Council

The dark rectangle room was illuminated by oil green lamps positioned above each corner of the long oval table stretched in the center. The ghostly, pale light shines upon the five seated people, each donning exquisite business clothes. Sleek steel windows branded with pearly indigo hummingbirds permit sunlight to filter inside.

“Darian Cryus was found dead in the dorms. His blood was crystallized. It's been reported by his friends that he’s been so desperate to win a duel against Rune to the point he took Crystalline Rock.”

Sebastian Reosian's foul mood increased upon hearing the words uttered by Mallory, a fellow council member.

‘Utterly ridiculous! 8 deaths in two days at Lightless isn’t something unusual—hell, it’s a regular monday—but at the start of a new year was unprofessional.’

Bloody island of death was the nickname of Lightless. The red walls are rumored to be painted with the essence of the fallen, along with fogged ghosts of the wronged wandering the hills and mountains.

‘With how things are going, in the future no one will want to attend Lightless even if we boast about how much they can reach god level.’

Sebastian feels annoyed at the prospect of mankind no longer being ignorant and illiterate. It’s a known fact that even attempting to enter Lightless can lead to death, yet for thousands of years, humans kept signing up. Over the years, millions of contenders turned into thousands, then hundreds, with only 30% officially becoming cadets.

“Who cares about that boy’s death? His actions are a shame and taint to our legacy. The least he could have done was die quickly and silently, or at the very least, in battle or a duel, but no, he was a doper!” Callum hisses in his sharp southern accent. “We should be focusing on catching Morrigan’s killer.”

Sebastian glances at Callum, who possesses trimmed honey blonde short hair, tan scarred skin, unkempt features, and narrowed brown eyes. The man’s imperious demeanor shimmers with a fear that makes Sebastian scoff.

The council are the ‘heads’ of Lightless Institute and are considered to be the balance of the Four Holy Clans. For generations, they’ve consisted as a group of six that act as strings of light connecting the clans and keeping the friendly peace between them.

Each member is from one of the holy clans and throughout the years, the Pillars have been fighting through them, trying to dominate trade deals, culture honor, and advance products, gaining more profits than the others and improving their leadership over their own continent.

Three of them belong to Sun Clan—Kratos Tieran, Morrigan West, and Sebastian Reosian, while Callum Oberon is to Star Clan, Hadeon Demios—Winter Clan, and Mallory Kenzo—Moon Clan.

All council members are aware that they are just pawns. Bishops and Rooks moved by the Kings and Queen. It’s been that way for generations and despite half the members being Ophanims, they will never be a Pillar.

You may have strength, but a land to reign over will never be in the chapters of fate for people like them. Unlike the Pillars, who have lands filled with towns and cities to govern their power and might to.

Many people who aren’t born of high status dream they can make it to the top with determination and success. 

Every one of them was successful at surviving Lightless without the backing of mythical traits, thriving purely with determination and hope for a better future.

It’s a miracle they did survive.

Yet, they are not worshiped, praised daily, or bathing in fortune. Hell, they’re hardly acknowledged.

All that crawling and they’re still on the damn floor.

“I’m lost. You suddenly care for Morrigan so deeply when?”

A vein popped out in Callum's neck. “Excuse me?!” he glowered. “We’re on the same boat, Sebastian. If another one of us falls, we have no chance of making it out of the sea.” Glaring harshly into aqua golden eyes, he continues. “I’m just trying to make sure none of us are next. The quickest way to do that is to catch the killer and then execute them.”

“You make it sound like we’re being hunted.” Kratos rolls his eyes and leans forward, his knuckles tapping the table absentmindedly. “Who would dare do such a naive thing? Don’t they know who we are?”

“Our backers.” Mallory mutters. Her words cause them to stiffen. She sat with her hands elegantly upon her lap, with two curly strays of navy hair framing her soft round features. The rest of her hair is styled back into a low bun.

“Peace is like a candle. So many exist, yet every single one of them harbors the same fate when lit. Melted gradually to nonexistent.” She sighs, a mixture of resignation and serenity. “Is our era's candle lit? Or is it already waxed away? People like us will never truly know, even though we’re the ones making sure the candle stays upright through the whole process of sputtering.”

A knock on the door interrupts their conversation.

Upon sensing the dreamy aura behind the oak door, Hadeon glances at it slowly and says, “Come in, dear Child of Heaven.”

****

Crouching down in the low temperature surroundings, Kaltain pants lightly, her hand pressed against her chest, where her heart pounds fiercely.

“I hate this fucking class,” Kallias sneers. His skin buzz’s with heat, sweat cloaking his arms and thighs as he crouched beside her.

The duo shared a haven tent that smelt of rust and rubber. The flexible dark gray poles poke slightly into the bright white fabric, which appears silky, yet hardened like stone when set up. It was lightweight and adorned with shimmering fox designs that resemble a spell crafted from a fantasy novel.

Kaltain airs her jacket as she speaks. “One more week.”

“We say that every week.” His whine annoys Kaltain, though, she felt like weeping too.

Survival skills.

Obviously everyone was expecting teaching of how to survive, like starting fires without power or hunting for food, not thrown into the need for it. They were learning while experiencing it.

You need a fire? You must first experience what it’s like to not have it. If you pick up on how to start one quickly, you’re good. Need food? Eat and find out what’s not good or hunt.

Kaltain didn’t mind these parts. It was simple and easy for someone like her. She had incredible physical strength and endurance. Hunting a bear or tiger without getting hurt was as simple as stretching.

It’s the dead forest and unpredictable nature she despised.

The air would suddenly become unsafe, the ground would shake and melt, or the sky would appear to fall, crushing them with heavy pressure, as if the gods themselves were hovering over them.

Despite having the rejuvenation trait, it didn’t help Kaltain in this situation. She can get hurt and heal, yes, but that didn’t mean she wanted to feel the damn pain.

Her lungs would collapse and burn, making it hard to eat or breathe for a good minute, while her body would go into shock, as if paralyzed from the density.

They can defend against the murky air with the haven tents. As for the ground, she had flight, so she was okay. Kallias and the others had to climb and camp out on trees that were ancient and would remain like unmovable giants during the dead forest episodes. When the sky appears to fall down on them, they have to gather together and form a spiritual barrier.

For some reason, grouping together did not work until week two. People were stubbornly independent, which got many killed. Wyn tried her best in the beginning to get them to cooperate with Kallias help, but her words seemed to fall on deaf ears.

Kaltain laughed at them. Not at Wyn and other’s, but the ones who refused to listen. She couldn’t help herself. Death was funny when it was stupid. ‘You could have lived, but your pathetic pride killed you! It’s so fucking laughable it’s absurd.’

Her mind still chuckles till this day.

The freshmen 4078 year class was down to 27. Started at 43.

The number had gradually halted about a day ago as students began to hone divine energy fluently into their system.

They couldn’t start actual usage of their power until next year, but because of their consecutive absorption of the energies, their bodies became stronger to the point the murky air no longer bothered them so much.

They needn’t rush to take out the tents in seconds, but a minute. Eventually, they will be able to breathe in the air and wander the dead forest while being unfazed by the chaotic atmosphere.

It amazes Kaltain everyday that it’s only been a month since school started and already she wants to call it quits.

Despite the internally negative, Kaltain knew she would never give up. She simply wanted to. ‘How different wants and needs are. I want to crash out and sleep for a decade, but my family needs me to be something other than a lazy girl.’

“Winter break will be soon,” whispers Kaltain. That’s what really keeps her going. The future promise of freedom, even if only momentarily. When she gets home, she can laze around with her guard completely down and binge watch her favorite anime’s. ‘Ah, my sweet bed, mommy misses you!’

Kallias eyes went round at Kaltain's uncharacteristically enthusiasm. “Yeah, I miss my grandma. In three weeks, I’ll be able to eat her delicious sweet potatoes and strawberry cheesecake,” he says in a humming voice.

‘Oh, family.’ Kaltain couldn’t give a crap about seeing her family—that was a lie, she missed them dearly—but what she wants most is the freedom to be herself in a safe environment.

“Man, I wonder if the gods ever felt like this.” Kallias bounces on his heel and jerks his hood over his head repeatedly. “Training so damn hard to reach a higher height of life. Did you know that Heavenly Father is like the father of gods? Solar Goddess is said to be His successor and will become the Lady of Divinity.”

“Reaper of the Celestials doesn’t tolerate Her though and is backing God of Enlightenment to be the successor. Of course, this is all rumors spread by the popes of the Phthartic gods.”

In a moody mood, Kaltain wished she had headphones and was half tempted to shatter her own eardrums. Sharing classes with Kallias has given Kaltain insight into his personality and habits.

What deeply irritates her the most is his rambling. He will murmur random facts about anything and everything.

Today is the history and drama of gods.

Gods existed—Kaltain never not believed that. Someone had to have created the universe, stars, and planets. She would have liked to believe some powerful force was behind it and not formidable intelligence high entities.

However, in this day and age, divine beings graced mankind with their presence every now and then.

The Eight Phthartic; the deadly destructive gods.

Mankind managed to defeat the olden gods because Heavenly Father, who is also known as Lord of Divinity, sealed them into the sky as stars. He was the sole god for a time until the ancestors of the Four Holy Clans raised to heaven and forged their own thrones beside Him.

Solar Goddess, God of Enlightenment, Mother of Angels, and Reaper of Celestials.

Later on, three others rose and claimed a portion of heaven. Everlasting Fairytale, God of Prophecy, and Sovereign of Devils.

At the beginning of the Third Epoch known as the unconquered era, which is still unraveling and in the middle of its history, they formed the Eight Phthartic, with Heavenly Father as Their ruler.

Every divine being in the star system is currently vying for his throne.

Kaltain rests her head upon her knees. “I never understood why there's so many gods.”

“Me neither,” Kallias agreed. “One is enough.”

“Shouldn't you know this stuff? You know, extraordinary memory and all.”

“I’m sure there’s a reason in the history books, I simply don’t give a shit about that stuff. I like me some gossip.” He grins broadly. “The books focus more on a logical and realistic pov, barely entertaining.” Raking a hand through his beautiful hair, he tilts his head thoughtfully. “I think I did know during the trial, but the second I deem a memory unnecessary, I fill that spot with something more important. Like fighting techniques, survival skills, or Shadeen lessons.”

Kaltain gave him an inquisitive look, to which he shrugs at. “You’re lucky. You can throw it away and still keep the trash. It’s unfair,” he remarks in an exaggerated sad manner. 

“You think everything is unfair.”

“Am I wrong this time?”

Kaltain snorts dismissively. “Yes, and in more ways than one it’s embarrassing.”

A gruffly bark comes from outside, followed by the swooshing of a rapidly fluffy tail spinning in circles.

“It’s Lyrielle.” Kallias reaches out and unzips the tent. In the next second, the shadow of the luminous magenta wolf loomed over them. His flaming silver horns danced with shadows, while predatory black eyes bore down.

He barges inside with a woof, licking Kallias pale face, and drawing a joyful laugh from him. “Haha, you missed me, didn’t you boy?”

Woof! Woof!

“Class is over,” Wyn tells Kaltain as the apathetic girl steps out of the tent, slipping her jacket off with a relieved exhale. “Sir Czar told me to tell you that he would like to help you find a divine companion.”

Kaltain slicks a hand through her locks and nods. “Okay.” Wet white hair bounces around her alluring features. She ignores the bitterness and envy twisting in her chest.

Wyn gained an astral wolf as a divine companion, while Kallias befriended a mermaid.

Kaltain still didn’t have one after wandering the heavenly realm for fucking weeks. It pissed her off more than anything.

‘Why am I so unlucky?’ If she ever asked that out loud, she knew of all the answers she would get without being a seer.

It’s a northern thing.