Alera arched an impressive eyebrow and pursed her lips.

"You don't look dead to me," she stated matter of factly.

"I got better," I quipped.

"Do, pray tell," she said.

"I was recently turned into a creature of the night. A vampire.” I braced myself, expecting some kind of reaction -revulsion, alarm, maybe even a sudden attack- but Alera merely nodded, her expression as serene as ever. If anything, she seemed more curious than anything else, as though I’d just confessed to a mild inconvenience rather than a supernatural transformation.

“I see,” she said simply. “I can imagine how that might be unpleasant.”

“You can say that again,” I muttered, a bitter edge creeping into my voice. “I woke up in a pit full of bodies. Had to fight my way to the top by draining them dry. The Hunger consumed me.”

Even as I spoke, I realized something strange. The ever-present pangs of Hunger, the gnawing void that had driven me to the edge since I first acquired it, had faded. It was still there, somewhere deep within me, but it was dulled now, a distant echo instead of a ravenous roar. Her presence seemed to dampen it, her aura an unspoken balm. Or perhaps a dire threat. The Hunger’s probably scared of the pretty lady.

Alera nodded again, her smile tinged with melancholy. “Yes, such creatures are often taken hostage by their very nature. It is tragic, though not without hope. There are some among them who have mastered their inner beasts. As I see you have mastered yours.”

I snorted softly. “I wouldn’t go that far. Pretty sure it’s your presence keeping the beast in check, not me.”

“Be that as it may,” she said, her tone unwavering, “you are in control. That is no small feat.”

“True,” I admitted, my voice quieter now. “But I don’t know how long that control will last. That’s why I came here in the first place -hoping to find a cure.”

I hesitated, the words hanging in the air. Was that even true anymore? The idea of a cure had been my driving force when all this started, but now… now I wasn’t so sure. I was starting to like this vampire supernatural thing. The power I’d gained, the bond I shared with Netty and Nix, the strange abilities that were awakening within me -being cursed with awesome wasn’t all bad.

“Indeed,” Alera said, her eyes narrowing slightly as though she’d caught the shift in my thoughts. “Such power is hard to relinquish once tasted.”

I looked away, the weight of her words settling heavily in my chest. She wasn’t wrong. The vampire within me, the creature I’d once despised, had become a part of me -whether I liked it or not.

Wait, can she read my thoughts? My earlier -reactions- to her presence embarrassingly coming resurfacing as the question circled in my mind like a vulture. How else could she know what I was thinking?

But then… how did she know my name? I certainly hadn’t thought that. Who thinks their name? Maybe Netty or Nix had spilled the beans, somehow passing it along in the strange way they communicated.

“And back to my question,” I said, folding my arms and trying to keep the unease out of my voice. “How is it that I can see you?”

“Oh, that is a rather simple thing,” Alera replied, her voice a soft melody that didn’t match the weight of her words. “Though how it is so, is rather interesting indeed.”

I nodded, biting back the impulse to rush her. For once, just a straight answer…

She studied me, her eyes glinting with something I couldn’t quite name. “I will reveal the truth of it to you in time. Be patient and allow me to further evaluate my assumptions so as not to present them to you half-formed.”

Patience wasn’t exactly my strong suit, but there wasn’t much choice here. Still, I gave a small sigh of resignation and gestured for her to continue. “Alright, I’ll bite. Go on.”

Her gaze flicked to Netty and Nix, her expression softening as she regarded them. “Your friends here are unique. A creature of sol, smoke, and ash,” she said, nodding at Nix. “And the other of lunar, night, and shadow,” she continued, her focus shifting to Netty. “Each is a gift. And that both are bound to you is remarkable, to say the least.”

She made a small gesture toward Netty, and before I could react, the dragonet chirped and leapt from my shoulder. Her indigo light flared briefly as she flitted through the air, landing delicately on Alera’s outstretched arm.

“Hello, little one,” Alera cooed, her tone carrying an almost maternal warmth. “You are special, are you not? Why have you chosen him, I wonder?” She turned her eyes to me, her gaze as piercing as ever, though her voice remained soft.

Before I could respond, she shifted her focus to Nix, raising her other arm. The phoenix hesitated for a fraction of a second before leaving my shoulder as well, his fiery light trailing behind him like a comet. He landed on her other arm, his wings half-spread in a show of pride.

“And you, sir,” Alera murmured, addressing Nix now. “Oh my, you are fiercely proud, are you not? I offer you the same question: why have you chosen him?”

Her eyes darted back to me, and for a moment, the air felt heavy with expectation. I couldn’t hear or sense the conversation that seemed to be happening between her and my companions, but I could feel it. A faint hum pressed against my mind, a ripple of emotions just out of reach.

Jealousy flickered in my chest, unbidden and irrational. I shoved it aside, clenching my fists as I tried to focus on the scene before me.

Then something else happened. As Netty and Nix perched on Alera’s arms, I felt the world around me begin to shift. My vision dimmed, the vibrant clarity of the patterns I’d come to rely on fading like a dying ember. Shapes blurred, their edges smudging into indistinct outlines, until the only things I could clearly perceive were the three beings in front of me -their patterns shining faintly in the growing haze.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

I stumbled back a step, disoriented. “What the…?”

Understanding bloomed in my mind like a sudden spark. The connection I’d felt -the bond I shared with Netty and Nix- it wasn’t just a one-way street. They weren’t just companions. They were anchors, tethering me to this strange sight that had become so intrinsic to my understanding of the world.

When Alera spoke again, her voice was gentle but firm. “I see. And you may be correct, Declan. You are beginning to understand, I think.”

She raised her arms, and with a soft trill from Netty and a flicker of light from Nix, they both took flight, returning to my shoulders. The moment their claws touched me, the patterns snapped back into focus, brilliant and sharp as ever. It was as though someone had flipped a switch, restoring a vital part of me.

“Okay,” I said, still catching my breath. “So it has something to do with them. I get it. Sort of.”

Alera smiled faintly. “It is more than that, I believe. They tell me that you can see the Pattern of things. That you have the Sight. Without this ability, they would not have been able to offer you this boon.”

“Yeah…” I rubbed the back of my neck, still processing. “When we were traveling the Way, I could see these patterns of light. Everything had a pattern -like the whole place was stitched together out of threads.”

She nodded, her expression growing thoughtful. “Ah yes, you are indeed a Light Walker. Otherwise there would be no way for you to travel the Way. How fascinating. I have not encountered one such as you in over a myrioi.”

“A myrioi?” I repeated, furrowing my brow.

“Ten thousand of your human years,” she clarified, her tone unassuming, as though she hadn’t just dropped a temporal bombshell.

I let out a low whistle, trying to wrap my head around the idea. “Well, aren’t I just full of surprises,” I muttered, though my tone carried a faint edge of unease.

I didn’t realize that I was into cougars. Though she was more of a sabertoothed tigress.

Alera’s smile widened, her gaze lingering on me with a quiet intensity. “Indeed, young one. Indeed.”

“You look great for your age,” I said without thinking -the words slipping out before I could cut off my tongue to stop them. What am I doing, flirting with a dragon?

∞

“My mom always told me I was special,” I cracked a joke, aware it was wearing thin even for me, but the words tumbled out before I could stop them. Humor, after all, was my go-to defense mechanism.

“And she was right, young one,” Alera said, her tone calm yet piercing, as if she could see straight through me. “A Light Walker is one who can see the patterns of the universe. Their gifts are boundless. But…” Her voice trailed off, her gaze growing sharper, almost predatory. “You have been touched by something dark. Interesting indeed. Now I see why they have chosen you. Your nature calls to their natures, for you are of both the Light and the Dark. The Abyss sings through your being, but it is tempered by the Light of creation.”

I blinked, trying to process her words. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I dig it. I’m like you -yin and yang, black and white.”

Alera’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. “My dear boy, you are not like me. But you are not wholly incorrect in your understanding. We are alike in one way: the very uniqueness of our natures sets us apart.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy with implication. My brain was doing its best to keep up, but before I could even form a response, she tilted her head slightly, as if remembering something of the times long past.

“You said you were the Keeper of the University?” I asked quickly, eager to shift the focus from myself for a moment. “Like some sort of guardian or something? What does that mean? Are you able to let me in?”

She nodded, her enigmatic smile returning as she returned to studying me, her eyes glinting with an unreadable emotion. “Oh indeed, I may. And I believe I shall. I am pleased to have spared you. It would have been such a waste.”

I froze. “Uh… totally.” My voice cracked slightly, and I swallowed hard, unsure if she was joking or if I’d just narrowly avoided becoming dragon chow. With her, it was impossible to tell.

“Allow me to lift the Veil from your eyes, young one,” Alera said, stepping closer. Her presence was overwhelming -not threatening, exactly, but vast, like standing on the edge of a great chasm. “Though I suspect you may have been able to do so on your own, given time. As soon as you crossed the barrier, I was made aware of your presence. Instead of smiting you immediately, I chose to investigate.”

“Smiting, huh? Glad I made the cut,” I muttered, though the weight of her words wasn’t lost on me. I knew it! I was a hairs breadth away from being smoted!

She’d been watching, judging. That I was still here was nothing short of a miracle.

“Fortunate indeed,” she said, ignoring my remark. “You are remarkable, and your companions vouch for you. That is all the guarantee I need.”

Without waiting for a response, she stepped forward and placed her hand against my forehead. Her touch was cool, almost soothing, but then she exhaled a breath of pure energy directly into my face.

And of course that’s when I really did embarrass myself -prematurely, if you know what I mean.

Essence Drain Activated

Alera, Keeper and Guardian of the University [Ancient Feathered Dragon]

Essence Absorbed: Eternal Radiance

New Attribute Gained:

* Feathered Resilience: Infused with the protective aura of Alera, your defenses now shimmer with dragon-borne power. Incoming damage is partially converted into healing, and your aura inspires awe (or dread).

Ability Unlocked:

* Celestial Aegis: Summon a radiant shield of ethereal feathers that wards off attacks and bolsters nearby allies. For 10 seconds, all incoming damage is reduced by 50%. Cooldown: 3 minutes.

Partial Skill Unlocked:

* Wings of the Ascendant (Unlocked: 40%): Briefly manifest spectral dragon wings, granting flight and increased speed. (Duration: 10 seconds per use.)

Duration of Newly Acquired Abilities: Temporary.

Congratulations! Your connection to Alera has elevated you beyond mere mortals (and many immortals). Try not to let the newfound feathers get singed. You're not fireproof.

It was like standing in the heart of a wildfire. Heat surged through me, not burning but overwhelming, a tidal wave of sensation that forced my eyes shut. My mind flooded with light -patterns, colors, shapes- all spinning and shifting in ways that defied logic. For a brief moment, I felt as though I was seeing the universe itself unravel before me, threads of creation and destruction weaving together in a delicate, endless dance.

When the sensation ebbed, I opened my eyes cautiously, blinking against the brightness that greeted me. The world before me had transformed. The University grounds, hidden to me before, now stretched out in vivid clarity.

Gone was the vague shimmer of a heat haze. In its place was a sprawling expanse of architectural wonder. Towers of marble and obsidian spiraled into the sky, their surfaces etched with glowing runes that shifted and danced like living things.

Pathways of polished stone crisscrossed lush green lawns, leading to structures that ranged from ancient temples to sleek, futuristic halls. Students of all shapes, sizes, and species moved about, their chatter a lively hum that filled the air.

“Welcome to the University,” Alera said, her voice a warm whisper that somehow carried above the noise.

I turned to thank her, but she was gone. The spot where she’d stood was empty, the faint scent of gardenias and honey lingering in the air.

“And should your search bear no fruit,” her voice echoed faintly, though I couldn’t see her, “seek me out, for I may be of assistance. Should you so choose.”

“Alera?” I called, spinning in place, but she was nowhere to be seen. Her soft chuckle drifted on the wind, fading like smoke as I searched the area in vain. She never really answered my questions -not fully. Typical.

“Thank you!” I called out to the empty air, my voice louder than I’d intended. Several passersby, who I could only assume were students, turned to stare at me, their expressions ranging from mildly curious to outright amused.

I gave them a sheepish wave, feeling more than a little out of place. “Great first impression, Declan,” I muttered to myself. Netty cooed softly from my shoulder, and Nix gave an encouraging trill, their presence grounding me.

Whatever came next, I was in.