"He can kill a god, can't he? Then choose him and make sure he suffers beyond his limits."
It was pitch black and suffocating in a misty, cold venue. Walls of obsidian carved with unfamiliar markings decorated the room's border, but there was more to be found.
The room was filled with bodies; dead bodies. All were beheaded and hanging from the ceiling of the cold room. A translucent window allowed the 4th moon, Iago, to pierce through and provide a minuscule amount of light, but that wasn't enough to save the room of the blasphemy that hid within.
The blue light of Iago bathed on some items; some being weapons, gloydon and slaver platters, blood-stained armour, and even broken automobile machinery. Even though the room was cold, misty, and blanketed with pure darkness chasing away the moon's light, the room was inhabited.
The blue light of Iago made out a throne. The throne was nothing special. It wasn't decorated in the brightest materials or surrounded with the most loyal subjects, but the Throne radiated an eerie feeling of sorrow and treachery.
Sat on the throne was a man. A tall young man, with pale skin and a sickly stature, dressed in an all black robe, decorated with bones, dark feathers, and other unrecognizable materials. Even though he was robed in all black, he looked like a walking weapon. His fingers were tipped with long, sharp slaver claws, his head protected by a slaver helmet shaped as a Slaver beak raven, like a crown. His face was inhumanly pale, with blood running down his shattered and heavy eyes. His dirty grass green eyes were bare and sorrowful, crying out a stream of blood and filled with Unkindness. Unkindness?
Behind the gloomy throne was another person, a young naked boy chained to the back of the throne, with sturdy nails driven through his stomach, shoulders, and head.
His hair was steel red, but his eyes weren't exposed, because his blood dried his eyes shut. He was Naked, as I previously mentioned, but he didn't seem to shiver. He looked 14 years old, with a sturdy build but poor stature. He didn't seem to breathe, but he was. Most would mistake him for dead, but he was alive; the boy just forgot how it was to be alive.
Just to be clear, the black robed man was rather beautiful. His face was well sculptured, with his green eyes complementing his features better.
"Brother, we have found it, we have finally found it."
The black robed man's voice was husky, but it wasn't grating or hollow. If you pay attention to the accent and the phonetics, his voice is rather polished.
"The damn preaher thinks she can hide him for long"
The robed man seems to be talking to the Chained boy, but he shows no sign of communication, understanding, or even being alive.
But a deep male voice, sounding like a million echoes melodically playing, filled the head of the black robed man.
"The chosen was rather difficult to find, but I can't lie that the preacher had taste. Her choice is rather peculiar."
The black robed man smiled in delight. "I guess all the deaths to date weren't for waste, since the, you know, the upcoming conflict is due, I have been worried."
The male voice made the sound of a thousand Lakes Hornets, but it seemed like the voice was laughing. "If I could move, I would give you the biggest punch you have ever experienced."
"You brat, I am sharing my fears with you, and all you seem to do is play with them."
"I am not playing with them, I am using it to slap you awake. When our master picked us, you were confident, you were unstoppable, and you were always winning, impressing our master. But since the failure at Chester Mine, you have been a coward, running away from your responsibility. Tell me the truth, is that what the old you would have done?"
A heavy silence fell on the two, as the black robed maa was humbled. He couldn't find a perfect answer to satisfy the voice, so he didn't say anything. After a brief moment of silence, the black robed man stood up.
"I will lead our legion to eliminate the Chosen and Albert Percival. Do you need anything while I am gone?"
"Yes, all I need is you to come back with good news. Where are you even going?"
"The Black Meadows Academy, that is where our Target is."
The black robed man walked steadily to the wall opposite his throne. The wall didn't look like a door, or a mirage, or a secret mechanism to unlock when he approached. He looked back at his throne and pursed his lips.
"See you later, Angharad."
The robed man phased through the obsidian wall.
"See you later, Klein."
Now for some context. Long ago, the creator of our universe and everything in it, and the seventh heaven saw our little world. He is true, absolute, omnipotent, omniscient, and everything. The power to create concepts and worlds is impressive enough, but He made he 7 levels to paradise, and he sits on the seventh level, where all good and righteous are given the choice to be reborn, or celebrate to infinity.
His name Is The Almighty. He saw how other races, like the Titans, the Nephilim, the Ghouls, and even the puny Neptunians, have incredible abilities unique to them. So our lord shared that gift with Humans.
The Power of Divinity.
Caesar's excitement and joy dwindled when he realised who was resting on his back. He was more than ready for his first day, smartly dressed in the Academy's uniform; a white button long sleeved shirt, with a black blazer acquiring the Black meadow Emblem on the right side of the attire, a well ironed black trouser, and a midnight black polished shoe.
But Caesar was greatly annoyed and agitated, not because an extraordinarily beautiful maiden was on his back, he was annoyed because the Maiden was a person he disliked greatly, Aurelia Rain Deadelus.
She leaped out of Caesar's back and planted a warm kiss on his face.
"Oh my beautiful Caesar, you look dashing as always."
Caesar wanted to blow her face off, but He remembers his mother's words about never to hit a woman, or he is going to die and reincarnate as a Mud weasel. That was how innocent Evelyn Joy Percival was.
"Haven't you heard of manners, who just kisses a guy from the blue?"
Caesar could see Izobel's annoyance, but Chalybe looked level headed than disturbed. That was a reason why Caesar needed Chalybe, he needed a best friend who could always be calm in the face of panic, and also someone who would stop Caesar when he was about to make dangerous mistakes.
"Don't be like that, Caesar, you know how much I love you. Your height, your eyes, your hair. It can make any maiden fall in lo.."
Aurelia tried to touch Caesar's face, but he grabbed her hand. Izobel's hair started to sparkle bright lilac, but Chalybe held her wrist, urging her to calm down.
Aurelia noticed Izobel's annoyance and tried to take advantage.
"Caesar, tell your cockroach queen to settle down."
Caesar, Izobel, and Chalybe looked shocked.
"What? You think I don't know about her divinity? I can't believe you were able to defeat Edith during the trials, but I was sure she didn't wen't down easily. Like how is a power as useless as yours, find a way into this academy. I am sure it was pity because... "
Caesar started to look around, which caught Aurelia off guard.
"What are you looking for ?"
Caesar stopped and looked at her with a smile on his face. "Oh, sorry. I was looking for somebody who asked for your opinion."
Cahlybe hid a chuckle, and Izobel couldn't help but smile. Caesar saw her cry today, and didn't want to see her cry again because of two annoying people.
Before Aurelia could say anything, a loud voice called out across the Academy compound. "Caesaaaaaaaaa!!!"
A boy ran towards the group and came to a halt. His name was Fenrir Wolf Endymion. He was as tall as Chalybe, but he was more muscular. His sunset orange hair spiked out, and his nails were inhumanly sharp. His uniform already had some holes, but it looked unnaturally good on Fenrir. Another unique feature of Fenrir was his sharp, amber cat-like eyes, his pure white, razor-sharp teeth, and multiple scars around his body. This is normal for Fenrir's clan, the Demi-wolves; humans that possess wolf features and powers.
Fenrir was the son of Charles Hiro Endymion, a famous Demi-wolf who is also a high-ranking Grand Marshal in the Zion army. Charles was a calm, mature wolf with a collected attitude, but Fenir was much different. He was mature, but crazy, very crazy. He had a knack for performing the most unrealistic feat, even if it didn't benefit him.
Chalybe was the first to address Fenrir, "Hello Fen, long time no see."
Fenrir suited his torn blazer and brushed his spiky hair behind with his nails, which was able to reduce the protruding hair a little.
"My fair lady Aurelia, Prince, Lady Izobel, and the one and only Caesa'. It has indeed been a long time. I haven't seen you guys after the Trials."
Aurelia looked disgusted at Fenrir and walked away.
"What did I do? Was it my breath ?"
"No, not at all, she just... uh.. had somewhere to be"
"Izobel, y'er can't keep lying to comfort me."
Fenrir looked unhappy fast. He fancied Aurelia for a very long time. Everyone was aware of it, it was one of the major reasons Fenrir asked his father to teach him to be mature.
"But anyway, I haven't seen you guys since the trials. I rememb'r it like it was yest'rday."
The trials are the entrance exam for Black Meadows. It consisted of 4 parts: The written test, the Divinity gauge, the interview, and the Contestant battle. The trials typically take up to a Scheek [what you people call a week] or longer.
Caesar wasn't excited when he saw Fenrir. Fenrir fought Chalybe during the Trials, and the battle was intense. Every battle was intense, make no mistake, but this particular battle took a lot from Chalybe and Fenrir, and the winner was ...
"Hello, Fenrir. It seemed that the face wound that Chalybe gave you healed."
Fenrir touched his face and sighed."It took Scheeks for it to completely heal, ya know, and even now, I still feel the stinging pain of the scar."
Izobel spoke up next, "Oh, Fen, don't you think you have enough scars already?"
The group burst out laughing, but Fenrir suddenly stopped and sniffed the air.
"Fen, are you okay?"
Caesar asked, and Fenrir quickly turned his gaze to an Unkindness of Ravens. The ravens gathered on a Griton fruit tree and began to crow and cawk loudly.
"That's weird. Night Ravens are rarely seen in the Morning"
Izobel stared in amazement." It might be a good omen, but the crows scare me."
The Night Ravens aren't creatures to marvel at. They possess sharp claws, deep midnight black feathers, and four royal blue eyes that seem to stare into your souls.
Caesar noticed Chalybe frowning at the flock, and he looked like he wanted to kill every one of them. The Ravens were present when his mother, Layla Prim Winter, had a miscarriage 3 times, and ever since then, Chalybe hated everyone of them.
A loud siren boomed across the entire compound, and a male voice was heard.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. On behalf of our Grandmaster Reginald Dan Gerald, Welcome to the Black Meadows Academy. Everyone here has awakened their Divinity, a gift bestowed upon us by our god, the Almighty. May he be worshiped, Amen."
Everyone chorused the same, Amen.
"But don't be comfortable, you growing sparrows. You might be a prince, a scion, a Heir, a majesty, but here, what determines your status is your power. Do you have what it takes to climb to the top and serve your kingdom with all your strength? If the answer is yes, Step through the door, and welcome to your new chapter, you Diamonds in the rough."
The voice ceased and a 15 creters tall slaver door swung open, revealing the Interior of the Academy, and Ceasar was awestrucked.
As Caesar, Chalybe, Izobel, and Fenrir walked into the Chilled inside of the Academy, entering the main hall, they were shocked. None of them would have imagined that the gruesome school would be so magnificent.
Willow Marbles pillars held the roof of the building, with the roof adorned with countless chandeliers and murals. The floors seemed to change colors, from red, to orange to pink, which made Izobel delighted.
Four major staircase petruded from the walls, each with different outline and symbols. The walls of the Academy were decorated with multiple paintings, with stone, marbles, gloydon, steel and bronze sculptures adding more beauty to the hall.
In between two Red Stone sculptures was a Machine. The machine was large, triple the height of Chalybe, with countless carvings and initials, presumably from former Black Meadows pupils.
A loud voice called out from a distance. "Yo, Caesa"
Caesar turned around in excitement as one of his great companions entered the room. His loud voice alerted the entire crowd, and those who knew him stared in awe. The heir to the Atlas Academy, the living embodiment of grit and hard work, Zues Orson Lancelot.
Zues was greatly annoyed when he heard that Caesar awakened his Divinity at the age of 8, so he spent his entire toddler days perfecting his body. Some said he forced his Divinity to awaken. But when he finally gained the rare gift, his Mages said that his Divinity was weak and unnecessary, but Zeus knew that the gift was meant for him, and him only.
Zues was tall, taller than Chalybe. He was muscular, confident, and very competitive. His scarlet eyes was bright, but not as bright as Caesar's right eye. He had a beutiful black, braided hair, with the side skillfully trimmed and the 'Z' initial carved into it.
He casually walked over to Caesar, with his blazer hung on his shoulder but not fully wearing it, and his bag hovering by his side.
"Hey, you brat, you miss me ?"
Caesar couldn't help but smile "Oh, why would I miss the guy who wants to make it clear that he could defeat me, even though he knows that isn't the case, mhh?
"I think you should miss that person, because that person works hard rather than drown in their unpolished talents."
The two shook hands and just smiled at each other. Caesar knew that Zeus was capable of surpassing him.
Izobel spoke up, "Zeus, what a pleasant surprise, how are you?"
Zeus side-eyed Izobel. "Hello Izobel, you look quirky as ever, and the prince..."
Zeus looked at Chalybe, who returned the same gesture. "You know I don't like it when someone calls me that."
Zeus turned to Caesar, "Did you listen to the announcement just now?"
"Yeah, they sounded serious about the whole 'power deciding your status', are they trying to make this academy a battle royale?"
Caesar wasn't really a believer on the typical 'the weak die and the strong survive' mindset. Any person in a story or in real life that says that are just overconfident of haven't met those far more powerful than them.
"Look, Caesa, you said that anything it takes to be the top, you are gonna do it, why are you changing your idea?"
Chalybe spoke up, "Shouldn't we just be happy that we made it in the first place? I mean it is an honor to be here."
"Chalybe, your sarcasm is worse than your ability to lie."
"Oh, Caesar, you say the harshest things."
Izobel laughed and glanced at the machine. "That machine is the faction randomizer. It is the device that chooses our faction for the Academy."
Everyone stared at the machine. Caesar knew that the same thought ran through everyone's head. That piece of metal, wires, and circuits is going to put them in random factions, and it was indeed very random. The probability, the faction, the number of rolls, and even the leniency of the machine were random.
Caesar wanted Chalybe, Izobel, Zeus, maybe even Fenrir, to be in the same faction.
Zeus spoke up first, "I am going to check my faction first".
Zeus walked away before anybody could change his mind.
Fenrir cleared his throat. "I would like to go next, then Chalybe, then Izzy, and the last will be Caesar. Any objections?"
Nobody objected, and the procedure was followed.
The four Factions of black Meadows Academy were named after the four Mythical amber beasts: Juhnzu, Absalom, Thunderclaw, and Madagar.
Remember when I mentioned that Caesar wanted all of them to be in the same faction? The machine had other plans.
Zeus joined the Thunderclaw faction, which was where the west staircase led to. The thunderbird was a unique member of the White Ravens. But Thunderclaw was 5 times bigger, faster, and smarter than its peers, and was stated to have crossed the 5 levels of Paradise, the closest any living thing has gotten.
Sebastian joined the Juhnzu faction, which was where the north staircase lead to. The Juhnzu was made by the black snow samurai and someone called 'Pride'. You will know him soon enough.
Chalybe joined the Thunderclaw faction, same as Zeus. Chalybe looked delighted to be with Zeus, but Caesar didn't recall them being close.
Izobel joined the Madagar faction, which was where the south stairs led to. The madagar was an Adagar, but it was different because it was born on the burial ground of the king of the extinct Rainbow clan. Its horn was a gambling game, as it had the power to heal anything or destroy anything.
Izobel wasn't pleased because she was in the same faction as Aurelia.
Caesar, against all odds, joined the Juhnzu faction. The same as Fenrir.
Caesar bade his companions farewell and advanced towards the North Staircase. The staircase was massive, with beautifully crafted hand rails, murals, and paintings that seemed to morph into different paintings hanging on the wall, and the gloydon rimmed floor. Caesar and Fenrir stopped at the door that leads to the faction, took a deep breath, and advanced, as Caesar's right eye turned bright crimson.
The cries of the Unkindness faded outside.