| RED'S POV |
"We are at war," one of the elders declared, his voice carrying a weight of solemnity that filled the room. The atmosphere grew tense as the rest of the elders exchanged concerned glances, their furrowed brows reflecting the gravity of the situation. Arrayed alongside them were the guardians, stalwart and vigilant, their presence a testament to the imminent peril that loomed over them.
Except for one. Nicholas
"I know there have been rumors about the Coming of the Dark Lord, and I'm here to tell you that..." His words trailed off, a fleeting clench of his jaw betraying the turmoil within him. With a deep breath, he mustered the courage to reveal the dreaded truth. "It's true. The Dark Lord may indeed return."
Gasps, whispers, and murmurs erupted like a tempest among the students, their faces etched with a mix of disbelief and trepidation. " Please be quiet", Uncle J's voice sliced through the air, commanding silence. His stern gaze silenced the tumult, demanding attention and respect.
"I understand the fear and uncertainty that grips your hearts," The Elder began, his voice carrying a solemn weight. "But know this: we possess a formidable advantage, and we will wield it against the Dark Lord and those who seek to resurrect him."
A hushed unease settled over the gathering as doubts lingered in the minds of many. It was hard to believe the elders, for they had been accused of inaction, failing to prevent the merciless slaughter of innocent creatures. How could they stand against the Dark Lord when they seemed oblivious to the machinations of their own ranks? A nagging suspicion tugged at me, suggesting that there were traitors within, working in concert to orchestrate this malevolent scheme.
"That will be all," The Elder concluded, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency. "Those chosen by their guardians to fight in this war must remain vigilant. The time for action draws near, and we shall gather our forces."
With those words, he departed, the other elders following suit, leaving the guardians behind. A female guardian stepped forward, her demeanor mirroring that of a battle-hardened soldier preparing for the inevitable clash.
"You have heard the call," her voice rang out, firm and resolute. "To those chosen, gather your essential provisions. We are about to knock on the doors of our enemies." The gravity of her words hung in the air, resonating with the weight of the impending conflict.
As the crowd started to disperse, those who had been chosen lingered, engaged in conversations with their Guardians. I decided to separate myself from the group of guys who were deep in discussion about the situation, and instead made my way toward Uncle J, who was engrossed in conversation with one of the Guardians. As he noticed me approaching, he politely excused himself from the man and turned his attention to me. "I'm coming with you," I stated simply, but his reaction was far from positive. A deep frown creased his face.
"No," he replied firmly.
"Come on," I urged, rushing to catch up with him as he began walking away. "I have to go; they have Nicholas," I pleaded desperately, causing him to halt in his tracks and regard me with a mix of pity and disapproval. Ever since my memories had returned, thoughts of him consumed my entire being. I could vividly recall how he had cared for me as a child, always assuring me that I was special, waiting for me after school, and taking me to the mall to lift my spirits.
"And I need some answers from him. Uncle J, please let me be part of the plan," I implored. He pondered my request for a moment before finally nodding his head, granting me permission to accompany him. We made our way to his office, and he closed the door behind us. I gazed at his cluttered desk, noticing numerous scattered files strewn across its surface.
"What's all this?" I inquired.
"I've noticed that something is off about this Dark Lord situation. I find it hard to believe that the elders or the principal had no inkling of his arrival," he remarked, while he rummaged through the mess to find a specific file. After locating it, he handed it to me.
As I opened the folder, I discovered a collection of old black and white photographs featuring people from the Academy, but in their younger years. Flipping through the pages, I stumbled upon graduation pictures of each individual, and my eyes landed on a name-Evelyn Woods.
Ah, so this must be during my parents' time here, I realized.
"Keep turning," Uncle J instructed, and I obediently continued flipping through the pages. Eventually, I came across a photograph of a boy on the last page. He appeared unhappy, even annoyed. His intense gaze sent chills down my spine, and his heavy eye bags suggested a lack of sleep. "Now, look at this," Uncle J prompted, sliding another picture toward me. It depicted the same person, but this time he seemed happier and brimming with vitality.
Wait! This was the same guy from the photo Xavier showed me in the library!
"All this happened within three days," Uncle J revealed. I was taken aback by the drastic change in appearance within such a short period.
"I need to talk to the principal," I declared, realizing that it was the only way to unravel the mysteries surrounding us. Uncle J nodded in agreement, and I exited his office, immediately pulling out my phone to text Xavier.
"It's time."
People scattered in all directions, their hurried footsteps echoing through the air. Among them, a select few remained, engaged in intense conversations with their Guardians. Determined to uncover the truth, I broke away from the group of guys, their voices fading into the background, and focused my attention on Uncle J. He stood engrossed in discussion with a Guardian, his face etched with both concern and determination. Ignoring the chaos around us, I approached him with unwavering determination.
"I'm coming with you," I declared, my voice carrying a sense of urgency. His response was immediate, a deep frown forming on his face as he rejected my proposition.
"No," he retorted firmly, his tone brooking no argument.
My desperation surged forth, and I reached out, grasping at any semblance of hope. "Come on," I pleaded, my words rushing out in a torrent. "I have to go. They have Nicholas," I implored, my voice trembling with a mixture of fear and desperation. Uncle J paused, his eyes locking onto mine, his expression a tumultuous blend of sorrow and disapproval. Memories flooded my mind, reminding me of the times he had cared for me, of his unwavering support and encouragement. He had been there for me as a child, a pillar of strength, always reminding me of my worth, even in the darkest of times.
"And I need answers from him, Uncle J. Please, let me be part of the plan," I beseeched, my voice filled with a raw determination. He deliberated for a fleeting moment, the weight of my words hanging heavy in the air, before finally nodding his head, granting me permission to accompany him. With a shared understanding, we set off, his strides purposeful and resolute.
We arrived at Uncle J's office, the door closing behind us with a resounding thud. My gaze swept across the cluttered desk, scattered files strewn haphazardly in disarray. The room seemed to pulsate with an unspoken urgency, a tangible sense of impending danger.
"What's all this?" I questioned, my voice laced with both curiosity and trepidation.
"I've sensed that something is gravely amiss with this Dark Lord situation," Uncle J revealed, his voice filled with a mixture of frustration and disbelief. "I refuse to believe that the elders or the principal were completely oblivious to his arrival," he continued, his fingers rummaging through the chaotic mess until he located a specific file. Retrieving it, he handed it to me, his eyes filled with a profound sense of purpose.
As I opened the file, a surge of anticipation coursed through my veins. The pages revealed a collection of aged, black and white photographs, capturing the faces of individuals from the Academy in their younger years. Each image held a story, a fragment of the past frozen in time. Graduation pictures lined the pages, capturing the essence of accomplishment and hope. And then, amidst the faded images, I stumbled upon a familiar name-Evelyn Woods.
A wave of realization washed over me as I connected the dots. "So, this must be during my parents' time here," I murmured, a mix of curiosity and unease gnawing at my core.
Uncle J's voice cut through the silence, commanding my attention. "Keep turning," he urged, his tone filled with urgency. I obeyed, my trembling hands flipping through the pages with a mix of trepidation and anticipation. And then, I found it-a photograph of a boy, his countenance twisted with unhappiness and annoyance. His piercing gaze bored into my soul, sending shivers cascading down my spine. The weight of his weary eyes spoke volumes, as if he had endured sleepless nights and untold torment. But then, as if by some cruel twist of fate, the next photograph depicted the same boy, transformed. Happiness radiated from his rejuvenated face, his eyes alive with newfound vigor.
Isn't this the same guy that was in the same photo with mum and dad?
What happened to him?
"All this occurred within three days," Uncle J proclaimed, his words hanging heavily in the air. The revelation struck me with a jolt, the implications reverberating through my being. How could such a profound transformation occur within such a brief span?
Determined to seek answers, I steeled myself. "I need to talk to the principal," I declared, my voice laced with a resolute determination. The only path to unraveling the enigma that engulfed us lay in confronting the one person who held the key to the truth. Uncle J nodded in solemn agreement, his eyes filled with unwavering support. With a quick exchange of glances, we wordlessly acknowledged the magnitude of the task that lay ahead.
Leaving the confines of Uncle J's office, I retrieved my phone, my fingers trembling as I composed a message to Xavier.
"It's time."
I stood outside the principal's office, my knuckles rapping against the door in a rhythm of anticipation. Xavier paced beside me, his impatience palpable. "Let's just go in," he urged, his voice laced with frustration. Feeling a surge of determination, I pushed open the door, revealing a scene of disarray. The room was in shambles, with broken fragments scattered across the floor. My gaze shifted to the principal's desk, where she sat, her posture betraying a disheveled state.
The sight before me was a stark contrast to the image I had held of her-serious, composed, and meticulously organized. Now, she appeared unkempt, her once-pale skin taking on an even more pallid hue, a testament to the weight of her burden. "Mum," Xavier called out, his voice filled with concern as he approached her. He reached out, gently grasping her shoulders, trying to coax her gaze upward. But she remained fixated on the ground, as if burdened by an overwhelming sense of shame.
And I had an inkling as to why.
"You know something about the Dark Lord, don't you?" I cautiously uttered, capturing both her attention and Xavier's. Their eyes turned toward me, awaiting my next words. Gathering my courage, I pressed on, my voice tinged with a blend of curiosity and suspicion. "And why do I sense that it has something to do with him?" I retrieved the photograph that Xavier had shown me in the library, placing it on her desk with deliberate care.
Her hand trembled as she slowly picked up the picture, her face contorting with a deep frown. "This was the last time I remember us being truly happy," she finally spoke, her voice carrying the weight of memories long suppressed. Intrigued, I inched closer, my curiosity piqued by her cryptic words. "I tried to warn him, but he wouldn't listen. He was consumed by..." She trailed off, her lips pressed together as if she had taken a solemn vow of silence.
"About what, Mum?" Xavier interjected, his impatience evident in his tone. He, too, yearned for her to complete her revelation. She glanced up at him, her gaze still fixed on the photograph. "Power, greed, call it what you will," she replied, her voice tinged with a mix of sadness and regret. "He desired it above all else."
Her words hung heavily in the air, a somber acknowledgment of the darkness that had taken root within their lives. "Even though we were all friends, he harbored a deep-seated hatred for them," she continued, her voice laced with a tinge of sorrow. "The inhabitants of this realm, the so-called preys. He couldn't comprehend the purpose of unity and peace. To him, it made no sense. That's why he tried to persuade me. Ironically, I allowed him."
"What do you mean you allowed him?" Xavier's voice trembled with fear and disbelief as he posed the question that hung heavy in the air. His eyes reflected a mix of apprehension and terror, mirroring the emotions that churned within me.
The principal, her countenance filled with a deep sadness, moved away from her chair, passing Xavier with a heavy heart. She found solace beside the window, her gaze fixed on the swaying branches of the trees outside. The weight of her words lingered, echoing in the room like a haunting melody. "Do you know the ways of becoming a hybrid?" she began, her voice carrying a tinge of sorrow and regret. Her words, laden with a sense of foreboding, held us captive, enveloping us in a sense of profound unease.
"There are just two paths," she continued, her voice tinged with a heaviness that seemed to seep into the very air we breathed. "Either you are born naturally, like Red here," she motioned towards me, "Or..." Her voice trailed off, piercing the silence so sharply that I could hear the frantic thumping of my own heart, a steady drumbeat of anxiety.
My mind raced, desperately trying to grasp the implications of her words. A chill ran down my spine as I considered the possibility she was about to reveal. "You sleep with one of the creatures," she finally uttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Using a powerful spell, you transfer some of the creature's powers into the host's body. It's temporary, but if the need arises, one can return to the creature or seek out another, one more capable."
The revelation struck like a lightning bolt, shattering the fragile illusions that had shielded us from the truth. Xavier's voice rose, brimming with a mix of rage and disbelief. "You don't mean what you're saying!" His words reverberated off the walls, filling the room with a tangible tension. Yet, the principal remained still, her expression unchanged, as if she had already borne the weight of this knowledge for far too long.
The room quivered with the intensity of emotions, and I stepped forward, trying to diffuse the escalating turmoil. "So, Xavier is a hybrid?" I interjected, my voice calm but laced with a hint of desperation. I sought to restore a semblance of order in the face of this unraveling chaos.
A bitter laugh escaped the principal's lips, devoid of mirth or joy. "No, I made sure of it," she hissed, her voice carrying a venomous edge. "Xavier is a full vampire. No son of mine will bear that poison within him." Her words hung in the air, a stark proclamation of her resolve. Xavier, stunned into silence, stood frozen, his mind grappling with the enormity of the truths that had been unveiled.
The sound of the door slamming reverberated through the room, marking Xavier's abrupt departure. The weight of the situation bore heavily upon us, and I could see the pain etched in the principal's tear-filled eyes. "I never wanted it to come to this, Red," she whispered, her voice laden with regret and sorrow. "But the truth has a way of finding its way out, and I must set things right. But first..." With purposeful steps, she made her way to her desk, retrieving a scroll from its depths. "I found this on my doorstep, and I already know where they are..." she trailed off, her voice tinged with a mixture of determination and trepidation.
She handed me the scroll, and as I unfolded it, the words etched onto the parchment seared into my mind. "Just embrace the path that has been destined for you, Everlyn. The Dark Lord awaits your return eagerly; he longs for your presence." A surge of recognition coursed through me. There was no mistaking the sender-it was Aunt Morgan.
What the heck am I still calling her my Aunt?!
"They're here, Red, deep within the forest," the principal continued, her voice urgent. "Nicolas needs you. Go and rescue your mate, Red." Her last words hit me with a jolt of shock, the weight of their meaning settling upon me. "Your Mum told me about him years ago, but I couldn't disclose it to you. I made a promise to him-a promise to keep silent."
Confusion swirled within me, threatening to overwhelm my senses. "I'm so lost, so confused about everything," I admitted, my voice trembling with a mixture of frustration and uncertainty. "But I know that if Nicholas doesn't provide me with the information I need, I might break our bon-"
"No, please, don't," she pleaded softly, her voice filled with a desperate plea. "You have no idea what he's been through to keep you safe. I understand that everything feels fractured, that you believe what he did was unforgivable. But please, listen to him before making any decisions. Promise me, okay?" Her words hung in the air, a heartfelt plea that left me speechless, unable to conjure a response. With a heavy sigh, I turned and walked toward the door, my mind whirling with conflicting emotions and unanswered questions.
But I knew what needed to be done.
Determined and resolute, I swiftly handed over my phone and began typing a message to my uncle.
"I know where they are," I sent, my fingers flying across the screen. Almost instantly, a reply flashed on the display.
"Who?"
" Morgan and Nicholas," I responded, urgency coursing through my veins.
"Where?" His question came swiftly, mirroring the intensity of the situation.
"Here," I replied, my heart pounding in anticipation. The die had been cast, and the time for action had arrived.
"I'm coming Nicolas,"