Where did it go wrong?

by Aria Morid

Going Zenith left its marks. It influences their lives and their missions. Their perception of what's right and wrong are skewed, but is it because of who they are or because of who they work for? The Guardians learn not every evil is wrong, or every good is right.

1. Chapter 1 Where did it go wrong?

Chapter 1 Vacation is over

Winter vacation was finally over and it was exactly what the doctor prescribed. We definitely needed this break. If I remember correctly, we haven't had a single break ever since this Guardian gig started. Our first winter vacation had been filled with Phobos. Nerissa quickly followed, taking our summer break like she didn't care. Now that I think about it, chances are high she really didn't give a damn about our vacation. So yes, I for one am glad to have had two weeks with my friends and boyfriend without getting beeped by Kandrakar. Maybe they put evil on hold for us. Or maybe they were just busy redecorating after we kind of used the place as a ruse to get Phobos to lose his powers. And of course Nerissa's attack on the place didn't make it look any better.

So today, the day started as pretty much any other school day should start. My alarm clock being turned off by a very groggy me, before falling back into my bed. It tried to wake me by using its extremely nasal voice to warn me I would be late, but as I do with all my electric appliances, I just threatened to throw it out if it wouldn't shut up. This was a cue for my very cheerful mother to burst in and take my blankets, letting the cold of the winter touch me.

After our usual banter I kissed her goodbye and rushed to school, with my breakfast half eaten between my teeth and my hands clamping the steer of my bike. A nice slide and an abrupt brake made a few students jump away as they saw me storming past and I barely managed to park my bike before the school bell rang. I exited the bike stalls to see my friends grinning at me. Even Irma stood leisurely next to the door, grinning with mirth.

"My, aren't you on time," she said.

I stuck my tongue out at her and the group grinned as we continued our way. I admit I was a bit disappointed not to see Matt with them, but I reminded myself that he always had the first period off on Mondays. It was one of the few things I envied about him. Too bad the envy wouldn't help me past the morning classes. Cornelia and I shared them, which may have been my blessing. I tended to nod off during morning classes, but with Cornelia discretely using her telekinesis to keep me awake, I managed to do just that. Besides, our second class was the one with the new teacher.

Somewhere during the winter break, Sheffield Institute decided that its students needed an education in computer technology. It sounded more interesting than it is. We learn the basics of using a computer, the things I teach my mother when she believes the computer is haunted again (no it's not. George, my computer, just acts up whenever he believes I need some quality time with my mother. To be honest, I don't mind him doing that, but the headaches I get from explaining my mother how Facebook works...). You would expect students to complain. We were, after all, born in the age when these things came up. We wear raised to use them. But the school board had figured out a way to keep us silent. By placing an enigmatic, charming teacher in front of the class. Professor Ralph Sylla, with his half-short blond hair, his charming glasses and his rough stubble, he could make the girls swoon and with his humour and stories, the boys idolized him.

I admit, he had me blushing as well. I don't want to brag, but computers are my thing. If I wanted I could pull stuff from the databanks of the Pentagon without anyone knowing it was me (thanks to my magic). So I couldn't help it to finish my assignments a little – read a lot – earlier than the rest of my fellow classmates. And yes, I felt a blush creep to my cheeks when he stood next to me and crouched, looking at me with his indigo blue eyes. I am also quite sure my blush deepened when he praised me in front of the class and gave me the highest mark we could get. Cornelia's raised eyebrow was the only reason I felt a pang of guilt at all.

"Magic wasn't for mundane things, huh?" she said when we walked out of the class.

I nudged her and looked around, before giving her a mild glare.

"You were using it to keep me awake!"

Her smile was one Irma would usually wear, the kind of conspiratorially smile that would always make my gut churn in unwanted anticipation.

"I figured keeping our leader awake during the most testing hours of the day wouldn't be such a problem," she said.

I shrugged. Honestly, my opinion about not using magic outside of Guardian business had changed over the past year. I actually started to think about it the moment I got my magic. I can't turn the talking appliances off, no matter how hard I try. I just don't have to pay attention and before I know it, a watch is talking to me. And after the whole 'altermere' disaster I figured perhaps it would be better to just allow it. And tell each other if something as big as an Astral Drop is being made or done. That way, we're at least prepared if anything would go wrong. The others agreed to this new line of thinking. So I knew Cornelia was merely teasing me if anything.

"Good morning! Did you survive the first classes of the new year?"

I looked up, seeing Irma, Taranee and Hay Lin walking up to us. Irma was still in her exceptional good mood, most likely because she'd been expecting me to pout. That girl was more sadistic than she let on. Taranee smiled friendly at me and a small roll of her eyes as she nudged her head at Irma. I raised an eyebrow and looked at our extremely good-nurtured friend. As I did, I only absentmindedly noticed Hay Lin scrawling on her arm, most likely still in her morning daze.

"What got you in such a good mood?" I said.

Irma flashed me a grin and puffed out her chest. I could feel my eyes roll as I prepared for a brag.

"You're looking at the one who is going out for dinner at one of the most expensive and greatest restaurants in town. My dad got a promotion and the whole family is invited."

"She's been listing off the menu ever since we asked her," Taranee said.

"Poor you," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Irma hadn't noticed a thing as she had indeed returned to listing off the various dishes the restaurant had to offer. Cornelia raised an eyebrow and I could just see her contemplate if she wanted to interrupt Irma and start a fight this early, or not.

"So, you guys had the new teacher, right?"

I grinned faintly at Taranee, quite sure she had picked up the incoming fight as well. Her question made Irma stop rattling and even got Hay Lin to look up. I felt an undesirable blush coming up, especially when Cornelia started talking.

"Oh yeah. Sylla is really, quite charming, isn't he Will?"

I glared darkly at her, but Cornelia batted her long eyelashes at me, as if asking if she'd said anything wrong. I couldn't repay her for her kind words as the others had turned their attention to me. My blush, which had been barely visible, was now rapidly growing brighter, causing the three remaining girls to crow in delight.

"He praised her for her computer skills and she's been sighing ever since," Cornelia said.

"Thinking about those deep blue eyes?" Taranee said.

I looked shocked at Taranee, before remembering her very, very obnoxious gift of mind reading.

"Taranee!"

I slapped her on her arm, while the others giggled loudly.

"Deep blue eyes? Were you thinking about me?"

My blush turned even deeper, only not out of embarrassment but out of guilt. I turned around to see Matt walking towards us. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me on my forehead, before looking around the group.

"Unfortunately, lover boy, we were talking about Will's crush on the new teacher," Irma said.

"Oh?"

I could sense Matt stiffening a bit, his voice dragging a bit of jealousy. I grabbed his arms and pulled them closer to me.

"I don't have a crush. His eyes were just very noticeable," I said.

"And his rough stubble that accentuates his chin?" Hay Lin said.

My shock at Hay Lin's less than subtle revelation about another feature of our professor which I had thought to be charming turned quickly to anger as I glared at Taranee. Taranee however was raising her hands in defence, already knowing I was blaming her for this blatant show of privacy breach.

"It wasn't me," she said.

"Then who?" I said. "Who else could have known aside from your poking around and Cornelia being there?"

"I...just picked it up from you."

My anger quickly disappeared as confusion took its place. I released myself from Matt's embrace and looked at Hay Lin, who looked as surprised at this as the rest of us. It was unfortunate that we couldn't continue our conversation as the bell rang for the third period and we separated once again. That was not entirely true. We did continue our conversation telepathically, along with multiple tests during our lessons. This of course meant that we didn't pay a lot of attention during the classes. Not even Taranee, who would have scolded us for our scholastic behaviour, or lack of, was paying attention. And so, when lunch break came about, we figured out a few of things. Each of us was capable of starting a telepathic conversation without first asking Taranee to link us through. We could effectively exclude people from our conversations, making it so Taranee, Cornelia, Irma, Hay Lin or even myself couldn't hear or enter a conversation unannounced. This was something Irma and Hay Lin enjoyed very much, as it opened their possibilities of cheating without Taranee scolding them mentally. And we figured out that Taranee had become capable of reading the thoughts of others. When we figured this out, Taranee admitted as well that she had been noticing a buzz for the past few days but hadn't realized it had been because of the people thinking around her.

This of course brought new concerns along the way. The thing is, last time we noticed a power up, I kept on shocking Matt, Irma accidentally made it rain, Cornelia moved more things than she could remember and Hay Lin nearly got hit by a car who couldn't see her. So the conclusion was easily made, while in school we would discreetly check if and how our powers were augmented. And afterwards, we'd go to Meridian and see how exactly this was effecting us in both human as well as in Guardian form. Hopefully Elyon wouldn't mind us using the soldier training grounds.

Even though we had decided all this in the span of two periods, we were having a light discussion during lunch. I filled Matt in on the things we figured out, which alarmed him a bit. Hay Lin was talking with Eric about his potential place in Matt's band, which he'd been asked for during the break. Taranee was simply enjoying Nigel's presence as she leaned into him while reading a book while he passively leaned into her. Irma was talking with Martin about the radio show and Cornelia and Alchemy were talking about how they should spend more time together. If anything, it looked like a very normal lunch of a group of very normal teenagers. Yet I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched. And not essentially in a good way. I also spent my lunch convincing Matt that the girls were teasing me about Sylla, which he in the end seemed to accept.

A good thing too, because having him brood upon it while we were gone would only make him grumpier when we returned. And with gone, I meant Guardian business gone. You'd think your peace will last, but apparently Kandrakar had different thoughts about it.

"Will, I don't know if it's a new feature on your phone, but your necklace is flashing," Alchemy said.

I flushed red and automatically grabbed for the Heart, hiding its lights and annoying buzzing from anyone else looking at me. I flashed her an apologetic smile.

"It's just a toy my mom bought, you know. It looks exactly like my normal necklace, but this one buzzes randomly and I'm supposed to text her when it does. A very annoying way to let me think of her," I said.

A very flimsy lie, especially as everyone else had seen the Heart beforehand. I could already see a few raised eyebrows and I prayed none would question it. Luck, however, was not at my side and I could see Martin opening his mouth. My stomach churned and I winced slightly as he spoke up.

"I've never heard of such a device. In fact, your necklace seemed rather unique to me."

My mind went blank and I could only think of even worse excuses. I could not handle an identity breach right now. Kandrakar would most likely have a word or two ready for this. I turned to Martin, formulating my most feasible excuse when Irma spoke up.

"Oh come on Martin, of course you've seen it before. You showed it to me on the computer, remember?"

My heart stopped shortly. I could practically see Martin's eyes glaze over, much like I'd seen with enthralled people. Martin started to nod, apologizing for being so forgetful. I looked at Irma but before I could even convey my worries I noticed something that truly horrified me. Eric, Nigel and Alchemy shared the same misty look and nodded as well. Eric even muttered something about having seen the necklace as well. I now was no longer the only one looking at Irma. The others all gave her a look of surprise, along with what seemed to be anger.

The bell rang, signalling the end of the lunch break and giving us the chance to say goodbye. The others still seemed to be in the daze Irma had put them in. I eyed Matt, hoping he got my message. He nodded and ushered the four dazed teens towards the classes we also were supposed to follow. We quickly hid at a toilet, knowing it would run empty within seconds. The moment the last occupant left, I created a fold. We went through it without transforming. I figured it would be safer to transform in Kandrakar instead.

The moment we entered Kandrakar, we didn't enter any peace. Cornelia was the first to speak, but both Hay Lin and Taranee quickly added their voices, creating a new level of noise in the usual serene halls where I had folded us to.

"How could you-"

"How did you-"

"Were you even-"

"Enough!" I said.

Irma, for once in her life time, was stepping back, hunching behind me while the other three were close to attacking her. I stepped a little bit more towards the three-headed hound to give Irma a bit of space, but I was sharing the same questions. When the three calmed down, if only for a bit, I turned to Irma. Irma was still a little pale and I could see her lips muttering the words 'I'm sorry' until she realized that I was also looking at her.

"What happened?" I said.

Irma winced a bit, before seemingly finding her confidence once again. She straightened her back and the familiar pout of her 'Well I didn't do anything wrong' face came to be. I crossed my arms as I awaited her explanation and I could see her squirm just a little under my gaze. I repressed a grin.

"I... I was just trying to make your terrible lie more believable. How should I know it would work on everyone?" she said.

I agreed partially with her. We figured about just an hour ago out that our powers had gotten another boost, for Kandrakar knows what reason. It made sense that Irma wouldn't have thought about it. It wouldn't be the first time she would forget something they only recently talked about. It however, was no excuse for Cornelia.

"Listen here you water head. We just figured out our powers have grown again and you decide to use it on our friends without a second thought?"

"Listen here Blondie! I just forgot! I didn't think about it."

"You never think, you bloated sponge."

"Like you can, with your limited amount of brain cells left."

I internally groaned. How could these two have been friends for so long before I intervened? I could see that both Hay Lin as well as Taranee had just accepted Irma's explanation and were now just silently begging me to stop them. I rubbed my eyes, wishing I could have just one day without a pity fight between those two. I mentally prepared to pull them apart, as their nicknames for one another became more and more profound. I just didn't need to stop them as an Elder came walking at us.

A small smile of relief formed on my lips as Tibor walked towards us. His bushy eyebrows were kneaded in a frown and his features told me he was all but happy to see us. Neither Cornelia not Irma saw him approach, resulting in both of them jumping out of their skin when his deep, thunderous voice echoed around us.

"What is all this ruckus in these sacred halls?"

I raised an indiscrete eyebrow. Kandrakar has had more ruckus in the past year than just a pair of squabbling teenagers. In my opinion he was being a bit unjust, but it effectively shut them up, so you wouldn't hear me complain. Having said that, I did want to share my opinions when I saw Tibor's condescending glare as he looked us over.

"Why aren't you in your uniform?"

Even his tone was patronizing. I hid my own sneer and bowed a bit apologetically.

"I'm sorry. We were in the middle of school and I figured it would safer to transform here instead of blowing our cover on Earth."

I was careful to hide my sarcasm, but Irma's and Hay Lin's soft snickering still managed to make me smirk. I was glad Tibor hadn't noticed anything for he only looked annoyed and shrugged a bit.

"Fine. But you have to look presentable for the Oracle and the Council. Transform, if you please."

I nodded, turning to the others. They all shared the same look. 'Who spit in his beans?'. I once again smirked before saying the two words that would transform us to the Guardians of Kandrakar. Tibor had been so kind as to turn his back to us while we transformed, much unlike Caleb or Matt, who always ogled us as we transformed. Once the lights dimmed down, Tibor turned briefly to us as we landed. He gestured us to follow, before walking away. We once again shared a look before following him.

As we did, I noticed that Kandrakar had repaired itself pretty quickly. Then again, I faintly remembered them saying something about Kandrakar being in and out of time at the same time. Maybe they used that strange time magic to rebuild the fortress. Maybe even fortified it just a little bit more. At least, I hoped.

Tibor opened two large doors and I actually had to make an effort to keep my face straight. I also had the faintest of feelings I would be the only one of us five. I could hear Cornelia take a deep breath and Irma and Hay Lin whispering a soft 'wow'. I was even sure that Taranee's mouth had fallen open. I would have done the same, but all the judging looks that went our way made me reconsider. But it was truly difficult. For this was the first time we all saw the full Council of Kandrakar. The room wherein we had met Tibor, Alfor, Halinor and the Oracle was filled to the bring with numerous different alien species, all looking considerably old. And all of them glaring at us like we were criminals. Even the Oracle's friendly smile seemed to have waned.

The stares followed us and uneasiness settled within me as the five of us walked towards the Oracle. A round of whispers buzzed around us and I didn't need to understand the language to understand the sentiment. I didn't know how we did it, but somehow we managed to get the whole of Kandrakar discontent with us. I felt how the others closed the distance between us. Their presence so close to me at least gave me a feeling I wasn't completely alone. The feeling I was getting was similar to the one you get when presenting in front of the class. Only this class was at least a hundred times bigger and more hostile than your average high school class.

"Guardians, we have summoned you for two reasons, one which gives us great concerns."

I kept my face straight, but my stomach made a flip. Somehow, I didn't believe that their concern was about whatever new threat we were about to face. I remained silent as the Oracle looked at us. The angry buzzing of murmurs had stopped, but the glares where still hounding us. I didn't dare to look around and instead continued to stare into the eyes of the Oracle. Past him I could see a few Council members looking even more upset with me than they already were.

"We have noticed an unusual increase in your powers."

My eyes widened. I thought Kandrakar was aware that our powers would increase, like they were last time. The fact that this was a reason for them to summon us, made me uneasy. As far as I knew there were but two ways to increase in power. Either by training, which we largely neglected during our winter break, or by adding a Heart to your collection. And trust me, we hadn't been doing that either.

"You mean, you aren't the cause of our new power up?"

I glanced at Irma, who as per usual, couldn't keep her thoughts to herself. The fact that she had opened her mouth seemed to cause an uproar amongst the Council members. Few of them stood up, hollering at her. They yelled and jeered, claiming that her remark had been out of place. That she should now her place and that only I was allowed to speak and only when the Oracle asked. I frowned deeply as Irma looked positively aghast at what was happening around us. I stepped forward, blocking Irma and the others as I spread my arms and glared with as much venom as I could back at the stands. More ruckus followed until the Oracle raised his hand.

"When did you become aware of this increase in powers?" he said after the giant room had recovered its silence.

"Just today," I said. "By accident we noticed that our telepathy was working differently than before and how Irma's mind suggestion has become stronger."

"Anything else?" the Oracle said.

I shook my head. "Not as far as we know. But we were planning to find out over the course of the day and practice after school in Meridian."

Again I could see several sneers of dislike. Really, what was wrong with these people?

"How were you planning on 'finding out', if I may ask?" one of the older Council members said.

To be honest, I didn't really feel like answering. Not after the way they treated Irma for speaking up. I pursed my lips, pretending I didn't hear him until my gaze once again crossed that of the Oracle. His eyes were cold and by the slight tugging of his lips and balling of his hands, I figured that answering might perhaps be a better option.

"Our secondary powers are largely innocent. Irma's power is by far the most dangerous and that one got tested by accident, so it was no longer needed. Our plans were mostly meant for Hay Lin and for me. We figured that perhaps Hay Lin could turn others, or other things, invisible without her turning invisible as well and that I would try to make my calculator talk in a way that everyone would hear it and not just us."

More mutterings. Our chances of looking innocent were declining quicker than I would have imagined. Nevertheless, I kept my back straight and my eyes on the Oracle, challenging him to tell me I was wrong. But his lips remained sealed as he gazed at me. A slight headache blossomed in my head and my frown deepened. Was he looking in my mind to see if I was telling the truth? Despite my initial response to try and shut him out, much like we've tried with Taranee, I let him rummage through my thoughts. I don't know why they were treating us like criminals, but as long as I didn't struggle, our chances of playing this off as a big misunderstanding would be high.

"You realize that your affinity with electronical objects and thus your ability to make them talk, is not your secondary power," the Oracle said.

I balled my fists. I had thought of it for a while now. But only because my real secondary power always seemed a bit redundant to me. And making machines talk was the only thing I could do when not in Guardian form. Then again, with our new increase in powers, it could very well be that my true secondary power would start to show real soon in human form. With all the complications it would bring along.

"You're talking about my increased strength and resistance?" I said.

The Oracle nodded solemnly, thus confirming my suspicions. It was somehow sadly funny how my super strength would make its debut now after all this time. We found out during our battles with Cedric that my resistance to getting hit was higher than the other girls and during my trip with Caleb in Phobos' labyrinth and the battle of the plains, my super strength came into play. Yet I never really thought of it as my power. I just figured it was a way of Kandrakar apologizing that they took my powers and still wanted me to fight. But just like Irma could create and manipulate small bodies of water, Cornelia could grow and shape flowers, Taranee could create and douse flames and Hay Lin could manipulate the wind ever so slightly, I could manipulate electronic devices and spark like a Taser. So indeed, making sentient objects was nothing more but a weakened state of my powers.

"I figured that to be practiced with Caleb in Meridian, rather than trying to knock someone's head off in Sheffield," I said.

This time my own contempt and sarcasm was heard and as I expected, not well received. Again several stood up and were ready to argue with me. The full storm had no chance to unload as the Oracle held a hand up. I could see a ghost of his old serene smile back on his lips.

"I would expect no less of the Keeper of the Heart," he said. "With that issue closed, I would like your attention for the following."

I didn't feel like the issue was closed. That feeling was only reinforced with the glares of the surrounding Council. I briefly glanced at the girls, glad they were sharing my unrest as well. It was also obvious that Irma was biting her lips to refrain herself from starting another explosion of uproar. We shared a glance before turning back to the Oracle. He had conjured up a holographic image of a planet, much like what Yan Lin had down when she introduced us to our destiny.

"This, Guardians, is the world Arkhanta. We've been at peace with them for quite some years, but since a few years one of the rulers has been... Difficult."

The image changed to a man with a stern, young face and striking blue hair. A small smile tugged at my lips. I had always cursed my striking and unusual red hair, but this guy's blue hair was even worse.

"This is Ari, once a simple farmer who grew to a ruler due to his achievements. His greatest achievement, and one of our greatest concerns, is his capture of the Banshee Yua."

The image shifted to a creature with a light greenish skin and dark green hair. She was bound by soft glowing cloths in a pool. Even her pupils were green. I couldn't hide my surprise and it must have been obvious as the Oracle continued his explanation.

"Banshees are powerful magical creatures living on Arkhanta. They provide any three wishes to the one that captures them. They of course, don't like to be captured and are also terribly dangerous. This results in them rarely being caught."

"Let me guess, Ari managed to capture one and keep her?" I heard Irma say beneath her breath.

"Exactly Miss Lair," the Oracle said, making the hologram disappear.

I shared a short glance with the others, seeing Irma blush furiously. We all snickered a bit before forcing our faces back to the neutral way they were before. Irma still muttered, though this time even I couldn't understand her.

"We wish you to visit Arkhanta and have an audience with Ari, to see if he is indeed hostile against Kandrakar. We wished to send you immediately, but in the light of these new events, I've decided to give you a day of practice. Tomorrow we'll expect you here where we can send you to Arkhanta."

I raised my hand. I felt childish and even slightly stupid when I did so, but I was unsure how else to gain the attention without looking rude. The Oracle raised an eyebrow before probably recognizing it. He nodded and I cleared my throat.

"With all due respect sir," I said. "while we indeed appreciate our extra time to at least make sure we won't cause another 'accident' – I looked shortly at Irma – we still attend school. And during our past mission, we already missed quite a lot. And well...We would like to pass this year."

If Irma's remark had caused a ruckus, then mine created a cacophony of noise. Council members everywhere started speaking loudly, with quite a few yelling at us in alien languages. From a few that spoke English, I picked up that they believed that Kandrakar's fate was more important than our lives and that we should even be honoured to be its Guardians. The amount of foul looks I received was more than I felt I deserved. I hadn't expected the reaction and I winced as the storm flew by. I unconsciously took a step back, nearly walking into Taranee, who placed a hand on my back in an attempt to calm me down. Well, I could safely say I wasn't calming down.

The past me would have hidden away. I would have turned red and look down, hoping people would stop screaming at me. All the while thinking I was right. The current me thought differently. They could yell and be angered by our behaviour all they wanted, but they shouldn't forget one very crucial thing. If it hadn't been for us than the Oracle would still be caught in a bubble and a giant snake would be ruling the universe. A speck of gratitude wouldn't harm anyone. And so I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, shutting the Council members out for a moment. It was the same as stopping an escalated fight between Cornelia and Irma, only with more people yelling.

"SHUT UP!"

The Council turned silent, if only because of Taranee's blatant command and obvious disregard of respect for them. I turned around surprised. I'd never seen Taranee explode like this, but now as she glared darkly at the Oracle, I was astounded by her ferocity. The Oracle's small smile had dropped entirely, but Taranee refused to look at him. Instead she glared into the room.

"Do we think our lives to be more important than Kandrakar? Yes, as long as the danger is not imminent. Do we think it's an honour to be Guardians? Yes, we do. But being Guardians doesn't mean being slaves. Especially not if we're being left to our own devices most of the time. Kandrakar hasn't been any help ever since we arrived here and yet we fought hard to protect it. I don't have to remember you all that if we hadn't actually given up on our humanity, you wouldn't be sitting here. The Oracle would have most likely been swallowed by Cedric, and you would have cowered in fear of an enormous snake. Yet we haven't heard a single word of gratitude from you. Even so, we willingly came here and were accepting the mission we were given. We only had one single request, to carry it out after our school hours."

Taranee ended her rant with a deep breath. A bright blush was staining her cheeks, her eyes still fixated on the Council. During the moment she spoke of our temporary transformation to elementals, I saw multiple members shift nervously. Their glares hadn't diminished and their muttering returned, but the yelling didn't. It was almost as if they were afraid Taranee would rant again. I placed my hand on Taranee's shoulder, conveying my agreement and support. My gaze finally settled on the Oracle, as if asking him if he had something to say about it. His face remained serious and he nodded. The new smile he formed seemed a bit forced to me.

"You are right, of course. We are indebted to you and your noble sacrifice you made to stop Cedric. And therefore, I will allow you to finish your school days before heading off to Arkhanta. And I apologize on behalf of the whole Council. This was a conduct unfitting for Council members of Kandrakar."

I glanced at Taranee who nodded. At least we had a chance of finishing our school year without a lack of sleep. A fold appeared next to us.

"You'll find this fold returning you to the place you came from. Don't worry, we take your secret identity very serious and so, no one is there at the moment. Now hurry along and you might catch your sixth period."

I bowed to the Oracle.
"Thank you."

The utters muttered similar things, though I was quite sure that Irma added even softer than before 'for nothing' to hers. We left through the fold and as it closed behind us, we turned back to our human form. The last thing we did before leaving the restroom was look at each other one last time. We all wore the same expression. 'What did we do wrong?'

[A/N] First chapter done! I know I still have a few others open, but this one has been plaguing me for a damn long time, causing a writer's block for everything else. I am still trying with the other stories (like Howling for Fortune), but it will take a while. Sorry for that.

Even so, I hope you enjoyed this one and please review!