Reverence (A gothic Romantasy)

Chapter three

Josie

After dinner Josie found herself, along with the rest of the school, under the canopy of a star-strewn sky. The students of Blackmore university for girls and Kraven Academy for boys, gathered at the edge of the enchanted lake, their voices hushed with anticipation. The air was thick with the scent of blooming nightshade and the faint hum of ancient magic. Both schools had come together to honor the age-old tradition of the Black Eclipse, that was not very traditional to her, a celestial event shrouded in mystery and reverence. "This is the first and last time we will ever see this." Jane said in a hushed voice from beside her, "Have you been looking forward to it?" was all Josie could think to say, "My mother told me tales, when I was younger, about how the shadow wielders powers leaked into another moon from ours, and how if we were lucky enough to ever see it, to cherish it." As the moon began its slow journey across the sun, casting the world into an eerie twilight, the lake's surface shimmered with an otherworldly light, reflecting the merging orbs above. The students stood side by side, in shared awe of the unfolding spectacle.
As the eclipse reached its zenith, the darkness deepened, and a solemn silence fell over the gathering. In that exact moment, Josie felt her power pulsating through her veins, a heat spread throughout her chest and she had to steady her breathing to remain focused on the Noxumbra. Holding hands in a circle around the lake, they bowed their heads in unison. A soft, melodic chant rose from their midst, a prayer to Odessa.
Kneeling in the moonlit grove, Headmistress Ashgrove clasped her hands together and bowed her head, the soft murmur of her prayer mingling with the night breeze. "O revered last Shadow Wielder, I offer my deepest gratitude for the protection you bestow upon us, guided by the noble spirit of Prince Alister. Your vigilance shields us from the unseen perils that lurk in the darkness. I humbly ask for your continued watchfulness and strength. As she finished, a serene calm enveloped her, as if the very essence of Odessa embraced her plea.

                                        ꕥ

Lying in her bed, Josie stared at the ceiling, replaying the events of the Black Eclipse in her mind. The memory of that moment still sent shivers down her spine. When the eclipse reached its peak, she had felt a surge of power unlike anything she had ever experienced before. Her magic had flared uncontrollably, lighting up the darkness inside her with a pulsing, ethereal glow. Why had the eclipse triggered such a reaction? She gathered the event was steeped in ancient magic, but the intensity of her response puzzled her. She recalled the whispers about the Shadow Goddess's blessings, wondering why she had never heard of the impactful celestial event.
As her thoughts wandered, Josie reminisced about her first day at the university. The excitement and nervousness of entering a world where both physical strength and magical ability were honed to perfection still felt fresh. She had been in awe of the grand halls filled with arcane symbols and the bustling energy of fellow students mastering their unique skills. Each lesson had been a tantalizing glimpse into the vast potential of her powers. Gradually, the rhythmic hum of the night lulled her into a peaceful sleep, her mind drifting through dreams of training , ancient rituals, and the mysteries that awaited her in the days to come.

Josie woke with a sense of purpose, her black hair tousled from a night of restless dreams. Pale sunlight filtered through the narrow window of her small room in the castle's east wing. Today was physical training day, and she relished the challenge. After all, surviving in this world required more than just magical powers; physical strength was equally crucial. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, muscles already anticipating the exertion to come.
A few years ago, a boy named Lucas at the orphanage had taken a liking to Josie and taught her basic self-defense and advanced combat techniques, she trained with him at every dawn and every dusk, and she because quite skilled. She owed him a debt of gratitude for those early lessons, which had given her a head start compared to many of her peers. Now, with determination in her heart, she dressed quickly in simple training attire—a loose black tunic and sturdy pants—and strapped her practice blade to her thigh.
As she made her way through the labyrinthine halls of Blackmore Castle, Josie encountered Jane, they exchanged nods of greeting, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. "Ready for your first day of training, first year?" Jane asked with a grin, adjusting the hilt of her own weapon.
Josie matched her smile. "Born ready," she quipped, a steely glint in her eye "I'm quite comfortable with a dagger." she added, a hint of pride in her voice.

Jane raised an eyebrow playfully. "Confident, aren't you? Well, let's see if your skills match your boasting in the training hall."
Josie chuckled, feeling a surge of excitement. The clatter of armor and the distant sounds of sparring grew louder as they approached the training hall, anticipation building with each step. Today would be another opportunity to prove herself, to hone her abilities not just in magic, but in the physical arts that would ultimately determine her survival in a world where danger lurked around every corner.

Photo created by author via A.I