She saw darkness.

A strange, soft darkness that reached out across the world, caressing the faces of those it cared for, turning them shadowy and blurred. A darkness that spanned the world, consuming auroras and starlight alike as its rocky creator loomed terrible and eternal on the horizon of a rising sun.

She saw light.

A harsh, bright light that couldn't be looked at for long, lest it spear to the back of her skull and shatter her thoughts in agony. She knew that if she let it, it would shred her mind apart looking for its answer. She could never let it in, only continue to sing, to drown it out, to call it back.

She saw a choice.

A choice that was inevitable, a choice that seemed more of a formality than a decision as she reached out and embraced the light, melding with it seamlessly and drifting among its world with her eyes shut tight--until her chest felt like it had been crushed and she was gasping for breath and a scream was ripping out her throat because in one, single, terrifying instant, the other half of her soul vanished from the world they had shared.

For that, her voice cleaved the world in two.

*+*+*+*

Olivia Shadowheart sat on the bench, holding her head up with a hand while trying her hardest not to fall asleep.

It was a challenge, she decided, drawing a long breath in through her nose even as her eyelids drifted shut. She'd managed to find a small, quiet alcove in the open courtyards of central Cevinari, tucked away between a few buildings off the main walkway. Here, the air was nice, the sun was warm, and no one she knew of was in immediate danger of dying or turning into some giant, weird Manifested monster determined to rip her face off.

Yep. It was a good day.

Olivia lifted her head off her hand and forced herself to sit up. She leaned back against the wall, stretching her fists skyward before shaking some life into her arms. It felt good, being able to just sit there and breathe for a second, even if part of her was still expecting the serenity to come crashing down at any moment.

Olivia rubbed the side of her face and traced the outline of her starstone amulet through the fabric of her shirt. Underneath it, her tattoo was warm: Cryo was transformed. He'd been transformed a lot in the last week, which was curious. The few times Banshee had hunted him down to surprise him, he'd been in the Starlight Hall with the various research material he was stockpiling.

"Hey Viri, do you think the Starlight Hall is gonna explode later today during Offerings?"

A pair of large, violet eyes blinked from inside the shadows of her bag. "No. Why, Olivia?"

"Dunno." Olivia reached into her bag on the bench beside her for her Liaiser as it buzzed. "I'm still not used to this relaxing thing. I feel like I should be doing something other than waiting for Ericka to show for free learning signups."

A pair of large, violet eyes blinked from inside the shadows of the bag. "Like what, Olivia?"

"I dunno." Olivia tapped her Liaiser's screen, lighting it up. "It's been a bit since the Festival ended but I just..."

Viri emerged a little further from the shadows, the tops of her shoulders surfacing into the light with a tilt of her head. "You just what, Olivia?"

Olivia shrugged, like it didn't bother her and gave her Liaiser a disinterested look. "I dunno, I guess I'm still in caution mode and expecting the worst. It'll wear off soon."

"Are you sure?"

Olivia gave her a grin. "Yup!" She flicked her eyes upwards, towards the sound of approaching voices. The small, secluded courtyard she sat in was still vacant, but you could never be too sure. "People coming. Might wanna hide."

Viri's violet eyes disappeared, and Olivia leaned back against the wall, staring at her Liaiser screen without really seeing anything.

Six weeks.

It'd been six weeks since the Serpent had attacked the temple. Six weeks since the Other had taken Ella and tried to break her, only to find that it couldn't. Six weeks since the focuser had broken and the auroras had almost escaped the Core chamber and Olivia had melded herself with their song.

But it'd also been six weeks since Viri had refused to tell her what she'd done to Gwen, or why Gwen had called her Cevinari. Six weeks since the city had wanted answers for why the Luminaries had struggled to fight back against the Serpent. Six weeks of questions as to where Banshee had been, why Cryo and DragonFae and Golem had lost so easily. Six weeks of the city's uncertainty that had hit Olivia like a tonne of starstone to realise after the carefree, vibrant night of temple festivities.

Six weeks since this feeling that something was wrong had refused to leave her stomach.

Olivia blinked to focus her vision and flicked open to her list of recent messages.

[THOMAS FROSTPILLAR [2 new messages]]

[ERICKA SHADOWWEAVE]

[ELLA SPIRITCALLER]

[ARIEL CLOUDSPEAKER]

[JASON FROSTSONG]

Her finger hesitated over the fifth name in the list.

Six weeks since I've seen Jason.

Olivia tapped on his name, bringing up their recent messages--or rather, hers.

Today at 3.09am:
[Two missed calls from Olivia Shadowheart]

Olivia said:
[Jase? You awake?]

Olivia said:
[I know it's kinda early and sorry if I'm waking you up >_<]

Olivia said:
[Guessing you're asleep, but please reply to me in the morning, would like to make sure a Manifested hasn't ripped your head off~]

Olivia scrolled back through their messages, her previous attempts to lure him out into a social evening with the others. She didn't remember exactly why she'd woken up last night in a flurry of blankets and screams, or why the first thing she'd done was reach for her Liaiser to call him. All she remembered was a dream of shadow and light, and the sudden, inexplicable feeling that Jason was gone.

Even though her earlier panic had subsided into an uneasy calm, a little voice in the back of Olivia's head kept telling her that, despite the completely irrational logic behind her worry, it was still almost midday and Jason was yet to reply. Jason, who was always awake with the sun, who was always on time and--

Olivia flicked away from Jason's message history with a huff. She could look for him later as Banshee after the Offerings, or ask Cryo where he was.

Olivia glanced back at her Liaiser.

Even so...

She typed out a quick message to Ariel.

Olivia said:
[Hey little miss High Speaker <3 If you see Jason around the temple today, can you let me know?]

Olivia hit send and reluctantly opened the two new messages from Thomas. It was more of the same, a good morning message from two hours ago and yet another question of whether she wanted him to come over to her house and walk her to the signups.

She sent back a message that she was already here and shoved her Liaiser back in her bag without another glance.

Another few minutes passed in which Olivia went back to her eye-closing ways of before, trying to banish the millions of thoughts scrabbling for time in her mind and just enjoy the sun. She kind of succeeded and was watching the shadows on the backs of her eyelids when a familiar voice interrupted her.

"Liiiiiiv!"

Olivia opened her eyes to find Ericka's face right in front of hers. Instead of pulling away, Olivia leaned forward and bumped her forehead into Ericka's, who gave a shout of surprise and launched forward into a hug.

"Helloooo, Rikky!" said Olivia with a laugh.

"I haven't seen you all week!" said Ericka, pulling away. "What have you been up to?"

Olivia pursed her lips. She'd been pretty busy, but not with anything she could tell Ericka. "Just hiding from the usual lot. Few of them came to the restaurant the other day, dad wasn't too impressed."

"Ooooh I bet he wasn't," said Ericka. She grabbed Olivia's hands and pulled her to her feet. With their rollerblades on, they both ended up rolling a metre away from the bench as she spoke. "Speaking of parents who aren't too impressed, what are you doing after signups are done?"

Liv turned, dragging Ericka forward with her as she started heading down the path, towards the signup area. "I have some stuff to do at the temple, why?"

Ericka clucked her tongue, her eyes finding something interesting in the distance. "I was gonna meet up with a group of people at the Offerings. Appaaaarently the Lumi's are on the move this afternoon. I was gonna try and follow them, see if I can't catch part of the action!"

Olivia frowned. "Rikky, is this group the Lumi hunters?"

Ericka bit down on her lip and gave Olivia a guilty look. "Maybe?"

Olivia sighed and dropped Ericka's hand. "I told you, they're bad news! If you wanna see the Lumi's so badly, just go to Offerings like everyone else!"

"Sure," said Ericka, rolling her eyes and folding her arms. "This is coming from Banshee's personal assistant. You might be used to seeing Lumi's all the time, but the rest of us mere mortals aren't, y'no. You used to get excited about this too, before all this temple stuff."

Olivia's chest clenched as she turned away from Ericka. "Yeah, because I wanted 'all this temple stuff', right, Rikky?"

Ericka sighed and grabbed Olivia by the shoulder to stop her. A few curious eyes glanced at them as they passed by, though Ericka seemed oblivious to them. "Sorry, Liv. I guess I'm just a little jealous with everything happening for Ariel and you. Feels like I'm getting left behind a little bit, especially since that damned Starsong dress never managed to make its debut."

"It's okay, Rikky," said Olivia with a small smile. "I'm sure that Starsong dress won't be the last amazing thing you make. The Speakers were all fairly impressed with your work, it wouldn't surprise me if they came to you again."

They started rollerblading forward again, similar in stride.

"Yeah," said Ericka. "I guess you have a point. It'd be better if that Aurelia woman was still a High Speaker, since she was the main one I went through, but I guess I can't have everything, right?"

Olivia released a tight breath. "Believe me, it's a good thing she's not."

Ericka raised an eyebrow. "Still touchy on that subject, huh? Guessing you don't want to talk about all those rumours with Jason eith--"

"Those rumours aren't true," muttered Olivia. "I don't know how many times I have to keep telling you, Rikky."

"Okay, okay, fine!" said Ericka. "Figured out what you're actually signing up for today yet?"

"Nope."

"Well, you've got the temple sponsorship, right?" said Ericka. "Did they place any restrictions on it? I know they picked Ariel's course out for her already, and that Lucian guy she's keen on is doing the general Pillarguard courses."

"They said it was an open sponsorship," said Olivia. She looked around and dropped her voice. "Since no one really knows what this whole Songstress thing is, they're just kinda leaving it up to me, but they suggested a lore class at least. It gives me a starting point if nothing else."

"A starting point is good," said Ericka. "I think I'm just gonna do the advanced tailoring courses. Not really sure where to go from there, but... yay for starting points? Who knows, I might earn myself a sponsorship along the way if I show off enough. Thomas is pretty much in the same boat. He still wants to have a crack at the Pillarguard stuff, but I'm not sure he's gonna get in. I think he was hoping you might be able to help him get into the course or something, though I have no idea how he expects you to do that."

"No idea," echoed Olivia, playing with the strap of her bag. "Explains why he keeps messaging me and asking if I need help though, if nothing else."

Ericka waggled her eyebrows. "Yeah, because that's definitely the only reason he's messaging you, eh, Liv?"

Olivia just rolled her eyes at that.

They made it onto the main walkway and joined the flow of the crowd, most of which were also seventeen and going into their first year of free learning. Over Ericka rambling on about the different seamstresses she'd heard were looking to hire, Olivia caught more than a few other discussions about which classes people were going to sign up for.

The freedom was both daunting and intoxicating. With the years of rigidly structures courses behind you, you could now pursue any subjects you liked. Your education was entirely in your own hands, and if you were talented enough or just got lucky, you could earn yourself a sponsorship from someone looking to employ you in the future.

Which brought Olivia to her current concern: what classes she actually wanted to take.

Not like they have any classes on how to be a full-time Luminary up for grabs, she thought, puffing out her cheeks. Maybe a combat class? Though lore is probably a good idea, might be able to help Cryo with that research he keeps going on about. I wonder what they'd say if Banshee turned up to class.

Olivia and Ericka reached the large, open area where the signups were being held for Cevinari. Brightly coloured booths were everywhere, with numerous volunteers helping to direct the newbies, handing out information pamphlets similar to those Olivia had received in the weeks before.

Ericka bounced up to one of them, introduced herself, and was promptly directed towards the booths relating to the terrors of sewing as Olivia hung back, her eyes roving the crowd for someone she knew didn't have a reason to be here.

He's fine, Olivia told herself, drumming her fingers on the strap of her bag and forcing herself to take a deep breath. And if he's not, I'm going to drag his ass back until he is.

"Hey, Ericka! Hey, Liv!"

Olivia snapped back to the present to find Thomas attempting to run through the crowd, one hand lifted and waving furiously in the air.

"Heeey, Thomas!" said Ericka, returning the frantic waving in an over-the-top gesture.

Thomas retracted his hand, managing to make his way to them at which point Olivia noticed a neat little pastry box tucked under his arm. "How are you guys?

"Pretty great," said Ericka. She leaned forward, intrigued. "What's in the box?"

Thomas opened the pastry box lid. "I bought some custard tarts, did either of you want one?"

Olivia rolled up her nose. "I don't know how you can eat those things."

Thomas frowned. "I thought you liked them."

"Liv's obsession is with snow cookies," said Ericka, tapping Thomas on the head with her booklet. "I'm about to head over to the seamstress area. I'm guessing you already know where you've gotta go?"

"Indeed I do," said Thomas, flashing Olivia a grin. "What about you, Liv? Figured out what you're signing up for yet, or do you wanna tag along with me?"

"I might just have a wander around first, see if anything takes my interest," said Olivia with a shrug.

Thomas held up his booklet. "Want me to come with you? I've already got a booklet, and I can probably tell you about most of the classes related to the temple that you might like!"

"Nah, it's okay," said Olivia with a wave of her hand. "You guys sort your stuff out first, I'll meet up with you later, good luck!"

"Seeeeeya, Liv!" said Ericka, blowing Olivia a kiss as she bladed away from them.

After moving far enough away from them that she felt safe from Thomas's attention, Olivia got an information booklet off one of the volunteers and began meandering her way through the booths, doing her best to steer clear of the temple-y section. She rolled through the crowd, passing a booth relating to cooking, one about medicine, eventually pausing when she came to one about plants.

She still had Gerald's moonflower at home. It seemed to be doing well, but it also could have been about to die and she doubted she'd be able to tell the difference.

I should get Jason to have a look at it.

In the crowd, Olivia became aware of the attention from a small group of individuals on her left. Her stomach clenched, but she kept the reaction off her face, bunching her mouth to one side in thought as she casually cast her glance towards them, like she was just looking around. There was three of them, all wide-eyed and amazed looking, crouching over a Liaiser that, if Olivia wasn't mistaken, was playing a very familiar song.

Yeah, they'd definitely noticed her.

She turned away, praying to whatever Aspect was listening that she could slip away into the crowd and be done with it, but she didn't make it far.

Someone called out behind her. "Hey! Singing girl! Wait up!"

Singing girl. That was a new one. Every time someone recognised her, they always had some new name for her. Some were creative, others were not. 

This one was definitely not.

Another group had heard the first call out after her, and like wildfire, a spark was all it took.

A girl on her left glanced down at her Liaiser, then back up to Olivia before shoving the screen in her face. "Hey, this is you, right?"

The volume went right up. Olivia heard her own voice just as loud and clear as everyone else around her did. She could hear the recorded mutterings, the doubts and the awe mixed together. She saw the light on-screen wrap around her as the aurorasong had swept her away. This video was so utterly focused on her that Jason was barely on the edge of the screen, his violin of golden starstone gleaming like the walls of the Starlight Hall around them.

Olivia held up her hands and attempted a smile. "I, uh--"

"It totally is," said the girl, bringing her Liaiser back to her face. "Hey, can you sing now? Like if you just sing whenever do the auroras just come to you?"

Someone else, a guy, behind her, scoffed. "I heard it was all just some temple lightshow. Apparently it's not even real, someone dissected the video already and proved it was a fake. She probably can't even sing."

"How would you know?" said the girl. "I bet she could sing right now and it'd be awesome!"

"I heard she was a Manifested!" said someone else.

"Nah, she's the reason the Serpent ran away on festival night!"

"Oh please, she's just some girl the temple found that could sing because they were scared the government was gonna push through their new laws!"

Olivia's chest felt tight, but it wasn't the kind that sucked out her words and had her wanting to disappear into the ground. That kind had vanished after the first six million times this had happened.

This was the kind that made her want to explode.

"Okay!" said Olivia, even as people kept talking around her and arguing amongst their friends. "Hello! Yes, pay attention to the girl you've all got your own opinions about for two seconds please, thank you!"

Not all of them shut up and several pointed their Liaisers towards her, obviously recording her.

"Fantastic!" said Olivia. "Let me get the few things I do know clear. One: I am, in fact, not a Manifested, two, apparently I don't break too many eardrums when I sing, and three, depending on your definition of a lightshow, then yes, that was definitely a lightshow!"

She threw her hands out wide, palms flat and upturned in the biggest, most sarcastic shrug she could manage.

"Aside from that, I got nothin'! If you could all share this video as much as you shared the first, that would be rather helpful, and since you all seem to have your own theories about what went on, please feel free to go and share them with the temple because they're still arguing about it!"

Olivia exhaled, touching two fingers to her forehead before flicking them away.

"Thank you, and have a great sign-up day!"

With that, she left a rather stunned crowd to their mutterings about the 'crazy' girl and bladed as fast as she could manage away from everyone and anyone. There, alone with the shadows, she flicked open her bag to find Viri's violet eyes gleaming up at her.

It was almost time for the Offerings, and right now, she was done being Olivia.

"Ascend, Shadow of Skypillar!"

*+*+*+*

A/N - It begins~ ;D 

Also, christmas special went up last week in my not-legit book if you wanna check it out~ IT'S CUTE. PROMISE.