Athena: The Elements

Episode Ten: Forbidden Spells

Previously: When Ash and Caspar Battle, Caspar unleashes a spell and hurts Ash badly. She's taken to the hospital wing, where Caspar feels regret and for once in his life great emotion. The headmaster orders him into her office.

Casper POV

Headmaster Arroe stared at me and began "Caspar, I'd like to start off by saying, I know where you've come from. I know that you've endured much pain after the incident when your parents-"

"Please don't say it." I interrupted her.

"Of coarse. Excuse me." she said quietly. "But I have observed you ever since you were enrolled. You were always quiet, peaceful. You would never start a fight or try hurting anyone."

I spoke quietly. "And so..."

"I have no idea why you would hurt Ash." she said finally to her point. "Knowing Ash, you were likely not to start the fight, but you, sir, are the one who ended it harshly."

I looked up, a tear rolling down my face, not caring about her previous statements and asked loudly "Will she recover?"

She responded "I'm sure she'll be fine. Luckily you had cast a weak Black Tear on her."

"Black Tear?" I asked, bewildered. She seemed confused too now as she replied "Yes, that was the spell you cast on her, am I incorrect?"

I looked down and said. "It may seem odd, but these sorts of things seem to happen to me. All I remember is a blur of shadows and then before I know it someones hurt because of me."

Her eyes widened greatly, but she calmed a bit as she asked quietly, as if she was afraid of someone over hearing. "Child, be honest, have you ever partaken of any forbidden spells or enchantments?"

"No Mam, not that I'm aware." I answered.

She stood this time and leaned in, shouting "Not that you are aware? What do you mean?" 

I jumped back, and swallowed. Her look was begging for answers. I straitened up as I said, "Like I told you before, I don't know what happens between those gaps. I don't intend on reading about or casting those spells, but I'm not sure if anything involving forbidden spells happens during those times..." I trailed off.

She sat back down and turned away, saying. "And I believe you, Caspar." She paused for a long time, then said "I will speak with you later. You are dismissed."

*  *  *

It took me a good fifteen minutes just walking around Athena, but it's not like I was moving very fast and my destination was on the other side of the academy. Plus, the crowds weren't helping.

As I swept past the corridors, noticing a library on my way. Maybe I could look at it later. Finally, the doors to the HW appeared at the end of the hall.

I trotted toward the large entrance, and began to pull the brass nob. It clicked, and everything moved slowly. When I swung it open, I collided with Ash and we tumbled to the ground. I blinked my eyes open and held up my hands, pushing her shoulders back just a little. Her face was centimeters from mine and if I hadn't put out my arms to hold her back a little we would have collided further.

Ash POV

I began turning red, as did he. We sat in silence for a long fifteen seconds, one of the longest moments in my life. I sat up a little and kneed him in the groin.

Quietly I said "You can let go of me now..."

He let go and looked up at me with cheeks hotter and redder than mine. He stood and brushed off his cape.

I stood as well and I sat down on the bed. He sat right next to me, making me nervous. When I looked up at him, he was already looking at me. I started to stutter "W-why are you so close...and so s-silent."

He moved to the foot of the bed and said "My apologies, for intruding your space."

"And?" I asked, annoyed.

He blushed a little more. "Entering without warning?" he guessed.

"And?" I asked in reply.

He looked away and guessed again. "Hurting you with my spell?"

"Still can't really feel my legs, ya' know. But AND?" I laughed.

He smiled and looked at me. "Insulting you?"

"And...?"

"Knocking you into the fountain."

"And?" I asked again with a cheeky smile.

He stopped then asked "And what? I didn't known you before then."

I punched him in the arm and laughed "Just for being a fucking idiot, man."

He chuckled, looking at his shoes. I laughed and stared a mine.

"So did it affect you?" he asked, concerned now.

I answered "No, but Ms. Periwinkle insists I stay for another check up. She's going to use a spell this time. I might miss some of the assembly."

"Sorry." he said simply, yet again apologizing. He turned away yet again.

I smiled and replied with a friendly voice. "Don't worry 'bout it, dude. It's probably going to be boring anyway."

He smiled at me. An awkward silence followed and I felt myself get hot again. I hated awkward silences.

The door burst open and Ms. Periwinkle entered. "Out, Caspar. I needed to give her a check up and you need to go to the auditorium soon. The assembly starts in half an hour you know!"

"Yes mam." he said and waved at me before leaving the room. I watched him go toward the door and shut it. I stared for a second longer. I ever would have thought we'd make friends, or at least friendly acquaintances.

Ms. Periwinkle trotted toward me with a bottle in hand, full of purple liquid. "You must drink this, dear, it will make you fall asleep for the time it takes to preform the spell."

"And how long is that?" I asked. "And why is it needed?"

She replied, setting my clothes aside, "Twenty minutes, deary, and the spell I'm about to preform is quite uncomfortable."

"Alright..." I said with a nervous tone. I swallowed the potion in one chug.

*  *  *

Caspar POV

I sat, awaiting the arrival of Ash. I sat close to the entrance, in a higher seat so we could see well above others heads. The Headmaster had so far introduced the Instructors and teachers, and was beginning to explain the history of Athena.

I had two saved seats beside me, and I sat in front of a group of giggling girls. One in particular was very pretty, with long blonde hair and a genuine smile. She glanced at me for a moment and I looked away.

I began to tap my foot and sigh, she said she probably wouldn't make it for a while. A girl sitting next to the group in front of me, obviously not engaged in their conversation, got up and walked quietly out of the room. Almost a minute after, a girl paced in and took the girl's seat. I wanted to say something, but I didn't know if the girl was coming back or not and I decided at best I shouldn't get involved."Where were you?" asked one. 

The girl who had recently entered responded "Just having a little fun with Drake."

The door to the auditorium creaked open slightly again, and as I turned, my eyes lit up a little. It was Ash!

Preview: Ash and Caspar watch the assembly, when the girl returns. She ends up sitting with Caspar in his vacant seat, and hangs with him and Ash until curfew, and Ash finds not all Mertle are bad after all.