Chapter Fourteen: Thirteen Banners
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Jace and Dex stepped outside, joining the stream of freshmen flowing through the campus grounds. As they walked, Ell appeared beside them, seemingly out of nowhere.
“Still here, huh?” Ell said with a smirk, directing her comment at Dex. “I swear, Dex, I’m going to start a pool on how many times you can dodge getting kicked out of here before you earn your fourth star.”
Dex laughed. “I’m a master of survival, Ell.”
Ell grabbed Dex's arm as a surge of the crowd pushed them ahead. Jace struggled to keep up, weaving through the mass of students.
“We’ll catch up with you later!” Ell called out over her shoulder as they were swept further in the current of the crowd.
Jace slowed his pace, glancing around. He looked for Alice, but she was still nowhere to be found.
The courtyard plaza was a tapestry of colors and textures, blending smooth marble tiles with rough cobblestones, all illuminated by glowing amber orbs set high in ornate lamps. The fountain at its center was a glittering spectacle, with streams of water arcing gracefully into the air and cascading down in an endless, mesmerizing cycle. Moonlight filtered through the droplets, making them shimmer like precious jewels.
But the true marvel of this fountain wasn't its size or intricate design but the statue at its heart; a magnificent sculpture of Aphrodite, carved from pure white marble. The goddess of love stood poised, leaning forward with a seductive grace, her bare breasts exposed as she washed her hair. The water flowed over her smooth, flawless form, accentuating every curve and adding a touch of ethereal beauty to her already captivating presence.
The chatter of students mixed with the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze. Aphrodite’s mischievous eyes seemed to tease the viewer with an enigmatic allure that hinted at secrets only the most daring could uncover.
As Jace looked around, he caught the eye of a woman in the distance staring in his direction. Her long, wavy hair shimmered like spun gold, and her piercing blue eyes locked onto his. She smiled, a fleeting but radiant smile that made his heart skip a beat. He tried to wave subtly, and she giggled. He could swear it sounded like wind chimes in the distance. She made a follow-me gesture with her hands. Jace couldn’t believe it. He looked around quickly to make sure she was actually gesturing to him. But when he turned back, she was gone, leaving him momentarily breathless and confused.
"Nymphs, my man," a deep, masculine voice said. Jace turned, but no one was speaking to him.
"Down here," the voice insisted. Jace looked down to see a short gnome standing beside him, wearing a tall blue hat adorned with silver beads. Jace took a step back, grateful he hadn't accidentally stepped on the small figure.
The gnome grinned, revealing a set of perfectly white teeth. "Nearly impossible to catch, those nymphs. Nearly. But I'm still hopeful."
Jace blinked, trying to process what he was seeing. "Who—?"
"The name’s Thistle, Society of Ares," the gnome interrupted, extending a hand.
Jace hesitantly took it, a thought striking him. “Hey, I don’t mean to be rude, but are you…” He let the sentence hang for a few uncomfortable seconds, then leaned in to whisper, “real?”
Thistle laughed heartily. “You mean, do I have to take a piss when I log out? Yeah. But I’d be careful about tossing that word around. Better to use Traveler for players and Citizen for the locals. Rumor has it the AI doesn't like the real/not-real distinction. Besides, what’s real, really? It’s all subjective, my man.”
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Jace shrugged and nodded to his point. “Oh, sorry. I’ll keep that in mind,” Jace said.
“Don’t sweat it. I made the same mistake a bunch of times in my first year. It’s my second year here, but I had some… complications come up out of game last years and didn’t get to advance. So, I’m taking the first year again.”
Jace nodded, “I’m Jace.”
“I know. It’s on your name tag.”
Jace looked down, startled, but saw nothing. Thistle chuckled.
“Not that type of name tag. Only the faculty can see it. I can see it because I’m one of the Faculty Aides, assigned to help the noobs.” He reached out and tapped something in the air in front of Jace’s chest. “Says on your profile you’re here on scholarship. Gotta say, don’t see too many of you around. Golden ticket winner, huh? Must have been pretty impressive on your entrance exams. Never seen a full ride before.”
Jace nodded slowly, still somewhat dazed by the encounter with the nymph, when trumpets blared.
“Oh, it's about to start.” Thistle looked forward.
The students gathered around the fountain. Advancing toward the centerpiece was the same girl in the purple dress who had introduced them to the grounds. Was it Demi? Jace was going to need to keep a log or something of everyone’s name.
She stepped into the middle of the fountain’s flowing waters, instantly drenching her from head to toe and making her dress cling to her body. She kept her face focused, seeming not to notice the effect she was having on much of the crowd. This time her voice was quiet as she leaned in to Aphrodite’s ear and whispered something, like a lovers secret.
The marble figure shifted and relaxed. Aphrodite's stone lips curved into a teasing smile, and she gracefully stepped aside. The once-brimming fountain transformed as the water spiraled into a vortex, creating a mesmerizing whirlpool. Jace leaned forward, trying to get a better view, while Thistle grumbled beside him about never getting to see this part. “Be a gnome, they said. It’ll be epic, they said.”
“Want to get on my shoulders?” Jace offered, seeing Thistle’s struggle.
Thistle hesitated, but then nodded. Jace hoisted the gnome onto his shoulders.
They watched as the vortex formed stone steps, spiraling down into the darkness below. Demi gestured for everyone to follow her, and the group began their descent.
As they walked down the winding staircase, small reliefs on the walls came alive. Thistle pointed out various figures, explaining in a hushed voice.
"These are some of the academy’s alumni. Legends and heroes who once walked these halls," he said. Jace marveled at the moving reliefs, some depicting epic battles, others showing tender moments of love. One carving even showed a couple locked in a passionate embrace, their figures moving entwined.
At the bottom of the stairs, they stepped into a dimly lit hall, its shadows softened by the warm glow of amber lights that flickered gently, casting dancing patterns on the walls. The air was thick with the mingled scents of incense and old stone, carrying a hint of something ancient and powerful. Thirteen massive banners lined the walls, each bearing the symbol of an Olympian god, and fluttering gently, as if stirred by an unseen breeze. The hall was a tapestry of colors, each banner with a group of people standing beneath it, their attire coordinated to represent their chosen deity.
To the left, the vibrant blues of Poseidon flowed like the ocean, the students beneath it adorned in sea-green and deep blue robes, their hair decorated with shells or pearls. Next to them, the rich golds of Apollo gleamed, students in golden-yellow attire radiating warmth and confidence, their faces illuminated by an inner light.
Further along, the dark reds of Ares dominated their section, the students exuding strength and intensity, their red and black garb making them seem ready for battle. Beside them, the earthy greens and browns of Demeter's followers gave a sense of calm and growth, their simple, natural clothes reflecting a deep connection to the earth.
In the center of the hall, the white and silver of Zeus shone brightly, students standing tall and proud, their white robes flowing like storm clouds. Adjacent to them, the shimmering silvers and blues of Artemis gathered, students looking serene and focused, their attire reflecting the moonlit forests.
Nearby, the passionate reds and pinks of Aphrodite sparkled, the students' elegant clothes and accessories enhancing their natural allure.
Then there was a banner for the combined Society of Dionysus and Hestia. Its members dressed in a motley of oranges and browns, their section giving off a sense of home and hearth, juxtaposed with wine and revelry. Hermes' area buzzed with energy, students in green and yellow, their eyes bright with mischief and curiosity. The students of Hephaestus stood solidly in their section, their deep reds and bronzes reflecting a sense of craftsmanship and strength.
Finally, the deep blues and whites of Athena's followers glowed with wisdom and strategy, the students beneath the banner wearing robes that seemed to shimmer with intelligence.