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Truith: (wakes up drenched in his own sweat.) [Thinking] I guess I wore my cloak to bed again. (he pushes his covers off with out opening his eyes. . . he
turns on his side. He tries to get back to sleep but he is too uncomfortable) (his mouth is dry.) Water. (He sits up and opens his eyes. He is greeted by an unfamiliar room.) (his eyes grow wide.) Wa.
. . where am I?
(the room he finds himself in is completely white from the walls and the carpet to the furniture. There is one door at the far end of the room. The only furnishings in the room are a small chair sitting in the corner on the right side of the room and a cabinet sitting on the left side of the bed. On the cabinet sits a glass of water and his parents’ stones.)
Truith: (the memories of last night flood back into his mind. Tears start to
form in his eyes.) No!!! It was just a dream!. . . It had to be . . . (he catches sight of his parents’ stones.) (he crawls over too the side of the bed and takes the stones off of the counter. Noticing the water he sets the stones on the bed and takes a long drink.)
(the doorknob turns)
Truith:! (chokes on the water and drops the cup. As the door opens he
scurries under the bed in fear. He looks from under the bed to see two pairs of feet entering the room.)
female voice: Are you sure this is the right room?
male voice: Of course.
female voice: Then were is the child.
male voice: Isn’t it obvious? If he isn’t in the bed. (walks over to the side of the bed.) Then he’s under it. (he looks under the bed.)
Truith: AHHH!!! (pulls out from under the bed and runs screaming, tears
falling behind him, as fast as he can to the door. He gags for a second as he is yanked backward, then is lifted into the air by the hood of his cloak, his legs still trying to reach the door.
female voice: Arch, put him down your scaring him.
Arch: If I put him down he’ll run.
female voice: (glaring at him.) Put him down.
Arch: Fine. (places him down gently.)
Truith: (rocks back and falls down. He covers his eyes and cries, not
knowing what else to do.)
female voice: (looks angrily at Arch.)
Arch: (shrugs his shoulders.)
female voice: *sigh* (walks over to Truith and bends down.) Don’t cry it’s alright. We won’t hurt you.
Truith: looks up and wipes at his face.) really?
female voice: *smile* Of course not.
Truith: (still a little scared.) wh. . .who are you.
female voice: Oh, sorry. Kind of missed out on the introduction didn’t we? (stands up) I’m Rose and the scary guy is Arch.
Arch: *smiles*
Truith: (feeling more comfortable.) I’m Truith.
Arch: (walks over to Truith.) I believe these are yours. (places the two stones in his hands.) Don’t lose them there important.
Truith: (looks at his parents’ stones and his eyes begin to water.)
Rose: Truith I know this is hard, but I need you to come with us. Ok.
(Arch walks over and lifts him up.)
Truith: Where?
Rose: You’ll see. *smiles comfortingly*
(They walk out the door.)
. . .
(Truith is sitting in a large red leather chair, staring at the floor dejectedly, eyes red and puffy from continuously crying. He is in an office like room lined with bookshelves with a single desk sitting placed across from him.) (a man comes through the door. He looks to be in his early twenties and is wearing a white robe with crimson trimming. He has rough features and the beginnings of a goatee. He has a sympathetic look on his face. He is holding something long wrapped in a dark purple cloth.)
man: Sorry for the wait, I had to take care of something. (he places the cloth
wrapped object on the desk. Then taking the chair from behind the desk, he places it in front of Truith.) (sits down) Truith right?
Truith: (nods without looking up.)
man: I’m Artemis. I was a friend of your mother some time ago.
Truith: (looks up) you knew my mom?
Artemis: *smiles* Knew her? There wasn’t a person in this city who didn’t know here name, after all she is the one who made this city what is today. She even designed the building your currently in.
Truith: Really? Is this place important?
Artemis: huh. You haven’t been told yet? That’s strange. Well you are currently inside the Grand Academy, a gigantic dome located in the middle of Di-Lumines.

Truith: (trying to remember the name from his history lessons.) Di-Lumines. . . (unsure) that’s the angelic city isn’t it?
Artemis: *smiling* Correct.
Truith: Then you’re an Angel?
Artemis: Yes, just like your mother.
Truith: (taken by surprise.) . . . my mother?
Artemis: I did imply that she lived here.
Truith: Then my dad’s Angel too?
Artemis: certainly not.
Truith: Then wha-
Artemis: -a Demon *still smiling*
Truth: (remembering his ‘beloved’ history lessons.) But . . . Demons and Angels are . . . sworn enemies.
Artemis: Your parents weren’t.
Truith: . . . If my mother was an Angel, and my father was a Demon. . . Then what am I?
Artemis: And finally, the question. You see, you, being of mixed blood, carry characteristics of both races. That makes it impossible to stick you in any one specific slot, but we can talk about this later. (stands up, walks over
to his desk and picks up the wrapped object.) (walks over to Truith.)I need you to verify something for me. (hands the object to Truith.)
Truith: Looks at it unsure of what to do.
Artemis: Go ahead. Unwrap it.
Truith sad gingerly removes the cloth and pulls out the object inside.
(it is the worn sword his father gave to him.)
Artemis: Is this sword yours?
Truith: (reminded again of last nights horrid events.) Yes, my father gave it to me. (just the thought of his parents nearly brings him to tears.)
Artemis: Now. Please try to draw it.
Truith: (places his hand on the hilt and pulls.)(nothing.)(he pulls even
harder.)(still nothing.)Huh?
Artemis: Don’t worry the fact that you can even touch it is proof enough.
Truith: (wraps it back up and hands it to Artemis.)
Artemis: (as soon as his hand touches the fabric a grayish fire appears from
seemingly nowhere and scorches his hand.) ( he immediately drops the sword and grabs his hand. The area the fire touched is red and bleeding.) (a look of pain on his face.) Even through the fabric huh. (his hand glows white for a moment then returns to it’s normal state.)
Truith: (in awe) Regeneration.
Artemis: (looking at his hand.) Interesting. (stands up strait and turns to look
at Truith.) I guess you should just put the sword my desk.
Truith: (picks up the sword and places it on his desk.)
Artemis: I’ll have to explain that whole thing later, but for now we need you to get ready to meet your aunt.
Truith: My aunt!?
Artemis: Yes. All right we need to get you cleaned up. (looks at Truith.) and your cloths as well. (starts to walk out the door.) (laughingly) Come on your suppose to follow me.
(After cleaning up Artemis takes him to a train that he says runs through the entire Academy. Artemis, knowing that if he stays silent Truith will start thinking of his parents, begins telling Truith about the Academy.)
Artemis: the Academy has three major functions. The most important being an enormous school. Originally there were thousands of small schools scattered all over the city. Most didn’t even have a proper curriculum. So your mother came up with the idea of a single school were all Angels could learn on equal terms. The second use of the Academy is for the meeting of the Angelic Council, the wisest and most learned of all those of our race.
Truith: So who’s on the Council?
Artemis: Well me for one.
Truith: Really?
Artemis: Really. Your mother use to be on the council as well. She was considered the most influential member of her time.
Truith: How come mom never told me any of this.
Artemis: Elaine was never one to brag and it isn’t like you need to know. Oh! And your aunt as well.
Truith: Doesn’t like to brag.
Artemis: No. *laughing* Is on the Council.
Truith: Oh.
Artemis: Um’ where was I? That’s right. The third use of the Academy is for the storing of information, books, and technology. . .(looks at the clock at the front of the train.) We should be arriving soon
Truith: Where?
Artemis: The center of the Academy where the pillar is located.
Truith: And my aunt is there.
Artemis: Yes, Look there’s something you should know about your aunt Emily . . . well more like Angels in general. You see with Angels things aren’t always as they seem.
(the train stops.)(Artemis gets up and Truith follows him off the train.)
Artemis: Take your mom for example. How old do you think she was
Truith: I don’t know . . . maybe fifty.
Artemis: (a little surprised) Good guess, but she was actually around 900 years old. Get the idea?
Truith: I think so. (really confused and a little depressed thinking about his mom.)
(They’ve walked down a short hallway and have come to a large white double door with deep engravings of unknown symbols.)
Artemis: (opens the door.)
(behind the white door is a blindingly white field, the trees leaves are white, the grass is white the flowers are white there isn’t even a hint of any other color. In the center of the field is an enormous white pillar that extends to the sky. A strange peace flows through Truith somehow it reminds him of his mother. The only person there is a little girl standing in between him and the pillar.)
Truith: (Looks at the girl. Looks around. Looks at the girl again. Looks
around again. Looks at the girl.) My Aunt?
Artemis: Exactly.
Truith: Ohhhh . . . that’s what you meant. (just stands there staring.)
Artemis: Aren’t you going to go see her.
Truith: Right! Sorry! (jogs over to where she is.)
Emily: *greets him with a smile* Hello.
Truith: (nervously) Hi.
Artemis: He’s a little shy. His name is Truith.
Truith: (Turns around surprised that he didn’t hear Artemis behind him.)
Emily: Well that’s only to be expected . . . Truith?
Truith: Yes?
Emily: Do you have your mother’s stone?
Truith: *nods his head*
Emily: would you please take it out for us?
Truith: Um, alright. (pulls the white stone out of his pocket. It feels warm in
his hand. He holds up his hand to show it to her.) (The stone gives off a blinding light. Surprised Truith drops it.) (When he regains his sight he is looking at his mothers smiling face.) Mom!! (he reaches out to hug her but feels nothing but warmth and air, there is nothing physical.) (he looks up at his mothers face sadly. He feels like weeping but the strange peace only allows him a small trickle of tears.)
Elaine: (it is apparent that she is heart broken at the sight of her crying child,
but she is able to keep most of it in.) Please don’t cry. I know It’s hard now but I promise everything will be fine.
Truith: (for the first time he notices that his mother is transparent. He can see
Emily through her.)
Elaine: (turns toward Artemis) I’m glad that they sent you to meet my son. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Artemis: To be honest, I was one of the only ones who was willing to go, but It is still an honor none the less.
Elaine: (turns to face Emily.) Sister it’s good to see you. Congratulations on your position in the council.
Emily: Thank you and it’s good to see you as well. Although I wish it were under better circumstances.
Elaine: As do I, but it can’t be helped. (turns back to Truith.) I believe I own you an explanation. You see your father and I created these stones so that we could contact you even after death. The only problem is that it requires a significant amount of energy to communicate in this manner, that’s why your father had so little time to give you instructions. Also in this state it is impossible to recover energy so we only get one chance to speak. To give myself more time I transferred my soul to the stone as soon as you were safe, but even so that by itself would not have given me enough time so I waited until we were near the pillar. The pillars power gives me significantly more time and allows me to take on a somewhat physical form.
Truith: (scared) S-so your going away again?
Elaine: (a single transparent tear slips down her face.) Yes. Now I have to go speak with the council. Please stay here. (she turns around and walks to the
pillar, followed by Artemis and Emily.)
(at the base of the pillar stands about twenty people wearing white robes. Truith is unsure if they just arrived or if they where there to begin the whole time. Some of the people seem to just be children while others seem old with white and grey hair.)(while they are talking several of these people continue to glance occasionally at Truith. One in particular never takes his eyes off of him.)
Truith: (sits down.)
(the talking continues for about fifteen minutes. Finally Elaine returns.)
Truith: (stands up.)
Elaine: Everything is set. You will be enrolled in the Academy and will be studying along side Angels. Your schooling will begin a year from now in the beginning of spring. Truith, as I said I can’t stay with you but, if you need any help Artemis and my sister will help however they can.
Truith: I’m . . . never going to see you again am I?
Elaine: You will get to see me and your father one more time
Truith: Dad too?
Elaine: *smiles* Yes, but I have to go now my time is running short. Please be strong my son and be kind to my sister and Artemis. Goodbye. I love you.
Truith: Mom! (he knows he can not touch her but he can’t help but to try. He reaches out just a the form of his mother flashes and dissipates. He pulls his hand back. His mothers stone clenched tightly in his hand.)(he stares at the stone letting what few tears would come fall from his face.)(he feels empty.)
(he stays in the garden the rest of the day. Artemis and Emily stay there and comfort him as best as they can.)(night falls and Truith has to go to his new quarters where he falls asleep instantly.)
. . .
For the next three days Artemis and Emily show Truith the various sections of the Academy. They answer any questions he has in order to prepare him for his new life. He learns that there are eight towers; light which is the one he hade visited, fire, earth, water, electricity, wind, darkness, and strange enough nature. No one knows the origins of the towers, only that they were there far before Di-Lumines. He also learns that the reason he had to wait a year before he could get into the Academy is that the school year had already begun and no one is allowed to join late. Most importantly he learns about the Demons that are hovering at the edge of the Angels land. The Demons themselves can not enter because of a shield, but they can create golems to send, so the entirety of the land is covered in a variety of violent golems. They show him the gigantic garden surrounding the Academy From the garden he can see some of Di-Lumines. The size of what little he can see amazes and awes him.)(having made new friends such as his aunt, Artemis, Arch and Rose Truith begins to get use to his new environment. He stops crying and begins to open up more.)
(fourth day.)
Artemis: Truith, could I have a word with you.
Truith: Sure. (walks over to him.)(they begin walking the garden.)
Artemis: I need to go out of the city for a little while for a job. I’m really sorry but it’s very important and I have to go. Emily will still be here to keep you company and I won’t be gone for anymore than four days.
Truith: I understand I’ll see you when you get back.
Artemis: Good kid. (ruffles Truith’s hair.)
(the day ends and Truith goes to sleep.)
. . .
(Emily opens the door and runs over to Truith’s bed.)
Emily::*shaking Truith* Wake up!
Truith: (his eyes snap open.) !
Emily:*pulls him out of bed* Get up! Come on out of bed!
Truith: Ok! (obviously not awake.)
Emily: Hurry! (drags him out the door.)
Both are running with Emily pulling Truith along. Truith is thoroughly confused [and having a bad case of de-ja-vu.] They run down the hall and go down several flights of stairs until they get to the bottom floor.)
Truith; (almost in tears.) What’s going on?!
Emily: One of the Council members has turned some of the guards against us and are trying to kill you!
Truith: ME?!
Emily: Yes. Well, it is a little surprising. (annoyed.) Resistance was expected but we never thought a council member would betray us like this.
(comes to a stop. Places her hand on a circle on the wall. The circle glows blue and the wall lifts up to reveal a flight of stairs [serious de-ja-vu.]. They continue running down and the wall closes behind them. At the bottom of the stairs is a long thin hallway lined with doors, each door having its own unique symbol.)(Emily slows and walks down the hall looking at each door.)
Truith: What are we doing?
Emily: (still searching and walking.) Artemis told you about the three purposes of the Academy correct?
Truith: Yea
Emily: Well, you remember that part about storing technology. There is also a secret place in the Academy for the storage of powerful or important technology. That’s where we are. The only people who know about this place are those that work here, those on the council, and some of the elite guard. Aha! (opens the door and looks back at Truith.) *smiles* But don’t worry, the traitor won’t be able to enter this place. (pulls him into the room
and closes the door.)
(the room is square and rather small. At the end is a triangular device, slightly larger than a person with symbols along the edges [de-ja . . . never mind you get the idea.]. It was a little different from the first one in that it was made of metal not stone, had no mirror and was attached to a computer.)
Truith: What is this?
Emily: drags him over to the machine.)(goes to the computer and starts typing.) I’m going to send you to my out of city house in Denvii, a town at the edge of the clear fountain lake, you should be safe there for a while but you can’t stay there long. You might be found.
Truith; What about you?! (remembering his parents.)
Emily: *smirks* Don’t worry, nothing will to me, their after you, besides, they can’t get down here. (presses a button on the computer.)
(the machine turns on and what looks like liquid glass slowly comes of the machine until it joins in the center.)
Emily: (hugs Truith.) When you get there I need you to check something for me, but you’ll hear about that later.
Truith: Um . . . Ok.
Emily: And stop being so depresses, everything will be fine.
Truith: (half heartedly.) Ok.
Emily: Uhh! Just go. (turns him around and pushes him through the gate.)
Truith: (stops himself from falling then trips on the edge of the gate, falling
through.)(lands on the other side.) Ach!(he lands on his side. One of his parents stones hitting him in the hip.) Ow. . . What did I do? (he turns on his back and closes his eyes intending to sleep where he lies.)
?: There are beds you know.
Truith: (opens his eyes to see a young girl leaning over him, staring at him.) Hello.
?: Would you like to go to your bed?
Truith: (not really awake enough to care.) *nods his head*
?: then you’ll need to get up. (straightens up and slowly walks to a door.)
Truith: (doesn’t really want to get up but knows he has to.)(slowly gets up and looks at the girl.)
?: (looks back at him impatiently.)
Truith: (walks over to her.)
(she opens the door and walks down a hall with Truith following. She stops and opens the second door on the left.)
? : This is your room.
Truith: (walks in.)
?: Now get some sleep, you really need it. (closes the door.)(Truth lays on
the bed and falls asleep instantly.)