The Awakening

Xizreth sat in his seat listening intently as the Professor spoke about the history of the last thirty years of history. He already knew this would be one of his favorite classes. Being a bit of a history buff aside, this is the class he would learn more about the Twilight Artifacts in and of The Twilight Project itself. It was also one of the classes necessary to receive a higher level clearance. As a new student he had a basic level 1 clearance which allowed him to access the dorms, cafeteria, floor 1 of the library, and access to the classrooms for Freshmen. He only needed to pass this class, combat training, and one survival elective with 90% or better in each class to receive level 2 clearance.

How fast one completed a class assignment depended solely on their own personal diligence. And he intended to pass them as quickly as possible.

"Mr. Digas, do you remember what year The Twilight Project started?" the professor asked. All eyes fell upon Xizreth, as the name Digas is well known.

"January 31st, 2030 sir. Though some speculate that the project itself had been launched closer to 2023."

"Very good Mr. Digas, you exceeded my expectations with that response," the professor turned his attention to the entire class.

"And Mr. Digas is absolutely correct. Many of the world's most renown archaeologists and historians across Terra are still debating that very point."

The professor, who was about to continue talking, was cut short as the doors to his classroom swung open with a loud bang and in walked a tall burley man in a white suit, blue tribal patterns adorning his visible skin.

"To what do we owe the pleasure Mr. Samandriel?" the professor asked, his voice sounding flat and dismal, but formal.

"I'm here for my daughter, and a certain young man by the name of Xizreth Digas," replied Leo, clearly irritated.

"Well, Ms. Samandriel is not in this class at the moment, and as for Mr. Digas."

All the heads in the classroom turned in the direction of the Mr. Samandriel and their Professor, eyes moving back and forth between the two, all except one. Xizreth kept his composure, this wouldn't be allowed to bother him. Though he wondered what Leo Samandriel wanted with him. He stood up and turned to face the man.

"I am Xizreth Digas, but I have no intention of leaving this place with you. We can speak somewhere more public," demanded Xizreth, he would not be bullied by an Angelborn, regardless of rank.

"May I be excused from class early today Professor?" he asked politely.

"You will be expected to make up for anything you miss in class, as well as continue to show excellence and performance. If that is understood, then you may be excused," the professor then turned his attention away from Mr. Samandriel and Mr. Digas and continued his lesson.

Leo was raging under the surface. Never before had he felt this level of disrespect. Neither one of them had even bothered to include him in the conversation, as if he was merely and after thought. If he wasn't careful, this boy would pay for his mistakes.

Xizreth packed his things and slung his bag over his shoulder, looked at Leo and nodded, and walked out of the classroom.

Leo eyes followed Xizreth as he followed him out, the doors banging shut behind him. Who did he think he was acting so smug? The son of Vannak Digas or not, he would not take this kind of arrogance lightly. This boy would be shown his place today. Leo smiled and continued following.

Up ahead he saw an open cafeteria with benches and tables. And sitting upon one of these tables was his daughter, Felice Samandriel, looking more irritated than usual.

"Felice, you are coming home today." Leo said sternly.

"See father, this is the problem with treachery. You spy and spy, and when you see something you don't agree with, you coming her imposing your will upon others and expect them to comply," she said matter of factly.

Xizreth had never seen this side of her. And he had to admit, it made her all the more attractive in his eyes. It also made her dangerous, both politically and in critical thinking. He smiled at her with his newfound respecting and longing.

This hadn't gone as Leo had planned. In his mind this scenario had played out without her having any other options, he was now caught extremely off guard. He took out a crystal on necklace from beneath his jacket and rubbed it between his thumb and finger slowly, seemingly lost in thought.

Thump...

Xizreth froze momentarily, was it his imagination or did his glove just pulse?

Thump...

It wasn't his imagination, the glove definitely pulsed, he thought to himself. As if it had heard what he said the glove pulsed harder and repetitively.

Thump...

Thump...

Thump...

An aura had appeared around the glove, glowing brighter as the glove continued to pulse.

Thump....

Thump...

Thump...

By now all three pairs of eyes were locked on Xizreth's gloves intently. Only Leo knew what was happening and the thought terrified him. This boy was in possession of a Twilight Artifact.