Anaïs went back to the first classroom, asking one question.
"Have you decided?"
Melisa raised her hand.
"It will be me."
"Follow me then."
Then on the second one.
"Have you decided?"
Theigon raised his hand.
"I'll move forward."
"Follow me then."
On to the third one.
June raised her hand.
"It's me."
"Follow me then."
And on the fourth one, she asked all of them except Ashnael to join her. They all walked down the stairs, which seeemed almost infinite to arrive at two doors on the front. Anaïs looked at them for a second to see their reaction and opened the doors to a regular school hallway, but larger, with barely any light.
"Where are we, Anaïs? I think we deserve some explanation."
"You will have all the explanation you need in due time, Ismael. Let's go for now."
"It looks like this entire place was abandonned thousands of years ago, it's so...terrifyingly silent. Not even the echo of the souls of those who used to live here. Not a sound."
"We used to live here. For a while. After all, I was born in Perseus anyway."
"Please...no more classroom", June let out, quivering.
"Don't worry, young one. The final test is here."
A girl of approximately five foot three appeared in the far distance, with a long black ponytail and a black jacket falling off the shoulers, arms crossed and strong stance. Anaïs raises her right arm to make sure the group won't step any further.
"Are you bringing more people to their death?"
"This is of my own will. And their own. They've made their choice already."
"Volucina tova. Then I'll release this one. Stand, Genova."
Genova obeyed and made her presence known by walking out of the blacked out locker section on the right. The yellow eyes of hers, piercing the veil of the darkness.
"She doesn't even look slightly human anymore."
"I'll take care of them, Ruin. Thank you."
"We saw a few different marks this time. East side. He's defenitely closer than we would have hoped. And from what I'm gathering right now, you've even brought his son."
"I did my best. How's everyone?"
"Lost. What do you think. Everytime you leave this place it feels vacant, useless, empty."
"Vasistas? You can't live by your own?"
"You know damn well we can't. We've abandonned our humanity long ago, so when you leave, don't take too long."
"These are the final candidates anyway."
Anaïs looked back, the group scattering to let her see, alarmed.
"What a little mouse. Evading after gathering intel. Svaën."
They kept going regardless how many questions they had and with all of the uncertainty of the world, they all moved forward.
Ruin got close to Anaïs and whispered to her ear.
"Piper's lost it, she can't take it anymore, being here I mean. Either your new squad finds and kills him, or we will actually go through with the collective suicide pact. Sudune qui part."
"Understood. Give us a week. I'll send someone whenever I can if I need to update on something."
"Fanate."
The squad led by Anaïs crossed new doors, and expecting an atrocious feeling, they were met with a comforting ambience. It was like walking through an aquarium with no water around the glass, just a lot of greenerey and dirt. Some animals were passing by, looking and leaving.
Finally at the last set of doors protected by a spell, Anaïs presented the luxurious house in multiple floors, arms all the way up.
"Welcome to the Structure. Our last den."
"I hope you have extra beds", Amphelise sighed.
"We do. Make yourself at home."
Ismael threw himself on the couch, falling asleep in a mere twenty seconds. Melisa went to Anaïs who stood by the large windows on the left.
"Say. You perceived something that wasn't really there, right? Earlier."
"One of you. From Cressenie. I can' tell exactly who but it was...quite the youthful energy."
"We shouldn't be worried, then."
"You should. I closed the doors behind us with magic. Whoever was there passed those doors once and back. They couldn't pass those doors though, they are severely protected with ancient rites. But still, from anyone's perspective from behind the doors, the glassed windows would look completely distorted just like the larger external windows, this one for example", she said, touching the glass.
"So what's the threat?"
"Go take some rest, tomorrow morning you will all know what you need to know."
Melisa nodded gently and left, sitting with her legs on the side on the couch in front of Ismael.
"Funny. Long ago, I would have killed you on the spot. Now look at you, sleeping deeply, without a care in the world. What a man you are, Ismael. What a man you are."
Amphelise joined Alice in the first floor, rushing.
"Don't...be afraid, I...I know my demeanor is quite scary but..."
"I'd lie if I said I didn't just have a flight or fight response", Alice responded awkwardly, chuckling.
"Can I stay with you?"
"Sure. It's none of a problem to me."
They restew on a large bed upstairs, staring into each other's eyes.
"There's more to it, isn't it."
"I wanted a younger sister to take care of, like my own little daughter to protect. And now that Nerida is away, I have no one to hold on to."
"Maternal instinct?"
"From a Cardial, yes, I know. Pathetic."
"It's humble. It's human. Especially coming from a woman, it's the most normal and honorable thing. Don't worry."
Alice rolled on the bed once and Amphrlise caught her with her left arm, tears in her eyes.
"You can just take care of me, big sis. I feel safe with you."
Ismael woke up in cold sweats, Melisa, June and Anaïs running to him instantly.
"What's going on, Ismael?"
"There's something...something outside..."
"Here already? Damn it we don't have time. I'll debrief everyone here and now!"
"Anaïs, no it's...further than that. Beyond even Emova's cabin. The Garden White. Something is inside of it." Ismael opens his hand and closes it fast. "It's trapped. It won't go anywhere."
"Ismael...what is it?"
He closed his eyes and focused, focused, focused and...
"IT'S LOOKING RIGHT BACK AT ME."
"Turn your eyes, look away, close them!"
Ismael grabbed Melisa's hand, crossing fingers and he was relieved, finally.
"She can't see me anymore."
"Who was it?"
"No idea. But she's insane. Completely out of her mind, it was like staring in the eyes of a deep evil being.