“It’s called Urval, and yes. I was born there.”
Okay, now the whole demon motif — horns and wings — made sense.
“It’s not really a place of torment, like your hell is, but itisa realm of fire and darkness and a war which has raged for millenniums. Both the concubi and salmaeri are native to Urval and for ages we have fought against the pyrkai, a race of giants with power over earth and fire.”
I sat heavily in a front-row chair and laid my head down on the desk.
That was a lot. There was far more going on here than petty elves ruling over an oppressed populace. If I wanted to keep my commitment to help these people, I’d also have to stop a war in hell?
No fucking way.
Then a random thought hit me, and I looked up at Rook.
“Is there a heaven too?”
He gave a laugh. “Yup, it’s called Elysial, a realm of air and light, but it’s not paradise. There’s an eternal war there as well, with the sylphim and seraphim against the nephilim.”
War in heaven too?
Great.
“Any risk of those wars coming here?” I asked. No one here seemed concerned about angels and demons and wars.
“No, only dragons can travel between realms with ease. Otherwise, you require a sigil point and travel gem or a spell, but that takes a lot of anima.”
Anima. I knew that term now. One thing I remembered from today’s lesson. Anima was the magical power a being possessed, their magical potential.
“So, there’s Urval and Elysial, and… Where are we now?”
“Seial, the realm of earth and water.”
“And no wars going on here?” I confirmed.
“Well…” Rook hedged.
“Fucking hell, really?” I threw up my arms.
“Not a war, no, but the enemies of the elves — and all civilized races — are the titans and they’re always restless, looking for ways to take back a realm they think is theirs.”
I shook my head. “I’m going to need a long history lesson, but I don’t want it now. I’m done.” I got up and grabbed my backpack.
Rook stood.
“No, you stay, I need some time alone,” I said. I was still upset with him, even after everything he’d done today. The comfort he’d given me hadn’t quite made up for his betrayal and landing me here in the first place.
“I’ll reach out… about a study session, so you can catch up,” he offered.
I sighed and nodded. “Just knock on my door. You know where I’m staying.”
He gave a single breath of a laugh and nodded. “Yeah, will do.”
Then I left and stormed back to my room.
It was only midday, and already I was done with today.
Actually… was it midday?
Fuck, I needed awrist-clock.
