Chapter 1 | Thora

This series is intended for 15+ audiences, thank you.

In a land far away, in a city farther away, and in an academy farthest away was Almerden, a school in the capital city of Peracross, filled with wonders like no other. It was a city filled with the essence of enchanted plight. 

Like air, the plight enveloped the world, and with the power of the technicians and brewers of Scorra the land was filled with a whimsical wonder, a power that could be used for good, and they never forgot where this power came from, naming it Plight was but a simple warning to those who wish to be overcome with greed, to remember what vile power they use for good, and to not temp it. 

Thora Riddles had obsessed over this story since she was but a babe, the story of the old technology made of crystals that gleamed of every color in the spectrum, dragon bones, and talking foliage. 

While it was now nothing but legend few believed, her eyes lit up whenever she read it, going over it, again and again, she giggled to herself, the old now yellowed pages of her book seemed to move on their own, no, not seemed, they did, enchanted books turned themselves, giggled and sang throughout the library. 

Books that were fused with a soul crystal, something that came from every living being, and this particular book was especially obedient, perhaps it used to be a summon? Or a household pet? Or even a person. 

Shaking her head she shook the thoughts from her mind, no, not a person, those books are far too important to be tucked away in this school. 

Leaning her head back, her red hair tangled down the wooden chair lined with vines of gold, her red star-scattered eyes glimmered in the summer sunlight that peered in through stained glass windows. 

Turning her gaze to see a reflection in the window, she looked over to see a sharp lavender gaze. Placing his books on the table they piled high, books filled with anything a brewer would need to know to create dark elixirs of enchantment. 

“Well, fancy seeing you here……..” Words dripping with a slightly self-superior attitude fell from Irving Kethsworth, as he looked at her, lingering on her eyes for a good while…….until he looked away abruptly, and picked up the book on top of the pile, his ears tinting pink, looking fascinated by the strange way the letters were shaped.

“Why, I was just leaving.” Thora said as she stood up, the sound of the wooden chair scraping against the floor squeaking when she stood, abruptly, she turned and began to walk away, tossing her hair away from her neck as she walked past him. “And you’re reading it upside down.” 

Quickly walking away, she vanishes into the hall while Irving smirks and calls out after her, still holding the book as it was. “Fool! This book holds secrets your mind would lurch trying to understand, I’m the only one who knows how to find them.”

With that, he swiftly sat down, and promptly flipped the book back over, bringing it to his face as his cheeks burned a dark red, and his thoughts screamed at him. AAAAAHHHHHH SHE LOOKED SO AMAZING TODAY!!! The way her eyes and body were bathed in the sunlight, her gorgeous crimson locks were impeccable as always, and she smelled so good when she walked by! I’m so glad I got to see her before class today!!!

A shrill, deep voice suddenly pierced through the fog of his thoughts and brought him back to the world around him, coming from the very book he held in his hands. “As much as I’d enjoy watching your little……..whatever this is. I don't. Stop.”

The book speaking was one of few, a soul-bound book with an old scholar within it, his name unknown, yet he claims he was famous. The book was named Pelaguards Theories of Poison Elixirs. 

It was a book only brewers were allowed to borrow, and he had checked it out for the entire year, Pelaguard was always in his book bag judging him and interrupting his…fantasies. 

Flinching, he pulled his head back in surprise, his face a cherry red with a nervous expression, which quickly turned into annoyance, as if a book could ever understand how amazing she was! And just as he was about to tear it some new binding, something caught his eye on the table, which caused any words he had thought of to quickly disappear from his mind.

She had left her book on the table.

In the hallway just outside the library, Thora slammed her back against the wall and covered her face as red as it was, her heart racing as her eyes spun, her thoughts a jumbled mess. HE LOOKED SO COOL AND NNNGGGHHG. I knew he would be there but he talked to me first!!! This is the best day of my entire life!

Slowly sliding down the wall she hid her face against her knees as her ears violently twitched, her heart felt like it would throw itself out of her throat when he looked at her in the eye. He’s so handsome and cool, I’m going to die. 

And thus began the story, in a faraway place, in a faraway land, somewhere in an academy, a story of bewilderment and heart-aching romance. 

﹒˖˚──﹕✦﹕──˚˖﹒