GUARDIANS OF MAGIC: THE INVISIBLE CODED BOOK

THE BEGINNING

Fina opened her eyes slowly, everything was blurry until it cleared.

She looked up to see Mr Walker standing in front of her.

Something vanished into the air when he saw she was awake.

She was awake.

She had chosen to live.

That confuses her extremely because she had chosen death but another voice had talked.

An unfamiliar voice.

The voice had said ‘live’.

The other one.

“You are awake” Mr Walker said

Fina couldn’t tell if it was relief she read in his eyes.

But it certainly was.

Zo and Shelly rushed out of nowhere and embraced her.

Fina winced from the pain coursing through her body.

The girls removed themselves at once. Tears in their eyes.

“Oh. Sorry. I’m just happy that you are back” Shelly said

Zo held Fina’s hand.

“Don’t go anywhere without me again”

Fina knew she had scared her.

Xavier, Kit, Bryce and Ozias stepped forward, relief evident on their face.

“Welcome back” Bryce Parker said

“Oh. Here” Zo said “She brought out Fina’s vial and opened it.

“Drink it all” She said

Shelly raised her head and poured the vial into her mouth.

Her eyes felt drowsy and in the blink of an eye, she was asleep again.

But not over there.

In a logical dream.

******

Fina opened her eyes to the warmth of the sunlight.

She hadn’t had any nightmare at all but she had had a dream.

“Feeling better?”

She turned to see Mr Walker leaning on the wall at a corner.

“Yes, thank you. For everything”

Mr Walker didn’t move.

“I didn’t do anything. You saved yourself” He said “I’m just not happy with you for not telling me although I did warn you”

“I didn’t know how. And you wouldn’t even believe me”

“An acceptable excuse” Mr Walker said “Is the pain gone? You looked like you just battled with a million devil”

“Yes. The potion worked. Thanks for the compliment. I’d say the Queen knows” Fina said

“Queen Frida might have known but she must have known she couldn’t save you either. That the only way she could save you is by giving you that potion”

“She told me to choose wisely. Perhaps, that meant I shouldn’t use the potion just anyhow”

“Perhaps. But you never know her mind. Are you ready to tell me everything that happened? I’m sorry to make you rehash such bad memories but I have to know so that I can protect you”

Protection.

Walker wants to protect her.

The same David Walker who doesn’t like her.

So, Fina told him everything.

Everything.

Bryce, Ozias, Xavier, Kit, Shelly and Zo walked in when she was telling Mr Walker what happened.

The boys face were full of anger, shame, betrayal and so many emotions at once it was fascinating.

When Bryce Parker couldn’t take it anymore, he squeezed Fina’s hand.

“I’m glad you are safe” He said, the hurt evident in their eyes.

Tyrell had hurt them all.

Ozias was mad about Jessica and they were all mad about Coco.

“Thank you” Fina said

Ozias looked like he wanted to say something but kept quiet.

“When did you find out?” Kit asked

“When Xavier confirmed that Xiana was his girlfriend” Shelly replied

“I did?” Xavier asked in confusion.

“Yes.” Fina replied slowly. “You were dying and asked us to take you to Mr Walker.” She said “We came to know about Xiana because of the trees.”

“The talking trees” Kit whispered out loud. “I knew there were talking trees in Elfina but I didn’t know which. Trees talk”

“One of the trees was in love with Xiana” Shelly said

“The tree of fog” Bryce Parker said, looking directly at Fina.

“Yes” Fina replied in confusion.

“How did you-?” She asked

“It’s always foggy down there. So, it’s because a tree is sad that it becomes foggy?” Bryce asked

“A tree in love” Kit corrected “Amazing”

“It said there was a faceless boy. Xiana’s boyfriend” Zo said shakily.

Fina wrapped her hands around her tiny one.

“Tyrell uses dark magic to make everyone forget. He uses dark magic to make the trees not to recognize his face” Fina said

“Trees are powerful beings but faces are something they aren’t good at. They can recognize scents from afar. They can recognize anything from afar. They are many in the City of Wonder. Talking trees. Strange creatures. Guardian of the City of Wonder, Arnold, makes sure they do not do anything funny” Mr Walker said after a long time.

“City of Wonder. Hmm. I’d love to go there someday. Perhaps after exams?” Kit said, already arranging his schedule in his head.

“The trees told us about Xiana Kang’s name. From there, we started searching about her boyfriend. The School Recording Hall wiped all records of her. It’s like she never existed” Fina said.

Bryce Parker looked far away for a moment.

“Xiana was perfect. She aced everything” He said “One day, while we were studying together in the library, she fell asleep and had a nightmare. It was intense. Like she was fighting some demons”

Fina shivered in horror, remembering those same demons.

Shelly Jefferson took her other hand.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that” Bryce said when he saw her reaction.

Fina shook her head.

“It’s still so raw. That’s all” She said.

Her words sounds far even to her own ears.

It was a great miracle she heals fast or she wouldn’t even have been able to recover from her injury at all.

Bryce Parker stared at his hands.

“It felt like her body was locked down. I tried to wake her up but she didn’t wake”

Ozias moved to the window while Xavier took a seat closer to the bed while they listen.

“She told me If there’s one place dark students can find you the most, it’s through your dreams” Fina said “They must have been trying to connect with her. Coco said she began to change. She said Mr Walker, Bridget, Ozias, Xavier, Kit and you-” Fina said, looking at Bryce Parker. “changed her. She wanted out but she wasn’t able to. They were ordered to kill her. I believe Xiana was greatly loved in their world and it felt like a betrayal to them.”

“Their world” Bryce Parker repeated. “Their world. She kept screaming about the Masters. I should have grabbed whatever she was saying back then but I didn’t. The dark world has Masters. Not one but many. When she finally woke up, blood was dripping from her shoulders”

“Dark magic” Mr Walker said “Dark students. I should have known they were dark students. I should have known I’d dark students under my nose. They used dark protection spells”

Bryce Parker’s gaze met Mr Walker’s boldly.

“You are not to blame, Mr Walker. Even the Guardian Queen, Frida, didn’t know they were dark students. No one knows”

Everyone was completely silent.

“Xiana wanted to give the book to the Queen but she knew she can’t make it so she hid it herself. It has always been at the library.” Fina said “Is Tyrell Swift father a philosopher?”

“No. Of course not. His father was- his father is..” Xavier said and trailed off.

The boys looked at each other.

“Wait. We don’t know his father. Nor Coco nor Jessica. Jessica never mentioned them” Ozias said, terrified.

“Because they aren’t here. They are in the other world.” Mr Walker said “This is ridiculous”

“We must make a trip to the Palace” Bryce Parker said out of the blue. “We must inform the Queen”

“And do you think she will allow you entrance into the palace? The Queen gets to you. Not you to her. If she requests for you, you go. Not even if you are -”

Bryce shook his head slowly at Mr Walker.

Mr Walker cleared his throat.

Fina noticed the slip. Clearly.

“Not if you requested to see her” He completed.

“Then, we must try. Together” Xavier said

“You are still healing” Mr Walker said at the same time with Zo.

“It’s not safe anymore, Mr Walker. We have to go” Xavier said

“The Queen knows” Mr Walker said

“Still” Kit said “We’ll tell her everything”

“If there’s one person who should meet the Queen and tell her everything, it’s Clark. But it’s too dangerous” Mr Walker said

Fina looked up at him.

“Why is it dangerous?” She asked

Mr Walker looked at her.

“Every eyes will be upon you. You’ll be watched and attention is certainly the last thing you need right now” David replied.

“Then, we will go and return before the exams begins.” Bryce Parker said

“How far is the Palace?” Shelly asked

“You have to revolve around the seven cities before you get to the Palace” Kit replied, adjusting his glasses.

Shelly and Zo’s eyes widened.

“That’s far. Too far. Miles. You won’t make it in time for the exams” Shelly said

“If we are fast and take the flying cheetahs with us, we’ll be back in no time” Bryce Parker said. Then, he looked at Mr Walker. “Give us your permission, Mr Walker. It’s important. The Queen will know what to do. If she sees us”

Mr Walker sighed.

“Very well. I give you my permission. Go”

Bryce Parker turned to Fina.

“It’s sad you have to go through all of that but you’ve to be careful from now on. Take care of yourself. Until we meet again”

Fina nodded.

“If you meet the Queen, can you tell her to change Shelly’s house back to Capricorn?”

Everyone looked confused except the girls.

“It’s in the letter the Queen gave me before coming to Elfina. Shelly’s our third but in some way, she was taken to Aries” Fina said

“That’s something… Confusing and dangerous.” Mr Walker said sternly. “You can’t be put into the wrong house. It has never happened before”

“We thought it was because of her month” Zo said

“There’s a motive behind it. It’s not just the age. Someone definitely knows about you three. What does the letter say?” Bryce Parker asked

Fina told them about the letter.

Bryce and Xavier turned to Mr Walker sharply.

“Someone is trying to outsmart the Queen” Xavier said “Her command is not been carried out. Who would dare to defy the Queen?”

“I don’t know. I definitely do not remember who showed me to Aries but I didn’t say anything because I was born in the Aries month. I thought that was normal” Shelly said to Xavier

Xavier looked at her.

“It is normal but the Queen must have definitely given orders that you must be taken to a particular room in Capricorn” Xavier said

“Mrs Knight took me to Capricorn” Fina said

“What does the Queen intended with her message?” Ozias asked in confusion.

“I have yet to confirm it myself but I have my suspicions and you should all stop looking at me like that.” Mr Walker said to their anticipating faces. “I can’t tell you.”

“I’ll tell her if we get to her” Bryce said to Fina.

“Thank you” Fina said softly.

Their eyes lingered on each other for a while. Blue meeting green. As if trying to tell each other something.

Bryce walked forward and squeezed her hand again.

“Until then. Take care of my wand” He said

Fina rolled her eyes.

“Wand. What wand?” Mr Walker asked “Where’s your wand, Clark?”

Bryce Parker handsome face looked amused and with a smirk at her, he turned and walked out of the door with Xavier and Kit following behind.

Like a leader.

Ozias looked at Shelly but she ignored him.

“Soon. Mr Walker.” He said to Mr Walker and turned to the girls. “Take care”

Then, he was gone.

Their absence was felt deep within them suddenly. .

“We need to get you out of this clothe” Zo said, her eyes filled with brightness again.

Then, with tears again.

Fina embraced her while Shelly Jefferson rolled her eyes at them.

Mr Walker watched their exchange for a while.

Fina didn’t tell them she was still in pain but wanted this moment with them after she had escaped death.

“How’s Talon?” She asked

“He’s feeling better now. Back in his own room. Although, still sick. We didn’t let him come” Zo replied

“What of Coco?” Shelly asked.

“I believed she is locked up there.” Fina replied

“She’s blind. No way to escape. The walls are there to distract her. She’ll never be able to leave again” Shelly said, staring at her nails.

“What about the book?” He asked

“The Ascergill took it.” Fina said confidently, suddenly remembering a portion of what had happened in her dream after the voice.

“He will keep it safe” Mr Walker said

The girls didn’t believed that at all.

“Can’t it be destroyed?” Shelly asked after a moment.

Mr Walker shook his head.

“Not until a new Guardian head is on the throne. The next Guardian head is the only one that can destroy the book” Mr Walker explained

“What if it happened again?” Zo asked in horror.

“It won’t. If the Ascergill took it himself, then it’s in a place they will never be able to find it” Mr Walker said

“It’s not over yet.” Shelly told Fina “We believed there must be an invisible link they are taking to Amenix. The link had to be destroyed. We feared that there are still some dark students here in Amenix. We don’t know how many but right now, Amenix is not safe” Shelly said

The other students in the potion lab. Fina thought.

“Especially you, Clark. They will try to bring you down”

You will have to defeat death so many times until one of you defeat each other completely.

“What are they, Mr Walker? There’s no need trying to keep us out of it anymore” Fina said

Mr Walker sighed and stepped into the sunlight.

They were in his territory.

“It’s the dark world. We didn’t know they exist anymore but after everything you told me, it seems, they are not just existing again, they are back. For us” Mr Walker said

Fina heart raced when she caught the glimpse of fear in his eyes.

Mr Walker was scared.

Which was scarier because David Walker doesn’t fear anything.

She remembered Tyrell as he watched her when he was being tortured. As if trying to define her.

She remembered the demons as they called her Master. As they told her -

“What the Masters wants, the Masters gets. And the Master order have been fulfilled.

She remembered the book. That person. The one who understands. The one who knows magic. The one who read through the pages. The one who watched.

The one who knows the dark world.

The Master.

Color drained from her face.

This wasn’t over.

This was just the beginning. The beginning of the end.

The beginning of what had started in the past.

They still had a lot to do.

And the end seems so close. They are coming back. For them.

“I don’t know how many they are but you can’t go back home yet. The Queen is giving you all some time off before your exams. I want you to stay with me until then. It’s important” Mr Walker said

Fina nodded in reply.

“Where?” She asked

“The City of Wonder” David Walker replied “You’ll be back before your exams”

“Can I follow too? I have nowhere to go” Zo asked slowly.

“Count me in” Shelly told Mr Walker.

“You have a family” Mr Walker said

Shelly shrugged.

“They don’t count. They don’t care” She said

Zo and Fina glanced at her, wondering what happened between her and her family”

“Very well. You may come. There’s something I have to show you. Something important”

The girls looked at him.

“What?” Fina asked

“You shall see yourself” Mr Walker replied. “But you must be protected, Clark. Especially from the dark students and others”

If David Walker fears her protection then she definitely needed protection.

From who?

The dark students or-?

She has no idea yet.

And she definitely doesn’t want to know.

But, it’s inevitable.

Isn’t it?