Disclaimer: I do not own Wizard101.

Shadows In Light (Rewrite)

Chapter Three: The Stone

I had a vault. A vault to myself that wasn't attached to my mother's in some way. Yes, it sadly was then that it hit me, it was also then that I wondered what the currency was. Questions were blazing in my mind and there was no real way to answer them. I looked at the key, once more. There was nothing spectacular, or splendid about it. It was rusted a little and had no special design. It was something no one would ever truly take notice of. But, it was mine in this strange world; something I could grasp that didn't belong to anyone else.

I felt a tug on my shoulder. I looked up from the key. Cass looked at me and sighed. This pulled me from my thoughts.

"Headmaster, does Katy have her stone?"

The Headmaster looked pensive.

"I hoped, Mr. GrimBlade, that I wouldn't have to tell you this, and now I frown at the small lack of insight. It would have been best that I told you yesterday, Katy came from Earth. Her mother is an Ice wizard, one of the best in the spiral, and I'm sure you've heard of; Mertice FrostMender. Mertice. . . kept her children out of our world; hid every aspect of magic in and out of her home as best as she could. It ended up that Katy had to attend due to some unexpected. . . occurrences. Nothing to be concerned with.

"With how hectic things are, I forgot to give Katy, the stone that belongs to her. Now, Mr. GrimBlade and Ms. ShadowSword, be careful. Not much is known about the ShadowSword vault. . ."

The last words worried me greatly, but I smiled. He then, I watched him, summon a small stone with a rune on it. The rune was carved and glowed red at the points engraved into it. The shape was that of an almost C with a dash in the center.

"Thank you, Headmaster," I said politely. It was then that I took my leave with Cass and Austin. I wasn't sure how the Headmaster didn't notice Austin, but I decided that it was best that it was that way. Outside the Headmasters Office the place that seemed to radiate a very light energy that I didn't notice before. It was very different than my own. I started to wonder what the place was called, and something came to mind; something I couldn't shake and insane. It was as if I had always known the name. The Commons. . .

I knew something was wrong. Instinctively it felt like it wasn't quite me that new it, but it was pushed aside quickly.

"Katy. . . I'm not sure what to say. Your mother is one of the most powerful Ice wizards in history, especially recent history. She was a duelist with the nickname of "Frosted Raven" for the fact a raven was always following her and she used both Ice and Death magic."

"What's dueling?"

"Dueling is an art of battle magic; most offensive and defensive spells that are taught can be used in it. The rules of duels are to win at whatever cost. Student duels can not result in death, but it can be of serious injury to the victor and the loser. So Katy, please avoid duels. Even if they are highly frilling for those who do it. Fin does them from time to time.

"But off of that, please don't participate in them. I don't want to lose yet another linkee, although, in student duels, people are not allowed to die, there are no rules against sabotage of any kind afterward."

"I don't think it will behoove me to do something so risky. I cannot promise it won't happen someday, but I personally don't think it is a good idea." I was still trying to figure out why someone would want to duel. I could understand the game "Wizarding Cards" from what I could tell, at the time, it wasn't dangerous.

"We should get going. The day may still be young, but the less time spent on this is the better," Cass stated. "You need to activate your stone, it should be a relatively easy process. . . It can't be that hard!"

When the words were spoken, I did my best to look the same; though I wanted to wince. Even if meant well, they never seemed to be any sort of help. I had hoped at the time that things like that were different than they were on Earth.

"We need to go to the library, I never had to worry about something like this. Neither Matt or I thought such a situation could happen. On second thought. . ."

My mind felt malaise and exhaustion at those words. I hardly had the energy to keep myself awake; let alone think. The strange thing was that my body was completely awake.

I suddenly felt a tug of a frozen arm inside my body; I was then perfectly awake.

Cass was slightly farther ahead of me than I remembered him. I was still on the yellow cobble-stone path, near the lake. I quickly worked to catch up to him. I noticed the coldness of Austin was increasing ever so.

"The library. The most bookish place in Wizard City, besides the lone bookstore in Colossus Boulevard." Cass told me when we reached a gray stone building. He was on one of the steps while I was still on the yellow brick.

"There's only one bookstore and a library?" I asked in shock.

"Yeah, there wasn't much need apparently for one in this world, when there are so many other worlds. It is so unhelpful for balance students when we are in Ravenwood. . ."

He started up the steps and opened the door. A few seconds of slight apprehension and sighed internally. There was no way that I could avoid the place. I desperately needed to know more, that I knew. It was either here, or the bookstore I had no money for. To think I had thought I'd always have the money for whatever I needed or wanted.

I walked in. The place of my nightmares. There were so many books. In the center, there was a large circular desk. Near the front, there was an older anthropomorphic dog. He didn't look very tall. He looked very similar to an Earth dog, the Scottie, except wearing glasses and professional attire.

Cass walked over to the dog and beckoned me forward. It took a second for me to decide that I could safely go near the dog. After all, one of the balance professors was one. The other I wasn't sure what it was. I was hoping someone more human looking, but as I knew that I'd probably never see him, I decided to not worry about it. After all, Cass hasn't died yet.

When I reached Cass, he started talking to the librarian.

"Librarian Argleston, where would the books on activating a blood stone be?"

"Young wizard, they would be located in Isle 21 Row 15." The Librarian replied, going back to whatever he was doing.

I found it slightly worrying at the time that what was called a stone, was in actuality a blood stone, but as there was a rock with the same name on Earth; I shook it off for the most part. There was still, of course, that worry that I'd lose blood and not a little amount.

I followed Cass down the Isles and Rows. It was an interesting system that worked very much like it said. Isles were diagonal and Rows were horizontal. There were quite a few turns until Cass found the place that was told by the Librarian.

He started looking through the book titles until he found one. "Everything About The Blood Stone."

He immediately started a different direction, and not to get lost, I followed him. Soon there was a table, and to my surprise, a somewhat familiar face. This was not the place I suspected to find Fin, nor would I have suspected the mountain of five thick books next to him.

He looked up from what he was reading.

"Hello Cass, what are you doing in the library?" He looked at Cass in curiosity and then went back to a serious expression.

"Trying to figure out something. Another essay from Cyrus?"

"You could say that. I see you have your linkee with you."

"Yes, Fin, Katy is here."

I took that second to find the farthest spot on the table from Fin, and sake a seat on the wooden chair that was there. The less time I had to spend with him, the better. Even if I knew I'd be seeing a lot more of him than I wanted to. He was Cass's friend. That didn't, however, mean he had to be mine.

Fin looked at me and looked back to Cass.

"What is the actual reason for being in this library. You aren't the fondest of this one. You prefer the one in Krokotopia. More books on balance magic there. So I'm left to assume that the book is on something that doesn't have to do with that topic."

Cass looked at Fin as if he was trying to figure out something he would believe.

"I could, of course, look at the book."

"It has nothing to do with you. If anything, it has more to do with Katy."

I was worried, extremely so.

"Don't fret Katy, Fin is still upset about yesterday." I heard Austin say quietly; quiet enough that neither boy would notice. I was starting to wonder why exactly either one of them wanted to be anywhere near each other. "Nothing will actually happen. He is more bark than bite, normally. The only exceptions are when he feels he needs to take action."

"Fine, don't tell me." There was a different tone in his voice. I couldn't make it out, but it didn't feel angry. Cass took the chair across from him.

"Katy, it would probably be best if you were nearby," Cass stated

I didn't bother to reply. I needed to know this, that I knew. It was one more thing that I'd know. One more thing I'd be conscious of. I may have disliked books, but I detested not knowing more. Knowledge was power, however, that didn't mean I had to like what would bring me it.

I got up, pushed the chair back into its place, and stood by Cass. He put the book down and turned the page to the Table of Contents. There were many fascinating things that I knew I wouldn't get the chance to read. I ignored the existence of Fin for the time it took to find, "Activation Of Blood Stones." It was Chapter 16. Pages 544 - 760. The number of pages that would need to be read was very worrisome. I doubted it would be like the Philosophers or Sorcerer's Stone in Harry Potter. After all, the knowledge of how to build one would not be common knowledge, like this was.

I looked up, for a half second. It was my mistake. I saw something different on Fin's face as he was reading a book on something. It was something that made me question my judgment of him and I wasn't sure why. It made him seem. . . human. I quickly looked back down.

Cass's voice seemed commanding as he said the words, "Activation Of Blood Stones." The pages started turning until the beginning of the chapter, where it stopped. It occurred to me that I'd be able to do that too, someday.

I looked down at the page, it read:

Blood stones are a simple rune to activate. Though, with all magic, there is a risk. If a person of no magic were to attempt to do this it would end in their unfortunate demise. Blood stones, unlike most runes, require magic to work.

To begin, one would bring an athame and place it next to the desired rock. . .

I didn't get to read what was next as Cass had turned the page, skimmed, and did so until he found what he wanted, in which, he brought a book out of a bag. It was brown and bound together by strings, it looked homemade. Cass turned a page and brought out a pen. It wasn't feathered, nor was it like a standard writing pen. It was slender and smooth until a fine point, which there was something glistening. He started writing down whatever it was (I didn't get the chance to read) very quickly.

"Come on Katy," Cass said as he got up and had started to make his way from the exit. It was then when I heard the words I never suspected to hear.

"Good luck." I looked at Fin, who had looked up from his book, to look at me. The words spoken were in his voice.

"Thanks," I replied quickly, not knowing what else to say.

I followed Cass outside, he then grabbed my arm. Then we were back in the dorm. I had at this point decided that I needed to learn this skill. It appeared to be beyond useful. After all, if I needed to get away from something quickly, running would probably be exhausting.

Cass quickly got stuff from his bag and put them on the coffee table. I wasn't sure what any of it was. There was a strange bottle that was green, one that was yellow and one that was obsidian. Then there was a fine powder that was in a clear test tube and an extremely sharp knife. It was the knife that worried me the most. The rest, I was sure, was dangerous in its own right, but the knife could easily be used for my own demise.

If I didn't have magic, I would die. I knew I probably had it, I managed to shrink my robes. Cass and Austin said it was powerful, but there was still a great doubt in my mind.

"The first step is to place a dash of ground scales in the carving." I looked at Cass. "The powder," he then clarified. Not sure what to do I put a little in the area of what was carved. The rune glow increased a little.

"Next is to place the Squid Ink in the center of the rune, more specifically, the dash-shaped thing. The amount I think is up to you. The book didn't specify." I followed his instructions and poured some of the black bottle in (it was the only thing that resembled what I'd assume Squid Ink would be like). It dripped down slowly, and quite frankly was gross. It was however, shiny. When I reached the amount I wanted, it seemed to recognize it, and start to disintegrate.

"Now pour some Essence of Life, into the edges of the main shape, the thing that looks kind of like a C. (I have no idea why I even had this, to begin with, thinking about it. Although, it was probably some project for something). The amount is once again up to you. Just please don't use the entire bottle."

"Noted," I replied as I put a small amount where he specified, I surprisingly knew what he was talking about (it was the green bottle). It like the Ink had disintegrated.

"Now, you to finalize the rune, you're going to have to put a little of your blood into the Essence of Time. You will have to use the entire bottle. You will owe me another some time. I need it for keeping my papers ageless." Cass told me.

"How much blood is needed?" I asked, feeling slightly queasy. I didn't like the idea of my blood being spilled.

"If you want, I can take it, though you'll have to give me permission."

I sighed and replied, "You may take some blood for this rune."

He opened the bottle, grabbed my hand with one of his and with the other grabbed the knife. Before I had the chance to react he slit my palm. It hurt, and I could feel my blood exit. He then concentrated on it making it into the bottle.

There was no blood on the table, or the knife, it was, in truth, rather scary. He placed the knife on the table and placed a hand on the cut. The language he spoke was very foreign. I could not translate nor could I write it down.

The pain I had felt had ceased.

"Thanks," I told him.

"No problem, now can we please get on with this. I wanted to get breakfast after we activated your vault at the Onigottis."

"What does this stone have to do with that?" I asked.

"Just cover it with the Essence of Time blood mixture. I'll explain later."

I sighed and covered the rune with the mixture. A great surge of energy then took place; a blinding light. When everything cleared in my vision the stone was how it was before, except it felt much more powerful.

Cass then took a wand out of his bag and made everything vanish except the stone.

"Your stone is now yours, officially. Now I can answer the reason it is so important. A blood stone is an anchor for your magic. Without it, your magic is not controlled, it can do whatever it wants. With it, there is less convincing it to work with you. In other words, it tames it.

"Also, it serves as a device that can bring you to where you want to go. The Onigottis is a place located in essentially nowhere. It was discovered by wizards and the people who were there were very different. They brought great knowledge. How it became the place of banking is something lost. No one knows why."

"Okay, not to sound like an idiot, but how do I use the stone?" I asked. I was very unsure of how a stone did all this. There was something strange about the Onigottis. The name was weird enough, but a place in essentially nowhere? How did it work? I had guessed that I would find out soon enough.

"Touch it and wish to appear to the Onigottis. You will be able to do this without touching, with practice, but for now, touching works."

I closed my eyes and touched the stone. The same darkness I felt when I shrunk my robes, except more tame. I wished to appear to the Onigottis. I felt as if I was being ripped apart until I didn't. I opened my eyes and saw I was inside a large place. There were walls that were a white metal and ones made of glass. I could see stars, asteroids and weird triangle shaped things through the glass.

Then I looked, truly looked and saw a creature of sorts. They were tall, elegant, and wore clothes that were white. The stone that I had worked for was on the ground, I picked it up. I looked to my side and saw Cass.

He started to walk towards a. . . teller. I followed him.

"Wizard GrimBlade second in line, what is needed to be done with your vault. The minor one. We cannot allow access yet to the main vault, until Wizard GrimBlade the first, steps down." The teller said rather emotionlessly.

"I am not here for my vault. My linkmate has been reintroduced to the spiral. She is the current Wizard ShadowSword." Cass stated. It was then I realized I had put the key up the sleeve of the robe. I didn't remember doing it, but it was there. I jiggled it down into my hand.

"Does the current Wizard ShadowSword have her key?"

"Yes, she does."

The teller turned to me. I stepped up and gave it to it. It examined it and then, smiled.

"Follow me, Wizard ShadowSword," it said.

As soon as it stepped out from behind the counter, another of the same species, and look appeared. Cass stepped away.

I followed the creature to a door I hadn't noticed before. It inserted the key into the door and took it out, handing it to me.

"Wizard ShadowSword, your vault," it said when it opened the door.