Tricksters of the Twilight Sky

Class had ended, and Asdras followed some students to lunch.

The academy dining hall was a grand, cavernous space of stone and light, evoking the grandeur of an ancient cathedral. The famous architect Julian Van Baster, inspired by his religious beliefs, designed it with the idea, "If I was to live underground, then let it be in the grandeur of our cathedrals."

The vaulted ceilings soared overhead, supported by rows of majestic, intricately carved columns that stood like silent sentinels, guarding the hall's history. Long tables stretched the length of the room, draped in crisp white linens that flowed like gentle waves, adorned with gleaming silverware and flickering candles.

As one stepped into the hall, the scent of hearty meals and freshly baked bread mingled with the cool, damp aroma of the stone walls. Candlelight cast a warm, golden glow, dancing along the walls and illuminating the faces of students in a flickering display of curiosity and dread.

Asdras walked slowly, absorbing the hall's intricate details. The grandeur of the space filled him with both awe and subtle unease. He found a spot at one of the long tables and settled in with a plate of food. The bread was warm and soft, the stew hearty and rich with flavors he hadn't tasted before.

He glanced around, noticing the varied reactions of his fellow students. Some ate with gusto, their nervousness overshadowed by hunger. Others picked at their food, their eyes darting around the hall as if expecting the walls to close in.

'It's so odd…' he mused while poking at his food. 'From eating with Brian to dining with them, and now here. It feels odd…'

"Can I sit here?"

Asdras glanced up as Finn spoke. He nodded and said, "Sure thing."

"Asdras! Quite an intro lecture we had there!" Finn remarked with an easy grin as he settled into his seat and began picking at his food. "Oh yeah — I'm Finn by the way — but I'm guessing you already knew that since we're among those brave enough to question the teacher."

Asdras scrutinized Finn's face closely. Finn's eyes gleamed as he ate, grinning broadly.

"You seem pretty cheerful," Asdras remarked.

Finn's grin widened into an infectious smile as he clapped his hands together in delight. "Yep! That's me alright! Wanna know why?"

'Who'd be that cheerful after what happened?'

"Nope," responded Asdras while scratching his head.

"See, I picked up some tips from my older brother who's a senior here. He told me to either join a group or start one for the Eruption. He also mentioned it's tough to find teammates who will actually face the Eruption. But guess what? In the first lecture alone, I spotted five — including me — who would."

"Would?"

"Oh yeah! Just one look at your mug tells me you're game for challenging this Eruption thingy too! Am I on point or what?"

"I guess so."

"Look over there," Finn said, nodding toward a group approaching them. "I can already smell our team forming!"

Asdras tilted his head to see Lisandra, Stig, and Merida walking toward the table.

"Can we sit here?" Lisandra asked them.

"Sure," Asdras replied.

"Of course! Sit down; we're forming a group to learn from each other," Finn chuckled as he gestured for them to sit.

"Group, eh?" Stig muttered, brows furrowed.

"Why should I?" Merida hesitated, then took a seat.

"I think it would be a good idea," Lisandra nodded.

"See," Finn looked brightly at Lisandra, "she gets it."

"My mother told me the only way to survive an Eruption is to form a group, one you can trust your back with."

"That's gonna be tough," Merida sighed heavily.

"But let's not kid ourselves — it ain't gonna be easy," added Finn with playful wink towards her direction. "Still...if opportunity knocks why not open that door wide open? Besides — it's not like we'll be lone rangers trying form teams. Look over there."

They turned to look at a group on the other side of the hall. Five students were facing a girl sitting in the center of the table. She had short, curly brown hair and a face that would capture the attention of any boy their age.

"Oh, I know her," Lisandra said.

"Who?" Asdras asked.

"She is my cousin," Lisandra said lightly, "daughter of advisor Nate Noctis."

"Noctis? As in *the* Noctis?" Merida's eyebrows shot up in disbelief.

"Yes," Lisandra said sullenly. "I guess his reputation is not that good nowadays."

"Sorry, lads," Stig said, scratching his head. "I just don't see why we need this group thing."

"If an Eruption is like our awakening or worse," Asdras blurted out before Finn could speak again, "then yeah, sticking together sounds wise."

"I see—"

Before Stig could respond, they saw a trio of students running down the corridor, one of them bleeding while the other two hurried toward a nearby teacher. As they neared the table, one student stood up and stumbled into the running student, causing him to throw his plate, spoon, and knife into the air toward Asdras's table. Stig dodged the plate and avoided getting dirty.

"At least things didn't go totally sideways," Finn smirked watching trio scurry off. "My brother once told me about student who nearly lost marbles on day one — tried jumping off main square!"

"What makes you think I'd trust any of you?" Merida muttered darkly.

"You can trust me to lift a cow, girl," Stig said, grinning like a wolf.

"Fair enough," Finn exhaled sharply through his nose. "We don't know each other well yet or what our intentions are — hell, we don't even know each other's powers yet! But there's always a first time for everything, right? Forming a group this early gives us some advantages too."

"Such as?" Asdras asked.

"We'll get more time in the training facilities and library. The academy encourages groups; we can even ask teachers for advice as a team. If you're alone, it's like trying to read without glasses when you have poor vision — trust me, it's not easy."

"I'd bet on myself over any of you," Merida pointed at Finn. "Come on, give me a better reason."

"Well," Finn shook his head with mock resignation. "I tried being nice about it, but here's the deal: you don't really have much choice."

"Why not?"

"The academy requires you to be part of a group to challenge the Eruption," Finn said, grinning widely. "That's straight from my brother's mouth."

"Honest truth?" Stig straightened up in his seat.

"As straight-up honest possible," Finn nodded emphatically.

Merida mulled it over, her skepticism softening. "Alright then," she conceded at last. "I'll give it a go. But don't think for a second that you've earned my trust yet."

"Fair enough," Finn replied.

"You sure do know your stuff 'bout this place." Stig said, facing Finn.

"Ah, the perks of being the third in line here. My uncle paved the way, then my brother, and now it's my turn to shine."

"You mention your brother often. Why don't I see him around? Or any of the senior students?" Asdras asked, recalling the trio who had registered him.

"From what I gather, they're tucked away in the deeper parts of the academy," Finn said, scanning the hall. "My brother mentioned they spend most of their time in another place. Must be talking about the Ars World."

When they heard about Ars, a moment of silence washed over them.

"If we're forming a group," Asdras murmured, "we need a name."

"Aye that's right," Stig pointed at himself. "Back home names are as crucial as the milk our cows give."

"What about 'Impostors'?" Merida suggested with a glint in her eye.

"We are not 'impostors', lady," Finn shook his head. "We need a more respectable name."

"But isn't 'Impostors' too strong?" Merida argued.

"Seriously, do you have any clue what that means?" Finn teased, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

"It means 'heroes who impose,' right?"

"Of course not, miss. I mean, it's like…" Finn scratched his head, fumbling for words.

Lisandra chuckled and replied, "An impostor is someone who pretends to be someone else to trick people."

"Darn that bearded fellow!" Merida exclaimed. "He pulled one over on me!"

"What if everyone gives one word and then we combine them?" Asdras suggested.

"Well then, mine's sky. Always gazed up at night an' thought myself up there," Stig chuckled. "Not that I fancy dying or owt; just soaring like a bird."

"Moon," Lisandra sighed. "I love the moon."

"Troupe," Merida said firmly. "The troupe comes to Baurous now and then with their stories and music."

"Tricksters," Finn grinned widely. "My uncle always said it's better to be a trickster than to get tricked."

"Twilight," Asdras closed his eyes. "It is from a song I know."

"Now, how do we combine it?" Merida asked, trying to piece the words together in her head.

"Let me, I am good with this," Lisandra assured them. "What about… 'Tricksters of the Twilight Sky'? The 'sky' is the place for the moon too."

"Well bugger me!" Finn laughed heartily. "You're sharp as a tack, lass."

"I like it," Asdras nodded.

"Tricksters of the Twilight Sky…" Merida pondered. "It does have a nice ring to it. But what does it mean?"

"It's straightforward really," Finn said confidently while adjusting his glasses. "We're up against challenges from both worlds; freedom's what we want! To get there? We gotta use smarts — cunning plans — and stick together!"

"You really put some thought into this," Asdras acknowledged with an approving nod. "But how do we organize ourselves and meet? Here?"

"I've got a spot in mind," Finn stood up and motioned for them to follow. "The academy has rooms set aside for groups. We just need to be quick and claim one."

"I think we would be the second to do so," Lisandra pivoted her head to look at her cousin. "My cousin... she would take it faster."

"No worries at all; I promise she won't take this place," Finn smiled reassuringly.

"And why not? She's Noctis's daughter; she'd know this academy inside out, right?" Merida asked.

Finn leaned in closer and whispered, "My brother hid the symbol and told me where it is."

"Oy! You alright there?" Stig asked Asdras suddenly, giving his shoulder a nudge.

"Hm, am I? Why?"

"Here now, look at your leg," Stig pointed out plainly.

The group tilted their heads to look at Asdras's left leg, where the tip of a knife was stuck, letting a small trail of blood seep into his pants.

"When?" Asdras said, surprised. "I didn't even feel it!"

"Well then, looks like we've uncovered either your power or your strain," Finn pointed at the knife.

"My power isn't about this," Asdras denied. "About the strain… I don't know… maybe I didn't feel it because I am stronger now."

"Maybe so," Finn nodded thoughtfully. "Can you walk?"

Asdras pulled out the knife and moved his legs easily. "I can."

"Great! Let's move out then," Finn said decisively as he took the lead. "We need one more person to make it official — six students max per group. Got anyone in mind?"

"No," Merida shook her head. "I'm by myself here."

"I'd mention my mate," Stig sighed deeply. "But... ah forget it; I'd do owt to help him reach his dream."

'I wonder what Brian faced and how he's faring in the military,' Asdras thought.

"I have one person in mind," Lisandra said, wavering. "But I don't know if he wants to."

"Who?" Finn asked curiously.

"Joah," Lisandra replied, pointing at herself and Asdras. "We registered together."

"Trust Joah…" Asdras couldn't help but recall the message.

"That works for me," Finn said as he turned to Asdras. "If you vouch for him, then he's good by me."

"Do you know him?" Lisandra asked, surprised.

"No, no... I don't know him well," Asdras shook his head.

"Then why did you say to trust him?" Merida asked, eyeing Asdras up and down.

"I know someone else with the same name…" Asdras added quietly.

"No big deal," Finn shrugged casually. "One more is always welcome — two of us knowing him makes three, and I like three because it reminds me of six. So let's get moving."