“Smarmy git...” Teppi muttered, glaring across at Silverstein with his spoon held tightly and eyebrows raging.
“What’s gotten in to him? I get that he thinks a lot of himself but that was just bloody rude,” said Robin, looking to Magenta in confusion.
“He’s - just - stressed. This is a big deal. Today is going to be a monumental task, something that’s been in the making for literally years,” she explained, whilst keeping eye contact with Robin to avoid the glare coming from Teppi’s eagle eyes. She could sense it, silently scolding against her flesh.
“I’d best be getting back…”
Magenta was about to hurry away but then she realised she still had an unanswered question that was burning at the back of her mind as she came to a sudden halt, stood beside Robin.
“How exactly did you find out my name? Aline...”
Robin smirked, pausing to relish the moment of mystery before pulling a crumpled diary from his satchel that was still hung over his coat.
“I guess I’ve always been the inquisitive kind.”
Magenta shot a look at the tatty cover. There was no doubt in Robin's mind that she had recognised it instantly. She fell silent and her left eye had began to glaze over, almost as if she was about to burst into tears.
“Are you okay, Magenta?” Robin asked, reaching for her arm.
“Yeah... of course,” she drew a deep breath and wiped her eye with the back of her hand.
“Just carry on reading, we’re going to need you today. Those books and diaries are essential, don’t misplace them!” she ordered, before following the path that Silverstein had taken, hurrying up the stairwell towards her room.
Robin looked about the hall then returned to his stool where his open book rested.
“Did you see that?” he asked, hoping the others were paying attention to Magenta.
“They’re an odd pair, what else can I say, there’s a reason we don’t mix any more. They never have time for anyone else but each other,” explained Lillian, struggling to suppress the sadness in her tone.
“Let them be. They’re hardly gonna change now, we don’t even need them! We work together, but we - us three - we live together, we’re like family.”
Teppi tapped the back of Lillian’s hand and smiled, luring Yuri and Lillian’s attention with his warming, comforting aura which always existed in times of need.
Robin had felt a bond very similar, it was the very same one he had back home, with his family. It helped him settle as he began to turn the pages of his book, but he couldn’t help but think about the divide, it wasn’t so apparent till now, everyone was segregated. There were at least four different groups already from what he could gather just glancing about the hall, and this was a place of peace, a home to most who worked there.
“Urgh,” Robin grumbled, “I’m not even going to be here long enough to worry about a dysfunctional community!”
We had enough of that trouble back home in Vinemoore, he thought to himself, trying to focus on the written text in front of him.
The book was hand written and seemed to house a vast list of spells and enchantments, ranging from the simplest gimmick to the safety precautions necessary - it was perfect for the budding alchemist. This all seemed well and good to Robin, who was taking a careful note of each and every spell he felt he may require, but there was something curious slotted amongst the back pages that suddenly caught his attention - it looked confidential. Robin’s heart began to race as he carefully pulled the parchment away, taking a glance as he held it beneath the table, making sure that nobody else could see. There were two words pressed against the parchment in a waxy-red medium:
Brexio and Vanphineer, Robin whispered as he ran his fingertip over the type.
“What’s funny is, it seems like the past knew the future would find its way back,” said Robin, projecting his voice across the table space, “All these diaries and handwritten text books. Don’t you think that’s odd?”
Now he could see it in their eyes as they strayed away towards the table surface - the others had drawn a blank.
“The only person you can truly ask that question, is yourself. It’s the same mind beneath that skull, same habits, same dress sense. You’re just better, and so is your understanding of right from wrong,” Yuri explained, not knowing what else to say but speak his mind plainly. But it seemed to have enlightened Robin, who suddenly slammed shut all of the books on the table and began cramming them back inside his satchel.
“It just so happens I did ask myself, and I would have done the bloody same thing!” he cursed with joy, determined to discover more as he leapt off his stool and threw his bag over his head.
“Spot of training?” he asked as he turned back to the table, waiting in anticipation for an answer.
* * *
Silverstein reached for a second pairing of curtains and pulled them apart, revealing the curvature of a stone door frame, bridging the bedroom to an elaborate balcony that overlooked the vast Morient landscape and a long winding canyon where heavy clouds were drawing in - an endless storm of white, falling across the two realms.
The man of silver stepped out in to the brisk air with a steaming cup of tea held in one hand and a saucer in the other. His metallic hair waved in the breeze, his shimmering tailcoat flapped and rippled around his neck, exposing his bare chest as he raised the China cup to his soft warm lips. His gaze set with intent towards the grounds below as the warmth of the tea took away the chill against his flesh. He felt untouchable up there, watching beyond the haze of snowfall where the ruins of the old abandoned Institute had laid to waste.
Magenta knew that something was wrong but the worry had to go unspoken, out of fear of losing him - because no one likes a worrier, she reminded herself as she arrived back inside the bedroom, noticing the chilly draft as she turned to where Silverstein was stood, beyond the flailing curtains. She quickly folded back the bed sheets then made her way out on to the freezing cold balcony, glad to be wearing her thick pink coat as the icy breeze lashed against her face, before she wrapped her arms comfortably around Silverstein's waist and rested her head upon his back.
He seemed to be in awe of the beautiful landscape, looking towards the grounds with an eye of intrigue as he noticed a band of blurry characters wandering out into the open landscape.
“He knows everything, he’s been reading the diaries,” said Magenta, hiding her face against the metallic fleck of Silverstein's coat.
“Well that’s what we want, isn’t it? The man is expected to perform, is he not?” asked Silverstein, still fixated on the people down below.
“I guess so. I just didn’t want him getting involved with that lot. I thought we might be able to help him, guide him a little better.”
“You mean, manipulate him.”
“No - well - yes, I just don’t want to lose him again to the same urges he had before.”
Silverstein slowly turned to Magenta, taking one final sip of tea before leaning in to meet her gaze.
“You mean, trying to save his sister...”
Her face fell heavy, her eyes slightly bloodshot from the lack of sleep.
“I do,” she replied, then her body shook, already exhausted by the cold and the stomach-churning worry that lingered deep in her gut.
“He was so foolish before. But he doesn’t strike me as a fool anymore.”
Silverstein reverted his gaze back to the ruins with intrigue, glare down at the mysterious goings on.
* * *
The snow showed no sign of stopping as it battered between the ruins, pillowing on to the rubble that laid scattered across the grounds; however, the unfriendly conditions had not discouraged the four dark figures that had traipsed through the midst of the storm before emerging from beyond the haze with their wands in hand and their eye on the game.
A sudden bolt of colourful energy erupted from the end of each wand then hurled against a tall dismantled tower, blasting away the loose rubble from its expos
ed innards and launching the rocks across the snowy circular platform that laid ahead.
“Let’s move in!” ordered Teppi, calling forward Robin, Lillian and Yuri who were stood at his side, peering on towards the unclear shapes that were darting in and out of the obstructed shadows.
Robin quickly wiped the ice from his face and begun to carefully advance towards the ruins, keeping a watch on Teppi’s footing and the others around him, not wanting to mistake them for something else.
“Keep alert!” Teppi reminded them, nearing the debris at the foot of the tower, back to back and vigilant. It felt as is they were trapped at the centre of a tornado as their snow blown white surroundings hurtled around them. It didn’t help that Robin hadn’t a clue what they were hunting, his mind had already begun to draw demonic silhouettes and crystal avatars, pouncing from boulder to boulder, back and forth, using the snow as a means of camouflage. But most disturbing of it all, he wasn’t an awful distance from the truth, he soon realised as a giant humanoid figure rose from beneath the ground and launched itself high overhead, on to the tallest plinth overlooking the mere mortals as they tracked its movement and unloaded a flurry of powerful spells that blew the top of the structure into shards of dust.
“It’s circling us, Robin. Any ideas?” asked Yuri with his fogged up glasses hampering his vision.
The four of them had bunched together keeping a tight grasp of their wands as they waited, sizing up the opposition that was lurking closely, using the environment as an advantage.
“Its body looked to be made up of crystal fragments - like ice,” explained Robin as he slowly became more and more paranoid of the shifting snow beneath him.
“Typical of a Celestial. Powerful and intelligent - but not unbeatable,” said Lillian as a pair of large footprints suddenly began to appear, charging towards her.
Yuri dived across in to Lillian, pushing her away from danger as the celestial creature scrambled past, narrowly avoiding Robin who had leapt aside and met the creature with a rather timid glare opposed to the terrifying form as it turned back around with its eyes burning orange like a ball of fiery rage.
Robin suddenly froze, his entire body was stiff to the bone.
“Somebody!” he yelled, unable to raise his wand as the Celestial advanced, preparing to charge, its face growing larger and its eyes lighting a path through the storm as cumbersome feet pounded against the ground. Robin could feel the earth beneath his shoes moving with every lunge, he could feel the fury scolding his face like dragons breath. Then as the creature emerged from the haze, a flurry of energy struck violently against its face, knocking it awkwardly off balance and into the nearby ruins. There was a heavy thud, then Lillian and Yuri stepped forward and pulled Robin back with haste.
“Are you alright?” asked Lillian.
“I just froze up, it won’t happen again,” he said, nervously glaring at the mound of body and rubble.
Teppi made his way over, carefully avoiding the assumed deceased as he passed the tower ruins.
“Nice work. That was really brave of you, Robin,” said Teppi.
Robin looked to the others awkwardly, “Just doing what anyone else would, but in all honestly I think it’s these two who deserve the praise,” he said as he turned back to Lillian and Yuri whose eyes were suddenly wide with fear.
“Teppi!” yelled Lillian, pointing down at the ground, too late to warn off the oblivious professor as he felt a hand clamp tight around his ankle and pull him off his feet. Robin swung around just in time to catch a glimpse of Teppi being dragged away with his long silky robes fluttering under his chin.
“I’ve got this,” said Robin, holding out his arm to disengage the others.
He watched as the creature slowly vanished behind the raging blizzard, then a new found source of courage ignited within Robins heart, shattering the fears that had leached his body and held him still and cold. He quickly raised his wand and aimed for the creature's enormous crystal head as it bobbed - now barely visible. Then Robin remembered the hidden text and howled the first word that came to mind:
“Brexio!”
An electrical rocket of energy shot from Robin's wand and soared through the powerful winds and ice before impaling the Celestial creature between the eyes. The ball of energy pulsated and sparked for a moment, then blew the head clean away from its shiny body, eliminating all odds of survival.
The creatures headless body fell backwards in the snow, where it remained as Teppi was pulled to his feet by the others.
“For a moment there, I thought it was gonna kill you,” said Robin.
“For a moment there, so did I!” replied Teppi, “- only that would be mad, considering it wasn’t real. Perfect for those who require a little seasoning!”
“You mean that thing - the Celestial or whatever it’s called, it was a imitation?” asked Robin.
“An elaborate manifestation with a taste for blood. Just a charm, but don’t go getting any ideas, I’ll have you know the definitive article is far more ruthless. They are not so easy to take down in person,” explained Teppi, casting away the Celestial remains.
“But this Count guy. On a scale of one to ten, the Celestial being a nine point five, just how scary is he? A five or six?”
“If only that were true,” said Lillian, leading the way back towards the Institute walls with a worried looking Robin now in tow.
“That spell you used, it takes quite a powerful wizard to conjure it to that strength,” remarked Yuri, trailing behind.
“I saw it in the back of a book. But the way it was written, it was as if I had to keep it to myself. Like it was speaking to me personally.”
“Because these are most likely spells used in battle. We don’t teach them, never had a need to. Whatever was on the parchment, they are your tools for defeating what evil lies ahead, I'm sure. No one knows Robin Occamy better than yourself,” Said Lillian.
“But I don’t think I wrote it, the list on the parchment - I think someone else put it there. I was gone before I had a chance to think of the consequences, all of these diaries and books, they weren’t for my benefit, they’re just who I am. I’m a family man, I like to write, I like to help. This time someone is trying to help me, but I don’t know who.”
Lillian and Yuri came to a stand still, Teppi had now caught up and was already scratching at his scalp.
“I think I have an idea as to who it could be...” Lillian began, glaring up at the Institute tower where Silverstein and Magenta were stood, barely visible behind the veil of snow.
* * *
His eyes were sore from the cold, but they had not deceived him, he couldn’t believe what he had witnessed.
“Robin destroyed a Celestial with a Hybrexio assault charm. This amateur Morient decapitated a Celestial!”
Magenta looked down towards the training grounds where the three professors and Robin were standing.
“How do you know that’s Robin, it could be anyone? And I’m sure it’s only part of the training.”
“He’s wearing a vomit coloured coat!” yelled Silverstein, with his fists clenched firm against the balcony ledge.
“We - wanted - a weapon.”
“We need Robin, we don’t need him getting ahead of himself. Now, come on. We’re expected at the briefing!”
Silverstein stormed inside the bedroom, brushing off Magenta as he passed, leaving her in the chilly midst of the storm outside where she stood alone and confused, yet still completely besotted by her sleek, silver man. She gave a heavy sigh, looked over the edge then decided to follow Silverstein inside, seemingly in no such hurry.
CHAPTER 14
To Shoulders Heath
The heavy side door slammed behind them, shutting out the cold and the stark white glare of the outdoor land. They were covered from head to toe in ice as they came to a halt, patting and stomping away what they could from their coats and boots. It was nothing a vigorous shake and a little warmth couldn’t handle, it would soon dry off once
inside the chamber, once under those scorching torches, Robin thought as he ran his hand through his hair and waited for the others to lead the way out of the dim lit corridor.
“So it all boils down to this. It’s really happening, isn’t it,” said Robin, rhetorically.
“It’s problematic. I just hope everyone is willing to listen and drop the fascination with this bloody Phoenix!” replied Lillian, urging them forward, leading the way towards the light that sat at the end of the narrow corridor.
“I may still be a little rusty and misplaced, but I suspect I have similar questions to those that are burning away at each of you,” Robin added.
“Like what kind of future lies ahead for the Institute? We bring the Phoenix back and the school becomes unsafe for the children. We kill the damn thing and we’re murderers, no better than the people who left us in this situation!” Said Teppi with an obvious tone of frustration.
“And leaving the Phoenix, or vacating it to the skies would only delay its capture. The Count is desperate, he has to be. He’s been separated for far too long, I dread to think what he looks like now...” The echoes of Yuri’s voice travelled around the entirety of the hall as they emerged from a secret passage, located behind the Vinemoore tapestry that hung from the foyer walls.
“But the Phoenix was kept here originally, was it not?” asked Robin as he pushed aside the heavy fabric and suddenly realised where they were.
“Oh, we’re here! Outstanding,” he added, casting an admiring glance about the vastness of the hall.
“The Phoenix was housed in the Institute dungeon, to yours and only your knowledge. No other professor knew, I don’t think anyone even believed in the myth of a starlight Phoenix, only the Count and even he had no clue of its whereabouts. So since then I drew the conclusion that you seem to have a knack for hiding mythological treasures, don’t you!” chuckled Yuri, wiping away the condensation from his spectacles.
The Professor and the Starlight Phoenix Page 15