Late

Selis’s eyes opened to see the dark cavern ceiling hung high above her. The girl sat up, pressing her palm against her forehead, her eyes closing again. A fog of obscurity swirled in her head. She desperately tried to understand the scattered information that had started to resurface in her head from the fog; as if trying to fit pieces of a broken glass into a mirror again. The girl looked around, for she knew somehow that she hadn't been alone before she had forgotten what had happened.

Let's see…The last thing I remember is this cave. Skald called for us… and what happened after that?

She was relieved when she heard familiar voices and saw four people sitting in a circle. Sora, who had been the first one to wake up, was conversing with Sunne, "That was spooky." Sora looked tense, her hand covering her mouth as she spoke.

Sunne, who was checking the condition of the herb for Cyress’ illness, replied,” We ended back at this place too… Good thing I left this here. I don't know where I would have found another one.”

That's right Cyress’ is gravely ill while we are on this strange ‘mission’ here.

The frail and sick Neophyte had almost slipped from her mind. They had promised his younger brothers that they'd find a cure. Until they were thrown in this ‘mission’. But Sunne seemed to have found something.

Does that mean Cyress will be fine now?

She didn't know Cyress personally and only had been tagging along with Skald and Skadi.

Another question rang through her head.

How did we end back here?

Selis vaguely remembered a black butterfly with bright spots.

The fog in her head started to clear and she saw a vision. No, it was more of a memory that had flashed in her mind. She had been standing in a field and before her were the five hypnotic rocks looking down at them from their watery throne. She had bowed down and touched her head to the platform. She felt dread climb in her chest. Was it real or a dream? Why had she done so? And what had occurred later?

And what later?!!

The group had somehow found themself at the cavern where they first entered to shelter from the beast.

As Skald had been speaking, his eyes focused behind Sora and he spotted Selis. He announced, gleefully, “Oh look, she's finally awake.”

Everyone’s eyes had turned looking at her. It made her wonder if she had kept them waiting for too long.

"Great. We can leave this place now." Skadi stood up and dusted her uniform. Selis realised that they just wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.

“Uhm.. sorry.” Selis quickly spoke.

However, there was no reply as Skadi had been frozen up, staring up ahead with narrowed eyes.

A sudden silence spread among the five. There was a heavy feeling that had eventually swirled and found its way into the conversation. They were being watched and it was a feeling they were very familiar with. Only they emitted this aura.

A Spectre.

Selis followed Skadi’s gaze to see a silhouette waiting at the entrance of the cave.

“It's the Panther.” Sunne muttered in a low voice, breaking the silence.

When one narrowed their eyes they could see the Panther mask on their face.

When they spoke, it was the voice of a woman, as cold as what was fitting of a Spectre." Well done in completing your assigned mission. Report all occurings to me.”

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

And so the five narrated to the Spectre about what happened in hopes of having even the slightest bit of understanding for what had occurred. The Specter gaze silently from behind her mask, listening to them. At times she was so silent that they weren't even sure if she was listening. Something seemed off as the five recounted the tale, standing in a circle around the Spectre as they filled in for each other while the Spectre watched them. The entrance started to glow behind her with the flaming colours of onsetting dawn.

“Well done. I shall escort you back to the Institution. Peryton has requested an Assembly." The Panther spoke briefly, when the strange tale had ended, without a glint of surprise or anything resembling it.

Selis looked at the others. They weren't surprised by The Spectre’s reaction. Selis hadn't ever held a conversation with a Spectre before. She felt anxious whenever her eyes fell on the eerie mask.

"Why? Has something occurred?" Sora asked her voice not giving away the worry that was on her face.

Sora received no reply as the Panther had turned already and started walking out of the cave. They were left with no other option but to look at each other and follow without any questions, lest they be left behind.

*--_-_-_-*--*_

The doors of the lift opened and they found themselves standing atop the windy plateau. Far beyond, near the Grounds of the Institution where Selis’ Naming Ceremony took place, they could see that the residents of the Institution had already gathered in an orderly fashion. Sunne had held onto the plant he'd dug up from the forest all the while.

Sora looked at the others seeking an answer,

“What's going on? And why an Assembly now?”

There was no reply as everyone’s faces matched the confusion on Sora’s.

“Assemblies are not common?” Selis asked. She had been under the impression that everyone gathered every now and then.

“No, Assemblies are only announced while naming, giving collective instructions…or…” Sora trailed off looking at the gathered crowd again. It appeared that there were things that even Sora could not speak.

“Or if someone dies.” Skadi completed.

A feeling of dread spread through the group. Selis looked at Skald and Skadi.

“Surely not…?” Selis chuckled, half-heartedly. She looked hopefully at the others.

Sora’s eyes were still fixed on the crowd. Sunne was looking at the ground. Skadi had turned to look at the forest. As for Skald, he wasn't looking anywhere. He seemed to be in a daze.

They knew. Somewhere, they all knew it.

How could this end before even doing anything?

She clearly remembered Skald ruffling Rimme's hair with a bright smile and telling him that they would help. Even Sora and Sunne had joined them to help.

No, I must not overthink.

The group made its way to the crowd and joined on the sides of the rows.

Sora also said a meeting occurs when groups are to receive collective instructions. It could be that too.

The Panther had already taken her place next to the other Spectres.

"Peryton hasn't arrived yet." Someone whispered within the crowd.

As they waited for Peryton, the uneasiness in them kept rising with every second that passed. The other Neophytes whispered around them

“Do you think there's a collective mission?”

“Noooo I don't want to work with other groups.”

“Have you heard of it..”

“Of what?”

“Last night…”

Eventually the whispers blurred into the background noise. Until all the noise was in Selis's head.

Did Cyress die? This quickly? Before we could do anything? He wouldn't would he? He was alive the last time I saw him.

Selis looked around at the distraught expressions on the other four’s faces. All of them had reached out to each other and had been working together to help Cyress in this lonely place, the Institution. They had perhaps begun to trust each other as well.

If he goes, would he take away all of that with him?

It was a selfish thought. She only cared about his death because it mattered to the ones she knew.

But perhaps, had I arrived at the Institution before, I would've known him and just like them I would have been devastated too.

The crowd suddenly grew quiet with only Peryton’s footsteps being heard on the stone platform before the Assembly. He turned to the Neophytes looking up at him with expectant eyes. Peryton’s gaze was fixed on the sky as if he was looking for something in the clouds. He took in a deep breath and spoke quietly yet loud enough for everyone to hear.

"I regret to say that Cyress…has passed away."

A wave of shocked whispers ran through the assembled Neophytes. It felt like a glass shattering. A glass of illusion that death was not real. That death was just right around the corner and no one knew which corner.