Eternal Courage 3: Galactic Bonds

Chapter 19: Prelude of the Second Stage

It was another day on the Omega Space Station. Saku was walking with Emiko towards Zarla who had requested to meet him "...I wonder who we'll get paired up with" said Emiko sounding a bit excited

"Just as long as they don't give me a headache" said Saku uncaringly "I could care less. Then again I wouldn't mind someone who's agreeable"

"I wonder what Ozway means by...teams forged by circumstance?"

"Beats me. Ozway did say he'd have a few surprises in store for us. Still it's a bit strange we're placed into teams for stage 2 of the competition"

Ozway had declared that for Stage two players would be placed into teams of four and a minor few in groups of five. However Ozway had declared teams were forged by circumstance...not choice. Other than that he hadn't said anything else. As they walked down a curved corridor, the void of space to their left, they saw Zarla waiting for them "Saku...Emiko it's nice to see you"

Emiko gave a polite bow "Good Morning Empress. It's nice to see you"

"And to you Emiko" said Zarla politely "Hey there Saku...is your face feeling any better?"

"A little" said Saku who felt the plaster on his cheek "Whatever this is, it certainly works. So how come you wished to meet me? Is it time for the training session?"

"Not quite. You certainly sound eager" she said with some surprise "Our training session can't be done till this afternoon. Ozway is actually just about to request everyone to the canteen plaza, leisure room and assembly hall. He's going to be telling everyone the rules of the teams"

"So why is it you wished to meet us?" asked Emiko

"Overseers and pupils go together. Look see he's broadcasting the message now"

Saku turned to his OSCOM which flashed blue. Then above it was a hologram of Ozway's head which was transparent "Hello to all. I know it's a bit soon to speak about the rules of the team I mentioned this morning but I just couldn't help myself" Emiko noted Zarla and Saku sighed at the same time

"Great minds think alike I suppose" she said chuckling to herself

"So everyone time to gather and perk up your ears. After this message ends your OSCOM will display one of three Location names. Simply be there within half-an-hour. Overseers and Pupils please come together to the assembly hall. Thank you and see yer later"

Saku just sighed again "He sounded like a child who couldn't wait to open their presents. Still it gets it out of the way"

"Come, we can talk on our way there" said Zarla as they began to walk "so Emiko I've been meaning to ask what race do you belong to? That is if you don't mind me asking"

"No it's okay to ask" said Emiko "I'm a Faery"

"A Fairy?" repeated Saku

"No a Faery, pronounced Fay-rie. We're mainly a peaceful race of people, not that we don't like to fight, who are adept in elemental powers"

Emiko then looked curious "Why what's a Fairy?"

"It's a children's fictional creature" said Saku "there're quite small and capable of magic. Their wings are sometimes depicted like yours Emiko" Emiko looked back at her silver translucent wings. The wings had grown from her upper back down a little past waist. They were thin and narrow at first, becoming wider as they reached down. The ends of the wings were neatly curved.