The School for Good and Evil: Return of the School Masters (fanfic)

Chapter 13

Malcolm sat in a grove, white light consuming the sky. Soft grass beneath his bare feet. A slow waterfall sending cascades of cool water into a pond in front of him. Willow trees with dainty green and pink leaves and flowers swaying in a gentle breeze.

He stood from the marble bench and kneeled by the water. It rippled, glistening in the light. Instead of his reflection, a murky image stared back. And spoke. Malcolm, be watchful.

He backed away from the water. "What are you? Who are you?" The image stayed under the surface of the pond. "Why don't you get out? Are you trapped in there?"

"No." A hand made of crystal water slammed onto the grass. Another joined it. The form pushed up, a human made of pure water. Thin legs climbed onto land and he stood unsteadily. Pebbles marked his eyes. "My, that was actually more difficult than I thought."

Malcolm cocked his head, still seated in the grass. "Then why'd you try?"

The water man planted his fists on his hips, water splashing onto the ground. "Because you provoked me. It's not very Good of you to question your predecessor's ability."

"Predecessor?"

He tilted his head back with a groan. "So many questions." He sat down in front of him. "I'm Rhian, the first School Master of Good. And I'm trying to help you right now."

Malcolm crossed his legs and leaned on his knees. "You're the one that died because of your brother. The Evil School Master."

"Yes, thank you. At least Aurum explained to you our history." He raised his hand before Malcolm opened his mouth. "Before you ask, Aurum is my golden quill. Rafal thought it stupid I gave him an unbiased spirit and name, so I kept the name to myself for the most part."

After a moment of silence, Malcolm asked his question. "Dad taught me some Latin, so I figured you meant the pen. I was gonna ask why the quill needed a neutral opinion."

Rhian relaxed a little. "My attempt at trying to appease my idiotic brother. He complained constantly about Good winning more than Evil and that more people had to die for it to be fair. I let him have a few plagues, but that didn't make him happy and I wasn't pleased because it was unfair on his behalf. So the pen was to have the final thought, the end to our arguments. Instead, it made him more mad and he decided to kill me. Too bad he didn't realize the pen had to keep the balance and so would lean to Good to match his Evil." He laughed pleasantly.

Malcolm's brow furrowed. "Is there therapy in the afterlife? Cause you two need some."

Rhian, despite being water, seemed shocked. "Technically we haven't reached the afterlife. We've been buried in you and your brother's subconsciouses. Until you entered the school. I prefer not to be intrusive, which is why I'm water at the moment. But Rafal's presence is very strong in your brother, so most likely he's been pestering him for a while."

Malcolm sat up. "Your brother's in mine? What's he doing?"

"Plotting to kill you. That's what I'm warning you about, but you want to circle the issue and pretend your brother likes you." He crossed his arms at Malcolm's gawking. "Please, I can see your thoughts."

"Then you know my brother doesn't want me dead."

"He might not now, but Rafal will convince him. They're talking right now. I can hear him."

Malcolm opened his eyes to the dark tower. Night still settled over the school. Across from his bed was Maverick's. His brother sat up under his blanket, a light casting his shadow into the room. He whispered, "Ha ha. How do I know I can trust you?" No one seemed to be under the blanket with him.