The Effect

Secret Starter

Somewhere in the guard's training forest

     The figure was breathing harshly as he stabbed one of the weapons he held in a specific crack on an ancient willow tree, suddenly the ground beside him slightly rumbled as it opened leading to just as ancient stairs. The figure quickly pulled out his embedded weapon and swiftly ran into the stairs before the ground closed back up behind him, he was soon surrounded by darkness. He sheathed his weapons and moved his hands along the dirt-covered wall until his fingers latched onto a unlighted wooden torch. He pulled it out of its holder and it was immediately lit with a magical yellow glowing sphere that hovered above the tip.

     The spy followed the trail of stairs downwards until the path became flat and led into a huge circular room that led into many smaller adjoining rooms. When he reached the entrance of the large room the spy moved the tip of his torch to the left so that it met the torch that was held on the wall. Suddenly torches all around the circumference of the room were alight and burning with a yellow orb. In the middle of the room was a massive table that was surrounded by numerous high-class chairs, although only one was occupied with a person standing next to them.

     The figure that sat expected the spy and spoke evenly with a tone that demanded attention,"I would like you to meet your new partner since the last one... didn't work out so well", the figure ended its sentence with a sinister grin.

     The spy only stared and lowered his mask and pulled down his hood as he studied his apparently new partner. Lean, but not really any muscle whatsoever or, at least, not enough to fight close combat.

     "Let me see your hands", the spy spoke shortly, voice echoing around the huge cavern as he stood motionlessly.

     The figure standing showed their palms toward the spy and he only gained more information from the hands. Irritated, red lines were marked across the creases of the fingers, his partner was an archer, a weak warrior, a coward that kills from afar! The figure sitting saw the spy's eyes look away from his new partner and knowingly assured,

     "Don't worry, your partner is a very good shooter and has gotten their hands dirty before.",

     Despite what the commanding figure said, the spy was still slightly annoyed and wary. The new partner to the spy continued to stay quiet, knowing their place. Within only mere seconds the standing figure had a dagger planted in the wall next to them. Obviously the figure found the spy volatile and as quickly as they could, loaded the bow and shot, the arrow flying directly to its target. Suddenly the arrow was disturbed from its flight, the tip near the spy's forehead but two fingers that belonged to them were holding the arrow steady. The spy then gripped the arrow and broke it in half with little effort, throwing the shattered remains on the floor. Making sure he made a clear message he gave the newcomer a innocent, taunting, smile.

     "Going to have to be faster than that if you want to survive."

Back at the guard's infirmary

     Ms. Entaller's eyes widened at the story- more like dilemma- she just heard.

     "You... You said that he asked you if you can see him?"

     "Yes? Is there something wrong?", the unknowing Estalet asked

     The teacher let out a breathy laugh and replied," No, it's nothing..."

     No. No wouldn't be the correct term at all. Yes, that was the correct word. The teacher was worried Estalet was being stalked by an ancient agency of spies that were slowly rising to power... but... what would they want with her? The guard doesn't have any powers yet even!