(Before W.I.T.C.H Issue 1)
"You alright, Ray?" Eric asks as he closes the large door behind him. After the discussion to the meeting, Eric, Nigel and Ray walks along the long and turning hallways to their quarters to pack their belongings.
"Y-yeah, I think I am alright." He replies without no conviction in his lines as his shoulders shrugs and eyes look noticeably dead.
"No, you're not." Nigel says as he walks behind them.
Ray sighs. "I just couldn't believe it, I feel it's like a dream that I'm in." he continues as he lowers his head, looking at the ground. "I couldn't believe that he's just-gone."
"You really look up to him don't you?" Eric asks with sympathy in his voice.
"Not only that, but his death was untimely." Nigel turns around as he walks backwards to face them and replies. "He was one of the powerful legionates of the Vanguard. His core skill is Farsight, just like you, right Ray?"
"First, of all," Eric says with irritation in a deep tone. "I ask him and not you, and second try to reply with a little sympathy. I think you were too overly influenced by your friends of yours."
"Hey!" Insulted, Nigel exclaims and point at Eric. "I'm not like Uriah and his buddies! I just have to repay back what he did when he stood against my big brother."
"Still being rivals up until now, aren't we?" Ray says, sarcastically amused. "You still believe that you could fit the role as Atlas, Nigel?"
"N-no…Like I said I-I don't think I could handle the job myself." Nigel blushes and stutters as he turns around quickly behind them and crosses his arms.
"But I think it's a good balance in the group." Ray thoughts as places his crawled finger on his chin.
"A good balance?" Eric baffles with his one eyebrow crossed.
"I mean we have Eric as Atlas, not only for his great reverse-grip sword wielding techniques but a good strategist and leader as well." Rays compliments.
"Heh! I think you overly exaggerated about that." Eric chuckles.
"And we also have the powerful ace up on our sleeves, the great and explosive staff and Ignition wielder, Nigel Ashcroft!"
"And we also have the great sharpshooting arrow Farsight whose eyes can see from a far and great distance." Nigel grins and exclaims.
"And who brings stability and peace especially to the two of you!" Ray jokes. They suddenly burst to laughter as they head down the long hallway.
They travel along the descending winding hallways to reach the part of Kandrakar's palace, The Legionate Military Academe, the school where they train to become Legionates for the past three years. The left wing from its entry point was filled with large gymnasiums and indoor fields used for training and on its right wing serves as their sleeping quarters.
"Are we the only ones in the academe to stockpile our garbage here?" Nigel asks as they pack up their things and clean their room.
"Well, we do go home back to Earth every day after training." Eric replies as he wraps his sword with thick cloth. "You are all aware that none of my close relatives even my family knows I've been training here."
"That's because when you were toddler," Nigel suddenly and sarcastically explains "Yan Lin thought you have the capability to do magic, in which to no offense Eric, you're just human." He bullies.
"Human indeed," Eric acknowledges "But I still can get head-to-head to you on even ground against you."
"Instead of the both of you fighting about each other's skills," Ray discontinues and looks at Nigel "you should know that, unlike you Nigel who can't also sleep here because your training here is unknown to your family, except for your missing Basiliadian father who place you here in the first place, can you also include the fact that I've been sleeping here with the stench of your garbage."
"Well you never ask to clean the room from the first place." Nigel explains. "Aren't you lucky that your Arkhantian parents know you're here for training? And you won't have to be scolded when training ends eleven in the evening and you need to come up with some sort of explanation to our parents?"
"Yeah" Ray silently agrees. "I just think it's a waste of space if the academe gives these beds and the room for free and we just use it as a stockroom."
After a few more minutes of arranging the furniture back to its original place as to when they entered for the first time three years ago, they say goodbye to their old quarters. Not only to their quarters, but the years of experience, have friendships and hardships within the four corners of the academe. "I'm going to miss this place." Eric says silently as they walk again the long hallways that leads to the portals on Earth.
"Don't worry!" Ray thrusts his arm and invites him to the same. "A new adventure awaits!"
Eric amused and chuckles as he thrusts his arm back at him.
