Book 1- The Ark of Time

Chapter 1

The sun illuminated the classroom, bringing life to the void that resided within. Amidst the silence that engulfed the room, a light seared against the girl's face. Horatia's red eyes opened to the lingering warmth that began to consume her. A familiar presence approaching. A blonde girl walked into the room and Horatia's gaze darted to her figure. "Good morning, Katrina." The girl smiled as she stood over her friend. "Good morning, Divitorria." The brunette groaned, shifting her weight to her feet, "Have you been getting enough sleep?" Horatia eyed her, "I've been staying up to study." She stood up, her gaze shifting to the windows. "Don't push yourself too hard! Otherwise, you'll fall asleep in class!" Katrina's ice-blue eyes glimmered in the light. "I'm sorry, I'll manage my time better." Horatia looked down at the floor, both of their footsteps echoing in the hallway. "It's alright, I'm just worried..." She grasped Horatia's hand, "You should stop reading your novels when you have work due."Their conversation continued; the surroundings became meaningless as the world around faded. Without a thought lingering, their faces were brim with joy as they joked around. They were completely unaware until they ran into someone. Katrina recoiled a second too late as she collided with him. The man stepped back; his orange eyes darted from Horatia's to the blue orbs of the shorter girl. "I apologise sir, I should've watched where I was going." The man peered at her. "Don't apologise, it was my carelessness at fault. I should have paid more attention. Are you okay?" "I am fine. Thank you for asking." Horatia observed the man, her eyes glancing over every detail. The foreign aura radiating from him put her at unease. His clothes were vibrant and lively, red gemstones sown into the fabric. His eyes seemed distant, an image embedded into them. Horatia could almost make out a flickering light that resided within. "Alright then, I hope I did not inconvenience you." His dark orange eyes meet the blood red of Horatia's before his attention returned. "I apologise again for being so careless. Have a good morning." He walked past them avoiding the brunette's gaze.The two girls looked at each other, "Want to head to the library before class starts?" "Sure."As they spent their time browsing the shelves, time flew by. Before they knew it, the loud noise cut through their ears. Katrina grabbed onto her friend's hand "We're late!" Horatia paused, turning around to look at something. "Divitorria!" The girl broke out of her grasp, and the two sprinted back.In the silence of the classroom, a tall, old woman faced the chalkboard. Writing sprawled all the way across. The brunette settled down in her seat as her teacher turned around. "Miss Divitorria, come with me." The classroom came alive as Horatia rose out of her seat, a thunder in her chest. "Now children, quiet down!" The woman waited at the front; her eyes watching something in the distance. In the dead silence, a tall man walked in. "Let me introduce you to our special guest. He has come here to study alongside the staff at this school. So, I trust that you all treat him with respect and help him during his time here." Horatia looked up, the strange man from earlier stood before her. "Good morning, I'm Brandon Vesta." He smiled, his vibrant eyes darting around the room before meeting with Horatia's. The girl looked away this time, her gaze shifting to the wall where a painting of the school garden hung. "Divitorria, you may skip today's class and take Mr Vesta around the school. I request that you show him the school facilities, he's not familiar with them." Her teacher nudged her towards the door. The girl turned her head, nodding even though her mind was blank, "I understand." Smiling, Mrs Smith wandered away towards her students. Leaving the two to gaze at each other in silence. 'Vesta...? He's...'"Miss... Divitorria?" His voice cut through her consciousness, and without any delay, she looked him in the eye. "Please follow me." "Of course, lead the way." With a turn, they strolled down the hallways. They passed by bright lights and rooms filled with nothingness. A few feet behind her, Brandon listened as the girl spoke, her pace slowing as they continued. "These are the first years' classrooms." Horatia gestured towards an open door, letting Brandon go in before her. Without a word, they roamed through a well-lit hallway. Their surroundings shifting to a scenery of groomed bushes and blooming flowerbeds. Horatia continued to walk past the garden, pointing to a small shed towards the exit. "The gardening shed is where most of the keys are. You may or may not need to access them during your time here. But, if so, there are a spare set of keys on the third floor next to a painting of the principal." Horatia glanced back. "Okay." The girl's eyes narrowed, darting between her surroundings, and the noble following her. 'That's a bit odd.' "What is odd?" A shiver ran down her spine, a strain on her mind as she processed his words. "I apologise, I didn't mean to frighten you." The red-eyed girl looked up at him, "That is quite alright. I don't know what came over me." Brandon continued behind her as the shorter brunette led him through the halls."This is where the second years' classrooms are, the library is down this way, and that is the front office over here." Horatia pointed towards them. "And of course, these are the third years classrooms." Horatia stopped by the stairs, her red orbs looking right at Brandon's. "That is all there is for the first floor. Are there any particular rooms you wish to visit?" They both became quiet and unmoving, until the man's eyes moved up to the stairs, "Actually... Is it alright to go to the second floor?""I am sorry Mr Vesta, I am forbidden to enter the second floor unless given teacher's permission." "I'm sure no one would mind if I were to request it myself."The girl smiled, gritting her teeth. "I understand, I will escort you there now." 'Never mind...' As they wandered into the hallways, their surroundings eclipsed, sunlight retreated. It enlightening gaze replaced with flickering torches that casted shadows in all directions. The smoke agitated Horatia's nostrils, bringing about a suffocation that stung her throat. Brandon looked at her, "Thank you for doing this for me. If you get in trouble, I'll take responsibility." The brunette smiled, "There is no need, I will take responsibility for my own actions." 'I doubt that you would.' 'I will.' Horatia quickened her pace, "Are you alright, Miss?" "Yes. I am fine." Brandon accepted her answer, his eyes shifting to the displays of magical objects. Some of which he had never seen before."So, tell me about the second floor." The teen looked at him. "Most of the second-floor consists of artefacts and historical objects, as you can see. Many are magical, but other than that, there is not much else that I know." She took him through the first hallway, "This is one of the most important artefacts here. The only known painting of the second Time-wielder." Brandon looked at the piece; a tall woman stood on top of a cliff in the painting. Her yellow eyes seemed to leap out, and her long, brown hair was up in a ponytail."I have heard of its existence, but not once have I seen it for myself." The man turned to Horatia, "Do you know where this is?" "It's located on the other side of the capital, in the outskirts... It's a strange place of many mysteries." "How so?" The noble observed the red-eyed girl. "After all these years, the cliff remains the same. Nothing has changed about it. Even after the fires, its stayed green, and in the winter, the snow would never touch the ground. Some even say when you stand on the ledge, you will never see the sun going down." She closed her eyes, "But no one can know for sure without experiencing it first-hand." "I see..." A smile appeared on his face, the noble faced Horatia, "Then, should we continue?" "Of course."They roamed the dim halls, the darkness blanketing them with a strange comfort. "Well, this was quite an interesting tour. Thank you for taking time out of your schedule for showing me the school. Your break will begin soon, yes?" Horatia nodded, "Well then, I will have to take my leave now, may I take you back to class?" The girl shook her head. "No, that is quite alright. I can manage myself. Farewell to you, Mr Vesta." Brandon waved back, "Thank you for your tour. Farewell to you too."On the walk back, a presence seemed to pursue her, she noticed the movements behind her. Horatia stopped and turned around to see them disappear into a line of trees by the fence. Curious, the brunette ran up to the trees and looked around for anything. Only to be disappointed when she didn't see anything out of the ordinary, "I must be seeing things today..." Horatia turned to leave when she heard rustling, the girl turned around to a green, scaly creature. It stood almost unnoticeable within the leafy confines. "Why is there a snake in the school grounds?!" It hissed at her, retreating into the lush leaves of the apple tree as the school bell rang. First and second lessons had finished, and their first break had began. Horatia forgot about the creature. Hurrying to the blacksmithing classroom.She had missed out on her entire lesson while she gave the noble a tour around the school. So, when the girl found Mrs Smith, she apologised, "I'm so sorry for missing out on your entire lesson Mrs Smith."The woman looked at her with an unreadable expression, "Why must you? Don't be. I gave you full permission to. I realise that the school is quite big. You must've informed Mr Vesta of every classroom of importance." Horatia smiled "Thank you." "No need to thank me. Now, off you go child. You have some time to have a break from your studies. So, go clear your mind." "I understand." Exchanging smiles, they parted ways.Horatia walked into the library, "There you are! Five minutes have gone by! I thought you got into trouble for being late this morning!" The brunette sat down, "No, not at all. Mrs Smith let me off the entire lesson to give a tour around the school." "Lucky!" The blonde turned around to look out the window at the garden. "Something on your mind?" "Hm? No, my Artefacts' teacher has assigned me an essay, the only problem is, it's due next week, but I'll be out of town." Katrina brought her attention back to her drawing. The taller girl shifted her weight to her elbow, "Why don't you hand it up before the end of next week? I'm sure your teacher wouldn't mind if you explained it to him." The blonde looked down, "Yeah, but I don't know if I can finish it by then. It's a thousand-word essay, and I still have all my other subjects to do as well." Horatia thought about it for a second."They why don't I help?" Katrina jumped up off her seat, but her expression soon turned into disappointment. "I'd love that, but I'd hate to distract you from your work, and I would be cheating." "C'mon, only once. I won't do anything like this again." Katrina grabbed onto Horatia's hand in excitement and thanked her. "Thank you so much! You have no idea how much this means to me!" The brunette smiled, "No problem. Meet you at your house after I pick up my dad?" "Sure!"The bell had gone, Horatia was about to leave when someone stopped her. Mr Fletcher stood at the door, "Miss Divitorria, you have the principal has summoned you. He's asked you to meet him in his office." "Thank you for relaying that message. Have a good day Mr Fletcher." "You too, Miss Divitorria." A sickening feeling invaded her stomach. Why was she called to the principal's office? She scurried upstairs to the second floor. But before she could reach the next flight of stairs, Horatia stopped. Within the consuming darkness of the halls, something had moved. The red-eyed girl heard clattering. The noises only intriguing her more, but when she approached, there was nothing. Something hissed in the silence, and the noise shifted her attention to the painting. The large oil painting she had shown Brandon taunted her. Her eyes trailed down, a small green, scaly tail stuck out from beneath it. The frame seemed unhinged from the wall on one side, so Horatia opened it to see a dark corridor, and the snake at her feet. "You're a strange snake..." It hissed, causing an echo in the void before them, and within a moment, it slithered into the darkness.She hesitated; anything could be lurking in there. And the trouble she would face for entering an unauthorised room... A hiss echoed from within, and the girl jumped, "Okay. I'll come as well."Immediately the door closed behind her. Horatia whipped her head around, retreating from the noise. The girl was only a few meters away from the door when a flame lit up on either side. The flames were black, but the light coming from it was bright and had a white illumination. "Where are we, snake?" Another hiss, this time, catching the girl's attention, "You know I can't understand you, right?" The snake hissed again, "I'll take that as a yes." Horatia could see the caging walls of a hallway, now visible as torches lit up beside her. Every step she took, an ominous aura drifted from the end. If there was one at all.The brick walls surrounded them, closing in as she continued. The humid air formed beads of sweat on her skin, pushing against the brunette with a murkiness. As they continued, a door appeared at the end of the hallway. It was white and rimmed gold, and painted in the middle was a black diamond. Horatia grasped the doorknob and opened the door to reveal a white room. The girl gazed at the blinding light. Its strange illumination focusing on a stain glass window that took up the back wall. a pedestal standing in the middle. "Has this room always been here?" She looked around, thinking of turning back, "How is this room here?" Her ruby orbs fixated on the black diamond, about 15 centimetres (6 inches) across, and so deep. Her thoughts would fade when looking into its depths. It sat on the pedestal, pleading for attention.The darkness of the jewel began to fade, and red smoke seemed to bleed out of it. An image forming within the murky haze. Soon enough, the girl's vision began to replace her surroundings with the image of a yellow clock. It ticked at an uncomfortable pace, before it disappeared, replaced with a dirt field. The grass bore a dark black, and rusted weapons laid in the dirt alongside motionless humans. And in the middle of it a woman held out her hand, her eyes blazed red under the cloak that concealed her. "Don't be scared... She will be there to guide you on your way. Be patient, Horatia, your time will come..." The girl could only gape at the scene, the stranger's words seemed irrelevant. Her voice bore an almost sinister tone, "You'll make it here." That's when the girl saw it: blood escaped down the woman's arm, blood that was not her own. Her vision raced back to every single body that laid in that field, she looked at them. Some of them she recognised, and some were only another face in her eyes. Horatia began to walk backwards, but her mind resisted the urge.Desperate, she looked away and immediately fell to her knees. A scream settled in the air, the room wanted to consume her right then and there. An electric sting tore through from deep inside, as if all the blood in her body screeched. Every muscle in her body tried to turn her back, but Horatia wouldn't let it. In the corner of her eye, she could see the snake, on top of something in the corner. "No!" Closing her eyes, her lungs screamed for air, "No..." The girl's vision blurred. She began to lose consciousness as something shuffled towards her.Her mind beckoned her to reach for the snake, but her body couldn't. The image of an orange creature appeared, approaching the snake instead. Her hand fell: numb. All her senses faded at her fruitless actions. The pain that shredded her apart vanished within a second.