The Quest

Prologue - Chapter 1: Strangers Waking

SR card - Yuu’s Ceremonial Robes
‘Why am I here? Do you think that together we could leave soon?’

SR card - Jackson’s Ceremonial Robes
‘This robe gets in the way of my welding… but I can’t shake the feeling that something is off…’

SR card - Carmin’s Ceremonial Robes
‘Mother would love this material, but not so much the design, she’d probably use it as a nightie…’

SR card - Alex’s Ceremonial Robes
‘This would be difficult to help tend to wounds in, but it’s very comfortable… something is nagging me about this place…’

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“Jackson, are you sure we’re heading in the right direction? I’m pretty sure we should’ve taken a right.” Carmin states. Jackson looks at the GPS in his car, “I don’t know I’m just following the GPS!” Alex sighs, “Jackson, I knew we shouldn’t follow the GPS on a quest. Pullover next to the beach, let us take a break and figure something out.”

Jackson sighs, pulls the car over, and parks by the beach. Carmin is the first to get out, soon followed by Alex and Jackson. As they walk along the beach Carmin speaks up, “You know how we’re not supposed to have phones? Well, I kept ours hidden, I heard Annabeth did it too, so don’t use it much.” Jackson and Alex take back their phones. “Thank you Carmin, maybe we can call for help as a backup plan if this doesn’t work out,” Jackson suggests.

The three continue to walk along the beach and make a plan. “Anyway, that's what we should- Hey what is a mirror floating over there? And Why is a black carriage running towards us?” Jackson asks while backing up. “I’m not sure but we should probably run,” Alex replies. “Agreed,” Carmin states. The three start running away from the portal before blacking out.

….

“Ah, My esteemed benefactor…. My proud, beautiful Flowers of Evil. You are truly the fairest of them all. O Magic Mirror, thy wisdom I entreat… Reveal the visage I seek…
You, whose image the Dark Mirror did beckon forth… If your hearts bid it, take the hand of the one reflected in the mirror.”
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Jackson’s POV:
‘That was weird, I’m not evil…. And why is it so dark and cramped? Am I in a coffin?! Cool! Creepy, but cool.’

I feel around my cramped surroundings before hearing a sound and feeling the heat of flames against the door of my coffin. I push the lid off and see Carmin and Alex silently observing the blue-flying ferret and the boy in front of me. “How... How DARE YOU! I am no WEASEL! I'm Grim, sorcerer extraordinaire! Tch. Whatever. You...human! Just gimme your uniform, and be quick about it!” the flying- I mean Grim, exclaims.

I look over at Carmin and Alex. “Is that a smaller version of a Chimera?” I ask. Carmin and Alex shrug and we notice that the boy and Grim are leaving. “We should probably follow them,” Alex stated. I nod and we follow the boy and Grim into a library. I was looking around until I heard, “Me-YEOW! That hurt! What gives?” I look over to see a bird-masked man holding Grim in a whip.

“Consider it tough love. Ah, I've found you at last. Splendid. I trust you're some of this year's new students? My, were you ever eager to make your debut. And bringing a poorly trained familiar with you? That is a clear violation of the school's rules.” the bird-masked man stated. ‘Familiars, oh crap, we forgot Ignis! And the other companions we have! We need to get them back!’

I look at Carmin and Alex and see the same dread in their eyes. We start looking around the room to find our companions. “The timespace teleportation must have addled your memories… Well, these things happen, I suppose. I shall explain it to you while we walk. Truly, my magnanimity is boundless.” I hear the bird-masked man explain. I look over to Carmin and Alex. Alex sighs and nods before following the group of strangers out of the room. Me and Carmin follow close behind.

“*Ahem* This is Night Raven College. It is an institution for students the world over who demonstrate a rare aptitude for magic. It is the most prestigious academy of its sort in all of Twisted Wonderland. And I am Dire Crowley. Having been entrusted with its care by the chairman, I serve as headmage.” the bird- I mean, Crowly informs.

‘Would the ferret count as magic in this world?’

“Magic?!” the boy exclaims. “Only those who the Dark Mirror perceives as having a talent for magic are admitted to the college. Those who are selected are summoned to the campus through those "gates," which can appear anywhere. A black carriage bearing one such gate should have come to meet you all.”

‘That explains the mirror and carriage, but why in the middle of a quest? By the gods, I hope we don’t make the campers worried’

“That black carriage serves to receive a student chosen by the Dark Mirror. It too bears a gate that connects to this campus. And as you know, sending a carriage to meet someone on a special day is a time-honored tradition.” Crowley states. “So this carriage dragged me here against my will?” the boy asks.

“Mmfff! Mmmmmmfff!” I hear Grim’s muffled attempts to speak. “Now, let us attend to your orientation.” Crowley states. ‘Ignoring his question? Wow, what a great headmaster he is.’

I look over at Carmin and Alex before following the group ahead of us.

‘I have a bad feeling that this will be a long and treacherous journey…’