Rules Are For Losers

Chapter 9 - Totally not falling asleep

I turn to look behind me and see a strange man standing, smiling with some intention of his. He's slim, tall, fair, and dressed rather finely (I'm suddenly conscious of my own homeless state). I'd say he's about ten years older than my big brother.

A realisation strikes me that creepily enough didn't strike me before: I realise that I'm standing in a completely unknown place, lost, possibly kidnapped, with no way home, and no way to know the way the home, and here I am being approached by a kinda dodgy stranger. Alarm bells ring.

Thinking of taking some steps back, my mind ransacks itself for ideas or explanations. Does he mean me harm? I know a few basic attacks with my potential, but I'm betting this guy knows more. There's something different about his calm and charm; he's too confident to be weak. There's something he's powered by, that can't be apilós; he doesn't come across as an un-powered one.

But then he begins to speak again. "Welcome to Polstar. We are delighted to have you here." His smile lengthens and his expression grows somewhat more benevolent, as if this is now an occasion of joy.

What? What is this.

Polstar? Isn't that a House? One of the old Houses?

"Polstar? Isn't that a House? One of the old Houses?" I plaintively ask.

"Tell me, what do you know about the Houses?" The man queries, his voice gentle and carrying an almost invisible good-humoured laugh in its tone, his smile not gone.

My frown, which my face had been somewhat alleviated of when this guy had first turned up and I'd found something new to inspect, now returns in an angrier reincarnation. I'm not a child, and I'm being treated like one.

He tilts his head to the side, looking thoughtful. "You are very worried, and far from home. Don't be afraid. It will all seem strange and unknown at first, but there is no one here who wishes you harm.

Another man hurries up to us, this one slightly shorter, younger, and dark-haired. "This is the new recruit?" He looks at the man next to him, and receives a nod of confirmation from him. The newer young man then turns his gaze to me, beaming. "Come with me, then. We mustn't delay you getting started. Polstar needs you."

He beckons to me, and rushes off up ahead. I don't move.

"Wait." I call.

He looks back, still smiling, calm like the first man, but there is something more excitable and vivid about this one, though he also similarly carries an aura of power that I know isn't just for show.

"I thought Polstar was one of the old Houses in Darkest Darkness Academy, which were got rid of many years ago. Are you meaning to say that these Houses are still ongoing? Is this," I look around at the hall, and it all dawns suddenly, "another Academy?" But their ages... "Or, are you all Alumni of the old Houses, or more specifically, Polstar?"

Black-haired boy turns around fully, still beaming (if not looking even more overjoyed at me connecting the dots). "All these questions are important." He looks at his fairer companion. "If you'll correct me if I'm wrong?" Fair-haired nods.

He, himself, clears his throat, and begins to speak.

"When the Circle of Obliterating the Darkest Darkness began, its founding members recognised that the army of people they had amassed by the end of the Old War were all fundamentally different in the way they used their potential. The leaders of old recognised that they themselves also had major differences in how they utilised their potential too. When united, these differences made them stronger, and were the reason for them winning the war. This is why they needed to continue to nurture those differences in their people, to maintain the strength of the circle. And that is why the Houses were made."