The Guild: Page 3.5

I opened the door to my room and looked around. The other applicants were emerging, with equally confused and shaken expressions.

At the entrance to the hallway, the tiefling stood patiently. His smile didn't reach his eyes, and I couldn't help but feel like he was watching me.

"I'm sure you are all feeling very confused. I assure you, everything is ok. Your experiences were just hallucinations. You are safe and in the real world. Please, come this way."

We all followed him. Lexi and I quickly made eye contact and joined each other in the back of the group.

"Hey, what happened to you?"

She clenched her jaw and shook her head.

"Not here. I'll tell you later."

"Alright."

I took her hand in mine and we smiled at each other.

The tiefling led us into a large waiting room, instructing us to wait patiently for our names to be called.

I pulled out my phone, searching for a distraction from my nerves.

"Hey, how do you think you did?"

I looked up from my phone at Lexi. I thought for a moment, and answered. The confidence of my words surprised me a little.

"Pretty good actually. You?"

She shook her head and pressed her palms into her forehead. When she spoke, her voice was thick with emotion.

"I fucked it up, Lucas. They'll never let me join."

I wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to me. I could feel her heartbeat through her back.

"That's not true. You're the smartest woman I know, and the Guild isn't known for making bad decisions."

"I wish I believed you."

I leaned forward, kissing the top of her head.

"I know, babe."

Lexi didn't say anything more, so I returned my attention to the desk at the front of the room. It was staffed by a singular human woman, who called us up one at a time. I never heard what she said, but the reactions were telling.

After hearing something from her, a woman started yelling about her destiny, until security dragged her through the rejection door. A few people cried, either from joy or sadness, but most gave either gasps of relief or sighs of disappointment. Finally, after whittling through about half the people, she called out a name I recognized.

"Victoria Valentine."

Everyone in the room had their eyes on her as she marched up. I had no doubt what Victoria's reaction would be.

My sister pumped her fist in the air and half yelled "Whoop!" She looked back at me with the widest smile I've ever seen. Lexi and I flashed her a thumbs up.

After that, there were a few others, and then...

"Alexis North."

I have her hand a gentle squeeze as she stood.

"It'll be ok."

"I hope so."

I watched the two of them talk for a moment, and saw Lexi nod, before turning and walking through the acceptance door. No reaction. I didn't have time to ponder the abnormal behavior though, as my name was next on the list.

"Lucas Valentine."

Gods, the 20-foot (~6 meter) walk to her desk felt like it took decades. My palms were slick with sweat, and I was worried the people I walked past could hear my heart pound. When I got there, she said all of 1 sentence.

"You've been accepted by Captain Tius Domrow. Congratulations."

She slid a large metal coin with my name on it across the table. In my hands, the solid metal moved like living water, detail appearing on its own accord.

On its face was my name, still, but there were now other details. A number, some kind of symbol, and an eerily accurate image of my face. The back of the coin was still smooth.

I looked back at the woman at the desk.

"I did it?"

She nodded and pointed at the acceptance door, then called out the next name.

With my legs a little numb, I approached the door. In my mind, it was a ledge. The last few feet of safety before an abyss of unknown. I could still go back. I could live a normal life. Hell, a pretty good life. I could break my pact with Samara, and toss Forester's ring in the bin. With my family's money, I'd never need to work. I'd be out of the public eye, but important enough to have some sway. I could live the easiest life ever.

But I'd lose Lexi. And Samara. And spend the rest of my life in my siblings shadow. I'd always be the Valentine who couldn't. Couldn't do magic. Couldn't join the Guild. Couldn't seize his destiny. I'd be comfortable and completely miserable.

Without another second of hesitation, I pushed open the door and jumped into the unknown.