Chapter 2-the Hollowing
Before the event...
"Wake up sweetheart."
Syndra groaned and tossed in her sleep. She groaned in irritation again before opening her eyes to find her mom sitting at her bedside.
"Sleep well?" her mother asked in a sweet tone.
Syndra's eyes went wide when she remembered what happened last night.
"Mom about last night-"
"It's ok Syndra," she interrupted softly." You know I only want what's best for you? "She asked as she stroked her daughter's hair, shifting a stray strand from her face.
"I know mom…I know. But I really do love Bruce, and if you knew him you would too," she said hopefully. Before her mom could retort she added," I know that you think he's going to hurt me but he won't, I know he cares for me just as much as I do him."
"You never know what will happen." She lowered her hand under her daughter's cheek as she started to frown from her answer. "But I will give this one a chance," she finished with a smile.
Syndra smiled brightly before showing a full blown grin as she sat up and bear-hugged her mom.
"How about he comes over for dinner? "Her mom suggested nicely.
Syndra looked up at her mom in surprise at the suggestion, honestly taken by surprise. She scanned her mom's face, looking for any misleading vibe, but found only a slightly nervous looking mother.
"Sure...sure mom that'll be fine. Are you going to invite him?" She asked with awkwardness. Don't get it wrong, she was happy that her mom was Bruce a chance, it was just she was so used to her bad mouthing him.
"Of course, I wouldn't want him to get the wrong idea with you inviting him," she said snidely.
"Mom!" Syndra pouted. "He's not even like that mom," she added quickly, her face one of embarrassment and anger.
"That's what you say now..." She retorted, leaving the thought hanging.
"Mom, if we were going to do anything I would probably be the one to start it. In fact our first kiss I had to practically spell it out for him!" she exclaimed. She covered her face in embarrassment quickly after as she realized what she had said.
simply sat there for a moment before letting out a laugh and embracing her daughter. "Well as long as it's you and not him," she sighed tiredly before grinning as her daughter whined in embarrassment.
Syndra covered her face as embarrassment flowed through her. Her face contorted into one of curiosity as she had a weird feeling spread through her.
The two woman jumped as random globe fell to the floor. They both looked towards the accident, looking at the mess in shock. The mother was the first to respond, standing up and walking towards the door.
"I'll be back, I'm going to go get the dustpan and broom, "she said coolly before walking out.
As soon as her mom left she closed her eyes in thought. The weird tingling sensation and the random breaking of the globe were too convenient. She flexed her hand and experimentally waved it in the direction of the mess. The shards flew up in the air with a start, shocking Syndra before they fell on the floor in a more scattered mess of glass.
Syndra's face contorted into one of frustration as she mentally cursed at herself. She had tried to subside the powers and ignore them, but they would come out when sometimes, for what reason she didn't know. She tried to act normal as her mom walked back in, a dust pan and broom in hand.
Syndra didn't ask if her mom wanted help as she pulled out a rag that she had set out to wash up with when she woke up. She went over next to her mom and started to wipe up the liquid as her mom had finished sweeping up the shards.
"You don't have to help clean honey," her mom said as she grabbed her hand. "go ahead and get dressed, I'll clean up the mess."
Syndra was about to argue but her mom held a look that left no room for arguing, so she instead decided to get ready for school. She pulled out a few of essentials before making her to her bathroom. Her eyes squinted slightly at the brightly lit room.
Syndra's bathroom was a very girlish shade of purple to say the least. It adored white towels on a rack, ready to be used by their master. Upon the wall and above the sink sat a pretty sizable mirror that could show the user's full body if they stepped back a bit. Lastly were the pink mats on the floor that matched the even pinker shower curtains.
Syndra couldn't help but feel giddy over the fact that her mother was going to finally give Bruce a chance, completely forgetting about the strange occurrences. She let out a small giggle at imagining what her boyfriend's reaction when her mom would ask him to join them for dinner tonight. He would probably be wearing a blush and scratching his head in embarrassment. She shook her head and decided to let loose the thought, less she let it distract her all day. She turned on the fossit before stripping down. She inwardly moaned as she stepped in from the hot water pelting her skin.
After taking a short but thoroughly enjoyable shower she went back into her room, not surprised to find her mom already done with cleaning the stain, and dressed for school. She first threw on her white dress shirt before slipping on her predominantly black and dark red skirt. She then buttoned up her shirt and slipped on her black tie, making sure it fit snug between at her neck line. Finally she slipped on her knee high socks, stainless black shoes and her purple burette.
Syndra checked herself in the mirror and silently gave herself a cheeky wink. She couldn't help but feel like today was going to be a lovely day. She snapped her fingers as she barely remembered that she would have to grab her homework from Bella before first block class as she had let her borrow it since she had 'misplaced' hers.
Just as Syndra was thinking about her first block, the three girls that were usually bashful towards her appeared in her mind, completely souring her mood.
Syndra faceplamed in irritation. She didn't feel like nor favored ruining her day by confronting the dreadful women, but she promised Bruce she would, and it made her heart ache when she saw him stressing over her.
Syndra grabbed her messenger bag and made her way downstairs, her noise being tickled by blueberries and syrup waffering the air.
"I made your favorite huh," said as she laid down a plate stacked with pancakes topped off with blueberries and whipped cream on a white table.
Syndra's kitchen, or her mom's more likely, was decorated with an odd amount of cat ordainments, ranging from all assortments of colors and odd shapes as well. In the center of the awkward kitchen sat a pure white table with 4 chairs along each of the corners.
Syndra pulled up a chair, setting her bag beside her as she thanked her mom for cooking breakfast.
"Oh it's no problem at all for my little Syndra," she coed lovingly, watching her daughter's face contort into embarrassment.
"Mom what have I told you about that, it's very childish," Syndra stated coolly, trying to uphold a mature attitude. Someone had too. She hadn't made a big deal about it last night because they were both testy, but now that they were not only level headed but on good terms meant that she would definitely jump on the subject.
"You'll always be my little Syndre-poo no matter what you do," she said tenderly, giving off a radiant smile as her daughter blushed in overwhelming embarrassment.
Syndra adverted her eyes from her mother as she began to dig into her pancakes, but the act didn't hide her soft smile.
'I wish everyday was like this' Syndra thought sadly. It was a rarity to wake up and not have to worry about anything or her mom being the loving woman when she was in a good mood. But she was lying to herself with the thought due to having to deal with those loathsome girls.
Syndra was about to take her plate to the sink when she felt a strange and indescribable feeling course through her body. She tried to determine what it was, but as quickly as it had appeared it had disappeared.
'What the hell is going on?' She thought in worry. It was bad enough that she was having bad headaches occasionally but now strange sensations through her body too? Not to mention the fact that she was pretty sure she caused the globe to fall somehow. Syndra's eyes widened as a possible answer appeared in her head.
She was a mage.
Syndra immediately clasped her hands in thought as she was seriously considering the fact that she was a mage. What bothered her though is that if she was a mage-born they would have told her marked her to be sent to southern Ionian at birth, yet here she was. She tried to consider the possibilities of being normal but they were outweighed by the recent happenings. After thinking briefly she concluded that she would simply ask her mother if there were magic in their blood line.
"Syndra is something the matter?" Her mother asked worryingly as she noticed her expression.
"Mom is there any known magic in our bloodline?" Syndra asked curiously.
Syndra's mom scratched her chin before answering. "Not any that I know of, "she said before adding reluctantly, "I'm not sure about your deadbeat father though." She raised an eyebrow Syndra as she asked, "why'd you ask?"
"I think I might be a mage or... Something along those lines," she replied honestly.
Syndra then went on to tell her mom about her strange headaches and the recent feeling she had coursing through her body. When she was done she didn't like the face that her mom adored, which was one of irritation and anger.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Before Syndra could retort she added in anger," and whose the doctor that you went behind my back to see instead of telling me!"
"I didn't want you to worry," Syndra whispered under her mom's scrutinizing gaze. She wasn't lying when she said that she didn't want her mom to worry but there was also another reason that she didn't tell her mom: Bruce. She thought her mom would have somehow linked him with her headaches and made both their lives hell.
sighed heavily, rubbing her temple before glancing at the clock." Are you fine right now?" She asked. After her daughter nodded yes she added, "we will discuss this when you come home from school, straight home from school." She made sure to stress the last part. "Unless you want to stay home today?"
Syndra considered staying home but remembered her promise to Bruce about taking care of those ignorant women.
"No mother...I have to go to school," she responded slowly but clearly.
nodded before she walked her daughter out the house. As her daughter left down the street toward the Kalamic she couldn't help but think about Syndra's current predicament in the sense of awe. If her daughter were a mage she would be have to go to southern Ionia to be taught. She mentally cursed though as she would have to indulge in the thought after she arrived at work, she was almost late.
'I have a lot to do today.'
Xxxxx
As Syndra walked down the streets, it was relatively quiet. She along with Bruce to an extent lived on the edge of the more populated area in Ionia. They would have walked together to school if it wasn't for the fact that Bruce had declined the idea. She had not directly addressed it but she certainly hinted towards it, only for him to comment 'I want to give you your space'. She had said she would have been fine but then he responded rather strangely,' well then I don't want to be spoiled'. She remembered the cocky grin he wore when he said that and smiled inwardly. She was shaken from her thoughts when she heard a rather annoying and familiar voice.
"Syndraaaa wait up!"
Syndra sighed in something between irritation and pity as she stopped and turned around. Of course it was her acquaintance Karin. She says acquaintance because she found it hard to call the not only ditzy but stupid girl her friend. She hated how hard she hard she tried to fit in with people. She did praise her, for the first of anything that she didn't try to be friends with the girls that teased her. But the praise then gets outweighed by the fact that if you tried to make friends with those cows then you weren't too bright. The act of trying to be their friend was akin to trying to attain a relationship that a dog would have with a chew toy.
Karin wasn't bad looking in the slightest, she was actually quite attractive. She had red hair that looked pretty unique with her complexion that was similar to Syndra's light dark one. Her hair was almost as long as Syndra's but not by much, two of the front ends curving towards her face making a sort of curtain or veil. Her eyes were a steel gray but they shined brightly nonetheless.
"Hello Karin," Syndra said with a forced smile. She mentally cringed as she had mistakenly responded eagerly, a bit too eagerly. She didn't want to give off the impression that she enjoyed conversing with her.
"How was your date with Bruce?" She asked with a childish ring. Her eyes stared intently at what she considered, her friend.
"How did you..."
"I noticed you through my window, "she beamed happily, obviously not seeing the problem in the act.
Of course you did," Syndra said tiredly. It came to no surprise that Karin was spying on her and Bruce for the up tenth time, in fact she doesn't even understand why she entertained the silly girl with the question.
"Soooo tell me how it went," she pressed, dancing around Syndra as she continued to walk onward to school.
"Just the same old, same old," Syndra lied. She really didn't feel like hearing Karin talk about them, or anyone for that matter beside her mom.
"But the look in yourrrr eyes say differently, "she said in a sing song voice.
"You know you're a real creeper sometimes Karin," Syndra replied bluntly. "If I tell you what happened last night will you shut up?" Upon noticing that her expression was unwavering she decided to go ahead and describe her night, only leaving out her instant painful headache. When she was finished she hoped that Karin would have taken her plea for her to shut the hell up.
"Awww how sweet." She clasped her hands behind her back as she matched Syndra's pace beside her. "You better be care careful or," she said before making a cat-like scratching motion with her hands, "or he'll pounce."
"I'll tell you what I told my mom, if anyone was going to make the first move it would be me," she said with a nervous butt resolute voice. Syndra at this point gave up on the idea that Karin was going to leave her along for the short walk.
Karin giggled behind her hand in a cutesy fashion before narrowing her eyes toward Syndra. "Well when are you going to pounce on him?" She asked rather darkly.
Syndra glanced over at the girl in irritation. "That's none of your business," she stated coldly, in a way that hinted that she was done with the subject. Unfortunately Karin didn't either seem to get the hint or simply didn't care.
"I bet you're just-"
She stopped mid-sentence as a crack appeared on the road, right next to them. It wasn't a huge crack but it was substantial enough to cause both of the woman to stop walking.
"Whoooa, look at that" Karin said, truly mystified by the sight of the cracks' sudden appearance.
Syndra didn't reply as she looked upon the crack. She knew it was her via the strange feeling coursing through her at the moment. Her brow furrowed in frustration as it was becoming more and more obvious that there was something obviously different about her. She clinched her hand into a fist as she heard Karin address her for about the 5th time since the crack.
"Karin stop talking until we get to school ok?!"She demanded quite fiercely, honestly not in the mood to deal with her stupidity at the moment.
Surprisingly enough Karin did not say another word as they made their way to the Kalamic that would take them to school.
Xxxx
Horrible. That's what Syndra would say if she had to sum up her last year of high school. There was a time before when she enjoyed coming to school, where she could come and just be left to her own devices.
But that was before Dane made her presence more...well known to Syndra. Syndra didn't know what she had done to make her the victim of her verbal out lashing and teasing, but whatever it was, it apparently still irked her. She wouldn't mess with her every day, but it was consistent enough to the point where it made her dislike coming to schools. She swore if it wasn't for her mother or Bruce giving her support and something to look toward to after school, she probably would have turned into a complete bitch as well.
Luckily when Syndra arrived at the girls Gallingon's, she was neither greeted by Dane or Karin's excessive chattering as she was in section four of the school and Syndra was in section three. Syndra was irritable when she passed through the Kalamic, but after being spared of Karin's annoyingly silent presence she felt a tinge better.
The girl's school was nicer compared to the boys by a landslide. Their school was very nicely lit and it was pristine white along the walls and crystal-like marble floors. There were pictures of prestigious women who had won or have been recognized for some sort of achievement or academic feat. Unlike the boy's, the hallways was filled up with the attendants of classes on the floor.
Syndra was not one for many friends at her school. To put it bluntly and nicely she felt as if she were simply superior to all of them in terms of sheer intelligence. She had surpassed all her so-called 'peers' exponentially in terms of grade point wise and tests. She had been honored so much times they were all a blur to her now. Due to this she finds that it would be a waste to talk to anyone, as she found it to be a chore. The only people that was excluded from this were Bruce and her mom of course, followed by Karin who was only accepted by the fact that Syndra saw her as a constant reminder of what awaits when she talks to other peers.
Syndra brushed off the invisible dust off her skirt before sitting down on a bench along the wall that wasn't preoccupied by anyone. She opened up her purple bag after setting it down and pulling out a small red notebook she used for her homework and notes among other things for her first class of the day, history. She didn't review last night for her test because of obvious reasons so she figured she would use the last few minutes before class started to.
"The one who founded Ionia..." She mumbled before she fell into a haze of studying. Studying to Syndra came natural as fish learning to swim. Not too long later Syndra had felt a little more knowledgeable on the subject of who seized the lane of Ionia along with other notable people before the bell ringed, signaling that it was time for everyone to their first block.
Syndra was in the middle of replacing her book back in her bag when she heard a sickeningly sweet voice worm it's was into her innocent ears.
"Hello Syndra."
The woman who had said the misleading greeting was none other than Dane, of course accompanied by her 2 lapdogs Zerces and Sydney.
Dane wore the same uniform as Syndra but with a little of her touch here and there. She had a blue Barrett that sat atop her pitch black nest of curly hair. Her skin was a nice creamy shade of white which really seemed to match her blue eyes.
It would be a waste of time to describe Zerces and Sydney due to the fact that they strive to look exactly like Dane, hair color and all. Some of the major flaws with this would be the fact that Zerces was extremely shorter than Dane and she was noticeably 'thicker' around the waist then she was. The flaw with Sydney, if you would call it one, was the silent fact that she just looked better then Dane. Her face was radiant with beauty and her eyes dazzled quite nicely the majority of time. Unfortunately her attitude matched Dane's, If not worst. Other than these depicted flaws, they were the same from the socks to the lipstick to the damn toothpaste.
Syndra sighed loud enough for the group of witches to hear before standing up and packing her things. Her brow furrowed in frustration as she was about to have to deal with the three witches, after all, she did promise. She cleared her throat and spoke in the most calm but threatening voice she could muster.
"Listen Dane. I'm getting sick of coming to school just to hear you're ignorant and blatantly stupid wretched ass talk down on me every time I walk up in this dam place. So hears what's going to happen." Syndra said before gesturing to the three woman who found her threat funny." You're going to leave me the hell alone-
"Or what?" Dane interrupted before adding, "your dad is going to tell on us?"
Syndra's hands tightened into fist at the comment.
"Shut up Dane."
The other girls were silent as Dane continued her verbal assault, although they didn't look particularly comfortable.
"You think you're so much better then everyone don't you Syndra? Well if you're so much better than everyone else, why don't you have a dad huh?" She boomed with obvious jealousy.
There was a dark shadow casted upon Syndra's face as Dane continued. It lacked emotion, almost as if she wasn't there. Her purple eyes started to glow dimly.
"Ummm Dane," Sydney said nervously, her voice etched with nervous as she started to notice Syndra's strange demeanor." I think you should stop."
"Who are you telling to stop Sydney?" Dane screeched. "I'll do what I want to this bastard bitch."
Syndra felt wild. She felt like she could kill the three bitches right now. She felt something inside of her and knew it was more than likely her abilities. It felt as if it was begging to be released, constantly poking her senses in an irritating manor. She knew she shouldn't, she knew the few and recent times she had lost control that things happened, but she was pissed. For a split second, only a split second, she didn't care what happened, as long as they paid.
The two girls would have continued to argue, if it wasn't for the fact of Zerces crying out. They turned towards her and went wide eyed as she seemed to have been gripped by something invisible, constricting her arms to her side in an unnatural way.
The girl crocked out one last time before her body was enveloped in a dark purplish sphere.
"What the hell?" Dane said, not believing what she was seeing. She looked from Zerces, or what swallowed her, to Syndra with crazed but fearful eyes.
"What the hell did you do to her!?"
Syndra, at this point, was covered in a pale veil of purplish evil-looking energy. Instead of her beautiful violet eyes, they were glowing brightly, so bright you couldn't see the pupils anymore. Her hands were covered in a more compressed version of the haze, it forming a circle. Lastly was the fact that she was slightly hovering above the ground.
Their where a few girls that gathered around, merely watching the scene. No one came to the rescue of the three women for two reasons: the first was that no-one liked the woman in the first place and the second reason is that no one was stupid enough to step in Syndra's way with that evil presence around her.
Syndra looked towards Dane and smiled devilishly as she spoke in a voice dripping with power.
"The same thing that's going to happen to you."
It took a moment for Dane to process what she had said, but that was all it took for Syndra.
Syndra let out a throaty laugh as she raised her hand to Dane. Just like Zerces, she had froze Dane in place. She then turned her attention to Sydney as she had took off down the hallway.
Sydney had sprinted down the hallway, pushing past students who were merely watching the scene unfold in wonder. She would be damned if she was caught up in whatever Syndra was doing. She was almost around the corner when she felt a force around her.
"Where do you think you're going?" Syndra teased darkly before pulling her hand towards her.
Sydney felt a sense of nausea as she was pulled through the air in a rough motion before landing smack into the ground. She felt a sense of relief for only a second before a unfathomable force pressed her against the floor belly first.
"Now, will you and your dog's yield," she paused as she flexed her hands, putting pressure on Sydney and Dane. "or should I end your miserable lives?" she finished sternly. She of course wasn't planning on actually ending their lives, but it made a good threat.
"Yes, yes whatever just let us go!?" Dane strained.
Syndra smiled before crossing her arms in triumph.
Sydney and Dane stood up shivering, their bodies moving almost experimentally. The only thing that was out of place was the fact Zerce wasn't back, the dark sphere still reaming hovering slightly above the ground.
Not too long there was whispers amongst the young woman who weren't in class. To add to the chaos a teacher stepped out of a classroom.
"What in blazes is going on?" The old woman said as she made her towards the commotion.
Syndra started to panic. It wasn't the appearance of the teacher that worried her, she had already knew she was in trouble. It was the fact that she couldn't dispel the dark sphere that presumably held Zerces within. Now that she thought about it, she didn't know how she summoned it in the first place. It had come out natural to her.
'How the hell...' Syndra thought as she weaved her hands in a strange attempt to dispel the orb. Unfortunately she was stopped by a hand grabbing her wrist.
"Syndra Delush you are to stop using magic and cancel whatever this is immediately!" She croaked, holding the woman's wrist with her age-ridden and talon-like hands.
Before the woman could respond the dark orb that held Zerces threw itself forward with unnatural speed towards the teacher before swallowing her whole. The orb sat there for a minute before growing bigger in size.
Syndra stood Still as the old lady's hand was protruding through the orb, it gripping her tighter before being swallowed by darkness that creep up her arm that originated from the orb. Syndra pulled back her hand and looked at it before the orb. She was literally on the verge of panicking at this point. The orb had just swallowed the teacher whole and it didn't help that the teachers hand gripped her wrist in a deathlike grip. Syndra quickly decided to try and pull them out of the orb with her hand since the orb showed now intention of swallowing her.
'What if I reach in it...' she thought as she stepped towards the orb and shoved her hand in it. She was shocked as she didn't feel anything but air.
"What the hell's happening?" She heard a student say.
"What if she killed them?" Another said.
Syndra turned to the majority and raised her hands defensively. "I didn't kill anyone."
"Then why didn't you pull them out?" One student asked quizzingly.
Syndra opened her mouth to say something, but quickly closed it as she honestly didn't know. She was pulled out of her however when she was tackled from behind. She flipped her attacker and noticed Dane before her hands were wrapped around her throat.
"We have to kill her or she's going to kill us!" Dane said crazily as she continued to choke her.
Syndra wrapped her hands around the woman's wrist and tried to yank her off but it was in vain as Dane had a death grip around her neck. Syndra started to sweat as her vision started to blur. She wondered why no-one was helping her before coming to the conclusion: they wanted her to die. Syndra could feel herself slip, her eyes closing as well before she felt Dane's weight along with her hands presence around her neck disappear. She took in large gulps of air before opening her eyes and staring at the forgotten dark orb hovering over her.
After a minute Syndra stood up, barely though as her hands were on her knees as the orb shifted to the side of her, almost acting like a guardian so to speak. She gazed upon everyone with hate. They were going to let her die, they wanted her to die! She clenched her left hand in a fist, her nails digging into her skin.
"Why...why didn't you help me?" Syndra strained as she felt tears well up in her eyes.
No one moved a muscle, all their eyes focused on her as the majority was either scared or simply mystified by the sight before them. In the midst of everything three teachers made their way through the crowd.
"Syndra, you need to calm down," a young looking woman said softly, stepping towards Syndra slowly along with the other two teachers.
Syndra at this point was panting, her mouth clinching between them. She felt a mixture of emotions along with a rising sensation in the pit of her stomach. Her eyes flickered from the teachers to the students in silent rage.
"Get away," she whispered silently.
The teachers still advanced on her.
"Get away," she whispered louder, yet they still advanced upon her.
"Get away!" She yelled, holding herself as dark orbs exploded into existence around her.
There was about a dozen orbs flying about, unlike the original first orb, they were much smaller but they moved more violently and sporadically. They hovered in the air zooming towards everyone in the grand hallway.
Everyone panicked as they seen their peers get swallowed by the dark mass that seemed to wash over everyone like death. Students and a handful of teachers tried to make their way towards the exits and the Kalamic, but it was vain as it was uncontrolled chaos. People were shoving, stomping and barreling past everyone with a mentality of 'save yourself'.
Syndra looked upon the chaos with a sense of uselessness. She couldn't stop this, it was beyond what little she understood of her latent powers. She sat down and cradled her legs in the very center of the chaos. She didn't get trampled by the other students as it seemed like every time one got close they would get swallowed up by a sphere.
"I am a monster...," Syndra whispered to no one as her peers were devoured by the orbs.