Alexandria High School is large. Football fields, soccer fields, a few basketball courts, track and field, and several pools, all of them the size one would expect from a school sponsored by the Olympic committee themselves. On top of that, the building that’s meant for the regular classes on the east side of the property also touts an imposing size to accommodate the student body.
Elen looks down at her phone with the downloaded map of the campus and interprets that the building she wants is the one at the north quadrant. After trekking the perhaps half-mile to her destination, she scans her AIDCard at the ticket booth and follows the crowd in.
Though she’d never been to an ice rink before, even Elen can tell that it’s impressive. It’s large, looking to be able to hold maybe a few thousand or more spectators on the tall bleachers. Plenty of stalls are set up for concessions and souvenirs that children are dragging their parents over to spend their money on. Elen looks around and notices the wall of alumni, a few of them she recognizes from what little sports she actually pays attention to.
The rink itself is massive. The Zamboni glides across the surface to leave fresh, smooth ice in its wake, and the multi-colored spotlights being tested give it a romantic, otherworldly shimmer.
*CRASH*
Elen groans after falling face-first onto the ground for the umpteenth time within twenty-four hours while cursing herself for just standing around. She climbs up to her knees to rub her nose (thankfully not broken or bleeding), and turns to see what hit her.
It’s a small girl around Elen’s age, massaging her head under her long, wavy black hair tied into a high ponytail. She looks up to see Elen and gasps before bowing her head. “I’m sorry! I was running late and I didn’t see you!”
“Oh, no. It’s fine.” Elen recovers first and stands, holding out her hand for the girl to take it and pull her to her feet. Elen notices the girl is a little shorter than she is, wearing Alexandria’s uniform of a yellow sweater-vest with a short red plaid skirt and a cuff bracelet with a mjölnir decorating it. As soon as she looks into the girl’s grey eyes, Elen feels her chest warm and her heart-rate speeding up. She catches herself staring and takes her hand back. “Didn’t you say you were running late?”
The girl perks up. “Oh, that’s right!” She bends down and snatches her duffle bag from the ground before hurriedly weaving her way through the crowd. Before she completely disappears, the girl turns around and shouts, “My name’s Salacia Jordan Sonnen! Look for me on the ice!” before turning back and running off.
As soon as Salacia disappears, Elen pulls on her jacket to see that the wheel-shaped Mark is glowing like it did the night before. The heat from it spreads, almost to the point of painful, and she unzips in an attempt to relieve it with little difference.
‘Come to think of it,’ she thinks while rubbing her nose, ‘That fall should’ve guaranteed getting a bloody nose at least. And I don’t have any injuries from last night. Do I have super healing now?’
Elen shakes these thoughts away for now, then goes to take a seat at the bleachers.
“You’re late, Ms. Sonnen!”
“Sorry, Coach Clements!” Salacia sets her duffle bag down on the bench and unzips it. “Bit of a health emergency with my little brother right as we were leaving for the meet.”
Clements puts her hands on her hips. “Well get ready. You’re up first.”
“Yes Coach!”
Salacia pulls her costume out of her duffle bag then her skates and another smaller bag and quickly changes. She replaces her hair tie with a matching sparkly one, then stuffs her uniform in her duffle bag before throwing it into her locker.
“I’ll help you with your makeup.”
Salacia awkwardly smiles at the girl who’d just walked up. “Sure, Reina.”
Reina sits next to Salacia on the bench, picking up the makeup kit from the bag and applying the foundation, the powder, then blush. Next is the blue sparkling eyeshadow and the glitter on her face. She doesn’t apply the mascara, leaving it for Salacia to apply it herself last.
She swipes the lip gloss on Salacia’s lips, and Reina lingers as she remembers just how soft and warm they were against her own. “Have you thought about what I said before?”
Salacia rubs her lips together, in as much as to make sure the gloss is spread evenly as it is to buy a few seconds. She turns away to put on her mascara and hopes beyond hope that this conversation will end soon. “I haven’t. Too much on my plate.”
Reina smiles, and takes a lock of Salacia’s hair in her fingers. She kisses it and leans close to her ear. “I’ll wait for your answer.”
Salacia sighs as Reina finally walks off and leaves her alone. She’d bury her face in her hands if it wouldn’t ruin her makeup and tries to put the incident out of her mind.
‘What am I even supposed to say?’ It’s not like Salacia minded the kiss. Reina’s cute and has always been nice and wouldn’t be a bad girlfriend, yet she’s hesitating so much. Just the thought makes her feel a crushing weight on her chest.
She remembers that girl she’d run into before. How her hand felt an electric spark that went from her head to her toes. How her chest felt warm and her presence familiar. If Salacia hadn’t been rushing, she would’ve asked for her name and maybe phone number.
“Come on people!” Coach Clements calls. “It’s starting!”
Salacia banishes all complicated thoughts and instead focuses on her skating routine. She picks up her skates and goes to exit the locker room.
Just thinking about Salacia makes Elen’s Mark burn. She squirms in her seat, checking her watch for about the dozenth time and wondering when she’ll be up. She’s not quite sure if this sensation means that Salacia is an Apostle but it’s at least worth looking into.
Elen takes out the cards Fredrick had given her the night before then flips to one card of a Triple Moon Brooch with a light blue gem and one with a light blue icosahedron on a seascape background. These seem to be the most likely of cards she’ll be using, considering the environment.
“These cards will activate the other Apostles’ powers,” Fredrick explains, handing Elen the cards that look like they’re from the same tarot deck as the card she’d gotten before. “These cards will know to whom they belong, so keep them with you at all times.”
“Will they tell me who they are?”
Mystia answers, “They’ll glow when they’re close to them. But the only way you’ll know for sure is if your soul responds to theirs’. When that happens, their Mark will show and they’ll be able to transform.”
Elen looks at the cards, and then to the three in front of her. “So, we’re going to be called the ‘Apostles’?”
Fredrick smiles and nods. “You and the others have been sent by the Gods. So ‘Apostles’ is the most appropriate name for you.”
“So my name is ‘Magdelene’ and I’m supposed to be the ‘Apostle to the Apostles’. The irony is not lost on me.”
‘The Triple Moon card will turn into the Brooch, and the other will turn into their weapon. Yet Mystia had conjured mine on her own. I wonder how she did that.’ She looks around the rink, watching as other students and parents expressing their excitement and support for the skaters. ‘Psyche’ is Greek for the soul, which is appropriate for my element. What’s the word for water? Or will she be named ‘Aqua’? On the nose either way.’
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen,” the MC announces over the speakers, “to Alexandria High School’s 76th annual figure skating competition!”
The audience cheers and Elen quickly puts the cards back to also applaud. The MC continues with the formalities, then leads the audience through the Gaian anthem before sitting down again.
“First up is first-year student, Salacia Jordan Sonnen!”
The crowd cheers and Elen sits up straight as the lights dim. A spotlight shines on Salacia who has stepped onto the ice ready to start her routine. She has since changed into a sparkling blue dress, matching hair tie, and makeup. As Zephyr’s That Which Is starts, Salacia steps onto the ice and begins her act. Elen can’t help but think how she looks like an ice queen as she glides across the ice, doing spins, twirls, figure eights, and a host of other movements. A few missteps, but she keeps her balance well.
‘It’s as if she was born to skate.’ The more Elen watches, the more her Mark warms. Not only that, her back has that same sensation as last night, just much more pleasant. The same blissfulness as when she performs and it’s as if she could sprout wings and fly. ‘The way she moves, she probably has dancing experience. I wouldn’t mind doing a routine with her.’
As the song ends, Salacia pirouettes before sticking the landing and bowing to everyone’s applause. The score isn’t perfect, but an 8.5 out of 10 is quite excellent all things considered. As she smiles, Elen sees a light on her chest in the same place as her own Mark. Salacia waves at the clapping crowd before skating off of the ice and disappearing to the back.
Elen takes the opportunity to climb down the bleachers and sneak through the hallway leading to the locker rooms. She thumbs the Brooch pinned to her belt, pondering the best way to tell Salacia about the whole situation. ‘I was just thrown into a battle right away, so I should try to explain as calmly and slowly as possible.’
She stops rubbing her Brooch when the gem starts to shine and pulsate. 'What the hell is—?'
“AAAAHHHH!!!!!”
Elen’s head snaps to the direction of the scream and looks around. There’s nobody around to help, so she rushes to the locker room when she hears another scream. Elen bursts through the door and freezes in place.
The wolf-like beast has somehow been resurrected and is growling threateningly at the cowering Salacia. She sees Elen in the doorway and takes the chance to dash under the beast. Salacia once again crashes into Elen and holds on to her for dear life.
“W-what is that thing?!” she asks, watching as the beast awkwardly turns around in the cramped room.
Elen holds Salacia back. “I’m not entirely sure.” Still, she can’t let that thing loose in the rink. So she turns, shuts the door, and locks it.
“What are you doing?!” Salacia’s eyes are watering with unshed tears as she tightens her vice grip around Elen’s chest.
“Making sure that thing doesn’t get out.”
“And locking us in?!”
The beast swipes at the girls, and Elen holds Salacia tightly to leap out of the way. The beast glowers as the two weave around the rows of lockers.
They duck into a shower stall to catch their breath and gather their wits. Salacia’s makeup is smudged from tears and she’s still clinging to Elen like a koala. Elen’s Mark burns hotter and brighter, and she sees the same light on Salacia. Elen pulls the Triple Moon Brooch card out of her purse, seeing it shining before it morphs into a Brooch. If she had her doubts before, she doesn’t now.
“What is that?” Salacia asks. “Who are you?”
Elen takes a big breath. “My name is Magdelene Grace Magnum. You can call me ‘Elen’.” She takes Salacia’s hand and drops the Brooch before taking off her own. “Just follow my lead.”
They hear the beast’s growl growing closer and louder. Elen grits her teeth and holds the Brooch close to her chest.
“By My Will, So Mote It Be!”
Comments (0)
See all