August 19th, 3522

Tess had initially gaped with open awe when she arrived at the city of Santa Amaya, when she finally understood the true scale of the city. It was a modest arcology, though of a more modern variant rather than the less practical and flexible ten kilometer tall buildings of the 33rd century’s imagination.

The university had initially been carved out of a mountain, and over time as students and their families flocked to the city it grew and grew beyond the bounds of the university until the mountain and the city flowed into one another like they were one and the same. The city was tiered, a layered labyrinth of buildings up to a hundred stories tall, farm-scrapers and aggregations of interconnected skybridges brimming with plant life every which way imaginable, rooftops gardens and forests, and in between the urban sprawl were bands of natural forest and mountainous habitat.

The whole city was the same shade of stone as the multicolored mountain at its heart, like enormous rock pillars, skybridges every two stories forming a closed canopy of vegetation across the entire city. The sheer number of people… there had to be more than forty million, closer to forty five million. This was an arcology, where her entire town could vanish into just one of their hundred story residential buildings.

Santa Amaya… I recall eighty percent of its population are channelers. The Alliance has a population of six hundred billion, and one percent of that are channelers… which means…

“Fuck.” It meant just over point six percent of all of humanity’s channelers existed in a single city created just over sixty year ago by the founder’s families though most of the growth had been in the past thirty to forty years. The city was massive and Tess understood she was only seeing part of it even while seeing through the clear glass of a bullet train.

Modern cities were divided into three sections, the canopy, the highest region of the city where rooftop gardens and open planes of vegetation grow wild with the many green spaces home to all kinds of wildlife. She could even see some kangas and feral fly-cats roaming the city skyways. Below that was the jungle, the urban sprawl of grey and black with a dash of color and individuality from the residents, with shopping centers, apartments and restaurants carving their mark into the city down to the ‘ground’ of the city.

The final layer was the understory, enormous caverns had been dug out using a combination of technology and channeling. Like the eponymous subterrene which used melting penetrators, industrial lasers, nanomachine boring, and shimmer-field redactors using magnetic, gravitic and other effector fields to carefully process materials. A good amount of the work was done by earth channelers to open up the caverns, along with water channelers to process mud and cut through solid blocks of stone, with fire channelers providing electrical power.

It extended the urban environment, an architectural wonder with five times the floor space of the surface city. Kept bright and shining by an intricate network of solar panels, mirrors and light reflecting tubes through hundreds of billions of light emitting diodes. It was essentially an eternal day, with artificial lights mimicking the sun’s light. She had seen it during the ride on the maglev, it was a veritable and lively condensed form of the city above and was where the bulk of the city’s low-cost and high-efficiency housing can be found along with multiple shops and recreational places.

The number of spirits was beyond dense, there was an incalculable host behind the defenses of the city. Every spirit was loyal to the city, to the people around them. From the highest building-spirits to the most burlesque lust-spirits, it was like a damn world on its own, and it made Tess feel just a bit small. The city was one of the Crown Jewels of Terre, with over two hundred major universities and it was…

By the gods I still can’t believe it and I’m physically ‘in’ the city!

It had been fifteen minutes since she hopped on the maglev for about twenty five credits, which could buy her about three, maybe four candy bars. Which said a lot about the sheer scale of Santa Amaya, when the train was traveling at over four hundred kilometers per hour. The city was about two hundred kilometers in diameter, and was more or less one of the central hubs of Persha as a state.

Tess waited for a few breaths, as another minute ended with a stop warning for the train. The bullet train stopped within a matter of seconds, and a short moment later the doors opened up, with a flash of a violet dark energy field.

Thank the lords! Tess scrambled out of the densely packed train, and out into the expanse of the Cogito District. The city was like a huge terrace field, the entire city had been built out from the mountain, expanding it into a mountain range of hundred to three hundred story superstructures, with the core peak used to house the main defenses of the city. Four arches ran down the slope, and connected to the city, projecting a massive barrier and point defense system.

Gnomon College was built close to one of the arches, within what was more or less a city within a city, a circular array she couldn’t see much of from her vantage point at the very bottom of the world.

“Damn…”

The Gnomon College for Paracausal Studies’ campus consisted of a huge circular array of buildings, interconnected with walkways and skybridges, and various other pathways. The various departments were configured into college towns, and she was in awe at the sheer size of the school. The university was surrounded by a three feet thick wall with a facade of red brick, with gates of durasteel, and integrated kinetic barrier and complex hard-fields. Tess was glued to the walls, skipping from foot to foot as she walked over to one of the entrances. There was an armed security guard, along with a VI mech.

She couldn’t even begin to imagine the sheer complexity of the defense grid for a school like this, the drones, and various synthetic intelligence networks and machine spirits operating the overall security netcode.

“Hey, I’m a new student here?” She waved over her holo with a grin, checking out the toned muscles of the tanned security guard. The man waved his own holo, and after a sing-song ping let her through.

He was cute, was her main thought as she officially stepped into the campus that would be her home for the next four years barring unforeseen circumstances. She could see two of the main administrative buildings, depicting various symbols and colors for the Elements. All nations of humanity had them, though it was changed based on the culture and the nation-state. The campus was modern and large, and divided into multiple sections surrounding the central administration building, shaped much like a bell tower.

White stone, plasteel and heavy metal were accompanied by massive panes of smart glass while community gardens and trees shadowed various areas for people to enjoy. There was a huge central park, the Hanging Garden, that had been the favorite of Adama. The male one.

Behind it was the Arunta Applied Metaphysics Medical Center, and she started to pay more attention to the departments. There were ten core departments, all of them specializing in different fields of study and different types of disciplines.

The Department of General Fundamentals, located in the main academic building of Gnomon and acting as a common ground for students from all kinds of cultures and races. It was here where people learned common paracausal knowledge, basic spiritual energy flow, from elemental manipulation to telepathy and sympathetic sorceries, as well as conventional courses like mathematics and science.

Individual Fundamentals is self-study, for sabbaticals or research to earn one’s degree, including one one’s own metaphysical nature. The Department of Shamanism and Spiritual Mysteries dealt with the fundamentals of shamanism, studying the Spirit World and its denizens, from the crudest to the most high. From a literal tits-spirit to the chief god of death of a planet.

The Department of Metaphysical Materials involves substances and exotic forms of matter associated with paracausal activity, origonium being chief among them, along with soul substrate, spirit quintessence and dark matter. Lots of chemistry and materials science. There was the Department of Applied Metaphysics and Metaphysical Biology that dealt with exactly what it said, with classes on medicine, biology, botany and zoology, on how metaphysical energy influenced the body of living things, and the fundamental limits of the soul and spirit.

The Department of Lore involved the security, containment and protection of paracausal artifacts, otherworldly objects and technology with esoteric and multitudinous functions. The Department of Making and Noetic Sciences is focused on artistry and philosophy, the metaphysical sciences connected to the mind and the surfaces of the soul. Lots of classes for art, writing, painting and other junk like that. It was the powers of the mind, from telepathy to the control of living things, usually animals, drawing upon the ties that bind.

At least that’s how Xinji would say it, was Tess’ stray thought as she kept her head on a swivel. That left three more departments, the Department of Combat, which taught people how to use their powers to defend themselves, a hold-over from the Adamas heritage of Fire. Everyone knew how to fight and defend themselves, it was in their blood, so the school taught them what they needed to survive. The Department of Paranatural Events taught the history of the world including how the supernatural changed its course. The Department of Modern Paracausal Disciplines is the newest facility, aiming at the synthesis and summarization of two thousand years worth of study, a broader and more modern take on current use of powers.

The ten departments were split into five sections of the campus, General and Independent Fundamental are both in the center, Shamanism and Metaphysical Materials were both on the west wing, Applied Metaphysics and Lore were east, Making and Combat were south while Paranatural Events and Modern Paracausal Disciplines are north.

The north was also dedicated to student facilities with tall dormitories, multiple restaurants and a local cafeteria along with a recreation center. As she skipped through the park, she could see a lot of wildlife coming out to see her. Cats with their big old eyes, and the short flaps between their legs used for flight. The north went up the mountain, a road leading to a primeval forest that radiated spiritual power.

She knew there was a spirit there, a crazy powerful one that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand straight and made her want to rip something’s throat out. Which was an odd reaction, but one could she do with her weird brain?

Tess was searching for someone specific, there was still a few days before class started but moving into the dorms was definitely a beforehand task.

Tess blinked as she saw one particular clustering of spirits around an administrative building. That was likely where the headmaster of the school was greeting first years, and telling them more about the school.

“I see you’re well prepared for campus living,” Tess jumped when she heard the familiar harmonic voice, and a smile pulled at her lips.

“Xinji!” Flame flickered around her hands. “You’re here! It’s so good to see you.” She was rocking on the balls of her feet, flapping her hands at the sight of her acquaintance and or new friend.

Xinji was wearing a different outfit, a dusty rose button top, a slitted dark cloak, and white leggings around her long digitigrade legs. Tess inspected her for a moment before stepping up to grasp her arm. The diderik let her with a harmonic chuff, leaf-like tail feathers flicking back and forth as she shifted her weight.

“I see your application letter was accepted, excellent.” Xinji threw out her arms in a chopping motion, four claws clicking together in an excited fashion. “What path have you chosen to take, any fun ones?” Her usual formality had dropped, and Tess smirked.

Tess bounced on her toes at the question. “I’ve decided to attend Modern Paracausal Studies, though I’ll likely be attending classes in Shamanism and Spiritual Mysteries, General Fundamentals, Applied Metaphysics and Combat.” She rubbed her fingers together, five classes wasn’t much of a load, especially with Combat. That she had some experience in.

“Perhaps we’ll share a classroom then. I've chosen Modern Paracausal Studies as my main home, while attending classes in Combat, Lore and Independent Fundamentals.”

Tess beamed. “I hope so… but we should keep on moving.” She changed the subject, pointing to the building where the headmaster was.

Xinji clicked her tongue. “Yes we should.”

Oh for fuck’s sake, Tess clicked her tongue in distaste at who she had been seated next to in out of the thousands of new students which made a lot of sense to her.

The astaran was still very pretty, and the wind twisted around her, pulling in and out around her in invisible dances of currents of air. There was a harmonious accord to her aura, the radiant shine of her soul made manifest. It wasn’t a gentle wind, it was the maelstrom of a hurricane, it was a different sort of freedom from the monks of the high mountains, more akin to the wind riders of the low plains and the vast sands.

Channeling was a more recent art for most of the species outside of humanity, most only had one or two supernatural abilities they hadn’t realized were the same thing until the kanaloaa had burst onto the scene some six hundred years ago. That was enough to upheave entire cultural traditions, enough to bring in new balances of power.

But humanity had been using their gifts for at least ten thousand years, hundreds of generations had come and gone and that brought with it a certain amount of know-how that most other species lacked.

Most.

Xinji was standing, though Tess could see she was eying a bowl-seat made for her species. They were using the stadium, since the student body of Gnomon was on average around forty five to forty eight thousand. So there were easily thousands of students in an incoming year.

She was a little flustered now, she had embarrassed herself quite badly in front of the alien beauty. Tess had many little tics, and embarrassing herself was not too intolerable but still irritating as hell. It wasn’t honorable or respectful, though that was the Fire and Earth in her blood talking.

Tess could feel the interplay of the Elements within the student body, and had to keep from bursting into flames. Then she felt a shift in the energies, and someone stepped on stage. Xinji squawked in shock, and Tess felt her jaw drop when she saw the headmaster of Gnomon strut onto stage, sliding in from out of nowhere.

She was wearing the heavy dark clothing of the far north, water pulsing around her against gravity. Her white hair was certainly a shock, but it happened sometimes.

“Hello students, it’s nice to see at least some of you can notice my presence,” Tess swallowed, she hadn’t until the last second. “If no one else has, I’d like to welcome you to your home or domain for the next four to six years of your life. The Gnomon College for Paracausal Studies will welcome you as well.” A few blinked but Tess didn’t.

The host of the school was huge, thousands of spirits had been coaxed and cultivated into more useful places while the more hostile and malicious of spirits had either been culled or appeased. The Spirit World felt off but not in the way she thought, it was like something was watching her, acting as a guardian of the gate.

It made her feel safe, but she understood why the Abstract Spirit being so… turbulent frightened off traditional shamans, they were a suspicious lot for good reason. She wasn’t afraid, but it was a little worrying.

The headmaster smiled but there was a tenseness to it, like a sea wolf ready to drown you. “I am the headmaster of this fine establishment, Ashley Adama, and while all you study within this school you are part of my community, and under my protection.” Her gaze swept up along the entire stadium, enhanced by the speaker she was holding.

She continued. “Everyone by now should know the stated purpose of Gnomon, a place where people of all cultures and species can gather and learn from each other, to learn of the powers that are their birthright. Whether a blessing from our gods or merely chance, here you’re here to learn and explore the disciplines and fundamental sciences of the soul.”

Even from dozens of meters away, there was the push and pull of water, the headmaster’s aura pulsing with impossible colors and hues. There was an impulse, spreading out across hundreds of meters, a liquid shockwave to reality.

“All of you are here because you want to be, because you want to learn and understand what you are, and what you can do, both apart and together.” Her smile was bitter, and Tess felt the tension. “Every single one of you is a channeler blessed with great power, so I’ll tell you what they should have told our ancestors generations ago…”

The water shifted, and began to suffocate. “Your power doesn't free you from the consequences of your actions,” Tess felt her stomach churn, it was only her inner fire that kept her from collapsing to her knees. “They do not give you the inalienable right to bully or harm those weaker than you, and we do not differentiate the powered from the unpowered or from race to race. PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE!” Her voice boomed, and Tess was entranced as the crowd of thousands was cowed by one old woman.

“All of us have a responsibility with our powers, a sacred and fundamental creed written into the deepest layers of our soul. Fire is Loyalty, we protect those under us, a bond not easily broken. Water is Community and Family, we nurture and help our own. Earth is Oaths and Contracts, we keep our word, to ourselves and those around us. Air is Piety, a dutiful respect to our teachers, to learn their wisdom and to pass it on to our students,” she paused, taking a breath.

The crowd was dead silent, as the headmaster adjusted the collar of her suit.

“Void is Connection and Expression, we seek to connect to others, to learn and gain knowledge, a creative and individual people but connected all the same. Yet all the Elements are one. Power is dangerous, and we’re here to teach you your duties, your obligations and contracts, how to protect your clan and kin, and how to safeguard and spread the knowledge of your teachers and masters.”

The deep silence was cut by the solid Air that pulsed out from Ashley Adama, so Tess waited and listened.

“All of you have a responsibility to not be like your ancestors, who abused and twisted their blessings into monstrous and malevolent powers. Remember the Days of Iron, when entire worlds were left in chaos and terror, remember Shiretoko, when twenty million lives vanished under the waves. Remember the devastation of the Ahamkara. Remember the great wars that have plagued the galaxy, the maelstroms of destruction and death that devastated all our histories, perpetuated by people with power.”

The woman paced from one side of the stage to the other. “To those willing to ask, I am warning you.” Adama acknowledged, folding her arms around her chest. “Our school hosts some of the finest institutions in the known galaxy, and if you ever want to know why I’m being so serious, ask. Meet the shattered souls broken and damaged by the strongest and most lethal telepaths and psychics, the infirm patients left crippled by the Elements turned to malicious ends, or ravaged by the spirits used as weapons. Those who suffered for their heritage from a frightened and scared populace.”

Tess swallowed, trying not to get pulled under the deep waves of Adama’s power.

“Every Element and every Discipline has their way of dealing with the most broken and warped of our kind. So as long as you understand what you shouldn’t do, you’ll be protected, but if you decide that restraint isn’t for you… then I’ll deal with you as a child of Water.”

A number of people winced around Tess, and she didn’t blame them. Older traditions were dictated by the harsh conditions of the South Pole… so it ended up involving people being thrown off of icebergs… before they could rise with the endless sun with a hunger for human flesh.

“I trust I have made my intentions clear then?” The entire stadium responded with a whimpering roar of replies. “In that case, if you hear even a whisper of someone on campus using their power to hurt others, report it if it’s a problem you can’t solve yourselves.”

This was the power my mothers had told me about, what the greatest of channelers could do with words alone.

The aura shifted, and the headmaster cracked a smile. “Then if that’s understood, who wants lunch?”

Tess snorted, and ignored the irritated stare of the prissy astaran to her right.

Compendium Entry (Historical): THE EMPIRE OF THE WHITE WIND

The White Wind is considered one of the largest empires ever seen by humanity, first coming about as the tribes of the uulard, the Asu mountain clans of Air took to the skies as conquerors. At its height, the White Wind ruled over both Asu and Eusea, using flying machines and their sky golings, and ruling for two centuries as the undisputed rulers of the air. They demanded strict obedience and piety to the khans or sky lords of their empire, all under the aegis of Xuanzang and his sons.

Their society was highly stratified, with draconian laws and their heavenly accord maintaining peace and order in the domain of the White Wind. Their highest rankings were the priests and shamans and the warrior class, from their assassins to their blade users. They ruled much of the planet until they were thrown down by the fire nations of the east who had come to the aid of their enslaved brethren.

This army was led by Mocel, a warrior woman who had suffered greatly at the hands of Xuanzang. She brought down an empire in a matter of months, riding on the back of her dragon companion and husband Maka. She also took charge of the transition period, spending decades of her long life in the gradual balkanization of the White Wind into smaller but more stable states. This period of reinvention led to the Golden Age of Fire, and the consequences of her rule continue to reverberate to this day.