Illuminae Heights

A Competition Like Never Before

"Um, room 21... here it is." We had spent the last 20 minutes walking around hallways we didn't know and rejecting everyone who asked if we needed help. Probably not the quickest way to get here but it made us seem like we knew what we were doing which was kind of the way I handled life in general. Adara had tried reading the map but none of the hallways were indicated, making it difficult to know where exactly we were supposed to turn. She folded the small map of the school and we heard loud pop music streaming from our room. Adara made a face and I laughed, not minding the music and knocking on the door as loud as I can. The stream of music stopped and the door opened, revealing a tall girl with dark skin and the most beautiful green eyes I'd ever seen. They were dark green but a ring of the color of sun-covered leaves surrounded her iris. I couldn't help but think she looked like an Illuminae already, mastering the look without even trying to. She grinned and moved out of the way, walking back to sit on her bed. The room was all white walls, with a grey ceiling and three beds placed evenly apart. Three dressers and three bookshelves lined the rest of the room and black floor lights were in each corner. My new home. "I'm Kira." She declared, still smiling at us. She had an accent, but I wasn't entirely sure from where. Probably Camfort or Mykleton, both countries from the South West of where I lived, Decim Harbor. I always hated where I lived, simply because of its horrible name. I smiled back, unable to help it. "I'm Lila." I said and saw my bags on the bed on the far left. I moved toward them, making sure they were all there. Adara sat down on hers and held out her hand towards Kira. "I'm Adara." Kira whistled, leaning back as if impressed, before taking her hand. "So you're the badass superstars, ya?" I laughed. "Badass, yes. But super star? Nope. Besides, that was when we were twelve." Adara agreed as she ate something she must've put in her bag before leaving. I wish I had thought of that. I thought to myself, feeling my empty stomach growl. "True. Means nothing now." Kira shrugged and looked out the window. Our room overlooked the gardens filled with glowing blue flowers and plants of any kind. In the middle was a huge fountain, already with students sitting around it talking. I could sense that that fountain would probably end up on my 'best places to read' list. On the far end of the garden was a training ring, filled with obstacles, weapons and a huge stage in the center. I sighed. This was my new home. "Nervous?" Adara teased, poking my shoulder. I shook my head, although I was as nervous as an Illuminae could feel. "No. But I'm sure Elijah is." I said his name without really meaning too, but Kira nodded. "Your demon?" I confirmed it with a small nod as Adara took a faded folded photo out of her bag. A photo of a pale girl with bright red hair was on it. "Mine's Naomi." She looked way too friendly to be classified as a demon and my eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I don't think she should be in that city. She was so friendly. She was a bit scared at times, sure, but aren't we all? Why is it that they are shoved into that city when we are simply praised even if it's for nothing?" I shrugged, thinking back to Elijah rudely talking back to an elderly woman when he was five. He was no angel, but neither was I. Naomi certainly looked like a nice person, however, and I could only imagine how flawlessly Adara must handle life's rollercoasters if her demon's only flaw is fear. I felt a pang of jealousy at that, but shoved it down. No one is the same, and it does nothing to dwell on what I can't change. The cracks between the bond of Elijah and I exist, and there's nothing I can do about it. Kira didn't show us her photo, simply pursing her lips. I didn't want to push, but something about demons and their connection to us always fascinated me. Before I could think twice, I asked "what about yours, Kira?" She looked to the ground before answering, trying to decide if she would tell us. "His name is Ty, he hates everyone. Including me. He tried to drown me as kids and used to tease me into doing stupid things, ruining my reputation even from a young age. But my parents quickly noticed, and defended my actions. When the authorities came, they did some tests and noticed he could compel people to do as he wanted. This explained all my actions, and my bad reputation soon went away. They took him away early, at 8 years old. I didn't go to the farewell and I certainly haven't spoken to him since then. I think that, once he turned 14 he was arrested for attempting to compel a guard, which obviously didn't work. Only one demon ever did that."