by Eden Redd
The mages continued their slow march, passing home after home belonging to professors working at the college. The designs were modest but carried an underlining creative flare depending on the personality. It was evident when they reached Master Gloomis’s house. It stood the tallest and largest, equal to the home next to it belonging to Headmistress Vela.
Walking along the wide path to the front door, Trystan marveled at its size. It had a pointed roof but a single tower connected to the front. There were four floors, not including the attic. The wood paneling was a deep purple and white rim around windows and doors. The front door was a polished wood and the base of the home was made of stone. The two mages walked up a few steps and reached the front door where a gargoyle for a door knocker hung.
Trystan took hold of the door knocker ring and hit it against the door. Nia’s hand slipped away from Trystan’s just as the door opened. Gwen beamed when she saw Trystan. Eyes turning, the witch smiled and bowed slightly to Nia.
“Come in. Everyone is in the back. We should be getting ready shortly.” Gwen smiled and stepped aside.
Trystan and Nia walked in and were awestruck. The inside looked far bigger than the outside of the home. Books lined walls as the pair entered. Comfortable chairs dotted the main room and spiral staircases coiled upward. The shelves held thousands of books. Trystan took in a deep inhale, enjoying the book smell. It was just like the library and for a moment, he felt like he was home.
Gwen led the way and the two young mages followed. Pass the main room was a sitting area. The entire back of the sitting area was made of glass and looked out to a lush garden. The witch opened a glass door and continued walking. Flowers bloomed and trees blossomed. Vibrant colors glowed as Nia stopped to smell a flower. Trystan eyed the fire mage as she looked to him and smirked.
Walking on, the three entered a large open grassy area. In the middle stood a fountain carved into dragons with streams of water trickling from their mouths. Around the fountain was a stone floor. A chair and table was off to the side. By the fountain stood several people. Master Gloomis and Mistress Vela smiled as the witch and mages walked to them. Professor Hart gave a bright toothy smile. Aznara and Sunara waved as they stood close together. Vanessa Shroud was there, wearing a wide rimmed black hat and black dress. The hat cast a shadow over her face but it could not contain the sad smile when she saw Trystan. Next to the group stood two glass cases, nearly six feet tall and empty.
“Welcome Trystan and Nia,” Master Gloomis bowed.
Trystan and Nia bowed to the Headmaster and Headmistress.
Mistress Vela stepped forward to the two mages, “We are happy that you are here. Before we get started, we just wanted to speak about what has happened.”
Master Gloomis nodded, “Ms. Azure has informed us about what had transpired with you Trystan. It is unfortunate a student must endure such an evil act. We will do what we can to discover what plot Damon Wick was put into place.”
Trystan’s eyes looked down, “I’m sorry for being so much trouble. It was never my intention.”
Mistress Vela gave an understanding nod, “Don’t be sorry young mage. You will learn that life will have many trials and some will not end on a positive note. We are happy to help you or any student that may be having a difficult time. But there are still mysteries to uncover.”
Professor Hart walked over to the glass cases, “I constructed these two cases to hold the slimes so we can question them. They may try to break free but I have fortified them with binding spells. They will need plenty of mana if they even want to break the glass.”
Master Gloomis stepped into the middle of the group, “Mistress Vela will probe the slime minds while Professor Hart, Ms. Azure and I question them. We ask you all to witness what transpires but do not engage them. They may use trickery and we must be prepared. Since you have all interacted with the slimes, we want to pool everyone’s knowledge once we are done.”
Gwen put a hand on Trystan’s shoulder, “We have to ask you to allow Bella to be a part of this. Are you okay with her being present?”
“I’m sure she is willing to help,” Trystan said.
“Good. When it is time, we will ask you to call her forth,” Gwen turned to the small group of students, “Does anyone have any questions before we start?”
Vanessa raised her pale hand, “I don’t understand why I’m here?”
Professor Heart looked to the pale mage with kind eyes, “Due to new information, we believe you were used in a larger plot. Your presence may help tease out valuable information or help you remember more of your past.” Professor Hart moved closer and took Vanessa’s hands into his, “If you think this is asking too much then you don’t have to stay. We would understand.”
Vanessa looked into Professor Hart’s gray eyes and her lip trembled, “I will stay and help any way I can. I owe you all so much. We are in it together.”
Master Gloomis clapped his hands, “Excellent! Shall we get started?”
The group nodded their approval. Gwen and Professor Hart stepped forward. They held out their hands and made quick hand signals. An instant later, large jars appeared in the closed glass cases, one green and one red. The witch and professor made simultaneous hand motions. The tops of the jars opened. Green and red slime splashed upward and swirled into a chaotic storm. The jars disappeared and the slimes whirled and surged against the glass. After a long moment, the slimes sank down to the bottom of the case and sprouted upward. Everyone watched as the slimes took humanoid form in each case. Limbs emerged and bodies condensed. The faces were last to form. The green one took on wild eyes and a sardonic grin. The red one took on a hateful, scowling jagged frown.
“Let us out of here!” Bellatrix screamed.
“I will rip you all apart!” Belle shouted.
Trystan glanced over to Mistress Vela and noticed her eyes had turned completely white. Opening his senses, wisps of mana floated like a massive web in all directions. The web was like a fog going on as far as the eye could see. Trystan guessed that Mistress Vela was aware of everything.
Professor Hart glanced to Trystan, “Please call Bella.”
Trystan nodded. Mist streamed off his left arm and poured onto the ground. A second later Bella appeared with her head down and her fingers entwined. The two slimes stopped their heated words and stared at the blue slime.
“Sister!” They shouted in unison.
Master Gloomis stepped closer to the glass, “We see and know the connection you three have. We only ask for your cooperation so we may uncover your former master’s motives. If you help us, you may yet again be together like you were so long ago.”
Trystan didn’t like the sound of that. Having Bella appear to help was one thing but he could not bring himself to lose his beloved familiar. There must be more going on than he knew so the mage restrained his gut reaction to say otherwise.
Bellatrix leered, “You would hold our own sister hostage? Master warned us of this ploy.”
The red Belle leaned against the glass and crossed her transparent arms, “We are not of low intelligence like our kind in the wild. You cannot tempt us. We serve a higher cause.”
“What cause is that?” Professor Hart asked.
Belle’s anger flared, “The one that will destroy you!”
“Master will set us free. Master will destroy all your secrets. Your city will fall and your people scattered!” Bellatrix ranted with a crazy look in her eyes.
Mistress Vela turned her head slightly to Bella who remained still with her head down. Trystan turned to Bella and stepped a little closer.
“Master will unchain us,” Bella said in the barest of whispers.
Trystan’s eyes went wide. Spreading out his senses, something tethered to the slime like a thin snake moving through the grass. The mage was about to say something when all three slimes looked up. Eyes took on a faraway expression. Standing straight up, the slimes became eerily quiet. The group looked to the slimes and each other.
“Something is coming through,” Mistress Vela said with a calm demeanor.
The beautiful faces of the three slimes shifted and morphed. The group was rooted to the spot as the transformation continued. The shifting stopped and features changed from beautiful feminine expressions into a handsome male. Trystan stared as all three slime’s faces changed into one that he knew from a recently discovered dream.
“Greetings! I’m glad we all can get together like this to discuss your futures,” All three slimes said in unison.
Gwen took hold of Bella’s shoulders and looked into the man’s face, “Damon!”
The blue slime’s face grinned, “You remembered me. How sweet.”
Gloomis walked closer to the green version of Damon Wick, “Why have you done this?”
Damon continued to grin, “I think it is time to bring my plans to fruition as it were. It has been a long time coming and it feels nearly anticlimactic that it has arrived. I won’t shed too many tears but it does bring joy to me to see your expressions.”
“Out with it, Damon,” Gloomis commanded with a hard stare.
Damon feigned a hurt look, “After all we have been through, you still see me as some mad renegade.”
“That is all you are now. You left the college in some mad pursuit of destiny. We still hear of you, moving all across Lurth and spinning wild tales to bring more to your cause.”
“What do you know of my cause?” Damon sneered.
Gloomis maintained eye contact, “Enough to know you will fail. The colleges have amassed enough knowledge and power to stop your threats.”
“You mean the colleges that are left,” Damon let out a chuckle.
Gloomis’s eyes narrowed. Damon continued, “Yes yes, everyone knows about the great college wars. The splendid colleges of Stukarr, Karath and Lumair fought on bravely against the Terror, Night and Shadow colleges. Your side won only because the shadow college betrayed their own so they could keep their skins and black knowledge. How many students died to keep you in power?”
A shadow fell over Gloomis’s eyes, “Those were truly dark times. No one is proud of the past but it helped provide a prosperous future.”
Damon gave a smug smile, “Tell me, would you shed a tear for all the monsters that died during that fateful war?”
Gloomis raised an eyebrow.
Damon looked passed the Headmaster to Trystan, “They ever talk about it in the text books, how mages enslaved all manner of monsters to fight their war? For every human that died, a hundred monsters were slaughtered. Dark doesn’t cover how they manipulated and controlled them.”
Professor Hart spoke to the red Damon, “The college continues to make amends for such a time.”
The red Damon laughed, “Amends? What amends? You allow a few monsters to attend your sacred college? You call them para-human and think that will help with integration? You think that will wipe away all the blood spilt?”
“I can sense mana growing at the ruins by the three cities,” Vela said calmly.
“Yes, today will truly go down in history. I hope your affairs are in order,” The green Damon smirked.
Gwen continued to hold onto the blue Damon’s shoulders, “Damon, please stop what you are doing. We can work together for everyone’s benefit.”
Damon gave Gwen a long soulful gaze, “My beautiful Gwen. I wish it could have worked for us. We had such a wonderful time together. I would have enjoyed you being by my side instead of the warzone you are currently standing in. I will miss you.”
“Mana is surging,” Vela said.
Gloomis let his brow relax, “Whatever you have planned, can we stop it and discuss? There must be a better resolution for all parties. The college has many students. I will discuss anything but we must spare them.”
Green Damon’s smile faded, “It is too late Joseph. It won’t just be the college that is affected. I fear the entire city must pay for the college’s past crimes.”
Master Gloomis’s eyes widened, “The entire city? There are nearly a million people here. There are families and children to think of. Please stop this!” Gloomis begged with the last sentence.
“What happened to the hard-ass I used to know? The uncompromising mage who would barrel his way through any problem. You have grown soft in your old age.”
“I have grown older with wisdom. Please do not set this terrible plan into motion,” Gloomis pleaded.
“I have done what you could never do because of your prejudice and unwillingness to bend. You have heard the rumors of the mass migrations. I have given monster-kind a home of their own in Fallen York. They will have access to knowledge humans felt they had to horde for themselves. I have become a beacon to all those in the wild, fighting to stay alive one more day. Humans stay behind walled cities, protected from the harsh wilderness. How safe will you feel when the greatest city in Lurth is destroyed? How will Lurth feel when they see Stukarr burning to the ground?”
Gloomis shed a tear, “Please stop this……”
“The Night College shall rise again!” All three slimes shouted in unison.
Bella turned, arm shifting into a blue tentacle, a blunt end slamming into Mistress Vela’s neck. The headmistress went flying into the air, body bouncing twice before landing on the grass, a moan escaping her lips.
Damon’s face faded from the three slimes. Their normal faces returned with knowing eyes and determined brows. Trystan made hand signals and the spell flared to life. Water streamed upward, forming into chains. Using the same spell he used with Bellatrix, the mage clamped the collar around Bella’s neck and anchored her to the stone floor. More water surged, forming into more chains. Each chain clamped onto a wrist and ankle, their ends stabbing into the stone and spiking out to remain hooked. Bella struggled against her bonds. Trystan didn’t have much practice with the spell and struggled to maintain his concentration.
The ruins by Stukarr city glowed with ethereal light. Runes blazed to life as the massive reservoir of mana glowed. The same happened at the ruins by Karath and Lumair. Mana took on more power as it pushed at spells holding it in place. As if a switch was turned, the floodgates opened and mana streaked into the blue sky from all three locations. Like a living serpent, mana streamed through the air, curving into the air, across miles and downward. Distance meant little as the streams of glowing energy charged for their intended targets.
Bellatrix and Belle slammed goo fists against hard glass. Bella struggled in her bonds. Nia and Vanessa ran to the fallen Vela. Professor Hart made quick hand signals. Stone chains erupted and clamped onto the blue slime. Trystan tried to keep it together as Bella growled and fought against her bonds. The water chains cracked as he feared for Bella’s safety.
Aznara looked up to see three thick streams of mana curve to their location. Master Gloomis looked up and planted his feet. With wide hand movements he made three signals. Mana burst from his body, forming a shell over their location. The streams came barreling down. When they struck the barrier, it shattered instantly. Trystan lost his concentration as Gloomis grunted. Each stream slammed into each slime. Glass shattered and all three slimes vibrated, light pouring from their eyes as mana engulfed them.
Trystan screamed as pain flooded his senses. Looking down at his left arm, magical fire ripped through his sleeve. The mage screamed again as the tattooed stars on his arm flared, burning and melting skin. Trystan stumbled off as the mana fire burned like acid. Falling to the ground, the mage cried out as he felt his connection to Bella was severed.
Aznara fell to her knees, hands taking hold of the mage as he screamed from the intense pain. Gloomis and Hart made hand signals, casting spells. Glowing chains made of pure mana took hold of all three slimes. The slimes struggled only slightly, mana pouring into them. Gloomis and Hart’s eyes widened as the three slimes began to grow bigger and bigger. Struggling to make the chains larger, they could barely keep up. Bella, Bell
atrix and Belle grew thicker and taller with each passing moment. The streams of mana did not stop as they flooded the slimes with more and more mana. Vela struggled to sit up and watched as the slimes grew taller than the house and continued to grow. Casting her All Sight spell again, the headmistress let her senses spread out around the college, the city, the lands beyond and finally settle at each coast.
“There is too much mana. They will continue to grow,” Vela shouted.
Gloomis and Hart adjusted their mana chains to compensate but they knew they would run out of mana before the slimes would. Minds racing, they tried to come up with an answer. Mistress Vela continued to study the ruins, seeing the magical locks were open and frozen. She could not close them again. Another idea bloomed.
“We need to destroy the ruins at each location. Only then the mana will not be focused on them!” The headmistress shouted.
“It will take too much time. They can destroy half the city by the time we get there,” Professor Hart shouted.
Gloomis struggled as the slimes pulled at their chains, their heads reaching the height of the city walls, “Are there any protective barriers at the ruin locations?”
Vela’s white eyes stared off, “Yes. You and I are the only ones strong enough to break the barriers and destroy the ruins.”
Gloomis watched as his mana chains began to crack, “We destroy the ruins by Stukarr city and then we both fly off and destroy the others individually.”
“It might work,” Vela agreed.
Professor Hart grunted as one of his mana chains snapped, “We have to evacuate the city. They are getting too big!” The professor shouted as mana flared.
Trystan stood and watched helplessly as the professor and heads of the college used all their power to contain the threat. The three slimes were now bigger than the tallest building. The entire group moved back as the slime’s chests reached the top of the city walls. The mage looked passed the slimes to the top of the walls. Guardian statues began to stir from the slumber, moving and readying themselves to protect the city.