The Seventh Element

Chapter Nine

We entered the Tower and this time, I followed the Nox students up to the third floor. Once more, I was given a moon pearl to give me light to see by. Already, I found the darkness comforting, like a shield against the scrutiny of the world. Though, it also meant shutting out all distraction. All I had was me and my element to focus on.

This would have trigged my anxiety but I was also reminded I was not alone. I was surrounded by others my age who were as at home in the darkness as I was in the snow. As long as I had them, I would find my way through.

The Nox training floor was designed for comfort with shag carpet, couches, beanbags, pillows and blankets.

The three of us nova were seated on a settee, one Nox nova on either side of me. They had already demonstrated they had no sense of personal space, squeezing in and casually touching without care. They also weren't put off by my natural chill, showing no sign that they felt the cold. Vaso sat cross-legged, one foot pressed against my leg while Vakare had one arm draped casually over my knee. It was so like having my siblings beside me that I felt comforted by the contact rather than anxious.

Then, I felt a small furry body hop onto my lap. Surprised, I bobbled the moon pearl and almost dropped it but Vaso was quick to steady my hand.

"You have a cat!" I exclaimed (or would have if I were capable of expressing my myself in anything but a monotone).

"We have six, actually," Vana, one of the fourth-year girls explained from somewhere in the darkness.

"Every element has a mascot. The moon cat is ours," Varina, the other fourth-year girl explained.

"This one is Archibald," Vakare explained. "You can tell by his white chest and paws." She reached a hand to cup his face and he leaned into her touch, immediately beginning to purr.

"His name doesn't begin with V," I observed.

"No, just Dharkor people are traditionally given names that start with V. Animals don't have the same tradition."

Archibald blinked up at me with impassive blue eyes. I was used to dogs and reindeer, not cats. I had no idea how to handle this warm, furry creature that had made himself at home on my lap.

"He wants you to pet him."

I obliged, immediately setting off his purr again.

While the morning had been dedicated to physical training, the afternoon was spent in history.

"For my older students you may continue your exercises from this morning. This lesson is for the nova," Val began, looking at the three of us on the settee. "Dharkor Forest may be the most integrated region but even they don't teach about the Mage War until children become teenagers. Now, its time for you to learn what it's all about."

I had never heard of this war but the other nova did not appear confused, merely eager, leaning forward with eyes shining.

"Centuries ago, non-mages and mages lived in the world together with no separation. Unfortunately, despite their superior numbers, non-mages were afraid of mages and their elemental abilities. As a result, non-mages began to persecute mages across the world. The war began after the Uprising in Khati and it spread from there. The Archipelago was central to the mages with fighting breaking out across all three of the continents. The war lasted for seven years without clear success on either side. Then, the Burning began."

Vakare shivered but I sensed that it had nothing to do with sitting next to me. "I've heard about that. It was the worst wildfire in Dharkor history. The stories say that it felt like the entire world was on fire, the sky was black with smoke and the sun was hidden for months. The forest was burned to ash, so many people and animals died, with nowhere safe to go. That's why there are so many settlements in the east of the continent and the west is still vastly unsettled."