~Academy Cafeteria~
The Library.
Leave it to Green Sage to spend their free time in a book. Unless, their research was more chaotic in nature.
"That's very kind of you, Silas. However I'm not sure that--"
Black Sage's response was cut short by Malphas's sudden entrance.
"Hello, old friend," the sage greeted. "Silas offered me the same thing, but I'm afraid my problem is of a personal nature."
Black Sage kneaded their hands. The Library. It could just be a coincidence. Still, Green Sage was one of the most thorough people at the academy. If their research was what Black Sage suspected, it would be best not to disturb them. Not yet.
"I'll tell you," Black Sage told the two Risen, "if you promise that you won't breathe a word of this to the students."
~Academy Library~
The Academy possessed a rather sumptuous collection of books, records, and assorted media. All of these were housed in the library, a pagoda style building where rows upon rows of books and scrolls were stacked to the ceiling. For Green Sage, there was no better paradise on Earth, except maybe the rock garden.
It was rare of the sage to take their cup of tea while doing work. They believed that the mind as well as the body deserved a daily moment of rest. For Green Sage, serenity came in a fresh brew or a relaxing stroll through the garden. Unfortunately, they did not have time to do both.
Draining their cup quicker than usual, Green Sage turned the page of their book. They had a lesson on the Five Elements in a couple of hours. Today would be the crucial test. Many of their students were capable of bending or conjuring some form of their element by now. However, Green Sage needed to determine if any of their powers stemmed from a darker source.
They threw their glance to the wall. In the far back section of the library, there was a mural. Most students were not permitted to see it without permission. The mural was hand painted. It depicted the animals of the zodiac fighting, what appeared to be, a black hole. The dark spot in the mural sent shivers up the sage's spine. They ran their fingers over the painting of the tiger. Its orange and black colors were as bright as the day they were painted. Next to the tiger was an animal resembling a dog, only with fur the color of jade. Below these animals, thousands of small silhouette figures fought. The grey ones represented human beings. Many of them fought along side red silhouettes, the Risen, against various black figures, Demons and Monsters. Many of the silhouette figures lay either dead or dying.
Green Sage tore their fingers away from the mural, fearing it would smudge. The mural symbolized the original Wild Marked's triumph over Chaos, a victory that was hard won. Green Sage had spent many nights wondering whether the victory was absolute. Lately, their were signs that Chaos was reemerging. How this was possible, they did not know, but they were determined that nothing like the Darkest Hour would ever happen again. No matter what it took.
~Electra's Hideout, Lower Jadewall~
"Indeed," Electra answered. "This source, which I have yet to describe, appeared over a thousand years ago. I know very little about it myself."
Electra casted her gaze to floor. She felt that Orpheus deserved a proper explanation, though it involved reliving painful memories.
"When I was ten years old, I dreamt that I was being attacked by thirteen wild animals. I awoke to find my bedroom on fire."
Breathe, she thought.
"My parents got out in time, but they were terrified. I lived in a rural area, so it wasn't like anyone had witnessed powers of such scale before. A pastor from the local mission offered us a place to stay while our house was being repaired. He forced me to recite scripture and kneel on salt grains, supposedly to banish whatever demon had possessed me to set fire to my home."
She let out a deep sigh.
"One night, a venomous snake crawled into my sleeping bag. The next morning, the pastor was screaming bloody murder. I tried to calm him down. I even convinced the snake to leave the house, but in his mind, I had made a deal with the devil. My family...well...let's just say didn't put up with that sort of thing."
Electra still remembered their screams. Their yelling for her to get out of the house and never return.
"My life became a blur after that. I found some people who claimed they wanted to help me. Offered to teach me how to control my powers and give me a place to stay. I thought my luck had finally changed, until I learned they were plotting to kill me."
Electra looked sternly at Orpheus now.
"That is why I brought you here. I may have managed to escape, but others were not so lucky. The people I mentioned are still out their. If they find you, they may attempt to lure you with hope and false promises. Sooner or later though, they'll stab you in the back."
Her hands curled into a tight fist. "Whatever this power, this connection is between us, I'm confident they were behind it. I want to find out why, and save others like us before it's too late."