Zodiac Academy (Draft 1)

Chapter 11: The Summoning

I didn't forget to call my mom this time before bed. As everyone else trailed off to their houses, tired after their first day back to school, I lingered outside of the golden doors leading into Leo house. Pulling out my phone, I noticed a text message she had sent earlier on in the day: Have fun at school, can't wait to hear all about it <3

It was certainly a different tone than before, and I didn't want to mess it up. Before I dialed her number, I caught a string of words carved into the stone right above the doors that I didn't notice before. I took a couple steps back to get a better view of it:

The Fifth House holds all fiery expression,

Leo House bends light to make an impression.

Tilting my head to the side, I curiously glanced to the left at our neighbors to see if they had something similar to us. Indeed, Cancer had something engraved above their door as well. I almost forgot about my promise to phone (or text) home every night, but I'm sure mom could wait a few more minutes. I bounded off the marble steps from Leo House and made my way over to Cancer's. There were a fair amount of people out and about, mainly going to visit some of their friends around the housing area, but nobody paid any attention to me.

I didn't step foot onto Cancer's House (lest I be trespassing), but stayed a couple feet away where I could still make out the words:

The Fourth House feels every lingering emotion,

Cancer skills can manipulate feelings like a drunken potion.

What on earth did that mean? I went back over to my own House and reread the words. I still didn't get it, so I thought taking a look around each House would be a good idea to gather some intel. I walked on over to Gemini's place, where there were more engravings above their door as well.

The Third House sees both the two sides,

Gemini knows past, present, and future with unwavering eyes.

And then it dawned on me that the mantras correlated to each house's special skills. Leos could manipulate rays of light, and Cancer must have something to do with emotions. Maybe they were empaths? Obviously Gemini had the ability to foresee the future and even the past. Now this stuff was beyond interesting.

I decided to start at the beginning at Aries House. As I made my way over, I shot my mom a quick text, telling her that all was well and I'd be heading off to bed soon. There was still enough natural light for me to read the mantras, even though some of the sunlight was blocked by the other buildings.

The First House quick to come to one's aid,

Aries House remains fast and stands unafraid.

The Second House strong and sturdy like no other,

Taurus House gives strength and is everyone's brother.

The Third House sees both the two sides,

Gemini knows past, present, and future with unwavering eyes.

The Fourth House feels every lingering emotion,

Cancer skills can manipulate feelings like a drunken potion.

The Fifth House holds all fiery expression,

Leo House bends light to make an impression.

I was in the middle of reading Virgo's mantra when a voice on called out, "What are you doing?" I must have looked confused with a mixture of panic because Sabeen came out from behind a pillar. She was wearing an icy blue hijab which complimented her brown eyes, which were also giving me a funny look. Her uniform was same in design except that it covered her arms