Magic was originally gifted to women for healing and protecting their families during the dark times while the men were away.
...Until a boy emerged, able to preform the arts. Resenting the women for refusing to teach him, he decided to steal the k...
Tyson gaped as five figures emerged from the trees. "H-how'd you—"
"The forest wasn't haunted." Zadro said with expression, brushing off his dirt-stained shirt. "It was just over populated by man-eating leeches. Fortunately, they didn't like the frigid temperatures my power provided."
Vex scoffed, shouldering past the valedictorian. "Hey, they ran off because of mine too!"
"We all helped out." West rolled his eyes. Saiyah opened and closed her mouth. While her friends risked their lives, she stood on the sidelines. She couldn't even save Taleen when some leeches dragged her beneath the soil.
She let another one of her classmates die.
Tyson glared at Saiyah and West, groaning to himself. "Oh, you guys are still alive. Now I owe Meyer money."
"Wait, you betted with the other professors on who was going to die?" Romelle stared at him in disbelief. He shrugged, as if saying 'what else were we supposed to do while our students were gone?' As much as Saiyah wanted to smack him for betting that she wouldn't survive, it felt good knowing that he owed Professor Meyer money.
"How much did you bet on me?" West asked, genuinely curious.
"A lot," Tyson grumbled. "I'm seriously pissed about that.
As they returned to the gymnasium, standing side by side in a line, the Headmaster appeared. "These are the last five?" He raised a brow. Most of the students looked away, not wanting to meet his scarred eye. Except Vex. In fact, he asked what monstrosity had prevented Banthikaar from regenerating. Saiyah felt the Headmaster's eyes on her during the question.
"Yes, sir." Tyson crossed his slim arms. Banthikaar actually frowned when he saw West and scoffed.
"You may go, Tyson." Tyson nodded and left, leaving the students and Banthikaar. "This school has one purpose, and one purpose only. Do you children know what that is?"
"To teach us?" Romelle guessed.
"To shelter magikers and help them control themselves?" Suggested Saiyah.
"To throw their students into Chyte's Wood and bet which would live and die?" Vex hissed, receiving a glare from the Headmaster. Saiyah once feared Banthikaar, but now she knew that he was just a shrewd man. And easy to beat, a dark corner of her mind whispered. She pushed the thoughts away.
Banthikaar cleared his throat. "To find the next Legend."
The room grew quiet.
Only West and Vex laughed. "The next Legend?" Vex barked. "Is this a fucking joke?! The Legends were the Green Wizard, his brother, and that other bastard who helped defeat him."
"You're looking for the next greatest wizard and you think it's one of us?" Asked Zadro, his face lighting up in interest.
"The Legends weren't even real to begin with." West hissed. Saiyah held in her reply. As much as she wanted to say the Green Wizard was real, that would cause them to ask questions about her. "We risked our lives for nothing."
"Wrong," Banthikaar growled. "The Legends are needed once again as the Green Wizard has returned." Saiyah hoped no one noticed the understanding flashing in her eyes. A chill went down her spine at the Headmaster's words. Vex opened his mouth but the Headmaster interrupted him. "He is very much real. Why do you think the world hates magikers? The Green Wizard is making us look bad."
Everytime he said 'Green Wizard', the angrier Saiyah grew. She hadn't heard that name in years. She hadn't realized her burning hatred for the bastard that took away her mother. Her fists curled at her sides, she didn't care if anyone noticed. That cold, vile voice filled her head.
I see a lot of myself in you.
"That is why I am to personally train you and see who is the one." Banthikaar continued.
"What happens to the rest of us once the Legend is found, then?" West grimaced, crossing his arms.
"You are to serve as the Legend's patrol team. Dismissed." Saiyah turned to leave with the others when Banthikaar extended an arm to stop her. "Apologies for being crass before."
"No, you were right. I shouldn't have gotten nosy. How can I help others if I can't even help myself?"
Banthikaar looked at the door everyone exited out of. "You're different from the rest of them, likely the most powerful."
She raised a brow, "You think I'm the Legend?"
He shook his head, laughing. "Goodness, no. All of the Legends are male." Another slap in the face. Saiyah nodded and turned to leave. "You're different from him." Banthikaar blurted.
Him.
A fire long forgotten burned through Saiyah's veins. Why didn't she feel this way before? Why suddenly now? Now that her fate will soon cross paths with him again, she'll make sure it was a reunion worth remembering....
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