KAI

"You will be separated in teams of three."

That was what they said but they didn't tell us why we have to be separated in teams of three. We could've just traveled as one since we only have one problem to solve so why separate us? I find it confusing.

"Tala may not know this but the rest should remember what our purpose is. The Prophecy may pertain to any of you but only as a guide to the one's who will fulfill the prophecy itself. None of you will ever come out as the hero. This Prophecy is about guidance. Say what is needed, defend when necessary, but never provoke and never be proactive."

The Principal watched all of us intently, expecting everyone to drill the rule in our heads.

In contrary to popular belief, the belief of the humans, monsters are not creatures that haunts their very night and invoke nightmare in their wake. Not at all.

It had been said over and over again about the fact that monsters are just omens of what the future has install. Though saying those kind of things are meaningless without being given evidence nor an explanation.

To begin with. Monster came from the latin word, "Monere", which means "to remind" or "to tell of" which then become "Monstrum" that means "divine omen" but that is where the root of the misunderstanding begun as "Monstrum" can be figuratively interpreted as a repulsive character, object of dread, awful deed, abomination and any synonymous words to that.

Everytime a disaster is about to happen, the monsters in this academy are sent on a quest to find heroes who will save humanity and the world. We are not to interfere as to not damage the prophecy and make things worse.

Which kinda shows a misunderstanding since whenever a monster show, bad things happens. It is like a monster is the carrier of disaster but that is the exact opposite.

There is a disaster, that's why a Monster shows up. In addition to that, Monsters who interferes and tries to challenge fate become the monsters that the humans defines them as. Losing their sanity amongst other horrific things, all because of a mere fact that a monster tried to protect humans directly. A sad truth but that is the reason of our existence.

"As for the group, we will based it on who have the most chance of fulfilling the quest along. The other three groups are the one's with the least chance among all six of you," Principal stated.

Maverick spoke with confusion evident in his tone, "I'm part of this?"

"I'm loving this," Azure grinned.

Rebecca squealed, "Tala, you're gonna be in my group right? Is this gonna be boys vs girls! If so, it's gonna be thrilling!"

Of course none of us will know who had the slimmest chance of fulfilling the Inferno Prophecy which makes me dread the fact that whoever I will grouped to might be the group with the least chance of becoming the Inferno. Rebecca seemed to have overlooked that specific detail.

The Headmasters seemed to have unanimously decided to stay quiet behind the Principal. The air around them tells us that none of us will get any reaction as to who will and will not be the Inferno. Their passiveness is in a whole another level unlike Tala's attempt to passiveness.

"Like hell I'd agree to this." Tala muttered. Her legs was shaking, not with nervousness, but because she was itching to storm out of here.

What is holding her back? I do not know. Maybe out of respect for others but she did not seem to be that type of person. Still, complex as she is, that might just be the case. Or I could be wrong again. Jumping into conclusion with limited information. Stating a completely illogical statement. Making baseless assumption---

Gah! What horrible thoughts! What is wrong with me? I'm repeating the same thoughts over and over.

"Headmaster Salazar will be handling the first group while I on the second." With that, the rest of the Headmasters excused themselves and proceeded with their day and their duties.

The six of us had not been separated yet but I am guessing it is only a matter of time before we do. To be honest, I do not like to be teamed up with Azure even if he is one of the myths who are most likely to fulfill the prophecy. I can never count on him nor his cooperation as he likes to do things on his own.

He could have possibly done it only towards me but I do not care about that. I have already learned that I can never turn my back against him because he would not protect it when danger arises. Nor would he care about it enough.

"Tala, Kai, Maverick. You are the second group." The Principal announced snapping me from my thoughts. "Follow me to my office."

Maverick readily complied and I followed after. Tala was grumbling behind me but she did stop a few seconds after we left. She was quiet the whole time we walked and would not interact with any of Maverick's questions.

"Can we ask questions about this quest?" Maverick inquired.

"Only after we enter my office," was the Principal's short reply.

The hallway was getting wider and wider with each turns we make. The marble tile of pure white is subtly turning more golden with each steps yet the large floor-to-ceiling windows are getting smaller and smaller.

The Principal's office is located near the top of the castle-like academy. It is said that the view from one of its windows stretches outwards into the horizon that you can see the small town near the forest where the academy is hidden and located. The forest, in between the town and the academy, is thick. From the small window of the castle, it looked like an emerald sea. At least half of it is emerald. The other half is filled with fogs.

The fog starts before the rose maze of the forest where The Void is located then extends inwards towards the academy. It can reach high enough to almost hide the entire academy but it does not reach the Principal's office. It just hover outside, just beneath the second highest floor. Thus, the sun shines brighter inside and unceremoniously enters the Principal's office.

It was radiant and I cannot help but be in awe with the structure of the interior of the office. Each of the four walls was stuffed with books and scrolls. The room was enormous!

The ceiling is even higher with a crystalline chandelier hanging and illuminating the place with refracted lights.

The Principal ushered us to sit at the couch at the center of the room. It was a green couch, two green couches that faces each other separated by a glass tea table with an ornament of some sorts.

"You three are to search for Hana and rescue her. That would be your quest." Oh, wonderful. I am in the 'least likely to fulfill' the Prophecy group... Wait.

That means... I am one of the least likely to become the Inferno.

It's a search and rescue, that much can be said that I would not have the chance, not even a sliver, to become the Inferno. The whole vampire clan is counting on me with such a heavy burden and I just failed without even starting. Up until now, I've only been doing trainings' as well as small quests and now that a chance have opened up but destiny refused to let me take it.

"There must be a mistake." I can't help but voice out my concern though with my emotions leaking, it could sound like I am pissed off. "Search and rescue? Shouldn't we be hearing the Prophecy?"

"I wonder why you aren't." The Principal asked a rhetorical question making me grit my teeth and clenched my jaw.

I could just imagine Seraphina's rage if she finds out that I will not be the Inferno. Given that her rage will not be directed at me but the Principal, instead.

I could even imagine what she's going to say.

"Outrageous." Her voice in my head made me laugh. She was angry but her voice wasn't showing it. Just her murderous glare boring into the nothingness. "Absolutely outrageous. How could they possibly doubt your qualification to be the Inferno? This is the culmination of your achievement and they dare lump you with... with some extras? Unacceptable."

I wheeze at the thought, laughing at how Seraphina could uplift me even though she is seething with rage and saying nothing but insults.

My seemingly light thoughts turned dark the moment I realized that not only does Seraphina expect me to be the Inferno. The despair of the Draven family if the news comes out about this,... I can't possibly let that happen.

"You do realize that I could use this to runaway, right?" Tala had asked.

I could sense that her question was meant to be asked when the Principal and her are alone but I would think that asking that question without anyone to stand witness is bound to arise trouble.

"You are free to leave, Ms. Luwalhati." The Principal stated. "But you won't be running far away with your conditions."

Tala's expression fell as she swallow a lump in her throat. She seemed uncomfortable with the topic of the conversation.

"The transformation will happen by the start of the weekends, 3 whole days starting tomorrow, if you find Hana within that time, I would grant you your so-called freedom and take whatever darkness is inside you." The Principal proposed. She turned her head to Maverick, "as for you. I grant you a promise that your members will have their soul back. Since you are new to this, I do not expect you to be ecstatic with the thought of going on a quest."

"P-principal," my voice cracked the moment I called her attention. Tala momentarily stopped moping and cracked a small smile at my mishap. Rude. Clearing my throat, I repeated. "Principal, there has to be a mistake. This is the group with the least chance. Are you seriously telling me that I do not have what it takes?"

"Man, you did skip training ever since your last quest," Maverick informed.

"Shut up."

"The answer to that will be found if you find Hana. You will depart this evening. Meet me in front of the Rose maze by sun down." She answered and that signals the end of our conversation.

Tala was the first to get out. Practically jumping off the couch and racing out of the office muttering curses along the way.

Maverick stood and looked puzzled at Tala. "She looks like she has problems. But don't we all?"

"Teenage rebellion perhaps." I answered before walking towards the door. I better hurry up and pack necessary things for the quest.

Though I already know that none of us in the group will become the Inferno, my needs is not at stake but what Tala and Maverick could gain. Still, it irks me that my decision is to continue but I could disregard this feelings once the quest starts.

I am sure I could.

"Kai!" A voice called out. It was Seraphina. "We heard the news! You're off on a new quest, isn't it amazing?"

Her excitement is clearly showing and it irritates me that she had to flaunt that emotion when I have no chance to become the Inferno. Of course she doesn't know but still...

I took a deep breath and gently pushed her aside. "Not now, Sera. I'm tired."

"Huh?" She was shocked but who wouldn't be? You tried to support your best friend and the said best friend just brushes you aside. I'm a jerk, aren't I? "Don't you do that! I'm honestly cheering you on and you're just walking pass me and ignoring me?!"

My head just want to explode and Seraphina is making things worse. She doesn't know but can she just read my mood? The fact that I don't have one should be enough!

"Thanks then." I shortly replied. "But I still need to pack my things for the quest."

"What's wrong, Kai?" Seraphina suddenly became calmer.

"Nothing is." I assured her. "Trust me."

She just crossed her arms in disbelief. "Sure, lie to your childhood friend. Does that seem like a smart move to you, Kai?"

"I'm just not in the mood, Sera." I answered. "I do appreciate the concern. Thanks."

Before I could walk away, Seraphina grabbed my right arm. I just looked at her in curiosity.

What is she thinking? That's what I thought but it all came into pieces when she gave me a surprise hug.

"You can always expect me to have your back, Kai." She whispered, snuggling closer to my chest. "Always."

I couldn't let myself be comforted. This just hurts so bad. I want to reject her love or misplaced admiration but knowing she had done everything to support me just feels like betrayal.

After this,... after she finds out I am not the Inferno. I will reject her.

»※«

The sun was setting, like the hope and happiness that I felt for this day, the light starts to dwindle. Orange started to dance among the blue hues of the sky. It was a master piece. A painting created by nature.

Violet dashes just below the horizon, barely above the thick canopy of trees that are casting huge shadows at the bottom of the hill.

The main entrance of the Academy is situated on an elevated ground. Not much of a mountain, but tall enough for me to have a wonderful view of the sun as it begins to shy away from the darkness that is approaching.

Entering the woods was easy, the walk towards the Rose Maze was hard as the sun is no longer illuminating the way. The fog is becoming less of an illusion the more the light vanishes.

My night-vision is not going to work if there are natural things that would block its effectiveness. For example, fogs, thick ones.

But that did not hold me back. It took me about 5 minutes to find my way to the entrance of the maze.

"Where are the others?" I asked when I saw only the Principal and Maverick standing by the Rose Maze.

Maverick greeted me before answering my question, "maybe Tala got lost? She is new here."

"The fog is thick, we should find her." I suggested.

Before we could even look for her, we heard grumbling sounds behind us with inaudible strings of curses mixed in a compilation of rants that vaguely made any sense.

I turned around to see Tala, clutching the straps of her backpack and glaring at the ground. She's dragging her feet as if to emphasize that she doesn't like to go but she has to. Her posture is terrible as well!

"Don't slouch," Maverick reminded her but she just scoffed and ignored him.

Tala shifted her gaze to the Principal and grumbled, "can we just get this over with?"

"Can't." I corrected her. It was an impulse so I quickly apologized. Tala didn't seem to mind, rather she just ignored me in general.

The Principal who had been patiently waiting finally faced us. "Before you begin the quest, a Prophecy is indeed needed to guide you three.

Behind a figure, a myth is born.

Beware the heroes, the arrows that scorns.

A journey greater than the shadow that casts.

A myth into a monster, the shade shall pass.

Good luck, myths."

The Principal then excused herself and threaded back inside the Academy.--- Wait, which prophecy was that? What kind of guide was that?

"Principal Nioz!" I called out but she didn't stop.

Damn it. What was that all about? She said that we have to find the prophecy for ourselves by finding Hana and then I begun hate the fact that I voluntarily wanted to come without any merits for myself but then she gave a prophecy out of nowhere and wouldn't tell us if it was the Inferno or what.

Such wishful thinking, I sighed.

"You got your prophecy. Shouldn't you at least be showing happiness in your face?" Tala asked. Her brown eyes stared at me innocently as her head tilted upwards.

She's so small.

I grunted, "I am more confused than delighted. The prophecy is unclear."

Given that every prophecy IS unclear, this one in particular doesn't even say if it is about the Inferno or a quest to find a qualified hero to save Hana. Which doesn't even make sense!

What kind of hero in their right frame of mind would voluntarily save a monster? Or am I thinking of a wrong quest and we are supposed to find a solution to a different problem? The case of the mysterious soul sucking monster that lurks the forest border of the school.

The problem that is still unknown up until now! With scarce information! And gathering them now is dangerous as the night is swiftly settling in. We could be targeted amidst our travel.

"Behind a figure?" Maverick thought to himself. "Is a prophecy like some sort of a riddle?"

"Basically, it is."

Tala groaned, "it's making my brain hurt just thinking about it."

"Right," Maverick nodded dragging his response. "We should probably head out now.

"Where to?" Tala asked, slightly less irritated than earlier.