"Beginnings, once known, are lost".

- Robert D. Fitzgerald, "Beginnings"

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Soundtrack of the chapter: Terra Mirus by Jo Blankenburg

Banner by Nour

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Chapter One: To A New Home

Cady dangled her legs over the railings of the marble staircase. The sun dipped into the horizon, a great burning orb that reached out to the palls of clouds, tumbling with ease into the untarnished sea.

Winter peeled away not too long ago, the strangling frost replaced by the sweet melodies brought by Spring on her merry lute. Luminescent white lilies bloomed all over the great plains, their petals shining like the blighted moon, curling around the out flung arms of the foreboding mountains far off into the east.

The gentle wind tugged at Cady's flaming locks, toying with them out of sheer curiosity, as if trying to convey a message to her. However, Cady didn't notice the incessant caress of the wind, for her heart rested far away from the lush beauty of Esvanira.

"Cady."

The familiar timbre of a voice caught her attention. She swung around. Firaun Strauss stood before the great iron wrought gates, his silver hair blinding even in the dying rays of the evening sun. The dark circlet of stars stood out stark on his fair head, reminding Cady of his new status—the High Priest of the Hall of Games.

"Hey Firaun." Cady slid aside to make space for her friend. "What's up?"

Firaun raised an eyebrow.

"To see the last batch of Starlets off, of course." He plopped down beside her. "And Cady, you might want to be more careful with that shadow of yours."

"Huh?" Cady raised her head.

A large shadow depicting a winged man shimmered on the ground, blending into the darkness shrouding the Hall of Games. Her beloved Consort—Zoroth's shadow shone in full view, thrown across the marbled floors in a careless fashion, the tips of his massive wings fluttering in the breeze.

"If anyone else saw that, they would have executed you. Do you still remember the practices we performed throughout the weeks? You need to suppress your Consort's shadow at all costs."

"I do," she replied. It hurt. She had always imagined the bond as a cord, tying her to Zoroth forever. By restraining Zoroth's shadow, it placed them in a death strangle, straining the cord until it almost severed. The agony of it was like drowning in the fires of the Underworld.

But the results were worth it. She could now manipulate her shadow into her normal form, but it required an immense amount of energy and concentration. Once that thin strand of concentration snapped, all the shadows she tried so hard to contain will surge out, roaring like a lion freed from its den.

"You need to get going, for the remaining Oracles will arrive soon. Remember what I said—don't panic. Always imagine yourself pulling in an invisible rubber band, it works better."

Cady nodded and closed her eyes. Visualizing was the easy part. She prodded Zoroth who obeyed, shrinking and snapping until he formed the petite outline of a young girl. Cady winced as the familiar pain of folding bones sliced through her. She bit her lip as the cone of light fought back, like an elastic band that would recoil at any given second. Reminding herself of the ghastly consequences gave her the strength she needed to complete the transformation.

When she opened her eyes, Zoroth was gone. In his place was the shadow of her ordinary self.

Firaun nodded in approval, relief dancing in the light of his eyes.

"Well done, Cady. With practice, I believe that you can even fool Raphine Sanguinis."

Raphine Sanguinis. His name sent tremors shuddering down her spine. Firaun had lectured her on the current High Priest of the Hall of Spirits, banned from ever leaving Starlet grounds for an evil crime he had committed in the past—the massacre of the Hall of Shadows. From what he knew, it was Raphine Sanguinis who initiated the full-scale attack on the Hall of Shadows, resulting in the extinction of the Walkers.

No one would ever know the truth of the Great War, for the truth now rest with the bones of the buried, far away from the greedy hearts of the living.

"And remember to hide your Walker mark at all times," Firaun reminded her, gently touching Cady's left arm where her Walker tattoo curled, like a sleeping dragon that might wake at any second.

"Cady!" The excited voice of her brother greeted her from behind. Before she could react, Josh had swept her off her feet into a crushing embrace.

"Ouch, ouch, Josh," Cady complained. "You're messing up my hair."

Josh's grin widened. His lopsided smile made Cady's heart throb with a sudden sadness. It would be ages to see his mischievous smile again.

"Come on, Cady. We all know that you don't give two Suns about your hair, I can bet on that."

"You're mistaken," Cady corrected him. "All girls guard their hair like a dragon would guard its gold."

Josh gave her locks another tug. "Pity dragons don't have brothers to sabotage it."

"Leave the poor girl alone, Josh." Thomas' voice rang out from the stairs. The last group of Oracles had gathered at the clearing before the Hall of Games, their patience wavering as their ride was late.

"Thomas!" Cady smiled at her friend.

Thomas Soleil beamed back, his eye patch lifting ever so slightly as he did so. "Ready for the Hall of Spirits?"

"As ready as ever." He threw his suitcase across the floor where it skidded toward the growing pile of baggage. "In fact, I am excited to journey across Arya Arch for the first time in my life."

Josh marched over to Thomas' side and clasped the boy's arm.

"Dude, remember what you promised me. I trust my sister to you now."

A light laugh escaped the brown haired boy and he clapped Josh hard on the back. "I'll stalk her twenty-four seven, you have my word."

"Josh!" Cady half-shouted. "I am not a three-year old. I do not need a babysitter, thank you very much."

"An extra pair of eyes is better than nothing, sis." Josh sulked. "I'm too far away to protect you, and the Hall of Warriors does not allow us to leave its grounds easily. And don't forget, the Hall of Warriors is on a freaking island."

"I don't need protection of any kind," Cady huffed. She then felt Zoroth laugh at her indignation.

"You do, my little Ascendant. One does not walk into danger alone."

"But Thomas knows nothing about me, about us."

"Then he has no reason to harm you." Zoroth's tone was calm. "He can guard you as I cannot reveal myself."

"Why does everybody think that I need a babysitter," Cady grumbled as she sat down hard on the floor.

"Finally." Thomas heaved a sigh of relief. "There is the blasted carriage!"

Cady looked up. A dark shadow was racing toward the Hall from afar, so swiftly that the hooves of the horses sent dust flying in all directions.

The effect was instantaneous. The small group of Oracles dashed to the approaching carriage and started squabbling over who should board the carriage first.

"Newbies." Firaun shook his head and went to pacify the over-excited Starlets.

Cady, however, drew Josh into a crushing embrace. She didn't want to let go. She knew it was her last chance ever to see Josh again in many months, possibly years. She would miss the brotherly warmth, his silly Jokes, everything.

"Stop Cady, you're gonna make me cry," Josh murmured into her hair. Cady ignored him, squeezing him even tighter.

"I will miss you." The words tumbled out of her mouth without thinking. She felt like a little kid again, with Josh holding her like she was the most precious jewel in the entire world. Something wet tickled her cheeks. She didn't even realize that she was crying.

"This isn't goodbye, Cady." Josh plucked a reluctant Cady from his chest. "We will meet again. Think of it as...a long school semester."

"I know." Cady gazed into her brother's eyes. "Just don't do anything stupid while I'm gone."

Josh laughed. "I think I should be the one telling you that. Now go, you're gonna miss your ride!"

True enough, the carriage driver looked murderous. Casting one last look at Josh, she leapt onto the carriage, almost sliding down the stairs in her haste when Firaun caught her.

"Good luck."

Firaun's wish was soft, meant for Cady's ears only. It embedded deep into her heart, for she needed all the luck she could get to remain alive in the Hall of Spirits.

With a yell, the driver yanked the reins of the horses which reared up and stormed down the graveled path, heading toward the new home of the Oracles.

Cady clambered to the back of the carriage and pressed her face against the cold glass. Josh was now nothing but a black dot in the distance, waving at the departing vehicle. With her hands clasped together, she wished Josh the best as the carriage turned into a corner and the Hall of Games vanished from sight.

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A/N

Hihi! I'm back with my rambling author notes and weird food preferences. ;)))

Do you guys remember Thomas Soleil from THoG? And at last, Cady is heading towards the Hall of Spirits! What do you think will be in store for Cady and sweet little Zoroth? Let me hear from you from the comment section!

As usual, remember to hit the golden star if you liked his chapter!

Bacon,
Stef