Chapter Fourteen – Light Reading (Wednesday, November 9, 1994)
Celestria was nice enough to grant me an off day from my studies. Midterms are coming up and I guess she knows that I need the extra time to study for my tests. P.E., drama, photo and history will be easy for me to pass, but math, science and maybe English might be a bit tricky for me. Even with Taryn’s help in math, it might not be enough.
Of course instead of studying I go back to the one place that I need a break from, Crystaltina. I feel like reading and its better when Celestria isn’t forcing me to read. I’ve only been in the library a few times before this on my own.
The smell of old books fills my nostrils as pass my fingers along their spines which are covered in dust, before picking up a random book. I then spot another book which looks like more of a story book than a history book. My thoughts return to the young child who gave me a flower at the pier at the Dorter celebration. She told me that there were stories written about my last incarnation, some of which are read to the children before bed. I decide to grab the second book as well and toss both into my backpack.
I take the books with me outside and walk towards the forest. The wind brings a slight chill but nothing compared to the cold found on Earth during December or what Taryn is capable of producing. There are several fallen trees due to my practice matches with Kyle.
I head towards my favorite tree in the woods, the one that is lofty and very inviting. Finding my usual branch, I get comfortable and open the first book that I took from the library and I begin to read.
“Long ago, an entity was born on another plane of existence. They called her the Hymn of Saturn who had the power to destroy worlds and time itself. Thankfully she was able to be controlled by the Gods who saw her more of a threat than a gift. However Saturn became bored and wanted more out of life. She believed that they deserved the right to take human form and to experience what the humans are allowed to experience. This was forbidden magic since in order to take human form; a human soul must leave the body, in other words, the person must die before being taken over.
In hopes to calm down the entity, the Gods partnered her with a friend, a companion. They did in fact become friends but in the corners of Saturn’s mind, she knew he was a distraction to keep her busy.
Lucky for her, the Gods started to ague and war with each other and that eventually led to the Celestial War. With everyone distracted, Saturn had her chance to slip away.
Saturn’s friend didn’t notice until later that Saturn was missing and quickly found her path and followed. It wasn’t until they reached a planet that he finally found Saturn. Startled, she drove towards the planet. Both entities were never seen nor heard of ever again. Legends say that both took human form and lived out their lives together.”
This sounds awfully familiar to what I dreamt about when Ozma was torturing me. Could this Saturn entity be the one that entered my last incarnation’s body? Could she be the voice that I keep hearing? The book did say that the soul needs to move on before an entity could take over so it can’t be true. Two souls cannot occupy the same body, right? The human body wouldn’t be able to control that kind of pressure.
I look off into the distance and I start to feel drowsy. This is why I can’t study for long with my school work; I always get tired when reading. Thankfully I’ve been able to fall asleep since that night at Kyle’s but it’s only been for a few hours at a time. Kyle was a bit upset when he woke up on Sunday and saw me sleeping on the smaller sofa, my feet hanging off the sides. He was so adamant about me sleeping in a bed instead of a couch that night.
My eyes open wide as I realize that Dryden might be Kyle’s name from the past. Kyle still won’t tell anyone about his last incarnation but then again, I don’t think anyone has really asked him.
I decide to take out the storybook from my bag, replacing it with the other. I’m not sure who wrote this as the cover is so worn that I can’t read what is written on it. There are several pages missing from the storybook and I try to make the best of it.
“Okay,” Celestria, who is training to be a powerful cleric, says to a now seven year old Anya, “Hey, are you listening to me, your young highness?”
Anya is currently looking out of the window of the castle, out into the forest and lost in a daydream.
“Miss Anya, this is a very important study, you do realize this, don’t you?” Celestria tries again, but seeing the only way to get Anya out of her own personal spell, is to throw something at her. Celestria tosses a piece of chalk and hits Anya on the side of her head.
“Ow…what was that for teacher?” Anya cries out, rubbing the area that now holds a nice little red mark.
“I will not have a student who fails to pay attention during an important lesson, understood?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Now, what is the proper concentration time to produce a simple fire spell?” Celestria asks, while writing a formula on the board.
“Why can’t I just go to Vane?”
“Why can’t you answer the question?”
Anya snaps her finger, and above her thumb, appears a tiny flame. “Three-point-five seconds, now why can’t I go to Vane? I’m sure I would have better luck there. Sorry, but I can’t see you as my teacher, not really.”
“Excuse me”
Anya stammers, “Err, I mean I’ve known you since forever and now you’re my teacher? It feels a bit strange, that’s all. I mean, you’re not that much older than me and here you are, trying to teach me things that are common nature.”
“Standard rules states that all new students of Vane must have some sort of knowledge in the art of magic and must be at the age of ten. As I recall, you fall short by three years. And simply having common sense does not cut it with the board,” Celestria mentions.
“But my father is King, shouldn’t that go for something?”
Celestria sighs and shakes her head, “You can’t keep using that excuse all the time, Miss Anya.”
Now frustrated, Anya slams her hands on to her desk and then storms out of room, but not before saying this to the fourteen year old cleric in training, “I don’t want you as a teacher, I just want a friend to talk to. I’m tired of being so overprotected!”
Anya makes her way outside and towards the coast that lies behind the castle while Celestria heads to the King’s throne room to discuss matters about Anya. “She’s so high strung about going to Vane, that her mind is clouded. Do you think she could handle their teachings at such an early age?” Celestria asks.
“She will come around and she will learn the art of patience,” he replies.
“But why must she be so sheltered. I understand that she is the heir, but do you feel that this…” But Celestria is cut off, something that is uncommon with the King.
“Fine.”
“Your majesty?”
“She will do as I command and will head to Vane.”
“But sir, you….”
“…leave me be,” he scowls.
Anya makes her way to the ocean’s shore and steps into the warm water. Then, a chill passes through the air and takes hold of Anya’s brown hair. She turns around and looks up to the castle. She knows that something is wrong and runs back home.
Celestria makes her way out of the chamber and closes the door behind it. Appearing in the shadows, behind the King’s chair is a short figure, with a pale completion and dark black hair. “You did well, my Lord, she will cause no trouble while she is away.”
“Do you think I was too hard on Celestria?” questions Stahn.
“Not at all,” Ozma, the queen answers.
King Stahn is loved by all throughout the land but his wife on the other hand is feared. Many townsfolk question their relationship and some believe that dark magic is involved.
Anya comes rushing into the castle and slides on the marble floor and right into Celestria. “Whoa, what’s the hurry?” Celestria asks, still a bit shaken from her conversation with the King.
“I felt…I felt something and I knew I had to come over,” Anya manages to get out.
“I just spoke with the King and he wants you to go to Vane.”
“He does? But I thought I had to wait?” Anya says, forgetting about her sudden wave of fear.
“It seems he’s changed his mind,” Celestria says dryly.
“Is everything okay?” Anya asks, looking up at Celestria with a puzzled look in her brown eyes.
“Of course everything is okay,” Ozma says behind Anya.
Anya turns, and is instantly frightened. She steps back and ends up in Celestria’s arms. There’s a strange vibe coming off of her mother.
Anya tries to back up even more, but doing so now, makes Celestria take a step back. Celestria is unsure why Anya is acting like this. “We’ll take our leave now.” Celestria takes Anya by the hand, and almost walking backwards, they make their way upstairs and to Anya’s quarters.
At dinner, the four are sitting at a very long wooden table within the dining hall. The room is quiet until dessert rolls around. “Dad, why the change of mind all of a sudden, I mean, weren’t you the one who wanted me to stay here and learn some magic spells before going to Vane?” Anya asks, pushing her plate aside.
“I think that you are ready,” he answers.
“I’m seven; I’m the only one here who thinks I am ready. The rest of you guys have been holding me back, telling me over and over again to wait.”
“Now come dear, you underestimate yourself,” her mother says.
“Did you actually finish Dr. Strem’s report for elemental class yet?” Celestria asks, sitting at a small desk in the Library of Vane.
“Of course I did, now let’s head outside, it’s a nice day,” Anya says, trying to pull Celestria’s arm away from her pen and paper.
“You always want to go out, why not study for a bit?”
“Because I already did that, come on Cel, you need to live a little,” Anya winks. “You can’t spend all of your time behind the books.”
“Didn’t you want to talk to the combat arts teacher anyway?” Celestria tries to weasel her way out of spending time away from her studies.
“Yea, but he’s at lunch right now, but fine, I’ll go outside all by myself and I’ll tell you how great it was when I come back,” Anya says, sticking her tongue out at the almost full-fledged cleric.
The sun is bright and high above the planet of Crystaltina and with the birds singing, it’s just one of those days that you would hate to miss out on. To get back to the main land, you have to take a teleporter, since Vane is one large mass of land floating in the sky, with a school on it. And then you have to take a ride over to the Dorter Trade City, which is the closest city to Vane. Also known as DTC, it is the trade city at the docks, where all sorts of life comes and goes to do their trades and other sorts of business. Anya enters the city to the left, as she always does, and just walks around, mainly to hear what news is going on within the kingdom. No one knows that she is the heir, so it is safe for this ten-year old to walk freely around the port city.
While not paying attention, Anya bumps into someone who is walking in the other direction. “Ow, hey, watch out!” Anya cries out, almost meeting the ground with her rear.
“Sorry, I was just watching the sky,” the boy says.
“It’s not like it’s going anywhere, you know,” Anya jokes. “I’m Anya.”
“Nice to meet you,” he bows.
“Is that really necessary?” Anya asks, placing her arms on her hips.
“Not really, just wanted to see your reaction to it,” he jokes back.
“And you are…?”
“Heh, the name’s Dryden.”
“Never seen you around here before, did you just get in?” Anya asks.
“Yea, Steve and I just moved here about a week ago.”
“Who’s Steve? Your brother?”
“No, my wannabe father, that’s who he is.”
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
“…..don’t worry about it. Once I get old enough, I’m leaving this place to become an adventurer or maybe something with elementals,” Dryden says with pride.
“Wow! That sounds so amazing. Do you plan to go on your own?” Anya asks.
“What other way is there?”
“I don’t know, maybe having your own group of followers, or something. Don’t you think you’ll get lonely?”
“Me, nah, I can handle it on my own you know, I’m going to be famous, people will know me for my amazing quests.”
“Uh-huh, whatever you say, mister adventurer but what I want is to be a part of something, like a traveling band of heroes,” she laughs.
“Dryden, get over here and finish your chores, you ungrateful excuse for a son,” Dryden’s father shouts from a far.
“Ouch, I guess that’s your cue to leave, huh?” Anya says.
“Yep, it was nice meeting you, maybe we can talk again sometime,” Dryden says, waving while walking towards his home.
“Yea, hey, I’m a student at Vane if you want to stop by,” she calls out, and then more to herself, “hope to see you again.”
The two friends split off to go to their classes; Celestria to her alchemy class and Anya to her physical attack magic class.
“Okay class, today we will be heading into the woods for some sparring and we will be going over some techniques that were talked about throughout the year. We will be going over a few new things as well. After the first hour of regulated class time, if you must leave, please inform me before doing so. For our newer students, please pair up with one of the senior students.
“So I guess I’m stuck with you then, huh?” someone from behind Anya says.
Getting out of her seat to leave, Anya turns around to see Dryden standing there.
“Are you following me or something?”
“Nah, you’re not my type.”
“Right…so what are you doing here then?” Anya asks as they walk out of the class and head for the teleportation link-up center. It’s a high tech area where students and teachers of Vane can travel around the planet in an instant.
“Just trying to learn a few new skills.” Dryden answers.
“I thought you’re father wasn’t going to let you come to Vane? What changed his mind?” Anya steps into the portal and ends up in lush forest miles from the school. She takes in a deep breath and the smell of pine makes her sneeze.
“Well, he doesn’t know. Promise me you won’t tell him,” Dryden says.
“No worries.” Anya says, with her back facing Dryden she quickly sends her arm and fist towards his face. He blocks it and holds her arm for a second.
“Anya!” the teacher yells.
“Sorry, just messing with the new meat,” Anya says, “Umm, you can let go now.”
Dryden slightly blushes as he lets go of Anya’s arm and they head towards the rest of the class.
“Okay, I hope everyone has found a partner by now. Today we’ll be going over simple physical spells and how to defend against them. Later on we’ll work on duel tech attacks. This might be a bit tricky for all of you, because in order to perform perfect duel tech, both people involved must share a bond, be it personal or common and it requires a lot concentration. You also have to remember to mix the right elements. You cannot mix ice and fire and expect something good to come from it. But be creative with it.” The students then go off in pairs to separate locations.
“So, show me what you got,” Anya says, leaning against a tree.
“What about you? You should have more experience since you’ve been here longer,” Dryden cracks his knuckles.
“You would think that, huh? But before we start, you do know that this is physical magic, right? You can’t just shoot a fire spell at me; the spell has to be a part of you, an extension. Here, let me show you,” Anya stands straight and then makes a run towards a tree. As soon as her leg lifts up to kick the tree, her lower leg and foot lights up brightly.
“Fire elements, huh?”
“Yea, but I’ve been trying to work on this earth spell, but I keep coming up short.” Anya says, walking back, the tree falling over behind her.
“What type of spell?”
“It’s where I slam my fist into the ground and it generates a bomb underground that travels towards its target from under the soil, but all I can get is a few rocks to stir up,” she shrugs her shoulders.
“Maybe I can help with that. Teacher was talking about duel techs; maybe that type of spell can only work when two people are involved.”
“Could be, but didn’t you hear teacher saying about a bond between the two? I mean, we’ve only talked here and there and the rest of the time you’re working on your father’s farm.”
“We could try, I mean, what harm could that do?”
“Alright, but if you get hurt….” Anya trails off.
“Okay, slam your fists into the ground and at that moment I’ll summon a bolt of lightning and we’ll see what happens.”
“But we’re supposed to be working on physical spell attacks right now.”
“Oh come on, it’ll be cool to see either way.”
“You know, you’re right. I don’t know why I’m protesting this, I’m sounding like Celestria. Heh, okay, let’s try this.”
Anya slams her fist into the ground as Dryden sends a bolt inches from her. The attack backfires and sends Anya flying a few feet backwards. Dryden rushes over to make sure Anya is alright but she isn’t in sight. She then jumps down from a tree branch and they begin to spar.
Three hours later, Anya is drying her face off near the hot springs that are behind the castle. “There you are! Class got out two hours ago, where have you been?” Celestria walks up to Anya.
“In class.”
“Really? That doesn’t sound like you.”
“It was field study today and I was showing a new kid the ropes,” Anya replies, covering her face with the towel while leaning back in the chair.
“And this new kid just so happens to be…”
“Another round of rum for my dear friends!!” Anya raises a glass. “Two more weeks and we graduate to upper level students! The madness never ends!”
“Hey, you wanted to go to Vane, you remember that.” Celestria laughs.
“How was I supposed to know that lower level takes six years to pass and then there’s more? What happened to fast education? Getting people on the field faster, you know?”
“No wars. So they can train people for a longer amount of time.”
“When was the last time this place saw war anyway?”
“Don’t remember, actually. The records don’t go that far back. We’ve been attacked and there have been riots but no war”
“Do you think there are more worlds out there?” Anya stammers.
“Heh,” the barkeep chimes in. “Do you know how many times that question is asked once someone has enough rum in ‘em?”
“And?” Anya says, leaning over the table top.
“And what?” the bartender gruffly says.
“You’re going to have to excuse my friend,” Celestria says, grabbing Anya by her hand. “Come on; let’s get you some air.”
“What did I say,” she slurs out. “He must know the answer if he gets that question all the….”
The windows of the tavern shatter as balls of fire rain inside of the establishment. The fire grows at an alarming rate; customers are gagging on the smoke.
“Everyone get outside!!” the barkeep screams as the ale bursts into flames behind him. The front door begins to burn, blocking the only way out.
“Cel, can you do anything?” Anya yells over the roar of screams and fire.
“I—I can’t there’s too much smoke, I-can’t concentrate,” she stammers, looking for a way out.
Anya rushes to the door and jumps into the fire, breaking the door down in the process and absorbing the flames that are blocking the exit. This clears a path for the patrons to run out. For many, it was an action too late. Celestria is one of the last people to run out, coughing, she leans on her knees for support as she looks around for Anya. She spots a group of people in a circle and she rushes over. Fearing the worse, she pushes the people aside and to her shock, Anya is sitting on the ground, perfectly okay.
“You okay, Cel?”
“Yes—I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Anya stands, this wasn’t your—-ow! My head!!” Anya places her hand on her forehead and takes a step back.
“Anya!!”
“Man, I’m going to have a hangover tomorrow.”
Celestria pushes Anya, “That is not funny!”
“Sorry,” Anya sighs and looks back at the fire which has taken a few lives and the wooden building itself. “Excuse me; did anyone see who did this?” Anya yells out to the crowd of onlookers.
No answer.
“Oh come on, in the highest trade city on this side of Crystaltina and no one saw a thing? Don’t be afraid, we need to fight this!”
“Mam’am,” a man from the tavern speaks up.
“Yes? Did you see something?”
“You jumped into a fire and you are not hurt.”
“Ummm…well you see…”
“She was sent from the Gods!”
Anya slaps her forehead in frustration, “Ow. Look, no I’m not. I’m a student of Vane. I assure you, I am as normal as the rest of you. Now, anyone, please tell—”
“She was sent by the Demons!!!”
“Oh geez, come on people, you can’t actually believe…”
“We had better get out of here Anya,” Celestria takes Anya’s hand and they begin to walk out of the city. “They are going to follow us, we can’t go home right now,” she whispers to the young princess.
“You can’t be serious. Don’t they know about the magic school?”
“Many still don’t believe it’s natural to use magic, at least not to help people. We need to lose them and hide somewhere.”
“Oh, like that’s going to be easy,” Anya turns around to see a medium sized mob following them.
“This isn’t going to be pretty in a few minutes, Cel…”
“…just keep walking.”
“A run might do us some good, you—-“
A bolt of lightning hits the ground between the two friends and the mob. Dryden appears and walks towards them. “She saved some of you today and this is how you thank them?!”
“She’s a Demon!”
“Follow us and you’re all toast. This is your only warning,” a dark cloud begins to form over the towns people.
“Do you think that’s necessary?” Celestria asks.
“Run, I’ll keep them off of your backs.”
“Come on,” Celestria takes a firm grip on Anya’s hand as she begins to run.
“Hey wait, he might need our help—” Anya tries to say as she looks back.
Giving the two a head start, Dryden summons a series of bolts to hit the ground in front of the people before taking off as well.
After about an hour, Dryden finally catches up with the two, “Come on, to the ruins, we should be safe there for a while.”
“Can we wait a few minutes, Celestria needs a break.”
“No, I’m fine, we need to keep going. Are they still following us?”
Dryden stops and turns around, “I don’t know. I think I scared them a bit, so I doubt they’re close by, but who knows. We need to hide for a while to be on the safe side.”
“Thank you for saving us,” Celestria replies.
Both my past self and Celestria are mentioned in these writings, as well as Ozma and I’m pretty sure that Kyle was Dryden in his last incarnation. It’s just too obvious with what I am reading. I need to sit down and ask Kyle straight out and hopefully he’ll tell me the truth.
