Pyre Academy

Roisin, Dex and Weslye were out in Raryst at a coffee shop, the city of Raryst was a mix of old and new structures, the newer ones being owned by Crystech. In the coffee shop there was no barista, just a machine that made the coffee to the customer's specifications.

"So, I hear they're going to start using the Holo-sphere to train first and second years?" Dex asked.

"Yeah, it's a pretty new invention, using a mix of holograms and synthetic Crystalliam" Weslye replied.

"Synthetic Crystalliam? They can do that?" Roisin asked, surprised.

"It's still pretty experimental at the moment and I don't know the fine details, but I think it's basically powered from a shard of the crystal" Weslye shrugged.

"Oh, so it's not really something that can be replicated over and over? Probably for the best" Roisin replied.

"Yeah, if the Imperium got their hands on it, no doubt they'd turn it into a weapon in no time" Dex nodded.

"Still, what exactly is the holo-sphere?" Roisin asked Weslye.

"It projects basically a simulation, and you can run realistic field tests against enemies in a safe environment. Prepares you more for the final two years" Weslye explained.

"I bet Ashe could have used some of that" Dex chuckled.

"Well, we all had some realistic training out there" Roisin chuckled.

"True, but when it came down to it, we didn't do much fighting" Dex replied.

"True, it sounds like Ashe and Ariel handed their assignment pretty well though" Roisin said.

"Oh, you know those two?" Weslye asked.

"Yeah, we came here with them" Dex smiled.

"They did a great job, god knows what the Imperium was planning with those trucks" Weslye replied.

Roisin grabbed her head as she felt a sharp pain.

"Hey, you okay Ros?" Dex asked.

"Argh" Roisin grunted.

She could hear a voice echoing, she looked up to see a woman with white hair sat on the other side of the coffee shop. The woman smiled and then the pain went away, Roisin looked back in the direction of the woman, and she was gone.

"Roisin! Are you okay?!" Dex shook Roisin. Roisin looked at Dex.

"Uh... yeah..." She said, rubbing her head. "I saw a woman, all white, sitting over there" Roisin grunted as she pointed to where the woman had been sat.

"I didn't see anyone" Weslye replied.

"Is this like those... communication vision things?" Dex asked.

"No... this felt different, like someone was... in my head" Roisin said, rubbing her head.

"Let's get you checked out..." Dex frowned, as he helped Roisin up.

Rychard Pyre was in the war room of the Academy, a room that wasn't open to students. He was looking over a holographic map of the continent. Skylar was on a computer console nearby.

"Our spies in the Imperium have said there is trouble brewing in the Undercity. Apparently one of their confinement facilities was raided, with all hands killed." Rychard explained.

"Good, hopefully the troubles there will mean they're less focused on us, and we can speed up shipments again" Skylar nodded.

"It's quite likely they will wipe clean that section of the Undercity, they have no love for the dwellers below" Rychard sighed.

Skylar walked over and patted Rychard on the back.

"You always a soft soul, even as a child. I know you want to help those people, but we can't. We have our own project, and we need to stick to it" Skylar comforted Rychard.

"I know, it's just... so many will be lost, is it worth it?" Rychard asked.

"Our project is something that will finally help us stand up to Lumina, we'll finally be on level footing" Skylar reminded Rychard.

"It is only the first step... it's going to be a long road" Rychard sighed.

"But once this first step is complete, the world will be clamouring to assist us" Skylar smiled.

"I hope you're right, because the world is falling apart right now" Rychard frowned.

"You started Crystech all those years ago to help cities like Ishtall and Disceath stand up to the likes of Aranei, you've always been on the right path, don't doubt yourself" Skylar stated.

"Yeah, then I sold out to Aranei and nearly got Ishtall invaded" Rychard sighed.

"But you didn't, you saved them" Skylar reminded Rychard. "Not only that, but you put everything into defending the Terrana ruins" She added.

"Yeah, then we had to leave" Rychard replied.

"Temporarily, once we have stage one complete, we can resume operations on the Eastern Continent" Skylar smiled.

"I know, you're right, it just hurts leaving everyone to fend for themselves..." Rychard smiled slightly.

"You can't always be there to protect the world, Rych. But you'll always still try" Skylar added.

"Thanks mum" Rychard hugged Skylar.

Roisin was sat in the infirmary, as a nurse walked over to her. Dex was sat close by, holding her hand.

"According to all the scans, you are completely healthy, Ms. Luna" The Nurse smiled.

"Told ya" Roisin winked at Dex.

"Had to make sure" Dex smiled.

"Thank you, nurse" Roisin smiled at the Nurse, and left the infirmary with Roisin, as the exited they say Anya in the corridor. She had a terrified look on her face as she looked behind Roisin.

"She's there..." Anya stuttered.

"Uh..." Roisin backed away.

"The Lady of White is behind you" Anya shivered.

Roisin span around, but no one was there.

"Lady of White?" Roisin panicked.

Anya raised her hand and fired a burst of unknown energy behind Roisin. Suddenly, Roisin felt better.

"What did you just do?" Roisin asked.

"I... I think I severed her connection?" Anya replied, unsure of what just happened, she felt as if she had just woken up from a daze.

Sebastien grabbed his head in pain, as the connection between himself and Roisin was broken. He punched the dorm wall, leaving a hole in the wake of his fist.