Aetheria : The Lost Legacy

The Mysterious Summoner

The detention room at Eldergrove Academy was as dreary as its name suggested—a forgotten corner of the school, with dust-covered shelves and cobwebs hanging in the corners. The four students seated there were confused and uneasy, each trying to make sense of the situation.

Kai Blackwood sat quietly in the dim light, her silver hair falling just at her cheekbones, and her piercing blue eyes reflecting a quiet intensity. Kai's demeanor was marked by a commanding presence and a no-nonsense attitude. As a very masculine lesbian with a natural leadership quality, her confidence was evident even though she rarely spoke. The strange note summoning her to detention was unsettling, but her instinct was to remain calm and decisive.

Opposite Kai, Evelyn "Evie" Hartmann leaned back in her chair, her long brown wavy hair cascading over her shoulders and her hazel eyes sparkling with a golden sheen in the sunlight. Evie was known for her charm and popularity, drawing attention wherever she went. Though she was flirty, especially towards Kai, she remained unaware of if she liked Kai or not. She doesn't feel romantically for women and maybe that's why she is unsure about how to act toward Kai. Her carefree demeanor was more a shield than a sign of mischief. The cryptic note had piqued her curiosity, that was the only reason she is seated in Detention at that moment.

Near the front of the room, Clara Bellamy fidgeted nervously, her curly shoulder-length brown hair partially obscuring her glasses. Clara, always the diligent student, had been dreading detention but had been drawn here by the unsettling note in her locker. Her anxious gaze darted around the room, filled with unease about what might be waiting for her.

Jasper "Jax" O'Sullivan slouched in his chair with a casual grin that didn't quite mask his unease. His blond hair was a mess, and his green eyes, usually twinkling with mischief, now showed a flicker of apprehension. Jax was used to finding himself in trouble, but this time he had no idea why. The note had piqued his curiosity, and though he was uneasy, he couldn't resist finding out more.

The door creaked open, and Mrs. Thornhill, the stern detention supervisor, entered, her gaze sweeping over the students with a mixture of disdain and disinterest.

"You're here to reflect on your actions," she said curtly. "Silence is expected. If you speak or move unnecessarily, you will face further consequences."

With that, she settled behind her desk, opening a ledger and beginning to write, the sound of her pen scratching on paper the only noise in the room.

The students exchanged uneasy glances, each grappling with their confusion and growing sense of dread. The air in the room seemed to grow heavier, charged with an unspoken tension.

After several minutes, Evie leaned over to Kai, her voice low and conspiratorial. "Hey, Kai, any idea why we're here?"

Kai shook her head, her eyes reflecting her own unease. "No."

Evie raised an eyebrow, a mix of curiosity and skepticism on her face. "You don't seem like the detention type, either."

Before Kai could reply, Jax leaned forward with a lopsided grin. "Maybe we're part of some elaborate prank. You know, like a test to see how long we'll stay quiet."

Clara, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up, her voice barely more than a whisper. "I don't think this is a prank. There's something... unsettling about all of this."

As if to confirm her fears, the moment Mrs. Thornhill excused herself out of the classroom leaving the four students alone, a strange humming sound filled the room. The lights flickered, casting distorted shadows on the walls. The students tensed, their anxiety rising.

"What is that noise?" Clara asked, her voice trembling.

Kai stood up, her senses alert. "It's coming from below us," she said, pointing toward the floor.