For four years I have lived in my own tower, occasionally being trained by random Mages. But today, the day after I turned seventeen, I will be allowed to roam throughout the Academy. Or at least... I think that's what'll happen. All I know is that everything will change.
I smiled in the mirror, pulling my black hair back, showing off my purple eyes and bright pink lips. Content with my hair, I put on a long black trench coat over my black crop top, threw on a pair of black pants, and waited. Soon Selva, with her brown hair in a bun, wearing a blue dress came into the room. "Come with me, Daphora." She turned and left before I could respond, so I followed her down the spiral stairs, and outside onto the Academy Yard. Students flooded into the building in various colored robes, with all kinds of staffs. I felt jealous not being allowed to go there... I felt hated being stuck in a tower. But things will change, even if I have to make it happen.
We walked to a carriage, that would be pulled by two black horses. Selva got into the carriage, then helped me get in. She tapped the door twice, and the horses began to trot, moving us along. "Ms. Selva? Where are we going?"
"Quiet," she snapped. "Sorry, ma'am." She whispered something under her breath, and for the rest of the ride we were quiet.
***
After a good hour of riding, we arrived at The Enchanter Palace. Marble, quartz, gold, and amethyst made the Palace. It shimmered like a jewel in the sun. We exited the carriage and were immediately confronted by High Enchanter Soran. He wore black pants, boots, and no shirt. His staff was in his right hand, and one short sword on each hip. I got on my knees, bowed my head, and touched my forehead with the side of my hand to show I gave the highest respect to him. "Rise, Daphora." I rose, "High Enchanter Soran, it's an honor to be in your presence once more." He waved, "Enough of the formalities. Come with me." And so I did, leaving Selva behind.
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***
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We walked up and down halls, till we reached a large iron door. Soran opened the door, and lead me into a dimly lit long room. Many paintings of men in black robes lined the walls. Oddly, in each painting, they held the same staff... The exact one Soran was holding. "This is the Hall of High Enchanters. Most are Spirit Mages, being that we are the most powerful. You know why we are the most powerful?" I nodded, "Yes. Its because we can use all Elements, and get into the minds of others." He clicked his tongue. "That's only partially true. What no one knows, not even student Spirit Mages is that we can sense evil and good spirits from far away. We can find whoever we wish. Enter people's Dreams and Nightmares. Even, enter the In-Between World, and other dimensions without the help of Elders, gods, or any other. In fact, we can do it by simply blinking. Keep this all secret, Miss Mohave. Only High Enchanters are allowed to know all this."
"But... Then why am I being told all this?" He smiled and began to walk down the hall. Of course, I followed. "Notice how every last one of these portraits are men, and that they all hold the same staff I do... This staff is passed down by the High Enchanter to their apprentice before this life becomes too much for their bodies to bear," He said, avoiding the question.
"Why is it to much for them? For you?" He sighed, "It has never been to much for other mages. But for High Enchanter Spirit mages... It has been known to make us live for two hundred years or more. We have seen things that no man will ever see, and we will continue to see worse until we break from the horror. When the last High Enchanter was just an apprentice, his Master said that to prevent from going insane, we may leave this world however we wish, and go wherever we wish." We stopped at the painting of him. "My time to leave this world is coming, along with a great war that will impact all."
"But," I paused, trying to gather my thoughts, "How do you know your time is coming? How do you know we are about to have a war? And just how old are you?" He glanced at me, and back to the portrait, "It is one of the perks of being a High Enchanter. You can know things that others don't. I have lived for one hundred and sixty five years," He glanced at me, further explaining, "When I turned seventeen and became an Apprentice, I began to age slower... Much slower. Though I have lived for a long time, I am only at the age of twenty... Now, you are going to age as I have."
"High Enchanter Soran, why me? Why tell me all this? I'm not special, and can barely perform a basic spirit spell. Please, tell me what's going on." His smile faded away, and his face went serious as he turned to face the door, "Come with me." Then we left the room swiftly.
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***
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I paced in front of the entrance to the throne room, hearing whispers, then shouts coming from inside. "THAT'S ENOUGH! GET OUT! ALL OF YOU!" The doors flew open, and all the High Mages walked out, pissed off. Not one smiled or showed me kindness, they only glared. "Daphora." I carefully walked in, scared to make the High Enchanter angrier than he already was. "Yes, High Enchanter?" I looked at him but quickly looked down, getting an odd feeling in my stomach. Soran stood from his throne, and walked to me, anger radiating from him. Yet, he looked at me with kindness. "Daphora June Mohave, I have chosen you to be my Apprentice. Return to the Academy, get rest and begin your classes tomorrow morning. I will give you lessons every day in the evening when the moon has risen, and the sun is low. Understood?"
"Yes," I quickly said, turning and walking away. I didn't know what to do. It was so fast, so surprising, I couldn't even say thank you, I couldn't stand there in front of him. I couldn't look at him in the eye, because the feeling I had when I saw him on the throne-
Was as if something bad was about to happen
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***
I stood in front of a golden door, disappointed in the fact that I'll be the only one without a staff in the Mixed Magicks class. I looked up at a white eagle, seeming to glare at me. It screeched, so I quickly walked into the large room, not wanting any issues. All the students had already arrived in class, but it doesn't mean I was late. A mage in white, behind a large desk, smiled at me, "You must be Daphora Mohave. Come, take a seat wherever you wish." I nodded to him and chose a far empty desk. "Now that everyone is here," He said, placing a large cage with two white eagles on the desk.
"Today, these eagles will choose their Masters based on their power, personality, experience, or their soul. Keep in mind, they change colors according to who or what their master is. Black is known to be for a High Enchanter. Red for a fire mage. Blue for water. White for air. Brown for Earth." I raised my hand, gaining all eyes on me. "What color is for Spirit?" The class laughed, and the Head Mage seemed upset that I asked. "As I am aware, Daphora, is that no one who is a Spirit Mage has ever received an Eagle unless they were the High Enchanter. Are there any more questions?" I shook my head and he said, "Good." Then he released the eagles. They flew out, and one quickly landed on a boy's shoulder. The feathers turned red, and the boy laughed in excitement. The last one began to fly overhead, dodging reaching hands and staffs. It's tail feathers grew longer, as the body of the eagle changed shape, having a more elegant figure. The Eagle landed on my table, keeping its wings spread.
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With a screech the feathers became fire, then ice. It flapped its wings once, a large gust of wind blowing onto me. The feathers began to look green, almost like leaves with a hint of red. Its feathers returned to normal but then gave off a dark purple mist. The mist, never went away, as the feathers turned dark purple, occasionally seeming to have red, white, blue, green, or black mixed in. "But- how?!" I ignored the Head Mage, smiling at my Eagle. "What's next," I asked. But before the Head Mage could answer, the door was thrown open, and an elegant black eagle flew in.
My eagle flapped its wings and screeched, flying up into the air. They both flew around each other, going all throughout the room. "Aro! Get Back here!" It was High Enchanter Soran. He walked into the room, eyes growing wide as he watched the two eagles. "Aro!" The black Eagle, Aro, dove and landed on his shoulder heeding to his master's call. At that moment a name came to me.
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"Osa." My eagle then dove and landed on my shoulder, staring at Aro and Soran. And visa versa. "Daphora," Soran whispered. For some reason, that sent chills up my spine. He clutched and shook his head.
"Mage Jaren, do not speak of what this is."
"But she... This means that you're- and the prophecy-"
Soran snapped, "I know! It doesn't need to be spoken about." Then he left with Aro, the room full of silence
***
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Soon, schooling was over. Other students had treated me with great kindness, while some snubbed their noses at me. I thought I was making both enemies and friends... But I was wrong. I heard all of them whispering behind my back saying that they were only being kind because of who I was to the High Enchanter, or because I have great power. I confronted some of them about it, and the whole school laughed. Some, beat me up after that... Then Osa started clawing, and pecking at them, helping me escape.
Now, I sat on a stone bench, in front of the Academy. My left eye was swollen, and my face was bruised with a few cuts. Why did Soran choose me? I'm nothing. I can barely call myself a mage.
"Is that so?" I flinched, and looked up to see Soran. "I-"
"You are more of a mage than anyone at this Academy." I frowned and looked down at my hands, "I don't even have a staff. How can that be?" There was a long silence between us.
"Get up." I quickly stood, not wanting to disobey or get on Sorans bad side. He threw his staff to the ground, "A staff isn't what makes a mage. It's their skill without the staff. It's their heart, and their mind. A staff is a vessel. It's something that harnesses our power, when we can't use our mind, hands, heart, or words to perform a spell. Our Magick comes from our souls, not a staff. Now stay back! I think it's time I show you what true mage is."
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