The Faith of the World

Jump:

"Hmm," Headmaster Noah says. He and Assistant Headmistress Amaya stop and look at the wall in front of them. Stepping forward, Headmaster Noah reaches out and grabs his arrow. He pulls it from the wall and slides it back into his quiver. Lowering his head, Headmaster Noah drops to one of his knees and rubs his fingers against the floor.

"Someone was here," Headmaster Noah states, looking at his fingers.

"Here," Assistant Headmistress Amaya asks. "Impossible. All students are supposed to be in their rooms. Curfew started three hours ago."

"Just because curfew starts doesn't mean everyone goes to sleep."

Standing back up, Headmaster Noah looks around. He looks in my direction and I try to push myself even deeper into the shadow.

Looking in my direction for a little longer, he then looks down. Looking around some more, Headmaster Noah finally stops.

"Forget what you heard," Headmaster Noah yells, his voice echoing throughout the hallway. "This is a private conversation. You and I assume the rest of your team, are to return to your room now. Believe me. You do not want me to find you. Come on, Headmistress Amaya. We have a meeting to attend."

"Of course, sir."

Headmistress Amaya adjusts her glasses as she follows Headmaster Noah to their 'apparent' secret meeting. Watching until they turn a corner and disappear, I pull my arms in. Falling from the ceiling and onto the floor, I push myself up.

"Ouch," I say, rubbing my shoulder. Shaking it off, I rush to tell the others to have to go to our rooms now.

Headmaster Noah:

Pushing open the double door, I hold it open for Headmistress Amaya to come in. Coming into the large, circle-shaped meeting room, I see the faces of many commanders and generals.

"Finally, you're here," Commander Antonio says, his displease showing very well on the hologram display. "Where have you been?"

"I'm the headmaster at Yellow Sun Academy," I answer. "My workday doesn't end at 6."

"Neither does mine," Commander Antonio states. "Because of what is happening right now, my workday is all day, every day."

"Speaking of what is happening right now," I say, walking over to my desk and taking my seat. "How is the faith of the world? Are the animals still attacking?"

"Yes," Commander Wayen answers. "The animals are still attacking. They attacked another city."

A holographic display of the world appears in front of all of us. As it rotates, a small red dot appears in the east. More specifically, in Asia. We zoom in on the dot, and videos and images of the destroyed city hover in the air.

I see whole buildings and streets destroyed. Houses are on fire and I see hundreds and hundreds of weapons scattered all over the ground.

In one of the video feeds, I see the city's wall, with dozens and dozens of breaches and openings. Some of the breaches and openings are in the middle of being repaired. Meanwhile, the others are being heavily guarded by soldiers and fighters.

"My fighters and I fought off the animals that attacked the city," General Victor of the Asia army states. "But if it wasn't for the extra soldiers from the Asia government, we all would be dead."

"What happened exactly," I ask.

"The animals were relentless," General Victor answers. "They attacked in large groups, and all at once."

"They broke through all at once," Commander Antonio asks. "That doesn't sound right."

"I know what I saw," General Victor says. "The animals attacked all at once. They broke through the city's defenses simultaneously and overwhelmed us."

"Now that is interesting," I say. "Animals normally don't attack like that. They break through a wall and all file through that one opening. They don't usually make more than two, maybe three openings."

"And they don't attack in large groups either," Commander Wayen adds. "Large groups like that don't even form in the Wild. That is too big for it to be natural. Something made all those animals gather together."

"Something made all those animals gather together," Commander Antonio repeats. "Commander Wayen, you must be insane. Assuming that is true, what would that even be? What could make animals gather together like that?"

"I am not insane," Commander Wayen says. "And I don't know what can make animals gather together like that. But I know the Wild, and I know animals do not just 'get together' like that unless something is luring them in."

I see Commander Antonio opens his mouth to say something but I speak first and cut him off.

"Enough," I shout. "Commander Antonio. Commander Wayen. We can discuss the matter of 'gathering animals' later. For now, I want to know. General Victor, is everything okay?"

"For now," General Victor answers. "I still have fighters, and the Asia government has contacted me. They've agreed to send more soldiers here."

"How are the people?"

"Scare and wounded but alive. They still have basic supplies. Foods. Water. Blankets."

"Excellent."

I then turn to the other generals and commanders, the ones who haven't had the chance to speak yet.

"General Luthor," I start. "How is the Oceania region?"

"Fine," General Luthor answers. "Thankfully, no major animal attacks."

"Yet," I finish. "I suggest keeping an eye on the water. Your islands had excellent defenses but those defenses mostly work on land."

"Understood," General Luthor says, nodding.

"General Mason. Report of the Europe?"

"Very similar to General Luhtor," General Mason answers. "No animal attacks yet. Our cities and walls are staying strong and our people remain calm."

I turn to the last and final general.

"General Lunella. Have things in Africa finally settled down?"

"No," General Lunella answers. "The animals may have stopped attacking but the people are still scared, and are fighting each other for resources. We're on the verge of anarchy and rioting."

"Okay," I say. I think it over before turning back to General Mason.

"General Mason, you said your cities and walls are strong and your people are calm."

"Yes," General Mason says.

"Can you send some extra supplies and fighters to aid General Lunella?"

"Of course. General Lunella, I will prepare a fleet of planes with the supplies and fighters."

"Thank you, General Mason."

"This is very concerning," I say out loud.

"What do you mean by that," Headmistress Amaya asks.

"First, Africa is attacked almost relentlessly by the animals. They destroyed villages and towns, one after the other. And then, just stopped. Just like that. Now, it's Asia."

When I say this out loud, all the commanders and generals turn toward me. I can see them thinking, taking my words in. They realize what I said is true.

"Commander Wayen may be right," I say. I see Commander Wayen smirk and Commander Antonio rolling his head. "Something is happening in the Wild. Whatever it is, it's making the animals smarter. They know to attack in larger groups, to attack all at once, and when to stop."

"That is very concerning," Commander Wayen says.

"If this is the start of a pattern," General Luthor says, "Then it means after Asia, any one of us regions is next. The only question is which one."

"There isn't much information or data to confirm my theory," I say, all heads turning back to me. "But just to be sure, I would advise talking to your government and checking your Wild. Make note of any unusual behaviors your animals are exhibiting."

"Understood," most of the generals and commanders say.

"What are you going to do," Commander Antonio asks.

"What do you mean?"

"You can't sent us any fighters?"

"My students just started."

"So?"

"They aren't ready for whatever this is yet. They need more time to prepare."

"If what you said is true, that this is some sort of pattern, that the animals will start attacking other regions, then we may not have that time. I am commander of the North American's fighters division. I am in charge of defending one of the largest populated regions in our world."

"Yes. The second most populated. The largest begin Asia."

"Which is already being attacked."

"I will send my students when they are ready, and not a moment sooner. Until then, you will make do with the professors and graduates I sent. They are the most prepared and can help."

Again, I see Commander Antonio's displease face. I ignore it and stand up.

"That is it for now," I say. "Morning is coming, and I have work to do. Commander Antonio, Commander Wayen, General Luthor, and General Mason. Keep an eye on your Wild and more importantly, the animals. General Victor. I will redirect some fighters to Asia. General Mason, please do not forget to send those supplies to General Lunella."

"I will not," General Mason says. "The planes will arrive."

"That is for all now. In one week, we will reconvene to discuss the faith of the world. Until then, I wish all of you luck. Bye."

"Bye," all the commanders and generals say, their faces and holographic screens disappearing. With the screens gone, I turn to Headmistress Amaya. "Come on. We should have breakfast before going back to work."

Heading to the door, I turn off the light. Headmistress Amaya joins me and we walk side-by-side to the cafeteria.