The conductor was one of a kind. Saygin-Emilil had black hair in twists cuffed in metallic rings, dark skin, large brown eyes, and gold flecks on her eyelids that matched her fashionable jewelry. She was tiny, with tiny white wings on her lower back.
That was dull compared to her personality.
She was…free and commanding in presence—though she didn't have the regality that Lidaen possessed, Lislan's charisma, Cailih's eloquence, nor Janlis's elegance. It was just…she was strong so everything else seemed a bit pale. Perhaps it was her exoticness—she was the first one to use make-ups and…
Well, she was eccentric, was one.
Saygin-Emilil laughed. "Found some Nixthyn terms to catch up with the times! How they delight me. The other planet is jolly. Aysu, pick an instrument that won't sound like absolute crap when you play it."
Naturally, Aysu picked the simplest and hopefully the easiest one to attempt. Though…all of them were exotic; she wasn't sure how she should start.
The one she picked was roughly circular, with strings rolling down the small instrument. Metal rims decorated it, with little holes in the middle of the item. It was a warm, wooden brown and was light—it resembled a string instrument with its petite shape. Additionally, it had labels on it and not those glyphs she couldn't read.
"No open strings—" Someone made a shrill, high-pitched sound that melted Aysu's ears. Saygin-Emilil said, "Well, drat! Y'all mess with the Saygin and you deal with the consequences! Every cioist, on the ground! Y'all want to fail? I'll oblige, y'all!"
The room erupted into laughter.
"Well, let's play. No dawdling and don't get up! You cioists can play on the ground just fine! You have surrendered your privileges—good, good."
Aysu had no idea what to play. Silence would be her sword, she supposed.
Luckily, Wiven—her saviour—came with sheets of the music. "Pluck the yosa. It's labeled, correct?" Wiv winced, looking back at Lokel; he tilted his head towards Aysu with a smile. How positively charming. Wiven returned to Lokel, leaving with a nervous smile.
"Everyone ready? Good! Let us start! Oh and look! You get one note wrong—who's going to notice? If you all ignore me—it sounds crappy—by drats! Oh, I love that word! None of the other mentors know a whit about this word—keep it a secret, will you? Let's go!"
Then, they began.
It was a lost cause. There was no way to follow it considering she had never touched an instrument before. The only option was to wait until the others finished the piece.
Aysu was glad she picked the spot far in the back.
Saygin-Emilil put her dark hands on her hips. "That was a disaster! Catastrophe, mess, disaster, crap, someone-was-sabotaging-us, the-hells-came-to-punish-us, monstrosity—whatever you want!" She shook her head, defeated. "Dear Aeons, what have we done!" There was a scattering of laughs, and Emilil said, "Have a good day."
…
"Thank you, Wiven."
Wiven looked at Lokel who shrugged in response. He looked at her with shimmering, awful, amazing blue eyes. Both had sharp-fold eyes, though it was a bit disconcerting at first.
Hells, though. His eyes were…beautiful. His beauty rivaled Lislan's. Those eyes were passionate and iridescent on his brown skin—but his eyes! She was obsessed, damning gods.
"Please, call me Wiv. You needed help so I gave it to you. It's a simple principle of my great-grandmother's."
Aysu smiled. "Yes. Thank you. Your great-grandmother is Kuranthyn Evylan, right?" Kuranthyn had the same complexion as Lokel and the same delicate features, with burnt-red hair. In the picture, she had bore a kindly, wise smile.
Lokel responded, "Yes. We saw her once before she…disappeared."
Aysu recalled the lesson from Lore. "She's from the Radiance Era."
"Yes. Her husband went after her. He's gone, too."
"Oh." The other Vindai, Zukel Hasynwei, Aysu guessed. In his picture, he had a strong nose, freckles, and looked a bit like her. He also had a kind smile. "I thought you lived forever."
Lokel said, "I mean we can be killed. It's just hard. We don't know who his killer was, but we did find his body."
Holy ashes. Lokel's voice was addictive with its deep tone and clipped words. Would he think her weird if she asked him to talk more? "Neither of them…were particularly stable."
"They were kind, though," Wiv's voice (also addicting) added. "They always seemed a bit insane but they were good beings, Aysu. Don't listen to the others, please."
"See you around," Lokel said, both of them taking a different hall.
Aysu watched them and then looked at the map. Once she felt certain that her location was right, she opened the door, shrieked, and fell. A gigantic wave of water was charging at her—
Anyone would be conquered by fear when faced with a wave of writhing, dark water churning towards them. The blaring roar and froth. The wave cresting above you, curving down…
She had to control it. It was either that or get swept into the hallway and even drowned if she was that pathetic.
She swept her hands, pushing it back into the room. Aysu grunted and—her control lapsed and she cursed. The water fell to the floor and evaporated, tickling her. She looked up and saw her…saviour.
"Good control! Over a hundred-thousand aellons, really. Without training! You have astounding Depths but we can improve," he said. Long, light hair cascaded down his back, light-green wings protruding through them. He had matching green tattoos and a green streak of hair. The spiraling tattoos glowed from within. They were bold, but they didn't distract from his natural appearance. "Form…yes, your form. It's crude and unsophisticated!"
"What was that for? I was just trying to get to class…and you are my teacher?"
I will not deal with that every day! Aysu thought, I will die.
"Shraddey-Cinlis." His voice was light, charming eyes innocent. Eight others watched on the sidelines; most bore hesitant smiles. "You have potential with proper instruction and dedication. To achieve the best, don't expect my kindness! I am not here for you to like me; I am here to unleash your power.
"Now, water will always Attune to you. Ignore it or you might flood the land, or maybe the whole universe," Shraddey-Cinlis said. "Heavens, you could most certainly drown this whole school! Entrancing, is it not? The Aeon, Water, is with you. To stop that pull, push for balance. Focus on the parts, rather than the whole."
He turned when he heard a chorus of gasping and choking. Rings of water spiraled, levitating into intricate designs. There was this feeling of mischief—but she had no idea where it was coming from.
Then she realized she was doing it, and she stared at it. That mischief was from her. That was the weird gravity, that peculiar tension in her chest. "Shit." She bit her lip as the rings plummeted to the ground and evaporated at her call. It didn't feel like it had been her, though.
An uneasy silence followed as Cinlis stared at her, tilting his head.
"You will not weave water in this lesson unless I tell you to, understood? Your other teachers will let you disobey, but I shall not. You need to learn," he said. "Up, the rest of you! We will begin…"
…
Frankly, the first lesson was boring, but she learned one thing: Liquid was the easiest and best form of water to control. The fact she had done ice with Wiven put her Depths somewhere in fifty; her ability to work with the gaseous form of water raised her to the seventies. Her Shraddey gave a very, very happy smile at that.
When the bell rang again, Cinlis said, "Some of you can stay here to practice for Discovery—I advise you to go to the library for tomes about technique. Especially you, Aysu."
Had it been necessary to exclude her?
Following the others, she made it to the library. The entryway was a beautiful, imposing thing with ornate engravings. Eyes blinked as her brain registered the massive room, spanning as far as the eye could see with multiple levels connected by trails of light.
The first step had light misting up upon impact. Translucent misty light-bridges led to various nooks of literature in the library. Crystalline bookshelves ringed around these nookish islands where gazebos were the preferred room of study.
The hour went by quickly with the arsenal of books—she tried to use them to catch up to everybody else in terms of knowledge. She even learned a few things about Nixthys in its prime. How the world had been before it had all been destroyed by a war. A land of innovation.
Then, so many lives ruined. Stupid, lying politicians.
Aysu stopped reading at the bells, heading toward the courtyard. There were stalls enfolded in scrumptious delicacies laid on lavish platters, and there was a lot. Aysu grabbed a tray and acquired some sweet nourishment.
Not a step before Wiv grabbed Aysu's arm, saying, "Otrini…told me to tell you that they are at the main tree." She left with Lokel, before anything could be said.
…
"Tell me what happened," Lislan cried when Aysu joined their table. "Did they measure you?"
"What?"
"In Depths—power for your Attunement," Noran clarified while observing a fringed leaf drifting down from the tree.
"I mean…I controlled about a hundred-thousand aellons?" Aysu said. Lislan's sculpted brow raised as Otrini leapt up. Noran flinched, hands tensing. They reacted like Aysu had declared she would burn the whole school—which made her glad she didn't tell them about Cinlis's statement.
Otrini sat down, movements smooth. "Wow!"
"No. No. Did you have any training in Nixthys?" Lislan said. "It shouldn't be possible!" Her hair flew out of her braid—she tied her hair up!?—and she tied it back together, keeping her smile.
"My special training was how to run to the nearest bunker."
Lislan frowned. "Oh, sorry." She trailed off as she watched a boy approach them. He ducked under a branch and held himself quite regally, looming over Noran.
"Noran—"
"—Go away, Xolan." Well, at least Norans' hatred wasn't reserved for Aysu.
"I don't really feel like it."
Noran looked up, glaring at Xolan. He had lightly tanned skin with white spots on his neck and hands. He had cobalt eyes—he and Emilil were one of the few people she saw who didn't have sharp-fold eyes—and light-brown hair swept across his straight brow and narrow-bridged nose. Oh, and he was abnormally tall.
"Stop being dramatic."
"Why are you hanging out with the Nixthyn? Don't you remember what happened last time?"
Lislan rolled her eyes, cocking her head as she regarded Xolan. "Course, Xolan."
Xolan turned to her, grinning. "Are you sure you want her? The risks? Your reputation?"
"Worry about your own," Lislan said, smoke rising from her hair.
"I'd worry about her nefarious nature—do you see how scrawny she looks!?"
"What is that supposed to mean?" Aysu said. "How superficial of you."
Xolan scoffed, tone contemptuous. "You are corrupted. Just like all of the brutes in Nixthys—you are no saint—you and your ilk are "
Aysu thought of the children on the streets. Her neighbour who tried to tend to the meager gardens. The grandparents across the street. Her friends—Aiden, Jaein, Emma, Tyler, and Jenna. Then she thought about this world and all of its cloying perfection and the like. They viewed suffering as a poison. And that thought gouged out her conscience.
"They aren't brutes—ashes, you're blind! They're suffering! You have no empathy for them—you don't even realize they're fucking suffering! If you can't understand suffering—well, you'll be shocked when it finally comes for you. Try living their lives, you fucking ass! Don't you dare say a thing until you trudge in their ashes, you hear me?"
Chatter ceased. Lislan was in shock, Noran got up and left, Otrini was grinning, and Rnlaip stared at her, approving. Aysu didn't know what that was implying, but she didn't care about it.
Xolan smiled—in a really bad way—and Aysu felt doom slap her face. Then, Lokel was in front of Aysu, followed by Noran. "I think you should go, Xolan."
"Why—"
"Ah, he's deaf as well as dumb," Otrini said sweetly.
Xolan opened his mouth, and shadows appeared in front of him—a wall. "Go," Noran said. Xolan smiled, nodding before disappearing. He reappeared in front of Aysu, giving a shove before disappearing again. Aysu stumbled—but didn't fall. Hells. Pathetic.
Wiv walked over, wincing. "I'm sorry I didn't help, but well—"
"—being seen next to her would have brought you down," Lislan said. "No offense, Wiven."
"None taken." Her face said something else.
"Well, Xolan's going to be a problem," Lokel said as the bells chimed.
Aysu smiled. "Thanks for shutting him up—somewhat. Why did you come?"
Lokel was startlingly honest. "We weren't planning to. Noran came to get us, and it's always nice to help Noran. He's my friendly friend.Correct, Lord No-No?"
His intake of breath was comical. "Yes."
"You gave him a pet name and you didn't tell me, Lokel," Otrini said, pulling Lokel along for the next class. "How could you!? Oh, by Elfotri, how could you be so heartless!"
Lokel said as they left, "Yes, I do have such a bitter heart, don't I?"
The others left. Aysu winced, grabbed Noran by the wrist and said, "Thank you."
He shrugged, flinching away. "You're welcome."
…
Aysu rushed out after Physical Training—which was terrible—and found Noran waiting for her. "Let's find Lislan."
"Sure," she said as she rushed towards the courtyard. The school barrier was now visible and had openings for students to leave.
Aysu saw a glimpse of golden-brown and ran toward it, only to find it was one of Xolan's friends. The one who had giggled as he had shoved her. Aysu gave her the bad finger—the third and fourth finger together pressed against the lips. Otrini had told her its foul meaning.
A hand slapped down on her shoulder, and Lislan said, "Where's Noran?" She looked glorious with her braid and cloak.
"No clue."
"Er, we'll wait. He can call us if he needs to."
Within a couple minutes, Noran found them. "Who will teleport you, Aysu?"
She hated both options. Noran's, however, was worse. "Lislan."
"Sure," Lislan said, bright. "Might have some side effects, but I think you'll be fine!"
"Yep."
They walked out of the barrier, the sky shiny. There were clouds at the edge of the horizon; grey and harbinger of some rain, likely. Aysu dimly wondered if she could ever harness the rain as her Shraddey said she would.
She remembered the rain. Sometimes cool caresses, but more often harsh pellets against her skin.
Lislan gave a grin and opened her palm, sprouting forth a sliver of fire. It danced along her hand, ribbons of it grasping for the sky. Solemn red twined with orange, swarming her hand. It was…beautiful.
The fires Aysu normally saw only brought destruction.
"Hold on to my hand, okay?" Lislan said, smiling once Aysu nodded.
Noran grinned—his grins were really not sincere. "See you there."
Lislan took a deep breath, and the world was blinding.
Fire crackled, plumes of smoke choking Aysu. Smothering heat overwhelmed her senses and her eyes teared, bleeding. The orange blaze clapped at her feet, snapping—then stars, and they were back in the world again. Aysu was on the ground, lying down on her back.
"You know what? I prefer teleporting with Rnlaip." Aysu's flesh was unblemished like nothing had ever happened. That was a lie. Those fires—nuking hells.
At that moment, Lidaen walked outside. She understood what had happened.
"Lislan, you know better!" She turned towards Aysu, hair flying. "Aysu, hon, it might feel disorienting because of your Attunement."
"Right."
"Aysu didn't want Noran to teleport us, so there was only me, remember?" Lislan said.
"Lislan," she scolded. "Young lady, do use your common sense and watch your tone, please. Aysu, are you fine?"
"Basically."
Lislan nodded, and she said, "Mum, she doesn't know how to teleport. It might take years. It's me or Noran!"
"She'll find out how," Lidaen said before she left, wincing. "Because it might be a necessity."
Aysu stared at Lislan. "Years?" How would she deal with that for years? She wasn't sure if she could survive for that long.
Lislan tossed her hair, a grin on her face. "Don't focus on that, y'know? Otherwise it will be really dismal." Lislan sighed, pouting. Her chignon looked so effortlessly neat. "Hey, it's not all bad, is it now? Here, why don't we play a game?"