Chapter 5

"Welcome students, to the start of the rest of your lives!" The headmistress exclaims giving us a taste of her slightly alluring voice. What?! She has the face of my mystery girl okay, how could I not find her slightly attractive?! The thought of that makes my stomach tighten and my heart drops a little. Wow. My body won't even let me show the slightest interest in another person, even if it's in my head. I could've sworn I heard a light growl at the back of my head but at this point I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. Plus I'm tired of being surprised.

Actually I'm tired in general. I wouldn't be feeling so tired if Ashley had just let me take a nap like I wanted to. Just as I thought it Ashley turned her to look at me and gave me a sharp glare almost as if she could hear my thoughts. Oh wait, nevermind scratch that she definitely heard my thoughts. Although this did make me slightly curious about something.

"Hey Ashley?" I said in with a tone indicating I was curious. She just sighed and nodded, giving me the go ahead to speak my mind. "Can you turn your powers off? Or do you just listen to everything I think. Because honestly that would be quite embarrassing considering-"

"Thalia!" She slightly yelled, cutting me off before I could ramble even more. I looked down a bit and blushed knowing I had gone into one of my rambling bouts again. "Yes?" I replied timidly. "Just shut up okay. You'll figure everything out later. And haven't you noticed that the headmaster isn't talking anymore. She's literally staring us down and now so is everyone else."

I looked around realising that she was right. We were the center of attention and it's honestly very embarrassing. The headmaster cleared her throat redirecting everyone's attention back to her. "Now that everyone is paying attention-" She said through gritted teeth "-let me tell you about the school and our omada systems." She finished. Finally I get to know what an omada is. I know it hasn't been that long since I even learned the term but what can I say, I'm impatient.

"From the beginning of time there have always been omadas. Not even necessarily for school but in general. Once you graduate from school the group you have been sorted into will be the one you stay in for life. Our society is one of give and take. Everyone in the community does something. There are four main omadas that everyone will be sorted into. Each omada has their own color for their uniform. Uniforms are not required but you should wear at least one piece of your color on you at all times."

Okay this is actually kind of making since. Their system is split into groups and it seems sufficient enough. So why am I getting such a bad feeling. It started out as just small chills but now I know for sure that somethings just not right. The headmistress began talking again, cutting me off from my thoughts.

"The first group would be Venandi." Glitch. "You will be the hunters of the pack. You're strong, independent-" Glitch. No something is definitely wrong. Glitch.

I thought maybe I was seeing and hearing things but no, I understand now. This isn't real. It can't be real. So what happened and where am I?

Ashley walked up beside me and gave me a sad smile.

"This is what things used to be like. And while the systems are the same as the headmaster had started to tell you it isn't what it is now." What does she even mean? Where are we?

"You see, you haven't actually woken up yet. This is what we used to be. We are much better than what you saw." She explained to me as if that was giving me enough information.

"Then why did you look so sad?" I asked her wanting to know the full story. I won't be left out and uneducated anymore. I won't allow myself to stay weak and susceptible to attack.

"Because although things are better now the headmaster is not. She's suffering and you are the only one who can help her"

I am so confused right now. "How am I the only one who can help her?" I asked. I haven't met anyone in this realm so far besides her. What can I do?

"In our realm there is a thing called twin flames. Twin flames are the most powerful connections in our lives and also the ones that will teach us the most. When you first meet your twin flame you would have an instant connection to them. Love is often said to give you butterflies but with a twin flame it feels like you have found your home. You don't have to be worried about pain or heartache because you know that you would be safe with them." She explained to me.

"This all sounds amazing really, but what does this have to do with me?" Like I said before, I'm impatient and she's taking way too long to explain.

"Just let me finish what I'm saying. You're too brash and one day that could get you in trouble. Luckily your twin soul is the Yin to your Yang. Where you can be impatient and impulsive they are quiet and philosophical. And that moment when you have to leave them they are the first one on your mind again. You're drawn to them like a magnet. The very core of your being is drawn to your twin flame. But there will also be issues like any other relationship. Except it's not normal. When you get to know your twin flame you will clash and knock heads. But the challenge in this will only give you more spark. They will push you to be a better you and your connection will be intense. Your souls are connected and your lives are entwined. There is no one in your life better for you than they are."

I took a second to take this all in. The connection between twin flames seems incredible and yet almost unbelievable.

"And now this brings me to you. You've met your twin flame and you know it. It was the first time that you could ever see color. It was the moment when you felt that intense connection and longing for this one person. Because when you first saw color it not only brightened up your life and helped you to truly see for the first time, but it also brought light and true happiness into your life for the first time."

I know exactly who she's talking about. She's talking about my mystery girl. She truly is the one true light of my life. "But what does my mystery girl have to do with this?"

"Well isn't it obvious. She is the headmaster's daughter."

Okay well yes I noticed the resemblance but I wasn't really thinking about it at this point. I thought that it wasn't really what the headmaster looked like and that I was just projecting my wants into the vision.

"Why is the headmaster sad about my mystery girl though? What's wrong with her?" This is not good. This is really really bad. I didn't expect it to be like this.

"It's not too bad thalia we just can't find her."

"What do you mean you can't find her?!" I yelled at her. How can she tell me about twin flames just to tell me that mine is missing.

"She's not hurt Thalia, or at least I assume she's not. She didn't get kidnapped if that's what you're thinking. She left on her own accord. She was tired of us ignoring the biggest threat to Eatithra and I admit that she's correct. But since her mother didn't agree with her she decided to leave on her own. She decided that she would rather put herself in danger rather than let anyone else die a senseless death." Ashley finally finished speaking, making me let out a big sigh.

I'm happy that she wasn't kidnapped or hurt but this news isn't much better. She purposely put herself in the face of danger to help save others and that is amazing but why couldn't she take others with her to help. And what is she even going to fight anyways? Obviously since this realm doesn't hold humans it must be something much worse than that. And that thought alone makes me very nervous. I don't know what kind of beasts and creatures there are here.

"Ashley before we leave could you continue the explanations on the different omadas?" I need to know every strength that we have and I need to know what part I'll take here in order to grow stronger.

"Of course I can. These are definitely things that you should know. Group one is Venandi and they are the hunters. They must be strong and independent. Their color is obsidian. Next, are the Umbra and they are the assassins also known as the shadow. They must be stealthy, intelligent and independent. They also tend to be antisocial and quiet. Their color is blood red. Then, we have Lanista. They are the trainers. Of what you may ask, well that's best to see for yourself. They are good with animals and nature as well as being friendly and confident. Their color is light blue. And finally we have the Faber. They are the craftsmen and artisans. They are creative, friendly, and tend to love art and doing crafts. These are the Omadas."

"And how do you get sorted into an omada?" I ask. It's not as if there will just be a magical sorting hat that will pick for us. Or maybe there is?! Okay no Thalia there probably isn't. This ain't Harry Potter.

"There is a series of tests you must go through before you are put into an omada. There is a stealth test, an agility test, a strength test, a test of knowledge, a test with nature, and then there are the battles. In the test of battles you will be put into a ring and you and your opponent will fight till one of you surrender."

Me, fight? Ha that is one of the funniest things I've heard in a while. I've been sheltered and barely let out of sight how am I supposed to win in a fight? I don't say that out loud though, I have a feeling that she knows.

I just wanna get out of my head at this point and wake up. I've learned all I need to know about Eatithra and, wait a minute. "Ashley, what is the name of the school we'll be going to?"

"The school is named Asunaa. And we don't have much more time here before we leave your mind." How did she even know I wanted to- oh nevermind. I almost forgot that she was a seer again hahaha. And now that I'm thinking about it, why is she even in my head in the first place.

I looked over at her just to notice that she was sort of fading away. She was becoming translucent. She smiled and said "Looks like our time is up. It's time to get out of here." Man, I couldn't agree more. It feels like we've been sitting here just talking for hours. Plus I don't like thinking about the fact that someone else is in my brain.

"See you on the other side."