The academy of Othea continued a majestic and divine vision. Its white marble towers seemed to touch the heavens, adorned with bright runes that pulsed in an almost living rhythm. The immaculate gardens surrounded the complex, each flower, shrub and tree arranged with almost artificial perfection. Marble paths reflected the soft glow of the morning sun, while small streams meandered along the trails.
Cale walked between Aries and Yvaine, the hood firmly pulled over his head. At every step, he felt the invisible eyes of the decorative runes in the walls and towers, watching him as if judged by his mere presence.
"He... must have noticed we're here, right?"
"Most likely" Aries muttered in response, staring at one of the runes "His Theiodesmos is someone who knows how to keep the safety of the academy. Eyes everywhere."
Cale narrowed his eyes. It was no wonder that he felt the pressure inside his body. Although not as oppressive as the presence of Nuria, there was a divine presence in the academy that bothered him.
Now that Cale thought well, when he arrived at that place for the training of his ceremony... had not been bothered too? He remembered very well that he could faint from so much that passed badly at that time.
Raising his head high, he murmured:
"So since that time I was a coward... huh?"
"What was it?" Aries stared at him, when the two subordinates stopped walking further forward "Something bothers you?"
"Nothing but a ghost eager to pass out and pretend that it doesn't exist" replied with a bitter tone.
They entered a corridor leading to the inner wing of the academy, flanked by marble columns with inscriptions in ancient languages. Flanked the trio, demigods talked in groups, some throwing curious or suspicious looks.
"Just look who decided to show up" a familiar voice interrupted the walk.
A tall guardian, with shining armor and black hair well aligned, stood in front of them. His blue eyes fixated on Aries with a mixture of interest and provocation.
"Are you back? I thought you left the academy forever after your master disgraced the gods."
"Not that it's any of your business, Wileak" Aries crossed his arms, leaning slightly forward, like a wolf prepared to attack "Did you manage to climb up the rank in the tower? Or do you keep losing even in my absence?"
Wileak narrowed his eyes clearly irritated by being provoked back. Aries opened a half smile, pleased to have hit him so clearly. But Wileak wouldn't let go in that argument. He looked at Yvaine and then at the hooded figure of Cale. He smiled, but it was a smile that did not reach the eyes.
"You seem have some company. Who is it?"
"It's none of your business", Aries has placed himself between Wileak and Cale.
"Always so friendly..."
"Aries, we don't have time to waste here" Cale stepped in, eyes shining for Wileak, narrowed his eyes as he noticed a glow coming from that gloom under the hood.
"Well, whoever it is, I hope they're prepared. The Academy is not a place for the weak."
He took one last look before moving away, his presence disappearing in the corridor.
"Asshole" Aries grumbled, turning to the other two, "Let's go."
Cale also looked at Wileak's back, recording that person deeply in his mind.
When they arrived at the library, Cale was taken by a mixture of admiration and discomfort. The space was vast, with bookshelves that rose to the ceiling, filled with books, scrolls and artifacts that exude power. The air was impregnated with the smell of ancient parchment and residual magic.
In the center of the library, a figure was standing, reading a scroll suspended in the air by a golden rune. She had an imposing presence, highlighting the sensual and elegant appearance. Her slender figure was wrapped in a silver cloak with dark blue embroidery, brown eyes shone with a cold and calculating intelligence.
"Norril", Yvaine called softly, approaching carefully.
"Yvaine" she replied without lifting her eyes from the scroll. Her voice was low, almost monocordic "and Aries. I didn't expect to see them together again."
His eyes finally moved to Cale, analyzing him from top to bottom with a bewildering intensity. A cold sensation ran through Norril's body, the coldness and emptiness of those purple eyes like a beast waiting for the moment to attack.
"And this is your master" It was not a question, but an observation.
"We need your help" Yvaine said, bowing slightly in a gesture of respect.
"With what?"
"It carries a curse, we need to understand its nature."
"One?"
Norril's sharp look fell again on Cale, who raised his head supporting that inner and silent fight. Leaving the scroll behind, Norril approached Cale, his brown eyes fixed on the amethysts. He took a step back in an unconscious act to feel the divine presence coming from Norril.
A goddess? It looked like one.
When she reached out her hand without warning, Cale was about to step back again.
"Don't move" that's all she said before she started mumbling in an ancient language.
The marks on Cale's arms and thighs exuded a brightness that was subtly camouflaged in the fabrics of his robes. They were pulsing in response to Norril's words. Cale felt a wave of heat run through her body, followed by a tingling sensation.
"Fascinating" murmured Norril, narrowing his eyes "Three distinct curses, but interconnected. One of them..." She stopped, her expression hardening.
"Three? Are you saying that the boy doesn't have just one curse, but three?"
Yvaine gave a nudge in Aries' rib, looking worried at Norril.
"What's the matter?"
"One of them is rooted in the balance of the world itself" Norril walked away, crossing her arms "This is not just a curse. It's an anchor."
"Enigmatic words at this time of day? I just got back, my brain is still picking up the slack, so I would be grateful if it was straight." said Cale.
"You know well... After all" she reached out her hand to lightly touch the tip of the pointer on the bright mark on his right arm "You contain the mark of the Time Keeper."
The silence that followed was heavy.
"G-Guardian of Time?" Aries burst out with an incredulous laugh "That's a bedtime story."
"There has never been any evidence of its existence."
"Of course, of course, but don't prove your inexistence either" She turned her hands in the air as if she was bored with the conversation "I can provide more information, but it will take time. In the meantime, stay out of trouble."
Cale watched her silently. How much would she know? To what extent could he trust her? A cold in his stomach left him on the verge of hesitation again.
"Give us permission to hide here" Aries asked, looking defiantly "At least let us look for answers too... and avoid saying anything to your father."
The cold and calculating look that Norril cast at Aries was intense. However, neither of them seemed to be intimidated.
"So be it. If your goal is to learn about curses, I believe the books here will be of great help."
And so the echo of Norril's heels broke the silence of the huge library. The two Theiodesmos turned to Cale.
"Did you know about being more of a curse? Why didn't you tell us?" Aries questioned, the concern and frustration apparent in his tone.
"Do you not trust us, my lord?"
"Is it time to have a round of conversation, holding hands and sharing secrets?" Cale crossed his arms.
Aries took a step forward, lowering his voice despite still sounding threatening.
"We went through all sorts of trouble to bring you back, and yet we are not considered worthy of your trust?"
"Trust is something earned, Aries. Not imposed." Yvaine answered firmly, but without changing the calm tone. "It's not easy for him, after everything that happened."
"It's not easy for anyone here!" Aries hit back, his face taking on a harder expression. "We were dragged into the World of Chaos, separated for years while he... he didn't even know where we were! Do you think that was easy for us?"
Raising his eyes, Cale realized that everyone was tense and exhausted. Still, the wonder of his own memories brought questions to Cale himself.
Why was Aries so enraged, when the wronged was Cale?
Clenching his fists, Cale answered him firmly.
"You are right about me not having the slightest idea of what you have been through... But you also don't know what happened when Krynt refused to take me along that time. What guarantees me that you won't throw me to Nuria again?"
Furious, Aries grabbed Cale's robe.
"Repeat that bullshit, you fucking wimp."
"Aries, release him!" Yvaine ordered, without success.
"Do you think that Theiodesmos is a joke? There's a damn bond squeezing my heart and soul, which prevents me from teaching you a good lesson."
"Exactly, little dragon. The only thing that forces you to stay loyal is the bond, not your goodwill."
Aries was silent for a moment, his hands still closed in the robe of his master. They knew that Cale was right, they had no idea what had happened after Krynt took them out. There were marks on Cale's arms, and Norril claimed that their master was involved with the Time Keeper.
Forced to swallow his own pride, Aries let go of Cale and took a few steps back trying to calm down. Passing his fingers through the hair, he took a deep breath creating tension between the three.
The silence that followed was heavy, but there was a tacit understanding in the exchanged looks. Yvaine finally intervened, her calm voice cutting off the tension.
"Maybe we can start honestly, on both sides. The past cannot be changed, but the present can unite us if we allow it. Please, my lord... hear what we have to tell about the five hundred years that we live, and let us hear your five hundred."
As expected from a goddess, it brought a peace that calmed Cale. Unfortunately, Cale did not feel grateful for this. Turning his heels, he sat at the window where he could finally rest for a while.
"For you may have been long five hundred years. But for me, it all happened in a mess of time that made me want death all the time." Crossing his arms, Cale looked at them more calmly "As a good master that you expect me to be, I will listen to what you has to say."
Yvaine swallowed dry and pointed to a runner, guiding Cale.
Hours later, Norril walked through the hallways of the academy, heading to the office of the dean of the academy. The space was grand, with a huge marble table and windows that offered a breathtaking view of the gardens.
A man was sitting in the leather chair in a relaxed posture. Despite the serenity in his gaze, there was something in his brown eyes that denounced his power — a silent authority that only a god could carry.
"He's here" Norril started straight.
The man raised his head from the scroll he was reading, and an enigmatic smile appeared on his lips.
"Refers to the younger twin of the Arkalis?"
"Yes. The curses he carries are complex, but one thing is clear: he is a catalyst sent by the Time Keeper."
"As the goddess of prophecies said before. So, they came to find some way to break them?"
"I believe so. But it will be a matter of time before they find out about the Guardian" Norril sighed and folded his arms "But the Theiodesmos seemed to not know."
The man was silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on the landscape beyond the window.
"For now, help them. Any source of information is something we value. If necessary, talk to the boy directly."
Norril nodded his head in agreement before leaving, leaving the man alone. He turned the chair slowly, looking towards the horizon.
"Haa... what will become of us before your fury, Ereghast?"