Story Arc I - The Praxium

Setting/Theme
The first arc of Rebirth is set in the Praxium, a safe haven and training ground for young psions who would have otherwise been put to death. The arc focuses on character introductions and general establishment of in-world facts and beliefs.

A key theme here is isolation. Even though they are being protected, the students of The Praxium are not allowed to set foot outside. This leads to speculation concerning the outside world and whether or not it is truly like the teachers say.

Prologue
"Alden, she's not coming. Get over it." Zephric was losing what little patience he had to began with. Alden was surprised he managed to wait even this long. Two hours ago they had managed to sneak out of the Commons through a maintenance tunnel that crossed over into one of the restricted military zones. According to Bryn, there was a door nearby that led to an exit, where she and Alden would rendezvous after her father and cousin had gone to sleep. The area had been abandoned and powered down after most of the analysts were sent to Drascus. Dim violet bio-lamps were the only illumination provided in the cluster of dark corridors and locked doors. "She'll be here. Bryn has never let me down," at least yet. She was over an hour late, truthfully, but that was an expected possibility, and their plan accounted for it. It did not, however, account for Zephric or his impatience. Maybe it was a mistake bringing him here after all. "Stay calm, or someone's going to find us." "By someone, you mean Reori. Ha! Just let me sweet talk that vixen. Even an idiot like you should be able to see how badly she wants me." "Trust me, I see." [i]Not at all.[/i] It was definitely a mistake to involve Zephric. The success of their escape hinged on being able to suppress themselves and remain undetected. If discovered tonight, they would have to find another route, assuming there even was one. Alden thought he would be an asset for his combat skills and knowledge of the world outside, but it mattered little if they were caught before they even made it out. "Why do you two want to leave the Praxium, anyway? It's a harsh world out there, with no room for people like us," "	"Quiet. I thought I heard something,"