"Endless" Ch. 3
The black Mercedes continued on its route, entering a wooded area. Goura, home of the Seven Moons Academy, was getting close. Soon Falco could spot the familiar campus across the small lake that separated it from the highway. While at first glance the group of buildings resembled a college campus, some of its security measures could be seen from the road Jens and Falco were driving on. Iron bars surrounded the perimeter in some places, and in others concrete walls concealed the Academy from prying eyes. The more advanced security systems could not be seen from far away, such as the various cameras the littered the grounds around the campus, or the complex gate systems that could only be accessed by passcode. The school was familiar to the brothers, as it had been their home for almost 7 years. Jens was just a child of 10 years when he came to live there, with Falco only being 6. They had left the Academy two years ago, and now they were coming back.
"Guess I can go ahead and take this off" Jens said, looking down at the black leather bracelet on his right wrist.
"Oh yeah! No need to keep these on now" answered Falco, motioning to take off the brown bracelet on his left wrist.
Jens undid the two buttons on his bracelet, revealing the letters that marked themselves around his wrist. They spelled out "ENDLESS." This was the brother's true name, the name that marked them as pair bound by destiny and as a fighter/sacrifice unit. An identical marking revealed itself around Falco's wrist. The brothers looked at their names, and then at each other, grinning.
"I still remember the day our names appeared, clear as day. I was 12" Jens recalled
"Me too, we were both so excited! It meant that we really were bound together. An unstoppable force, endless victory"
"Endless sight" Jens added
What he meant by this was the gift that made them so unique. Their ability to peer into the minds of others. Jens discovered this ability when he was just 6. Falco was only 5 when he too realized that he could read another person's thoughts. At first it was uncontrollable. All they had to do was look into a person's eyes and then they would immediately know what that person was thinking. Eventually they were able to control it, the ability being completely selective. Jens was even able to develop it further, possessing the skill to influence another's thoughts and actions by way of suggestion, though he rarely had the opportunity to use it.
"So how do you think Nagisa-sensei will react to us coming here unannounced?" inquired Falco of his brother
"Ah, I imagine that she is expecting us to come, even though she told us not to. She knows we don't follow orders all too well" said Jens with a laugh
"I wonder how everyone is doing. I can't imagine too much has changed in two years"
"Well we know Nagisa-sensei hasn't changed" Jens recalled, thinking of the phone conversation they had with Nagisa 2 days ago.
"Heh, she probably still dresses like a little girl. Always thought it was so weird that she dressed like that"
Nagisa was notorious for wearing outfits that made her look like a child. Princess outfits, frilly dresses and the like. It seemed that she was constantly trying to make herself look younger, even though she was a woman of over 30 years in age.
"What about Ritsu-sensei?" Falco added
"I'm sure he's the same bastard that he was when we left" Jens answered coldly
"Still bad blood between you two eh? Not that I blame you. What he did to you was bad enough, but then what he tried to do to you was even worse"
"I don't want to talk about that, okay? Ritsu-sensei and I have an understanding. He knows not to cross certain lines with me, and in return, I don't try to kill him. Simple enough"
"Alright, I know, I'm sorry" Falco replied, sounding slightly hurt
"Don't do that." Jens said, now feeling bad for snapping at his brother, "I'm not angry. There's no need for you to apologize. It's just a painful memory."
"I know" Falco said quietly, putting his hand on his brother's shoulder, "Oh, I think we're here."
The SUV passed between the two stone pillars that stood on either side of the steep road that led up to the hotel that served as the entrance to the Academy. On the right side of the road stood a sign that read "Shichisei Gakuen:" this was it, they were back.
Falco found a parking space near the hotel's entrance. The brothers grabbed their small duffel bags that held their luggage for the next couple of days that they planned to stay at the Academy. There was still a hint of daylight outside, so they had arrived with plenty of time even if the school had night exercises planned. Jens and Falco walked in and approached the main desk.
"Good evening, what can I do for you two gentlemen?" asked the young female attendant sitting behind the desk
"Ah yes, my brother and I are going to need accommodations for the next few days" Jens stated politely
"Names?"
"Jens Koenig and Falco Koenig, and our name is 'Endless.' We are previous students of the Seven Moons Academy"
The attendant looked down at her computer and began typing in their information. She paused for a moment for the results to load up and then looked up at the Jens and Falco.
"Alright we have two options for the two of you. We have a single bed suite that is currently vacant, or you can stay in your old accommodations"
The brothers looked at each other. Their old accommodations?
"If our old room is still available, we'll just stay there"
"Very well then" the attendant nodded "Yes it seems someone was expecting both of you. The room was just prepared yesterday"
"Told you she was expecting us" Jens whispered to Falco, who smiled.
"If you will just leave your luggage there on the cart, it will be delivered to your rooms"
"Sounds good, thank you"
"Here are your key cards" said the attendant, handing two small plastic cards to Jens and Falco "You may now pass through the entrance. There aren't any night exercises scheduled until tomorrow so feel free to roam around"
Jens and Falco were just about to walk away when the phone at the service desk rang. The attendant answered and after a small exchange of words over the phone, she signaled for the brothers to stay at the desk. After another small conversation, the attendant hung up the phone.
"That was Nagisa-sensei. The two of you are to report immediately to her office. Apparently she wishes to speak with you"
"Understood, thank you for your assistance" Jens said to the attendant.
Jens and Falco passed through the double doors that were the entrance to the Academy. They would have to cross the courtyard at the center of the campus that separated the old school building and the new building. After the new building was constructed, the old one was converted to serve as an administrations and security building. That was where Nagisa-sensei's office was located.
"So what do you think she wants to talk to us about?" Falco asked Jens
"Who knows? Probably to chew us out for coming out here even though she told us not to, or for waiting so long to come back. But I suppose it's all okay since we want to talk to her as well, right?"
"Well our room was prepared in advance, even though we said we weren't originally coming out here, so maybe she will be happy to see us"
"Maybe you're right. You know nothing seems to have changed since the day we left." Jens noticed
"Yeah, feels just like home" Falco smiled
The brothers came to the rear access doors that led out the courtyard. They both thought it odd that no one had come to escort them. That was generally normal practice. In fact the hallways seemed pretty deserted. It was only six, so they figured there would be at least some activity around this area. Jens was just about to unlatch the door that led outside when a voice called out to them from behind.
"Hey! Wait up!"
"Huh?" The pair turned around as the owner of the voice came running towards them. He was followed behind by a young girl.
The boy finally reached Jens and Falco. He was around 12 or 13 years old, and had green hair. The girl that followed him was around the same age, and had a messy orange hair. The brothers instantly recognized the two as Midori and Ai, the team known as Breathless.
"So who are you two, the welcoming committee?" Falco asked playfully.
"More or less. This is our week to act as guides" Midori said, trying to catch his breath, "May I say welcome back. It's good to see the two of you again."
"Same to the both of you. You guys have grown since we saw you last" Jens remarked with smile on his face "I take it you have been faring well?"
"Well we were called back after our fight with Soubi. I'm guessing the both of you have heard about that?"
"Yes, we heard about that. In any case we heard that you gave him and his new sacrifice a run for their money" Falco said encouragingly.
"He won't be able to beat us so easily next time. We're still getting stronger here." Ai said, her over-confidence showing
"I'm sure you are" Jens said. "So are you two going to escort us then? It seems Nagisa-sensei wishes to speak with us"
"Really? We were just told to take you guys to your room. But if Sensei wishes to see you, then we better get moving" Midori said, stepping past Jens and Falco and opening the door.
Jens walked out first, bracing himself against the icy wind that seemed to blow more harshly up here in the mountains. Falco walked out next, followed by Ai and Midori. They all walked together across the courtyard, Midori and Ai taking the lead, while Jens and Falco followed closely behind. The brothers looked around the courtyard, which seemed to have been re-landscaped since they had last been here. At the center was a large stone fountain, which was shut off in order to prevent damage by freezing. Large evergreen trees lined the borders of the courtyard, hiding the stone walls and iron bars from view. Over to the right, a gazebo and stone benches had been put in place as a place for students to gather when they weren't in class. Over the treetops, the sun was beginning to set. Night was fast approaching.
"So why did you guys come back? Were you ordered to?" Ai asked
"Nope, just here for a visit" Falco responded, "We thought we'd stay up here for a few days and catch up with friends. We also needed to speak with Nagisa-sensei about some recent news we've received"
"What sort of news?" Midori asked inquisitively
"News regarding Soubi and his new sacrifice. We already knew that Seimei Aoyagi died, but we were surprised to learn that Soubi had moved on to a new sacrifice. Though that's old news to the two of you. Not that we're surprised that Sensei waited this long to tell us about it." Jens said flatly
"Wonder why she waited so long to tell you. So did she want you to fight them?"
"She asked us to, but Jens said no. But that doesn't mean we weren't interested in what's been going on lately" Falco answered "So that's pretty much why we're here"
"YOU TOLD HER NO?" Midori and Ai asked, shocked
"Haha yeah. She wasn't too happy with us about that" Jens laughed
The group finally reached the entrance to the old school building. Midori stepped over to the door and punched a code into the keypad next to it. The sound of the door unlocking was heard and Midori turned the handle, pulling it open.
"After you" Midori said politely
Jens and Falco stepped through the entrance, followed by Ai and Midori, who pressed a large red button on a panel next to the door inside. The resounding clang of the door re-locking itself echoed through the hallway, which was lined all the way down with doors. The four walked down the hallway until they came to an elevator. Midori pushed the "Up" button and with a ding, the elevator door slid open. They all stepped inside. The green haired boy punched in yet another code, finishing with the number "6" for the sixth floor.
"Geez is everything passcode protected now?" Jens asked
"Oh yeah, they installed a bunch of security measures just after the two of you left. That's why they have escorts now. Previous students won't know the codes" Midori informed
"Damn this place really is like a prison now" Jens muttered
The elevator stopped at the sixth floor and the group stepped off into the corridor. Unlike the main floor at which they all entered, this hallway had only three doors down its length, with a small window at the end of the hallway. Ai and Midori led the brothers two the second door on the right. Midori rang the doorbell on the speaker box, and a few seconds later, Nagisa's voice came through the speaker.
"Who is it?"
"It's Midori and Ai. We've brought Jens and Falco with us" Midori said into the mic.
"Alright, I'll unlock the door" Nagisa responded.
A click was heard near the door handle. Jens turned it and slowly opened the door. He and Falco both entered the room, which consisted of a living room connected to a kitchen. Against the wall in the living room were a large red sofa and two end tables. A coffee table and two red armchairs sat opposite the sofa. Jens and Falco stood quietly beside the door as Ai and Midori walked in. Footsteps could be heard from the small hallway between the living room and kitchen, and shortly after, Nagisa walked in. She wore an extravagant purple dress, which made her look younger than she was. This was her normal attire, and Jens and Falco were used to seeing her dressed like this.
"The two of you can leave now" Nagisa motioned to Midori and Ai.
"Yes Sensei" the two said in unison. They both waved goodbye to Jens and Falco.
"See you later. We have night exercises tomorrow so try and find us! We'd love to have a battle with you guys" Ai said, a smile on her face.
"Likewise. Good night!" said Jens and Falco
The door closed behind them as Midori and Ai left, leaving the brothers alone with Nagisa. She looked at them for a moment, and then did something surprising: she came up to them and gave them each a hug.
"It's good to see the both of you. Welcome home" she said quietly, smiling at them.