The Warlock

2: The Choosing Ceremony

The Headmistress' shadow had left her yet again and waited to be called by its owner along with the first years in the yard. The older students and faculty were preparing themselves for the Ceremony, while the first years quivered in anticipation. Slower than wanted the shadow made its way into the woods surrounding the Conservatory. Small flickering lights could be seen through the trees in the dark. The group of sixty or so firsties made their way through.

Soon the shadow led them to the lights, which turned out to be flames, floating in the air and a large bonfire in the middle of the half circle made of the second and third years. The Headmistress was standing right in front of the large bonfire. The flames were casting a halo over her figure, making her seem even more ethereal and intimidating than before.

"Now as the witching hour approaches each one of you will step into the flames, where your truest path will be revealed." The Headmistress paused, letting the news to sink in.

The Choosing Ceremony was something everyone went through, yet it was also one of the best kept secrets. Parents and relatives never revealed what was supposed to happen, claiming that it was to be a surprise for when the new generation stepped foot in the Conservatory. The mystery around the Ceremony made it even more alluring for the young magicians and learning that they were to step in the fire stirred both fear and curiosity.

"If you're destined to be a witch, a healer of everything magical, the flames will turn green. If you're to be a warlock, yielders of the dark trade, you'll be engulfed by black. For a wizard, the scholars of our kind, the flames will become blue. And for the sorcerers and sorceresses, nature's children , the fire will become silver."

Just now Freya noticed that all the students surrounding the bonfire wore the sharp, black hats mortals used to dress up as magicians, but different people had differently colored bands on the hats. Different color for the different path the magician had.

The newcomers were put into a line, headed by the Headmistress. She instructed the students one by one to enter into the flames. Asteria was one of the first in line due to her family name beginning with A. The first three teenagers in front of her passed through the fire, and none of them were screaming in agony, so that gave Asteria some peace. The fire was most likely enchanted to not harm the ones who entered it. It changed its color when a new person came in, and every time the audience would clap and shout in happiness.Soon it was Asteria's turn.

The girl mustered up the little bit of confidence that hadn't left her body and stepped into the bonfire. Silver flames engulfed her little body, and a large satisfied smile appeared on her face. Asteria stepped out of the fire, and was handed a hat with a silver band. Asteria's heart was racing as she made her way towards where her brother was seated. He gave her a one armed hug. A couple more people passed and it was the twins' turn. First it was Faye. The moment she stepped into the fire, it turned blue. Asteria's mouth formed into an o. Faye was a wizard and not a sorceress. Freya followed after her. Asteria watched anxiously as the flames turned green and Freya was handed the hat with the green band. Now Asteria was in complete shock. The twins made their way towards her, each wearing the hats, bearing the blue and green bands. The blonde girl could not understand. All of their family members were sorcerers. How did this happen?

"Congrats on rebelling against the family tradition," said Asteria once the girls approached with a hint of bitterness.

She had spent all her sixteen years on Earth with them. They were her best friends and they did everything together. Now they were split. She was happy for them, but a part of her selfishly wanted them to remain together.

Aslan ruffled the twins' hairs with a smile, and turned to Asteria:

"Don't be a party pooper. This is good, expanding your horizons!"

The four of them sat together and continued watching the Ceremony. It didn't pass the young girl's attention that barely any of the teenagers were claimed as warlocks. She looked around the sitting ones. Among the colorful bands, barely any of them were black. She scrunched her eyebrows, trying to decipher why. After a couple of minutes, Asteria couldn't find anything in her mind about warlocks besides the vague mentioning here and there by her parents. Finally she decided to ask her brother after the Ceremony.

The last student was handed her hat. Everyone stood up, the Headmistress in the middle of the circle. With a few parting words, saying that the next day was their Induction day, she disappeared. Everyone got up ready to head back to the Conservatory.

Asteria was walking with Aslan, while Freya and Faye ran off to find people from their Paths, since everyone was going to their respective towers. Asteria took this as a chance to ask her brother about the warlocks.

"The Dark Arts are quite hard to learn and control. You need to have ... a strong heart, a special mentality if you understand. Many of us are talented in the other areas ... the healing, the scholarly, the natural ... but dark magic is completely different. Our powers come from the surrounding world. For example, sorcerers powers come from nature. And our powers are light or neutral for wizards. But dark magic comes from the Abyss, and it takes a strong heart to wield this power."

With this Aslan finished his explanation. They had reached the tower meant for the sorcerers and sorceresses. In front of a large mahogany door stood a guy, wearing a large yellow badge with the alchemy symbols for earth, fire, air, and water. He cleared his throat, gaining the attention of everyone.

"Hi! My name is Naveed. I'm the Head Boy of y'all and the Fate Tower, which, firsties, will be your home for the next three years. Now like each of the four towers, ours has a password. If you want to enter you need to knock three times here ..." Naveed demonstrated. " And once here."

The door opened, revealing a large common room filled with tables, sofas, and arm chairs. Plants were lining almost every part of the wall. The sixteen year old teenagers entered the room, awe written all over their faces.

Naveed continued with the instructions.

"On the left are the girls dorms and on the right are the boys dorms. Your names are written on the doors of your rooms and your luggage is already inside."

Asteria could feel the tiredness in her bones. The adrenaline of finally being where she was meant to be was gone, and she was ready to shut her eyes. With a good night hug to her brother, Asteria found her way to her room. She had two more roommates, whom she was too tired to meet. Going inside she understood that her roommates had felt the same, since both of them were already in bed. The white haired girl found her own bed, and settled in it after changing into her sleeping clothes. That night Asteria dreamt of black magic, and flowers, and green bands.