《Our Story: Of Stars to Dust》


 The Folding

    I sat there perfectly still. The minding numbing nature of this place was certainly going to be the death of me. As much work as possible is thrown at us and yet little to no reward or incentive besides keeping our job is what we have to go by. I can''t stand this life yet I am forced to endure it. While I could find work elsewhere it would not have the same financial impact as my current one does, so here I remain. To make matters worse, people quitting or getting sick and calling off are at an all time high and it is exhausting those of us who are still working. The managers have given us small bonuses for showing up or picking up some extra overtime. Can''t complain if I get more money.


    If only something could happen that would make things change though.


    I lean back in the quiet breakroom, the bland white walls leaving much to be desired. There are numerous tables and the room is spacious yet I am here alone. It is an odd feeling. The sun is beginning to set a bit earlier than I thought it would as I look outside as the light dims. I turn my attention to the clock as it reads just after four in the afternoon. Perhaps a storm is coming or something. I haven''t bothered to check the weather.


    I drink some of my water and eat another few bites of my lackluster sandwich. A headache was beginning to set in and I immediately felt a bit worried. I don''t really get headaches and this is one of the first symptoms a lot of the recent call offs have had. I try to push it from my mind and close my eyes, taking in a few deep breaths. I opened my eyes and without warning the lights went out and I felt extraordinarily heavy.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    What?!


    I could begin to hear some crashing and without a single second of warning the windows blew out, the roof started to cave in, and I fell from my chair from the pressure. Was this an earthquake?! I had never heard of this happening here. My headache got worse and worse and was a full blown migraine now that was crippling me. I couldn''t see and my hearing felt muffled as the building continued to tremble.


    No warning and here I die. I spent all of my life working and trying to pay off a debt I had no way to paying. I spent my life saving money to only lose it. I cashed in vacation hours for extra money in my paycheck and now all that time is for naught. Am I truly going to die here? Is this how my life comes to a close? If only there could be a way to have changed things, to have had a better life, to be someone else and matter.


    If only the universe worked like that. No instead here I collapse in my grave at a job I knew would be the death of me.


    My life is as fleeting as the stars are numerous in the sky. To be a star, shining so brightly in the vast nothingness of space. To be that beacon...


    That would be incredible. To be a Star.

 (1)THE SKY SPEAKS

    I jolted awake, glancing around nervously. What in the world was that dream? It was a dream right? I could almost feel myself sweating and my hands shaking. That was too real to have been a dream. I continued to look at the bleak break room. The ordinariness of this cursed place seemed to calm me down with its mediocrity. A feeling washed over me making me chuckle to myself. I really need a day off¡­


    My lunch came and went by too quickly and I barely had anything to eat. I just couldn¡¯t get that dream out of my head. The distractions of my mind made the endless sludge of work somewhat doable though. I mindlessly organized the cases of packaged products and labeled them to their recipients before sending them on a conveyor to be wrapped and put onto pallets. The ambient noise of machines and the lack of people made me antisocial and boring. I find myself picking up extra hours at work to save without direction. I have no need for excess funds, I don¡¯t do anything but work. My purpose has no reasoning¡­ but what about that dream? Becoming a Star? I am so confused. They say that dreams have meaning but what in the world could this mean?


    The day continued to drag on and on. The monotony of my work leaves much to be desired. Everyday, sometimes six or seven times a day for upwards of fourteen hours, I simply look at the computer, check out what is needed, package it, and send it on its way. It pays just above minimum wage and a few raises over my time here has at least given me ample income. If I ever decide to do something with myself, I will have the money to at least try. I always elude the prospect of my future though. Since my parents passed away and my home was taken by the bank, I have lived in a shoddy small one bedroom apartment alone. There does not seem to be an end to my own personal suffering. The world itself seems broken. So much untold tension and strife is plaguing everything, I find it intoxicating to even leave my apartment. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    I place the last label on my box and give it a harsh push down the conveyor before logging out. Another day done, and another day waits for me to plop myself in this very chair and fulfill another couple dozen orders. I groggily take my coat and satchel from my locker and head home. The only perk to being in this apartment complex is it is less than a mile away. I take a small shortcut through a small wooded area and am home in less than ten minutes. No car or bike, so my legs will have to do it.


    I open the hall door and make my way all the way to the top and to the very back. The wooden stairs creaking all the while and the patched holes and cracked glass showing the real decreptant place I live. I fumble for my keys as the night''s cold is making my fingers numb. I am able to get the key into the hole and enter my dark and cool home. I set my satchel on the stand by the door and kick my shoes off before heading to my couch and just sitting there.


    The world completely collapsing around me? Becoming a Star? I began to wonder if becoming a Star means I would die soon. In an earthquake or something? It would make sense as I am on the top floor. But that really doesn¡¯t make sense since it seemed to happen at my workplace, which is a super thick cement and concrete structure. Also when is the last time an earthquake even happened in my state? I leaned by, feeling the springs of the worn couch bite into my back. I didn¡¯t feel tired, but I needed to dream again. I need answers. What was it I saw? No way it was a premonition? Do I go and see a psychic or something? I opened my eyes to stare into the darkness of my living room. I really need some answers. One way or another, only time will give me what I seek. I glance to my side and out the window at the sky.


    Maybe the Stars are the answer?

 (2) THE STARS FALL

    I woke up feeling completely burnt as if I hadn¡¯t slept at all. The alarm blaring did not help things. I was rather sore since I fell asleep weirdly on the couch and tried my best to stretch. I got up slowly, holding my back trying to make it easier. I made my way to my fridge and got out the last of my milk and grabbed the cereal on the counter and poured the last bits of both in a bowl and took it back to my couch. I turned on the TV to see if anything interesting was going on in the world. I could only assume more doom and gloom. I did need reality though to break me from that trance. Get my thoughts away from that dream. I still just can¡¯t get over the fact of how real it felt. Whatever that was, it seriously has provoked some anxiety.


    The news came on and talked about the usual crimes, daily governmental votings happening, and other local news. I was about to turn it off when a breaking weather alert showed up and took command. The meteorologist seemed a bit preoccupied as his segment aired. He turned back toward the camera, placing a finger against his ear and nodding.


    ¡°We have some breaking weather news to share with you all watching. This is not a watch, this is a warning. There seems to be some odd biometric changes in the atmosphere and reports have come in from other countries of massive earthquakes and strange day and night cycling,¡± he began. A few pictures came up in small boxes of dark cities, destruction, and some other things my mind was struggling to comprehend. Am I dreaming again? This can¡¯t be right¡­


    I turned the TV off and just shoveled my cereal down my throat. A shower is what I need. Somewhere warm and peaceful I can just relax. I quickly washed out my bowl and got a change of clothes from the top of my dresser. I went into the bathroom and got into the shower, simply letting the water flow over me. While I tried to meditate, I felt it. Feint but it was there. A quake. That sensation of the earth moving beneath me. We are not on a fault line. This can¡¯t¡­ this shouldn¡¯t be able to happen. I desperately tried to just forget everything, to find a peaceful place in my head where I can be away from this nonsense. What in the actual hell is going on?!


    An hour flew by as I just wrinkled in the shower trying to do my damndest to keep calm. What I had was a premonition. It had to have been. So what happens when I go into work today? Will it happen? Can I avoid this mess if I don¡¯t go in? I furiously scrubbed my head with my towel as I felt a migraine pounding. If this is fate¡­ it is going to happen no matter what. Do I simply accept my fate?


    Without a care I got dressed and returned to my couch, realizing something. It is too dark. I looked at my clock on my wall, squinting to see it in the darkness. There was some light coming from my faded curtains. I went over and opened one, taking a look outside. It was night. It can¡¯t be night. There is no way it is night. I finally surrendered to this wild fate when I felt another, slightly stronger quake. My job be damned for the moment.


    I took a seat on my couch, holding my head in my hands, just trying to let things fall into place. I had a dream seeing my death, and the death of the world it seemed. Now there are quakes happening everywhere and somehow time isn¡¯t¡­ working? What can I even begin to believe? I am an uneducated, unskilled laborer who had to leave school after my parents passed. I only know work. My job. I am not ready for this.


    There was a dark, dark feeling deep inside me. This is for the best maybe? Dying could solve all of my strife. Perhaps this terror happening is a blessing in disguise. I felt a tear fall, then followed by another, and soon I was completely swelled by emotion. No! I don¡¯t want to die! I want to live!


    Suddenly, like my dream, there was a quake I had never felt. Anything and everything began to fall around me. Small things off the dresser, the clock off the wall, and anything not secured. It didn¡¯t take long for the TV to collapse to the floor, my windows to begin to crack and shatter and the walls to crumble. Like a horror movie, the quake intensified and I couldn¡¯t move. I curled up on the couch hoping this would end. It never did and much to my fear, the roof came down on me with such force, it was all over. I could have sworn in the last moment of life, I saw a bright light. That hoax might just have some actual meaning, the light at the end of the tunnel. That guiding flame and I the moth on my way to it.


    ***


    I supposed that was it. The end of my story. I was born, I worked, and then I died. A simple life. A cold stillness took over my senses. A bleak darkness and silence that I had never known became everything about my being. I could laugh. One day I was just following the motions, and in an instant, I saw the end and it happened. Was this some strange karma catching up to me? Something I did in the past finally catching up to me? Whatever it was, it doesn¡¯t matter now. I paid the due, and so apparently did the world. Were we overdue for a reckoning? Why do I even care at this point? What¡¯s done is done.


    A feeling washed over me. A strange¡­ warmth? I opened my eyes and couldn¡¯t believe it. I saw it. Like a taunting smile, there it was, bright as day and right above me. A Star. And there was another by it, and more around it, and they all stretched as far as I could see. What in the world is this? I tried to move but my body was in so much pain I couldn¡¯t begin to comprehend it until I began to fumble about.


    From my peripherals, I could see rubble and darkness. I tried to focus as my vision came and went. Like a newborn trying to walk or talk, I continued to try and move or yell. If this is the afterlife, I was lied to. There is no paradise, and if this is hell, it is cold. An extremely unnatural chill was in the air. Bit by bit as I fought against myself, I was able to move a few muscles, then a few more, and I began to get feeling back. With each movement I could feel my body creak and muscles tear as if they were unstretchable. I fought with all my might to finally get to a sitting position and crack my neck before I looked at the absolute devastation around. If this was my home, it wasn¡¯t anymore.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    As far as I could see there was darkness. A few small sparks of fires were the only illumination. I seemed able to see a decent distance regardless of this overbearing dark. I had to take a second to really grasp what I was seeing. Trees were splintered into large chunks¡­ but those pieces were suspended in such a way that the original shape was there, but floating. Large chunks of land also seemed to hover a distance above the ground and even by me, small dust particles and tiny debris just were suspended in the air, moving ever so slightly in a breeze I couldn¡¯t feel.


    Not a single building stood that I could see and the roads around my complex were unrecognizable. To be honest, I couldn¡¯t even tell if this was even my home, if not for the general shape of the destruction and a few personal possessions I could make out. I looked at my person. I saw the destruction around me¡­ but what about inside me?


    My clothing was torn so bad I thought it was a part of popular fashion. My arms were bruised and cut, same as my legs. A feeling of weakness took over as I saw how thin I had gotten. I tried to look down a bit to inspect my wounds when a strange nebula-like strands fell around my head. I panicked and looked around, as those strands followed my movement. I took a hold of some¡­ holding it. Is this¡­ my hair?! It felt foreign and light. Without thinking, I yanked on it to confirm with that sudden pain. It was my hair. I saw a piece of glass near my side and I took it. I had to confirm what I am.


    My eyes glew. There was a faint light about them and it overshadowed the rest of what had been happening. My eyes were alight. They had a brightness! This isn¡¯t natural! None of this is?! What in the world is going on?! I felt my heart race, my body tremble. My mind raced around without direction trying to get a hold of any part of reality that could ground me. There were none to be found. I am in this fantasy world against my will and now it seems I have a lot to discover.


    Without warning, I began to float up slightly in the air, along with anything around me. I could hear some sort of distorted crackling followed by a sudden flash. A force sent me tumbling back to the ground, uncomfortably rolling and bashing across debris. For the first time since any of this nonsense began, I heard something I could figure out. A scream. A human cry for help. My body seemed to get riled up and something within ignited. A feeling of protecting, to be a shield, rose up and completely took my mind elsewhere. I may be in a foreign world full of mystery, but if someone is out there I could talk to, perhaps it would all get better.


    I mustered the power to stand, stumbling about as my head was dizzy and my aches and pains intensified. From where that burst came from and then the scream I could see a small crack of light just there a few yards from me. I then could make out a strange shadowy figure with scattered light orbs around its silhouette. I then could see the body of the voice I heard. A girl was hazardously staggering, trying to flee that monster. I looked around for anything I could, and almost laughably, a pipe from my apartment lay there. I took it, feeling that the heroism inside boiled over. A simple step at a time turned to a light jog and before I knew it, I was sprinting at that shadow. I had never fought anything in my life. There had never been a moment I cared for another. Not once can I even remember interacting with another person. Yet here I am, charging at some unknown entity to protect someone I don¡¯t even know, risking my life to protect another.


    I slammed into it, expecting to go right through, but there was substance to the beast. I reeled back, making a crackling noise and turning toward me. Three strange lights near its ¡®head¡¯ looked directly at me. A light also seemed to be at every joint in the monster¡¯s body. It came at me, flailing its arms. I took the blows with the pipe and felt the weight behind its attack. It was hard to fight on these broken apartment remnants. The girl seemed horrified equally at the monster as well as me. She ran away without a word and I took the chance to break some distance between us. I was barefoot and beginning to feel the scrapes and cuts from everything underfoot. I moved out to the more grassy parts. The once green blades now a dulled gray. The beast followed me slowly, making the same crackling noises as if communicating something. I took a swing, hitting a darker part of its body. The blow did nothing and I felt a ringing in my arms and then my head as if I just struck a brick wall. With no other choice, I fell back again, trying to comprehend not only the fact I can¡¯t fight, but now I am fighting some indestructible shadow. What do I even do?


    My only thought was to try and attack those lights. Could they be its weakness? I played a few video games back in the day and guessed with my intuition. I took another attack from its slowly flailing arms and got a counter in when it stopped, landing a critical blow to its right elbow. There was a glass shattering sound, followed by a burst of light. That limb fell limp as the light faded. The figure looked down and began to coddle its fallen limb. I was mesmerized by its pain. It was not just some monster, there was substance to its mind. Intelligence was there, if primal. But I can¡¯t be sympathetic to this thing. It is either me or it. I landed a second blow, just too high from its other elbow but as it returned its attention to me, I crippled it right knee. It crumpled to the floor and I didn¡¯t want the thing to suffer if it truly had feelings. I ended it with a heavy slam of the pipe to its head. All of its light went out and the figure dispersed like dust in the wind.


    ¡°Over here?!¡± I heard another voice.


    ¡°Y-yes!¡± the same voice that screamed earlier responded to the first. I turned to look at who they were. My thought was correct and the same girl from before stood with another. Much like me, the new person had nebula-like hair and glowing eyes. She held a long staff and was in a simple white robe. I couldn¡¯t get a word out as my exhaustion and adrenaline wore off and the consequences of my actions took hold. I collapsed first to a knee before the weight of my agony took me to the ground. I groaned in pain as the two came rushing to me.


    ¡°My name is Mylia,¡± the robed woman said. Her hands glowed with a warm light and that light engulfed my body. I felt my fatigue waiver and my small cuts closed. ¡°There is much to explain.¡± The woman looked around. ¡°But not here. A battle threatens our world and we are the hope. We are Star Seekers.¡±

 (3) STAR SEEKERS

    I lost consciousness almost immediately. I remember that woman mentioning her name and that was about it. Before this darkness was eerie and felt foreign but for some reason, now I felt almost attuned to it. There was a warmth engulfing me like a blanket. I somehow felt at peace. I opened my eyes to see an unfamiliar room. It had an art deco vibe with some planted vases in the far corner by the door. I was in a large and rather soft bed with black sheets. The light was on but dimmed. Clearly this place I was in had some sort of wealth. This is definitely no ordinary building.


    I could feel my muscles ache but I saw no visible wounds when I checked my arms. My mind was clear and most of those thoughts I had before were long gone. Something about this unfamiliar room¡­ felt nostalgic? How could that be?


    Continuing to scan the room, I noticed a desk and chair with someone hunched over, sleeping on the desk. It took me a moment to notice, but it was the woman from before. Do I wake her? I think the polite thing to do is wait for her to awaken and thank her properly. I assume she was the one who brought me here.


    With what I could muster, I sat up and just admired the room for what it was worth. For the first time in a long while I felt safe. I had no worries. No worrying about paying my next bill, fearing what was to come at work, wondering when my next meal would be¡­ Nothing matters at this very moment. Am I free?


    I looked up at the light, which was a very ornate chandelier. It had multiple rings of crystals spiraling about a central orb, which seemed to give off the light which was refracted from the orbiting crystals. I couldn¡¯t help but ponder if I am still on Earth. All of this almost magical fantasy stuff is a bit hard to understand.


    The door creaked open and a towering woman came walking in, sporting the same style of hair as the two of us. Her eyes glowed as well and she had an impressive set of plate armor on with medals adorning the breast. The edges also gave off a faint light and a long sword was at her side. She carried a staff that was very luxurious as well. It was a deep blue and white, and the entire weapon spiraled and at the tip was a set of orbiting crystals and orbs.


    ¡°Awake I see,¡± she said, with a commanding voice. ¡°Feeling alright?¡±


    The woman closed the door and leaned her staff against the wall before crossing her arms and looking at me.


    ¡°Sore, but I am alive,¡± I responded.


    ¡°Good. We need you in fighting shape and soon,¡± she vented. ¡°This world threatens us all.¡±


    ¡°Apologies, but would you mind explaining¡­ everything?¡± I asked, getting a rather expected reaction.


    ¡°Right. Mylia mentioned you passed out the moment she came to your aid,¡± the woman took a spare chair and spun it around with such mastery I assumed she did this often. I then realized Mylia was still passed out. ¡°Such a worrywort that one is,¡± she said, obviously watching me eye Mylia.


    ¡°Yeah, that is about how it went.¡±


    ¡°So, I am Illestial, Star Oracle Commander,¡± she began. ¡°There are three divisions of us Star Seekers. Those of my division, the Oracles, magically enhanced and gifted casters. Ser¡¯s division is that of the Knights. Proud warriors who use their gifts to heroically face enemies head on. Lastly are the Weavers. They are mostly merchants by trade, but we have hired many to use their own gifts to craft special arms and armors for us.¡±


    ¡°So what am I?¡± I inquired.


    ¡°I can¡¯t say. You need to be tested,¡± Commander Illestial replied, shifting about. ¡°While I am a Commander, there is much I do not know and much the entirety of the Star Seekers still need to seek.¡±


    ¡°Mind if I ask about what it was I fought?¡± I asked, looking at my hands, remembering the fight vividly.


    ¡°The fact you had no arms or armor and came out alive, I would assume it was just a hollow,¡± she answered.


    ¡°Sorry, but what exactly is that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be honest with you, I came in to check on you, not give a history lesson. I will let Mylia catch you up. When you feel up to it, let Mylia know you need to take the test, she will know what to do.¡±


    With that said, the Commander took her leave, grabbing her staff and exiting the room. I glanced back at Mylia who was still fast asleep. Man, she is a really heavy sleeper, huh? What do I even do now? What sort of test is this? The equipment Illestial had compared to Mylia also is wildly different. I wonder if it is just because of the chain of command or if it is something those Weavers craft.


    I felt anxious and wanted to get up and move about, but I figured I would bide time by just resting until Mylia woke. Examining my surroundings again, I was in awe at the design. It was very pleasing and something I am not used to with my lackluster apartment. Even just this room alone is nicer than anywhere I have stayed before. I heard Mylia yawn as I was admiring the room and turned my attention to her.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake!¡± she exclaimed, rubbing her eyes and standing up with a stretch. Her robe was on the back of the chair and she had some simple linens on.


    ¡°Hello, thank you for saving me,¡± I said.


    ¡°It is our duty as Star Seekers!¡± she happily replied. ¡°We are duty bound to protect what remnants of humanity still exist.¡±


    ¡°Commander Illestial was mentioning something about threats,¡± I said. ¡°I suppose not everyone is like us then.¡±


    ¡°Oh! The Commander was in?¡± Mylia said, fixing her hair. I noticed her robe begin to move on its own and a sort of celestial owl rose from beneath it. It was in the shape of an owl¡­ but transparent? Besides some light beams connecting to a variety of spots on its body.


    ¡°Such commotion¡­¡± The owl spoke?!


    ¡°Hello, Io!¡± Mylia said, gently patting the bird as it landed on the back of the chair.


    ¡°Greetings to you, Mylia,¡± Io replied, taking flight and hovering about. ¡°Is this the one you were dragging?¡± the owl asked, flying close to me and seeming to gauge me up and down. ¡°A Seeker alright, but of what vocation?¡±


    ¡°The Commander mentioned I need to take some sort of test,¡± I replied, trying to keep a bit more distance from the rather intimidating avian creature.


    ¡°Ah, of course. Do you think you are ready for it?¡± Mylia asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not even sure what that entails. What sort of test? Like a quiz or something physical, because I honestly am not feeling great,¡± I replied, rolling my shoulders and trying to test my own grip.


    ¡°Well we call it a test but it is more of an examination of your Stars,¡± Mylia answered. ¡°Inside of us are special streams of Stardust that give us powers.¡±


    ¡°Is that what Commander Illestial meant when she talked about Knights and Oracles?¡± I inquired.


    ¡°Yes! I am an Oracle because my blue dust stream is enhanced. I use a sort of magical energy known as mana to use spells,¡± Mylia said while holding a hand out and creating a small orb of light. ¡°Much of my power is in healing and light magic.¡±


    ¡°And they believe I have this too?¡± I questioned.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    ¡°You are a Seeker no doubt,¡± Io responded, flying back to Mylia¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Your hair and eyes are unmistakable. You are a Seeker. This test will verify whether you go down the path of a Knight or Oracle, or should you choose a Weaver.¡±


    ¡°I suppose that makes a little sense,¡± I nodded.


    ¡°Truly showing you would be the best way, but if you are not well, I am not keen on pushing you,¡± Mylia said, scratching Io¡¯s wings. ¡°You need rest.¡±


    ¡°I think it best to get my bearings and really learn who I am. Rest can come after that, no?¡± I asked, getting ready to try and move, feeling my aches and sores.


    ¡°To be truthful, no,¡± Mylia looked away, saying this.


    ¡°Once you are given a role, it is dutiful. You will serve the people of this world and your fellow Seekers. Rest won¡¯t come frequently, but there will be some. I would advise resting until you feel tip top,¡± Io explained. ¡°Should you die, the world loses a hero. Resting simply prepares you to go out and do your duty.¡±


    ¡°I felt a warmth, a drive in my body I had never felt before during my fight with that hollow. My body will need conditioning and I will need to grasp what exactly being a Seeker is, but I know in my heart and mind that I need to learn what my role in all of this is. I came from nothing but hearing now I have a chance to become something that invigorates me,¡± I said, rolling to the side and standing, with the help of the bed''s backboard. Mylia tried to come assist me standing but I did so on my own. ¡°Please take me to this test, Mylia.¡±


    ¡°O-oh¡­ yes of course.¡±


    ¡°Think this through¡­¡± Io commented. ¡°This is no game.¡±


    ¡°From the sounds of it, I am needed,¡± I responded. ¡°I can¡¯t think, I need to act.¡±


    ¡°A premature death won¡¯t be helping anyone. You need to understand this. Heroism in the face of adversity is honorable but there is to be no honor in death. We need you alive,¡± Io began. ¡°There is no replacement for any Seeker besides another, but at the rate they are found and rescued is becoming more and more slim.¡±


    ¡°I am blessed I have had Io since I awoke,¡± Mylia said, pulling the owl in close. ¡°My own little angel.¡±


    ¡°Please, Mylia¡­¡± Io groaned.


    ¡°I am determined to see this through. My previous life held no meaning, but I am prepared to make this life count,¡± I heroically stated. ¡°Please, take me to this test.¡±


    ¡°Alright. It was the Commander¡¯s order afterall. Follow me,¡± Mylia said, heading toward the door as she donned her robe.


    Outside of the room was a hallway, much like the interior of the room, had an art deco design. Lots of black and gold etchings all over and elegant patterns on the carpet leading down the hall. There were several dozen doors that stretched like a hotel floor. Each is identical besides the room numbers. We reached the end and Mylia took out a sort of keycard from her pocket and a hum affirmed when she placed it against a pad. The large obsidian looking door unfolded and Mylia and Io entered. I followed, getting into the small elevator.


    Not much in the way of conversation as we went up about ten floors before the doors opened. Mylia was first out with Io fluttering back to her shoulder. I was right behind the two and this area was a much smaller lobby. Only one person, wearing a rather fancy black and gold tuxedo sat behind a black marbled desk. He was typing away on a machineless computer. It was just a projection in front of him, yet I couldn¡¯t seem to make any of it out. He adjusted his glasses as he noticed us and stopped his work.


    ¡°Mylia, good to see you. Hello to you as well, Io,¡± the man said, with a calm voice.


    ¡°Hello, Aldell,¡± Mylia greeted the man in turn, walking up to the desk. There was nothing more than a light in the center of the room and a pair of dark leather couches across from the desk with a small glass coffee table between them.


    ¡°This the new arrival I would presume,¡± he asked, cupping his hands on the desk.


    ¡°Yes, this is¡­¡± Mylia said, pausing. ¡°Uh¡­¡± she paused again, turning to face me.


    ¡°I am Clexx,¡± I introduced myself, with a small bow, which was not much more than nodding my head and slightly dropping my shoulders.


    ¡°Great to meet you, Clexx. I am a Weaver. Not sure how much has been explained to you, but I think the history lessons can come after your test. Was it explained at all to you?¡± Aldell asked me.


    ¡°I know it is what will determine my vocation.¡±


    ¡°Quite. The purpose is to see what side you will fit the best in. Knights and Oracles can fight together in pairs, but they must be with a counterpart. Knights can not fight together nor Oracles. It is some sort of interference with their innate abilities. And we Weavers do not involve ourselves with the conflicts. We are tradesmen.¡±


    Aldell began to do some things on his computer. We stood there patiently while he worked out what needed to be done. I looked at a few of the portraits on the wall. I recognized Commander Illestial. If I was to guess, the others were other Commanders, and maybe Ser that was mentioned before. While I admired the pictures, Mylia began to wander about. Io went and sat on the desk, seeming to help Aldell.


    ¡°Well, the bulk of it is done. I will finish the rest upon completion of your test. Feel free to escort him please, Mylia,¡± Aldell said.


    ¡°I will remain with Sir Kincaid,¡± Io added.


    ¡°Okay!¡± Mylia turned to me, happy clapping. ¡°Follow me!¡±


    I was led across the room to a door similar to the elevators. It opened as we approached. Inside was a small room with a few chairs overlooking a smaller glass encased area with an orb on a very elegant looking golden podium. It had beautiful craftsmanship, with three hands holding the orb and a stretching group of golden crystals floating about. I looked to Mylia for directions.


    ¡°Go ahead and head into the room. There is a small entrance right over there,¡± Mylia pointed out. The room was a bit dim and seeing a glass door that perfectly fit its frame made it hard to make out. I did as instructed and entered the room. There was a faint chill and I felt very nervous. Approaching the shrine I began to feel that light again like I did before.


    ¡°Hold on just a moment please,¡± I heard Aldell¡¯s voice over an intercom I could not make out. I looked around and noticed all of the glass was one way. Everything was dark. ¡°Commander Illestial is on her way to witness.¡±


    So with that said, I awkwardly waited. I could almost swear the orb spot or murmured. I tried to ignore it but I felt warmth coming from it as well. Was this thing trying to call me? Is this the test? To listen to this orb? I sort of fidgeted a bit on the spot, feeling like every second I waited in here was an eternity.


    ¡°Proceed to touch the orb,¡± I heard Commander Illestial command.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± I replied, walking slowly up to it. A deep humming in my body and warmth was quick to fill me. An unexplainable calmness took me over even though I knew I was anxious. I placed my right hand on the orb and felt a connection. My vision went bright and I could hear voices speak in a language I didn¡¯t understand. Visions passed around my head so quickly I had no way of seeing them or deciphering anything happening. In my trance all I heard was a single phrase from a mystical voice.


    ¡®Seek¡¯


    With that I was brought back to reality. I held my head, the entire experience being almost religious. Nothing I had ever done or felt in my life could compare to that. It took me a moment to even realize someone was talking to me.


    ¡°Please come see me, Clexx,¡± Aldell¡¯s voice called out.


    I left the room and made my way back with Mylia to Aldell¡¯s room. Commander Illestial was nowhere to be seen. I still was trying to bring those visions back or try to figure out what was being said.


    ¡°Hello again,¡± Aldell said, working away. Io was pouring over the screen as if fixated on something.


    ¡°Did I pass?¡± I asked outwardly.


    ¡°There is no failing, as I said it is called a test but it is mostly just seeing your balance,¡± Mylia reassured me.


    ¡°Correct, and¡­¡± Aldell trailed off. ¡°Io, what do you make of this?¡±


    ¡°A moment please,¡± Io hooted.


    ¡°These readings¡­¡± Aldell rubbed his chin, placing his glasses about.


    ¡°Did you hear anything, Mr. Clexx?¡± Io called out, still beak to projection.


    ¡°Just to seek,¡± I quoted.


    ¡°Seek?¡± Io and Aldell both questioned looking to one another.


    ¡°Same as mine¡­¡± Mylia said, seeming to get lost in thought.


    ¡°What does that mean, I am an Oracle?¡± I questioned.


    ¡°No, it means you are at balance. Mylia chose to be an Oracle. You are very VERY rare in terms of Seekers,¡± Aldell commented. ¡°You both are truly miracles.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­?¡± I trailed.


    ¡°What do you want to be?¡± Aldell laughed. ¡°Your power is weak but has the potential to become the strongest there is.¡±


    I looked at Mylia. If she chose to be an Oracle¡­


    ¡°I wish to be a Knight,¡± I stated.


    ¡°Brilliant,¡± Aldell said. ¡°Then I give thee claim.¡± Aldell stood up and came to me, extending a hand. I took it.


    ¡°Welcome to the Star Seekers, Star Knight Clexx.¡±