A Missing Ring

Welcome...

Andrea walked into the Trickey Hall and saw Diego, Ava, and Lucas waiting for her just like they said. The hall's tables were now being sorted for the next day. Flying around into their own mini circles and chairs around them. The three of them were looking around all the tables and chairs being set down, avoiding those that flew near their heads.

"Andrea over here! I told you guys she wouldn't forget!" Ava said and waved to her. Andrea waved back and finally got to them with the tables and chairs swinging around.

"Come on, let's go! I have to be early" Lucas annoyingly said and walked off. "What's his problem?" Andrea was demented on the attitude that came suddenly. Diego pushed her along, staying behind her with Ava by his side. "He hates being the one who gives it. Always keeping a stern face and hearing them scream, it's hard for him" Ava whispered and they sped to catch up with Lucas.

They walked through the gray corridors with dim lights shining the way. Andrea could tell Lucas never liked today, and wasn't afraid to show how he felt, at least to them. He walked, hanging his head down to the floor, and everyone else followed behind him.

The hallways never changed, a couple candles every few yards. Pictures of historic people, and beautiful viewpoints of Black Academia's less known spots. The pictures moved around like human beings, it was quite odd.

"Is that really how you feel?" Andrea asked who caught up with Lucas. He didn't look up to her, he kept his head hanging low. "As the captain, I must do it. It's my second year doing it... and it's just hard to" Lucas said. Andrea wrapped her arm around Lucas, "I can tell. The way I would do it, is to take a deep breath, and distract yourself when the side effects kick in for them". Lucas looked up and smiled at Andrea.

Diego and Ava also caught up, "Worst scenario is you try to turn off your emotions. There is a spell for that we all know" Diego said. Andrea forgot about that spell, all the defenders know spells that wouldn't be taught in classes. They were all permitted to not use them unless for training, a request, or for mission purposes. "Let's not do that, ok? People do it and very few can do the undo spell. None of us have learned it, we just know the words and movement. It takes practice and we don't need Lucas walking around like a zombie" Ava said.

They all laughed at her joke but it was serious, they have rarely trained themselves for the spell. The headmaster would not be pleased if they heard about it and would be punished, severely. "Don't worry, it's only for a worse cause" Lucas said and they all finally made it to Headmaster Zyleftro's office, he gulped.

The giant, brown doors reached the ceiling top above them. It was the evening and was now dark outside. "Come on. We are usually the first to come for Lucas, the rest will be here within an hour" Ava said.

They pushed the doors open and saw the Headmaster facing his back to the door. He continued to look through his books on the tall shelves. The four stood in silence not to disturb his concentration. Headmaster Zyleftro turned back and smiled, "Why hello you four. Lucas, are you ready to introduce the new defenders?".

Lucas gulped for only them 3 to here, Andrea looked to her right to him. AHHH! STOP IT PLEASE! Andrea heard in her head, it must be the memories. Andrea grabbed Lucas' hand to get his attention, "Lucas, it's okay". He nodded his head to Andrea and looked at the Headmaster, "Ready as I'll ever be".

Headmaster Zyleftro stepped out of the way and let the four walk into the defender room. They pulled the same, burgundy book and it opened the secret passageway. All 4 of them walked in and sped through the paintings of those passed, and those who graduated.

Lucas stayed in front of the others and didn't talk to any of them, no one could acknowledge that feeling except for him.

They walked in and saw the same furniture, the same walls, their same home. The same colors around the room are gray, black, and dark gray. The ceilings were high for training, and doors blocked the meeting area where all the sits filled up. Lucas rushed in and walked to the sofa and sat down.