Shadows of Atlantis: Emergence of the Engi (8 page)

The crowd then erupted in a standing ovation with applause and cheers as he walked off the stage.

“Who was that?! asked Eiris, trying to speak over the loud applause.

“His name is Dr. Stephen Masterson! He’s the former lieutenant of the Areolian military and war hero of the battle of Areolus. His squadron single-handedly prevented one of the primary Arcs from being destroyed, thus allowing other Turan forces to help save millions of lives. He’s now the Authore of the Undarian Academy!” yelled Dex as he clapped.

“What’s an Authore?” asked Eiris as the crowd quieted down.

“Oh, right. I forget you’re not familiar with these terms. Authore means overseer in Undarian. He’s pretty much the dean.” informed Dex.

Once the students began sitting down again, a screen less display appeared on the back of the seats in front of everyone. It showed the message:
Please select your guild
. Listed, were the names of the various academy guilds, including the Black Horde Guild and the Sea Dragon Guild.

“What’s this?” asked Eiris.

“Ah. Well I’ll try to keep it brief. At the beginning of the year, we’re separated into guilds that we will remain a part of throughout the course of the year. A guild is basically a large group composed of upper and lower classmen that help each other. You also can only compete in the various war sports of this academy with members of your own guild. We can of course choose to change guilds after each semester if that’s our wish, but for the most part everyone usually remains with the guild of their choice throughout their time here.” said Dex.

“How do I know which one to choose?” asked Eiris.

“Oh that’s simple. The Sea Dragon, Aquarien, or Coralien Guild is where you would go. I’ll likely go to the Arnor or Blue Storm Guild.” said Dex.

“What’s the difference?” asked Eiris.

“Those three are the main Atlantian Guilds. Arnor and Blue Storm are the main Slyph Guilds.” replied Dex.

“Then why are we given the choice of
any
guild?” asked a perturbed Eiris.

“Oh, that’s just a formality. Everyone knows you go to the guild of your race.” said Dex.

“So we just continue this cycle of hate you mean?” scowled Eiris in disbelief.

“I.........I understand your feelings, but you’re no longer on Earth Eiris. That’s how things are here in Undaria, it’s how they’ve always been.” informed Dex matter-of-factly.

“Well maybe it’s time for change.” smiled Eiris as he pressed the button for the Blue Storm Guild.

“Why……...why’d you do that?” asked a deflated Dex.

“What? I just made a choice.” smiled Eiris.

“Ha, well then. I guess I’ll join you on this journey of divergent rebellion.” nodded Dex.

When Dex pressed the Blue Storm Guild button, two pairs of smart glasses slowly ejected from the back of the chairs in front of them. Eiris switched his rustic glasses for the smart glasses and surprisingly, he could see perfectly through them as they adjusted to his vision. Dex put his pair on too.

A tiny holographic marker then appeared in the lens and began pointing in several directions as they walked the grand halls, guiding them to their Guild Zone. Suddenly, they heard a small commotion coming from behind them.

“Princess Keznah. Princess Keznah! This…. this is madness!” cried an uptight, royal looking figure as he tried to catch up to a fast approaching Kezzy.

“Princess??” said Eiris and Dex simultaneously as they stopped and looked at each other.

“First of all, I’m a warrior-princess. But yes, my title is Princess Keznah Genoran. I’m the tertiary royal of the Forest Moon of Etwilion. You shouldn’t be surprised anyway, only royalty, prodigies, and geniuses attend this academy.” remarked Kezzy.

“I figured you’d go to the Everleaf Guild or something like that.” said Dex.

“Well you figured wrong.” chided Kezzy. “I’m a rebel by nature so when I saw where you two went, I figured what the heck.” she smiled.

“Hello, are you Prince Eirisidae?” said a friendly voice from behind them.

“You can call me Eiris.” smiled Eiris to the friendly kid.

“Who’s asking?” glared Kezzy.

“My name is Azonei Masterson. I wish to accompany you and your friends to the Blue Storm Guild.” he smiled.

“Sure, the more the merrier.” replied Eiris as he noted Azonei’s silver eyes.

“Masterson?” asked Dex.

“Yes, Authore Masterson is my father.” said Azonei.

“That’s pretty xeno.” smiled Kezzy. “Welcome to our group.” she said.

As they continued to walked through the large halls, Undarians of all sorts stared at Eiris in adulation.

“Oh my gosh, that’s really him!” said a beautiful girl with a look of being wonderstruck.

“I can’t believe he’s actually real…….” whispered another in awe.

“Everyone here looks so smart and exotic.” noted Eiris as others gawked at him.

“Well, the hallmark of a true xenogeek is divergence. We not only have the brains, but the beauty and the brawn also.” smiled Kezzy proudly.

Suddenly, Eiris felt an enormously powerful presence directly ahead of them. Pressing forward, he saw exactly where it was coming from. Walking in their direction were three intimidating figures dressed in black uniforms. One was a girl with long, jet black hair and coal black eyes. Another was a tall and confident-looking boy with long, white hair and icy blue eyes. The last one was handsome, but fiercely intense and Eiris could sense his tremendous power. He had crimson red hair and matching red eyes.

As Eiris and his friends passed by them, the girl with black hair and dark eyes barely looked their way. The one with icy blue eyes gave a condescending look and chuckled as he smirked past them. But the one with the red hair fiercely glared at Eiris, maintaining eye contact until they were fully past each other. That was one of the most intense moments in Eiris’ life up to that point, but he wasn’t intimidated. Instead he was intensely angry because that group reminded him of Spike and of all the other bullies he had grown up avoiding. Now, after all he had been through in the past few days, he realized he seriously regretted how he had simply avoided those bullies from his past life. Why had he been too afraid to stand up to them and to try to affect a change for the better? He silently promised himself he’d never make that mistake again.

“Eiris, if looks could kill…….” noted Dex.

“I know. I get the feeling we’re the unsuspecting nerds and they’re the evil jocks.” glared Eiris. “Who was that?” he asked.

“Those were the three shadows. They represent the three bonding elements of the Darkren race and the three most powerful royal families within the Darkren regime. The dark-looking one with the onyx hair was Princess Reina Voleer. She’s the tertiary of the Darkren home world of Eternite and warrior-princess of the city of Valera. She’s also a shadowbonding prodigy from the Order of Assassins. The cold-looking one with white hair was Prince Drozen Eglacia. He’s the secondary of Eternite and warrior-prince of Noskia. Also a prodigy from the Order of Assassins, but in the rare bonding form of burning ice. And the frighteningly powerful one with the fiery red hair that just tried to murder you with his eyes? That’s Prince Reizen Demeroth. He’s the Primary Prince of Eternite and warrior-prince of Midnore. He also happens to be THE most powerful firebonding prodigy in the academy’s history and the youngest Darkren ever to lead in the Order of Assassins in Darkren history. Oh, and he especially hates you.” informed Kezzy.

“Thanks for the detailed information Kezzy.” Dex grumbled sarcastically.

“You’re welcome!” she smiled.

“Why does he hate me?” asked Eiris in wonderment.

“Because he’s from the same city as that psycho that almost destroyed Undaria, Lord Mordren.” scowled Kezzy.

“Hm. Makes sense.” noted Eiris grimly.

“You know, you’re rapidly on your way to becoming the most fanatically adored, yet intensely hated person I’ve ever heard of. With the exception of Justin Bieber of Earth of course.” joked Dex.

“Yeah, seems like it.” laughed Eiris.

“No biggie. Now, you have your new friends to watch your back.” smiled Azonei.

“Thanks guys.” replied Eiris happily.

Eiris and the others then walked through a large parking lot, towards the large building with the designation
Blue Storm Guild
. Eiris began sensing something and immediately looked to the right. There he saw the most beautiful girl he’d ever laid eyes on, parking her black sport bike. Her silky black hair and crimson red eyes complemented the black markings all over her body. She was hauntingly gorgeous. Hopping off her sport bike, she squinted in his direction briefly and then began walking into a nearby building.

“Who was she?” asked Eiris in amazement.

“Ditto that.” nodded Azonei in agreement.

“I concur. The identity of this girl is vital to us for……...research purposes.” joked Dex.

“Ugh, boys.” frowned Kezzy as she shook her head in disgust. “I don’t know her. But for now, let’s just say her name is
stay away from me
.” she warned.

“Why?” asked Eiris.

“Well, being that she was walking into the Black Horde Guild Zone, she’s likely a member. And the three shadows control that guild, random Darkren can’t just join. So it’s safe to assume that she’s probably from of the Order of Assassins. Making her especially dangerous to you Eiris.” said Kezzy bluntly.

“But isn’t the Darkren War over?” asked Eiris.

“There are other ways to fight wars Eiris.” replied Kezzy.

“I’d have to agree with Kezzy on this one Eiris. My father fought in that war and he regularly reminds me of the delicate peace between Turans and Darkren. As beautiful as that girl is, getting to know her would only be poking the bear so to speak.” said Azonei.

“If you say so.” replied Eiris in a rather dubious tone.

Entering the
Blue Storm
building, they found their way through the massive atrium into the meeting wing. They all went directly to the place where the holographic marker stopped and walked into the Blue Storm Conclave Room. There, they joined the other Blue Storm fresh starts as they sat at a table near the front of the room. A tall, thin Slyph with a quiet air of intelligence about him then got up and walked to the front of the room. Realizing he must be someone important, everyone that was talking got settled down.

“Welcome to the Blue Storm Guild, fresh starts. For those of you that don’t know, this is a majority Slyph Guild. My name is Glover Nhore and I’m the Guild Leader here. Most of you here today will become normal members, helping the guild in various ways. But some of you will be chosen to play on our war sport teams in the gauntlet games. The Gauntlet Games are the yearly games that help measure the aptitude and advancement of each student here at the Undarian Academy. The games consist of three different war sports: Electroball, The Lunar Rally, and one-on-one combat in the Gauntlet Arena. The guild with the most team and individual wins in each game is awarded the coveted Luridium Trophy at the end of the year. Along with the bragging rights of course. Also, if you’re wondering. Yes-the Black Horde Guild has reigned champion for almost seven years now. I think it’s about time we knocked them off of their high horse, don’t you?” Glover exclaimed.

“Yeah!” everyone shouted as they clapped and cheered.

“Good, then get in your rulebooks and study each war sport. Tryouts take place at the arena tomorrow morning. Your uniforms and supplies are at your assigned personal cubes. May Turanii be with you all.” he said as he exited the room.

As everyone began their conversations again, Eiris and the others decided to head to the dorm wing to find their assigned personal cubes. Eiris quickly found his room and began to get settled in. There really wasn’t much to look at. The room was sparse and left little to the imagination. There was just enough room for a bed and a small desk. Eiris looked into the drawers built into his bed and found several black and blue military-like uniforms. On them were five small planets in a pentagonal design at the breast of the shirts.

Inside one of the lower drawers was a distinct uniform with the same colors but made of a more flexible material along with what looked like a smart helmet. On the desk next to his bed was the Academy’s various manuals and rulebooks. Eiris then noticed a white gold smartwatch on top of the desk chair. Next to it was a box with a ribbon.

Eiris opened the box to reveal two black magnetic swords with the initials
E.P.
on the handles, along with an x-style sword sheath designed to be worn on his back. There was also a silver and blue handheld weapon with a note that said:
From Marz
. Eiris had never owned a weapon in his life and just the sight of them was a little intimidating. “Well, this is a new home and a new life”, he thought to himself. He put on the smartwatch along with one of the military uniforms and put his new weapons in their holsters. As he did so, he had the distinct impression that he was taking a big step forward in his life. He felt as if the small and insignificant orphan boy from Earth that he had been, was being transformed. He felt new and strong, with endless possibilities before him. After taking some time to read the Academy rulebook, he went outside to meet the others with renewed energy and a purposeful step.