CHAPTER 116: THE FOUR PILLARS OF FORSAKEN PEAK ACADEMY

A white-cloaked figure landed on the dais before them with a loud boom.

A cloud of dust exploded upwards, and the shockwave threw some people to the ground, disorienting the few that remained standing.

They couldn’t see through the storm of dust till the voice boomed.

"Welcome, hopeless children!" The man shouted.

His voice was so powerful, it scattered the dust, which cleared to reveal a thick, tall bald man wearing glasses. His arms were so big that one could only imagine what would happen if one got struck by them—something most would have to get accustomed to.

He looked at them with a taunting grin, then laughed. "There are so many of you! SO many miserable grubs to crush! Hahahahahaha!" He laughed hard.

And it was in that moment that they noticed his huge belly, which he held on to as he laughed.

"None of you has any idea what you’re in for, I tell you! From now on, remember how insignificant you are to me!" His voice echoed across, piercing every ear.

No one moved. No one dared move. This man’s presence was frightening, and none of them would dare make a mistake. A few recognized him, but dared not speak, afraid of what he would do.

He laughed some more, then, with his hands to his stomach, took a step forward, eyeing them carefully.

"Well, then. Because you have chosen this hell to spend your years in, I shall introduce myself. Call me High Fist Garrun! As you can see," he opened his arms wide, as if accepting a child’s embrace. "I am a big man with bigger expectations. Do well not to disappoint too much."

Which meant he expected disappointment. Just that he didn’t want them to give him too much of it.

Two other booms echoed, and dust scattered again. Higher this time.

And when it settled, two more figures stood on either side of High Fist Garrn.

They both had similar physical appearances, but were shorter.

The one to his left was dark-skinned and held a wooden staff. He had an intense look as he studied them all.

Snap!

He suddenly snapped the stick in two, swinging both sticks like swords. When he spoke, his voice had a deep intensity to it. "I am Sable Prince Veyron! And you all are here to learn."

He sounded cocky.

He was the kind of person who knew he was strong and didn’t have to sound polite.

The sticks blurred in his hands, looking dangerous as they started to kick up dust. His eyes still had the same intensity as he studied every face.

Snap!

He suddenly struck them together, causing a loud snap that exploded outward. The soundwave was visible as it shot upwards, rippling through the atmosphere.

They could only wonder what would happen if the sticks were used against them. Or if the soundwaves hit them.

The other one also stepped forward. "This is a new place you have arrived at," he said in a very nice voice.

It almost sounded like he was singing. Everyone felt relaxed.

"You shouldn’t feel fear in a place of learning. Just look around you and know that you will be a better person with time."

His smile looked very reassuring, and everyone knew this one would be their favorite.

"We will guide you every step of the way, teaching you what is right, and correcting you when things go wrong."

Suddenly, his smile changed, turning sinister. The place became quiet, and everyone could feel the shift in the atmosphere.

He looked more dangerous than the other two with that grin.

"As you should know, you will learn. Whether you like it or not, you," he paused, looked at them carefully, "will Learn. And if you need guidance and correction, we will correct you." he paused again. "And I can assure you, there are very extreme measures I will take to make sure you improve. Whether you want to or not, I will always be on your heels to change you." He chuckled, his sing-song voice echoing across very loudly. It was a nice voice, but paired with that sinister grin, he looked like a demon.

"If I have to chase you to the end of the world to instill discipline in you, I would do so. I have a thing for students who try to make things difficult, and..."

Aramith could see without pointers that this man was a sadist. Out of the three standing before them, he was the one he believed would be most difficult to deal with.

High Fist Garrun looked like a dangerous man, Sable Prince Veryon looked menacing, but this one...he looked like the person you had to avoid at all cocostsHe sounded nice, but behind that mask, there was an evil being.

"...of course, my name has to be known by all of you, so when you hear me, you know how to behave before I correct you. I am known as Atta Morvian. And during..."

But even as Aramith looked on, something didn’t add up. He could have sworn that he saw four figures when Mozrael pointed them in the sky before. So, where was the final one?

He looked around, but couldn’t see him anywhere.

This just doesn’t add up.

His eyes darted about, but still he couldn’t find the final person. "Mozrael, can you see the last person?" he whispered. She only shook her head, but the thought had crossed her mind as well.

"One thing I hate is when children don’t pay attention. I will let you off, since this is the first time," Aramith shivered. Atta Morvian was looking straight at him.

A few people turned to see that he was looking at Aramith. Some snickered, remembering him as the same person from last night they’d disliked.

Aramith just stared ahead and nodded, accepting his fault.

Atta Morvian ignored him and finished his speech, and the place went silent.

Everyone waited, wondering if they should move or not.

"Life is difficult, and I congratulate all of you for making it here."

The voice was calm, soothing, and reassuring. No one noticed the oddity of it coming from right in the middle of all of them.

"So many of you, so different paths, and si can only imagine how difficult it was to make it here." the voice flowed into their ears.

Suddenly, a chill spread, and they all felt cold. It was like a cold blade was being pressed against their throats. Most of them broke into a sweat. They couldn’t move one inch.

The final member of the group was right in their middle, but no one noticed when he made it there.

He glanced at them, and whoever his eyes fell on shrank back in fear.

There was a calm intimidation in the way he looked, and when he moved, it wasn’t like he was taking steps. He glided across the floor like metal on a sheet of glass.

With his hands clasped behind his back, he glided to the front.

"Not everyone is supposed to make it in life. Some of us are supposed to be failures so others will learn from us. If you find yourself failing, accept it. If you find yourself passing, push on."

He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in.

"Remember these words, children. We pass with honour, and we fail with dignity!"

He wasn’t loud, but the way he spoke made his words fill you with dread and a need to accomplish something.

They didn’t fear him.

Unlike the others, the way this one carried himself deserved respect.

He was meant to be respected, and that was it.

Carefully, he made his way to the dais, and that was when they noticed how differently he was.

He had a very slim form, the only one with hair on his head, and a neatly trimmed moustache and beard. His skin had a darker tone, the color of brown sunlight.

"My role here is to rectify any wrongs you may make, and thus I am Rector Ilthane."

He raised his hands.

"You are our children, and we are here to mould you into better persons. Be it by use of force, a calm push, a tap on the back, a point of the finger, or a slap on the wrist, we will guide you."

He now pointed his arms toward them. "As our children, you should see us as your fathers. You can address me as Father Ilthane," he pointed to himself.

"He will be Father Garrun," he pointed behind him. High Fist Garrun flashed them a smile.

"And that would be Father Prince," he pointed to Sable Prince Veryon.

"And finally, we have Father Atta." FAther Atta flashed an evil grin.

He clasped his hands behind his back once again. "Together, we will shape you into better versions of yourselves." His voice raised louder now.

"Here at the Forsaken Peak Academy, we respect hard work. Whether your strength is with knowledge, endurance, or fighting, we shall hone those skills. But remember. If you plan on being a lazy person, you will not like to stay here."

Finally, he smiled. A small, respectful smile. "I almost forgot to release you."

Suddenly, the force that was restricting them disappeared, but Ilthane noticed a few people who weren’t affected by the pressure.

"Well then, as of now, all of you who have gathered here are students of the Forsaken Peak Academy. No entrance exam is needed."

Silence.

They didn’t expect to be accepted so easily, and this made it feel off. In that moment, they felt like they’ve been trapped in a place they can only accept.

Whatever came next, they had no choice but to go on with the flow.