios couldn't help but agree. It was worrying.

The King's frown softens. "You don't seem to have forgotten your duty. So why the rebellion this morning? What was so important that you shirked your duties?"

Helios wavers for a moment. Should he tell his Father? Not everything about the Academy was benign, the silence was unsettling, and the students were alien. Yet it held opportunity. One the prince was reluctant to relinquish. Would my father forbid me from returning if he knew?

He knew better though. Secrecy was a path that would end much the same as recent history. Misfortune for all. With only a moment of hesitation, he plucks the medallion from his shirt. The golden medal glints in the sunlight. Yet it remains a hollow presence bereft of sound.

The King's eyes widen as he takes in the ominous sight. "What is that? It almost seems..." a hand reaches out. Yet it passes right through the medallion. Interesting.

He straightens. Giving the prince all his attention he asks. "Explain."