Fragment of Destiny

The Imperium only allotted two days for students to put themselves back together after the day of mourning, before forcing them back to the academy. In that time Tess had struggled to come to grips with Brian’s death. She could still feel that place of sickly rot inside her, but at least now there was a door. A door she barricaded with bars and chains so that she could forget, so she could be herself again.

Standing before the entrance of the Crystal Academy twin massive doors bearing The Imperium Crest stood open ushering in the crowd of students. Tess let a thrill of excitement driver away her brooding. With the aid of the instructors here she would discover her crystals ability. A spot of jealousy tainted her excitement as she thought of Samuel and Demetrius. Samuel had already discovered his crystals ability, and Demetrius was nearly there as well. She knew it was wrong to begrudge them on their success, yet this being last thing was foreign to her.

Unlike the Jr. Academy where tedious lines of registration tables had waited, the entrance was filled with smiling enforcers who passed out small plastic pouches to each student as they passed.

“Congratulations!” A woman said handing Tess a pouch. The woman was old-ish with a touch of gray in her nearly black hair and she beamed a genuine smile at Tess. It felt weird but in a good way. She had never seen an enforcer look at her with what she could only label as fondness. It was like Tess was actually a person to this woman.

Tess set aside her bewilderment at the odd exchange and examined the contents of the pouch. Inside was a pendant with a simple metallic chain. The pendant was curved like a shield with an exposed cylinder along the back, presumably for the student’s crystal. Taking the black crystal from her pocket Tess found that it fit perfectly. Slipping the chain around her neck she tucked the pendant into her shirt so it sat exposed against her chest. The familiar warmth radiated through her body as the crystal made contact with her skin. It was a phenomenon that seemed to happen each time she touched it after breaking contact for any length of time.

Ahead the hall opened into a massive auditorium. With no assigned seating the scene was pure chaos as students attempted to find their returning teammates. Tess had nearly given up when she saw Demetrius descending one of the many tall stairways.

“Any sign of Samuel?” Tess asked when Demetrius arrived.

“We have seats already,” Demetrius said pointing to the top row at the end of the stairs.

Tess groaned, “Tell him to come down there is plenty of space down here.”

Demetrius made a face, but she could see he was about to comply with her request. Before he had a chance the lights in the auditorium flashed, and a voice boomed over the speakers.

“Welcome to the Crystal Academy. Please be seated. We will begin momentarily.”

Tess sighed and started up the stairs after Demetrius, as the notes from the Imperium anthem filled the air.

“I can’t believe you decided to sit all the way up here,” Tess said giving Samuel a narrow-eyed stare as she took her seat. To which he put a finger over his lips to shush her. As if he cared about the anthem.

Samuel nodded in the direction of the main view screen. A video had settled on a lone figure atop the rim overlooking sector four. He wore the dress uniform of an Imperium officer. The black of his slacks and overcoat were broken only by the white and gold of the enforcers’ insignia on his shoulder. His closely cropped gray hair gave him that wise, grandfatherly type feel. To Tess, his face was old but young at the same time, and his eyes looked alight with mischievous plans.

“Welcome students, and congratulations. You have successfully completed the first part of your journey. Each of you has worked hard to seek out your crystal and claim your birthright. Now that you have overcome the trial, you will reap your reward. I am Head Instructor Vermoth, and together we will forge your destiny. But before we begin, allow me to show you around your new home.” The view dropped off the rim swooping over Central in dramatic fashion before settling over the academy. Each of the four hexagonal buildings lit up in turn as the monologue continued.

“For the coming year, and for some of you, years; this will be your home. You will not be permitted to leave until you receive an assignment or you have been discharged. There was a gasp through the crowd of students. Tess was taken aback as well. She had been so focused on the trial she never realized they would not be allowed to return home.

“This is the main hall, and until you discover your crystal ability, you will be housed here. After your ability is identified, you will be moved to the appropriate school for ongoing training. The four schools are named after the four pillars...” A large section of the main facility lit up as the view zoomed closer.

“This is the physical pillar for crystals that pertain to increased strength, speed, endurance, and regeneration, to name a few.” The building dimmed and the view shifted to the left as the next one lit up.

“This is the elemental pillar, for those of you with the ability to harness, alter, or influence in any way the elements of fire, water, wind, or stone. Next, we have intellectual. This pillar is for those with abilities that enhance the mind such as memory, simultaneous consciousness, increased cognitive processing and so on. Lastly, we have spiritual. This pillar encompasses abilities that like elemental are not enhancements of an individual’s innate ability. Things like telepathy, divination, prophecy, and of course healing.” The buildings disappeared, and the view once again settled on the instructor atop the rim.

“Under your seats, you will find a datapad. Log in and take the initial assessment,” Vermoth said. The view changed, and an example login was displayed as the head instructor began explaining the registration process. The assessment was straightforward. A series of questions about the four pillars noting possible symptoms of different abilities. Tess was still checking, no, in boxes when both Samuel and Demetrius got up. They lingered for an awkward moment waiting for her to finish.

“Tess,” Samuel said, pausing to get her attention, “Good luck. I know it will be something great,” He said holding out a hand to her.

Tess ignored the hand. Instead, she stood and gave each a strong hug. She hated to see them go yet at the same time she couldn’t help but feel happy for them. They both knew where they belonged. She would just have to do her best to discover her ability quickly. There was no way she was going to let herself be stuck at this academy when this year was over.

“I am sure both of you will do great. Don’t worry about me. I may not have figured out what my crystal does yet, but that’s just because it’s going to be so much cooler than either of yours, you’ll see,” Tess said as she sat back down and shooed them away. She pretended to focus on her assessment but secretly watched as Demetrius joined the intellect line while Samuel was the only student reporting for the school of spirit.

At last Tess pressed submit on her questionnaire. She rubbed her sore neck and glanced about the empty auditorium. The only remaining person was an attendant down on the floor. Quickly she stowed the datapad cursing as she started down the stairs. Her assessment had been inconclusive. She had shown none of the usual symptoms of any active ability on record.

The sole attendant glanced up from a small slip of paper as she approached. “Take this to the physical test center and get started. It looks like you are going to have a long day ahead of you,” There was a sad sympathy in the man’s voice that worried her.

Setting her concern aside Tess snatched the paper and made for the exit. Outside the halls were empty save a string of signs to guide students this way or that. The quiet halls quickly gave way to the clang of metal, grunts of exertion and the occasional shouts of celebration as she approached the physical test center. Rounding the last corner double doors stood open revealing a large gymnasium. Inside hundreds of students watched as instructors demonstrated feats of unnatural strength and agility. The moment Tess stepped through the door she was greeted by an instructor who requested her info sheet.

“A total blank slate. Well, don’t worry if your ability is part of the physical pillar we’ll find it. I am assigning you to Instructor Maramoth,” The enforcer said quickly typing something on a terminal by the door. “What you want to do is head back out this door, continue down the hall, and the room will be the third one to the left. Don’t worry you got this.”

Exiting Tess hurried down the hall. Her day had only started yet already she was feeling the weight of lagging behind. Third door on the left… Tess reached for the handle and the door opened before her. A smaller boy with close-cropped brown hair nearly walked right over her on his way out. The student glared at her, and it took only a moment before she recognized him.

Seth Coramoth, he was one of the bullies from back when they first started at the Jr. Academy. Recognition flash in Seth’s eyes and instantly Tess was ready for a fight. Instead, Seth said nothing and brushed her aside pretending not to have recognized her. Tess felt a lump in her throat as she watched him go. Even though they had only touched for a moment she had felt a monstrous strength emanating from him. Tess only hoped he would learn restraint to match this new ability.

Tess poked her head into the room and rapped her knuckles on the door. “Instructor Maramoth?”

A man clad in the enforcer's staff uniform nodded absently and waved her inside as he continued typing on a nearby terminal. The room was small containing only a few free weights, a stationary running platform, and a row of cabinets along the back wall.

“Right on time. I was just entering a few final notes on the previous student,” Maramoth said. Without taking his eye from the terminal, he extended a hand for her information sheet. Quickly he typed in a few commands before setting the paper on the keypad.

“Alright first things first, follow me,” He said giving Tess a quick once over before waving her to the back of the room. Hooking his foot around a padded stool he spun it over for Tess to sit on before rummaging through various cabinets along the back wall. When he turned around, he held a loaded injection gun.

“Wait a second what’s in that?” Tess asked.

Maramoth tilted the gun so Tess could see a small yellow capsule the size of a fingernail clipping. “These little guys are micro monitors. Instead of having you all rigged up with wires they will allow me to keep track of your vitals during the tests while still giving you a free range of motion. Now your left arm please.”

Tess nearly bit her tongue as she grunted in pain. No anesthetic on the injection head, idiot. A small dribble of blood began to bead and the skin around the injection sight puffed up in protest. It only took a moment and a creeping cold began to radiate through her body. It felt like he had just dumped ice water into her veins. Then the moment passed and only the stinging remained.

“It can feel a little odd at first but once we get the tests going, you won’t notice it. First thing though I need to check your vitals to make sure this batch is good,” Maramoth said pulling a small datapad from a jacket pocket.

“Everything looks good. Go ahead and start with a light warm-up. Just the same as you would have at the Jr. Academy. Then we will begin the strength test.”

When Tess had finished the instructor dug a small package from his other pocket and handed it to her. “I almost forgot, place the adhesive on the bottom of your pendant it will stop your crystal from breaking contact during the test. Wouldn’t want you to have monstrous strength only to be crushed because your pendant moved. Get that applied then start with the power-clean. I want you to set it to your Jr. Academy one rep max, only I want you to do five.”

Tess loaded a bar to one-hundred-eighty and got into position. With all her might she slung the bar up to her shoulders. Her entire body shook and a moment later the bar came crashing to the floor. Attempting to keep her momentum Tess quickly slid into her second rep, but couldn’t. Her entire body was on fire even as she willed the bar off the ground.

“Stop. Definitely not strength. Next is speed. That will be out on the track, this way,” Maramoth said sliding the datapad back into his jacket pocket and ushering Tess out the door.

Down near the end of the hall, the instructor palmed a security pad to the external door. Outside it was still mid-morning with a cool breeze drifting down from the rim.

“I want you to run at a full sprint down to the corner of the building then back, without your pendant. Then you can take a two-minute break. After that do it again but with your pendant in place. It’s a hard request I know, but I promise your crystal won’t be going anywhere.”

Slowly, agonizingly, Tess removed her pendant. With trembling fingers, she placed it on the ground at her feet. There were no words to describe how agonizingly wrong it all felt. Unsympathetic Maramoth counted her off and Tess ran with a desperate determination she had never known before.

Crossing the line Tess skidded to a halt and jogged, quicker than her body wanted, back to her pendant. Maramoth bobbed his head with a stupid smile as he examined the datapad.

“You just did that in under thirty seconds. If your crystal makes you any faster, we will end up replacing phones and have you deliver instant communications instead.”

Tess chuckled and sucked air, wincing with each breath. After the brief rest, she was back at the starting line this time with her pendant in place. Maramoth signaled her, and she was off like a bullet; down and back with blinding speed.

Maramoth stopped the timer as she crossed the finish. “30.153 seconds,” He said shaking his head in wonder. “Come on let’s get you some water.”

Tess didn't object as she followed him back inside. Maramoth tossed a cold-water bottle at her as she entered the room. She rubbed it on her head enjoying the cool before downing the contents.

“Take a minute and give that water some time to settle then we will get started with the next test.”

“What’s the next one?” She asked.

“Next is endurance.”

“How many more tests are there?”

“Just endurance and regeneration. Typically, students who have regeneration will also score very high on endurance. So, if you don’t get a high score on the next one, it’s not likely that your ability pertains too physical.”

Tess’s expression darkened at his words. One more test down, just that much closer to finding out what it is. She willed herself to believe that, even as doubt oozed around the cracks and corners of her confidence. She looked over at instructor Maramoth who was unloading the weights from her first test and placing them back on their rack.

“Have you ever had students who never discovered their ability?” Tess asked.

He looked sullen for a long moment, “I have had lots of students who never discovered their ability with me. However, my assignment is only to test students for attributes that would suggest their ability pertains to the physical pillar. As for the entire academy. Once a student has taken all the placement tests and still has not discovered their ability…” He paused for a moment a sad look in his eyes. “We give them some more time to adjust to their crystals. Sometimes it takes a while for a student’s ability to manifest even if it is something we have tested for already.”

“But that’s rare isn’t it?”

The instructor nodded, “Yes most often when a student has taken the tests more than once and their ability has yet to be uncovered... It is because it is so weak that the enhancing effect is within a normal range of variance. Unfortunately, with no real crystal ability, those students are classified as un-ascended.”

At once, a cold dread washed over her and she began to feel sick. She had always assumed the people who lived in Sector Six were the cowards who refused to take the trial, that, or they were foreigners like Ju and her father. Maramoth must have noticed her horror because he quickly moved to reassure her.

“Just remember this is only the first day. You still have another week before the first round of tests are over. You have plenty of time to discover your ability.”

Tess nodded allowing his words to subdue her fear. “How did you discover your ability?” Tess asked.

“Through the same tests I have just put you through,” He said with a smile. “You see I am very fast. When I want to be. That sprint you just ran, I did it in just over thirty-six seconds my first time but under twenty-two with my crystal.”

“So why did you get assigned as an instructor? I am sure there are a million other things you could do that would put your ability to better use.”

“That’s true. My speed is not a factor in this assignment. The thing is all of the staff and instructors you have interacted with today are only volunteers. The initial testing process normally goes on for the first week, sometimes two. After that, all of the students are already assigned to a specific pillar, and we are no longer needed. I have been a volunteer for the past six years. My own way to give back and help the next generation find success.”

“I had no idea, but I guess that makes sense. If you don’t mind me asking, what do you do the rest of the year?”

“Lots of different things, though most often I spend my time cleaning. I know it doesn’t sound fabulous, but I get to use my ability in a productive way each day. So, it’s worth it,” He glanced at his datapad for a moment, “Are you feeling alright?”

“You know now that you mention it, not really,” Tess said as her stomach began doing somersaults. Everything felt hot and cold at the same time and a sticky sweat broke out over her entire body. A moment later she was retching up a frothy yellow liquid across the test room floor. Maramoth was quick with a towel and a small trashcan as her episode continued. Just when Tess thought she was done her stomach heaved again, and again, until there was nothing left but acid. Not at all how she had envisioned her first day at the academy. When at last her retching stopped Maramoth was waiting with a medicine bottle and new orders.

“I am suspending your testing for now. We will see how you are feeling tomorrow but based on your reaction to the scanners there is a very low chance your crystal will give you increased endurance, and regeneration is definitely out.”

Tess groaned it was not the news she wanted to hear right now. Hacking a cough, she wiped her face before taking the medicine and order slip. On the back of the paper, a grid directed her to the student’s quarters.

Exiting to the hall Tess leaned her head back against the closed door and rubbed tears from her eyes. Even during the worst parts of her trial, she had never felt helpless the way she did right now. Every moment a new thought threatened to send her down a spiral into a well of depression. Instead, she forced herself to think about nothing as she plodded like a zombie down to the student’s quarters.

In the sub-level of the west wing, she found the temporary housing. Tess entered to find row upon row of empty bunk beds, each with a rickety metal frame and pressed linens. Looking around the room, she noticed that not all of the beds were empty. A few exhausted students were already here. It gave her some measure of hope knowing that she was not the only student to have bombed out today. Picking a bunk at random Tess sat down on the spongy mattress. Whatever this mattress was made out of it definitely wasn’t upper caste standard. But then why would it be. This was the reject pile. The place where they dumped the refuse until the firestorm came to burn it up. Tess sighed and flopped onto the bed, she knew she was being overdramatic but damn if this didn’t feel like the shitter. The only glimmer of hope was that she still had three pillars to go.