A bright light blares in front of me. It looked so familiar, yet, I had no idea what it was or what it came from. Whispers gradually get louder as I approach it, and the light phases through my chest. A warm feeling overtakes my body, with a then-following chill down my spine. What just happened? I ask that as I spring up from my bed, a sudden gasp escaping my mouth.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6aDLLE0Rl
I first look at the window. The sun's deep dawn rays made it's way to my carpet and brightened up my whole room. I stretch, yawn, and make my way to my personal bathroom.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi6FDbqLeQ
I grab my brush and quickly brush my hair straight, adorned my favorite hairstyle, and put on my clothes for the day. Just as I was just about to walk out to the cafeteria for breakfast, someone bumps into me.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGv5O8YHt7
"There you are.." Arelin says, taking out a notebook and writing something down. "I just have to write down your room number so I don't forget. I want to make sure I have help in any way I can."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SpijGFiOh
That's when Alena clicked back to the front of my mind. "Anything new on your sister?" I began to walk.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGi1HuH7Hd
"Increased aggression, still refusing to eat, and sensitivity to light." he says in a huff.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4KWl1zh1m
"Wait... she's not eating?"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJ01iLlrue
"I don't know why, but she refuses any food we've given her, she pushes the bowl away and...hides in the corner.."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg19lfsrypU
I was even more concerned. She was starving herself, but for what reason? We both sit at the table and talk about it.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYjmBtiURB
Jake slumps in the seat next to me and drinks coffee. "What're you two working on?"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpxh3Hw0FC
Arelin responds, "Well, Iris is helping me find how to uplift the curse inflicted on my sister."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBwnR1k670
Ecluna sits in the seat next to Arelin. "If anyone knows anything about curses, it's our parents, Mrs. Araginee specifically."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W5OuY7eM9
"And your mom Arelin," Jake says before taking another drink of coffee. "Luckily, that's the first class we take."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaMSxbhtFo
While we eat, we discuss more on the topic, also getting Ecluna and Jake in on the plan. When the bell rings, we all run to the Magic Classroom and we enter our seats.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvU6wAfCRw
"Welcome back, children. I see we all got some decent rest. Today, we're going out on a field trip to the Kingdom District to observe the traditions and overall magic."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2RnYvUHuG
A nice trip to a district I had yet to see. Jake always talks about his hometown and how medieval and historical it was.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfCfzin3sA
"Of course, before we leave, we have to do roll call."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZDqd6o77E
So Mrs. Aurelia checks everyone as present, we walk out of campus and enjoy the nice warm, early September air.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBll4ExzHf
"The nearest train is near Ringmaster Poppy's circus. We can take that train all the way around to the Kingdom District if we catch the right one."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfLMnVnZz1
So we tumble down the hill into the valley, where the circus loomed above. Just in front of it is a station, ready for people to aboard the train that awaited.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRTU3BrAPY
Surprisingly, Ringmaster Poppy was already standing there, waiting for us. "I heard the Creative Juniors were headed to the Kingdom District. It's a long trip. That's why I brought these," She holds up two bags of buttered and caramel popcorn. "Free of charge of course. You kids have fun!"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RS2lM4RSV
We hear the train in the distance, its gears grinding as it makes a loud screeching noise. The doors open, and we enter into the safety of the train. When it started moving again, I look out the window, where the grasses of the valley waved like a beautiful bright yellow ocean. I hear the soft whirring of the train as it sped past the endless sea of yellow grass.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85yQzTYO4O
I hear talking amongst the others, specifically, Arelin and his mother. I hoped that their conversation was about helping Alena, who we were also hoping to see. I look out the window again. We were getting closer to our destination, as I could see palaces towering over the wall and gate that distinguished the outskirts to the Kingdom District itself. The intercom turned on to announce our arrival, and the train halted with a screech. The doors opened, me and the others exited, and the train sped away. From the first step I took on the kingdom's grounds, I feel my clothes warp around, until I looked just like a normal mage of the medieval town.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhkQVHRUkv
"Eh?" I look at the new clothes. "What happened?'
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUxfdrCqb9
"It would be weird if you saw someone wearing clothes from centuries from the future, wouldn't it?" Jake asks rhetorically, standing in his usual shining armor.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkDRla71Eg
"I guess."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEml9KtpdSm
"Alright children, go explore the different kinds of magic there is in the Kingdom District, we'll meet back here for lunch." Aurelia says, before everyone splits up. Before I could explore however, Arelin grabs ahold of my shoulder, and motions to follow him.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfJCAH1WpL
"Hm? What's the matter?"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDerS0nlfe
"We're going to see my sister. Hopefully your magic is enough to do...something.."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf474kBIMt1
We walk around to the Aquatier Palace. Arelin phases through the wall, and drags me along with him. On the other side, a long hall awaited. We trek down halls, stairs, and finally end up in a closed off room, which we easily pass by jumping over the barricades. Arelin slowly opens the door.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviLdVwFzoY
A girl was curled up humming a small tune to herself in the middle of the room. Arelin tells me to stay there as he approaches her.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXz2CkzVxa
"Alena-"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkn5dfAk2R
Before he could finish his sentence, arms of corrupted magic drags him to her.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oS3aQcAHL
"She's...usually not this...clingy.."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmpFZt1MZ7
"I see.." I take a step into the room.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMz2lrcmSU
"Wait," He stops me. "She'll freak out. I'll bring her to you."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1jsjwlYec
Arelin calmly picks Alena up and walks over to where I'm standing. I feel a shaky aura, as he approached me with the girl.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WKdbhbdaW
I carefully released my webs from my hands. I wrap them around my arms, and I got as close as Arelin would allow me.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡww3n4P65hB
"Hi there Alena," I say with a smile. "It's very nice t-"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnCwWIYTGf
The hands that previously grabbed Arelin now had its palm around my face, it's fingers tightly gripping my head. I was slung across the room, and hit the wall behind me.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunJCasOMSR
"W-wrong move..." I say, sucking the air through my teeth.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTam0f47Xl
"Are you okay?"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevS4zRuXSg
I assure him I was. "Mhm! I'm okay, for the most part.."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVGtUfdwSV
He carefully puts Alena down to help me up.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklV5gPkOT5
"I'm sure the more you keep coming back, the more she'll get used to you."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTK71kUTeMh
I nodded. "I think we'll be great friends!"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQY9g1iqEE8
Arelin hands his sister something to eat. However, she turns her head and pushes his hand away. His eyes fill with anguish, and he stuffs the food back in his pocket.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHCWzP4wap
"Hold on Arelin, give me the food,"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy0AnDNnMy
Reluctantly, he gives me whatever he stuffed in his pocket.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gFLeREgfC
I then examine Alena one more time. "I think the reason she won't eat...is because she can't.."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXv81CGrSNF
It might explain why she doesn't speak either. Arelin writes my words down in his notes.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTezDHmh40M
"Alena, can you open your mouth?" I ask in return. I see her try to separate her lips, to no avail. She shakes her head.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEXmgdK9AT
"Well, how are you supposed to eat without opening your mouth?" Arelin asks.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpr1dq1lyA
She points toward herself, then towards the food, then motions to the air.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlbi4b32rY
"I don't...understand, I'm sorry.."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UiltXShyM
She points towards the food again. When I looked down, the tan color of the food had faded to a light grey. In panic, I dropped it. An orb of tan stood in front of me.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ruLZcB9iG
Arelin quietly observes it. "How did this happen?"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA8rFYSFtz
"I-I DON'T KNOW!"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLotOOltHR
"Calm down, this is just another ability of yours," he opens up his hand. "I'll just cancel it out with mine.."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckLJbD8JiI
A dark smoke lifted from his hand, and he directed right towards the orb that floated in front of me. Just as the two energies made contact, I feel the pressure of the explosion that occurred. Once again hitting the wall, I go unconscious.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda0vLN8cl5
***
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPx36sKcvf
I wake up back in my dorm room. Espero was sitting in the bean bag chair I had put in, sipping on a warm cup of tea and reading his book.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbKKDGzrnD
"Welcome back. I should've told you not to mix Dark and Light magic together." he takes another sip.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qTHRUw7M3
"What happened?"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6LX3xTYOr
"Dark and Light magic are complete opposites. One isn't stronger than the other, so yeah, testing your magic on each other really isn't a good idea. Just a hunch.." he tells me.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73RqEKnjyZ
"That doesn't explain what happened Esp.." I give him a slightly annoyed look.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwlP6WnRZz
He lets go of the teacup, and holds it using his psychic abilities. "Like I said, one of you tried to cancel out the other's attack, and well...it kinda made of an explosion."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6i21M8EWv
I look at my hands in disbelief.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx6RVcxgDA
"Okay soo...I think I remember.."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCfGj2RbnF
"Hm? What are you talking about Iris?"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0kvPzwFr1
"Espero, when I went down to the Kingdom District today-"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqbKo4LKds
"You went to help Alena, right?" he sips then continues, "No one can really cure it, just...prevent it from progressing.."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYM0fJSQBU
"So...we're doing this...for nothing...?" I ask.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejfJpyT0nF
"I mean, just because no one can cure it doesn't mean it can't be cured. Who knows, maybe you'll be the one to find the cure.."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZPF4DXT2s
"I am going to find a cure. I just have to work a little harder."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyJkwjlhDz
I try to force my magic out of my palms.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYfquB30kL
"Iris, you're gonna hurt yourself.."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZmC54uYTP
"If I'm gonna try to save Alena, then I have to train my magic."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21zUI81tFE
"You're forcing it. Training and forcing your abilities are two totally different things," he takes another silent sip. "Just slow down and think about it. If Light and Dark magic are complete opposites, and if you know that one cannot destroy the other, why would you try to hurt yourself again and Alena in the process?"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0rcORtr4q
"Hmm..." I rub my chin with my finger. "We need to figure out how to regulate my magic enough to where both energies don't react."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4niB4MIuy
"And figure out how to use that magic to remove the corruption, but keep Alena's regular Dark magic," he grabs a pen and some paper and begins writing out a extremely complicated equation.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KkXFCdGJq
"Esp? What's wrong?"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUmoLGoI73
"You're distracting me Iris, give me a second..." he intensely draws a human body as a reference.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLRUJ3d8YE
"From important points where magic escapes from the body, the head, hands, and feet, we can pinpoint where the corruption is most strongest, and then you could remove the corruption without hurting Alena."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6CjVGP6tS
"I'll have to get Arelin on this."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1txzceU5j1
"Yeah, that would be preferable.."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WDpWvOojX
"Okay, I'll go get him!" I stand up, but the aftermath of what happened caused a slight headache.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHKYOUmfqI
Espero, using his magic, sits me down. "Nevermind. Just...sit here until I get back.." He leaves the room. I lay back in my bed and think about the plan me and Espero came up with. Was this really going to work?
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNIh4uUqeY
A few minutes later, Espero, Arelin, and Alena all walk in. Alena quietly sits in the corner of the room, and Arelin and Espero look at the diagram.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXLD4UNZjD
"It could work, but there's no one weak enough to remove it safely," Arelin looks at me. "The explosion is a very good example of powerful magic."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoiOf0am3u
"So, I just have to try keeping it at a lower power level?"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToxqlNU1aM
"It's not as easy as you think, Iris. No one can really control how strong or weak their magic is..."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPeokxB0Oc
"But how am I so powerful? I barely know my own abilities.."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTgCQFVRAN
"It's not about your abilities, it's about the strength of your magic as a whole. The reason you can't help Alena right now is because your power level is too strong for her body to handle.."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g2tk9yVFD
I think for a minute. Who else could have light-related magic other than myself and my mother?
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lHJV8wHEo
"Iris, could you get Ecluna for us?" Espero takes a sip of tea. "And try not to hurt yourself on the way down, okay?"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFjlsksEU6
I give a thumbs up, and leave the boys to their work. The hallways were just barely empty, with other students walking quietly.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3cFlMgtn2
I take a look at Ecluna's door, which was a deep, night sky blue. On it, a note was taped on.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzf8rLCnY3
"At the observatory! Come back later!" was written on the light yellow sticky note in Ecluna's handwriting.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOla1Q9oMxD
"Observatory?" I ask myself. "Does she mean her family observatory?"
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoDH5wHLHg
I remembered the shortcut behind the school. A golden field separated the Academy from the Wildlife District. So, I set off in order to find Ecluna.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFXkAmOoFZ
I continue walking down the hall to the nearest exit to the field. I was a few halls away from it, when a dash of darkness flew right in front of me. I looked towards the direction it went.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop8gHmXbHy
"Ecluna?" I ask, my echoes following. "Listen, if you're trying to scare me, it's not going to work. I really need your help.."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX7KBHBe47
I speedwalk my way outside, looking behind me before the door shuts.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXL3KTEIWQ
I see the forest of the Wildlife District far in the distance. All I had to do was run across the field. I breathe in, then out, and begin walking. However, when I took the first step in the golden grass field, I felt a sense of dread quickly flash in front of me. Whoever this was, it wasn't Ecluna.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f7GGdyRDI
In a sense of panic, I immediately activate my magic to protect myself. But before I had realized, it was too late. Whatever was following me had wrapped me up in an arm of magic. I felt it tighten around me.
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZPH9ef6AP
"Hello there.."
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk14MOGBYm
346Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuGs10zbGS
