Page 93 of Axis of Fire

“Because they’re still alive in Noveris,” Aars said proudly.

“Most of them simply remain hidden.”

“Exactly. All of them except the two-headed creature that created Istarus and Airis’s harpy stay hidden because—”

“What?” I cut Moirz off immediately.

“Airis’s harpy? You mean that guy is connected to an ancient harpy that created one of the worlds?”

“The First Energies belong to no one,” Aars shot me a sharp glare.

“But they can form agreements with mages,” Moirz continued.

“Like the air harpy Thari did.”

“And that’s exactly why Airis has so many privileges,” Aars added, counting them on his claws one by one.

“Member of the Strongest Twelve, representative of Istarus, chief lieutenant protecting Vuduarus…”

He paused thoughtfully.

“Though I doubt the title of the academy’s most desirable ass came from the harpy.”

Ignoring that entirely, I looked back at Moirz and Louis.

“So what exactly is this agreement?” I asked slowly.

“Does it just give status and privileges?”

“No.” Moirz shook his head.

“The agreement is protective in nature. An Energy chooses the strongest mage connected to its element—the one most capable of advancing further through the knowledge it can offer.”

“So basically...” I raised a brow.

“It becomes a personal mentor?”

“In a sense, yes,” Moirz nodded.

“But beyond that, the bond grants the mage immunity from certain laws. It also allows them to attend gatherings of Noveris’s rulers and access any information connected to the world created by the Energy tied to them.”

My heartbeat quickened.

“So hypothetically,” I began carefully, “if I formed a bond with the Energy that created the world of death… I could get information about my birth?”

“If that information exists within the world of death, then yes,” Moirz nodded again.

“Though your primary element is fire,” Louis pointed out, finally stopping his bouncing and sitting on the edge of the bed instead.

“So it’s unlikely the Serpent of Death would choose you.”

“What serpent?” I frowned.

“Every Energy chooses a true form when it comes into existence,” Moirz explained.

“They can change appearances throughout their lives, but they always return to their original form eventually. The Energy of Death chose the shape of a serpent.”

“And how—”