{"id":147,"date":"2021-08-09T12:30:43","date_gmt":"2021-08-09T16:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/?page_id=147"},"modified":"2021-08-09T12:32:32","modified_gmt":"2021-08-09T16:32:32","slug":"chapter-12","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-12\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 012: School&#8217;s Out Forever?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"290\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg\" alt=\"Etherno\" class=\"wp-image-52\" srcset=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg 768w, https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm-300x113.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chapter 12:<\/strong> School&#8217;s Out Forever?<\/h2>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin sighed and collapsed onto his couch in the common area of his and Tannin\u2019s dorm room. He hurt all over. He yawned and struggled to keep his eyes open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onryo took a few deep breaths and sat on the edge of the couch. She closed her eyes. Her wings and tail shrank in size until they disappeared into her back. Her hair faded from red to brown, and Kasai now sat there. She flung herself into Onin\u2019s arms, sobbing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s okay.\u201d Onin put one arm around her and patted her on the back. \u201cUm, do you remember anything?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Kasai nodded. \u201cIt\u2019s kinda like a dream, but I remember it all. Can\u2019t we do anything to help Shanay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNot to my knowledge.\u201d Saija\u2019s voice came from somewhere behind the couch. \u201cWe tried our best, then that other Natas showed up. He was a lot stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo we take him out first?\u201d Tannin cracked open an eye and looked up from the chair across from the couch that he sprawled across.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHow?\u201d Cerina slouched in the other chair next to Tannin. \u201cThey\u2019re just going to double-team us again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe could get some help\u2026\u201d Tannin didn\u2019t sound so sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWho?\u201d Kasai asked. \u201cThe Dabrath police have their hands full with the attacks here. Have you forgotten about them?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin stroked her back. \u201cI think Tannin\u2019s point is that the attacks would cease if we took out the source.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Tannin slouched into the couch, then he sat back up. \u201cOoo! What about the military?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo good.\u201d Saija waved her hand dismissively. \u201cTheir job is foreign gesaran threats. The giftlings have never been large enough in number to pose a national threat\u2014a small, local force of other giftlings can keep most troublemakers in line. Also, you need another chair in here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, \u2018cause that\u2019s working.\u201d Cerina rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin chose to ignore her comment. \u201cABG is probably the largest gathering of giftlings on the planet. We\u2019ve got people from every nation here, I believe\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe can\u2019t ask them to fight,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo, we can\u2019t. Most giftlings aren\u2019t combat oriented, and most people at ABG, ourselves included, are really just kids,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey, I\u2019m twenty!\u201d Tannin jerked upright in his chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin\u2019s eyelid twitched. \u201cMy point was that if you told the army that you wanted to fight a full-out war with the Natas, they\u2019d call you a kid and tell you to go home. None of us, well, except possibly Saija, have the training for this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhy not just give up, then?\u201d Cerina said, her face weary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin opened his mouth to reply, but Kasai beat him to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cReally? You saw what they did to Shanay. Do you want to just sit here and hope someone else can stop it? All while the Natas are taking everyone on campus, until they come to make us their vessels.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina shuddered and wrapped her arms around herself. \u201cNo. But what can we do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">No one said anything. What could they do? If they could get the Natas to fight them one at a time, they might be able to win. But what kind of idiot would fight five-to-one willingly? After that last fight with what used to be Shanay, they\u2019d fight with at least two to one, so trying to ambush a Natas when they attacked another giftling wasn\u2019t going to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMaybe Professor Jekao has an idea?\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cEh,\u201d Cerina waved her hand in front of her. \u201cHe\u2019ll just tell us to leave it to the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWho we already know aren\u2019t powerful enough to stop them,\u201d Saija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat about the Matari?\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Everyone turned to stare at her. Saija lifted herself up on one arm from behind the couch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAre you insane?\u201d Saija\u2019s eyes were open wide. \u201cThe Matari! They\u2019ll probably just possess you for themselves and use you against the Natas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe don\u2019t know if they can even do that,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cActually, we don\u2019t know much about them.\u201d Cerina frowned. \u201cEven after all that research we did. I say we sneak into their compound and poke around.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat might be a good idea.\u201d Onin leaned forward and rested his chin on his hand. \u201cBut what if we get caught? Let\u2019s keep that as Plan B. For now, we should work on teamwork and combat skills.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Tannin rubbed his shoulder. \u201cWe did pretty good when we were all working together. If we get better at that, the \u2018surprise a Natas\u2019 plan might work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cEspecially if they think we\u2019ve run away scared,\u201d Saija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI still think we should tell Professor Jekao.\u201d Kasai twirled her hair around her index finger. \u201cThe police and military might be too big, and each of us might not be able to do anything on our own, but if we all work together\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat are you going to do when he tells you to sit down and leave it to the pros?\u201d Cerina said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin sighed. \u201cIf that happens, we tell him the truth. I\u2019m not going to sit here in terror, jumping at every shadow and squeaky door hoping it isn\u2019t a Natas come to violate me in ways I don\u2019t want to think about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAll right!\u201d Tannin jumped to his feet. \u201cLet\u2019s go!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAfter a nap,\u201d Onin said, \u201cI\u2019m exhausted. I don\u2019t think I can make it to my room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAnd then possibly some food,\u201d Saija said.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Professor Jekao had covered his mouth and nose with his hand part way through the recitation of what had happened. His face grew a sickly shade of gray as they continued. Onin looked around. Good, a trashcan was at the end of the desk. The professor might need it. Professor Jekao shuddered and leaned forward, resting his head in his hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat\u2019s\u2026 that\u2019s\u2026\u201d Another shuddered rippled through the Professor\u2019s body. \u201cI\u2026 I have no words. What do we do now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe were hoping you\u2019d have some ideas, sir,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d He ran a hand through his hair. \u201cMy first thought would be to hand this over to the police, or military, but they\u2019re not equipped to handle this sort of thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat\u2019s was our thought, too, sir. We thought, perhaps, if we worked together with them?\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm. Possibly, but I\u2019m afraid we have bigger problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina slouched in her seat and raised an eyebrow. \u201cHow is that even possible?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cForgive my phrasing.\u201d Professor Jekao leaned back in his chair and took a few big breaths. \u201cI meant we have bigger problems than trying to convince the military to work with a bunch of college students. In addition to what\u2019s been on the news, I have other information that I\u2019m not supposed to make public yet. Can I count on all of you to keep this quiet?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Everyone nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019ve received word one of the major sponsors of ABG has cut their funding. This might be the last semester for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin\u2019s breath caught in this throat. He had to have heard that wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat is bad.\u201d Kasai pulled her legs up onto her chair and wrapped her arms around them. \u201cWill everyone just have to leave?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThe college board is looking into several different options, and they\u2019re in talks with the sponsor. They might come to some kind of resolution. Due to the nature of the sponsor, I\u2019d like all of you to look into the situation as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUh, I\u2019m not much of a salesman,\u201d Tannin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Professor Jekao grinned. \u201cNot like that, Tannin. I\u2019d like you to dig around behind the scenes. This sponsor cutting funding just after what happened in the mountains is rather suspicious. I think you\u2019ll agree after I tell you who the sponsor is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, who is it already?\u201d Cerina said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The professor looked grim. \u201cFirst, I need to tell you that this mission is strictly voluntary, off the books, and could have serious repercussions for all of you if something goes wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI think we\u2019re all in, sir.\u201d Onin glanced around the room at the others. Not even Cerina raised an objection. \u201cABG means a lot to all of us. Not to mention a lot of people could die if we\u2019re all sent home and can\u2019t work together to stop the Natas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai, Tannin, Saija, and Cerina all nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI was hoping you\u2019d say that.\u201d Professor Jekao took a deep breath. \u201cThe sponsor in question is the Matari.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin blinked. Was this all just a bad dream? Tannin\u2019s jaw hung open, and his eyes practically bugged out. Onin imagined he looked just about the same way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat, now?\u201d Cerina blinked rapidly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWait, can you say that again\u2026 the Matari? Um, they\u2019re kinda one of our suspects,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSuspects?\u201d Professor Jekao\u2019s head jerked to attention. \u201cThe Matari have been advocating for giftling rights and supporting better opportunities for giftlings since they got here. That situation in Caradan is much more suspicious.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cCaradan? What\u2019s going on there?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHave any of you watched or read any news reports either while you were on vacation, or since you got back?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin and the others shook their heads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI didn\u2019t even watch it before we left,\u201d Tannin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Professor Jekao lowered his head and rubbed his temple. \u201cTannin\u2026\u201d He let his hand fall down onto the armrest. \u201cThis is important. A group of giftlings attacked the Caradan capitol building. Three senators are dead, and they\u2019ve said this is only the beginning. From what you told me, this happened at about the same time you were in the mountains.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSounds like the Natas are responsible.\u201d Saija frowned and crossed her arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMy theory is that you\u2019re a threat to them.\u201d Professor Jekao leaned forward. \u201cIn response, they do something to get our funding cut to scatter all the giftlings here in Rogim so they can\u2019t mobilize against them. At the same time, a group of Natas vessels, puppets, sympathizers, or whatever attacks in Caradan. This keeps the Rogim military occupied at the southern border, leaving them free to operate here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin raised his hand. \u201cI have a question.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThis had better not be bathroom related,\u201d Cerina said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo.\u201d Tannin stuck his tongue out at her. \u201cI\u2019m confused about what a Natas is. Those guys in the mountains that we fought, for example. Some of them like Shanay are really powerful, and others seemed like regular gesarans. Then there\u2019s the guys at the museum, who are like regular giftlings with no morals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThere are different levels. The Natas themselves are a kind of spectral alien that can only partially interact with this plane of existence, dimension, whatever you want to call it. They can occupy a gesaran vessel\u2014\u201d Saija shuddered and her face paled. \u201cThey can also control gesarans without occupying them, kinda like Onin does with his servitors\u2014sorta. The gesaran has to be willing for this to happen, though. The last group are just really stupid or really desperate people that serve the Natas. Some worship them as gods, others serve them as slaves, or whatever else.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSheesh.\u201d Tannin rolled his eyes. \u201cEven I\u2019m not dumb enough to willingly follow a Natas around.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Everyone groaned, and Saija reached over and smacked the back of Tannin\u2019s head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin turned in his chair away from Tannin. \u201cSo, what crisis do we want to tackle first?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cFunding.\u201d Professor Jekao leaned forward again. \u201cThe military is watching the border, and that situation seems confined to Caradan for the moment. We can\u2019t take on the Natas head-on right now. If ABG\u2019s funding is cut\u2026 Well, we\u2019ve already talked about that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo, what can we do? We\u2019re not diplomats or solicitors,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina snorted. \u201cYeah, I can just imagine what would happen if Tannin, Saija, or I asked them to continue funding ABG.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cEh, it\u2019d work out. We could beat it out of them!\u201d Tannin pumped his fist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI hope you\u2019re kidding,\u201d Professor Jekao said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin shrugged and smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Professor Jekao frowned and stared at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo,\u201d Tannin rolled his eyes. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t attack someone just because they cut the college\u2019s funding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo, Professor, what do you suggest we do?\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThe college has people working on the diplomacy and paperwork aspects. My suggested mission is to try and find out if the Natas are threatening the Matari somehow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe can\u2019t just walk up and ask them,\u201d Tannin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019ll leave the planning to you. Just run it past me before you do anything,\u201d Professor Jekao said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay, I\u2019ve got some ideas on where to start. Is that all, Professor?\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat\u2019s all I\u2019ve got for now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin stood and filed out of Professor Jekao\u2019s office with the others. They made it all the way down the hallway before anyone spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo, what is this grand plan of yours, Onin?\u201d Cerina said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s not a plan, so much as a few ideas we can talk about and see what comes of them. Step one is to watch the news and see if we can spot any other activity that the authorities might not connect to the Natas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cLike the riots in Caradan,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, \u2018cause that one wasn\u2019t obvious.\u201d Cerina rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin pushed open the door, and they stepped out into sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou\u2019ve got to remember most people have never heard of the Natas. Most of the ones that have just think of them as a myth,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThe Natas prey off that.\u201d Saija frowned and shifted her weight to her right crutch. \u201cThey like to, ah, \u2018recruit\u2019, from among poor rural villages and use that myth and superstition to control the people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin turned down the sidewalk that led back to the dorms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWho wants to dig through the news reports with me?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI will,\u201d Kasai stepped closer and smiled up at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cBig surprise there.\u201d Cerina rolled her eyes. \u201cI\u2019ll check back with you later. There\u2019s some stuff I gotta do first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSorry, I have another appointment at the hospital for my leg,\u201d Saija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cTannin?\u201d Onin jabbed Tannin in the shoulder. \u201cYou coming?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cActually, I have an idea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cReally?\u201d Cerina stopped and put a hand on her hip. \u201cI don\u2019t see smoke coming out your ears.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt wasn\u2019t that good of an idea.\u201d Tannin shrugged. \u201cIf it\u2019s okay with everyone else, I want to go down to the police station and talk to the Natas we\u2019ve captured. They probably won\u2019t willingly tell me anything, but hopefully if I talk around the subject enough, they might let something slip that might help us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo, that is a good idea,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin nodded. \u201cHow about we meet up in me and Tannin\u2019s dorm in about three hours?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cBetter make it four. My appointment might run a little long,\u201d Saija said<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin, Cerina, and Saija split off in different directions. Onin held out his hand to Kasai. She glanced over at it, then reached out and took it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUh, since it\u2019s just the two of us\u2014\u201d Onin scratched the back of his neck. \u201c\u2014would you feel more comfortable going to the library?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo, I trust you.\u201d Kasai paused mid-step. \u201cThat reminds me, I forgot something inside. Wait here for me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai blushed and let go of his hand. Onin watched her run back into the building. What could she have forgotten in the professor\u2019s office? He didn\u2019t remember her bringing anything else inside. Oh well, she\u2019d tell him later if she wanted to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A few minutes later Kasai was back. She didn\u2019t say anything, but she did reach for Onin\u2019s hand again. A folded piece of paper stuck out of her back pocket. Onin opened his mouth to ask about it, then changed his mind. She\u2019d tell him if she wanted to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Halfway back to the dorm, Kasai stopped and turned to face Onin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDo you think I\u2019m broken?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou know, I didn\u2019t have any friends before I met you and the others. Cerina still barely tolerates me\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cCerina barely tolerates anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, that\u2019s true, but you know what I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAnd then there\u2019s the Onryo thing. Is there something weird like the Natas and Matari going on there, or am I just crazy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI don\u2019t think you\u2019re crazy.\u201d Onin took both her hands in his. \u201cWe\u2019ve all got problems. You more than most, possibly, but you\u2019re dealing with them and you\u2019re still able to achieve great things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d Kasai looked down at her feet. \u201cYou know how I was when we first met. I could barely talk to people, didn\u2019t let anyone get close\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAnd look at you now.\u201d Onin put a hand on her shoulder, and she stepped forward to hug him. Warmth spread through him. \u201cYou\u2019re sharing deep emotional stuff, and you\u2019ll even allow social touching. And I\u2019m pretty sure you don\u2019t feel terrified.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI did the first time you held out your hand to me.\u201d Kasai looked down and kicked at a tuft of grass in a crack in the sidewalk. \u201cAnd that\u2019s just with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s a step. And you\u2019ll joke with Tannin,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cEveryone jokes with Tannin.\u201d Kasai rolled her eyes and laughed. \u201cYou can\u2019t help it with him. He\u2019s just a big, friendly goofball.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin put an arm around her shoulders and started for the dorm again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey, no matter what happens, I care about you, and I\u2019ll always be here for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThanks.\u201d She blushed and brushed her hair back behind her ear. \u201cSo, uh, we\u2019ve got some news to catch up on, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin let Kasai into the common room of his and Tannin\u2019s dorm. Kasai sat on the couch while Onin grabbed his tablet from his bedroom. He sat next to Kasai and pulled up the news headlines on the tablet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cLet\u2019s see\u2026\u201d He flipped through several stories. \u201cHover car accident, politicians call for more funding, Sandwich Masters celebrates fifty years in business\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDon\u2019t let Tannin see that one. We\u2019ll never get anything done,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin laughed. \u201cTrue. I don\u2019t see anything. Oh, wait, here\u2019s an article from yesterday about the situation in Caradan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin tapped the headline and a video popped up. A young woman holding a microphone stood in front of crowd of people who were assembled on the steps of a large stone building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cElla Font with IDNN here. I\u2019m here on Gesara in the country of Caradan, just south of the border with Rogim. Protesters from across Caradan have assembled on the steps of the capitol building. The protesters are demanding more government regulation of giftlings after last week\u2019s attacks. The protesters feel that increased regulations will prevent further attacks like this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMultiple news outlets have received a notice that a group of giftlings calling themselves Natas are behind the attacks. The notice states that further attacks will continue until unfair discrimination against giftlings ceases. The Caradan government has not yet released an official comment on the Natas. More on this story as it develops.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThis is worse than the professor said.\u201d Onin set the tablet down. \u201cWhy are the Natas being so open about this? They\u2019re usually low-key and sneaky, from what we\u2019ve seen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDo you think we should go to Caradan to help the people and fight the Natas there?\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo, I think the professor is right. This is a distraction or setting the stage for something larger. Either way, they\u2019re definitely trying to draw attention away from what\u2019s going on here in Rogim.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah\u2026\u201d Kasai scrolled down the list of news stories. \u201cWait, what\u2019s this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She pointed to a headline farther down. Onin picked up the tablet and tapped it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201c\u2019Three Missing from Small Town\u2019.\u201d He skimmed the article. \u201cIt says that three people went missing last week from a town out in the mountains close to where we were on vacation. The reporter speculates as to whether they\u2019re connected with other disappearances from small towns scattered over Rogim over the past few months. All of them have gone missing with no clues, and no notice, no history of depression or debt or anything. Oh, there\u2019s a picture\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">His hands started shaking, and he turned the tablet to Kasai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAre those\u2014\u201d she grabbed the tablet and stared at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSome of the Natas that attacked us in the mountains?\u201d Onin nodded at the tablet. \u201cI didn\u2019t get a good look at all of them, but it looks like them to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe\u2019d better show the others when they get back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A few hours later the door opened. Tannin came in and flopped into a chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo, you kids been behaving?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai blushed. Onin closed his eyes for a second and took a deep breath. If he said anything, it\u2019d only encourage Tannin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe found a few things in the news of interest. What\u2019d you find?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNot much.\u201d Tannin sighed. \u201cWe might as well wait until everyone gets here so we don\u2019t have to repeat ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGood point,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The door swung open and Cerina entered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey.\u201d She slid her bag off her shoulder, tossed it to the floor, and sat in a chair. She slid down to lean against the headrest. \u201cFind anything in the news?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThey claim they did. Just waiting on Saija,\u201d Tannin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cKnow when she\u2019s gonna get here?\u201d Cerina yawned. \u201cSorry. Really tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai pulled out her phone and tapped away on it. She paused, then tapped something else and looked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cShe\u2019s almost here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">They sat in silence waiting. Tannin pulled out his phone and started fiddling with it. Cerina looked exhausted. She laid back in the chair and didn\u2019t say anything. In fact, she hadn\u2019t been snippy, or even made a single sarcastic remark when she came in. Was she sick? Onin stared at her. Her skin wasn\u2019t off-color, but she was breathing heavier than usual. Perspiration dotted her forehead. It almost looked as though she\u2019d been exercising. Whatever, Cerina had always done her own thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai was still fiddling with her phone. That was unusual. She looked over and up at him, smiled, put her phone back in her pocket and leaned up against his arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAnyone want anything to drink?\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNah,\u201d Tannin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWater,\u201d Cerina said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMe, too, please.\u201d Kasai stood. \u201cDo you want help getting everything?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin considered it. He didn\u2019t really need help, but it\u2019d be a great excuse to spend more time with Kasai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSure,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He got three glasses down from the cupboard and handed them to Kasai. She filled two of them from the sink and handed the third back to him. Kasai took one of the glasses over and handed it to Cerina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin sat back down on the couch. Kasai started to settle in next to him when someone knocked on the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cCome in,\u201d Tannin yelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The door cracked open and Saija stuck her head in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIs everyone here? I don\u2019t want to intrude\u2026\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou\u2019re not intruding.\u201d Kasai patted the couch cushion next to her. \u201cCome on in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The door opened and Saija stepped inside. Onin just about dropped his water. Saija didn\u2019t have her crutches with her. She wore pants, and two shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou like?\u201d Saija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She stepped inside and closed the door behind her. She clasped both hands behind her back and posed with her right leg in front of her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNice,\u201d Tannin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI didn\u2019t know you were getting an artificial leg!\u201d Kasai jumped up and hugged Saija. \u201cThat\u2019s great. How\u2019s it working for you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s so nice not to have those crutches anymore.\u201d Saija pirouetted, then bowed. \u201cIt\u2019s not as maneuverable as my real leg, but it\u2019s better than hobbling around.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cCome have a seat.\u201d Kasai pulled Saija over to the couch. \u201cOnin and I found a few things that might be helpful, and Tannin says he found some information, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin, with occasional comments from Kasai, filled the others in on what they\u2019d found in the news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNot much more than we\u2019d known before,\u201d Cerina said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019d say that it confirms that the Natas are trying to keep our attention away from what\u2019s happening here in Rogim.\u201d Tannin shifted around in his chair and leaned forward. \u201cIt looks like everything they\u2019re doing is focusing on Caradan, but it feels like a diversion to me. Especially after what I learned chatting to our Natas guests.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat\u2019d you find out?\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat Natas are cranky, mean, and unhelpful,\u201d Cerina said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, that too.\u201d Tannin gave Cerina a sharp nod. \u201cBut also, that they\u2019ve been planning this for a while. As we suspected, the Natas that we\u2019ve captured are all grunts. They don\u2019t know much. But they do know that those bases in the mountains haven\u2019t been used in ages, and now the grunts are being sent out to kidnap giftlings from all over and bring them back to those bases. They\u2019re almost as afraid of what goes on there as we are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMakes sense. The Natas aren\u2019t going to waste the most talented of their people in their ceremonies,\u201d Saija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin shuddered. Kasai gripped his arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDon\u2019t remind me.\u201d Tannin\u2019s face took on a greenish hue. \u201cSo, yeah, there\u2019s more Natas vessels than ever before, and from what the grunts know, only the low levels, a few of the ones that can be controlled, and mostly followers, are being sent to Caradan. Again, according to the limited knowledge of the people we\u2019ve captured, only a few Natas vessels are in Caradan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cLeaving lots of the newly made vessels here. Wonderful.\u201d Saija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThey\u2019ve got to be plotting something. But what?\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI wonder\u2026\u201d Kasai pursed her lips and sat still for a moment before she spoke again. \u201cThe Natas hate the Matari. The Matari withdrew funding from ABG. The Matari are on the other end of the continent from Caradan. Perhaps it has something to do with the Matari\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cProfessor Jekao seems to think so,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah!\u201d Tannin jumped to his feet. \u201cBut now we\u2019ve got more to go on than a hunch. I say we go and see if we can find anything!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-11\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"120\">&lt;&lt; Previous Chapter<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/table-of-contents\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"34\">Contents<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-13\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"199\">Next Chapter >><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarondemott.com\/newsletter\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.aarondemott.com\/newsletter\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/env_sm.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-178\" width=\"33\" height=\"20\"> Be notified when the next chapter comes out!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.ko-fi.com\/cdn\/widget\/Widget_2.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\">kofiwidget2.init('Buy me a cup of tea', '#29abe0', 'V7V05ASUY');kofiwidget2.draw();<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chapter 12: School&#8217;s Out Forever? Onin sighed and collapsed onto his couch in the common area of his and Tannin\u2019s dorm room. He hurt all&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-147","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/147","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=147"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/147\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":221,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/147\/revisions\/221"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=147"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}