Chapter One : The Beginning

The man's footstep sound was swallowed by the wind as he run through the forest of the Crook. He was almost at the orifice of the Willow now. He was safe. After the entire chase from the Milieus, the evil wizard's followers, they have finally given up. If only he had the permission to eradicate all of them he would have done it in a blink. But the orders were strictly no killing till time has come. He can only sigh; he cannot afford to contradict the Supremacy for the time being. 

As he got at the clearing, the luminescent moon was shining proudly in the sky. It was a cloudless night. The moon's light illuminated his ashen hair and accentuated the sparkling blue parallel lining that surrounds it. He turned his gaze to the Willow of Llfhame and saw something glinting in the sky. Was it a star falling? Quickly, he entered the Willow following the direction of the light's descent which was now falling faster than it was earlier. It was gaining speed as it falls closer to the ground. Finally, he spotted a good place in the presence of a tree which was likely where the light should fall. The light was now only a few feet higher than the tall tree he was situated when he realized the light was not a star it was a body. Its hair was radiating the light as the wind carries it down. It was going down slowly now. The man outreached his hand to catch the maiden from the sky with a glowing white hair. Gently, the air delivered the maiden in the man's arms. She was weightless and unconscious but it did not hide the maiden’s beauty. For her comeliness was that of the gods that have long closed the realms to the people of Sinofiory. As the man surveyed her face she slowly opened her eyes and spoke of a prophecy that will forever change the wizling's lives.

In the center of the Willow where the temple of the gods stood proudly, the monks was performing their everyday ritual when the altar shone and an oracle spoke. It was the first prophecy relevant to the Great War after a hundred years. They stood transfixed to the voice on the altar.

All night by the white stars' frosty gleams

Descent of thy Goddess appear in thy lofty dreams

And the eyes forget the tears they have shed

Who succumb shall come forth from the dead

The breeze comes whispering in thy ear

Till the Gods comes flooding back with a ripply cheer

Slender and clear were his crystal spars

As the flashes of light that trim the stars

His dimension awaits yet he seeks for the void

Adversary behold coming back to the world

What hast thou seek is power above all

To defeat evil heavens shall fall

The voice was gone now akin to the blinding light that appeared with it. Just as they thought the night's shock were done, the temples gigantic doors sprang to life and revealed a man carrying a maiden wearing a white flowed dress with hair as white as snow. 

**********

‘’Seizare!” 

 I shouted and fired the spell at Monk Amon who just showed me her beautiful smirk as she effortlessly pointed her staff at my spell. I already know she mastered nonverbal execution of spells but I also know the fight I put up isn't futile. I was about to fire another spell at her not realizing she have already casted a spell directed towards me. A Reversa Tatama! Did my spell just backfire? Totally worked up now, I summoned my broom and floated at my domain. That is right the air is my territory after all, my attribute is among the four main elements, the wind. I grinned wildly at the Monk who is looking up at me now and chanted the spell that shall end this fight.

 

"Oh great wind heed my plea, 

Grant thy power in the foe I see

Fool my adversary so let it be"

A white circle with intricate and baroque symbols appeared in front of the monk. Familiar with the spell she hurriedly leaped backwards but later on concluded that she made the wrong choice for I was there behind her pointing my wand. Realizing her defeat the monk put her wand down and faced me with a big grin on her face.

"You really have grown strong and cunning Lista," she said emphasizing the word cunning.

 I was about to open my mouth and thank her when I was sent flying by another spell. Butt landing on the ground and wand out of my reach, I heard Monk Amon's laughter as she went closer me. Leaning down at me she said,

“You really are strong now. But always remember; don't let your guard down in a fight. Even if you are facing a friend, because sometimes Lista, your friends are the most dangerous foe you could face. Well! Not that you have friends anyway." 

And once again she let out a comical laugh after being serious for a very short period of time. This let me tell you, happens almost never. Monk Amon reached out her hand and helped me get back to my feet. I dusted my skirt and faced her as I digested all she has said.

“I understand Monk Amon," I said smiling in order to show her that despite her half serious lessons I still take every words to heart. 

“And certainly I have a friend." I added which just earned another laugh from the monk. 

The monks of the temple were characterized by their long silky black hairs and black satin dress with white linen lines, perfectly hugging their bodies. They always carry their staff that was bathed under the moonlight and prayed during the rituals in the temple of gods. Their long shiny black hairs are tinted with dark blue streaks whenever they use mahò. This represents their change. According to what I have read, often times those of goddess descent have their hair colors as their change, representation of power, but the Monks are exceptions. They have been blessed by the gods and are granted a rare change. Their representation of power is unique to their job class.

“Alright, you have a friend then. And speaking of friend, will Johannes accompany you when you get your uniform today?" she asked.

 I suddenly remembered that I am supposed to go to town today to get a uniform for the Academe's entrance exam the following week.  Though I was not entirely sure if I would pass the entrance exam, Monk Amon and Johannes insisted that I should get my uniform early anyway. I even received an earful of lectures about not being able to trust their teaching skills hence having low confidence in my talent which I immediately opposed. Regarding my talents, I was pretty confident and sure. But we could never know what lies ahead I just don’t want to be crestfallen later on

“That reminds me, I need to go now Monk Amon. Johann might be waiting for me at the fields. Thank you for today Monk Amon." I chanted and bid my farewell. Hurriedly I summoned my broom.

 

As I was nearing the fields down the Willows I saw Johann standing in the middle of the flower field. This flower field serves as the garden of the Willow of Einsmyr. Standing in the East of Llfhame this flower field provides aesthetic scenery to the people who come to visit the gods’ temple. With Johann standing there the scenery just got even better. His appearance was even more alluring than the blooms around him. He was in his usual attire, a black suit paired with his gloves and his thin reading glasses that makes him even more intimidating. His ashen gray hair accentuated with parallel linings sparkled as the sun's ray touches it.

 I remember the first time we have met a few months ago. It was my 14th birthday and I went to hunt at The Pinwood. It eventually became a hobby of mine; it was a very good practice for my archery skills and control of the wind. I readied my bow, chanted a spell to form my air arrow, and aimed at the deer lurking just a few meters away. I was about to let go of the air arrow when I heard a rustle of leaves behind. By instinct, and also by shock, I changed the air arrow's direction towards the intruder which effortlessly evaded my attack. It was Johannes, which was a stranger to me that time, his eyes were perturbed when he saw me then it turned into sadness, pain, and myriad of emotions I was too occupied to read. What caught me of guard the most was when he suddenly hugged me, he was certainly fast.  Recovering my senses, I pushed him and jumped backwards as I pointed my bow at him. I remember asking his name which he then immediately told me. I was totally wierded out by him that time. 

"Why did you attack me?" I asked grudgingly. 

Suddenly he smiled and raised his hands as if he was caught by the wiz soldiers. The air around him quickly changed, from the gloomy and melancholic atmosphere to a happy and playful one.

“I... I just missed you," he said in low voice. And once again the longing was evident in his eyes. That time I totally wondered if I knew Johann. I tried to remember but all I could see was blurry images which caused my head to hurt. I cannot certainly remember my childhood and that is very tragic.  My only present memory was from when I was 12 years old, anything past from it was a beclouded.

“Do I know you?" I asked raising an eyebrow. I was quite sure this is my first time seeing this man.

“I meet you when you were a child," he answered. 

I was still doubtful that time but when we talked more he was unexpectedly trustworthy. And the monks know him so we became friends, eventually becoming my only friend. 

"Johann!" I shouted with glee. 

“You’re late Moria," he grumpily said but failed to hide his smile as I walked and kissed his cheeks. It was our everyday greeting. The first time he did that I nearly knocked him out. 

“I was caught up with a little training with Monk Amon" 

“Ohh, you'll end up excelling your exam in that case," he said mockingly.

 He already knows that I was so nervous about the exam. It will be my first time in Einsmoore which is home to most wizlings in the Sinofiory Island of Llfhame. I've been in Einsmyr all my life, isolated in the Willow where the temple is situated. The temple and The Pinwood is my only environment. Though, I don’t really have any complaints about this way of living.

“Don’t start with me Johann, you know how nervous I am. I might not be able to produce any spells!" I said panicking. But instead of sympathizing he just laughed and circled his arm on my shoulders. He leaned in my ear, leveling his face on mine and said. 

“Don’t you worry Moria, I will be there to support you" he said and pinched my nose. 

“Now let's get go get that uniform of yours." 

We then took flight for about 15 minutes and reached the town of Einsmyr. The town was filled with people as it usually is. It was lively and people were everywhere, various shops can be seen in every corner and vendors were urging customers to buy. The good weather made the atmosphere even livelier.  I let Johann guide me to the tailor shop for I don't really know where it is. I know I live in Einsmyr but that doesn't necessarily mean I'm often out of the temple. All my life I have been practicing my skills, honing it until I get stronger. The monks said I needed the strength. For what, you should probably ask them. But I like practicing mahò it makes me feel lively. 

Finally we reached the tailor shop. It has big white columns adorned with gold lines in its entrance. The glimmering name of the shop stood proudly greeting every passer-by and egging them to come in. Guildy Locke was the shop’s name, a cute name. As we entered, the wind chimes at the door clinkety-clank.