Chapter 4: First Step on Land

Chapter 4: First Step on Land

The water shimmered.

Not like it normally did.

This time, it pulsed—soft light rippling outward from the pendant in Auriella’s hand.

“…Is it supposed to do that?” Thalina asked, eyes narrowing suspiciously at the glow.

Auriella stared at it, tilting her head. “…I think so.”

“That’s very reassuring,” Thalina muttered dryly, crossing her arms.

The glow intensified, bathing them in a soft golden light. The ocean around them bent and twisted in ways that didn’t feel natural.

Auriella drew in a shaky breath. “…Ready?”

Thalina shrugged, smirking faintly. “No. Let’s go.”

The light swallowed them.

Silence.

Then… air.

Auriella gasped, stumbling forward as her feet hit solid ground. “…Oh.”

Thalina dropped beside her, less gracefully than she’d like. “Why is the ground so… hard??”

Auriella blinked, looking down at her new human feet. “…This is strange.”

Thalina lifted one leg, examining it like it personally offended her. “…I don’t like it.”

Auriella took a cautious step. Then another. “…It’s not that bad.”

Thalina immediately tried to walk and nearly toppled. “…I take it back. This is terrible.”

Auriella lunged forward, steadying her. “Careful.”

“Why do humans do this??” Thalina complained. “Swimming is clearly superior.”

“…We can’t exactly swim through school,” Auriella said, raising an eyebrow.

“…We could try,” Thalina suggested with a smirk.

Auriella gave her a pointed look. Thalina sighed dramatically. “Fine. For now.”

They paused, breathing in the dry air. It felt different—lighter, sharper, somehow… strange.

“…This is land,” Auriella murmured.

Thalina scanned the surroundings: tall buildings, wide walkways, students hurrying in groups. And then… whispers started.

“…Why are they staring?” Thalina whispered.

Auriella hesitated. “…I don’t know.”

Groups of students huddled in small circles, pointing discreetly but with excitement barely contained.

“I heard they’re finally coming!” one girl squealed. “VYBE—Bluecrest’s biggest mystery band—is going to be here this week!”

“OMG, Kai? And that other guy… Adrian? I read somewhere he’s the quiet one, but everyone says he’s insanely talented,” another chimed in, eyes sparkling.

“Shh! Don’t forget Blake. Everyone loves Blake—he’s like… perfect smiles all the time,” a boy whispered, practically bouncing in place.

“Cole’s laptop skills are insane too. I saw some clips online. He’s… unreal,” another added, voice trembling slightly with excitement.

“…And Zane. I can’t even explain Zane. The energy… the chaos… I just…” someone trailed off dreamily.

“ECLYPS is killing it too,” a girl said, flipping through her phone. “Their new track just went viral again. The agency is really pushing them—they’re practically everywhere. But VYBE… VYBE is different. They’re like… untouchable.”

“Yeah, everyone’s talking about how mysterious they are. I swear, when they step foot on campus, everyone’s gonna lose it,” another student whispered.

Auriella and Thalina glanced at each other, eyebrows raised. “…This is a lot,” Auriella muttered under her breath.

Thalina nodded, smirking. “Yeah, and apparently, we’re about to be in the middle of it.”

They moved carefully through the crowd, whispers and excited chatter following them like a tide.

Ahead of them stood a large building:

BLUECREST ACADEMY

Thalina squinted. “…This is where we’re staying?”

“…I think so,” Auriella said, eyes wide.

“Looks complicated.”

“…It’s a school.”

“…That’s what I said.”

They stepped inside and immediately felt more stares.

“…Is there something on my face?” Thalina asked.

“…No,” Auriella said, frowning slightly.

“…Then why are they looking like that??”

Auriella didn’t answer. She was starting to notice it too. Whispers followed them, soft, curious:

“They’re new…”

“Do you know them??”

“They look… unreal.”

Thalina leaned closer. “…I heard that.”

“…Ignore it,” Auriella whispered.

“I’m trying,” Thalina said, straightening.

They reached the front desk. A woman looked up and paused, blinking at them.

“…Hello.”

Auriella forced a polite smile. “Hello.”

The woman blinked once. Twice. “…You’re here to register?”

“Yes.”

“…Names?”

Auriella hesitated for the smallest second. “…Auriella.”

Thalina followed, a faint smirk playing on her lips. “Thalina.”

The woman typed slowly, still staring at them. “…Right.”

Thalina leaned on the desk casually. “…Is this how registration usually goes?”

“…No,” the woman admitted.

“…Good.”

Auriella nudged her slightly, prompting her to continue. The woman cleared her throat.

“Here are your schedules. Dorm assignments are included.”

Auriella took the papers carefully. “…Thank you.”

“…Welcome to Bluecrest.”

They stepped aside. Thalina glanced at the schedule, then at Auriella. “…What is this?”

“…A schedule.”

“…It looks stressful.”

“…It probably is,” Auriella said with a faint smile.

Thalina sighed, leaning against her arm. “I miss the ocean.”

“…We just got here,” Auriella said softly.

“I still miss it,” Thalina admitted, eyes scanning the bustling students.

Auriella smiled faintly. “…We’ll get used to it.”

Thalina glanced around again, taking in the unfamiliar world. “…We better.”

Somewhere outside, a distant hum of noise began to rise. Students whispering, voices growing louder, excitement pulsing through the academy.

“…What is that?” Thalina asked, brow furrowed.

Auriella frowned slightly. “…I don’t know.”

But for some reason… it didn’t sound normal.

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