Since her arrival, Kira had learned the archways acted like a network. You could go anywhere as long as there was a corresponding archway on the other side that you had permission to access. Yourkihad to be encoded into the archway before use, otherwise, the connection would fail to establish.
A sheen of color rolled over the middle of the archway, radiating a slight haze, similar to what you got when very hot rays of light hit a surface like sand or blacktop and reflected a shimmer.
Joule stepped through, Kira and Finn following.
The sound of the sea greeted her as the ocean stretched into the distance. Kira glanced behind them, unsurprised to find the hulking form of the fortress.
Joule didn’t wait, continuing along the small dirt path, lined with long grasses on either side. Kira followed.
"What did you want to talk about?" she asked.
It was obvious something was on his mind.
His eyes remained trained on the horizon as they made their way to the cliff's edge, the chilly wind drying any lingering sweat on Kira's skin.
It was colder here, much colder than the forest, and not necessarily comfortable. Hopefully, whatever Joule had to say wouldn't take long. Kira already longed to retreat to the warmth of her room.
"I heard them talking," Joule finally confessed. "They called you an abomination and a coward. They said Roake should never have allowed you to become an initiate."
Kira took a slow sip of the water as she considered Joule. "That's it? That's why you look like the rug has been pulled out from under you?"
Confusion descended on his face.
Kira waved a hand. "Earth saying. It means you've had the balance knocked out of you."
Joule neared, his expression earnest. "You don't understand. If they think you shouldn't be here, they'll challenge you. Theseon’yerswon't be able to stop a challenge for those who haven't passed theiradva kaunless it becomes life threatening."
Kira whistled. "Sounds scary." She glanced at Finn. "Anything to add?"
Finn's gaze was steady as he regarded her. "Initiates cannot kick someone out of the program. Officially."
Kira waited, knowing there was more.
"However, they can make life very difficult for someone they deem unworthy." Finn's lips twitched as if he was amused at the prospect they might try. "Unrelenting challenges are one method to obtain that goal."
Kira studied the water bottle. "Humans do something similar."
It was never pretty when it happened, but the training cadre usually turned a blind eye. People who were too different might not survive the sustained efforts of their peers to force them out. Things could easily get out of hand, which was why it was technically against military regulations to haze a fellow soldier. Despite that, it still happened.
"I'm surprised they haven't tried that with Raider and Blue." The other initiates, with Devon leading the charge, had made no qualms about voicing their dislike of the humans' presence.
Joule's eyes dropped.
Finn looked uncomfortable as he said, "I believe they've faced some difficulty. However, the other initiates underestimated the humans' stubbornness and ingenuity. I don't have all the information, but it appears the blue-haired one's retaliation was decisive—and impressive."
That surprised a snort out of Kira. "That sounds like Blue."
She was always resourceful and never willing to turn the other cheek.
"And Raider?" she asked.
"He's held his own so far," Finn said.
That was good. And unsurprising.
Kira gazed unseeing at the horizon, contemplating what Joule and Finn had shared. A lot had happened while she'd focused on herself. None of it could be helped. Blue and Raider had to establish respect for themselves, and it sounded like they were doing that.
Kira nodded. "Sounds like it's handled."
