The Elementals (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 31

"Principal Nicholson, what's going on?" I asked.

She waved us towards the sofa. "Have a seat."

When we had settled down, she explained. "Do you have a rough idea of what's happening?"

"Well, yes. Mrs Underwood told us some things."

Principal Nicholson had a knowing look in her eyes. "Ah, yes. She was the Water Apprentice. I assume she's told you about Sandon?"

We nodded.

"Sandon's theory is correct, actually. It is a form of possessing people in order of their Elements."

"Then, how do we stop this?" Lily asked.

"To stop something, you need to find out the cause of the problem in order to find an appropriate solution. Now, do you know what caused this?"

We hesitated before shaking our heads.

"Then, how do you intend to stop this?"

"I guess...we'll have to search for the answers. But how do we do that?" Noah enquired.

"I think the best possible way right now is to consult the Leaders. They can tell you what you need to do." Principal Nicholson looked at us in the eye seriously.

"Okay, where do we find them?"

"You should know this by now. The Palace, of course."

"The Palace? As in the heavily guarded, magically trapped Palace where the Leaders live?" Lily gulped nervously.

"Yes, that Palace."

"Well, we can't just barge in and demand to see the Leaders. They'll probably kick us out or even worse, exile us." Logan shuddered.

"Here," Principal Nicholson's hands went up to her neck as she fumbled with something. I peered closer and realised she was undoing the clasp of a necklace that was hidden under her blouse.

"Pass this to them and the guards will let you in." She handed me a long delicate silver chain, with a beautiful crystal that changed colours and shimmered under the light.

"The Leaders gave that to me when I had to give up my position as their spokesperson. As a thank-you gift of sorts. They'll recognise it once you show it to them."

"Great then," I reached forward to cup the long necklace in my interlaced hands. "When do we leave?"

Principal Nicholson stood up, indicating our conversation with her was over. "Now."

"But what about you? And the Academy? We can't just leave kmowing more students here are getting possessed every day!" Rachel reasoned worridly.

Principal Nicholson waved her concerns off coolly. "All will be fine. I may get possessed soon, but if you don't leave now, there's no telling what I might do."

"But-"

"No buts, Ms Utah. Now, you'd best be going. You have a long journey ahead of you."

"Why can't you just tell us instead of us seeing the Leaders?" Maddie blurted out, before her eyes widened and one hand shot to her lips.

Principal Nicholson didn't seem mad that Maddie had asked such a straightforward question, instead, she merely gave a small knowing smile, like she knew a secret that we didn't. "Ah, it is not my place to tell you anything. It would be more fitting if you personally consulted the Leaders."

Her eyes were now glazed over as she stared at the ceiling. "Yes, the Leaders have big plans for you..."

Okay, this was seriously getting creepy. The others probably felt the same way, judging by their faces. God, was she possessed already? And what did she mean by 'plans'?

"Uh...Principal Nicholson? You alright there?" Lily ventured carefully.

She snapped back to reality and blinked at us. "Um, yes, like I was saying, only the Leaders can explain to you what's happening. So, make your way to the Palace, show the guards the necklace and request for an audience with the Leaders."

Principal Nicholson jerked a little and her left eye twitched a little. "You'd better be going now. Quickly pack all you essentials and leave the Academy. It's a two-day journey on foot. Oh, and pack more clothes. You know...just in case."

I raised my eyebrows. Flynn moved to the door and placed his hand on the knob. "Thank you Principal Nicholson. We won't let you down."

She nodded and walked back to the window, staring out of the tiny curtain gap while her hands spasmed a little. "I know."

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"Shit, again?"

Mia breaking free from her trap was not what we wanted to see once we exited the office.

"Oh crap," Logan muttered as the earth around Mia cracked and she got back on her feet, snarling furiously.

"You guys go ahead, I'll stay and hold her off for a while." I offered as I shifted on my feet, getting into a defensive stance.

"Yeah, I'll help Ally. We'll catch up with you later." Surprisingly, Maddie spoke up, ignoring the protests of the others.

Mia studied us with those yellow eyes, before charging directly as us. "Go!" I yelled, avoiding Mia's swinging arm.

She kicked up and Maddie ducked, me attacking her from the other side. After some struggling, I managed to land a couple of good blows on Mia's abdomen and stomach.

She went down and I dove down as well, tackling her. Maddie swooped down to pin Mia's limbs down. She roared angrily and made a wild lunge, despite being bound.

Suddenly, she stopped and her eyes bulged. She made a gagging sound like she was strangling to death. I looked up in surprise to see Maddie concentrating on Mia, her eyebrows scrunched together.

Maddie abruptly stopped choking Mia and released her, retracting her power. Mia fell back down, gasping like a fish out of water. Before she could attack again, I called on my power and the temperature dropped rapidly. Ice begun forming, encircling Mia until her whole body was frozen in a huge chunk of ice.

"Okay, this will take at least 3 days to melt completely." I tapped on the cold ice block with my shoe. "Quick, let's go find the others."

Maddie nodded and we sprinted off together, out the doors of the place which we considered our safe haven until now.

The last image I managed to catch in my head as I ran towards the Lodge, was of the Academy on fire.

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Ello, I'm back again! :)

I think from now on, I will update on the weekends (Well, at least during the weekends in my country). Either on Saturday or Sunday, it could be any.

Hey, who knows, maybe on both, or even on the weekdays if I'm free. ;)

And there might be a chance that I may upload twice...or just generally more than once...

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! :D