A Crumbling Society

Part 2-13

The Black Hats guild was founded around the 1700s at the very own Ankastle Academy. Five students made a pact to one another to figure out what was causing mysterious deaths. A sort of protection group but also one of solving many mysteries that lie beneath the castle walls. Originally just the five, then they got praise and decided to have their own operations after leaving academy, the five of them started one of the most popular guilds known throughout the magic realm. Once they left the school, they decided to stick to the work they loved and got permits to start an operation. Sort of like lawyers with their own firms and how businesses needs licenses, they showed the council how necessary it was. After several months of pushing to get it started, they were eventually able to investigate issues so long as they answered to the council. Now there are currently about a hundred members tasked with their own jobs and mysteries. Each individual also standing out to show off their peculiar magic abilities. By the 1800s there were six more guilds, each striving to add something different to our world. And now we have about twenty-eight or so spread throughout Valsyri, and some of them operate own their own since there's way more going on in our world. Recently they have been turning down applications because there are simply too many members and not enough space to house them all. That was the last thing I read about them; they'll also work together when the case is severe enough so that could be why. You also have to prove yourself to them, it's a solemn task in which you have to pass, once you do their logo appears on you. They're all pretty cool being the magical police of sorts, I just so happen to know the leader, Serena. We went to school together and she always griped at me to join. My path consisted of being a hero instead of being a guild member, and even so I don't like the mage world. She knows all of this too, Serena just tells me there would be great appreciation if I worked for her. Plus, if I wasn't going to join a guild then I wasn't joining a team either, because I work alone.

Since they specialize in magical mysteries, I figured she might know something about Hexwitches in Valsyri. The last time I saw Serena was at Ankastle, she always wanted to be a guilds member and had several options picked out for her. I kept telling her she might be suited for the Black Hats since she loved investigating smaller things around academy. Always trying to figure out why pencils went missing or why some kids didn't eat, she got in trouble trying to figure out some of the staff's personal problems. It wouldn't hurt to ask her if she could take a look into what might be going on with me personally. Even if she has crossed something similar or read something somewhere, anything might help. I hate that I cut her out a bit too but seeing a friend right now could help, my frustration is trying to push me. Still heading towards the guild hall there was a boom noise off in the distance, you could hear a few screams. This made me think that I might run into the Black Hats quicker since there was something worth investigating. I ran off towards the noise and it only took me a couple minutes. Having to run through the broom lane pissed off a few people but they'll be alright. Stepping up on a curb and turning the corner I could see the smoke pluming in the air as a shop was on fire. Some people were cowering from the heat off to the side and there was a couple on the ground crying. They must be the owners; I rushed over and siphoned the fire out of place. My magic worked then, I tried a baby spell on the side to cast sparks, nothing appeared. Both of them began thanking me over and over and even offered me some merchandise from the store. They only sell Dandrites which are stones used to communicate over long distance, phones if you would. Humans use them as paper weights or random other things. I had told them thank you when a voice came from behind me, "you there, state your name!"

I turned around, "what for?", I asked, knowing exactly why they wanted it.

"I've never seen you before, that's why", he said with a snarky demeanor and a scowl.

Unnerved, "Im-

- "Carson Deveroux!", a voice said loudly with intrigue.

"Master!", the guy stated before backing off.