Prophecy of Blades

[Lady Blade]

Before you read: This is a story I have created. All of the names and worlds mentioned are figments of my imagination and Latin phrases. I hope you enjoy it as it is my take (what I think happened) on the history of a few of our quests. Thank you for reading

--Lady Blade

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 1

Blade meets Shade

Midterms. Heather waited patiently in line in front of the Myth tower where Professor Drake’s office was. Even though it was early in the morning, there was already a line of increasingly nervous wizard students waiting to see Professor Drake for their scores in the midterm exam and Heather was no exception. To make matters worse, the last three students who had entered the tower, had left it in tears. When the student before her went in, Heather clutched her copy of “The History of Myth”, tight to her chest and glanced around Ravenwood trying to calm her nerves.

It was some comfort that her primary school of Life was right next door. Heather could not help but smile as she saw the gentle Professor Wu talking and laughing quietly with the Life Tree, Blossom. The smile did not last long though as the door to the Myth Tower started to open, signaling her turn with Drake, and causing the butterflies in her stomach to return. She faced forward quickly, but not before noticing the Myth tree, Ivan, give her a wink. At least she thought it was a wink. Since he only had one eye it was hard to tell.

“Good luck in there.” The boy who had just walked out told her as he pulled a cowl over his head to hide the tear marks on his cheeks. Taking a deep breath, Heather entered the tower.

The inside of the Myth tower always fascinated her. Beautiful bright colors and designs were a definite contrast to the Professor that used it as his office. Professor Drake was writing something down as Heather cautiously approached. She overheard him mumbling about incompetent students and failing all of them and she had to pause for another deep breath. As she exhaled, the Professor heard it and looked up, finally noticing someone else was in the room with him.

“Ah yes,” Drake said in an obviously bored tone. “Ms Blake. Please take a seat.”

“I..it’s Blade sir. My last name is Blade.” Heather managed to say with a shaky voice.

“Hmph! Very well then Ms. Blaze.” Drake said emphasizing the still incorrect last name. “I have the grade for your midterm report.” As he said this, Drake dropped the 30 page report on his desk and shoved it toward her. “This was the most preposterous bunch of nonsense I have ever read. There is NO WAY, that Grubb of Sunken city was a Conjurer. The very idea is absurd. You FAIL.”

Heather was prepared for this. “But sir,” she protested as she set the history book she was holding down and opened it to a bookmarked page. “In this “History of Myth” book, it mentions a Conjurer named Grabb from Dragonspyre. I think he is the same Grubb that now resides in Sunken City. Something must have happened that turned him into a Necromancer and to cover it up, historians changed his name.”

Professor Drake drummed his fingers on the desk in an annoyed fashion. “Ms. Blane,” he replied in an agitated voice. “Once you have been chosen by a school it cannot be changed, unless your very soul is ripped from your body. How do you suppose one’s soul can be ripped, a curse?”

He gave a half-hearted chuckle at this, but it quickly faded back into a scowl when Heather replied, “Precisely.”

Seeing the shocked look on Drake’s face gave Heather the courage to continue with an explanation. “I found a book on ancient spells that are no longer used in the archaic section of the library. One was a Death spell called “Obliterate”. It was deemed a curse because its power was considered too dark to use and in fact, was recorded to have been used only once and that had terrible consequences for all involved. You see, Obliterate was a spell that could literally rip out your soul and leave you a walking corpse. And of course, once you are part of the living dead, it is extremely hard to resist the call of Necromancy.” She finished and waited for the Professor to respond.

“Tell me Ms. Blade,” he said finally pronouncing her name right. “Do you have proof of this outlandish tale? I saw nothing in your report that provides sufficient evidence and quoting books that have not been used in over two hundred years is hardly what I would call accurate.”

Heather felt a lump rise in her throat as she admitted, “No sir.” This is what she had been afraid of. “However sir, I know who might.”

“Go on.” Drake urged her, slightly interested now.

“Well,” she continued. “The original caster of the spell is here in Wizard City, or rather, his ghost is.” She whispered the next words as if saying them out loud would curse her. “Lord Nightshade.”

The Professor sat back in his chair now thinking. When he finally spoke, the tone of his voice had changed. It was no longer condescending, but calm and well…teacher-like. “This is very interesting news Ms. Blade. The Nightshades are an ancient family, and they can be traced back to the days of Dragonspyre academy, before the Titan War. I will make a deal with you. I will give you 48 hours to find proof of this, solid proof mind you. Until then, I will mark your grade as incomplete.

“But Professor Drake sir?” Heather asked. “I am only a novice wizard. I have not learned how to barrier walk. If I can’t even get past the barrier that surrounds Nightshade’s place to investigate, how can I find proof?”

“There are other ways girl.” Drake replied. “I said the Nightshades ARE an ancient family. Lord Nightshade was once a living being. He had a wife and a family. His ancestors even built a house here in Wizard City. One of those ancestors is a student here right now. He is a Death student of course, but very talented despite that flaw. I think his name is Tommy, or Terrance, maybe Tristan. Anyway, it begins with a T.”

Heather could not believe her luck. Thinking that she may be able to pass Drake’s class as well as stay alive by not having to battle Lord Nightshade, she could not hide a smile as she said, “Yes sir. Where is his house if I may ask?”

“His house.” Drake replied in his normal smug tone. “The little brat is living off of his family name in the same estate his family built here all those years ago. It is in the housing district and is the only house on Lighthope Lane. Now! Take your leave. I have been more than kind in giving you a second chance and you are wasting my valuable time.”

Heather got up and walked out of the Myth Tower slowly, barely even noticing the stares she got from other students as she passed through Ravenwood and went into her dorm room where she laid on her bed to think. Despite the name, Lighthope Lane was not what one would call cheery. The trees there had long since died and were now empty shells that stretched to the sky as if pleading to be cut down. There was only one house on the street so it was more of a driveway than a street but it had always been called Lighthope Lane and no one dared to argue the point. Even Death students shivered slightly as they passed the huge iron gates.

An hour later, Heather stood in front of those very gates. The Death spell symbol was etched on each side in iron and two bell towers were holding the gates up. Where the gates met at the top, the Death school symbol, a skull in a circle, divided in half. Not able to control her trembling, Heather started to grab a rope to ring one of the tower bells but before she could pull the rope, the gates opened mysteriously without so much as a creak.

“Great.” Heather said to herself as she walked through the gap between the gates. “I must be crazy to be doing this. I am risking my life for a grade that probably will not be higher than a C.”

The pathway beyond the gates seemed to stretch for miles due to a thick fog all over the property but it only took a minute or two of walking before the house came into view and Heather stopped dead in her tracks. Tall and decrepit, it was the very essence of every haunted house ever talked or read about. The two windows on the top floor seemed to be staring at her as she slowly walked towards it and she could have sworn they blinked. The path split up and went three ways. One went right and around a hill, the other went left toward a graveyard (Yeah right, like she was going that way.), and the third went straight down the middle toward the house.

Opting for the least scary course, Heather turned to her right and nearly screamed as a small black streak ran up the path, lightning fast, towards her and then stopped. It was a scarab pet. Heather had seen a few wizards that had them but she had never seen a black one before and this one had, what looked like, a skull design on its back. It stood there
for a second wagging its back end like a tail, then turned and scurried back the way it came just as fast. Heather followed after it as quickly as she could since it was the only living thing (other than the house) that she had seen.

When she got around the hill, Heather was amazed. There was a large yard with a small, clear stream running through it, and an arched wooden bridge over the stream that led to another yard full of live flowers and a sleeping baby unicorn. Before the bridge, suspended between two living Cherry Blossom trees, was a clothesline with wet clothes, newly hung. There was very little sun and the air was damp so Heather was wondered how the clothes would dry. Then she noticed something else, or rather someone else. Kneeling by the creek, with his back turned toward her, was a boy a little older than Heather. He was scratching the Death beetle on its head with one hand and filling a bucket of water with the other. His ink black hair hung just past his shoulders and Heather could only guess that this was the descendant of Lord Nightshade. Before she could introduce herself though, something grabbed her by the hair and pulled so hard she let out a loud “OUCH!”

“Let her go Trixie.” The boy said without looking. “Vaden and Ruth already told me about our guest. No need for violence.” Then he added in a teasing tone. “Yet.”

The pulling ceased but Heather could tell that “Trixie” still had her hair. Trying to sound as upbeat as possible, Heather tried to introduce herself. “Hello, you must be Tommy? My name is…OUCH!” Another sharp tug brought tears to her eyes.

“TRIXIE!” The boy said in a commanding voice and the culprit let go of Heather’s hair and flew to her master’s side. Trixie, as it turned out, was a Dark Sprite. Known for their cunning and tempers, this one was now sulking as she sat on the grass next to the Death student’s feet. “I would guess,” he told the sprite as she pouted. “That the Life fizzy was sent by Cyrus Drake. He is the only one who would have gotten my first name wrong.” Then he turned to Heather and apologized. “Sorry about that.” He told her. “Trixie tends to be overprotective and the name is Tristan, not Tommy. Now fizzy, I doubt your real name is OUCH so why don’t you tell me what it really…Whoa!!” Before he could finish, Tristan was suddenly knocked into the stream with a loud splash by the baby unicorn which had bounded from her resting place, jumped the stream with one leap, and choose to go through Tristan to greet the Life wizard in training.

Heather stared open mouthed at the spectacle she had just witnessed unsure what to do. She started to walk toward the stream but Tristan was already on his feet and climbing out of the water. The unicorn that had caused him to fall had ran up to him and whinnied softly. Trixie sat in the grass pointing and laughing at her drenched master and the beetle jumped in with him causing a smaller splash. Suddenly, another shape materialized out of thin air on the stream’s edge to lend a hand, a Wraith pet. Wraith pets were given to Grandmasters upon completing the main Necromancy arts.

“Thank you Vaden.” Tristan said to the Wraith as he climbed out of the water and gave the Unicorn a reassuring pat on the head and comforted her. “Roxie,” he said with a small laugh. “I know you like Life wizards but try not to knock me down the next time one visits.” Then, he calmly walked over to where Trixie was still laughing, and wrung his wet clothes out on her, quickly silencing the Sprite and causing her to pout once again.

“Mind if we go inside my house so I can start a fire to dry off?” He asked Heather. “This was my last set of clean clothes.” Tristan noticed Heather’s face go white when he mentioned the house so he quickly added. “The house is alive yes but it is harmless. It will give you dirty looks, growl, or moan, but that’s all it can do. Besides, I am sure Cyrus did not send you here to admire the scenery?”

This did little to reassure Heather but she was determined to get answers and at least a B in Drake’s class. “That would be fine Tristan” she said. “And the name is Heather, Heather Blade.”

“Nice to meet you Heather Blade.” Tristan said with a smile and a small gentleman-like bow. “I don’t get a lot of visitors so it is nice to have someone other than those four to keep me company.” He said as he pointed to Vaden, Trixie, Roxie, and Ruth, who had climbed out of the creek and was shaking the extra water off onto the still upset Trixie.

As they were walking toward the house, Heather asked Tristan. “Earlier you called me a fizzy. What is that?”

“A fizzy is what I call any wizard who has not learned their third rank spell.” He explained. “The reason is because most wizard students tend to fizzle more than strike until they get used to casting which, I have found, is usually around the time they learn their third rank spell.”

They had reached the house now and just as Tristan said, the house moaned and groaned, but did nothing as they went inside. Tristan got a fire going, prepared some hot tea, sat down in one of two lounge chairs, and gestured for Heather to sit in the other one. Above the fireplace, Heather noticed two portraits. One was a very handsome man with Tristan’s piercing blue eyes and dark hair. The other painting was a very pretty woman with long brownish blonde hair. Both were wearing very outdated clothes and smiling sadly.

“Are those your parents?” She asked Tristan as she pointed to the pictures.

“Nope.” Tristan answered as he took a sip of tea. “Neither of my parents wanted to stay in Wizard City after they graduated from Ravenwood. So, when I was old enough to take care of myself here, they left for Aeterna.”

“Aeterna?” Heather had never heard of it.

“Another world of the Spiral. It’s called the eternal city.” Tristan answered. “As for the portraits, they are my ancestors, Lord and Lady Nightshade.”

Tristan got wet for a second time as Heather, who had been just drank a mouthful of tea, spat it out all over him when she heard this news.

“Oh, goodness. I’m so sorry.” Heather apologized. “Here you go, this is dry.” She grabbed a napkin from the table and embarrassed, handed it to Tristan.

Tristan took the napkin and said. “It’s okay,” as he wiped the tea from his face. “I am already wet and besides, I love seeing people’s reactions when I tell them. Now, not to sound demanding but why did Drake tell you to see me?”

“Oh right!” Heather said. “Professor Drake said you may be able to help me.” Heather explained her theory to Tristan, her meeting with Drake, and her 48 hour deadline to find proof. When she finished, the Grandfather clock in the corner had just struck noon.

Tristan sat back and whistled. “That is some theory. Unfortunately, nothing in our family history books mentions anything about curses or Grubb. It appears the only way we are going to find anything out is to pay dear gramps a visit.”

Panic rising in her chest once again, Heather looked at Tristan and told him in a flustered voice. “I can’t see Nightshade. I haven’t learned to barrier walk, not to mention, he will kill me.”

“He won’t kill you if you’re with me.” Tristan reassured her smiling. “As for barrier walking my fizzy friend, I can teach you. But first, let’s have some lunch.”

End Chapter 1

[Frissbe]

Well this is 5 out 10.
It has a great plot but there was some missing commas. Instead of putting History of Myth put History of Conjurers by blank blank. In my story I have creative fun names for my books.
Also people don't say Ms all the time. Cyrus would say, you worthless mutt. Or Heather. Cyrus Drake was too polite. Nightshade is\was a real person but didn't have a family. He was a wraith.
He was a person back from the dead. Also, Lane's belong to the founder.
The founder must of been Nightshade. But he couldn't of named it a Lane if no one was there. And also were is the housing district. How do you get to it?

[The Commodore]

The housing district and other things mentioned are all of her creation and not actually existent. Anywho I thought it was a great read and enjoyed it immensely, can't wait for more.

[Frissbe]

But still how do you get there if it's fictional, she can still make up a way.

[zenmetsu]

Well this is 5 out 10.
It has a great plot but there was some missing commas. Instead of putting History of Myth put History of Conjurers by blank blank. In my story I have creative fun names for my books.
Also people don't say Ms all the time. Cyrus would say, you worthless mutt. Or Heather. Cyrus Drake was too polite. Nightshade is\was a real person but didn't have a family. He was a wraith.
He was a person back from the dead. Also, Lane's belong to the founder.
The founder must of been Nightshade. But he couldn't of named it a Lane if no one was there. And also were is the housing district. How do you get to it?

Ahem, here, i'm ticked now. Ready? *takes deep breath*
5/10? HARDLY. Imma give you a 8/10, that's about right.
She can do History of Myth. Honestly, do not compare your writing to her's. Cuz her's, I will be honest, is BETTER.
AS IF. Weren't you reading? He nearly always prounounced her last name wrong. Cyrus may say Heather, but he'd never, EVER say "You worthless mutt". That's cruel. Too cruel.
Nightshade didn't have a family? What if he did, and he was turned into a undead, into a Wraith?
Your allowed to make fictional places... If you say you can't, you've just badmouthed a lot of stories, dude...
Founder? He could've founded it actually...
Honestly, she didn't have to explain everything. How to get there, she can explain later.

"But still how do you get there if it's fictional, she can still make up a way. "
Don't make me laugh. She doesn't have too. /: You don't explain how to get to your fictional places sometimes...
Honestly, your finding flaws that are completely optional, and its rude. Your writing is not even close to the level of this. I have to say that.
Okay, done snapping back at you. Honestly, 5/10 though? NO. NO, NO, NO. You can reply to my snap-back, but PM/VM about it. I'm not going to close the thread of a good story.

Ahem. Now more to you

I loved your detail! Your detail was great, grammar flawless, no misused words, or spelling. And the plot does seem rather interesting. I'll totally be checking back!
Hmm... Maybe try adding some detail? (Rofl, sorry, your detail was great, but I'm the overdetailing master, heh...)

[L3ow!n]

great story so far cant wait to read more of it... ill be checking back for sure

[Lady Blade]

Chapter 2

Tristan fixed some sandwiches for lunch and they ate in silence except for crackling fire and the clattering of Ruth’s feet on the hardwood floor as she went back and forth begging for food. After they ate, Tristan grabbed a spell deck and a few other items he said may be necessary and they headed out the door to Lord Nightshade’s tower in Haunted Cave. Outside, Tristan turned to the right and began heading toward the Graveyard path.

“Where are you going?” Heather asked. “I thought we were going straight to Nightshade’s?”

“We are.” Tristan answered while walking. “There is a second entrance to Haunted Cave at the end of my family’s estate through the graveyard. It’s the main reason this house was built here.”

“Really? She replied “It seems like we are at the other end of Wizard City.” Heather gave one last pat on Roxie’s head as she stepped off the porch and started walking to catch up. She could not explain why she suddenly had no fear of the graveyard but then again, she was walking with a Grandmaster Necromancer and it was his family’s graveyard. “How long will it take us to get to Haunted Cave?” She asked, suddenly curious.

Tristan answered, “At least an hour or two. To be honest it’s not much of a shortcut but I prefer traveling this way rather than going through Wizard City during midterms. Way too busy and every fizzy you see wants a Grandmaster friend so they can go to Dragonspyre and show off to their friends.” He rolled his eyes in a disapproving manner then looked at Heather and apologized. “Sorry about that, almost every fizzy. Present company excluded of course.”

“No harm done.” She answered. “I know exactly the type of people you are talking about and do my best to avoid them too.”

They walked until they reached the edge of the graveyard which came to an end at the bottom of a large cliff. Built into the cliff, was a mausoleum. Looking like something out of the Dragonspyre history books, Heather could not help but stare in awe at the building. Above the doors, written in stone, were the words “Virtus et Sapientia”. She read the words out loud and asked Tristan what they meant.

“That is my family’s creed.” He said explaining. “It means “Virtue and Intelligence” in Aeternian. I will explain more once inside. Vaden, can you open the doors?” As he said this, the pet Wraith appeared out of thin air and disappeared again, going through the solid door. A few seconds later, Heather heard loud noises that sounded like two stones grating against each other and the doors to the mausoleum swung open. Vaden reappeared and chose to remain visible beside Tristan as he and Heather entered the building. Large tapestries hung from the ceiling with the death symbol woven into them. The room in which they stood was circular in shape much like the school towers and a large death symbol was etched on the floor as well. Apparently, Tristan came from a long line of Necromancers. At the back of the building, was a bookcase filled with books from floor to ceiling. Tristan walked over to the bookcase, looked for a second, and then tilted a book outward. Heather looked at the title and noticed it was called “Virtus et Sapientia” the same as the family creed. As he pulled the book, a small section of the bookcase slid sideways revealing a secret passage. He grabbed a torch from his backpack, lit it, and asked, “Ladies first?”

“Oh no!” Heather said jokingly. “I think in this case, chivalry would decree you go first.” They both laughed and entered the passageway together.

“We still have a long walk ahead of us so I will finish explaining my family’s history. Or at least what little I was told about it.” Tristan’s voice echoed in the cave. “Remember when I said my parents moved to Aeterna, the Eternal City? My family helped create the main city and we are held as heroes there. Here in Wizard City, most people only know us because of great grandfather and shun us. Of course, Headmaster Ambrose knows that one person’s misdeeds does not mean that whole family is evil but nevertheless, I tend to be given a wide berth when I walk through town by a lot of wizards who know who I am. Which is, I guess, the main reason I avoid going through the city. Our family history books say nothing about what grandfather did to dishonor our name. They just mention him being banished for all eternity in that tower. Your theory fits but it is not going to be easy to get Gramps to talk. He tends to be bitter.”

Heather had been listening to Tristan and it suddenly dawned on her. “I still need to learn barrier walking.”

“Oh, yeah!” Tristan exclaimed slapping his hand to his head. “I keep forgetting you’re a fizzy. Barrier walking is easy. You just have to stand on the sigils at the entrance and concentrate on getting to the other side. It’s scary at first because you can feel yourself go through the door but once you get the hang of it, it’s fun. Since it is your first time, I will have Vaden hold your hand. “The wraith made a small hallowed sound as if agreeing but other than that, kept quiet.

Tristan led as they continued on walking in the cave. As they walked, they talked about various things. Heather asked why Tristan had so many pets. Tristan explained that Roxie, the Unicorn, was a gift from his Aunt Lilly, a Life wizard. Ruth, he found in Dragonspyre while searching ruins for reagents, Trixie, he had caught as she tried to smear the Unicorn Statue on Unicorn Way with Goji Berries, and Vaden, had been in the family for generations. Time in the cave passed quickly and before Heather knew it, Tristan stopped in front of her and said, “This is the exit.”

They came upon the sealed gate just outside Nightshade’s tower in Haunted Cave. “It’s always locked.” Heather said. “How do we get through?”

Tristan teased mimicking Cyrus Drake’s voice. “Have you learned nothing?” Then continued normally. “My family built this gate. We are the only ones who can open it.” As he said this, Tristan placed his hands on the back of the circular plate in the center of the gate and whispered words Heather did not quite hear. Suddenly, Tristan’s fingers shot blue sparks, which grew and extended to blue lines that seemed to etch their way through the gates. When the entire gate was covered in soft blue light, the gate slid upwards, opening.

Tristan grabbed Heather and shoved her into Haunted Cave as soon as the gate was up. Heather was about to ask “Why the rush?” But the question died on her lips as the gate slammed back down within seconds of opening. Heather noticed how tired Tristan looked now. The gate had obviously put a strain on him.

Tristan sank to the ground, catching his breath. “That is not an easy spell.” He gasped. “I can only keep the gate up for a few seconds. Need a few minutes…” He paused, “to recover.”

Heather knelt beside him, spell deck in hand. She grabbed the Minor Blessing card, traced the Life school symbol, then cast the spell on Tristan. “Better?” She asked.

“Much better,” Tristan answered. “Thanks Heather.” He rose to feet and glanced at the looming tower a few steps away. “You ready to barrier walk and confront Lord Nightshade?” He asked with a slightly weak smile.

“If it means an A in Professor Drake’s class then I am as ready as I will ever be.” She said smiling back.

They walked up to the door and stood on the glowing sigils. She closed her eyes as Vaden’s small boy hand grabbed hers. She tried not to concentrate on the eerie feeling of the tiny Wraith’s skeletal hand and instead, pictured herself walking through the door like a ghost. Suddenly, she felt herself moving forward very fast and a small wave of dizziness caused her to teeter. She felt someone grab her shoulders and hold her up.

“Easy now Heather,” Tristan said as he helped her stand up straight. “I forgot how dizzy you get on the first barrier walk. You made it inside and well… Heather Blade, meet my great, great…a few more greats, grandfather, Lord Byron Nightshade.

A loud gasp escaped as Heather glanced at the towering Wraith in the center of the room. His glowing red eyes caused her heart to beat faster as a chill went down her back. Unable to keep from it, Heather started shivering. Tristan, on the other hand, just approached the Wraith and as calm as ever said, “Hiya Gramps.”

Nightshade’s eyes stopped staring at Heather and moved onto his grandson. With a raspy voice he asked Tristan. “Why do you disturb me grandson?”

Tristan’s face grew serious as he told his grandfather. “I need your help. Or rather, we need your help. My friend here has a theory you can confirm and has 2 days to prove it or she will fail her class.”

Nightshade replied mockingly, “Your friend’s problem is of no concern of mine Tristan. Why should I help the living who do nothing but torment me? I hear them at all hours, laughing, running through this cave, battling the guards, while I am trapped for eternity inside this infernal tower.”

“That’s just it grandfather.” Tristan said in an equally mocking tone. “This theory reveals why you were locked in this prison and if we can prove it and find out more about it, we may be able to free you. You will finally be able to rest in peace, and will be moved to a more honorable resting place, in the family cemetery.”

Nightshade glared at Tristan, red eyes brimming with rage. His scratchy voice reached a high pitch, sounding like nails on a chalkboard that made both wizard students cringe. “Do not patronize me boy. I accepted my fate long ago when those fools did not believe me and locked me up. I can no more be free from this wretched prison than you can summon the Storm Lord.” His voice grew softer, into a whisper. “Now please. Leave me be. I have long since given up and cannot help you.” Lord Nightshade turned his back to the two wizards but suddenly paused and turned to face them again. His glowing eyes were now a somber blue. “The only thing I recall is about…” He paused and took what would have been a deep breath had he been alive. “A prophecy.”

“Prophecy?” Heather and Tristan asked together.

But the Wraith had gone into a trance-like state and no longer knew the two students were in the tower with him. Lost in his own thoughts from a forgotten time, he began talking to himself loudly. “I should have listened when the tree warned me about your family. My dear sweet Desirée. How I longed to give back what your uncle stole from us, from our family. Our castle, our gold, your beautiful garden, everything, just…gone.” Lord Nightshade sank to the floor and disappeared into the shadows of the tower leaving only the sound of his wailing cries.

Heather and Tristan walked out of the tower as quietly as they could. Once outside, they walked in silence toward Triton Avenue, too stunned to say anything. Finally, Tristan spoke but it was just a whisper.

“I’ve never heard grandmother’s first name before.”

When they reached the Avenue, Heather asked. “Do you want to go back home? I understand if you want to stop here.”

Tristan glanced up at her and shook his head. “Oh no,” he said wiping his eyes with his sleeve. “I am in this until the end now, especially after grandfather told us where to go next.”

“Yes,” Heather agreed. “He mentioned a tree. But how do we find out which tree he spoke of?”

They continued walking in silence, both deep in thought. When they passed the bridge overlooking the Kraken, Tristan and Heather heard shouting coming from up ahead. Running to see what the shouting was about, they saw a pair of Adept Diviner’s playing keep away with an Apprentice’s wand.

“Give it back.” The Apprentice said in a small voice while jumping for the wand as it sailed over his head.

“Aww, poor Cameron.” One of the bullies said. “Baby wants his wand back. Ricky,” he said to the other boy. “Should we let him have it?”

Ricky just laughed and then said “Yeah Nick, we can let him have it.” Saying that he shoved the Apprentice to the ground, broke the wand over his knee, then threw it beside the young Diviner.

Heather saw rage enter Tristan’s eyes as he reached behind his back and drew a sword and his spell deck from nowhere. He then approached the two bullies and without even chanting, summoned a pair of skeletal hands that popped out of the ground and grabbed the boys’ feet before they could take off running.

“You will apologize!” Tristan said in a voice that sent the same cold chill down Heather’s back as Lord Nightshade did.

The two bullies, with terrified looks on their faces, started whimpering. “We’re sorry! We’re sorry!” They said sniveling.

Tristan looked at the Apprentice, who had now gotten up and was holding his broken wand. “I think both of you owe him a new wand. Hand yours over.” As he said this, he waved his hand and the skeletal fingers released their hold on the Adepts legs then disappeared.

“Yeah right!” The one named Nick said courageous once again now that the hands had gone. “We don’t owe the baby anything. Who do you think you are telling us what to do?”

“He is Nightshade’s heir and you will do as he says.” Said a mysterious voice behind Heather and Tristan.

All three boys’ faces turned white when they heard this. Heather turned around to see who the voice belonged to. It was another Diviner. She had long hair like Heather’s, except hers was purple, not blonde. She was wearing Master’s robes but Heather somehow knew this girl was a higher level. She seemed to radiate power.

Now facing two Grand masters, the bullies threw down their wands. Tristan and the purple haired girl watched as the third boy picked up the discarded wands and placed them in his backpack.

The purple haired girl looked at her school mates and shook her head. “I will be speaking with Professor Baelstrom about this Nick and Ricky. She turned to the third boy and asked. “Cameron. Want me to walk you back to class?”

Cameron’s eyes darted from Tristan, to Heather, to Destiny. Then he shook his head no and ran towards Olde Towne without saying a word.

“Destiny!” Tristan said speaking to the girl Diviner. “I would appreciate it if you did not use my last name to intimidate people. I realize this was a just cause but now every wizard on this street is staring at me.”

Both Destiny and Heather glanced around. It was true. The street had filled up with other wizards who had heard the commotion. All eyes within the vicinity were now staring at Tristan.

“Oops! Sorry Tris.” She said blushing slightly. “Guess I got carried away. I can fix this real quick.” She snapped her fingers and out of nowhere a bolt of lightning shot out of the sky and struck close to the bridge. All the students now turned toward the loud crackle and quickly forgot about Tristan.

Tristan gave a loud sigh and shook his head. “Heather,” he said. “I would like you to meet a friend of mine, Destiny Skyblade. Destiny, this is Heather Blade, she just started here learning Theurgy.”

“Hi!” Destiny said grabbing Heather’s hand and shaking it rather hard. “I never thought Tristan would be friends with a Life wizard, let alone a fizzy.”

“Be nice Des.” Tristan warned. He looked at Heather and explained. “Destiny tends to not think before she speaks. Sometimes she can sound a little rude but she means well. Then he turned to Destiny. “I am helping her pass midterms in Drake’s class. Come to think of it, she is helping me too. You would not believe what we found out.”

The trio walked on and into Olde Towne. Tristan filled Destiny in on Heather’s deadline, theory, and what had happened in the tower with Lord Nightshade. When he finished, Destiny slapped Heather on the back and said, “Well done fizzy. It’s not every day someone can impress Cyrus Drake.”

“Oof,” Heather stumbled at the force of Destiny’s rough back slap. “Thanks. Do you have any idea which tree Lord Nightshade was talking about?”

Destiny thought for a minute. “Usually, prophecies are spoken by Balance or Myth types. But knowing Tristan’s family, I bet it was Mortis or his brother Rigor.”

“Who are they?” Heather asked.

Destiny and Tristan looked at each other and smiled. Tristan explained. “Mortis is the Death School’s tree and before you ask, yes the school did fall into ground and leave a gaping hole in Ravenwood but the school is still intact underground next to the entrance to the Sunken City. Even the teacher, Professor Dworgyn is still there. Poor guy never leaves the school. Anyway, Mortis’ brother Rigor lives in Dragonspyre. He and Ashley, the Fire tree, are the only ones that survived the Titan War.

“Since we are in midterms, you should have learned to mindspeak and teleport right?” Destiny interrupted. When Heather nodded, she continued. “Good. Me and Tris will go to Nightside and you can port, okay?” Without waiting for an answer, Destiny waved her arms and a lioness appeared. She jumped on its back and took off toward the Commons.

Tristan shook his head, muttered something about Destiny being impetuous, then summoned a broom for himself and took off after her. “Wait for one of us to mindspeak to you then port.” He yelled back to Heather as he raced after the Diviner.

Heather did not have to wait long. She had just sat down in the grass when she heard the whisper in her head to teleport. She cast the teleport spell and found herself in a large cave. Sure enough, there was an intact Death school, tower and all right in front of her. Standing next to the door reading was a female Death student Tristan introduced as Marla Stinger. Marla just nodded in Heather’s direction and went inside the school, nose buried in her book. Next to the Death school, just as with all the other schools, stood a giant talking tree. He resembled the dead trees on Tristan’s property only twice as large. Destiny was already talking to the tree whose beady eyes seemed to light up with delight at the friendly conversation. Pleasantries and introductions were made and Heather told her story to Mortis.

The tree took a long breath and said. “So it begins again.” Seeing the confused look on the three wizards’ faces he explained. “When I was a sapling and before the Titan War, my brother and I lived in the city of Aeterna. We were housed in the Death’s school tower until our roots were large enough to be planted outside. Many things were in that tower, ancient things, but nothing as ancient or confusing as the back wall. On it, a prophecy was carved in stone.” Mortis stopped there and sighed deeply.

“Can you tell us the Prophecy?” Tristan asked eagerly.

“Sorry young Lord. It has been far too long since I have seen it. I can no longer remember what was written. However, when the Worlds of the Spiral were reformed, the Death tower and my home, which had torn away with a small portion of Aeterna, were reformed here in Wizard City deep underground.”

“Sunken City!” Tristan and Destiny both realized this together.

“Yes.” Mortis replied. The prophecy and the Death tower that houses it still exist deep within Sunken City. The tower is right outside Grubb’s fortress in fact.

“Well!” Tristan exclaimed looking at the two girls and then at the gated entrance behind them. “Looks like we know our next destination.”

Back to Chapter 1

[Thesilentg1]

WOW!!! Great Story

[Cassandra DragonHeart]

Loving this! I want MORE!

[SorceressMiklai]

Ok sis, I just found out about this cause no one told me till last night. BUT I LOVE IT! Can't wait to read more and find out how one of my best friend's alter egos fare. When is the next chapter coming?

Your sis 1/3 of the Unholy Trio,
~SM~