Luckborn

The morning sun crept through the high, narrow windows of the dormitory, casting pale beams across the stone floor. Otter stirred beneath his blanket. A weariness had settled in his bones. One that made him reluctant to see the inside of another lecture hall, and restless for something new.

It had been days since the Guild meeting. Days since he had seen the symbols. He'd tried not to obsess, but they lingered in his thoughts, twisting and reshaping themselves like the whispers in the dark. He'd traced the sketches Hervey had made over and over, comparing them to the ones etched into the compass. No conclusions came. Only questions.

A sharp knock at the door broke through his thoughts.

"Bennett. Message for you," called a voice from the hall.

Otter bolted upright. For a moment, his heart pounded with unreasonable hope. He stumbled from his bed, flinging open the door. A lanky messenger stood there, wide-eyed and eager. The boy thrust a small, folded piece of parchment into Otter's hand, then darted off without a word.

Otter shut the door and turned the note over. No seal. Just his name, scrawled in elegant, severe script. Blackwood's hand.

He swallowed, fingers trembling slightly as he unfolded the parchment.

Bennett. Make preparations. Gather your chosen company. The time is upon us. The vernal equinox will provide cover for your absence. Further instruction will follow.

There was no signature, but it didn't need one. The weight of those words made Otter's breath catch. Four days. He read it again. And again.

The time had come.

A thousand thoughts swirled through his mind. He'd spent so long waiting for this, and now that it was here, his stomach twisted with uncertainty. But beneath that fear, burned curiosity and resolve.

He folded the note carefully and tucked it inside his pocket. There was no time to waste.

He had a team to gather.

"We're going."

Levi looked up from his breakfast, a fork halfway to his mouth. "When?"

Otter lowered his voice, leaning across the dining table. "Four days. The equinox."

Levi's eyes widened, the piece of sausage on his fork forgotten. "You're serious."

"Very."

Erin, seated across from them, grinned. "I knew it. You've been moping around for days like a stray dog. Of course something was coming."

"And Blackwood said to gather my team," Otter added.

Levi's fork clattered to his plate. "You're sure he meant us?"

"I'm sure." Otter shot him a firm look. "You in or not?"

Levi rolled his eyes. "Obviously."

"Good." Otter nodded before turning to Erin. "You?"

"Please. Like I'd miss this." She flashed a grin. "And you're going to need someone to keep you from falling into ancient, cursed pits."

"Exactly why I asked."

Jasper stood in the center of the training yard, his sword flashing as he worked through a series of intricate drills. The rhythmic clash of steel against the training dummy filled the air. Though his form was flawless, there was a tension in the set of his shoulders that Otter couldn't ignore.

"You're going to wear yourself out before we even get started," Otter called as he approached.

Jasper finished the last strike, the dummy's wooden frame splintering beneath his blades. He paused, catching his breath. "I needed the practice."

"You needed a distraction," Otter corrected gently.

Jasper's jaw tightened. "Maybe."

They stood in silence for a moment. Otter didn't push. He knew what it was like to wrestle with things internally before deciding to share. Finally, Jasper spoke.

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"I've been having dreams," he admitted, sheathing his sword. "Ever since the Simulation. Not just dreams — nightmares."

"Nightmares?" Otter frowned. "About what?"

"The Kaosborn." Jasper's voice was low. "I see them, but not like we did during the test. They're... different. Stronger. Smarter. It's like they're watching me. And sometimes, it feels like I'm watching through their eyes."

A chill ran down Otter's spine. "Have you told anyone?"

Jasper shook his head. "What would I say? 'Hey, I think I'm having visions of Kaosborn'? I'm sure that would go over well."

Otter exhaled slowly. "Better than you think, I bet. You're not the only one having strange dreams."

Jasper's eyes narrowed. "You too?"

"Yeah. And Sage. She thinks they're messages from her god. I'm not so sure." Otter hesitated. "But I do think the compass is connected."

Jasper nodded grimly. "Any idea when we'll move forward with that?"

"Four days." Otter offered a reassuring pat on his friend's shoulder.

Jasper's posture shifted. He stood a little straighter, more alert.

Milo sat hunched over the alchemy bench, stirring a thin stream of crushed rosemary into the simmering mixture. The concoction hissed as the herb hit the liquid, sending a plume of greenish vapor into the air. Across from him, Otter fidgeted with his own mixture, his hands trembling slightly as he measured out powdered thistle root.

"Careful," Milo warned, without looking up. "Too much thistle, and you'll blow a hole in the wall."

Otter blinked, looking genuinely alarmed. "Wait—how much is too much?"

Milo smirked, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Relax. Just a pinch more. You'll be fine."

But the words did little to ease Otter's nerves. His hands still trembled as he sprinkled the root into his cauldron. He waited until the mixture settled before clearing his throat. "Hey, uh, there's something I need to tell you."

Milo froze, his eyes narrowing. "You're not about to tell me something horrible, are you?"

"That depends," Otter said. "We got the green light. For the thing."

Milo's expression flickered, his brows furrowing in confusion before dawning comprehension hit him like a brick. "You mean the thing? The one we aren't supposed to talk about?"

Otter nodded. "Yeah. This weekend."

Milo's hands shot to the top of his head. "Oh gods. I need to prepare. I need to pack. I need to memorize spells. Potions! We'll need potions." He started to panic, his breathing growing quicker. "I don't even know what we're facing. Could be traps. Monsters. Cursed artifacts. What if it's all three?"

"Milo," Otter interrupted, holding up both hands. "We don't even know where we're going. Trying to prepare for everything is just going to make your head explode."

"But I—"

"We're all going in blind. Whatever happens, we'll deal with it together." Otter managed a half-hearted grin. "And besides, you're the best alchemist I know. If anything horrible tries to eat us, you can always throw a bottle of whatever that is."

Milo glanced at the bubbling cauldron. "It's a hair growth tonic."

"Well, I'm sure the monster will have luxurious fur." Otter clapped him on the shoulder. "Just breathe, okay? Four days is plenty of time."

"Plenty of time to panic," Milo muttered.

By the time dinner rolled around, Otter found himself weaving through the crowded mess hall, scanning for familiar faces. The scent of roasted vegetables and freshly baked bread mingled in the air, but Otter barely noticed. At last, he spotted Liora sprawled on one of the benches near the hearth, engrossed in conversation with a pair of second-years.

"Mind if I steal her?" Otter asked, cutting into their chatter.

Liora raised a brow but waved the others off without much resistance. "I assume this is about our weekend plans."

"News travels fast."

"You're not exactly subtle, Otter."

He slid onto the bench beside her. "Anything you don't already know?"

Liora shrugged. "Just the details." She broke a piece of bread in half, chewing thoughtfully. "You know any of those yet?"

Otter frowned. "No. I guess we'll get an actual time and place later."

"Unless you make them up."

Otter blinked at her. "What?"

"You're leading this thing, right? That means you should be the one to provide the plan details."

Otter screwed up his face. "Actually, I don't know that I am in charge. I'm pretty sure Blackwood is."

"Why?"

"Um…because he's an Overseer and I'm a student."

"Will he be with us the whole time?"

"I don't know."

Liora grunted. "Will you?"

"Well, yeah."

"Then there you have it."

"Huh?"

"Listen, Otter. At the end of the day, people follow a leader who shows up. Someone who stands with them when things get tough. I wasn't in the simulation during the attack, but everyone knows what you did in there. You didn't run. You didn't hide. You didn't freeze. You acted."

Otter shifted, uncomfortable. "I just didn't want anyone to die."

"Exactly. That's why we trust you." She leaned forward, elbows on the table, her voice low but firm. "Blackwood might be the one you're looking to for guidance, but if something goes wrong out there, we're looking to you." She met his eyes and held them. "That also means you're the one that has to make the plan."

Otter thought about that for a moment. "What if it's the wrong plan?"

Liora rolled her eyes. "Of course it'll be wrong. Ever hear of Plan B? And C? And D? Every adventurer understands that plans change based on available information. But you have to start with something."

For a moment, they sat in companionable silence. The din of student chatter provided a dichotomy to the shared moment. As he studied Liora's calm resolve, a calming sense of reassurance settled over him.

"Thanks," he said.

She grunted, but said nothing more.

Otter returned to his dorm for one last task. He sat at his desk, the candlelight flickering softly. With careful strokes, he penned the words: Sage—Things are moving forward. Equinox break is go time. Our team will meet for a briefing at the Library tomorrow at sunset.

His conversation with Liora had sparked a new sense of determination and a need to act in him. The thought of being his friend's leader made him uncomfortable. He didn't want to be a leader. He wanted to be part of a team. He could, however, get behind the idea of making a plan. And that plan involved bringing everyone together, sharing everything he knew, and getting their input.

He folded the note carefully, then began a different one.

Overseer Blackwood—

I have assembled my team and will meet with them in the Library tomorrow at sunset. If you could be there, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

-Otter Bennett