It was 5 in the morning and all the lights were off, but Caelum was still awake staring at the ceiling lost in thought. At exactly 7 am Caelum, Leon and some other kids would be sent outside to collect resources, primarily food, for the camp.

What they brought back would decide if they were let back in or left to fend for themselves. Looking to his right he saw that Leon was sleeping, a gentle snore escaping his lips.

The welcoming they had received the past few days had been amazing. Caelum was not one to socialize intensively but he had still enjoyed being around others and not fearing for his life.

He was the most comfortable he had been since all hell had broken loose on the school. Even now the sheets and makeshift pillows he was lying on were much better than falling asleep on the floor in a janitor’s office.

Still staring at Leon, he let out a soft sigh. All of this would be stripped from them if they could not find resources.

It was raining outside still he thought as his mind wandered. Nonstop since the very first day. Today was the sixth day, and Caelum swore he would fight to see the next.

As he was thinking he saw Atlas crawl out from under Leon’s arms and stare directly at him. Giving him a look as if he were admonishing him for still being awake.

With a huff, he turned on his side and closed his eyes hoping that 7 am would never come.

*

7 am did come and Caelum was not in a happy mood. As he rubbed his forehead, he wished he had gone to bed sooner. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Atlas staring at him.

Sighing he mumbled “Yea, yea I know.”

“You sure you’re good to go man? Leon said as he put on his clothes. “Yea I’m just going to head over to the showers really quick Caelum responded.

With that, he took a shower in the locker rooms, after making sure no one else was in there. After a quick dry and putting his rogue outfit back on he saw Leon and some other students at the gymnasium doors and joined them.

Small talk was occurring between the students talking about mundane things, no one talking about what was soon to take place. Just as people were starting to get impatient and the talking was dying down Mr. Lopez arrived.

Behind him were around 10 students all with short swords at their waist. After looking at the small group of students Mr. Lopez said “Good morning everyone. I hope everyone had a good night’s rest.

After a short pause, he continued. “I know a lot of you aren’t happy with this situation but it's for the best.”

As he continued his speech, Caelum noticed something strange from the corner of his eye. A student, who had been very critical of Mr. Lopez’s decision the past few days was clutching at his throat.

Just as Caelum was about to point it out to Leon, a strange feeling overcame him. Suddenly it didn’t seem so important anymore and he quickly dismissed the strange event he had just seen.

Averting his attention back to the impromptu speech he caught the last few words. “We will survive as long as we work together, and with that, Mr. Lopez left.

Many of the students began to clap, even Caelum. He knew they had to do this; it was only right that they contributed to the group otherwise they would all die here.

After Mr. Lopez left the ten kids pulled the doors open and escorted the rest of the students out. Once all of them were outside they began to close the doors but right before the doors completely closed a certain black cat leaped through the small gap left.

The shock on his face evident Caelum quickly scooped Atlas up. Leon scooted closer to Caelum and whispered, “I thought we agreed to leave Atlas behind just in case anything went wrong?”

“Yea I thought so too but I guess he decided he didn’t care what we thought Caelum replied as he stared at the cat cuddling up in his arms.

He wouldn’t admit it, but he was happy Atlas had come along anyway, he felt safer with him coming along.

Still staring at Atlas, he looked up at the sound of an authoritative voice. Samantha, the girl who spoke up at the meeting with Mr. Lopez was gathering the attention of the students.

“Everyone, I know a place where we can easily get some food.” With that, she quickly had everyone’s attention.

“Look we all know the vending machines right by the cafeteria? Well after I asked around, no one has been able to reach the cafeteria or the vending machines near them.”

She then brought out a white translucent orb the size of her palm from her backpack. Focusing on the orb Caelum was able to learn what it was.

[Orb of Detection]- With enough focus, one can find anything they have set their mind on through the mana sensing abilities of the orb. (Limited in range)

“With this, I can sense where monsters are so we can avoid them and get to the cafeteria safely.”

It didn’t take long for everyone to agree to her plan and soon they all set off.

As they were walking Leon started to talk to Caelum. “Wow that item seems really cool, I wonder how she got it?”

“However, she did get it, she purposely left out. Did you see how quickly she brushed over it Caelum whispered back.

“Yea but I mean it’s the safest way for us to avoid monsters Leon responded. Caelum nodded in agreement; it was better than just wandering around.

Quickly taking a peek at Samantha he looked at her level.

[Samantha Herrera- Mage Lv4]

She was holding onto the orb with her eyes closed leading the group. The inside of the orb was swirling with a white mist. Even with her eyes closed she was walking perfectly taking random detours and turnarounds at times.

After around thirty minutes of walking and taking many… many detours they arrived at the double doors to the cafeteria.

Opening her eyes, Samantha was sweating heavily and slumped to the floor. After a few seconds, she turned to the other kids behind her and said “What are you waiting for? We’re here and the vending machines are untouched. We hit the jackpot.”

With a smile, she turned back around. With that, the kids looked around and ran straight to the machines. People started bringing out rocks, swords, daggers whatever they had, and breaking the glass screens of the vending machines.

Once the screens were broken, they began to shove the food into their backpacks. Caelum started to turn to Leon and said, “Well let’s go!”

As they began to fill their bags Caelum started to feel unsettled. Getting nervous he went and tried to get to Leon, but the excitement of finding so much food created chaos by the machines.

Finally getting closer he grabbed Leon’s shoulder, turned him around and yelled over all the noise “WE’RE IN DANGER!”

The noise and static in his head were getting louder when a roar broke through all the noise.

For a few seconds everyone became quiet and no one made a move.

Samantha stood up and grabbed the orb and closed her eyes. After a few seconds, she said “We need to go NOW!”

Samantha then closed her eyes again and started running down the opposite hallway they had come from with the orb in tow.

All the students began to follow, tripping over themselves to follow her, their backpacks full of junk food and drinks.

Caelum started to go off after them but without a word, Leon grabbed his hand. With a quick yank, he opened the cafeteria doors and rushed inside with Caelum closing the doors behind them.

Caleum started to yell in protest when he remembered the incoming monster. Glaring at Leon he squatted down and put his ear against the door. Another earth-shaking roar sounded out and he knew it was the draugr that both he and Leon had run from a few days ago.

After a few seconds, he heard the footsteps fade into the direction the other students had run from. After waiting a little longer, he turned to Leon and said, “We need to leave before another monster finds us.”

“Yea but we’re in the cafeteria right now! Who knows when we’re going to have a better chance at getting real food?”

Caelum looked at him and said, “ok but we can’t stay too long.”

Leon nodded in agreement and they both turned to enter deeper into the cafeteria when they saw three people a few feet away.

Above their heads floated the words.

[William Woods- Mage Lv2]

[Camellia Morales- Mage Lv3]

[Ashely Khatri- Archer Lv2]

Seconds passed and William spoke up “Caelum?”

[Initiation event- 39:17:29:45 left till completion]