In the Heart of the Fire (a KOTLC fanfic)

VI

I'm in the Tribunal Hall. It's empty except for the group of teen elves, Alden and the Councilors, who were even more intimidating in their thrones. The place always seems daunting, but now it's straight-up terrifying. Alden speaks first.

"You are very lucky, children. You all have been selected to participate in Project Flareadon as an alternative to Exile or some other punishment. That is the common factor between you all, as well as your age. We believe that as younger elves, you will find this Project easier than adults."

Project Flareadon? Echoes around the chamber. Everyone is whispering it, wondering it. Why would we be better because we're younger? That means less time and experience. What the heck is going on? I agreed to this, so I'm stuck with it. I just don't like this weird feeling in my gut. Things are about to go south.

"We have been speaking with the human leader in the United States of America, the President, they call her." Councilor Bronte informs us, sparking more whispers. "She has allowed us to let you all reenter the human world. We are attempting to reestablish a treaty with them. It is time to look to the future. Know that if any of you start acting up, we will know. Your group will have a chaperone who checks in with your human teachers and reports to us on a weekly basis. If your behavior is unsatisfactory, then we will remove you from the program and you will face a Tribunal, where we will decide your fate. But that is not going to happen, is it?" He gives us all a steely glint. One I return. "Good. Alden will take you to your new housing for the time being. I suggest you get adjusted. The real test begins in a week."

The real test? We're going to be tested? For what? What in the whole world did I agree to? I wonder for what feels like the millionth time.

Alden rattles off more instructions, which I tune out, and then he asks for all of our leaping crystals and imparters. I didn't realize until then that mine is still with Sueanna. Sueanna! Oh gosh! Keefe! How are they going to know I'm not being massacred?! I mean, violence does break elven minds, but that doesn't stop other species. As for my home crystal, I don't want to give it up. I've never been anywhere without it. I guess they want this to be a real experiment. Besides, they could just get a Mesmer to make me.

After collecting our belongings, we are told we will be able to write scrolls to our families, which is a relief, at least.

Then we are ushered into another room. This place has backpacks with our names on them. Inside is a change of clothes. Human clothes. I feel a pang in my heart when I notice my shirt has the Batman sign on it. Keefe would love it. Once this experiment is over and my "sins" atoned for, I'd give it to him. If this experiment ends.

We all change fairly quickly and Alden hads us all a bracelet unlike anything I've ever seen before. It's a red, yellow and orange swirled cuff. He explains how this is our tracker and what we will use to check in at our base every day. Whatever that is.

We then get dragged to another room. Here we go through a cobalt blue beam. I get déjà vu from when we got Sueanna's iPhone. Then it really hits when my eyes begin watering the moment I'm through. I'm not the only one coughing from the pollution. It's just so unclean.

We're in the woods, a cabin in front of us. It's a two story. Outside are gardens upon gardens. But it's the strangest thing. What looks like black ghosts are tending the plants. I've only seen this material a couple times before. Shadowflux. But...Tam is the only Shade with the ability to control the sixth element. What is this?

The door opens and a being comes out. I really don't know how else to describe it. Well, him, I guess. He has metal in his body, which looks like it hurts. Why would someone choose to be in pain like that? It also looks like he spilled elixir all over himself in different patterns. He's fairly tall, his hair is multicolored, but he needs better elixir because you can see the dark roots. Maybe I'll find a way to get some of Dex's here. They're made to color not just present hair but also any hair that grows in. His hair is undercut and most of it shaved. There is still hair on top, slightly covered by what looks like an elven hat. Seriously, who the heck is this person?