Just as quickly Xylus felt his body pull upwards into nothingness, he suddenly felt the rush pushing him downwards. He felt himself bouncing as he landed. Gwendolyn grabbed him, supporting him as he wobbled around.

  "Woah." Xylus watched as the world around him spun.

  "The first time is always a memorable one." Tyrian chuckled.

  "Come on. Steady yourself." Gwendolyn told him. Xylus nodded as the world around him began to slowly come to a stop. The Templar patted the kid forward, keeping a hawk's eye on him as he stumbled forward.

  He moved out of the Circle, Tyrian turning his attention forwards as he starts to walk.

  "Follow, Tyrian. I'll be behind you." Gwendolyn ordered. Tyrian led them out of the room and into a lit hallway with crystals that seemed to flicker just like fire.

  Tyrian turned right, following the hall for quite awhile until it finally gave them an intersection. Xylus' mind wandered, his eyes going, too, as he looked everywhere. It had ornate carvings on pillars, clean stone walls, and intricately designed tiles. Whatever this place was, it was extravagant.

  Tyrian turned left and the noise of people chatting grew louder. The hallway opened up to a large space. Huge pillars rose into the sky, holding together beams. Openings in the curling revealed the stars. They had truly gone from day to night in a split second.

  "Whoa!" Xylus' amazed face said it all as he looked around. Statues of Palia were everywhere. People were praying at these statues and/or walking in small groups of at least two.

  "Come on, kid. Keep up." Tyrian waved. Tyrian moved ahead, Gwendolyn patting Xylus forward. Xylus jogged after Tyrian as he made a beeline to the large hallway to their left. People looked at Xylus, pointing him out with Templars Gwendolyn and Tyrian.

  They eventually came to a large set of doors and Tyrian turned around. The Father and the others were waiting near the door as well.

  "Alright, he's here." Amara pointed Xylus out to the Father. The Father nodded and turned his attention onto the door.

  "Let's go in. The others will want to see him." Father motioned and the door rumbled. They slowly opened inwards. Xylus watched as the door revealed five pillars in the middle of the room.

  The first pillar was decorated in white while the others were decorated in different colors. Red, blue, green and yellow. Father led the way. Other older men looked over, noticing the Father and immediately stood to greet him.

  "Father Westhall, you've returned!" Father Grevious, a bald man, chuckled.

  "And it seems you've brought the child with you?" Father Zachary, who wore a cap with white hairs sticking out around it, observed. The three men greeted each other as three women appeared.

  "The time has come?" Priestess Hope, an older woman in her mid forties with white hair, asked.

  "And so fast." Priestess Valerie, a younger woman in her early thirties, added.

  "Fathers and Priestesses, this is Xylus. Xylus Silverfang. He's passed the tests according to the High Goddess's wishes." Father Westhall motioned for Xylus to step forward.

  Xylus felt Gwendolyn patting at him. "Go introduce yourself properly to the others." She whispered. Xylus moved through the crowd and to Father Westhall. The other Fathers and Priestesses all turned their attention to him as he started to bow.

  "H-hello, my name is Xylus Silverfang. Nice to meet you." Xylus introduced himself.

  "A boy from Wyrstfall?" Priestess Valerie raised her eyebrows. "Just like the prophetic vision said?"

  "Correct." Father Westhall nodded. "From the town of Nessia, too."

  "And he's for sure a Shade?" Father Zachary asked.

  "Yes, Father Zachary. He is indeed a Shade. He's proved it."

  "And how do we know this isn't some elaborate trick?" Father Grevious raised his eyebrows. Xylus could tell Grevious had his doubts.

  "Amara, Templar Tyrian, Priestess Lillian and I witnessed it ourselves. Four pair of eyes all saw the Hand of the Elements turn black."

  "It turned black? Oh dear." Priestess Fiona, the last Priestess spoke. She had blonde hair and looked to be in her fifties. She covered her mouth like it was shocking news. She stood near Father Grevious, giving a knowing glance to Priestess Lillian. "Must be such a… Sight to see."

  "We've done exactly as the High Goddess has stated." Father Westhall spoke up. "Now we must put him into the Academy like promised."

  "And what about his Shade mark? Is it there?" Father Zachary inquired. Xylus immediately looked at his shoulder. He wasn't sure if it had appeared or not.

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  The quest appeared in his head. He would need to finish the series of quests to gain the mark.

  "Show them." Father Westhall instructed Xylus. Xylus gave a delayed nod and pulled his shirt off. He looked at his left shoulder and noticed it wasn't there.

  "What're we supposed to look at?" Priestess Hope asked.

  "It's supposed to be here." Xylus touched in between his left pec and shoulder. "But Lord Nura told me it won't show up unless I grow stronger."

  "Lord Nura?" Priestess Valerie raised an eyebrow. Xylus slipped his shirt back on.

  "God of Darkness, Nura. The God who chose me." Xylus explained.

  "Even he speaks of the forgotten god's name…" Priestess Valerie covered her mouth. "Should we say such a name in this holy temple?"

  "If he doesn't have the Shade mark, we won't be able to do much to aid him." Father Grevious pointed out.

  "Without the Shade mark the people will think we allowed a Dark Spawn into the Academy to train." Father Zachary added.

  "That is why I would like to consult with one of the teachers there. They will know what is the best course of action for Xylus." Father Westhall had already thought about the necessary actions to aid Xylus. He knew very well if word got out about the child's Dark magic, they would execute him without mercy. Especially if he didn't bear the Shade mark.

  "And who will you ask for help?" Priestess Valerie asked.

  "You all know him. Templar Victor Cross."

  The room seemed to tense at the name of the Paladin. Xylus looked around and noticed even Gwendolyn and Tyrian were pretty tense about that name being dropped.

  "Ex-Templar." Priestess Lillian spoke up. Father Westhall simply nodded.

  "He works at the Academy. He may have left the ranks of the Order but he still provides services once in a while for the Order. He is respectful and knows what needs to be done. He is worthy of carrying Xylus' secret." Father Westhall explained. "He would most likely be able to train the boy too with his set of skills."

  "That barbarian has no skill. He's ruthless and has yet to atone for the brutality of his actions!" Priestess Lillian shouted.

  "Enough!" Father Zachary shouted. The Fathers all rubbed their temples. "Father Westhall, I am worried Cross won't abide by our wishes. Yes, he has shown his worthiness but he has been excommunicated for a reason. He has passed lines even the Order couldn't overlook. Do you think this child should be under the care of such a man?"

  "I understand your concerns." Father Westhall nodded. "But Cross is the only one who is trustworthy enough to bear the secret. He has worked alongside me for decades before, during and after his time as a member of the Order. Even though he has walked another path, he still believes the High Goddess very much so. So allow Cross to do this as part of his atonement. If he doesn't want to do it, I shall find someone more worthy."

  "And what will you do to shush him of this secret?" Priestess Hope asked. Father Westhall nodded at her question. He slowly turned to look at Xylus. "I shall take responsibility for it if that were to happen. But for now, let Cross take care of the boy as part of his atonement."

  A long silence filled the holy room. The two Fathers and two Priestesses thought long and hard about it.

  "Fine." Father Grevious' voice broke the silence. "I shall allow it. You trust Cross and if he fails, you shall carry that burden alongside him."

  "I agree." Father Zachary nodded.

  "I agree." Priestess Hope nodded.

  "I have a question, Father Westhall." Priestess Valerie spoke up.

  "Yes?" Father Westhall asked.

  "Are you sure Cross will be able to handle him? Cross isn't the best when it comes to… Children. His reputation at the Academy says as such."

  "I have no doubt in my mind, Cross will be able to handle Xylus and his antics." Father Westhall answered. Priestess Valerie nodded.

  "We are all in agreement then?" Father Zachary asked. He looked over to Priestess Lillian who was trying to fight back the anger. "Priestess Lillian?"

  "Yes…" Priestess Lillian spoke out of her teeth.

  "Then it is settled." Father Westhall clapped his hands together. "Xylus Silverfang will be under the care and guidance of Victor Cross. Cross shall take the boy in for part of his atonement and if Cross refuses to help or does help but fails to properly guide the boy, the boy shall be taken under someone else's wing and I shall bear the punishment with Cross. Do we all agree to this?"

  The Fathers and Priestesses all nodded their heads. It looked like Xylus was going to have an interesting mentor while he was at the Academy in Myst Crevice.