Shrouded in Mystery
Syndra jerked awake as a hand gently close around her wrist. Blindly, she snatched the hand and willed her magic through her body, instantly illuminating herself with a violet glow.
"Whoa! Whoa, whoa…" A man's voice spoke, "Easy Syndra… Easy…" Syndra jerked her head around, searching for the source of the man's voice. Finally, the man hovered into her view. He brought his face near Syndra's before speaking softly and gently.
"Easy Syndra, we are not here to hurt you." He spoke slowly and drawn out, as though he were trying to pacify her. Syndra blinked and unconsciously released the nurse's arm from her grasp. Gently, Syndra brought a hand to her temple, massaging it as pain stabbed through her brain.
"Good. Good…" The man said with his soothing tone.
"'Relia…" Syndra finally managed to croak. The man froze but didn't answer.
"Irelia…" She repeated, this time slightly more firmly.
"Now isn't the time, Syndra. Rest." The man gently pushed Syndra back down into her hospital bed and muttered a spell. Syndra opened her mouth to protest, but she was already weakened. Finally, the spell took effect and Syndra's eyes fluttered shut. Her world faded into a restful darkness.
"Hey." The man spoke when he was sure that Syndra was unconscious.
"Yes, sir?" the nurse replied.
"Make sure you don't let her see those." The man gestured at a pile of empty syringes on a tray next to Syndra's bed.
"Of course sir."
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Syndra woke up again, several hours later. She was alone in her room. Glancing around, she immediately understood where she was. Hospital her subconscious told her. Suddenly, the door opened. A nurse and a wizened man entered the room.
"Awake already are we?" The nurse said feigning affection through the fear in her voice as she set down a plate of food on the stand next to Syndra's bed. Syndra didn't reply, instead, she demanded.
"Irelia. Where." The nurse froze and looked at the man. He sighed and sat down at the foot of Syndra's bed. Syndra fixed a baleful glare at the man, her eyes demanding an answer.
Again, the man sighed before he looked her straight in the eyes.
"She's dead, Syndra." Syndra blinked failing to understand his words.
"No. Where's Irelia." Syndra repeated as though it was the man who didn't understand her question.
"She's gone, Syndra. You killed her."
The color from Syndra's face drained. Her mouth moved slightly as if saying "I killed her." Vaguely, she remembered cradling Irelia's limp body in the forest. Suddenly, Syndra started trembling violently, tears flowing uncontrollably down her face. Finally, she screamed; or rather wailed in agony as the weight of the man's words dawned on her brain. Forcefully, she grabbed the man by the collar of her shirt and pounded a fist against his chest. An attack more out of blind rage and loss as opposed to one intended to inflict injury. The man gently removed Syndra's grasp on his collar and pushed her back into the bed. Instinctively, she curled up into a ball, hugging her pillow to her chest, tears still rolling uncontrollably down her face. Silently, the man rose from the foot of Syndra's bed and motioned for the nurse to leave. Both adults left with a quiet click as the door locked shut behind them. Syndra didn't notice as she slowly, agonizingly cried herself to sleep.
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A day later, the same pair of adults re-entered Syndra's room. With no tears left to cry, Syndra was merely sitting upright, her eyes boring a hole into the wall opposite of her. She took no notice of the nurse's actions as the woman took her pulse and measured her breathing rate.
"She's perfectly fine physically." The nurse spoke up "No idea on the mental health though."
"Thank you." The man said and motioned for the nurse to leave. She gladly obliged.
"Syndra." The man said quietly. Syndra turned her dead-faced gaze to the man.
"My name is Attic. I am the head warden of the Ionia Institute of Magic. I am here to invite you to our school." Syndra made no visible response.
"Our school is very accepting of mages of all types of caliber." Attic explained "However, we need to teach you control." He glanced at Syndra for a hint of recognition, but there was none. Finally, he grew impatient.
"You will be coming with us." He stated firmly, placing a hand on Syndra's back. Immediately, she felt a burning sensation on her back as though a hot iron were being pressed against her skin. But once again, Syndra didn't react. All she felt was the numbness, the loss, the pain, and the loneliness of losing the one thing she treasured.