63 Fort Erobern, Part I (1/2)

It was a simple pleasant afternoon.

It was silent and our work had hit a standstill because we can't find the hideout of these rebel students. We decided to just help Young Mi with her tasks until then which were going fine. That was until she hit a standstill.

With officially nothing better to do, we decided to roam the academy to pass the time.

Rayna: ”Maybe becoming a Wight isn't so bad.”

Young Mi: ”It's something you would have to get used to.”

Rayna: ”I know… it's just that we haven't seen what we could do in the long term.”

Steven: ”I used to enjoy falling asleep.”

Rayna giggles.

Rayna: ”Talking like that makes you sound lazy.”

Steven: ”I'd be more than happy to have that luxury.”

Rayna might have a point about being a Wight. It's just convoluted to the point that I don't even want to be one any longer. I have to outlive everyone and continue as if nothing happened. I can't imagine myself getting close to anyone else if that ended up happening.

Steven: ”Is there any way to reverse being a Wight?”

Young Mi: ”Killing yourself.”

Rayna: ”That's harsh, Young Mi.”

Young Mi: ”Harsh? Don't you think that if I knew how to reverse it, I'd still be a Wight?”

Rayna: ”We're not most Wights. Our heart still beats.”

She hovers her hand over her heart.

Rayna: ”Even if I'm considered a Wight I still believe I'm alive.”

How does it even work? There has to be some science behind it that I could understand. Does the magic freeze us in a time before we died? It could be why we don't age and using too much magic can be dangerous.

I should write this down!

Young Mi: ”Live… life…”

She sighs deeply and crosses her arms.

Steven: ”Are you alright?”

Young Mi: ”Reminiscing… I miss my old homestead.”

Rayna: ”I miss home too…”

Home…

My life in Everhand was so much simpler.

Steven: ”I want to go back to Everhand…”

Way off in the distance of the clouded sky, we could see the flashes of lightning followed by it's muted roar shortly after. Esnia really has been rainy since we came here.

Rayna: ”Listen. Thunder.”

Young Mi: ”We should move indoors before we become soaked.”

We continued back to the dorms when we crossed paths with Maxime. It came off as a surprise since I haven't seen him around lately. I was about to call out to him but he turns his head and spots us.

Maxime: ”There you are!”

He rushes over to us.

Steven: ”Maxime! I haven't seen you around. Aren't you the Headmistress' assistant?”

Maxime: ”Yes, but I'm also a student. My grades are important.”

He's a lot like Livia; all studious and serious. I wonder if he's also in independent studies.

Rayna: ”Is there something you needed?”

We were already by the admin building. After entering and going to the Headmistress' office, I was greeted by Madelyn and Lilith both of who were already waiting for us. It's not like we were even late, the Headmistress wasn't here either.

Madelyn: ”Hey, bro.”

Steven: ”Hey, you 2. Finally got everyone together?”

The door opens again and the Headmistress quickly enters. This office is really cramped! There has to be somewhere that would be better for a meeting. If she wanted privacy, why not set up a meeting in one of our dorms or even somewhere secluded?

Headmistress: ”Welcome everyone.”

She hurriedly sits down and addresses everyone.

Headmistress: ”Consider this a crisis meeting.”

Young Mi: ”Did something happen?”

I caught a blazing fury from the Headmistress' eyes. Rayna and I spotted it and knew she wasn't fucking around. Whatever happened is something serious we'd have to be dealing with.

Headmistress: ”This morning… a young girl crawled onto campus. She was badly beaten and bruised when a guard stumbled across her and rushed her to the infirmary…”

Rayna: ”Will she be alright?”

Headmistress: ”I don't know… what I do know is who was behind it…”

Mayer Hofer…

We all know it was him. Who else has been giving us trouble?

Headmistress: ”The girl was barely able to tell us exactly where they are. This is no longer about students being rebellious, it's an attack on our future.”

Rayna: ”Where do you need us, Headmistress?”

Headmistress: ”Do any of you know where Fort Erobern is?”