The room was hollow.
Crack crack
Fire crackled in the furnace, as the wind struck the windows; showcasing a painting of stillness.
The top floor of the first year dormitory was hushed, a stark difference to the floors below.
Cough
They sat around; the Elite.
Plush chairs circled the fire as their silhouettes were painted gold by the flames.
"So Selle," Fayl finally said, leaning back with a slight smile, "planning to wear anything nice tomorrow?"
The silence broke just like that.
Not with talk of what transpired, but with talk of the ball that spread in the air following.
Selle tilted her head, her blonde hair untied, and swaying as she turned. Her voice was smooth, "Why? You planning to ask me out?"
The other's necks craned slightly.
Eyes narrowed.
Fayl froze.
His mouth opened...closed...opened again. "I-I--"
The silence snapped when Aelana burst into laughter. Seris covered her mouth failing to hide her smile.
Even Veyna let out a sharp chuckle, muttering, "Hopeless".
Heat crawled up Fayl's neck, but the smirk didn't leave his lips. "Tch...guess I walked into that one."
Even Rowen Delca, ever quiet and moody offered a chuckle.
For a moment, the firelight felt warm.
The laughter lingered a breath longer. But then died down just as quickly.
Shadows crept alongside the crackle of the flames.
Enyx Virell spoke at last, voice low. "Jokes aside...none of us are forgetting that duel."
Torin grunted in agreement.
The room fell quiet again.
"Please," Veyna cut the silence with a sharp tone, "It'll definitely be a reminder for those to stay in their place."
Torin opened his eyes slightly, but he didn't retort.
Enyx looked her up and down, before snorting.
Tension was clearly building slightly, simmering beneath the fire's crackle.
One.
Two.
Fayl's eyes shifted, quick guilty glances, landing on Selle.
Almost shameful.
A flicker.
Nothing more...
Slight glances, barely noticeable but apparent still.
She caught it.
Her head tilted, just slightly, as if asking a question.
His throat tightened, he looked away, then muttered under his breath.
Soft enough for her to hear....
"....I would go."
-------------
The warmth of the fire dimmed with the change of scenery.
In Sector 0, the heart of Auric Spire City, preparations for the Recognition Ball moved with haste.
White-stone towers loomed over the avenues, their stained glass windows spilling colours all around.
Carriages lined with crest banners rolled past marble steps, while guards in ceremonial armour stood rooted, prepared in silence.
At the palace, chandeliers of crystal swayed above a hall vast enough to dwarf the academy's Grand Hall.
Truly marvellous.
Servants rushed to prepare decorations and such for such a festivity.
It was important.
On the throne dais, King Azarel Elyndor leaned forward, his crimson eyes gazing at the list of names presented.
"The first-years," he muttered, fingers drumming against the hand rest.
"Who among them can carry the weight of our banner? Tell me?"
The prince's gaze lingered in the air, as if nobody was truly suited.
The princess however, tilted her head slightly.
Her eyes skimmed the names, with practised calm before speaking, "Jacob Lacura."
Her voice was steady.
And yet... as the letter was lowered, her gaze drifted to another name.
Just briefly, truly.
One most would have ignored.
Riven Brown.
The King nodded at her choice.
He turned to his son:
"And you Samuel?" his words came slow, but they held weight.
Prince Samuel, looked toward his father.
His blonde hair glistened in the light, an almost perfect replica of the one sitting before him.
"I would-"
-----------
The air floated with the presence of preparation...but in the back of everyone's mind was the event that had happened hours earlier.
"...That Silent-"
"Unbelievable right..."
"I heard-"
One individual thrived in the centre of those whispers; people creating a legend of him by themselves.
You know the name.
Jacob was....somewhere.
His eyes were half-lidded, hands clasped behind his back, the silence in the air stretching.
He stood in darkness.
The scene of the fight replayed in his mind like a record that wouldn't stop, even as he commanded it to.
Something he didn't enjoy.
'That look.'
That look of fire, even though he was covered in his own matter.
Jacob felt something rising in his stomach.
Who knows what the feeling was....and if it would be the last.
His father had just pestered him, congratulating him of his performance.
Someone he thought little of.
Rustle
His arms brushed against his clothes, as he traced his hand to his spine.
That scar...
A scar he'd have forever now.
'...Disgusting.'
His fists clenched.
Huff
Before he took a breath...
'One step...slowly, but surely.'
'....I will ascend.'
The next thought, expressed into the air, cutting it like truth:
"It's destiny."
---------
In the Headmaster's office, papers scattered everywhere, some even floated....
A faint lamplight burned in the night.
Scribble scribble
It was a slow rhythm in a room of prestige.
BEEP!
The motions were disturbed as a noise set off.
It was a notification from a med-bot, he'd connected to.
Kael Sarn's quill stilled.
Silence stretched as the message hovered, eyes gleaming between anticipation and weight.
"....So the boy rises."