CURSED: The Last of Five Kingdoms.

Episode36-The journey

The school bell sounds one more time, making the trio hurry out of the dormitory they've been sluggish about leaving.

"First, we have a door! A freaking real-life door. And now the school bell wants to make us deaf. There is a big problem," Harry says, increasing his pace to catch up with Melody and Mael. "Hey, wait for me, guy!" Screaming at them.

They get to the Hall, which is already covered with the rest of the students wearing their eager faces. Who knows what is going on? Is the question being whispered around? The last sound of the bell goes off and, Rabbi Humbledore with the rest of the teachers walk in. From their faces, you could tell that they are bearing nothing but sad news.

"Students!" Rabbi Humbledore's voice rumbles throughout the Hall, causing the uproar that was once in the Hall to quiet down. "This is a brief announcement. First, I want to start apologizing for taking your time away from your precious siesta. If this wasn't important, I would have waited till the appropriate time. But, seeing that it can't wait, I've to do it now. Even if the timing is inconvenient for all of us. The following student is to see the council afterwards, Mr. Ispain, Mr. Hercules, Mr. Vandisia, Miss Grant, Miss Shine and Miss Strand. The school is under temporary lockdown meaning that whatever activity we've would only take place within the main building and nowhere else. No one is allowed in and out of the school. We will have our recitation and all the witches under the supervision of Professor Mackenzie will create a binding spell for us to protect the school. Please adhere to these instructions, as anyone found disobeying them will be severely punished. That is all."

Murmuring amongst the students become deafening. The six of them walks to the chambers to see Rabbi Humbledore who is seated with the rest of the council members. As he sees them, he puts up a smile on his face but it didn't stay there for long before fading away rapidly. Mael, Harry, Melody, Evelyn and Grenada keeps looking around as it is their first time there. But Duke who in his first year has been done there a couple of times, keep a straight face.

Bowing, "you asked to see us." Duke says.

"Oh, yes. I got a report that the six of you exhibited maximum foolishness but an act of bravery. Which I condemned and applaud at the same time. You could have lost your lives but you didn't. You saved us all without being afraid even in the face of death. That is why this task has befallen you. I do not have a choice other than to ask the six if our bravest to help in a war that is coming. To the six of you, the sword of Peace has been stolen."

"Wait. What? If the second of Peace is gone, that means we are in a lot of trouble. The magic binding the school has been weakened and somebody like me can easily be disposed of. This is bad news. Terrible news." Harry rants. "Is that why doors started appearing from nowhere?"

Everyone keeps quiet for him to finish his endless lamentation. Melody uses her elbow to touch Harry, bringing him back to his senses, which makes him keep quiet.

Clearing his throat, "no one is dying, Mr. Vandisia. Pull yourself together. That is why we have unanimously decided to ask you that the six of you help us in finding the sword of Peace." Rabbi continues. "Concerning the doors, we have always had them. But, it was decided that since students can be so cunning and also in a way to keep account of everyone, Hunters was created. Creating Hunters proved more useful than mere doors so we kept it that way. Since our magic has been weakened, that has also affected our dear Hunters and everyone in here."

"Us? Find the sword of peace?" Duke asks. "We are too fragile for such a task, Rabbi Humbledore. Where do we even start from? We have no idea what to do. This is something the council or bigger authority should handle not us."

"I agree with him, Ranni Humbledore. Entrusting something that serious to us is not advisable. We can easily make it up or make it go sideways. Whichever way, I don't think it is in the best interest of everyone for us to take up such a task," says Grenada.

Harry, Melody, Evelyn and Mael keeps quiet.

"You are not solely on your own but would have the supervision of the council in this task. If it makes you feel any better, Commander Lucas would be joining you. And, we would be seen to it that you all return safely."

"Commander Lucas? My dad?" Harry says proudly.

"Yes. Your Dad, Mr. vandisia, would be joining you in the mission." Professor Edward says sarcastically.

"Why do you need us in this mission? You can easily take care of it yourselves. It is nothing that you can't handle." Mael speaks for the first time, regret-filled in his tone.

"We cannot do this without you all. The six of you has been chosen because you present everything we stand for. Courage, purity, strength, bravery, truth, and leadership. It is only with your help that we would be able to achieve anything. Especially, with your help," fixing his gaze on Mael.

"I still think it is dangerous and careless to bring so many kids into the affairs of the adult. See, they are weak, scared and would definitely create havoc instead of a solution to this important mission. We should take care of it ourselves and not put the gate of everyone in what we believe might go well. It is experimenting at the expense of our lives. For all we know, our enemies have shown that they mean business and do not have time for this petty play we are about to carry out." Professor Vieni objects, his eyes burning flames.

"Silence! I would not have my authority questioned. The mission is fixed and so it shall be. Anyone spitting otherwise would be seen as someone who is aiding the works of our enemy. Be warned!" Rabbi Humbledore glares at everyone. His calm and friendly eyes are once more replaced with emptiness. "These six are ur best chance. We would help them with whatever that need and make sure that the return in one piece."

"Excuse me, Rabbi Humbledore."

"Yes, Mr. Vandisia?"

"You mentioned return. Where exactly are we returning from?"

"That is a good question. Our best guess is that whosoever might have taken the sword has not gone far. He or she would be somewhere between the mountain of death and the lake of fear. W need to get to them at those two places because once they crossover, our spells would wear off and we would never be able to tell where the sword is."

"And we are expected to do what exactly?" Harry asked, his hands trembling.

"The process will reveal itself as you set out your journey. Take this as your examination. For this semester you all have an automatic A. Go. Relax. For your journey begins at Dawn"

Bowing slightly, they left. Now, it is the Rabbi with all the teachers and council members.

"I still do not think this is a good idea." Professor Task objects.

"You have an excellent point, Professor. These are six kids who should be in our care and not sent to their death. Those places are not where people with power should go. Now that our magic has been weakened, what if it is a trap and we failed to see it?" Professor Ellen says.

"They are not alone and we agreed to this. There is no going back. They have an advantage which is Omiri. He is their secret weapon and would lead them safely back. We should worry for ourselves." Professor Humbledore stands to leave.

"The boy is not ready," Professor Mackenzie speaks.

"And when he is faced with danger, who he is would reveal itself. This is the push we all asked to give him because we can no longer hope that he finds his path on his own. We need to help him find that path. Even if it means going the extra mile to achieve that. Council dismissed."

They all rise and gives a slight bow as Rabbi Humbledore leaves without turning back.

"I cannot believe that they had to drag me into a mess like this. How would I survive away from humanity?" Grenada grunts in anger, pushing stubborn strands of her hair behind her ear. "The goal was to get educated and leave. Not get killed."

"It won't be all that bad. Let us see it as some kind of adventure. Saving the world and all that interesting movies we watch." Melody says smiling.

"Easy for you to say because you are used to violence and scary things but I am not. In fact, I can't survive a day outside of this school. I don't need to be involved in this?"

"You are the Blue house girl incident, right?" Harry asks.

"Evelyn. That is my name. And, thank you once more for nearly getting me killed. It was a pleasure for that near-death experience," she says nodding and squinting her eyes at Harry.

"Don't look at me," Harry says, " look at him. He brought up that idea. I just followed it like a good brother." Turning to Grenada, "quit complaint like some rich entitled kid. You can afford to move to a safer place but most of the kids here, can't. Let us do what we can and hope we come up with a solution of some sort."

"Okay. Okay. People, that would be all. Retire back to your dormitories, rest and lack up. We leave once Rabbi Humbledore or Commander Vandisia sends for us." Walking back to Omiri's dormitory, "Harry, bring yourself over here and let's go to our dormitory. Ladies to your rooms."

***************

The earth is black with last night’s rain—a perfect morning for shadows. Maybe Omiri heard that his descendants were going to embark on a life-threatening journey and divided to wet the earth. Unlike every other time, Mackenzie would always use her magic to control the rain but the one of last night proved stubborn. It is either it warned them about taking this foolish step or it encourage them about their bravery. Whichever way, the school has an abundance of rain. When they arrived at the council’s tower door the next day, all looking fierce and ready but weak and scared inside, Duke is the first to brush the heavy door before it flies open. The eleven council members were already seated with Lucas packed and equally ready to leave with the six. The only person whose face wore so much disdain that early is Professor Edward. His emotions cannot be read. Was he or was he not pleased with the whole thing?

“Welcome, The Wise Six,” Rabbi Humbledore says, his voice low and gravelly. “This path we are about to set is what would either save or doom us all. Know that it won't be easy. But, you have got the most important thing, which is each other. Look out for one another and I hope that you all will return soon enough with good news.” He used to speak more gently every other day. But, since this whole thing happened, his voice only held emptiness. The light and friendly spark that was once it is gone. Maybe when everything is resolved then who he is will return. "As you know, this is Commander Lucas Vandisia, then only you will be going together with his troops. You all are in safe hands and will return safely." He signals for Lucas to say whatever he has in mind by lifting two fingers. A sign that only members of the council knew about. It saved them from unnecessary exposure when they didn't want to make use of their voice.“Hi, guys,” Lucas says, standing from his seat. "It is an honour to be on this mission with you all." Grenada snorts, causing the attention of everyone to be on her briefly. "Sorry," she said in a whisper.

"You might not believe that you are capable enough but your true potentials are about to come to light. If you weren't competent, you wouldn't have been chosen in the first place. Our best hope is on you all. We will make this work!" Lucas said with authority. He earns the loudest cheer from enthusiastic Harry, who is so happy to be working alongside his father. To him, he has made up his mind that this is more like a family reunion than a dangerous experience they are about to have. The right just gave cold and barely audible claps.

Sitting, Professor takes out the wand thrust to her seat. Testing the edge with the tip of her thumb, observing it like some sharp dagger. With magic, she turns it into what it truly is. A dagger. Gently, she stands and walks over to Mael, laying it in his bosom.

"When the time arises, you will use this." She whispers into his ears before returning to her seat.

A confused Mael wraps up the weapon and sets it aside in his backpack.

To a stranger, Professor Mackenzie is a woman descending into old age, her hair gone white save for a few stubborn streaks of black. Age spots speckle the deep bronze of her skin, which one could tell was very much fairer during her youth. Bt to Mael, she is still the same woman whom he registered in his head not to mess with during his first day in school. In his head, he wants to ask her badly why she gifted him a dagger out of everything possible? What was it for? He quashed the thought as soon as it came, thinking it wasn't a good idea.

"The spirits of the six realms are with you. The gods of The Five Kingdoms will show you where you can no longer see. Omir will guide you when you have lost track of your path. But I must forewarn you, I sense darkness amongst you." Professor Mackenzie says, sitting back on her chair.

"Great! What an awesome way to end a speech. Implant fear into us even before we set out the journey," Harry keeps murmuring to Mael.

"Hey, keep quiet. You know they can hear our thought."

"Couldn't they have just sent someone else other than us? I don't know where they see bravery but I think mine has left me. I am not as brave as they perceive me to be. They are exaggerating it. I love this idea of catching up with you and dad. But, we could do that in a less violent and deadly place. Can't we be some normal college got didn't going after cute and popular chicks?"

"Not in here, Harry. You are making a scene," Mael says through gritted teeth.

"Oh, yeah. How can you tell?"

"From the way Vieni, Weasely, Task, Edgar, Ellen, and Wright is glaring at you. I bet if their eyes could shoot daggers, you would already be dead."

"Ha, quite the rhyme. Telling me about daggers when you've just been gifted with one."

"That would be all," Rabbi Humbledore says.

The six together with Lucas and his well-armed men moves away from the chambers, marching fearlessly towards the school's exit. Mael and Harry increase their pace to catch up with their seemingly engaged father. He is absent-minded. Looks like he has a torn of things on his mind from the way his eyes is focused on the floor.

"Dad!" Harry taps him as they finally catch up with him.

"Oh, my boys." He says with a smile, embracing them.

"Where's mum? She is not coming?"

"No, Harry. I told the council to take her off on his one."

"That is. a relief," Mael says.

"Dad, how long have you been part of this council?"

"From the moment your mother accepted me. I've closely worked with them for a long long time and would continue to."

"And, no one bothered to fill Mael and me in on this important detail? We just found out recently and that is not cool."

"I am sorry if it upsets you. But, matters of the council are prohibited to be discussed outside."

"We get that. But Mael and I aren't outsiders. We are your family and what concerns you and mum, concerns us both."

"I will make sure to fill you in on every important detail. Do not be upset."

"When you say it like that, I've no choice but to forgive you."

"Mael, are you okay? You've been awfully silent." Lucas asks.

"Dad, I am fine. Just trying to digest this whole thing. It is still a shock to me."

"We will get to through it. You have got me and your brother."

"Family hug!" Hardy screams.

Once again, Lucas embraced Mael and Harry.

Continuing their journey, Grenada tries to catch Mael's eye, but his gaze remains firmly on the ground. Neither of them speaks. She somehow figures out that talking to him now would be useless. As his body is present but his soul is far away. Melody is the only one who seems to be happy about the adventure. Every other person is wearing a face as of they had just lost something precious especially, Harry.

"I am no one, the child of imaginary parents who were killed. Whatever memories I might have once had of them are long faded." The thought runs in Mael's head, repeatedly. This will hardly be the ɹrst time such thoughts are crossing Mael's mind. But, why now? Of all times, now that they had their hearts in thumping faster than normal, that kind of thought had to occur.

Grenada, for some reason, could not keep up with the silence. Before Mael could continue in this awkwardness, she spoke.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," he says absent-mindedly.

"Mael, I mean Antigon. Are you really sure that you are okay?"

"Grenada, I am fine."

"If you say so. Just wanted to make sure that nothing is bothering you."

"Well, a lot is bothering me but there are no solutions to them for now."

"Do you want to share?"

"It's nothing."

"Okay."

Finally, they arrive at the exit and Lucas usher them into what seems like a broom.

"Are we expected to ride in that?" Grenada points at it with disgust on her face.

"Yes. And I know this isn't the normal fancy cars or trains you are used to riding, this is what will get us across. Oh, let me correct that. This is the only means of getting across. So, two to a broom and off we go. Our journey has just begun and it is a very long one."

"Great! It is you are trying to kill me or the universe is doing a great job at doing so. How am I supposed to ride on this?" Grenada stands, with arms crossed

"See it as riding a scooter. Only that this one is slimmer. You won't get hurt. Trust me." Mael reassures her.

Melody has already happily secured one broom with Harry. Duke with Evelyn. Mael still trying to convince Grenada. Lucas alone on one. And the rest of the troop two to each broom.

"Trust me, Grenada."

"You won't let me fall? You promise to get me through this site thing safely?"

"I promise. Take my hand."

He helps her climb on it and he gets on too before the broom slowly kicks itself off the ground with Grenada screaming on top of her lungs.