Winx Club: The Journey Begins

Chapter 6: First Day

The blinding light subsided as they materialized in a different alley. Stella detransformed and turned to the group with a relieved smile. "We made it out just in time! Is everyone okay?"

Musa nodded, still catching her breath. "Yeah, I'm good."

Astra kneels beside Bloom, who is starting to stir. "Bloom's coming around."

Tecna pulls out a device and checks the time, her eyes widening, "We are cutting it close. The last bus to Alfea should be arriving soon."

Astra and Stella help a shivering Bloom to her feet. Once she was steady and coherent, they all hurried to the bus stop, adrenaline still pumping through their veins. They arrived just as the bus pulled in, its doors opening with a soft hiss. They boarded quickly, finding seats in the back and huddling together.

As the bus started moving, Astra broke the silence. "We need to talk about those witches. Who are they, and what do they want?"

Bloom, still shaking off the effects of being frozen, nodded. "Agreed. They seemed pretty hell-bent on getting your scepter, Stella."

Musa furrowed her brow. "But why? What do they want that for?"

Stella bit her lip, looking conflicted. "The scepter is very important to Solaria," she leaned in, her voice low and serious as she began to explain. "It's something of a royal artifact. It's a powerful, ancient relic that has been in my family for generations. Officially, it's known as the Royal Scepter of Solaria, but very few call it the *'Guiding Light'*. It is rumored to be able to illuminate the truth and 'guide' the wielder onto the right path. My parents gave it to me to keep me 'focused' this year." She pouts at the end.

Silence lingers as the girls take in the information.

"So, they want the scepter to... 'illuminate a truth'?" Tecna asks.

Stella sighs. "It's *also* said to possess the ability to guide its wielder to anything they seek, which is *why* it's so valuable. I guess, if the witches are after it, they could be looking for something or someone incredibly important."

"Something dangerous more like," Musa mutters.

"That- that doesn't sound good." Flora looks worried.

As the bus rolled to a stop, the familiar sight of Alfea brought a sense of relief. They stepped off the bus, the cool evening air filled with the scent of fresh grass.

—

The following morning, sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. Astra stirred, blinking against the brightness. She cuddled deeper into her sheets and pillow before letting out a huff.

She rolled over and peeked at the clock on her bedside table. She groaned, knowing she had to get up.

With a deep breath, Astra stretches and forces herself to climb out of bed. Yawning she rechecked the schedule she had left on her desk. She has about four classes a day and, despite having to wake up so early every day, she felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

At breakfast, the dining hall buzzed with chatter as students talked to their friends about their summer and discussed their classes. Astra and Bloom found a table with the rest of their dormmates. Bloom filled her plate with what she hoped was a normal hearty breakfast while Astra opted for fruits and toast.

"Ready for our first *magic* class?" Bloom asked, her eyes bright with anticipation.

Astra laughs, "Of course! I can't wait."

Flora, sitting across from them, smiled warmly. "You guys are so cute."

The twins blush, Astra pops a berry into her mouth while Bloom pouts.