Chapters 7 and 8

Chapter 7: False Information

While my dorm is done being "investigated", Ambrose thought it would be delightful to have me bunk with the new student! That means I am temporarily living with Taryn. I've been with her a week now, but she talks like we've known each other our entire lives. She has a simple cot set up for me next to her own bed, which wouldn't be so bad, but that girl is like a radio announcer; loud and always interrupting my music.

I haven't had contact with Dakota or his brother, what's-his-face. Taryn hasn't mentioned anything, and I don't want sound like a creeper asking. She probably doesn't even know I've met her brothers- or brother, rather. But today, I made plans to watch Wolf and Austin kick butt in Pvp.

"Taryn,-" I was about to continue on, but she totally cut me off.

"What is it roomie?" She says rather than asks. A childish grin forms when I turn to face her.

"Uhm.. I'm going to watch my friends pvp."

"Who?"

"You don't know them?"

"Tell me anyway~"

I frown and teleport to Wolf. Quickly, I make sure that the moment I get there I shut down the ability to let other people port to me.

"Hullur." Wolf's slurred greeting appears right in my ear causing me to flinch to the side. He laughs at me, and turns to Austin, who's arranging the match.

"Hi guys" I say trying to show some shred of excitement in my voice. It's been awhile since I have seen both of them, and I don't want to be a party pooper.

"Hey" Austin says with an absentminded look.

I'm not sure what to say, so I awkwardly hang around behind my friends as they gear up for their match. As they arrange their card decks, conversation arises.

"So it's been a little while, how are you guys?" I speak up.

"Fine" a short answer from Wolf. I ignore him and listen as Austin describes the highlight of his day, which turned out to be a lot less boring than my day. Good for him, I guess.

The match begins and drags on for a very long time. I watch patiently and cheer every so often.

…

Finally over, I meet up with my friends.

"Who won? I wasn't looking..."

"We did, obviously." Wolf says, slightly offended I even had to ask.

"Oh, cool." I mutter quietly "Hey, um, have you met the new students?"

"Nope, and I don't really care." He’s quick and to the point. Rolling my eyes I turn to Austin.

"Just Nicholas, and I only know him because we're in the same class." He says.

"Oh, well Ambrose has me roomed with Taryn. She's really annoying."

"That's too bad."

"Speaking of which, I think she's about ready to hunt me down."

"You're gonna go?"

"Well I also have a little bit of homework to do."

"I did mine in class~" Wolf chimes in. I ignore him.

"See you guys later." My voice falls, but I keep a solid expression on my face. A hug is given to each of them and I head toward the girl’s dormitory.

Taryn was waiting for me at the door.

“Did anyone I know show up?” She asks eagerly. I look at her in disbelief. She goes on “Because all my friends said they were busy and I have reasons to believe they might have lied…”

“No. Just my friends were there.” Freak.

“Good, good.” She grins and jumps into her bed. I go to the desk we now share and finish up my homework.

About half an hour later, I complete my work and sink into my “bed” it’s pretty uncomfortable, but I’m not in a position to complain. Quickly, I fall asleep.

“What are you thinking?!” an angry boy’s voice echoes in my ears. I open my eyes to find I am standing in the entrance of the Commons.

“You don’t have the authority to tell me what to do.” Another boy answers. I listen carefully in order to find where they are.

“If you get close to her, you’ll ruin Bestia’s plan.” Ugh. I have heard that name too many times and I still don’t know what it is, or what it means.

“I’m not ruining anything by having a friend.”

“We have orders to stay low.”

“And look like outcasts?”

“It doesn’t matter if we look like outsiders. We don’t need friends. We have each other.” These two sure do sound like bickering children. One of them sounds jealous the other has a friend.

I walk around the commons. It’s completely empty except for the two boys, but I can’t see them. After circling the commons once, I turn and walk down the path leading to Golem Court.

“Shhh, I think someone’s here” This line makes me pause. They must have seen me! I dive between some buildings and take cover. To my dismay, I find I have stumbled between Dakota and Nicholas. They completely disregard me and continue to stare down the opening between the two buildings. I back up against the earth wall behind them. They’re the ones talking, huh? They wait a few more seconds before deciding it’s safe to speak once again.

“Go look.” Dakota says. His voice is a whisper rather than an echo.

“Nah, we should just leave… But first I want you to promise me you’ll stop seeing that girl.” So, what’s his face, Nicholas, is the jealous one.

“No! I don’t see how or why interaction with her is so bad.”

“I’ve seen you two interact, Dakota. We think you trust her too much.” Nicholas says with a harsh tone. It seems not only does Nicholas not like me, other people don’t like me. I thought I was being nice to Dakota…

“Not only that” Nicholas continues “We can easily pick up on each other’s energy” that makes sense- they’re twins after all. “And I know how you feel about this chick.”

“Shut up! You got it all wrong. Courtney is just someone I met.” Ouch…

“Good. Let’s go.” Nicholas grabs his brother and walks right through me.

I sit upright in bed. My heart is beating fast, but that was out of fear they’d see me. They never did- They didn’t even acknowledge the fact I was there. I was asleep, but looking in on a conversation that, for all I know could have been happening at the same time as my sleeping.

I get up and wander over to the window. Two shadowy figures are entering Ravenwood. Could it be Dakota and Nicholas? Curiosity got the better of me. I rush out of my dorm trying very hard to be swift and silent. Perhaps I can catch them. This time, I will ask Dakota what Bestia is! I must know. I step on something as I exit the girl’s lodging. Looking down, I realize it’s another piece of Onyx. I leave it and continue out. I hide behind the staircase and peer around it.

It’s really uncomfortable being out here in my pajamas, but it’s doable. I spot them entering the boy’s dormitory. Dakota goes in, but Nicholas stays behind. I guess he like taking night walks too. Damn, I would’ve rather had Dakota stay behind… I still plan on getting answers though.

I follow Nicholas past the elemental classrooms and watch as he sits down on the bench next to the fire classroom. I decide to approach him. He doesn’t hear me until I speak up.

“Uh, hi…”

“What are you doing here?” He says glaring.

“I was looking out my window and saw you. I have to ask-”

“No. Go back to bed.”

“I can’t sleep…”

“Don’t care.”

“What is Bestia?”

“Huh?”

“What is Bestia? Answer me. I know you know.”

“You’re crazy. Go away from me.”

“So, by not denying, that’s saying you know what it is?” I push for information.

“Just leave, Courtney.” I step back. He’s never said my name to me. I try to ignore the gesture.

“I can’t. I have heard that word too many times to just ignore it again.”

“Who told you about it?” Nicholas looks at me with a solemn look.

“Well, I heard Ambrose mention it when he was talking to Dakota privately, a Ravenwood guard who works for them held me hostage, and I just had a dream where it was, uh, mentioned.”

“Huh. So he never told you…” Nicholas mumbles.

“What?”

“Nothing” His voice falls “Listen, Bestia is, uh, the agency that looks after us. Yeah, like a, uh, an orphanage…” He nods at me.

“I’ve never heard of it…”

“It’s, err, a secret.”

“Oh sure.” I shrug.

“Yup! So, now that your questions are answered, you should head back to your dorm. It’s not safe to be sneaking around at this hour.” Nicholas rises and tries to guide me closer to the dorms.

“Pfft. You’re out wandering around.” I retort.

“I left something there, outside the classroom…”

“Yeah, your believable lies” I sigh “Whatever. Goodnight.”

I walk away, taking big steps. He doesn’t say bye, but simply enters the boy’s building. I enter my shared dorm. Luckily, Taryn is still fast asleep. I go back to bed and enter a now dream-less slumber.\

Chapter 8: Nightmare on Unicorn Way

The next morning Taryn was gone. I don’t really care. It’s the weekend after all. I didn’t make plans this time in order to “volunteer” in Unicorn Way. I just have to fight some apparitions- easy for a high level like me. Plus it’s part of my punishment for ditching class last week.

I clean myself up and head out. On my way there, who other than Taryn sees me? She bounds toward me.

“Hey! You’re up!”

“Yep. Can I help you?”

“Yes. Let’s go shopping!”

“Not today Taryn. I’m servicing the community.”

“Whaa?”

“I’m going to fight ghosts in Unicorn Way” I mutter irritated.

“Oh. I’m coming!”

“Fine” We walk the route with Taryn mindlessly speaking and me not listening. As we turn the corner, we step into a dreadful sight. Unicorn Way has been run down by highly skilled beasts. There are severed body parts and blood everywhere. I turn away and clutch my stomach. It’s appalling. I have to physically work to keep myself from vomiting.

“Courtney!” Taryn yells. I jolt to a standing position and face her direction. A huge beast probably  five times our size towers before us.  I pull out my deck and commence battle. Taryn is far too low skilled to fight this… this thing!

Blood leaks out of its rotten mouth. I taunt the beast so it leaves Taryn alone.

“Taryn, go find help!”

“Okay- Stay alive please!” She runs off to the commons. I turn to continue my battle. Another gruesome monster decides to tango with me. My lucky day.

I cast boosts on myself and attack one. He falters, but bounces back and comes at me with full force. I try to dodge, but I get hit with a fortified Leviathan.

“I don’t know if I’m going to make it...” I murmur to myself, grabbing my wounded side. I wait and dodge before I cast Satyr on myself. Finally with some more health, I can fight on.

Just as I begin casting Dr. Von’s Monster, which was supposed to be a nice hit, a voice come from behind me, “Leave her alone!” Dakota pushes past me causing my spell to fizzle.

 “Hey-!” I stumble to the side. Dakota throws himself at the monster

“NO, DAKOTA STOP! They’re too strong!” He doesn't hear my screams. Dakota lands on shoulders of the weaker brute and begins aggressively clawing and beating the thing. It makes a shrill noise and fights back in a flurry of flinging blood and nasty snarls. I step back. The bestiality from this is overwhelming.

What do I do now? Obviously the answer is fight the other monster and stop being a lazy bum. But, I find I am frozen in place; shocked. This isn’t the same Dakota. It can’t be. Who is this horrific boy before me?

The other monster makes the same shriek-y noise and attacks me. I get hit and clatter downward. Dakota rushes to my side and casts a low skilled healing spell. He’s full of the creature’s blood. It’s repulsive.

“Go, Go get help. Taryn isn’t going to come back. Save yourself. Please.” He says solemnly.

“What do you mean?” Okay, I’m intrigued.

“Just go get someone. I’ll tell you later.”

“I can’t leave you here alone!”

“GO” he roars. I scramble to my feet and book it to the entrance of Unicorn Way. I pause and lean on the gate entrance, my chest heaving for air. Bile rises in my throat and I throw up behind a small tree.  At least I feel a little better…?

I continue my pursuit to Ambrose’s office despite feeling like defeat. I push through the doors. But he’s not here. GOD DAMMIT!!! Who else can I get- The teachers! Any teacher! Besides Dworgan…

I run to the storm school and urge Professor Balestrom to help. Thankfully he comes to my rescue.

We approach Unicorn way and find two monster corpses- the ones who were attacking me not long ago. Did Dakota take them out? How? He JUST started wizard school and those things were above MY level. And an even better question: Where is Dakota?

“My, my, this IS a problem! Where are the guards? How could they let this happen?” The little professor looks around and then turns to me.

“Please dear, go fetch the Headmaster.”

“Of course.” I’m positive Ambrose still isn’t there. But for all I know, he could have just been on lunch break. I summon my Magic Carpet mount and hop on. On my way odd shimmering from the waterfall  by Rainbow Bridge catches my eye.

I step down from my mount and investigate. A hand bursts through the water and pulls me behind the sheet of liquid. I gasp only to get a mouth full of water. The hand drops me and I collapse, coughing like crazy.

“Sorry…” It’s Dakota!

“I need answers.” I say between breaths and hacks.

“Taryn was a pawn in this… this scheme.” He says in a very low voice.

“What scheme? The Monsters in Unicorn Way were planted there on purpose?”

“Yes. Listen, I come from an agency that is known by the name of Bestia. I’m not allowed to tell you this so don’t breathe a word of this to anyone. You hear?” My eyes widen a bit and I nod vigorously. Dakota glances over his shoulder and continues “My siblings and I live under false aliases. We are test subjects for Bestia- Living experiments.”

“How am I involved in this?” I demand.

“Evidently, I’m not allowed to socialize” Dakota scoffs “They don’t want to risk corruption.”

“Of what!?”

“Me? The experiment? I don’t know!”

“So they want me gone!?”

“I think so…”

“What!?” my mind works hard to comprehend all the information. “So let me see if I got this. You’re an experiment from this bizarre place called Bestia and now that were friends, they’re targeting me. Wow Dakota. I haven’t heard that much bull crap since Wolf lied about his virginity. If you don’t want to be friends, just say so.”

“Courtney, I’m not lying!”

“Just give it up.” I say, annoyed. And with that I begin to leave- Dakota doesn’t stop me. I don’t want him to.

…

Later, back in my dorm, I lay silent. Taryn didn’t come back since she left me in Unicorn Way. I wonder where she is. I locked our dorm door, so she better be having a sleep over or something. While it’s true I can’t explain why Taryn never came back, it doesn’t mean she was trying to set me up with my own demise? Could it? No!

Finally with my mind somewhat at rest, I turn over and quickly go to sleep.

A misty vista forms around me. I have a feeling I need to move, to run. But I can’t move. Shadows form in the distance, growing closer and closer to me. Every fiber of my being wants to escape, yet my muscles refuse movement. My breathing increases speed as my body is enveloped in the unforgiving black.

A light figure manifests before me. It’s that angel again! Perhaps he can help… His pale hair moves as if a breeze is blowing. He’s still as gorgeous as ever.

“Life can be funny, no?” He says rather than asks.

“I guess.” I murmur in return.

“And even artificial life. They indeed harbor the same emotions natural beings do.” The angelic boy looks at me and frowns “Listen to the world around you.”

“What?” With that he unfurled his pearly wings and took off leaving me to ponder his words. But I don’t have time to think about it. The shadows go away and reveal Dragonspyrian ruins. I move around. Slimey breathing sounds in my ear. I turn only to be face to face with another beastly creature all too similar to the ones who invaded Unicorn Way.

And who else but the cloaked person should step out from behind the monster. It appears he’s examining the beast. Looking for what, I do not know.

He mutters some unheard words and reveals a hidden sword and lifts his arms ready to strike, but…

I jolt upright. I can’t help but think of my missing roommate. My head snaps toward the empty bed. Taryn…