Soulburned: The School of Souls

Chapter 24: The Lesson Learned

Lyra retreated to the library. She paced quickly through the stacks, trying to calm herself. Her nerves were shot, so she sought solace in the quiet, dusty darkness of ancient tomes and scrolls.

She had debated climbing up to the small annex Libary she'd grown accustomed to, but her next class was in the base of the Tower. So, instead of being late to two classes today, she decided to spend her free period in the larger Main Library in the Iris base.

Unfortunately, the sheer scale of the Main didn't give her the same comforting feeling as her Annex.

Entity still hummed happily in her mind, too pleased with herself to acknowledge that what she had done was incredibly irresponsible and dangerous.

He's going to move me into an advanced class, Entity. I'm not ready for that! What were you thinking?!

You don't need to be ready, Lyra, you saw what I can do! At that was with the most basic of chalk circles! Imagine what I'll be able to do with a proper iron one! I was thinking about helping you get ahead! That was the deal, wasn't it?

Lyra ground her teeth. The spirit didn't understand.

Oh, I understand perfectly. Entity said, You want to keep me locked up in here, only letting me out when it's convenient or beneficial to you.

I thought you'd be helping me by teaching me, not just doing everything for me.

It's not fun, is it?

Lyra sighed.

What am I going to do with you?

Everything, Lyra. I'm not going back. I won't.

Lyra let her head fall against the shelf she was looking through and gently pounded her forehead against the books in frustration.

I'm not going to take you back there. I wouldn't even know how.

"Looking for somthing?" a male voice said behind her.

Lyra turned.

"Thale!"

Her mood lifted instantly at the sight of the young man, causing Entity to laugh quietly in the background of her mind.

In one hand, as always, The young Guardian held the Shrive Blade, its point pressed into the tiles like a walking stick. He seemed to be putting more weight on it than he usually did. Clutched in his other arm was a small stack of books. His eyes were sunk deep into his skull, creating deep purple rings under his eyes.

"Hey, Lyra. I didn't expect to run into you down here, you usually stick to the small Libary above the Summoner's Hall, right?"

"Well, yeah, but I have Intro to Combat in one of the courtyards in a few minutes."

"Really? Intro to Combat? You don't strike me as much of a fighter."

Lyra scoffed.

"It's mandatory now, but don't act so surprised! How do you think Declan got so good?" She pointed at herself, "Don't underestimate the wrath of a little sister!"

Thale laughed. It brightened his eyes. Lyra found herself momentarily lost in them.

"Maybe I'll stick around to watch, then." Thale chuckled.

Lyra's pulse quickened.

"No, I wouldn't recommend it." She said hurriedly, "The professor is Pistrol."

Thale grimaced.

"I'll pass, Pistrol isn't exactly the most tolerant when it comes to changes in his plan. A guardian wandering into this lesson would probably just set him off."

Thank the Void. Lyra thought. Intro to Combat was already embarrassing enough without her having to feel scrutinized.

"Do you need a hand with those?" Lyra asked as the silence grew too long. The books that Thale was carrying were balanced precariously in one hand.

Thale sighed.

"Yes, thank you."

Lyra took the books, allowing him to readjust his weight against the Sword. He grimaced, clearly favoring one leg over the other.

"You look awful," Lyra said.

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"I feel awful," Thale admitted, "It's this leg." he tapped the sword against his prosthetic, causing it to clink.

Lyra looked at the source of the unexpected noise.

"What's wrong with your leg?"

He pulled one of his pantlegs up, revealing a limb made of quickwood. The leg was inlaid with a dark material that seemed to pull light into it. Lyra found herself staring at the place where wood became thigh.

Something in Lyra's face must have betrayed her shock because Thale grimaced when he saw her expression.

"That bad, huh?"

"No!" Lyra said, "I've just, never seen a quickwood prosthesis before... I never would have expected them to be so... ominous. Have you had that this whole time?"

"No. It's new." He let the pantleg drop, "It's why I haven't made it up to the Annex for a few days... There's no teleport node on that floor, and the Spiral's a bit much for me at the moment. Here's fine."

He sat down at one of the Library's many benches. Lyra sat the books down beside him. The one on top caught her eye.

"No scripture today?" Lyra said, arching an eyebrow. "And here I thought you were well on your way to becoming a Deacon."

Thale laughed and took the top book into his hands.

"Well, if you were to ask Magnus, he'd tell you that I kind of already am." Thale shook his head. "Most Voidalists consider the Shrive Blades a holy relic. Just being bonded to it makes me akin to some sort of priest."

Lyra groaned.

"No offense, Thale, but I pity the poor souls that would have to turn to you for religious advice."

"Me too," Thale chucked, "Thus the subject change."

Lyra took a closer look at the book Thale had opened. She recognized the flowy diagrams immediately, it was one of the books she'd been studying.

"Introductory Logos Shaping?" She asked incredulously, "I know I said I needed a better study partner than Kreg... but I didn't expect you to leap at the opportunity! I haven't even posted the position as vacant!"

Thale looked embarrassed for a moment. His emotions were always splayed out on his face so plainly. Lyra liked that about him.

And then Lyra felt it.

OH MY! Entity said, Would you look at that! I haven't seen one of those in ages!

It was nearly imperceptible, but it was there. A tiny trickle of Logos had seeped out of Thale's palm. He was trying to turn the page of the book with it!

She started, bumping the table in shock.

Oh my... your friend here just became much more interesting, Lyra. Flirt harder. I need more information.

Lyra's face reddened slightly.

"It's just a gap in my theoretical knowledge." He said quickly, "Magnus told me that I need to branch out. That... that learning about other disciplines might help me wrap my head around this thing a bit more." He picked the Shrive blade up and shook it slightly for emphasis.

He's... embarrassed? About being a compounded soulmancer!? Lyra, I need you to touch him.

What!? I'm not going to just touch someone!

Entity weaseled her way into control of Lyra's body. She jammed a probe of Logos into a crack in Lyra's consciousness, and pushed it aside with ease, just as Lyra had done in Summoning class.

HEY!

Lyra was shocked, and more than a little concerned about how quickly and easily the spirit managed to dislodge her.

Enitiy placed a hand on Thale's forearm.

Thale jolted at the touch.

"You're doing that wrong." Entity said quietly, in a breathy, conspiratorial whisper.

Thale's eyes widened in shock, and he visibly swallowed.

"Doing what wrong?" he asked cautiously, staring at the hand she had rested on his arm.

Void, Entity! What are you doing?!

The spirit stretched out a thread of logos and turned the page of Thale's book.

Let me back in now!

Entity quite the voice in her head, turning Lyra's protestations into a mere buzz in her head.

"You've acquired more than just a shiny new leg, haven't you?" Entity said.

A woman walked up to the table. Her brown hair was pulled back into a bun. Entity noted the exposed Mage's mark on the woman's navel.

"Sylane!" Thale said brightly, pulling away from Entity.

Entity's heart dropped into her stomach on Lyra's behalf.

"There you are!" The woman said, "You got away from me. Who's this?"

"This is Lyra." Thale said, "Declan's sister."

"Oh! I didn't realize he had a sister." Sylane said, meeting Entity's eyes. "It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

"Are you ready?" Sylane asked Thale. "Marelda's not one to keep waiting."

Thale swore.

"Yeah... I guess I am."

Sylane reached out a hand for Thale to take, which he took. She pulled him to his feet.

"Alright. Well, it was nice seeing you Lyra." Thale said.

He and Lyra started walking away.

"Thale, wait!" Entity said.

Thale turned.

"Same time tomorrow?" Entity said, "I really do need a new study partner."

Thale looked Entity full in the face for a few moments, leaning slightly on Sylane for support.

"Sure, Lyra. I'll see you tomorrow."

Thale and Sylane left, his sword and prosthetic tapping out a strange rhythm as they walked.

Lyra wrenched back control once they were out of sight and earshot.

"How dare you!" Lyra hissed. "This is my body, Entity! You have no right."

I needed more information. I needed you to touch him so I could confirm.

That does not give you the right to just push me out of the way like that! You keep doing this! I can't trust you!

Lyra, it's fine, I just needed to-

Lyra slammed a mental wall between her and Entity, reducing the spirit's voice to a low buzz, just like what it had done to her just moments before. She knew that if Entity wanted to, she'd be able to dismantle the defensive measure in less than a heartbeat, but Lyra didn't care.

I guess you are teaching me things. Lyra thought bitterly.