Doomed

Krain’s POV

“Where did you get the pass card?”

I just stared at the old woman who is interrogating me. She had repeated that same question for a while now, but I chose to say nothing.

“Chimsy Morgan of Gelare, do you have no plans of answering the questions of the elders?”

I throw gazes at each of the old people that are sitting on the elevated thrones. The officers from the disciplinary office brought me here when I showed them the pass card. Of course, that was after I became aggressive towards the old man.

“A new student,” one of the old men with long white hair mumbled. “Does Gelare fail in teaching the kids the proper manners and right conduct towards those with authority and the old ones? What right do you have to hurt one of the respected old men?!”

This is not what I imagined it to be. My intention was to enter Quintessence for this is the safest place for me. I planned to stay lowkey and live peacefully until mom and dad came for me. But it seems like I am pushing myself towards danger.

“You’re doomed.”

I closed my eyes and agreed with Draceline’s words. The possible consequence of my actions never crossed my mind. All I was thinking earlier is to take Chiena away from where she was.

“Aren’t you going to say something?!”

“May I say something?”

I looked at each one of them. If I want to stay here, I should be patient and make adjustments, shouldn’t I?

I stood up straight, maintaining a confident poise while looking at them.

“I admit to my mistakes. I hurt the authorized people, and I humbly asked for your consideration,” I said and bowed my head a little. “But I would like to know if it is righteous to hurt an innocent student and embarrassed her in front of everyone?”

“Chimsy!” The officer beside me snapped.

“I’m a new student. I am not knowledgeable when it comes to the laws of Quintessence, so I wish to hear the answers from you.” I maintained a blank expression. “Does the elder officials have the right to physically hurt the student?” I repeated my question. “If you are not aware, Chiena Ortega of Kauma is a new student too. She’s a mere twelve-year-old kid. Do you think she is capable of stealing a pass card?”

“You!” The old man with white beard interrupted. “You stole the pass card?”

“I never said I did.”

I’m pissed but I remained calm.

“You have the pass card. You are working together with that Kaumanian!” The old man that I choked shouted. I stared at him which woke up the rage of the old people.

“How obnoxious! The audacity to stare at the authorities!”

The huge doors of the hall opened and a panting Neym entered. He stopped beside me and held my hand. He hides me behind his back and faces the elders.

“My little sister is a new student. As his older brother, I apologize for her mistake.”

I pulled his arms, so he faced me. “What are you doing?” I whispered.

“Sister of the strongest Gelarian in the history of Quintessence. We’ll let her slide if she would kneel and ask for forgiveness from the elders.”

I remained staring at the old woman in the middle. She’s staring back at me, waiting for my next move.

“Krain...”

Being on my knees is a very big deal. It is like I am admitting to a mistake that I never made.

“Page 13 of the book ‘Dauthi’,” I whispered.

‘Dauthi is the land of the strongest kind, and no one could ever make them fall on the ground. A dauthinian never begged or go down on her knees. Instead, people begged and went down on their knees, that’s how they respect dauthinian.’

“Krain, please,” Neym pleaded. “You have to do it in order to stay here in Quintessence.” He gently squeezes my shoulders. “Chimsy Morgan of Gelare…” he nodded. “Let’s save yourself this way.”

Is it my fault if I stepped in to save a victim of harassment? I protected an innocent soul. And the pass card… I was just asked to keep it.

“Chimsy.”

I blowed some air out. I slowly bent my knees but before it could touch the ground, a hand pulled me back on my feet.

“She will not be on her knees since she’s not at fault.”

The woman beside me stood straight and bowed. Neym did the same and the elder officials straighten their backs.

“What do you mean, Nashin Laurel of Guerreier?”

“My sister asked some people to get a pass card for her. I managed to confiscate it. My situation didn’t allow me to report it on time, so I gave it to her,” he pointed at me. “I asked her to keep it for me.”

They were silent. He helped me to stand comfortably but I didn’t utter a thank you. He is partly at fault as to why I am here.

“You are seriously going down on your knees? You should have defended yourself,” he whispered, just enough for me to hear it.

“I did. But they said I shouldn’t.”

“She hurt the elder. Take her to-“

“I was controlling her.”

“What?” The old man asked in disbelief.

“I was just trying to test my capability. She’s a newbie and I just wanted to try if I could control her, like everyone else. I’m sorry.”

He bowed his head. When he looked up, he motioned me to go out so I went for the door with him, following me from behind.

“It was partly my fault,” he said when we were outside. He faced me and stared at my eyes, saying nothing. He stepped forward and held my hand. “I’ll take you home,” he offered.

Before I could even protest, he pulled me closer. We were swallowed by the soil, just like earlier. We rose out of the soil, and we are already back in the village, right in front of our houses.

I gave respect by bowing a little and head straight to my house without looking back at him. But before I could open the main door, he said something.

“Your name is Chimsy. A Gelarian.”

He raised his hand to eye level and closed it. He looked at me and opened his palm, releasing a blue butterfly. It flew towards my direction and rests at my shoulder.

“I am Nashin Laurel of Guerreier. I hope you’ll remember that.”

He went inside his house so I did the same. I went to my room and opened my walk-in closet.

“Good,” I smiled when I saw the customized uniform. I took one of it and was about to dress myself when the butterfly flew.

It is a real butterfly in blue. But why did he give me a butterfly?

“I am Nashin Laurel of Guerreier. I hope you’ll remember that.”

So I’ll remember his name? Do I even need to remember it?

The butterfly flew and landed on my folded clothes so I managed to change into my uniform. When I was fully dressed, the butterfly flew back to my shoulder.

Come to think of it. Knowing the people here in Quintessence is actually a good idea. I need to know who they are and what they are capable of doing. In that way, I would know who to trust.

“Nashin Laurel. Laurel?”

I went out of my room upon hearing the main door opened. Draceline and Ashinaida entered.

“Chimsy!” They called in unison.

“I heard what happened. Are you alright?” Ashinaida scanned my face. “Nashin have this habit of putting innocent people into trouble. I’m sorry, Chimsy.”

“Your brother is obviously boasting. Flexing his rank?”

“Drace,” Ashinaida rebuked. “Draceline and I will lead you to the hall where the orientation will take place.”

“What about Chiena?” I asked. “Where is Chiena?”

“In the nurse’s station. We can see her after your orientation.”

Like what they said, they lead me to the hall. The hall is packed with people so I remained standing near the door while listening to the guy in heavy suit and thick glasses. Not so long after, Neym went inside the hall.

“Neym.”

He approached me and focused on the floor. Water went flowing in that part of the floor. He gently raised his hand and the water followed his compass. It formed a block and turned into ice.

“Take your seat. We’ll talk after the orientation,” he instructed before leaving.

I look down at the ice block beside me. It is actually a chair. He made one for me, so I sat on it. I looked up to focus my attention on the speaker and my eyes met the speaker’s eyes.

“I would very much love to talk about Dauthi but it is not part of the orientation. You’ll talk about it during your history class to... I hope you won’t miss your classes.”

I raised my hand to get his attention.

“A question, yes, please,” he pointed at me, smiling. “Kindly state your concern.”

“Based on the books that I’ve read, ‘Quintessence is a perfect place.’ Why is violence taking place because of a speculation that was never proven true? Is that what you call ‘perfect’ here in Quintessence?”

I could hear every whisper, but I maintained eye contact with the speaker. After a few seconds of staring at me, the sides of his lips rose.

“You are the very first person who questioned Quintessence’s perfect image,” he informed in an amused tone. “It never happened before. But I am telling you, you’ll hear an answer soon. Give it a day or two.”

And I never expected it to actually happen.

“The elder official who hurt Chiena, he was removed from his position and was sent out of Quintessence,” Draceline said when I stepped out of the hall.

“Drace…”

We looked at Neym who stopped in front of us. Draceline tapped my shoulder and excused herself. Neym motioned me to follow him so I did.

“This is far enough,” he said, looking around at the quiet park. “You know Nashin?” He asked directly.

“I got to know him by chance. He is a Laurel. He is related to Ashinaida, isn’t he?”

He nodded. “Don’t you feel uncomfortable when he’s around?”

I paused to think about it. Why would I feel uncomfortable-

"The strongest student of Quintessence is living in Ouricia, the one beside your assigned house. There are instances where his aura became strong so only those with strong presence or power could come close to him without getting hurt.”

"It is possible to faint when he is around."

He lives right next to my house. It means it was him that they were pertaining to.

“If you just figured out that Nashin is your dangerous neighbor, then that’s better. Make sure to keep your distance from him so you won’t put your life in danger.”

Danger. I’ve been with him for a few times but I was never in danger. I don’t even feel weak when he’s around. Nothing much happens.

“Chimsy,” he called seriously. “Don’t even dare to play with fire. Play safe.”

Do I have an enemy here? Play safe and don’t even dare to play with fire? It sounds like I bring trouble upon myself and he is telling me to not do it again.

Now, I don’t know what to do. Mom told me to go to Quintessence and here I am. What’s next? I’ll study here? Live under Chimsy’s name to protect myself from possible danger?

“Your dad and I will follow you, I promise.”

They’ll come for me. I shouldn’t blow my cover until then. I have to abide by the rules. Neym is right. I need to play safe. I shouldn’t put myself in a situation that would wake everyone’s curiosity about me.

“Have you had dinner?”

I gasp in surprise. I didn’t notice that I am already in front of my house. I transferred my gaze to Nashin who is standing in his doorstep.

“I have no appetite,” I replied, turning my back at him. I felt an abnormal movement of air around me so I raised my hand. I am surrounded by water that is moving in a circling manner, being strong enough to repel anything from coming close to me. I turned around to see a knife that was made of stone, getting caught in the water.

I lazily look at him. He tilted his head lightly so our eyes met.

“Your brother must have trained you well before you enter Quintessence. You manage to feel that attack even though it is from your blind spot.”

I took the knife before letting go of the water that is absorbed by the soil. I walked towards him and handed him his knife.

“Kids shouldn’t play with knives,” I said.

He took it and played with it in his hand.

“Newbies shouldn’t lose their appetite.”

He dropped the knife but it disappeared into the air before it touches the ground.

“Do you know how to taste food?” He said, as if nothing happened.

“What?”

“Taste the food,” he repeated. “I’ve got some vegetables from the greenhouse, and I am trying out some dishes. Wanna eat?”

It would be better if I did nothing. Sleeping is the best thing to do right now. In that way, I wouldn’t make a mistake, I would have no problem.

“No, thank you,” I politely rejected his offer. I turned my back and thankfully, he didn’t bother asking again.

I lie down after changing into my pajamas. I was embraced by silence, so I fell asleep shortly. I woke up to the sound of my window being broken into pieces.

2:18 am.

I walked out of bed and checked the window. The cold wind blew but I ignored it. I peeked outside but I saw nothing unusual. I decided to report it tomorrow. I went back to my bed and found a ring with carved name.

“Snashi…” I read. “Snashi?” Is this a name?

The wind became even cooler, followed by the power interruption. I moved back to stay away from the wind when a cold hand touched my cheeks.

“Thank you for calling my name, my lady.”

I was shocked, losing my balance. My back hit the floor but my attention is at the woman.

“Snashi. You should say it more often so that we can meet each other. I could appear anytime as long as you say my name.” She laughed. “You know, we could be best friends.”

I closed my eyes to adjust my vision. I stared at her but I can’t see her face. I could only tell that her hair falls just above her shoulder.

She’s clearly an intruder. She broke the window and came here without permission.

“Are you trembling?” She gasped dramatically. “Is it because of the cold? Or me?”

I could clearly hear her giggles, so I moved away from her. She moved closer and this time, I can no longer move my arms and legs.

“So the gravity is enough to hold you down.”

Despite the unseen restriction in my body, I tried reaching for my ring using my fingers. I need to call for help.

“What do you need?” I bravely asked.

“Thank you for talking,” she said happily. “I was just checking things and… Introducing myself to you.”

At last, I managed to press the gemstone of my ring but I didn’t say anything. I remained silent while pressing it.

“I didn’t mean to scare you but I’ll see you again, for sure. The name is Snashi, take note.”

The door of my room swung open. The surrounding is lightened and the force that is restricting me from any movement disappears.

“Chimsy.”

I blinked thrice. Nashin went to the window and look outside. He run back to me and shake my shoulders, making me look up at him.

“Chimsy, what happened?” I just look at him. “Hey, say something.”

That’s where a force hit me. I feel great fear. My hands trembled uncontrollably. I tried stopping it but it only became worse. Even my heart is beating rapidly. It feels like the air is being taken out of my system so I closed my eyes to focus on my breathing.

“Chimsy.”

I could feel a hand on my cheek and multiple taps on my shoulder and back but I still shut my eyes. I don’t want to open my eyes. I don’t want to see the darkness. I don’t want to see that woman.

“Chimsy!”

“No! No, I won’t! I won’t! I won’t!”

‘End it here.’

“No, I won't.”

I stood up and bumped my head into the wall, hoping to get rid of the voice but I didn’t feel any pain. I touch the wall but it is covered with leaves. I hold my hair and pulled it but a hand stops me.

“Chimsy!”

I shake my head endlessly, shaking the voice in my head.

‘End it here.’

‘End it.’

‘End it.’

‘End it now!’

“No, no! No, Krain! Don’t listen to it, Krain!” I convince myself. “No! No! F-for mom… Fo-r dad… For y-your sist-ter... for yourself.” I took a deep breath. “No, K-rain.”

I could feel every beat of my heart. Even the hot liquid that was coming out of my eyes, I could feel it.

I have to survive in order for the future to exist. I can’t fail mom. I can’t fail everyone. I can’t... die. I won’t... and I shouldn’t.

“Please, no! Don’t listen to it, please! Please-“

“Krain…" I slowly opened my eyes to see where that gentle voice came from.

“It’s fine, Krain. I’m here. Just listen to me.”

Nashin...

...