Lukas woke up with terror and panic in his heart. Slamming into that tree, his car must have been totalled. Was he okay? He had to call 911. He had to call Aeva! She must have been worried sick. Where was his phone…? Where… wait.

What?

Where was he?

Why was it dark? Did he go blind? Why couldn’t he move?

Well… he could move a little… but there was this hard wall of sorts all around him. It curved and circled him, from what he could tell. He couldn’t break it, either. No matter how hard he tried it wouldn’t budge.

If he listened very carefully there were sounds outside the wall. It sounded like voices, but they were so muffled by the wall that he couldn’t understand a word they said. Maybe they were EMT?

He tried to call out to them but all that came out was a high-pitched squeak that bounded off the walls surrounding him and felt so loud. They could hear him, though! They stopped talking for a moment when he did that.

They started to talk again in more hushed voices, making it almost impossible to even hear them from where he was.

What the hell was that squeak, anyway? Was his throat damaged? Inside wherever this was felt damp… was it blood? Was he dying? Was that why they hushed their voices? They didn’t want him to panic or worry and so they were quieter?

No… impossible. That was the only logical answer but it felt off. He felt like something was on the edge of his memory. Something else happened, but he didn’t know what. Would he have to add concussion to the list of possible injuries? Lukas tried to take deep breaths to calm down. Panicking only made things worse.

He could hear his heartbeat loud and clear. It sounded… panicked… but at least it meant he had a pulse.

Hours passed but there was no change. He only felt as though he was being moved once, but that they moved the walls itself with him in it. There were no sounds of cars or of an ambulance, and he was put back down shortly. How was it so easy to lift all this? He was a full grown man, and strange curved walls couldn’t be easy to lift with him in tow.

So… an injury was out of the question. Maybe this was a dream? Dreams could be very strange, and this fit the bill for strange.

He tried to calm his breathing again for the billionth time. It only helped a little, but what else was he supposed to do? This didn’t feel like a dream. And if he realized it was a dream wasn’t he supposed to be able to control it or something? Fat chance of that happening, it seemed.

Lukas started counting elements to pass the time. Yes, he was a nerd. He loved science a little too much sometimes. It wasn’t just his job, but his passion.

Hydrogen… Helium… Lithium… Beryllium…

Technetium… Ruthenium… Rhodium…

Tennessine… and Oganesson

Well, that kind of helped. He was now more bored than panicked, so that was better. Time to go again but list the atomic numbers and mass? Why not?

One, Hydrogen, 1.008. Two, Helium, 4.0026. Three…

…

Two mages stood in a large office lined with hefty, filled bookcases. On the desk sat a magic crystal, and beside it, a colorful silvery egg about the size of an emu’s sat atop a pillow for support. The two mages, both young girls, were arguing over it.

“Whatever it is, it’s alive,” the first huffed, her red hair a short buzz cut and skin a light pale blue, partially obscured by her tan cloak’s hood. Her golden eyes, just barely visible, were slit like a cat’s and glittered in the light, “We’ve checked… plus it just made a sound so it’s not really a question anymore. It’s draconic in nature, but gives off chaotic energy like a fae.”

“Faerie dragons don’t hatch out of eggs,” the second one replied, her hair also red, but a lighter shade and in a curly ponytail down to her ass. She, too, had a cloak on, but hers was purple with gold trim - a sign of importance. Her skin was a light peach tone, and her ears were clearly pointed. A high elf.

“No duh,” the first replied, “but it feels that way, so I don’t know what to tell you.”

“Mind your manners, Koetta. You feel comfortable, but I’m still your superior,” the second sighed, folding her arms, “We don’t know what it is yet. We just need to run more tests. Let the Sapphire class know of this development. The teacher and his class will deal with the testing. It needs to be handled with care. We don’t want to crack this egg - I want to see what’s going to hatch, and so will the Headmistress.”

“Sorry… you’re right, Lady Sar. Not just that, but everyone’s going to be interested once they hear about it. Teachers and students alike. What are we paying the adventurer who found the egg and turned it in?”

Lady Sar toyed with her ponytail, bringing it around to the front. It matched her pinkish, glittering eyes. Unlike Koetta’s, they were not slit. She sighed softly, “They must realize it’s somewhat important given our reactions… so we cannot underpay. Offer them a meal and a book from the library if they read. If they cannot, then offer them a satchel of coin.”

“Understood.”

…

The adventurer in question was a young man who was leaning against a stone pillar in a large courtyard. In the middle of this courtyard sat a floating, blue orb that water flowed from - magic. People with various skin tones from purple to black to peach and even green walked around in robes of various colors; leathery tan, sapphire blue, mint green, a couple maroon red, and a couple various shades of purple here and there. Teachers were distinguishable from the others with black robes. No one looked to be old. Even the teachers were all at their peak.

The adventurer was dressed entirely differently, however. He had on simple clothes with no cloak, and an axe at his hip. His short black hair and deep purple, almost black eyes were equally unimpressive and immemorable. Nothing was particularly special about him. Even his dim purple skin and slim figure was typical for a drow.

Koetta approached him, her hood now down, which showed off her pointed ears, though they were much shorter than Lady Sar’s or the man’s. “Col, right?” she called out, smiling sweetly, a well trained customer service sort of smile, “Thank you so much for the interesting find. You said you found it in a nearby dungeon?”

He nodded, “Correct and correct.”

Not a man of many words, was he? That was more than fine. It was even pretty common for solo adventurers. She just nodded and continued to smile, “Wonderful. It’s an odd find, so we’ll make sure to reward you for it. Do you by chance know how to read?”

That garnered a smirk, “Yes, I do.”

Still few words… okay then. Koetta motioned toward the library, “We would be more than happy to offer you a few books of your choosing for your assistance. If that’s not to your liking, then perhaps a bit of coinage, instead?”

“Books sound fine.”

“Wonderful,” she said, starting to walk, “Before then, allow me to offer you a meal, on the behalf of Msavii Academy. As a center for research, we always welcome new and interesting items.”

He grinned, clearly entertained, though she could not see it as her back was turned, “I’d love a meal.”