A/N - Triple update this weekend! So, we can get through the prologue! Next chapter tomorrow!
''What a drag... How did I become a part of this mess...? Today is not my lucky day.'' Ace groaned.
''This isn't the time for complaining. Dark Mirror takes us the Dwarfs mine.'' Deuce said to the Mirror.
The Mirror lighted up and we stepped into it, and arrived in the middle of the woods.
''So, this is the Dwarfs' mine... A long time ago the mine was overflowed with magic stones.'' Deuce explained while we walked deeper into the woods.
''It's really quiet here.'' Yuu said.
''You're right. Maybe too quiet.'' I said in confirmation and took hold of Yuu's uniform.
Yuu took note of it and asked worriedly. ''Are you alright Ari?''
''I'm fine... Being in a creepy forest in the middle of nowhere makes me a little uncomfortable.'' I answered him.
''Don't worry you're not alone in this.'' he said with a reassured smile.
''I know'' I said, smiling back while being cautious, and having my guard up.
''Hee~ Are you scared? ~ You can hold my hand if you want to.'' Ace said teasingly.
''There's no need. I'm fine.'' I said nervously, only to make Ace grin at me.
On one side my instincts told not to go any further, but on the other side we had to find a way to retrieve the magic stone.
After walking for a while, Ace spotted a small cottage on the other side of the river.
''Look! There's a small cottage. Let's ask them for help''.
''Are you even sure that someone lives in there? It looks very old.'' I pointed out.
''If you're scared then don't stray too far. Just stay nearby... Even better if want to hold my hand.'' Ace teased making my cheeks redden a little.
N-no... I'm good... I have Yuu with me.'' I huffed while stammering making Ace grin mischievously at me.
''Stop teasing her Ace. That's not how you act towards a lady.'' Deuce interrupted making Ace grin even more.
''Hee~ Listen to Deuce being a gentleman. Hehe.'' Ace said making me sigh.
''That's enough, both of you. Did you already forget why where are here. If not we might as well return to the school.'' I stated
''She's right. Let's continue over the bridge.'' Yuu added.
''Yeeah.'' Ace and Deuce said simultaneously in defeat.
I walked over to Deuce and tapped him on the shoulder catching his attention.
''Thank you for standing up for me Deuce.''
''N-no p-problem.'' He stammered.
Deuce was the first to approach the cottage and knocked on the door. No one answered so he tried to open the door, only to find out that it wasn't locked. As we entered the cottage, it was obvious that it had been abandoned for years as we were meet by dust and spiderwebs.
The furnishing was old and worn, but the most notable thing was that there was 7 small, children sized chairs and a table. Deuce concluded that the cottage must had been inhabited by dwarfs, when the mine flourished. We searched the cottage for a magic stone, but the search was effortless.
''I heard that the mine was closed years ago, so it will most likely be pitch dark in there.'' Deuce said while noticing a candle on the table.
''If only we had a match or something to light the candle.''
''Can't you just light it with magic?'' Yuu asked.
''Using that kind of magic requires training.'' Deuce explained.
''And that's the reason what the school is for.'' Ace added, as Yuu took the candle.
''So lightning fire isn't easy.'' I stated.
FO-OM.
A blue flame came across Yuu and lightened the candle.
''Hehe, it looks like you four need my awesome fire magic.''
''Grim!'' Yuu and I spoke in surprise.
''How long have you been following us?'' Deuce asked him.
''Since you left for the Mines. I'm gonna pick myself some magic stones! Who knows... maybe I could use some super strong magic with one of those! From now on I'm the captain so follow me!'' Grim exclaimed while walking out of the cottage determined.
We walked a little further from the cottage and found a cave which seemed to be the mine entrance.
''W-We're gonna go in that pitch black hole.'' Grim stuttered nervously.
''Are you scared? That's lame.'' Ace teased Grim.
''Naanh!? I'm not s-scared at all! I'm taking the lead! You guys follow me!'' Grim continued.
We all looked at each other and walked after Grim. As we entered the interior part of the mine, we all looked at it with awe. The stone walls were filled with small magic stones with all kinds of colors.
We separated and looked for a magic stone big enough to light the chandelier, but with no luck. The magic stones were simply too small.
''Another bust...'' Deuce said defeated.
''There is nothing here.'' Ace added.
''Then search even harder!''
''Could you not order me around? We wouldn't be in this mess if you didn't get us in this trouble.'' Ace groaned.
''You might wanna refresh your memory. It was your fault that fight even started.'' Deuce pointed out.
''That furball was the one who started the fight and burned the statue!''
''But you're were the one who was making fun of me!'' Grim growled from my shoulder.
''It was both Ace and Grim's fault for losing their temper with each other.'' I interfered.
Ace and Deuce began to argue while I tried to calm them down. Yuu on the other hand...
''WON'T...''
''Did you guys hear that!'' Yuu spoke making us turn our head towards him.
''GIB... UU... WON...''
''!!!'' we all gasped panicking.
''St... one... sss... mine...''
''Whatever it is it's getting closer.'' I whispered.
''Stone........ IS MIIIIINNEEEEEE!!!'' a monster in red appeared before us.
The aura around it was dark. Its head was faceless and made of glass with leaking ink.
All of us were terrified that we ran away towards the entrance. We stopped close by and looked behind us only to see the monster following us. We exited the cave and ran toward the cottage.
The boys and I stopped to catch our breaths. ''Is this far enough?'' Grim asked while collapsing on the ground breathless.
''What was that!? The headmaster didn't say anything about a monster! Let's give up on go home.'' Ace spoke sitting on the ground.
''What! Don't mess with me! I would do anything to avoid expulsion!'' Deuce exclaimed.
''I saw a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel.'' I informed the rest of us.
''Yeah, I saw it too.'' Yuu added.
''There's a magic stone right on front of us and you just want to go home.'' Deuce spoke angrily to Ace.
''Says the one whose magic is worse than mine. You can go alone for all that I care. I'm done.'' Ace argued making me look at him in disbelief.
''So, you're just going to give up without even trying?'' I argued back making everybody look at me surprised at my outburst.
''You'll never achieve anything if you keep that attitude.'' I continued making him frown.
''She's right! If you don't want to get involved, then stay here like the spineless coward that you are!'' Deuce yelled at Ace looking like a totally different person.
''U-uuhm... Deuce... Did you switch character?'' Grim asked carefully.
Deuce on the other hand flinched in realization. ''S-Sorry... I got a little worked up'' he said calming down.
''Well, long story short we have to fight that monster in order to get that magic stone'' I pointed out to the boys.
''Yeah... for that to happen we have to come up with a proper plan.'' Yuu continued beside me.
''The only thing I can think about working is teamwork.'' I said while looking at the three in front of Yuu and me.
''Teamwork? Wait a minute. You want us to get along and work together?'' Ace asked and smirked.
''Yep.'' I answered bluntly.
''You're too blunt for your own good.'' Ace remarked.
''I won't work with this loser.'' Deuce said determined.
''He got a point. It's way lamer than being expelled.'' Grim stated.
''If there's an opponent you can't win against one-on-one, you can change the whole outcome as a group.'' Yuu appealed.
''There's only one of him. We still have a chance to win this together.''
''No freaking way! I won't work with Mr. reckless here!'' Ace stated.
''Reckless? I'm not going to team up with you either!''
''Too bad. Then I guess that everyone's getting expelled.'' Yuu said with a neutral face.
''Pfft. Getting expelled on the first day of school is pretty lame.'' Grim said mockingly.
''Yeah, pretty lame.'' I added with a smirk on my face.
Ace and Deuce looked like they were fighting the urge to not let our mockery get to them.
''Fine! If I have too.''
''Anything but expulsion...!''
Word count: 1412
To be continued - Please leave a like and comment 😄