Silent Storm

Several faculty members sit around a long rectangular table in the Academy Staff Room, chattering amongst themselves.

There are two empty chairs at both ends of the table, reserved for Marie and Vanessa, who are yet to arrive.

Two teachers are having a rather interesting conversation. One is Jackson Terrell, Vanessa’s younger brother, a handsome man with a shaved head, and an impressive beard. The other is Barbara McKenzie, a tiny woman in her late fifties, wearing a gold monocle lens on her left eye.

“Dearie me, I do wonder what this impromptu meeting is about,” says Barbara.

“Hopefully they finally decided which one of them is officially in charge, it’s getting kind of ridiculous now,” Jackson responds.

“You’re certainly missing the big picture sonny. Did you ever think you would live to see the day when Terrell and Stanislaus could work together peacefully? Especially those two, you know how much they hated each other. I guess that’s one good thing that came out of Dorian’s miserable existence,” says Barbara.

An angry Jackson slams his hands down on the table, alarming the other faculty members. “So that makes up for him and Cordelia killing my parents and ruining so many other people’s lives?”

“Ok Jackson, take it easy dearie, don’t make a scene,” Barbara responds as she tries to calm Jackson down.

“Forgive me Barbs.”

“It’s ok. Anyway, maybe they just want to tell us how the meeting with the Chancellor went.”

Jackson smirks, “Yes indeed, hopefully my sister’s mouth didn’t get them in trouble,” he says, causing Barbara to giggle.

Marie and Vanessa finally enter, and the room goes completely silent.

They take their seats at both heads of the table. “Sorry for our lateness. It’s good to see most of you here. Those who aren’t have good reasons for being absent,” says Marie.

“Except for Ivan, he should be here, and Ike, where the hell are they?” Vanessa interjects.

Ike Stanislaus, a tall, well-built man in his late sixties enters the room, coughing as he speaks. “Don’t concern yourself with my whereabouts, Terrell bitch,” he says, while looking at Vanessa with nothing but disdain.

Jackson rises from his seat, “You son of a bitch!” he yells, but Barbara quickly takes hold of his arm, and forces him back down, an impressive feat considering her size.

“Father! Calm yourself,” urges Marie.

“Yes old man, calm down, you don’t look so good, we don’t want you to have a heart attack, then again, maybe we do,” jeers Vanessa.

“We don’t have time for this nonsense. Let’s leave all past transgressions where they belong, please have a seat father.”

Ike groans and eventually takes his seat.

“You all know that Jason’s team was sent out in search of a new Awakening,” says Vanessa, who is rudely interrupted before she can finish, by a giant of a man, Gregor Francis. His voice as deep and unnerving as can be.

“And yet I hear they lay in the infirmary, empty handed and battered shamefully. You’re telling me one newly awakened girl did that to a team with a Quin, a genius, a God damn powerhouse, and whatever in Gaia’s name your boys are? This is unacceptable.”

Vanessa bites her lip in anger.

Chloe Price, a young woman with dark and curly hair, agrees with Gregor. “Sadly, it’s becoming clear to everyone that those five just can’t work together. There’s too much teenage drama nonsense between them. Maybe it’s time to give another team a shot at these more difficult missions,” she says.

Vanessa is fuming, but Marie interjects before her temper takes center stage. “The team engaged the young woman, but they were interrupted.” She pauses for a few seconds and looks around the room before continuing. “They were interrupted by Cordelia and three young boys corrupted by her dark magic. We have strong reason to believe they were among the initial set of kids to go missing all those years ago.”

Loud gasps and nervous whispers can be heard all around the room.

“The Oracle returns? But why reveal herself now? And why didn’t she kill them?” asks Gregor.

“According to Riley, Cordelia has plans for him and Jason to meet Dorian,” says Marie.

The faculty looks at each other in disbelief and the nervous whispers resume. “Impossible, the witch knows only to speak lies. Did the two of you not see the light fade from his eyes as he took his final breath? Did we all not witness his undeserved burial? Would you have us dig up his corpse to confirm he remains dead?” asks Ike as he slams the table. The exertion causing him to cough once again.

“There’s no need for that you old goat. That’s why we were late. We went to his grave and dug up his body, the man is dead,” says Vanessa, as Marie stares at her in disbelief.

“What if you’re mistaken somehow? We should inform the Chancellor,” says Barbara. “No we should not!” Vanessa exclaims. Her screech reverberates throughout the entire room, startling Barbara and causing her to go quiet.

“Vanessa is right, we can’t afford to cause unnecessary panic, especially now of all times when the people’s faith in us dwindles further with each new awakening that goes missing,” says Marie as she reluctantly follows Vanessa’s lead.

Vanessa nods in agreement, “Those clowns now even dare to propose we join forces with the Central Defense.”

Gregor holds his head in distress, “What darkness has befallen this academy? Just for a moment, let’s entertain the thought that Dorian yet lives. How is he to be stopped this time? Are we to hope for luck to favor the two of you again, or are we expected to place our lives in the hands of your sons this time?”

“Gregor is right, those boys are far from mastering the elements, especially Riley, no offense Lady Stanislaus,” says Chloe.

Marie gives Chloe a fierce stare, “Some offense taken Miss Price.”

“No one doubts the boy’s natural talent, but he sadly lacks the mentality and dedication of his brother. We should focus training on Jason, as I fear Riley cannot be taught,” Chloe continues.

“Truly encouraging words from the Academy’s Guidance Counselor”, says Marie in annoyance.

“Lady Stanislaus, I know such cynicism on my part is out of character, but what other alternative is there?” Asks Chloe.

“We shall intensify training for all field ready students,” Vanessa responds.

“Whether Dorian is alive or not, we’re gonna need to get everyone ready. Cordelia could have a small army of missing kids,” Marie adds.

Isabella Munroe, a gorgeous young woman in her early twenties, with beautiful, long blond hair, wearing a long red scarf around her neck, begins to shout with expectation. “Ivan’s son, he might still be alive then.”

“Let’s not speak of this to Ivan and give him false hope Isabella,” warns Vanessa.

The staff room door suddenly slides open as someone enters. Everyone turns to see who it is, and are shocked to see Ivan, a drunken mess. His shirt unevenly buttoned, his hair untidy, and reeking of alcohol.

Ivan staggers to the table. “My boy, he’s alive?”

“Ivan, the stench of alcohol fills this room. What’s wrong with you?” says Vanessa.

Ivan stares at Vanessa with disgust, “Your treachery fills this room! You wished to keep this news from me? Instead of plotting against me you should be looking for Cordelia, find her and you’ll find my son,” he says, and begins to cry. “Please, I beg of you. Isabella, do a locater spell, do something.”

“You know I’ve tried countless times, it’s impossible if I don’t have something personal of hers, and even then, her dark magic might still prove too powerful to counter,” says Isabella, disappointed in herself.

“Ivan we’ll do whatever it takes, but we don’t know for certain your son is alive,” says Marie, which enrages Ivan, who then charges her.

“You Bitch!” he yells.

Isabella rises from her seat and intercepts him. She flicks her wrists up and down and conjures the Wave Rune.

Ivan is overtaken by a sudden feeling of tranquility and quickly falls asleep.

Gregor stands and glances at the drunken Ivan, asleep on the floor. “This Academy has strayed so far from its origins; I fear Gaia may have finally abandoned us.”

Gregor points to Ivan. “This man is no longer fit to teach anyone. Something must be done.”

“This man, has been through a great deal, Gregor,” says Marie.

“We all have,” Gregor responds, in a somewhat defeated tone.

“We understand your concerns Gregor, Ivan will be dealt with in due time,” reassures Vanessa.

Marie strikes gently on the table to get the attention of the room. “Now then, starting from tomorrow, after regular classes, we’ll have intensified training sessions with the Cirrus III students,” she says.

“And what about the Quin of the flame?” asks Isabella.

“Trust the cycle,” says Marie.

“The cycle seems to be a bit off these days don’t you think? When has it ever taken this long for a Quin to be revealed? And when has there ever been two Nonpareil?” Isabella presses.

“Nature always finds balance young witch. The Quin of the flame will be revealed soon enough,” says Marie.