The Messenger's Story

"Ok, Ebony, this is it. Blow the candles!" A slightly overweight woman told her daughter with excitement in her voice. Ebony took a deep breath, but a knock at the door interrupted her. Her father opened the door. There was a tall and dark figure, who gave him a letter. The man opened it. "Ebony, it's for you!" The little girl didn't say anything. She didn't look shocked at all, her face remained emotionless. She slowly approached to her dad, who gave her the letter.

After she read it, Ebony looked at her dad and gave him a hug. She did the same with her mother, who asked "What's the matter?"
Her parents read the letter too. They understood that their daughter had to leave them.

Ebony took the stranger's hand. After a matter of time she was standing in front of the gates. The girl looked back to see the stranger, who was gone. She ran trough the hallway and suddenly stopped and looked around. Ebony didn't know where the rooms were. She was lost in the building and wandered inside for half an hour. Her heart was pounding, but her face was calm. There were other people passing by, but the little girl didn't have enough courage to ask them for directions.

A flash of bright red-orange shot through the small farmhouse as Cassia chased after her brother. "Give that back!" she yelled, tackling him to the ground. From his hand, she snatched the silver coin that had been baked into the simple cake she was given for her birthday. "That is my lucky birthday coin!" She smiled victoriously, clutching the coin as she released her older brother.

"Settle down now, Cassia," her mother called from the simple wooden dinner table in the kitchen, where she sat feeding Cassia's one year old baby sister while her two other brothers greedily scarfed down their shares of the cake. "Thad, don't steal your sister's things."

The chaos was interrupted by a loud knock at the door. Cassia ran towards it, with her father coming up behind her to answer it. They were taken aback by the shadowy figure that stood there, reading from a vellum that declared Cassia was selected for the Perseus Academy and that she would either accept or be hunted down. Her eyes widened, in both fear and wonder. By this time, her mother had come from the kitchen and was holding Cassia close to her. She exchanged a long, meaningful look with her husband. They knew the renown of the school and the seriousness of the situation.

Cassia felt her mother's hold on her loosen, and she looked up at her parents, knowing what the "right choice" this shadowed man spoke of was supposed to be. Taking a deep breath, Cassia stepped forward and placed her hand in his.

Nodding in assent, the Messenger of the academy, as he was called these day, clutched the small red haired girl's hand and made them disappear in a vortex of dark colours. The journey was dizzying for any that was not used to this method of transport and a seven years old child most of all. Letting the girl get herself back together, the shadowy man awaited.

They were in a small dark room as round as a cake and with a tall ceiling that sloped far above their heads, unseen. A flickering of strangely bright orbs that seemed to float in the darkness was the only light before the man pulled back a dark drape and let in piercing light into the darkness, the source being hat seemed to be an entry hall where throned a great staircase leading to the upper level of what seemed to be a strange construct indeed.There was a great number of similar drapes to the one closing the child's current sanctuary all over the windowless walls of the great room, the only pan of walls not covered by them being portrait of stern-looking men and women, all posing with a weapon in one hand and a glowing spark of... was it magic?... in the other.

"Go on, the Headmaster is waiting for us." The Messenger whispered, slowly making his wait to the imposing stairs, leading the way.

It took a minute for Cassia to catch her breath, unsure of what had just happened and exactly how they ended up in this place. She fought to keep her composure, mentally ordering herself not to throw up. Once her head stopped spinning, her bright green eyes scanned the dark circle of the room they were in. She tried to take in her surroundings, though unable to make out much of it. Her attention was caught by a strange flickering of lights overhead.

Just as her eyes were beginning to adjust to the dark, the Messenger pulled back a drape, allowing light to flood into the room from what appeared to be a hallway beyond. Cassia blinked a few times and looked around the room again. The flickering above her was dimmed now that the light filled the room, and she couldn't make out what it had been. She took note of the drapes that lined the room, wondering if they, too, hid hallways and just how big this place was. The portaits on the only uncovered portion of the wall captured her attention, although she didn't have much of a chance to look at them before the Messenger's whispered voice caused Cassia to jump. Somehow, she had forgotten he was there with her. "Go on," he was telling her, "the Headmaster is waiting for us."

Cassia sucked in a breath, steadying herself. She wasn't sure exactly what a headmaster was, but she had a feeling it was something important. She followed the Messenger toward the staircase and, bracing herself to be ready for anything that might come, began to climb the stairs.

Brenner watched from a roof as people moved unhurriedly through the marketplace. He took a bite of an apple he had gotten from an unsuspecting produce seller's table. Suddenly, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Something was different. Not exactly wrong, just different. He turned around and saw a dark, hooded man standing there. Before Brenner could speak or think to run, and without introduction or prelude, the man proceeded to read from a vellum informing him about the Perseus Academy.

He listened quietly and intently, then contemplated the situation. He could run, and hide. He was rather good at it and probably could probably evade capture for a while anyway. But since his parents died two years ago, leaving him to care for himself by thieving, running was all he knew and he had grown quite tired of it. What this man was offering him sounded interesting. He would learn to be a hero. He could have a future other than being a common criminal. He would have a place to live. There really was only once choice to make, and without further hesitation Brenner took the guide's hand.

As the man led Cassia up the stair he suddenly stopped as if sensing something amiss. A long groan was issued from the confine of the Messenger's hood.

"Fools are they..." Was murmured as the man swiftly descended the stairs and fetched a boy in one of the dark alcoves of the entry hallway. That boy was called Brenner and was promptly abandoned by his guide as soon as he arrived in the dark room. "Come, boy, we must fetch two lost lambs before we meet the Headmaster."

With that said, the trio set out up the grand stairway of the strangely symmetrical building, under the stern glare of past heroes painted on the round walls. After a dizzying amount of turning and twisting corridor they came about two very young girls.

"Come, I will be your guide as my foolish colleagues were not fit to lead you, apparently." This was said in a sullen time as the man gestured for the girls to also follow him.

"I'm Ebony, Amelia and Timothy's daughter from the Autumn family." Ebony introduced herself in the same way Ansha did without really thinking about it. She thought that this introduction gave more information than only the first name. For a second Ebony hoped that Ansha didn't take that as mocking.

Ebony was in the academy for less than a hour and already started missing her home. But who knows? Growing up includes changes, doesn't it? "I'm thinking of something... Were everyone here unexpectedly taken to study in the academy by force?"
Ebony wasn't good at finding subjects to talk about, nor was she into talking, but she didn't want to be invaded by the awkward silence.

The little girl was happy to see that a man will guide them.

Ansha raised one eyebrow, then smiled at Ebony as she attempted to introduce herself in a similar fashion. "I think so. I was thinking about it on the way here. Why would they threaten us with deat--" she fell silent when a man dressed as the Messenger that delivered her to the academy approached them. There was something about him she didn't like, he carried himself with an air of superiority that made her blood boil.

Stay silent, Ansha! Now is not the time for pride! her inner voice told her. Although it did wound her pride to do it, she held her tongue and walked with her head hung behind the man. She fell into step with Ebony, whispering gently in a rare moment of childish innocence.

"Let's be friends"

Although she had been bracing herself for whatever may come, Cassia certainly hadn't expected to be stopped mid-stride to be taken back down the stairs and collect others. They were kids too, same age as her by the looks of it. Two other girls and a boy. She gave them a smile. She felt a little bit better not being alone in this. The two girls had been talking in a hallway when they found them, but the boy had been alone in the corridor and he was staying very quiet. That was odd, she thought, because she had been raised with three brothers and not one of them was quiet. Ever. As the group of them began to follow the Messenger once more, Cassia fell into stride beside the dark-haired boy. "Hi," she said lightly. She waited for a second before adding, "My name's Cassia. What's yours?"

A few moments were passed in relative silence as the group walked down corridor, ascended stairs and passed through bridges giving to emptiness before they reached a richly decorated door made of solid wood and precious metals. Knocking in an elaborate manner, the Messenger awaited an assent to enter from inside before opening the double doors with ease despite their heavy looks.

"The children have arrived, Headmaster." Said the man to an elderly gentleman sitting on an ornate chair behind an equally ornate desk. The older man was writing something with a quill on a similar vellum than the one having been used for the summon and did not look up from his task before the children started to fidget. Finally acknowledging his guests, the man pierced each of the children with his gaze, as if weighting their worth. Nodding once, he started talking with a surprisingly deep voice for his apparent age.

"Welcome to Perseus Academy, young ones, today you will be tested on your current abilities and will be given your quarters, complete with a change of uniform and necessities. We will start with the magical test, touch this orb, if you are indeed future heroes it will glow, confirming your innate magical abilities. Do not fear if you did not notice it earlier as that talent only appear on one's seventh birthday." Paracelsus said, holding out a bright orb made of an unknown material. As he put it on a pillow by his desk, it grew dark.

Nobody seemed keen to touch the orb, so Ansha hesitantly stepped forward. She kept trying to remember she was the daughter of two powerful gypsies, but a small voice in her head kept reminding her she was in fact adopted. As she reached out a pale hand to touch the spherical device, her hand was shaking. Two deep breaths, and her hand touched the ball.

A sudden warmth spread through her hand, but the orb didn't glow at all that brightly. In fact, it seemed to be vaguely flickering. Was she that weak? She jerked her hand away from the orb, stepping back to the group. Her eyes were tearing up but she swallowed hard, not letting them fall.

Being that his parents slept well beyond the time for waking due to their constant struggle with work, Isaiah had the liberty of being awake by his lonesome.
On this particular day, a knock on the door did not seem all that mysterious. Perhaps it was one of his friends wishing him a happy birthday, or a family member stopping by to deliver a wondrous gift.
On this day, he had been promised to be taken to the fields for training, so he woke and outfitted himself in his full attire. His gemshorne hung around his neck, and swayed with his steps.
His sword draped across his back, he always struggled to get his baldric to fit correctly on his small body.
Isaiah stepped across his living quarters with the notion that someone familiar would be on the other side.
Naturally, he reached for the door knob and turned it joyfully. Although, what awaited him was frightening, rather than joyful. He clutched the hilt of his dagger aptly, but listened to the well cloaked man as he spoke.
"Perseus Academy?" He whispered upon the completion of the man's words.
This was a chance he had waited for, the chance to be trained in the arts that make boys men. He aspired his entire youth to become a hero, and this was his golden, shimmering opportunity.

Isaiah loosened his grip on his weapon, and glanced back at into his home. It wasn't as if he had any options at this point. Step forth and endeavor in the opportunity of fate, or die a convict of this academy. Even his young mind could comprehend this in convenience.
Without hesitation, he extended his hand out to the man, and muttered quietly, "I ..will come along."

He followed the man throughout the tangled halls of this school without notice of his peers. This was his destiny, to become a hero, or die trying. Naively blinded by this, he listened to the headmaster speak of this orb, and decidedly refrained from touching it.
Fear bellowed through his body as if a fowl wind had swept by. He suddenly felt ill and disoriented. What if the sphere did not glow? What if he was not destined to become a hero?
In spite of this, he choked down the notion of such after the girl had touched the device.
He stepped forward, and slid his palm somewhat eagerly over the sphere, awaiting a response.

..for the first few moments, it did not react. This sent a burst of fright through the young boy's body. However, given a moment, the orb flickered lightly.
It did not resonate as strongly as he had hoped. He did not know the meaning of the lackluster glow.

Isaiah turned to the girl, Ansha, and gave a slight smirk. Looking to all of the other students first, his eyes finally reach the Headmaster, awaiting some sort of reply or confirmation.

"Happy Birthday my darling!"
Giggling could be heard through the thick doors of the old bakery that sits in the middle of Main Street. IT was quite early, even the morning sun was lazily cresting over the horizon, bathing the empty streets of Nice in warm crimson. The store windows were all dark, a row of closed doors and empty windows, all but the bakery where Ariadne and her father woke early every morning to begin baking the warm, fresh bread for the day.
Ariadne's father was spinning his sweet child, watching as her little feet dangled our from below her patterned dress. Her smile filled his heart with warmth, and her laughter was the elixir he strives on. After losing his wife seven years ago, the only thing he had left was the child that she faught so hard to deliver to him, and died bringing into the world. They spun and laughed for a moment more, before he abruptly stopped.
"What's wrong daddy?" little Ari asked, though after glancing around the question was answered for her. A cloaked figure was standing in the doorway, holding a crisp letter.
Ari simply smiled and ran over the figure, slipping right out of her father's fearful grip, and tugging on the figure's cloak.
"Ariadne, get away from it!" her father snapped.
"Hi there," Ari smiled, with no fear in her eyes, "Today is my birthday! Would you like to have a muffin with us to celebrate?"
The figure stood silent, only extending the letter out to the little girl.
"A birthday card? For me! Thank you!" she exclaimed as she hurried over to her father, tearing the envelope and hopping up onto the counter.
"Read it to me Daddy!" she asked as she pressed the letter into his hand. Tears welled up in his eyes as she scanned the letter, throwing his arms around his little girl.
"Well daddy, what does it say?!" the little girl grinned, ignorant of the decision layed before her. He moved to put himself between his daughter and the figure, gently touching her face as he struggled to smile at her. He adjusted her locket so the clasp was correctly in the back of her neck as she spoke, distracting himself with the task so as not to look her in the eyes.
"Sweetie, you have to go with this person now..."
"Okay, I'll be home for birthday dinner right?" she asked lifting his face with her hands, a worried smile across her small face.
"I'm sorry honey, but no...you have to stay wherever they take you," as she opened her mouth to speak he pressed his finger to her lips, hushing her, "And you have to promise Daddy that you will be good and do whatever they say."
"Okay..." she hesitated, glancing over her father's shoulder at the figure, "I'll see you again soon...right daddy?"
More tears formed on his filling lids, threatening to break free from the ridge they clung to. His voice trembled as he wiped his eyes and did the one ting he had never done before to his little girl. He took her hands in his, and he lied.
"Of course honey... I'll see you real soon" From the doorway a slight cough broke up the moment. Ari leaned over and kissed her father on the forehead, then hopped off the counter and walked over to the figure. Watching as her father waved half-heart-idly at her, she reached out and grasped the cold hand outstretched to her. In a moment, she was gone.

When Ariadne opened her eyes she was shocked to be in such an unfamiliar place. The trip had taken a blink of her eye, but this new place was so strange. As she lifted her hands and rubbed her face she still felt the cold sensation from the Messenger's grip. However, when she looked around the cloaked guide was no where to be found. Before her was a set of two large oak doors. Ornate iron knockers in the shape of fierce lion heads hung just out of her reach. As she stretched up to take one, the door opened before her, revealing a grand entry way. The room was dark, candles hung off the walls casting light in round spots on the floor. She looked back once more to the darkness behind her as a chill ushered her to enter the building.
Her small shoes tapped against the aged marble floors as she cautiously entered. A loud smacking sound caused her to leap from her skin as the door swung shut behind her.
The small girl trembled as she wandered closer into the building, and watched as the candles lit themselves down a corridor to the left. After rubbing her eyes she realized, they were in fact urging her to take that hall. Meekly she followed the strange series of light until l she reached another large wooden door. This one too opened before her as she peeked her head in.

In the large room she saw the messenger that had brought her, an elderly man, and a few children. They were huddled around a ball that glowed every once and a while. Quietly she stepped in, gripped her arms behind her back as she trembled slightly with fear.
"Hello..." she peeped, "Where am I...?"

Cassia watched as a couple of the other children stepped forward to touch the orb. As a dark-skinned girl with long braids walked up to the orb, the doors to the room opened and yet another girl stepped through them, asking where she was. She appeared to be alone. Had she found this room by herself? Cassia stepped lightly over to the girl and took her hand, tugging her closer to the group. "Perseus Academy," she whispered to the girl, not wanting to break the quiet of the room too harshly. "We've all just come here today, I think," she added.

She pointed to the elderly gentleman seated at the desk. "That old man over there, he is the Headmaster. He says we're going to be tested today. This is a magic test. If we touch that ball thing and it glows, it means we have magic." She hoped that was an accurate description on what was currently going on. In all honesty, she was befuddled herself. "I'm Cassia," she told the girl, offering her a smile.

She jumped in surprise when the room suddenly lit up and turned her head to see that the dark-skinned girl, Ebony, was stepping back from the orb that was glowing brightly rather than flickering. Cassia's eyes widened, looking from the girl to the Headmaster. When he didn't seem to be getting ready to say anything, Cassia decided she would give it a try. She stepped over to the orb and timidly placed a hand on it. Immediately, it gave off a warm, steady glow. It did not flicker, but it certainly wasn't the burst of light that had shone forth from the orb when Ebony had touched it. Satisfied with the result, although she didn't know what it meant, Cassia backed away to stand again between the girl who had just entered the room and Brenner, who was still silent and almost motionless. She smiled reassuringly at both of them and watched to see who would be next.

"Perseus Academy," a girl with fiery hair replied as she led Ari over to the group. Looking around she saw that everyone was staring at the orb, and watching it glow at the touch.
"I'm Cassia," said the girl, after explaining the magic orb. Ari's head spun with confusion. Academy? Magic? What are these people talking about? As she thought back she realized that she had never actually read the letter, her father had kept it close to him. Did he know about this? Why would her trust so easily these strange people? Cassia seemed king enough, but she was still unsure about the others. They didn't seem quite as nervous as she was as she writhed her hands in front of her. It seemed that it was her turn to approach the ball, though she did so timidly. Reaching out she grazed the orb with her finger tips, and watched as a glow formed in the center. Heat spread through her finger tips as she orb pulsated, much like a heart beat. The response was intriguing, and a smile spread across her face as she slipped her hands around it, cradling the beating ball in her hands.
After a moment she remembered that she was not alone, and hastily placed the orb back on it's pedestal. As the last touch of her finger left its surface the burned ebbed away, fading back into nothing. Though she was still confused about what was going on, there was something about the way the glow felt, as if it was coursing through her being, like the orb had become an extension of her own being. She took her place back in line, glancing around at the others and rubbing her locket in her fingers. As the red haired girl smiled at her a little fear ebbed away, as she gave her a small warm grin in return.
"Je' m'appelle Ariadne," she whispered, though after a moment she realized that they would not be able to understand her. As she though hard, her English came out with a thick french accent.
"I am sorry, My name is Ariadne, but you may call be Ari."

Her thoughts wandered back to her home, as she wondered how her father could let her go like that. How he was faring without her there, and if she would ever see his face again.

Brenner watched with interest as each new student went forward to touch the strange orb. The orb flickered and glowed differently with each person who touched it, and he wondered if it was because of different types of magic that flowed through them. After most of the others had already gone forward, Brenner realized it was time for him to do so as well.

He stepped silently towards the orb and placed a hand that he hoped was not visibly shaking on it. A very faint, almost undetectable light started in the center of the orb, and as he stared at it the light grew slowly but steadily brighter and brighter. He was captivated by the sight of it, by what it meant. It was true, he had magic, and now he could feel it in the warmth of his fingers touching the glowing orb. Any doubt he had felt about coming with the Messenger who had found him on the rooftop vanished. Brenner was supposed to be here.

Backing away from the orb, Brenner nodded a silent hello to Ari. He could see worry written on her face. In fact, he saw it on most of their faces. Even Cassia, although she was almost successful at trying to hide it. It was a new and terrifying and exciting experience for all of them, he was sure. He had never really had friends before, but he had a feeling that this whole thing was going to be a lot easier if they didn't do it alone. He looked to the Headmaster, waiting for him to say something.

Well, this looked like a fun new toy. The black haired boy looked up at the figure with obvious delight. One of his father's men had escorted the robed man(?) to the main hall where the rest of the family was using Chase Clayborn's birthday as yet another excuse to get roaring drunk. The utter chaos hid the pair in the door way.

Chase bounced around the hooded figure, excitedly chattering.
"You gonna be my new toy? Great! You're so tall, Mister, so when we play Superman you gotta hunch over, 'kay?" The boy demanded, when a vellum envelope was suddenly in his hand. He grinned and snatched the letter, realized he couldn't read, and mumbled under his breath. "Since you're the slave, you have to read it," he ordered, red in the face.
His expression became decidedly different when the ruffian heard the contents of the letter.

"Oh." Was his genius reply. It was about now, the guests realized the boy of honor wasn't causing any of his usual mischief. Mrs. Clayborn's face went dead white, and she hurried over, pushing Chase behind her. "Leave immediately," she said hoarsely. A bear of a man lumbered over and gave the figure the "eye," a tactic often used to scare off rival gangsters. The hooded figure didn't seem particularly impressed. He stood there silently. Quietly Mrs. Clayborn spoke to her husband. Chase strained his ears to hear.

"...our forces are strong enough to...no I know but...Rodger, we just can't...no, I understand..."

The wife and Boss of the huge Down Town district turned to their young son. "Chase, darling, you're going to go on an adventure now, do you understand? It's going to be long and hard and..." The water-work show was abruptly cut off by the little boy's shout. "Really!? Awesome!! Let's go, Mister!" He grabbed the messenger's hand and waved a cheery goodbye to his parents. What? Sentimentalism? Never to be found in this child.

Theo woke up. He got out of bed and put on his clothes like usual. The cacophony of noises greeted him like usual. He ate his breakfast and put away his dishes like usual. It was just another day in the orphanage. Don't get Theo wrong. He was happy at the orphanage. Any other day of the year he would have been a happy, healthy, and skittish, if not overly shy, little boy. Today was different though. He was seven today. It was his birthday, he'd only just recently found out it was his birthday on this exact day. He didn't remember exactly how the matron had found out, he only remembered it had made him sad when he learned it. A birthday should be spent with your family, little Theo thought to himself. But I don't have one. My parents left me here. He played with the other children like usual, and he sat down for lunch like usual. He was starting to feel better when there was a big knock at the front door. Curious as to what it was. Theo snuck over to the front room right next to the door. He heard a man asking the matron questions. He couldn't hear any real words until... "Theo!" The matron called. "Theo, come here sweetheart!" Theo was shocked. Someone was here for him? On his birthday? Could it be?

Theo ran over to the matron at the front door. "Yes m'am, what is it?"

"This man is here for you." she said. Theo looked over at the man, wide eyed. He was tall, wearing a black cloak and he seemed sinister. "Hello little one," he said. "I have a letter for you. Would you like to hear it?" Theo only nodded. He could read it himself, but he wanted the matron to hear too. The man pulled out a small vellum envelope. He opened it, took out and unfolded the letter, and read:

"Dear Future Pupil,

You are formally invited to Perseus Academy where you will learn to become a true hero with both martial and magical expertise. The world needs you and we are not offering you a choice. Know that if you do not accept you will be mercilessly hunted down until death follows. Merely accept and you will be rewarded with a chance to be known worldwide as a great hero by simply taking your guide's hand.

With hope that you will take the right choice,
Headmaster Paracelsus Decaromus."

Theo was shocked. He was... a hero? How could it be? He wasn't strong, he wasn't very smart. What could it mean? He wasn't even tall for his age. Still, it was kind of scary. The letter said they would kill him if he said no. But... on the other hand... being a hero, a true hero. Theo had always dreamed of being a legendary hero, fighting evil and defending justice. It was perfect. The orphanage was always in need of a little help, and if Theo could leave, they'd have less mouths to feed. The matron was just about to protest, opening her mouth and making disapproving eyes at the man. Theo tugged on her dress, causing her to stop herself and look at him. He shook his head slowly. "I will go." He said simply. Her mouth closed and she almost sighed at him. She was worried, he could tell. The matron had raised Theo, he was practically her son. He was about to let go of her dress and walk towards the man, when a swish of motion caught his eye so he stopped. The matron had stooped down and thrown her arms around Theo, she hugged him tightly. "I will miss you." She said. "I'm a big, strong boy. I'll be ok. Promise." He replied. She let him go and he held out his hand to the hooded man. The hooded man nodded and grasped his hand. It wasn't an overly tight grip, nor was it soft and limp. However, Theo knew there was no going back, his grip was firm, he would hold onto Theo until he got to their destination. There was no denying that grip. Before they walked out the door, Theo turned his head and smiled at the matron. He tried to tell her that he was going to be ok with that smile. He tried to tell her how much he loved her, how much he would miss her, and how much she meant to him. Every warm feeling of love and joy went into that smile. He couldn't tell if she knew everything he was trying to say to her in that smile, but all that mattered was that he tried. Ryan blinked when he turned back around, hearing her begin to cry as he did. He knew that if he looked now, he would cry to and beg to go back, but he had to keep going. It was better for them, for all of them this way. When he opened his eyes again, they were there. The campus sprawled out before him. It was a school. An actual school. Theo had only ever dreamed of going to school. It was beautiful. Theo walked with the hooded man until he reached a door. He pushed the door open and walked in, the hooded man following. There were other children in the room. There were four girls and two boys. Theo hoped they were nice. Just then, a very old man spoke, in a very deep voice.

"Welcome to Perseus Academy, young ones, today you will be tested on your current abilities and will be given your quarters, complete with a change of uniform and necessities. We will start with the magical test, touch this orb, if you are indeed future heroes it will glow, confirming your innate magical abilities. Do not fear if you did not notice it earlier as that talent only appear on one's seventh birthday."

He could feel his cheeks beginning to brighten. He was so nervous. There were so many new faces, and he was in a new place, further there was some test they had to take. It was all too much for him, luckily someone stepped forward and went first. Finally, it was his turn to place his hand upon the ball. He stepped forward proudly, shaking off his nervousness. He walked up to the desk and stopped. What if it didn't glow as brightly as it did for the others, what if it didn't glow at all? He was so worried. "No," He thought to himself. "I can't be this person any more. I have to be brave." He placed his right hand on the ball. As his hand approached the ball, it began to flicker and glow. When he finally touched it, the light grew stronger. The ball felt warm in his hand. At first, the glow was very soft, but it was strong, and it didn't flicker. The light itself was in the center of the ball. As he held it, the glow became brighter. The light spread to the edges of the ball. Its intensity grew until it was a bright and strong light. It still wasn't as bright as the girl from before, but it was very bright. He removed his hand, but the light remained. As he walked back to his place in the line, the light faded and went out. Theo had no idea as to the significance of his light. He figured the ball would react differently to different types of magic, but he couldn't interpret their exact meanings. He was ripped from his pondering as the other children gave their names. With that all his previous bravado went right out the door. He blushed again and almost couldn't speak. "Hello," he murmured softly, almost too soft to hear, and just barely getting the words out of his mouth. "I'm Theo." He whispered. "It's nice to meet you." He then stared, as the others did, at the old man who called himself the headmaster. He had no idea what to do next, and he didn't want to do anything wrong. He just stood there, awaiting orders.