—Aster - Night Before Graduation —

I stood in front of James’s house waiting for them to open the door. His house was a relatively nice-sized brick house, two stories high, with a two-car garage. The inside had a simple open floor-plan, with wood floors, and a nice sized kitchen. Normally, we would hang out in his living room and watch some crystal shows, or play games in his room. James's room was the one over the garage, so it was pretty big in size. I stood in the quiet thinking on the last weeks, letting out a big sigh knowing it was over, and the only thing left to do was relax with my friends.

James opened the door. “Hey! You're the first one here. Seven O’Clock right on time. I’m still getting things together. So you can help, or just chill till everyone else gets here.”

Walking inside. “I figured, I’d end up early. So what do you need help with?”

James pulled me into his garage and pointed at a big table. “This and a few other games. Gesturing to a few other scattered items in the garage.”

Confused, I asked. “Why so many? Wasn’t it just gonna be the five of us?”

“Welllll...That was the plan...But I thought it would be nice to invite people from my weapons class. Then Vi thought the same and it spiraled from there. So gonna have lots to do.” James looked a little sheepish mentioning that.

Normally, I didn’t like big gatherings, but for once I was kind of excited. I was alone for so long, this felt like something I needed. “Alright then.” I grabbed the other side of the table and we set everything up.

“Really? That's it?” James stared confused at me from his side of the table.

“Yeah?”

James just shrugged. “Huh, thought you’d at least be annoyed”

“Were you counting on that?”

“Not really. Was expecting something though.”

“Let's just say. I think it will be nice to have people around.”

We talked about nothing for the next half hour, catching up. He told me how he learned to wield a sword, how to carry it and draw it to not cut himself. He also explained, they let them learn the basics of any weapon that interested them. I was starting to realize how far behind I was. I told him of the spar and he agreed it was bullshit.

Then people began to arrive. I didn’t really talk with many of the people who showed. I just sat and enjoyed the atmosphere and food. It was late in the night when I went to get a drink when I overheard a conversation between James and Violet.

James was the first I heard, he sounded a little angry. “He’s coming with us.”

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“Why? We don’t know if he’s any good. Actually, we know he sucks.” Violet sounded frustrated.

James’s voice calmed, almost a placating tone. “That's just in fighting. He could be a great support role."

“He is still a liability. We don’t even know what class he's gonna take.”

“It doesn’t matter. We have no control over anyone's choice.”

“Can’t we nudge him?” Violet was pleading now.

“You can try but who knows what he’ll pick.” James sounded tired.

“Why do we have to have him again?” Violet asked annoyed.

James calmly spoke. “One, he’s our friend.”

“But Aster suuuuccckkksss.” Violet was almost whining at this point.

It felt like an arrow to the heart.

James continued as though Violet never spoke. “Two we need a 5 man team and everyone else has been taken”

There was a long silence before Violet spoke again. “You’ve looked?”

“…” James' silence spoke more than anything he could have said.

“So no one else?” Violet sounded dejected.

James didn’t acknowledge her at all and ended with. “He is part of the team.”

I felt the heat rise in my face hearing this. Looking over, I saw Bay had come over at some point, and by the look on her face, I could see she heard most of it. Breaking the silence I smiled. “Well...it’s true, none of you know what I’m able to do. And my track record does suck. But glad you don’t feel that way.” Raising my drink to Bay.

“Damn Straight.” Her response made me feel worlds better and let me enjoy the rest of the party. I think she would have stormed in there if I didn’t say anything. When the party wound down and everyone began leaving I made my way home.

I was in my room contemplating the next day. I was in a good mood, excited about graduation, and looking forward to the next day. When I tripped over my chair, sudden inexplicable rage gripped me, throwing my chair across the room. Tears began to form as I curled in a ball and cried. “I’m always going to be alone aren’t I?”When my mom came to check if I was alright from the sound of the chair hitting the wall. I could only reply with “I don’t think I am.”

— Present Day —

My mind caught back up to me. Tears flowed down my face that had nothing to do with the physical pain. This whole last year wore me down for so long. Even now the world is...just...so...heavy. I wonder if this will make me go mad? I looked around one last time around the room, covered in my blood. I hope they don’t charge me for the cleaning. A distorted gurgling chuckle came out of my torn throat, as a blue screen appeared in front of me.

Pathway Installation...Complete

Internal External Pathways have been created. Please install appropriate pathway controlling software.

For pathways to be fully integrated reboot is required.

Rebooting in 5...4...3...Reboot Paused.

Message for this specific software detected for the user. Will reboot once the message has been read by the user.

“We are sorry for what you have been through. We know the amount of pain was something that you may never truly recover from, but it was deemed necessary for our kind. We must be ready for any kind of pain, this could mean the difference between success or failure.

These pathways will allow you to use and control the skills you will in time learn. Once these pathways were created by each individual in their own unique ways. In time this led to many unforeseen issues and problems. We have since created this program to guide you on your initial journey. You will one day branch off creating your own pathways or enhancing what we have given you. Whichever path you take we hope you will keep moving forward and be amazing.”

Message Completed.

Message reading…….Complete.

Rebooting in 5...4...3...2...1...

The numbers counted down. My consciousness was finally fading. The message gave a lot of information that confused me, and I had questions. With my mind fading I felt they were hoping I would forget, but to the keepers with that. My mind grasped onto the information, memorizing it until I could get answers. The world grew grey, slowly darkening until finally, sweet blackness.