Friday morning dawned a brand new day for Tuatri's academy. On this day, Markus Winwave awoke and thus, he could be 'sworn' in along with his cohort to serve as the new student council.
As news spread, an old acquaintance visited him.
The curtain to his bed was opened and Bailey appeared by his side.
''Long time no see kid. How're you feeling?'' Bailey asked
''Take a look at me–'' Markus said, bandaged up from head to toe, with medicinal items and IV drips going into him whilst his limbs were in a cast and suspended to make sure they set straight after being cracked, broken or shattered.
''It was some fight you know. Dealing with nine learned and three experts– I honestly did not think you had it in you. I was pleasantly surprised. How are you feeling– seriously?'' Bailey asked
''Like I was hit by a devastating mass of power, got my bones obliterated by a crazed expert, went through the seventh circle of pain due to essence depletion and got the most backlash I've ever felt from using a powerful technique.'' Markus admitted
''So… average Tuesday?'' Bailey asked
''Pretty much–'' Markus said chuckling then wincing at the pain from laughing as his ribs were cracked
''I'm glad you lived, kid– truly. And I hope you become an expert soon. Spirits know you deserve it." Bailey said before leaving.
"Thanks, teach. See you around." Markus said cheekily
Bailey smirked and left.
As Bailey walked out, she saw a corridor full of people. Everyone wanted a peek at the new president. Some had seen him in action whilst others wanted to meet him. Unfortunately, he was in no shape to see anyone.
Eventually a group of eleven students made their way through. They were none other than his cohort.
"Hey pres- how are you holding up?" June asked
"Currently I'm just being held-" Markus replied
"Damn– he got you good–" Spence said
"I got me good. But anyway– if anyone beside you sees me like this I can never show my face in public. They have me wrapped up like a present–" Markus said
"I don't know– you seem so cute and docile wrapped up like this. Can we keep you this way?" Amy said laughing with her fingertips over her lips.
"Is it too late to have Han back?" Markus asked with a groan
"Yes. You're stuck with me. And you owe me a favour." Amy said, tapping on his chest
Helen looked between them and cleared her throat.
"Ahem. We have duties to tend to but we've delayed the responsibility until you woke up. The headmistress should be here soon." Helen said
"Right… and uh– what does she expect me to do like this– even with all these doctors and healers it will still be a few weeks until I'm back in shape." Markus said
"That's why you have me. I'll cover. We just need to organise a few other things. First is the disciplinary committee. Second is the administrative committee. And third is our… hierarchy. There is a chain of command with you at the top. But the positions need to be set." Helen said
"That's easy. You are second, Helen. Third is Amy. Fourth is Triss. Fifth is Meer. Sixth is James. Seventh is Jacob, eighth is June, then ninth is Spence, tenth is Vern, eleventh is Kal and twelfth is Latham – nothing personal people." Markus said
"None taken." they all said
"Then the administrative committee– anyone except me."
"You're on all committees." Helen said deadpan
"Dammit– any takers?" Markus asked
"I'll take it so long as I don't need to fight." Amy said
"Maybe us rank 2s can chip in too?" Latham asked
"Sure / Why not / Agreed." was the range of their responses
"And for the disciplinary committee– I suppose me, Helen, Triss and Meer?" Markus asked
"Sure." Helen responded
"If we must…" Triss and Meer responded
"Sounds like you've sorted yourselves out then." the headmistress said as she seemingly appeared out of thin air.
"We did." Markus said
"Well done." Charlotte said
"For organising ourselves?" Markus asked
"For pulling off the impossible. You were a sight to behold… it reminded me of the Windbourne patriarch's battles when I was young. I have no doubt you will ascend to be an expert and beyond that." She said
"Thank you." Markus replied, unsure of what to say exactly
"You're welcome. Oh and I will hold you to it. Fighting against the odds and winning." she said before leaving
The nurses approached.
"It is time to change the bandages and let Markus get some rest. You can visit him later." the nurse said
Right then a young man barged in.
"Markus Windwave– I challenge you for the seat of president!" he shouted
"Seriously–" Markus said
"Fight me! Now!" he commanded
"Disciplinary committee— go." he said
"Actually we can't interfere in that matter. You have to deal with it." Helen said
"Wha– oh for spirits sake–'' Markus said
"GAAAAHHHHHH" the young man screamed as a wind blast sent him flying through a wall
"Is this a common occurrence?" Markus asked
"More common than you would expect. I would be more concerned for the ladies in your cohort." the nurse said
Markus looked between them.
"They'll be fine. Who wants to do paperwork or deal with discipline?" Markus asked
"Its not the role they want. But access to you. Most noble households would not object to you marrying their daughter after your display of strength." the nurse said
The two noble women in his cohort suddenly shot up. Whilst the aquabournes may not care much, house Rilan may indeed be interested in such talent.
"Ahem– we are teens– it's too early to talk of such things– not that they'd come up— (fake yawn) I'm feeling really tired guys. I'll see you all later." Markus said, trying to vanish from this conversation but being incapable of leaving or ducking it
One by one they each left.
The nurse changed Markus' bandages and let him sleep.
Before he could fall asleep however.
"Care to explain yourself?" the voice of Anax resounded in his head
'Look who decided to make an appearance.' Markus said
"Pray tell how you can see visions of yourself dying and avoiding them? Last I checked that was not included in your wind powers." Anax said
'So… I really would have died. It was a vision of me dying?' Markus asked
"It was a vision of the future. A future you averted. But that is not the power of Destruction… nor of the wind. So what was it?" Anax asked
"I don't know… but it felt real. And most importantly it was right before I died? Is it an imperial ability that warns me of death?" Markus asked
"Evidently… but Destruction does not hold authority over the future or visions. The fate of individuals is within the domain of… Creation… don't tell me– you're an imperial vessel of the other primordial?!" Anax exclaimed
'I don't know— but what would that mean..?' Markus asked
"… that since my defeat and Destruction's sealing… either these nobles have been killing imperial vessels for no reason or at the very least there are now more imperial vessels than ever before." Anax said
'Can they not tell the difference!?' Markus exclaimed
"No. Similarly to how a mundane cannot tell what element an awakened is linked to, nobles cannot tell what source energy you're connected to. They cannot bear insight into that which they do not understand." Anax said, simplifying at the end
'So what exactly does that mean for me?' Markus asked
"Should you ascend to become emperor… you will be the first emperor of creation in history. Your powers would be altogether unknown and unpredictable. A true abomination." Anax said with a chuckle at the end
'Great… ugh- I'm going to sleep. It's too much to take in with all that's going on. Right now I need to focus on being president, keeping up with my studies and ascending to rank 4 of becoming an expert of the wind.' Markus said
"Avoiding it won't make it any less true. Alas— focus on the more pressing issues." Anax said, leaving Markus be
Deep in his slumber, Markus' soul expanded. Something began to settle in it, a foreign force. Wind essence was typically grey or white. This force however was a cyan.
'What the hell is entering your soul— was it your understanding of the visions and the primordial of creation? It must be— and it's fighting against me— as if I were its natural enemy… then it must be the celestial essence of the other primordial. I wonder if I can——" Anax said reaching out and using his intuition to form the celestial essence to his will
In the next moment however…
'AAAARRRRRGHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAA' Anax screamed in soul breaking agony
The celestial essence was not only rejecting him but purging him for trying to lay his hands on it.
Anax quickly suppressed his own presence and hid deep within Markus, hoping the celestial essence wouldn't attack the host. But he was wrong because in the very next moment he felt himself grow cold and weak, as if his very life was being consumed.
'Stop dammit! I won't meddle with you— just let me be and I will do the same!' Anax pleaded, his intent being transmitted through an unspoken means.
Through the energy, his intention was perceived. The celestial essence returned to its calm state and rested within Markus' soul.
'It seems forcefully taking over is no longer an option. Dammit all— if I try anything now that mass is going to destroy my soul and then I'll be dead for good. But if I get his body freely… then all of it will obey me.' Anax thought, realising his approaches had to permanently change
Things would only become increasingly different moving on. And Markus will have to navigate these changes whilst fighting against the clock in becoming a stage four: expert.