Vale peered at the roof of the medical bay, cloaked in stars.

  The Academy of Anhedonia lived up to its name. An academy of Fearshaping, dedicated to ushering Fearshapers towards Serenity, a freedom from the prisons of their Fears.

  Before they began their exploration, their first priority was to ensure that Shiver was properly treated.

  She had lunged headfirst into Semille’s thorns, brought forth from the lord’s Fear. Not only was she bloody from the endeavour, the proximity to the Academy’s guardian had sapped her of all warmth and triggered her hallucinations.

  Vale still recalled how Shiver had raised her dagger against her, mistaking her for the shade that stalked her. She tried her best to reassure herself that Shiver would never bring her harm. However, the seed of doubt once placed, was difficult to shake. Vale gazed at the ivory scepter in her hand, and wondered how her Fear would play tricks on her.

  "Mmf mmmmf mmfmfmm."

  On second thought, her fear of Shiver was a little easier to dislodge after seeing her with a face entirely covered by bandages.

  "Yes, Shiver it is absolutely necessary for your healing. And no, I haven’t botched it up, I’ve done it exactly how my tutors have taught me."

  Vale smugly admired her work, her pride at her artistry clear to the onlookers. She interpreted Shiver’s mumbles with unparalleled confidence and accuracy. Shiver’s hands were completely wrapped in bandages, covering the numerous cuts inflicted by Semille’s thorns. Caledon had been trying and failing to keep a straight face. Thankfully, Shiver’s view was too obstructed to notice.

  "Excellent work Vale! You were taught very well!"

  Vale looked on in horror as Shiver abruptly tore away the bandages covering her mouth, undoing her masterwork. Perhaps it was optimistic of her to hope that they would have been left untouched. Caledon wore a slight look of disappointment.

  Then, her mirth subsided as she recalled just what the girl had done. They were still powerless, having so recently awakened to Anhedonia, the first stage of Fear. When Vale had thought that she went to great lengths to accomplish her goals, that crazy orphan had come along with a lesson in humility.

  Shiver was Insane when she put her mind to something.

  Using the academy’s Terror as a glorified carriage to rescue Icey and abscond from their pursuers. Fearlessly drawing the ire of the Terrors in the city, getting caught in an encounter between two of them, and living to tell the tale.

  She strode in genius and madness, both in equal measure. It was inspiring really.

  Upon their arrival, Icey had promptly led them towards the medical bay of the academy. Rows of beds with dark grey sheets lined the large room. It was cloaked in a dim, silvery light, emitted from the pinpricks of light housed in the darkness of the arched roofs. It mimicked the night sky, and staring at the ceiling set her at ease, which she guessed had been the intention behind its design. Such excess, so casually on display. Vale supposed it was to be expected from a legendary Fearshaping academy.

  She was eager to see what else awaited them.

  Shiver groaned as she turned to her side.

  "I’m hungry."

  Vale snorted.

  "Of course those are the first words out of your mouth."

  "If you’re not careful I’ll eat you my lady."

  "Go to sleep."

  Shiver pouted as she lay on her back. She glanced to her side, where Icey lay beside on the bed.

  "Shiver, can I-"

  "Popsicle not another word from you. You aren’t going anywhere."

  Her guide gasped in shock at her new moniker.

  "But… My name is Icey…-"

  Shiver’s grey eyes flashed. Vale sighed, shaking her head.

  Rookie mistake.

  "Not anymore it isn’t. You’re wondering why? They look delicious, enticing, until you pop them in your mouth and they make you want to jump into an inferno to escape the dread that creeps in with the cold-"

  "Shiver, I think that’s a you problem."

  "I’m calling you Popsicle because they lie. Got it?"

  Caledon watched the exchange silently, fighting to prevent his lips from turning upwards into a smile. It was hard to imagine these two conspiring to murder the lord from House Flora. The longer he spent with them, the more he was convinced there was more to it than a straightforward murder attempt.

  Then Shiver’s voice lost its cheer.

  "Don’t ever do that again."

  "B-but... You wouldn’t have escaped otherwise. We had no choice."

  The silence drew on between them. Vale and Caledon exchanged a glance.

  "How would you feel if I threw away my life for yours? Without giving you a say in it? Would you be able to live with the weight of my sacrifice?"

  Shiver’s words began to grow more biting, taking on the form of her Fear.

  "I’ve already lost the only people that ever cared for me. I’m not going to lose someone else. Not again."

  Icey only sat on the bed in silence, unable to answer Shiver. Before the girl plucked her up and set her in her lap. Caledon turned away from the pair, with a soft smile. It seemed like there was more to the girl than simple rage, Insanity and bloodlust.

  It didn’t escape him that just a moment ago Shiver had greeted her guide with distance and distrust. Keeping the ice cube at an arm’s length. Now, he watched as she doted on Icey, checking her for any lingering effects of the toxin.

  In the short time that I’ve come to know her, she doesn’t seem like the type of person to murder someone baselessly.

  Caledon frowned, falling deeper in thought.

  Why did father kill them? What was Lord Semille carrying?

  The two questions that continued to gnaw at him. He knew that the lord from House Flora was powerful. Powerful enough, perhaps, to convince his father to appease his taste for revenge.

  No, father would never kill to just to appease another. Innocents? Out of the question.

  Then his thoughts turned dark as he was reminded of House Flora’s influence. The Archcities’ reliance on their resources. Caledon’s eyes hardened and he shook his head, dispelling the stray thought. Then he paled, as he realised that Shiver would probably seek him out to discuss the incident. Not something he was looking forward to.

  Then, his mind wandered to a third question, that had simmered beneath the surface of his consciousness, lingering ever since he had entered the temple.

  Shiver didn’t awaken in the temple. How did she awaken as a Fearshaper? I should ask her about it... but perhaps I'll give it a while. I don't want to get skewered.

  Caledon was brought out of his reverie by cheerful voices.

  He turned towards “Lord Quietus”, the regal wishbone, who stood nearby, talking with Pevir Veringold, the archaeologist they had rescued.

  "My good man! A glorious moustache you sport!"

  "U-uh why thank you, Quietu-"

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  "Lord Quietus it is! I’ll forgive it, for your curiosity is unparalleled, my good man! Ceaselessly exploring the depths of this unforsaken city. You are an archaeologist to admire!"

  Pevir bashfully adjusted his round, copper glasses, his moustache twitching in satisfaction at the wishbone’s compliments. All well deserved, in Caledon’s opinion.

  "Forgive me, Lord Quietus. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance good sir. I must say, it is fascinating to encounter a being such as yourself. I can’t say I have ever encountered a Fearshaper’s guide before."

  Lord Quietus let out a grand chuckle, hopping regally towards the stout archaeologist.

  "Do ask your lingering questions, as they arise. You are certainly deserving of answers, my good man."

  Pevir brightened. It pleased Caledon to see the man already looking better than he had been, with a bit of rest and food. He had looked worn out, with sunken eyes barely concealed behind the shine of his glasses. The slightest sheen of sweat shone on his forehead.

  Caledon frowned.

  I hope he’s alright. It would only be natural to fall sick after his ordeal.

  Pevir continued.

  "No, I must thank you. You didn’t leave me behind, saving me from that dastardly pest, a nightviper was it?"

  "Indeed Archaeologist Pevir, its toxin coaxes you into a state of stupor, making you forget yourself and your memories temporarily as it keeps you in a liminal state. It is an insidious pest which that Fearshaper implanted into you."

  "My word… why would he do such a thing…"

  Caledon silently agreed. For all that Vale’s brother was unassuming and their pursuer, he hadn’t expected him to be so cruel. Keeping Pevir in a state of stupor for weeks on end, using him as a tool to gain knowledge. It spoke to his cruelty towards life.

  "I suspect he was after your expertise, my good man. There would be few elves so dedicated to the exercise of history, as you. Uncovering the secrets of Elucidor. I have always admired the creed of your profession. Why, back in my-"

  Lord Quietus tapered off, falling silent. He halted in his regal hopping, as if growing troubled for a moment.

  "Even guides surely tire, my lord. Do take a moment to rest."

  Pevir sat heavily on one of the other beds. The wishbone that was Lord Quietus hopped onto it shortly after.

  Caledon’s eyes lingered on the wishbone, then on Icey. Yet another mystery rose to greet him. In ordinary circumstances, he would have been enthralled at all the questions to unravel.

  Now? He was getting a bit tired of them.

  Where’s my guide. I’m a Fearshaper too… aren’t I?

  "Head in the clouds, Lord Caledon?"

  Caledon met Vale’s eyes.

  The lady from House Revenant sported long, blonde hair that escaped from her cloak of trimmed darksilver. She had pretty lavender eyes that shone with an intense curiosity, even as they lay trapped in the middle of a cursed death-academy that prevented them from leaving. Vale frowned, and Shiver idly kicked her legs before her as she lay on the bed, disinterested in their conversation – a pleasant change.

  "May I have a word?"

  "Of course."

  "I’m curious… how exactly do you suppose Icey knew about this place? From the guardian to its nature? From what I can tell… Quietus- I mean, Lord Quietus, barely has any memories of himself. Though guides appear to have certain contextual knowledge about our world... the nightviper included. Not to mention..."

  Vale’s eyes flashed with curiosity.

  "The implications. For the nature of their existence. What they are."

  He had certainly given some thought as to just what Fearshaper’s guides were. They were empowered with a rudimentary knowledge of Fearshaping – at least, the current stage of Fear that their Fearshapers languished in. Beyond that, they seemed to be bereft of any other memories but contextual ones, that gave them an understanding of the world around them.

  With some exceptions, of course. Caledon cast a glance towards the ice cube nestled in Shiver’s lap. Nestled, unwillingly, it seemed. He watched as Icey ineffectively attempted to flee from Shiver’s grasp.

  Vale continued her line of thought.

  "There’s more to that little ice cube than she lets on to. I asked her, you know. How she knew about the guardian. Or even how she found this medical bay."

  Caledon returned a glance of surprise.

  "You did?"

  Vale nodded, with a pensive expression.

  "She said that she didn’t know. That it came instinctually to her. Naturally, when her mind turned to it."

  "Fascinating, though hard to believe."

  "I agree."

  "Do you think she was sincere?"

  Vale nodded. Shooting him a brief smile.

  "I do. If there’s one redeeming trait of hers, it's that she’s terrible at lying. The nature of our guides certainly are a mystery. Besides, I’ve begun to wonder… where is your guide Lord Caledon?"

  "Um, just “Caledon” is fine."

  "Indeed, please call me Vale."

  The two fidgeted awkwardly. Caledon cleared his throat.

  "I’m not sure. I’ve tried calling out – both out loud, and in my mind."

  Caledon blushed at the admission. It was silly when he said it out loud. Mercifully, Vale didn’t spare him a second glance, instead staring ahead of her in concentration.

  "Nothing. I’ve heard no response. The Matchmaker did say that my guide was… conflicted."

  Caledon manifested the torch that he had received after awakening as a Fearshaper.

  "Hmm interesting… Perhaps we will discover more when we explore the academy."

  Vale’s eyes betrayed an intense excitement, which, as Caledon was ashamed to admit, he shared himself.

  It wasn’t every day that you found yourself in a lost academy of Fearshaping.

  A lost academy of Fearshaping that trapped you within never to let you leave. At least, as far as he knew.

  "There is one question we do need to ask you, Icey."

  Vale turned to Icey, who retreated behind Shiver’s bed at her glower.

  "Did you know this academy would trap us here once we were admitted as students?"

  The silence drew onwards, an answer in and of itself. Finally, the ice cube slunk forwards.

  "I… I did. I w-wanted you to be safe. The academy’s grounds forbid violence, except where sanctioned. If they followed us and tried to hurt us… the guardian would intervene."

  Icey tone betrayed her guilt and shame at lying to them. Caledon frowned as he puzzled over the nature of the academy’s rules.

  "Icey… is there anything preventing Triol or Semille from entering the academy?"

  An uncomfortable silence hung in the air before them.

  "N-no… there isn’t. Triol seems to have been admitted as a student, from the frost ward raised by the academy's guardian. He has descended from Anhedonia, and is free to enter and exit as he pleases. As for Semille... anyone is free to roam the academy, enrolment is unnecessary. Though they cannot partake of its resources without admission. Overall... while they may enter, they won't be able to bring you harm."

  Caledon’s mind passed over her words. Only Fearshapers in Anhedonia, the very first stage of Fear were trapped. What a curious rule. What was the reasoning behind it?

  "That means we have to descend to the next stage of Fear before we can leave."

  "That’s right! And the first obstacle to overcome is acknowledgment. You will have to confront, and acknowledge the nature of your Fear in your dreams. Achieving this, will bring your Fear closer to you, into your awareness."

  Icey, emboldened by her lecture, started zipping between them, her voice gradually regaining its characteristic levity. Vale smirked as she saw Shiver’s lips upturn in the slightest smile.

  "Once you complete your acknowledgment, you’ll be able to form your Fearcore!"

  Their gazes collectively locked onto the ice cube at the word.

  Fearcore?

  Now she had their attention.

  "Now that you’re Fearshapers, your nightmares will be a useful means of facilitating your descension - at some stages more than others. In Anhedonia, your nightmares are crucial. Do not shy away from your Fears. Confronting them, deciphering their shape, their nature, is the first step to mastery-"

  Shiver leapt off her bed and plucked the ice cube up, placing it on her shoulder.

  "Enough about that… what’s this about a Fearcore?"

  "Oh it’s nothing special… Think of it as a receptacle for your Fear that you form within you when completing the second stage of Ahedonia - embracement. The creation of your Fearcore will mark your descent from Anhedonia to Trepidation! But that’s boring, don’t you want to acknowledge your F-"

  Shiver’s lips pulled into a gleaming grin. Caledon shuddered. If that was how Shiver smiled on a good day… he could only imagine how her shade looked to her. She clapped her hands together.

  "Well then! This Fearcore sounds fascinating, and I’m sure it would have a wide range of applications, hmm? What was the next step? Acknowledgment? Guess that means we should be getting a good night’s rest to confront our Fears in the nightmare."

  Icey slipped from her shoulder onto the ground, marking her assent with her excitement.

  Ever since awakening, all three of them had heard a… yearning.

  To dream. It called to them, softly, as if seducing them with the promise of power. Horrors. Any combination of both.

  Their very first hurdle, would be to confront their Fears, acknowledging them, by revisiting the very moment of their inception.

  Caledon gulped, as he manifested his Phobia in his hand, the dark, wooden torch which bore no flame.

  "There’s only one thing left to settle. The fine gentlemen that are in pursuit of us."

  Shiver spoke up once more, inclining her head towards Icey.

  "You said that the guardian outside only permits sanctioned violence?"

  A grin filled her face once more.

  "Leave them to me when they finally arrive. For now, it’s off to the nightmare. And when we awaken…"

  Her eyes glinted in the starlight cast down from the roof of the medical bay.

  "The Academy of Anhedonia awaits."