Summer turned to fall. Vengimi stood facing the waterfall of the Verena Osena, admiring the autumn view as the sound of rushing water, clear as crystal white brilliance, met with the cheerful chirps of birds and the excited caws of ravens. Leaves fell from trees in stunning arrays of vivid orange, red, brown, yellow, pink, and purplish red, the leaves twirling in a dance, as they spiraled down to a graceful land atop the emerald grass.

Three years have passed since Vengimi first entered the Verena Osena. It was the third beautiful autumn season he was experiencing on an alien planet that became his new home.

Memories replayed in Vengimi's mind, of sunlit afternoons and laughter as he jumped into raked leaf piles with his son, of Nadima's warm vanilla spiced cookies and apple cider as she stepped outside to give them snacks, of quiet evenings and cuddly nights, of magical mornings and wonderful midday meals.

In his mind, Vengimi had already divorced his wife. In his heart, he knew they could never be together the way they were before. He missed the happy family they used to be, missed the good times and the joy they brought him. They were only memories now, no longer a reality.

Time to face a new reality, Vengimi thought, moving forward in life as he completely detached from Nadima and her horrible abuse.

Thoughts of Trixy invaded his mind, but it was a welcome invasion, one that invoked gentle care and sweet sensations. He felt his heart stir at the thought of seeing her again. She was the only woman whose touch didn't make him flinch, whose voice soothed instead of bruised, whose manner assured she would never even think to harm him intentionally, even when Vengimi repeatedly called her yogurt from another planet.

It became frequent, Vengimi calling her yogurt and Trixy calling him marshmallow. Vengimi and Trixy were often paired together. They began to meet in the cafeteria and in the lounge, getting close with each other. As seasons changed, friendship turned into romance, new chapters written as events began to fall into place.

Including the event of entering the Path of Shattered Glass.

Trixy held Vengimi's hand as they stood together with the crowd of recruits, Keth standing on Vengimi's other side, as Eirena met with the recruits to advise their next steps.

The purple and silver coat of arms loomed behind her as Eirena stepped forward. Purple ribbons danced amid her long ankle length dark brown hair that was loose this time rather than tied back in a ponytail. Her beautiful steel blue sapphire eyes sparkled in the natural light that streamed from the tall windows all over the meeting room. The floor was smooth quartz of the finest amethyst, with a polished sheen and silver sparkles woven throughout the fancy design.

Eirena was dressed in a stylish iris purple trench coat over a muted purple long sleeve shirt and dark purple moto style pants, with tall black boots and silver detailing. Keth was eyeing the trench coat in jealousy, missing his signature trench coat that was returned to his ship.

"Congratulations! You have completed your training and are deemed ready to enter the Path of Shattered Glass." Eirena looked at each recruit with care. "Many of you will fail. As stated before, those who fail will either be set free or will serve in a homebase army. Those who pass will become illusionist soldiers in the King's army and will serve the King until retirement.

"The outcome depends on the individual. Last year, out of seventy recruits, only eight passed. The majority of the failed were returned to their home planets or they were sent to a homebase army, depending on their skills and expertise. There are a hundred and ten of you this year, so we shall see how many of you will pass."

"Certainly not me," said Keth, confident he would fail. "I wish to be back on my ship with my beloved tea blends. The irislan jasmine tea in particular calls to me in my dreams, beckoning me to enjoy a cup. In addition, my trench coat hasn't been worn for several seasons, and I fear the leather may not be worn into my stylish figure. It needs to be worn constantly to maintain that figure, otherwise the leather may stretch or worse, fade, and no longer fit me."

Ninian stifled a laugh while Osian smiled and Berian feared a consequence, but Eirena appeared to be surprised.

"Your trench coat?" Eirena asked Keth. "I can request for your clothing to be brought to you from your ship, though you are to remain at the Verena Osena to enter the Path of Shattered Glass. This path will require you to undergo difficulties, so it would indeed be fitting for each of you to enter the Path in your favorite attire. So yes, Keth Vasileniy, your trench coat will be brought to you at my request. As for the irislan jasmine tea, I have some in my personal tea collection. I wouldn't mind sharing a cup with you."

Keth was so surprised he was rendered speechless. After a stunned silence, he regained his voice, saying, "Are you suggesting a date, Eirena?"

"A friendly chat over tea," Eirena stated, though Keth assumed she secretly had designs on him.

Not that I mind, Keth thought as he looked at Eirena in appreciation. She is exactly my type, but I wouldn't have dreamed of getting together with someone of her rank. Not when I am planning to retrieve my ship and leave this planet. I have a promise I need to fulfill, a priority that takes precedence, before I can allow a woman into my heart. Even if the woman is beautiful and stunning, and completely out of my league. Keth sighed, feeling disappointed.

Vengimi noticed Keth's predicament and tried to think of a way to comfort him, but he wasn't a quick thinker like Keth.

Trixy knew exactly the solution. She handed Keth some dark chocolate, which he happily accepted.

Osian requested to know the details. "How come it's called the Path of Shattered Glass? We won't actually be forced to walk on a real path of shattered glass, would we?" Osian asked, fearing such an arduous task.

Eirena said, "No, not actual shattered glass. It will be more of a mental task than a physical one. Illusions will be cast upon you, and you will have to differentiate between what is real and what is an illusion.

"There will be a few physical tasks, such as sword fighting and gun shooting, but none of them will kill you, because you will be fighting an illusion, but it will feel very real. I will be the one casting the illusions, since I am the most powerful illusionist. The hardest task, the one that will determine whether you pass or fail, is the Pool of Zolo."

"Let me guess, we're gonna have to swim with sharks?" Pirez assumed.

"No sharks," Eirena confirmed. "The Pool of Zolo is harmless. All you would do is go into the pool, and it will determine whether you pass or fail. You will have to be completely submerged underwater. You won't drown, and there will be no water droplets when you leave the pool. The Pool of Zolo is named after the first King of Mijishin named Zolo Renvale."

While the recruits took a moment to process this information, murmuring amongst themselves, Eirena stepped down from the platform and raised her arm, holding her hand out with her palm facing up. Glitter flowed from her hand, forming into a beautiful light show that surrounded the room in sparkles, raining glitter that disintegrated upon touch, the glitter continuously falling like sparkling snow. The recruits looked up in admiration, Keth soaking in the glitter, as Vengimi glanced at the glitter that disintegrated on his hand and Trixy smiled cheerfully.

"You will enter the Path of Shattered Glass tomorrow. So tonight, feel free to enjoy yourselves and have fun," said Eirena, her illusions changing the lighting to that of a disco ball shaped like a rose, providing amazing lighting, while the glitter rain continuing to descend and music softly played. Eirena smiled warmly as she disappeared into sparkly purple vapor, her voice echoing the words, "Sparkle on!"

"Perfect time for you two to get together," Keth said to Vengimi and Trixy, wishing them a good time before he left in search of tea.

Dark chocolate biscuits materialized on a silver and purple table, along with desserts like tiramisu, blackberries, raspberries, vanilla pudding, and éclairs. Keth was delighted to see a nearby table with an assortment of tea including chamomile, peppermint, rose oolong, lavender and orange blossom, lindenberry, red rooibos, vanilla almond, and lilac pomegranate.

Keth was reaching for a rose oolong tea when a purple tea cup materialized in place of the rose oolong tea, surprising Keth when he recognized the irislan jasmine tea inside the purple tea cup. It was one of his favorite blends comprised of a jasmine green tea made with jasmine pearls, the fragrant floral scent like perfume, with vibrant purple flower petals from the rare irislan flower that only grew on certain planets, including Verdamnt and Magarra.

Eirena appeared beside Keth, holding the same purple tea cup. "The irislan jasmine tea, as promised," Eirena said, clinking her tea cup with Keth's. "We shall have our friendly chat tomorrow, before you are to enter the Path of Shattered Glass. Have a wonderful night, Keth." Eirena kissed him on the cheek before disappearing into shimmery purple vapor.

Keth touched his cheek, his gaze sweeping around the room, but Eirena was no longer there.

Meanwhile Vengimi and Trixy were surrounded by people dancing to the soft electronic pop music, enjoying the chance to party. Vengimi wanted to quietly slip away to his dorm, but Trixy held his hand, saying, "Have you danced before?"

"No," said Vengimi, about to decline dancing, but Keth pushed him towards Trixy, his mouth at his ear as he murmured, "Idiot. Go dance with her!"

Trixy grinned as she pulled Vengimi into a dance. Keth smiled and drank the rest of his tea, thinking of several desserts he wanted to enjoy.

Vengimi was nervous, but Trixy didn't mind, enjoying the chance to get to know him better. She put her arms around him, asking, "Something on your mind?"

The nervousness vanished, though wistfulness lingered. "My son," Vengimi admitted, sighing softly as he wondered about him for the infiniteth time.

Trixy's face softened. "You miss him," she said, her voice as gentle as her touch.

"Yes," said Vengimi, his thoughts consuming him as pain wove deep within his heart. "I hope tomorrow will allow me to reunite with him. I do like this planet and I am glad to have met you, but I want to be with my son more than anything."

Trixy's arms slowly slid downward, resting at his elbows. "I understand and I wish the same for you," she told Vengimi. "Should you fail the Path tomorrow, know that I will miss you, marshmallow."

A smile touched Vengimi's face, but he didn't fully smile, still thinking of his son. Trixy's arms were around him as they continued dancing slowly, each in their own thoughts.

"How old is he?" Trixy asked, wanting to know more about Vengimi's son.

"Nine," Vengimi responded, his voice becoming somber the more he thought of Matvei.

Trixy noticed the melancholy mood that was overcoming Vengimi. She moved her arms so that she was holding hands with him. Trixy motioned towards the dessert table, saying, "We should get some tea and desserts before Keth claims them all, though I fear there may not be any tea left."

Vengimi chuckled. "Tea is Keth's true love," he said, feeling lightened.

Keth watched Vengimi and Trixy as they walked towards the dessert table. He smiled, glad they were getting to know each other. He sighed heavily as he took another sip of tea, reminiscing about his time in the Verena Osena.

Honestly? He enjoyed it. He loved the structure, the daily schedule, the work out routine, the training, and of course, the tea and desserts. After spending a long solitary life on his ship, it was a nice change in pace to have a brother-like friend in Vengimi, and to be around other people in a military school that felt like a home in a way.

His thoughts drifted to that of his mother back on planet Magarra. He was content that she was living a peaceful life, that she was well provided for and had everything she needed, thanks to the Ileín. For the longest time, Keth was the provider until the evacuation from his birth planet Verdamnt.

Then Keth found himself on an alien planet, far away from the usual places he traveled, essentially somewhat of a captive in an elegant miliary school, but he didn't feel any sadness or nostalgia, not until tonight.

Maybe it's because I really like this place and I am going to be sad to leave it tomorrow, Keth thought, musing over the time he spent at the Verena Osena. He was certain he would fail the Path of Shattered Glass, allowing him to fulfill Vengimi's request to take him to planet Earth so he could retrieve his son.

Perhaps after we retrieve his son, I can give my ship to Vengimi so that I may return to the Verena Osena and continue this amazing life, hopefully get close with the stunning Administrator of Illusionary Warfare.

Keth dispelled his thoughts with another sip of tea, wishing he could spend tonight with Eirena. He wondered why she left after giving him the irislan jasmine tea he always wanted. He shook himself from his thoughts, shaking away the melancholy feeling. Perhaps she had important duties to attend to. I'll see her tomorrow anyway.

He looked at the glittering disco rose lights, the soft electronic music putting everyone in a pleasant mood. Usually he liked these kinds of parties, since they always had amazing food and music. But tonight, after enjoying tea and desserts, Keth wanted to curl up in bed with a cozy blanket and a good book.

Definitely not a romance one, Keth thought as he mentally filed through his book collection in the dorm. Not my usual space adventure, since I'll be living it after I leave this place tomorrow. My life on planet Verdamnt was a medieval fantasy, and I've had plenty of run-ins with the paranormal, so I'll go with....science fiction and mystery. That sounds like a delightful combination that is sure to engage my mind, distracting me from my troubling thoughts. Keth headed for his dorm, looking forward to his late night reading.

Vengimi and Trixy were trying out the desserts, or rather what was left of them. Noticing that Vengimi was silent, his thoughts elsewhere, Trixy led him upstairs. They sat on the roof of the Verena Osena, admiring the view of the sparkling night sky as it swirled in various blue colors, ranging from midnight to cobalt. Silver stars twinkled as if dancing to a certain song, their light shining on and off like the disco lights.

"It's so beautiful," Vengimi said as he looked up at the stars, wondering if Matvei was looking up at the same stars. He felt tears mist his eyes as he thought of the distance between them, yet hope was close within reach. Keth's ship would cover that distance, swallowing the light years that separated him from his son.

Tomorrow I will finally be able to return to my son. All I have to do is fail the Path of Shattered Glass. Vengimi wished he had Keth's confidence in failing; though he was sure he would fail, there was a sliver of chance that he would pass. He wanted to get tomorrow over with so he could get on Keth's ship as quickly as possible. My true home, Vengimi thought, finally understanding why Keth considered his ship to be his home.

Vengimi felt Trixy gently squeeze his hand as she tried to comfort him. Trixy leaned over to give Vengimi a kiss on the cheek, her kiss as delicate as the decadent vanilla cake slices they had earlier.

"It will be wonderful the night you will be able to travel across the stars and find your son, watching the stars bring you closer to your son," Trixy told him. "I know you will find him. Just know that you aren't alone in your quest. You have my help and support, as well as Keth's."

Vengimi looked into Trixy's eyes, liking how the stars seemed to reflect in her deep blue eyes, making them look like galaxies. Her eyes were naturally dark blue, but tonight they sparkled, looking very much alive and full of life.

Vengimi reached for her cheek, gently placing his hand on it, before he kissed her. Trixy closed her eyes, enjoying the warm feeling the kiss gave her. Vengimi pulled away, though he kept his hand on her cheek.

"Thank you," Vengimi said appreciatively. "I hope we both fail the Path tomorrow, so you can come with me to find my son."

"I plan to come with you whether we pass or fail," Trixy told him. "No matter what happens, I will be at your side, Vengimi. I will always be your ally, your friend and supporter, and whatever else we may be."

Husband and wife, Vengimi thought, realizing the future he wanted. He knew his young son would need a mother. Though Nadima was his biological mother, she was violent and abusive, not a calm caring soul like Trixy. The fact that Trixy wanted to help him find his son was an assurance that she would treat his son with the same kindness and gentle guidance she showed Vengimi.

I will have to find a ring and propose to her while we're in outer space on Keth's ship, Vengimi thought. I'm sure Keth would help me, since he would know more about that sort of thing than I do. He already imagined Keth advising him on gemstones and metal. Vengimi smiled at the thought of Keth stating that he would prefer to be a metalworker than an illusionist soldier. While the latter didn't sound terrible, it meant he wouldn't be free to find his son.

Keth is so sure we will fail. I will hold onto his surety.

Uplifted by Keth's assistance, Trixy's encouragement, and his hopeful thoughts of the future, Vengimi put his arm around Trixy as they continued to look up at the stars, the silver stars fading in intermittent twinkles as the night sky darkened just before dawn.

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Music:

"(Feels Like) Heaven"
by Roosevelt

"On My Mind"
by Roosevelt

"Gotta Be Somebody"
by Nickelback

"Same Star"
by Dead By April

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Looks so much how I picture Eirena, but with different clothing and eye color, of course