THE ASTRAL TOWERS
by Adri Mars
PROLOGUE: Clue to the Astral Towers
Card Captor Sakura © CLAMP/Kodansha. The only thing I own here is this fanfic's plot and whatever original characters I may create here.
QUICK NOTE: This is the official prologue chapter of the sci-fi/fantasy-ish CCS fanfic that I planned to write before. I'm still working on Stuffed Animal, but I've run in to another case of writer's block for the next chapter, so I decided to write the first/official prologue. I also changed the title from The Empyrean Wars as well. And of course, this is completely different from the preview that I posted before. Ignore that one as that is officially obsolete. ^^
ECHIZEN IMPERIAL MILITARY CORPS (EIMC)
Garden Institution Student Community Chatrooms
(for help and technical, contact the chat administrators. Enjoy your chat experience with your fellow students!)
** User CheeryCherry is now in the SCORE CANDIDATES ROOM **
(on server KEROBEROS)
TOPIC OF THE MONTH: SCORE Candidates Testing
(Users (White): 157, SCOREs (Yellow): 25, Admin(s) Online: MoonCastle)
CheeryCherry says:
Hello, fellow SCORE candidates! I can't wait for THE SCORE Candidates Testing in two months! But at the moment I'm having trouble writing my paper. Are there any current SCOREs who can help a poor lowly cadet like myself?
SCORECutie says:
You're late. Get in line!
VioletsAreBlue says:
LOL, that's rather rude! We're here to help fellow students succeed in their upcoming test. You know, we were once cadets, you know.
SCORECutie says:
And you know what's worse? A Wisterian too!
CheeryCherry says:
What's wrong with being Wisterian? So I'm a student at Wisteria Garden Academy. Big deal. I thought this was supposed to be a chatroom for SCORE candidates seeking help from current SCOREs to aid them with testing?
VioletsAreBlue says:
Um, SCORECutie, I think you better apologize to CheeryCherry. She didn't deserve to have that kind of welcome.
CheeryCherry says:
And school just ended 5 mins ago and I just arrived at my dorm and just got online. How can you say that I'm late?
1000Springs says:
If you check the official garden institution website, SCORECutie, the classes at Wisteria Garden Academy are a lot longer than the rest of the other garden academies including Jaderose Academy. Give the poor girl a break. Well, you are a girl, aren't you CheeryCherry?
CheeryCherry says:
Well, you can check my profile, you know. My school photo's in there too.
SCORECutie says:
Seriously, I don't even know why we SCOREs are wasting our time helping out noobs when we're supposed to be out there doing special missions like REAL SCOREs should be doing!
VioletsAreBlue says:
Well, you do know that the first requirement that we should be doing in order to get to the next step as new SCOREs is to aid the next batch of candidates do well in their tests. If the candidate(s) you helped passes the upcoming SCORE Candidate test, you pass also.
SCORECutie says:
I've got too many noobs to deal with so I can't afford to take another one in my wing. You take her, Violets… or you 1000Springs!
1000Springs says:
Sorry, but I've already got 5 cadets under my wing now, so I'm already maxed out.
VioletsAreBlue says:
Same here, sorry. But CheeryCherry, you can just talk to us and ask us what you need help on while you wait for another SCORE who can accept you under his or her wing. There's plenty of us available, just wait and see. ^_^
CheeryCherry says:
Aw, thanks guys! I really appreciate it! I would say that I can try tomorrow but I can't wait anymore. I've been in this chatroom for about a week already and I still haven't found a mentor SCORE to help me out with my upcoming testing. That's like in 2-3 weeks already!
SCORECutie says:
You know, it *would* be a whole lot easier if you were a Jaderose Garden or an Oleander Garden student, but you're all the way down south to frickin' Wisteria!
1000Springs says:
Don't listen to SCORECutie, she just has a lot of prejudices against Wisteria Garden and the other low-budget garden academies too, like Foxglove Garden and Carnation Garden. Just because she's of royalty and just because she's a Jaderose student, doesn't mean she's better than everyone else.
SCORECutie says:
Shut up! You're the one to talk! And besides, it's true!
MoonCastle (Admin) says:
SCORECutie, this is your first warning. We don't allow discrimination and prejudice in the entire chat system. And secondly, I'm also a student employee at Wisteria Garden and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that school. We're just a small, low-budget school that doesn't have that many cadets, but the campus and the equipment used are as topnotch as all the other garden academies. Sure, Wisteria Garden Academy may not have a lot of SCOREs compared to the other schools but at least we do have some and they're as good as any other SCORE within the garden system.
SCORECutie says:
Oh great, a Wisterian is also in control of this chatroom…
MoonCastle (Admin) says:
Second warning, SCORECutie. Don't forget this entire chat is being recorded and will be reviewed by your superiors! You could lose a lot of points for being rude and unruly to the candidates, most especially Wisterians. One more warning and you're out of this chatroom.
SCORECutie says:
Fine… I'm sorry. But I really can't help you. I'm all maxed out myself!
CheeryCherry says:
Well, thanks for the help anyway. I'll wait… :(
PRIVATE MESSAGE from MoonCastle (Admin):
Sakura, it's me, Yukito. Your brother was assigned to administer the Residence AB Chatroom right now and the boss placed me in here. ^_-
CheeryCherry (to MoonCastle):
Waah! Yuki-nii! Thanks for saving my butt out there!
PRIVATE MESSAGE from MoonCastle (Admin):
No problem! Sorry I haven't been too active in the chat itself. My team and I are currently working on programming a brand-new chat system that we'll be presenting to the garden institution exec admins next month. I'm taking a break from the programming right now.
CheeryCherry (to MoonCastle):
Yay! Can't wait for that to come out!
PRIVATE MESSAGE from MoonCastle (Admin):
Haha, no worries! Hey listen, your brother told me about your problem in looking for a mentor SCORE to help you out with the upcoming testing. Anyway, I learned that our current mentor SCORE has one more room in his core group and I already sent him an email to see if it's okay to accept you.
CheeryCherry (to MoonCastle):
Ehhhh? You mean yours and Touya-nii's mentor SCORE?
PRIVATE MESSAGE from MoonCastle (Admin):
Yup. He's really awesome. We don't know much about him, not even his chat profile helps either. All I can tell you is that he's a Jaderose Garden Academy student and that he has been a SCORE for about six years now, when he was around 11-yrs-old. Can you believe that? He's really gifted and talented and he's only around your age too. Touya-nii felt a little ashamed that his mentor just happened to be about 6-7 years younger than him, but the best thing about him is that the current candidates in his core group are all from Wisteria Garden Academy!
CheeryCherry (to MoonCastle):
Oooh! I wonder if it's the same mentor SCORE that Nao and Yamazaki were telling me about in class earlier today. He said he's really cool. I forget his username though but they said the same description as you did.
PRIVATE MESSAGE from MoonCastle (Admin):
Hm, he could be the same guy. I've surveyed the people I know who are in the SCORE candidacy and so far they haven't met anyone among the SCOREs from Jaderose Garden accepting only Wisterians, so the four of us may be having the same mentor SCORE. And hopefully, you would be his 5th and final candidate.
CheeryCherry (to MoonCastle):
Waah! I really hope he accepts me!
PRIVATE MESSAGE from MoonCastle (Admin):
Whoa, hang on. Speak of the devil, he just logged in!
CheeryCherry (to MoonCastle):
He's heeeere! Mou… why do I feel all nervous now…?
PRIVATE MESSAGE from MoonCastle (Admin):
Hold on a sec, Sakura. I'm chatting with him on PM right now. I have a feeling he'll do the same thing with you as he did with us— chatting with you directly in a private chatroom.
CheeryCherry (to MoonCastle):
Eek! OMG! *nervous*
(some minutes have passed…)
PRIVATE MESSAGE from MoonCastle (Admin):
Alright, I'm gonna bring you and him to a private chatroom right now. I've already added one more threshold so you can come in. Just PM me when you guys need help. I'll be popping in when needed. Good luck! ^_^
CheeryCherry (to MoonCastle):
Waaaaiii! Thanks so much, Yuki-nii! Thank yoooouuuu!1
CheeryCherry says:
Bye, everybody!
VioletsAreBlue says:
Oh, you're leaving now, CheeryCherry?
CheeryCherry says:
The very nice chat admin PM'd me and said that he knows a mentor SCORE who's looking for one more person, so I'm gonna talk to him now. Thanks for the company anyway.
VioletsAreblue says:
I'm really sorry we couldn't be much help, but now that you've got a new mentor SCORE now, feel free to come back here whenever you need help. ^_^
CheeryCherry says:
Thanks, Violets! Will do!
VioletsAreblue says:
Good luck, CheeryCherry!
CheeryCherry says:
Thanks so much. Byebye!
** User CheeryCherry left **
#
ECHIZEN IMPERIAL MILITARY CORPS (EIMC)
Garden Institution Student Community Chatrooms
(for help and technical, contact the chat administrators. Enjoy your chat experience with your fellow students!)
** User CheeryCherry is now in a PRIVATE CHATROOM **
(on server KEROBEROS)
(Users (White): 1, SCOREs (Yellow): 1, Admin(s) Online: MoonCastle)
MoonCastle (Admin) says:
Okie-dokie! She's all yours, LUPUSJr! Good luck, the both of you!
CheeryCherry says:
Um… hello there… ^_^;
LUPUSJr says:
Hi there! Nice meeting you! MoonCastle has told me great things about you, so I got curious.
CheeryCherry says:
I'm a little nervous, so forgive me if I take awhile to reply. It's just that, I've never really met a SCORE in real life before. Not personally, I mean.
LUPUSJr says:
Not even online?
CheeryCherry says:
Well, I met three when I logged in here: VioletsAreBlue, 1000Springs, and SCORECutie. I did better today than the past week, to be honest. When I first started chatting in that room there was no one there to at least talk to me or even offer me a help. Not even a hello. -_-
LUPUSJr says:
I'm really sorry about that. Let's just say I'm a little picky with the candidates so I normally stay silent in the candidates room. I'm one of the "special" types of SCOREs, so I was told.
CheeryCherry says:
Oh I see.
LUPUSJr says:
I check out the chat profiles of each user and the first one who I got attracted to was PeachArrow. Then he referred MoonCastle, MountainCherries (who turned out to be a guy), and CutieFourEyes to me right after.
CheeryCherry says:
Wah, PeachArrow? He's my brother! And I hang out with MountainCherries and CutieFourEyes in real life. You all have Wisterians as your core group?
LUPUSJr says:
Is he now? I wonder why he didn't refer you to me in the first place?
CheeryCherry says:
*sigh* Mou… that's actually my fault. One time I had an argument with him regarding what topic I should write my candidacy essay about. He wanted me to write about the origins of summoning, I wanted to write about a known Wisterian folk legend. He said writing about a piece of history about my country has got nothing to do with my desire to be a SCORE. So maybe he's mad at me which was why he didn't refer me to you.
LUPUSJr says:
Wow, that's messed up. He hasn't told me about you at all. Glad that MoonCastle told me about you now. We'll set up a meeting in the near future, all six of us, right here in the private chatroom.
CheeryCherry says:
Yay! I can't wait! ^_^
LUPUSJr says:
*lol* Well now, aren't you a cheery one?
CheeryCherry says:
That's me! "Cheery" Cherry! ^_^
LUPUSJr says:
Haha, okay then. I recently took a look at your chat profile. Tell me more about yourself.
CheeryCherry says:
Well, okay. Um, I'm about 5'1"-5'2", I like music, sports, cheerleading, um… singing… and a little bit of art. And I get really good grades except for math. The best grade I got in math was only a B+. -_- I know, makes me look like an idiot, huh?
LUPUSJr says:
Nope. Not at all. This brings up an interesting fact though. Each SCORE always has their imperfections, which is why they always have expertise on one thing over the other. Not all SCOREs go out to field missions that involves battles or any form of violence. We also need SCOREs who specialize in non-combat skills, such as healing, alchemy, and anything similar.
CheeryCherry says:
The kids in my school always say different things about what SCOREs actually do. I don't have that many friends to tell you the truth. Most of the kids think that I'm way too frail and too short to even make it as a SCORE that I wouldn't even become one. I'm happy now that I got to meet you. ^_^
LUPUSJr says:
Well, SCOREs have restrictions by the EIMC that we're not allowed to reveal anything about our actual duties and missions to non-SCOREs including candidates, but I can tell you the requirements that you need to prepare for the candidacy test and keynotes to pass the test. Is that enough?
CheeryCherry says:
I understand. No complaints there.
LUPUSJr says:
Good. It's one primary reason why I decided to take in Wisteria Garden Academy candidates to form my core group. When the day of the testing comes, you will be in groups based on your mentor SCORE. Me, in this case. So in short, you, your brother, MoonCastle, MountainCherries, and CutieFourEyes will be in one group. I will be supervising you and monitoring you when you go through the test. In short, I will be evaluating the five of you and decide whether you pass or fail. If you pass, congratulations! If you fail, I'll work with you again to assess what you did wrong or what you need to work on and then wait for another year for testing.
CheeryCherry says:
Mou… that's too long of a wait!
LUPUSJr says:
It's long to wait but you pretty have much all the time for you to prepare to become a SCORE. The oldest new SCORE that we've had is actually 35-years-old. 45 is the limit for a person to become a SCORE. We can't accept anyone older than 45 for obvious reasons.
CheeryCherry says:
Wow… so many restrictions!
LUPUSJr says:
As long as you stay with me through this preparation period, you'll do fine in the testing. There are two parts to this testing: verbal and physical. Right now, you will be doing your verbal testing, which consist of either written or oral. Physical testing will include combat skills to non-combat skills. Right now, you will be focusing on your verbal, and judging from what you told me before, you're going for written verbal by writing a candidacy essay.
CheeryCherry says:
Yup. I want to write about a Wisterian folk tale and my interpretation of it. I'm a sucker for history and anthropology, since my dad is a history professor at Wisteria Garden Academy— and a darn good one too!
LUPUSJr says:
That's great! A teacher for a parent! You shouldn't have trouble writing your candidacy essay then.
CheeryCherry says:
But he's a very busy man so he rarely has any time to help me out. And my brother… well… he's doing something different so I can't really rely on him.
LUPUSJr says:
Well, since I'm already familiar with what the other four are doing for their verbal testing, let's talk about your plans for your candidacy essay. Tell me about this Wisterian folk tale.
CheeryCherry says:
Yay! Sure thing! We simply call it "The Astral Towers"!
LUPUSJr says:
"The Astral Towers"? Alright, the title alone sounds really interesting already.
CheeryCherry says:
Anyway, I think the Astral Towers exist, contrary to the story being folklore!
LUPUSJr says:
*lol* Don't get ahead of yourself now. Tell me how this folk tale goes.
CheeryCherry says:
Okay. Here goes…
CheeryCherry says:
A long time ago, at a galaxy millions of light years away from where we live, there was a majestic, thriving and prosperous universe ruled by a kingdom of gods, with Uchius being the ruler of these gods. The Astral Gods, as many scholars and historians called them, ruled that particular cosmos from every race of every planet and moons orbiting those planets to the flora and fauna existing through these different worlds in every different shape and size. In each of these planets and the moons orbiting them, consisted of their own reigning family of monarchs, however along with the Astral Gods, Uchius would choose a particular prince and princess out of all the worlds under their reign to become their physical delegates- deific messengers who would spread the word of the Astral Gods to the mortals and vice versa- and in turn, the mortal rulers of the entire cosmos, backed by these gods.
CheeryCherry says:
The Astral Gods and Uchius had their own process on how they chose their destined young reigning couple by choosing four of the most worthy mortals from all the worlds to portray their given roles: the Seeker, the Dignitary, the Researcher and the Destroyer. Uchius would assign The Seeker to find the worthy prince and princess of the universe who were close or just turned twelve-years-old. The Seeker will base his or her choice of the perfect pair, not because or their world's economic status or its prestige to the eyes of the galaxy, but rather for their pure-blooded character who has nothing but love and concern for their families, their people, their homes, their neighbors within their worlds and other worlds, and of course the peace and prosperity among all the worlds in the galaxy. In addition, most Seekers would only search for this young royal pair simply because of their physical attributions, or their vision of what their physical attributions would look like, sort of like matchmaking. There was no record or an occurrence in which the chosen prince and princess of the galaxy harbor special feelings for one another before they reach the age of thirteen until recently.
LUPUSJr says:
Hmm… this sounds familiar…
CheeryCherry says:
Eh? Really?
LUPUSJr says:
But I could be wrong. Please continue.
CheeryCherry says:
Okay then. Continuing…
CheeryCherry says:
Though the four chosen mortals may be assigned these special tasks, these four will have to pay a price to the Astral Gods. If any of the four or even all four fail their tasks, their own lives will be the price for those failures. If any or all four succeed their tasks, they will be rewarded a seat among the deities council within the Astral Gods. For example, the Seeker is guaranteed martyrdom from the Gods themselves when he or she breathes his or her final breath of mortal life.
CheeryCherry says:
Once the Seeker found and presented his or her ideal pair to the gods, the prince and princess would immediately reside at the Celestial Temple Palace, where not only they reside but also visit its chamber to connect and communicate with the Astral Gods, namely the gods' king, Uchius. Like any other royal couple in existence, the young Celestial Royal Couple do frequent traveling to meet, interact and bond with all the races on every planet and moon within their galaxy; portray as the judicial court system whenever two or more worlds were in conflict with one another as this can avoid violent wars as well as the ones who will review and approve any proposals and projects that would benefit all the worlds within their galaxy; and depending on who the Celestial Royal Couple is during that time, would host entertainment events from music to drama for all peoples to come and see. Because of strict regulations the gods placed upon the couple, the role of the Dignitary comes in to play. The Dignitary's responsibilities were the of the highest demand, as he or she becomes the adviser, counselor and confidante of the young couple. Uchius made sure that his chosen Dignitary excelled in all general aspects of life from society to politics. The Dignitary is also the mortal representative directly to all the mortals throughout the galaxy, the news bearer and the one who will bring answers to the questions that press representatives of all the worlds bring. Because of the very sensitive and heavy requirements of a mortal in order to become the Dignitary, Uchius needed to be careful that this chosen Dignitary is not some kind of a rebel or one who only seeks self-minded power over all mortals or even play god, therefore this Dignitary must also possess the same qualities of the Celestial Couple, not simply because of mentioned above but it was also important that the Celestial Couple and the Dignitary have a solid bond on the basis of true friendship and trust.
CheeryCherry says:
The Researcher portrayed the scholar, teacher, historian and recorder of all the ongoing activities of the Celestial Couple within the palace, their conferences with the gods, as well as the researcher of all types of information of all the worlds within the galaxy when needed. The Researcher also portrayed somewhat of a secretary to the Dignitary when needed. In addition to simply the one who bears the galaxy's vast wealth of information, he or she also is a trainer of self-defense for the Celestial Couple and all other important representatives of all the worlds in case of any violent attacks or accidents that may occur. Though it may sound like a small role, the Researcher is the second go-to person by the Celestial Couple whenever the Dignitary is absent at that time being.
CheeryCherry says:
Though all may be well for the Celestial Couple, as a requirement for the gods to keep their galaxy's continuous peace and prosperity and perfection of all life beings throughout the galaxy, the Astral Gods will perform what they call The Galaxian Purification and Preservation Ceremony. The Celestial Couple are on reign for only eight years as the it is believed that the blood and flesh of the Celestial Couple will be preserved eternally in order to purify all aspects of all the worlds within the galaxy. When one of the two reached the age of twenty will commend his or her mortal self to the gods, offering his or her blood, flesh and spirit to continue the prosperity and perfection of the galaxy they ruled and loved. The day after his or her twentieth birthday is the day of that ceremony, and because the gods are not able to appear as mortals themselves, this is where the role of the Destroyer would come in to play. With Uchius' Holy Dagger bestowed upon, the Destroyer's only role is to slay the Celestial Prince or Princess, making sure that blood is poured throughout the sacrificial table in order to reach the land. Unlike the choosing of the Seeker, Dignitary and Researcher, the mortal chosen to be the Destroyer is chosen during childbirth and the knowledge of this destined role is neutralized until the prince or princess' twentieth birthday, in which Uchius himself will call upon the Destroyer, bestowing him or her his Holy Dagger to be used for the ceremony.
LUPUSJr says:
Hm… this does sound familiar… where have I heard or read this…?
CheeryCherry says:
Oh! Should I continue?
LUPUSJr says:
Yes, please.
CheeryCherry says:
Okay then.
CheeryCherry says:
Once the cycle of the Seeker, Dignitary, Researcher and Destroyer was completed, the cycle starts over again, with the Seeker searching for a new couple and then go through the same process once more. The chosen mortals with these four roles will have these roles for the rest of their lives until their deaths. Only then that Uchius will choose the new four mortals who will take over these four roles. For the Astral Gods, this particular cycle of life in that galaxy was the best- and unfortunately for them the only way- for all lifeforms within their galaxy to maintain its peace, prosperity and perfection without any violence, crime or any forms of evil existing in life. This cycle proved that theory for several million light years and that the chosen mortals with the roles of the Seeker, Dignitary, Researcher and Destroyer did not have to be killed as none of them failed in portraying their roles. However, the saying of nothing and no one is perfect still remained a fact as one fateful time period came when this perfect cycle suddenly became imperfect.
CheeryCherry says:
No one among the records mentioned if Uchius, king of the Astral Gods, made a mistake in choosing his newest four mortals to portray the Seeker, Dignitary, Researcher and Destroyer or if there were any deeper reasons as to how this perfect cycle suddenly broke. There was record that the current Researcher back then kept a personal diary that discovered something sinister regarding the Astral Gods and the entire circle of life. Apparently according to scholars and experts, the Researcher's unexpected discovery was not just a theory, but with thorough proofing system that particular discovery became fact.
CheeryCherry says:
There were other occurrences that came during that dangerous discovery, in which the Celestial Couple themselves also broke the strict regulations and habits that would surely anger the Astral Gods and even the devoted races throughout the galaxy. One of the two became a traitor to the Astral Gods and the entire galaxy. The other made the greatest sin by falling in love with another mortal whom no one was supposed to become deeply, soulfully and emotionally attached with. What even made things worse was that this particular mortal also returned the feelings of one of the Celestial Royals. In addition, during the purification and preservation ceremony, the chosen Destroyer refused to shed blood on to the twenty-year-old celestial royal, simply because the Destroyer's believed more on self-feelings rather than the destined duty.
LUPUSJr says:
Ouch… that's just… heartbreaking. So much bloodshed in ancient history, even through folklore.
CheeryCherry says:
Yeah. So, moving on.
LUPUSJr says:
Please.
CheeryCherry says:
To the gods and the devotees, this is not only the greatest sin committed by the Destroyer, but failure of the ceremony altogether would bring the most malevolent forces the gods fear, and when that happens that the Astral Gods had no choice but to destroy their entire galaxy themselves. And such, the ceremony and the entire galaxy first witnessed this particular fear when the greatest evil of all the evils broke out of the seals, causing havoc throughout all the civilizations existing in the galaxy from all mortals to every flora and fauna. Because of this great evil's immense power, the gods were powerless to stop them. It was also recorded that Uchius, regardless of the chaos occurring that day, still had the intent to punish the Destroyer through death and destroy the entire galaxy only because of this sin committed by the Destroyer. However, it was also that particular time when the Dignitary and the Researcher revealed this discovery to Uchius himself and rebelled against the King of the Astral Gods on their own. Thus, two battles occurred- Uchius against the mortals he chose to continue the life cycle of their galaxy and the entire galaxy against these evil forces in order to protect and save their universal world.
CheeryCherry says:
The queen of the Astral Gods and Uchius' wife, Serene, had a change of heart after witnessing all points of view being expressed against the ceremony and the slaying of one of the two celestial royals just to have the galaxy's prosperity preserved. Rather than destroying the entire galaxy, she decided to use whatever power she had left to save the entire population from these evil forces and the intentional destruction which included the Celestial Couple and the four chosen mortals. Until the Astral Gods finished rebuilding their entire galaxy and repopulate with a brand-new generation, she decided to put the current population in to sleep and send them to another existing thriving civilization in order to be reborn and live brand-new lives, completely removing all their memories of their existence as residents of their now-polluted galaxy. To Uchius' chagrin, this happened.
CheeryCherry says:
Uchius and his devotees did not like what the Goddess Queen Serene had done and vowed to break her spell, but Serene was a very clever goddess. Not only did she send the current population to be reborn and live brand-new lives in a brand-new world away from their galaxy, she also sealed the dimensional gateway between their galaxy and the unchartered galaxy that those put to sleep had been sent to by building these four structures known as "The Astral Towers." There were clues and evidence through stone carvings and other newly-uncovered texts that one of these four Astral Towers just happened to be in Wisteria. The other three is still yet to be found.
LUPUSJr says:
Wow… what a folk tale… just… wow…
CheeryCherry says:
The thing is, even though there are clues that one of the towers is in Wisteria, it hasn't actually been uncovered just yet. My father isn't just a history professor, but he is also a respected archaeologist too. He's currently heading the Wisteria Excavation project for about two years now and he and his team are responsible for piecing up the clues that make up this Wisterian folk legend and, if possible, prove that this whole folk tale isn't actually just a mere folk tale after all. For centuries, this story has become a part of Wisterian culture and identity. Because of this, I want to write my candidacy essay to show my interpretation of this legend and that The Astral Towers actually do exist.
LUPUSJr says:
Sounds like a very interesting topic, CheeryCherry. You've already given yourself a head start.
CheeryCherry says:
Yup. I started writing my first draft already, but somehow I still need more material to support my interpretation.
LUPUSJr says:
Stuff like that is really difficult to find on the internet. I was also looking up your story in the internet while you were posting them here and I couldn't find a single thing about it. Maybe your library's database systems may have more info.
CheeryCherry says:
Mou, Dad says I have to travel all the way to the Lunarian Royal Library to find more info about it. I tried looking it up online at the Lunarian Royal Library website but I couldn't access their database because I don't have a library card and that I don't hold Lunarian citizenship. -_-
LUPUSJr says:
Ah, I see where your problem is. I get it now.
LUPUSJr says:
Wisteria is still a brand-new addition to the Lunarian Empire. Your country has been under Lunarian rule for only a year and they still haven't converted all of you in to Lunarian citizens, so your benefits are still limited.
LUPUSJr says:
Tell you what I'll do. I'll check in to Jaderose Garden Academy's library to see if they got some info. If not, I'll check out the royal library and check out stuff for you. Sounds good?
CheeryCherry says:
Wah, you're Lunarian? That's so cool! I've never met a Lunarian before… I mean I heard that they're a bunch of snobs…
LUPUSJr says:
*lol* Not all. Am I snob?
CheeryCherry says:
You're not acting like one to me… ^^
LUPUSJr says:
*lol* Alright then. I've added a reminder in my phone to visit the library this weekend. I got your contact info from your chat profile programmed in my phone also, so I can just email you when I find anything. What else…
CheeryCherry says:
That's it, so far! Thank you so much, LUPUSJr-san! I owe you big time!
LUPUSJr says:
I'm your mentor SCORE, CheeryCherry. You don't need to repay me. All SCOREs no matter how experienced they are, are still required to give aid to SCORE candidates, so even though I've been a SCORE for a very long time, I still have to do this. Every year I get a new batch of five candidates under my wing. Same goes with other SCOREs as well. Don't worry about it.
CheeryCherry says:
Maybe I should bake you a cake! It's something that I would like to do for your. I'm really grateful for your assistance to complete my essay…
LUPUSJr says:
If you must, my favorite is chocolate.
CheeryCherry says:
Yum! I'm really good at baking chocolate-flavored desserts! Just you wait!
LUPUSJr says:
*lol* I can't wait!
CheeryCherry says:
Well, I better get back to doing my homework now and then finish my first draft.
LUPUSJr says:
When you're finished with your rough draft, please send it to me. If I'm not online in chat, send it to me via email. My contact information is in my chat profile.
CheeryCherry says:
Already ahead of you! I already got your contact info right when we started talking here!
LUPUSJr says:
Good. Well, I better let you go now. I just got an email from MountainCherries asking me for help again. I'll talk to you later.
CheeryCherry says:
Talk to you later too! And it's really nice meeting you, LUPUSJr-san!
LUPUSJr says:
Just call me LUPUSJr… or Lupus is fine too. Can I call you Cherry?
CheeryCherry says:
Cherry's fine!
LUPUSJr says:
Great! Well, see you later, Cherry.
CheeryCherry says:
Byebye for now, Lupus!
** User CheeryCherry signed off **
#
Wisteria Garden Academy - House C, Rm. #220
Wisterian Desert, Lunarian Territory of Wisteria
(Night)
Seventeen-year-old Sakura Kinomoto couldn't believe her eyes. She finally met a true blue Special Clandestine Operations and Reconnaissance Espionage officer, SCOREs for short, who was a whole lot more experienced than the ones she met at the SCORE candidates main chatroom. Although she met the nicer ones such as VioletsAreBlue and 1000Springs, she had to remind herself that there were also SCOREs, like SCORECutie, who were arrogant and worst, prejudiced against certain students. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the Wisteria Garden Academy, her school, as well as her father's and her older brother Touya's place of employment. Wisteria, a southern landlocked region in the continent of Echizen, had recently been annexed by a more powerful empire known as the Empire of Lunaria a year ago. Wisteria had been a republic, and even until now, the people of Wisteria were still have yet to get used to recognize the Lunarian Royal Family as their rulers now, rather than their recently deceased president. The government, desperately in need of assistance from their neighboring nations because the national funds had gone bankrupt, had no choice but to sell their land to a higher, more powerful nation, in order to bring back the country's stability and prosperity.
Among those people who still had their minds of a better republic for their country were none other than her father and brother. Still as staunch Wisterians, they still have difficulty seeing the Lunarian Royalty as the new government of their beloved country. Sakura, on the other hand, did not want to get involved in anything political and will simply take sides to whichever who can really fulfill the promises and plans for a better Wisteria. But just like her family, she prioritized being a Wisterian over being a brand-new Lunarian subject.
Currently she was at the kitchen of her dormitory making dinner. Her roommate, Naoko Yanagisawa, also known as CutieFourEyes in the community chat, recently arrived from her cheerleading practice. Once Naoko dropped her backpack on to the living room couch, she headed directly to the kitchen to greet her current friend and roomie.
"Guess what, Nao!" Sakura cheered happily. "I got the same mentor SCORE as you and Yamazaki and even my brother and Yuki-nii!"
"Really?" Naoko explained as she approached her and embraced her from behind. "Welcome to the LUPUS Crew, Sakura!"
"Yeah! Yuki-nii referred me to him after I had a bit of a bad run-in in to a bunch of snobby SCOREs… well, just one…"
Naoko released her as she approached for the refrigerator to grab an iced green tea in a can. "There's plenty of snobs among the SCOREs, girl. Most of them are coming from Jaderose Garden Academy, considered as the best academy among the campuses in the EIMC garden institution system. It's rumored that nobles and even royalty from the kingdoms throughout the continent of Echizen attend that campus. Plenty of garden students from all the other schools including Wisteria Garden Academy dream of attending Jaderose Garden, but you know, that school's tuition is the most expensive. You'd need to sell an arm and a leg just for you to get in to that school."
Sakura finished her cooking and began to serve tonight's dinner for herself and for Naoko. "But even though Wisteria's practically the poorest nation in all of Echizen, I still think we're doing fine at Wisteria Garden."
"Yeah, thank goodness," Naoko sighed while she placed her iced green tea can on the kitchen counter. She began to take out two placemats, two plates, and two sets of utensils and set the table. "So Sakura, did you tell Lupus about your candidacy essay?"
"Yeah," Sakura grinned. "He seems really intrigued by it. Although he said that he's heard of the story before… I wonder if he's ever been to Wisteria before…"
"Who knows. Maybe he knew a few people who live in Wisteria. Either that or Lunaria must have a very vast public library that has all of the information regarding the continent of Echizen and all of its nations, kingdoms, and the people."
"He did offer to help me out with the resources so I can research further and finally finish my rough draft. He asked me if I can send it to him once I'm done with it."
"Wow, he's really interested in our silly little folk tale that somewhat makes no sense at all?"
"Nao, believe me," Sakura chuckled, "if you read it more thoroughly, then you'll see that everything makes sense."
Once Sakura served the dishes, she and Naoko took their seats, sitting across from each other. They both placed their palms together. "Thank you for this wonderful food that we are about to eat."
"Thank you for this freshly-prepared dinner and bless those who are hungry and unfortunate around the world."
The two girls immediately began to feast on their dinner as they continued on with their talk. "So, the biggest buzz throughout campus is none other than the Crown Prince of Lunaria," Naoko chuckled. "The cheerleaders just couldn't stop talking about him as if they already seen him in real life."
"But, isn't it illegal for any commoner to even take a glance at the Crown Prince? Lunaria sure has the strangest laws…" Sakura shook her head.
"That's what makes him attractive, girl! The whole mysterious type and how much the Lunarians praise him so much and how he is the future of the prosperity of Lunaria, its people, and its colonies. Boy, the corrupt government of Wisteria are being benefited from the Lunarians. I feel bad thinking about it as if we're the ones ripping the Lunarians off…"
Sakura chuckled as she nibbled on her food. "Mou… I'm actually more interested in our mentor SCORE, Lupus. He sounds so strict and… he sounds so serious… and yet… I even forgot to ask for his name… and he doesn't even have a photo on his chat profile too."
"Hehe, me too. Man, I hope he's hot…" Naoko chuckled.
"But he's just too stern and serious… no way he could be a hot guy…"
"Hey now, Sakura, don't be judgmental. Just because Lupus happen to sound stern and cold, doesn't mean he's not hot."
"Well, you may never know. Maybe he's just not in the mood."
"Oh please, Sakura. If he wasn't in the mood, he wouldn't even consider you under his wing in the first place."
"Hm, you're right about that…"
As they continued their dinner, they hear a doorbell sound. Sakura quickly volunteered to answer the door. She made sure she looked through the peephole first to see who it was.
"Hoe? It's Dad!" Sakura exclaimed.
"What are you waiting for, answer the door!" Naoko chuckled.
She went ahead and answered the door and welcomed her father, Dr. Fujitaka Kinomoto, respected history professor and noted archaeologist, inside their dorm. The father and daughter greeted each other as the father invited himself in by resting on the main couch, placing his messenger bag on the side.
"I apologize, but Nao and I haven't finished dinner yet," Sakura said.
"Take your time. I may have some raw sources that I could lend you for your essay, Sakura. It just arrived in my office earlier today."
"Waah, really?" Sakura exclaimed happily. "You mean more clues that the Astral Towers really do exist?"
"Not only that," Fujitaka smiled. "We may actually found the exact location of one of the four towers. That folk legend was no folklore after all. One of those four astral towers is really located here in Wisteria."
"Are you serious, Professor?" From behind, Naoko dashed to the living room to hear of the news. "But… but… how is it possible?"
"The diggers in the Wisteria Expedition found a very old journal of sorts. They uncovered a rather large room that may be a library of some sorts. Plenty of books and documents still preserved and were now being cleaned. The more important ones were immediately sent to me."
"That's great news, Dad!" Sakura cheered happily.
"Well now, finish your dinner first, then we can discuss about this later." The girls hurriedly headed back to their dinner and began to finish their meals.
#
After a rather long discussion from her father's recent discoveries, Sakura headed for her room and straight to her desk. She quickly turned on her laptop in hopes that her new mentor SCORE trooper, the one called LUPUSJr, would be online. Once she logged on, she checked to see which one of the SCOREs who were online. The ones she met from the main room, VioletsAreBlue and 1000Springs, as well as SCORECutie, were indeed online. No sign of LUPUSJr.
On the list of users, she noted two familiar names. She was even shocked to see who was the assigned chat admins on duty as well.
ECHIZEN IMPERIAL MILITARY CORPS (EIMC)
Garden Institution Student Community Chatrooms
(for help and technical, contact the chat administrators. Enjoy your chat experience with your fellow students!)
** User CheeryCherry is now in the SCORE CANDIDATES ROOM **
(on server KEROBEROS)
TOPIC OF THE MONTH: SCORE Candidates Testing
(Users (White): 255, SCOREs (Yellow): 40, Admin(s) Online: MoonCastle, PeachArrow)
PRIVATE MESSAGE from PeachArrow (admin):
I heard that Dad stopped over your dorm earlier today. What's it about?
CheeryCherry (to PeachArrow):
Hi Touya-nii! Dad's archeology team uncovered another artifact. Well, not quite artifact, but very old but quite preserved codices and documents providing more clues that the Astral Towers folktale may actually be real. In fact, he even discovered that there is a way to stop the bloody cycle just to keep the peace and prosperity of not just one galaxy, but all galaxies existing.
PRIVATE MESSAGE from PeachArrow (admin):
Is that so? So, the whole bloody cycle about some celestial prince or princess or whatever getting sacrificed to those bloodthirsty gods for prosperity and all that crap can actually be broken?
CheeryCherry (to PeachArrow):
Yes! Now I'm changing my focus for my candidacy essay. I'm not gonna interpret the story anymore. Instead, I'm going to provide a solution to the problem of that story.
PRIVATE MESSAGE from PeachArrow (admin):
I don't know how that would relate to your desire to become a SCORE but obviously you know exactly what you're doing. I won't argue.
CheeryCherry (to PeachArrow):
No worries, Touya-nii. I got it all covered. I'll just use Dad as one of my major references in my bibliography. Oh, and one more thing, LUPUSJr is also interested in my candidacy essay too.
PRIVATE MESSAGE from PeachArrow (admin):
So I was told by Yukito that LUPUSJr actually accepted you under his wing group. For someone who's a brat (that is, 7 or yrs younger than me), he sure is pretty intimidating. I can't believe we Wisterians scored with a SCORE who had been a SCORE since he was frickin' 12! Well, in a way, I'm glad that we've got the same mentor. Now we'd be able to help each other more on other things.
CheeryCherry (to PeachArrow):
Totally, Touya-nii!
CheeryCherry (to PeachArrow):
Mou… let's not fight again like this, please? I would totally fail and be behind you and then we'd be breaking our promise of becoming SCOREs together. Seriously I don't want to fail you again by being a failure several times in the past.
PRIVATE MESSAGE from PeachArrow (admin):
Don't worry about it, squirt. We are brother and sister after all. Anyway, I gotta get back to monitoring the main chat right now.
CheeryCherry (to PeachArrow):
*sad* Mou… LUPUSJr isn't online…
PRIVATE MESSAGE from PeachArrow (admin):
He'll be here, don't worry. I think around this time, he said he always has an important SCORE-related meetings or something. Just wait.
CheeryCherry (to PeachArrow):
OK, thanks, Touya-nii!
VioletsAreBlue says:
Oh, you're here, CheeryCherry! I didn't see you there! Hi!
CheeryCherry says:
Hi there Violets! Good evening!
VioletsAreBlue says:
How's it going with your candidacy test preparations? Again, I'm really sorry we weren't much of help earlier today. We should've done better to help you out.
CheeryCherry says:
Nah, no worries. I got myself a mentor SCORE. He's the same mentor for my brother, my brother's best friend, and two of my closest friends here.
VioletsAreBlue says:
Oh wow! That's really cool! So, who is it? Is it okay if you tell me? You can tell me in PM if you like.
CheeryCherry (to VioletsAreBlue):
Someone who goes by LUPUSJr. He's really cool and quite nice, even though he came out being really serious and stern when it came to the test preparations.
PRIVATE MESSAGE from VioletsAreBlue:
Heeeee— are you serious?! As in… THE LUPUSJr?!
CheeryCherry (to VioletsAreBlue):
I… guess? (sorry I don't know much about him except he's a bit introverted in the community chat and would rather talk to his proteges in a private chatroom.
PRIVATE MESSAGE from VioletsAreBlue:
I'm glad you told me in PMs because if you blurted the name in public, a lot of Jaderose Garden girls are gonna come right after you and chop your head off and that the chat admins are gonna have a real hard time controlling the situation. But wow, congratulations! You are one lucky girl!
CheeryCherry (to VioletsAreBlue):
Hooeee? But… can you tell me a bit more about him? I mean… do you guys know each other in real life?
PRIVATE MESSAGE from VioletsAreBlue:
Well, we sorta do. I mean we know each other, but we're not really that intimate with each other if you know what I mean. He's actually the cousin of a certain boy I've been secretly having a crush on for the longest time. I really can't tell you the details but I have to admit that LUPUSJr is extremely handsome, totally hot, and him looking all serious, strict, cold as ice, and elusive just makes him a lot more attractive.
CheeryCherry (to VioletsAreBlue):
I was told that he preferred Wisterian cadets when he picked out the five to be part of his core group.
PRIVATE MESSAGE from VioletsAreBlue:
Well, not quite. He has no preferences in terms of location or type of garden school. When you are chosen by the likes of LUPUSJr to be one of his proteges to the SCORE candidacy test, that means that he's found something in you that he found very special and that he wanted to capitalize on that and show you off to the entire garden system. In that case, he must have found something really special about you. Either way, congrats, girl!
CheeryCherry (to VioletsAreBlue):
Thanks, I guess…
PRIVATE MESSAGE from VioletsAreBlue:
Here's a little secret though. He's not very good with girls unless if they're productive, responsible, level-headed, and have no shame of who they are. He grew up being the only son, the youngest one at that, and although everyone at Jaderose Garden see him as a real man out of men, he was primarily raised by his mother and was quite close to his older sisters. His father had been too busy… running the family business, so to speak, but when he does, he makes time with his only son.
CheeryCherry (to VioletsAreBlue):
Ohhhh… you really know a lot about him, Violets!
PRIVATE MESSAGE from VioletsAreBlue:
Hehe, since LUPUSJr is your mentor SCORE, you'll eventually meet him on the day of the physical test. Everyone throughout all the garden schools would be so jealous of you and your brother and all your friends in his group once it's revealed who his five candidates in his core team really are. *wink*
CheeryCherry (to VioletsAreBlue):
They shouldn't. One day they will be eligible to be a SCORE candidate, ne?
PRIVATE MESSAGE from VioletsAreBlue:
People talk too much. They spend more time talking than actually concentrating on what they should be doing. But don't let their own words get to you. ^_^
CheeryCherry (to VioletsAreBlue):
Thanks for everything, Violets! I really appreciate it!
PRIVATE MESSAGE from VioletsAreBlue:
Good to hear! I'm glad I was able to help you out a bit this time. ^_^
** User CheeryCherry signed off **
VioletsAreBlue says:
Eh? Cherry? O_O
#
Sakura shrieked in shock to see that her internet connection had been cut off. She stood up from her desk to find Naoko dashing in to her room. She was taken aback by her appearance to see her panicking, panting expression.
"What's the matter, Naoko?"
"It's really bad, Sakura. The history building is burning!"
"What?! Dad!" Sakura began to panic when they heard yelling right at their entrance door. She and Naoko dashed and, without even bothering to look through the peephole, answered the door.
"Dad!" Sakura exclaimed in relief. "And Touya-nii!"
"We have to evacuate the campus right now," Fujitaka warned them. "Go pack your necessities and leave everything behnd—"
"But Dad—"
"You heard Dad, Sakura, hurry up! I'm gonna go ahead and evacuate all the other residents on this floor. Yukito is already taking care of the third floor while the campus police are dealing with first floor." Touya said as he proceeded his way to knock on every single door. Fujitaka immediately gave aid to the two girls to pack a few of their things while the father packed other things that may worsen the fire in case their building gets caught.
Once they had enough— and easily able to carry with no pain— the three immediately followed the others who are now evacuating the dorm building in a proper and orderly manner. Eventually, seventeen-year-old Takashi Yamazaki, another friend of Sakura's and Naoko's, was able to join them.
"I can't believe the history building is caught on fire!" Sakura exclaimed. "I'm glad Dad's safe!"
"The history building isn't the only one caught on fire, Sakura," Yamazaki warned her. "I heard that even the faculty building, the math building, and the science lab were caught on fire too!"
"The math building? That's where the school servers and the computer labs are located! So that explains why I suddenly got cut off from chat…" Sakura muttered to herself.
"Yup, both Nao and I were at the chat too," Yamazaki answered. "The system admins had to shut off all the systems and the servers and had to evacuate."
"What?! That's just horrible! I wonder where the fire came from?" Naoko exclaimed in shock. "Dr. Kinomoto, how were you able to escape?"
"I didn't," Fujitaka said with a slight chuckle. "I was going to retire back to the faculty residence but I decided to stop by to see Touya when we both received a warning ticker on our phones. Even if the fire hasn't reached the residence buildings yet, it's best to evacuate now before it does reach us."
#
Wisteria Garden Academy - Underground Rail System
Wisterian Desert, Lunarian Territory of Wisteria
(late night)
Once everyone was outside, the campus police had led them at two huge metal doors hidden on the ground with a stairway leading right underground. In two lines, the residents slowly climbed down along with their hand-carries, up until everyone was already inside. Touya and Yukito, the two resident admins of their particular building, were the last two people to arrive. Once they were both inside, the campus police officers climbed down last, with one of them sealing the door with a specialized lock.
The residents ended up in a platform where there were two underground railroads with two underground bullet trains were parked. One by one in a synchronized fashion, each of the residents entered the trains, where they will be staying there for the time being until the fire was out. Once they settled, Sakura and Naoko sat next to each other while Touya and Yukito patrolled through two of the cars where the residents of their building were located. Fujitaka, on the other hand, stood by watching over the two girls.
Sakura sighed sadly, hoping that everyone at Wisteria Garden Academy were safe while at the same time, find a way to make contact with her rather alluring mentor SCORE, the one called LUPUSJr in the chatroom. Naoko thought of connecting to the community chat using her phone, but the signal underground was simply too weak.
"Mou… I hope everyone is safe…" Sakura whispered.
"Hopefully no one is harmed," Fujitaka said with assurance. "At this hour, even the faculty has curfews also. At the most, everyone was at their quarters when the fire broke out."
"Let's just all hope for the best… I hope the school doesn't burn all the way down to the ground…" Sakura muttered.
Yamazaki led out a sigh. "Man… how long are we gonna be in here?"
"At the most," Fujitaka answered, "not until tomorrow morning."
At this moment, everyone fell silent and couldn't do anything else but to wait. Some moments later, Touya and Yukito arrived at their spot, finishing up taking role on the residents in their building, making sure that everyone was inside. Thankfully, everyone led out a sigh of relief that everyone was present.
"Dad," Touya approached his father while handing the roster clipboard to Yukito. "We got word from the campus police, should anything happens to the resident buildings, the trains will take off to Tomoeda, Winhill, and Boroshi, where there are reserve emergency housing for the Wisteria Garden students, faculty, SCOREs, and all other personnel. Looks like we'll be heading back home to Tomoeda, eventually…"
"Where would we go to?" Sakura wondered. "I mean, if we're home, what school are we gonna go to? And what about the SCORE candidacy test when we don't even have a school to represent?"
"We'll just have to wait and see, Sakura. All will be well. I hope," Naoko patted on her shoulders.
"I guess you're right…"
Touya and Yukito excused themselves as they were being called by campus police officers for a short briefing. When short time came, Sakura foiund herself falling asleep and let Naoko lend her shoulder for her to lean on.
#
Wisteria Garden Academy - Ruins
Wisterian Desert, Lunarian Territory of Wisteria
(morning)
Morning came and news also arrived. The students and personnel were now able to exit the underground train system and able to see sunlight. They were able to finally eat real food for breakfast, for the residence buildings of Wisteria Garden Academy were still intact, miraculously saved from the wildfire. Unfortunately for them, they couldn't say the same with the actual core campus. When they finally saw sunlight, they could still detect the fresh burning stench from the ruins. The firefighters were still present to do their post-fire investigation while the campus police were also at the field doing their own investigations.
Very few casualties were reported, which consisted of some firefighters, but nevertheless, all of Wisteria Garden Academy were unharmed. Everyone headed back to their respective dorms, with the exception of some faculty members and dorm resident advisors such as Touya and Yukito, in which the administrators requested their assistance for the debris cleanup.
Meanwhile at the now-torched history building, Fujitaka, along with a face mask on, investigated through the hallway of offices to see how much damage the fire caused. Despite that half of the building was burned down to the ground, there were a few offices including his that were still intact. He first approached his office to check on his things. What he discovered inside really overwhelmed him.
His entire office was ransacked, up to the point where there was no space for anyone to walk through on the floor. His shelves were empty, cabinet doors shattered, even his drawers were pulled out and emptied. Quickly, he turned to one of the campus police officers who had been investigating the scorched parts of the building. When the officer came along with him to his office, his eyes widened.
"This is a rather… interesting… sight… Dr. Kinomoto…"
"You're telling me," Fujitaka shook his head. "Obviously the fire wouldn't be the one to cause all this ransacking. Someone broke in to my office… looking for something…"
"Where were you last night when the fire broke out?"
"I was at House C to visit my children. My daughter is a SCORE cadet, my son is one of the resident advisors in House C. It was around 7:00 p.m. and the faculty has a curfew at 8:00 p.m."
"Well, we can't have you touch anything here until we take photos and find some evidence. If someone did break in here prior to the fire, it may be possible that the fire must be caused by an arson."
Fujitaka nodded. "That is a high possibility." Right then, the investigator called in his team to immediately investigate his office, while Fujitaka exited the area to wait. He found his son and his best friend nearby at one of the still intact benches, resting.
"What's going on in there, Dad?" Touya asked curiously.
"They're investigating my office," Fujitaka answered.
"What— your office is still intact?!" Touya exclaimed.
"Well, yes, but when I came in to check my things, the entire office was ransacked. Someone must have broken in while I was visiting you and your sister last night."
Yukito joined in. "Could it be arson that caused the fire, Dr. Kinomoto?"
Fujitaka gave out a sigh. "There's a high possibility that whoever broke in to my office may also be the one responsible for the fire."
"Why on earth would anyone want to break in to your office, Dad? It's not like you're hiding anything valuable in there or anything. Whatever valuable item you find from the excavations gets immediately sent to the national museum, right?" Touya noted.
"The only thing valuable that I have were these scrolls and other ancient documents that just arrived at my office yesterday morning and showed it to Sakura for her essay. But how is that going to make anyone burn the school down?"
Just as the three were about to continue their conversation, one of the local police detectives approached them. "Dr. Kinomoto, I presume?"
"Yes?" Fujitaka turned his head towards the detective.
"Yes, Doctor. Please come with me. I think we may have discovered something you may know something of."
"In my office?" The detective directed him back to his office, where there is a group of forensic scientists still doing their investigation around the place. On one corner, there were four of these forensic scientists crowding. The detective reminded them to make way for the history professor to take a look at their discovery.
"We're not exactly sure what it is, but it looks really old. There's some strange writing in there that none of our forensic scientists can read. There's even some strange emblem that somehow gave a bit of a chilly… aura…"
Fujitaka bent down to see what they found on the floor. The floor on that corner was dug out when one of the investigators spotted something gray and hard and then uncovered a perfectly square-shaped cold stone. He borrowed a few of the detectives' equipment to examine the stone.
"'Here lies a sacred rock of the Great Goddess Serene, a rock so sacred that it locks the dimensional gate that would protect this world from a greater catastrophe…'" The history professor was able to read the carved inscription to himself until he found himself trailing off.
"Detectives. I know this may sound far-fetched, but I would like to have my office dug out. We may actually be standing over a very great ancient artifact… or even a ruin," Fujitaka said. "The writing is in ancient Astral Code, known as the written language of the ancient civilization simply known as the Astralia Civilization. If you remember our signature folktale that is the true root of Wisteria, then…"
One of the forensic scientists gasped in surprise. "Are… are you saying that the fabled Astral Towers… actually exist?"
"We may be standing on to one right now… and somehow… someone must have broken in my office because they may have found the location of one of the towers… If you don't mind, I need to take photos of this."
"Don't worry, we'll lend you the photos we've already taken," the detective said. "But I believe it should be your department responsible for digging up this… ruin?"
"Right… well… thank you for showing it to me…"
At that point, Fujitaka heard his name called by his fellow colleagues at the history department, notably the members of his Wisterian excavation team. He excused himself from the two RAs to meet with them. Along with the crowd was none other than the headmaster of Wisteria Garden Academy named Rufus Bly. He was slightly stout and balding, but nevertheless he and Fujitaka had known each other since they were teacher and student, with Bly being a teacher and Fujitaka being a student.
Fujitaka briefly explained to them regarding the ransacking of his office and the discovery of a stone tablet stuck on the ground that revealed the exact location of one of the legendary four Astral Towers.
"Well now," Headmaster Bly said. "It looks like the ancient ancestors before us were not making everything up after all."
Fujitaka took a deep sigh. "Headmaster, I think we should move Wisteria Garden Academy somewhere else. Not here. I have a feeling that whoever was responsible for ransacking my office and then burning the entire campus to the ground, no doubt they will return again to possibly dig up or destroy this tower. The campus somehow must have been built over the surface of the tower… for all we know we're already standing on top of the tower itself right now."
"Wisteria is a barren desert, Doctor," Bly sighed. "And Wisteria is a bankrupt country, so to speak. It's going to cost us so much tax to ask the Lunarian Royalty to fund us a new school at a different location. Plus this area is the only area within the desert that has life in it."
"I think it makes sense why this patch of land is the only one that has vegetation in it," one of the archaeologists spoke. "Maybe it's the power of the tower that's making this area fertile. I'm sure of it."
"Power of the tower…" Fujitaka muttered. "Indeed."
"I think Dr. Kinomoto's right, Headmaster," another one of the faculty staff spoke. "Maybe we need to leave this area and go back home for the time being. I suggest we have a faculty conference with the EIMC and the garden institution executives and discuss what's going to happen with the students and personnel of Wisteria Garden Academy seeing that we don't have a facility to work and teach. It looks like we may have to get transferred to other garden institutions, like Primrose, Bouganville, and the likes, where there are still openings to bring in Wisterians to work and study there."
Headmaster Bly nodded. "Right now we don't have any wi-fi because our facilities are destroyed. We may have to head back home and then we make arrangements with EIMC and the garden institution executives regarding our fate. I'm not going to take any chances but I will take Dr. Kinomoto's suggestion. We have to seal this area and protect it as much as we can until we clean up the debris and do further investigation from these possible… invaders… In addition, we have to now pack up and head back home. We can't have students and personnel at risk by staying here and just wait. We'll have a meeting during lunch later today at the Wisteria Residents Hall."
"Sounds good, Headmaster. Thank you," Fujitaka agreed. At this point, everyone used word of mouth to let the others on the investigation area know. He informed Touya and Yukito about what they just discussed and eventually, word had spread throughout the ruins area and up towards the residential compound.
#
Jaderose Garden Academy - Seastar House
Corcoran Fields, Empire of Lunaria
(morning)
An aging middle-aged man arrived at the doors of a grand suite. Two guards were standing by the doors upon his arrival. He then turned to the guards and commanded them that he arrived to see a very important individual inside those doors. One of the guards opened the door and entered, closing the door from behind. Moments later, the guard arrived.
"His Royal Highness will grant you audience now," the guard said.
"Thank you," the middle-aged man nodded. The guard escorted him inside, where he faced this important individual on his bed, relaxing, and having his laptop open. Despite that he was lying down with his upper body upright, he was indeed of a slight towering height, fair skin, tousled hair of milk chocolate that only accentuated his dangerous good looks, and deep amber red eyes that can pierce fear to those who gaze upon them.
"Your Royal Highness, Lord Wei is here to see you now."
"Close the door behind you," the young royal commanded the guard. The guard exited, closing the doors, leaving him and Lord Wei alone. "Good morning, Wei. I assume you have had a good breakfast?"
Wei bowed to his master. "As always, Your Royal Highness. Are you well yourself?"
"I was… until I discovered that the servers that power the community chats are down…" The young royal placed his laptop on his side, and still in his pajamas, stood up from his bed. He invited Wei to sit with him at his lounge table.
"Well… there is a reason for that, Your Highness. You see… well, I'm not quite sure if you have heard of a sudden breaking news that just appeared on the campus tickers earlier this morning."
One of the royal's servants began serving them tea as they continued on with the discussion. "I have heard rumors from my friends online, but I need to be sure that they were true. I've searched through the internet and I haven't found any news about it. Is it just me or is the media getting lazy nowadays?"
Wei sighed, then handed him today's newspaper. The newspaper was labeled The Wisterian Journal, Wisteria's official newspaper, and along with today's major headline: "WISTERIAN MILITARY ACADEMY ON FIRE!"
"I'm afraid, Your Highness, they are no rumors…"
The royal immediately took the newspaper for him to read. Moments later, the guard entered his chambers and invited two more guests inside. "Your Royal Highness, Prince Eriol and Princess Tomoyo are here."
"Please, bring them in," the royal commanded him. The guard did as he commanded and two more teenagers, the enigmatic bespectacled blue-eyed Prince Eriol and the flowing raven-haired, doll-faced Princess Tomoyo, arrived both in Jaderose Garden Academy uniforms of dark green and with goldenrod yellow streaks.
"Prince Eriol, Princess Tomoyo," the royal called them as the two bowed to him. "The both of you looked panicked."
"Forgive us for the last-minute arrival without your advanced knowledge, dear cousin," Prince Eriol began to speak. "But have you heard of this very grave news?"
The royal stood up from his seat. "Are we talking about this?" He then showed the headline on the newspaper, in which the two nodded.
"How horrible!" Princess Tomoyo shrieked. "When we saw the headlines on the campus tickers we immediately thought of you!"
The royal nodded and swallowed. "Thank you for your concerns. Now I can see why the community chat servers are shut down. The bastards who did this atrocity had also destroyed a major part of a garden institution student life!"
Both Eriol and Tomoyo took their seats around the table, with Wei continuing to brief them. "I also arrived to let you know that later today, your father the emperor and his council will arrive at Wisteria later today to investigate the damages and what's left of the ill-fated Wisteria Garden Academy. Now, as the Crown Prince of the Empire of Lunaria—"
The royal turned to his servant. "Wei, am I excused to leave Jaderose Garden Academy for Wisteria? I too would like to see what is left of the Wisteria Garden Academy. Not only that, I want to know if there were any casualties from that fire as well."
"Fortunately, Your Highness, there were none. The Wisterian firefighters did lose a few of them, may they rest in peace, but other than that, no casualties from the students and the personnel."
The three royal teenagers breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good news, at least."
"Later today, there will also be a meeting with His Majesty the Emperor, his council, the Wisterian ruling council, the EIMC, garden institution executives, and the administration of Wisteria Garden Academy will be having a meeting in regards to two things: the placement of the students and personnel. The other one is a bit… controversial, so to speak."
"Controversial?" Eriol asked curiously. "How… controversial, Lord Wei?"
"Well, you see… it's got something to do with some old Wisterian folk legend… now they think that their folklore is not mere legend, but an actual… fact."
The young royal began to contemplate to himself in silence while his cousin and the princess gazed at him curiously. Moments later, he turned to his servant. "Please send word to my father the emperor that I would like to travel with him to Wisteria. I will take a leave of absence for my studies today."
Lord Wei stood up and bowed. "Yes, Your Highness. Right away." He dismissed himself and made his way out, leaving the three royals alone in the crown prince's chamber.
"There's something in your mind, Syaoran," Eriol said with a slight grin. "Come on now, share it with us."
Crown Prince Syaoran sat back down on his seat. "Have you heard about this Wisterian folklore that Lord Wei just spoke of?"
"Well… not quite…" Eriol gently scratched the side of his head. "Well, no."
"I've heard a bit of it but I didn't understand a thing…" Tomoyo confessed in a soft voice.
"What kind of royal heirs are you two?" Syaoran shook his head. "Do your research regarding Lunaria's newly-acquired territory, the one formerly known as the nation of Wisteria!"
"Will do, seriously!" Tomoyo gasped. "But you know, I have met one student from Wisteria Garden Academy yesterday, a candidate to become a SCORE for this year. I know it's just words but… she sounds rather adorable and optimistic. Well, she didn't exactly tell me what her plans are to prepare for the upcoming test, considering she didn't have a mentor SCORE then. And then… night came and all of a sudden, she now has someone— known as LUPUSJr— as her new mentor SCORE. I wonder if she was actually telling the truth…?"
Eriol chuckled. "What are you saying, dear Princess Tomoyo? Do you find the poor Wisterian cadet untrustworthy?"
"Oh come now, dear Prince Eriol," Tomoyo chuckled, "you know me better than that. But you know how the others around here and the way they view the Wisterians… the poor, bankrupted, lowly…"
Syaoran immediately shook his head. "You two underestimate the Wisterians too much. You do remember that the servers of our beloved garden institution community chats happen to be located there and the fact that the personnel handles the chats. In addition, just because most of their lands seem to be a scorching hot and barren desert, it doesn't make them any lower than the rest of us. There has to be a reason why Wisteria was also chosen to have its own garden institution just like all the nations within the Echizen continent." Right then after he sipped on his eat, he changed the subject.
"Well then. Now, Princess Tomoyo, you mentioned that you have heard a bit about this folklore. Can you give me a bit of information about it?"
"Um… well…" Tomoyo gulped nervously. "It's about… how the ancient peoples of the Echizen continent came about… and something to do with towers?"
"At least you're getting the idea, Princess. Well then, Lord Wei is simply referring to that. This is why I plan on visiting Wisteria myself to see what the fuss is all about. I would like to have a chance to visit the students and personnel who are at a major loss right now and give them comfort, but alas, the empire rules still apply to the lower-economy territories including Wisteria."
"About the citizens from those territories forbidden to see you in person?" Eriol chuckled. "When you become the new emperor, dear cousin, I'm sure you would abolish that silly law."
"Things will change once the SCORE candidacy test begins," Syaoran reminded them, then sipped on his tea. "After all, my entire core training group consist of only Wisterians."
Tomoyo's eyes widened in surprise. "So it was no rumor after all… I had a feeling somewhere that you have been going around the community chat with that username. You truly are picky!"
Eriol chuckled. "I will not ask for any specific details regarding your cadets, Syaoran, but I am curious though. Which one of the five Wisterians you chose stands out the most?"
Syaoran gave a slight grin. "Which one? Hm… tough… however… the new cadet I recently accepted last night did give me an impression…"
Tomoyo gasped in shock. "Are you talking about the cadet who goes by 'CheeryCherry' on the chat?"
"I confess. She did give me a rather interesting impression. She was determined to go for the candidacy essay as her challenge for the written portion of the test. I still have yet to learn about her skills that she plans to do for the physical portion of the test."
The princess gave a soft chuckle. "My my… that CheeryCherry was no bluff after all! Next question. Do you find her pretty?"
"What?" Syaoran chuckled. "Why would you ask that?"
"Because for someone who is supposedly a lowly Wisterian, she sure is quite pretty. Simple, but pretty. You did check her chat profile, didn't you?"
"This is no time to discuss such petty matters, Princess. We have a tragedy in our hands at the moment. I don't think it's appropriate to talk about a Wisterian cadet who just lost her school to arson," Syaoran said sternly. "I really do want to break that stupid law and find the five cadets that I vowed to help them succeed in the test and this would be the perfect time to do it."
Some moments later, Lord Wei arrived at his chambers again. "Your Highness, your father the emperor has granted you permission to travel with him to Wisteria later today. I have already informed the administration."
"Can we go too?" Eriol exclaimed. "I too would like to see why Wisteria is so poor… that is, economically poor…"
"Me too!" Tomoyo cheered happily.
"Fine," Syaoran sighed. "Please be sure to inform your people about it so none of them would start panicking about your mysterious disappearance within the campus." He stood up from his seat, while the others do as well. "Let's make preparations for a long travel, friends."
"I hope you don't plan on bringing others from our… circle… to join in this journey," Eriol wondered.
"Just the three of us, Eriol. No snob young lords and ladies, please! I'm sick and tired of their complaining and their stereotyping against the poorer areas of Lunaria."
"Understood, your highness," Tomoyo nodded, as she and Eriol curtsied and bowed.
The three teenage royals said their byes as they parted and prepared for their travel later today.
A/N: Hello! Adri Mars here! As I mentioned before on the preview, the idea(s) for this particular story is derived from too many of the video games I've played in the past (both console and online), as well as a few of the anime/manga that I've watched/read. I know so far that the prologue sounds serious, but the familiar "romcom" flavor will still be there just like in Stuffed Animal. I'm still debating whether I should keep this at T-rating or bump it up to M-rating, just in case.
Will the Clow/Sakura Cards be included here? Well... somewhat... but they won't be called "Clow Cards" or "Sakura Cards"... well, maybe they will be called "Clow Cards." I haven't decided where I'm gonna include them in there. In fact, I haven't decided yet whether I'm gonna include them in the story or not.
For those who did review the preview before, I just want to say thanks for reviewing. I vowed myself to start writing this when I receive 20 reviews, but because of my writer's block problem, I decided to just start writing it. ^_^
That's it for now. Back to working on the next chapter of Stuffed Animal. Till then... ^_^