Merva stepped into the bright corridors of her department, the eerie silence a welcome respite from the chaos that had consumed the continent. It had been taken as an unofficial holiday, this days of the bout. Only a few thought it okay to come to the school, and she was one of them.
It afforded her a peace and solace she needed lately, as her soul felt broken in a way she did not understand. Her need for peace had driven her to leave the official mansion, and return back to her chambers in the ladies quarters when her family had not yet returned to Edigor.
The primordial bouts had brought some twisted form of excitement to the people. Watching privileged heirs fight to the death brought satisfaction to them. They created a ranking system, even placing bets, and wagers on who will come out victorious, and on the day three, Raven had achieved the highest rank, and Zeus followed her as second.
Merva did not know how to feel about the fact that the dome created illusionary beasts that haunted the contestants for the joy of the people, and then set them to fight against themselves to the death after some time.
But in truth, Merva could not make herself care, it simply was not good entertainment for her, and so she had long stopped watching.
Her thoughts were elsewhere, weighed down by the unease that had been gnawing at her soul. The continent was on the brink of something, and it had gone unnoticed by many, or if they did notice, they simply did not care.
Alex her cousin had been recalled, even the news hinted that the supreme leader was no longer in residence. She knew all this because her grandfather was the prime minister of Edigor, and she was his supposed heir.
Her eyes wandered as she made her way to the administrators office. She wanted to get her form tests done, and join the list for the divine weapon manifestation.
As she reached his office, she felt tense. The sound of commentators voice seeping out. She knocked on the door.
"Yes, come in." A deep voice answered.
High man Asberos sat slumped in his chair, his eyes glued to the holographic screen floating in front of him.
"I don't have time for this." He muttered, his voice dripping with disinterest as she walked in.
He did not bother looking up as she entered, his attention fixed on the fight unfolding on the screen.
She did not want to be before him either.
Undeterred, she stepped forward, her voice firm. "I am here to submit my application for form testing, and join the list of people who will be trying out for the divine weapon manifestation."
His gaze finally tore from the screen, his eyes narrowing as he sized her, taking in her determined expression.
He sank deeper into his chair, intertwining his fingers as he scowled. "Are you even qualified to participate in the weapon manifestation?"
'Ah.' She thought. 'He knew who she was.'
"What was your result from your form test?"
"That is one of the things I am..." He cut her off. "What was the result of your overall evaluation? Mhm?" His brows raised in question.
She breathed in slowly. "Sir, that is what I have been saying. I am here to apply for all."
He looked at her dumbfounded, gradually sitting up straight. "You are here to what? Can you handle all that, it already around the corner. Besides your core is sealed."
"I will manage, sir."
He glanced at her with interest, opening up a scroll to take down her name.
"Merva Polo, is it?" He asked.
"Yes sir, It's Merva Polo."
She did not remember how she had spent the rest of the day, only that while the stars were in the sky, she found herself stepping into the tram, headed for the girls quarters.
The night air was cold, the breeze blowing against her face. She could smell the coming rains that hung in the air. She inhaled deeply, drawing circles on the windows. She loved the smell of rain.
The ride seemed short, and she was back at the girls quarters, headed for her chambers, when she passed by the commons hall and stopped. The girls were gathered there, in front of a large floor to ceiling screen.
She made to leave, but the commentators voice caught her attention.
"Kane is down," she spoke excitedly. "And now we are down to the final two. Zeus wielding shadow lightning, and Raven wielding smoke and nature." She turned to the man besides her, "who do you think will come out the winner?"
They began a discussion on the final fight that flew over Merva's head. She walked in, scanning the hall for any available seat.
She settled in quietly at the seat in the corner, zoning out the excited chatter of the girls, her eyes glued to the screen.
Zeus unleashed a barrage of lightning strikes, but Raven dodged all, her whip aiming for him.
They traded blows, deflecting every major attack from each other. Their powers were evenly matched.
They fought that way for a while longer, their fight a beautiful but deadly one.
Merva got tired of their back and forth, and stood to leave. She had almost made it to the door, when she heard a collective gasp from the commentator and the hall.
She turned quickly, returning to her seat.
Zeus and Raven were no longer fighting. They were standing, their weapons lowered, speaking to each other in a tone no one could hear.
Raven smiled, and stomped her feet on the ground. The ground beneath her feet cracked open, and she fell in without a sound.
Zeus tried to catch her, leaping forward, but he fell on sand. He stood up, and used his staff to strike the floor, dividing the ground in two. Shock waves from the strike shook the dome, and it clouded, everything turning dark as the top of the dome cracked.
Everyone stood up in shock, staring at one another. "What just happened?" The commentators asked.
Merva's heart raced, as the sound of murmured conversation, and the rustle of bodies getting up filled her ears.
She felt a searing pain behind her back, and in her hear simultaneously, and nearly fainted.
No one noticed her amid the confusion as she struggled to her room.
She shut the door behind her quickly, trying to get to a safety that she did not know of. The pain was overpowering, and she fell on am fours, her hands splayed out on the floor. Pain laced her veins with fire, as the darker half of her psyche wrestled for control.
The battle in her mind raged like a tempest in her mind, a wicked smile twisting her lips as the dark ones influence seeped through. Her fist smashed into the floor, the pain bringing her momentary respite.
Her normal self clawed back, shaking off the darker self. And for a moment she regained control, her breathing ragged as the searing pain in her back reduced.
The equinox was already near, and so was the day of Dogans separation from the realms.
With a wave of her hands, her windows slammed shut. She tried to get up, sweat gathered on her forehead, and dripped through her body, steam rising like one who had been boiled.
The agony returned, shadows swirling, deepening into an abyss around her.
The bones beneath her skin began to shift like fractured vertebrae rearranging itself into something new.
She bunched her fists, screaming loudly, but the darkness absorbed the sound, and no one heard.
Gnarled, ossified wings tore through her mid upper back, pushing through muscle and skin as they burst forth. Their bony surface glided with jagged ridges, and knobby protrusions.
The wings unfolded with a sound like twigs snapping, each movement sending livers of pain through her torso, and straight to her brain.
She screamed, her vision blurring as the skeletal appendages stretched wide.
The wings flexed, their bony claws clicking as they dug into the air, spreading wider, craving space.
The pain was too much for her to bear.
She collapsed on the floor, her body convulsing. She could already feel her darker half seeping in, taking over without a fight.
She was too weak.
She let her, fading away into the background.
It was dark, the sky hidden by dark clouds, the sound of thunder and lightning filling the air, as rain poured heavily upon the land.
Everywhere was empty, looking aged like no one had inhibited it in years. The glorious capital state, looking lonesome.
Merva stood in its midst, clothed in a flimsy silk dress that hugged her skin, flowing down the floor, stained with mud.
Tears fell from her eyes, but they were taken by the rain before they left her face.
She smiled sweetly, looking up at the sky, like a long lost lover.
There was no where to hide. There was no need to hide.