ACADEMY

The first sight that met Kain after stepping on the train was the sheer amount of people. Crowds walked back and forth, creating a sea of people that flowed between majestic buildings. The structures were nothing like those of the capital, but still showed impressive size and architecture. They were not completely white like the other buildings of the capital, but instead showed a variety of colors and signs. Most of the buildings had connected roofs, but Kain could make out glinting spires in the distance, obviously not like the other roofs before. Kain led his eyes to the sky. There was no visible ceiling, in its place was a blue sky with clouds and a sun tucked away in the farthermost corner. Weren't they inside the pyramid? Kain was snapped out of his stupor by Rika, who pulled at his arm. “Kain! Look!” Rika’s eyes lit up with excitement as she waved her arms around like an excited child. “So many people live here! I thought this place would be some dingy school!” They heard a chuckle behind them. Kain turned around and saw Dixon leaning against the train. “Believe me red-head, it sure does feel that way after the novelty wears off.” Rika’s face scrunched up. “For the last time, my name isn’t red-head!”” Dixon strided past them laughing, Carl in tow. Rika scoffed at Dixon. “Seriously, he is so annoying!” Celina came up beside them. “I know. He’s always been like this, ever since he was young.” Celina smiled at the two. “Now, let’s get our rooms at the Academy, shall we? Afterwards I can show you all around!” Rika patted Celina’s back, and Kain nodded. “Ya lead the way, O’ honorable one of Virtue.” Celina waved her hand. “Okay, okay, follow me.” Celina walked in front of them, guiding them along the way. While walking, they passed a multitude of stores. Each sold a variety of things, like books, groceries, foods, and even animals. Kain could also see food stalls and restaurants lining the sides, each advertising a different and new sort of food that Kain had never seen before. Then Kain realized something. He could read the letters. Why could he do that? Unless…it was his memories of Marcus. He knew how to read the text. Did that mean Kain could utilize other aspects of knowledge from him? Kain tried to comb the memories of Marcus, but stopped midway. He rubbed his temples and groaned. Trying to make sense of another person’s life was very complex. There were so many memories, it was almost as if there was a movie constantly playing in his head. Enough of that for now. Kain looked ahead at Rika and Celina, who were in a deep conversation. Kain sped up his pace to stand beside them. “So Celina, where is the Academy?” Celina broke her attention away from Rika and turned to face Kain. “Oh, it's just over there.” She pointed toward a large spire seemingly in the center of the city. It stretched toward the sky, seemingly entering the endless sea of blue that is the sky. “Seriously, what is the deal with the size of all these buildings?” Rika looked up at the spire using her hand to shield her eyes from the “sun”. Celina laughed, answering, “Back when the capital was built, the First People created monoliths of great size and shape that were meant to house all of humanity. History says it was their dream to house and protect all people, regardless of birth and circumstance.” Celina got a sour look on her face. “You can see how that turned out. The ones blessed by Virtue shunned the common people, and kept them out of the capital. The people you see here today are all some sort of Virtue Born. The ones admitted to the Academy are just the more powerful ones, ones that the Houses can use for the betterment of society.” Rika nodded, then asked a question. “Well, I get why the city is so big, but how is it floating?” “Well,” Celina put her finger to her chin in thought. “The books say that the First People used advanced technology to make the buildings rise from the ground. Even today, that is what powers the flotation of all structures in the capital.” Rika widened her eyes in surprise. “So how old are these buildings, then?” Celina shook her head. “I really don’t know. Older than recorded history, I guess. All the accounts we have of the capital's beginning are just how it was made, and what the First People did to make it.” Rika looked confused. “So how do ya fix something if it breaks? Like, what if a building falls?” Celina looked away, lowering her voice. “We don’t, actually. Our technology now is compared to nothing against the advancements of the First People. Thankfully, no problems have arisen with Olympus Mons’ architecture, but if they did, there would be no stopping them.” Kain looked at Celina funny. “So you’re meaning to tell me that this place is basically just one big antique that nobody knows how to fix?” Celina laughed nervously, slightly sweating. “Umm…yeah?” Kain rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Well, look on the bright side! The city is very beautiful, and there is no other place like it!” Celina was talking very fast, probably to curb Kain and Rika’s worries on the architecture of the city. “...Sure.” Celina pouted, punching Kain’s arm. “You're so mean!” Rika stifled a laugh at the spectacle. “Honestly, it's almost like y’all are siblings or something.” Kain looked up. “Huh, what was that?” Rika waved her hand and looked away. “Nothing, nothing…” Celina straightened up and composed herself. “Anyway, get ready to introduce yourselves. We’ll be coming to the entrance of the Academy soon, and they will assign you dorms at the front entrance. Sadly, we’ll be parting there. It seems like we don’t have enough time for me to allow the leisure of touring you two around the city today.” Celina looked up sadly at the now darkening sky, now a sea of fading orange. “We’ll meet tomorrow for orientation. I’ll tell you what to do there.” Rika raised her hand, catching Celina’s attention. “Why can’t we just stay in the same room like we did in the Garden?” Celina stuck up her finger, preparing to explain something to the clueless Rika. “Well, usually boys and girls are separated at institutions like this. Also, we children of the Houses have our own special exclusive rooms anyway.” Rika looked puzzled. “Why do me and Kain have to split up? We’ve always slept together, ya know?” Celina lost her composure and started to turn red. “Slept…together?” Rika nodded her head. “Yeah, we–” Kain jumped between the two, sensing a major misunderstanding in the works. “What she really means is we slept in the same room, not on the same bed.” Rika jumped on Kain’s back to look at Celina, causing him to shout in protest. “Nope, sometimes we slept in the same bed when it was cold! Ya don’t remember, Kain?” Celina kept getting redder, and Kain kept getting angrier. “Shove…OFF!” Kain through Rika off of his back, causing her to fall on the ground and let out a loud “Oof!”. Kain turned toward Celina, who was blushing and looking away from the two. “I…didn’t know…that you two had…that sort of…relationship…” Kain waved his hands back and forth. “Wait! Whatever you're thinking, that is not it!” Celina rigidly turned around, speaking shakily. “Well…this way! We need to get you two checked in before dark!” Kain followed behind her, still trying to clear up the misunderstanding. Rika watched his nervous expression and laughed. Walking through the front doors of the Academy, the three were greeted with marble floors leading to a front desk made of dark wood that glistened in the light. The attendant, a girl with glasses and tied back black hair, looked up from what she was doing. “Sorry, check in is over for today–” Once the lady saw Celina, she changed her whole demeanor. “Oh! Umm, Lady Celina, what would you like for me to do for you today?” Celina gestured to Kain and Rika behind her. “I would like to check in two Academy students to their dorms. One male, another female. Both were chosen in the Garden yesterday.” The lady straightened her glasses and clicked away on her computer. “Yes…are these your champions chosen, Kain and Rika?” Celina nodded her head. “Yes, they are.” The lady stared intensely at her computer, clicks breaking the silence left between the two. “Alright, they are registered!” The lady looked from her computer and motioned for Kain and Rika to come. “Here are your identification cards. Make sure to hold them close, and don’t lose them.” Two cards showing a star inside a circle were given to both Kain and Rika. “Anything else?” Celina shook her head, putting her hand up in refusal. “No, that should be all, thank you.” They followed Celina toward a set of metal double doors in the back of the room. Celina pressed the button with the arrow showing “up”, causing the doors to open. Once inside, they began their ascent. “Now, this is where we part ways for now. I’m another floor of the pyramid up, so I won’t be going with you two.” Rika spun around. “How will we know where to go?” “Celina waved her hands. “Oh, it’s actually pretty easy. There will be two large buildings to the sides of an even bigger structure. Those are the dorms, boys on the right and girls on the left. That’s all you need to know, the attendants will show you to your dorms after scanning your card.” Kain looked down at the card in his hand, wondering if it could really hold that much information. The doors opened, and Celina waved the two bye. “Alright, lead the way!” Rika patted Kain’s back. “Wait, I wasn’t listening to anything she said. Where do we go?” Rika sighed and shook her head. “Seriously man, ya are so hopeless sometimes.” Rika walked ahead of Kain on a brick path, the ladder following behind her. “Isn’t this place nice, huh?” Rika called out to Kain, who was following closely behind. “I guess.” Kain looked around the place, taking in his surroundings. The area was filled with rolling hills and green grass, trees occasionally blotting the surroundings in irregular clumps. Multiple brick paths could be seen leading in various directions. Kain looked up at the sky, which now showed stars and a moon. The air was cool, almost cold. A breeze momentarily passed by, causing Rika to shiver. Kain looked into the distance, seeing three large buildings on top of a hill. They were not far, barely a five minute walk. “Alright Kain, let’s get going. I’m tired and all I want to do is go to bed right now.” With those words, Rika powered forward. Kain put his hands in his pockets to warm them from the cold and followed forward. There was a clear shot to the Academy, the brick path lit with lights that illuminated the way. Kain rubbed his eyes, feeling his fatigue set in. The journey here really was long, but it was worth it. In this amazing city, there had to be better clues on who he was. He had already met people that knew him, if not him than people like him. While he could not get the information now, he swore that he would uncover it someday. Kain looked back up at the nearing Academy. This place would give him the key to his past. Kain looked back up at the fake sky, swearing on the even faker stars that no matter what, he would achieve his goal. Rika turned back to get Kain’s attention, but saw him staring off into the distance. She sighed, turning back around. Rika never bothered Kain when he was in one of those moods. She could only wonder what he thought about, and why it put such a sad expression on his face. Times like these Rika wished she could cheer up her friend, but never knew what to say. If only she were better at words…Rika shook her head. Enough thinking about things like that. She was there to help Kain get his memories back, not be his therapist. Anyway, she hoped that once their mission was complete he would stop looking so sad. In that way, Rika would help him, her dearest friend. Rika smiled. Yes, she would help him, just as he had helped her. Rika looked up at the path, noting that they were almost at the grounds. A fence lined the perimeter of the main grounds, a gate blocking off the buildings of the Academy. Rika’s expression turned sour. Seriously? They were getting locked out? She turned to Kain, who had a similar look of exasperation on his face. “Okay, so how are we getting in exactly?” Kain shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t ask me. I didn’t think there would be a gate inside the already maximised security pyramid where nothing could be let in without extreme screening, Rika.” Rika looked angry at Kain, raising her voice. “Don’t get smart with me! I didn’t know this would be here too, Kain!” Fueled by exhaustion and the fatigue one only gets from a long journey, they started to grow in anger toward one another. Their shouts and arguing reverberated through the courtyard behind the gate, alerting the attention of two peculiar people. Midway through the raving argument, the gate clanged and creaked, signaling its opening. Kain and Rika stopped their argument and looked toward the direction of the gate. “Well look who got locked out past curfew…” There were two people, one girl and one boy. Both wore a neat looking uniform, the boy sporting dress pants and the girl wearing a skirt. Their IDs hung around their necks, each showing the symbol of Virtue they represented. The most interesting thing about them, however, were their features. The boy had short dull gray hair, white streaks shooting through parts of it. His eyes were a dark brown, and around the irises, they were rimmed with a violent red. The girl had similar features, her hair being a light sheen of gray and her eyes violet, but rimmed with that same evil–looking red. It was almost as if their features mirrored Kain’s in a way. Both of them stopped their jibe and stared at Kain, then at each other. The girl muttered something to the boy and stepped back eyeing Rika wearily. The boy, however, had a different reaction. His face split into a smile and swooped forward wrapping Kain into a bear hug, laughing. “Oh how I am glad to see you! I never thought I’d see someone like us here at the Academy! Did the Doc send any more for the mission?” Kain couldn’t even react before the boy had his arms around him, swinging him about in joy. “Elais, watch yourself. He doesn’t look like the other four at the facility.” The boy put Kain down in confusion, his face scrunched up in thought. “No, there is no doubt that he’s one of us…” The boy, who Kain took as Elais, changed his demeanor. His face became expressionless, and his body tensed up with anticipation. “I don’t know who you are, man. You feel like one of us, so speak before I kill you.” Kain tensed in surprise. He felt something off from the two in front of them, something dangerous. They needed to get out of there, fast. “Rika, we need to run…!” Kain turned around to Rika who was being held hostage by the girl he saw behind Elais. A glinting object was placed against Rika’s throat. Rika grunted and clenched her teeth. How had she gotten over there so fast? “If you move, I’ll slit her throat.” The girl looked at Kain with a cold expression, devoid of empathy. “Now, this can all be avoided if you just have a friendly chat with us, man.” Elais walked toward Kain, shutting the large gate behind us. “Try anything funny and you both die. Now, with that, follow me.” Elais started walking forward, and Kain had no choice but to follow.

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Elais led Kain to a cluster of trees around ten minutes off the path. The girl still had Rika hostage and stood in the shadows behind Elais, the knife pressed against her neck. “Now, I’ll ask you some questions. Answer wrong, you die. If you move, you die. If she moves,” Elais pointed to Rika. “You die. Do you understand me?” Kain, without any other choice, nodded. “Good. Now first question, which house member are you affiliated with?” Kain did not want to oust Celina, especially after she helped them, but this situation was critical. For both of them to survive, Kain must comply. “Celina of House Kindness.” The girl behind Elais raised an eyebrow at the mention of Celina. “Second question. Who are you two?” Kain swallowed his nervousness. He couldn’t tell if there was an opening to attack, run, or bargain. “My name is Kain. She is Rika. We come from the slums, and we got here from the Holy Selection in the Garden.” Elais furrowed his brow. Kain looked around. No people in sight. How could he get out of this situation? “Third question. How do you have that aura? What trick did you pull?” Kain looked up in confusion. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Elais clenched his jaw. “Remember, if you answer wrong you die. I’ll ask again, what trick did you pull to feel like that?” Kain got angry. The stress was getting to him. Why had this had to happen to them, especially after so many things worked out? Would their journey end here at the hands of two deranged students? For the first time Kain could remember, he hated. How dare these people do this to him. He would eliminate them, crush them, destroy them. After all, it was their fault. They were getting in his way, they were stopping him from reaching his goal. Another dark force, one different from the all consuming hunger, surfaced within Kain. It pulsed to the surface of his skin, filling him with rage. With anger. “Answer!” Elais shouted at Kain. Enough. Enough enough enough enough enough ENOUGH! The dark feeling within Kain blossomed, awakening finally into completion. The girl widened her eyes. She rushed in front of Elais, dropping her knife in the process. A scream resounded, and the crack of bone followed. Kain’s fist drove into the girl’s arm, snapping the bone and knocking her into Elais, topping them both over. Kain stared at his outstretched fist. The anger inside him had subsided, letting the darkness that pulsed so close to his skin fade. Kain took deep breaths. Rika rushed over to him. “Kain, are you okay?!” Kain turned to respond when he was cut off by the girl, now helping Elais up with her good arm. “I knew it…you’re one of us…” The girl looked at him with bewilderment. “I thought there were six…Doc told us they couldn’t adapt the seventh…” Elais walked over to Kain tentatively. “How did you…how did you use Wrath?” Rika moved behind Kain, eyeing Elais with anger and suspicion. Kain tensed up and readied himself to fight. “I don’t know what that is, just let us go.” Elais put both of his hands up in surrender. “Hey, we don’t want to hurt you, okay” Rika snorted. “Ya shoulda said that before ya pressed a knife to my neck!” The girl walked up to them, holding her broken arm. “I know its hard to trust us, especially after what we did. We didn’t know if you were sent from the Houses.” Elais tried to step forward but Kain stopped him. “If you want me to trust you, answer my questions now.” Elais spoke in protest, but the girl cut him off. “Elais, hear him out. Let’s just calm down and answer his questions.” Elais clenched his jaw, nodding. “Alright. Okay.” Kain walked to the side of the two, Rika following him. He eventually came to a stop after walking a full circle. “Here is my first question. What did you mean about using Wrath earlier? Elais looked at him confused. “What? You don’t know what that is? Aren’t you a Sinner like us?” Kain furrowed his brow, but before he could form a response the girl spoke up. “Wrath is my curse, I didn’t know if anyone else had it. It makes you stronger, faster, more durable, and always dulls pain. Remember, they messed us up at the lab, did this to us. They gave us these pseudo-Virtues.” The word remember ticked Kain off. “No, in fact, I don’t remember anything. So enlighten me.” The girl and Elais both looked even more confused than before. “You don’t remember?” Elais tentatively questioned Kain. “Nope. Nothing at all!” Kain started to laugh nervously, causing Rika to look at Kain nervously. “I woke up in a back alley, that’s all I can remember! Hah, yup, that’s all I got!” Now Kain started to breathe fast and clench his fist. “Must be nice to remember things, huh!?” Rika tried to reach out to Kain, but he shrugged her off. “Come on, tell me!” Elais held out his hands. “Are you okay?” Kain was pacing back and forth, laughing. “Everyone knows something about me, but no one will tell me! No one! I can’t take it!” Kain stopped pacing and doubled over, his head in his hands. Rika stooped down to comfort him, Elais and the girl looking on in discomfort. Then Kain had an idea. What if he could kill them, take their memories. He didn’t kill Celina because ‘Kain’ might have a relationship with her, but these people… Kain stood up, walking toward Elais and the girl. ‘Kain’ didn’t know these people. In turn, he would not care if they died. But these people might know about ‘Kain’. If he could just use that force again, he could easily kill them. Look how easily it snapped that girls arm in half! Elais’ eyes widened as he saw Kain walking up to him. “You first.” Before Kain could raise his fist, something hit him on the head. Hard. The world spun as he fell to the ground. The last thing he heard was Rika shouting out his name, and “I’m sorry” from the girl as everything went black.