' In the age before memory, the Val'kaan was not born, but woven from the raw will of existence
It is said that the Val'kaan is the Balance Incarnate – a being so ancient that even the stars recognize its blood.
There can never be more then one Val'kaan at a time; the world itself would fracture under such weight. When one falls, another rises, born in secret and silence, veiled from the eyes of gods and men alike.
Though it appears human, the Val'kaan is neither man nor beast, neither life nor death. It walks as a shadow among the living, unseen, unknown, until the day that when the skies burn and the ground bleeds, and it must reveal itself.
Many believe that the Val'kaan brings ruin. Fewer still whisper that the Val'kaan brings judgement.
And to face the Val'kaan...
Is to stand before the end. '
"Don't tell me that you're still reading that myth about that Valikan creature"
"It's a lore, not a myth. And it's Val'kaan, not Valikan, uncle. Shouldn't you be more focused on the road?". I asked after we barely missed a porthole.
Ever since my parents died, my uncle has been the one taking care of me. Apparently, my parents had money saved up in the case that something happened to them. They pretty much predicted the attack. My uncle, who is practically more of a child than I am, never let me feel lonely, he became my best friend.
"That's the academy right up ahead" My uncle said as he swerved the carriage to the right to avoid more portholes.
I looked up to where he pointed at and was mesmerized by the sight. It was one mighty building or, should I say buildings. It was like an abandoned castle of a fallen empire. It was really large, especially since we could see if from that distance.
The Nytherran academy–it's a prestigious academy that trains people of the Caldrith empire to become warriors to fight against creatures like the ones that invaded my village. After the death of my parents, I decided to become a warrior just like them so that I can fight for those who can't fight for themselves–like I wasn't able to before my parents died.
Caldrith is an empire, a successful one at that. Nytherra, Thavelyn, Elarion, Zarestra Velmireand others are kingdoms that rule separately inside of Caldrith. But each of these kingdoms have to answer to the Emperor of Caldrith when the need arises. The academy is located in Nytherra because of it's population. It's mostly inhabited by humans, but there a various creatures that inhabits Nytherra also, and they all live in harmony. The academy is located there also because of it's central location–Nytherra is at the heart of Caldrith.
The other kingdoms inhabits other races. The Kingdom of Thavelyn inhabits the Elf race, the Kingdom of Elarion inhabits the Winged clan, the Kingdom of Zarestra inhabits the Vampire race and the Kingdom of Velmire inhabits the Werewolf race. They're the major kingdoms in the whole of the Caldrith empire. There are other kingdoms too, but they're less active in the empire's affairs.
Seeing the academy this close has strengthened my resolve to become a warrior. I can stand my own ground in a fight, but nothing too serious. I was trained by a retired warrior that lived in the village that my uncle and I moved to. He thought me a few self defense tricks. I know that I'm nowhere near the average warrior, but I'm getting there, and I'll do my best to become better even though the soldier told me that I had nothing to worry about. I had faster reflexes than your average human and that had somehow made him believe that I'll do just fine in the academy. But I know not to put my hopes up too much because I wouldn't just be competing with humans, but with Vampires and even Werewolves too.
"We're here" My uncle said, interrupting my thoughts. The academy looked even mightier up close. We saw lots of races roaming about; humans,elves, winged people and I'm pretty sure that there are vampires and werewolves also. It was my first time seeing winged people up close, they're so majestic–like how angels would look like if they lived amongst us. They had feathered wings, some were walking, while some flied above us with their baggages in tow.
***
"Ladies and gentlemen, aspiring students of the great Nytherran Academy, you're all welcome to the selection event of today, which takes place every year. Please gather round so that we can go straight into it" said a male voice of which I assume belongs to the head of the academy.
Everybody started moving towards the arena where the selection is going to take place. We saw someone step up onto a raised platform at the front of the arena, a tall man of 5'11 with grey hair.
"Now that you're all here, I want you to know that every single one of you aspiring to become warriors are welcome to participate in the event, regardless of your race, status or capabilities.I am Jean Winterberry and as you're all aware of, the Nytherran Academy trains those who are willing to sacrifice their life and time to protect those dear to them. This is a place for those with a clear mind, sound heart and unwavering resolve, for those that are willing to give their all for the betterment of the empire. Being a warrior means that everyday there is always a chance of you dying, everyday you fight for your life, everyday is a motivation to keep fighting for those that can't fight for themselves. I know that this might not be the kind of opening speech many of you were expecting, but as aspiring warriors, you should know how to take the truth for what it is, no matter how brutal or painful it might be, so I will not sugarcoat anything for you. I am the principal of this academy and I oversee every single thing that goes on in this place.
The Rite of resonance–the selection process, is not an exam, there are no written answers, no multiple choice sheets, it is based on your resonance–your instinct. Reaction. Intent. Not based on perfect performance. Those that will not partake in the selection process are to step out of the arena, behind the barricade and should be seated by the bleachers."
The circular arena buzzed in silent anticipation as everyone went to their respective places–including my uncle. He gave me one last hug and a nod of encouragement.
"Good luck sugar plum"
"Thank you Uncle" I got a forehead kiss in return. From the corner of my eye I saw Principal Winterberry step down from the raised platform and joined a group of people in the shadows that I didn't notice before. Seeing that made me realize that the selection process would not be a simple walk in the park.
I started looking around, trying to observe the arena, it was made of stone, while a low hum pulsed beneath our feet from the arena floor, with ancient runes slowly illuminating beneath the stone tiles. I looked towards the stone bleachers curled around the open space like the ribs of a great beast, now filled with the families of the respective candidates and onlookers–winged, furred fanged, same as the candidates around me, watching, waiting, anticipating with clenched jaws and restless hands. I continued observing until I felt it–a sharp sensation piercing into my sides, the feeling of someone watching me, staring. I felt the heated, calculated gaze from the shadows where the principal disappeared to. It was unsettling, not predatory, but curious and... familiar–like I've felt it before, this same person staring, ,I couldn't quite place my finger on why the gaze directed at me was so familiar, just that it was. I tried searching into the shadows to at least catch a glimpse of the person that kept watching me, but before I could, the arena split – the ground opening in curved segments like flower petals parting. We were all on different platforms with groups of 5 members each , some platforms higher than others Then I looked up and saw screens showing every single corner of the arena, we could see ourselves, the onlookers could see us. We were being watched and judged, I felt it in my bones, the multiple watchful gazes arising front the shadows, ready and willing to cut us off at any time, these gazes contained no mercy. At this point, it dawned on me that this selection process might be more serious than I thought it was.
I heard the principal's voice but couldn't see him, the voice sounding like it came from beneath us, echoing around the entire arena, ensuring that everyone could hear what he had to say, making me think about how I never questioned how he was able to talk to hundreds of people from the front of the arena without raising his voice,.but yet, everybody could still hear him perfectly. This place is more advanced than anywhere I have ever been to, which is a given, because I grew up in the village, but judging from the looks on the rest candidates faces, I can only guess that it's the same for the nobles too.
" You have all been grouped randomly into 5 members each. You will not fight to kill. You will survive, flee, strategize–how you move together, how you fall, how you rise...we see it all." I looked around me gauging the people on the same platform as me, two guys and two girls; one of the girls has platinum blonde hair with blue eyes 5'5 in height, and judging from the wings on her back, she's from the winged clan. The other girl has brown eyes, same height as me, blonde hair and pointed ears, so I'll say she's from the elf clan. One of the guys has dark red eyes, 6ft tall with black shoulder length hair, he's probably a vampire. From how large the last guy is, with his light brown hair and hazel eyes, I can say that he's a werewolf. I'm the only human in the group, I don't know the strength of the people around me, but I know that it won't be an easy fight and I have a lesser chance of winning against anyone here, but I won't let that stop me. I pulled into a stance, readying to fight.
" You will not be fighting against each other. This is a test for team work. In the battlefield you will learn how to put your life in the hands of your teammates, because you can't watch your back and concentrate on the fight happening in front of you at the same time, so you will have to defend each other. You will have to trust your teammates to protect you and you, them. This is a test for courage and trust, understanding and compatibility. Any team that cannot cooperate will be eliminated. Your team must not contain the strongest people in order to win, and that's where strategy comes in. You'll learn how to use your strengths and weaknesses to the advantage of your team. I will give you all 10 mins to be acquainted before the event begins". As he ended his talking, I saw shadows arising from below, vague and shifting shapes until the reality of what they really were dawned on me.
Seeing the creatures, I froze. I panicked, it was the same creatures that killed my parents, the same ones that nearly killed my uncle and I when we tried running away before that mysterious figure swooped in and saved us. They were called The Cerebrals. They've been terrorizing and hunting the empire for ages, the people tried eradicating them multiple times but they kept coming, thereby forming the major academy, to train more people in helping to fight these disgusting creatures. It seemed like wherever they came from was an endless whirlpool that keeps spitting them out. They were like pests that kept on disturbing the peace of the empire, never quite going away no matter how hard we tried. Seeing these creatures filled me with a sense of anger–I felt more determined to pass the selection process, become a warrior, so that I can put an end to these terrors for good.
" These creatures you see are called Cerebrals, but not to worry, they're not the real ones , these are just replicas. So it's up to you and your team to come up with the best way to deal with them . Mind you, if you pass this selection process with your team, there is a high chance that they might become your permanent teammates. Good luck guys". I felt relieved knowing that they were not the real ones,but my resolve did not waver. I felt the piercing gaze from that mysterious figure again but I chose to ignore it, I had other things to worry about.
"Uh, I hate these things. I'm Trishie by the way, I'm an elf" The elf girl said.
" You can say that again. Umaru from the werewolf clan, nice to meet you guys" the large guy introduced himself.
"I'm Sabrina and I'm from the winged clan" The girl with wings said. She looked so regal, but at least she wasn't snobbish.
"I'm Roshan, a vampire, and what's your name?" The vampire guy asked.
"Uhmm, I'm Hazuri, and I'm a human. How are we going to deal with these things?".
Everyone stared at me after I asked the question, like as if they were waiting for me to tell them what to do, which I didn't understand, I was the weakest amongst them.
"I'm a Vampire and I have a keen sense of smell. I know what a human smells like and you smell different than the other humans I've met". I just stared at Roshan, confused by what he was saying. I was a human, I grew up as one, I've lived as one my entire life. But before I could clarify anything, we were interrupted...
"The Rite of Resonance begins now". I got an immediate sense of dread and I still felt that intriguing, piercing gaze that refused to go away.