Lea Morningstar ------------- Contents Chapter One - Orientation to the Academy Noctrizium Vilitra - Let the world burn. ------------- I was running away from something; something that was steadily getting closer. I didn't know what it was, but the screams were absolutely horrid. They were calling for help, for mercy, and for it to stop. What was it that they so desperately needed to end? What could cause such havoc? Why was I running? And why was I running from the screams? Suddenly there was a light, blindingly white, from above. I was shaking. I could hear my name being called faintly in the distance. Did I dare ask who they were and what they wanted from me? "Azrael, wake up! Wake up for heavens’ sake! Oh my mothers stars, you are going to make us late for our first day of Academy." It took me a moment to realize that the voice had been that of my twin, Ariel. Then something hit me. Hard. I wasn’t sure at the time, but I later found out that it was a rock. "What do you want? Is it unclear that I'm sleeping here?" Slowly I had begun to sit up, whilst my golden eyes scanned the room. Ariel was sitting in my black upholstered chair, knees tucked under her chin, floral summer dress billowing over the edges. She looked slightly uncomfortable with being in my room. She never really ventured there. She always said that the atmosphere was “just too dark”. “I want you to get up! We must be off to the Academy within the hour or we will be late. You know how I feel about being late.” With that she got up and left, her feet hardly touching the floor as she practically bolted out the door. It barely had a chance to close before Aniria came in with two trays; one containing my breakfast and the other holding my crown that she had clearly polished the night before. Aniria was a forest elf. Her family has been serving mine for almost a millennium now. Her skin had a light green tint that only became apparent in the daylight. Her eyes were almost neon green, her fingers were delicate, and her hair a light hazel. And her ears, pointed as all elven ears are, were adjourned with shiny metal leaves. This was the day we were to leave for the Academy, and I hadn’t been looking forward to it. I had become accustomed to waking up when I wanted, and doing what I pleased between being home schooled by the family seer, Old Greay, and my familial obligations. I prefered to spend most of my free time in the weapons room watching the members of the Royal Guard spar. My parents had instructed them to keep me from participating, much to my own chagrin. However, they hadn’t said I couldn’t be taught a few moves. Dariel, a skilled lieutenant, had been teaching me some basics. Despite my pleading, he refused to teach me more advanced material. We were almost caught once. Ariel had been instructed by our parents to summon Dariel. She had entered the room just as Darius had finished teaching me my first block with a sword. She asked what I was doing, but the look on her face told me that she already knew. From a quick glance at her eyes, I could see that she would tell. Unless I made keeping my secret worthwhile. I promised to let her pick out my clothes for a month if she would keep her mouth shut. The things she picked out were horrid; pink dresses and white skirts, painted nails and hair bows. It was a miserable month to say the least, but worth having my secret safely kept. “You’re so bossy, you know that Ariel?” I shouted after her. I got out of bed and slipped on my black silk robe before walking over to the balcony. Even though she was no longer in the room, I knew exactly how she would respond. She would stop to make a pose, as always, and smile as she flipped her hair over her shoulder. I flipped my hair, giving Aniria an impression of my twin. “Princess, you must eat before leaving for the Academy. I had your crown polished last night and sent off your trunks this morning. I also packed up you a bag for the trip there. Pencils, paper, pens; everything you will need for classes. Your schedule is in the front pocket of your bag.” She had set down the trays on the end of my bed. Breakfast this morning consisted of farm fresh eggs, a bowl of oats, a glass of milk, and several slices of ham. "Thank you Ani. I honestly see no point in this. Why do we need to 'mingle' with commoners? It’s completely unnecessary!" I was clearly frustrated. I didn’t understand why I had to go to a school that consisted almost completely of commoners. I had walked over to my closet mindlessly as I said this, pondering what I should wear on my first miserable day at commoners’ school. It was going to be hard not to stand out above the crowd, but it's what my parents had wanted. They wanted a "normal" experience for us growing up. How is there anything normal about having them as our parents? I was thinking about donning a blue silk button up, along with my black riding jeans and a pair of deep blue flats when Aniria cleared her throat. "Excuse me, Miss, but your parents had requested that you wear this today." She held up a gold, slightly fitted, summer dress with a pair of gold strappy heels and some horrendously giant gold beaded necklace with a matching arm cuff. I stared at it for ages. The horror must have been showing plainly on my face, because Aniria had begun to smile and blush slightly. What in Heavens’ name is this? Do I look like my twin? Ok, yes we are twins but we are completely different! Either they had officially gone insane, or they were just trying to piss me off. Either way, they were going to hear about it. "What?! Are they being serious or are you trying to play a sick joke on me? Did they pick out a black leather skirt for my sister?" I honestly couldn't tell. It wasn't a very humorous joke, if that is what it was supposed to be. A gold dress for the darker sister. That didn’t make any sense. I remember thinking that the dress was nice had did have some perks, but it was very impractical. This was something that I would choose for my sister to wear, not myself. "No, Princess, your parents specifically requested that you wear this for your first day at the Academy. They instructed me to be very clear and insist that you wear it." She sat down on the end of my bed and crossed her legs as she waited for me to put it on. I stood there in shock for another moment, contemplating how an argument with Aniria would end. I glared at her for several minutes, sizing her up. When I realized that she wouldn’t budge on this subject, I took the dress off of the bed angrily. "Fine, but they will hear about this when I get downstairs.” I stared at the glittering fabric in my hands for a moment before opening my mouth again. “Can you help with my hair and makeup?" “Of course Miss.” I sighed and walked back to the balcony doors, closing them and the shades. "This will be ridiculous, but there is nothing more annoying than my parents angry." Dropping my robe I pulled on the white lace bra and matching underwear. I stepped into the gold dress and Aniria zipped it up. She then clasped the bulky necklace around my neck. "I can only find one of your arm cuffs, Miss. Do you know where the second one went?" I watched her search around the room getting frustrated as she couldn't find it. I laughed lightly and opened my palm. "Hicz Ventsi." It was a simple summoning spell I had learned from the cooks. The cuff flew up from under my bed and landed on my opened palm. Aniria froze, slightly panicked, looking around the room and out the windows. She then proceeded to draw all the curtains on her way to me. "What was that?! You should not be able to do magic at this age. Those abilities don't take hold until you have been blessed by the Elders!" She was pacing the room rapidly, clearly wondering if anyone could have seen it. I was confused as I had been able to do simple spells like that for weeks.What is the big deal with being able to do simple magic? It’s not the end of the world or anything. “Ani, I have been able to do that for weeks. What’s the big deal? I have also been able to fly for months. I don’t think it’s a bad thing. Perhaps I simply advance more quickly than my peers. I see it as, 'I am better than the rest of you not only because of who I am, but also because of what I can do.'" I sighed watching her pace back and forth, concern smothering her usually graceful features. "Ani, stop pacing you are going to put a hole in my floor." Aniria's ears had stooped down, as they usually did when she felt concerned or scared. Her eyes darted around the room quickly, scanning her surroundings like a trapped animal. She had stopped pacing at least and took a seat on the edge of my bed again. I couldn't help but notice that she was shaking slightly. Her face seemed to take on a chalky texture, and her aura felt sickly. I wondered if she needed a doctor. Ani had been my friend since I was born, and we were close in age. The childhood memories rushed as I took in her appearance; our walks to the garden, annoying my twin, violin practice, painting the walls of the palace. All these memories flew into my mind while one in particular stood out above the rest. It was spring time, around noon. Aniria and I were out by the Lake of the Seven Moons. She was telling me another one of her stories that she swore on the Heavenly name couldn’t possibly be false. "Azi, did you know that there is a legend about this lake? It says that those who can walk into the Lake and return, without being burned, will become very powerful some day. But those who drink from the Lake are cursed for a thousand years of death and dismay." She had leaned back against the tree and nodded, satisfied with herself. The Lake of the Seven Moons had earned it’s name in a relatively simple way. One day of each lunescular year, all seven moons of Freiya could be seen in the reflection of the Lake. It was foretold that the most powerful Angel could walk into the Lake on those nights and return unscathed. Many Angels had tried, but all were injured in some way; feathers burned, skin turned green, insanity, and lately most who entered had came out speaking in the tongues of another race. Entering the Lake was forbidden, but many had done so for various reasons. Some to prove themselves, some because they believed they were the Angel foretold in the stories. However, most made bets with their friends. Whoever came out with the least noticeable side effect won. I was tempted into walking in, to show her that her story was a myth. But the fear of my parents had been stronger than my desire to prove her wrong. Except, there was a lure to the Lake, as if it called for my soul. Incoherent whispers came and went. They called my name and I felt myself being drawn toward the water. There was something particular about the whispers in my ears, a certain way they were calling my name that intrigued me. “AZRAEL! What in the nine worlds are you doing!” Aniria was screaming my name, but I could hardly hear her. The whispers had become like a violent wind in my ears, insisting that they be heard. The storm of words swirled around me, gently pulling me towards the water. I found something about the Lake compelling. Why? Why was it calling my name? Why would I feel drawn to a lake? Through my musings and the chanting whispers I felt the edge of water hit my bare foot. An icy chill shot through my entire body. Just a bit closer… a bit closer… Then I was yanked out. It clearly was someone I didn’t know as Ani didn’t have the strength to pull me up and out, much less that quickly. It was clearly a man from the definition in his arms and the heavy breathing on my neck. I was lying on my back facing the sky with this unknown man on my chest. My body itched to get back in the Lake. My wings screamed. They wanted to feel the cold water trickling around my skin. The water had left a tingling sensation where it had touched. I wanted to go back in, to feel the chill around my body. I struggled to push off the man that was pinning me down. Clearly he didn’t know who I was, or he wouldn’t still be on top of me. “I do not know who you are but if you do not release me this instant, I will ensure that you will be hanged in the Capitol Square.” I was furious now. Who did this man think he was? There was a sharp, stinging pain in my cheek that I later realized meant he had slapped me. He then picked me up and I felt a small prick in my arm; Ani had given me a sleeping injection, which I figured had been given to her by the unknown man. My eyes fell closed heavily and I slowly drifted into slumber. The man shifted my weight so my wings could tuck in around his arms. The last conscious memory I have of that moment was the feeling of my black wings brushing up against his legs, and the few words he whispered in my ears. “Protegam te semper”; I will always protect you. As I slowly became aware of the present moment once again, I vaguely heard Aniria’s voice. Evidently she had been saying something for a while. I didn’t realize she was right in front of my face until she started shaking me. The feeling I got from her touch was overwhelming; she was sick. I couldn’t tell what ailment she was inflicted with, but the immediate feeling I got when she touched me clearly meant she was. I wondered if she had seen a doctor or if she had told my parents. If she hadn’t told someone about it, I was going to make sure that someone knew and she was taken care of. I would feel terrible if I found out my best friend died because she refused to inform anyone that she was not feeling well. Aniria is not only my maid, but she was my best friend; she kept my secrets, took the blame for me, and even lied for me. “...shouldn’t be able to do that. Perhaps I should inform your parents, but then you would have to miss class and be taken to the Elders. However, if I do not inform them and something happens at school, I get held responsible for it and could get relieved of my duties. Either I inform them and you miss school, or don’t tell them and I get relieved.” She was shaking me and looking at me as if staring at me would give the answer to her quandary. In reality, I had no idea what she should do. She was lost, and I had no way to help her. “Ani, do what you think is right. I cannot make this choice for you. You can tell my parents and I will go see the Elders, or you can keep it a secret and risk losing your job. It is all up to you. Personally I would prefer not to see the Elders, but I won’t keep you from telling my parents. The Elders are just… they are so... creepy.” I took her hands and sat us both on the edge of my bed once again. I was not going to force her to keep it a secret, but I was hoping she wouldn’t report me. I knew I should not have used magic in front of her. It just put her in a difficult situation. “But if you could, be a doll and help me get these shoes. Ariel is probably extremely annoyed with how long it is taking me to get ready.” I sighed turning to face the opposite wall of my room to attempt to get those ridiculous strapped shoes on. I had always wondered how females could wear such things and not want to throw them out the window. Ani got down on her knees and helped me get my feet into the golden, strappy contraptions women call shoes. As she pulled the buckles closed some of them snagged bits of my skin, which caused me to bleed slightly. Aniria started freaking out and, as I attempted to calm her down, she mumbled apologies mixed with words I could only assume was Elvish. She frantically ran to the bath to fetch a wet towel and a bandage. When I looked down to inspect the ‘wound’ however, all I saw was a bit of blood. No cut, just blood. This is incredibly strange. I can do magic without being blessed by the Elders, I can fly already, and I have some fast healing ability. When my parents created me, I’m sure they did not expect this to happen. I watched Ani run back to me, almost tripping over her own feet, with a wet towel and a small bandage in hand. She pulled my foot to her, wiping away the blood. She practically fainted when she saw that my cut had been healed. I couldn’t help but laugh at the face she made. I knew it was rude, but her expression was too funny! She mumbled more elvish as she was leaving the room. I had to leave, this I was sure of, and it wasn't a very pleasant thought. I didn’t want to go to this Academy where I would be marked as an outsider. Someone who couldn’t be trusted, someone who was only there because of who my parents were. I wasn’t ready for any of this, but I could hear Ariel coming up the stairs again shouting my name with impatience. Her irritation was plainly on her face as she stormed into my room, white feathers flowing behind her. I couldn’t help but chuckle at her, which made her impatience turn to anger, and she stormed out just as quickly as she had come in. I knew that I would hear from my parents about upsetting my twin. It wasn’t like I wanted to upset her, but it was so funny! She made it so hard for me not to laugh at all the little things she did. I slung my bag over my shoulder and listened to the click of my blinding shoes against the dark marble floors of my room. I would miss this oversized room. Most beings hated being in it. A black silk bed, a black leather couch with red pillows and red blanket, a black wrought iron coffee table in front of it, with magazines cluttering the glass top. They talked about topics ranging from home decoration to the latest weaponry magazine from Heavens’ Arsenal. The paintings on my walls were those that I had painted myself; burning buildings, a lone Angel in the field with a horse as black as the midnight sky, an archer with a bow made of elven tears. My wrought iron desk sat between the entrance to my bathroom and the doors to the balcony, while in the opposite corner all of my art supplies were neatly organized; easel, paints, brushes, canvas and so much more. My giant windows were framed with black curtains tied back by red ribbons. The balcony was easy to spot at night as Ani had helped me wrap red lights around the iron poles. I had recently ordered a set of ball chairs that floated in the air, they were still in the box as I had not got around to opening it. Other boxes sat in the corner with my new furniture; clothes, shoes, new canvases, paints, and new bed set made out of blood red silk. “Ani, can you be a doll and open those boxes and put them away? I have been meaning to do it for a while now, but I keep forgetting about it.” I smiled at her in appreciation, while debating whether I wanted to take the stairs or jump over the railing. In the end it came down to this; did I want to scare everyone watching or did I want to go down like a “princess.” Either way, with my luck, something bad was going to come out of it. If I jumped over and let myself land gracefully at the bottom, my parents would yell at me. If I walked down the stairs there was a chance that I was going to trip in the glaringly bright shoes and my parents would yell at me. It was a lose-lose situation. But I decided I would walk down the stairs so I wouldn’t have to hear the “you must keep up your Royal appearance” speech from my mother. Also, an angry mother guarantees that your day will be ruined. I could hear Ani’s sigh as she began to cut open the first box. Yet when she actually looked into it, the intake of air was priceless. I had not bought more black clothing, as she had obviously expected. In fact, I had bought clothes in a full range of colors, with the exception of brown and yellow. I knew she would grin at the sight of them and have no problems with putting them away. She might even push aside some of my black attire for the colorful new clothing. Though I’m not a very depressing person, black seemed to suit me well. This could have something to do with my ebony wings, but I’ve never really been sure. As I proudly swept out of the room, I started contemplating the voyage I was about to embark on. I was leaving Ani to accompany Ariel on our ridiculous journey to the Academy. A dreaded thought of what was to come washed over me. I didn’t know anyone from the outside world; farmers, miners, merchants, not anyone. All we knew were those of royalty from the surrounding races, the nobles, and those who were allowed to enter the Palace. We didn’t know what it was like to live the everyday life and frankly I didn’t care. I was happy being able to do what I wanted, when I wanted to. I could leave the Palace for months and spend it at the cabin in the mountains or by the Lake of Tears. Ariel and I knew we were lucky to have been born of such a social status and it rarely bothered me that others did not have what we did. Ariel was always trying to find ways to give things to those who were less fortunate. She was always doing volunteer work or taking the clothes that didn’t fit her anymore to the children that had been abandoned. She bought food for those who didn’t have enough and worked in a soup kitchen at every chance she had. I, on the other hand, spent my time painting or watching Dariel practice. Sometimes I would be able to convince my twin to visit the stables with me, which is where we met the person who became our best friend, Lorien. “Azrael Dralhuen Ferricia! Hello? I have been calling your name for about five minutes now, we need to go!” Ariel and her high pitched, and slightly annoying, voice. I hadn’t noticed that I had reached the bottom of the four story stairway and was standing there lost in thought. Clearly, I had been standing there for some time as Ariel hardly ever uses my full name to get my attention. “And of course you still do not pay attention. I wonder why you had to be the first born because this stress is ridiculous.” I must have pissed her off to high heaven, because she would never bring up our small age difference unless I did something extreme. “And you wonder why I don’t spend my time with you anymore.” I stalked off towards the Great Hall where I had assumed our parents would be waiting to publically send us off. Instead I found them by the front entryway standing there watching my twin and I argue. The look on their faces was not pleasant, especially the one which adorned our mothers’ features. “Wonderful, pissed off mother and pissed off twin. Today is just going to be perfect.” I was thoroughly annoyed with them and their demands, especially those that involved wearing this horrid attire, and I was determined to let them know. I walked up to them quickly and curtsied before I straightened up to give them a piece of my mind. “You look wonderful darling, I knew that dress would do wonders for you .” The soft voice of my mother echoed in the halls. She was dressed in a floor length ball gown, as per usual, in a color of gold and white lace. The colors of our House were gold and black; gold signifying the wealth behind our name, while the black represented the ferocity with which we would defend all that we loved. Though it was tradition to wear the colors of your family at formal events, this was not the case with our mother. She absolutely hated the color black, and would substitute it with white at every slightly less-than-formal appearance. Evidently, this was one of them. “Mother, you know I love you dearly, but for the love of the heavens please stop picking out my clothes. I do not enjoy wearing dresses and all these frilly things and you know this. Yet you continue to put me in outfits that I despise. I am not Ariel; I do not make everything look so perfect as she does with her white wings and perfect... everything. No. I am Azrael, and I hate this ensemble with every fiber of my body.” I took a deep breath and then shifted my weight, which was a mistake as it almost caused me to fall, but stopped short. When I had shifted, my wings instinctively fanned out to catch me before I fell. My parents had gasped as my ebony wings flapped softly to bring me back to my feet. However, it was my parents’ expressions that had truly startled me. I realized instantly that they believed I was different. If what Ani had told me was true, I should not have been able to use my wings until I was blessed by the Elders. They should be resting in a dormant state as they finished growing to their full potential, yet I had no trouble using them at all. I hadn’t known just how much I had doubted my maids’ stories until that moment. When I saw the look of surprise, and predominantly fear, in my parents’ eyes I knew that what Ani had said must have been true. That one shifting of my weight was the first mistake I made. The others followed shortly after.
lol more gets added whenever I edit some more, it's hard work editing because my thought process is strange.