Chapter 5: Punishment
(Chan)
“Is she okay?” Chan asked as he entered Ersa’s room in the infirmary. After the confusion that had just ensued, Chan immediately went to the infirmary to help the school nurses and check on Ersa. The nurses seemed to be doing fine, which gave him time to make sure Ersa was okay. Lux and Amber were standing on either side of Ersa.
“What the hell happened to you guys?” Kai huffed behind Chan. Behind Kai was Jet and Pyaar. Chan felt his fists ball up when Pyaar entered. He walked over and was about to confront him but Jet beat him to the punch.
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She turned around on her heels and slapped Pyaar across the face.
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“What the hell?!” Pyaar rubbed his tender cheek, clearly too tired to retort to physical violence.
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Jet nodded at Ersa’s sleeping figure and walked over beside Amber.
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Chan looked around. Everyone on their team was there except Serafina. “Is everyone okay? Where’s Serafina?” he looked around at the grim faces.
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“Dunno, don’t care.” Pyaar grumbled, crossed his arms, and leaned against the wall.
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“We’re fine.” Lux said for him and Amber who just stared blankly at the wall.
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Kai, Jet, and Pyaar all mumbled something like “I’m ok” at the same time.
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Chan sighed with relief. “And Serafina? You all know she was one of those demons, right?”
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“I hate their kind.” Jet muttered with disgust.
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“Have you had a run-in with demons before?” Kai asked.
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Jet just turned away, silently answering his question.
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“So nobody knows where she’s at?” Chan looked around the room at them all. Jet didn’t seem ready to share her demon story, he’d wait to ask her once she felt more comfortable around them all. The only response was Amber shaking her head slowly.
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Kai stepped forward. “I’ll go see what I can find out.”
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“Wait,” Lux frowned at him. “Aren’t you injured from the races?”
Kai nodded and awkwardly left the room. Chan had noticed before he didn’t seem to like crowds, so he let him leave in silence.
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They all settled in, too frazzled to sleep. To distract themselves, they played cards with the other students in the room with them. Each room normally had only one patient at a time, but they were overflowing with injuries, so many had to share.
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The guy who was injured was named Tah’m. He had made it out of Fariyoh Forest alive, but didn’t make it to the wall in time to continue in the Guardians in Training program.
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“And it’s totally fine by me.” Tah’m sighed. “That one day was way more than I could handle. I saw about half of my team slaughtered before me…” he trailed off and shivered.
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“But you made it,” Larynn said, tousling his golden curls. Larynn was a first year like them, but she was going to Nebulus University as a Potions and Crystals Major. She loved science and the way magic and science melded with crystals and potions. She had light skin with a purpleish hue and long purple-grey hair in a ponytail.
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“Thank the gods.” Tah’m sighed. He nodded at Chan. “I have a newfound admiration for all of you and every Guardian I’ve ever met. That shit is not a walk in the park.”
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“No it isn’t.” Chan agreed.
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“Gods, what is Ro gonna think?” Tah’m bit his lower lip and glanced at the door nervously.
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“Ah, Ro.” Ga’rhet sighed from the floor. He had just laid some of his cards down and was about to win unless someone got him.
“Who’s Ro?” Lux asked, tucking some blonde behind his ear.
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“Only the most perfect creature in the universe.” Ga’rhet sighed again. “She’s Tah’m’s older sis.” Ga’rhet was the oldest in Tah’m’s group by at least two years. He had bright reddish orange hair tousled in a bed-head-on-purpose kind of way. He seemed like a bit of a slacker to Chan, but he didn’t say anything of it. Who was he to judge?
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“He’s been in love since primary school.” Larynn explained.
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“Yeah,” Ga’rhet looked at her. “Ro’s gorgeous, powerful, intelligent, what’s not to love?”
So like Ersa, Chan thought, glancing at her peaceful figure.
“She’s a Fifth Year Guardian in Training.” Tah’m explained. “I always thought I’d follow in her footsteps but...” he shrugged.
“You value your life more than your pride?” Lux offered.
“Ooh, got ‘em!” Ga’rhet laughed.
“Well...” Tah’m was blushing. “That and I didn’t even make it to the wall. I was lucky enough to come from the west so I missed the hydra-dragon’s fiery vengeance. Did you see that thing? To be perfectly honest, that was the moment I decided I couldn’t be a Guardian. Not if I’d have to go up against something like that.”
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“Y’know,” Lux leaned in closer as Jet slammed her cards down, winning the match. “Ersa was the girl fighting that monster off.”
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“WHAT?!” Tah’m looked at him, jade eyes wide with disbelief. “I thought that was a professor who had seen it coming from far away or something. To be honest, I was too frozen with fear to really pay attention to whoever was in front of it.”
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“Wait, the girl in the bed over there?” Larynn nodded to the sleeping beauty. There had been a sheet hanging between the two that they tore down after meeting.
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“She was amazing,” Jet gushed. “And she got hella pissed at Pyaar, too.” she and the others giggled.
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Amber smiled. She was still a zombie, but she was slowly coming back to life.
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“Piss off.” Pyaar grumbled from his grumpy corner. Chan wasn’t sure why he was still there, he really didn’t seem to care about any of them, especially Ersa.
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They continued talking far into the night, all too upset to sleep. Well, all but Ersa. But that was different.
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Around sunrise someone knocked on the door.
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“Finally Kai’s back.” Lux got up and opened the door.
“Oh.” someone whose voice didn’t sound like Kai’s said. “Wrong room I think…?”
“Who’s there?” Ga’rhet called.
“Is that Ga’rhet?” the voice asked.
“Uh, yeah?” Lux stepped aside as a guy with dark skin stepped through.
“Zer!” Ga’rhet called. “Sup man?” he asked giving him a fist bump.
“Hey guys,” Zer looked around confused at all the unfamiliar faces. “How ya doin’ Tah’m?”
“Good dude. Just, you know, survived one of the second-most traumatizing nights of my life.” Tah’m answered. “So you know the pink-haired girl everyone won’t shut up about? The one with the record and stuff? Look to your left.”
Zer looked over, dark eyes going wide. “Shut the fuck up! My gods she really does exist!” he stared at her sleeping figure. “She alright?”
“She uses Heavenly Light magic,” Chan explained. “So when the demon attacked, the dark magic was too overwhelming. The nurses said she should be fine, though I’m not sure how true that is.”
They all continued to chat for the next half hour until Ersa began stirring.
Chan looked over and almost as if on cure her silver eyes shot open and she bolted upright in bed. “Where’s the demon?!” she looked around, confused. Chan ran to her side. “Where the hell am I?” she looked around, eyes darting from person to person. When her eyes met Pyaar’s, they grew dark then softened. “Thanks, I guess.” she spat at him.
“Whatever,” Pyaar mumbled, getting up and leaving. The door slammed behind him before anyone reacted.
“Such a weirdo.” Jet rolled her magenta eyes.
Ersa tried to get out of bed but Chan stopped her.
“Easy there, pretty lady.”
“But the demon?!” Ersa croaked and coughed. Chan helped her sit comfortably and gave her some water.
Chan caught Ersa up on everything, with several side notes added in by Lux, Jet, and Larynn.
“I still can’t believe Pyaar sucker-punched me.” Ersa frowned, cheeks burning and eyes growing cold. “I guess it all turned out for the best in the end, but still...” she shook her head.
“He did at least wait until you woke up to leave…?” Zer offered. Oh if only you knew what he was like… Chan thought to himself. Ersa and Jet shot him a dark look, shutting him up.
“Damn that bastard. I don’t know what his damage is, but this can’t keep happening.” she locked eyes with Chan who nodded. They’d have to deal with one thing at a time. Serafina first.
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“Gurl,” Lux sighed. “I thought I was complicated, but he takes the cake. It’s too bad he isn’t as pretty on the inside as he is on the outside.”
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“How long was I out?” Ersa asked, changing the subject.
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“Not that long, thank the gods.” Chan said. “Most students, and even a few professors who were affected by the demon are in a comatose or dead. We’re holding a massive service to honor them tonight.”
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“Huh. They usually wait until the end of Orientation Week for the funeral service.” Ga’rhet stated. “Guess this was considered a special circumstance.”
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“What of Serafina?!” Ersa gasped, seeming to have just noticed the green-haired demon was nowhere to be found. “What’s her fate?”
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Everyone was silent for a few moments, unsure of what to say.
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“We don’t really know yet,” Jet finally broke the silence.
“Take me to her.”
“What?” Chan looked at her. “Are you crazy? After all of that and even you being hospitalized because of her?”
“She’s a demon!” Jet stood, clearly getting upset. “She’s a monster who just caused the death of hundreds of students because of her negligence!”
“She’s not just a demon!” Ersa shot back. “I don’t care what any of you think. But she’s our teammate. She can’t change what she is, but we can help with who she is. And from what I can tell, she’s no monster, just misguided. Now, I’ll repeat myself only once more: Take. Me. To. Serafina.”
“We don’t even know where she’s at.” Chan frowned. “Ersa, think about this...” he trailed off, unsure of how to convince her she was being irrational.
“Ersa,” Lux stepped forward. “Because of Serafina hundreds of people are dead or seriously injured. Just look at Tah’m.” they all turned to look at Tah’m. Now that Lux mentioned it, Chan hadn’t even noticed what exactly had happened to Tah’m.
“Guys… it’s fine.” Tah’m politely held up his hands. “It’s not that bad. I-”
Larynn pulled back the covers to reveal only one leg in tact. The other was missing from his mid-thigh down, wrapped tightly in bandages.
“I-It’s really not that bad.” Tah’m blushed furiously and grabbed the covers back. “I’m still here...”
“Look at what that fiend did!” Larynn yelled, not caring who heard. “Your friends are right, Serafina’s a monster and needs to pay.”
“No!” Ersa yelled back. “Serafina is not a monster. She didn’t do this, it was her stupid pet.”
“That thing was dealt with already,” Ga’rhet reminded everyone.
“Take me to her!” Ersa looked at everyone.
Just then the door opened.
“Kai...” Chan sighed. Now was really bad timing for this.
“I found Serafina.” he breathed heavily. “It took me forever to find her. She’s with the headmistress. I listened in on a call with the other headmasters across Iilrona, and our sister Guardian in Training schools across the world. Even King Eita’ah was in on the call. Anyway, after hours of debate they finally made the decision that Serafina will continue to remain at Nebulus University under constant surveillance. She’s staying in the Headmistress’s office and will be released after the Closing Ceremony.”
Everyone looked at Kai in silence for a few moments.
“Oh,” he added as an afterthought “No one is supposed to know this by the way. The public information announcement should be out in a few hours. Basically stating they’re debating on what is to be done and how to handle punishment.”
“What?” Ersa squinted finally breaking the silence.
“They’re letting the bitch get AWAY with it?!” Larynn yelled angrily as everyone seemed to erupt into one massive argument at once.
Chan closed his eyes and breathed heavily for a few moments to gather his thoughts.
He felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He glanced down and excused himself from the room, glad for the distraction.
“Hello, mom?” he answered
“Thank the gods!” he heard his mom sob from the other end. “Chan, I- when I heard what had happened…. I know you’re an adult now… but I just…” she cried “A demon in the mortal world?”
“I’m alright, mom.” he smiled. It was so comforting to hear her voice, even if it was hard to understand through her sobs.
He updated his loving mother about what had happened the past few days. He had intended to let her know every detail at the end of the week, but the time felt right to talk, so he let it all out as he talked outside.
Chan’s mom was a teacher at primary school. She always seemed to have an overflowing love for young learners and usually taught 6-7 year olds. His father was a Captain in the Royal Guard of King Eita’ah, an uncommon honor for a full-fledged human. Finally there was his amazing grandmother, always cooking, and baking, she had her own shop where she specialized in pastries and cookies. Chan always got in trouble with his mom for eating too many of his grandma’s delicious cookies.
Chan saw the door open next to him. He saw Kai walk out and sulk away as he listened to his mother tell a story about how she was worried about his father and the shopkeeper’s daughter said the funniest thing the other day.
He enjoyed her droning on and on, helping him forget for a moment the stressful life that he had chosen for himself.
(Kai)
Kai walked briskly down the halls of Nebulus University. He could feel all the anger from students and staff as he tried to find a quiet place to collect his thoughts. He’d stayed up all night so he could find and spy on the Headmistress and see what would happen to Serafina. It was worth it.
She’d changed after her metamorphosis into a full-blown demon. Her once pale skin had a light purple tint to it, a similar shade to the purple in her eyes, but not nearly as bright. Her dark green hair seemed to have lengthened and nearly touched the floor now. She had sprouted tiny horns from atop her head, dark purple wings on her back, and a tail to match. When she smiled, Kai could see her canines had grown as well, making her look more vampyric than demonic.
The oblivious child had no idea what was going on, so they kept her in the meeting room on lock down, all weapons pointed at her as all the leaders of the world contemplated what the hell they should do.
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Kai had found the debate extremely boring. Until the Headmaster at Grimdelore Conservatory suggested that Serafina be executed as punishment. Grimdelore Conservatory was the Guardians in Training school over in Kre-K’asha Realm, a realm as harsh and brutal as it’s eternal winters. Kre-K’asha was a male-dominated Realm who believed women should be seen and not heard. It was full of powerful wizards and terrible Erseugen. You had to be tough in order to survive in that realm. Grimdelore’s Headmaster was a prime example of Kre-K’asha upbringing, making snide comments every time any of the females present opened their mouths.
Kai didn’t like his harsh demeanor, but the comment on executing the demon definitely piqued his interest.
“Gods above, Thornn!” one of the other headmasters scolded over their video call. “Are you insane? Perhaps the cold of Kre-K’asha has frozen your already cold heart?”
“Likewise, Endel.” Headmaster Thornn nodded and grinned through his snowy-white beard. “Was it not you who suggested last year we attempt sacrificing a Light Elf to the gods to try and stop the Erseugen overflow in Xarbados?”
Headmaster Endel sat back in his seat and grumbled as he stroked his dark red mustache and braided beard.
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Headmaster Endel was in charge of MacDumin University in Xarbados, the realm to the north of Iilrona. According to rumors, he was a pure-blooded dwarf who hated all humans and elves. Kai was sure he butted heads a lot with Headmistress Zenith, since she was a pure-blooded human.
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Headmistress Zenith cleared her throat and adjusted her glasses calmly. “I will not allow one of my students to be executed. That is simply not how things should be handled around here. We have more class than… others.” she side-glanced Headmaster Endel who growled like a wild animal at her.
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The Headmasters all continued the debate for quite some time until the image of King Eita’ah stood, the camera following him.
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“This is madness!” he declared, shaming all the Headmasters at once. “We cannot execute a student,” he said defiantly. Headmistress Zenith looked relieved. “Not with the public eye on us, as least.” he said.
“WHAT?!” Headmistress Zenith stood. She seemed to age a decade with that statement. The other Headmasters all began talking at once, some for the execution, some against it.
King Eita’ah held up his hand, silencing everyone. “As king of Iilrona, it is my duty to make tough decisions such as this. Zenith, I assure you this is not made lightly. It is with a heavy heart that I must sentence the demon known as Serafina to death. We cannot allow demons to roam the mortal world. Remember what happened in the Dark Times? The legends of the Demon of Destruction?” the headmasters sat in silence as he continued. “We cannot allow what happened those thousands of years ago to repeat! I shall send the Captain of the Royal Guard, Aleczar, so carry out the sentence. Zenith, you have the Closing Ceremony at the end of this week, yes?”
The Headmistress was silent for a moment. “Yes, your grace.” she sat up straight, clearly uncomfortable with all of this.
“And the festivities go on from night to morn, yes?”
“Yes, your grace.”
“Then we shall take advantage of the chaos of the party. Once the ceremony has officially commenced, we send Serafina, Aleczar, and a battalion of my strongest men and your most trusted and powerful staff members to Fariyoh Forest. I believe you know the place I am thinking of Zenith?”
“Yes, your grace.” Zenith seemed to become more robotic with each response.
“Then it is decided. Take care to tell the students and public another story entirely.”
“Yes, your grace.”
And with that, the meeting was adjourned.
Kai opened the door to the outside of Nebulus University and breathed in the crisp morning air. It wasn’t quite autumn, but the mornings were definitely getting colder.
He couldn’t bring himself to tell the others the truth. If they knew, someone was bound to be stupid and try to go after Serafina. He didn’t want any of them screwing up her execution. She may be their teammate, but demons didn’t deserve to live. They were evil, heartless creatures.
Serafina was a ticking time bomb, he’d seen what she was capable of first-hand. Besides, if the gods wanted her to live, they would’ve kept her in Hell. Huh, Hell… That got Kai to thinking; what afterlife was there for demons?
All mortals were guaranteed an afterlife based off how they lived. If one was overall good, they went to Heaven. If they were overall bad, they were sent to Hell. But if one was from Hell…. Was there an afterlife for demons? Was there an eternal damnation for the damned? Or did they just disappear? Erased from existence? Could they even be killed? Or could they only be trapped?
Kai tried to remember what his grandfather had said about the Demon of Destruction. He had been defeated… but his grandfather never really said how. Had it been destroyed? Or merely captured?
Kai pondered on all this as the sun rose, the start of a new day of Orientation.
For once he wished his hometown wasn't so back-washed. The only means of communication for the secluded town was the ancient ways; by crow. It was ridiculous, but Kai didn’t usually mind. It made it hard for any weird outsiders to find them. Eventually he had grown restless of Frej’e’tah and left to become a Guardian, since they seemed to have the most money and adventures in the Realm. He and his grandfather got into a big fight before he left.
His grandfather wanted him to stay and keep on learning about how to become the next Village Elder, like his grandfather. But Kai was young compared to his grandfather, who still had several good years on him. They argued about it for hours until Kai left one night without a word. Into the darkness he sank, without so much as a goodbye.
He cringed internally. Maybe he should have at least said goodbye, out of respect.
His own father had disappeared one day, a few years after he was born. He found out a few years later he had been mauled by a horde of Erseugen he had been unfortunate to encounter alone. Kai’s mother took her own life once she found out, leaving Kai in his grandfather’s care.
His childhood from then on out was severed. He was forced to learn all the ways of being a good leader. Combat training, magic lessons, healing spells and potions, it was endless. His only escape was his music and the night. When everyone else was asleep, he’d sit and read in the moonlight, listening to whatever new music had happened along. It was hard to keep up with the outside world. So whenever some lost traveler would happen by, Kai always took full advantage of the situation.
He turned back to the school and looked up at the 50m walls looming before him. This was his life now, not the trapped kid on a windowsill. He didn’t know that kid anymore. He was Kai, Guardian in Training. Nothing more, nothing less.
He went back inside, lips sealed on Serafina’s fate. Whatever happened was the gods’ will. And who was he to deny the gods?