Kiltering Mayhem

We arrive to the other side of the portal, in which a Gigantic Library receive us, one way more larger and infinitely more impressive than the one we were sheltering in ourselves just a moment ago.

The Old Hag quickly deactivates the portal and seals the Pillar, impeding any possible incursions from the Æzh'Xinder.

Though, there is another fact more interesting to take into consideration, as the Old Hag is no longer looking as old as before, in fact, the strands of greyish hair has turned into a shiny and slick black, not to mention the youthfulness evident in her face, which is devoid of the wrinkles it had the first time i observed her.

"—Are we safe now?."; Asks timidly a female voice that is unknown to me.

"—No if we don't act fast!; Answers the Not so Old Hag, doing a gesture to a person on the floor above our current location, which triggers the ring of a bell in the manner of an alarm in the next second.

The warm lighting in this place takes on a second tone that is a little cooler, the dissonance between yellow and blue luminous emanations produces a green glow that is pleasing to the eye, calming further those who understand the meaning of this.

The Not so Old Hag turns in to face us, speaking with an even and formal voice.

—Wellcome to "Aiottaralc", comrades of Clarattoia, I can't recall why we had enmity, but I hope whatever it was, we can leave it behind, and oversee our grudges in order to fight back what is heading to annihilate or use us in other not so easy to mention ways…

{Can't recall?, Really?, Is she serious?!}

Two events come to my mind immediately, "One", when she almost blew up the head of the Landlady's niece, and "Two", The attack she made against me matters too!.

{Without "Quelizt" to see everything slower and simultaneously move myself at an accelerated rate, I would maybe had lost my left ear or even an eye!}

While I would have survived depending on the damage that putrid green fire could inflict on me, even in the worst case scenario, I would only regenerate myself with the [Molecular Realignment], but consumes time and resources though.

—Why are you mention this exactly?.

Inquire sharply the Icy Doll, and the Not so Old Hag shows an apologetical stance.

—One of you stay behind for everyone's sake…

{Is she on drugs?!, I was extremely careful to not let anyone abandoned on the Library; I even cross last to be absolutely sure!}

—So his sacrifice is not in vain, he made sure to save as many lives as possible, just as the "Precept" has instructed us…

{Is she talking about me?, Because i am right here!, I am not dead, much less i would sacrifice myself, first rule of life, "Oneself First, the rest, later!"}

—And to be honest, I thought that we would have more time to prepare before the Æzh'Xinder started their sprouting out of the "Incidental Incrusted Debris" they come from.

—I have heard that the Incrusted Debris can't allow the exit from its inhabitants.

My statement receive some laughs, but the Not so Old Hag illustrates my bad conception of this subject.

—There are three types of "Incrusted Debris", "Accidental", "Incidental" and "Natural", The latter are created by Clarattoia and Aiottaralc to protect themselves…

"—As if it were our immune system?"; Asks Nisha with interest.

—That is right, and just like our antibodies, they tend to be more efficient against external threats, but that doesn't mean they aren't a dangerous threat to the rest of us; It is rare, but some "Inhabitants" can break free from the control of Clarattoia and Aiottaralc, leaving the confines and limitations of the "Incrusted Debris" they once belonged…

{So it is highly unlikely to occur, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen at all}

—On the other hand, the "Incidental" are sent by someone, something or another Planet or its Counterpart, and obviously, they usually have hostile intentions, as the Inhabitants have "Free Will" they tend to be more cautious or blatantly daredevils charging against the unknown…

{Now i understand…}

—Lastly, the "Accidental" are a middle ground, because they were once part of a Planet or Counterpart that has already been destroyed, so they can become even more unpredictable than the previous two types, because all what they are seeking is preserve the last glimpses and vestiges of what was once their homeworld.

"—And this could happen to us?, Isn't it?"; Quickly inquire the Icy Doll, receiving in response a pained nod from the Not so Old Hag.

"—Bookkeeper Cartïss!, Where is the Bookkeeper Collinsstone and his apprentices?!"; Interrupts in an authoritative voice a lean formal Man of black tar skin, light grey hair and yellow eyes.

"—Dead!"; Reply sharply the "Not so Old Hag" with severe disdain "—He pick a fight he couldn't win and die almost as pathetically as he lived…!".

—You shouldn't speak like that!"; Admonish the newcomer "—His Family…"

—Is irrelevant "Bookkeeper Fenthon"; And mind your own words; We may have the same Position and Privileges within the Academy, but that doesn't mean we are equals outside; Be more respectful in how you address me now and henceforth, "My Family" wouldn't like to hear that a peasant rises his voice when speaking to the Nobility.

The Bookkeeper Fenthon shuts his mouth and procures to hide his anger; As the Not so Old Hag observes the Bulky Fatty.

—Drunell, Escort our guests to the infirmary to treat their wounds… ; And if any of you plan to stay at the Academy grounds, he would show you the way for your registration, so you receive the "Identification Badge" to experience the probation and preparation period; Since in The Academy Of The Zenith Embryon, the most important thing before obtaining the title of "Student" is how persistent and tenacious such candidates are, so do not get exasperated, because the standard we have is quite rigours…

Following the Bulky Fatty, I can notice that his hair is grayish, his eyes green and his skin orange, plus he is just pot bellied and his arms are pure muscle lacking even a silver of fat.

{Why are they slightly different than when I meet them for the first time?, Are they aware of their changes?, And why are they happening?}

As we leave the Library area; I can't help but marvel at the site, it is not huge, if not bestially gargantuan.

But what draws my attention the most, are the flying ships I can see in the distance.

They are not as militarized as the ones I saw fighting over the skies of Clarattoia; And there are still one or two weapons mounted on their structure, but in their majority, they give the look of a passenger vehicle.

{*Sigh*, This place is absurdly peaceful in comparison to Clarattoia… , Maybe that is the reason behind "Aiottaralc" being the Counterpart, When one has it hard, the other is chilling and vice versa}

The nursing area is as vast and spacious as anyone could expect from such gigantic place; Having a large number of rooms over several floors, it is basically indistinguishable from a full fledged Hospital of any major Nation of Clarattoia.

Once inside of one hall, it is easy to notice that there are not only nurses and doctors here, as it is evident that teachers and students are involved in some of the procedures, in this way, they can acquire real experience; A practice that is seen in several universities across The Kcrwlmndth Federation.

Those of us who like me are carrying an unconscious person, are quickly assisted by enthusiastic nurses and students; Of course, supervised by the Doctors and Teachers respectively.

With my thoughts calmer, I can analyze the ongoing situation, and quickly, I begin to notice certain discrepancies in the behavior of those who were in the Karantana Library with me.

The Recepcionist doesn't seem aware that the Bulky Fatty is the one who hit her, even if it was due to the orders of the Blonde Young Man.

Marckza and the Icy Doll don't look as close as the impression they gave to me back then when "Little Eslana" stud up against her cousin.

And lastly, the Landlady apparently is only preoccupied for her niece and the Recepcionist, which doesn't has any sense, as she took her time on check over every single one of her tenants before falling asleep in both different occasions; First in the Guest House before the bombing took place, and Secondly in the Library before the Æzh'Xinder assault.

As I listen to the Albine Young Man mention that the person who stay behind fighting is surely fine due to his combat prowess.

I can't help but catch a glimpse of my own reflection in the window glass near me; My hair is long and dirty again, as well as my beard and mustache, which is extremely strange since I cut it short hours ago; Plus I hadn't even notice them being longer again until now, which is kind of understandable, given that I lived with this appearance for a lot of years during my Military Service in the freezing lands of the Northern Front fighting on daily basis the Farioth.