Something Immortal

04: The Early Bird Gets the Worm!

Som admired a lot of Darren Pike's novels, except for The Legion War. And there were many things he didn't like in the story. One of the things that he noticed that had changed in his style was the transition of the characters. The main focus was the relationship between Kali and Som. Their friendship. The betrayal. And the revenge. The whole time that he was reading the novel, it felt like Darren Pike only wrote it to give way to his suppressed anger.

It was madness. The way the mood spiraled out of control. It lost its touch and magic—two of the things that made his work unique.

Sri bid him farewell, and now he was all alone in an unfamiliar place without knowing anybody else but Phet.

"So, I'm the only one around?" He asked the tall, slim man who volunteered to walk him around the academy.

"That's correct."

"When are the others going to arrive?"

Phet thought for a moment before replying, "Maybe tonight? I'm certain that tomorrow will be a busy day."

"How come you didn't know? I thought you're the one organizing things around here?"

"Well, I was only given the task of organizing the gathering earlier. I'm not in charge of the curriculum."

The academy was huge, but Som was already tired. "I don't think I can do this tour today."

Phet gave him a peculiar look. "You're so much different from what I expected," the man couldn't help but say.

Now it's Som's turn to be surprised. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Do not be offended. But for someone who became the top scholar beating last year, I expected that you'd be a little...stringent."

"What?" Som snorted, "Are all the geniuses in this world act that way?"

Phet blinks, utterly confused. "This world?"

When they finally stopped in front of his room, Som opened the door and looked over his shoulder. "Forget it," he said. "I would appreciate it if you kindly lower your expectations of me."

Instead of wondering even more, Phet smiled. "Very well. I'll do just as that."

"By the way," Som thought of asking, "If you don't mind. What race are you?"

This sudden inquiry sounded innocent and not meant to offend, yet Phet couldn't help raising an eyebrow, "I beg your pardon?"

"I mean, what legion do you belong to?" Som finally fixed his attention on the man standing by the door, wondering what best way to ask the question. What species? What beast? How was he supposed to ask this without making the other person uncomfortable?

Phet blinked and, convinced of Som's innocence, finally said, "Oh, sorry. I thought it was obvious after seeing me."

Upon hearing him say that, Som glanced at him slowly and saw that his eyes were glowing yellow and his fangs were sharp. His nails were colorful and elongated, and his long, flamboyant hair that was brushed up from top to back was holding itself back from being free. Surely, he didn't contract amnesia and has forgotten everything about the novel, right? After thinking hard, Som huffed when he finally noticed what was sticking out of Phet's back. He swore he saw a tail...a snake tail. Even Phet's forearms have scales...

Is this... "A chimera?"

"Took you long enough to know? Not very observant, are you?"

"Well, it's my first day." Som couldn't believe he missed that and was ashamed so much for declaring that he was Darren Pike's number-one avid reader.