Institute Of Salvation

•Short End Of The Draw•

~Steel Blackstone~

"Steel, Silva. Come on. We gotta get to the community hall meeting."

I looked up from my electric guitar, which I'd been lovingly tuning, bringing it back up to pitch. My mother was calling me and my brother downstairs. I carefully placed my baby down into her case and locked it so that nothing could damage her. She was a true beauty, with a fluorescent green-and-black marbled body and a matte black neck and knobs. An absolute masterpiece.

"Hurry up, Zeppelin-in-training." I looked up and glared at my younger twin brother, who was standing in my doorway and smiling like an idiot.

"I'm coming. I had to put Baby up," I said, getting up off my chair and following Silva down the stairs into the living room. My mom rushed in, grabbing her keys.

"Boys! Come on, we gotta go," she said, shoving me and my brother forward and pushing us out the door.

"Where's Dad? Why isn't he being shoved along too?" I grumbled under my breath as I got another rough shove in my back and stumbled down the front steps.

"Your father's already there. No standing off to the side this meeting, guys, we're all staying together. We have important matters to discuss." I looked over to Silva and saw him shrug. It was weird that for once me and my brother, still teenagers, were going to be involved in the meeting. Usually no one cares if we just goof off in the back while the adults solemnly talk.

We finally arrived at the ancient-looking building where the meetings were held. Our mother pushed us once again and we quickly stepped inside. I looked around the large room and saw that it was already almost filled.

"Good, you're finally here," I heard a deep voice say behind me. I turned around and spotted our father walking toward us.

"Come along boys, stand with me up front." Our father effortlessly walked through the crowd which was gathered before us. Being 6'3" definitely has some perks—like easily walking through a crowd of people, being able to reach stuff on high shelves, and heaven knows what else—but it has its downsides too. I know this firsthand. Me and my brother both inherited our father's height, although we're a couple inches shorter than him. We still definitely stand out in a crowd.

Thank the Olympians for that, though, because I don't know if I would be able to handle it if I was my mother's height. In my honest opinion, she isn't any bigger than a miniature troll, although her feistiness sure makes up for her shortness. I pity anyone who pisses her off.

"Steel, pay attention."

I looked over to my father, who was giving me a pointed glare. I sighed as I looked ahead. The Master of Dragons, Ryuu, was standing upon the platform in the front of the great hall and calling for quiet.

"Now. We've all come here today to discuss important matters, so let's not beat around the bush. Everyone, I'm proud to be able to share the greatest news I've heard in several generations: finally...finally...we come to have peace...with the mortals." Ryuu's voice seemed to tremble with emotion as he uttered that final sentence.

I heard some people cheer at that, but others made sounds of displeasure. We may have had peace with the Humans, but certainly not everyone was happy about it. The Divines least of all, since they lost so many loved ones in the vicious battles.