Soren sat in the middle of the Arcane Archives like a man awaiting trial.
Which, to be fair, he basically was.
Kael stood behind him like a silent bodyguard.
Lira sat beside him like a supportive emotional anchor.
Aldric leaned against a shelf like he was waiting for Soren to faint again so he could say "pathetic."
The fox sat in Soren's lap, glowing faintly, chirping in soft reassurance.
Soren whispered, "I hate this place."
The fox chirped.
Arcturus, Seraphine, and Veylan stood around a large table covered in ancient tomes, glowing diagrams, and enough magical paperwork to make Soren want to run into the forest and live as a hermit.
Arcturus cleared his throat. "We need to discuss next steps."
Soren screamed. "NO. NO NEXT STEPS. I DON'T WANT STEPS. I WANT TO GO BACK TO BED."
Aldric muttered, "You're not allowed."
Soren threw a quill at him. "STOP TALKING."
The Academy's Panic Meeting Begins
Seraphine placed a scroll on the table. "We have three possible courses of action."
Soren screamed. "THREE?! WHY ARE THERE THREE. WHY CAN'T THERE BE ONE. WHY CAN'T THE ONE BE 'IGNORE IT AND HOPE IT GOES AWAY.'"
Veylan snorted. "Because it won't."
Soren pointed at him. "YOU'RE NOT HELPING."
Kael placed a hand on his shoulder. "Just listen."
"I DON'T WANT TO LISTEN."
"You have to."
"I WON'T."
"You will."
"I WON'T."
"You will."
Aldric muttered, "Both of you stop."
Lira squeezed Soren's hand. "We're with you."
Soren whimpered. "I hate this place."
Option One: Containment (Soren Hates It)
Seraphine read from the scroll:
"Option One: Full containment. Soren remains under constant supervision. Daily scans. Restricted movement. No missions. No training."
Soren screamed. "I'M ALREADY DOING THAT. I'M ALREADY GROUNDED. I'M ALREADY A PRISONER. WHY IS THIS AN OPTION."
Seraphine continued, "This would last indefinitely."
Soren screamed louder. "INDEFINITELY?! NO. NO. I REFUSE. I'M NOT LIVING IN A MAGICAL CAGE FOREVER."
Aldric shrugged. "Could be worse."
"HOW."
"You could be dead."
Soren threw a bookmark at him. "STOP TALKING."
Kael murmured, "It's not ideal."
Lira whispered, "It's not fair."
Soren clutched the fox. "I hate this place."
Option Two: Extraction (Soren REALLY Hates It)
Veylan stepped forward. "Option Two: Extraction."
Soren froze. "WHAT DOES THAT MEAN."
Veylan answered, "We attempt to remove Rhyxos from your body."
Soren screamed. "NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. I DON'T WANT ANYTHING REMOVED FROM MY BODY. I LIKE MY ORGANS WHERE THEY ARE."
Seraphine clarified, "It would be a magical extraction."
Soren screamed louder. "MAGICAL EXTRACTION SOUNDS WORSE."
Kael frowned. "Is it safe?"
Veylan shrugged. "Probably not."
Soren threw a scroll at him. "STOP TALKING."
Lira's eyes widened. "He could die."
Aldric muttered, "Or explode."
Soren threw another scroll at him. "STOP TALKING."
Arcturus added, "Extraction is extremely dangerous. And likely impossible."
Soren collapsed. "I hate this place."
Option Three: Integration (Soren Hates It the Most)
Arcturus placed a hand on the table. "Option Three: Integration."
Soren blinked. "What does that mean."
Arcturus answered calmly:
"You learn to control Rhyxos."
Soren screamed. "NO. NO. NO. I DON'T WANT TO CONTROL ANYTHING. I CAN'T EVEN CONTROL MY PANIC."
Kael's eyes widened. "Integration… that's advanced."
Lira whispered, "It's risky."
Aldric smirked. "It's interesting."
Soren threw a quill at him. "STOP TALKING."
Seraphine continued, "Integration would require training. Constant supervision. And cooperation from Rhyxos."
Soren screamed. "HE DOESN'T COOPERATE. HE YELLS IN MY SOUL."
Veylan added, "He may not want to be controlled."
Soren clutched his hair. "I HATE THIS PLACE."
The fox nuzzled him.
The Debate (Soren Suffers)
Arcturus looked at the instructors. "We must choose."
Seraphine said, "Containment is safest."
Veylan said, "Extraction is necessary."
Aldric said, "Integration is fun."
Soren screamed. "STOP CALLING MY TRAUMA FUN."
Kael stepped forward. "Integration gives him agency."
Lira nodded. "And a chance to survive."
Soren blinked. "SURVIVE?! WHY IS SURVIVAL A FACTOR."
Kael sighed. "Because extraction might kill you."
Soren screamed. "I HATE THIS PLACE."
The Decision
Arcturus raised a hand.
Silence fell.
"Vale," he said, "the academy has decided."
Soren squeaked. "Decided what."
Arcturus answered:
"You will begin integration training."
Soren screamed. "NO. NO. I REFUSE. I'M NOT INTEGRATING ANYTHING. I'M NOT BECOMING FRIENDS WITH A COSMIC EYEBALL."
Arcturus continued, "Training begins tomorrow."
Soren screamed louder. "TOMORROW?!"
Kael placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll help you."
Lira nodded. "Every step."
Aldric smirked. "This will be entertaining."
Soren threw a book at him. "STOP TALKING."
The fox chirped.
The symbol on Soren's chest pulsed.
Softly.
Slowly.
Like it was listening.
And waiting.