☆.::. 𝒲𝒶𝓋ℯ𝓃 𝒜𝒸𝒶𝒹ℯ𝓂𝓎 .::.☆

𝐃𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐎𝐟 𝐚 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐧𝐞

  ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

As the elevator ascended with a faint hum, West could barely contain her excitement, her tail swaying in the air of the marble stained elevator. Percifel, on the other hand, leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed and his gaze on the mirror; he eyed his reflection as his mind wondered off into the depths of his thoughts.

West's thoughts swirled around the possibility of finding her brother's belongings in the dormitory, maybe even a clue as to where he had gone, but even if he had left his things inside his dorm was it really the right choice to search for clues in them? She glanced at Percifel, who seemed lost in his own world, his eyes half-closed as if he were bored by the whole affair.

"Perce," 

She began hesitantly, unsure if she should break the silence.

 "How do you know my brother?"

Percifel's eyes snapped open, the indigo sapphire blue gleaming with an intensity that made West's breath hitch. He studied her for a moment before speaking, his voice low as if he were 'ashamed' of what he was to say.

"We were... acquaintances," 

He said, choosing his words carefully.

 "Jax had a way of getting involved in things he shouldn't have. Waven Academy was just one of the many places he left his mark, he was always running off to random areas of the forest as if he were an explorer stuck in an enchanted world.''

West's brow furrowed at his cryptic response, but before she could press further, the elevator dinged softly, signalling their arrival on the third floor. The doors slid open with a smooth, whispering sound, revealing a dimly lit hallway lined with identical doors. The atmosphere was heavy, almost oppressive, as if the walls themselves were keeping secrets.

"Come on,"

 Percifel urged, stepping out of the elevator and striding down the corridor without waiting for West. She hurried after him, her senses heightened as she tried to remember everything about this place. It was strange, she had never been here before, but something about it felt oddly familiar.

Percifel stopped in front of a door with the number '170' engraved in dark, polished wood. He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans and leaned his back on the door and pushed it open, entering first before holding the door open for West to step in as well.

The room was quiet, almost eerily so. Dust motes floated in the air, catching the faint light from the single window at the far end of the room. The dormitory was lit with the soft tint of blue flames from lanterns hanging from the ceiling, shelfs cramped with jars of rare items such as moss drenched mini statues or gems peeking out from cracked rocks. The room had a double bed in the corner in front of a round stained glass window with the art of Avgoustos and strange markings. There was also a desk in the corner, junked with journals and sketchbooks filled with maps and drawings.

"That's his,"

 West whispered, her voice trembling as she approached the desk. She reached out to touch the journal on the top of a pile , her fingers brushing against the worn cover. The familiar scent of aged paper and ink filled her senses, bringing back memories of late-night conversations with her brother.

Percifel leaned against the doorframe, watching her intently.

 "I'd be careful with that if I were you. Jax didn't just write about his day-to-day life in that journal. There are things in there that... well, let's just say some things are better left unread."

West shot him a defiant look, clutching the journal to her chest.

 "He's my brother. Whatever he wrote in here, it's important to me. I need to know what happened to him."

Percifel shrugged, pushing off the wall and walking over to the wardrobe. He pulled it open, revealing a neatly folded school uniform and a few personal items that seemed untouched. 

"Suit yourself," 

he said, pulling out the uniform and tossing it onto the bed. 

"You'll need this for tomorrow. Classes start early, and you don't  be late on your first day. Or else I'll be the one put to blame."

West nodded absently, her mind still on the journal. She sat down on the bed and opened it, her eyes scanning the familiar handwriting. The entries started off innocently enough, mundane details about classes, friends, and daily life at the academy. But as she flipped through the pages, the tone began to change. The writing became frantic, the words hurried and disjointed.

'There's something wrong here'. 

The scruffy handwriting was etched into the paper as if her brother were in a rush to write.

'He warned me, Percifel warned me not to pick it up or touch it but I didn't listen. I never did honestly, but that bracelet. The orange glow from the topaz gem in the charm of it was too addictive. They said that the bracelet could store souls and memories or even induce dreams and nightmares regarding on the victim's future. I swear I didn't mean to find it, I'm sorry.'

West's heart pounded in her chest as she read the last entry, dated just a few days before Jax's disappearance.

 'If anyone finds this, West, if you find this, just know that you will always be my precious little sister. I didn't want to drag you into this, but it seems like I have no choice. I've left my maps before in my sketchbooks, go out and get that bracelet, just don't do it alone you'll need something that repels lost souls.'

She snapped the journal shut, her hands trembling. Percifel, who had been watching her closely, raised an eyebrow.

"Find anything interesting?"

West didn't respond immediately, her mind racing with the possibilities. She looked up at Percifel, determination burning in her emerald eyes.       

 "I'm going to find him, Perce. No matter what it takes."

Percifel's expression softened for a brief moment before he turned away, heading for the door. 

"Just remember," he said quietly, "some things are better left in the dark."

With that, he left the room, leaving West alone with her thoughts and the journal clutched tightly in her hands. West looked over to the uniform, and noticed how simple it was, just a white collared button up, black pleated skirt , white knee high socks and dark blue cardigan with a golden embroidery saying 'Waven Academy'. 

''Wait.. Percifel!''

West called out into the corridor while poking her head out the door, Perce turned back looking fed up.

''What do you want rug-rat?''

Percifel huffed while glaring at her, West was holding the dark blue cardigan in her arms as her eyes kept switching between the Blood red of the demonic specimen's cardigan vs her midnight blue one.

''Why are the colours different? Is it because you're a demon and I'm a werewolf?''

West questioned, raising an eyebrow.

''Bingo now go to sleep, I honestly don't care if you can't due to the full moon.''

 He rolled him eyes turning back around to head over to his own dormitory which was atleast a 10 minute walk from room '170'. West headed back inside after watching him wonder off into the shadows. She closed the door and locked it using a key that was hanging from one of the lowest lanterns, she placed down the clothing item and took off her shoes before slamming herself down onto the double bed.

''Goodnight Jax...''