NIKHOLAS SYLVESTER

My shoulder was numb as Tristin’s tight grip pulled me into the cathedral. I struggled to free myself, but it only encouraged him mt tighten his hold. Entering deeper, I noticed just how silent it was, save for a few students praying and our footsteps. This eerie atmosphere only added to my festering fear and anxiety.

I knew very well that Lady Beatrice was not a lady to be reasoned with. Us students only ever saw her during important ceremonies, and every time we saw her, she only became scarier. The only reason any student saw her was if they were getting expelled. My heart beat faster and faster with each step. I prayed to God that he would at least spare me the embarrassment of my family should Lady Beatrice put an end to my academic career. I was so engrossed in my thought, I didn’t notice the ornate door before me, marking the entrance to Lady Beatrice’s office.

“Hurry up and enter, She is waiting!” Tristan growled, stomping off into the abysmal hallway. I mentally prepared myself and walked into the room.

“Nicholas Sylvestar. 5th-year student, brother of Milani, Sylvester, and ailing from the district of Ganrah.” I swallowed hard. To say I was nervous was an understatement. It was no surprise that she knew all of that. You had to offer that information to get in, and she was the founder of this school. But to hear her list out all of those things, it felt like I was going to be assassinated. The light illuminating her silhouette Facing the window didn't help me feel any safer either. She then turned to me, and I swear her green eyes were glowing in the dark.

“Do you know why I called you here?” she asked that in that unsettling, monotone voice. I swallowed again. Now is not the time to say anything rash or foolish. There could have been a multitude of things that I did, one stuck out among the others. I looked down.

“I'm going to assume, You called me here on behalf of the girl I spoke to today...” It was difficult to resist the urge to bite my nails off. I heard her scoff and approach me.

“At least you are much more intelligent than you put yourself out to be. It is a shame you fail one of the most crucial classes there are at this Academy.” I watched her return to her desk and sit.

“Mr Sylvester. There are many things I tend to tolerate as I am running a school with children as young as 13, however...” Lady Beatrice's eyes bore deeply into me.

“It is in your best interest to keep your distance from my daughter.” My head shot up. Daughter? I only knew of that horrendous brat Timothy!

“I didn't know you had a daughter...” I whispered, lowly.

“That's precisely due to the fact that, excluding the highest rank clergy members, no one is aware of that fact.” Her eyes bore evermore into me.

“Now, you are privy to this...sacred information. Under any circumstance that you tell this information to anyone, Everyone shall be expelled, and their records shall be expunged. No. Questions. Asked.” I felt chills run down my spine. Literally left speechless. I simply bowed and left as soon as she excused me. Once I made it into the hallway, I placed my hot forehead on the cool wall. My heart was pounding violently in my chest. It actually made me feel rather sick to my stomach.

I still had so many questions, though... At this point, they probably weren't going to get answered anytime soon. I couldn't even think anymore. I was no longer hungry, and I just wanted to sleep. As I stepped into the cool nighttime air, I wondered to myself...

Who was that girl and why did she seem to occupy my thoughts so much?

I finally made it back to the dorm, where a visibly worried Gale sat. Melanie and Marco were missing in action, presumably in their own rooms. When he saw me enter, Gale jumped up, grabbing my shoulders.

Bro!! You good? You're alive!! What happened? Tell me!” he pleaded. My mind raced.

I could not tell him about the situation with Lady Beatrice's daughter, whose name I realized was still unknown to me. Seeing Lady Beatrice only happened over serious offenses, and being kicked out seemed to not have been on that level.

“I-UH....” my mind stuttered just as much as my mouth. This only made Gale more worried.

“Nick, Please don't tell me you finally got expelled!” I placed my hands on his shoulders and pushed him away.

“No, Gale, I'm not. I just... I need to sleep” I gave him a sympathetic smile and changed for bed. As Gale turned the light off, I laid on my back, waiting for sleep to finally take me.

Luckily, I didn't need to wait long...

I opened my eyes to a burning prairie. The smoke was suffocating and my eyes burned greatly. While I tried to navigate the sea of smoke, I tripped over a lump on the ground. Suddenly the smoke cleared up and then did I realize I was surrounded by a mountain of corpses. This smell was horrendous and mixed with the grotesque sight, it made me wanna vomit.

"Tourmaenn... have you come to make a mockery of me?!” A gargled voice rang out all around me. I spun around trying to pinpoint the location, but I was completely alone. I then heard the voice scoff.

“No... You aren't Tourmaenn... to think that cursed man had a direct descendant... and his power runs throughout you...” The voice pondered. I was left confused.

“What are you talking about?! Who are you and where am I?!!” The voice giggled sadistically.

“Who I am is of no concern to you... but let it be known, descendant of Tourmaenn...” The area around me started to go dark. As I fell out of the dream space, the final line echoed in my ears.

“You shall not interfere with the advent of the goddess...”  

END DOCTRINA TRIBUS