Shadows of Atlantis: Emergence of the Engi by Donsha Hatch

getting used to it myself.” Eiris smiled as he scratched the back of his head.
    “Okay. That just happened.” Kezzy said calmly.
    Just then, a nerdy-looking guy scuffled across the aisles looking for a seat as the auditorium quickly filled up. He came to the seat on the opposite side of Eiris and gave a hopeful look.
    “Hi, is this seat taken?” he asked.
    “Yup, and you’d better look someplace else.” remarked Kezzy with a glare, followed by a growl from Awesome.
    Eiris then remembered everything he learned about how the different Undarian races felt about each other. He noticed that Dex didn’t have exotic-looking eyes or markings anywhere on his exposed body. He also noticed that he had mechanical-looking receptacles in front of both of his ears.
    “No it’s free. You can sit down.” smiled Eiris as Kezzy gave him another mean look.
    “Thanks.” he smiled as he sat down. “My name Dextrius, but you can call me Dex.”
    “Nice to meet you. What are those?” asked Eiris, gesturing to the receptacles in front of Dex’s ears.
    “My neural nodes.” Dex replied.
    Seeing the confused and uncomprehending expression on Eiris’ face, Dex continued.
    “I’m a Slyph. A brainer? You…….do know what that is, right?” Dex nodded slowly to Eiris.
    “Nope. Not really.” said Eiris as he shook his head.
    “Interesting. Where’d you say you were from again?” asked a puzzled Dex.
    “I’m from Earth.” replied Eiris.
    “Haha, pretty clever.” laughed Dex. “I get the joke being that we’re descendants from humans and all. But seriously, where are you from?”
    “I guess technically I was born here on Atlantis. But I grew up on Earth.” said Eiris.
    “Wait. You wouldn’t happen to be Prince Eirisidae by any chance, would you?” asked Dex wide-eyed.
    “Eiris. You can call me Eiris.” Eiris smiled.
    “That’s pretty xeno. I’m sitting next to Prince Eiris.” Dex grinned. “Well, I think that merits a more thorough introduction. My name is Dextrius Tesla. I’m from the prestigious Tesla Family, which is by the way one of the biggest tech giants in the entire solar system of Undaria. I come from a long line of Slyphs, one of the original families to be precise. And if you’re wondering what a Slyph is, it’s simply the word brain translated in the Undarian language. Unlike Turans and Darkren who initially were genetically augmented and engineered, Slyphs are biomechanically augmented at birth.” he informed.
    “Aside from the way we were created, what are the differences?” asked Eiris.
    “Well Slyphs aren’t born with the innate ability to manipulate nature like Turans and Darkren. So, not long after our births there is a neural implant installed into our cerebral cortex that allows us certain, rather exclusive abilities.” said Dex.
    “Like what?” asked Eiris.
    “Well, although our augments do make us more athletic, our physical prowess is minor compared to that of Turans and Darkren. But mentally, we have shall I say, somewhat of an advantage.” smiled Dex.
    “Speak for yourself mech!” glared Kezzy with glowing green eyes.
    “Come again tree hugger?” threatened Dex as they both rose out of their seats.
    Awesome then let out a fierce growl while many of the nearby students calmly watched on.
    “Relax guys. There’s no need for that.” said Eiris as he parted the two.
    Shocked at the gesture, Kezzy and Awesome angrily departed to one of the upper seats in the auditorium.
    “Dumb mech.” she hissed as she stormed away with her golden saber-toothed liger.
    “You know, I don’t quite like her.” mused Dex as he sat down.
    “Maybe she likes you.” Eiris smiled.
    “Likes me? That behavior is totally contrary to what romantic feelings would dictate.” disputed Dex.
    “Well on earth, sometimes children and teenagers tease the people they crush on.”
    “Is that so? Well then, humans are weirder than I thought.” said Dex.
    “I guess.” laughed Eiris. “Does that