The sun hung low on the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over Eldergrove lane–the inner west of Sydney.
As summer's last whispers faded into memory.
The reminder of a new school year strikes me. Still trying to process the undying fact that today is the first day of school. Twelfth grade. The last year of high school. The last year before life becomes real. Not like life is not real already.
I've had plenty of real life threatening realisations/situations. Anyway I won't go there. Like that one point where I got struck by lightning by a guy with a staff. A sorcerer in fact. I know it doesn't make sense, I mean it wouldn't to the people on earth. Because the majority of people on this earth have forgotten such power existed.
As an elemental guardian–it's my job to protect the earth, keep it safe from the enemies that hide in the shadows. The Shadow creatures. They reside in a realm called the Shadow Kingdom. A place filled with death and misery.
I groan. Burying my face in my warm pillow, hiding from the despicable light, that annoyingly decided to enter my room. And my curtains aren't helping.
I want to lie in bed for another four hours. I get up feeling a sense of frustration from the light, as it's so persistent to get me up.
Like every other morning, the first thing I head to do is play some music on my phone. For motivation.
I check the time displaced on my phone.
7.45
Shit! I slept through my alarm. I'm sure I set an alarm for seven…however I set multiple alarms. Odd.
I don't think much of it and slide my finger across the screen to find spotify, while squinting my eyes.
I really shouldn't be looking at screens as soon as I wake up.
Every morning. I think of the same thing. Seriously. What is wrong with me…Not doing what I think is best for me.
As R&B music finally sets into play, I drag my tired body to the closet and stare at it—as if I have all the time in the whole world. Sike. No, I'm serious. "What to wear…" I rub my thumb under my chin, thinking of my options. Nevertheless, my brain isn't awake enough to have any. That is until I remember–I prepared a set of clothes the night before.
"Duh…" I head to my chair staged at my desk, where my outfit for today was neatly placed.
I'm now brushing my hair in the mirror. Yes. The mirror. Everyone does that. Nothing weird.
I can already tell I'm late to school. And it was only the first day.
"Ember, are you coming down?"
"Ocean and Kyle are here to pick you up." I hear mum speaking to me as she shouts from downstairs. They're here.
"Coming!" I raise my voice just enough, so she can hear me. I rushed to grab my heavy school bag and light gym bag—that sat peacefully beside my messy wardrobe. The gym bag is for after school. Before school started we made a plan to work on our abilities (more), which means more physical training and learning more about our abilities. Along with the history of the ELE guardians. Short for Elemental Guardians—warriors.
After that…I have track. I started going to a running club in the summer and realised I enjoyed it. So, I decided to stick with it.
I finally make it down stairs all ready to go, finding Ocean and Kyle standing before me. I greet Ocean with a hug and Kyle with our usual simple hand shake. "Morning. How are you guys doing?" I soon said, "morning. I'm okay…" Ocean responds with a depressed expression revealing/depriving her face. "What's wrong?" I ask worryingly. "What's wrong? School. That's what's wrong." Knowing her, that sounds just about right. "Now we have to waste our precious sleep." She complained, let's just say she's not a morning person. Every year, every holiday, every first day. You'll hear her complain. It's not annoying, though. ___
"Morning. I'm good." Kyle adds. Ignoring his girlfriend's dramatic show down. We both face him, starring intently. For no reason at all. Only for pure annoyance, as he caught our attention. "What!?…" he questioned, confused, not knowing why we were looking at him so intensively. So abruptly. Then out of nowhere, Ocean and I both started giggling. Just to toy with him, of course. "You know we should get going, unless you girls/guys want to be late." Kyle stated. Giving up figuring us out. We were already late before I came down. "Your right," I agree, "true," Ocean joins in, "I didn't wake up this early to be late for school. Especially on the first day." Ocean remarked.
With no time to spare, I shout into the hallway, where my mum may be. "Mum, I'm going!" I'm about to exit the main door, when a voice behind me calls out "wait!" Mum's voice came from the kitchen. "You forgot your snack," I was so caught up in getting ready and leaving on time, that I forgot to get food. I forgot to have breakfast. And forgot to bring a snack for breakfast. I would have starved if mum didn't remind me. "Oh, I nearly forgot that, thanks mum." Appreciation could be heard in my voice. What would I do without her. "Since you're still here," she started off. Oh no. This isn't going to end well. She can't be asking…no. Every year. "I
We need to take a photo of your first day of senior year, sweetie." She announced the photo I was dreading not to take. I quickly glanced back at the other two. Trying to hide back their smiles and chuckles. With that I can tell from what they're thinking. I squint my eyebrows at them. Youse idiots.
I stood next to the entrance, waiting for her to take the photo. "Why are you kids standing over there, go join Ember. I want to take a photo of all three of you." Just like I thought she would do. Ocean and Kyle slowly walked over to my side. Then she whispered something in my ear "no surprise there, am I right?" I smile and turn my head to face her, "yeah." I agree, a smile slid on my face. Every year Oceane or I pick each other up, and our parents take pictures of us on the first day of school. This time Kyle was in it, and I could see the surprise look on his face as she told them both to hop into the photo. "Say cheese!" A wide silly smile slid across my face. Filled/energised by the surroundings of my friends. I must look like a total dag right now.
"Ember, what time do you finish today?" She lowers her phone, after taking who knows how many photos "around seven." I give her a hug, while she does the same, placing a peck on my forehead.
"Have a nice time at work." I say before getting in the back seat of Kyle's jeep.
"Bye, Miss. Styles" Kyle waved his hand at her before he entered the vehicle, Oceane repeating his actions. Once we finally arrived at the school parking lot. We all met up in the hall near the lockers, in the hallway. "Mor-ning." yawned Yamma. Her short brown hair drooped in her face. "Morning," I repeated. "We're seniors this year!" Oceane pointed out excitedly. Jumping up and down—like 'finally'. "So, what classes do we guys have together?" Cole asks, as he zips his bag closed on the floor. "I have the same classes as Yamma and Sven," Kyle answered, closing his locker after filling it with books. "Not fair…I'm the only girl!" Yamma exaggerated, crossing her arms. Oceane and I giggled. Last year (look and see the classes from last year)
"And I have the same classes as Cole and Ember," Oceane added. Cole appeared to be his usual dazzling self, with his gelled hair and sporty clothes. My gaze drifted to my left—Where other students were walking. As some girls stroll past, their gazes are struck on Kyle, Sven and Cole.
As always. These guys can be passed as the ideal high school type. With a charming face and nice body physics. Though, they're not the only ones, there are four more dazzling guys at this school.
Dylian and Sam—The two from the basketball team. Alex—who's in the same class as us and friends with Cole and Kyle. And last of all the dimwit rich kid–Zane.
Who's supposed to be the most popular guy in school for his money.
Rumor is Zoe (the other richie) and Zane started dating during summer break.
Everyone is so obsessed with dating, instead of focusing more on their studies. And trust me these two need it the most. I place my attention back on our group chat. Checking the time on my phone. Only a few more minutes. "Well then, we should go. The school bell is about to ring." I pointed out, "see you guys at break." Kyle waved at us, while I, Oceane and Cole headed in a different direction.
It was break time and somehow on the first day of school, most of us—Oceane, Cole and me— already managed to get homework due for tomorrow. So unfair. I sulk my face into the palms of my hand. I want to watch my series when I get back, not do school work. My series—the only thing that I desire to do most for the rest of the day. One of the things that brings me joy in my life.
"Why-y-y" I exaggerated out loud. "What's the matter?" Cole passed his attention to me after exiting the building. "Nothing…but like why do they have to give us homework on the first day back from summer vacation. Plus we have to give it tomorrow!" I complained once more.
They should make a rule on how you can't have the deadline for homework the day after assigning them. Like that would happen. "Yeah, I know," Cole sighs, "hey. Let's go to our usual spot from last year" Oceane requested. She's referring to the school garden by the trees. During the last term, last year we found ourselves hanging around in the garden the most.
"Do you see them?" I asked, scanning the area, forgetting the conversation about our already assigned homework. "Over there," Cole pointed towards a big oak tree. Next to it a wooden bench.
The three of us joined the others—Yamma, Kyle and Sven—who were sitting on a blanket, above the bright green grass on the side of the main school building. Yamma must have been the one that brought the blanket. Due to the evidence of little patterns of llamas decorating it. You could say she's been obsessed with them for her whole life.
"Hey! How's everything?" Yamma asked us, as we sat down "bad, I want to sleep…" Oceane mumbled for the hundredth time. Or maybe one hundred and tenth time.
We started talking about the hideout–underneath the school–and school work that they've given us today.
Cole started playing around with the leaves and flying them towards Yamma as she tried to video herself. Every other day she vlogs her day at school. Like any other teen YouTuber these days.
And I'd say her vlogs are quite popular. I mean she's been doing it for a long time too.
"Cole." she glares at him to stop annoying her. "What are you looking at me for, I didn't do anything" his tone is sarcastic as he defends himself. Yamma scoffs in irritation.
"I know you used your ability to annoy me" she articulated, her anger formulating. "You have no proof of that." Cole pronounces with confidence. "Fine, you want to play like that–so be it." she smirks.
Oh man. Here it comes.
I shrug, sitting back against the bench.
Yamma's hand reaches out, rotating her hand when Oceane stops her. "Not here" she warns.
Nice save, BST. Short for bestie. A smile forms on my face, all the same slipping away.
An irritating voice rolls into reach.
That fake laugh. It could only be one person. Zoe. As I glanced at my left, there she was–Zoe.
The mean popular girl of the school. Who thinks she's above everyone. Even though she's the lowest in the class—as in grades. And she's coming this way. Toggling along, her side chick–Ella.
I swing my head to the right, sighing in annoyance. "Incoming" I alert my friends, who are now busy entertaining Yamma's camera–for her vlog–as in ASMR with their food or wrappers, or talking about something that happened recently. Other than what was about to go down some minutes ago.
They turned their attention towards the open field of grass. Scanning for the 'incoming' I mentioned. "Should we leave?" Sven suggests, switching off his twitch. "No time," Kyle adds, settling his arm around Oceane. Claiming her his.
She was already standing before us, looking down at us with disgust. As if we were wearing dirty rags–which were not–we're wearing casual teen clothing. Unlike her overly expensive ones.
This will be great.
"Hey, there." Only Oceane responds with another 'hey'.
The rest of us stay quiet. The sound of her gum echoes around my earlobes. A non stop sound, over and over again. I try to control my increased hearing but it decides to defy me.
Get me away from here.
Leave. The voice from within advises.
If I could, I'd have vines tangling around her feet, binding her to the ground. Apart from the fact, I'd get in trouble for doing it to a defenceless human being and I don't like trouble.
It interrupts my peace of mind.
"What brings you here?" Cole questions with no interest in striking up a conversation.
And I mean no interest at all.
"Just letting you wannabees know that I'm throwing a party for the 1st day back at school," She pauses. Just like that dramatic mean girl pause you'd see in the movies. "Oh, wait you're not invited." her voice filled with pity. Pity. I don't even care about her stupid party.
They're just a bunch of drunks and idiots at the party. Partying.
'Wannabees' the word replays in my mind. She's the wannabee here for bragging about a party we were not even invited to. Not like I'd go to one, even if I were invited.
"That's a relief, I wouldn't have been able to make it." Yamma interrupts her speech.
"That's strange. I thought your boyfriend was throwing a party tonight, or is it a joint one" Cole commented. Knowing damn well it annoyed her.
Oceane picked up on the scheme "I think it's a joint one."
And it worked. "Uhg," Zoe exaggerates with her hands, forming a W. Stamping away in frustration, or of what looks like it.
"Good one, Yamma," Oceane says, before popping a frozen grape in her mouth. "Does she really need to brag about everything?" Sven complains, leaning back on the trunk of the tree, already locked back on to his twitch.
"What can you say—she's spoiled." Cole points out, whilst he shrugs. I can't help shake the fact that if it was me someone was talking about in a bad manner, I'd be upset. Even if that person was out of their mind.
For that reason… I kept quiet. It's not the right time to hop on the convo. I'd also feel guilty for anything disrespectful I'd say behind their back, even if we weren't friends. It would bother me for days. Weeks. No… months. Probably years.
The school day passed by relevantly quickly. The best thing this year is that we didn't finish late like last year—We'd finish around four—this year we get to finish at two or at three. That is if we wanted to eat lunch there. However, after school we planned to sometimes eat lunch at the hideout or in the canteen.
It's two hours after lunch. We were all hanging out in the hideout, practicing our abilities in the training area, and combat skills.
There was a foam pit, a small trampoline, kick boxing bags, a climbing wall, treadmills and a part of the floor was covered with foam flooring for soft landing. With a firm line in the middle.
Yamma was the flexible one in this team. She used to do gymnastics when she was younger. So in the training room she works on the foam mat mostly learning new fighting stances, while also sometimes trying out different types of self defense weapons. As she can't seem to find one she truly likes. Cole is more of a kick-box guy. He spends his time doing cardio work and lifting weights next to Kyle and another part of his time using the boxing bags.
Kyle likes to use the weights, work on his balance and spend time on the treadmill. In his free time he likes to practice with his bastion. Oceane would also go on the treadmill. The same for me.
She would practice with a boomerang. Which helps her become more aware of her surroundings. Also practicing part time—a mix of martial arts that Daniel and Bizro have been teaching us through-out the summer break. We'll also be carrying on with the training during the school year too. Sven likes to spend his time on mini coding games in the common area. While coming over here every so often to go on the treadmill as well and practice a bit of martial arts.
I would take my time working on my core muscles and then go on the treadmill. Most of the time I find myself practising the use of a stick as my self defense weapon, while also practicing the martial arts I've learnt. However, if I'm tired, I tend to wander around the small library section in the common area and come back with a book in my hand. Like today.
"What are you reading Ember?" Yamma leaned beside me with curiosity. Sweat strimming down her forehead. "I'm reading a potion book Bizro recommended to me." I happily replied, "cool. Do you need any help making them?" Her tone was filled with interest and curiosity.
"Yes. Actually, I'm missing one ingredient." I take a second before finishing my sentence. Unsure if what I say next are words not to be said. "It's only based in the shadow realm." I finish my unsure sentence, in a depressed tone. "The shadow dimension?" she looked at me in question "we're not supposed to go there." She steps down the small step, separating the gym floor from the entrance floor. "Can't you do another potion?" She asked, tilting her head to the side. "No one will know. We'll be in and out within an hour. We can even bring the whole group with us." If you'd feel more safe that way. I quickly blurted out hoping I could convince her. What am I doing? It could be dangerous. Deadly. "Everyone! Would you guys like to go on an adventure with us?" Yamma shouted to everyone across the room.
"Sorry, can't. Have homework." Kyle said while bench pressing, "not interested." Cole turned us down without another thought. Fitting his kick boxing gloves on. Thanks for the support, guys.
"I can, where are you going?" Oceane questioned. Stacking her boomerang away.
"To… the shadow dimension" I hesitantly mentioned "what!" She shout in surprise. Then quickly glanced around to see if Daniel or Bizro were wandering close by and unknowingly heard us.
"We can't go there!" She raised her voice again. Realising her mistake, she slapped a hand over her mouth. I already checked beforehand—they're not here. Like I'd be stupid enough to ask in their presence. We'd get lectured big time.
She then looked back to see if the boys were listening. They all had their headphones on.
"I'll just be in and out" I assure her "I don't know…" She hesitates.
I give her a moment to think. She's skeptical about the situation. Something could go horribly wrong. We could die but I know we wouldn't let that happen. So… it should be okay.
That is as long as they don't recognise us. Normally I wouldn't pry myself into trouble. However, this time I don't think it'll end in disaster. And I doubt Daniel or Bizro will ever find out. So, it's fine.
"Okay. I'll stay here, though. In case anyone asks where you're both gone, just don't be long" she told us responsibly. "We won't" I assure her once more "I guess, I'll be going with you" Yamma adds.
"How will you get there?" she asked, after gathering some stuff. "There's a spell that opens a portal to realms" I remark. I read it in a spell book I found in the far end of the library. I doubt Bizro knew it was there, otherwise he would have confiscated it. "You know it?" Yamma asks me, I nod in response "aximinar-portal" instantly a circle appears before us. A portal. The boys are not bothering to look up.
The portal had many shades of blue and purple, sparkling of light shining from every angle, it was round, the inner part you could see where it's taking you and the outline of the circle seemed like small shards of glass.
It wasn't though. They were small splits of magic shaped as what seemed like broken glass. I know because I once read it in the book that taught me that spell. Before entering the portal which leads to the shadow dimension, Yamma and I both said goodbye to Oceane.
Me and Yamma have been walking in the shadow kingdom for less than ten minutes now. Thankfully, I had some spare robes that I stuffed in my bag. That I brought along. Otherwise we'd get noticed within seconds. Due to our odd style of clothes. Yep. Def not because we're the ones that took their king away. Even if they did recognise us they'd be lucky to have guessed that. If you were to look at the wanted posters of us here—they don't look like us at all.
Just to make this clear—they're drawings of three ginormous muscled dudes and three regular size evil looking women.
Where on earth did they come up with those? Not from earth that's for sure. Ha, get it. Earth…ok, never mind.
Sometime after the shadow king's disappearance, someone found out we were involved with it and spreaded wanted posters all around the kingdom. It was probably the sorcerer.
Although I guess it would be weird, if they hadn't known what happened to their king. If I lived in a kingdom with a royal family, I'd definitely want to find out what happened to them if they ever went missing. Just saying.
The good thing is that they don't know who we are, or what we look like. Though I won't take any risks, on walking around so freely.
We are both wearing dark black robes with a hoodie. Covering our heads. Just in case we're accused for being the ELE guardians and unwillingly sent to that ginormous uninviting castle behind us. Although we are indeed the 'ELE guardians'.
And torture us until we give in, then killing us either way. To think—we'd die if we're caught. What have I gotten myself into. Making an enemy of this dreadful kingdom. Becoming a guardian.
I need to stop thinking. This is getting too negative. Good thoughts.
Happy-positive thoughts. We'll get out alive. Cute bunnies. Cute anime drawings. The sunset. The sunrise. Desserts. The sensation of writing a thriller in a mystery story.
The roads are narrow, some less, others more. They looked exactly how Bizro had described it—dark, greedy and ruff—colorness. The ground was concrete, though, the alleyways dusty. Street vendors, pushy. Their shops are small. People are sneaky here. Stealing at any chance they get. Families against a building begging for anything—to live off.
I hear the screams of girls in the alleyway a mile away. Screaming out of fear. A gruff voice chuckling beneath it. The screech of metal rubbing against another, coming from someplace else.
My stomach turns. It's so depressing. And sick. Absolutely sick of how they can even think of abusing the weak.
I look down, paying attention to the map in hand. Drawing my mind back to our plan. I had drawn before going. Rather than the path ahead. Praying it will distract me from my surroundings.
Yamma was ahead of me.
When I abruptly felt pain on the right side of my shoulder, knocking the piece of paper out of my hands. Before I turned my head to see the person who bumped into me.
I quickly kneeled down to grab the piece of paper before it blew away. As I was one second away from grabbing it, a gust of wind came my way knocking my hoodie down.
Amazing timing, Ember.
Revealing my light-colored hair and green eyes. Great. Now, I'm going to get looked at.
Just what I want.
A hand unexpectedly appeared in front of me. Reaching for the map, then swiftly placing it in front of me as the person held it. My eyesight on the map. I slowly retrieve it and when I do, the person suddenly gets up and passes me.
I briskly look back and find the person already looking back at me. As we locked eyes. I felt my heart flutter for some strange reason. He was half a head taller than me. With a strong build, dark jet hair, the darkest blue pair of eyes I've ever seen with a glimpse of purple flames inside. He seemed young. Around my age or a year older.
For a moment I thought he had looked a bit surprised but I guess it was just my imagination since all I can see now is a handsome face with no expression at all. Wait. Did I just think he was handsome? No. No. You didn't.
I abruptly hear a muffled voice calling out. The voice soon came clear. "Ember! Are you coming?"
Yamma was calling me. It's like I was in a trance. I looked towards her "coming!" I rapidly respond, then looking back. He was gone. Nowhere in the crowd to be seen. Just disappeared.
Was it a ghost? Ok, now I'm just letting my imagination get the best of me.
We soon took an alleyway that would soon lead up to an invisible door. "So where's the door you were talking about?" Yamma questions, "it should be here somewhere…" I say continuing on searching. "Ah-!"
I quickly turn around as I heard Yamma scream. She wasn't next to me anymore, "Yamma! Where are you?" I shout with a worried tone. When all of a sudden a hand popped out of the wall beside me. Waving at me.
"Over here!" Yamma's voice muffled coming from the wide orange brick wall.
"Are you going to come through?"
I take a big breath and close my eyes, un-shore about passing through a wall. Hesitantly moving forwards. I feel a tap on my shoulder. I open my eyes and begin to embrace the smell of old books and the glimlighted room.
"I see you found me" Yamma jokes, smiling. The shop had this warm, harry potter aesthetic.
With dusty old books, unique potions, wands and a bunch of unusual things you would find in an antique shop on earth. Except these antiques have a special touch to them. One that would be able to talk to you or move by itself, and do all unique kinds of stuff.
"What do we need?" Yamma asked, wandering around the small shop trying not to trip over anything, "we need a blueberry flower that only grows here, in this realm. They should sell it here" I wonder around. "Is that all?"
"Yep, but we can look around for some other things, if we need anything else we might find useful" I told, browsing through the plants section.
As we continued browsing the shop, we came across a section that seemed to be forgotten—as it looked completely disorganised with ancient scrolls. Our curiosity was piqued.
She reached out to pick one up. Only to have it disintegrate in her hands. "Oops…" she muttered, looking sheepishly at me.
I sighed. Although, I couldn't help but smile at Yamma's clumsiness.
"Maybe we should stick to the less ancient items," I suggested, dragging her away.
We continued our search and eventually found the rare flower I needed. Along with a few other magical tools and trinkets that caught our interest from browsing the shop.
I walked up to the register. Unknowingly, how this will go down. I either obtain the items I currently have or get kicked out. Empty handed. "Excuse me, hello?" I swallow down hard.
"I'd like to buy something." I place the items we retrieved on the counter, waiting for someone to show up. "What if there's no one working?" Says Yamma.
"There is," I assure her. I hear them. Roustling about. A rustle comes from an open door way behind the counter. "Coming," a tired voice announces after yawning.
It's coming from the other room. White hair swishes past the doorway to the register. A head pops up from beneath. Wrinkled skin around the eyebags and forehead. His hair is a snowy white. As for his eyebrow they had strikes of pale blond. An elder. "How may I help you two?" he asks slowly, inspecting us with his eyes. His eyes were like a grey clouds. "We want to buy these," Yamma pointed to the items we chose. "Alright," he opens a notebook reviewing the prices.
This will take some time. Five million years later…
Nevertheless, it was only five minutes later.
"Anything else?" He looks up after reviewing all the items. Quicker than I anticipated.
"No." I replied being aloof.
"Where are you two ladies from? I haven't seen you around before." Yamma and I both look at one another. Signaling her a 'what should we say' look. I wait for her to speak but she doesn't. I guess it depends on me. What a joy.
"We're not from around here" He gives an 'ahh' impression. "Which kingdom are you from?" He takes out a calculator. Tapping away.
Shoot. What were the kingdoms called, again? Mythania? Plave? An…
Think. Come on, you can do this. Think at least of one name other than the shadow kingdom. And-and-under. Andere. That's it. "Andere" I pronounce without hesitation. "You come from Andere," he repeated my answer for himself. We both nod. "The land of terror," he proclaimed, as a reminder.
Andere–the land of nightmares and illusions. The land of terror suits it just right. Bizro and Daniel only briefly mentioned the name of the lands here and part of their history. Nothing more.
Last year, I searched the library in the hideout till it turned upside down. Since then I came to the conclusion that there were no books carrying the history of the shadow realm.
Just Zania–the elemental realm. The short old man examines us. "How did you make it out alive?" his tone was suspicious. Alive. Can you not leave the country easily? It must be deadly.
"I mean for such defenseless girls. There's no way you'd make it out of the mist forest, unscratched at that." He refers to our unscratched skin.
My cloak wasn't revealing any sort of my skin other than my face. My gaze drifts to Yamma.
You can see her arms are crossed, above the fabric. I gulp once again.
Does he know?
"Got lucky, I guess." I shrug, as if it was nothing.
The mist forest. That's knew information.
"We're not as weak as we look," Yamma proclaims, still held up by his comment. She steps closer to the register. "Don't." I advise her, my forearm wineds up in front of her. Halting her from walking any further. The man chuckles. "Sure." His tone is sarcastic.
He did not just laugh. Fine, so be it. He brought this upon himself.
My arm falls to my side. Yamma looks at me taken aback. I nod. A smile crawls up her cheek.
She leaps forward, now clenching the old man's shirt by the collar. The man shrieks.
"Now, do you think I'm all cute and sunshine?" Her voice is confident.
"No. Can-you-let-me-go-now? " She releases him. Currently fixing her clothes.
"My mistake," his breathing is quick, though slowly decreasing.
"Can I give you anything for free?" He's frightened. "We're good" I shake my head.
"Then how about when you visit next, I'll give you anything you like for free?" He enlightens us. "What do you think?" I ask Yamma, "why not." She shrugs without a care. "Great. I'll also brief you up to date with any gossip, if you like?" He seems to enjoy gossiping about others–for his age. "Sure" I agree without a thought. I doubt it will harm us from hearing gossip around here. Yamma taps my shoulder "we better get going." She displays her watch.
It's twenty past six. Shoot. I said I'd be back home at seven.
After we made our purchases, Yamma and I made our way back safely. Without any complications to the hideout. Where Oceane was waiting for our appearance.
We assured her that nothing happened. Just for Yamma accidentally destroying a scroll that could have been generations old. Which made both of us giggle apart for Yamma, only making her feel even worse about accidentally destroying something that was around for hundreds of years.
We assured her it was nothing to worry about and soon cheered her up with some hot chocolate as it was starting to get chilly around this time of the year.
While we were having our hot chocolate we showed her all the things we bought there.
We didn't dare tell the boys or Daniel, and Bizro since they'd probably over react and might keep an eye on us, if so. So, we decided not to.
Half an hour before seven, as the sun began to set, we all gathered in the forest behind the hideout to practice our magic. The forest was covered with giant oak trees and a small open yellow field in the middle, where we would practice, as it was isolated there from the public view.
Like always we took turns casting spells and refining skills, the air was filled with the crackling sounds of energy and sparks.