INVADERS! (Part I)

The halls were bustling in the afternoon as students hurried to their last class of the term. Everyone was clearly excited for summer vacation and there was just one more class separating them from it. Sigmund and Kyle walked to their last class together, talking about their plans for next term.

"Should we be roommates again?" Sigmund asked.

"I'm not opposed to it." Kyle shrugged. "Are you?"

"No, not at all! Especially because I really don't feel like moving all my clothing and décor out."

"Oh, thank goodness!" Kyle sighed with relief. "Neither do I. Too much work."

The boys walked behind one another as they entered Professor Flan's classroom and took their seats at their desk. The room filled quickly and as the Professor entered the room with his binder and suitcase, his brows raised towards the students.

"Full house today?" He commented sarcastically. "No one tardy? Wow, it's a miracle. Only took this class the entire term to learn how to show up on time!" He set his coffee cup and binder down on the desk and turned to the chalkboard, starting a prompt. "Notebooks out please! I'll be sharing the curriculum breakdown for next term and I expect everyone in here to study over the summer holiday to prepare for it!"

The class groaned, opening their notebooks to jot down the schedule for next term. Kyle searched his bag for a pencil, but couldn't find one. Looking over at Sigmund, he tapped him on the shoulder to grab his attention.

"Do you have an extra pen or pencil I could borrow?" Kyle asked in a whisper. Sigmund rolled his eyes.

"Choosing the last day to slack off?" Sigmund replied. "Figures. Besides, I don't use pens. Only quill feathers for my notes."

"Okay then, can you pluck the bird for another feather or something? I need a writing utensil."

"Why don't you just conjure one?!"

"You're so annoy-!"

The conversation was interrupted when the sound of some type of loud explosion went off in the distance and the building suddenly seemed to shake for a moment. The class gasped and everyone paused, including the professor. He set his chalk down and walked over to the window, peering outside. The class started a low chatter.

"What the heck was that?"

"I don't know, but it was loud..."

"That sounded so scary!"

"The building shook!"

When the professor hadn't spotted anything, he turned back and started his notes on the board again, snapping at the class.

"Back to your notes! No more talking please!" He demanded, silencing the room. The students returned to their notes until they noticed the color of the sky outside. It slowly seemed to be going dark, even though it was the middle of the afternoon. Again, the students started to chatter as a panic slowly seemed to rise. Something was obviously not right. As the sky turned black, the emergency bells went off all around the academy, causing everyone to jump.

"What in the world-?!" Professor Flan muttered, quickly rushing to the door of the classroom to peer out into the hall. The teacher from next door met with Professor Flan, his eyes clearly reading panic.

"What's happening?" The teacher asked the professor. Professor Flan shrugged. The loud speaker chimed and Headmaster Merlin started an announcement.

"Good afternoon students, staff and faculty." The Headmaster spoke, rather calm. "Please listen carefully to my announcement. We're currently under a state of emergency. The University of the Underworld has informed us that an extremely dangerous, black magic portal has recently been opened. There's no word at this time as to how that portal was accessed, but what we do know is that Dark Jinn creatures have descended onto their campus as a result."

The students immediately erupted in panic. There hadn't been an emergency like this for at least a century or two. Kyle and Sigmund glanced at one another, exchanging concerned expressions, then turned their attention back to the loud speaker as the announcement continued.

"Our boarder patrol and Realm Royal Guards have been deployed to make sure the Jinn don't arrive on our campus, so please be calm. I've been told the neighboring schools have spotted a couple in their area, but no attacks announced as of ye-."

There seemed to be a pause in Merlin's speech and faintly, there was a sound of mumbling over the microphone. Merlin seemed to gasp.

"My apologies.." He spoke, his tone a tad less confident than it had sounded previously. "We've just received word that Jinn have also been spotted around the Royal Guard base as well as Halfmoon Hallows Witching Academy. Please don't be alarmed, students. For the time being, please stay in your classrooms. Teachers and faculty, please collect any students from the halls and keep the doors and windows secured. Stay vigilant. I will personally keep you all updated."

Professor Flan and the teacher quickly parted ways to look out for any students in the hallways. The Professor returned quickly and not only closed but locked the door to the classroom. He then went from window to window and latched them closed, seeming to peer out of each one in fear. Sigmund raised his hand frantically.

"Sir!" He called out. "Please, allow me to exit! I need to make a call and meet with the school board!" Professor Flan shook his head as he sat down behind his desk and faced the window.

"No one's going anywhere." The Professor answered. "Didn't you hear the Headmaster? We're under a state of emergency!"

"But, I'm part of the board!" Sigmund argued. "They might need me." Professor Flan slammed his fist down on the table, which made the whole class jerk.

"I DON'T CARE! I'M NOT OPENING THE DOOR!" He shouted towards the sorcerer, who didn't seem to be phased by the yelling. Sigmund pulled his phone from his pocket.

"Fine then, I'm making a phone call right here and right now!" The sorcerer spat back. The professor didn't seem to care and quickly turned his attention back towards the window. The rest of the class seemed to do the same and students slowly stood up to look out for themselves. Kyle glanced over at Sigmund, who was currently holding the phone to his ear. His expression looked incredibly stressed. His posture seemed to perk up when he seemed to have finally gotten an answer.

"Hallo?! Erin! Are you okay?" He asked frantically. "What's happening over there?!"

"No! They're all over the place!" Erin seemed to cry over the phone. "We just had to evacuate our study hall and when we stepped out, there was a black smoke just hovering over the floor. Our entire class is moving together."

"Gott..." The sorcerer rubbed at his temples with his free hand as he listened to the enchantress speak.

"They're just rising up from the smoke. There was so many of them in our great hall, Sigmund. I'm scared!"

"Don't cry..." He cooed. "You'll be alright. Just be careful, please. Stay close to your class."

"We're moving down the corridor now, but the smoke is still traveling under our feet. Whoa, hold on...Meghan, what is that?"

"What's happening?"

"Oh my, the lights just went out! Sigmund, the lights just-!"

"Hm?" Sigmund hummed, looking down at his phone when the sound seemed to cut out. His eyes went wide. "Erin? Erin? ERIN?! H-HALLO?!" Kyle raised a brow as Sigmund ended his call. Quickly, he tried calling her back, but the call had gone straight to voicemail. The sorcerer's face paled.

"Everything alright?" Kyle asked. "What just happened?"

"I have to get out of here.." Sigmund whimpered, looking towards the door. "The call just cut out. And now she's not answering her phone."

"You heard the announcement though. We're not allowed to l-."

Sigmund stood up from his desk and grabbed his leather satchel, throwing it over his shoulder as he headed towards the door. Kyle gasped and followed behind him, grabbing his arm to stop him. If looks could kill, the look Sigmund gave Kyle would've made him drop dead, instantly.

"You better be stopping me for a good reason." The sorcerer snarled, his eyes narrowing at the wizard. Kyle let out a hiccup.

"Erm-!"

"Get off of me!" Pulling his arm back, Sigmund unlocked the door and quickly ran out as the Professor's attention snapped to the door. Seeing Kyle standing in front of it, dumbfounded, the professor turned his attention to the desk. Sigmund had vanished.

"What the-?!" Professor Flan wheezed, standing up from his chair. He rushed over to the door, pushing Kyle out of the way and poked his head out of the room, scanning the halls. Sigmund was long gone. "MR. NIGHTBREED! GET BACK INTO THIS ROOM IF YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU! MR. NIGHTBREED!"

Kyle rushed over to his desk as the professor shouted and collected his and Sigmund's belongings into his book bag. Pulling it on, Kyle rushed past the Professor and out the door before he could be stopped.

"I'll grab him!" Kyle called back, his cape flowing behind him as he ran. The Professor gasped.

"KYLE BLOODWORTH-THOMASON! GET BACK IN HERE!"

Kyle pushed forward, running in the direction of the common hall where he'd figured Sigmund would be headed. He was hoping, for his sake, that Sigmund hadn't gone outside, but poking his head out the courtyard door, Kyle had spotted the blonde immediately.

"Sigmund!" Kyle called from the doorway, catching the sorcerer's attention. Sigmund turned around, stopping in the middle of the darkened open field and Kyle's eyes widened. There were tears on Sigmund's reddened face and he was desperately holding his phone. Rushing over quickly, Kyle hunched over for air when he finally reached him. "Please...where do you think you're going?! How dare you make me run!"

"She won't answer her phone, Kyle." Sigmund's voice trembled, his eyes filling up quickly with tears all over again. "And she sounded so afraid over the phone..." Kyle was surprised. He'd never seen Sigmund cry or be particularly vulnerable like this before. He wanted to shout at him for leaving the classroom, but seeing him in this state actually softened him.

"Look, I get it.." Kyle sighed. "But you absolutely cannot go into that forest right now. Especially not on your own. The forest is swarmed with guards and boarder patrol." Sigmund's attention turned to the boarder of the enchanted forest and the tears in his eyes finally fell. His head and posture seemed to drop in defeat. Kyle grabbed the sorcerer's arm gently. "Come on. Let's go back inside."

"Okay..." Sigmund muttered. He followed behind Kyle, hugging himself and looking over his shoulder to gaze into the forest one more time. Through the brush, Sigmund's eyes fell on a boarder guard. The guard looked as though they were hunched over in pain and the sorcerer paused, narrowing his gaze to get a better look. The hunched over guard suddenly fell back and seemed to be seizing, an action that made the sorcerer gasp.

"Kahl, LOOK!"

"Huh?"

Sigmund quickly pointed out the guard to Kyle, who also gasped when he caught sight of what was happening. They could faintly hear the sound of the guard, groaning in agony. A dark looking smog seemed to seep from that area of the brush and the guard looked to be letting up, his eyes glowing red suddenly as he slowly stood up again. With another guard passing by and spotting the injured guard, he let out a scream. The boys glanced at one another as the passing guard was attacked by the one that had been seizing. The smog was only getting thicker.

"Was he just...possessed?" Kyle gasped. Sigmund's jaw had dropped at the entire scene. The dark smog seemed to be inching closer. He grabbed the wizard's hand and started to run.

"Hurry!" Sigmund shouted. "We have to warn the academy!"

"What is that?!" Kyle shrieked, actually keeping Sigmund's pace for once. He held onto the sorcerer's hand tightly.

"Erin told me that's what she saw in her study hall!" Sigmund answered, turning them both into the common area, rushing down to the main hall. "It's how the dark Jinn travel! They're coming!"

"SHEEP SHANK!" Kyle panicked. The boys let go of one another to sprint down to the Headmaster's office. Once there, Sigmund tried the door, but it was locked. He frantically banged on it instead till a member of the board answered the door.

"What are you doing out of your classroom?" The old witch asked, her attitude clear that she was displeased. Sigmund pushed past her and Kyle followed close behind. "How rude!"

"Headmaster!" Sigmund breathed out, catching Merlin's attention. The ancient wizard's brow raised.

"Sigmund Nightbreed? What are you doing out of your classr-?"

"I'm so sorry, excuse me, but I've spotted them! The Jinn! They're coming!" Sigmund yelled. Kyle pulled at his hair.

"Hurry up and make an announcement!" Kyle added. "The bloody monsters are possessing people!"

"We saw them overtake a boarder patrol guard." Sigmund cried. "You have to warn everyone!"

"My goodness..." The elderly Headmaster gasped, quickly turning to the loud speaker to make another announcement. "Good afternoon students, staff and faculty. Please be aware that the invasion has made it's way to our academy. Royal guards are on the scene, handling the situation. Stay calm and keep inside your classrooms until further evacuation instruction." The boys rushed over to the window, pointing out the smoke and the guards that had now entered the courtyard. Sigmund hopped in place when he noticed one of the creatures.

"EVERYONE LOOK! LOOK! THEY'RE FIGHTING ONE!"

The Dark Jinn were absolutely terrifying in appearance. Tall, skeletal, dark winged creatures with long talons and razor sharp teeth. They had glowing, red eyes and birdlike feet. One by one, they rose up from the smog and battled with the guards in the open field. Members of the board joined the boys at the window and everyone jumped as they watched a guard be pierced through the chest by the talons of the beast. Like the first guard Sigmund had seen, he hunched over, fell and immediately began to seize.

"They're possessing another one..." Kyle breathed out in shock. The elder board members couldn't believe their eyes.

"By the Gods..." One of them, an upperclassman professor spoke in shock. "I haven't seen an infestation this bad since the days of Troy."

"Professor Dionysus." Sigmund spoke to the board member. "How exactly was this issue solved when it last happened?" The Greek philosopher paused to think for a moment. When he couldn't recall, he turned to a metal file cabinet in the office and opened it, searching through. After a quick moment, he pulled a scroll, checked it and pointed to it.

"Ah! Here!" He spoke to the room, raising the scroll for the other members to see. "Another portal was opened, one of light magic, to eradicate the Jinn."

"They're evil creatures of black magic." Merlin added, standing up slowly from his oak wood desk. Grabbing his magic staff, he walked over to the others and took a closer look at the scroll for himself. "They need the darkness for power. The darkness fuels them and gives them the strength to spawn over and over again. It's the reason they blocked out the sun in it's entirety before setting foot outside of their portal. If they touch the light, they'll be wiped out."

"I was informed that the lights at Halfmoon Hallows went out shortly after they appeared on the campus." Sigmund told the room. "Was that their doing as well? Does that mean they're forcing their way inside?!"

"That could very well be the case.." Merlin nodded. "And the same can happen, here, if we're not proactive." Sigmund pulled his cellphone from his pocket and checked it quickly. Nothing new. He was utterly devastated. Kyle turned his attention back to the window. The smog seemed to have spread out even more since he last looked outside.

"So we need a light source?" Kyle asked. "Is that all?"

"Not just any light source." Professor Dionysus answered. "Your bedroom light wouldn't be enough. At most, that'll just stun the creatures momentarily. It needs to be a strong energy. An energy powerful enough to open a portal above the realm. It'll take a great effort."

"I need all the members of the board to contact light workers, good witches, white magic mages and anyone else who would be able to facilitate the opening of a new portal." Headmaster Merlin ordered the board. "I've already contacted Lady Glinda from Halfmoon Hallows. She's informed me that witches on her faculty are currently working together to gather ingredients for a mass ritual."

"Can students help?" Kyle asked. "Should we inform the upperclassman? I wouldn't be able to assist with my own magic, but I can spread the word."

"That would be a great help, yes Mr. Bloodworth-Thomason." Merlin nodded. "Thank you for your effort. Send them all here to the office." The headmaster turned his attention to Sigmund, who was desperately scrolling through his phone, yet again. Merlin the Magician felt a pang of sympathy for the young sorcerer. Having heard faintly of the Skip Day incident through the grapevine, he figured he was trying to contact someone he cared for at the neighboring academy.

"Why don't you assist him, Mr. Nightbreed?" Merlin spoke, catching Sigmund's attention. "It's best for you both to be traveling in pairs right now, especially considering your study as a light worker. I believe Kyle's magic wouldn't be any good if an emergency were to transpire"

"Yes sir.." Sigmund sighed, pushing his phone back into his pocket. The boys left their school bags in the office and headed down the main hall again, turning to the stairwell. The hallway felt colder than before and it was noticeably darker. A couple lights in the stairwell flickered and casted an eerie, green glow. Sigmund jumped, which caused Kyle to yelp when his phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket.

"Goodness..." Kyle sighed, hand resting over his chest as Sigmund paused to scramble for his phone. "Don't jump like that!" Sigmund's eyes sparkled when he saw who was calling.

"Erin!"

"Sigmund!"

"Oh, thank God! I'm so glad to hear your voice!"

"I lost reception earlier. There's a lot of strange things happening right now."

"Are you alright? Are you safe?"

"I wouldn't say safe, but I'm alright at the moment. How about you? Our headmaster told us she's been in contact with yours. Are you alright?"

Kyle motioned Sigmund to continue up the stairwell and Sigmund quickly followed behind him, entering the student hall. Kyle stopped at the first classroom and knocked at the door. Sigmund turned back to his call.

"Ja, I'm fine. I'm with Kyle. We're collecting students to help with the light work."

"That's what we're doing too. We've got the cauldron going right now. We're opening our side of the portal's gate, so we need you guys to do the same on your end."

"We will."

"Sigmund, I have to go now." Erin spoke, her tone softening suddenly. "They need my help. My headmaster is calling for me. Please, please be careful. Okay?"

"I'm dreading not hearing from you..." Sigmund confessed, his eyes closing as the stress seemed to wash over him again. "I don't want to hang up. I was so afraid something had happened. I had pains in my chest." Hearing the worry in his voice, Erin sighed over the phone.

"Oh, Sigmund. I'm alright. Don't worry. I just need you to be alright and to do your best today. We have a whole summer to look forward to!" Sigmund smiled faintly. If there was one thing Erin was good at, it was being positive. He'd completely forgotten about their summer plans. Her optimistic tone lifted his spirits, even if it was only for a moment.

"You're right."

"Aren't I always?"

"Don't push it!" Sigmund chuckled. He blushed and glanced back at Kyle, who was pointing light magic upperclassman in the direction of the main office. The wizard hopped from room to room, picking up the slack for the sorcerer to take his call. The smile on Sigmund's face quickly vanished when he sank back into the situation at hand. "What if I don't hear from you again? What if something goes wrong?"

"Let's not think that way.."

"I can't help it. I just have a bad feeling.."

"Sigmund, I'm sorry sweetheart, I have to go now. They're growing impatient."

"Erin, I'm really in love with you and if something bad happens, I need you to know that. Okay?"

"O-oh..."

There was a pause in the call and also a pause in the hallway as Kyle leaned in Sigmund's direction, eyes wide. He heard that love confession loud and clear. The lovesick sorcerer pouted, already starting to get emotional again.

"I know it was too soon for me to say, but what if I never get to say it?"

"I'm in love with you too."

"Oh?!"

"And you're right, I should tell you that too. Just to be safe, right?"

"Well, I'm always right." Sigmund joked. It definitely got a laugh out of her.

"Bye, Sigmund. Be safe."

"Bye, Erin. You too."

Ending the call, Sigmund leaned against the wall of the hallway and let out a deep sigh. Unbeknownst to him, his face was flushed red and Kyle also happened to be standing behind him.

"HELLO?!" The wizard shouted, sending Sigmund into the air when he jumped in surprise. "HAVE YOU FINISHED?!"

"J-ja..."

"Great! It's not like the world isn't about to end or anything." Kyle spoke, voice dripping in sarcasm and annoyance. "We're needed downstairs in the main hall. Let's go!"

Sigmund and Kyle rushed down the stairs once more and met up with the rest of the light workers that had been recruited. Sigmund immediately noticed the smog that had seeped into the hallway. Headmaster Merlin and Professor Dionysus stood in the middle of the main hall where a massive cauldron was quickly being filled with ingredients. Spotting the boys, Merlin gave a warm smile.

"You two! Wonderful job gathering help!" Merlin praised. Sigmund shook his head.

"Kyle did all the work, not me." The sorcerer admitted, making Kyle blush. "I see you got word about the other half of the gate? I was just coming around to inform you."

"Yes, yes!" Merlin nodded. "We're coordinating a time to have it opened. It needs to be done in a timely matter for the power to extend over the realm and make a true, undeniable impact." Guiding the boys to the cauldron, Merlin pointed out the inside. "We're doing our best right now to complete the bind work for the ritual to be effective when we begin the chant. The issue at the moment are the Jinn, they're trying to gain entry inside."

"Aren't the guards keeping them back?" Kyle asked. Professor Dionysus looked up from the scroll he'd been reading off of.

"We just had one slip through here!" He answered Kyle. The boys gasped. "Thankfully with so many light workers in one place, we were able to have it banished! The guards are struggling!"

"We've had to send a few light workers out to help them battle." Headmaster Merlin added. Sigmund looked towards the front door, thought for a moment and tightened his gloves.

"I'll go out and help." He offered. Kyle's eyes went wide.

"Are you mad?!" The wizard gasped. "No!"

"If Sigmund wants to help, he has every right." Merlin spoke. "His combative scores are impressive and I don't doubt his skill." Sigmund nodded.

"Then it's settled. I'm heading out!"

"I'm coming with you!" Kyle told him. Sigmund shook his head.

"You can't, Kyle. Your magic is no use right now."

"But, we're roommates..."

"Huh? What does that have to do with anything?"

"Don't you remember what you said? We're roommates. We care about one another. If you get possessed, it won't be on my watch!"

Sigmund paused for a moment, then smiled. Kyle had a funny way of showing his feelings. He didn't think Kyle actually cared about him, but in his own subtle way, he always said something that showed he was in fact listening and really did care. The sorcerer sighed.

"Okay.." He nodded. "But if you feel like you can't handle it, tell me. Don't wait until it's too late."

"Keep close to one another." The headmaster spoke. "Keep light magic in mind. It's the only way to defeat these monsters. We'll continue to work on the cauldron. When the ritual is ready to start, everyone will be called in to assist." The boys nodded. Merlin wasn't very confident about Kyle, but knowing Sigmund would be with him, he let the boys head out.

Kyle, himself, wasn't sure about what they were about to face. As they walked towards the doors leading out to the courtyard, the smog around them seemed to grow thicker and darker. He was starting to have second thoughts about volunteering, but he didn't want to let Sigmund down. The sorcerer worked to button up his coat. When they reached the door, his hand touched the doorknob, but he paused to look back at the wizard.

"Are you ready?" Sigmund asked. Kyle blinked.

"Y-yeah..." He stammered. Sigmund pouted.

"Kyle, are you afraid?"

"...a little, but it'll be fine."

"If you're not fully confident, I don't want you heading out there."

"I'm not leaving you behind! So don't try to persuade me!"

"You wouldn't be leaving me behind if you stayed here and helped out. I'll be alr—"

"Stop trying to go alone! I'm coming with you and that's final!"

Letting go of the doorknob, Sigmund suddenly pulled Kyle into a tight hug. To his surprise, Kyle actually hugged him back, even though it was just for a moment. Pulling away from him, Kyle quickly straightened himself out and pulled his wand from his pocket with a scoff.

"That girl is turning you into a real softy..." Kyle teased. Sigmund chuckled lightly and turned back to the door. The laughter died down almost immediately and after one more look back and a mutual nod, the boys rushed out.