The Academy of the Supreme Goddess

Anika led us with urgency, through the forest, and into a valley.

Her staff lit our path, under the star-filled sky.

I paid little attention to any of it, due to my racing mind.
What did she mean, consumed?

Anika wasn’t stoic, but concerned. Finally, she glanced back. “You alright?” She knew the answer, but it was nice of her to ask.

I faked a “yes,” under deep breaths. “I’m fine.”

There’s something wrong with my baby, of course, that was a lie.
I’m stuck in this new world, of course that was a lie.
As far as I know, nothing about this world is true.

“You must not be from around here. You look lost.”

I squint. “Yeah, I’m from Earth. I don’t know how I ended up here.”

“Those Mini-Goblins are sent by one of Odious’s Generals. They’re scouts. Cannon fodder sent to sniff out weaknesses for the real army.”

“Who the hell is Odious?” I ask sharper than I mean.

“The one who destroyed this world.” She responds as if it’s obvious.

She continues, chipper as ever, almost like she’s bragging.
“Don’t worry, the Academy is home to very skilled Priestesses. Including my mentor, who’s the best one!” Without hesitation she continues walking. “She can help.”

I adjust Joji’s weight against my chest. The world is ending, and my baby is asleep.

I stay close behind.

We quickly follow the light.

Joji looks peaceful, but yet to know if he’s cursed.

All this talk about Generals, mana, and doom is giving me the heebie-jeebies. What is she talking about?

But again, I am clueless about this world.

I notice the calm air brushing over us.

We finally climbed the last rise, and then it came into view.

The Magic Academy.

The place took my mind off my panic, but still disorienting.

It stretched across the valley like a city built for giants. Towers so high they reached the stars.

Even from a distance, I could tell the place wasn’t new. The stone was cracked, patched with glowing runes. They pulse faintly before fading.

For all its size, the place was quiet. Too quiet. No laughing, no footsteps, no life. Just the wind cutting through the courtyard. I passed by a few robed figures, but they didn’t look like students, I don’t know what they looked like. Ghosts, maybe.

It should have felt impressive. Holy, even. Instead, I felt like I was walking through a ribcage of something long dead.

Anika, of course, lit up. She pointed to the tallest tower. “That’s the Priestess Hall. My Mentor will be there. She’ll know what to do.”

I shifted Joji against my chest, he stirred, heavy and warm. If this is our best chance for help, maybe we are in worse trouble than I thought.

We enter the hall.

Anika rushed ahead to a woman standing near the altar, her robe a glimmer of gold and silver threads that caught the torchlight like she belonged to another realm.

“Noomi. Please help.”

The woman turned. Her eyes landed on me, sharp, searching, but her voice came soft, mellow, like a calm river. Then she glances at me.

For a moment, I thought she could see through me. Maybe not me, but Joji.

“Welcome to the Academy of the Supreme Goddess…” She glances at Joji. “What a beautiful new soul.”

She must know something.

Anika turns to me, holding her hands out. “Please, let me hold him.”

I hesitate. But, without her, we’d be goblin food, so I hand Joji to her.

She rests Joji in her arms against her chest. He stirs, stretching his arms up, before going back to sleep.

It’s like he wants to wake up, but couldn’t, because of something pulling him back under.

Anika’s eyes widen, and she smiles pleasantly. He has that effect on people.

“Aww, I seriously want one!”

Noomi, to my surprise, drops her guard, and smiles gushing over Joji as well.

“I want one too!” She reaches to hold Joji. “Come on Anika, let your mentor hold him!”

I fake a cough, “Excuse me.”

They both look at me, simultaneously, frozen, like I caught them doing something wrong.

Noomi’s expression falters as her gaze lingers. “Come with me.”

She gently lays Joji on the altar, its surface smooth from centuries of prayer.

Noomi kneels beside him, placing both palms above his chest.

A faint hum fills the worship hall as she chants. At first soft, then sharper, until the air itself seems to vibrate.

Joji’s body pulses with light, the glow pouring from within him.

Noomi’s eyes widen, “The boy’s mana is too vast.”

“What does that mean? Is he sick?” I squeeze my fist.

“Sick? He’s dangerous. That amount of Mana doesn’t belong inside a baby. It could destroy him, or all of us. We’ve buried children for less.”

“What the hell is going on?”

Noomi looks into my soul. “Anika is right. This amount of mana could explode...”

Anika rolls her eyes. “Explode. Probably the entire world.”

The weight of their words caves my chest. I just want to hold my baby.
I grab him off the altar, and step back.

“There’s a bomb inside my baby? How do we get the mana out of him? I’m sure you know how to do it, right?”

The two ladies look at me. Noomi lowering her eyebrows, and Anika raising hers, as if to say, they have no idea how to do that.

“You have this beautiful temple, and your fancy clothes? Is it cosplay?! How do you not know how to fix this!?” I shout lividly.

Noomi steps forward. “If we removed the mana, it would need another vessel.”

“Can you transfer the mana to one of you? You seem to know a lot about it.” I hold Joji tight.

“I am sorry. I am unable to get enough of a read on this Mana. I feel its power, unlike anything since The Supreme Goddess vanished.”

“Vanished? The Supreme Goddess abandoned us all.” Anika refutes.

I hug Joji tighter, shaking. All this Goddess and mana talk, none of it mattered. I just want to keep him safe.

“Please, help me. I don’t know what to do.” I collapse pathetically onto my knees.

Noomi’s voice lowers, almost a whisper, yet still heavy as iron.

“You must leave this valley and meet Werin the Oracle, my old mentor. She’s the only person who knows more about the Supreme Goddess.”

The name meant nothing to me, but the way Anika stiffened told me not to take Werin the Oracle lightly.

Noomi continued, “There’s one issue.”

I glance up and listen closely.

“Werin has lived as a recluse ever since the Goddess left.”

“So I have to go find a recluse? I don’t know where to go… I still don’t know where I am.”

Noomi smiles, helping me back to my feet. “Don’t worry, Anika will guide you.”

Anika leans back, letting out a surprised disappointment. “...Seriously? Of all people… Werin always hated me.”