CURSED: The Last of Five Kingdoms.

Episode16-RAYVIN ACADEMY

As Mael and the other students get close to the door with boy and woman standing in front, "Good evening and welcome to RAYVIN ACADEMY. My name is Professor Judith Mackenzie. Your able vice principal." She says with a straight face and no travel of smile or friendly gesture. She is tall, slim, has grey hair, brown eyes, a small broad nose and she is wearing a purple robe. Pointing to her right where the boy that Mael had seen in his dream is standing, "this is Edgar, he is the head messenger and my messenger. Here at Rayvin Academy, everyone gets his or her messenger. Welcome once again." Immediately after her last words to the students, the big golden door opens by itself. "Follow me." She commands. “Thank you. I will take them from here.” She says to the one that led Mael and others to her.

She pulls the door wide open, revealing the shiniest and beautiful hall for a school. It is so big and spacious. It has almost the same decoration like the one outside. Stone walls, marble staircase and flowery ceiling. That is the ceiling has actual flowers growing out of them and the ceiling is so high. There are candle lights lit everywhere just like the outside.

Passing the hall through a hallway to another room, Mael sights what looks like a banquet hall. Filled with assorted foods and drinks on the table but has few persons, mostly looking like teachers because they are all dressed in purple robes only that their own is a lighter shade of purple than that of Professor Mackenzie. Hers is a thick velvet purple robe while theirs look very light in colour.

From the hall and banquet room, there is another door adjacent to them. Behind this door comes numerous thunderous voices — that must be the door that leads to the rest of the school. Mael is excited that he is about to eat something for the first after a long day. And his stomach is taking a toll on him to feed it. His happiness is cut short when Professor Mackenzie announces that they still have a lot to do before settling down for the night.

"Can't we just find something to eat already?" Harry murmurs, as of he had just read Mael's mind on the hunger issue.

Walking forward while the students follow, "I see that some of us a starving. Would you be brave enough to air your thoughts rather than subjecting them to mere murmuring?" She says, turning abruptly to face everyone that is behind her. "Harrison Vandisia and Antigon Hercules, do you both have something to say to us."

Mael and Harry are shocked. How did she hear them? Mael hadn't even uttered a word. He was just thinking about it and Harry only murmured. How is she able to decipher their thought? This is going to be challenging.

"Harrison and Antigon, do you both have something to say to us? I ask again." She keeps her face blank, waiting for an answer.

Mael and Harry, on the other hand, do not know what to say because they were trying to be careful not to offend her. At least not yet.

"No, ma'am," they answer.

Keeping quiet for a few seconds, then she starts, "it is a shame. Really. I thought you both had something to say." Turning away from them and focusing on everyone else, "Here at Rayvin Academy, the only thing that would get you through is C O U R A G E," spelling out the word courage slowly and loudly. "You need it to be able to get through every step. You will face challenges that you've never faced before, be in terrible spots that you have never been before and most importantly compete to prove that you are worthy of staying here. If you don't do those, you will end up hurting yourself and might be kicked out even before you start." Walking to Harry and Marl, "wondering how I heard you both loud and clear?"

They stand still without responding to her. Just blinking nervously and Harry keeps on touching his backpack.

"Because I am a vampire. That is one of our qualities. We hear thoughts, we compel you to forget, remember and obey and we heal fast. Those are just a few qualities of ours. You need to be careful of a vampire because you might not measure up to their strength. And the vampires amongst you, don't go around causing trouble of any sort because you will be punished. Oh, yes. We have rules and regulations, guidelines and principles and a code of conduct. If any is broken, there is a severe consequence that would be faced by such a person. With all that said, before we feed ourselves, you will be sorted out." She leads them through the hallway that they had just passed to a place that looks like a wall. Getting there she stands in front of it, "Reveal yourself, Hunters!" She commands and the wall opens, forming a door. She walks in and the torches there lights up. The students who are beginning to drag their feet and bodies due to being exhausted, walk in behind her.

This chamber is small and empty. The students are standing too close to each other instead of the spacious and comfortable way they've been standing in the different enormous chambers.

“Welcome to Rayvin Academy once more,” says Professor Mackenzie. “The dinner will begin soon so without wasting more time, I'll begin sorting you out into different dormitories."

As if on cue, a big flaming torch standing in the middle of the room close to where the professor stood turns on when the professor snaps her fingers. Surrounding the torch are little black spots.

"Why is this sorting so important and how would she be able to do it? I mean there is a billion of us here." Harry whispers into Melody's ear.

"You know too well that she can hear you. Your thoughts talk more of your murmur," Melody reminds him.

It seems that Harry has forgotten about that because his face went pale after Melody reminded him and the Professor equally turns and glares intensely at him.

"We keep on crossing paths, Mr. Vandisia." She says shortly. "The sorting is important because your dormitories will be your family until the semester is over. It is where you will sleep in and do all extracurricular activities in teams but that aside, you will have classes, eat and spend your free time with everyone else. The pots you see in front close to the flaming torch has your names and the dormitory you belong to in them. Remember, your dormitory is your family ceremony each semester. There are six dormitories called Blue, Dark, Moon, Ice, Oak and Omiri respectively. All are named after a great hero or element that we draw our powers from. Each house has its outstanding history and legacy. Each of these houses has produced exceptional vampires, witches, Ice, Air and fire Kings and Queens and finally, powerful commoners. This school has been around for so many years and will continue to be. Don't be a disgrace or disaster while you are here because none of such will be tolerated. Nuisance will be dealt with. I hope you learn, grow and enjoy your Academy stay here in Rayvin Academy. The process of getting into your new families will happen shortly and will be in front of the rest of the school so that you will be welcomed properly into your families." Looking straight ahead, eye to eye with Mael, " I suggest you get courageous and smart while you are here."

Mael's heart practically wants to leave his chest to die to anxiety. He tries to get his breathing under control. Looking around, he sees that everyone is equally terrified and mostly silent. Probably focusing on the information that they will be getting into the same space with unfamiliar faces for as long as a whole semester. Harry is looking somewhat anxious and that isn't his usual attitude to new tasks. Being that he is handsome and athletic, he is always the centre of attractions and always put him on the spot in any gathering which makes him look forward to new environments and being surrounded by people because he gets the celebrity treatment; lots of admirers, girls crushing on him and boys begging to be his friend. But I guess now he is in Mael's shoes and he knows where it pains. Being insignificant and intimate because you are so small that no one cares about you.

"I am terrified," Hardy finally summons up the courage to whisper to Mael.

Mael on the other hand is distant. Thinking about what his new family would be like and he hopes that they won't be terrible people. He is looking forward to meeting them and scared at the same time. The last thing he needs is to have the same treatment as the ones he got while in foster care or the attitude people gave him in school. He isn't having it here. This is a new place and he is turning a new chapter. Stronger, smarter, courageous and powerful.

Mael doesn't know where the energy is coming from but whatever it is, it is doing a great job in making him make up his mind and this time around it will work.

"Mael? Did you hear me at all.?" Hardy pulls him gently on the shoulder.

"Hh? What? What did you say?"

"I said that I am horrified."

"Me too. But we will get through it. The amazing thing is that I've got you and you've got me." Mael smiles at Harry who seems physically present but is trembling. "Hey, Harry, relax. We are not the only ones here. Everyone is scared out of their mind. We will be fine. Okay?"

"Yeah. I hear you." Harry answers nonchalantly. He just wants the sorting thing to be over with.

"Get into a straight line and when I call your name, you come forward, dip your hand in any of the pots that your heart is telling you to go for. Then bring out a card. You can only pick once and not twice. Least I forget, each Dorm will be led by a Professor or high ranking teacher. Good luck. Proceed to the banquet hall in a straight line."

They form a straight line, with Mael behind a chubby fair boy, Melody in front of the boy and Harry behind Mael. They walk out of the chamber through the invisible door, back to the hallway and through the door leading into the banquet hall. If there is an award for best-built school, it will go to this one. Instead of you expecting less, everywhere keep getting better and better.

The banquet hall is splendid. Like everywhere else, the source of light is from thousands of candles lit around the hall. Hgh-vaulted ceiling and mahogany-coloured walls. There are six long tables where the rest of the students are sitting. The tables had all manner of food and drinks in them but each item to a plate and cup, well arranged in rolls facing each student. Aside from the six long tables with students, at the podium is another long table where the teachers are sitting.

The first-year students led by Professor Mackenzie walks to the podium but not too close to the teachers, facing the rest of the students while they have their backs to the teachers. Everyone has their eyes focused on the first year. Eyes of different colours. Some glowing like the brightest moon others dull like the dusk of the day. Whichever one has the first year on the toes and anxious. Just like the flaming torch surrounded by little black pots they had seen in the little chamber there is exactly the same flaming torch and little black pots in the middle of the banquet hall.

"Everyone, I present the first year!" Professor Mackenzie roars, causing a thunderous round of applause from everyone before the hall goes quiet once more.

"I don't know if they have not noticed but if that round of applause is for us then they better know that we are trembling out of fear and anxiety. If they would be to educate us on this sorting of a thing that has left every fidgeting, we would appreciate." Mael thought to himself.

Most eyes are on him for some reason and he feels so small and exposed. Then it hit him of what Professor Mackenzie had told them about vampires reading thoughts and hearing murmurings. He almost collapses because he understands that everyone has read his fear and now knows that he is a scared little boy. There has to be a way out of this. A way to shield our thoughts from being read by just anyone. And as soon this sorting thing is over, that would be the first assignment that I'll do. Getting my thoughts clothed. It is more than enough for people to hear gossips but to also gear my thoughts, that is frightening.

Professor Mackenzie steps forward before all the students, holding a long scroll.

“Like I already said, when I call your name, step forward and dip your hand into one of the pots, collecting not two but one card and only once. David, Turner!"

A boy pale boy with frickles all over his face and sandy hair steps out of the line dips his hand into a pot and picks a card. A moment’s pause — “MOON!” shouts the boy when he reads the card.

The table in the middle cheers and applause as David hurries over to the Moon table and sits down. He is smiling as boys crowd him, talking into his ears.

“Like, Ella!"

“Dark!” shouts the girl as she reads her card. She saunters over to a cheering table at her right and sits. Just like David, girls surround her pulling her pigtail, smiling at her.

“Huge, Bolt!”

“BLUE!”

The third table from the right claps and cheers this time; several Blues standing up to shake hands with Bolt as he joins them.

“Vandisia, Harrison!”

With trembling legs, Harry stumbles out of the line, walks to the pots, takes a deep breath before dipping his hand into it. "Omiri!" He reads out loud.

The first table on the right explodes. Hailing and waving at him as he walks over to them.

"Lasfieild, Melody!"

Melody goes over to the pot and, "Ice!" she shouts moments later.

Like every other table, the Ice dormitory table at the far end to the middle cheers and welcomes her while she sits.

Names kept being called, “Hope” . . . , “John” . . . , “Petersburg” . . . , "Victor" . . . , and then, at last — “Hercules, Antigon!”

As Mael steps forward, whispers suddenly break out like little hissing fires all over the hall.

“Hercules, if I heard her right?”

“Omiri? Chosen king of Antigon?”

"Enough with the whispering!" Rabbi Humbledore says. "No need to get ahead of ourselves. It is just a mere coincidence that the young man's name is the same as our great saviour. He is a student like you. No special treatment or whatsoever will be accorded to him. If you all learn the hard way, he will learn the hard way. Now proceed to the pot, young man."

In a way, Mael is grateful that the unnecessary attention that would have been accorded to him has been temporarily terminated. But he isn't so pleased with the way Rabbi Humbledore said it. Couldn't he have found a nicer and less harsh way to clear the air?

"We don't have all night, Mr. Hercules. Please proceed to the pot!" Rabbi Humbledore roars.

Mael finds himself in front of the pots and flaming torch and trying to dip his hand into the pot like others, a mighty wind blows. Blowing out the entire candlelight lit in the room. Then the flaming torch reignites itself and then a voice speaks.

"All hail, King Omiri, our great leader. I am not worthy for you to soar your hand by putting it in my pot. You are to belong to the house of Omiri, where you will learn your true nature. Be rest assured that it isn't going to be easy but because of what is ahead, you will need it."

The is great silence and seconds later, the lights come back on. Rabbi Humbledore and the other teachers look so helpless at what had just happened. Like a good professor, she is, "you heard right that he belongs to the house of Omiri."

There is the loudest cheer of the evening, whistling and applause from the Omiri's. Mael walks shakily toward the Omiri table. He is so relieved that the sorting thing is over with but not too happy that his identity in a way has been revealed. He knows that he wouldn't be able to hide it for so long but now is still early for everyone to know who he is.

As he approached the table, Duke gets up and vigorously shakes his hand. Harry is smiling uncontrollably while the rest of the Omiri's keeps yelling, "down with others, up with Hercules!"

Mael sits down next to Duke and lets out the breath he has been holding for a while.

"I had no idea that you were the head prefect of Omiri. You could have said something, really."

"What can I say? You have to let people find out certain things by themselves. Telling you about it would have been like I was making a big deal out of it. I am just so happy that you and Harry got in here. Just a bit disappointed that Melody isn't."

"Me too," Mael casually replies.

He could see the High Table where the teachers are sitting properly now. In the end, nearest to him sits a friendly-looking face who catches his eyes and gave him a small wave. Mael smiles and waves back. And there, in the center of the table, on a large gold chair, sits Rabbi Humos Humbledore. He looks high and might. Mael could recognise him because of the description Amara had given him. There are six of them sitting forward and the rest of the teachers behind. Humbledore's hair is long and white. Shining like the early morning soon that fills a room.

There are still a lot of first-years to be sorted out. When the last person is sorted, Harry claps loudly more than others because he gets to finally eat. The last person, "May, Arthur," the freckled face boy that stood in front of Mael gets into the Omiri family. The same dormitory with him. The boy looks so pleased and excited. Waving and stumbling through things while he walks to the Omiri table, collapsing into a seat opposite that of Mael's.

Professor Mackenzie rolls up her scroll and did an enchantment which made the flaming torch and pots vanish into thin air.

As Harry looks down in front of him, a silver plate and cup appears before him with his initials inscribed on them. The same thing happens for the rest of the first year who had just settled down.

For the second time, Rabbi Humos Humbledore stands to his feet, throwing his arms wide open and looking happy. "Welcome!" he says. "I welcome the first year especially for getting accepted and the rest of the students for a new year. I hope you enjoy it, " he says sitting back. As his robe which has the darkest shade of purple flows gracefully.

Everyone claps and cheers. Mael and Harry seem rather distracted as their main concern is on his to get something into their stomach.

Harry starts drooling over the sumptuous meal that has filled his plate within a spilt of seconds. Just like everyone else, he has different meals on his plate: rice, roasted chicken, corn beef, sausage roll, fried potatoes, peas, carrot, ketchup, Tacos and grilled corn. The same thing happens to Mael's plate and all the other students who just joined. Their cups are filled with juices of different kinds: orange, grape, strawberry, Apple, guava, cherry, and pumpkin juice.

Mael has seen and eaten anything he had always wanted but seeing different nice ones all at the same time, made a difference.

"Are we expected to eat all this? Is this all meant for one person or am I to share with someone?" Harry asks Duke whose eyes are fixed on his plate and he will be devouring what he has any second from then.

Nodding, "this is your plate and yours alone. Do whatever that you want with it. Don't share."

"Enjoy your dinner!" Humbledore did not even finish the last word when all the students dig hungrily into their food. Munching, crunching and devouring every bit of their food.

Mael takes a bit of everything and begins to eat. Harry on the other hand looks like he will choke from having too many things stuffed into his mouth.

"Delicious," compliments a cute looking boy that is sitting opposite Mael. "Everything is just so delicious," he says again.

Mael hums and continues with his food, cutting a steak and eating a large some of it.

The hall is noisy. Quite and loud chattering here and there, clinging of glasses and plates and whispers from satisfied students.

When everyone has eaten as much as they could fit into their stomachs and are now playing with the remnants of the food, out of the blue, the remains of the food vanishes from the plates into thin air, leaving them sparkling clean as before. Earning a "wow," from the students. A moment later while they are rubbing their now protruded bellies, the dessert appears. Ice cream of different flavours, cakes of different types, doughnut, strawberries, chocolates, cookies...

"This is the period when we get to know ourselves," Duke says.

All this while, Melody has been looking at Mael and Harry's table. She seems to have made friends of her own.

"It is obvious you are a commoner, " the freckle-faced boy says to Harry who is munching a block of Vanilla and chocolate flavoured ice cream.

"Yes, I am," Harry replies with the content in his mouth.

"How then did you get in?" Gabriel one of the old students asks.

"I guess they saw potential in me," Harry answers with a lot of cake in his mouth.

"Continue eating like that and you will be fatter than Mayson," Duke points at a very chubby girl sitting at the Oak's table.

"Mael, what is your story? Are you really Hercule's son? Reincarnate of Omiri? Our King?" Duke looks into his eyes. Maintaining eye contact as he if he could read his mind by doing so.

"Can Professor Mackenzie really read mind or she made that all up?" Hardy says abruptly.

Mael mouths "thank you," to Harry whom he knows has saved him from a tight and uncomfortable spot. As everyone at the table is waiting attentively to get a response out of Mael but Harry's question changed the direction of the conversation.

"She does that to year one students and often gets them. She will claim to be a vampire while she is the Professor for Witch and Wizardry. The most powerful witch here in Rayvin Academy. Rumour has it that she and Rabbi Humos Humbledore are two of the oldest founders of Rayvin Academy. They are originals."

"What of Humbledore What is he?" Taking a forceful of strawberries, Mael asks?

"He is a vampire. An original who has been around for so many years. So they say that Mackenzie has trained herself to hear thoughts, heal fast, run fast, compel and control. All the qualities of a vampire. She now has it. I think that when you've been around for so long, you will

learn a few things that will come in handy."

Chink his cup and spoon, “ you all have made this night magical. I have got a lot of information to pass to you all but I'll hold onto it till tomorrow because most of you are already asleep. Bedtime, you lads. Off you go."

Murmuring and chattering amongst the students who are trying to find their way out of the hall.

The different houses follow behind their head prefect. First years follows Duke through the chattering crowds, out of the banquet hall, and up the marble staircase. Mael is yawning and walking with shaky legs up the stairs. They are all so tired and overfed dragging their feet as they can barley carry themselves.

Mael pass pictures of different people hung on the wall, along the corridors. He is too sleepy and could not ask any more questions even if he wanted to.

They walk through series of doors and climbing more staircases, yawning and dragging themselves.

"Duke, how long are we going to walk?" Hardy complains.

"We are close. Don't worry." An old student replies.

Suddenly they stop. Duke let out a sigh. "Letitone?" Duke calls. "Hunters, reveal yourself!" H commands.

A door that they didn't see there before slides open revealing a set of blue doors.

"What is with this place and doors? Harry lets out a frustrating sigh.

" This place is also known as the house of doors." Facing the door once more, "Hunters, reveal to us the way to Omiri."

"Duke, you ask too much of me. Follow the blue door," a tired and rude voice says.

"I can see you are joking Hunters. There are two Blue doors. Which one?"

"The blue one on your right."

"Okay, thank you. You've been so helpful. You heard Hunters. Follow me. Let's get settled."

There is a hole when the blue door opens, they scramble through it and found themselves in Omiri's common room, a not so large room full of chairs.

"Girls to the left door and boys follow me to the right we will find ourselves in our dormitories."

They were in one of the towers from how high the staircase and ceiling are, you could guess so.

Mael, Duke, Harry and Gabriel got one large room. The ceilings are so high and there is a fireplace. The walls are beautifully yellow and white. On the far wall are two large windows that reveal outside but it is dark and much cannot be seen. The trunks have been brought up and are placed close to the four beds belonging to the four of them. On the four Desk in the room, are a large oval parcel wrapped in purple and silver paper was large and sunny with high ceilings and a fireplace. ANTIGON HERCULES, HARRISON VANDISIA, GABRIEL MIGHTY AND DUKE ISPAIN, respectively written and placed on each of the desks. Resting on top of it is a manual with Rayvin Academy crest embossed on the cover.

"That must be the guide for this academic year, " says Duke in a weak voice.

They each find their beds and table, too tired to talk much, they pull on their pyjama and collapse into bed, dozing off.

While at sleep in his dream, Mael sees a smiling and excited Humosh who extends his hands to embrace him.

"Why are you so happy?" Mael asks him.

"Because you finally got here and you got into my dormitory. I used to be head prefect many years ago but when that accident happened, I was relieved of my duty."

"What accident?"

Looking at him surprised. Maybe he expects Mael to have an idea of what he is talking about rather than joking.

"I've no idea of what you are talking about, Humosh."

"That is fine. How are you settling in so far? Find the place interesting?"

"Yes. Very. It is nice and friendly and..."

"Don't get too comfortable. This is just a welcome party. It will get tougher and what lies ahead is tasking. It will get bitter and soar. Most will hate you people yo so, beware of everyone." he says with a stern voice.

"You are scaring me, Humosh. Is there something that you are not telling me?"

"Walk."

They walk through the calm and flowery path to a tree. The cloud around the tree is very dark and there is a full moon shining above it. The moon is blue. Beneath the tree, its roots are of Ice but it doesn't break.

"What is this?"

"This is an oak tree. The life force of Rayvin Academy. Buried with it is Omiri's sword of peace."

"Sword of peace? I thought that there is only one sword which is the sword of Omiri. The only weapon that can kill an original."

"You are right. Rabbi Humbledore asked me to reveal this to you. He doesn't want people knowing who you truly are yet. There's is no way for him to communicate with you except through me. The sword of peace is forged by Humbledore to maintain balance here. Once taken away the other magics will collapse. It is the binding force of this place. No one else knows this except Humbledore, Mackenzie, me and now you. I will reveal the sword to you when the time is right and you have proved your worth."

"What am I to do?"

"Know this Omiri, your primary duty now is to learn anything and everything about your heritage. Maintain peace and balance, Antigon," Humosh says fading away.

Mael rolls uncomfortably on his bed before waking up. For the rest of the night, he could not sleep. To make productive use of the night, he begins to read the guidelines and manual on his table.