I sit in the same spot on the bleachers with Trav. We are on the second day of the Beast showcases. The first day was more of a parade of the panel than anything. There were a few showcases done, but the room was more focused on the eerie woman that sat center of the panel. Seated to her right are Professor Caprina and Professor Gretel, both Channelers. On the left side sit Professor Warrick and Professor Kith, both Beasts. Professor Kith is one of Headmistress’ Beasts, and he is just as creepy as her. I can’t get a good glimpse of him, not that I try very hard to begin with. Headmistress Shaylenne sits at the far right of the panel in her own grand chair flanked by her other Beast. The panel made their grand entrances on day one. Giving some sort of unnecessary presentation before taking their seats. Madame Sade was the only one that walked in without a show of power. Her three Beasts followed her halfway then parted to the side to stand guard. She walked to her center seat looking out to the bleachers then simply turned and sat down. She wears layers of colorful fabric with an assortment of designs on them. Her hair looks brown but is hard to see under her hair wrap. It is her eyes that hold me captive. They are as clear as glass. As if you look straight in them all you would see is your reflection. It is amazing that even from this distance it is noticeable. They all face away from the gathered students and towards the grand floor where the showcases are being held. The first few showcases went without any incident. Headmistress calls the name, and they are given five to ten minutes to perform.

Trav is gleeful that he is able to skip this showcase since there is no point for Madame Sade to see any Beasts that are already connected. It also gives him the opportunity to gauge each potential connection at their very best. Everyone wants to impress the Madame. Trav is using this as a tryout session. He makes small comments about each one’s performance and then dismisses them or deems them worthy of a closer look. I tune him out after the first couple. This whole performance is for those that are unconnected and the ones that could be their Channelers. Since I am a Channeler that still has “empty chains”, it is mandatory for us to watch every Beast show and perform. Many had used the time from the announcement a week ago to prepare their showcases. I refused on principle, but I was also taken away from the University on business matters most of the week. If a Channeler is already connected, usually that means they have other duties that come before University. Then again not many come to the University already connected, opting to find more connections outside. I am only here because Trav was getting antsy and convinced me that connections would be found faster here. He of course is not wrong; I see connections being completed every day. That being said, it always seems off when I consider a connection. My gut telling me it isn’t right or the right time. This angers Trav and starts one of our many fights. He thinks it is because I simply am against connecting with any Beast. Him included.

Another group of Beasts is called up to perform. If the group is a bonded pair they are permitted to showcase together. Bonded pairs are actually rare and sought after. Bonded Beasts usually happen when they are related, grown up together, connected with a Channeler for a long period of time, or through another related instance that bonds them. It is not often that even if any of those things happen, Beasts will bond. When it does happen though, they are usually very powerful and always connect with the same Channeler. There are only two bonded groups at Sabbath. The two Beasts showcasing now and the infamous Sabbath Four. Even I only know of one other bonded pair, which are the twins. Other than those three I have yet to come across another bonded pair but have heard of others.

“They are promising. Granted they need a little more training, but I could easily lead them.” Trav comments.

I look towards the Beast performing maneuvers together. They are skilled but could definitely use power control practice. They move well together — when one finishes their attack the other goes over to do an attack themselves. However, they are not reserving their power correctly, leaving some attacks weaker than others.

“They need more than a little training. Nowhere near ready.” I state from my own observations.

I can see Trav’s jaw tighten. Before he or I can speak again we are interrupted.

“Psh, of course. A so-called know-it-all Channeler thinking she can correctly judge a Beast.” I don’t recognize the arrogant eavesdropping voice coming from the Beast in the bleacher below our own. “This is why it should be left to the Beast to choose and leash the Channeler. Channelers don’t know the true power of Beasts or what’s best for them.” He growls out his rant.

“I’m sure the Channeler that agrees to connect with you will feel so lucky you decided it best for her.” I deadpan.

This type of thinking has become more popular within recent years. Especially with the push of the SOC’s rhetoric that Beasts are nothing but pets to be leashed and controlled for all purposes. The elites of SOC, or The Society of Channelers, are convinced that the only way to create a thriving society is to be in full control. Obviously, this has produced a more radical thinking on the other side of connections. Beasts can feel themselves becoming more and more second-class citizens. Naturally this creates the thought that Channelers are incapable of seeing the true potential of Beasts. So why should they be the ones in control? Channelers should be subservient to their Beasts who are powerful and made more powerful to protect the Channeler. Neither one of these ideologies is the true meaning or history of the connections. That knowledge was lost and twisted by corrupt people who seek control within Verratarian, the territory in which we all live.

“She will be. All Channelers will be.” He turns a gross smile towards me. “Trav, you must know it’s for the best as well.” Adding a wink.

“I’m trying to watch.” Trav flashes his eyes towards the Beast then back to the showcase. The Beast just chuckles and turns back around. It isn’t lost on me that he doesn’t outright shut the asshole’s ideals down.

“Naev Calcrete, Eirwen Oldran, Ajal Worziren, and Felixon Valinn!” Headmistress calls out proudly. They are the pride of the Beast program. Anyway, it is not surprising she’d be thrilled to show them off.

I look toward the group that have started making their way to the middle of the gymnasium. Besides the run-in at the announcement a week ago I haven’t had much interaction with them. I do not have any classes with them this semester. That will change after it is over, which is after the showcases. The upcoming semester will bring forth a whole new reality for my life here at Sabbath. It is something I am dreading but I made an agreement with the University’s board. I’d keep my word to both the University and Trav. Even if I worry, this will be yet another thing that will drive us further apart. He always tells me that it is in my head and we’ve never been stronger. I would love to think that because I love Trav more than anything. But life happens and decisions must be made despite it hurting the other person. Mostly it is my decisions that cause the deepening hole between us. This is yet another decision that will cause it regardless of Trav’s constant denying. I move away from those thoughts and focus back on the four that have now centered themselves before the panel. The Headmistress nods and the show begins.

I cannot deny I am impressed by the four. The moment the Headmistress nods, one of them disappears into a cloud of dark smoke. I believe his name is Ajal if they lined up in the order they were called. He is also the menacing one that barely acknowledged my existence in the exchange. Glacier — or Eirwen, as he was introduced, though Glacier fits him better. He was also the Beast who caught me from face-planting on these very bleachers. He creates a massive ice barrier around the four — well, three if you are not counting the one that can’t be seen. It drops the temperature of the whole space so low I can see everyone’s amazed breaths. Naev has green swirls wrapping around him before they turn into vines with thorns on them. They lash out at imaginary targets. Lastly the dirty golden-haired Felixon transforms into a medium dragon. Its scales are golden but flicker different colors when the light hits them. I know he isn’t a fully large dragon because I have encountered plenty of them to know the difference. I would not be surprised if he could achieve a full size with the right Channeler. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were all dragon Beasts. It would make sense that they are bonded if they come from the same clutch. Dragons are one of the smaller populations of Beasts in existence. Also, one of the more powerful, which is why they were hunted into the small numbers they now are. Once they are connected, they will be a force to be reckoned with. Which means they just got on my radar for recruitment. Felixon breathes a large plume of fire outward above the panelists’ heads and out towards the bleachers. The heat takes over the chill left by Glacier.

“They’ll make incredible soldiers.” I mumble trying not to attract the attention of the eavesdropper.

“Of course, you’d be impressed by them.” Trav says while he watches on. “They will be recruited easily.” He adds.

“Depends on the Channeler too. A bad Channeler can make or break where they go to.” I go on contemplating.

“Knowing anything about them. They won’t settle for anything but the best.” I feel his eyes on me so I look towards him. He is giving me a look that says, like you.

I arch my eyebrow. “You want me to consider them as potentials for us?” I drag my eyes back to the Sabbath Four. After Felixon’s fire dies out, a cloud of darkness gathers and grows, covering the full area of the gymnasium and making everyone blind to what is around them. Before anyone has a chance to truly panic, it’s sucked back into the center in a second. The four stand side by side as they were before they began.

“No. I already approached them and they declined. They stated it was obvious it wouldn’t be a compatible match.” Trav finishes our conversation on that note. I try to ignore the slight sting that I feel at the quick dismissal of a connection. It’s not like they ever got to know me to make a judgement call. However, I respect anyone who knows themselves well enough to make a huge decision.

I answer with a shrug of my shoulder as the crowd bursts into applause and cheers, some even standing. I can’t blame them. If this were a tryout for recruitment, I’d have a hard time not giving my own clap. But this isn’t one, and Trav just made it clear that connection isn’t a worry. I will start by analyzing their talents, faults, and everything in between. This upcoming semester might not be as bad as I thought it would be. The four begin leaving the floor and heading back to their seats. They are patted on the backs by other Beasts. Channelers make it a point to congratulate them or introduce themselves. After a display like that they should.

“I know that look. You are planning something.” Trav says.

“Yes, I plan to test them.”

“Test them for what?” His tone is cautious.

“To join the 6th Battalion.” A smile appears on my face.

“You would be more concerned about adding to the ranks than being rejected as a Channeler.”

I ignore him since it isn’t a surprise to me or anyone who knows me that I make it clear that being a Channeler will always come second. I feel a gaze on me when I look around and notice Glacier’s cold eyes looking towards us. I make a show of making three small claps with the fingertips of my right hand against my left palm. He gives me a shit-eating grin that I answer with an eye roll. Glacier takes his seat with the others just in time for the next showcase to be called. The day continues on with the rest of the showcases. All the while I plan how to test them when they meet the Commander and Lieutenants of the 6th Battalion. Their egos will be a challenge, but man will they be deadly on my battlefield.