A New Step

The screen flickered with static before settling into the familiar faces of Lira and Cassian, both of whom were leaning in closer, eager to talk. It had been a week since the awakening ceremony, and the anticipation for the future felt heavier with each passing day. They'd all applied to different academies, and now, they were about to begin their own separate journeys.

Lira's amber eyes gleamed with quiet satisfaction. "I got into Shadowfall Institute," she said matter-of-factly. "My dad went there, so it just made sense to follow." There was no unnecessary excitement in her tone—just a calm certainty, as if it had been the only choice all along.

Cassian grinned, rocking on his heels. "Purplemist took me in! Guess I'll be spending my days there. Perfect for someone who changes his mind every five seconds, huh?" He wiggled his eyebrows before laughing. Despite the joke, excitement flickered in his eyes—whatever came next, he was more than ready to take it head-on.

Nero nodded, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips, though his mind was miles away. "Congrats to both of you. I'm sure you'll do great," he said, his voice steady, but internally, his heart raced with anticipation for his own journey.

He had already sent his application to Skyreach, the academy where he'd always dreamed of training. His parents had always known that he would choose Skyreach, and the wait for a response felt like an eternity. But now… now he had the reply.

"I heard back this morning," Nero continued, his fingers tapping nervously on the edge of his desk. "I've been accepted!"

The moment those words left his mouth, a rush of excitement surged through him. Lira and Cassian leaned in, their faces lighting up with curiosity.

"That's awesome!" Lira grinned, practically buzzing with excitement. "So, when do you leave?"

Nero took a deep breath. "I head to Galor first. From there, we'll be taken to Skyreach. Galor has a direct gate to Faltheris. Can you believe it? We're actually going."

Lira's eyes lit up. "I know! It still doesn't feel real."

Cassian smirked. "It'll feel real soon enough. Just wait until we step through that gate—no more training, no more waiting. This is it."

Nero nodded, his excitement tempered by a hint of seriousness. "Yeah. We've talked about this moment forever. Now, it's happening. But… it's also kinda weird, right? We've always been together, and now we're heading in different directions."

Lira folded her arms, raising an eyebrow. "What, getting sentimental already? You'd better not be planning on slacking just because we won't be there to push you."

Nero scoffed. "As if. You should be worried about keeping up with me."

Cassian chuckled. "We'll see about that. Just don't come crying when I leave you both in the dust."

Lira rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. If anything, you two should be worried about me leaving you behind."

Their laughter filled the call, the playful rivalry masking the emotions underneath. This was their dream, and they were finally chasing it.

After a moment, Nero leaned back, exhaling slowly. "I'll miss you guys."

Lira's teasing expression softened, but she quickly grinned again. "Yeah, yeah. We'll miss you too. But don't think for a second that means we're not competing the moment we set foot in Faltheris."

Cassian nodded, his usual smirk turning into something more determined. "Exactly. We all have something to prove. And next time we meet, we'll be stronger. No holding back."

Nero smiled, the weight in his chest lifting. "Alright then. Let's make a promise. No matter what happens, no matter where we end up—we meet again in Faltheris one day, stronger than ever."

Lira and Cassian both nodded, their expressions shifting with determination.

"Deal," Lira said.

Cassian's gaze sharpened. "We'll see who comes out on top."

With that, the call ended, leaving Nero alone with his thoughts. His heart pounded with a mix of excitement and determination. The academy, the gate, Faltheris—it was all finally happening.

He stood, pacing for a moment. His gaze drifted to the window, the night sky stretching out before him. Soon, he would be crossing into a new world. A world full of dangers, challenges, and untold power. 

"Faltheris," he whispered to himself, a spark of determination in his eyes. "I'm coming."

* * *

Nero stepped off the transport shuttle and into the bustling city of Galor. The sight before him was like something out of a dream—bright lights, towering structures, and people moving in every direction. Everywhere he looked, young faces like his own filled the streets. They all seemed to be on the same mission, headed toward the same destination: the future.

The airport was a maze of movement, with hundreds of people his age, each carrying the same excitement and nerves. The air was electric with the hum of anticipation. Nero could already feel his heart racing, the realization that his dream was so close now, making everything seem surreal.

He asked for directions a couple of times, moving through the crowds with increasing excitement. His bag, heavy with his belongings for the next chapter of his life, bounced against his side, but Nero hardly noticed. His thoughts were consumed with what was ahead. Skyreach, the academy that had been the center of his dreams for so long, was only a few steps away. It was all happening.

But then, as if the world had momentarily slowed down to remind him that not everything would go according to plan, Nero collided with someone. He stumbled back, and before he could react, the person—a girl—let out a small gasp as her items flew from her hands, scattering across the floor.

"Ah, I'm sorry!" Nero blurted, bending to help gather the fallen items.

"No, no! It's my fault!" the girl quickly apologized, her cheeks flushing as she knelt down to pick up her things.

Nero caught sight of her then—her flowing light red hair cascading down her shoulders like a ribbon caught in the breeze. She had large, expressive eyes, the kind that made you feel as though she could see right into your soul. Her cheery demeanor was undeniable, and despite the accident, she seemed unbothered.

They both stood up, and Nero noticed that she was holding several bags of her own. His eyes widened at the sight of her luggage—it was much more than he had anticipated.

"Wow, that's a lot of luggage," Nero said, chuckling nervously.

She raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes. "Oh, I'm here for the academy, too! So, I kind of packed... everything." She shrugged, grinning at him like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Nero blinked, his heart skipping a beat. "Wait... You're here for the academy as well?"

The girl nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! Skyreach, just like you, right?"

Nero frowned slightly. "How did you know?"

She smirked, gesturing at his clothes. "We're wearing the same uniform, genius."

Nero blinked before glancing down at his brown academy-issued clothes. Right. They had already received their uniforms—he just hadn't given it much thought.

He let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. "Guess that should've been obvious."

The girl stuck out her hand with a confident, almost daring smile. "I'm Iris. My patron is Elsyius."

Nero paused for a moment, his eyes flicking over the outstretched hand. God of Light? That was… interesting. He had heard of the deity—one of the more revered gods. But before he could react, Iris continued speaking, her voice full of warmth.

"I'm guessing you're headed towards the gate, right? What's your name?"

Nero hesitated. He had never been one to talk freely about his patron, let alone in public. But something about her nonchalant attitude made him feel like it didn't matter. She didn't seem to care, and that, in itself, made him feel more comfortable.

"Uh... Nero," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "And... my patron is Orvian."

Iris blinked but then smiled brightly, as if it didn't faze her at all. "Nice to meet you, Nero! No judgment, I promise. We're all here to follow our paths, right?"

Nero felt an unexpected sense of relief wash over him. It was the first time someone had responded to his patron with such ease. He gave her a small nod, appreciating her lack of judgment. "Yeah, right."

"So, how about we head over to the academy together?" Iris suggested with an inviting grin. "I've never been to Skyreach before. I don't know anyone here yet, and it'd be nice to have someone to talk to."

Nero blinked at the offer, momentarily surprised. "Uh... sure. Why not?"

Without missing a beat, Iris scooped up her bags with impressive agility and started walking in the direction of the transport lines. Nero quickly fell into step beside her, still processing the encounter.

For a moment, the city around him felt less overwhelming. With Iris by his side, everything seemed a little less daunting. She had a contagious energy, and even though they had just met, Nero found himself more at ease than he expected.

As they walked, she continued chattering about everything and nothing, asking questions about his hometown, his family, and the academy. Her words flowed easily, and though he didn't share much about himself, Nero found himself listening intently, the weight of the journey ahead lightening with each step.

And then, as they reached the transport terminal, the realization hit him again—he was finally going to Skyreach. He was finally going to Faltheris.

"Ready?" Iris asked, grinning as she turned to face him.

Nero hesitated for a second before nodding with a small smile. "Yeah. Let's do this."

They continued their journey, the weight of their bags felt less heavy with the anticipation of what lay ahead. Twenty-five minutes passed, each step taking them closer to the heart of Galor where the Gate line stood.

When they arrived, Nero couldn't help but pause for a moment. Before them stood a massive arena, towering and imposing, with the entrance seeming almost too large for the normal city around it. The kind of place that felt like it was built to hold something monumental—something beyond ordinary.

"The gate's in here?" Nero asked, raising an eyebrow at the sheer scale of the structure.

Iris nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yep! This is where it is located. They built this whole complex here to accommodate the gate—one of the most important places in the world. You can't just stick a gate anywhere, you know? It needed to be a massive, secure location."

Nero blinked. He had heard about the gates—those pathways connecting the two worlds—but seeing it in person was an entirely different experience. There was something awe-inspiring about the idea of walking through this portal to Faltheris, the world that had always felt so distant. But now, it was just steps away.

Technically, these gates connected to the rift in the sky, acting as a shortcut to Faltheris.

"Wow," Nero murmured.

They made their way through the entrance and into the vast interior of the arena. Inside, the atmosphere was like a hive of activity. Everywhere Nero looked, there were people—young, old, nervous, excited—all with that same look of eager anticipation. It was a melting pot of people, all bound for the same destination, all on the cusp of something life-changing.

After navigating through the crowds, they approached a set of large doors that led into the deeper part of the area. Inside, the sounds of voices and the clattering of feet echoed off the high stone walls. Staff members in dark uniforms moved through the crowds, ensuring everything was running smoothly. It was organized chaos, and Nero found himself both excited and overwhelmed.

"I can't believe this is actually happening," he said, shaking his head in disbelief.

Iris, glancing over at him, grinned. "You're not the only one. This place is a huge deal. I mean, we're standing at the entry point to two worlds. That's something you don't see every day."

They followed the signs that led them toward the gate itself. In the distance, Nero could see a shimmering blue light beginning to form in the air, a faint hum accompanying it. That was it—the gate. It was unlike anything he had ever seen in person. It stood in the center of the arena, a massive rift in space, glowing with an ethereal light that seemed to pulse with life.

They approached the gate, and a staff member waved them over. "Make sure you have your IDs ready," he said, his voice firm but friendly. "You'll be passing through soon."

Nero nodded, pulling out the documents he had received with his academy application. It was a strange feeling—something so official, yet so personal. He was about to walk into Faltheris, a world that had been nothing more than a dream until now.

"I'm starting to feel a little nervous," Nero admitted, his eyes fixed on the glowing portal.

"Totally normal," Iris replied, giving him a light pat on the shoulder. "But look, we're both about to step into a new chapter."

"Yeah. A new chapter." Nero repeated, the words settling in his chest. For a moment, the anxiety he felt subsided, replaced by a growing sense of purpose.

They handed over their IDs and walked closer to the gate. The staff members stepped aside, allowing the students to gather in front of it. The soft hum of energy filled the air as the gate flared, the light intensifying. Without a second thought, they stepped forward.

The world around them seemed to shift.

A wave of warmth rushed over Nero as the world seemed to bend and stretch, the edges of his vision blurring for a moment. His heart raced. There was no going back now.

With one final glance at Iris, he stepped into the gate.