Trails that lead to nowhere

The Night Battles

When they finally arrived at the dorms the sun was on its highest point of the day. Elise was exhausted by the super long ride and when she saw how many stairs they had to climb a load groan left her mouth. The panorama outside was gorgeous. There were a few fields down with an iron color under the strong sun. Beyond these fields a beautiful cite stood in broad light. It looked like a normal student city at first sight but Elise swore she saw something like a small dragon flying around in circling motions. A bad feeling crawled on her stomach as she asked the two others.

"So you told me there are other schools. Where are they?"

"Oh well they are all far away from each-other. The town is the only meeting point between the five of them. It is part of none of them but it is closer to us" answered Cerelia.

"I suggest you to stay away from the other Branches. They are nothing but trouble. There is a reason we stay apart. When we are together we cause catastrophes. Like the Tournament." Cut in Meissa.

"The Tournament?"

"It is a race between Branches to find the strongest of all. It is done every 4 years and for your awesome luck Elise they are being held this year again. Each Branch chooses its six strongest students and BOOM we cause the destruction of the whole world."

"She is just kidding. The games are dangerous that is true but they never destroy the world." Said Cerelia giving Meissa a cold side eye while she just raised her shoulders.

Elise, as always, had a pile of questions but she didn't feel like asking any of those. When finally the endless stairs ended they reached a giant hall which was connected with five other halls.

"Confirmed I will lose in here within the first twenty four hours." Frowned Elise.

"Well that is why I have this." Replied the Italian handing her a small amber crystal.

"Wha-"

"It is a location crystal. Like a GPS. Ask for a place in here and it will show you how to get there."

"Ermmmm thanks?"

"We will leave now. Your dorm room is the far last. It has your name on the door. Oh and be nice with to your roommate. See you on sunset!" Chirped the other and walked away dragging Meissa with her.

Elise stood there for a few seconds and looked at the crystal. It was shining with a soft and warm light under the sunrays that came by a window nearby. She sighted and walked over down the hall. She read all the names one by one and finally found hers. It was written in a beautiful cursive and had a small diamond on the i dot. What intrigued her was that every other door had two names on it and hers had only one. She opened the door and got inside her new room. It was a nice and cozy bedroom with two beds decorated with curtains, two pine desks and a small couch. A tiny balcony stood outside the glass slide door. Her bed had her name written on the headboard and was occupied by some clothes and books meanwhile the other bed was totally empty. Elise sat on her bed and lost in thoughts. She felt insecure about everything but she finally felt like she fitted in. it felt like someone finally understood her and accepted her for what she was. She had found her place. Her people. Her home.

The French investigated the school uniform before putting it on. It was a light blue shirt with a golden tie and a dark purple skirt. There were a pair of high white socks and some short heeled shoes with simple ties. The most impressing part was the batch which was one of the most special thing she had ever seen. It was a beautiful golden butterfly made by yellow strings tied together in a circle decorated with exactly twelve purple crystals. On the butterfly's heart there was a similar crystal as the ones in the sides. She changed and tied her hair in a high ponytail. Now there was one of the hardest things she ever did. She took off her beret and tie neatly putting them on the bed. Elise sighted and decided to finally go out. Sunset was slowly coming and she would need at least an hour to find her way around here.