I lost consciousness almost immediately. I remember that woman mentioning her name and that was about it. Before this darkness was eerie and felt foreign but for some reason, now I felt almost attuned to it. There was a warmth engulfing me like a blanket. I somehow felt at peace. I opened my eyes to see an unfamiliar room. It had an art deco vibe with some planted vases in the far corner by the door. I was in a large and rather soft bed with black sheets. The light was on but dimmed. Clearly this place I was in had some sort of wealth. This is definitely no ordinary building.

I could feel my muscles ache but I saw no visible wounds when I checked my arms. My mind was clear and most of those thoughts I had before were long gone. Something about this unfamiliar room… felt nostalgic? How could that be?

Continuing to scan the room, I noticed a desk and chair with someone hunched over, sleeping on the desk. It took me a moment to notice, but it was the woman from before. Do I wake her? I think the polite thing to do is wait for her to awaken and thank her properly. I assume she was the one who brought me here.

With what I could muster, I sat up and just admired the room for what it was worth. For the first time in a long while I felt safe. I had no worries. No worrying about paying my next bill, fearing what was to come at work, wondering when my next meal would be… Nothing matters at this very moment. Am I free?

I looked up at the light, which was a very ornate chandelier. It had multiple rings of crystals spiraling about a central orb, which seemed to give off the light which was refracted from the orbiting crystals. I couldn’t help but ponder if I am still on Earth. All of this almost magical fantasy stuff is a bit hard to understand.

The door creaked open and a towering woman came walking in, sporting the same style of hair as the two of us. Her eyes glowed as well and she had an impressive set of plate armor on with medals adorning the breast. The edges also gave off a faint light and a long sword was at her side. She carried a staff that was very luxurious as well. It was a deep blue and white, and the entire weapon spiraled and at the tip was a set of orbiting crystals and orbs.

“Awake I see,” she said, with a commanding voice. “Feeling alright?”

The woman closed the door and leaned her staff against the wall before crossing her arms and looking at me.

“Sore, but I am alive,” I responded.

“Good. We need you in fighting shape and soon,” she vented. “This world threatens us all.”

“Apologies, but would you mind explaining… everything?” I asked, getting a rather expected reaction.

“Right. Mylia mentioned you passed out the moment she came to your aid,” the woman took a spare chair and spun it around with such mastery I assumed she did this often. I then realized Mylia was still passed out. “Such a worrywort that one is,” she said, obviously watching me eye Mylia.

“Yeah, that is about how it went.”

“So, I am Illestial, Star Oracle Commander,” she began. “There are three divisions of us Star Seekers. Those of my division, the Oracles, magically enhanced and gifted casters. Ser’s division is that of the Knights. Proud warriors who use their gifts to heroically face enemies head on. Lastly are the Weavers. They are mostly merchants by trade, but we have hired many to use their own gifts to craft special arms and armors for us.”

“So what am I?” I inquired.

“I can’t say. You need to be tested,” Commander Illestial replied, shifting about. “While I am a Commander, there is much I do not know and much the entirety of the Star Seekers still need to seek.”

“Mind if I ask about what it was I fought?” I asked, looking at my hands, remembering the fight vividly.

“The fact you had no arms or armor and came out alive, I would assume it was just a hollow,” she answered.

“Sorry, but what exactly is that?”

“I’ll be honest with you, I came in to check on you, not give a history lesson. I will let Mylia catch you up. When you feel up to it, let Mylia know you need to take the test, she will know what to do.”

With that said, the Commander took her leave, grabbing her staff and exiting the room. I glanced back at Mylia who was still fast asleep. Man, she is a really heavy sleeper, huh? What do I even do now? What sort of test is this? The equipment Illestial had compared to Mylia also is wildly different. I wonder if it is just because of the chain of command or if it is something those Weavers craft.

I felt anxious and wanted to get up and move about, but I figured I would bide time by just resting until Mylia woke. Examining my surroundings again, I was in awe at the design. It was very pleasing and something I am not used to with my lackluster apartment. Even just this room alone is nicer than anywhere I have stayed before. I heard Mylia yawn as I was admiring the room and turned my attention to her.

“You’re awake!” she exclaimed, rubbing her eyes and standing up with a stretch. Her robe was on the back of the chair and she had some simple linens on.

“Hello, thank you for saving me,” I said.

“It is our duty as Star Seekers!” she happily replied. “We are duty bound to protect what remnants of humanity still exist.”

“Commander Illestial was mentioning something about threats,” I said. “I suppose not everyone is like us then.”

“Oh! The Commander was in?” Mylia said, fixing her hair. I noticed her robe begin to move on its own and a sort of celestial owl rose from beneath it. It was in the shape of an owl… but transparent? Besides some light beams connecting to a variety of spots on its body.

“Such commotion…” The owl spoke?!

“Hello, Io!” Mylia said, gently patting the bird as it landed on the back of the chair.

“Greetings to you, Mylia,” Io replied, taking flight and hovering about. “Is this the one you were dragging?” the owl asked, flying close to me and seeming to gauge me up and down. “A Seeker alright, but of what vocation?”

“The Commander mentioned I need to take some sort of test,” I replied, trying to keep a bit more distance from the rather intimidating avian creature.

“Ah, of course. Do you think you are ready for it?” Mylia asked.

“I’m not even sure what that entails. What sort of test? Like a quiz or something physical, because I honestly am not feeling great,” I replied, rolling my shoulders and trying to test my own grip.

“Well we call it a test but it is more of an examination of your Stars,” Mylia answered. “Inside of us are special streams of Stardust that give us powers.”

“Is that what Commander Illestial meant when she talked about Knights and Oracles?” I inquired.

“Yes! I am an Oracle because my blue dust stream is enhanced. I use a sort of magical energy known as mana to use spells,” Mylia said while holding a hand out and creating a small orb of light. “Much of my power is in healing and light magic.”

“And they believe I have this too?” I questioned.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“You are a Seeker no doubt,” Io responded, flying back to Mylia’s shoulder. “Your hair and eyes are unmistakable. You are a Seeker. This test will verify whether you go down the path of a Knight or Oracle, or should you choose a Weaver.”

“I suppose that makes a little sense,” I nodded.

“Truly showing you would be the best way, but if you are not well, I am not keen on pushing you,” Mylia said, scratching Io’s wings. “You need rest.”

“I think it best to get my bearings and really learn who I am. Rest can come after that, no?” I asked, getting ready to try and move, feeling my aches and sores.

“To be truthful, no,” Mylia looked away, saying this.

“Once you are given a role, it is dutiful. You will serve the people of this world and your fellow Seekers. Rest won’t come frequently, but there will be some. I would advise resting until you feel tip top,” Io explained. “Should you die, the world loses a hero. Resting simply prepares you to go out and do your duty.”

“I felt a warmth, a drive in my body I had never felt before during my fight with that hollow. My body will need conditioning and I will need to grasp what exactly being a Seeker is, but I know in my heart and mind that I need to learn what my role in all of this is. I came from nothing but hearing now I have a chance to become something that invigorates me,” I said, rolling to the side and standing, with the help of the bed's backboard. Mylia tried to come assist me standing but I did so on my own. “Please take me to this test, Mylia.”

“O-oh… yes of course.”

“Think this through…” Io commented. “This is no game.”

“From the sounds of it, I am needed,” I responded. “I can’t think, I need to act.”

“A premature death won’t be helping anyone. You need to understand this. Heroism in the face of adversity is honorable but there is to be no honor in death. We need you alive,” Io began. “There is no replacement for any Seeker besides another, but at the rate they are found and rescued is becoming more and more slim.”

“I am blessed I have had Io since I awoke,” Mylia said, pulling the owl in close. “My own little angel.”

“Please, Mylia…” Io groaned.

“I am determined to see this through. My previous life held no meaning, but I am prepared to make this life count,” I heroically stated. “Please, take me to this test.”

“Alright. It was the Commander’s order afterall. Follow me,” Mylia said, heading toward the door as she donned her robe.

Outside of the room was a hallway, much like the interior of the room, had an art deco design. Lots of black and gold etchings all over and elegant patterns on the carpet leading down the hall. There were several dozen doors that stretched like a hotel floor. Each is identical besides the room numbers. We reached the end and Mylia took out a sort of keycard from her pocket and a hum affirmed when she placed it against a pad. The large obsidian looking door unfolded and Mylia and Io entered. I followed, getting into the small elevator.

Not much in the way of conversation as we went up about ten floors before the doors opened. Mylia was first out with Io fluttering back to her shoulder. I was right behind the two and this area was a much smaller lobby. Only one person, wearing a rather fancy black and gold tuxedo sat behind a black marbled desk. He was typing away on a machineless computer. It was just a projection in front of him, yet I couldn’t seem to make any of it out. He adjusted his glasses as he noticed us and stopped his work.

“Mylia, good to see you. Hello to you as well, Io,” the man said, with a calm voice.

“Hello, Aldell,” Mylia greeted the man in turn, walking up to the desk. There was nothing more than a light in the center of the room and a pair of dark leather couches across from the desk with a small glass coffee table between them.

“This the new arrival I would presume,” he asked, cupping his hands on the desk.

“Yes, this is…” Mylia said, pausing. “Uh…” she paused again, turning to face me.

“I am Clexx,” I introduced myself, with a small bow, which was not much more than nodding my head and slightly dropping my shoulders.

“Great to meet you, Clexx. I am a Weaver. Not sure how much has been explained to you, but I think the history lessons can come after your test. Was it explained at all to you?” Aldell asked me.

“I know it is what will determine my vocation.”

“Quite. The purpose is to see what side you will fit the best in. Knights and Oracles can fight together in pairs, but they must be with a counterpart. Knights can not fight together nor Oracles. It is some sort of interference with their innate abilities. And we Weavers do not involve ourselves with the conflicts. We are tradesmen.”

Aldell began to do some things on his computer. We stood there patiently while he worked out what needed to be done. I looked at a few of the portraits on the wall. I recognized Commander Illestial. If I was to guess, the others were other Commanders, and maybe Ser that was mentioned before. While I admired the pictures, Mylia began to wander about. Io went and sat on the desk, seeming to help Aldell.

“Well, the bulk of it is done. I will finish the rest upon completion of your test. Feel free to escort him please, Mylia,” Aldell said.

“I will remain with Sir Kincaid,” Io added.

“Okay!” Mylia turned to me, happy clapping. “Follow me!”

I was led across the room to a door similar to the elevators. It opened as we approached. Inside was a small room with a few chairs overlooking a smaller glass encased area with an orb on a very elegant looking golden podium. It had beautiful craftsmanship, with three hands holding the orb and a stretching group of golden crystals floating about. I looked to Mylia for directions.

“Go ahead and head into the room. There is a small entrance right over there,” Mylia pointed out. The room was a bit dim and seeing a glass door that perfectly fit its frame made it hard to make out. I did as instructed and entered the room. There was a faint chill and I felt very nervous. Approaching the shrine I began to feel that light again like I did before.

“Hold on just a moment please,” I heard Aldell’s voice over an intercom I could not make out. I looked around and noticed all of the glass was one way. Everything was dark. “Commander Illestial is on her way to witness.”

So with that said, I awkwardly waited. I could almost swear the orb spot or murmured. I tried to ignore it but I felt warmth coming from it as well. Was this thing trying to call me? Is this the test? To listen to this orb? I sort of fidgeted a bit on the spot, feeling like every second I waited in here was an eternity.

“Proceed to touch the orb,” I heard Commander Illestial command.

“Yes, ma’am,” I replied, walking slowly up to it. A deep humming in my body and warmth was quick to fill me. An unexplainable calmness took me over even though I knew I was anxious. I placed my right hand on the orb and felt a connection. My vision went bright and I could hear voices speak in a language I didn’t understand. Visions passed around my head so quickly I had no way of seeing them or deciphering anything happening. In my trance all I heard was a single phrase from a mystical voice.

‘Seek’

With that I was brought back to reality. I held my head, the entire experience being almost religious. Nothing I had ever done or felt in my life could compare to that. It took me a moment to even realize someone was talking to me.

“Please come see me, Clexx,” Aldell’s voice called out.

I left the room and made my way back with Mylia to Aldell’s room. Commander Illestial was nowhere to be seen. I still was trying to bring those visions back or try to figure out what was being said.

“Hello again,” Aldell said, working away. Io was pouring over the screen as if fixated on something.

“Did I pass?” I asked outwardly.

“There is no failing, as I said it is called a test but it is mostly just seeing your balance,” Mylia reassured me.

“Correct, and…” Aldell trailed off. “Io, what do you make of this?”

“A moment please,” Io hooted.

“These readings…” Aldell rubbed his chin, placing his glasses about.

“Did you hear anything, Mr. Clexx?” Io called out, still beak to projection.

“Just to seek,” I quoted.

“Seek?” Io and Aldell both questioned looking to one another.

“Same as mine…” Mylia said, seeming to get lost in thought.

“What does that mean, I am an Oracle?” I questioned.

“No, it means you are at balance. Mylia chose to be an Oracle. You are very VERY rare in terms of Seekers,” Aldell commented. “You both are truly miracles.”

“Then…?” I trailed.

“What do you want to be?” Aldell laughed. “Your power is weak but has the potential to become the strongest there is.”

I looked at Mylia. If she chose to be an Oracle…

“I wish to be a Knight,” I stated.

“Brilliant,” Aldell said. “Then I give thee claim.” Aldell stood up and came to me, extending a hand. I took it.

“Welcome to the Star Seekers, Star Knight Clexx.”