Saguna made it to the Academy, squinting at the elaborate map in his hand as he tried to find his way to the correct building. The Imperial Academy sprawled across multiple structures, each representing a different field of study, connected by stone pathways that wound through gardens filled with plants from across Zendirah.
When he finally reached the grand auditorium, the orientation had already begun. The massive room, with its high ceiling adorned with intricate wooden carvings depicting the history of Zendirah, was filled with students. For new students, The Imperial Academy had its own way of making them familiar with each other. One method involved dividing them into small groups and sending them around campus to gather information about the academy's history.
"You're late," called out an older man in traditional academic robes of deep blue, embroidered with silver patterns around the collar and sleeves. His stern face was partially hidden behind a neatly trimmed beard streaked with grey.
"I'm sorry, I..." Saguna began, trying to formulate an excuse that wouldn't sound pathetic.
"No need for explanations," the man interrupted with a dismissive wave. "Simply join those two and proceed with your assignment. Return here before the second bell—that's 3 o'clock for those unfamiliar with our timekeeping." He pointed to a corner of the room before turning away to address another group of students.
Saguna glanced in the direction and saw two young men engaged in conversation. He made his way toward them, carefully navigating between other groups already huddled together reviewing their assignments.
"Greetings," Saguna said as he approached. "The professor directed me to join your group."
"That wasn't just any professor—that was Master Damian, keeper of Meridian histories, one of the High Council of Zendirah" said the young man on the left, adjusting his spectacles as he spoke.
Saguna observed him: slight in build, with glasses perched precisely on his nose, clean-shaven, and wearing neatly pressed academy attire without a wrinkle in sight. Everything about him spoke of precision and order, down to the perfectly aligned writing implements arranged on the table before him.
"I'm Saguna Taksa. And you are?"
"Radji Loma," he replied with a small nod, then gestured to the other young man beside him. "And this is Osa. We only just met ourselves, about ten minutes ago."
Osa was tall and broad-shouldered, with sun-darkened skin that suggested time spent outdoors. His dark hair fell loose to his shoulders, and he wore the standard academy uniform but had somehow made it look casual, with sleeves rolled up and collar open. An easy smile played on his lips, and there was something in his posture that spoke of restless energy barely contained.
"Well met," Osa said, acknowledging Saguna with a nod and a quick, appraising glance.
"We've been assigned to discover the academy's layout and history," Radji continued, holding up a parchment with their instructions meticulously written upon it. "According to this document, we are to visit five locations and record details about each. The faculty believes this is the optimal method for familiarizing new students with the grounds." His tone suggested he found the exercise both logical and somewhat beneath him.
As Radji spoke, Saguna felt a strange sensation at the back of his neck, where the three dots had appeared. A warmth spread outward, not uncomfortable but impossible to ignore. He glanced at his new companions, wondering if they felt anything unusual.
For a moment, just a moment, he thought he saw Osa's hand drift to his chest, as if checking for a heartbeat. And Radji, despite his composed demeanour, briefly glanced at his forearm before continuing his explanation.
"The first location is the Convergence Courtyard," Radji said, seemingly unaware of Saguna's scrutiny. "It's where the five pathways of the academy grounds meet. According to this document, there's a central monument with inscriptions detailing how the academy was established during the Great Alignment when all domain representatives came together after decades of conflict."
"Lead on then, keeper of the map," Osa said with a grin, gesturing toward the door. "Let's get this treasure hunt started before Master Damian finds another wayward student to add to our party."
After a five-minute walk along stone paths bordered by whispering silvery grasses that seemed to lean toward them as they passed, they arrived at the Convergence Courtyard. The monument stood proudly in the centre, drawing the eye like a lodestone draws iron.
Unlike the ornate architecture surrounding it, the monument was starkly simple—a massive stone pillar carved with ancient glyphs that predated modern Zendirah script. At its centre was an engraving of an inverted triangle with a single point in its middle. The stone itself seemed to shimmer slightly, as though wet, despite the clear sky above.
"According to these inscriptions," Radji said, his finger tracing the modern text panels installed beside the monument, "before the Great Alignment, Zendirah was torn by conflicts between domains. Each sought to claim resources and territories from the others."
Osa leaned against the monument casually, seemingly oblivious to the reverence other passing students showed the structure. "So basically, everyone was at each other's throats until they suddenly decided to play nice?"
"Approximately two centuries ago," Radji continued with a pointed look at Osa for interrupting, "the domain leaders agreed to peace and sent representatives to Meridian. The city was established as a central hub representing all domains. Since the Great Alignment, there have been no significant conflicts between domains."
Saguna circled the monument, drawn to the inverted triangle. As his eyes followed its lines, he felt a strange resonance with the three marks on his neck.
"This is peculiar," Radji muttered, adjusting his spectacles.
"What is?" Osa asked, still skimming the information panels.
"The explanation of the Great Alignment is quite comprehensive, yet there's no interpretation of this triangular symbol." Radji tapped the engraving. "It's clearly significant—it's the central image of the monument. Has either of you encountered this symbol before?"
Saguna shook his head, though something about it felt hauntingly familiar.
"It looks like a fancy triangle to me," Osa shrugged, but his casual demeanour seemed forced. His eyes lingered on the symbol a moment too long.
"Our next destination is the Veil Archives," Radji announced, consulting their map. "Northeast section of the academy, beyond the reflecting pools."
The Veil Archives was a circular chamber nestled within the oldest building of the academy. Unlike the other grand structures, this room was intimate, with a domed ceiling painted with constellations that seemed to shift when viewed from different angles. Glass cases lined the walls, each containing ancient documents protected from light and time.
The explanation beside each document indicated they were written in Bahsa Leluhur — the ancestor tongue that predated the division of languages across Zendirah. According to the translations provided, these documents contained agreement that domain leaders would use their authority to maintain balance between elements.
As they entered the archive, Saguna felt a sharp pain through his skull. His migraine erupted without warning, far worse than the morning's discomfort. Not wanting to appear weak before his new companions, he tried to continue walking while massaging his temples, but each step deeper into the room intensified the pain.
Then the whispers returned.
Unlike the dream-whispers that had haunted his sleep, these voices were clearer, more insistent. They pressed against his consciousness like cold fingers, probing, searching. Saguna broke into a cold sweat, realizing with growing horror that what he had dismissed as dream phenomena was manifesting in waking reality.
The whispers seemed to emanate from a particular document displayed in a case of polished obsidian rather than glass. Drawn by a compulsion he couldn't resist, Saguna approached it slowly. The document appeared to be made of some material that wasn't quite parchment or paper—something with a pearlescent quality that caught the light oddly.
As he drew closer, the script on the document began to move, the characters flowing like ink in water, coalescing into the unmistakable shape of a face—hollow-eyed and ancient, its mouth opening in a silent scream.
Saguna cried out in shock, stumbling backward and crashing into a reading stand. The whispers getting louder in his mind:
The Triumvirate awakens. The balance fails. The veil thins.
"Are you alright? What happened?" Osa rushed to his side, reaching down to help him up.
The moment Osa's hand touched Saguna's arm, a searing heat exploded between them. Osa jerked back with a hiss of pain, clutching his chest where, beneath his clothing, his own mark burned. Saguna felt the three dots on his neck pulse.
Their eyes met in mutual shock and recognition—though neither understood what they were recognizing. Something ancient had just stirred between them, something that had been waiting for this moment.
"What in the blazes was that?" Osa whispered, his usual bravado momentarily shattered.
Before Saguna could respond, Radji stepped between them, his analytical expression giving way to genuine concern. "What's happening? Both of you look like you've seen a spirit."
The whispers fell silent, but the air in the archive seemed to thicken, as though the very atmosphere was holding its breath, waiting for what would happen next.
Outside the archive window, a small whirlwind formed briefly, stirring fallen leaves into a perfect triangle before dispersing. None of the three noticed it, but across the academy grounds, Professor Nyala paused mid-lecture, her head turning sharply toward the Veil Archives as if she'd heard something calling.