A/N: Thank you all for stopping by to read my story. Thanks goes out to my beta reader Sunnyd. Hope you all enjoy!
"Azura, is she supposed to be doing that?"
That was the coldest sentence I had ever heard come from my dad. I was barely six years old and I wasn't entirely sure was going on myself. I gazed down at my small hands and saw small crackles of green energy coming from the tips of my fingers.
"Mommy...? Why are my fingers green?!" My voice squeaked out nearly mouse like. I turned and ran across our patterned cobblestone floor, taking a leap and landed on the couch, right next to my dad. He grabbed my wrist gently, he looked closer and I was fidgeting like crazy.
My mother looked over from the small kitchen nook, where she was gently stirring a large picture of lemonade. Wysteria became very warm in the summer months, but not humid. The breeze off the ocean kept the humidity away. Still I knew mommy made it for me since I loved the tart, yet sweet drink.
"What in titans name...?" My mother spun around and made her way quickly to me. Gently she took my hands in hers and while her other hand came to brush some locks of pink hair from my face. It had been in a braid that morning, but some of it has escaped with me playing outside.
"Does it hurt sweetie?"
I didn't answer her at first, I was having trouble expressing what I was feeling. Whatever it was, it didn't hurt. If anything it felt refreshing, like a warm yet at the same time cooling feeling, with a tingle.
"No... it feels... really weird, but good. Does this mean I'm a wizard?" I asked, looking at my dad and then her.
My dad had a strange look on his face that I couldn't place exactly. I was so young I couldn't remember.
"Of course you're not...! You're much too young. Right Azura?" My father wrapped his arm around me gently.
My mother sighed, "Wesley, you're not exactly helping."
"Why, because I'm not a wizard like you are?" His voice had that cold tone again as he eyed my mother over his glasses.
"Mommy, daddy, don't fight." My voice rose as I pleaded with them. I glanced down as it seemed to fade before going away completely.
My dad gave me a gentle squeeze and I saw him look at mommy, as if they were exchanging words without speaking. It wasn't the first time I had heard them talk this way. Mommy always said I was going to be a wizard like her one day. Dad had said before he didn't come from wizard city, but from a world called earth. I learned all I could in pre-magic school with numbers and letters as well as the spiral itself.
"We're not fighting Olivia, just... disagreeing."
My mother nodded and stood back up before scooping me into her arms. "You know what this means…? It means that you're going to be a very powerful wizard one day...! Isn't that exciting?" She looked to my dad again "I've told you before Wesley, head master Ambrose told me among others many times that occasionally, and even before kids officially become wizards they can exhibit signs of magic beforehand. It's rare, but it does happen to some."
My father had just stood silently, placed a kiss to the top of my head and then touches my mother's shoulder. The look he gave us was what I'd call sad, but mixed with fear. It hadn't taken me long to realize everything to do with magic scared him, Made him afraid of me. Even if in some twisted way he did love me, his fear was far greater.
"I just...I'm not sure I can handle this Azura. This isn't my world... I don't know how to handle having a magical child."
He then turned and I vaguely remembered him getting what looked like a bag as my mom's chin trembled. She was trying in vain not to cry as she let me down. I watched them argue back and forth, finally seeing my father leave I ran to the door, reaching up to grab my mother's shirt tight.
"Mommy…! Mommy make daddy come back, please…? I promise I won't do magic anymore." I pleaded feeling my heart race.
"It wouldn't matter, Olivia." My mother's voice cracked and she scooped me up quickly. I felt her wet tears against my cheek as she hugged me tight. "Promise me… you'll never be ashamed of who you are… okay?" Her hand stroked my hair softly.
I whispered to her that I promised and held on to her tight as I laid my head on her shoulder. We both stood in the doorway a long while, even after the sunset as if waiting for him to come back. He never did.
Chapter 1: All work and no play
I looked up for the second time in the past half hour, eyeing my best friend's new pet with distaste. It didn't help it was the most disliked pet of all.
I huffed, "Fiona, your hummungofrog is looking at me again." I muttered as I attempted to do my homework in the library that afternoon.
The conjurer seemed to find this humorous, and she laughed reaching to pet his head. The potbellied frog make a sound of pleasure, before happily accepting a pet treat from her.
"Relax, it's not like he's going to throw up on you."
I held back a snicker and nudged her ankle "Not even funny! How can you be sure?"
Fiona rolled her ocean blue eyes, "Because that's only the spell cards. Get real Olivia." She laid her hood aside and brushed her blonde wavy hair behind her shoulders.
I reached in my bag and found my pack of chocolate covered goji berries. Oh yes. The best snack in all of the spiral as far as I was concerned. I smiled, popping one into my mouth.
"Hey, we're not going to spend Friday night in this place are we?" I asked impishly.
Fiona raised her eyebrows and she was trying not to smile. "Here…? Well of course not, did you have other plans...? Besides, if I'm late again Cyrus will set his worst minion on me." She muttered distastefully.
I nearly rolled my own eyes. Professor Drake was the most feared teacher in Wizard City. Always grumpy, always looking pissed off. Fiona really looked up and admired him. She'd never admit it of course. She preferred to go along with other students when they complained about him. She was also playing dumb. Recently we'd heard rumors that some underground rogue wizards had made a highly secret underground club. That's right, club. As in party city. Only wizards above grandmaster level were permitted to get inside. It was hidden deep in Celestia and only the most elite knew about it.
"Don't pretend you don't like him Fi. But come on, you know what I'm talking about don't you?"
She suddenly stood and put her things away, nodding for me to follow. I frowned unsure what was going on, but I shoved my own books into my bag and scurried after her. I only paused to tie my pink hair into a loose bun and stuffed my theurgist hat into a pocket on my robes. We exited the building and she tugged my arm until I practically tripped.
"Fi...! What in the Spiral?" I grumbled pulling my arm back. "What are we doing under the steps?" She had pulled me under the library stone steps that shielded us from the rest of the commons.
She grinned, "Just wait will you...? I know someone who can get us in." her eyes darted around as if she was searching for someone.
"You're kidding… who?" I questioned, setting my bag down and stretching the kinks from my muscles.
It was then that someone ducked under to join us, followed by a guy I vaguely knew. No way. My gaze went to Fiona in shock and she just grinned.
"Olivia, you know Natalie, right? And uh... sorry, your name is...?" She inquired looking at the guy.
"Seth SilverRider." The guy laughed, nodding to us. He wore dark orange and blue armor, telling me he has to be a sorcerer.
"I'm Natalie Seastone." the girl blushed and then shrugged. "I'm sure you know that though, we're in the same year."
I started to feel uneasy, even though I couldn't help it and told myself there was no reason to feel that way. Natalie was one of the wealthiest wizards not just in our year, but in the entire school. The Seastone's were big investors in the spiral, especially Celestia. The only good thing was that she didn't act snobby, at least not much. But she for sure ran with the elite group. Seth...well I knew he was a year ahead of us. I wasn't sure about his family status but I did know he was well liked all around. I'll even go as far to say he's decent looking.
"So um... you guys have like, a special connection or something?" I finally spoke up to ask.
Natalie shrugged casually as she pulled out two cards from her bag. "It's no big, I've been there just once, but it's pretty slamming." She tucked some of her chestnut brown hair behind her ears and her freckles seemed to stand out on her nose. The Diviners capacious blue eyes looked mysterious, as if she was trying to hold back how cool it really was.
Fiona nodded her thanks and coolly took the card from her. "So we give these to, uh...?"
Seth leaned and turned her card over in her hand and then mine "You see the code word on the back?"
I smirked and slowly shook my head. "No. Are you playing us or something?"
Seth chortled, "Not hardly. Look, when you get to the door? There's guards there, piscean ones. If you don't have the right code word, they won't hesitate to send you away. It will show up right when you get there, but you got five seconds and it's gone. Then you're pretty much screwed."
"Piscean guards? You can't be serious," I blurted trying not to seem alarmed. They were vicious
Natalie touched my shoulder and chuckled under her breath, "Relax, you'll be fine. Starts at nine tonight ok? I have to get going, I'm supposed to meet professor Halston. My storm lord needs work." She made a pained face and lightly tapped Seth on the back before they both headed off.
"Hey Olivia, do you think if we wear something... erm... low cut, even the Piscean guards will have to go easy on us?' Fiona turned to me, hands on her hips with an impish grin.
I tried to appear annoyed, but even my best friend couldn't keep me down for long and I playfully shoved her shoulder. "That's just sick…! Come on you idiot." I pulled her out from under the steps and we made our way through the commons.
"Hey Fi... are Natalie and Seth like... a couple?" I ventured carefully as we made our way toward the dorms.
She burst out laughing. "Oh ewww, no...! From what I hear they're just close friends, grew up together and all. It would be like dating his sister."
"Huh… that's cool." I replied airily." Anyway come on, let's find something to wear." I urged her along to the girl's dorm.
Fiona smirked as we entered the girl's commons at the base of the girl's tower. Luckily only a handful of girls were around. "Someone thinks he's cute, yeah?" Her Grizzelheim accent peeked through slightly and I almost giggled. When I first met Fiona in our second year, she had had a strong Grizzelheim accent. She could fluently speak it, but she chose rather English instead. Her accent from her home world shine through every once in a while. I always loved to call her on it.
"Nope. Now shut up and let's get dressed."
Thanks to Fiona's wardrobe crises, we nearly didn't get to sneak out past the guards. Bartleby was cool about letting students sneak out on occasion, even though headmaster Ambrose always had to scold him for it. We decided taking our mounts wasn't the best idea so we went through the portal door on foot. Once we reached Celestia, several workers were cleaning up and many scientists were scattered around. They assumed we were on a mission and didn't bother us thankfully.
I adjusted the belt on my skirt nervously as we walked. I had decided to wear it over thin black leggings. My dark brown boots zipped up easily and looked great on me. I had chosen a long sleeve, low cut white blouse. My pink hair, for once, was left down and I had loosely curled certain parts.
"I still say you should have gone with the green, I mean who wears white?" Fiona couldn't help but sigh as we made our way to the portals in the back.
"Oh Titans, You're still pouting about that…? Just because I'm theurgist doesn't mean I need to wear the colors every day." I played with my card, both excited and nervous as we got closer.
Fiona was all about the latest fashion. In a serious way. Tonight she wore jeans, with the myth insignia tailored along the hems, high heels, and a lacey royal blue crop top. Her blonde hair was tied in a neat braid and I'm pretty sure I detected glitter eyeshadow.
"Hey, as your best friend it's my job to make sure you look fabulous. So sue me." She looped her arm through mine as we made our way deeper into the district of the stars.
I chuckled under my breath. "If you say so... okay so they said it's under the… sun trainer right? We just have to scan our cards?"
Fiona nodded and made sure the piscean soldiers went around the corner patrolling, before we scanned our cards. A low humming sound was emitting from it, before it slid to the side revealing a tunnel. We shared a look, before both giving excited grins and hurried inside. We walked at least fifty feet before lights came on and translucent doors opened. We were suddenly hit with muffled sound and sure enough, two piscean guards were there by the door, walky-talkies in their fins.
"Oh boy." I murmured as we made our way closer.
"Hold it wizards!" the left one barked, bearing his teeth. "You got something for us?"
"Show proof your grandmaster level or above" The second growled
I fumbled in my shoulder bag quickly and showed my student card that stated my school and rank and then my fingers finally brushed against the small card and I yanked it out. I squinted as words began to glow faintly against the inky black card.
"Uh... hot tamale?" I said slowly as the words faded just as quickly, hoping I'd read it right.
Fiona was giggling now and waves her card. "Mine says dancing bumblebee. It's true fella's." she held it closer for them to see.
"Ok you're both clear." They grunted, stepping aside.
I grinned at Fi. Showtime.
The wall of noise that met us was deafening. Strobe lights lit up the place in brilliant blues, reds, pinks, and yellows. Music came from all directions and seemed to make the room vibrate. Looking up I saw the dome and how the lights illuminated several fish and sharks swimming by. It was majestic to say the least. In the center was a translucent bar that sold drinks and I'm assuming alcohol, I wasn't sure. Looking up again I saw raised platforms where people were dancing.
"I can't believe this place is really here!" I called to Fiona above the noise.
My best friend was already swaying her hips and was nudging me toward the main center of the room. "I know…! Even more amazing, Ambrose is in the dark about it." She leaned to look at the drink selection and nearly fell over. "Twenty gold for one drink?" She eyed the barmaid in annoyance.
The barmaid smacked her gum and slid bottles of cold drink to a group of three wizards. All of whom looked to be a few years older.
"That's the price chickie. Don't like it, don't buy."
Shaking my head, I shrugged, knowing that it was either that or dehydrate. I was already warm. I dug out twenty gold coins from my bag and handed them over
"One bottle of cherry juice. It had better be cold for this price." I muttered to Fi who nodded in agreement, still scowling at the rude bartender.
"I'll take pineapple." My friend said rather waspishly, trying to match the girl's tone.
"Hey, you did bring your deck, just in case right?" I said as the song died down and the noise level seemed to drop. Here in Celestia with Malistaire on the loose you never knew when we'd need them.
Fiona sipped her drink and her eyes seemed to train on something in the back and it was then I realized she recognized someone she knew. I heard her shout something in her native Grizzelheim as she waved an arm in an excited greeting. I raised my eyebrows, amused somewhat. I had wanted to take a foreign language, but I already struggled with my current classes.
Finally she turned back to me with a giggle. "Hey, I'm sorry about that. You see that guy over there? That's Caleb." She nodded toward a wizard in the back, clad in light grey and black armor.
"Isn't he... a friend of your parents?" I leaned against one of the couches to the side as I sipped the deliciously sweet cherry juice.
"More like an apprentice, he goes to Dragonspyre Academy. I want to go talk to him, ok? And yeah, I got my deck, but would you stop worrying? We're here to have fun." She gave me a look and then assuring me she'd be back, she worked her way through the crowd towards him.
I scoffed. I wasn't worrying… well ok maybe a little. I couldn't help it. Only a month ago had the death professor known as Malistaire decided to sink the entire death school and cause trouble for all of Wizard City. Rules were tighter than ever and security was on high alert. I didn't take it lightly, even though Fiona and a few other wizards did. It was a miracle we were able to sneak out of Wizard City tonight
"Better to be prepared you know!" I called after her.
I made my way around the place checking things out and I even danced for a few minutes with an annoying guy who didn't seem to leave me alone. He was quiet so I just smiled politely and gave him a dance but then it was too awkward and I excused myself. After getting another drink I looked for Fiona, but didn't see her. Dam her. With a sigh I decided to head outside and get fresh air. Lined alongside the side for the entrance was a handful of other wizards. One of them was Natalie, the diviner who'd help us get passes. To my astonishment she was having a cigarette with two other girls whom I didn't recognize.
"Hey, you're Olivia right?" Her voice called to me before I could slip away unnoticed.
I turned around and made my way to her, forcing a smile. "That's me. Thanks again for getting us into this place." I tilted my head toward the entrance.
Natalie tossed the cigarette down and stomped it with her boot. Her luminous blue eyes studied me and then she shrugged with a grin.
"It wasn't a big deal. You having fun?"
"Yeah this place is awesome." I said before suddenly laughing. "Or it would be if Fiona hadn't ditched me."
"The blonde?" She inquired, as she dug a small bottle of perfume from her bag and sprayed some on.
"That's her. Is the perfume to cover the smoke smell…?" I couldn't help but ask my nosey nature getting the best of me. "You don't strike me as the smoking type, no offense."
The diviner laughed quietly and then pursed her lips before sighing. "I'm not a chain smoker or anything. It's been a lousy week and sometimes I have one to calm my nerves."
"Ah… I guess I can understand that." I admitted as I leaned back against the wall. The others had gone back inside and it was just her and I now.
"I'll see you around okay?" She nodded to me with a friendly smile and she began making her way away from the playhouse. I nodded a goodbye to her and it wasn't until I turned to go in that I heard a juicy curse word followed by a scream.
"What in the spiral...?" I muttered and dashed around the corner as quick as I could. It had sounded like Natalie, but I couldn't be sure. I caught my breath as I finally caught sight of what I was afraid of. Natalie was engaged in battle with a Piscean Soldier. How was that happening? They were here to guard the inner stellarium, not attack students! Already the bulking shark was swinging its spiked blade and had already sliced her shoulder.
I watched, hesitant at first unsure if she needed help. Storm attacks were strong and I was pretty sure she could handle him. I watched her pull her trident out and start a duel circle as she hurried into the first spot. I suddenly threw caution to the wind and bolted over, pulling out my own wand and spell deck. Neither of us had any boost robes or armor since we had intended to party.
"Hey! Are you okay…? What happened?" I asked immediately as I took the second spot in the duel circle
Natalie looked over at me. "I'm fine. This jackass here decided to pick a fight, I'm not sure why... I think they're beguiled. Thanks for the help." She nodded, looking genuinely grateful. She cast a storm blade on herself and then when my circle lit up, I looked at my cards only having a few life traps, pixie, and two leprechauns. I nearly growled in annoyance from not having a higher card. I quickly drew the life insignia and casted my trap. These guys used balance magic, making them pretty strong to be low class guards.
"Yeah, too bad we're not exactly dressed for a fight huh?" I had to smile and motioned to our clothes.
"You're not joking." She replied grimly, eyeing the sharks carefully as they prepared for their next spell.
Suddenly the spot on my other side opened up, lighting to life with magic and we both turned to see Seth storming into the duel looking more annoyed than Natalie did.
"Seth?" Natalie gawked at him. "I thought you weren't coming tonight?"
"I'm not, I was on a mission here and heard yelling." He said simply and then almost smiled. "You just can't go out without getting into trouble can you?" He peered at Natalie as he quickly casted a convert on the sharks. "Either one of you know why in the hell the piscean guards are attacking students?"
"Not my fault... dammit!" Natalie had to curse when power nova was played on her, the ball of light exploding over her barrier and cracking a little over half at once. She stumbled back and had to catch her breath.
"We're wondering the same thing. Alright let's focus here guys!" I called anxiously as the second piscean soldier casted judgement next. The blinded seraph hybrid twitched her nose angrily before tapping the triangle, I could feel her disapproval strongly as she decided my punishment, fueled extra by the soldier's balance blade. This was not going to be good. The purple light sizzled around my barrier and I grunted as it's power pushed me back too. My barrier was way over half down now and I had to shake off the dizziness.
Seth then casted a chimera on them when he had enough mana stored and because of the converts, it was able to get their barriers over half down in one shot and he grinned. "Not too bad, these guys aren't as tough as they look."
Natalie passed and then when my turn came, I didn't waste any time in casting forest lord on them both, my life blade activated, empowering the creature as he smashed down on them, destroying the last of their health as they fell to the floor in defeat.
I immediately scampered out of the way and then once we were safely back by the club I got my deck and drew a fairy card. Drawing the life symbol it shimmered with power as I directed the fairy to heal Seth and Natalie first. With a pop my fairy went back into my card and I put the deck away and I couldn't help but smile. "Now, who said theurgists are only for healing?" I chuckled.
Natalie stretched her now healed arm and offered me a high five. "I gotta admit, that was pretty cool. Though I could have handled them you know."
Seth gave me a nod of thanks and then turned to his friend. "Nat, what was up with you passing? I know you and you're never one to pass on attacking."
Natalie shrugged and then her gaze went to some people who were now coming out of the club to see what was going on and even the piscean guards who were at the entrance were in a rage and directing everyone to the side and to stay put.
"No biggie Seth, I just didn't have good cards to play, that's all." With that, she turned and made her way toward the guards, telling them about the attack.
"Pretty weird..." I muttered as I crossed my arms, watching her go. "I mean I don't know her like you do or anything, but she was royally ticked and itching to unleash on them. Do you think she really had a bad hand?"
Seth blinked slowly, twirling his wand in his hands before slowly putting it away. His jaw muscles were tense and he kept flexing them. After a moment he looked at me and then back toward the piscean soldiers, as if he was expecting them to attack again.
He shook his head and let out a tense sigh. "It's possible I guess. Something is off with her though, just not sure what. Do you know what happened?"
I pulled him to the side, away from everyone gawking and staring and quickly told him about coming out, seeing Natalie smoking and how the next thing I knew she was being attacked. It didn't seem to reassure him but he did thank me for telling him. After that he took off with a friend of his and it was then I realized what ever mood I had to party was over. I sent a whisper to Fiona and immediately headed back to wizard city.