The School for Good and Evil: Return of the School Masters (fanfic)

Chapter 27

Garth eyed Scar, nodding toward the students. He'd gotten permission to use the school as an all-terrain battlefield to simulate a siege. The Evil School Master was an unforeseen twist.

Scar got the signal, sword at the ready. He quietly sent the students back to their towers. Tedros and Katrina were too close to the School Master and his shimmering blade. Garth came forward to protect the kids, realizing the blade's deep red glint was magic. "I'll admit, I was waiting for this day."

The School Master chuckled, hood low over his brow. "You have no idea. I've been waiting for this moment for decades. Young Maverick thought himself smart to send me here and get his sister to wield the blade. A slight inconvenience, but worth while to go toe to toe with my greatest mistake." He spat the last word, raising the sword with two hands.

Garth readied his weapon. Now in front of the students, he planned his assault. The cloak would hamper his opponent's movements, giving him speed and visibility over Rafal. Though an ancient School Master might have more tricks than he thinks.

He felt a presence beside him. Tedros. Now really wasn't the time to try and impress his girlfriend. He eyed the prince, trying to convey his warning. Cold eyes glanced back momentarily. He wasn't going anywhere. Wonderful.

The School Master's low chuckle rang ominously through the halls. A quick flash blinded Garth. Then darkness. A cool breeze against his cheeks. Soft earth under his boots. They were outside.

A guttural growl. Tedros thrown to the side, Maverick lunged toward Garth, cloak off and sword raised. He sidestepped. Blocked the next strike. A quick strike and their swords locked. Black orbs of pure magic filled the boy's eyes. Lightning reflected off his magic blade. "After I'm done with you, I'm gonna take care of that little girl of yours. Or maybe I'll start with the boy."

His muscles tensed. Blood boiled. Mind zoned in. Focused on one thing. Winning. Garth kicked him, breaking apart their blades. He swung, fast and hard. Sidestep, block, block, sidestep. He couldn't touch him. Wasn't fast enough. He had to be faster.

He lunged. The School Master vanished. He turned to cover his flank. He blocked the blade aimed for his chest. But he couldn't stop the slash behind his knee. Searing pain raced up his leg, blood dripping down his pant. Garth collapsed, grinding his teeth.

Moonlight highlighted the venomous gaze. The menacing smile. Maverick raised the sword, Rafal his puppeteer. Garth's options flashed before his eyes in a frantic blur, right next to thoughts of Lilac, Rachel, and Kalek. At least his window didn't face this side of the grounds. He'd never forgive himself if his kids saw his demise.

The sword came down. Someone jumped in the path. Metal met flesh in a sickening slash. A fatal gasp. Flecks of red hair danced in the low light. August's amber gaze beckoned him to move. To run.

Garth scrambled out of the way as his body dropped into the field of flowers. Sword protruding from his chest. Katrina ran into view, a scream caught in her throat. Tedros shouted, ran to his friend. Scar came to his side, tried to help Garth to his feet. But sound was inconsequential as he watched the School Master.

The magic faded, brown eyes coming to the surface. Maverick stumbled away from the body. Avoided the blade. He stood a few feet away, caving in on himself. Muttering. Wringing his hands. Rafal would be back any moment. He could feel it.

A blaze of white appeared. The Good School Master. Cold blue eyes fell on August and his friends as his last breaths came in gasps. Malcolm grabbed the blade in a swift motion, shocking his sister. Blood glistened on the steel, the magic glowing.

Maverick looked to his brother, gaze being overcome once more. Garth heard nothing else. Nothing but the dark brother's final wish. "Kill him."

He blinked. The familiar slash, the gasp of realization. He'd felt it so many nights since waking from their coffins. But now he watched as history repeated. Good killed Evil.

***

Head spinning. Heart pounding. Gaze foggy. Katrina couldn't breathe. Too much was happening. August had ran out and rescued the professor. Killed himself in the process. Now Malcolm clung to Maverick, sword in her brother's chest. She watched helplessly, trying to make sense of the moment.

Her brothers fell to their knees. Malcolm cried loudly, wrapping his arm around Maverick as his gaze dulled. He reached to pull out the sword.

Maverick held it in place. He rasped, "Not yet. He's not gone." He. Rafal. The reason for all this bloodshed. For any of the bloodshed. Maverick's gaze fell on her, skin graying. He died slowly, smiling. The arm around Malcolm dropped, chin sliding down his shoulder.

"No." Her voice came in a broken whisper, tears sliding down her cheeks. Chest tighter than before, she laid her head on August's chest. She welcomed the sticky blood. It hurt less than seeing corpses.

A hand grabbed her arm. Her gaze saw the spirit first. An inky shadow sliding out of Maverick's body and dissipating in the night air. A white shadow followed suit, slipping out of Malcolm and traveling toward the stars. 

Too little too late. If only she could bring back Maverick. Stop this from happening. If not for magic, then for herself. To keep her family whole. They weren't perfect. Hardly equal. But she couldn't imagine Malcolm without Maverick. Couldn't imagine herself without him. They were a threesome. And that's how it was supposed to be.

Tedros shook her arm. She finally registered sound, his words coming through a haze. Before she could respond, August gasped. His chest rose with a heave, eyes fluttering open.

"Kat, your hand." 

Her eyes widened. White light ran through her fingers and into August's chest. His wound slowly healed, his breaths getting stronger. She could bring him back. She could help Maverick. She could-

Her thoughts stumbled, mind growing hazy. Not sad foggy. Just, fog. Blank. Her body slumped, draining fast. She barely felt Tedros holding her up.

Everything cleared. Her hand touched ground. August heaved for breath, wound opening once mroe.

Katrina reached out again, but he pushed her away. He choked on blood, voice aging. "No. Save your brother. I couldn't see it."

She watched his form deteriorate, still trying to save him. "What do you mean? You see everything."

"Not everything. Not you. Your presence boggled my mind, but now I see. You have their magic. The power of the School Masters. The power to heal even the dead. But you'll kill yourself by saving me on your own." He coughed, blood staining the pink and blue flowers. "My time is up. Help Malcolm save your brother. Go." He pushed her away, smile wide as color drained from his features.

She couldn't watch him die again. On her feet, she lifted her skirt with blood-stained hands and jogged to her brothers.

Malcolm held his twin tightly, rocking as tears flowed. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Katrina wiped her tears and took a breath. She had to be strong. For all of them. She kneeled by his side. "Malcolm, we can save him." He turned a tearful eye toward her, clothes stained in blood. She held Maverick's shoulder and gripped Malcolm's hand firmly. "Your magic can save him. I can help, apparently."

Malcolm nodded, mumbling, "School Master magic. To bring back one, you need two." He trailed off, words fading into sound. His hand glowed against Maverick's back. 

Katrina felt the drain again, powerful, daunting. The world became white and black, light and dark. Wrapped in energy, it came and went, pulling away pieces of her as the ramblings got quieter. She saw the end somewhere down the line. Thought she saw August just beyond, grinning with those insightful eyes.

"Kat. Wake up."

Stars filled the night sky. The wind beat against her bare shoulders in spiny chills. A warm cloak came around her.

Malcolm and Maverick knelt beside her, concern marking their expressions. She laughed, shocking them. But it couldn't be helped. Malcolm on her right and Maverick on her left. As it always had been and always would be. Her brothers, forever her problem... and blessing.