2- Stranger Danger
Rachel teleported to the Commons in front of the headmaster's house. She went inside and headed for the office.
Headmaster Ambrose and Amber stood at his desk, gazing into her crystal ball. The fortunetelling wizard waved her hands over the crystal ball repeatedly, the image remained cloudy. Her face twisted into an expression of frustration. Ambrose was studying her with a certain level of concern.
Amber's sigh stated her exasperation. "You see that? Nothing. It didn't clear up, not even a little bit." after staring at the crystal ball, she looked up at him as if he had the answers to everything. "I'm hoping you know a solution to this?"
Ambrose still stared at her. Something must be wrong, Rachel thought. He's looking at her like he's looking at something unusual. After what happened earlier, she changed, into someone angry and very irritable. And she was too frustrated to notice this herself.
Finally he says, "I do have my own crystal ball we can look into, you know. Perhaps we'll have a better chance with that one."
She stares at him, as if she didn't understand his words. When she had finally spoke, her tone was low. "Fine." She followed him to his crystal ball at the other side of the room.
"Now let's see about this…Possessed Lord?" Amber nodded. "You're welcome to join us, Miss Thorn." the sudden sentence caught the Necromancer off guard.
She joined them, the headmaster and the Ice wizard kept their gazes fixed on the crystal ball. The crystal ball was heavily clouded, like Amber's. Clenching her fists, the Thaumaturge looked as if she wanted to scream. But soon enough, the foggy substance began to clear up, just only a tidbit. It showed some figure in a black cloak, barely could they even see that.
By now, Amber was slowly unclenching her fists. "That's him." she says. She was starting to become her usual calm self. Although the mist wouldn't clear up any more than it already had. It stayed like that for a certain amount of time, before the mist covered the view completely. But the Ice wizard was satisfied enough, simply because she got a small glimpse of him.
"The Possessed Lord is a difficult being to look at. But we did manage to get a small taste of what he looks like." Ambrose shivered. "Is it me, or is it getting a little chilly in here?"
Rachel looked at Amber, her eyes had closed, but she found this light blue mist surrounding her. It was making the air chilly. Her curiousness forced her to ask. "Amber…how are you doing that?" When Amber opened her eyes, the pupils were a crystal blue instead of its original color, brown. And her skin… It looked paler than usual. The Necromancer was shocked, and perhaps a little horrified. She couldn't stop staring at her.
Neither could Ambrose. His eyes widened. "By Bartleby… Amber, are you feeling okay?" she simply nodded.
Rachel's mouth dropped. "Amber, your hair! It-it's white!" and it had turned white…well, a baby blue. It even looked a bit sparkly, like snow.
She became angry. "Okay, now your just making things up."
"Look at yourself in the mirror, dear." Ambrose told her, and gestured towards the mirror on the wall right behind her. So she turned to face the mirror, her reflection caused her mouth to drop instantly to the floor. Her skin looked almost as white as snow, her hair was nearly the color of ice. Her lips had turned into a darkish purple. She looked as if she was in the cold for weeks.
She touched the back of her left hand, feeling her skin. She could barely feel it, or anything. Her hands, her fingers felt numb. She touched her head, trying to feel her hair. Her hands still lacked any sense of touch, but her fingers could still run through it. Perhaps a little hard. The only thing that hadn't change were her clothes.
Amber turned back around. She looked so horrified, like she could die from shock. Each word shook, barely audible. "What…what happened to me?" Rachel searched through the back of her mind for what could of happened to set this off. She drew a blank each time.
"Let's see… What were you doing this morning?" he asked Amber.
She tilted her head towards her crystal ball. "Looking for the Possessed Lord."
"What about yesterday?"
"Um…" she took a minute before answering. "We went somewhere... To the Sunken City, I think-"
"What? You were where?"
She tried to ignore his shocked tone and continued. "Yeah. We faced a couple of ghosts, and one had a lantern." she paused, that may have been it. "Oh- oh yeah, mist came out of it."
"That was yesterday?" Rachel remembered. Although now that she thought about it, it did happen early last night. Her next question resulted to how long she slept.
The headmaster didn't look too happy. "What in the world where you doing in there?"
"Finding some stuff." Ambrose was about to ask "What stuff?" when Amber said. "Some things I needed for a potion."
"Was anyone with you?"
Amber nodded. "Rachel was there. So was Mason, Bailey, Wolf, and Erica."
Ambrose nodded. "I want both of you to go find them at once. Everyone should be at their first classes. Once you find everyone, bring them directly here. Don't tell them anything." both wizards nodded and left the office.
It was simple. All they have to do is visit only the Storm and Fire classrooms. It was amazing neither of them realized there was school. Both have excuses, only Amber's was a good excuse. Rachel's would be that she overslept, in which she pretty much did. Amber's was that she was sick, although decided to come but was late. It does look obvious. Her cheeks had begun to look a little reddish. She went on and on about how irregular she looks. And her voice did sound a little stuffy. Maybe she is sick, and could be why she looks the way she looks right now. Hopefully she's just ill and it didn't come from the mist… Well, either way it's still serious.
They were there at the Storm school, another wizard student stood in the middle of the road, with a notebook in his hand and a pen stored behind his left ear. He approach them once he saw them, so they stopped.
Rolling her eyes, Rachel murmured "Hall monitor." His hat partly hung in his face, shading his eyes. He readjusted his hat once he caught up with them.
"Well well, roaming instead of working in class?" shaking his head in mild disgust, he removed the pen from his ear and began writing on the notepad. "Quite funny, I haven't seen either of you enter the school earlier this morning." his eyes shifted to them. "Shall I also throw in a tardy?" Rachel rolled her eyes again.
"Patrick." Amber breathed, more like a huff. "We really don't have time. Ambrose wants us and our friends at his office ASAP. Write us up later, this is urgent."
He stared at her with curiousness, his pen lifted from the paper for his chin to rest on. "I can see that, Miss Spiritstone. Why are you here if you're utterly under the weather?"
"That's just it, I don't feel good. So you'd be best off if you don't provoke me."
"I wasn't given this job for nothing." he ripped the page off and handed the slip to Rachel, then began to write one for Amber.
"She's sick." Rachel said. "Don't give her detention."
"She should of stayed home, then. There aren't any rules against it." he ripped that sheet out and held it out to Amber. "And I highly suggest you get an okay to go home. We don't need a disease like that to spread."
Stubborn, the ice wizard folder her arms. "I'm not taking that slip. Especially if I'm just going to get sent home."
"You can serve detention another time; once you're rid of that flu."
"I still refuse."
"Well I'll hold onto it." Patrick slipped the note under his hat. His expression became hard, and his tone dripped demand. "Now go to class." he turned smartly on his heel, like a Marleybonian soldier would, and walked away. Both girls exchanged eye rolls, Rachel tossed her slip into the small pond next to the storm school.
Wolf and Erica were there. Wolf was one of the few academically advanced wizards, and he was considered one of Ravenwood's top students. So was Patrick. So they rivaled the other. Erica was given a tardy too, because she was with them minutes earlier before they came themselves. Wolf had Whispered to her about school when she went home.
Of course Professor Balestorm didn't like Amber and Rachel interrupting his class, and so asked the reason for their presence. Rachel's class starts a little before lunch to sometime after. Amber's doesn't start until after. All they had to say was that the headmaster wanted to see Erica and Wolf. All eyes in the room, including Balestorm's, noticed Amber's new appearance. Of course the Thaumaturge didn't give any the chance to question, for she left the room immediately. She wouldn't answer the two Diviners properly either. All she would say was "You'll see."
Shortly they were in the Fire classroom. Again, they just needed to say Mason and Bailey were needed by Headmaster Ambrose. Professor Falmea said Bailey left moments ago and hadn't returned, and Mason never showed up. A soft sigh passed through Rachel's lips. Bailey must of ditched class, and Mason's either skipping or oversleeping.
They had to get out of Ravenwood to avoid Patrick or anyone at the school. Neither would it be wise if they roamed about in the Commons. Perhaps the Shopping District was okay. Amber Whispered to Bailey while Rachel Whispered to Mason. Only Bailey replied back, saying her and Mason were having trouble with this mysterious fellow. He was dealing with the stranger, but she feared something unspeakable would go down drastically, and would feel better if they came as soon as they could.
"I'm warning you, mister." Mason took a defensive stance, standing in front of Bailey. He tightly gripped his wand in his right hand, his voice prossessed some threat. "We don't know you, and you seem highly suspicious. You better leave, or I'm getting the Wizard City guards." and the park guard wasn't that far away.
This person was tall, slightly taller than an average man. He wore a dark red cloak, the hood shaded his face with darkness, the cloak hid his feet. His hands were coated with the black leather gloves, and the blood red scythe at his back was was supported by a chain that crossed his torso diagonally.
He made a move to step forward, and Mason was ready to set him on fire. So the man-or whatever he may be-held a hand out in defense. "I assure you there is no need for that." he spoke coolly. His voice had contained some rasp. "You two must come with me. If you do; I will teach you the most powerful spells not even the strongest Pyromancers know. I have the key to eternal power…"
The two fire wizards exchanged confused looks, then gazed at the stranger with suspicious looks. "How do you know we're Pyromancers?" Bailey watched him with caution.
"And how do we know we can trust you?" Mason relaxed a bit, a spell ready just in case. He took two small steps forward with his arms folded, he eyed him doubtfully. "If you know a way to get us to trust you, enlighten us, yeah? Cause we're having enough trouble standing here looking at your creepy mug."
The being stood there, not another sound coming from him. Mason huffed "Let's go, Bailey." and started walking down the stone path behind him. Bailey took one last awkward stare at him, then turned to follow the other fire student.
His voice had came back. "Fine. How about I teach you a spell now?" both ignored him and kept walking. Mason was already far ahead, long gone. Though Bailey was still in his sight, walking awfully slow. Again he tried. "A powerful spell it is. No cost required!" she stopped dead in her tracks.
Her back still faced him, although she was able to feel his presence getting closer and closer. His next sentence was heard from right behind. "Would you like a free spell, my lady? I would gladly teach you the spell." she stood perfectly still, and he knew she was thinking about it. He continued. "If you happen to like the spell I could always teach you another. And another. All the powerful spells a Pyromancer like yourself should know."
Now she was curious. But she didn't fully turn her head towards him. "There a reason I should learn these spells?"
A pause. Once he spoke again, she felt his breath against her ear. "Think of those strong wizards you often see around the city. They think because they achieved the high ranks they're better than most. They look down poorly at the lower ranks, simply because you're a lower rank and that you have useless baby spells."
"I don't." Bailey was already offended. Adept ranks don't have useless spells. Of course not, right?
He went on. "Of course, my lady. But let's see; what spells can you use when you're an Adept ranked?"
"Wyldfire and Meteor Strike are…" now that she thought about it, she couldn't finish her sentence. Meteor Strike wasn't the best fire spell, certainly no, but it is an ok spell. Wyldfire though, was a great benefit to fire spells. Neither spells are terribly that bad.
He waited for her to finish the sentence, even though he knew she wouldn't. So he ended that with "Right." He backed from her and continued. "But my spells can fix that problem. I have spells no one has yet to discover. Of all schools. Though I only give to those like you." she didn't say anything. There was nothing else to say, but many things to think about.
"Yes, think about it. With these powerful spells of mine, you'll show them all. You will expose the high ranked of their pettiness against your new strength. You would be powerful- most powerful Pyromancer the entire Spiral has ever witness. No more small, meek, petty spells. Trust me. You will have a better chance of destroying the Spiral-if you wanted to-than that Malistaire fool. Show them. Show them ALL!" he spoke those words as if he was giving a powerful speech.
Bailey was never power-hungry, but these spells did sound intriguing. Besides that, she was falling a little behind. So why not? Why not see how the first spell goes?
Finally she turns around completely to face him. She smiled. "Okay, sure. I'll learn one of your spells."
"Most excellent." his voice was cool again. "Now, you must look deeply into my eyes. I must to weigh your inner strength."
She was going to ask why that must be, until another question surfaced. "What eyes?" because of how well his hood tinted his face so shadowy, it was hard to locate his eyes.
"Just look straight at me, and you will see them." this time she hadn't the urge to ask why, and so did what he told.
After a moment of staring at him, her insides began to tingle. She felt a little weird and didn't know why, but guessed it was him transferring the power inside her. Two spots on his face had flashed a bright red so suddenly. Those must be his eyes. Though the Pyromancer was unable to move instantly after the flash. She couldn't move her eyes either. The color of her skin had drained. Her opened mouth showed the level of her surprise. And lastly, everything gave up on her. She collapsed on the pavement out cold.
He cackled wickedly. He bent over and examined the unconscious Pyromancer. "I may have not gotten the other wizard, but you were stupid enough." She must have it. That power. I sense it, it's strong coming from her. And that boy. He stood up and looked around. There has to be four more wizards around here somewhere. He stayed like that for moments, then bent over her again.
"BAILEY!" he wasn't startled at all by the sudden scream. With the same level of calmness, he stood.
It's the boy. Indeed, Mason came back. And that sense he had gotten from him and Bailey, it was much stronger now. Four more wizards were with the Pyromancer. And he was so livid, he almost hoped the boy doesn't overdo it.
The heated wizard charges at him with a wand that looked like some sort of blade. He raised it, as if he was plotting to slice through him. He waited for the right time, before swinging one of his hands. That swipe knocked his blade clean out of his grasped. The others gasped at this, and Mason froze, right there in front of him.
Unfortunately Mason didn't recover from his shock in time. The being stepped back and motioned his index finger upward. Mason was lifted from his feet. He floated in the sky! The fire wizard flailed his arms and kicked about, screaming you could add, as he was being twirled around and around. Using the same finger the being turned and pointed at the statue, Mason was tossed from where he spun and collided into the head of the unicorn statue. Whoever saw that would of felt it.
Moments he hung on the statue's head, then eventually fell off, making a dull thud when he landed. After studying the now unconscious wizard, he stared at the remaining wizards, as if nothing happened. From witnessing what they just saw, blood had drained from each face. Amber was now literally white. Erica was scared to death, Wolf was completely speechless. The only thing Rachel was able to do was merely push her hair back from her face.
The being was absolutely satisfied. This is just too easy. He took about three or four steps forward, then stopped. He stood as still as a statue, and silently dared any of them to make another attack. Again, he started to move towards them, and stopped about a stone's throw away. It was another stare off, and the Necromancer decided to expose her staff. The others followed. Another moment went by as they stayed like that, he was going to do anything.
Slow and steady. Rachel started to make small steps towards him, watching him warily. All of a sudden he took his right hand, formed it as in like he had something small in it, and forcefully threw that hand down. A flash of blue, and all four of them instantly dropped to the ground, and hadn't moved since.
He found them. He found and captured them all. Just like that.