I can't just seal them in a desolate timeline. Ever since then, they have outclassed the influence of time.
There was once a young boy who admired heroes. He was only five years old, yet he revered their names, their honor, their achievements, and their reputations.
But the trait he admired most about these fearless figures was their divinity—their ability to defy logic and bend the laws of existence to their will. They possessed the authority to command the limits of human imagination, wielding power so immense it could force reality to bow, as they toyed with principles never meant to be trifled with.
This young boy had none of that.
In a stark, white room, the same lad sat chained to bare walls. Facing a mirror, he saw his reflection—emaciated, his hair and body mass diminished—but the will to bend reality still burned within him.
Three pyramidical metal rods were impaled into his back. They were forged from highly reactive Goz copper—a pale yellow metal that induced excruciating pain when in contact with human blood.
Mechanical hums echoed throughout the room. Every five high-pitched beeps, after a brief interval, the Goz copper rods glowed ominously and burrowed deeper into his flesh. On this particular day, the rods began to emerge from his ribs. Miraculously, they didn't shatter bones or puncture vital organs, but the agony was indescribable.
The boy's resilience was terrifying. Though his face winced, he didn't scream—not yet. Blood trickled steadily from the conical tip of the rod that now protruded from his chest.
Emergence complete. Life graph at 57% efficiency. A warm yet stern female voice announced, echoing through the sterile room.
Then, without warning, the rods were violently yanked from his back. This time, he did scream—a raw, guttural sound of agony—tears and blood spilling together.
A mirror on the wall slid open, and seven people in white coats entered. One of them, a woman, rushed forward and cradled the boy's unconscious body in her arms, tears in her eyes.
Zeus! Zeus!! ZEUUSSS!!!
The subtle mechanical beeps snapped Caesar back to reality. Me. I won.
As Caesar declared, the hall was submerged in silence.
In the Monitor room, Jeremiah grinned madly. Well done, Emperor.
Murmur rose again—louder than before. His declaration sounded half-hearted, as though even he didn't believe it.
He sat down heavily on his levitating bed, his head lowered. It was only then that he noticed there was no solid ground in the hall. Massive platinum pillars stretched so deep into the abyss that their bases were lost from view.
Jacques looked wounded by Caesar's words, but he smiled faintly and turned to the crowd.
Y...You've all heard it, Jacques smiled weakly. C...Caesar here has def...eated me, and I acknowledge his strength—and my weakness. The large...st w...weapon doesn't always deal the most dam...age. I realized that when I faced this brother Caesar, I...is there any questions?
A few people raised their hands with questions, causing Jacques' mouth to twitch.
You know what? N...never mind. Jacques said and let his bed drift to another pillar—about four away.
An employee looked at Jeremiah, seeking an opportunity to share his opinion.
What a show, Jeremiah cracked his knuckles. Time for the main event.
Jeremiah nodded to the worker, who pressed a blue pentagon button.
A jarring sound—like a broken microphone— sliced the air in the hall, silencing everyone.
On a slumber day in the castle, the blood-splattered walls fell. The impending blade of a hero, cutting your life short to Zero. Walls never fall— The hero shall, the sword shall, the blood-splattered wall shall fall, and the Praised knight shall fall. Painted with the blood of wars, the castle walls shall fall.
The same eerie voice that had welcomed the students into the academy now sang a haunting lullaby. It was weighty yet hollow—tugging at their very souls.
Jeremiah sang a song to touch their past.
At age 5, Caesar remembered the moment his mother slipped from his grasp as she was hanging from the Balwen Cliff.
At 4, Fenrir recalled the feeling of his father's claws pulling out his intestines.
At 6, Jacques vividly saw the night his father humiliated him before hundreds at a lavish party.
At 6, Megara remembered the dark-robed man with a Slaver - beak crow's helmet—the one who killed her mother and her unborn child.
Tears welled in many students' eyes as the song persisted. Then, as abruptly as it started, it ceased. Everyone regained composure and wiped away their tears.
Caesar's throat went sour. He wasn't angry at the song or the voice. He was angry at himself—for still being too weak to face that pain and say, "It wasn't my fault".
Then the voice returned, more serious this time:
Childhood trauma? That easily. A single harsh memory can shatter you? What a joke.
Students looked away in shame.
How? How will you endure watching your comrades die? How will you carry the lifeless body of a confidant in battle? How will you bear the loss of everything you cherish and still carry the will of light? And Zion is that Light.
Fenrir bit his lips so hard they started to bleed. Caesar wondered what could be going through his companion's head: Chalybe's mother's miscarriages, Izobel's brother's brutal death at the hands of criminals, or perhaps Zeus' dark past that he refuses to talk about.
The possibilities were endless... and frightening.
You must carry that light to the edge of creation, the voice screamed. You are diamonds in the rough—and you failed a simple test. You call yourself nobles, but you drown in your mistakes. I AM ASHAMED.
Caesar clenched his fists. He could still feel his mother's fingers slipping through his. He wasn't ready to lose his family member.
The voice shifted tone.
Classes are about to commence...
Stacks of flyers rose from the pit below, landing in the hands of students.
Check your timetable. Four classes a day, with two breaks and after-school activities. Each class lasts 60 Brumite—one full Horas [hour]. Breaks are 40 Brumite and one full horas, respectively. Any questions?
Nobody raised their hands.
Lessons are highly diverse, these include: hexes, potions, magic, physical education, mathematics, sacred language, history, art and sculpture, and more. After-school activities include sports like Kickball, Striker Man, Self-Destroyer, Zero Gravity, Gear Shift, and others. You'll be sorted into one of five class ranks based on Grace, Intelligence, Divinity Usage, Versatility, and Skill. Understood?
A chorus of different affirmations followed.
Excellent, Jeremiah sighed. One more thing. When you understand...
Suddenly, countless open doors appeared around the hall.
Say, I Acknowledge.
Fenrir's shirt began tugging as if pulled by invisible hands.
Uh... Caesar?
Caesar felt it too. But it was too late. Every student was yanked toward the doors. The moment one entered, the door vanished.
Caesar barely had time to react before he found himself in a classroom.
The room resembled a theater: descending rows of orange wooden seats and a massive chalkboard on the wall.
A hand tousled Caesar's hair, pulling something out.
Looks like you arrived the same way I did.
He turned. Two bright pink eyes met his.
Izzy? he said, surprised and relieved.
Izobel crossed her legs and smiled. But Caesar's joy turned to worry.
Where's Fenrir?
Probably in another class. Did you forget about me? Chalybe asked, seated in the row in front of Caesar. Beside him was Zeus—unusually quiet.
Forget my best friend, Caesar smirked. Never.
He and Chalybe chuckled. Zeus remained silent.
You okay, Zeus? Caesar asked.
Zeus looked at Chalybe, then Caesar. Did you hear the announcer's song?
Caesar's expression hardened. Yeah. Fenrir and I both did. Jacques, too.
Wait a sec, Izobel interjected. Pardon my interruption, but Jacques is in your faction?
Yeah, apparently, Caesar turned to Zeus. What happened?
Just... old trauma, Zeus cleared his throat. That song brought it back. And then the voice was just brutal.
Silence returned. Caesar studied the classroom—walls decorated with posters, flyers, and famous historical texts. He realized they were in History.
Looks like our timetable has our data, Izobel finally said.
It does? Chalybe perked up. Interesting.
Caesar opened his flyer:
Name: Caesar Nova Percival
Blessed Name: Ezekiel
Race: Human
Year: Year 1
Year Rank: 2nd out of 209
Divinity: Pentagram – (Control the 4 fundamental forces of the 3rd heaven; Gravity, kinetic, Thermal, and Friction )
Divinity Class: Righteousness – ( Divinities that affect conceptual elements or theories)
Attributes: [Neverland], [Swordsman], [Child of Light], [Adrenaline]
Class: Vanguard – (The leader, the fighter, the heart of the team)
Overall rating: 83/100
Caesar frowned.
Second? Not even first. He slowly turned to Chalybe. What about you?
Chalybe tried to suppress a grin.
Name: Chalybe Winter Arthur V
Blessed Name: Belteshazzer
Race: Nephilim
Year: Year 1
Year Rank: 1st out of 209
Divinity: Event – (Freeze any object in space-time)
Divinity Class: Valour – (Divinity that disobeys the laws of the universe)
Attributes: [Neverland], [Archer], [Child of the Border], [Adrenaline]
Class: Bersagliere – (Mid-to-Long Range Specialist)
Overall rating: 89/100
Looks like I got first, Chalybe said. Sorry, Caesar.
Caesar scowled, disappointed two times in a day.
You cheeky brat, Izobel chimed in. At least you got second. I'm fourth.
Name: Izobel Kyra Edgar
Blessed Name: Esther
Race: Fairy
Year:Year 1
Year Rank: 4th out of 209
Divinity: Hive – (Use multiple abilities based on insects)
Divinity Class: Charity (Divinity that draws from the nature or the universe)
Attributes: [Neverland], [Surgeon], [Child of Light], [Delusion]
Class: Apothecary – (Healer and lifeline of the team)
Overall rating: 84/100
How did you get a higher rating? Caesar asked.
Zeus scoffed at his flyer but quickly composed himself when the others noticed.
Guess I'll never surpass you guys.
Name: Zeus Orson Lancelot
Blessed Name: Hananiah
Race: Human
Year:Year 1
Year Rank: 13th out of 209
Divinity: Red Heaven – (The ability to manipulate the sky or atmosphere)
Divinity Class: Charity (Divinity that draws from the nature or the universe)
Attributes: [Neverland], [Butcher], [Child of Light], [Ironhide]
Class: Vanguard – (The leader, the fighter, the heart of the team)
After a few brumites, a student blurted, Where the hell is the teacher?
I'm right here, a voice said.
The class shot to their feet.
Multicolored lights flashed around the class like stars.
The streaks of light swirled around like a whirlwind near the podium, with a person materializing in the eye.
In the middle was a tall woman. She was stunning—razor-sharp almond eyes, knee-length hair with multiple dyes and ornaments, soft cat ears poking through her scalp, and a long dark tail.
Her outfit: a white blouse under a leather vest and tailored trousers.
Welcome, nobles and noblewomen, she said confidently. Welcome to History. Prepare for your world to expand.
She spread her hands as the lights beamed and died out. The students return to their seats, slowly.
My name is Fiadh Fionnuala Berrycloth—but call me Ms. Fia. As you can see... she twirled, showcasing her tail. I'm a demi-cat, born in the city of Eborny.
Silence followed.
Caesar stood and bowed slightly.
Greetings, Ms. Fia. I am Caesar Nova Percival, a human from the city of Shawnforth.
Excellent, she smiled. And for that, a reward.
She opened her palm, and a swirling mass of green energy began to form, rotating and growing. With a push, she launched it at Caesar.
Caesar's excitement grew tenfold as he was refueled with the new determination to flourish. His right eye flared crimson, as a rush of energy rejuvenated him.