19

  The castle was an illusion. Everything through these gates was hidden from the world. Belkos was not just one large castle. It had seven connecting castles with grounds larger than the streets of Edindale put together. The college went on for nearly a mile, where the average person would get lost. Each of the seven castles was made from dark gray and white quartz stones that vanished above the clouds in the sky. The skies brightened from the gloomy color of the Pale to real sunlight. The sun peaked for the first time in front of Luna, and she could see its beauty.

  “What’s with the different robes?” Luna asked, seeing hundreds of students walking in their respective black robes, followed by one of seven different colored robes.

  Magnus sniffled and pointed to some of the different students. “At Belkos, we have seven houses here. Each one has a different skill than the others. The red robes are for the warrior college.” He pointed at a group of students carrying their weapons around campus.

  “The College of Mages wears their blue robes, and the College of Healing wears green. Those students usually stay together.” He pointed at two younger students who were frailer than the warrior students. “Then over in the chapel on campus, we have the College of the Divine, who wear gold to be clerics.”

  Omar pointed to the other side of the campus. “The College of Riders, who ride dragons and all sorts of mystical animals wear black.” Some students flew around the large landscape using wind magics, flying on clouds. Others used griffons and eagles to carry them from the highest points of the school to another. “This place is something out of a dream?” Luna giggled, throwing both her hands over her head. “I cannot believe such a place like this exists.” Omar and Magnus smirked at her disbelief.

  “The last two colleges are the Bard College, which subjects to trade and entertainment, wears violet. Then the College Ford wears silver teaching the next generation of smithies.” Magnus finished his courtyard tour. “There is a reason this is the only true College in the world. Thousands come here a semester just to walk the halls of Belkos.”

  The three walked deeper into the courtyard where two stone guardians to each of their sides held axes by the gate. Belkos was well protected, for at each gate exiting the college, stone magical sentries were posted. They nodded their heads to Luna and the men.

  “It is easy to get lost, Luna. Stay close.” Omar warned. Luna stopped in her tracks to see the entire college's beauty.

  “Omar,” Magnus called his friend. “You should take her to the great hall. I will find Natasha and let her know about getting that letter transcribed for researching wards.” He nodded to Omar, walking to the west side of the college, between two castles. He walked under a great bridge, leading to a small river that circled the college.

  “Omar, what is that?” Luna pointed to the other side of the college.

  Two enormous beings, one a giant lizard, the other a monkey began to battle it out behind one of the castles. Though the battle was not heard from the distance, they could see the battle between them. Her fears rose once more and took over again. Omar brushed her shoulder pointing to them both.

  “Manifestation grounds. I am not the only person who can manifest into a Shardbearer form. Some of these people are affected by the blade too. So, we train to learn to control our powers. We invented it…” Omar paused. “After I made a mistake some months ago.”

  Luna squinted her eyes. “You mean with Kharon and Gurin…” she comforted him. Omar nodded. “I am sure you can give me the grand tour of this place, can you?” She switched her mood with a large smile.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Omar’s face shifted from the grief that still haunted him to one of relief. He looked past Luna towards something behind her. The heartbeat of the College of Belkos stood before him, a healer of men. Her kindness and strength drew those around the college closer and drove them further. A flicker of movement caught Omar’s eye as the familiar shadow approached from a water fountain.

  “Omar, my dear.” She said. Lune wrapped her head around, as Omar dropped his guard for once in his life. That melody amidst all the catastrophes that haunted his life for years broke into a short burst run. “Mother.” He calmly responded.

  When they finally met, Omar swept his mother from her feet into his arms, lifting her off the ground in utter relief. Her pale arms squeezed her child, as her blue eyes followed with whimpers of tears. She wore a long red and golden dress that scattered throughout the ground behind her. She was elegant like a Queen, calming herself. She put her hands on her child’s cheeks inspecting him.

  “I am fine mother,” Omar promised, taking her hands from him. “It is good to see you.” He fixed the crown on her head, kissing her cheek. “I am home now.”

  Luna hung behind them uncertain whether to stay mute or interrupt. She startled forward before someone bumped passed her, nearly dropping her to her feet. She caught herself, but the broad shoulders of another woman wrapped around Omar. “Who in the fuck is – “ Luna’s anger built up from jealousy.

  “Little brother, it's about damn time you came home. Holy hell.” The woman had a rougher voice, jumping on the back of Omar in her black leathers.

  “She…” Luna finished. “Sister. Maeve. Got it.” Luna smacked herself silly.

  “Maeve.” Omar threw her off. “Will you stop it.” His sister came around hugging their mother. Compared to Hera, Maeve had a striking figure that would put anyone on their back. Spirited as she appeared to be around her family, she kept her loose smile, fixing the tip of her auburn flowing braid down her back. She had a fair tan, but a shade darker than her mother. Her eyes captured blue lightning in a bottle and stuffed it in her eyes.

  “What brings you home so suddenly? You usually come every so often.” Maeve balanced herself on the side of Hera.

  Hera’s hand turned with a green aura and pushed Maeve away with a forceful wind. “Come daughter.” Maeve nearly tipped over. Her face was distraught as Omar and Hera poked fun at the energetic Maeve.

  “If you were more aware of your surroundings. You might have gotten your answer.” Hera put her hands together with a smile so fraudulent, she may as well be a thief. “Princess Archer.”

  Luna brushed off Maeve’s shove and fixed her face to be presentable towards the three of them. She tilted her head and sighed. “Hera. It is wonderful to see you once more.” The excitement in her eyes was nonexistent either. Omar and Maeve could feel the tension in the air, between the two women as Hera offered her hand. Luna paused before taking it, with a glaring smile disapproving to her.

  “I see you are coming around our family now it seems. The capital becoming too congested for you?” Hera questioned. “Surely, my son forced your hand on coming all this way. That truly wasn’t necessary. I raised him better than that.”

  Luna snarled at Hera. “Not at all. I joined him by my own free will.” Luna turned and noticed the carriage driver, carrying her luggage. “You know Hera, you know this academy more than Omar does. Surely you can show me to my office and room. I am to be one of the colleges high ranking officials.”

  Hera blitzed a raging flame in both her amber-colored eyes. She bit her tongue. “Is that so, my son?”

  Omar moved between the two women. He brought his hands down. “Now. Now. That. That isn’t necessary Mother.” Omar smiled. He rolled his eyes to Maeve who came between them.

  “You know…” Maeve smiled hugging Luna. “Why don’t I take the princess around here.” Maeve sternly stared at Hera. “You have a class to teach today Mother. And you Omar…” Omar turned to Maeve.

  “Ignard wants to see you.”

  “Ah.” Omar sighed. “Why does he want to talk to me.”

  Hera hugged her son. “Just go see him love. He and Cassiel asked of it.” She pushed away, letting her son off. “See me in my office.”

  Omar nodded and turned away from his mother. He patted Luna’s shoulder, as she rubbed his hand. “Please don’t be difficult,” Omar whispered in her ear.

  “No promises if she is.” Luna laughed. “See you soon.”

  Omar headed off as the three women awkwardly stood between each other. Hera walked off elegantly towards a large bell tower, while Maeve and Luna left for the dormitory halls.

  “Seems Shay was right.” Magnus crossed his arms under the bridge, watching the woman leave the courtyard. “Every nation's leader is aligned with the Specters. Just like your father said they would.” Omar’s glare widened. “Shit.”