[center][i][h3]February 28th, 1499 | Some time, somewhere[/h3][/i][/center]

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[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekIPJdhwN_o[/youtube]
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[i]

Footsteps wandered through the abyss, their movement echoing endlessly as a single individual limped through a vast expanse. While there was not a single visual clue as to their destination, they knew exactly where they were going. In the void they traversed, the confidence of their steps seeking to crush their own doubtful gait. All noise ceased upon a halted step, the traveller having reached their destination.

[color=ed1c24][i]"Tomorrow it begins."[/i][/color], an ancient yet feeble voice would speak into the darkness, emanating from the limping wanderer.

[color=00aeef][i]"So it would seem."[/i][/color], a voice from within the darkness would respond, powerful yet complacent.

[color=ed1c24][i]"And you would do nothing? Ha. How cruel."[/i][/color], the wanderer would respond with a smug chuckle, followed by hacking and wheezing from overexertion. 

While not seen, their body would be heard collapsing to an invisible floor moments later, inhaling and exhaling desperately.

[color=00aeef][i]"And you would continue on your path despite all that it has cost you? So foolish. Ignorant. Your youth blinded you to the truth, and now even in your elder years you would continue on a path not fit for this world. A path that all who have tried have eventually failed."[/i][/color], the powerful voice would retort, looking down upon the ailing wanderer in a world in which only the pair could view one another.

[color=00aeef][i]"If you would bring me results - some form of proof that your labors are not in vain - then I may yet assist you more than I already have."[/i][/color]

[color=ed1c24][i]"Vain, hm? Heheheh. Yeah, you've certainly always been that as long as I've known you."[/i][/color], the wanderer responded with defiant glee through coughs.

Moments later after a silence fit to last an eternity, the wanderer shrieked out in pain as the sound of metal against flesh rung out. Falling fully to the floor, the wanderer became inconsolable. 

[color=00aeef][i]"Do not presume to know me closely enough to jest. If you would bring me results, then do so. I do not permit you to remain in my presence any longer for today. Begone."[/i][/color]

[color=ed1c24][i]"...As you wish...!"[/i][/color], the feeble voice would cry out in desperation one last time, still groaning in pain and coughing as if a plague had befallen them.

And with that the void disappeared, giving way to bright sunlight. From within dense forestry a figure wreathed in darkness emerged, their lungs clearing with the fresh Spring air.

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[center][i][h3]March 1st, 1499 | Mortalion Academy| 8:00 AM[/h3][/i][/center]

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[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3svHw7cD5I[/youtube]
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It was the first day of a new year for the students of Mortalion Academy. With orientation beginning at 9:00 AM, the gates of the school were just opening. As a hapless janitor let loose the last binding holding the gate back, students from all walks of life and from all sorts of bizarre origins burst through. The shining sun paired with the cool breeze above served to lighten the moods of all the ambitious freshmen, who raced to explore the campus. Many seniors were slower to approach, having been through this process year after year. The janitor, on the other hand, was firmly shoved aside the moment his task was completed and was now sleepily sitting on the freshly cut grass within the campus grounds.

Some others who lagged behind seemed unsure of where to go or what to do, and those people mainly seemed to follow the seniors. Other than the students and the janitor, no one else was in sight within the campus. The doors were locked, and not a single staff other than the janitor was in sight. Some surprised freshmen tried banging on the door or turning the handles of the front entrance to see if the main building was well and truly locked. 

Any who had researched the academy beforehand would know that Mortalion Academy was particularly harsh with its rules towards being on time: in particular, those who were late or who didn't attend orientation for any reason were immediately expelled. With this dilemma fresh on the mind and showing no signs of changing any time soon, students began forming into groups to brainstorm reasons for the situation and potential solutions to fix it if something bad had truly happened.

It was about ten minutes in that an envelope magically appeared in the hands of every student. Upon opening it, the letter within would read, [i]"All students must report to the gymnasium for orientation. Find your way there within the hour, or else face expulsion."[/i]

Thus began the school's first test, and for some students, its last.