In the grip of Elements

Chapter 2

The walk to our dormitories was silent, the lively chatter from earlier fading into hushed whispers as everyone took in the breathtaking sights. On our left, the village houses nestled in the distance, while to our right, majestic mountains rose like ancient guardians against the sky. Aelmor was made up of four distinct groups of houses: children aged five to eight lived in one cluster, ages nine to eleven in another, twelve to fourteen in a third, and finally, those fifteen to sixteen in the last. But here, in Elerest, the landscape stretched endlessly.

As I glanced around, I spotted some wildlife. Each realm hosts its own unique creatures, and I remembered reading about this one in particular: the Aerial Weavers. These small, vibrant birds flit about, constructing intricate nests suspended from cliffs or swaying branches, using strong, flexible materials to withstand even the fiercest winds.

After walking for thirty minutes, my feet began to ache, but the discomfort faded away as we rounded the last bend of the mountains. Before us stood three magnificent castle-like buildings, their towering spires reaching toward the sky. One was set slightly apart from the others, creating a striking focal point. We halted in the open space between them, a sense of awe washing over us.

"This building before you is where you will be staying this year," the man, who had been speaking with Celeste earlier, announced. Excitement sparkled in our eyes as we took in the grandeur of our new home.

"On your left is where all your instructors live, and on your right are the dormitories for the second years," he continued, gesturing toward the buildings.

As he spoke, I noticed intricate carvings on the stone walls, depicting scenes of ancient battles and mythical creatures. The atmosphere buzzed with a mix of nervous energy and wonder.

"Now, if you'll follow me, I'll show you to your dormitory," he added, turning toward the nearest building.

Once inside, we were quickly divided by gender. The boys followed the man to the left, while we trailed behind Celeste to the right and up a winding staircase.

"Your belongings have already been brought to your rooms. Normally, each of you would have just one roommate, but since we're uneven, we've added an extra bed in one of the rooms," she said, glancing over her shoulder.

"We know it's been an eventful day, and it's getting late. So, we'll give you an hour to settle in, get to know each other, and afterwards, you're expected in the dining hall," she continued.

All of us nodded, even though she couldn't see us, still in awe that this would be our new home.

We reached the second floor and came to a stop.

"Your names will be on signs next to your dorm rooms, so it shouldn't be hard to find," she said. "I'll see you all in an hour."

With that, she turned and headed back downstairs, leaving us buzzing with anticipation.

To present what the character reads on a sign, you can format it to create a clear visual distinction. Here's a suggestion based on your excerpt:

The girls quickly scattered to search for their rooms, eager to meet their new roommates. I felt a thrill of excitement as I scanned the signs lining the hallway. Finally, at the last door, all the way at the end, I spotted my name.

Room 17:

Aella Stormbringer
Seraphina Emberheart
Ember Thunderstrike

The names were inscribed in elegant handwriting, each letter flowing gracefully as if they were part of an artistic tapestry.

I entered the room and was immediately greeted by a girl with vibrant red hair.