Somebody Stop Him [A Progression Fantasy Epic]

"Dad?" Magdaline asked. "How exactly does the worldwide dimensional shift happen?"

"Hrm," the Scrutimancer shark cleared his throat. "Basically a cataclysmic event such as freeing an Archangel can unleash a lot of mana, which triggers a resonance pulse across the Wormwood Star impact sites, which causes a planet-wide celestorm that overwrites reality across space-time, like cracks spreading out across history, events, people and places, etc."

"Do worldwide Celestorms occur often?" Mags asked.

"Often enough for Scrutimancers to form into a Stabalist Order that deals with the post-Celestorm consequences," Satosh said. "The highest-level sniffers and seers determine the changes via Astral imprints and records kept in other dimensions and compile detailed reports on the changes. The lower level Scruts fix smaller inconsistencies in space-time disruptions and protect the interests of their Omnicorp and Clan. Basically, whoever has the most money wins after a Celestorm event since they can benefit from knowledge of two realities and sue anyone to get their property or lost finances back."

"Speaking of finances," I said. "I… think that I had some money in the Omni-Bank account before the worldwide Celestorm."

Ember squinted at me.

"I will look into it," Satosh replied. "If this was indeed the case, the funds are generally protected by Omnid Central Bank Insurance and you will eventually get them back as Astral ledgers are consulted and adjusted. Money these days is mostly digital so there are usually lots of Celestorm Insurance adjustments happening after any global shift like this."

I nodded, feeling somewhat relieved that not everything was lost in the Abyss.

"Was the money under your name or a corporate account?" Satosh asked.

"Thunder and Rainbow Omnicorp," I said. "The account was made a few days before the Celestorm event."

"Very good," Satosh nodded. "That should make it easier to restore the funds."

"You have money?!" Ember sputtered at me from her seat, utterly refusing to believe that her magically inept nullie brother was some kind of a corporate kingpin.

"Pretty sure that I do," I shrugged. "Why? Are you trying to muscle in on my finances?"

"I… I'm in charge of you as your Elder Omnid," she said. "Therefore any of your finances are mine to manage."

"It's in a Corpo account," I pointed out. "Not personal. If you wish for funds, you're gonna have to talk to the Thunder and Rainbow Omnicorp CEO, whoever that is, and demand a salary or whatever. That's my plan. I can't actually remember who's in charge of the Omnicorp in question."

Ember's eye twitched. "Fine. Whatever. Satosh, figure this shit out." She ordered, clearly already counting the extra income in her head.

"I will do my best to serve your family, my Lady," the Stratos Scrutimancer replied.

"Thunder and Rainbow, huh?" Vespera tilted her head at me. "A rather sus name. This just keeps getting more curious."

"More dangerous too, seems like," Cinder said.

I shrugged.

"How are you even recalling all this stuff?" Cinder elbowed me.

"I've a weird soul and a Scrut skill," I said. "Scrutiosmia. Smelling lost things. It's helping me remember stuff from before the shift."

"I see," The Quetzi-girl said with a weary sigh.

"So like, what happens if there's a property dispute after a Celestorm that rearranges a particular location?" Magdaline asked her dad.

"Lawsuits and fighting for control," Satosh replied. "Lots of arguing between Scruts, Omnicorps, Clans, politicians and landlords. As far as I can sniff ahead, Skyfall is going to be a major disputed territory soon. Before the shift, the school belonged almost entirely to Omnithornia as it was located in Cradlefall. Now it is located in Saxtland which makes it property of the Saxtland State. Omnithornia is going to have a fit trying to get it back. They will inevitably succeed, since Saxtland is far smaller and weaker as an Omnid nation."

"What's going to happen after they get it back?" I asked.

"They'll install a bunch of permanent gates between Skyfall and Cradlefall downtown to reconnect the place," Satosh said. "And push the Saxton Knight Order out of the Board of Directors and vote to make the school grounds an outer territory of Omnithornia. A total hostile takeover, basically."

I glanced in the direction of my sister. She wasn't my sister before the Archangel cracked the planet sideways. Or maybe… she was?

"Satosh," I said. "Say, theoretically what would happen if someone wasn't part of an Omnid family before a shift?"

"That depends," Satosh answered, eyeing me with a knowing look. "If a familial discrepancy is discovered, the family might choose to keep the Scion in question or... cast them out."

"Based on what?"

"Based on the Scion's usefulness to the family," was the shark-man's reply. "Generally Omnid families do not cast Scions out since they don't want their secrets to spill to anyone else."

Got it. So, I had to appear useful to the Stratos to stay in their good graces.

The Strand-Glider banked again.

Skyfall Citadel appeared ahead of us, a breathtakingly massive structure of black basalt, white stone and shimmering crystal, rising from the rugged coastline like a jagged, magnificent crown. The basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway gave way to sheer cliffs, plunging into the churning, grey-green waters of the North Sea. White, gothic towers and castle-style spires reached towards the stormy sky, sparkling against the gloomy landscape.

Tall glacier mountains of the Eindbane range loomed behind it, capped with blue ice. Brown grassfields extended out towards academy gardens turning warm green kept in a permanent state of perpetual summer by the Academy's Wards. I recalled that I read a lot about the Academy, memorized a multitude of its rules and maps to stay ahead of the game.

My current knowledge of Saxtland Skyfall wobbled in my head, somewhat coinciding with my previous life's knowledge of the Leviathan's Cradle Skyfall. I'd have to figure out exactly what changed under Saxtland ownership once I got in.

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"Skyfall," Satosh picked up a microphone-tentacle, bringing it to his lips. "Scrutimancer Satosh coming in with 2nd and 1st year Academy students. Please permit entry into the Ward."

"Acknowledged, you are permitted past the 1st outer barrier," a soft female voice rang from the shimmering tentacle. "Please slow your approach and circle the outer edge while our Mage Tower scans you."

"Understood," Satosh said.

The Strand-Glider slowed, banking around the citadel. A ray of green-blue light flashed from one of the Academy towers, making me shudder as high-level identifying magic danced across my entire body.

"Scan completed," the female voice added. "You are permitted entry into the inner ward. Where do you prefer to land?"

"Undermaster's Tower," Satosh said. "Please let Arcanarium Undermaster Graves know that I require to speak with him about a global Celestorm dimensional shift event."

"Proceed," the female voice said.

. . .

The glider settled gently onto a hexagonal balcony jutting out from the side of a tall, white, shimmering tower, one of the many spires that made up Skyfall Citadel. Satosh let the living glider relax and settle. The cockpit canopy hissed open, letting in the crisp, rain-washed air and the distant sound of crashing waves.

As we stepped out onto the balcony, a figure emerged from a doorway leading into the tower's interior. It was a Kitsune with lush snow-white fur, fox ears twitching atop her head, and nine fluffy tails swaying gently behind her. She wore a smart, dark blue uniform with silver trim, the Skyfall crest subtly embroidered on her chest. Her silver eyes assessed us with polite curiosity.

"Welcome to the Undermaster's Tower," she said, her voice formal. "I am Secretary Yuki. Undermaster Graves is expecting you, Scrutimancer Satosh." She gave a slight bow to Satosh, then her gaze flickered over Ember, Cinder, Vespera, Magdaline, and finally, me, lingering for a moment on my human face.

"Thank you, Yuki," Satosh replied, nodding to the Kitsune.

We followed Yuki inside. The tower interior featured more gothic arches and a multitude of bright Kitlix lanterns. Yuki led us down a short corridor lined with bookshelves overflowing with ancient-looking tomes and strange artifacts encased in hexamesh-reinforced crystalline shelves. We arrived at a heavy, oak door, intricately carved with runes. Yuki tapped lightly on it and a deep voice rumbled from within. "Enter."

Yuki opened the door, stepping aside for us to enter. The office was large and circular, dominated by a massive desk crafted from polished obsidian.

Undermaster Graves was an Omnid Slenderman, a being of fanciful suit, pure shadow and elongated limbs, his form shifting and flickering in the dim light. Unnerving static filled my head as he glanced at me, making me recall that he had the title of Vice Principal before.

"Satosh," Graves' voice was deep and hissy. "How may I be of service to the Stratos?"

"Good day, Undermaster," Satosh replied, stepping forward. "I apologize for the… abrupt visit. But the situation is… urgent." He began to explain the events at Skyfall station, the Wendigo encounter, and the Archangel release, his voice low and measured, detailing the complexities of the dimensional shift, the Frontenachii pursuit and our kobold-dragon triple bond.

Ember, predictably, was losing interest quickly. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, yawning dramatically. "Ugh, old-men talk. Are we going to be here all day?"

Graves' head turned towards Ember. "Patience, Lady Stratos. These matters are of considerable import. However," he paused, a flicker of something akin to amusement in his shadowy, faceless form, "I understand your… fiery desire to see your friends sooner. Since you are already sorted, feel free to head to the House Pyroclast balcony."

Ember's face brightened instantly. "Really? Great!" She turned to me, her usual spiky and fiery demeanor softening ever so slightly in the presence of the Undermaster. "Try not to get into any more trouble, nullie-brain. And… uh… good luck with… your other bullshit." With a surprisingly un-Emerald-like nod, she turned and practically bounced out of the office.

Graves' eye-less gaze returned to the rest of us, making static dance in my head. "Now, then," he said, his voice regaining its authoritative edge. "Let us address the more… pressing concerns. Frontenachii Clan pursuit is… undesirable, to say the least. Especially within the Academy grounds. While our Wards are formidable, persistent harassment can be… disruptive to the learning environment."

He turned his attention to Vespera, Cinder, and Magdaline. "Given the… circumstances, and the potential for unwanted attention, I will agree to a temporary measure of discretion. Skyfall provides a certain… magical flexibility for its students. Especially in matters of personal safety." He paused, letting the implication hang in the air.

"So, we are permitted to augment our appearance at Skyfall?" I asked him.

"Yes," Graves nodded. "But only outside of classes. During class you must keep your normal appearance and use your legal names so as not to confuse the Elder instructors."

Vespera, ever quick on the uptake, grinned. "Appearance shifting permission? I like where this is going!"

"Indeed," Graves confirmed. "A temporary alteration of your… more distinctive features might prove beneficial in avoiding unwanted scrutiny between classes. It is permitted, within reasonable bounds, as personal protection until this… Frontenachii issue is resolved. I trust you understand the discretion required and will not abuse this permission to antagonize other students or teachers?"

Cinder and Vespera bobbed eagerly. Magdaline remained impassive. "Of course," I agreed.

"Now, as for your residency," Graves continued, his tone becoming more businesslike. "As first-year Mystagogues, you will be assigned quarters in your respective Houses. I understand that you two have claimed this… gentleman as your kobold before the dimensional shift?"

Cinder and Vespera nodded.

"Unfortunately," Graves said. "We do not offer shared residency to first years."'

The faces of the girls soured.

My heart sank a little. Separate rooms? That complicated things. "So, we won't be rooming together?" I asked.

Graves inclined his shadowy head. "Dormitory assignments are not at my discretion, Novitiate Mystagogue Stratos-Kilborne. They are determined by the Slayer Sword's assessment of each student's… mental and magical alignment. The Saxtant Resident Knight assigned to each Tower then makes the final residence decisions based on the paperwork created during the House Alignment Ceremony. It is a… nuanced process, designed to foster both individual growth and House cohesion. Also the male and female students are separated into different dorm sections by the Sextant Knight Order."

Cinder's frown deepened as did mine.

He paused, eye-less gaze seeming to bore into my soul. "I trust you understand. Skyfall is not merely an academy; it is a crucible. And the arrangements, even seemingly minor ones such as dormitory placement, are designed to… refine and shape you into Mystagogues worthy of the name."

So, a magic Sword artifact and some knight would decide our residency fates. Not exactly reassuring. But at least we had permission from the Undermaster for appearance shifting outside of classes. That was something.

"Understood, Undermaster," I said. "Thank you for your… guidance."

Graves nodded, his shadowy tentacles shifting slightly. "You are dismissed. The House Ceremony will commence shortly in the Central Hall. I suggest you prepare yourselves. And Mystagogue Stratos-Kilborne," his voice dropped slightly, becoming almost a whisper of static in my head, "be… mindful and don't cause trouble. Skyfall has Infix Kitlix eyes everywhere."

With a final, chilling nod of static, Undermaster Graves turned back to his obsidian desk, dismissing us into the uncertain future.

. . .

"Central Hall is on the ground floor," Yuki commented, her tails swaying gently. "Follow the Kitlix. Good luck with the Entrance Ceremony, Mystagogues!"

"Which Kitlix?" I asked.

A crystalline critter jumped out from a column alcove, igniting violet-blue, glancing at us with glowing silver eyes. It marched ahead of us like a stoic kitten, stopping periodically whenever we slowed to admire the school's architecture.

Due to the raised Aetheric density, the academy halls featured far more magic artifacts. Dark, skeletal dragons bowed at us as we passed them. Depictomancy paintings hung on walls depicting stormy landscapes of the Saxton Isles, other alien worlds, Arx, and various famous Mystagogues who watched us pass by with curious, painted eyes.

We descended the crystal stairs, the air growing warmer and more bustling with each step. The hushed atmosphere of the Undermaster's Tower gave way to the vibrant energy of a school about to begin. We passed students clad in robes of grays and various colors. Murmurs and excited chatter filled the air.

Following the sparkling Kitlix, we arrived at massive open double doors crafted from dark magisteel, inlaid with silver runes that pulsed with a faint, internal light. The Kitlix tapped the doors, bowed to us and rushed back upstairs.