Chapter Two

The Room Chapter Two “Another round boys!” shouted “Brewy”, everyone’s favorite bartender and the main entertainer of the corps. The recently added members of the corps were feasting and cheering in the Glider’s Hall, where the elder veterans congratulated them on the successful joining, as well as reminiscing on olden days. Brewy, or actually York Yedlin, stood in the center, singing and cheering onwards, as well as having a few ales here and there. The Gliders always took the opportunity to celebrate, though naturally it couldn’t be anything extravagant. And, truth be told, most nights were just as rowdy with the Gliders. While everyone was chattering and congratulating everyone else, Skyla slowly made her way outside, sneaking past a few of the boasting Gliders and walking down the stone hallways, she made her way to the equipment room. The light of the moon shone through the windows, giving Skyla enough light to find what she was looking for. There it was, folded and tucked in nicely, her suit! Putting it on and going through the regular motions of attaching straps and tightening pieces, she made her way out to the flight platform. One guard was on duty, Trega, who raised an eyebrow once Skyla emerged fully suited up, but merely chuckled to himself. “Not going to enjoy the fun night inside?” he asked. “You know me,” replied Skyla, “I’m just going to go glide around for a little bit. Clear my head, think things over.” Trega nodded and smiled ever so slightly, as Skyla jumped off the edge. She loved this part, the weightlessness, the air whipping past, and sky open and free. Though cloaked in darkness of night, she knew what to do instinctively, as years of constant drilling and training had taught her every move and every trick there was to know. Her wings unfurled, and she softly spoke the word “vinoisi nithgi.” Suddenly, the light within her goggles lit up, turning the world grey, black and white, but piercing through the murky blackness of night. She slowly turned to her right, careening in a wide arc, and heading over the Titan Fields. Below her, little torches and huts were set, and she could see a few people moving among the crops and animal farms. Far to the corner of the Room was the head of the gigantic mechanical titan, one of many mysteries in the Room. His ancient head stuck out from the mound of dirt that cover most of his body, while just a portion of his right hand stood outstretched. Skyla refocused her gaze on the sight before her. One of the many so-called wall villages, built upon the many great stone walls of the villages themselves. Nephinal had expanded over its history, and the great gathered platforms of wood and rope where held onto the massive walls, jutting over the edge above the Titan Fields. But Skyla wasn’t heading there. Titling downward, she made a wide crescent curve, tilting her body back upward at just the right angle. Then, she was perfectly gliding horizontally with the wall, waiting slowly for just the right moment. She had done this thousands of times and timed the curve so that she slowed at just the right time….Now! She had timed it perfectly, as usual, and a small little alcove into the wall was just before her, right as the momentum to push her wings up dissipated. In that instant, she reached out and spoke loudly “ladna!” Suddenly, she was pulled as if by a great chain, and snapped onto the little stone alcove, turning into a roll right as she hit the ground. Standing up slowly, she made sure she hadn’t hit the ground to hard, and then took in a deep breath. The little hole she was in was carved into the face of the stone rock, made long ago by someone. It was just big enough for Skyla to sit down in, and she let her legs dangle over the edge of the abyss. “Hey there Galena,” she said to apparently no one, moving over to her right. There, on surface of the wall was a small circle of light, white and warm to the touch. Thousands of these lights were scattered across the Room, little pinpricks across the stone walls and ceiling. People called them “stars”, and they only appeared at night, seemingly just glowing out from the surface of the walls. Skyla had found this little alcove when gliding in the region, and then discovered “her star” later on. Skyla came here often, a small retreat where she could rest and think. She came here often enough, and right now, she just wanted to rest, before the next stage of her life began. She gazed out onto the wide night of her world, the vast realm of the Room, or called Moorod by the elven. Below her was the Titan Fields, and she could see a few individuals walking around down there. Before her was the great Foundation, a massive cube-like stone structure that jutted out of the misty Shroud, and on top of that it was a great castle. The Blue Castle. Home. Nephinal was small, comprised of only the ancient castle from which it was first born from, tucked into its tiny corner. Far across the Shroud was the shape of a great rectangle, with lofty towers and great colorful lights and shapes, a striking contrast to the bland world of the Room. It was Elvenia, or Teurhoemo, home to the elven. Skyla had seen a few here and there, extremely arrogant jerks who insisted they were superior to everyone else. Still though, they were really good mages, and were invaluable to the defense of Nephinal. Moving her gaze over, she passed onto the Scour Fields, a whole land of twisting tunnels and monsters thrown out there, misshapen experiments created by the elven and thrown around like trash. Most died. The ones that didn’t, well, there was a reason no one went there. Except maybe the Miganese, from their massive fortress right next to it. For almost a thousand years Nephinal and Mig had fought, mostly over the Titan Fields, as its vast lands provided food for the people. Mig might have numbers, but the Gliders Corps were unmatched in skill and training, and so the cycle continued. Finally, as she always did, Skyla looked up, staring into the wide regions of the higher levels. The walls of the Room were very tall, and made any structure small in comparison, but on the very ceiling was a writhing tangled web of roots and branches and leaves. The Uppergrowth, home to the sesper, nice people from what Skyla was taught. Probably the most peaceful of all, isolated from the wars of Moordod, and guided by their druids. At the center of the Uppergrowth, the great orbs of Sol and Moon resided. The moon itself was fully open, soft orb of pale blue. As the night would go on, the moon was dim and eventually turn grey, disappearing into confines of the branches, and then the Sol would emerge, bright and burning if one got to close. Skyla knew so from several elder members who tried… The night got quieter, though things were only ever so quiet in a cramped world like the Room. Skyla enjoyed ever moment of it though, as and overwhelming peace seemed to settle over her. She did not thing of the pressure and stress that would come with her new life, or of the constant training and vigilance to come. The worries, the fears, the joys, the excitement, all of it did not pass through her mind, as Skyla did not thing, but merely was. How long Skyla stayed in that position, next to her star in the calm night, she did not know. However, eventually, she got up, and headed back, ready for whatever the next day brought.
“Alright rookies!” Skyla was blasted awake by the sound of a lumbering giant that towered‒wait, it was just Nali, the residential leader of Skyla’s flight. Her voiced boomed the rest of the sleeping girls wide awake. “Come on girls, up we go! There we go, come on, come on!” Once everyone had snapped into position, they quickly got into a line, as the small but stocky woman before them gave them their morning orders. “Alright, don’t get to comfortable with your new positions! You all will be assigned to new positions and flights now that you’re full fledged members.” Nali pulled out a parchment, and began reading its contents to them, each with an instruction for one of the girls. Skyla was anxious, and a little nervous, as she was sure the rest of the girls were too. Based on observation during their final test, each girl would be selected and sorted into a position in the corps. Some would go on to join other flights, or they might stick together, or serve in one of the non-combat divisions for a while, forging armor or adding logistical support. “Alleria, you are going to Skyle Gandorm’s flight, as well as Solla. Flamela, you will be serving in the armory for a while” Poor Flam, always wanting to be the first one in a fight. “Terre, you are going to be in the scout’s division, in Tarry’s Hawks. Skyla, let’s see here, ah, yes, you are to report to High Flight Commander Hans Ile.” Skyla was interested by that. Hans Ile was one of the most respected members of the corps, a major diplomat of sorts, and said to run things behind the scenes. “May I ask what I will be doing there?” Skyla asked inquisitively. Nali just shrugged, “I don’t know. Just report to him immediately. The rest of you are to stick together, in a new flight under me.” At this most the girls smiled. They had trained together for years, and usually squads were formed of formed novices, to encourage teamwork and cooperation. Skyla didn’t mind finding a new job alone, she’d always been a bit aloof, but she would miss her “sisters.” Nali then paused, as a silence spread over the room. In the softest voice Skyla ever heard her speak in, Nali said, “I’m very proud of all of you, girls, and I really mean that. You all have shown yourselfs to be ready. I-I’m, well, no need to get sentimental over such things that are doomed to happen. Baevoa sorao. You’re dismissed.” The girls responded in turn, and then set about getting their things and heading to their destinations. Hugs were given, and lots of goodbye remarks. Once it was all said and done, Skyla got her back together of whatever few meager things she had, and went to report to her new commanding officer.