by K T Quinn
“You know, you don't have to look at me like I am some lost cause. Looks can be deceiving. I could be the biggest, baddest warrior from the Darkside… or from anywhere! I have muscles!” I pouted as I poked my arms where my muscles should have been visible.
Nazar was trying to hold back a laugh which came out as a snort. “Now now Lass, I didn't say anything of the kind,” Nazar said shrugging his shoulders as if he had not just insisted I was not warrior material.
I like him. Alessia sniggered in the back of my mind.
"So what now? What does it mean if I didn't have my soul sucked out by my Dragon? That my spirit is still here as well as hers?” I asked.
"I am not sure yet, I tried to see if I could discern either of your futures. I can't see either of you. Both of you are shrouded by shadows. I cannot see your fate, just that the balance of our world hangs in your hands - and that of your Dragon’s,” Nazar said.
“So what does that mean?” My head felt as if it would explode from the sudden influx of information. Surely the fate of the world did not hang in my hands. I was just a simple girl who was born to the dark. I should have been in a faction meeting by now learning what job I was to be given, and doing what every other teen who ascended should be doing.
Nazar paused for a moment tilting his head to the side trying to figure out the best way to deliver his answer. “Usually it means they are dead. I believe that your spirit should have gone to the halls of Valhalla, but for whatever reason you are still very much here. This makes you a free radical. Your future has not been entwined with that of any others because you are not a pawn that was put into play by fate. Your destiny is that of your own, as is the balance of this world. You need to be sure of where your heart truly lies, and follow it. Don't follow what you are told to follow, don’t follow who you are told to follow. Know your own mind, know yourself and trust in that.” Nazar looked me in the eyes. “The same goes for you too, Dragon.”
"So basically your advice is to hang in there, and just do whatever I want," I said looking at him incredulously. "I hope you are not the career counsellor at the academy here," I said shaking my head. “Old man, you talk in riddles.”
"Not exactly how I put it, but you understand the gist of it. Just remember the part about how your actions will affect the future of all of us. I can already feel things changing,” Nazar said tapping his temple. “Just remember lass, that if anyone has the power to end this war. It be you and your Dragon. I have faith in that,” Nazar said smiling.
“Now, Titan and Rowdy will be coming through that door in a moment. They will have a phone call for you in Gabriel’s office.” Nazar gestured to the far wall before turning around and beginning to pack away some of his potions on his work table. "It is the Shadow King, so make yourself presentable. Don’t wear things that can be seen as a threat - or that do not want to be seen at all," Nazar said pointing to the little dragon ball at my feet.
I picked Wyrmie up carefully. “Wyrmie dear, can you shrink a little so I can put you in my pocket?” I whispered.
Wyrmie snorted before shrinking to the size of a pocket watch. I plopped him in the pocket of my tank top carefully. "Now child, if you ever need anything or someone to talk to, just remember this room. I know the lady of the house would love for you to come back, and visit sometime,” he smiled and the trees whispered in agreement.
A bright red door appeared along the far wall as Titan and Rowdy burst through. "Quick! You need to come with us before the academy is attacked!" Titan shouted, his eyes wild as he grabbed my arm, and pulled me out the door.
I turned around to wave goodbye to Nazar, but he had disappeared. The wild woods had also disappeared and were now replaced by janitorial supplies and dusty boxes, the room now a hundred times smaller.
Rowdy rolled his eyes and gestured in Titan’s direction. “Don’t mind him. He’s being overly dramatic. Drama Queen!” Before Titan could reply, Rowdy pushed me down the empty hallway. “Come on Princess, you’ve got a phone call in Gabriel’s office. Best take it before we’re accused of kidnapping you… again.” Rowdy sounded frustrated.
We rounded a corner and came to a stop outside a large wooden door. A plaque on it had the word ‘Headmaster’ etched on it. This must be Gabriel’s office.
Titan knocked once and took a step back and waited. The door swung open slowly, it’s hinges creaking in complaint. Gabriel motioned us inside without a second glance. His attention was fixated on a screen on the opposite side of the room. The room was painted a pale cream, and the furnishings were elegant but simple. A dark oak desk surrounded by bookshelves covered one wall of the room. A small meeting table surrounded by five chairs stood in the opposite corner of the room next to a large flat screen tv. Gabriel sat on a chair on one side, motioning us to take a seat at the table in the remaining chairs. Clearing his throat he pushed a button on the tablet in front of him, resuming the video call.
The Shadow King’s face came into view. He didn’t look happy, but he also didn’t look angry either. My gut filled with anxiety as I tried to anticipate the best course of action should he wish to speak with me. I did not want to upset him for fear of him using my family, or Bri against me.
“I have Mikah here with us now Kage,” Gabriel said stiffly. “Mikah, we have been discussing the best course of action for you, and the other teens who were affected by the rebel attack on the Ascension day ceremony,” said Gabriel.
“She is to return to the Nightrealm at once,” the King thundered. The Monet painting on the wall shook as the king spoke, his outrage could be felt from here. My hands trembled as I pulled out a seat from the large table everyone had sat down at. I could feel the anger reverberating around the room emanating from the Shadow King through the screen.
“Mikah did not choose the Dark, her Ascension ceremony had been interrupted. Therefore you hold no claim over her,” Gabriel answered.
Outwardly he appeared to be perfectly calm, unfazed by the reddening of the Shadow King’s face as it contorted with anger.
“Nor do you hold any claim over her you fancified fairy,” the King spat.
“I believe the correct term you are looking for is Seraph,” Gabriel said unfazed by the King’s tantrum. “Now if you’re finished behaving like a child, we shall discuss what we will do with all of those who had their Ascension interrupted by the rebel clan.” Gabriel sat back in his chair with his hands folded in his lap.
“It is simple. They lost their choice by default. They belong with the side that they were born on. Then we can put this issue to rest, and continue planning your surrender to the Nightrealm,” replied the King.
A door closed in the background behind the King followed by footsteps. Dante’s face came into view standing just to the left of the King. He had a bored expression on his face as he stood waiting.
“There shall be no surrender. Not now, not ever. It defeats the purpose of free choice if we decide their fates for them, do you not think Kage?” Gabriel asked with one eyebrow raised. Kage’s moon-silver eyes flashed as he slammed his fist down onto the table. The King was rarely defied, and he didn’t quite know how to handle it. He tucked a stray strand of his shoulder length hair behind his ear that had come loose from his man-bun. Closing his eyes he took a breath to calm himself before opening them, and smiling into the camera. “Of course. I did not expect you to surrender, one can only try, am I right? As for the Ascension ceremony, you know we cannot hold another until the next longest night which won’t be until this day next year.”
“That is correct, in the meantime I suggest the non-Ascended attend the Academy here on the Brightrealm if they wish, and those who wish to attend on the Nightrealm may do so.” Gabriel smiled at Kage, his jelly-fish blue eyes crinkling at the corners. He appeared so certain that he had found a way to keep the rocky peace between each side, I was not so sure.
There could be a lot of power in the non-Ascended that Kage would want to collect for his Dark Army. I did not see him letting any
of his prospective subjects go willingly.
A momentary flash of realisation flickered across Gabriel’s face so quickly I wasn’t sure I had seen it in the first place. Rowdy cleared his throat, and stood up at the table so he was in full view of Dante, Kage, and the rest of the room.
“May I add a suggestion?” he asked. Gabriel nodded his head towards Rowdy, and turned his attention back to the King. Kage sat back in his chair, and let out a loud huff before waving his hand at Rowdy. “Continue” he said in a bored tone.
“I would suggest that all non-Ascendants spend six months at the Academy here, before spending the remaining six months at the Shadow Academy on the Nightrealm. That way they will get to see what it is like before choosing a side, and the balance of both Dark and Light remain, as does the gift of free will.” Rowdy sat back down and looked around the room.
He caught my eye, and gave a small wink as if to say he had my back. At least this way it would buy me some time to figure out the best course of action. I wanted to be with Bri and my family, however, I needed to figure out this thing with my Dragon, Alessia. So far the Oracle, Nazar seemed to have the most answers. I still had questions I needed answered. If the King would allow this suggestion, then I had a real shot at figuring out what was wrong with me, and how to harness these powers I had been given, and most importantly how to help my Dragon.
I hadn’t thought of how awful it must feel to be a spirit trapped inside another person’s body unable, or unwilling to take control. In this moment I felt such empathy for Alessia. I mentally promised myself that I would do what I could to remain here to get some answers.
Thank you young one, Alessia whispered.
I turned my attention back to the King who had been studying me silently with intent. I felt like I was the prey and he the predator. Watching and waiting for his chance to strike. “Actually Ronald, I think that is a splendid idea. Half of the non-Ascendants will be sent here immediately. I will ensure that they have their own guest quarters, and will be treated accordingly. I assume that you will be taking the remaining half of the non-Ascendants, and be organizing similar accommodations.”
“Of course. May I suggest that as Mikah is already here, she spends the following six months here. If it would make you feel more comfortable we will take all of the Dark-siders who did not get to Ascend for this time period and you will take the Bright-realm students for this period of time. Should any of the students wish to go home, or cause problems, then naturally they will need to return to whichever realm they came from. Do we have an accord?” Gabriel asked.
“Aye we have an accord,” Kage replied. “Mikah, if at any time you wish to return, you may walk across the borders, and no one will stop you. I will also keep my private line open for you to contact me. I will be sending you a phone personally, so that you will be able to keep in direct contact with me. I am charging you as the head of the Dark-siders. You will report any incidents to me, and check in with me each week. Are we clear?” the King informed me leaving no room for disagreements.
I nodded my head like a mute moron, unable to string together a few words into a sentence. I did not want to answer directly to the King. There was no way in hell I wanted to be on his radar. I planned on surviving for a few years yet. This had just shortened my life expectancy significantly.
Gabriel clapped his hands twice, and a contract appeared with a small knife next to it. He pierced his index finger with the knife until a small drop of blood welled on his finger tip before trickling onto the contract. He handed me the knife and motioned for me to do the same. I quickly glanced at the contract, the part where the Shadow King had named me his proxy was written there in bold. I looked up at the King who was staring at me, his eyes were full of promises of pain should I challenge him here in public. I gulped and picked up the small knife with shaky hands before piercing my finger, and copying what Gabriel had done moments before. Gabriel clapped his hands twice again, and the contract appeared in front of the Shadow King where he repeated the process.
A sharp pain began in my chest, and worked its way over my body. It felt like I was being wrapped in forest vines, over and over again as they began to squeeze at my chest. I pictured cutting the vines with a sharp blade in my mind on instinct, and they fell away. I could breathe again. I opened my mouth to ask Gabriel if that was supposed to happen, if the contract still bound me to it, but Rowdy caught my eye and shook his head from side to side slightly.
Later. I will tell you what this means later princess. Do not tell anyone about this or you will be in grave danger, Rowdy’s voice echoed in my mind.
What else is new, I sighed. This was going to be a long six months. I could feel it.
Chapter 5
I looked down at the expensive suitcase of extravagant clothes that lay on top of my bed. Amongst it was a small iphone with the King’s personal number programmed in it. I noticed my Mom and Bri’s numbers were already programmed in it also. A gold envelope lay on top of the clothes next to the phone. I took a deep breath and opened it.
Mikah,
I trust that you will collect as much knowledge as you can about the Brightrealm whilst you remain inside of it. It is a gift to have so many of the Dark willingly invited in, a gift that I refuse to throw away blindly. Collect as much knowledge about our enemies as possible, and report back to me each week. I will be sending a witch your way to assist you in your mission. In return you will be supplied with a weekly allowance of five thousand dollars, as is the wage of every spy of the Dark Army. You have six months.
I am counting on you.
Kage
P.S Your mother sends her regards
I threw the note back on top of the pile of clothes feeling sick to the pit of my stomach. I knew the King had given up to Gabriel way too easily in the meeting room earlier. If only I had known what he was planning I could have warned Rowdy.
Now he was threatening my mother indirectly, and sending a spy to spy on me. There were a few witches from the Dark side that had been sent here, I wondered who it was that he had sent.
It wasn’t like I could outright ask them or I risked being found out. I felt like a trapped wild animal. I felt like I was being forced to the Dark side, whatever happened to free will? I was so screwed.
I threw myself down onto my single bed, its springs groaning in defiance. I picked up the phone that I had been gifted, and punched in my Mom’s number. She must be worried sick about me.
“Hello Mikki, Darling,” my Mom’s worried voice came through the phone.
“Hi Mom,” I croaked in reply, wishing nothing more than to tell my Mom all my problems, and have her fix them just like when I was a little girl.
“Are you okay? Have they hurt you? When are you coming home?” My Mom fired question after question at me without pausing to catch her breath. She was in mama-bear mode in its purest form.
I could just picture her in our small kitchen pouring over plans and maps of the Brightrealm, preparing a rescue mission with her higher ranking faction members. A Fury could not deal with a crisis in any other way, except to plan and battle, delivering justice where they felt it should be served.
“I’m okay. They’re actually pretty nice here so far, Mom. I met the Oracle, he was nice. He made my Wyrm and I stew, and he gave me this really cool..”
“What do you mean ORACLE? You have a WHAT?” Mom screeched down the phone line interrupting me. “The Oracle rarely intervenes in matters, what did he say to you exactly? “
“Oh nothing much he just spoke about wanting to be an alchemist, and complimented me on how I will make an amazing warrior… you know stuff like that,” I replied.
I suddenly felt compelled to keep my dragon a secret for now, along with the words the Oracle had shared with me. I wasn’t choosing the Bright side any time soon, but I also genuinely liked these people I had met so far. I didn’t want to give anyone who could hurt them any information to use against them - or leak back to the King. I knew my Mom would mean
well, but she was trained to do a job. She was trained to win the war between both realms, and take down as many Bright-siders as she could in the process.
“And what of this Wyrm? Why have you been able to access one of the most ancient creatures on this planet who can lay waste to the lands, and kill us all?” Mom was pissed.
“Wyrmie is actually a sweet little guy.” I smiled thinking of my new pet who was curled up on my pillow snoring after devouring a packet of oreos. The poor little guy was always hungry. I was sure if he heard me call him a pet he wouldn’t be so sweet anymore. Okay, fine, he would still be sweet, I admitted to myself. Just slightly more cranky. I ran my finger across his scales gently and he released a small puff of blue smoke from his nostrils, sighing in contentment.
“Mikki you realise that your ‘little pet’ can grow exponentially AT WILL right?!” Mom growled down the phone before sighing. “Just go look up the old legends, you’ll see what I’m talking about. Just don’t get on his bad side, or we’re all doomed.”
“Relax Mom, Wyrmie is the least of my problems. I have to stay here for six months before I can return, both the King and Gabriel decided that those of us who didn’t get to finish our Ascension ceremony will need to spend six months of the year in both realms, so we are able to choose a side with less bias when the time comes.” I laid down on the bed next to Wyrmie, staring at the ceiling as I spoke to Mom. I wasn’t sure how she would take the latest turn of events, we didn’t even get to say goodbye.