Nova Sorcery
Chapter 2:
Brotherhood
Two Weeks Later
Part 1: Invitation
Renato and Akimi strolled out of a small arcade, the remnants of their afternoon snack in hand. The sun was beginning its descent, casting long shadows across the bustling streets. Renato walked with a relaxed air, his hands casually behind his head, while Akimi finished the last bites of his hotdog and drink from the arcade.
"So, Renato," Akimi began, tossing his trash into a nearby trash can with a skillful shot. "It's the weekend, and we finally don't have any work. So, what are we gonna do?"
Renato chuckled. "Well, I was planning on sleeping most of the time, but I guess it's up to you."
"Man, you're boring," Akimi teased, nudging Renato playfully. "Why can't the universe just tell us what to do, ya know?"
Just as Akimi finished his statement, a sudden gust of wind swept through the street, sending a large stack of papers flying. Renato barely had time to react before the papers smacked him squarely in the face, knocking him off balance. He stumbled back and fell to the ground.
"Renato!" Akimi exclaimed, rushing to his side. "Renato, stay with me!"
Renato pushed the papers off his face and sat up, rubbing his nose. "Shut up, would ya?" he grumbled, trying to hide his embarrassment. "I think I found something for us to do."
He picked up one of the scattered papers and handed it to Akimi. As they looked at the paper, a voice called out to them.
"HEY!"
They turned to see a boy with a slightly disheveled appearance, wearing an oversized sweater and worn-out shoes, sprinting towards them.
"I'm so very sorry," the boy panted, clearly out of breath from chasing after the papers. "I was putting those papers up, and the wind knocked them out of my hand."
Renato and Akimi exchanged a glance before looking back at the boy and then at the papers in their hands.
"Hey, can you tell us more about... this?" Akimi asked, holding out the papers with simple designs.
"Oh, those are invites for The Sibority[1] of Westbrook[2] initiation," the boy explained eagerly. "We host one every year for people who go to The Central Institute."
"When is it?" Renato inquired, his interest piqued.
"Tonight, near the west gate," the boy replied with a grin.
Renato and Akimi shared a knowing smile. "We'll be there," Akimi declared confidently.
"Great!" the boy said, relief evident on his face. "See y'all there!"
He ran off, disappearing into the crowd with the remaining papers in hand. "Oh, and tell them Gio sent you!"
Part 2: Sibority of Westbrook
About Four Hours Later
Renato and Akimi stood in front of a loud, lively building, the sign above it proclaiming it as The Sibority of Westbrook. They exchanged excited glances before stepping inside, where they were greeted by a cacophony of music and laughter. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and camaraderie.
"YO!" A junior, athletic-looking guy approached them with a welcoming grin. "Welcome to The Sibority of Westbrook, bros."
"I'm Brandi, the house manager of the Sibority," he continued, shaking their hands enthusiastically. "I'm guessing y'all are here for the initiation, right?"
"Yeah, we ran into Gio who told us about it," Akimi replied, nodding.
"Gio?" Brandi looked puzzled for a moment. "Hmm... which one? Green-Haired Gio, Cleft Lip Gio, Giant Gio—"
Before he could finish listing, a voice boomed over a speaker, interrupting him.
"YO YO YO FRESH MEATS!" The voice crackled with energy. "I HOPE Y'ALL ARE READY FOR THE CRAZIEST NIGHT OF YOUR LIFES."
The crowd erupted into cheers as a tall, athletic figure appeared on a platform. "UNFORTUNATELY, BIG BOSS COULDN'T BE HERE," he continued, his voice echoing throughout the room. "BUT I'M HERE IN HIS HONOR, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE SIBORITY OF WESTBROOK, NICO THE OVERLORD!"
Renato and Akimi scanned the room until they spotted Nico, who exuded an aura of confidence and authority.
"TONIGHT YOU WILL BE CHALLENGED WITH TRIALS LIKE NO OTHER," Nico proclaimed, his words resonating with excitement. "THESE DOORS LEAD TO THE IRON FOREST, ONE OF THE DEADLIEST FORESTS IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE."
As Nico spoke, several imposing doors materialized behind him, each leading to an unknown fate.
"YOU ALL HAVE ONE GOAL: TO SURVIVE NOT ONLY THE DANGERS WITHIN BUT EACH OTHER AS WELL," Nico announced, his voice commanding the attention of every pledge in the room. "THE MOMENT YOU ENTER THESE DOORS, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO COME BACK WITHOUT BEING ELIMINATED. IF ANY OF OUR MEMBERS HAVE TO RESCUE YOU FROM BEING INCAPACITATED, YOU'RE ELIMINATED. YOU MUST LAST UNTIL SUNRISE BEFORE YOU CAN ENTER BACK INTO THE DOORS."
The pledges cheered again, excitement and nervous energy filling the air. Renato and Akimi exchanged a determined look before joining the rush towards the doors.
Part 3: The Iron Forest
Renato and Akimi emerged on the other side of the door, greeted by a sight that took their breath away. Rain fell steadily from the sky, the droplets glistening under the moonlight. Trees towered above them like ancient sentinels, their branches weaving a tapestry of shadows and secrets.
Eyes of beasts glowed in the darkness, observing their every move. Magical screams echoed through the forest, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
"We need to keep moving," Renato urged, his voice barely above a whisper. Akimi nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning their surroundings warily.
As they hurried forward, they noticed the other pledges had surged ahead, disappearing into the labyrinth of trees and shadows. They quickened their pace, trying to catch up, when suddenly, the doors behind them slammed shut with a finality that sent a shiver down their spines.
Before they could react, a massive feline beast with eyes covering its entire body slinked out of the shadows, blocking their path forward. They froze in terror, their hearts pounding in their chests.
To their left, an enormous reptilian creature with eyes like rubies and teeth as sharp as daggers appeared, its low growl sending chills down their spines.
To their right, an even larger beast with no eyes but hundreds of teeth and spikes protruding from its body lumbered towards them.
Renato and Akimi exchanged a desperate glance, their minds racing for a way out. Panic threatened to overwhelm them as they searched for an escape route.
Just as the beasts closed in, a sudden blast of electricity crackled through the air, striking the creatures and halting their advance. Renato and Akimi turned to see an unfamiliar figure in the distance, their silhouette illuminated briefly by the flash of lightning.
Before they could call out a thank you, the reptilian beast swatted the figure away with a powerful blow. Fear surged through Renato and Akimi as they realized they were on their own.
With adrenaline fueling their movements, they sprinted away from the beasts, their feet pounding against the forest floor. Rain soaked their clothes as they pushed themselves to their limits, their breath coming in ragged gasps.
Part 4: Faceless
Finally, they broke through into a tranquil clearing within the forest. The rain had eased, leaving a serene calm in its wake. Moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting a soft glow over a small pond ahead.
Renato and Akimi collapsed beside the pond, their chests heaving as they struggled to catch their breath. They gazed around, taking in their new surroundings with a mixture of relief and awe.
In the dim light, they saw figures standing by the pond—humanoid shapes that seemed to shimmer and shift like mist. As they approached cautiously, the figures turned towards them, their faces featureless and expressionless.
The figures pointed silently at Renato and Akimi, their gestures inscrutable. A sudden gust of wind swept through the clearing, stirring the air with an otherworldly presence.
And then, without warning, something changed...
Renato found himself alone in a vast, unforgiving desert. The relentless sun beat down, casting long shadows across the endless dunes. Disoriented yet determined, he scanned the horizon for any sign of life, trying to make sense of his surroundings.
"Where am I... This doesn't make sense," Renato muttered to himself, his voice swallowed by the expanse of sand around him.
Suddenly, figures began to materialize from the shimmering heat waves. Silent, masked warriors clad in ancient armor emerged from the sands, encircling Renato with an unsettling precision.
Renato tensed, instinctively preparing for a fight as the warriors closed in around him.
"I have to get out of here... This can't be real," Renato thought, trying to steady his nerves.
The warriors moved with eerie grace, their ornate masks hiding any trace of emotion as they closed in on Renato.
"I don't know who you are or what you want, but I won't let you keep me here," Renato declared, his voice steady despite the rising tension.
With a sudden, synchronized movement, the warriors attacked. Their swords flashed in the harsh desert sunlight, aimed at Renato with deadly intent.
Renato fought back with only his bare hands, dodging and weaving between their strikes. Each movement was a calculated risk, every dodge a step closer to breaking free from the suffocating grip of the dream world.
"There's no way in hell I'll be trapped here!" Renato shouted, his determination echoing across the barren landscape.
As the battle raged on, Renato found himself backed against a large dune. Sand kicked up around him as he parried blows from multiple directions. The warriors pressed harder, their relentless assault driving Renato to the edge of exhaustion.
But Renato wasn't about to give up. Channeling his fear into focused aggression, he launched a series of counterattacks. His fists struck with precision, aiming for weak spots in the warriors' armor and exploiting their moments of hesitation.
One by one, the warriors fell back under Renato's relentless onslaught. The dream world trembled with each strike, as if protesting the unraveling of its carefully constructed illusion.
Amidst the chaos, Renato noticed one warrior standing slightly apart from the others. This figure seemed to hold a subtle sway over the battlefield, observing with detached interest.
"You... you're the one behind all of this," Renato accused, his voice filled with both anger and realization.
Renato's instincts flared. With a burst of speed, he closed the distance to the observing warrior. His fist connected squarely with the warrior's chest, sending a shockwave through the dream world.
The warrior dissolved into a strange liquid substance, its mask shattering like glass. As the dream world crumbled around him, Renato almost frozen midair as the floor below him broke apart.
Akimi finds himself standing in the foyer of an immense, opulent mansion. Grand chandeliers hang from the ceiling, casting eerie shadows across the marble floors. The air is still, and the silence is unsettling.
"Where am I?", Akimi thought to himself as he looked curiously. "This place feels... so empty."
He begins to explore, passing through corridors lined with portraits of stern-faced individuals whose eyes seem to follow his every move. The mansion stretches on endlessly, each room seemingly larger and more labyrinthine than the last.
"Is anyone here?", Akimi shouts out hoping for an answer.
As he walks deeper into the mansion, Akimi's footsteps echo in the empty halls. He passes through lavish ballrooms adorned with faded tapestries and ornate furniture covered in dust. The atmosphere grows heavier with each step.
Suddenly, Akimi hears a faint, unsettling sound—a soft scraping noise coming from somewhere nearby. He stops in his tracks, heart pounding.
"What the hell was that?" Akimi thought to himself.
Ignoring his fear, Akimi presses on, determined to uncover now find his way out of this place. He rounds a corner and comes face to face with a horrifying sight—a multi-jointed woman-like creature, its limbs contorted in unnatural angles, crawling towards him with unsettling grace.
Akimi, speechless from fear, slowly backs away. The thing in front of him only to be described as a monster by most turned to him.
He turns and runs, his footsteps echoing loudly in the empty mansion. The monster follows relentlessly, its movements disturbingly fluid as it navigates the labyrinthine corridors.
Desperate for safety, Akimi bursts into a large dining room. The room is dimly lit by flickering candlelight, casting dancing shadows on the walls. He slams the heavy oak door shut and frantically searches for a way out.
"There has to be a way...", Akimi says to himself.
He notices a small door tucked away in the corner of the room, partially concealed by an ornate tapestry. With trembling hands, Akimi pulls aside the tapestry and opens the door, revealing a narrow staircase leading down into darkness.
"It's worth a shot.", Akimi states.
Akimi descends into the darkness, the staircase creaking beneath his weight. He emerges into a musty storage room filled with dusty crates and ancient artifacts. The air is thick with the scent of decay.
"I need to hide... just for a moment.", Akimi says as he feels the air getting worse in quality.
He ducks behind a stack of crates, heart racing as he listens for any sign of the creature. The mansion is eerily silent once more, save for the distant sound of the monster approach.
Just as Akimi begins to catch his breath, he hears a soft scraping noise from the staircase. His blood runs cold as the multi-jointed creature emerges into the storage room, its unsettling form illuminated by the faint moonlight filtering through a small window.
"No... please, not here.", Akimi says as he's shuttering in fear.
The creature moves with an unnatural grace, its limbs bending and twisting as it searches the room with an almost animalistic curiosity. Akimi presses himself further into the shadows, praying silently that he remains unnoticed.
The creature's piercing eyes scan the room, its movements slowing as it senses Akimi's presence nearby. It lets out a low, guttural sound—a mixture of curiosity and hunger—as it inches closer to where Akimi hides.
With trembling hands, Akimi searches for a way to escape. His eyes dart around the room, looking for anything that could help him evade the creature's grasp.
Just as the creature closes in, Akimi spots an old, rusted key hanging in a door to the side of the room. Without hesitation, he bolts toward the nearby door, praying it leads to safety. The monster instantly follows his movements.
"Please... let this be the way out.", he exclaims as he reaches for the door.
He swings the door open and find the faceless creature curled up terrified. The creature looks up at Akimi and lunges towards him, wrapping his arms around him in a strangely warm embrace.
The monster behind him crumbles away as the world slowly fades. The faceless creature looks at Akimi as it dissolves into a strange liquid.
Part 5: Rush to End
Renato and Akimi regained consciousness at the same time, finding themselves surrounded by the eerie, shimmering puddles left by the dissolved creatures. The light of dawn began to peek over the horizon, casting a soft glow on the dense forest around them.
They exchanged bewildered glances, still processing the surreal events of the night.
"What just..." Renato began, his voice trailing off in disbelief.
"I think..." Akimi replied, equally confused.
"How long?..." Renato asked, trying to gauge how much time had passed.
"Long enough," Akimi answered, glancing toward the way they had come.
They nodded at each other, a silent agreement passing between them. With renewed determination, they started running, the dense forest closing in around them. As the sun's rays penetrated the canopy, the heat increased nearly sixfold, creating an almost unbearable environment.
The beasts they had encountered the night before seemed to vanish with the dawn, but the forest presented new challenges. Insects as large as the trees emerged, their monstrous forms blocking the path.
"If we waste any more time here, we won't make it," Akimi panted, pushing through the heat.
"Well, I guess there's only one thing to do, huh?" Renato responded, a determined glint in his eye.
They continued to rush forward, their bodies pushed to the limit. A large cricket-like insect leaped directly in front of them, attacking with swift, powerful movements. The ground shook as they dodged its blows, rubble and dust swirling around them. As the dust settled, Renato and Akimi emerged on the other side, covered in dirt and sweat, but unharmed.
They reached the edge of the forest, spotting the doors they had entered through. Renewed energy surged through them, and they sprinted even faster. Bursting through the doors, they felt a wave of relief and triumph wash over them.
On the other side of the door, they found themselves in an old cemetery, panting heavily as excitement and adrenaline coursed through their bodies. Nico's voice boomed across the clearing.
"WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE THE FINAL TWO MADE IT," he announced.
Part 6: The Saffron engineer
Renato and Akimi looked up to see a handful of participants and Sibority members standing around, watching them. Instead of being in the Sibority house, they were now in the cemetery. Nico stood in front of the crowd, a wide grin on his face.
"AS YOU CAN SEE, THE NEXT PHASE OF THE INITIATION WON'T BE HAPPENING INSIDE," Nico continued, "BUT INSTEAD YOU'LL BE FIGHTING SOMEONE REAL SPECIAL."
"THE RUST OF HIS GOLEMS MIX WITH THE BLOOD OF HIS OPPONENTS."
As Nico finished speaking, a figure made its way towards them. The air grew dense with tension, and fear struck everyone who looked at the approaching figure.
"INTRODUCING THE SAFFRON ENGINEER, BIG BOSS GIOVANNI," Nico proclaimed.
Renato and Akimi looked in shock and joy. Akimi shouted, "OI, GIO!"
Giovanni looked at the pair with delight. "Ah, you guys made it," he said, his voice filled with warmth.
Giovanni, now in different clothing, displayed an athletic build that was a stark contrast to the scrawny boy they had met before. "I'm glad you both made it this far," he continued. "When I didn't get any word from Brandi, I thought you both chickened out."
The small crowd, including the Sibority members, looked at them in utter disbelief. Giovanni's transformation was stunning, and the respect he commanded was palpable.
"Well, I guess it's no time for chit-chat," Giovanni said, his tone shifting to one of seriousness.
Suddenly, energy gathered around him, forming a circle. Giovanni began chanting, "From the depths that Hades rules," and four circles of energy formed, connecting to the summoning circle.
"RISE," Giovanni commanded.
Explosions erupted from each circle, and from the center, a stone pillar rose with Giovanni standing atop it. Four mechanical golems emerged from the smoke and debris: one with a flat top and four legs, one shaped like a long column with limbs on both ends, one resembling a wheel-like ring, and one standing upright with four articulate arms.
"YOUR FINAL PHASE IS TO SURVIVE THEIR ONSLAUGHT," Giovanni declared. "THEY WON'T STOP UNLESS ONE OF YOU CAN GET TO ME."
Renato and Akimi exchanged determined looks, ready for the final challenge. The mechanical golems loomed before them, their metallic forms glinting in the morning light. The air buzzed with anticipation as the duo prepared to face the onslaught, their resolve unshaken.
The old cemetery was shrouded in a morning mist, with the light filtering through, casting an ethereal glow. The air buzzed with tension and anticipation.
All the participants rushed towards the mechanical golems. The golems' metal forms glinted menacingly in the morning light, each one unique in its construction, standing as formidable guardians.
Renato and Akimi stood together, watching as the other participants prepared for battle. The air was thick with determination and fear.
Nico's voice rang out, "Welcome to the final phase! Survive the onslaught, and reach Giovanni if you can!"
The participants exchanged determined glances before charging at the golems. The air filled with shouts and the sound of metal clashing as the battle began. The ground shook under the force of the golems' movements and the participants' attacks.
Renato and Akimi stood back, momentarily in awe of the chaos unfolding before them.
"This is insane...," Renato muttered, eyes wide as he watched the golems effortlessly fend off the participants' attacks.
"I guess we just have to last long enough for someone to get Gio," Akimi replied, a mix of concern and resolve in his voice.
As the battle raged, a participant cast a fire spell, aiming directly at Giovanni. The four-armed golem reacted instantly, its arms spinning rapidly to create a barrier that absorbed the spell.
"No way!" the participant shouted in disbelief, seeing the spell dissipate harmlessly.
Another participant charged at the column-shaped golem, sword raised high. The golem swung its massive body, crushing the participant. The participant's sword flew out of their hand and landed in front of Renato, the blade sticking into the ground like a crucifix.
Renato stared at the sword, then picked it up, holding it awkwardly. "I used to play with sticks like this with my brothers... Never thought I'd be holding a real one."
"Renato, move!" Akimi yelled, snapping him out of his thoughts.
The flattop golem, its four legs stomping with thunderous force, targeted Renato and Akimi. They sprinted to avoid its crushing steps. Renato, distraught, ran as fast as he could. He reached the wall surrounding the cemetery and, in a moment of desperation, began to scale it. As he reached the top, his feet started to slip, and he plummeted back to the ground.
"This is totally not what I signed up for!" Renato exclaimed, frustration and fear in his voice.
As he fell, Renato noticed a crack on the top of the golem. With sudden clarity, he gripped the sword tightly. He aimed and hurled the sword with all his might at the crack. The sword pierced through, and the golem shuddered before exploding. The force of the explosion propelled Renato through the air.
Renato flew towards Giovanni, who watched with a mix of surprise and amusement. Unable to control his trajectory, Renato accidentally drop-kicked Giovanni, sending both of them sprawling to the ground.
"Sorry!" Renato blurted out, dazed from the impact.
Giovanni, recovering quickly, chuckled, "Well, that's one way to make an entrance."
The remaining golems stopped moving, their power deactivated. The crowd fell silent for a moment, then burst into applause and cheers.
Nico stepped forward, grinning broadly. "Well then, it looks like we have a winner!"
Akimi rushed over to help Renato up. Giovanni stood, dusting himself off, and offered a hand to Renato. "Impressive. Looks like I made the right choice inviting you both."
The golems, now inert, lay scattered across the cemetery. The participants and Sibority members were talking excitedly, the tension of the challenge replaced with relief and exhilaration.
Part 7: Welcome to the brotherhood
The Brotherhood's main hall was decorated for a celebration. The atmosphere was festive, with music playing and tables filled with food. The remaining participants, including Renato and Akimi, entered the hall, greeted by applause and cheers from the Sibority members.
Nico raised a glass, "To our newest members! You have all proven your worth and have earned your place among us."
The room erupted in cheers. Giovanni stepped forward, clapping Renato and Akimi on the back. "Welcome to the Brotherhood. You've both come a long way."
Renato and Akimi smiled, overwhelmed by the warm welcome. They looked around, seeing the joy and camaraderie in the room.
"We did it," Akimi said, his voice tinged with awe.
"Yeah, we did," Renato replied, grinning widely.
The celebration continued, with members sharing stories, laughing, and enjoying the feast. Renato and Akimi found themselves surrounded by new friends, the challenges of the day already turning into stories to be shared.
As the festivities went on, the two friends felt a deep sense of belonging and accomplishment. They had survived the trials, proved their worth, and now stood as proud members of the Brotherhood, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
[1] A sibority is a co-ed organization that blends the traditions of a fraternity and sorority into one unified house. The members call each other "siblings" instead of "brothers" or "sisters," and the culture leans heavily into inclusivity and teamwork.
[2] refers to the west most side of Brookshyre, the city the story takes place in