Chapter Text
«Theta,what did you see?»
Koschei asked,his eyes locked on mines,a strage…fascination behind them.
«W-What?»
I replied,my voice shaking and my hands trembling.
I looked up,my eyes still wet but no tears falling this time.
Koschei looked at me standing on his feet,some bandages covering a injury similar to mine.
«Caraid,i know what you have witnessed,i did too.»
Look at the bandages,look at the blood,they are probably doing the same to other kids as well.»
He took forcibly my hand,taking out the bandage a bit,just to peek through,looking at the wound.
«Yes its exactly like mine,they are branding us.»
I took my hand back,pulling the bandage back together.
Branding?Why?Its just an Akademia for Gallifrey’s sake!
The door opened,now screeching,the darkness of outside the room creeping through.
I pulled myself on 2 feet,my legs a bit wobbly from the emotional impact.
The door now flared open,other children dragged in,all of them with the same bandage on the same hand,some small,some skinny,some of them more chubby.
A tall sleek man came out,his purple cape and silver accents making him stand out from the other adults i have met until that.
«Clann, welcometh to the Akademia. Thy admission hath been fulfilled, and thanks to the Untempered Schism, we now know how much time power thou hast. This said, thou shalt be divided into classes, going from Psi to Delta. Do not be afeard and welcome once again, have a pleasant stay and good study.»
The adults squared into different parts of the room,each of them announcing different names and then their accorded class.
«Theta Sigma,class Deca.»
Deca? there was no Deca class,until now,i guess.
I quickly reached the others,recognising Koschei and a girl i met before which i forgot the name.
«Hey Caraid.»
«Hi Koschei»
He said,a smile forming on his face,grounding me a bit.
An adult,a bit shorter than the others with grey short hair and a thick long beard styled on a braid making him more distinct from the others.
«Halo Deca class,i will be your supervisor,my name is Sampi,i shall guide you on this journey.»
He reached for a testament in his bag,opening it with sway.
«Now,i will recide your arranged rooms,so please listen up,after that,you will pass the entire day and tomorrow inside,since its 5 am i suppose you are all tired.»
He began shouting names and finish his sentences with the room number.
«Theta sigma…4086KM.»
Wow this place is big,4086?
As he finished reciting the names,he told us to form a line behind him and follow behind,which we agreed with no hesitation. (even if we did,it would be absolutely useless)
We walked through wide alleys,saw endless rooms filled with students way older than us,or some with only 3 people.
«They say that if you fail one class,you get tortured,if more,you get expelled and deemed a untrusted timelord for the rest of your life…»
The girl behind me said,making me turn around.
«What??»
I replied,shocked.
«Yea, they also say only gallifreyan teachers are allowed, Eabars are too “corrupted” and “filthy” to teach to us.»
The girl replied,her dark amber eyes looking around and only sometimes acknowledging me.
She was a bit taller than me,her hair in long micro twists that were decorated in silver jewerly.her cheeks the same colour as a Western Coneflower.
She had a peculiarity,one of her eyes was lighter than the other,a difference almost minimal,but very cool to see.
«Whats your name?»
I asked,turning back to look infront of me,trying not to trip on something.
«My name is Millenia,whats yours?»
She replied,reciting it like a poem that you learn when young and never get out of your head.
«My name is Theta!»
I said,trying to shake her hand,unfortunately failing because at that age i couldn’t process doing more than one action at the time.
«Do you know anyone here?»
I asked,looking forward.
«Only the names of some,that girl who’s first is called Ushas,the guy in front of you is called Mortimus i believe,and the last guy is called…Koschei.»
I looked back,searching for Koschei’s horrid bowl cut,until i found him,looking around as if lost.
We abruptly stopped,Sampi standing infront of a door.
«This,clann,is one of the most powerful protective shields we have in the whole Akademia,so do not worry about any outside threat.»
He said,smiling and reaching his hand to let us in,until.
«What about inside threats?»
Koschei asked.
Dead silence.
Sampi looked at Koschei,squaring him head to toe.
«Yea,i can see why you are in the Deca young Koschei.»
He opened the door,revealing an enormous common room.
at the center of the room,an enormous black tree resembling a willow tree with fire blue burning inside of it catch the attention of everyone,its massive roots being visible under the floor,it being transparent and looking like the bottom of a lake,making the portraits hanged around the room,or the old sonic screwdrivers displayed in meticulous order.
The tree’s leafs..weren’t exactly leafs.
They blended with the roof,displaying stars and galaxies,moving in that moment,making my jaw drop on the floor.
On my right side small libraries containing little books either previously owned by the last Deca class or even cooking ones.
Infront of the side of the burning tree that was more exposed to the fire (so having more heat or fresh air,depending on the weather and seasons) were positioned some comfy chairs and couches,with a circular table in front of it.
«Well clann,have a good time making yourself comfortable,your stuff should be already in your rooms.» Sampi said,waving and then closed the door.»
Almost everyone except Koschei ran towards their rooms,me included.
Once i got in,my heart sank.
It was…my room in my home but,not really.
The colourful drawings of the mountains replaced with posters of very badly hidden propaganda,my parents drawings replaced by work notes i never wrote.
I collapsed to the bed,looking around searching for something familiar,comforting or safe.
But nothing.
I simply brought my legs to my chest,curling above the soft blankets,now closing my eyes,trying to picture in my head my mother and father,being near me,keeping me loved.
My heart skipped a beat,and i let tears flow.
Everything was so untrust worthy,everything felt so fake and dangerous,my bones only trembling at the thought of what the elders could do other than a cut on the palm.
I wanted my mom’s soft and reassuring hugs,my father’s full of love kisses on my temple,his nightly stories and occasionally watching he day rise,as endless peace formed inside of me.
The thought of something so perfect yet so now unachievable made my tears flow easily and my blood boil from anger.
“if only i could finish this Akademia tomorrow…„ i thought to myself.
The only comfort was given once i got inside the covers,now my body being heated by sheets,the pillow soft and quiet.
With my breath shaking i took one last look around,then exhaustion caught up,making me fall asleep.