[INTERLUDE]
Cleitus arrived first. He had been here before: not inside the garden but outside by the vaults, lingering in the shadows. Now, he watched the golden rays of the setting sun slip into the lush green of The Daemon's sanctuary.
He pressed himself into a dark spot. The knot in his chest tightened. Thoughts of meeting the Daemon, Cassian, consumed him. Two weeks of following him had left a dark impression on Cleitus; each day left him questioning whether it was worth the risk with every passing second that he tailed Cassian. Two years under Lord Lucius's servitude offered more than a better life. It promised a path to strength: joining Lord Lucius's dark guild. He desired it, and Cleitus was an inch away.
Cleitus sat; the grass felt cold to the touch. He liked it that way. The knot in his chest melted away. Comfort. A false sense of security despite having to meet the Daemon later that evening.
Danger! His senses screamed within his distracted mind. He called his Virtue. The shadows around him darkened, then thickened into a blanket. Cleitus sank into the darkness, his presence vanishing while his eyes peered out.
*---*
Panos wore his weapon more blatantly than his peers: it was not the illegal short sword stuck to his hip. But the smile that shone as he scanned the garden. The dark corner to his right stuck out to him. It was not supposed to be that dark. He strutted towards the shadows.
The shadows shattered into fragments of black glass. A boy pounced towards him with a dark, blade-like object aimed at his heart. Smiling, Panos dashed to the side. His gladius slid out of its sheath as he pivoted to follow the boy.
The garden was suddenly filled with gray smoke, turning it into a dream-like realm. Panos drew out his aether. Pulsating it against the illusion within the garden to locate the shadow boy.
"There is no need for this cat-and-mouse game," Panos said. Turning and scanning.
A dark projectile shot towards him. He deflected it easily.
"Why don't you respond with words?"
There was no response. Panos swung his sword around in excitement. He fell into a peculiar stance; he had located the boy. But when he felt a new presence, his posture loosened, and then he dropped out of the stance.
The gray smoke vanished. The illusion faded.
Panos turned to the entrance. The new presence had cornered the shadow boy. A dagger danced before the shadow boy's throat.
Panos clapped his hands.
"Thanks, Theo," he said. His voice jittery.
"I am Cleitus," the boy shouted," I'm here under Lord Lucius's orders."
Theo withdrew his dagger then turned and took a spot close to the exit. His dagger was still in his hand, though his eyes were locked on Cleitus.
Panos sheathed the sword.
"Relax, we are all friends," Panos told Cleitus.
He wrapped his hand over Cleitus's shoulder, pulling him towards him," But that's not how friends talk to each other."
Panos's smile disappeared. Then reappeared.
"I'm Panos, and the brooder is Theo," He said with his usual enthusiasm. Theo was indifferent to both. Panos removed his hand. They stood face to face. Panos was taller with a warrior's build. Cleitus was small and scrawny. A body built for flight.
"You have an assassin's eyes, but you aren't one. Interesting," Panos said. His hand scratched his bald chin in thought.
" A Curiosus instead. A rat, if I may add."
Panos stepped closer. Cleitus's jaw tightened.
"Skittering in the shadows," Panos smiled, "You almost had me there with the dreamy illusion and the shadow blades. It's not every day I get to meet a dreamweaver."
" You are the only unremarkable person here." A velvety voice could be heard from the door. She continues," Why don't we lay off the petty antics and wait for the master like the good dogs we are."
"Cleitus, that's Nona. A pest," Panos turns to Cleitus, smiling," Like you of course, but a bit worse in my opinion."
"Leave him be," Nona stood near Cleitus, her gentle gaze pulling his focus, then her half-smile killed his ability to think. Unable to maintain the gaze, Cleitus shied away.
"He does not like that I am a connoisseur in the pleasures of women," Her hand clamps Cleitus's chin, propping it to level her gaze," and men alike."
The soft touch reddens Cleitus's face. Embarrassed and charmed, he steps away from Nona but rather reluctantly.
Panos began clapping," What a wonderful speech from one rat to another. There is no need to sugarcoat what you do with your body. It's rather disgraceful."
"I don't get where your arrogance and pride stem from. I don't think being the unwanted bastard son of a pathetic backwater noble should warrant you wobbling around like the king of the world," Nona squares up to Panos.
She watched as Panos's face twitched. Her bright smile maddened Panos even more.
Panos takes a step back. He unhands the pommel of the blade. He turns his back on Nona. Facing Cleitus instead. His breaths regain their lost rhythm. He turns back to Nona.
"Your loose words won't ensnare me. I ain't like the men you go after. I am better," He steps forward. His face almost touching hers," Better in all the ways you can imagine and those…."
"Enough!" A new gruff voice bellows for order," They are coming. Prepare."
The newcomer walks between Cleitus and Theo. Stands behind them. He straightens his regalia black coat. The rest scurried to new positions. Now, they waited.
*------*
Nona followed the unrelenting storm that was Cassian, as he walked in. A myth was being unraveled before her eyes. She watched Cassian smile, which was contrary to what everyone believed. She could see the life she wanted before her eyes. Clinging to Lucius had finally brought her close to those with real power. She licked her lips, carving up a plan to use the opportunity before her.
*------*
Cleitus's instincts pulsed rather violently. His aether tipped his fingers, burning with the paranoid desire of self-preservation that had earlier pushed him to attack Panos without thinking twice. He watched the boy in regalia black address Cassian with the confidence he lacked. The conversation strung up tension into a thin line.
Silence layered over the fine line of tension, thickening the moment. Different pulsing aether, all from his peers, lingered in the air. Cassian's predatory glance swept the garden. The Daemon's aether barraged out of him, overwhelmingly over everyone else. Cleitus brought out more of his own aether so did everyone else.
The Daemon retraced his aether and drew up a grin.
"I was thinking we'll brawl out, but I have changed my mind. Before the start of the dorm wars, you are to prove your skill in the way you know best. The one who impresses me the most will be rewarded. A relic perhaps. A punishment will also be discussed."
Cleitus was late to the uniform chant," Yes Dominus!"
Lucius nodded in approval.
"If that's all, leave my garden," Cassian demanded," Regelia boy, stay back."
The rest left, save for Lucius and the boy in regelia black.
*------*
Quintus Otho Nevra stood. He was used to standing then waiting in silence. He let his mind roam. His straying thoughts barred him from following the conversation between Lucius and Cassian, and even if he wanted to eavesdrop on the conversation, he had no use for the information. For a soldier could not wield whispers, and Quintus thought to himself that he was an exceptional soldier. So he stood in silence and waited as the whispers of his masters scattered with the wind.
The conversation came to an end with Lucius's brief parting words. Cassian did not respond, only acknowledging with a heavy nod. Quintus bore the weight of silence once Lucius left. It lingered like a thick smog: choking and suffocating. Then came Cassian's heavier gaze. His eyes were devoid of the spark of life.
He began to steady his racing heart. He could not be overwhelmed by fear. He is human, Quintus reassured himself.
"How do you fight the fear?" Cassian asked.
Quintus took a minute to form an answer.
"You don't fight it. You embrace it. Turning into a useful anchor."
"Is that what you are doing now and even then?" Cassian did not let Quintus answer, he continued," Why didn't you release your aether like the rest?"
"There was no need. You weren't intending to fight us."
Cassian's grunt prompted Quintus to continue," I have seen you fight twice. You don't use aether in combat situations. No offense Dominus, you fight more like a plebian rather than a noble."
Seeing Cassian smile, Quintus was revieled. Fear's grip on his heart lessened.
"Interesting."
Cassian looked lost in thought for a moment and then asked," Your insights on the rest of the team."
"Theo is an assassin through and through, Cleitus will always look out for himself, Nona overestimates her abilities while Panos is too caught up in the edifices of nobility to realise he lacks what makes nobles: noble."
"Expound more on Panos," Cassian demanded.
"He believes a noble's strength lies in their bloodline or legacy but a noble's strength lies in their ability to maintain systems of power that oppress and take advantage of those who are incapable of doing so. Their strength is not in their name itself but their ability to use their name to their benefit."
Cassian's smile turned into a seamless grin. Broad and full of approval.
"What do you believe strength is? Wait, better question: what is power?"
"A tool for ambition, something meant to platform your dreams."
"So Quintus, do you dare to dream?"
"No Dominus, dreams are wasted on soldiers like myself."
Cassian's smile faded. He took a leaden step toward Quintus.
"Never and I say never lie to me again. So answer my question Quintus," Raising his voice, Cassian asks," Do you dare to dream?"
Quintus's stoic demeanour broke. He felt naked and defenceless.
"I wish to become the greatest Imperator in the Imperium's history."
Cassian dons a smile.
"Whimsical. Almost funny you wish to steal my father's legacy. No wonder you lied," Cassian began pacing," Since my inspection into this world, I have been plagued with nightmares. I move without purpose. Surviving is the best way to describe it. However, now I feel I am building towards something."
Cassian stops and faces Quintus. He continues," In my pursuit of survival I will need dependable people by my side. I, Cassian Atrius Valerian, offer you Quintus Otho Nerva, I place by my side. I will ensure you become what you desire."
Quintus froze. He could not hide his smile. For sometime he admired Cassian's recent attics. He saw them as the strategic intelligence that turns good soldiers to great ones.
" Dominus, I would like more time to consider the offer."
Cassian shredded his deadpan expression for a smile.
"It's alright. You have until the end of the exams to decide. I think it will be enough time to show what I have to offer as well. Now escort me to my room."
They left the garden in silence.
Cassian broke the ice," What is my weakness?"
Confident, Quintus answered," Your reputation, Dominus."
"They say a man should wear his reputation like his belt."
"Nobody says that, Dominus."
" Let's just say the expression is out of this world," Cassian chuckled right after his comment.
Quintus shook his head, very confused.