The Magic Trials

Chapter 1: The Magic Trials

A/N: Hello guys! So, I was thinking of publishing this first chapter after I got most of this story done, but decided that I couldn't hold my excitement for this chapter! So, I hope you read it, and I hope you guys enjoy this story as much as I do!

Ells' POV
"The Magic Trials is something only people who are lucky enough get into. Only the lucky ones are able to make it through." My friend, Mae, told me, taking another bite out of her sandwich.

"The Magic Trials is just another one of those gimmicky TV shows with actors who have magical abilities." Another kid said, drinking some of his orange juice.

I kept my mouth shut. I didn't want to start another school fight. Some people believe in magic, while others hate the mere thought of it. But only a few have the ability.

I happen to be one of them. One of those handful lucky people born with magic. Some people would call it a blessing, while others call it a curse.

This is one of the reasons why I keep my magical abilities to myself.

If you tell people you are one of them, in school, you could either be the most popular kid around, or be a bully's victim for life. Trust me. I've seen it happen in other sectors.

"Ells, you believe in the games, right?" Mae asks, desperate for somebody to believe her opinion. Oh yeah, also, "the games" is a nickname for the Magic Trials.

"Well," I said, thinking of a good way to answer her question.

Then, the bell rang.

The crowd of students turned into a stampede again, as all of us raced to our classes. I was usually a fast walker, so I made it to the class second. I could never beat Ayden and his cocky swiftness.

~*Timeskip*~

I walked out of school and placed my foot on the sidewalk, and started walking home. My mom could pick me up in the car, but I chose not to. I like being outdoors, walking around, talking to the birds (sometimes). My hair blow in the crisp cold air, as I take a deep breath.

I live on an island known as Sector 14, and it is one of the best places on Earth! Everywhere (well, almost everywhere) you turn, there are always really nice people and amazing sights. Even a carnival take place here! I go every summer!

Half an hour later, I arrived home. I placed my bookbag on the kitchen counter and yelled, "Mom! I'm home!"

I went into the refrigerator and got myself a Hershey bar for a snack. Man, do I love my chocolate!

I started to walk towards my room, when I started to hear the sounds of weeping coming from my parents' bedroom. Was that... Mom?

I race-walked up the stairs and then slow myself to a tiptoe. I slowly walked towards my parents' bedroom and cracked the door open slightly and peaked inside.

It was definitely her. She was looking at a sheet of paper, folded into threes, as if it was put into an envelope. I tried to look at the words, but I couldn't make them out.

She wiped the tears for her eyes, then she walked into the bathroom, leaving the sheet of paper folded on the bed.

I tiptoed to the bed, picked up the paper and then unfolded it carefully. It was a letter, and it was for my mother and me. It read...

"Congratulations, Ells Ender. You've made it to the games. Report to the Iron Lantern in three days time to begin your Queste.

- Pitchi Kuro"

I looked down at the paper in my hand. How do they know about me? How is this even possible? This isn't some kind of joke, right? It had the official logo at the bottom corner of the page, next to the signature. This is real.

This stirred a bunch of mixed emotions inside of me. Excitement, dread, fear, worry were among them. Only one makes it out alive of the Magic Trials.

All those times that I had watched the games on the screen, not thinking about the huge risk of dying out there in the end.

My mom comes out of the bathroom and looks at me sadly.

"I'm so sorry, Ells," she says, giving me a hug. I didn't hug her back, but I didn't push her away either. I'm probably gonna die out there... like most of everyone else from the games. But, this was a big opportunity, and I'm not gonna let it be wasted.

"I'll go." I finally said, after a few minutes had gone by. I mean, I have to go anyways, do I even have a choice? If I don't, it would either be because I died or ran away. Even if I did run away, the Sprites would find me. Then, I would really have to pay for it.

"But, El-"

"No, Mom. I'm doing this. For Dad..." I said, holding back the lump of tears in my throat.

She just looked at me. I looked back. Lots of emotions were running through us now.

"I'll go and make us a pizza..." She said, slowly walking downstairs. I sighed sadly.

"I hate this..." I said to myself out loud, walking into my room to start packing up my things for the trip to the Iron Lantern.

Attached to the letter were things that I was required to take with me. Shirt, shoes, robes, hat, etc. from watching the games at home, I know that the clothing you brought was really strict.

After I packed those things, I picked up one of my most treasured things. It was a photograph of Mom, Dad, and me as a child. Those were the good times. The times when Dad was alive and was with us. He looked just like me as a kid. At least, that's what Mom told me.

She could do a little bit of magic, but never as much as my dad. He was the best at magic! I wish I could've known more about him and his magic, but I don't want to upset Mom anymore than she already is...

I walked downstairs, and set my traveling bookbag on the kitchen counter. Then, I sat down at the table. Mom was probably thinking the worst. Ells is going to die in a slow and painful death alone in the middle of the Magic Trials.

Geez, this is helpful.

So, me and Mom ate in silence. She probably didn't even look at me the whole time. She was probably trying to hold back the tears in her eyes from spilling out. You know, mom stuff.

I didn't know it then, but that was the last normal day of my entire life.