The groundwolf lay still, its menacing growl replaced by the heavy breathing of my new dorm mates. Henry quickly wiped his dagger clean on the dead beast's fur, his face still grim, but a hint of something – perhaps relief, or grudging satisfaction – in his eyes. Jove, ever the optimist, clapped me on the shoulder. "Nice moves, Drakarian boy! You almost had that last one, but hey, teamwork makes the dream work, right?" "Teamwork, or just less blundering," Henry muttered, not looking at Jove, but the corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. Jove just laughed, shaking his head. "Oh, come on, Henry, admit it! We were pretty epic back there."
I nodded, still catching my breath, a wave of exhaustion washing over me. I couldn't help but wonder, why didn't my Void Bind activate again? In that desperate moment, when the wolf was on top of me, the stomach ached, the voice, the violet light – none of it had come. It seemed it only triggered in moments of absolute, unparalleled desperation, beyond even the brink of physical defeat. It was frustratingly inconsistent.
Just then, a powerful, unseen current of wind roared through the tunnel we had just fought in. The flickering torchlight, our only solace against the gloom, sputtered violently, then one by one, each flame was snuffed out, plunging us into an absolute, suffocating darkness. For a heart-stopping moment, only the heavy breathing of our group filled the void. Then, from the depths ahead, a faint, ethereal purple glow began to bloom, carried on the very wind that had extinguished our light. It pulsed with an undeniable magic, clearly a sign, a beacon in the oppressive dark. Without needing to say anything, drawn by its mysterious allure, we all followed the magical breeze.
The tunnel, which had felt endless and oppressive only moments before, suddenly, dramatically, opened up. The oppressive rock walls receded, replaced by a vast, cavernous space. We found ourselves standing before a truly majestic, massive wooden door, crafted from ancient, dark timber. Its surface was not merely carved, but intricately sculpted with the fierce, unmistakable Wolf crest of Dolorian Dorm, the wolf's eyes seeming to follow us even in the faint light. Its dark wood seemed to absorb the faint purple glow, yet the crest itself almost seemed to pulse with a quiet power. Hope, bright and undeniable, surged through us.
With a collective push, the massive, iron-bound door groaned open on unseen hinges, revealing a sight that stole the very breath from my lungs. My jaw nearly dropped, and I heard Jove let out a low whistle of pure awe beside me. We had arrived in a room so vast it felt like an entire hall, a colossal, subterranean cathedral of stone and industry, stretching upwards into a dizzying, impossible height where the ceiling vanished into a warm, ethereal glow, as if lit by a hidden sun. It defied all expectations, shattering every preconceived notion of what a dorm, or even a building, could be.
The rough, damp stone of the tunnel gave way to an expanse of smooth, dark obsidian floors that gleamed like polished glass under the pervasive, golden light. The air, once cold and stale, now hummed with a deep, resonant thrum of hidden mechanisms and the faint, clean scent of heated metal, rich, aged wood, and something indefinably ancient.
A grand fireplace, easily large enough to stand inside, crackled merrily, its flames dancing a fiery ballet across polished stone and intricate metalwork. Countless candlelit sconces, each a miniature work of art forged from dark iron and glowing crystal, dotted the towering walls, illuminating a dizzying array of gleaming brass pipes that snaked across the stone like metallic vines, intricate clockwork mechanisms that whirred with silent precision, and colossal steam-powered machines that pulsed and hummed softly in recessed alcoves, their gauges glowing with an inner light, hinting at vast, unseen power. Every surface seemed to tell a story of meticulous craftsmanship. It was a perfect blend of Kaynari ingenuity and unexpected comfort, a testament to their mastery over earth and fire, elegant and warm, truly feeling like a home hidden deep within the earth.
A wave of profound relief, deep and all-encompassing, washed over all of us. This had to be the Dolorian Dorm, a true sanctuary after the trials of the tunnel. "Now this is what I call a dorm!" Jove exclaimed, throwing his arms wide, his earlier panic completely forgotten, replaced by his usual boisterous cheer. "Forget the cliff, forget the wolves, this place is epic! Look at all this tech!"
"Try not to break anything, Winderaand," Henry muttered, his eyes scanning the intricate machinery with a professional, almost wary, interest, a faint frown still etched on his face.
A large, detailed portrait of Bernard Dolores himself hung prominently on one wall, his wise, benevolent gaze seeming to follow us, his eyes twinkling with a silent welcome that promised both challenge and belonging. Comfortable sofas, plush and inviting, were arranged around the grand fireplace, inviting us to finally relax. It was just like a cozy, yet technologically advanced, home.
"That must be Bernard Dolores himself," I murmured, my gaze drawn to the imposing portrait, a sense of history settling over me. Gianna nodded, her warm smile softening as she looked at the painting. "He looks... kind, despite everything," she whispered, a hint of awe in her voice. Yor, standing a little apart, remained as stoic as ever, her eyes calmly assessing the vast hall, seemingly unfazed by the legendary figure on the wall.
Then, from across the large hall, our Aetherian prefect, the one who had given us the cryptic riddle outside, descended from an upper landing. He was tall and lean, his long black hair flowing gracefully as he moved, his large, iridescent wings still folded neatly against his back. As he approached, a genuine, warm smile spread across his face, replacing the earlier sternness, and his eyes, bright and clear, held an undeniable welcome. His purple robe, adorned with the distinct Wolf crest, billowed slightly with his movement.
"Well, look at you lot," he chuckled, his voice warm and laced with amusement. "Still in one piece, I see. And a little... disheveled. Good, good." He paused, a playful glint in his eye, a subtle smirk playing on his lips. "Welcome to Dolorian Dorm, little wolves!" With a flourish that sent a ripple of wind, he tossed a bundle of purple robes at each of us – our Dolorian dorm robes, emblazoned with the wolf crest.
As he did, from a grand, winding staircase that spiraled up into the higher reaches of the hall, a stunningly graceful Iskirian lady descended, her long, luminous white hair cascading like a waterfall down her back. Her figure was curvaceous and elegant, moving with an ethereal poise that seemed to glide rather than walk, and she exuded an aura of calm serenity, almost like a moonlit garden. My gaze lingered for a moment on her striking figure. Oh, Iskirian women really are dangerous, I thought, a sudden, almost involuntary realization. I stole a quick glance at Gianna, as if to confirm this thought, before looking away. Behind her, a tall Drakarian man followed, his broad shoulders and powerfully built frame giving him an imposing presence. His black hair was as dark as obsidian, and his straight, sharp horns gleamed faintly. His jaw was set, and his eyes, though watchful, held a perpetually tense demeanor, as if always on guard.
The Aetherian introduced himself first. "I'm Yue Galethorn," he said. He was tall, with long black hair, and I noticed he wasn't as sturdy or broad as most Aetherians; he was quite lean. "I'm a third-year Dolorian, and I'm your prefect here."
He then gestured to the Iskiran lady. She smiled warmly. "This is Selyra De La Tiente." Oh, another royal, I thought, remembering Gianna. Perhaps they're related? Selyra's eyes, an intense pale blue, locked onto mine as she smiled, and I tried not to act weird, feeling her gaze on me all the way.
Finally, he introduced the Drakarian man. He was tall, with black hair and straight horns, and his jaw was set, perpetually tense. "And this is Thoden Bonnardson, also a third-year."
Yue's smile widened as he looked at us, a hint of playful mischief in his eyes. "So, how were the wolves?" he teased, clearly enjoying our disheveled state. "It's our tradition, the Dolorian way! Only true Dolorians can overcome the trial, and now you are here. Welcome once again!" His words, finally, solidified our belonging. We had earned our place.
Then, Selyra stepped forward, her warm smile unwavering, her voice like a gentle melody that somehow carried effortlessly across the vast hall. "This dorm is truly massive," she explained, gesturing around the grand hall, her hand sweeping to encompass the impossible expanse. "Bernard himself designed and built Dolorian Dorm, and it shifts day by day. Every corridor, every chamber, every hidden nook rearranges itself with the rising and setting of the sun. So, remember every step, every turn, every unique detail you encounter. Even the entrance you just found will move from time to time, appearing in a different spot along the cliff face. Expect the unexpected! That's why, except for Dolorians, it's impossible for anyone to get in here. Outsiders would simply find an endless, unchanging rock wall."
She then led us further into the astonishingly complex labyrinth of the dorm. The grand hall receded behind us as we followed her into a twisting corridor that seemed to shift and narrow with every turn, revealing glimpses of more intricate machinery and glowing conduits embedded in the walls. It was clear this place wasn't just large; it was alive, a constantly reconfiguring puzzle. "And now," she continued, her voice still calm amidst the subtle hum of the dorm, "we'll show you to your rooms. Dolorian Dorm is the only dorm where you get your own private room, a true sanctuary within these walls, as we are the biggest dorm, spanning far deeper and wider than any outsider could possibly imagine. Indeed, nobody outside truly knows its full extent or the countless secrets hidden within its shifting heart."
We arrived at a series of unadorned, seemingly blank walls. "You make yourselves at home here," Selyra said, gesturing to the bare stone. "Even Merlin has never come here; only Dolorians know the true path. Your room will shift depending on your desire. So, you simply need to redecorate the wall of Dolorian Dorm. It listens to your desire and will give it to your room."
I stood before my designated wall, taking a moment to internalize what Selyra had said. My room will shift depending on my desire. It was an incredible concept, a testament to the Kaynari's boundless creativity and ingenuity. What did I desire? A space that felt like... home.
As I focused, picturing the familiar comforting textures and scents of the Drakarian royal family's quarters in Eldr, a deep, yearning nostalgia swelling in my chest, the bare stone before me began to ripple. It wasn't a violent change, but a slow, almost organic transformation, like watching a memory solidify into reality. The air around me filled with the subtle, comforting smell of ashes and warm rock, a scent unique to our volcanic homeland, a fragrance that instantly transported me back to the hearths of my childhood. The cold, unyielding stone of the cliff softened, its surface taking on the appearance of dark, roughly hewn Drakarian stone, imbued with the warmth of a nearby hearth, its cracks and fissures seeming to mimic the ancient mountains themselves. The very light in the corner of my vision seemed to shift, casting shadows that felt familiar, comforting. Everything, from the subtle textures on the walls to the overall atmosphere, felt instantly familiar, a true extension of myself. It was as if the dorm was truly listening, creating a sanctuary within the bustling academy, a private piece of home conjured from pure desire.
My new private room was exactly as I'd desired. On the sturdy wooden bed, a thick, plush mattress invited me to rest. And on top of the covers, a simple envelope lay waiting. I picked it up, curiosity piqued, and broke the seal. Inside, written in a bold, precise hand, were words that resonated with the spirit of the dorm:
"Welcome, young Dolorian. You are here now at the dorm. Don't break anything important on your way in, mind you. We've just finished patching up the last batch of new recruits. Remember, you are a symbol of peace, so treat everyone in Dolorian Dorm with respect. Always keep each other's backs, and make sure to talk to each other. We are family, after all. And family, my dear students, always shares the last slice of pie. Or, in this case, the last working steam-valve. You'll figure it out."
It was clearly from Bernard Dolores himself, a personal message reinforcing the core tenets of the dorm. The words "family" and "keep each other's backs" struck a chord after our recent ordeal with the groundwolves. It seemed this dorm was truly designed to forge bonds.