by Eden Redd
“You better be,” Symon smiled as he approached.
The two friends clasped forearms and gave a hearty shake before all three made their way with the crowd to the auditorium. Dax closed his eyes for a moment, taking in the familiar sea scent he had always loved. When he opened his eyes again, Vance and Zarra made their way through the crowd to them. Vance gave a nod as he approached, while Zarra hugged the mage.
“Hope there’s room for two more,” came a voice from behind.
Heads turned as they walked, watching Isani and Ressa approach. The shadow elf and dranar stepped closer, their expressions light, but their eyes glancing to the happy mage.
“Always room,” Dax said with a positive edge.
Vance stayed close to Dax as the two rogues stepped closer. “This will most likely be the announcement. Do we feel like we’re ready?”
Symon nodded, “We have had some class and private training. Considering that we didn’t have a lot of time, I would say we are better than average.”
Dax nodded. “I believe we are ready as we’re going to be. Who knows what they have planned, but if we stay to our own team, we can beat anything they throw at us.”
Fern fluttered along, “This time, we’re going to be on top! It won’t be like the Trials. We won four out of the five badges. This time, we’re going to win it all. High Palm!”
The fairy raised her small hand. The group slowed, glancing to each other and then to Fern, unsure what to do.
“I saw the monks doing it to each other after a good practice. They call it High Palm. Just smack our palms to each other,” Fern grinned.
Hands up, the group began giving awkward high palms and then broke out into laughter. Hands grabbed onto shoulders and bellies as they laughed and walked. Fern slapped her tiny hands against others until her body flashed and she was her five-foot-tall self.
The laughter ebbed as they reached the auditorium and stepped inside. The flow of bodies splintered, students moving to their class sections. The group of friends waved to each other as they moved on. Isani gave Dax a long gaze before moving off with Ressa to meet the other rogues. Dax smiled at the beautiful rogue before he and Vance moved to their section and took their seats.
The air was light as Dax settled down in his seat. Vance’s knee bounced a little as he leaned forward, fingers to his chin.
“Nervous about what to expect?” Dax asked.
Vance nodded. “The faculty have been known to change things at the last moment to ensure no one gets the upper hand. What if Isani and Ressa told us old information and everything we’ve done is moot?”
“We’ll adjust,” Dax stated simply.
The spiky-haired mage looked to his friend, “You’re in a very good mood. What happened?”
Dax gave the mage a warm smile. “I just feel very confident.”
Vance nodded. “Let’s see if you still feel that way after the announcement. I will keep my cautious optimism.”
Dax nodded before he looked around. The auditorium was sparsely populated considering its size. The giant chamber was meant to hold over twelve hundred students and faculty, but today, it looked like there were barely three hundred students. The class seat sections had about twenty-five students in each one. Dax turned his head to his own section, seeing about twenty mages, Nuria and Clive sitting a few rows back. Nuria glanced down to the mage before looking back to the stage, a small smile forming and melting away. Clive on the other hand looked off into space, the darkness under his eyes not improving at all. He looked like he was always tired, his face a little drawn in.
Dax looked forward and spoke out the side of his mouth, “Do you know what’s wrong with Clive? He looks terrible.”
Vance shook his head. “I have no idea. He’s been like that since he returned to the academy. Maybe it’s the pressure, it’s getting to him?”
Dax looked ahead, his mind working. “He was always pretty strong, if a bit mean. Maybe he’s changed?”
“The academy changes all of us,” Vance said in a low tone, “Maybe not always for the better.”
Dax nodded when Luthis stepped onto the stage. Professor Frost and Counselor Skullcut followed, taking the small steps close behind the High Dean.
Every student stood up, clapped and shouted. Dax grinned ear to ear, clapping and yelling to the High Dean and others as they approached the podium. Luthis stood behind the podium, Professor Frost standing to his right and Counselor Skullcut standing to his left. The elf raised a hand and the auditorium fell into a hushed silence, students taking their seats once again.
The High Dean looked to the massive chamber, a small smile on his lips. Counselor Skullcut stood at attention while Professor Frost folded her arms against her stomach.
“Welcome 2nd year students!” Luthis grinned.
Shouts and hollers rose up again, the sounds echoing off the walls.
Luthis raised a hand again and the small crowd became silent once again.
“We are happy for everyone to join us on this special announcement. I’m sure many of you are curious as to why you’re here and may have many questions. Please, save your questions to the end.”
Dax and Vance sat forward, senses open and eager.
Luthis took in a small inhale before he projected to the gathered students, “Becoming a champion can be a grueling experience. The Trial Exams and the Trials from your first-year tested teamwork, problem solving, and your survival skills. It was meant to be an introduction to the very skills you will need when you become full-fledged champions.
“Today, you all have succeeded in completing your first year, and returning to improve your skills, abilities, and powers. But, as many of you may have guessed, it will only become more difficult with each exam, testing you to your limit so you can decide if this will be the role you take in our world.”
Luthis’s smile faded a touch as he scanned the room, his lips parted, “That is why we are announcing this year’s exam, called The Phantom Campaign. It is a culmination of what you have learned so far and how you apply it in a dangerous environment.”
A small murmur filled the smaller crowds. Dax kept his gaze on Luthis, waiting for the rest.
The High Dean continued as Professor Frost unfolded her arms and began to cast a spell.
“I will be brief, every student here will be placed in one of twelve different coterie teams. The teams have been selected on how well students have worked together and how well they performed from last year’s Trials. Depending on skill sets, knowledge, and experience, the teams will vary from eight to over twenty members to each team.”
Professor Frost finished her incantation, energy swirling along her hands and leaping up into the air. Everyone watched as the swirling colors reformed into a top view of a star-shaped island. In the center, there appeared to be a structure, while the rest of the island was covered in green trees and small lakes.
Luthis lifted a hand and pointed at the glowing image above him. “This is Star Fall island. I’m sure most of you haven’t heard of it before, but it is an ancient island about two days journey by ship from Mist Haven Isle. It was used to spot larger sea monsters when they would approach from the depths of the Western Sea. It stands on the edge of the deepest part of the ocean. It has been long abandoned except for when we use it for academy exams.”
Luthis lowered his hand and took hold of the sides of the podium once again, “The island is not a pleasant place. It’s cold, wet, and has difficult terrain. The ground is dirt and sharp rocks. It has simple wildlife, but sea monsters do come ashore from time to time.
“I will not deceive you, this is a difficult place to transverse. Kingdoms used to send soldiers to man the structure in the center, a lighthouse with a keep underneath it and high walls surrounding it. The structure has fallen into some ruin, but the lighthouse still stands, a beacon for any who step foot on the island.”
Ghostly ships moved across the air, making their way to the island’s edge.
“In thr
ee days, ships will arrive at Silver Port. The Sea Witch will carry all students together. A small fleet of five, smaller ships will travel along, bringing supplies and large rowboats to move the coteries to the starting locations around the island.”
Dax watched as the ghostly ships reached the coast of the island, tiny ships breaking off and moving along the coast. After a few moments, they all stopped at different locations surrounding the island.
“As you can see, each coterie will be dropped off on a different stretch of beach. The first objective will be to penetrate the interior of the island and make your way to the lighthouse. The island is vast. The journey may take three to five days to complete, so you will be out in the elements for some time.”
Luthis’s kind demeanor shifted to a serious mask. “The second objective is to enter the lighthouse ruins and explore the sub-levels. Hidden within the sub-levels will be four trophy crystals. Professor Frost and Counselor Skullcut have been kind enough to devote their time this year to monitoring the ruins and waiting for coteries to arrive. Once your group has found a crystal, bring it back to the surface and hand it over to Professor Frost or Counselor Skullcut.
“I can tell from some of your expressions, you have questions. The Phantom Campaign is a competition, seeing who among you are adept and skillful enough to cross the island and retrieve a crystal. With twelve teams, there can be only four winners. Reaching the Lighthouse will indicate you have passed. Finding a crystal will ensure you are among the elite of the academy.”
Shadows lengthened under the High Dean’s eyes, “The exam is more than simply surviving. The island will be populated with a phantom army. There is a mana spring deep underground. The phantoms we place there will be Illkith and their Sukarr slaves.”
Dax’s eyes widened. Remembering the many history books he read, images of the Illkith and the Sukarr came to mind. The Illkith were humanoid ocean dwellers with tentacles covering the lower half of their faces. Their heads were pointed and they had large, oval eyes. Their race was despised because they often abducted any humanoids they could find so they could feast on their brains and lay their foul eggs in the rotting corpses.
The Sukarr were a slave race to the Illkith. Fish-like humanoids of below average intelligence, they followed their master’s every whim, making the bulk of the Illkith armies. The two races were the scourge of the Western Sea until the Void War. When races were pushed back to the coast, many fled to the hundreds of islands that dotted the Western Sea. Any Illkith on those islands were hunted and killed without a second thought. Despite having the Sukarr to fight back, the primal sea people weren’t smart enough to fight against simple tactics. The Illkith retreated into hiding, barely seen or heard from in close to a century. The Sukarr were sometimes caught in fishing nets, but they too had not been seen in a very long time.
Luthis continued, “The phantoms will be well fed from the mana under the island, but they will continue to hunt any invaders on the island. Since they are phantoms, if any of them drain enough energy from students here, they will move on when you are no longer conscious. You may wake with a headache later, but it’s a small price to pay considering the alternative.
“Should you fall during your exam and cannot be brought back by a cleric or paladin, graduated mage champions and clerics will teleport to you and bring you back to the Sea Witch. Your actions during the campaign will dictate your score and see if you pass or fail.”
“Make no mistake, the phantoms will behave much like their living counterparts. They will hunt, fight, and try to subdue you. Every student here in all coteries will have to work together to ensure your group makes it the lighthouse. There will be losses along the way, accept that.
“Since this is a campaign, coteries will be working together toward a common goal. Under no circumstances are you to hinder or stop your fellow classmates. This campaign will be a fine example of what to expect after you graduate. Should evil arise, we will come together to vanquish it, together.”
A brightness returned to the High Dean’s eyes, “Every student will have enough food and water to last four days. Should you run out of supplies and your health begins to decline, you will be pulled from the exam. Those of you who know how to hunt and survive, your skills may be needed during the campaign.”
Dax blinked, knowing full well he was a city dweller.
Luthis smiled. “Once every student is accounted for, we shall return to the ships and sail home where I believe a celebration shall be waiting.”
A solemn silence filled the vast auditorium, stark realization filling each student with a sense of dread and excitement. Dax was no exception. The chance to be part of a large training operation piqued his interest. Having many companions at his side only fanned the flame of desire to win the campaign at all costs.
Thoughts flowed to Isani. The rogue was correct with her information and for that, Dax was thankful. The long hours of reading, studying, and training practices would give them an edge.
“I hope we are in the same coterie again,” Vance whispered.
Dax nodded. “They did say the teams were picked depending on how well we worked together during the Trials. I’m pretty sure we will be.”
Luthis looked out to the second-year students with warmth and understanding, “Much like the Trials, no one can account for everything. Accidents do happen and lives have been lost during exams. It is as important as ever that everyone looks out for one another. A life cut short is one where the world will never see their full potential and I know I want to see everyone reach their full potential.
“Please stay in the auditorium as myself, Professor Frost and Counselor Skullcut will be handing out scrolls with your designated coteries. Once we are finished, you will have three days to prepare for the campaign. Rest, plan, and strategize for everyone here will be tested. Only the strong, cunning, and resourceful will succeed. The true champions will be the ones who help their brothers and sisters through what is to come.”
Luthis, Frost, and Skullcut nodded as the magical image above them faded to nothing. The trio made their way to the side stairs of the stage while many students stood up and moved into several large groups.
Dax and Vance were up, moving to the aisle as Symon, Fern, Zarra, Isani, and Ressa all made their way closer. Eyes were wide with excitement as they met up.
Dax looked to Isani and smiled. “Your information was correct.”
“Was there any doubt?” the shadow elf smirked.
“None whatsoever,” the mage said.
“The real question is, will we all be together?” Symon said.
Dax glanced sideways to see Professor Frost handing a scroll to a student. “I don’t know, but it shouldn’t be long before we get our answer.”
Fern lifted up her fists and they trembled before her, “If we’re not on the same coterie, I’m going to bash someone’s head in!”
“I hope it’s not one of our heads,” Symon chuckled.
Fern looked to the tall spellsword, her eyes narrowing, “You’re safe, for now.”
The spellsword barked out a laugh.
“We will have to use every moment until we set off to plan and re-plan for contingencies,” Vance added, his mind already working.
“You shouldn’t overthink it. The world is made up of chaos,” Ressa hissed a laugh.
Vance nodded. “True, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be prepared.”
“Whatever happens, we will get through it together,” Dax smiled.
Heads nodded and smiles bloomed.
A shadow touched the corner of Dax’s senses and he turned to the smiling, scarred face of Counselor Skullcut.
“Dax, may I speak with you for a moment,” the counselor said as he bowed his head.
The mage nodded. Counselor and student stepped about twenty feet away and stood before the stage. Skullcut reached into his robe sleeve and pulled out a rolled-up scroll. Extending his arm, he handed it to Dax.
The mage unfurled the scrol
l and read over the list of names. Dax found himself smiling as he saw Symon, Fern, Zarra, Vance, Isani, and Ressa’s names on the list. He kept his smile when he saw Noss’s name below Ressa’s name. The smile began to wane as he saw Clive’s name was on the list and below his, Nuria’s name.
“There are only ten names here. Our coterie is very small,” Dax said as he looked to the scroll.
Counselor Skullcut nodded. “It was discussed a few times and we decided, if Zarra is part of your coterie, your group will have more than enough power and skill to complete the campaign. This is part of the reason why I wanted to see you. Many of the faculty think Zarra is much too powerful, even with her diminished power, to be part of this exam. I spoke on her behalf, informing the faculty that the only way she is going to learn is through experience. While most of the coteries will have two to three clerics, your group will only have one.
“But if you feel your coterie should have more members, we will remove Zarra and add more members to your group.”
“It’s fine,” Dax said without hesitation. “I would trade a dozen people just to make sure Zarra was with us. It has nothing to do with her power, but everything to do with being our friend.”
Counselor Skullcut nodded with a smile. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, card mage. The last thing we must decide upon is, who will lead the coterie. I assume it’s you so if you would please sign the scroll.”
Dax smiled. “I won’t be leading this time. Symon is a very capable leader. He will lead us to victory.”
The counselor nodded. “A wise decision.”
The scarred counselor lifted a meaty hand and waved Symon over. The spellsword made his way to Dax’s side and looked to the gray-haired counselor.
“I have been told you will be leading the Dragon Eye Coterie,” Skullcut smiled.
Symon gave a knowing glance to Dax. The two friends smiled before Symon stood at full attention and stuck out his chest.
“Yes, Counselor. I shall be leading my coterie during the campaign,” Symon said with confidence.
Skullcut produced a quill and held it and the scroll out to the spellsword. “I will require your signature, Coterie Leader Shieldbrook.”
