Evening came faster than expected. But it was only fair that was the cause because of how much had happened that day.
Nyxander and the other students already ate to their belly's containment. They waited for their parents to arrive and whatever would come after that. There was little to no interaction between the traumatised teenagers. It was evident that everyone was in their heads.
Nyxander gave more thought to everything Atlas had said about him earlier. He believe that there was a dormant power laying within him, which excited him more than it scared him.
He was only afraid because it seemed like he didn't have any control over it and could end up harming one of his friends. But then he remembered that there were other times where he did things he didn't really understand himself.
"You're lost in thought," Orion sat beside him. "Your sister's definitely going to show up, don't worry."
"I'd rather she not," Nyx sighed. "I'm thinking about something else."
Orion didn't have to ask him anything any further. He knew what Nyx had in mind.
"Look, Nyx," Orion placed his palm on Nyx's shoulder, "I really want you to know something."
Nyx looked at Orion.
"I never thought it was your fault. You saved us... If not for you, we'd be dead. Plus, I've got your back in all this a'ight?" Orion smiled.
Nyx smiled back. "I know you do. It's just that, I haven't thought about it till now but there's something that happened back at the Wendi camp. This boy who was part of the disciples, he pierced me with an arrow that was said to eat up my core.
"Instead it made me somewhat stronger even. The rush of adrenaline I faced the bison with too... They had a similar feeling."
"So, what are you saying?"
"I'm trying to understand this 'power' of mine. And honestly it's not making much sense to me."
"That's what the exam's gonna make you understand. Don't worry about it too much."
They were soon interrupted by the sound of the large door opening. The group faced the only entry and exit to the room as soon as they heard the sound.
Another group of people entered into the room and as expected, it was their parents.
Daphne sprung up from the ground to embrace her father first before anyone else moved. Soon enough, they were all reunited with their loved ones.
The room was filled with chatter from different angles—some of happiness, others of concern and one of nothing. Not all the students parents came to check on the well-being of their children.
Atlas, who brought the group's parents in, walked towards Kerith, with a letter in his hand. He stretched it out to Kerith and said, "It's from your father."
"I'll rather not read it," Kerith made no attempt to collect the piece of paper from him.
"I see..." Atlas realised the tension that could've been if the boy's father came in person just from his unwilling demeanor at hearing about the letter.
"Tell me," Kerith gave a cold glare at Atlas. "What have you got planned?"
Atlas smiled a little. He was surprised at how observant Kerith was. It was like nothing could go past him unnoticed.
"You're not like the rest, are you?" Atlas asked.
"That's not the answer to my question." Kerith continued to keep the cold eye-contact with Atlas. "The reason why we're here... Or even part of your exam isn't because of the fact that we survived, is it? It's something else."
"Now that I notice it," Atlas replied, "Your eyes are just like those of the Cornerstone family. Kerith Cornerstone?"
Kerith said nothing in reply.
"I figured. The Cornerstones are quite prestigious and powerful, in fact, I know a couple of legionnaires with that family name. You come from a clan of warriors, fighters and combatants, isn't it?"
"What do you want?" Kerith stood up to face Atlas.
"The scene of this world is changing, Cornerstone. And understand where it all stops shifting is what I do here in the Legion. All of you here are simply part of it. The more you are present with me, the more I can hope to understand what happens and how to control it."
"I see. So you're just gathering prospects? And because we survived sudden death an unexplainable way, we're part of it?"
"Actually, it's your abilities I'm more interested in."
As the two continued to brawl with their minds, Tenebra was having a rather very different conversation with her brother across the room.
"You have... powers?" Tenebra's eyes widened.
"That's the hypothesis right now. Ten, I've gotta know..." Nyx pleaded.
"Nyx, you don't understand. The Legion isn't fun and games, like very dangerous shit happens here. These Nexuses risk their lives literally every second for the governmental organisations like SWIIF. I can't let you into this. How can I live with myself knowing my brother is running around with his life in his hands like that?"
"Ten, I haven't been more sure about anything my entire life..."
"Now you want to risk your life for the same government you so desperately hate?"
"I don't hate the government, I just hate how Nexuses are treated. All I want is equality, plus this isn't about the government. This is my shot at getting something I may never discover if I'm not here." Nyx touched the back of his sister's palm. "You know I wasn't going to be anything if I went to college."
"We don't know that, Nyx. Mom was so fucking worried when we heard the news. We thought you were really hurt and now you want to willingly make us go through that everyday?"
"I'm not becoming a legionnaire. I'm just taking the exam, there's a difference,Ten."
"Nyx, I know you. Don't take this exam. Please..."
Tenebra seeked for the appeal to her cry in Nyx's eyes.
But she couldn't find a shred of it.
"Fuck!" Tenebra stomped angrily as she realised her brother wasn't going to change his mind. "You're so fucking selfish, you know that?! I'm going back home.
"And don't you fucking get hurt in all of this. I understand how much it means to you, but remember that you mean as much and more to me and mom. Remember that, little rascal."
Tenebra gave Nyx a very tight hug as she bid him goodbye.
***
Night was now approaching, and after the reunion with their parents ended, they all were still standing in the room. Somehow, they had all decided to take the Legion's exam for reasons different to each person.
For Nyxander Kenoma, he sought out to find what his nexus ability could be.
Orion Elara had the opportunity of getting to take the exam without paying a dime. This was like a gift specially packed for him. Money was the only issue he had when it came to fulfilling his dream of becoming a legionnaire. The forms for the exam were very expensive and we're often hard to find.
Petal Harbinger had a duty to fulfil as the first born and first daughter of her parents. She had an example to set for her two younger sisters who looked up to her. And that duty was to become a successful legionnaire.
Frieda Dansend, with the hope of becoming a legionnaire just like her mother, was ready for the challenge before her.
Kerith Cornerstone had a name that came with the weight of becoming the best, the strongest, or becoming nothing at all.
And for Daphne, who looked the most expressionless compared to the rest, the reason why she was still here was unknown. Despite not being a nexus, she stood no chance of passing the exam. Or so they all thought.
Perhaps, she now knew something the rest didn't about herself?
"I'm glad you've all decided to stay after meeting with your parents—including you Daphne. Though I must say, I am confused as to why you decided to stay since you claimed to be human...."
"The machine didn't lie," Daphne said in a very odd tune, different from her normal self. She sounded so odd that it shook the others a bit.
"I see..." Atlas continued. "It's now time to begin. Each of you would be assigned rooms. As you walk out this one you're currently in, you would be given a tag with a number on it. That number is your room number. You will then be led to the stairs that leads to the Legion's lodge, you should be able to find your rooms from there.
"You'd have two other roomates so don't think you'd be staying alone. We don't have the time to differentiate males from females so you might have to share the room with someone of the opposite sex. Tomorrow morning, you'll be assigned Faction Masters who will be in charge of your training. They will teach you for the next three weeks to prepare you for the exams.
"You must learn everything you can from them and about your nexus ability too. I'll give you a secret too: try not to tell other candidates about your abilities and what they can do. The less is known about you the better.
"With that said, welcome to the Legion."