Infiltration Attempt

Sena gingerly stepped down the steps into the green pool. She gave a big smile when her bare feet entered the water.

“Oh! It’s not cold at all. It’s pretty warm actually! Mr. Boreal this is kind of nice.” She slowly made her way through the waist deep water until she stood in the middle of the pool. On the floor, there was a circular design etched into the stone.

“Now what? Mr. Boreal?” She called out over the small din of the moving water.

Inago called back, “Just wait. The pool should react soon.”

A few seconds later, the water began to swirl around the circular design on the pool floor. The etchings began to glow bright white and then changed. One half of the etchings glowed yellow and the other half glowed red.

“I see. You possess two affinities. Material and Energy. Congrats, Sena!”

She smiled a big smile and waded her way back to the others as the water returned to it original state and color.

Next was Shin, all the etchings glowed a deep red as the water swirled around him.

“Ooo, creepy color for a creepy guy.” Nicholas muttered before Vivian swatted him on the arm.

“Congratulations, Shin! You have the Material Affinity.” Inago called out. “Next, Nicholas!”

The blond headed young man strutted out into the pool. “Be sure to watch everyone! Today begins my legend as a Magician! I’ll have three affinities and be an expert in all of them in no time!”

Inago shook his head as the water swirled and all the etchings glowed yellow. “Numbskull. I’ve told you before. Blonds only get one affinity. Yours is energy. Get out. We gotta move on.”

Nicholas pouted and sulked out of the pool as Vivian made her way in.

This time, the water pulsed instead of swirled. A third of the etchings glowed yellow, a third glowed blue, and a third glowed red.”

“Wow! Three affinities! That’s awesome Vivian!” Roan couldn’t help but praise his fellow trainee.

Inago cleared his throat, “Yes, congrats indeed. Energy, Metamagic, and Material. Interesting combination. You’ll have a lot of work ahead of you. Okay, Roan. You’re up.”

As they passed one another, Vivian gave Roan a quick squeeze on his arm. “Good luck.” Roan blushed and nodded as he got into position.

Inago had taken up a position behind the others as they all entered the pool, this time he stepped forward in front of them.

Roan stood at the same mark as the others. The water pulsed once again like it did with Vivian. This time it was different. Every pulse that emanated from Roan’s position made the water turn into small waves that seemed to freeze in place and in time. The others looked on with wide eyes.

Blue light emanated from one half of the etchings on the ground and purple light emanated from the other. Inago seemed to relax his shoulders.

“Okay, Metamagic and Force. That confirms your…”

Before he could finish speaking an inky blackness began to spread in the water from Roan’s white robe as the origin. The frozen in place waves fell and the water began to bubble as the inky blackness took over.

“Everyone stand back! This isn’t supposed to happen!” Inago motioned for the others to move.

Roan was confused and became more and more afraid with each passing second. He tried to wade forward but was unable to move his legs. “I can’t move my legs!”

For the first time since he had met Inago three months prior, Roan saw a look of genuine fear on Inago’s face.

Inago began to speak but his voice was drowned out in Roan’s mind. All he heard was her.

“Listen and repeat after me. Again, repeat what I’m about to say exactly as I say it…Zasuul ich beeil nazustron! Do it now!”

Roan obeyed and did as he was commanded. The words echoed in the room and shook the windows. Emanating from Roan’s hands was a golden light. He reached down and touch the black water. It began to be purified as several golden lines snaked their way through the pool.

Before he knew it, Roan had walked to the edge of the pool. He collapsed forward. Inago, Vivian and Shin grabbed him to keep him from hurting himself. He felt weak.

“What was that, Master Inago?” Shin asked as he helped pull Roan out of the water, he was shaking and shivering.

Inago crouched down and clenched his fist. A green aura surrounded it and he touched Roan’s chest. His shivering stopped.

“You’ll be fine. That enchantment that you cast simply used up too much of your reserves. Guess you’re full of surprises. I didn’t know you were an Incantor.”

Roan shook his head, “Neither did I. I just re…said what came to mind. I can’t explain it.”

Inago shrugged, “Mistress Camellia can help with that. For now, we’re done for the day. I want each of you to spend some time in the library this afternoon before strength training researching your affinities. I’ll quiz you on them tomorrow.”

The trainees groaned and began to change in to dry clothes. As they were finishing, Inago perked up and nodded, “Go ahead.” A faint aura glowed around his head.

“What? Are you sure?”

The trainees shot glances at one another. Sena shrugged and Shin went back to combing his hair.

“Okay, I’ll handle it. Hey, what are you doing later tonight? I bet we could…okay! Sorry, not the time. My bad. Out.” The aura faded.

Inago clapped his hands twice. “Okay folks! Here’s the deal. I need you to calmly return to the trainee dormitory and stay there until you’re told you can leave. Got it?”

“What’s going on?” Vivian asked with a worried expression on her face.

“Not something I can divulge at this time. Sorry. You need to trust me.” He turned to Roan. “You are coming with me though. Hope you’re rested and ready to fight.”

“Fight?!” They all said in unison.

“Why does the newbie get to fight? I’m a much better fighter anyway! Take me instead!” Nicholas shot off.

“Yeah, Roan’s in no condition…” Vivian trailed off.

“Listen, it wasn’t my call. Orders are orders. Remember, Roan and I are slaves. We have to do as we’re told. You all are here by choice. However, you also agreed to do as your were commanded. So now, you’re being commanded: go to the dormitory. Now!”

The group exited the old bathhouse back into the alleyway. Inago took off running and Roan quickly followed. The others turned onto Rock Street in the opposite direction.

“No really, why do you need me?”

“Roan, we’ve already fought side by side. I know you can handle it. And besides, you more than they, need to see this.”

What does he mean by that? Why do I specifically need to see this?

Soon enough they were running down the main street of the Garden that led to the Genna Gate.

“Do you remember the tests you took when you first arrived?” Inago asked.

“Yes, I only passed one of the three. I’m still unsure as to why I was allowed in.” Roan noticed several windows and doors had been shut and closed in the buildings along the street. Guess a state of emergency has been declared here.

“Actually, you passed with flying colors. You are about to meet one of the tools that our enemy, the enemy of our Mistress, employs. They’re called Ningaya. They’re magical constructs similar to the Bendiveers except that they can talk, eat, drink, and even pretend to sleep. Magical spies developed in a land far to the East.”

“I passed? How?” Roan evaded an elderly man pushing his cart into an alley to the left. “And what does that have to do with these Ningaya things?”

Inago stopped running and turned to face Roan. Roan slid to a stop and was breathing hard to catch his breath.

“The Test of Patience. Do you remember? That’s the one where no one said anything or spoke to you. You spoke up first. Remember?”

Roan nodded.

“Ningaya only respond to outside stimuli. All constructs are the same. So, if they are put through that test, they won’t speak up after a while like you did. They have no stimuli. Nothing to trigger a reaction. So, by ‘passing’ the Test of Patience, they’re actually failing it. Understand?”

“Yeah, I think.”

“Good, just around the corner is the Genna Gate. Oh, remember. Even though the Ningaya look, act, and pretend to be human. They are NOT. Don’t fall for their deceptions. Okay?” Roan nodded and said, “Got it.”

Inago turned and they rounded the corner. The Genna Gate was no more than 30 meters away. Roan’s eyes opened wide, his jaw opened and was slack, his pulse quickened and he felt a lurch in his stomach.

Standing in front of the Genna Gate, was Tada.