After their brief sojourn in the sky, they descended gently to the earth and worked their way back to the forest. One by one, everyone in the group began finding their beast guardians. Only a few were without one, including Eiris and Dahlia. As sunset neared, he began to worry he would be the only one to fail to bond with a beast guardian.
“Don’t worry. This just means that whatever it is, it’ll be pretty xeno.” reassured Azonei as he punched Eiris playfully on the shoulder.
“Indeed. I’m sure you’ll get one before sunset.” smiled Dex.
“Hopefully.” Eiris said gloomily.
As they continued trekking through the forest, Jannis saw that Eiris was discouraged.
“Don’t worry. Just be patient, it’ll come.” he said gently as he made his way over to him.
“How will I find it?” asked Eiris.
“Therein lies your problem. You don’t find it, it finds you. This isn’t something you can force. Trust me, you’ll know it when it happens.” smiled Jannis.
Eiris smiled and nodded unconvinced, as others in his group continued to find their animal companions. Dahlia occasionally looked Eiris’ way, but only briefly. All of a sudden, Dahlia looked sharply in the direction to her left. Clearing the way, everyone in the group fanned out with her alone in the center.
Slowly climbing down a nearby tree was a beautiful Maltese tiger. As it climbed down, it kept its eyes fixed intently on Dahlia while her eyes began to glow red. The tiger began prowling around her silently, but Dahlia simply waited in a defensive posture. Then, it uttered a low growl and launched at her. She dodged it and rolled out of the way.
Then she did something incredible. Standing up, she blinked her eyes and a shadow copy of herself materialized next to her and confused the tiger. As it stood perplexed and briefly distracted, she then reached out her hand towards the enormous creature. Suddenly, the tiger began shaking its head abruptly as if it was trying to clear its mind. Tense seconds ticked by as the tiger attempted to regain its composure. All of a sudden, it began making low guttural sounds and got ready to pounce again. Quickly making the shadow copy of her disappear, Dahlia stared intensely at the struggling beast until a great calm seemed to overtake it, and its eyes emitted a red glow briefly. Now bonded with the tiger, she called it and it galloped over, purring as she pets its silky fur.
“Exceptional Ms. Arabella. Very well done.” smiled Jannis.
Soon after, the sun fully set and a loud whistle began blowing, cueing the students to return to the frigates. Eiris and his group began running back to the ship. They passed by many other students engaged in various conversations about which beast guardians were the coolest. Walking up the boarding ramp, Eiris saw that Prince Paseo had bonded with a giant crocodile.
He also saw Drozen and other Darkren mocking the fact that Eiris was one of the few who didn’t have one. Jannis pat Eiris on the back and smiled as he walked away, almost as if he knew something good would come out of it. Marz was standing at the observation deck as the frigates began submerging back into the Pluvian Ocean.
Dex and the others tried to reassure Eiris as he made his way over to Marz. Greeting him, they both enjoyed the view of the beautiful underwater seascape. As Eiris peered into the distance, he thought he saw a pair of colossal ocean blue eyes glowing in a distant underwater cave until Marz’s voice broke his stare.
“How was the experience?” asked Marz.
“It was ok. I kind of dropped the ball though.” said Eiris.
“Possibly. Or maybe the best is yet to come.” smiled Marz.
“Did you see that pair of eyes in that cave up ahead?” asked Eiris as the frigate got closer.
“I did not. Although I’m certain it would’ve been quite a sight.” winked Marz before patting Eiris on the shoulder and walking to the command deck.
As the frigates docked in the port, the students all emptied into the academy. Kezzy went to the target range while Azonei went to the flight simulator. Dex went to ride his hoverboard at a local hover park, so Eiris went to the library to do some research on Pluvian sea monsters.
He found a holobook in the legends category about a legendary sea creature called the Leviathan that is said to live deep under the Pluvian Sea. There were no official accounts or any real sightings, so he returned it. As he did, he noticed there was another holobook nearby about the legend of the breathless beauty.
He immediately began reading the background information on it and found that according to legend, she would often travel for unknown reasons and was frequently seen swimming in Earth’s large seas. Mistaking her for a mermaid, sailors created this legend in awe of her beauty. As he read the legend, he knew without a doubt that she was the beautiful woman he saw in his dreams. It stated:
The Breathless Beauty
Heart’s beating fast.
But your gaze never moving.
Staring at her beauty
Has got you wondering if it’s an illusion.
A beauty so pure and rarely seen.
You question if it’s reality.
Or just a dream.
You gasp for air.
Every time you glance.
As if under a spell.
Or induced in a trance.
Beauty of this kind.
Is the rarest of finds.
So always remember.
The words on these lines.
You’ve witnessed the legend.
Most men only read.
Of the Breathless Beauty
From under the sea……………
Those glowing blue eyes, the light blue hair, the markings on her arms. Everything he thought were just dreams were actually real. He realized in amazement that he had felt her presence, his mother’s presence, throughout most of his childhood. Waves of relief and joy washed over him, cleansing him of the sorrow and uncertainty that had hidden in his heart for so many years. He knew now that she had never truly left him alone and abandoned. After that brief study session he emerged from the library stronger, more sure of himself and his place than ever. He no longer doubted that his parents had truly loved him.
The next day everyone was full of excitement. After class, he met the others at the conclave room. Everyone was in their bioflex suits and armed with their holographic shock chargers and pulse blades. Today was the first day of martial competition in the gauntlet arena.
“Hey Eiris, you ready?” asked Azonei.
“I guess.” Eiris replied.
“I’m excited to test my Jyndo and bonding on some poor soul.” smirked Kezzy.
“I’m sure you are.” said Dex, resulting in a glare from Kezzy. “Who’s your opponent today Eiris?” he asked.
Eiris checked his smartwatch to see a name that made him tense up in anger.
“Reizen.” said Eiris as the others became silent.
“Well, we all gotta lose some time.” joked Kezzy.
“Aw come on, Eiris has this one.” smiled Azonei.
“Thanks.” said Eiris sarcastically.
“Although I do believe you’re the one person who could end Reizen’s perfect gauntlet record, he’s never lost for a reason. For one, he rarely makes mistakes and he bonds with flawless technique. He also has the added effect of intimidation on his side.” informed Dex.
“I’m not afraid of him.” glared Eiris.
“Maybe not. Nevertheless, that is a factor you must take into account.” said Dex.
As everyone waited in the conclave room, Glover came in and gave everyone a few reminders.
“Remember everyone, the tangible holographic weapons are for your safety. Battle in the gauntlet arena is nothing more than another way to measure our aptitude and advancement. A win will be marked by downing your opponent three times, and a loss is obviously marked by the opposite. Only non-lethal bonding is permitted! It’s a competitive spar, not real battle. Our aim should never be to hurt someone. Should any of us intentionally do so, Authore Masterson will personally preside over our disciplina
ry hearing.” informed Glover.
As Eiris and the others followed their guild to the Gauntlet Arena, Glover walked towards them.
“I hope you four are well prepared, especially you Eiris. Be on your guard, Reizen is very powerful.” warned Glover.
“Thanks.” nodded Eiris trying to stay focused.
As the games got under way, most of the Blue Storm members lost their matches, only a few were victorious. Lars, a friend and teammate of Eiris on the Blue Storm Electroball team got badly hurt in his match and would be unable to play in the upcoming season. Kezzy defeated an Atlantian girl, using her twin shock chargers effectively. Azonei faced a talented Slyph and lost, but barely. Dex was very calculated and skilled, but was defeated by a large Etwilonian. Glover was paired with an intimidating Darkren named Uzor and won a hard fought match.
On the other hand, the Black Horde Guild members didn’t lose any of their matches and Reina and Drozen looked particularly invincible. Reina effortlessly defeated an Areolian student with her silver luridium claws and shadowbonding. Drozen made his Atlantian opponent look like a child with his pulse hammer and burning icebonding. Reizen and Eiris’ names were then announced as they walked down into the primary match sphere.
As he entered, the referee gave a brief reminder of the rules and left the sphere so the match could begin. Eiris stood with his holographic pulse blades in his hands as Reizen stood still, with his eyes fixed intensely on him. Once Eiris got into an attacking posture, Reizen’s eyes began burning in an intimidating red glow. He then reached with both hands behind his back and revealed two black tangible holographic whips as they slowly unraveled to the arena floor.
Everyone in the stadium was roaring and cheering louder than any other match. Eiris then began to realize how big this was for both guilds. As the horn sounded, Reizen continued to stand still, focused on Eiris. Seeing he wasn’t going to make the first move, Eiris bonded two water globs and sent them at him.
Reizen barely moved as the globs flew past him and hit the wall. He then bonded yellow flames, turning his whips into fire and whipping two waves of flame directly into Eiris’ chest. Eiris flew back on impact and was amazed at how hot Reizen’s fire was, burning through his bioflex suit. Catching Eiris off guard, Reizen followed that move with a firenado kick and sent Eiris flying again.
In searing pain, Eiris’ eyes glowed purple as he bonded large blue flames and sent them at Reizen. Reizen simply held out his hand and absorbed the flames with an orange hue, making everyone marvel at his power. Sensing Reizen was about to attack again Eiris used his martial arts tricking training and dodged the attack, hitting Reizen with a powerful jet of water.
Reizen was caught off guard and fell to the ground! The crowed that had been cheering so loudly was momentarily hushed into a stunned silence. Angered, Reizen’s eyes burned red as he quickly got up and disappeared as he bonded shadow. He created a smokescreen that Eiris couldn’t see through. Unable to bond shadow at his own will, Eiris’ eyes glowed purple as he bonded blue fire on his pulse blades, giving him a dim light source.
Suddenly a violent red flaming whip tore into his pectoral as another one hit his suit, making him shout in pain. Eiris then sliced a wave of blue flame in front of him hoping to hit Reizen, but instead was met by a barrage of green flames that knocked him down for a second time. When he got up, Reizen was waiting with a flaming kick, downing him for the third time and ending the match.
Signaling the match was over, the referee came in and helped Eiris up as Reizen victoriously walked off with a vicious glare. The others came rushing over as Eiris was tended to by the medical personnel not far from the arena. Eiris’ bioflexium suit was torn across his chest from Reizen’s firebonding.
“You alright?” asked Azonei worriedly.
“Mm. Yeah, I’m ok.” grimaced Eiris.
“That was awesome!” shouted Kezzy as she punched Eiris on the shoulder, making him grimace again.
“Ouch!” he yelled. “What do you mean? I lost.” he added dejectedly.
“What she means is that yes, while your gauntlet record may show that you’ve lost, you’ve accomplished something that no one else ever has.” informed Dex excitedly.
“What’s that?” he asked, wincing at the medical personnel’s efforts at first aid.
“You grounded Reizen.” smiled Glover as he walked over to them. “Your performance was very impressive. It’s given our guild a desperately needed hope for future competitions. So, I’ve decided to make you co-captain of the Blue Storm Guild. That is, if you will accept this responsibility.”
“I………. I don’t know what to say.” replied Eiris as the others gasped in surprise.
“You can start by saying yes.” smiled Glover.
“Um………. yeah sure.” grinned Eiris in obvious pain.
“Good. I look forward to all of the incredible things you’ll do in coming months.” smiled Glover as he walked off.
“That’s amazing Eiris. This makes you the first fresh start to ever become a guild leader! Reizen didn’t even do that!” exalted Kezzy.
“Well deserved my friend.” beamed Dex.
“Ditto.” nodded Azonei with a smile.
The others congratulated Eiris and walked over to watch other matches while the medical personnel finished working on his wound. Then he gave Eiris a recommendation.
“I put a temporary cooling patch on your wound but I suggest you immediately go over to the medical wing and get a full treatment. Other than that, you’re good to go.” said the medic as he packed his things up.
Eiris followed the medic’s advice and went to the medical wing after speaking to a few Blue Storm members. He was greeted and congratulated by dozens of admirers on the way. Entering the building, he was quickly processed and sent to an empty examination room. As he waited on the examination bed, he was surprised to see who walked in with a doctor’s lab coat.
Wearing smart glasses, Dr. Dahlia Arabella walked in with a kind smile. Stunned with admiration, Eiris couldn’t take his eyes off of her. He had wondered why he didn’t see her in the gauntlet arena.
“Hello Mr. Penatia.” she smiled.
“............Oh. Um, hey. Uh, you can call me Eiris by the way.” he smiled in reply.
“Dr. Everson sent me the details about your wounds. May I take a look?”
“Um. Uh yeah, yeah sure.” stammered Eiris nervously as he removed his bioflex shirt, revealing his intensely muscular torso.
He was so self-conscious around Dahlia-how could he ever deal with her being his doctor? He stole a glimpse of her face as she examined his wounds and realized she was blushing! This at once put him more at ease.
“Thank you.” she suddenly said.
“Um……. for what?” asked a nervous Eiris.
“For sticking up for me on the Lost Island.” she smiled.
“Oh. You’re very welcome.” he smiled in return.
“You have beautiful Turan markings.” noted Dahlia as she examined the black tattoo-like markings covering his arms like sleeves.
“Thanks. I’m not sure I fully understand them yet.” Eiris replied.
“They’re like a written genetic code, but on the outside.” she explained as she continued to examine his wounds.
“That makes a lot of sense actually. I didn’t know you were in medical school.”
“You didn’t ask.” smiled Dahlia.
“Right. Well, it’s pretty xeno that you focus on healing rather than hurting.”.
“Thanks.” she replied.
“What’s your Maltese tiger’s name?”
“Nava’.” she replied as she began putting a teal ointment on his burns.
“What’s this?” he asked as she rubbed the ointment onto his chest.
“This is called unguent balm. It’s derived from an enzyme secreted from a rare species of kelp found in the Pluvian Sea called leeching kelp. The components within the enzyme speed up the healing process. Everything should be back to normal by t
omorrow.” she explained.
“That’s great.” smiled Eiris in relief.
“I heard about your match with Reizen. It was very impressive.”
“Really? I feel like I could’ve done better.” he said with his eyes downcast.
“That’s good, because you’re right.” she smiled.
“What do you mean?”
“You were afraid.” replied Dahlia. “Fear leads to doubt and you were doubting your abilities. I could sense it back on the Lost Island. If I could, so could Reizen. You have to find a way to let go of that emotion. Or channel it.” she said.
“Channel? I didn’t know that was possible.”
“Most Undarians don’t, but there’s another way to bond. That way is the reason why the shadows are so powerful.” she said.
“Could you help me learn?” asked Eiris eagerly.
“Sure.” Dahlia replied. “Can you meet me at the sanctuary after Electroball practice tomorrow?”
“Yeah, definitely.”
“Okay.” she smiled.
“Okay.” he smiled in return.
After she put bandages over the treated wounds, she gave him a jar of the ointment. He thanked her for it and put his shirt back on. Eiris then said goodbye and went to his personal cube supposedly to study for the rest of the evening, but he found his attention drifting repeatedly to Dahlia and their practice session tomorrow.
“That was a good practice.” said Eiris as he continued to study his holobook.
“Indeed it was. Although I think I need to work on my turns in the rider lanes.” replied Dex.
“You turn pretty well; I didn’t see any flaws in your technique.” said Azonei.
“That’s a kind sentiment. You have my gratitude my friend. But, I have much to live up to. My older sister Ulora once led the Arnor Guild to an Electroball championship some years ago. She still holds most of the academy’s scoring and assisting records as a rider. By the way, what name did you decide for your Cerebral Falcon?” asked Dex.
Shadows of Atlantis: Emergence of the Engi Page 8
