Spark in Darkness: Unworldy encounter/Prototype

Spark 22: First Blood

Shinesh was conscious when the duo arrived at his room.

"Hey, how come nobody was with me in this spooky place?" Shinesh complained. "I was freaking out when I called for you guys and nobody responded. Then I walked out and saw the deserted corridors with seemingly abandoned rooms. It took one of the nurses a while to check on me and realise I was freaking out. Then she forced me to stay in bed and she disappeared."

"Sorry, man. Shiro had some trouble because of Kuro." Haruki nodded at the small lizard making small pitiful whines on Shiro's shoulder.

"Fine. So how's everything?" Shinesh asked.

"They were finally convinced to let me stay. Sorry for worrying you both." Shiro bowed in apology.

"It's nothing. Glad you're alright." Shinesh smiled.

"I heard your injuries aren't too bad?" Shiro asked Shinesh. If Shinesh had not looked so energetic, the bandages around his arms and body would have made that question more of a sarcastic remark.

"Apparently. My arms are still hurting, but it's pretty much alright if I don't move too much." Shinesh said. And then there was a loud growl coming from his stomach.

"Oops."

"I'll see if there's something at the nurse's office." Haruki volunteered and he walked towards the door.

He instantly regretted the decision when he had to face the deserted corridor and the empty rooms, but at least the torches were crackling and it was not silent. Still, he quickened his pace to the nurse's office to see if there were any food available.

There were two female nurses and one male nurse, who was muching on an apple.

"Here's the food for that muscle guy. Need any help feeding him?" The male nurse said as he handed a tray of food to Haruki.

"Nah, he's got his girlfriend." Haruki smiled, and from the corner of his eye, he could see the nurse taking care of Shinesh pale slightly.

"Thanks for the food."

Haruki returned with the tray of bread, some chicken, and an apple.

"I'll leave it here for you to feed him, Shiro. Have fun." Haruki winked, and before the two of them could protest, he left the room.

He was feeling pretty hungry himself, so he decided to ask for directions to get food.

***

After some leftovers and a night's rest, Haruki woke up with a yawn, his bones clicking as he stretched. There were simply too many people, and he had to share a sleeping bag with hundreds in the meeting hall of the castle, where it could be used as a ballroom, dining area, and some other area when a large space is needed.

Haruki realised many of the Sparks around him were getting up too, and he decided to roll his sleeping bag up and get ready for the day.

After breakfast, all the Sparks gathered, including a bandaged Shinesh. An elderly man made his way up the stage in the meeting all, a tall man dressed in robes. Despite the wrinkles on his face and the slightly gnarled skin, the man had a pair of piercing black eyes and an upright posture, signalling he was still not beaten by the weathering of time.

He cleared his throat and started," Ladies and gentlemen, fellow Sparks of LeFolia who have gathered here at my humble request!"

His words were not too loud, but they were authoritative and everyone fell silent, so the whole hall could hear him.

"I am Mantwell Delhorn, the headmaster of this School! The Nayshards have declared war on us, and now my school is going to be under attack! I thank all of you in coming to aid my effort to fight against them once again! All of us came here to beat the shit out of the Nayshards, am I wrong?"