The transport ride to the academy was eerily quiet, save for the hum of the engine as it sped along the winding roads. Alex sat by the window, his fingers tapping nervously against the seat, staring out at the blur of passing cityscape. He couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled deep in his chest. The academy was only a few hours away now, and the reality of it all was beginning to sink in.
Beside him, Miranda was looking out the window too, though her expression was less tense. She was always the more relaxed of the two of them, and Alex envied that part of her. She wasn't burdened by the weight of a hidden truth. She didn't have the constant, gnawing hunger inside her or the strange, alien system telling her how to survive.
"Hey," Miranda said suddenly, breaking the silence. "You okay? You've been kinda quiet."
Alex snapped out of his thoughts and glanced at her, offering a half-smile. "Yeah, just... nervous, I guess."
She raised an eyebrow. "You? Nervous? I thought you were the confident one."
Alex chuckled weakly. "Guess the whole 'new life' thing is a little more nerve-wracking than I expected."
Miranda laughed, completely unaware of the gravity of his words. "Don't worry. I'm sure you'll be fine. You're strong, Alex. You'll fit right in."
Alex's smile faltered, and he turned his gaze back to the window. He wasn't so sure about that. He wasn't sure about anything anymore.
The transport slowed as it approached the massive gates of the academy. The towering structure in the distance seemed almost surreal—like something out of a dream. It loomed over the horizon, its high-tech design a sharp contrast to the natural beauty surrounding it. Alex could see other transports arriving, students filing out and heading toward the academy's grand entrance.
His stomach twisted. This was it. His new life.
The transport came to a stop, and the doors slid open. Students began to file out, murmuring in excitement and anticipation. Alex followed Miranda as they made their way toward the entrance, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the hunger gnawing at the back of his mind, but he shoved it down. Not now. He had to focus on what was ahead.
As they stepped into the academy's grand hall, Alex couldn't help but take in the sheer scale of the place. It was nothing like the small school he had attended. This was an institution built to train the next generation of warriors—humans and beings alike, all with abilities that set them apart from the rest of society.
Miranda tugged at his sleeve. "Alex, are you even paying attention?"
He blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "Sorry, just... taking it all in."
"No need to be so dramatic," she teased, but there was a warm smile on her face. "It's a big place, but you'll get used to it."
They walked past groups of students, all of them talking excitedly about the upcoming assessment. Alex's stomach churned with anxiety as he spotted groups of students who seemed to already know each other. He felt out of place, like an outsider looking in. But Miranda's presence was a small comfort, even if she didn't fully understand what was going on with him.
Eventually, they reached the main assembly hall, where a group of instructors stood waiting. A tall woman with silver hair and sharp, calculating eyes stepped forward, holding a tablet in her hands. Her gaze swept over the group of students, and Alex could feel her gaze linger on him for a moment longer than the others. He quickly looked away, feeling an odd chill run down his spine.
"Welcome, students," she said, her voice cutting through the room. "I am Instructor Helene. You are here to train and hone your abilities. This academy will prepare you for the challenges of the outside world, and those challenges are not just physical. You will be tested mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. You will face trials unlike anything you've ever experienced."
She paused, letting the weight of her words settle in the room. "But remember this: your abilities are not just tools. They are part of who you are. And you must learn to control them. If you fail... well, you'll be eliminated from the program. Simple as that."
The room fell silent, the air thick with the tension of those words. Alex swallowed hard. He wasn't ready for this. He wasn't ready to face whatever was coming.
But he didn't have a choice.
"Now," Instructor Helene continued, "we'll begin with your ability assessments. Each of you will demonstrate your abilities in front of the rest of the group. We'll evaluate your potential, your control, and your readiness. Who would like to go first?"
A hand shot up from the crowd, and the first student stepped forward, eager and confident. Alex's mind raced, and he couldn't help but wonder what he would do when his turn came. He had no control over his new abilities. Not yet.
Miranda nudged him gently. "You'll do fine," she whispered, but Alex wasn't sure if he believed her.