Twilight Shadows

Chapter 7

^^Joshua

The next morning was full of excitement. Everyone was chatting in the halls, betting on who would lead the difficult quest. I heard everybody talking about this "legend" of the school, whose name was Caleb. He was practically the Warrior (a Twilight who was extremely powerful and is destined for greatness), and he had over 20 groups of fan-girls, crowding around him and saying that he'll definitely lead the quest.

However, Caleb was honestly really modest, so he shook his head and disappeared into the shadows. Like, literally into the shadows. Maybe some kind of cool Warrior ability? I'm not sure.

Anyways, as I went to the Great Hall for breakfast, I slipped by Headmaster Dyson's office. He seemed somehow agitated. Curiosity taking over, I summoned my wings and flew so high that I almost touched the ceiling. I edged closer to the door, hovering over it.

" - No, I insist!" Came the voice of Headmaster Dyson. "We need extra security measures!"

"But sir, Twilight Academy is extremely safe." Said a female voice.

Must be Headmaster Dyson's assistant or something... I thought.

"I have a superior feeling that someone in this school - ANYONE in this school - can be a spy working for the Shadows. I already have been notified that a Twilight has been missing because of an assassination led by the spy." Headmaster Dyson informed her. "So, Victoria, I think we would need some extra security measures."

"But high security wouldn't really improve anything. For all we know, the spy is inside the school and not outside the school." Victoria insisted.

"Fine, I guess you have a point..." Headmaster Dyson said reluctantly.

"But I promise I will keep a lookout for that spy." Victoria said.

Before I knew it, the steps of Victoria came closer to the door. As fast as I could, I flew away from the door and down the stairs to the entrance of the Great Hall.

"Hey," said a voice behind me. My blood stopped cold. "Steph, why are you flying?"

I turned around and gulped. Behind me stood Noah. "Uhhhh..." My voice failed me. "Um, I was just practicing flying in a little smaller space... Yeah, that's it. I was flying..."

Noah raised an eyebrow, and both him and I could tell that I was lying. I gulped.

"OK then." Noah said. "Would you like to join me in the Rising Dawn restaurant? We're having a nice little party there..."

I was confused. A party? In the morning? Odd. Pushing away the thoughts, I gladly accepted. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Clarissa peeking from behind a column.

"Give me a moment." I said to Noah before flying over to Clarissa and landing gracefully.

"Clarissa." I regarded her, tilting my head. "What are you doing here?"

She gulped. "I was... watching your little conversation with my boyfriend."

I rolled my eyes. "He's not even interested in you anymore. Deal with it. Anyways, I'd better go to Rising Dawn with him. See you later, Clarissa."

I happily skipped back to Noah. Noah shot a glare at Clarissa before turning away and going to the Rising Dawn restaurant and bar.

~💖~  

It was my first time in Rising Dawn. It was a gorgeous place, with a gigantic tree in the middle, sprouting thick sturdy branches in all directions. Perched on the branches were tables and chairs for the customers to sit in. At the base of the tree were different little elves dressed as waiters and waitresses.

One of them came up to Noah and I.

"Oooooo..." The little elf exclaimed. "A nice little couple, I see?"

I resisted the urge to punch the elf in the face.

"No." Noah said coolly. "I have a reserved table here at the highest branches with... Joshua and Caitlin. Number 715."

"Oh, right, of course sir..." The little elf scrambled out of our way and gestured upwards. "Your table is going to be on your right. Enjoy your breakfast!"

Noah nodded curtly and I followed him. "Get ready to fly!" He exclaimed, his wings sprouting from his back. I never noticed, but the shaft of his wings were silver, contrasting against the normal polished black feathers.

I summoned my own wings and began to fly upwards. Flying had become so much easier now.

~💖~  

Our table was a huge two meter by four meter glass table, a table for four. I sat on the right, with Noah on my left. In front of me was Caitlin, and beside her (who is also in front of Noah) was her boyfriend, Joshua, who was also Noah's friend. I felt like a complete stranger sitting there with them.

Caitlin extended her hand. "Hi, I'm Caitlin." I took her hand and shook it. Then I realized I recognized her. She was one of the first years sitting at the table yesterday night!

"I'm Stephanie Johnson." I replied, smiling crookedly. I turned towards Joshua. "You must be Joshua then."

Joshua nodded. He seemed like the shy and secretive type.

"So," I said, turning back to Noah. "Did you enter for the quest?"

"Of course I did, Steph! Why wouldn't I? It would be a great experience, and no one has had a quest lately..." Noah trailed off. "Oh, also, I put your name and Joshua's name as my companions and I hope you're okay with that..."

I looked at Joshua. "I'm totally fine with that!" I said cheerfully. "Now, what's for breakfast?"

Noah snapped his fingers. "I already ordered for you guys!"

"Oooooo!!!" Caitlin gushed. "Pancakes with tons of maple syrup! Oh, and waffles! And... ice cream! What a breakfast!" Caitlin said excitedly, digging in right away.

"Hey, that's what I had yesterday for my birthday..." I noticed. Then, with a pang of homesickness, I realized that I would probably never be able to see Mom again. I tried to keep back from crying.

Be strong, Stephanie, I thought. It's going to be alright.

With a deep breath, I dug into my breakfast and tried to shake the thought out of my head, although it still lingered in the back of my mind.

~💖~ 

Right after we finished eating breakfast, the headmaster flew to the top of the tree and onto a podium overlooking the entire restaurant. He cleared his throat and signaled for the restaurant to be quiet.

"I have brought forth the orb, and it has decided already. It seems pretty sure that this particular person should lead this quest." Headmaster Dyson announced.

My heart pounded. Could it be Noah?

"The leader of this quest shall be... Caleb!"

All of Caleb's fan-girls were cheering him on. "CA-LEB, CA-LEB, CA-LEB!" They cheered.

Caleb flew to the podium. "I am very thankful and grateful that the orb would choose m - " Caleb was cut off by the bright flash of the orb. The orb floated towards Caleb, and (surprisingly) pushed Caleb off the podium! The crowd gasped.

"Well..." The headmaster chuckled nervously. "Seems like that wasn't the right person! My sincere apologies, Caleb."

The orb glowed brightly as it decided who should really lead the quest. Headmaster Dyson peered into it.

"I see..." the headmaster murmured. "The hero who shall lead this quest is...!"