by Eric Vall
I laughed a little as she finished up with the tonic and set it aside. When she turned back to me, her smile had faded, and her jaw was set a little more serious.
“Don’t you go dying on everyone tomorrow,” she warned as she helped me sit up.
“Don’t you worry about that, Meriden.” I scooted to the edge of the bed and hopped off, refreshed and ready to take on anything.
“That is my job, Mr. Gryff.” She laughed quietly and ushered me back towards the entrance. “Remember, your life may be yours, but it means so much to so many.”
I considered her words. I wasn’t sure what to make of them really, but I nodded in spite of that.
“One more thing.” Meriden scooted around to the other side of the bed and opened a chest that sat atop the counter. She pulled out a single vial of a red liquid that swirled with silver, then closed it again before she turned back to me. She turned my palm up and placed it there before she curled my fingers over it.
“What’s this?” I asked, curious.
“You are allowed one item of healing in the Magicae Nito,” she explained, “but no one bothers to read the fine print anymore.”
Meriden smiled, and it was the kind of smile that I imagined mothers gave their children when they wanted the best for them. I wasn’t her child, but I supposed that I been in here enough that she considered it her duty to take care of me.
“Thank you,” I said.
“That is an elixir. Take it when your mana is dangerously low, and it will completely replenish you.” Meriden winked, and I gawked at her.
“And before you start getting ideas, Mr. Gryff,” she cut me off, “there is a limit. Let your mana drop too low, and the elixir will have no effect at all.”
I frowned. “Well, how am I supposed to know where the line is?”
“You don’t,” she honestly answered. “You have to use your best judgment.”
I turned the vial over in my hand before I hopped off the bed. An elixir, huh? It might come in handy.
“Thank you again.” I touched her shoulder, and she patted my hand lightly before she sent me back off into the evening.
I didn’t run into my friends again until dinnertime, and I was confused by the looks of horror on their faces when they saw me. I looked around, mildly afraid there would be some kind of ghost or something else that lurked nearby.
“What happened to your shirt?” Nia’s voice was nearly shrill, and I looked to see that the aforementioned shirt, or what was left of it, was still covered in blood.
I grinned sheepishly as I hesitated. I didn’t know how much about the weapons I was supposed to keep secret even though Arwyn hadn’t exactly specifically asked that we keep it a secret at all. Still, I didn’t think it wise to run around the Academy blurting out things about weapons made from rhin, or weapons at all, for that matter.
“Ah, Ms. Hamner asked Varleth and I to help her with something, and it got a little crazy,” I lied, but it wasn’t, really. She asked for our help, and we went a little wild.
“It sure looks that way.” Layla put her hands on her hips and teased.
“Aw, don’t be like that. I’m serious!” I laughed, and my friends rolled their eyes at me. “What?”
“Gawain paid us a visit while you were gone.” Braden crossed his arms.
I immediately turned my eyes on Nia. “Did he say anything to you?”
Nia shrugged and averted her eyes. “He… was actually pretty nice. He said he was sorry for what happened yesterday and offered to be there to talk if I needed to.”
I stared at her with wide eyes. Gawain? Being nice? Obviously, something was afoot. Gawain wasn’t nice. The word simply didn’t exist in his vocabulary, and even if it did, the definition of the word was certainly as warped and twisted as he was.
“He’s up to something,” I mumbled mostly to myself.
“Layla thinks so, too,” Braden noted.
“Of course he is! Why would he only stop by when you weren’t around?” Layla argued as she popped her hip sassily, and she had a fair point.
Nia shrugged. She looked uncomfortable like she would rather talk about anything else than Gawain Madox. I couldn’t blame her if that were true.
“Nia?” I prodded.
“Just drop it, Gryff.” She sighed, mildly frustrated. “Focus on your round tomorrow. You need to be on your toes.”
I frowned a little at the sudden change of tone, but I nodded. Nia was right.
We spent the rest of dinner and most of the remainder of the evening in relative silence. There was still a bit of somberness in the air throughout the Academy. There were whispers and rumors of Liam’s untimely death, as well as the occasional breakdown in a secluded corner by his friends. It was hard to witness, and I’m sure it was even harder to swallow that someone they cared for was never coming back.
I knew I wasn’t indestructible, but even though I didn’t know him, Liam had given me the courage to fight harder and to be an all-around better person. If that meant putting my differences with Gawain aside for one night, then I’d do it gladly.
The time between then and my round in the Magicae Nito was spent mostly with my friends as they tried to get me excited and hype me up for what was to come. I wasn’t nervous, just mildly wary of the possibility of death, but not nervous. I knew what I was doing, and I knew I could more than handle myself in a battle. This wasn’t my first rift. I had the advantage.
As we came down the path from the main building to the arena, I saw Maelor and Cyra as they chatted up Meriden. I smiled a little to myself as the old man blushed at something she’d said, and Cyra rolled her eyes as she turned to face us.
“There he is!” Cyra exclaimed. “The man of the hour!”
I laughed a little as I took my last few strides to them and hugged her. Her arms brought me a surprising sense of comfort, and her hair smelled like flowers.
“I got you something,” Cyra whispered in my ear, and I barely repressed the shiver that threatened to race down my spine.
She pulled back and reached a hand into the pouch that hung at her hip. After a moment, she pulled out a deep blue crystal.
“What’s this?” I asked as she put it into my hands. I didn’t feel any monster inside of it.
“An empty crystal,” she told me. “I heard through some networking that summoners that are able to capture a monster during the Magicae Nito get a lot of points, so I found one that might be of use to you because they keep using rare monsters in there.”
I looked it over. It didn’t look like much now, but once there was a monster inside of it, it would change shape and size. For now, it was a simple sphere that fit into the palm of my hand.
“I’ll give it a try. If there is an opportunity. Thank you, Cyra.” I hugged her again, and she laughed.
“Now go kick ass.” She winked at me, and I smirked in kind.
“Look at you!” Maelor bellowed as he mulled over to us and looked me up and down.
“What’s wrong?” To me, I didn’t look any different than I did when I went on normal missions. I’d get my mask, communicator, and flares once I checked in, but everything else was the same. My bandolier was strapped across my chest as usual, and my cloak was fastened tightly around my shoulders by my summoners pin. I guess Maelor had really only seen me the one time, and he himself had been in the midst of the battle outside of Bathi, so he didn’t get much of a look.
“You’re a fine lad, Gryff,” Maelor told me as he put his large hands on my shoulders. There were giant tears in his eyes, and I felt my own start to well up.
“Old man, don’t you go crying on me,” I teased and went in for the hug. I could feel the pride Maelor had in me radiate from his body. It felt good and reminded me that he was there, that he cared. That meant more to me than almost anything.
We separated, and then he patted my hair again. I simply bowed my head and let him, mostly because I still had tears in my eyes that I didn’t want the others to see. I wiped them with
the backs of my hands and sniffled before I righted myself again.
“Go knock ‘em dead, Gryffie,” Layla encouraged from behind me, and I faced my friends. She leaned up and kissed my cheek, and then took my face between her hands and whispered, “You better come back to us.”
“I will. I promise.” It was a promise I didn’t know if I could keep, but I’d make it every time if it gave her reassurance.
“Do your best, Gryff.” Nia kissed my other cheek and left it at that. I had a hunch that she wasn’t the best at send-offs.
I looked at Braden expectantly, and he shook his head.
“I like you, but I’m not kissing you,” he replied, and I choked on a laugh that I wasn’t ready for.
“Shut up.” I gave him a high five and pulled him into a half hug.
“Go kick ass, Gryff.” He smiled and punched my shoulder playfully.
“Don’t I always?” I turned, and at that moment I was nearly nose-to-nose with Gawain.
“Gryff.” He regarded me with a slight sneer.
I stood upright and looked him straight in the eye. “Madox.”
We were caught in an infinite loop where we stared at one another until someone broke the silence. It was a strange occurrence. I couldn’t bring myself to look away, not that I particularly found staring at Gawain Madox any kind of interesting in the slightest, but I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that if I turned my back or looked away, he would shank me. I wouldn’t put it past him, to be perfectly honest.
“Gawain, let’s go!” one of his lackeys called out, and Gawain’s eyes looked over me.
“Stay out of my way, filthy summoner,” he warned. His voice had more of a growl to it than I remembered him having the last time we spoke. That was months ago, but surely he hadn’t changed all that much in such a short amount of time.
I guessed the only way I would find out was by entering the mock rift with him.
I saw Gawain glance at Nia before he stalked off without another word.
“That was bizarre,” Layla commented.
“Whatever. I just want this to be done and over with.” I scoffed, then rolled my shoulders a bit to loosen up the tension that had built up. “Okay. I think I’m ready.”
“You’re going to be fine,” Nia said with a smile, and it reassured me more than I could express.
My friends all wished me various versions of ‘good luck’ as I stalked over to the check-in. The man behind the little counter gave me the standard military issue gear that I was already used to and then allowed me into the lobby area where we had to wait for the round to start.
The lobby was nothing more than a cleaned-out storage closet alight with dim lanterns and a few stools. It was sparsely decorated with a flag bearing the Varle Academy crest as well as a banner that represented all the four types of magic. Overall, it wasn’t much to look at, but it was strangely quiet. I liked that.
Upon having entered, I was surprised to find Varleth already there but was even more surprised to see him with a girl. I almost didn’t want to interrupt them, not that they were doing anything inappropriate, but how often was Varleth left alone with a girl? She was cute. Her face was familiar, but her hair is what really stood out. It was a vibrant orange, obviously not a natural shade by any stretch of the imagination, and it was short, choppy.
“Gryff!” The girl faced me and bounded up to me.
“Uh, hi?” I looked at her, confusion written all over my face. Did I know this girl?
“Oh!” She exclaimed suddenly. “You probably don’t recognize me with this hair.”
I stared at her for a moment longer and analyzed everything else about her. Freckled cheeks, bright amber eyes, gorgeous smile, soft pink lips…
Then it clicked.
“Erin!” I grinned.
“You like it?” she asked and ran her hands through her orange locks. It looked soft, and I resisted the urge to reach out and run my own hands through it.
“I do. It suits you well.” I complimented, and I delighted in the light blush that painted her cute cheeks.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Varleth roll his eyes.
“Don’t worry, I like your hair, too.” I teased with a wink.
Varleth groaned. “You’re ridiculous.”
I laughed and was about to retort when Gawain pushed the door open. We all stopped and watched him as he turned up his nose at us.
“You know,” I started, “even if you don’t like me, it’s not polite to shun the rest of your team, especially when you would have been on the same squad as Varleth, had you not lost to me.”
“I don’t deal with gypsies.” Gawain looked Varleth up and down. “They are nothing but tramps and thieves.”
I snarled, and Varleth put his hand on my arm to hold me back.
Gawain chuckled, and there was something dark in the pompous tone that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. He sauntered by, nose still prominently up in the air, and took a seat by the entrance to the arena.
“You shouldn’t have to put up with that from him,” I angrily whispered to Varleth, who shrugged and sneered at him, anyway.
“Gawain Madox doesn’t know anything about me other than what his filthy father tells him.” Varleth spat.
“His father?” I questioned. “What does his father know about you?”
“Takers, attention please,” Sleet’s voice cut him off, and we gave him the attention he so requested.
“Later,” Varleth whispered back, and I nodded.
“As the four of you are aware, there was an incident the other night concerning the mirrortaurs within the rift that led to the death of Mr. Liam Aegard,” Sleet began his speech, and I bounced back and forth on my heels.
“Please be advised, what happened to Liam was beyond the control of the Academy or the council,” he continued. “The monsters that are within the mock rift are very real and very lethal. Now, your round will begin shortly. I want you all to do your best. You’ve all proven that you’re worthy to be here academically, but now show us what you’re really made of.”
“Sir!” We all saluted and bowed, then began to head out to the arena floor.
“A quick word, Gryff?” Sleet called out, so I stopped and waved to Varleth and Erin to head out without me. I didn’t worry about Gawain. He was already gone anyway.
Sleet placed a hand on my shoulder and sighed. “You remember our chat the other night, yes?”
I nodded. “Of course, sir.”
“Miriam is watching you closely, Gryff. Give her any reason to tear you down and she will,” he warned, and I couldn’t help but feel this was much deeper than what he’d previously said about her.
“Sir, a question or two, if I may?” I asked, and Sleet paused. “Why does she have it out for me? And why are you here and not with her? You didn’t give speeches to the other Takers.”
Sleet chuckled and smiled as he stroked his beard. “Your questions are valid, though I am afraid I only have time for one.”
I sighed. “The first one, then.”
“Miriam Sharpay herself is not a summoner, but she was once married to a man that was,” Sleet explained. “Miriam is old, you see, and refuses to accept that monsters can be used as allies. She claims they are too unpredictable, and while that does hold a bit of truth, it negates the possibilities of using them for good.”
I stared. I didn’t know if I fully understood her position.
“So what are you saying, exactly?” I asked, but I didn’t get an answer. The announcer guy, whose identity I had yet to figure out, had started to introduce the Takers, and I was first in line.
“Our Takers tonight have a wide array of abilities that we will be lucky enough to witness in action. First is Gryff of Njordenfalls, first-year summoner!” the announcer’s voice echoed over the arena, and as I stepped up to the gate, I could hear waves of cheers and claps. It was a surreal feeling to stand there and accept positive reception. I’d spotted my friends and Maelor fro
nt and center and waved to them. Layla almost fell over as she jumped up and down. Silly girl.
“Our other vanguard is none other than Gawain Madox, a first-year elementalist, whom you all might remember lost to Gryff earlier this year in a duel to gain a spot on a Monster Defense Squad,” the announcer man continued, and I held back a fit of laughter when Gawain cursed and looked at the ground.
“Next up is the banisher from the group, and one of Gryff’s teammates in the aforementioned Monster Defense Squad, Varleth Prost, third-year banisher!” There were a few cheers for Varleth as well, but he didn’t acknowledge them. Go figure.
“Last but not least, rounding off this round of Takers is our banisher’s shield, Erin Lindblum, a fourth-year mimic!” the announcer finished, and there was a gigantic round of applause for our group. “You all know the rules, so let’s get this started! Vanguard, on your marks!”
I put on my mask and double checked all of my gear. I saw Gawain do the same, and in the back of my mind, I was glad that he wasn’t going to make a total ass of himself. We briefly made eye contact and nodded as we raised our hands to signal we’re ready.
I happened to look up toward where I knew Sleet would be seated. He must not have gotten over to the other side of the stadium yet because his usual spot was empty, but on either side of it were Gallahar Kenefick and Miriam Sharpay. I had wished to have more of a proper conversation with the General before today. Maybe he could have given me a few pointers.
My concern, though, was Miriam. I could feel her gaze on me, and my nerves flared up. A sick heat stuck to the back of my neck as the mock rift warped to life before my eyes. It really was similar to a real gate, but there weren’t any symbols in the smoke, and the smell was definitely more manageable than that of the actual rift. I was pretty sure the masks were simply to round off the overall feel of being inside of the real thing.
There was no more time for apprehension though. The whistle blew, and Gawain and I entered the mock rift. It felt similar to the real thing, but there wasn’t anything quite like the experience of being transported through to a new space and time.
