Olly Briggs
Olly lay in his dorm room staring at the ceiling and reflecting on the events of the last day. When they had been rescued they had all been sent to the hospital to be checked over. No one from the Conductors’ Headquarters had received anything more than minor injuries. He had been deeply relieved to see Sarah walk out of the chamber where everyone had been held though he was very upset to see the way she winced as she walked.
She mirrored that relief in kind when she saw him. “Oh thank goodness!” she said breathlessly, holding onto a seemingly injured side.
He let her lean on him as they were escorted out of the building. They noticed Odette was being consoled by one of the full-fledged Conductors and let out twin sighs of ease.
“She did brilliantly,” Sarah confessed as they walked.
“She was ready to fight to the death by the time I made it over,” he admitted. Impressed though he was, he was still horrified by how close to death she had come. And how close that he was to witnessing it.
After receiving medical attention they were called into individual questioning. This was being taken very seriously as far as Olly could tell and he couldn’t help but feel intimidated as they grilled him on what he saw, where he was, and what he did. They were particularly interested in his actions near the end and he saw no reason to lie. There had been witnesses who would undoubtedly give their side of the story so he told them exactly what he experienced. He worried that he may be on the hook for the damages to the building, but this was without a doubt not the time to ask those questions. When there were no further follow-up questions they had been escorted back to the Academy and he gratefully collapsed onto his bed.
He had come back to several missed calls and with a pang of guilt he remembered that his uncle was no doubt waiting on the edge of his sanity to hear back from him. Admittedly, in the chaos, Olly had scarcely thought of his uncle. Knowing that he was likely safe had probably been enough to keep Olly focused on the task at hand. However, now that he was back to relative safety he craved the comfort of family.
He dialled the familiar number and Eli picked up before the end of the first ring.
“Hello?” Eli’s voice demanded desperately.
“It’s me,” Olly said, feeling like a weight was lifted off his chest as he heard his uncle's voice.
Eli seemed to let out a ragged sigh. “I… Are you okay? I was told that everyone made it out but... I needed to hear from you myself.”
Olly swallowed thickly. “Yeah,” he said softly, “I’ll be okay.”
Classes were canceled for the remainder of the week and a memorial for Alzira and her fallen Guild members was to take place tomorrow morning. Following that, they would be permitted to go home. A car was booked for him tomorrow morning. The Academy did not want to risk their students mingling with the general public in the wake of the attacks on the Guilds therefore unchaperoned travel was out of the question.
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The mourners gathered in solemn silence in the common hall of the Academy. The long tables that ran the length of the room had been removed and replaced with rows of smaller benches. Visiting dignitaries and politicians filled in the first several rows, while guild members and students, all clad in full uniform, filled in the remaining space.
At the front of the hall stood Grandmaster Abigail Garcia. She cut a striking and dignified figure. Her eyes, usually bright with determination, now glistened with unshed tears as she stood at the podium to honor the memory of her fallen fellow Grandmaster. Franklin and Oleg sat behind her; one vacant seat represented where Alzira would have sat. Her picture had been carefully placed on the throne-like chair that was now adorned with flowers.
"Esteemed friends, fellow guild members, and citizens," Abigail’s voice resonated through the hall, commanding attention without effort. "Today, we gather not only to mourn the loss of a great leader but to celebrate the enduring legacy left by a soul extinguished far too soon. We also pay our respects to our fallen fellows who gave the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the lives of others."
She spoke with heartfelt sincerity, and Olly couldn’t help but feel emotional at the speech. He wasn’t the only one in the room who felt that way; sniffles and sobs were breaking out all around him. He hadn’t known Alzira or the other deceased personally but his feelings went beyond just empathizing with those who knew her. After seeing Abigail during the attack on the Conductors’ Guild Headquarters he knew Alzira would’ve behaved the same way. They were both people who stood ready to defend their guild fellows to the very end.
"Alzira stood as a beacon of unity in a time of division, a champion of justice in an era riddled with political turmoil. She was dedicated to her Guild and stood with them until the very end, ensuring that as many souls were evacuated as possible before succumbing to her injuries."
The Controllers that he could see in the crowd looked devastated. It appeared that she had been a very popular Guild leader and that losing her would be a huge blow to their morale.
Abigail paused, her gaze sweeping over the faces before her. He felt her make brief eye contact with him before moving on. "Let us not forget the sacrifices made for our cause. It speaks volumes about the resilience of our Guilds. Though cowardly forces sought to silence us, they failed to extinguish the flame of passion so well-worn by our departed friends."
"I knew Alzira personally after working alongside her for so many years. She leaves behind a legacy that transcends political boundaries and petty disputes," Abigail continued, her voice thick with emotion. "However, her death should strengthen our resolve to do what is right, not what is easy. It should emphasize that the Guilds are a family and that we need to protect our own."
As the echoes of her words lingered in the hall, Abigail bowed her head in a moment of silent tribute. The attendees followed suit, a collective gesture of respect and remembrance for the fallen Grandmaster and guild members.
With quiet determination, Abigail concluded, "My dear friend’s spirit shall endure in our collective resolve to forge a better future. Let us stand united, guided by the principles she held dear, and together, let us continue the noble pursuit for which she so valiantly fought. As we move forward into the future we will empower the next leader to continue her ideals and motivations, however today we merely stand to remember her. To the family and friends of the other fallen, we stand with you in your grief. This senseless act of violence will not be forgotten, nor will it go unpunished."
Olly couldn’t help but feel bad for the incoming Grandmaster, whoever they would end up being. Replacing someone like Alzira in times of conflict would undoubtedly be a daunting task.
They were released at the end of the memorial and he walked with Sarah and Odette in a companionable silence back to their dorms to pack.
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After an eventful several weeks away at the prestigious Academy, it was jarring for Olly to return to his home in the sixteenth borough. As he stepped out of the car he couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia mixed with apprehension. The streets seemed narrower, the houses smaller, and the once-familiar faces passing by felt like strangers in a distant memory.
He ascended the steps to his childhood home and let himself in. Despite himself, he couldn't shake the sensation of being an outsider in his own home. Hearing the door open, Eli dashed down the stairs.
“Welcome back, kid!” he greeted warmly, wrapping Olly in a fatherly embrace.
Olly returned it gratefully.
Dinner that night was filled with eager inquiries about Academy life. Olly’s recent experiences made it feel like they were living in two different worlds, however, one thing they could both agree on was the horror of the terror attacks on the Guilds.
“How are you doing?” Eli asked seriously and the conversation took on a sombre tone.
Olly shrugged. He was okay enough, shaken up but otherwise unharmed. “I’m fine. It’s just scary how the people are turning on us.”
Eli sighed. “What’s the sense at the Academy? Have there been any changes?”
“Yes, they are going to instate a new Grandmaster for the Controllers’ Guild. And they’re increasing security around the Academy and the Guild Headquarters.”
Eli frowned and fell silent. He looked somewhat pained.
“I am… sorry,” he finally said, “I fear for what comes next."
“What does this mean for the rest of the world?” Olly asked concernedly, “I feel like my place in it keeps being called into question.”
Eli looked away. “The political realm and the Guilds are machines. They put the institution first and the people second. But the public is always its own beast and I am concerned about the response. The Guilds will use this to try and strengthen their position and the political side will reciprocate in kind. It’s going to get ugly. I had hoped to squirrel you away somewhere safe but I fear I’ve delivered you to the wolves.”
Olly frowned. “So you don’t believe the Academy is safe?”
Eli didn’t respond immediately. He rubbed at his jaw as if deliberating his next words very carefully.
“What?” Olly asked suspiciously.
“I think you should withdraw from the Academy,” he confessed quietly.
Olly looked at him incredulously. “Withdraw? Are you serious?”
Eli looked at him. “I am, I don’t believe it’s a safe place for you.”
Olly shook his head in disbelief. “I’m not leaving. I’m not running away from what happened to me!”
“Listen, I was wrong. I was wrong, kid. I shouldn’t have pushed you to this point. It’s not running away, we can start over somewhere new.”
“Just… no. I’m not doing that,” Olly said dismissively, ignoring the fury that was creeping into his heart.
“Could you please just listen to me?” Eli pleaded.
“No!” Olly shot back, “I’ve listened to you for the better part of the year and it brought me here, and now you want me to listen to you again just so that you can undo it all. It’s not happening!”
Eli sighed heavily and seemed to deflate on himself. “Fine… fine. I have to go to Hijinks,” he got up suddenly and Olly realized that Eli knew he had lost control of the narrative.
“Alright,” Olly shrugged, not wanting to give him anything.
“It’s, uh, not much these days but you’re welcome to swing by if you’d like. Just don’t be too surprised by it all,” Eli said in a small voice.
He left without another word, leaving Olly behind to seethe at the conversation. As the door shut behind his uncle Olly grabbed the glass that he had been drinking from and hurled it as hard as he could at the opposite wall.
Chest heaving, he wrestled with conflicting feelings; guilt, anger, sorrow. They all flooded his mind and clouded his senses. He mindlessly cleaned up the mess he made and afterwards decided to go for a walk to try and clear his thoughts.
Olly didn’t immediately go to Hijinks and instead strolled down the familiar streets, noticing some subtle changes; a popular grocery store was undergoing renovations to update its facade, and a new park was being built. However, the faces of neighbors he once knew so well were now unfamiliar. He even encountered Leroy, coming face to face with him on the street. Olly may have once walked quickly by him and attempted to avoid conflict but instead found he felt nothing towards the young man. Leroy instead eyed him warily but merely gave him a curt nod and said, “Briggs,” before walking away.
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Olly looked at Leroy's retreating back and realized he had evolved in ways that distanced him from the community. With a tinge of bittersweet nostalgia, he accepted that he had outgrown the comfortable confines of familiarity and needed to navigate a new path, one that embraced the changes he underwent at the Academy, even if it meant feeling like an outsider in a place he once called home.
He found himself in front of Hijinks, and after taking a deep breath to steady himself, he entered the games room. It was a place where he used to spend countless hours, and despite his uncle’s warning he still expected a sense of belonging. Instead, he found himself nodding politely at the barman, and feeling immediately out of place.
Olly walked down to the basement and stopped outside his uncle’s office.
“Enter,” he heard Eli say before he even knocked at the door.
He let himself in and looked around. The office was the only thing that didn’t feel different and that brought him a small amount of comfort. Eli looked up at him with an unreadable expression on his face as he walked in.
“I shouldn’t have said that to you,” Eli admitted, butting out the last of a cigarette.
“I know you just want to keep me safe,” Olly conceded with a sigh.
“Even still, it was short-sighted and needlessly upsetting,” Eli shrugged.
“What are you afraid of?” Olly asked simply.
“I’m afraid of you getting hurt because of me.” It was slightly cryptic but Olly didn’t look too far into the meaning.
“I don’t intend to put myself in danger. And I don’t think either of us can control what’s happening out there,” Olly said quietly.
“Perhaps that’s true, but I need you to stay as far away from the fray as possible. Just understand there may come a time when I have to pull you away. Please trust me when that time comes.”
Olly didn’t know what to say. “I do trust you,” he whispered finally.
“Good. And just remember, Abigail is in your debt and you have something that’s of interest to her. Don’t sacrifice that kind of power,” he advised.
“I won’t,” Olly agreed quietly, wrestling with conflicted feelings.
Eli looked as conflicted as Olly felt. "I hope that what little influence I have may provide any protection it can afford.”
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Later that evening, they watched as the Mayor gave his public address in response to the attacks.
“Today, we stand united in grief and disbelief as we mourn the tragic loss of a remarkable leader. Grandmaster Alzira Silves’ untimely departure from this world is not just a loss to her Guild but a blow to the very essence of our shared humanity.”
Olly stole a glance at Eli as he watched the address intently. He never did ask what became of their friendship after the unannounced visit.
“Alzira and I did not always find ourselves in alignment, however, that does not mean that we didn’t enjoy a constructive and respectful relationship. While we occasionally disagreed on political matters it should never be forgotten that she always had my utmost respect. We shared a bond founded on mutual esteem, understanding, and a common goal to serve our people and to better our society.”
“The condemnable act of senseless violence that took Alzira from us was an assault on our brothers and sisters of the four major Guilds. Alzira's legacy cannot be tarnished by the cowardly act of a few who seek to sow discord and division among us. Instead, let us honor her memory by reaffirming our commitment to unity, tolerance, and peaceful discourse. Let us rise above the petty squabbles of partisanship and stand together, hand in hand, in solidarity against such senseless violence.”
Olly frowned. While the Mayor did appear to be speaking sincerely, it did carry the same message as Abigail’s memorial speech. Both spoke of political turmoil. However, his uncle’s most recent warning of things getting ugly weighed heavily on his mind. Did they intend to bury the hatchet and work together? He hoped so based on the way they were speaking. But it seemed like his uncle didn’t think it was the case.
“As we grieve, let us also seek justice. Let the perpetrators of this abhorrent act know that we will not cower in the face of their violence. We will work tirelessly to ensure that justice prevails, and that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. Rest assured that we will find them and they will be brought to justice. I will personally be lending my support to the Controllers’ Guild as they seek to move forward from this senseless act of violence. I will also be providing my support to the other three Guilds and their Grandmasters, should they wish to accept it.”
“In closing, I urge us to move forward together as a society. We cannot stand divided as a world and we must take immediate actions to repair the gaps between us.”
Eli turned off the television.
“That seemed pointed,” Olly noted.
“It was,” Eli confirmed.
“By the way, did anything else happen after the brick? There's been no other attacks here, right?” Olly wondered if his uncle had heard about his little ‘episode’ right before he left for the Academy.
If he had, he didn’t let anything on. “No, nothing.”
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The remainder of his time was spent relaxing and lightly studying. He didn’t leave the house much at all and slowly began to feel at home again. His uncle didn’t press not returning to the Academy and Olly was grateful for that, though it left him feeling conflicted as ever before.
It was only two days before he was set to return when a thought occurred to him while he was lounging on the couch studying. He remembered back when he had his first magical outburst that his uncle had brought him to the Reader, Lola. She had spoken then of an internal conflict and confusion around his magical abilities. It seemed like more than ever before his life was riddled with conflicts and inconsistencies. Perhaps talking to a neutral third party would help clarify things. He immediately got up and grabbed his coat.
Eli was at Hijinks and he didn’t feel the need to drag him into this one. It felt like something he needed to do on his own. He knew he didn’t have to ask permission to leave the house, though he was very aware the Academy would not want him to take risks. Still, he was compelled to try and assuage some of his growing fears.
He didn’t know how to contact her but he did remember the way. Hopefully, a drop-in would be acceptable. Using a few tunnels it wasn’t a far walk and before long he found himself standing outside her office. It was located in an inconspicuous row of businesses making up the lower level of an older apartment building. It didn’t look particularly open but the door was unlocked and he let himself inside.
There was a small unoccupied waiting room and a vacant front desk. “Hello?” he asked.
It was possible she already had a client and he was disturbing them. He took a seat, feeling slightly embarrassed about his plan.
The front door opened and he whirled around to see her enter.
She gave him a coquettish smile. “I felt that I might have an unexpected visitor today. Something’s troubling you.”
It was a statement, not a question.
“Yes, erm, sorry to disturb you and drop in like this. I was home from school and thought that I should come talk to you,” he confessed.
“Don’t worry, no one ever plans to talk to me, it just happens. Why don’t you come inside with me?”
She led him to the same office he had visited months earlier with his uncle. He was once again surprised at how minimalist her aesthetic was.
“You didn’t bring your uncle with you this time,” she stated.
“No, I’m here for me.” He took a seat on the cream pouf that was placed at the same low table he had sat at before.
“I adore your uncle but I do prefer solo readings. It’s more intimate and freeing.” She sat on the pouf opposite him.
“Oh, I, uh, have money. I’m paying this time,” he offered awkwardly.
She smiled. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell him.”
He was relieved that she got his meaning.
“Now, first things first. How are you feeling about your choices?” she asked, getting right into it.
“Honestly I’ve never felt more secure in my choices, it’s everything else that seems crazy these days,” he grimaced.
“There have been several large disruptions, it’s true. The world feels like it’s slowly unraveling,” she spoke so casually as if she was discussing the weather.
His heart thumped. “That doesn’t sound like a good thing.”
“Disruptions can be good or bad but they are often necessary for growth. How do you feel about the Academy?”
He wondered how she knew. Maybe someone told her, maybe she ‘read’ it off him, but he felt no need to hide it.
“It’s hard. Sometimes I feel like I’m fitting in and other times I feel like an outsider. The same thing that makes me different either causes people to bend over backwards to help me or causes them to reject me. And then I come back here and realize it’s the same thing. I don’t belong here or anywhere,” he felt slightly embarrassed to hear himself confessing his concerns.
“Do you want to belong to the status quo?” she asked sagely.
He thought of people like Franklin. “Honestly, not really. I want to be accepted for who I am now.”
“I remember last time that your magic was a source of conflict for you. May I see it again?” she asked kindly.
He hesitated. “Last time you said I wouldn’t hurt you and I did.”
“Barely. But I sense that your control has grown slightly.”
She placed her palm face down and he lifted his face up to hover just beneath hers. Her hand began to faintly glow golden and he closed his eyes. He could see it clearly in his mind’s eye. It was disembodied and the glow was much stronger. He focused on his hand and felt it get warmer as it too came to life with a golden glow. Tiny threads of gold sparked between their hands as if exchanging information.
“Fascinating, isn’t it?” she asked, though he was shocked to realize he was hearing it in his mind.
“What is it exactly?” he asked out loud, eyes still closed.
She chuckled in his head. “It’s in the atmosphere and all around us. Everyone interacts with it without even knowing but not everyone gets the chance to awaken this power. Right now we’ve just established a connection that lets me see more clearly into the source of your discord. You’re not fighting me this time, which is nice to see, but ethically I should tell you that you can close the connection at any time.”
“I understand,” he said, feeling slightly nervous.
“Don’t be afraid. Now, I see you have worries about trust and how you should place that trust. You need to follow your gut and go with what you feel is right. As long as you listen you won’t be led astray.”
“Easier said than done,” he said wryly.
“Yes, it is," she agreed, "Though I think you're good at standing your ground and asking the right questions. Nobody can guarantee that they won't ever be fooled but at the same time it's a valued skill to learn to trust yourself."
He frowned but didn't have anything further to say.
"From the first time we spoke I could tell there was something different about you, and it’s still there. You are unique in ways I can’t fully articulate. Several people are interested in this and not all of them are your friends,” she warned.
“I don’t suppose you can tell me who?” he asked worriedly.
“I cannot. They’re not here for me to assess one-by-one but I want to impress on you that you need to be mindful of how you show your abilities. You may not have a choice at times, but there are some who would use you for their own gain.”
This concerned him. Though he didn’t know anyone's motives he wondered for a split second if his uncle was onto something about not returning to the Academy.
“I do want to emphasize that you need to establish your own path,” she confirmed as if reading his thoughts.
He breathed a sigh of relief. In a lot of ways, she wasn’t telling him anything different than his uncle’s warning to be careful.
“Not everyone is a friend, right?” he asked cautiously.
“No, and you need to pay careful attention to who those people might be. I’m not there to do it for you so you need to maintain mindfulness and awareness. Do you have any questions for me now?”
He paused. “Do I have a future as a Conductor?”
She remained silent and he could hear the blood rushing in his ears.
“No,” she said finally and he felt his heart sink, “But your future will be something entirely of your own making. This is a gift.”
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He walked home slowly, considering everything they had discussed. He wasn’t any clearer on anything but he did see a lot of value in what she said.
It was getting late and while he knew he wouldn’t beat his uncle home, he did want to avoid roaming in the dark for much longer. Heeding an earlier warning that the sixteenth had changed since he left, he picked up his pace. From the corner of his eye, he thought he saw someone lurking in the shadows.
Calmly, he looked over his shoulder, attempting to look unafraid.
He saw no one and casually turned to look ahead once more. Not wanting to appear jumpy, he didn’t break his stride or rush his gait. He merely continued his trek through the last tunnel of his walk.
No one followed and no one was on the other side so he decided he had been seeing things. However, as he passed an alleyway he saw a figure from the corner of his eye. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as he suddenly had the sensation of being watched.
He was too close to home to feel comfortable running because they would know where his uncle lived. Instead, he removed his hands from his pockets and flexed them, preparing to fight. He continued to walk and was aware of two sets of footsteps keeping pace behind him. Olly felt the tug deep inside him that told him his body was ready to wield magic. His hands began to feel warm and he knew they were beginning to bear a faint golden glow.
Lola’s earlier words rang in his mind. She had cautioned him on showing his abilities. “Dammit,” he thought to himself, gritting his teeth.
He stopped in his tracks and whirled around, and the two figures tailing him also stopped. He couldn’t see them from this distance and their faces were obscured by nightfall. He let them see his hands but did nothing except shout, “Leave me ALONE!”
They exchanged a glance and for a moment no one moved. However, without another word, they turned on their heels and walked away.
He stood in place, heart threatening to beat out of his chest, as he watched them disappear into the night. When he was certain he was alone he broke out into a run. He reached his house and slammed the door behind him, locking it and drawing the blinds to obscure any views of inside the house. When he was satisfied no one could see him he dove for the couch; feeling his whole body shaking violently.
He didn’t move until his uncle came home much later that night and when questioned he merely said he fell asleep on the couch waiting up for him.