tears of mercury | beastars

chapter 9. WHEN THE WIND RISES

𖤣𖥧.𖤣𖥧𓆏𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
━━━━━━━━━━━

The school's intercom echoed through the quiet halls, cutting through the otherwise peaceful atmosphere.

"Attention, all students, today is Territory Day. All students who still haven't used up their territory time, please move to the cellar as soon as possible."

The announcement was brief but carried with it a sense of urgency, a reminder of one of the world's oldest customs—Territory Day.

(Name) sighed softly as the announcement ended. Territory Day was a routine that every student at Cherryton Academy had to follow, a tradition that required herbivores and carnivores alike to spend an hour in designated rooms that simulated environments suited to their species.

It was a stress-relieving measure, designed to ease the pressure of the daily grind. Herbivores spent their time in tranquil, green spaces while carnivores were given more dynamic, hunting-like environments.

The custom was intended to help students reconnect with their natural instincts and find some peace in a world that could often feel tense, especially with the ongoing tensions between herbivores and carnivores.

However, for omnivores like (Name), the rules were different. Omnivores didn't have a prescribed Territory Day. Their methods of stress relief varied greatly from one individual to the next, and there were no special rooms designated for them. No, (Name) had learned long ago to make do with what she had.

For her, the top floor of the dormitory—deserted and filled with nothing but boxes and forgotten belongings—was her place of solace. It was quiet, away from the bustle of the other students, where the only sound was the occasional rustling of the wind outside.

She walked up the narrow staircase to the top floor, the scent of dust and old wood filling her nostrils as she pushed open the door that led to the patio. The empty rooms, stacked with boxes of discarded items, gave the space a ghostly feel. It wasn't a place many students frequented, and that was exactly how she liked it.

As she stepped outside, she placed her forearms gently on the railing, feeling the coolness of the metal under her skin. The sun was beginning its descent, casting a warm orange glow over the school buildings. It was peaceful up here—far away from the worries of the world below.

(Name) gazed at the setting sun, the vibrant hues of orange and pink painting the sky. She let her mind wander, thinking about the upcoming New Student Welcome Event, the stress of it all, and the play that was soon to take place. She hoped everything would go smoothly, that the Drama Club's hard work would pay off and that the new students would feel welcomed.

There was always a certain unease before such events, especially with so many different species involved. She knew how fragile the peace could be, how the smallest incident could escalate into something more. But she trusted the people around her, even if things often felt out of her control.

In moments like these, (Name) liked to reflect.

Omnivores didn't have a specific place to go for Territory Time, but this was her time to clear her head, to breathe in the air and watch the world around her. It was a strange feeling, knowing that while others were spending their hour in the comfort of their species' environments, she was here, alone, finding her own peace in a world that was constantly changing.

She closed her eyes, letting the wind tousle her hair as she felt the cool breeze against her face. She was used to this—the calm before the storm.

Tomorrow would bring its own set of challenges, but she was ready. Whatever happened, whatever difficulties lay ahead, she knew she would face them as they came. She could feel the weight of the world on her shoulders, but she carried it with quiet determination.

She didn't need a Territory Room. She had the sky, the wind, and the certainty that no matter the challenges, she would rise to meet them.

As the last rays of sunlight faded into twilight, (Name) stood up straight, letting out a final, slow breath. She wasn't sure if it was the wind or the quiet calm that soothed her, but she knew one thing for sure: The world could be a confusing, sometimes chaotic place. But up here, in her little corner of the world, she could always find her peace.

✅ EDITED