GLASS || The Catalysts Series, #1

XVI || Skateboard Issue

For a horrifying moment, the quake sort of gives out the sign that Lucifer is near, and Lena might have submerged to continue kissing the ground if not for the sudden, unmistakable loud voice belonging Nova saying, "Took you long enough! I got him pinned down, basically, I beat him —"

But he is shoved aside by Roen who glares at him, annoyance evident across his face as he states blatantly, "Do you want another go at Lucifer, who somehow found something beyond his power, a reluctance to stay defeated and a resilience that obviously transcends his own? I believe not, because your impatience will begin to wear you out first, not Lucifer."

He waves his hand airily, allowing the tone so much befitting a royal prince's to sink into Nova, and the latter seems to be slowly drinking in the words as a puzzled look is strewn across his face. Comprehension comes only a while later, but as he opens his mouth to argue, no retort comes out of it.

Lena picks herself up. Relief floods over her as her eyes find non other than Arcane Academy's Ace, Caelus, standing before them.

She bites her lips, ashamed that one second ago, she has thought it was Lucifer nearby. She should have known, first hand, that the undoubtedly powerful surge of radiating power she has felt before her eyes catch anything belongs to him and him alone — the atmosphere that makes it hard for anyone to live under or simply breathe.

Neesha and Roen are first the shuffle forwards, apparently the two that know him best. They greet Caelus with cheerful conversations, talking quickly and rapidly. Neesha ruffles his already dishevelled hair and he throws her a half smile — Lena blinks at his sudden emotion, but as soon as it was there a minute ago, it is as quickly gone; the smile is solely for his friend. Roen hugs him, finally settling for putting his arm around his shoulders after Caelus' protests. He seems to wince a little, but brush it off.

After the three's reunion, they trudge over to the centre, where Bellona stands shyly and Kestrel, who seems to have taken up more interest in Caelus than her precious weapon, stands waiting. Nova is still somewhat stupefied at where Roen last left him, and only Fai stands quite some distance away.

"Well? Where's the delinquent?" Kestrel asks, her brows furrowed. "Have you discovered —"

"Questions can be saved for later, Kestrel," Roen interrupts. He turns to Caelus. "I'm sure there are other things that are far more pressing, like finding Arcana — he might even be more informed than us."

"But then why isn't he here, to begin with?" Lena blurts out, being unable to hold her tongue. One word keeps echoing within her: Test.

But she hardly thinks that this is the test, unfortunately — because if that is the case, Caelus has helped her entirely, and she hasn't done anything at all.

And she refuses to be doing nothing; the reason she has come to embrace Arcane Academy is to prove herself in some way.

"That old man," Caelus says suddenly and quite softly, and Lena is surprised to find annoyance in him, where usually his face is masked without a betrayal of emotion.

Neesha and Roen are equally stunned, for they turn to him at once. But as they look at him for answers, they know they will not get it either through words, or any hint or signal from his impassiveness.

Roen still has his arm around Caelus as they remain where they are as he asks, "Where are the others? Have the succeeded in finding Arcana?"

"I think if they have, we would already know," Fai answers grimly.

"Well, shouldn't we try, too? It is easier now that Lucifer's out of the way..." Kestrel glances at Caelus for affirmation, but he doesn't even look at her. "And, like the new girl said, why isn't he here during this mess? What is he doing, or what is he planning?"