Cold Veins and Sharp Tongues
The room in the Arcane Citadel was filled with the sound of someone screaming. The screaming had stopped now. The person was being dragged away. The air smelled bad like blood and something sweet. Nathan Voss was standing with a group of students and his clothes were still wet from the rain. He had blood on his hands from a fight.
The room was huge with floors and glowing lines on them. There were statues of people who had finished their training and they looked like they were in a lot of pain. The light in the room was cold and white. It made everyones veins stand out.
Elara Voss was standing a few feet away from Nathan. She looked very angry. She was wearing robes and her hair was silver. She had watched the person being dragged away without showing any emotion. Now she was looking at Nathan with disgust.
"You are filthy " she said loudly. "They take people from the places and expect us to train with them."
Nathan turned to her. Smiled. "Be careful what you say " he said. "Someone might think you are not as strong as you seem." He tapped his neck, where his pulse was beating fast. ". Maybe you are just scared that one of us will do something you cannot stop."
Some of the students laughed nervously. Elaras face did not change,. The air around her got colder. Small snowflakes appeared in the air between them. "You are very bold " she said. ". You will probably be dead by the end of the week. What is your name so I can avoid you?"
"My name is Nathan Voss " he replied, trying to sound polite. "And do not worry I can clean myself up. Especially after I have eaten well."
Before Elara could say anything Professor Vesper Kane stepped forward. She was tall. Looked mean with sharp eyes and red lips. Everyone in the room straightened up when she appeared. Nathan felt like she was looking at him closely like she was trying to figure him out.
" Talking " Vesper said, her voice smooth but cold. "You are not from the streets or from families anymore. You are students of the Arcane Citadel. Here the only thing that matters is your power. If you are strong you will take what you want. If you are weak you will be used."
She waved her hand. Some older students came over to give out metal collars. "Wear these at all times " she said. "They will track your power. Punish you if you try to use it without permission."
Nathan took his collar. Put it on bowing dramatically. The metal was cold. It started to glow against his skin. He felt a surge of pain. He hid it behind a joke. "This is very comfortable " he said. "I feel right at home."
Vesper smiled thinly. "You should not make jokes " she said. ". I do enjoy watching you try to be funny." She turned to the group. "Your first test is in one hour. You will fight each other in the arena. The goal is to show that you can control your power. If you win you will get rewards. If you lose you will have to train with me "
The students started to get nervous and talk to each other. Nathan stayed quiet watching everyone. He saw a man with scars on his face who looked like he had been in a lot of fights. The man caught his eye. Nodded, like they were both in on a secret.
Then the time was up. The students were called to the arena. Nathans name was. He had to fight Elara.
The arena was a pit with seats all around it where the older students and teachers could watch. The floor was marked with lines. There were barriers to stop people from escaping.
Elara took off her robe. Showed off her athletic body. She was already covered in frost. She looked very angry. Nathan just rolled his shoulders. Grinned. "Well this is fun " he said. "I get to fight the ice queen on my day. Try not to hurt me much okay?"
Elara just snapped at him. The air got even colder. She threw a bunch of ice shards at him. Nathan had to dodge. One of the shards cut his arm. He felt a surge of pain.. He also felt a surge of power because he could take Elaras energy for himself.
He grinned at her. Pulled on her energy again. Elara looked shocked and angry. She charged at him. Nathan blocked her attack. Pulled on her energy some more. He could feel her power flowing into him. It felt amazing.
Elara was strong. Nathan was stronger. He tackled her to the ground and for a moment they were pressed together. Nathan could feel all of her veins pulsing with energy. It was tempting.
"Get off me " Elara growled,. Her voice was not as cold as before. Nathan leaned in close. Whispered in her ear "You like it when someone touches you don't you?"
Elaras knee came up and hit him in the leg and Nathan rolled away laughing. The crowd was. Shouting and Vespers voice cut through the noise. "Enough " she said. "Nathan Voss your technique is strange. Interesting. Come see me after this is over so we can talk about it."
Elara glared at Nathan. He just grinned back at her. "I'll try not to touch you " he said. ". No promises."
The rest of the fights were boring, with the strong students beating up the ones. Nathan watched carefully trying to learn something. He saw how the students used their power. He saw what they did wrong. He was already planning his move.
When the session was over Jax "Breaker" Malone walked up to Nathan near the exit. He was wiping grease from his hands. The man was big. Easily six and a half feet tall. His body had a lot of scars and faded Essence tattoos all over it. His voice was very deep.
"Not bad for someone " he said. "Most kids from the streets do not last long against a Voss. You did something to her did not you?"
Nathan shrugged. He was trying to act casual even though his body was hurting a lot. "Maybe " he said. "What is your name, guy? Should I just call you 'the wall that talks?"
"My name is Jax Malone " he said. "People call me Breaker in maintenance. I have seen a lot of people like you come and go. Most of them end up in a place." Jax looked up at the observation deck where Vesper was still watching.
"Be careful around Kane " he said. "She likes to collect people.. That woman with silver hair? She is from House Voss. They do not forgive people who insult them or touch them in a way."
Nathan laughed quietly. "I will remember that " he said. "Thanks for the welcome Breaker."
Jax made a noise. Put his heavy hand on Nathans shoulder. It hurt a lot. Made the Vein Burn feel worse. "Do not thank me yet kid " he said. "You just made yourself a target. Welcome to the Citadel."
As Jax walked away Nathan felt the collar around his neck get a little tighter. This was a warning from the monitoring runes. His body was still. The cold Essence he took from Elara was mixing with his own in a strange way. It was making his skin feel funny.
He walked to Professor Vesper Kanes rooms like he was told to. The hallways were getting quieter and more fancy. The marble floors turned into velvet curtains and dark alcoves that smelled like incense and old blood.
Vespers door opened before Nathan could knock. She was standing inside with her robes a little undone. She had a glass of wine in her hand and she was smiling in a bad way.
"Come in Initiate Voss " she said. "We need to talk about your veinwork.. Maybe we can see how much control you have."
Nathan walked inside. The door closed behind him with a soft click. The room was very fancy. There were silk sheets on a bed and ritual tools laid out on velvet. There were also glowing restraints hanging from the walls. Vesper looked at Nathans body paying attention to the glowing runes of Vein Burn on his neck.
"Take off your clothes " she said quietly. "Lets see what you took tonight and how much you can handle before you get hurt."
Nathan laughed in a way as he started to take off his shirt. "Yes Professor " he said. "But be careful. I might fight back."
The test was going to be a lot more personal, painful and revealing than any fight, in the arena.