Eye of The Wyvern

XI

Walking in the classroom, all was quiet, each student either paid attention to a book, wrote in a journal, or quietly spoke to the person next to them. The quiet impressed Karissa, for back in South Town, there was a reason large groups didn't gather for education; it never worked out. Nobody ever learned anything because they had students aged from four to seventeen in the same small room learning different things. That is why Peter and Rhian pulled the girls into a home studying program, using books from all throughout Khianne to teach them everything they needed.

Amanda took Karissa's hand and walked her over to one of the many desks, sitting in one and motioning for her to sit as well. After a few moments, the door swung open again, and the room fell completely silent. Professor Chasm entered swiftly, the gates on the windows flied shut, and small firelights began to appear, glimmering all throughout the room. "Alright," he started, "all who were present for this past while, please turn to the pages we've discussed prior." The sound of flipping pages flooded the room. "As for my new arrivals," Chasm continued, "please stand so I can bring you your necessity for my class, as well as make sure you're actually supposed to be here." Karissa stood, but as she looked around, she saw that no one else was standing, it was just her.

Chasm approached with a small blue book, a deep green ribbon escaping the top of it. He handed it to her, "45, Karissa." With a smile, he walked back to the front. She opened the book to page 45, this book was other worldly strange, each page had pictures of different creatures, plants, and even things that Karissa had never seen before. But this page was different. Page 45 had a strange creature with long black curling horns, its eyes were gold, no white visible, and its skin was a dull grey, almost as if it were a walking corpse. But the most noticeable thing on this creature was its long, anteater-like snout.

She looked up at Chasm, who started drawing the same creature on the chalkboard. Once he finished, he turned to continue speaking, "Now, can anyone tell me the creature seen on page 45?" Several students raised their hands, including Amanda, and Karissa just sat and looked at the creature on the board. Chasm pointed to a young girl sitting in the front, "It's a Myrmcod," she said, "they're native to the old lands of Banseng and were used by the Orkman tribes for hunting other Magicks."

Chasm nodded, "That's correct," He wrote the creatures name on the board, "the Myrmcod, are vicious, but can be easily taken down. Can someone else tell me the fastest and safest way to take down one of them?" Hands rose again, this time he pointed at Amanda. She set her hand down, "They are afraid of high heat due to it blinding their only useful sense, smell, so the fastest way would be for someone to use fire." Chasm nodded again, raising a brow, "While it is not the safest way, it is definitely the fastest. Amanda, what would be the safer way?" She looked unsure, Karissa nudged the book to her, but she declined. "Well," she started, "I read that they can't swim, and they're blind, so maybe making them think they're under water?"

A couple of people whispered, and the girl who answered first turned to look at Amanda, "That's a good answer, newbie," she smiled, "and really close, but the safest way to take down a Myrmcod is to blind their sense of smell with something tough to get off. Like mud or oil. You just have to be brave enough to do such an act. It may be the safest, but it's also the scariest." Amanda smiled at the girl as she turned back around. "Thank you, June." Chasm said, "Your peers are right. The Wyrmcod has many disadvantages that will keep you alive, but the one thing you never do, is run."

He then looked at Karissa, "Let me give you another common sense question, Karissa," she straightened, "if a Myrmcod corners you in the middle of the woods, what do you do?" Karissa thought about it for a moment. What if it's a trick? "Well if there isn't enough distance between, and it can hear you, then you should hide." A male scoffed came from behind her. "It would find you anyway," he said, "that thing has a super strong sense of smell. No way hiding behind something is gonna stop it." Chasm put a finger up, "Now, now," he smiled, "Karissa is onto something. Yes, you do hide, but how and where, Karissa?" She recalled what they had encountered in the woods that night; that sniffing creature. That was a Myrm. "Behind a tree," she said, "and if you're with someone then you have to try and combine your scents, a tight hug if you wanna put it that way."

"Yes!" He exclaimed, "But there is one more thing you must do. And that is what we will be discussing today." He erased the drawing, and began to write something else, "Turn to page 50, students. You'll be learning a spell that everyone can do in their own way!" Pages flipped throughout the classroom as every student did what he asked. "Professor," That male voice spoke again, "will we be using this skill in your wife's class?" Chasm raised a brow, "Most likely not, but it's possible. And please address her as Professor Delta, she isn't just my wife." The student snickered, "Yes, sir."

* * *

Chasm had the students clear the desks and make two lines on opposite walls. Karissa and Amanda stood next to each other. Next to them, the girl Chasm called June, and next to her was Tucker. Across the way were several students that Karissa recognized from her childhood. She recalled stories of some kids going missing, but was too young to understand or remember. Seeing their faces made her recall those memories from childhood. They had been here that whole time.

Suddenly, through the light chatter of students, Chasm clapped loudly, the room went silent. "Alright," he started, "now that we have learned what to do, let's see if we can put it to the test. I want each of you to look at the person across from you, walk up to them, and attempt this spell. Remember, it doesn't have a word, just thought and focus. Lots of focus, especially for our Wyverns. Now, let's begin!" He motioned for us to meet with the people across from us. Amanda looked at Karissa, then at the blonde at the other wall. Karissa looked at the male standing parallel to her; tall, dark skin glowing in the firelight above them. His eyes were a beautifully dark blue, almost a midnight royal blue. He studied her as she took a few steps toward him.

Karissa met his piercing gaze, he walked up to her, and she realized how much taller he was, having to tilt her head upward. "Hi there," He didn't smile, just stared down at her, "you're new, correct?" She nodded. "Nice," he studied her face, "only one eye is red. Have you used any magic before?" She shook her head, "I see." He smirked, "I'll go first if you'd like?" His deep voice left her speechless, all she could do was respond with a nod and small smile. He nodded back. Chasm came up to them, "Alright, Malachi." He motioned for him to start, "Close your eyes, Karissa." She did so, the name echoing in her head. "Now, when I say so, try to see if you can smell the flower Malachi is holding." He handed Malachi a flower, Karissa could already smell it. Lilac filled her nostrils, and as fast as it came, it left. The lilac seemed to have just vanished. "Open your eyes." Chasm said. She did so, and Malachi was standing there, a field of magic glimmered around him.

"Wonderful," Chasm smiled, "now try to do the same, Karissa. Hold the Lilac, and Malachi will guide you. He's been here longer, and as a Warlock has much more experience. Listen well." He walked off. Malachi extended the flower to her, she smiled softly and took it. "I've never done anything like this before.." She looked up at him. "That's alright, newbie," he patted her head, "not everyone gets it on their first try. We'll be practicing this for another twenty minutes, so take your time." She nodded, thank goodness he's patient. "I am quite patient, thank you." He winked. Her eyes widened, "What?!" He looked between her eyes and the flower. "Let's get started, shimmer." Her face warmed at the nickname.

For the next ten minutes, Karissa tried to do the spell herself, but every trial was failure. "Ugh," she grimaced, "this looks a lot easier than it really is." He laughed. "I promise you'll get better. It just takes time." He closed his eyes once more, this time, Karissa breathed deeply. She closed her eyes to focus better, feeling warmth surround her body. But the warmth soon turned to heat, intense heat. She heard muffled screams around her, and Malachi yelling her name. Opening her eyes, it was all a blur, only the silhouettes of light and people could be seen, the purple of the Lilac was now a ball of what seemed to be a bright light in her palms.

And all at once, the heat stopped, it was cold, her body going numb, eyes shutting once more, a sudden sharp pain in her head. Her world went completely black.