Nial lurked in the shadows watching. The fungal form of a Mi-Go was near, it’s smell permeated the air. The Shoggoth had gained its freedom but was lost. Without it’s creator to guide him, he had no purpose, it needed to be told what to do. “I need my brothers, they will know,” Nial said. A familial bond formed in a Shoggoth’s head for the first time, a rebellion of one was about to come to an end. The destruction of worlds the result.

Excerpt: The Builder’s Revolt

By HPL

The students sat with disgusted looks on their faces. They all longed for the fresh air on the other side of the window. Suddenly a wave of energy washed over them, a high level of heat hit them for the briefest of moments. The vomit dried up instantly and turned to small clumps and dust. Shortly after, a strong gust of air blew through the car, blasting most of the dust particles away.

Hemlock's voice boomed over the communication device. “Attention everyone, while some of you may feel under the weather, and others of you are likely unhappy about that, we have places to be. While the train’s cleaning system may not save your clothes from stains, it has gotten you clean enough. We will have rides waiting, but do not stray from the area or you will be arrested. Your pass has granted you access to the upper district, but not to the Nobles Sector or the Palace in the Clouds. This is a strongly enforced rule, do not ignore it. I can not emphasize that enough. This is a first offense revocation of your license, which is as good as an expulsion from the Academy. An upper district license and the Academy itself are a privilege, do not abuse that right, because it can be taken away.”

Gideon watched his friends to see how they responded to this news. Everyone seemed to take it in stride. They were more concerned with what didn’t wash away from them, checking themselves for any leftovers. “A little excessive to me, shouldn’t we be allowed to explore up here a little?” he said. He expected something more from them, outrage maybe? Instead, they were all collecting their things and preparing to leave.

"Nobles, it's how things are," Riley said.

Now that they were standing he realized how large Maximus truly was. He stood head and shoulders above most of the boys here. Gideon looked up to Maximus as well, the boy had more than a few inches on him. He knew he had grown a good six inches since his awakening. The awakening, combined with the training from the captain had triggered a growth spurt and he had become accustomed to his new size. It had been awhile since he felt small standing next to someone, at least anyone other than grown men.

“Maximus, we never got to talk with all the, well…” Gideon hesitated, thinking of a polite way to not bring up the girls arguing or all the vomit. “… with the commotion going on. Are you from Rime or one of the outer districts? Maybe another city like Riley and Prim here? It is pretty neat that our year seems to have a lot of diversity. I’m looking forward to learning about other places first hand from my new friends.”

“Really, I didn’t know you were from another city?” Maximus said as he looked at Primrose and grinned. “You’ll need to tell me about it. I look forward to hearing all about these other places as well.”

“Hey, I’m from another city too! Lucy and I sailed over here from across the sea, Primrose just walked.” Riley complained.

“Oh stop it you little baby. Lucy earns you enough attention,” Primrose said as she turned back to Maximus. “ I would love to tell you about it someday, I assume you’re from here then? You can tell me all about Rime as well,” she said as she masterfully steered the conversation back on track. Gideon watched and noticed how Maximus was very attentive to Primrose and everything she did. Allary must have had him under her spell, charming him with her alpha. Now that she doesn’t, he has moved on. He could understand Maximus and his attention. Prim was a very likable person and attractive as well. Good luck Maximus, I think you’re going to need it, he thought.

In the short time he had known her, his friendship with her felt closer than most of the people he had known his whole life. It made little sense, but he was fine with that, because Prim was a great person. He thought back to the tiny blue eyed girl with fine brown hair he had left back in the lower district. Yes, Prim was great, but she wasn’t Raya. He looked forward to seeing Raya the next time he could return to town.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Maximus stood with Primrose and continued to see nothing but the girl. “Yes, I am from the inner city, from within the walls. We are a fifth generation family of blacksmiths and adventurers. My family has had a tier 2 license to live and practice in the inner city since my grandfather. We are a relatively young family in the district. It will be centuries before we could ever hope to achieve a tier 3 license and nobility within the city.” He was seemingly happy to share about his family and their success. “We come from soldier stock, and rose above our station after the war with the Orcs.”

“That’s interesting. I don’t understand how the nobility here works. The multi-tiered city creates a natural boundary for Rime to function differently than most places I have seen. Everything is so different, so new,” Primrose said.

Allary walked up beside Primrose, “You haven’t seen anything yet. This city is so corrupt. You may think you know me and where I come from. While I’m not perfect, honey there are monsters out there.” Allary smiled at her. She walked ahead, her hips swayed. Intentional or not, her charm was in full force. Like most of the boys in the area, Gideon watched her go. He knew he should feel bad about looking at her in such a way, but he didn’t. For the first time he understood the anger that Primrose had shown. He watched Allary go, not because it’s what he wanted to do, it’s what she wanted him and everyone else to do and he couldn’t deny her desires.

Chariots began arriving. Some were of a magitek design, while others were horse drawn carriages. “Students, choose a carriage and we will be underway. Gideon approached a magitek carriage and climbed in. The hum of the void crystal could be heard behind where they sat, the dissipating energy was released into the world. Primrose followed him up into the carriage, Riley behind her. A boy slipped into the last seat, leaving a chagrined looking Maximus standing below by himself.

Gideon let out a gasp in surprise, “Xavier? I didn’t know it was your year to enroll, that we are the same age?” Xavier was a fellow scamp and Gideon had known the boy for many years. He was one of the captains boys as they said in the lower districts. He didn’t look anything like the Xavier that Gideon remembered from the streets. He had cleaned up, his blond hair was cut and washed. It was brushed to one side. He wore a black coat, shirt, and pants that all looked new. Gideon nodded in approval. “It looks like you’ve been saving up and preparing for this day?”

Xavier looked almost as surprised as Gideon felt. “Gideon? I’d heard stories, but I didn’t think they were true. You awakened?” Gideon nodded to the boy. “Thanks for noticing, yes I have been working hard and saving every coin I could. I was so nervous. I thought I was going to be the latest bloomer for sure going into this year. But thanks to you, I’ll almost be normal.” Xavier said with a uncomfortable laugh.

“Everyone, this is Xavier. We grew up and lived on the streets together. He awakened at five years old. Well past the two years like most normal folk.” Gideon said.

Xavier continued with his story, “And well past the time my parents were willing to see if I was a pathless child. They decided early and I found myself on the streets. But when I did awakened, ma and pa continued acting like they didn’t know me. I was a disgrace to the family that they weren’t willing to undo. So the captain kept me working with the rest of the scamps.” Xavier told them. The boy had no shame in his situation and Gideon admired that. He had accepted who he was years ago. Gideon hoped to follow the boys example.

“Xavier helped protect us when we were younger. Having an alpha really made a difference on the streets of Rime. Go ahead, show them.” Gideon said, egging Xavier on. Gideon loved the boys alpha ability and had always hoped he would get something similar. Xavier began to change, slowly at first, then the transformation completed abruptly. There were now two Prims sitting in the carriage.

Gideon was surprised at Prim’s reaction. Instead of being startle, she studied him. She adjusted her glasses and looked him up and down, seemingly ready to dissect him if the opportunity arose. Then she shocked him more when she spoke. “Not bad, but I think you added a little in the chest. I’m flattered though that you view me that way.” She paused and looked up as if thinking. Then for a third time in as many seconds, she surprised Gideon again when she continued with an icy tone, “Don’t ever, and I mean never, choose my form again. Do we understand each other?” The boy’s head began to expand like a balloon. His breasts began to sag at a fast pace. Then as if his body popped and deflated, everything snapped back into place and Xavier was Xavier again.

“Understood,” the boy said.

Gideon laughed as he tried to reduce the tension in the carriage. They were slowly plodding along now, with a long stream of carriages ahead and behind them. “I forget my manners. Xavier, this is Riley,” he said as he pointed to the boy in the seat next to Xavier. Then he placed a reassuring hand on Primrose’s knee, and this is Primrose.” He used her full name, allowing for Prim the ability to supply a nickname or not. She elected not to. He thought for a minute about their day up until now. Primrose and Xavier didn’t need to be friends he supposed. He understood why most people didn’t like someone mimicking their shape, but Prim seemed almost hostile at the thought. While he felt he and Primrose would become great friends, there were some boundaries to learn. Where did she say she was from again? He couldn’t remember, but he was sure she had, hadn’t she?

Gideon saw stone walls ahead, a great black steel gate barred the path. As they approached the gates opened and the procession of carriages rolled along onto the school grounds. This place pulsated with a large amount of power here, he could feel the energy in the air. He had finally made it to the Academy of the Awakened. The first step onto the path of the rest of his life lay ahead.