A Cruel Fate of Endless Devotion

Chapter seventeen: The Third Trial

"Sebastian, stop pacing! You're giving me a headache" Ominis groaned.

The sound of Sebastian's shoes scuffing against the floor of the Undercroft in a repeated rhythmic motion for the past few hours had finally pushed him over the edge. It was like the relentless tapping of a woodpecker on a hollow tree, driving Ominis to the brink of madness.

"I spoke with Poppy this morning after Defense Against the Dark Arts and she said no one has heard from or seen Melody since yesterday. She told them she had errands to run for Professor Fig again. She promised she'd meet us in the undercroft today and it's nearing dinner time" he rambled as he ran a hand through his hair. 

"What if she's hurt? Or dying?"

"Oh Sebastian, it's not like she's out there fighting against Ranrok's loyalist. She probably got distracted talking with the shop wonders and villagers. Or maybe Professor Fig invited her to stay for a cup of tea. It's no secret she's like a daughter to him" Ominis casually said.

Sebastian suddenly froze like a deer in headlights. His silence in response to Ominis's comment hinted at the possibility that whatever Melody was out doing was indeed a cause for concern.

"What is she doing that makes you so worried?" Ominis finally asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about"

"Don't lie to me. You know exactly what I'm talking about" his best friend firmly said.

"It's not the first time Melody has run off to do some errands for Professor Fig. And every time she does, you become this walking storm of anxiety. I didn't think anything of it at first, but now..." he trailed off. 

"She's in danger, isn't she?"

"I'm sorry Ominis. I swore to her I wouldn't tell. I won't break my promise to her"

**********

Melody didn't know where she was. All she knew was that nothing made sense. As she weaved her way past death's minions, she was led to three rather odd objects. Wielding each of the three objects filled her with an intoxicating rush of energy, as if she had tapped into a wellspring of raw power. Unlike her ancient magic, which required careful control and drew from the depths of her soul, these objects granted her an immediate and overwhelming sense of authority and dominance.

"You've found me" the strong Scottish voice of former Headmistress Nimah Fitgerald said.

"Either I'm dead of this trial just got weirder"

The former Headmistress's body arose from her grave, greeting Melody with a small bow of her head. For a woman who had been dead for many, many years, her corpse looked surprisingly alive. She had a pallid complexion, but her skin appeared oddly smooth and unblemished. Her eyes, though devoid of life, still had a glimmer of intelligence. Her lips, colored a deep crimson, curled into a faint smile. It was as if death had only momentarily paused her existence, leaving her eerily suspended between the realms of the living and the departed.

"Welcome" Nimah said.

"Where are we?"

"Here is a place run by death" Nimah vaguely answered as she began walking, Melody was quick to follow behind. 

"As you view my memory I want you to remember, light cannot exist without darkness, nor darkness without light. Just because you can take away darkness, does not always mean that you should"

"Isadora, what you did for your father was-" Professor Fitzgerald was saying when Isadora cut her off. Her body still high from the power of the ancient magic, the darkness of it.