Chapter 8

The oddity of the interplay between the two women was, well, odd. Dory looked no older than 25 or maybe 35. It was hard to tell, really, from one moment to the next depending solely on her temperament. But mostly, it was almost as though she had aged to her peak and stopped—flawless dark cream colored skin with not a hint of imperfection.

In the interplay, her voice was that of a displeased deity. Her words voiced with a certainty that put any paltry general to shame. Confidence that all would obey her. Then she switches back to this 25-year-old aged grandmother. It was very confusing.

She couldn't get a read on these people. Tess was also similar. Both young and old. The budding friendship between them giving Layla a sense of kinship. She had never had a female companion before. If you were to ask Layla how old Tess was, she would guess 20 ish at the most. Close to her age. Yet Layla could never truly see herself defying Dory like Tess just did. Not under that absolute stare.

Atom was clearly up to something that he wasn't supposed to be. It fit his sketch personality. On the other hand, Tess didn't lie about it, but how did she know what Atom wanted. Weird was the only way she could define it. It was almost as though he was speaking through her. Deciding that it was just something she would need to ask Tess about later, that list was growing, she considered Dory's question.

What did she really know about Nexus? It was old, from the origin plane. That in itself was saying something. The first plane of existence, the model upon which all others had been birthed. She had no clue who created the other planes, much less how they were created.

Who created the first one, for that matter? The Mantles?

She didn't know. Had never really considered it. She assumed the Mantles created everything. That was beside the point. Nexus was from the first, the origin. It was very elite and always produced a competitive team for AAC. She only knew that much because of Jogen always asking her to look things up during the matches.

Brushing a strand of hair back behind her ear and ignoring the pang in her heart, she said, "I only know what I've read on the planar forums, and the AAC matches of course. Nexus Academy is an elite ascendent school. It's located on the planet Nexus in the origin plane."

Dory smiled, "Good, so you do know about it. Do you know what an Ascendant Academy is exactly?"

"It's an institution where you learn the secrets of becoming an Ascendant?" Layla's voice formed the statement as a question. She assumed that was what it was, but who knows really. She knew that you certainly become powerful if you attended the Academies. The AAC matches were full of physical feats beyond that of a mere mortal. Movements so fast that they couldn't be tracked with the naked eye. Strikes that turned stone to dust.

"Quite right child. The Ascendant Academies are where the bright and gifted of the current generation attempt to become Ascendant's. You know that there are different steps or phases to Ascension. Not everyone can achieve the pinnacle."

"I wasn't aware of that. I'd always assumed that if you had the knowledge then you could become Ascendant."

Dory nodded in understanding, "It's a common misconception child. I don't want to bore you with the details because you will get plenty of them in the future but let's just say there is a tower. There are those who stand at the top of this tower and there are those who are still climbing. Not everyone can climb to the top even though we all start at the bottom."

That made sense to Layla. Not everyone could be the best at something. There were plenty of things she had tried her hand at yet would never be a master of, even with multiple lifetimes of practice. Her ability to draw was one of those things. Anything beyond stick figures, and she might as well be scribbling lines on a piece of paper. But what does that have to do with her? It wasn't like she could ever afford to go to one of those academies, and she said as much.

"This is interesting and all but what does that have to do with me."

"Well Layla I just so happen to be over the admissions committee this year at Nexus. I wanted to offer you a spot."

Layla snorted, "You want to offer me a spot at the most prestigious academy in all the planes of existence?" She could barely make rent in a slum apartment.

Dory smiled, twirling a little bit of her black and silver locks with her hand. Layla didn't like that look. It smelled like a trap.

As though she was reading Layla like a book Dory replied, "A full scholarship, and all expenses paid, of course. I couldn't very well offer you a spot and not make sure you're taken care of."

Layla's mouth fell open. She had looked into what it cost to enter a low-tier Academy. Partly out of curiosity and partly in hopes she could get Jogen to shut up about it. The number of credits was humbling. She had never had the heart to tell Jogen once she found out the unreachable cost. Now she never would. The thought was disjointing. The tea had done wonders to her mind, but the ache was there. Just waiting for her each time she thought of him. The only family she had left in the world. Lost.

She was alone.

Tess was a new friend, but she didn't know where that would go. Honestly, she didn't know where she was even going herself. Layla hadn't given it much thought. Her mind hadn't been clear enough to consider it. She couldn't return to Golar. Nothing was left for her there. The slate that held her potential answers about her parents was undoubtedly gone. Most likely unattainable if not just outright destroyed by their exit from the city.

Was the Nexus offer a good step? She didn't know. Now that she thought about it, she had never made any big decision on her own. Jogen really had been the brains of the duo. She smiled at that.

Twitch, you bastard, you aren't here anymore, and you're still annoying me.

Layla needed her best friend. Her big brother. Why hadn't she told him how much she cared about him? How she thought of him as family. It had never seemed important at the time. He had just been Jogen. The ever-smiling schemer. He always had a plan. Layla just followed along, only interjecting when his harebrained ideas were just too ridiculous. She never realized just how much she had depended on him—her big brother, maybe not by blood, but certainly by choice.

Dory spoke again, the statement startling her out of her thoughts. She ran a hand through her hair collecting herself. She didn’t realize Dory had kept talking, "I'm sorry what did you say again."

"That's quite alright child. I'm sure it has been some time since you've been clear of mind. I was just stating that if you choose to go then that won't be an issue. I won't force it on you, Layla. It has to be your choice."

What would Jogen say about this offer? He'd probably scream at me to take it no matter the cost. But what's the angle here? She knows my situation. She knows I'm vulnerable. She gave me the tea, which only helped me think more clearly. She could have just as easily not given it and manipulated me into going, or commanded me to, for that matter. I couldn't stop her from doing anything. But she didn't. That's certainly a point in her favor. Still, I think that caution is prudent in this situation.

Nothing is free, and Layla knew it wasn't about to start now. Especially not with a god who has an agenda.

"And the catch?" Layla said. She was sure there had to be one.

"The catch, the hook, the angle," Dory's hands forming quotes in the air for each phrase. "The price." She smiled and gave an exaggerated shrug of her shoulders. "It's quite simple child. You have to survive. I won't play coy with you Layla. Nexus or any ascendent Academy for that matter, is not for the faint of heart." Dory started reaching up and twisting the ringlets of her hair faster. Plainly unconscious of the tic. Or at least Layla thought.

"What I'm offering you is a chance to become part of the school. You see, the admissions committee only selects the potentials."

"What do you mean, you only select potentials? Like, if I got a spot at the Academy. I still might not keep it?"

Dory smiled knowingly, eyes shining in delight, "That is correct, we only select potential's. That doesn't mean you will actually become a student." Dory gestured with her free hand as she continued to speak, "Money, power, influence, these things can get you a spot as a potential. Now, to become a neophyte, you must make it through your Agoge Trial or AT as it is commonly know." Dory placed her elbow on the armrest of her chair and propped the side of her face on it as she continued to speak. "Very few make it through AT. We try to only pick the best but the attrition rate is sixty plus percent in a strong crop. Most of those drop out in the first two days. The rest either die or eventually become to broken mentally to continue by the end."

"Do they torture you or something? Because that sounds pretty intense.”

"I told you that it wasn't for the faint of heart."

"You just told me people die." Layla said deadpan.

"The training required to reach the top is perilous.” Dory said with a shrug. “The normal rules of civility don't apply. But with hard work, indomitable will power, and with a sharp mind, you can achieve greatness."

"So the catch is that I have to put in effort. Sure I might die but I already assumed that was possible just from what I know about AAC. That's not a catch." Layla affected an imitation of Dory's voice, "Child the catch for this priceless, once in a lifetime shot at infinite power and immortal life is… that you will have to work hard, be strong of mind, and clever," Dory grinned at Layla's antics. Layla grinned back. "You ma'am, are so full of it. Did you pull that out of a holo flick?"

Layla balked internally. Why had she just said that? This was a deity. A member of the Council. This woman was very good and making her feel comfortable. Layla decided whatever, that was just what she would do then.

The smile never left Dory's face as she replied, "Maybe, and so what if I did. I'm not lying either. I want to help you. I want to give you this chance. It's dangerous and yes you could die if you don't stay on your toes so to speak. I won't ask for anything in return. That, I can promise you."

Hummoring her, Layla said, "Fine, so I would have to pass AT," Thinking aloud, her gaze unfocused as she puzzled through what the trial might be," A weed out initiation thing, I'm guessing? Or maybe a bootcamp."

"You're mostly correct. Only the worthy can carry the Nexus name. Ascendants are functionally immortal. That's a long time to be associated with an Academy. The Agoge is only the first in a long line of Trials that you must complete while you are enrolled just to retain your spot. The faculty will reveal the details when you are there." Dory said as she stood up and made her way back over to her desk.

Things such as that wouldn't change the advantage that money, power, and influence had on potentials prior to starting. Layla was confident about that, but it would take care of those just trying to buy their way into the school.

I like that. Something that can even the playing field. The challenge is surviving. That is something I've had plenty of experience doing. If the AT has a physical portion, which I'm confident it does. I will fare poorly. That's my weakest area. I'd need to work on that. Wait, what did she just say?

"While I'm there? When I'm there?" Layla said, arching an eyebrow causing Dory to chuckle.

"I can see it in your face, child. You're going to accept." Dory picked up her slate, walked around her desk to an oversized comfortable-looking chair, and sat.

Layla needed to think. She stood up and walked around to the back of the couch Tess and she had been seated on. The back was the perfect height.

Falling forward with her waist on the backrest, Layla hung there.

"Layla are you… uhm, okay?" Tess said hesitantly.

Layla replied in a muffled voice, "I’m ine, ust inking."

Was she going to accept? Layla couldn't think of a lot of reason to say no. She knew there was more to the offer. Most likely some unfathomable angle only a kajillion year old god-like being could come up with. But… did it matter. The reward at the end was more than just power. More than just immortality. It was true freedom. The ability to do whatever she wanted. Thoughts of going back to Golar and crushing the Praxis sect sending jolts of pure happiness in her center.

Yeah, she was going to accept, if only for that fact alone. The process sounds ruthless, though. That was fine too. She did enjoy testing herself. She always had. Sure she loved taking the easy way as well. Who wouldn't take a shortcut if they knew how? Lords, she knew so much about procrastinating effectively after Atom’s book that she was confident she could do this and maintain her sanity.

Okay, her mind was rambling now. Too much blood to the head. Pushing herself upright again. She attempted to fix her messy hair but quickly gave up. The people around her were so ridiculously perfect-looking that she did not know why she even bothered.

Layla jumped in surprise when she noticed Dory standing next to her. She held out a black envelope with a feline-like head wearing a familiar plumed helmet stamped into golden wax.

She took the envelope, "Is that some type of Mantle thing? The helmet I mean."

"It is," Dory said with a kind smile.

"But why this symbol?" Layla rubbed her finger over the impression.

"If you ever see a Mantle unleash their power then you will understand. But fortunately that rarely happens. Now, come child, Atom should be on his way here as we speak. I'll need to bully him a bit and it's not proper for a follower to see such things." Dory guided Layla to the door. "Tess dear, do you mind looking after Layla while I deal with the shirker."

"Of course, may I have authorization to shift? I'd like to take Layla to the shops out in the outer rings of the city. Given the mood Atom is in right now. I doubt he will give us time to walk there and back." Tess said as she strolled up beside Layla.

"That's fine dear. Just send me the request. Now Layla," Dory patted Layla on the shoulder. "I'll be giving Atom instructions on your training prior to the start of class. Tess will make sure he doesn't added it to that list he's always going on about and does what he's supposed to do. Good luck child. You need to get up to speed. Train hard. I hope to see you at Induction once the AT is complete." Dory smiled and turned back towards her desk but paused. "Oh I almost forgot. This is for you too." She waved her hand, and a small package appeared with a sealed letter on the top. "This is a tea set with several of my favorite blends. I think they may be of some small use to you in the future. The letter at the top is instructions on how to prepare them." Layla took the package thanking Dory before Tess, and she walked out the office door.

"Looks like we got approval. What do you say to a therapy shopping spree?" Tess said excitedly. Layla smiled at her friend's enthusiasm.

"I've actually never been on a shopping spree before. Not a legal one anyway. I don't have any credits though."

"Oh, don't worry about that. We will just spend Atom's. That's why it's therapeutic." Tess said with a mischievous wink.