A/N: So, all of this started because I saw a picture. One blasted picture from a friend who explained to me their obsession with a rather interesting game. Now, I'm not a gamer. Never have been. But as she explained this plot to me, I could see why she liked it so much. And so, the imagination took over and here you have this new story. Hopefully it'll turn into something worthwhile.
Prologue:
She scrambled, fingers digging into the soft, black mud of the shoreline as she peered around carefully, willing the hammering in her heart to abate as she swallowed back the bile in her throat.
She was surrounded. A deep, rosy hue overshadowed the night sky, muting the brilliant, twinkling stars and casting long shadows over the trees and vegetation sprawled around the deep lake.
The laughter taunted her, echoing in her ears before reverberating off the shield that encased her, caged her in like frightened animal.
"You thought you'd trick me, eh? Trap me here with you until help could arrive, hm? Well! I won't be so easily tamed and you've made a costly mistake in taking me on."
There was another blast of searing heat that sent her sprawling back into the mud in an attempt to dodge the blow. She felt the stinging burn of power overhead and heard the ear-splitting explosion that sent shockwaves through the water.
She struggled to raise her head, ears ringing and vision blurring.
But she wouldn't let the shield down, forcing all of her energy and attention into keeping the wall strong, keeping them contained in this small area as long as possible.
Hesitantly, she cast a fleeting glance towards the unmoving shadow looming on the other side of the rose-colored shield. Even with the muted coloring, with the shadows closing in around her, ever detail of the man's figure was seared into her brain from the moment he'd fallen trying to protect her, until now.
The golden hair haphazardly gracing his forehead, the deep purple bruising on the man's brow and the long, thin fingers splayed unceremoniously, and unmoving in the mud, which cast unhappy splatters across his school uniform sent jolts of anguish through her. Inches away, his wand jutted out in the thick mud, surrounded by low shoots of budding grass.
Her heart wrenched painfully, almost overwhelmingly so, before she recoiled from despair and focused on the fire of contempt that surged in her belly. She hesitantly took to her knees and then her feet, glaring toward the man who stood smugly before her, eyes alight with malicious glee.
"Life shrinks or expands in relation to one's courage"-Anais Nin
Chapter 1:
Ellie jerked awake with a start, the loud, shrieking whistle of the train making her nearly tumble from her seat. Thankfully, she was alone, so no prying eyes would follow her movements nor curious commentary infiltrate her solitude.
More than anything she hated social situations. They never ended well for her. Especially when people knew about her strange…talents.
With a groan, she straightened and uncurled her legs, wincing as they gave an uncomfortable jerk. Ellie's head was pounding and the young woman rubbed her tired eyes as she tried to dispel the sense of dread that filled her. The images of the dream played over and over in her head and she couldn't shake the sense that something was coming.
Something was changing.
Well, the girl shook her head and slowly rose to her feet, careful not to trample her valise in the process, at least it was something more than her current excursion that is.
After all, going to Gedonelune Academy certainly wasn't something she did every day. The girl shook her head again, trying to quell the growing tension in her shoulders and the shudder of foreboding that filled her.
It was more than the school, more than this new endeavor.
The rich violet-blue eyes she'd seen in her dreams filled her senses as she stepped from the train, luggage in hand, admiring the soft hues of gold and peach and cream and rose as the sun set deep into the ridges of the low lying hills nearby.
'Something's coming' she surmised, scanning the crowds for any sign or semblance of someone from the academy as she tucked a rather unruly wisp of hair behind her ear.
He cursed lowly at the sky as he lengthened his strides.
Of all the days to be late…
Agitatedly, he clenched and unclenched his fists and glowered at anyone who dared to make eye contact with him. After all, it was because he had to deal with the sheer ineptitude of his students that he'd taken so long to conclude class.
They'd failed miserably at conjuring and maintaining their water bubbles. Several girls had ended up drenched by the immature antics of the young men in the class.
And then, they'd had so many questions about he proper technique and wand placement…
He scoffed again as he recalled their over eager eyes and furrowed brows when he'd declared that it wasn't about want placement but about talent and concentration and that they'd never get anywhere because they seemed to lack both.
"It's true though," he muttered darkly as the last dregs of the sun's light slipped from view, replaced by the rich, blues of evening. He narrowed his eyes as the first stars of the evening slowly shimmered into view. "Their stupidity cost me my schedule."
And consequently, set him late in arriving at the train station.
Long after most of the people had gone, luggage in hand, smiles on faces, and families surrounding them, Ellie was left standing on the platform, more than a little confused by the turn of events.
No one had been waiting for her.
No one was coming.
The girl eventually found a bench and set her own bags next to her, careful to leave enough room should anyone else want to sit.
But in the growing dark, she doubted that'd happen.
Stretching her arms above her head, Ellie let her mind drift, back to the dream and the terror it induced in her senses.
The wind gently swayed the branches of the trees, the ruffle of the leaves and the soft, dulcet notes of the crickets' tune did nothing to assuage the mounting tension she felt.
"Come on Ellie," She murmured, fiddling with the loose tendrils of hair that splayed down her shoulder, "Think of something else."
It was a difficult feat however. The last time this had happened, and she'd had this memorable a dream…
She cleared throat and willed the thoughts to cease immediately, pursing her lips together in disgust.
No. This would not do.
Something else. She needed to think of something else.
Her eyes caught sight of the stars, each growing in brightness as the night wore on, the darkening skies creating a more contrasting canvas for this display.
No one was coming.
If he'd been angry before, he was infuriated now.
Coursing down along the banks of the river, astride his broom, he watched as the train station grew ever closer, cast in shadows by the overhanging trees and the lowlights of the lanterns that surrounded the walkways.
He'd taken the shortcut through the lakeside trail.
He frowned, slowing his descent and straining to decipher the scene ahead. The office looked closed for the evening though people were still milling about.
Mostly couples, he deduced flippantly, scanning the adoring faces and secret smiles that only lovers displayed for one another.
He wanted to gag.
Hugs were exchanged and laughter tinkled in the night sky as each pair or family slowly made their way from the quiet, dim train station and towards the bustling city center with light glowly brightly and chatter erupting through the streets in a soft cacophony of merriment and comfort.
But, to his consternation, there seemed no sign nor semblance of the young woman slated to arrive this evening, bound for school.
He knew she was to arrive alone by train and though he'd been marginally late (which still rankled his senses) the woman either hadn't arrived or…
He cursed lowly and tightened his grip on his broom as he soared upward, relishing in the moment when he'd unleash the sound tongue lashing on the woman for her severe lack of judgment or decorum.
He admitted in hindsight that had he been on time…
And had he taken the main road from the academy…
"Bah" He snarled darkly as he angled the tip of his broom east and headed back towards the main road frantic eyes scanning the darkened roadway and tree line for any sign of movement, and sense of someone else moving through the shadows.
The beginnings of a headache lanced his skull. He ran a hand over his tired eyes and squared his shoulders, ruminating on the realization that he hadn't flown his broom this long in quite a long time and his muscles would feel it in the morning.
Before he could vocalize another curse to the unruly and absent would-be student, his eyes honed in on something moving through the shadows.
He narrowed his gaze and strained to see what it was.
It was much too big for a stude—
"Damnit."
The curse left his lips as he reached for his wand and angled his broom downwards.
She'd waited well over an hour for someone, anyone to come and escort her to the school (as the note had indicated).
Eventually though, Ellie's willful nature got the better of her and her own frustration at being forgotten propelled the girl to hoist her bags into her arms and start down the long roadway towards the school she knew stood on the outskirts of town.
She could do this.
Marching slowly down the darkened roadway, Ellie felt a sense of giddy excitement welling inside her chest, bubbling and curling around her senses, sending cascades of deep warmth through her tense muscles.
She couldn't deny she was excited.
But…
Her fingers twitched lightly and Ellie sighed agitatedly, and somewhat resignedly.
She couldn't assuage the trepidation she felt at this new venture. She'd never done anything like this before, nothing where she'd left everything she knew behind to pursue a dream that seemed so intangible and distant.
And then those dreams…
"Bah!" She snorted derisively. "This isn't going to get you anywhere, muttering and pouting about it."
She stopped for a minute and then shook her head.
"Neither is talking to yourself, you crazy girl. Get a move on."
And so, she moved forward again, towards the school, catching the low lights from the windows in the towers, as they twinkled like the stars in the sky.
Below that, the trees stood in contrast to the illuminated skyline, making Ellie smile at the familiarity she felt with the image. It reminded her of Reitz in the cool evenings, when most of the shops had closed and the townsfolk retreated to the warmth and cheer of their homes.
Except Ellie.
She preferred meandering through the darkened streets towards the low hilltop where she could view the stars unobstructed by trees or houses.
In fact, Ellie preferred the solitude of the outdoors.
It was an excellent distraction.
"I'll have to find another place like that here," she mused quietly, as she rubbed a hand carefully over the aching she felt in her chest.
But first, to get to the school…
Ellie shook her head again, dispelling the annoyance she felt and tightened her grip on the strap of her valise, noting that her bags were getting heavier.
Wait…
Ellie stopped again, brows furrowing as she let the bag she'd just straightened, slip from her fingers and clatter to the ground, kicking up a low cloud of dust at her feet.
'This is too…hmm'
"This is too familiar." She murmured softly scanning the tree line, wracking her brain for any semblance of a reason why this would feel familiar.
A low rumble shook the ground and the girl stiffened in realization.
Oh.
Oh.
That's why it was familiar…
The girl dropped the rest of her bags and carefully wrapped her fingers around the base of her wand, tucked away in her coat, steeling herself for whatever was coming at her.
All she'd known about this moment were the sounds of cracking branches and the looming shadow that grew ever larger…
Dreams could be notoriously vague like that…
But she could recall the terror that coursed through her veins when she'd dreamed this particular moment…
The ground reverberated again, nearly causing Ellie to lose her balance. The girl hunched her shoulders and ducked her head down, letting her eyes slip closed as she listened, straining to hear the familiar—
A large branch cracked and a rush of wind whipped past her ears and the girl caught the unmistakable stench of damp fur…
The anxiety she felt coiled around her muscles and she stiffened, pulling the wand slowly from her pocket…
The heavy, warm breathing coursed down her neck, the foul stench of rotting flesh filled her nostrils. The girl wrinkled her nose and concentrated.
My aren't you a strange creature…
Ellie whipped around in time to catch the piercing, crimson gaze of the towering beast before her. With her wand pointed towards the creature, she squared her shoulders and glared up at the beast. 'Just a minute more…it needs to step closer'
Ah, so you can understand me. Don't bother denying it, though. Your eyes betray you. Hmm…Very interesting indeed. Pity it's not interesting enough to save you.
At the same time that the beast erupted from the shadows, Ellie got a good look at the creature. Her stomach dropped to her toes as she spied a silver mane and golden bracelets that adorned each paw. Across the creature's stomach and down the hind leg, a series of strange marking—inky black and swirling—cascaded through the tough fur, standing in stark contrast to the silver.
The beast's muzzle was an enormous gaping cavern of teeth and bristling whiskers topped with two large, pointed ears and sparkling ruby orbs.
The girl stumbled backwards in alarm as a long tendril of green scales and a pointed face slithered from around the massive, furred shoulders. Two black, beaded eyes narrowed towards Ellie and a long, pointed tongue flicked languidly back and forth.
On the other side, a large ram's head also peered down at the girl, grisly beard and long, curved horns curling around and mixing into the silvered fir of the lion-like mane.
It's eyes, too, were trained on the girl.
The sight was disarming but Ellie wasn't too dense to realize that charging towards her was a chimera and she raised her wand at the ready as the beast charged forward again.
Pretty, tasty treat. Foolish girl.
Claws extended, a snarl erupted from the lion-like mouth and gaping jaw of the center head angled down towards her, poised to strike.
"Merum Tera!"
"Globus Flau!"
The commands erupted at the same time. Ellie's command propelled a wave of energy that uprooted the earth, sending both the chimera and herself off kilter as fireballs rained down on the pair.
Ellie stumbled and slammed into a large patch of jutting roots and rocky fragments of the earth she'd uprooted with her spell and she covered her head as fire rained around her, cracking and hissing as it collided with the branches and brambles of the roadside.
Ellie was momentarily disarmed by the fact that someone else was nearby and casting spells in her defense. However, the Chimera, though momentarily stunned, was quick to right itself and charge again.
You have friends I see. Pity for you that they'll die on a fool's errand.
The beast launched towards her again, but Ellie was quick to the draw.
"Globus flau!"
This time both she and the mystery voice shouted the same command, her wand angled directly at the chimera, while the other series of fire orbs descended from above.
Through the darkness, these orbs illuminated a fiery, amethyst gaze and tousled blonde hair. A snarl escaped the man's mouth as he angled his broom lower and propelled his wand outward.
"Merum Tera!"
It was his turn to command the earth to move but Ellie didn't have a chance to dodge the onslaught before she too was caught in it.
The soil shifted, the rock erupted and Ellie stumbled to the side, fall awkwardly on her wrist.
"Move you fool!"
The man snarled towards her as he turned back to the chimera.
"Into the trees!"
Ah, the goodly knight. Defending the helpless princess. What a lark.
Ellie scowled at the Chimera's comment and righted herself.
She wasn't going to run.
Not now.
"Flau!"
The barrage of fire erupted from the man's wand as he hovered in front of the girl, his dark cloak billowing in the dim light of the fire that still burned lowly in the trees.
A spray crackling heat and steam immersed the trio as the flames devoured the last dregs of an earlier rainstorm and Ellie took a hesitant step backwards, wand tightly ensconced in her fingers.
There was a deep low roar and the beast leapt through the wall of flames, claws outstretched angled towards the man who towered in front of Ellie.
The girl's eyes widened.
Oh no!
"Ventos!"
The command erupted from her mouth before she had time to register what was happening.
A large gust of wind spiraled from her wand and shot out towards the chimera, knocking the beast to the side.
However, as quickly as it had appeared, the whirlwind dissipated and in its place there was a distinct drain in her energy. Ellie's knees buckled lightly. She stumbled into man's back, her hand coming out to steady herself.
The man grunted and snaked a hand around her wrist.
"Hold on."
His face was angled towards the chimera, wand at the ready.
"Lumen!"
A long chain of light whipped out, towards the chimera, binding the beast in thin tendrils of light.
There was a long, furious howl as the beast tried to move, clawing at the chains and bound it to the ground.
"Now!" The man cast a brief glance towards Ellie who stiffened in surprise and horror at the man before her. "Move! Aperio Portal!"
The whirling opening appeared in front of the man and he hastily stepped through, yanking Ellie forcefully as he did so.
The echoing snarls of the chimera reverberated in the girl's ears.
You're only delaying the inevitable girl. I know your scent. I WILL find you.
There was a triumphant swirl of color and image blending together, melding into one indistinguishable mish mash. Sounds, too, muffled and melded into a cacophony of gibberish.
Ellie's stomach dropped and bile rose to her throat as she squeezed her eyes shut.
She landed with a huff, onto something damp and cool, her buried in the scent of grass and dirt.
With a groan she let her eyes flutter open, rolling to her side as she did. Her groan of displeasure died in her throat as she came face to face with the man who, also slowly turned on his side, before rising to his knees.
He shot the girl a furious glare, his fists clench as he rose to his full height, straightening his jacket.
Once more, Ellie's stomach dropped and the familiar pang of déjà vu enveloped the girl.
Panic welled up in her chest as she peered at the man, only registering he was speaking to her when he grabbed her shoulders and gave her a light shake.
His eyes shifted from fury to worry.
"Are you alright?"
The question was harsh, but the eyes betrayed the streak of concern the man seemed to feel towards the girl.
Ellie's mouth opened and clamped shut immediately after and the girl shook her head lightly, trying to step away from the man.
However, the man seemed hesitant to let her go and tightened his grip on her should, peering closely into the girl's eyes.
"You have a concussion," He muttered lowly, his own deep purple eyes narrowing in assessment. "No doubt from your moronic display of bravado."
And there was the snarling, clipped tone again as the man finally released the girl, frowning as though he'd been burned.
"You're a right fool for thinking you could take on a chimera." He admonished darkly, straightening to his full height, "You're even more a fool for not staying at the train station. Did it ever occur to you that your stupidity could get you killed?"
Ellie still said nothing, only watched the man carefully, images flashing through her mind.
His face.
Those eyes.
There'd been fire.
And lightning.
He'd been…
"Hey!"
The man was shouting now and Ellie blinked in surprise at his infuriated snarl towards her.
"Are you so thick in the skull that you can't comprehend what's happening around you? Answer my question—"
Answer my question…why would you sacrifice everything for him? What is he to you?
The words reverberated through her and Ellie took a step back, brows furrowed in concern.
This…it was her fault.
The dream…
She took another step back as the man stopped berating her and stared in confusion, eyes assessing once more.
"What's wrong?"
He edged closer to Ellie, hand outstretched, fingers, grazing the emblem on her now tattered school cloak.
The girl let her eyes slip closed in resignation as the two of them were engulfed in brilliant, blinding light, her emblem—and his—shining against the inky blackness of the evening.
The man let out a low groan of annoyance and the girl released a sigh.
We're buddies. We're tethered together Where you go…
The girl shook her head and willed the sickness that threatened to rush forth back down as the dream assaulted her once more.
This was her fault.
And he was going to…
"To the headmaster, now!" The man shook Ellie's shoulders to get her attention. His deep purple eyes searched her face, seeking some semblance of a reaction from her.
His confusion mounted as he watched the girl's chestnut tendrils sway back and forth, but her light, burgundy eyes stayed vacant, faraway as her mind seemed to be processing something other than the situation at hand.
To his consternation she stayed silent, unmoving, unflinching as her emblem blazed brightly against her shoulder, reflecting the one he also bore.
They were now buddied, connected…and how the thought rankled him as his on confusion and concern mounted concerning the girl who had yet to acknowledge his presence.
Until she swiftly pulled away from his grasp and blinked a few times to clear her vision.
He watched in surprise as the girl straightened, noting the way she winced at the movement, before peering up at the man, a frown tugging on her lips.
"I didn't ask you to rescue me" her nose wrinkled And I certainly didn't go seeking trouble so could you please lay off the beratement?"
The man's eye twitched and a twisted grin erupted on his face.
The girl's eyes widened marginally before narrowing again.
'Good' he thought, realizing he'd startled her.
'Very good.'
"Are you challenging me, girl? Do you really think you'd win against me in a battle of words, wit or wands?"
He smirked.
"I assure you that you'd fail most spectacularly. You're barely adept at defending yourself let alone recognizing your own ineptitude and severe lapse in judgment. You could have spared us both the hassle had you remained at the train station."
"You could have spared us both the hassle had you been on time!"
Her rebuke was swift and fiery and the man admired her quick wit even as he glowered and seethed at her impertinence.
So, she wasn't as stupid as he originally surmised…
He noted the thin cut along her freckled cheek and the scrape on her forehead and upper arm.
"Blaming others for your stupidity won't get you anywhere in this school. I suggest you learn a shred of decorum before the end of your provisional period or you'll never pass the trial."
"Hypocrite."
The word was broken, softer than the other commentary she'd spewed at him and the man watched her faraway look return as she unclenched her fists, her brows furrowing in worry as she peered at the ground before she cleared her throat and gazed at him again. Her bravado seemed to deflate as she faced him.
"I'll make a point to stay out of your way. That way you can avoid my rather spectacular brand of ineptitude as you'd call it."
With halting steps, she angled away from the man and made her way towards the fountain, and the main entrance of the school, following the long stream of torchlight that cascaded along the large roadway.
He only watched her stumble for a moment, her steps halting and unsteady, before he strode after her, muttering a curse under his breath.
He caught her before her knees buckled again as she muttered several low curses under her breath.
"Hey easy, just wait a minute and rest." He admonished darkly, easing the girl to the ground, "I said you had a concussion."
"And I told you to leave me alone and I'd do the same" She snapped back, staring at the ground.
Her anger was half-hearted, however, and he could see the way she was warring with herself about something.
And, as loathe as he was to admit it, it piqued his interest.
"Sanatio Aqua"
The comment was soft, as he tapped his wand on the girl's shoulder.
Gentle waves of water and mist washed over the girl who let her eyes slip closed briefly as the scrapes eased, lightened and disappeared one by one.
The concussion on the other hand was a different matter and one his magic couldn't quell.
"Look at me" He commanded softly but firmly, towards the girl who met his gaze begrudgingly, her eyes sparking with panic and resignation even as her pupils struggled to right themselves.
Her reactions were too…forced and strained. The attack couldn't have turned someone into such a defiant, yet shrinking violet of a girl. Could it?
"You still need to get your head looked at," he muttered, "I'm afraid my skills can't heal a head injury like this."
"I'm fine" She remarked tiredly, and the man could see her gaze droop lowly, as she averted her gaze back to the ground.
"I'm beginning to think this was a mistake," she remarked more to herself than him. "Maybe it'd be best to head back to the train station."
He watched her fiddle with the hem of her jacket as she shifted away from him and tried to rise of her own accord.
Her footing was more steady this time, only marginally so. The concussion seemed to affect her motor skills.
With a longsuffering sigh, he stepped towards her once more, noting that her hair had come undone, one of her pink ribbons having loosened from its hold and disappeared during the attack.
He linked an arm under her elbow and guided the protesting girl towards the academy entrance.
"I don't need your help." She remarked quietly "I told you I was fine."
He snorted.
"Yes indeed, fine as can be. And just as stupid and naïve as when I first spoke to you. Listen, running off from the train station and getting yourself embroiled in a scuffle with a chimera isn't what I'd call sound judgment."
"Neither is refusing to admit your wrongdoing in the situation, which is frankly, just as stupid. You were late, I walked to the school. Neither of us could have predicted that…that creature would arrive."
She let out a shudder before halting her movements.
"You're awfully self-assured to think you're beyond reproach."
"He is indeed Miss Way, though I don't think I've met another student willful enough to declare such an assessment."
Ellie turned, surprised, towards the other voice, nearly squeaking in shock at the close proximity of the men before her.
His thin beard and long hair (neatly tied back from his face) alighted Ellie to the soft green hue of the man's eyes, which danced in amusement, though narrowed when he took stock of her expression.
"It would seem, Klaus, that you've met your match, in more ways than one," The man quirked a brow towards the blonde man who held onto Ellie's elbow.
She felt this Klaus stiffen light and snort derisively.
"I'd hardly make that assessment."
"Of course you wouldn't" the man laughed, "But her wit just might make it for you. However,"
The man paused thoughtfully
"It appears your emblems make the same assessment too, interesting. Now, tell me why you're late and where these injuries came from."
The girl opened her mouth—
"A chimera seems to be prowling the forest. He happened upon us as we were heading back to the school. Managed a few good blows and Miss…Way…seemed to have hit her head. She has a concussion."
"And you Klaus?" The man's voice took on a serious tone as he peered into Ellie's eyes, "Are you alright?"
"Perfectly."
The man's voice was clipped as he disengaged form Ellie's presence and stepped back, "If you don't need me for anything else I'll take my leave—"
"Actually, I do," The man remarked, his cheerful tone going lower as he latched onto Ellie's arm and guided her towards the school entrance, "If you'll follow me to my office, we'll get this sorted. Come on Miss Way."
The headmaster, as she learned when he led her into his office, helped Ellie into a chair, with Klaus taking the lounger in the corner.
The younger man folded his arms and crossed his leg, deep frown tugging on his lips at he glared pointedly at the headmaster, who seemed completely unruffled by the behavior.
He smiled towards Ellie.
"How's your head?" He queried softly, "A chimera attack can certainly do a lot of damage. A concussion is nothing to write off."
"I'll be fine," She murmured in reply, averting her gaze to her lap.
The man chuckled lightly. "You know, you're so much like your mother."
At that, Ellie jerked up in surprise, catching the man's cheerful gaze as she frowned at him. Her chest ached at mention of her mother.
"Yes, I was good friends with your mother and she was just as stubborn as you. Always writing off her friends' concern, refusing to worry anyone. You look just like her you know and it seems you're just as stubborn as she."
Oh.
"So that's why I got the invitation…" she trailed off, refusing to look at Klaus and feeling completely awkward that he was in the same room.
"Indeed not!" the man admonished lightly, "You're here because of your talent. It's just a happy coincidence that I knew your mother."
Klaus cleared his throat.
"Frankly, I don't understand what this has to do with me."
"Ah yes Klaus!" The man turned to the other occupant in the room, "Apart from your obvious…connection," He fixed a pointed gaze towards the glowing emblems on both students "I need your assistance. It would seem that Miss Way's going to be in of some additional…training given the recent circumstances with the chimera. You know their vengeful nature. She's in danger because of this mess. Until we can catch that chimera, we'll need to keep a constant round of defense training to help Miss Way defend herself should she be caught alone."
"You mean the barrier won't keep the beast out?"
"It's never a guarantee Klaus, you know that. And with recent…activity around campus, we can't take chances. There may be a connection."
"I'll be fine really," Ellie noted, rising, "I don't think this school is the match for me. I suspect I'll be leaving for home in the morning."
"I'm afraid not," the headmaster admonished lightly, dismissing her refusal, "You can't leave campus until we sort through this mess. As I said, chimera are notoriously vicious creatures. Once they set their sights on something, it'll consume them until they succeed. You're in quite a bit of danger on that score."
The headmaster straightened, "Now, I'll send someone to collect your discarded belongings and run any errands to retrieve the essentials. You, though, he pointed a finger towards the girl, should go get some rest. I'd advise taking the day off tomorrow due to the head injury. I'll be checking in."
He turned to Klaus,
"I'm leaving you to keep an eye on your new buddy. Make sure she gets to her dorm in one piece, would you? And, if you'd mind meeting me at the patrol point, I have a few more items to discuss on the investigation."
The walk to the dorm was silent and Klaus—the prefect, she learned—left her unceremoniously on the front steps, a curt nod goodnight before swiftly retreating into the darkness.
Ellie managed to make it into her dorm room with the help of the house mother (who, while initially upset, took stock of her gaze and immediately ushered the girl to bed. )
She caught a glimpse of her sleeping roommate before she shimmied out of her uniform—tattered and dirty as it was—spied a loose pair of shorts and tank top folded on her bed, and hastily changed, grateful for the cool, light fabric against her aching flesh.
Hastily she crawled into the large bed and eased her head on the pillow, savoring in the coolness of the fabric against her cheek.
Her head pounded furiously as she blinked towards the window, watching the stars twinkling lightly in the sky as the a soft breeze fluttered the gossamer curtains that framed the white paned window.
Despite the stillness, she couldn't ease the straining ache in her shoulders or the tension and anxiety that pierced her thoughts.
Nor could she diminish the growing worry she felt for the future. Too many things had happened today and if they followed the line of her dreams…
Well…
She couldn't and wouldn't do that to anyone else. She couldn't allow that to happen.
She had to stop this, had to change it somehow.
But, the problem was, she didn't know what she was changing. Everything was in a disjointed series of images and muffled conversation. Nothing made sense.
But the feeling of dread, of foreboding, and of deep sadness, filled her senses. It permeated her dreams and seeing that man, Klaus, propelled those sensations forward at such an alarming rate that it set Ellie on edge.
She had to solve this problem, to stop anyone from getting hurt.
But she didn't know how.
"You wanted to see me?"
Klaus sauntered towards Headmaster Randolph, fists still tightly clenched from the man's command that he keep an eye on the new student, Miss Way.
It wasn't his place.
He didn't need to do this…
"She's in danger. You have to look after her."
To his surprise, Klaus noted the severity of Randolph's expression leveled at him. At this, Klaus straightened and furrowed his brow.
"Why? I'm aware of the chimera, but—"
"It's more than that," Randolph retorted. "Much more. You have to look after her. It's imperative."
"That's an awfully vague reaction to my question."
Randolph nodded in agreement, "Indeed it is, but I can't go into further detail about it."
"Is that why she was 'invited' to study here?" He queried suspiciously, "To protect her? Is she embroiled in some sort of scheme or conflict with the ministry?"
Randolph shook his head, "Of course not. She was invited because of her merit. Even you could see her raw talent. I've been made aware of her knowledge of spells. She's not involved with the ministry, but there's evidence that her family…" he shook his head, "There's a plot and Miss Way is in danger. You as her buddy should care about this—"
"I don't want to be her buddy"
"More importantly, you as a knight in the guard should care about Miss Way's welfare."
Klaus sighed resignedly and nodded.
"That's a low blow" he retorted.
"Indeed" Randolph agreed, clapping Klaus on the shoulder, "Nevertheless it's an effective one."
Randolph leveled a firm gaze at Klaus.
"You have to protect her."
The young man nodded silently, his curiosity warring with his abhorrence for the reality that this endeavor would, most likely, agitate his sensibilities.