Vol. 1, Ch. 63: Extra Credit Assignment
Trying to keep her head high with that weight in mind was tougher than anything Neska had ever had to endure before.
She needed a distraction. Her meeting with Jurik and Hadley later in the evening might be what she needed to catch up with what they had been up to--or, how they'd managed to get added to the staff roster of the academy. That couldn't have been easy to convince others.
Even as she tried to focus on the evening, the lingering doubt crept up. She realized there was a giant void of knowledge of what she knew about Risha, the Awakened…and herself, as well.
Risha, this was the burden you carried. You sacrificed your innocence a long time ago to give everyone a chance at survival. That’s the horrible thing you did out of love, wasn’t it?
The rational part of her mind pushed against that. She was speculating, and certainly didn’t have all the facts. But it was clear to her how deeply involved Risha was in discovering how to create the Awakened. She'd paved the way...and probably earned the ire of many in the process.
Risha had been the first one to perform the endeavor. And many more just like them. She thought of all the pictures on Kalloway’s wall, his reminder of what he did. And what he subjected those people to.
How large was the wall of pictures that Risha carried with her? Did it grow so long that she ran away from the academy three years ago, with little explanation? Did she crack from her guilt?
She dug her claws into her palm, wincing. Doubt was just as big an enemy as the Voice leading all the monsters. A foe not so easily beaten. She slid into the dorm room where Juni was already studying.
The mouse looked up, surprised. “Back so soon? I thought it would be longer than that.”
“Brief intro class,” she answered. There was no need to bring this up with Juni, not at the moment. She needed to process it herself first.
She also needed a more detailed plan with steps to capture a psionically influential monster, bring it to campus, avoid turning everyone into a corrupt Awakened, and find key information worth the risk. That would take some immense convincing to get anyone to buy into it.
Hopefully, she’d be able to convince Hadley and Corvin to lay out the precursor work and start identifying those who could corrupt others, and how it propagated. Then again, Corvin likely wouldn’t listen to a student in her first week on campus.
She’d still try regardless. She needed more answers and a firm plan to defeat the Varadur for good, or the influence of what drove them. Neska dropped her book bag on the bed and lay out her body so that she could relax for the first time since the morning.
Juni closed her textbook after placing a small bookmark inside. “Why do I get this feeling you’re not happy about something you heard?”
“No, the class was…helpful. I filled in some gaps. I have witch powers that may prove useful in researching our foes.”
Juni let out a soft sigh. “That was a deflection. Spill it, lizard noodle. You look just as rattled as when the Varadur’s godlike entity tried to turn you to the evil side again.”
Damn. The mouse did have a good read on her, despite her carefully kept neutral face. She wondered if her tone was a tell. Either way, Juni wouldn’t stop asking unless she gave them something to go on. “I detailed the start of a plan, on ways to end this fight. You know how I mentioned soul resistance?”
She spent a few minutes recapping what they’d discussed in the professor’s office. Juni frowned as she recalled the pictures on the wall.
There was only one part she left out: Risha, the original creator of the Awakened process. She couldn’t compute how she’d taken such a reckless leap of faith. Or, found someone willing to volunteer. A madwoman, or a savior. She saved me, at the very least.
She didn't want to tell Juni that last part. She herself was still reeling from it. But Juni was quite opinionated on Kalloway, regardless.
“That’s creepy, Neska. I don’t know if I trust him.” Juni folded her paws, looking concerned.
“What other choice do I have? I need knowledge. I need specific knowledge. Giving him small pieces of information is how I do that.”
I still would trust Serkin more than I trust this guy,” Juni grumbled. “You really think this theory is going to pan out?”
“I need to stop these attacks on my soul or find the source of them. Theory one: The Voice can influence me anywhere through the Interface. Which means I will never be safe until I unravel what he is and where he’s hiding. Then I put a mana bolt through his skull. Or several."
"Assuming he has a skull. We still don't know what he is," Juni countered. "You had another theory, though. What is it?"
"Theory two, more likely, and almost as unsettling. There’s an Awakened who is corrupted, on campus, right now, acting as a mobile influence spreader. Possibly acting as a long-term saboteur."
Juni’s eyes widened. “Well, that theory sounds uncomfortably plausible. It would explain how both attacks were close to the academy grounds. Maybe there’s a limited range of influence?”
“Maybe. It’s possible. I don’t like either one. And if it’s not the latter of the two, it’s one theory we can rule out on my path to finding this fiend. And it is certainly something that requires study work."
Juni sighed and hopped off her bed to lie next to Neska’s coils of her lower body. “Can you ever catch a break?"
“Apparently not. It just feels like I'm coiling in a circle sometimes.” Kalloway's parting words still stung: was her perception of Risha skewed? Had her memory been allowed to lapse so she couldn't remember? She still wrestled with telling Juni that Risha had been the architect of the entire Awakening process...and likely broken every ethical norm along the way.
Juni patted her shoulder. “I wouldn't say that, Neska. Look where we are now, someplace I truly didn't believe I'd ever reach in one piece.” Juni tapped her body gently. “C’mon, cheer up. We've made a difference already, and I think Risha would be proud of that. Let’s go meet up with Hadley and Jurik. I’m looking forward to seeing them.”
Neska's mood brightened at Juni's reminder. “Yeah, I could stand to meet up with friendly faces. I still need to go to Risha’s old office. It's one thread I haven’t followed up on, and I haven’t done so because…well, digging up the past. I might need help getting in there. It’s likely locked, just like the Ceruli crystal.”
Juni's ears perked up with this. “You think she might have left something for you in there? Why all the effort to lock you out of it until Tier three?”
“Probably to ensure I grew strong enough to survive. Or hardened enough to handle whatever’s in it.” It wasn’t just her, either. The other staff members clearly had taken a hit to the heart with news of the passing of the witch. Her influence had been far wider than what Neska had initially believed. It made her wonder if everybody was telling the truth…
No, that was just her doubts flaring up again. She couldn't let doubts overrule all the evidence of the precious existence of Risha, a stout defender of humanity. She had never seen anything to the contrary. So why was she expecting to find a terrible truth here?
Juni pointed to the clock on the wall. "Hey, if we're going to meet up with Hadley and Jurik, we should probably get going soon. Hadley said we could meet at the cafe down the road from the main gate. It’s a little different than the dining hall. It's a smaller crowd and different food. The garrison also eats there sometimes, and students visit frequently.”
“Good. The dining hall is too crowded.” Meanwhile, she went over to the dresser to grab some casual wear. She swore that these outfits hadn't been here before, including a plain shirt with long sleeves that seemed to catch her eye. Something about the light blue fabric was aesthetically pleasing to her, and she rubbed her fingers over the material. “Well, might as well go there in fashion.”
As they approached the cafe near the front gate, Neska couldn't help but feel a little nervous. It might have only been a few days, but it felt like a lot had changed in such a short time.
The cafe wasn’t on campus, but it was outside the main gate. She explained to the guard that they were meeting friends. The guard smiled politely and waved them through, the main gate currently open.
"Don't forget, your lapels can get you back in! They only work for the assigned individual, so you can't just borrow one!" he called out.
"Thanks for the reminder," she replied.
A short time later, they arrived. The cafe was a two-story brick and mortar building with a rusty steel sign hanging from chains to a small overhang, announcing the establishment as the Leaky Cauldron.
She took that a bit personally. No self-respecting witch would ever let a cauldron get so corroded as to spring a leak. Fortunately, the double doors seemed suited to accommodate Awakened guests, and Neska hesitated at the door. Even outside, she could smell the scent of something frying in the kitchen, something spicy and something salty.
She didn't know why she felt so strongly about seeing Jurik and Hadley. Maybe it was because when they first met, it was under rather tense circumstances. But now, they were within the safety of the Academy, and more importantly, they now had the luxury of time.
At least, to a certain extent.
Juni nudged her gently to try to get her attention. "You get lost in thought a lot, don't you?“
“No. I was thinking that it was easier when I could find a place to curl up. Someplace nice and quiet.” She gazed at the setting sun, now below the buildings. “Sometimes I wish I could go back to before. Curled up next to Risha, reading books, no danger nearby. But I chose this path of danger so others don't have to. Even if it's a little...daunting."
“Well, what do you know? You don’t have unlimited bravery. I would be more worried if you did,” Juni said reassuringly. “C’mon, you big scaly lizard rope, let’s head on in. They’re probably already here.”
“Lizard rope?” She laughed softly at that. “Okay then, cheese raider, let’s head on in.”
For a moment, Neska wondered if they would go out on training together with Hadley and Jurik, as a team once more. It was a faint hope for her, one that she thought would actually be beneficial, given their previous work together. They knew her best, from personality to strategy.
Even if that wasn't the case, Neska still needed to build a team together with people she trusted. Syra presented some interesting tactical roles with both ranged and melee capabilities. She would be able to take down durable foes, given her evasive capability and her powerful blows. Neska would sit in the center of the formation, providing fire support, and if necessary, getting up close and personal with her venom to incapacitate foes. Juni bore a similar role in limiting enemy mobility and providing direct damage.
But Neska realized that they needed somebody durable. Relying on evasion to not get hit was only going to work for so long, and they needed somebody to fill in the role of attracting the Varadur’s attention and keep it focused on them. Brent was a maybe, and she hoped to see what his power set would be.
Hadley was definitely a must. Even given her past trauma involving Felix, she was a deadly shot, agile, and reliable. She'd stood against him during the attack against Bregin and never wavered. Ranged support and a friend to boot. Only question is, will the academy allow her?
She pushed open the door and noted the warm atmosphere, the clinking of glassware and silverware of hungry diners. She was barely given any notice by the students in casual wear at the front door. A red-haired girl sipped a drink from a tall glass, with little gummy balls being sucked through a straw. She shrugged and resumed talking to a boy about the same age. A few soldiers wearing uniforms glanced their way but then resumed eating their meals, talking quietly.
The cafe was about half-full, and already an ambiance of clinking plates and low voices emanated from the room. Neska nudged Juni and pointed to Hadley, set up in a corner with Jurik. They made their way to the table, with Jurik rising to greet them, both of them smiling politely.
“Hey, there’s my girls! Sorry, not sorry, when I am off the clock, they are my buddies, considering the hell we went through to get here!” Hadley’s cheeks looked a touch flushed, and Neska noted one empty mug by her spot. Neska was more surprised by the hug Hadley gave her, wrapping her up tightly. “My goodness, still not used to seeing you biggie-sized!”
“I–um–well…” She was stammering for words. What was it about Hadley that made her brain stop working normally? “Hi to you too. Careful now, my hugs could hurt you.”
“Bah! Silly talk! C’mon and sit down, we haven’t been here long, just a couple of minutes!” Hadley said and knelt to hug Juni, too. “We’ve got some things to talk about!”
“Personal, class-related, or both?”
“Mix of both. Glad you two could come,” Jurik said, giving Neska a polite handshake, but Juni wasn’t having that and leaped up to hug him. “Oh, watch the back, I’m not as young as I’d like to be.”
“You’ll be taking on dragons just as old as you are someday, Jurik. I know you better than most,” Juni laughed.
Neska smiled politely. “So, Jurik, I’m glad you’re here. But, how exactly did you get your orders changed?”
The veteran lieutenant glanced to the window, where the campus gate was visible, and he wore a stoic smile. "It seems there was a change of heart in leveraging my skills to their maximum potential.”
Neska read that as, ‘Resalio didn't want to split us apart, and saw that we had value working together.’
Hadley pointed to a small platter of food that had just arrived from one server, who gave the mouse and the snake a curious glance before disappearing behind the kitchen’s swinging doors. “So, I didn't quite know what to order for you, Neska, but I took a gamble on eggs and fish. Is that all right?”
“Yes, this is fine. Though it is a little bit easier to eat meals now that I'm Tier Two. I can’t really tear food with my teeth, but I can use my claws to break it into smaller bites.”
“I can’t imagine not having arms or hands,” Hadley commented. Without additional fanfare, they sat down and began conversing over what had happened over the past few days.
Neska filled them in on the classes, as well as their new friend Syra, and the regular class structure. Hadley only asked a couple of questions here and there.
After they finished, Jurik spoke in a low tone. “I wanted to give you a heads up. I know you only started a few days ago, but they're trying to accelerate students into the field for assignments. They’re pushing for a window within a month, even for the summer class arrivals. I don't think that's anywhere near as much time as you need from training, but that is where this is headed."
Juni wrinkled her nose. “Yeah, we are definitely not ready. Is the army just going to use the Awakened like cannon fodder? Is that the plan? Because that's a really terrible plan, considering we have not even come close to covering Varadur biology, strategies that they employ, and how to fight competently as a team. That's going to take months. What's the rush?”
"First, we agree not to circulate this to students just yet. I only divulge this because you two know the stakes," Jurik said calmly, before taking a sip from his drink. The duo nodded, then he continued.
“Monsters massing on the western portion of the holding line, West of Peolein. There is a firm belief that they are gathering for a major attack on the western settlements of Valos, which are a vulnerability they are aware of. A lot of our nation’s agrarian products are produced out there, and if they are successful in disrupting us, or attacking settlements? Then winter will be a very unwelcoming season. Bad for them, and even worse for us. and our neighbors in Juiksen."
Neska couldn't help but agree. An army marched on its stomach, and if they couldn't keep them fed, that would severely impact their ability to fight. “Is that where we’re going?”
“Hell no. You started class this week, they're not about to put two new students into a frontline training session.” Jurik scowled and gripped his mug tighter than usual. “Regardless of your tenacity before you got here, I wouldn't let them send students on high-risk efforts before they’ve worked with each other and gotten to know their abilities. What they do need are two experienced students for something a little less risky. Do you know how many students have actual practice doing this, not counting any prior life experience?"
"I'm guessing very few," Juni said flatly.
"Correct. But, this is purely voluntary."
Juni and Neska glanced at each other, then leaned in. “Official duties?” the mouse asked quietly.
“Yes. Occasionally, there are reports of Varadur holdouts, some hiding behind the backlines or in remote areas. Some appear to be holding position and establishing a hunting area, while others roam freely but don’t engage army forces. I want you two to come along on a mission when an opportunity arises.”
“I’m in.” Neska needed no further explanation.
She’d spend the next month studying and training, trying to get her levels up as much as she could. This might be her opportunity to look for more Varadur to try and see if she could find one of the corruption spreaders.
She would go hunting for answers. Or monsters. Ideally, both.
I love doing the banter between Juni and Neska. Limitless ideas...
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