Original inspiration and characters by Dais

Bringing her hand to her the rugged crest upon her head, Tezan let out an audible sigh. Hearing the slow rustle of a robe, she turned around. Her self-aware actions had the attracted the attention of another. The other cadet's head nodded, indicating the cap hanging limply at the girl's side.

Tezan withheld another sigh, and lifted the ornament to her head. It settled quietly over her fine, white hair, leaving only a bit to glide out delicately behind her. Tezan covered her thin, pale arms with her dark robes, and straightened up.

The other cadet nodded an acceptance, and left the room's doorway. Tezan watched other's file past her quarters, paying no attention to her. She glanced about the sparse area, taking in every item and aspect of it. Tezan did not know if she would ever see it again. She stepped out.

Isolated in the privacy encouraged by the academy, she moved silently and alone through the halls of the tower. The cold, mute stone walls clashed oddly against the pervasive and wild excitement throughout. Tezan felt she could almost see the blood staining the walls, flowing in rivers across the once pristine floors. She shuttered.

"Tezan!" She turned suddenly around, her thick robes whipping through the air. A few strands of white hair snapped at her face, before flying behind her. She stared ahead, startled, searching for who had called her. The abrupt appearance of a figure before her jolted the girl, but she relaxed as she saw who it was.

Another cadet had moved to her side, with cap tilted up. The dim light of the torches revealed a gentle but serious face, that of a dark-skinned young man, framed in a white beard. His mouth opened in a harmless smile, as he put a single hand upon Tezan's shoulder.

She felt the tenseness of her muscles disperse at his show of affection, and Tezan let out a sigh. The man's smile changed to a frown, and he removed his hand. Tezan looked up, grim anticipation on her face. The other cadet watched her. "What is wrong?" His voice was light but firm.

Tezan smiled weakly at the man's concern. "All the preparations. I am..." She looked down. The man reached out and kindly grasped her pale hands. "We will always be together, Tezan," he murmured quietly. She looked up to him again, tears in her eyes. "I know, Jonas," Tezans whispered in a choked voice. "I know..."