A Strider's Curse

Chapter One: Morning world

The day Began with the sweet smell of bacon and the stink of boredom. Of course Max was already up and moving around because he felt like that had to be his responsibility and it also annoyed the hell outta me.
"Unless you plan on going out with an empty stomach Dust, you better get down here!" He shouted up the stairs and I felt like the neighbours heard it. Although, I don't really care whether they get pissed off when Max shouts or not. I really wanted to stay in bed a little longer but I knew Max would just get even louder than he already was.

"Alright! I'm coming!" I shouted back down and hopped out of bed. I picked up my dark blue jeans and squeezed into them; put on my plain black T-shirt and grabbed my hoodie my Dad made me. It's made out of a material that grows when the wearer grows, so I've never had to buy a replacement.

I made my way to the bathroom, opened the door and switched the light on. I hung my hoodie on the door and then went over to the sink to fill it with water. As it was filling with water, I looked up at the mirror in front of me. It's not as if I'm getting any prettier; I'd say that I have a smooth complexion and my most attractive features are my eyes. One of them is blue, bright blue and the other is almost red but not quite.

My hair however is a mess and really needs a trim I think, and really stands out in a crowd. It's black, with a slight hint of white in there and Max has the same kind of hair.

After I finished looking at myself I stopped the tap and began to wash my face.

A couple of minutes later and I had finished; I emptied the sink, dried my face and snatched my hoodie off the door and made my way down stairs towards the kitchen. Where I found mister Grumpy sat at the table taking a sip from a mug filled with coffee and while reading the daily paper.

I would say that Max has always been the better looking one (and the older one... by about thirty-five seconds); he has slightly more muscle, a better complexion, (although he has my face but with some differences) grey eyes and the same kind of hair I have but cut short.

I walked over to the table and pulled out a chair, sat down and began to eat my breakfast (Kellogg's Corn Flakes).

For about two minutes Max didn't say a word and it was kind of awkward. Sitting there in front of him, taking a glance every now and then to see if he was still reading the paper... which he was.

After the third minute, when I had finished my breakfast, I was about to start the morning conversation but Max managed to get there first.
"You don't have any plans for today do you?" He asked, folding and laying the paper on the table.
"Well... no, not really... why?" I replied beginning to take interest in what he had to say.
"I've secured you a place at Eagle's Calling College." He said and I nodded but that was before I realised what he just said.
"What!?" I shouted with an anxious and frustrated look on my face. Although, he just sat there and looked at me with a smile.
"That's right and you're starting today. The Grandmaster's expecting you." He said, with a smile still on his face.

By the way a "Grandmaster" is another way of saying that he's the head of the college. Also, when people say "college" they really mean that it's a safe haven for people with "abilities".

"Why the hell would I go to a college!?" I shouted again but got no reaction out of Max. Just the same smile.
"Well you could learn a thing or two and you could make allies. You can't always fight your battles alone Dust." He said, relaxed and calm and generally looked like he didn't have a care in the world.
"I have you don't I? You're my "tech guy"... my eyes and ears. I don't need anybody else but you." I said and tried to come up with many other reasons not to go to a college but Max trumped them all and I ended up going along with his idea.

We exited the house and we walked to the garage. Well, it used to be just me walking as Max used to have to sit in a wheelchair because he couldn't exactly control his powers. Every time he took a step, the air would scream and the ground would crack, almost creating a crater.

I was about to open the garage door when- "Hold on Dust, let's walk to the college. Besides, it's early and you know what the neighbours are like." He said while holding my wrist to stop me opening the door of the garage. I thought about the idea for a couple seconds and I actually listened to him.

We began walking out of the neighbourhood and you could already hear the traffic on the main road. One of the many reason why walking is better than driving, but not as fun.

We walked for about twenty-five minutes and Max stopped me in the middle of... an empty street.
"We're here." Max said but i honestly thought he was going crazy. There was nothing here, just an open space between some apartment buildings.
"You feeling alright Max? Those drugs the doctor gave you haven't messed with your head have they?" I asked him and he glared at me.
"No, you just need to open your eyes every now and then." He said and I looked back at where the empty space was... only this time... it wasn't empty.
"WHAT THE!" I shouted with terrified and shocked look on my face.

The college had literally appeared from thin air. Where the hell did that come from? Is what I thought. If it was cloaked in invisibility I would've been able to see it and if it teleported all the way here I would've been able to hear it coming. What the hell is going on!?

"So... are you interested now?" Max asked admiring my shocked face. I looked back at him for a few moments and then back at the... invisible... teleporting... where ever it came from didn't really matter.
"I am now!" I replied to his question.

I was interested alright and my curiosity was spiking rapidly. I wanted to know who the Grandmaster was and how he managed to hide the college from MY sight. That fact alone made me interested in finding out more about this college and it's owner.