Chapter One

One more day. That was all I needed, then I was free. No more masks, no more deaths and no more Blackcliff. I've always done just enough to get by. Survive the recruitment and make it to graduation. You'll become a Mask, a part of the Empire. Don't be at the bottom of the class because you'll be classified as a loser. Don't be at the top because then everyone will glorify you. Just be mediocre and maybe you'll go unnoticed. Maybe. There was no running away. Students either comply, or they die. But I found a way out, a loophole in this corrupted system. After all the sweat and tears, the blood and murders, there comes a moment where we are given a moment of recognition as graduates. Congratulated for the completion of Blackcliff Military Academy, officially branded as the Empire's army, faces stained Silver from years of being masked. The Empire's Martials.

I was ready. After the ceremony, there will be a party thrown for all graduates. It was a short window, only a few hours, but it was the perfect distraction. I'll greet people, smile in thanks, then slip out into the tunnels. There, I've been gathering items for years, ever since I was a Fiver, just waiting for the right moment. The students in the higher ranks think me a fool, but they were wrong. They only think I'm average because that's what I made myself out to be in their eyes. Thanks to this steady play, not even the highest ranked Skulls can tell me apart from the others. I am a nobody within this academy, and I'll do whatever I can to keep it that way.

"What a brat," someone said from behind me. It was a Cadet. I was able to tell based on their uniform and mannerism. They weren't disciplined, at least not enough. "Weak kids like him all have it coming." They were referring to the deserter from earlier today, Barrius. The boy was no more than 12, a Yearling. The entire Academy hunted him down. He only got so far before being caught and whipped in front of the entire school, bloodied for all to see. "You desert, you die. What's so hard to understand about that?" He shook his head. "Stupid."

"Plus, that woman is a demon!" his comrade stated. "I'd rather kill myself than feel the her wrath."

"No kidding." The two men laughed as they walked by me. I glanced over, face leveled and stern.

"That woman is the Commandant." My voice came out hard. Intimidating. The two men froze. "Keep referring to her as such, and it will be your whipping and blood on that stage." They were taller than me, but cowered at my intimidation. Pathetic underclassmen.

I headed to mess hall for the graduation banquet. People drank in joy, left and right. I wasn't the only one who couldn't wait until tomorrow. Everyone was ready to be out of Blackcliff. The difference is, while others are anticipating freedom to do as they please, to rape the townsmen and dance with bloody scims in hand, I was ready to actually be free. I would flee pass the borderlands. No Martial will hunt that far into the unknown. I fear the uncharted land beyond, but my end is worth risking for a new beginning. A glass of wine clanked mine, and I looked to see a fellow Senior Skull, Zero Cloelius.

"Here's to us, June." He sipped the wine, his cheeks pink beneath the silver soiled into his skin.

"Zero, we're seniors now." I sighed. "Can you at least try to call me by my real name? This is our graduation banquet for martial's sake." He leaned in and lowered his voice.

"If your last name was Cloelius, I wouldn't be able to call you 'June' anymore." He followed it with a smirk, but I knew a part of him was serious. In response, I rolled my eyes and took his hand with the glass, twisting it around his back. The grail he drank from clattered onto the floor, but no one paid any attention.

"Have a little respect for those ranked higher than you, Cloelius." He let out a weak laugh and nodded in surrender.

"Lucilla Junius, you never cease to break my heart." When I released him, our attention was brought to where the top two Skulls stood: Elias Veturius and Marcus Farrar. All eyes were now on them after hearing a boom of cluttered voices. It was clear that one had provoked the others. The Commandant's son, Veturius, was being held back by his friends, rage evident in his expression as the other man sneered triumphantly. Seeing how strong the highest Senior Skulls really were, it irritated me how immature their behavior was. The only one of them with any poise was Helene Aquilla, ranked third in the class. Blond, slim and beautiful. She was an equal among the men, the only recognized female of this class because I was deemed almost irrelevant. And that's exactly the way I prefer it.

Towards the end of the night, I made my way towards the training field to get rid of my anxiety for tomorrow's events to come. We're to be at the amphitheater for graduation. After that, it's the party. Then, I don't blink twice, and I never look back. I excused myself from Mess Hall and walked towards the main courtyard. Amidst the wind, the darkness and the singing of banquet attendees in the background, I heard a voice from the belltower. I didn't dare make my way up to see why someone was up there at this hour, but I didn't need to see a face to know who's voice it was. It was barely a whisper, but anyone could recognize Elias's voice from a mile away. Who was he talking to and what were they talking about? It's none of your business, I thought, yet I hid myself and managed to depict key words. Destiny, evil, freedom.

"Walk." A voice boomed in my head. Every hair on my body rose at the sound of it. It was deep, raspy, powerful. My hands shot up, and I pressed my palms against my temples at the sudden command. The eerie feeling made every bone in my body want to shatter like glass. I've never felt or heard anything so staggering before, but I instantly knew who it was, what it was. Even a child from the Scholar's Quarter could tell that it was an Augur. I hesitated for only a split second before obliging. I was curious but not stupid. Defying an Augur is foolish. They are able to read minds, and the longer I stood there, the higher the chance he'll get into my head, if he hasn't done so already. I stepped out of the shadows and casually paced through the courtyard. My heart was racing rapidly. So much for getting rid of the anxiety.

I focused on training until the wisps of clouds above disappeared. The stars gleamed brightly as I let my body collapse onto the ground. My breathing was heavy through my silver mask, post effects of the lone training. My balance was perfect. My control over scims was perfect. My head was levelled, and I was ready. Ready for my last day as a loyal and disciplined soldier to the Empire. I brought one hand up to my face and traced my fingers from my temple to my jawline. Tomorrow, I can take off the Empire's mask for good. I let myself enjoy the company of the silent night and the glimmering stars for just a few minutes more before making my way to to the barracks. Fortunately, I didn't stumble upon anyone or anything. Damn, Augurs, I thought as I eyed the bell tower in the distance. I wondered if Elias was still there and if the Augur was still roaming around. The thought was set aside as soon as I reached my destination. I changed into loose attire for the night and let myself fall into slumber like a baby in his mother's arms. Tomorrow's the day, I said over and over until my consciousness faded.