The sun was long past its highest point, tinting the sky an eerie yellow-orange, surprising Kael. He hadn't realized how long he had spent inside the library. The books always drew him in.

They had passed several courtyards weaving their way through the sect grounds. Kael had stayed quiet, thinking of ways to escape, but Nar had ordered the boys to drag him.

His feet didn't even touch the ground. Kael noticed several Elders relaxing and making their rounds. They smiled and whispered to each other as Kael dragged by. Some of the more shameless ones even laughed, especially Elder Sal. His laughter carried on for miles and was higher pitched than a Shorn squeal.

Those creatures would appear during the winter nights and wail nonstop. It was a terrifying sound. People said that the Shorn could also take on the form of loved ones—no one knew how they achieved that—and even take their voices.

Kael had been awakened in fear by those screams. His father's screams, but distorted. He had cursed at them for taking his father's voice, but Dean would drag him inside before he ever caught a glimpse of them. Before he saw if they had taken his form too. Kael often wondered what he had done to be tormented by a Shorn using his father's form. That wonder, however, also extended to seeing the true form of a Shorn and be the first to record it.

 The laugh got louder shaking his thoughts. Even the boys reacted to it and jolted, almost dropping him—a chance he could have used to escape—but one of them held on hard and picked up the pace.

Soon they were past the cobble section and onto a dirt trail. In the distance, Kael could make out a bright red robe surrounded by shades of green. Elder Dean. It was unmistakable. Only he would wear a robe so bright. Kael even wondered if the man had a mental problem. Ever since he came to live under his roof, after his father's death, he had yet to see him wear something dull.

Kael gave up trying to run away and sighed. Of all the elders, it had to be Dean leading this particular mission. He should have expected that when Dean told him to meet him after lunch. Of course, he chose to study instead.

"Nar can you at least let me walk there?" Kael asked, giving a defeated sigh.

Nar studied him for a moment staying silent.

"Look, it's embarrassing. The other's will see me being dragged there." Kael said.

"Put him down." He said, nodding.

Two of the boys complied, but the largest of them still clutched to his arm. Kael tried to break free, but the boy's grip was astonishingly strong.

"Let me go," Kael said. "Didn't you hear him?"

The boy held his grip. No, he gripped harder a smile filling his face.

"It might be a trick..." the boy said.

"Levy, just let him go." Nar snapped.

"Fine, but if he runs...it's on you Nar." He said, finally letting go and whispering into Kael’s ear. “You are lucky...this time."

Levy. That name sounded familiar to Kael but he couldn't recall how he knew him. Kael never spent time with the other kids his age. Not because he felt superior to them but because he buried himself in books. Rarely going out of his room and the library. Or so he liked to believe. The truth was that whenever he tried to strike a conversation with any of them it ended the same; they gave him glances, then, they simply walked away. They disliked him, not for his personality, but because of his special status.

Kael looked at the golden badge—shaped as a phoenix soaring upwards—on his chest. His father's symbol and his mark as an inner disciple.

Others are struggling to rise in status. He thought. Yet I'm already an inner disciple.

He shook his head before trotting forward to Nar and matching his pace.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Hey, when did this Levy kid become your underling?" he asked Nar.

"He didn't. He volunteered when Elder Dean ordered us to find you."

He glanced back at Levy still grinning, staring at him. Something felt off to Kael. Why would he volunteer to help? He wondered.

Reaching the crowd, Kael noticed the kids—wearing green long-sleeved robes—sweating. Some sat on the ground while others stood with large bags on their backs. Prepared for the mission.

They give him glances mixed with frowns and unsatisfied whispers. Damn, Kael thought. They really don't like me. And why would they? He had them wait under the scorching sun for heaven knows how long.

Kael lowered his head hiding his shame. Leggy somehow still stayed on his head, sleeping. Unconsciously his right hand grasped the badge, covering it.

"Well," Dean said, facing the crowd. "Now that all of us are here, I will explain the exact details of the mission.

"All of you have been studying in the sect for four years now. And many of you come from commoner backgrounds; part of the sect's program to uncover outstanding talents that otherwise would not have gotten a chance to shine.” he paused for effect then continued, “The sect gave you the chance, but you have all worked hard and pushed through—treading on this hard path. Today, you take another step on that hard road. Some may still think that because others have a special status..." He stopped to look at Kael. "You will never succeed.

 "I want you to stop thinking that. Status might let you get a head start, but that, however, doesn't mean you aren't able to achieve greatness. If you work hard enough, you can climb to the top. I know because I myself was once part of the same program you are in."

Gasps spread through the crowd.

He's manipulating them again, Kael scoffed, looking at the crowd of kids tightening their fists an eager expression in their eyes.

"This is your chance." Dean continued. "You will enter the blue section of the forest and capture a beast. Your first beast. Commen-"

"Dean," Kael interrupted, "I already have a beast." This was his chance to get out of this mission.

The crowd of kids gasped and Dean turned giving him a glare. "Show respect boy. It's Elder Dean."

Crap! Kael thought. This is going to end bad.

Even if Dean dressed in ridiculously bright robes and didn't mind being called Dean in private. Dean placed his image above everything else. And he had just disrespected him. In front of a bunch of kids nonetheless.

"Elder Dean," he corrected. "Can I be exempt from this mission?"

"No, everyone must take part in this mission."

"But I already have a beast!"

"Doesn't matter if you do. You will be part of this mission. It's the rules, Kael." He said, staring down at him. "And even you are not above them."

He's bringing my status up again. Kael thought.

Dean always tried to make him get along with them. To stop thinking that he was special.

I'm not special, he told himself. But I need to make dad proud.

"I don't think I'm above anyone else. I just don't have time to waste with stupid missions."

"Oh. I didn't know the tradition that even your father followed was stupid."

"T-that..."

"Elder Dean, he is probably just making excuses because he is scared to enter the forest." A boy said. Kael turned. It was Brin. He stood there—blond hair and golden robes shifting in the breeze—with a smug look on his face.

"He probably is. Should have seen how we struggled to drag him here." Levy said, joining in.

"That's not it!" Kael said, raising his voice. “All I meant was that it's stupid for me to take this test since I already have Leggy."

Dean approached him, removing Leggy from his head and placing her inside his robes. "There, you have no beast now. Problem solved. Now go stand among the others."

Kael wanted to protest, but he was pulled back by Nar.

"Let it go Kael." He said. “It’s only three hours."

Nar was right. If he continued, it would only make things worse. It would make seem he was really afraid. He turned and glared at Brin. Levy stood next to him.

No wonder he volunteered. Kael thought. He's with him.

Brin was the only disciple with the same status as him. He always acted with superiority and arrogance. He tried to show his genius but every kid thought of him as an annoyance.

 Kael had to admit that although Brin threw his status left and right, he knew what he was doing. He always managed to hold conversations and the kids' interest. Even if they only talked to him in hopes of benefits.

Dean probably worried that he would end up like Brin.

Like if I would ever stoop that low. He laughed inside.

Ignoring Brin he looked towards the forest and tuned out the rest of Dean's explanation.

Shortly after it was over.

"Alright now go and capture your chance at success." Dean said, finishing his speech.

The kids shouted in agreement and ran into the forest. Kael sighed and followed.

"Hey Kael, wait up." Brin said, catching up to him.

"What do you want?"

"No need to be hostile. I just wanted to make this more interesting."

"What do you mean?"

"A competition. Let’s see who captures the best beast."

"Brin, like he will ever beat you." Levy said, laughing. "Look he is not even prepared."

Kael narrowed his eyes at Levy.

"Well, that is true..." Brin trailed off. "I guess I was placing my hopes up for nothing."

"I accept," Kael yelled. "I don't need to be prepared to catch a beast better than what you will ever catch."

"You are on, Kael. No backing off now." He said, smiling and walking away.