"This is an Academy?" i ask
We stood at the edge of a long bridge that hung above an enormous earth crater about 30 feet up in the air.On the other side of the bridge was a dark and enormous structure that looked like a horror film. The fence around the school stretched for miles so I couldn't see where it ended.
"Did you tell her that she could possibly die on this bridge before she even gets to the school?"
Mateo asks Yoda
"What does he mean?!"
"There's a negative pole down there in the crater. And if you are not deemed worthy, you'll fall through the bridge and have all your life sucked out of you" she answers casually
"What do you mean if I am not deemed worthy?"
"Exactly that. The bridge choses who's worthy of this academy" Yohan answers
He had been quiet since we got thrown off of the tavern.
"And you chose to tell me this now!!"
"Quit whining and get on with it" Mateo teases
I gulp and take my first step onto the bridge.
"Go on," Yoda urges. With an amused smirk on her face
I take another tentative step, and then another.
I feel beads of sweat drip down my face as the dread in my stomach increases with every step.
Halfway across the bridge, I make the mistake of looking down the bridge. It looks like an endless abyss, pitch black, with no sign of life down there. I wonder how many people have fallen into it while crossing this deathtrap. My knees buckle under the stress I'm feeling and I nearly fall to the ground.
"You okay there!" Mateo bellows
I ignore him and press forward.
I take my last step off the bridge and collapse to the ground.
I see the others all but walk across it with such ease that i'm surprised.
"You should have seen how you looked" Mateo mocks
He bucks his knees and wobbles them to mimic me then they all burst into laughter.
I stand up, annoyed. "That was a life and death and death situation that YOU didn't think was important enough to brief me on!" i rant
"You wouldn't have fallen through that bridge" Yoda says
"What do you mean? You just knew that 'I am worthy' of this stupid bridge!" i yell
"Royal blood made this school. You were not going to fall because of the blood that runs through your veins" she answers
I feel my face go red with rage. If possibly there would have been fumes blowing out of my ears.
"You tricked me!"
"Calm down fireball" Mateo chips in
"We don't have time, the gates will be closing soon" Yohan tells us
He leads the way, taking long strides as we approach the grand academy gates.
When we get to the entrance, we are greeted by an entourage waiting for us. A tall dark man who had a deep scar across his eye. His face was neutral and his jaw set. With him were three other students, each in a different colored uniform.
"Welcome back Yohan" he says and shakes his hand
Then he looks at the rest of us and then finally lands on me. "You must be Arina Rucksov" he says, reaching out to shake my hand too.
"N-no, i mean I am" at this point i have to just accept that this is how I will be addressed
"My name is Idris Mensah, the headmaster of Daryn Training Academy" he says in his deep and rich toned voice.
"These are the section leaders, I trust that they will show you around and get you settled in. Enjoy your stay" he adds, before turning around and walking away.
The student in the green blazer steps forward. "I am Kwaku Asante, section leader for Ignis, this is Barbara Ansah, Section leader for Aqua, he gestures to a beautiful pale girl with bright blue hair in the blue blazer. And to my right is Sedem Awin, section leader for Aer, he says about the dark student in the gray blazer. He is dark and has a muscular build. His hair is shaved close to the skin. He looks at me with a surprisingly warm smile that sharply contrasts his appearance.
"I'm sure you've already been well acquainted with the section leader of Terra" he said
What was he talking about? I don't know the section leader of Terra. I turn around to look at my entourage for some answers when Yohan steps forward.
"I am Yohan Valmont, section leader for Terra" he says with a deep stoic voice.
My heart drops to my stomach and I feel the blood drain from my face.
What else were these people hiding from me?
I look away, nervously. This is going to be a long one.