Enchanters - The fall of Hell

CHAPTER 2

Elodye’s Monroe class was a shadow of its usual self, the air thick with an unsettling tension as the students who assumed to fail to unravel her latest riddle were dismissed, their faces a mix of surprise and relief

– In this class, you will encounter visions that challenge your very essence, texts that will forge you into critical thinkers, and tales that will awaken your suspicions I’m sharing my own story  and I refuse to do it lightly.– Elodye said, her usual playfulness gone – You will be eliminated if you don't pass the tests. Period.

With a dramatic flourish, she turned to the colossal chalkboard, its surface shimmering with a faint magical glow. Pieces of chalk began to levitate, swirling in the air as they sketched the intricate form of the Fideli Mushroom, its cap adorned with luminescent spots that pulsed like the heartbeat of the forest.

– Back to the important matter. –  she continued, her voice steady as another piece of chalk began to write in elegant script – How was the mushroom prepared? How did we not get lost in the second state and how did we find her woods? Bonus points to anyone who can tell me what we found.

Hands rose all over the room, she chose Vagren, her black hair in a pony tail.

– May I start by the extra points? – Vagren asked, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. Elodye nodded, intrigued. – You found a blood curse.

Vagren declared, her voice echoing through the chamber. A collective gasp rippled through the class, and Elodye’s lips curled into a proud smile

. – Studying from tomes beyond your prescribed reading list is always a wise choice –she remarked, her tone laced with approval–  Thank the Goddesses that Lory didn’t pen the specifics, or this class would be utterly pointless. Well done, Vagren! – Elodye pointed to a young shifter who started rambling nonsensical words, Elodye cut him off with a wave and pointed to Aleo instead – How did we not get lost in the second state?

– Char was your anchor. – Aleon replied, a playful grin spreading across his face as he tousled his dark hair, revealing the subtle strength in his tattooed arms.

– Correct but not sufficient. – Elodye countered – Why did we need an anchor? 

– Because the second state of reality is endless, living things that are not supposed to be alive, endless mazes of your unconscious.

– If the anchor faulters there is no way back. – Vagren added

– And you become one with that reality. – Alex chimed in although his voice lacked it’s usual playfulness, his tone grave as Elodye turned to him, curiosity piqued.

– And what exactly does that mean? – she pressed. – Practically speaking.

– After being in the second stage for long enough you become one of them, a rock, a stream of water, if you’re lucky a star. 

– And Pryira, – Elodye continued, her gaze shifting to a young woman who seemed to shrink under the weight of expectation – How did we find her woods?

Pryira lowered her shoulders Ina clear sign of defeat, she looked around and none of her peers seemed eager to answer either.

– Okay. – Elodye said, her voice softening as she began to weave her hands in intricate patterns. The air shimmered, and the classroom transformed, transporting them back to her vivid memory; a small clearing bathed in moonlight, where a crackling fire danced with life.