Shadows of Atlantis: Emergence of the Engi (10 page)

“It’s good to see everyone here on time. You all have been chosen to represent our guild in the war sport of Electroball. Many of you are
fresh starts
so let’s all get acquainted by introducing ourselves.” said Glover.

As the introductions continued, the starting sixteen began.

“As many of you know, my name is Glover. I’m the starting goalie of the Blue Storm.” said Glover.

“My name’s Hunter. I play enforcer because I like hitting people.” he smirked.

“I’m Rigel. I play second defender.”

“Kami. Fourth defender.”

“My name’s Ashia. I play second runner.”

“I’m Raiven. I’m first defender.”

“Veirre. Third defender.”

“I’m Lonu. Third runner.”

“Greyson. Fifth defender.”

“My name’s Britta. I’m Fourth runner.”

“Lars. Sixth defender.”

“Hazel. I play fifth runner.”

“I’m Azonei. I play starting first runner.” said Azonei.

“Dex. Starting right rider.” said Dex.

“I’m Kezzy. I play starting left rider.” said Kezzy.

“My name’s Eiris. I’m the starting drifter.” smiled Eiris.

When everyone finished greeting each other, Glover gave them all the practice and game schedules in a holosync with their smartwatches.

“I expect great things from you.” smiled Glover as he synced Eiris the schedules.

Walking back to the dorm wing, Eiris and the crew were all excited they made the starting sixteen.

“I can’t believe we all play key positions!” smiled Azonei.

“Yup, I can already see that Luridium trophy in the Guild Hall.” smiled Kezzy.

“We can’t be overconfident. Look at who we’re up against for the first game.” said Dex.

“The Black Horde.” said Eiris in a tone of disgust.

“Hey, as long as we work together we can beat em.” said Kezzy.

“We don’t have to worry about them. Besides, the really fun stuff comes in the next few months.” smiled Azonei.

“Like what?” asked Eiris.

“Bonding training and the hunt….” grinned Kezzy.

“Hey Eiris, what’d you choose for your main study?” whispered Azonei.

“Um, robo-genetics.” whispered Eiris as he continued to study his Galactic History holobook.

“That’s pretty xeno. I’m studying aeronautics. What about you guys?” Azonei whispered.

“Mechanical engineering.” whispered Dex.

“Chemistry.” smiled Kezzy.

“Big surprise.” whispered Dex sarcastically, making Kezzy cut her eyes at him.

“Ms. Keznah Genoran!” noted Professor Terrell. “Since you don’t seem to have the need of studying your holobook like everyone else, why don’t we all have a wonderful Galactic History pop quiz!?”

“Professor Terrell, no one else here thinks Galactic History is
wonderful
.” sneered Kezzy as everyone in class began sighing and giving her mean looks.

“Sure it is. In fact, I believe a human philosopher by the name of George Santayana said that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Now Ms. Genoran, what was the name of………….…...the famous speech that Edixe Farisse gave in 1927?” she asked.

“The Undarian Address.” smirked Kezzy in arrogance.

“Very good.” commended Professor Terrell. “Azonei, what was the battle that turned the tide in the Darkren War? And how?” she asked.

“It was The Battle of the Three Moons. Princess Allura used an ingenious ploy that the humans formerly named the Trojan horse trick.” replied Azonei.

“Well done Mr. Masterson.” said Professor Terrell. “Dextrius, what was the reason for the territorial dispute of Pluvia in 1863?” she asked.

“That dispute was over the illegal mining operation in the crystal caves by Purina smugglers. They were later revealed to have worked under the orders of the then Purina Edixe, Safar Iniek.” answered Dex.

“Very good, three for three.” smiled Professor Terrell. “Hmmm………. what will the last question be…...?” she asked.

She scanned the large class and found her next target.

“Mr. Eiris Penatia. In politics and sociology, what concept refers to the breaking up of existing power structures and preventing smaller groups from linking together?” asked Professor Terrell.

“That concept has been coined divide et impera, divide ut regnes, or in the English language; divide and conquer.” replied Eiris.

“Flawlessly done. Continue the great work you four. As well as the rest of the class. You are now dismissed.” said Professor Terrell.

Everyone then began saving their study material to their smartwatches and heading for the door. Awesome met Kezzy in the hallway.

“Hey Eiris, what class do you have next?” asked Azonei.

“Um, Social Skills I think. What about you guys?” Eiris replied.

“Social skills is a good class. One of my friends got a citation for public social awkwardness the other day. If you ask me, that class should be mandatory. But I’m headed to the flight simulator in VR.” replied Azonei.

“Biochemistry.” said Kezzy.

“I have Wit & Humor 101 next with Professor Moore.” said Dex. “As if they can teach you to be funny.” he shook his head.

“Actually they can. Well, maybe not you. But the majority of us can be taught.” smiled Kezzy sarcastically as she walked off, followed by Awesome.

“Man, do I hate her.” glared Dex.

“It’s against the law to be socially awkward here?” asked Eiris dumbfounded.

“Yup. I think it’s actually one of the better laws. See you guys at the Sanctuary?” asked Azonei.

“Sure thing.” smiled Eiris.

“See you there.” nodded Dex as they all parted ways.

Later that day, dozens of other students made their way through the large halls of the academy and to the stairs leading to the Sanctuary. Eiris learned that the Sanctuary was a legendary training area on the mountains that surrounded his home city, Pluvia. The city was named Pluvia, the rainfall capital because of its unique surrounding mountains. The mountains are easily identified by the unending torrential rains on them, making them a perfect place to practice waterbonding for Atlantians. Eiris and the others hiked up the torrential mountain pass with the other students and was surprised to see a familiar face waiting along with several other instructors.

“Greetings. My name is Professor Marz and I will be your primary bonding instructor. My colleagues will aid in helping you to harness your specific bonding abilities, as well as begin your parkour and freerunning training.” said Marz.

While the other instructors began taking separate groups and teaching various academy skills, Marz began his lecture on bonding with Eiris and the small group nearest him.

“Bonding is the Undarian term for manipulating various elements at will. The extent of your abilities will largely depend on your genealogy, although that is not always a dependent factor. The idea is to become one with nature, making it your ally. In order to successfully do that, rigorous training and unfaltering concentration is very necessary. Many, if not all of you are now in the beginning stages of the Undarian form of puberty, called the Undarian dew. That makes controlling your abilities especially hard, since common side effects of the dew are intense mood swings and seemingly uncontrollable urges. This is where we come in. Here we will teach you not only to weather the Undarian dew, but to gain mastery over your bonding abilities, making you formidable adversaries to any that threaten you. First I’ll start with a small demonstration.” said Marz.

As the class looked on, he inhaled deeply and blinked his eyes. Now glowing blue, he focused his eyes on the large raindrops and began raising his arms slowly with his palms facing upward. Amazingly, the rain stopped hitting the ground and began flowing in whatever direction he swayed his hands. He then exhaled and lowered his arms, making the rain continue its normal downpour.

“That ability is called waterbonding. There are several other disciplines, some more common than others. For instance, burning icebonding, shadowbonding, firebonding, frozen icebonding, and plasmabonding are more widely used. Whereas sandbonding, nebulaebonding, lavabonding, mirrorbonding, treebonding and mountainbonding are far more extreme and difficult disciplines. Albeit several, these are just some of the many disciplines of bonding and it will be entirely up to you, how skilled you will become in yours. Parkour and freerunning training is essential to using your environment to your advantage. We will teach you these skills as well as a defensive form of martial arts called Jyndo. With the encompassing skills you will learn here, you can become formidable warrior-athletes, paving the future of the Undarian race. Now let’s get started.” said Marz.

The classes at the academy were intense, but Eiris relished the challenge and worked extremely hard each day. He desperately wanted to learn more about his heritage and live up to the great name his parents had left him. After months of rigorous training, the student’s attention began to turn toward the war sport competition as it drew closer. But before the big day, a student rite of passage was necessary. Eiris was so caught up in his studies, he had completely forgotten about it.

“Where are we going again?” asked Eiris as he boarded the frigate with dozens of other fresh starts.

“To the Lost Island.” Dex said. “You know, The Hunt?” he replied.

“I think I might’ve missed that part.” said Eiris as he put his shock charger in its holster.

“We’re going to a legendary invisible island in Pluvia, called the Lost Island. We go there to find our beast guardians. Similar to Kezzy’s saber-toothed liger.” informed Dex.

“I didn’t know Slyphs had beast guardians.” Eiris stated. “And if the island’s invisible, how are we going there?” he asked rather confused.

“Well once a year it becomes visible. No one knows why, but some scientists here in Pluvia think that it must have something to do with the dark matter around the island that makes it disappear and reappear. And yes, you’re correct. Unfortunately, only Turans and Darkren possess the ability to bond with these powerful animals. I’m just here for the experience. Many other Slyphs and some of the upperclassmen accompany the students as security for this trip.” smiled Dex.

Azonei and Kezzy then walked onto the ship and into the primary atrium to meet Eiris and Dex. Eiris also saw the beautiful Darkren girl make her way onto the ship as well, followed by the three shadows and many other Darkren.

“Sup xenos?” Kezzy asked in acknowledgment of Eiris and Dex.

“Greetings.” replied Dex.

“Hey.” responded Azonei.

After greeting Kezzy and Azonei, Eiris began looking in the direction of the beautiful Darkren girl.

“You do know that you could be with any Turan girl you want right?” said Kezzy disapprovingly as she followed his gaze.

“Not really. Besides, using my name to meet someone is kind of silly.” said Eiris.

“That’s very poetic Eiris, but Kezzy is right. We can see the trouble you’re thinking about getting yourself into. And if we can see it, so can they.” informed Dex, gesturing to the three shadows.

“Hey, if Eiris makes an important decision we should support him.” smiled Azonei.

“Even if that decision is walking off a cliff?” joked Kezzy.

They all began laughing as Eiris began to wonder about the beast guardians of the three shadows.

“Have any of you seen the beast guardians of the three shadows?” asked Eiris.

“Nope. Although I’ve heard they’re pretty epic.” said Kezzy.

“Yeah, fresh starts don’t see the upperclassmen too often. But since they’re here, we’ll probably see them once we get on the island.” mused Dex.

Once the frigates closed their boarding ramps, three huge luridium gates began opening and ocean water flooded the academy’s underwater dock harboring them. Marz then began informing the students of the rules.

“Good afternoon. As many of you know, we are en route to the Lost Island. There, many of you will attain your lifelong animal companions called beast guardians. As fun as it sounds, the Lost Island is a very dangerous place. Many ravenous and powerful animals dwell there and we are not welcome, so these are the rules. Rule one, non-lethal shock chargers are allowed to be used in dire circumstances, but beware as that could hastily destroy any potential bond that could be made with a particular animal. Rule two, each group will be accompanied by an instructor and a number of student security with their own beast guardians. By now you should be aware of who’s in your group. And finally rule three, you all have until the sunset to acquire your beast guardians. Any who fail to bond with one, will have to find one on their own time or wait until next year, as the island only appears on a yearly basis.” said Marz.