Novan's POV.
I opened my eyes slowly, my head throbbing with pain, sweat tickling down my face; it felt like my body was burning. The sun was small and close, too close.
I jerked up quickly, steadying myself from the dizziness that came from moving too fast.
"Curses," I let out. It was that same dream. Always that dream.
My body was mostly healed now.
"Ehmm, are you feeling better? I don't think you should be moving so soon."
I turned to the extreme corner to my right. Another boy was seated on the bed, reading a book. He had dreads, he seemed tall, and his eyes were blue, a contrast to my golden eyes. He was dark in complexion but no darker than me.
The room was simple, a textbook example of a dormitory. Nothing fancy, nothing extra.
I squinted my eyes looking at him.
"Wait, is that mine?" I walked up, yanking the book. "Who gave you permission to read this?"
"Ah, sorry. I didn't know it was yours." He rubbed his temple. "I saw it on the shelf and gave it a try."
I looked around. My belongings I had brought were all neatly arranged. The problem was, I don't remember doing so.
"Someone helped you arrange them," he added.
"I see."
"Oh, that reminds me," he said, standing up, his earrings dangling as he stood. "The head instructor said we should see you immediately when you wake. Let's head over there."
"Really? And what does he need us for?" I asked.
"Beats me. By the way, I'm Jace."
"Novan."
"Novan? Huh, you act different from what I've heard."
"Well, reputations and rumors are nothing but people's own perception of a thing."
He said nothing and walked through the door. I said nothing and followed too.
*************
We stood at the office entrance—I and Jace. He knocked politely, being the courteous one.
There was no reply. He glanced at me, then pushed the door open.
Inside the office, it was more spacious than expected. The place was neat and tidy. Sitting behind the desk was the head instructor.
His arms were crossed, his posture firm. His presence added weight to the air. It wasn't intimidating, no, not exactly. Instead, every instinct told me he was someone no ordinary man could ignore.
"Good afternoon, sir, you sent for us," Jace began, his tone formal.
"No need for pleasantries." He replied without hesitation.
"I'll get straight to the point. I have a very important and classified mission that would determine the shape of our futures. For that, I'm setting up a special squad to handle it."
He wasn't making any sense. A special squad for a classified mission. Was he going to use new recruits?
Either he was insane, or something terrible was at play beyond vision.
I narrowed my gaze. "What is this 'mission'? What's your endgame? Choosing new recruits for such an important mission rather than your own staff seems rather suspicious if you ask me. It doesn't add up."
His eyes flickered towards me, unblinking.
"Let me explain our situation clearly. What do you know about the world's current situation?" he asked.
"Everything," Jace answered eagerly. After the decent of Dancing Blades and the apocalypse that followed, each of the seven continents united, renaming themselves.
Former: Asia is now Ashara.
North America, now Virelia.
South America, now Solmira.
Europe, now Caelondia.
Australia, now Thorne.
Antarctica, now Nivhar. And
Africa, now Nyxara. Our continent..."
The head instructor waved his hands dismissively.
"Tell me what you know about the Akashic Records."
"It's the tomb of knowledge, holding both the living Archive and the heart of the fallen. It's a myth," I answered flatly.
"Only that it's not. Rumor has it that an important piece to its whereabouts is on our continent, location unknown. The other continents will most definitely wage war for it; the probability of them already preparing for war can't be overlooked."
He leaned on his chair.
"Not even the Global Power Authority can stop it should such a global war break out. Do you understand now?"
The air grew heavier. It was too much to take in. Not long ago I was at home living how I wanted; now here I am. In the middle of some sort of impending madness.
"We understand the situation but not why you choose us specifically," I pressed.
He let out a thin breath. "That's because I've proposed something odd: a school."
Jace blinked. "A school?"
"Yes." His glasses caught the light as he adjusted it. "Representatives from each continent will be attending, the best they can offer of the current generation. A symbolic attempt at peace. Until further notice, a no-war treaty has been made. On the surface, it's just a normal school. In truth? It's a mini battlefield. Sabotage, espionage, assassination—the true game will be played there. You will be playing for us."
A war had always been on the horizon. Little skirmishes between continents were nothing new. Each continent had always wanted absolute control over the other. The whereabouts of the Akashic Records was just a catalyst for something far worse: a full-blown war.
"I'm sorry, but I work alone," I informed him.
He smiled faintly, the kind that hid dangers. "Not this time, Novan. I chose my cards carefully, and now... You're all here."
The door flung open with a metallic creak. She walks in with someone.
Dr. Umar.
She dragged with her a girl who had her hands bound by an iron restraint, chains rattling with each step. She has a crimson Afro cut, her eyes glowing deep red. She had the presence of a predator waiting to catch its prey.
"I've brought her, boss." Umar smirked.
"You're early again," he replied dryly.
Jace blinked twice in shock. He blurted out before thinking.
"Umar? Dr. Umar is a lady!?"
Umar turned to him.
"It's Lyra. Dr. Umar is an honorific. You just might get one if you live long enough."
"I can handle this mission alone. "I cut in.
I felt the girl's piercing gaze, but I ignored it.
The head instructor actually chuckled, low and cold. "The three of you were the only ones foolish enough to challenge an instructor. Unlike the two of you, she actually kills hers."
Time seemed to slow down at the statement.
The chains rattled as she tilted her head. Her lips quirked into something between a grin and a snarl.
"A mission for a talented hard worker," Umar added.
The head instructor leaned forward, pushing up again. His voice was different this time, final and absolute.
"Novan—the special card, Jace—the secret card, Anora—the wild card, Lyra—the trump card, and I, the last card. Together we will take on this mission and be the first to discover the Akashic Records."
I had no choice.
In order to meet them again and find what I was searching for, the heart of the fallen. I guess this was in my favor.
This team was hell. I couldn't wait to see what unfolded.