Being chapter the fourth.

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"This is so exciting!" Kitty exclaimed as Caleb went to go through the door first. His Covenant brothers followed suit after him. "I mean, we're the ones who find the Covenant--"

"As Sybilla predicted," Fin added.

"We're the ones to bring them back, we're the ones to re-introduce them to our world! I mean, what an honor…"

Caleb entered first, and immediately he saw what was beyond that door. He felt as if he had entered into another time, both future and way past. Everything was made of stone and wood, though built as if the greatest architectures of the future had gotten together and designed this strange place. He walked on a wide bridge made of stone, on either side of him was a giant pit, with spiraling stone stairs built into the walls. A closer look told him that there were rooms in those walls, most likely housing chambers. Over the bridge, Caleb saw an arched door that led to a library on his left, while on the right side another archway led to a gymnasium. Above the archways were a staircase each, leading to more dorms. Dead ahead was a sort of lobby, with an even larger open archway leading to stairs. Down those stairs were massive log tables, telling Caleb it was a dining hall.

People and strange creatures were everywhere. An Asian woman with bright purple hair was in the gymnasium with an animal-like creature that reminded Caleb of Big Foot. In the library, a woman with pale blonde hair and clothed all in white, let out a faint glow when her eyes met Caleb's. To her right, there was a red demon reading a book, before he saw Caleb looking his way and vanished in a puff of smoke.

"Uhh, Fin?" Caleb asked a little warily. "What is this place?"

"This," she said rather proudly. "Is the real Spenser Academy: we call it the Spenser Unified Guild. It's the oldest of the magical housings--"

"--Who's this?" said a loud voice from behind them, so harsh and deep that is made everyone jump. A short, burly fellow stood before them, gruff but handsome, probably in his mid thirties. His face was stern and not friendly at all.

"This is the Covenant, James!" Kitty replied excitedly.

"That so?" James said, his voice low and growling, scanning them over. "Kinda sissy-looking aren't they?"

"Hey, who you callin'--" Reid started, but Caleb pushed him back with a "Reid, don't."

Fin was already stepping forward by then.

"Hey, James," she said with a warm smile, embracing the man fondly. "Hey, do me a favor and take Ro up to her room?"

"She's been hitting the bottle too hard again?" James guessed, taking her from Reid's arms easily. Reid sighed in relief from the load off.

"You know her," Fin said with a sigh. "Make sure no one sees you, huh? If Sybilla finds out Ro passed out on the job she'll have her head."

"Sure thing, Darlin'," James agreed. He didn't get to say much more, seeing as a large group of students, led by the once-vanishing devil, who was pointing in their direction excitedly. James turned and walked off without even saying goodbye, not wanting to stick around to see what was obviously coming.

"This is the Covenant?" the demon-man said with a broad, fanged smile. When Fin nodded, he, along with the large crowd he brought with him, rushed forward like a mob. Everywhere around the Covenant boys, strange creatures and humanoids were grabbing their hands and shaking them enthusiastically. Caleb was barely able to catch what they were all saying at once.

"It's an honor, truly--!"

"Great to meet you--!"

"At last you're finally --!"

"Can't say how much we're glad--!"

Tyler caught Kitty's eye, who was beaming his way as if to say: "See? I told you so."

"Alright, people, step aside!" Fin moderated, parting the crowd to allow them passage. "There is plenty of time for questions later. Right now, they have to see Sybilla."

The crowd seemed disappointed, but understanding, and let them go.

There were a few more doors and archways that Caleb wouldn't have time to explore, since Fin was already leading them through the dining hall and out the back door. Caleb realized that somehow, this building-within-a-building had an outside area, though bright and cheerful, unlike Ipswich weather. There were places set up for target practice and sparring, with a few more strange beings and people making use of them. Another few buildings were spread out in various bunches, and Fin led them to a particular one that was surrounded by lush gardens. A cobblestone path led them to a room fill with armor and weapons upon the walls.

"This way," Fin prompted them to keep moving. Caleb didn't even see another winding staircase on the right, and couldn't help wondering if it had been there before. They followed her all the way up, to a large loft, with shelves of books lining the walls. A burning fireplace was off to the left, and stairs leading up to a broad window overlooking the grounds stood before them. This is where an old woman stood, with long white hair and a tall, thin figure. Her very presence demanded respect, the air about her giving off a regal vibe.

"Take a seat," her husky voice said, motioning to the old green armchairs at her left. Kitty and Fin preferred to stand, while the four boys sat down where she had told them.

"So you are the Covenant," she said, still staring out the window. "Such a handsome bunch."

Caleb wondered how she knew that, since she hadn't looked their way since they had come in. No sooner had he thought this, when her head turned toward him, letting their eyes meet. Her eyes were completely white. In her left hand, she held a cane. That could mean only one thing…

"Yes," she replied to his thoughts. "I am blind. But I see more than you will ever know."

Caleb was taken aback at this statement, but believed it instantly. He looked to his fellow Covenant members to see how they were taking all this. Pogue was very interested in everything this room had to offer, Sybilla most of all. Tyler seemed like he was trying not to be too impressed, while Reid seemed to not to be buying any of this.

Sybilla stepped forward to shake each of their hands, and Caleb admired the old woman's beauty, even through her obvious age. She had lovely copper skin that was a dark contrast to her white hair, and she wore long purple, pink, and yellow robes that were a bold contrast to both.

"I am Sybilla, mistress of this facility. Let me be the first to say that I am honored by your presence here."

Pogue passed a smile Caleb's way, letting Caleb know what he was thinking: it felt good to be so appreciated.

"And where is Ro?" she asked expectantly to whoever would answer. Kitty became preoccupied with the ceiling.

"She's…" Fin started, not knowing how to handle this one. "Uh…"

"She's going to see me as soon as she wakes up," Sybilla said decidedly. "This matter is far to important to be overlooked again."

Fin nodded, frowning for her friend's fortune. Sybilla turned back to the Covenant, sitting on four chairs set up in a square, Caleb and Pogue sitting in the first row, Tyler and Reid behind them in the second.

"There is much to tell you," Sybilla said with a warm smile. "This is your first time to Aromisia, yes?"

"You mean to this side of a storage closet?" Reid piped up from behind Caleb. "Yeah, it is."

Caleb turned around in his chair and backhanded Reid in the chest in punishment for his disrespect.

"We're just wondering what this place is," Pogue explained for them. "I mean, this is kind of overwhelming."

"Yes," Sybilla agreed with a nod of understanding. "I would imagine."

Sybilla strolled over to a large chair opposite them, and took a seat.

"This place is many things. It can serve as a boarding house, a school, a place of refuge… It's whatever you wish of it. Magical beings from all over the world travel here. Just to be among beings like them. Some, like Fin, have never even lived anywhere else. You may feel welcome here anytime, and stay, or not stay, as long as you like. But it is crucial that if you do decide to step off our grounds that you allow our pre-selected Guardians to accompany you wherever you go."

"We're capable of protecting ourselves," Caleb piped up.

"Not against this," Sybilla argued with a smile. She turned to Fin and Kitty. "Escort them back to their homes, girls. Take Lysander along with you to cover the fourth boy. They have a long day of classes in the morning."

"She means Guild classes, not Spenser classes," Kitty whispered.

"After being in a human school your entire life, you have a lot of catching up to do in your education," Sybilla said decidedly. "Have a good night, gentlemen."

"But ma'am…" Fin started.

"I know you are to be married soon," Sybilla insisted sternly. "But considering that these four boys carry the fate of our known world in their hands, it shall have to wait."

Fin suddenly turned to the boys with distaste in her eyes, but put aside her feelings and waved them to follow her out.

-

"'Human school'?" Reid repeated scoffingly as they went back down the stairs to the main lobby. "She might as well have started calling us 'Muggles'. Someone give me a spoon—I'm digging a tunnel out of Oz right now…"

"It's not so bad once you get used to the idea," Tyler argued. "It's kinda nice being so famous, everybody respecting you so much…"

"Nice change for you, isn't it, Baby Boy?" Pogue slapped a hand on his young friend's shoulder. Tyler threw him a harsh look in reply.

"Well," Fin said. "We need to fetch Ro and Lysander—we can't go without them."

"Oh, why don't we split up, then," Kitty said with a nod. "I'll take Tyler with me and the rest of you can go meet the lovely Lysander."

It wasn't hard for the boys to sense sarcasm in Kitty's tone.

"Why don't you take Reid too, Kit?" Fin said with a smile, glancing tantalizingly at Reid. "I think he might have a heart attack if he doesn't see Ro again soon."

Reid shrugged with a smirk, not having any base to argue on.

"Pogue, Caleb, you come with me then," Fin said, waving them off.

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Signed,
--RedRogue