Wiggin Academy and the Forbidden Curse

Mako stepped into winter wonderland, after she had brutally finished Professor Grimaldi’s exam before Aiden and Penelope. Through the arched windows of the corridor, the cold breeze stung her cheeks that had reddened from the frosty season. She didn’t have a scarf to cover her face and her jacket wasn’t much help to keep the warmth inside either. As she made her way closer to the window, she observed the white blanket of snow covering the hills of the academy. Everything was so quiet and still- she could only hear the soft snowflakes piling up on the roof of the school.

Mako was transfixed by the small flakes softly showering around her, like she was in a snow-globe. But the most she loved by this enchanting weather was the smell. Nothing but the damp scent of rich pine trees filling the cold air with their crisp, clean forest fragrance reminded her of Christmas. Mako felt at ease during this hectic time; it was like time had slowed as she stood in front of such a magical place.

Mako waited for another half an hour before her friends trudged outside the quiet classroom. Penelope looking exhausted with her slumped shoulders, and Aiden tucked his chin behind his turtle neck.

“How did it go?” she asked them.

“It was rough,” mumbled Penelope as they walked through the hallway together to go to the great hall for lunch.

Mako strapped her back-pack on her shoulders and stood between her exhausted friends. “It was longer than I expected,” said Mako.

“It was long and hard,” Aiden added, “but we got through it.”

“What are your plans for Christmas?” asked Penelope, her mood lifting almost instantly.

“My parents are busy with work, so I have to stay here,” Mako answered.

“I’m here for the holidays too,” said Aiden.

“That’s not fair,” protested Penelope. “I have to go home.”

“It’s only for two weeks,” said Mako, when suddenly, a chilled breeze swept up their uniform and froze their toes off.

“I despise winter,” grumbled Aiden as he shivered alongside Mako.

“What are you talking about,” said Penelope, “winter’s the best!”

“Of course, you’d say that,” muttered Aiden.

“There will be snow-forts and snowball fights,” Penelope joyfully listed all the things winter was the best season, “sledding, hot chocolate, gingerbread cookies and most importantly Christmas.”

Aiden rolled his eyes. “Christmas isn’t that great.”

Penelope gaped at him. “Decorating a tree or sitting by the fire and opening gifts early in the morning, is the best thing ever!”

He shrugged. “Thankfully, I never had to wake up early to do that,” said Aiden. “I could sleep in and no one bothered me.”

“What do you mean?” asked Penelope. “Didn’t you get gifts on Christmas?”

Mako sensed Aiden’s hesitance and changed the subject. “Let’s go eat some lunch,” she said, “otherwise, we won’t get any once the other students finish their exams and come.”

They reached the great hall where all the Halloween decorations had come down and was replaced with Christmas ornaments and music. Professor Calum and Professor Barnes were working together with Bard and some senior students to decorate the massive Christmas tree that had tinier ones beside it. Golden lights glittered around the hall with extravagant reefs, which was a magical sight. The long tables were covered in red cloth and had large candles lined up and down the centre of the tables. And right above, dangled massive crystal snowflakes glistening like icicles.

Mako, Penelope and Aiden admired the great hall, but then, they went straight to the food displays. They each grabbed a plate and loaded it with Christmas pumpkin pie and stocks of meat, loafs of warm bread to go along with the hearty stew. Aiden carried Penelope’s plate back to the table as she left to get them all apple syrup with cinnamon tea.

“Why aren’t you going home for Christmas?” Aiden asked Mako.

“My mom is gone on a mission for work,” she told him. “And dad is busy at the ministry. They told me in a willow-letter that they couldn’t make it back in time. So, I just told them that I’ll be fine here, rather than making a whole trip back home just to be alone.”

Aiden drank the stew because he was shivering from the cold. “I don’t know how Penelope doesn’t get cold,” Mako chuckled at his remark, “sometimes I think that she has more fire than me.”

“Maybe she does,” said Mako. “Aiden, do you want me to tell you something? You might not like it.”

Aiden looked at her puzzled. “What is it?”

“Penelope doesn’t know how you feel if you don’t tell her,” said Mako. “She’s never had a…difficult time like us growing up.”

Aiden looked down at his hands. “I know,” he muttered softly.

“I don’t know what you went through, Aiden,” Mako said. “But you can tell us because we’re your friends.”

Aiden lifted his eyes to meet hers. It was subtle but the glimmer of gratitude was in his eyes.

“Here we are,” Penelope returned with three cups of apple tea.

“Thanks,” said Mako as she grabbed a glass and downed the sweet tea, which was crisp and warm. Perfect to battle off the bitter winter cold.

“Mako,” a voice called out for them. Mako turned and found Bard marching his way over to their seat. “How are you kids doing?” he asked joyfully.

Mako smiled. “Sleepy and cold,” she told him truthfully.

“The exams are tough,” he groaned feeling sympathy for them.

“But they were easier since you gave us all the right answers,” said Aiden secretly.

Bard chuckled. “Glad I helped,” he said. “Are you three excited for Christmas?” They all nodded, especially Penelope vigorously since her mouth was full of meat and bread. “I’m excited too, I love this time of the year. Will you all be heading home?”

“Just Penelope,” said Mako. “Aiden and I are here for the holidays.”

“Oh, then you two should come to the gingerbread-making class,” said Bard excitedly. “All the kids who are here for the holidays are coming.”

Mako and Aiden shared a look. “Where will it be?” asked Mako.

“Right here in the great hall,” said Bard. “Vigo will be leading the whole thing.”

“That’s not fair,” grouched Penelope. “How come you’re all doing the cool stuff when I’m away?”

“Sucks for you,” jested Aiden.

Penelope glared at him. “You know what, have all the fun with this guy, Mako,” Penelope gritted out.

Mako chuckled. “Thanks, Bard. Aiden and I will make it,” she told him.

Bard nodded. “I’ll see you then. Good luck on the rest of your exams.” Bard walked off after Professor Calum called him for help.

Mako, Aiden and Penelope quickly finished their hot meal and studied their notes for the next exam as quick as they could.

And just like that the final-term exams had passed and the holidays drew near, but so did another important mission.

Crouched down on the floor, Mako, Penelope and Aiden spied on Neo.

“You two need to dress a little warmer or else you’ll catch a cold,” remarked Penelope as she snuggled behind the wool scarf that was wrapped around her thin neck.

“It’s fine,” shivered Aiden who only wore a black thin hoodie with a dark turtle neck as usual. “I’m perfectly fine.”

Mako held her bag closer thinking it would provide some warmth to her frozen back. “We should get away from the window.”

“No,” said Aiden. “It’s the only spot where Neo won’t see us.”

Mako slouched against the cold concrete because her legs were falling asleep. They were waiting for the past hour for Neo to leave his office, so they could steal the book he was reading.

“How do we know what book it is?” asked Penelope as she dug out a gingerbread cookie from her purple coat pocket.

“It won’t be in English remember,” said Aiden. “He can’t read it, and it’s also the one that looks used the most.”

“Let’s just hope it’ll be the one on his table,” said Mako. “Why isn’t Neo leaving?”

Penelope suggested; “We need a diversion.” She stepped between them and concentrated her eyes on something in Neo’s office.

“What are you-”

“Shhh,” Aiden interrupted Mako, “let her concentrate.”

Mako observed for a few moments, when suddenly, Neo got out of his seat with an angry expression and ink stain all over his coat.

Aiden peeked up. “Looks like he’s gone,” he whispered.

“Let’s go,” said Penelope.

As quick and quiet as a mouse, they scurried around the hall and ran into Neo’s office. It was a small burgundy room with three windows facing a messy, large oak desk. Papers scattered everywhere, books open and dropped on the floor. The ink bottle Penelope toppled over as a diversion was successful; it had spilled on the table and over some papers.

“We need to be quick,” said Mako. They ran over to Neo’s table and found a few books sitting on the flat surface and all of them were in weird signs and languages that they didn’t understand even the slightest.

Mako regarded the books one by one, when her eyes gathered familiar words in one particular book. Kuro clan, Devil’s seal, forbidden curse.

That’s the one you’re looking for. The voice inside Mako’s head was the Guardian.

Are you sure? asked Mako.

Yes. That’s all the Guardian said and then he was gone.

“It’s this one,” said Mako.

“How do you know?” asked Aiden.

“I just do,” she said. Mako picked up the black book that had golden embossing. “Forbidden curse,” she read aloud.

Aiden peered over. “That’s not in English,” he said, “how can you read that?”

Mako shrugged. She regarded the odd curvy symbols that resembled brush strokes of some kind. “I just do,” she said.

“Well, that looks pretty serious regardless if it’s in English or not,” Aiden pointed out.

Penelope scoffed. “Pleeease, everything is forbidden. People just make it so dramatic,” said Penelope as she rolled her eyes, “even walking in the halls after supper is forbidden.”

Aiden couldn’t help but agree. “You have a point.”

Mako thought of the idea quick. She pulled out the book she had borrowed from the library about the Battle of Pentagram and left it on the table. Mako, Aiden and Penelope scurried out of the office before Neo got back. They had only made it past the threshold of the door when they heard rushing footsteps.

Mako and the other two turned the other way and tried to avoid whoever approached them with haste. But it was too late.

“What are you three doing here?” asked a voice they were very familiar with.

“Act normal,” mumbled Penelope before they all turned and faced their foe. “We were looking for you.”

Neo had a blank expression. No smile like he would always have or good attitude. In fact, he looked angry almost evil. “Why were you looking for me?” he asked them.

“Dr. Franklin sent us to get you,” added Aiden.

“Dr. Franklin?” Neo raised a brow in suspicion.

“Yes,” said Penelope. “He told us to get you to come by to the infirmary today.”

Mako stayed quiet because her friends would handle whilst she tried to hide the book in her bag. But something in her gut told her that Neo wasn’t buying their lie.

“Okay, thanks for telling me,” said Neo surprisingly.

They inwardly sighed in relief. But just when they turned to leave, Neo stopped them.

“You see,” he began, “Dr. Franklin isn’t at the infirmary all day today. He’s gone to visit his sister for the holidays and left me in charge.”

The three kids groaned.

“You three, in my office, now!” Neo barked before he grabbed them by their bags and shoved them inside the office. He slammed the door behind him and marched over to his table leaving Aiden, Mako and Penelope standing alone on the dark rug.

“What do we do?” whispered Penelope.

“You can’t hurt us,” announced Aiden.

Neo’s black eyes were sinister. “Yes, I can,” his venomous voice slithered over them. “No one will care if you three unexpectedly die.” He scattered through the papers and books on his desk and started to throw them off. “Where is it?” He glared at them.

“Where’s what?” asked Mako.

He gritted his teeth. “Don’t play dumb with me, cursed child,” he said. “Give me the book and I won’t give you a painful death.”

“What do you want to do with the book, Neo?” asked Mako.

Neo tilted his head and smiled. “I’m going to save my master,” he said. “The dark lord who was defeated by your kind.”

Aiden paled. “You can’t be serious?”

“Oh, Phoenix child,” sighed Neo, “the one that tortured your family is going to come back.”

“But you need the book to do it,” said Mako. “What’s in the book, that will help you bring the dark lord back?”

Neo rolled his eyes at their ignorance. “The book is the key to release his soul,” he explained.

“That’s ridiculous,” scoffed Aiden. “The dark lord is dead-”

Neo laughed until tears came out of his eyes. “Oh boy,” he said. “You have no idea how alive the dark lord is.”

“But he was killed in the battle of Pentagram,” said Penelope.

Neo shook his head. “Not killed, just sent away,” he clarified. “The dark lord was sealed inside Purgatory, until I found him of course.”

“That’s the forbidden curse,” said Mako. “The dark lord was sent away to ‘whatever that place is called’ and now you’re using this book to get him back.”

Neo looked impressed. “Not just bird-brained, are you,” he remarked. “I already took the dark lord out of Purgatory. But this book here is to help me restore his power.”

“Then why did you need our alchemy?” asked Aiden.

Neo’s eyes widened. “You have seen Yaga then,” he mumbled. “I noticed when your chakras were all aligned and I couldn’t steal your alchemy anymore.”

“You know Yaga?” asked Mako.

“Of course, I do,” Neo crossed his arms, “but Yaga refused to help me turn back the Devil’s Seal.”

“Devil’s Seal,” Mako mumbled under her breath. She remembered reading about that in another book. The Devil’s Seal was to be performed with caution and could only be executed by the Kuro clan.

As Neo spoke more about how Yaga refused to help and his genius plan. Aiden whispered to Mako.

“How do we get out of here?” he asked her.

Mako still had the book in her bag. “I don’t know,” she mumbled.

Penelope put her arms on her waist. “Let’s take him on,” she said proudly. “I think we can take him after all the training we’ve had.”

“He’s an evil mastermind who is ready to kill us,” gritted Aiden. “We can’t just fight him and expect to win.”

“Why not,” bit back Penelope, “not confident, fire boy?”

Aiden rolled his eyes. “I should set this place on fire-”

“What are you three scheming?” asked Neo suddenly catching them off guard. “Don’t try anything-”

“You know, you’re really starting to piss me off,” snapped Penelope.

Neo’s eyes narrowed into dark slits as he glared at Penelope. “I will kill you, child,” he warned.

“No, you won’t,” said Mako.

“And why not?” asked Neo irritably.

Mako pulled out the book from her bag. “Because we have this-” she held the book in front of Aiden. “And you better hope Aiden doesn’t burn it in flames.” Aiden put his hand under the big book, and then, a burning red flame flickered above his palm.

“Give me the book, Mako,” menaced Neo.

Mako looked at her friends who had determined expressions. “No,” she said, when suddenly, Neo lurched over the table right at Mako who was holding the book. But Mako acted quickly. “Aiden!” She three the book over to Aiden who had ran off the other side of the room and Neo followed him.

“Penelope!” The book flew through the air over to Penelope’s open arms as she jumped on top of Neo’s table. As Neo ran to her with a seething expression, she kicked the pile of books directly in his face. Neo pathetically toppled over and dropped directly on his bruised face.

“Run!” Mako shouted as they leaped over the mess and towards the door. Penelope and Aiden escaped, but Mako’s ankle was caught just before she could reach the threshold. She turned to find Neo’s hand shackled onto her ankle. “Let go of me!” She kicked but his grip was too tight.

Aiden returned to her side and brutally kicked Neo in the face giving the nurse a bloody nose. “Come on!” said Aiden. Mako and Aiden escaped as quickly as they could, and the book was still safely in Penelope’s protective hands.

When they knew they had reached a safe distance, they stopped to catch their laboured breath.

“Neo’s not behind us,” Mako confirmed.

“We just took down a teacher, what does that say about the school system?” astonished Aiden.

“Technically, he’s not a teacher, he’s an intern,” Penelope pointed out.

Mako got to her feet after she caught her breath. “We should take this book to the headmaster,” she told them. They both agreed and followed.

Mako, Penelope and Aiden reached the Headmaster’s office, but in front of them stood a massive door and they had no clue what do except timidly knock.

“He’s not coming,” said Aiden after Mako knocked.

Penelope cracked all of her knuckles in one go before she approached the door. She fisted her two hands and slammed her fists as hard as she could. The knocks thundered through the hall, so the Headmaster definitely had heard it now.

“We’re so dead,” mumbled Mako.

“How could you knock on his door like that?” Aiden scolded Penelope.

Penelope was just about to scold Aiden too, when the massive door creaked open. But the headmaster did not stand behind the door. They stood in front of a ferocious hawk that fluttered its strong wings to examine the kids with its piercing, intelligent eyes.

“Why is he staring at us?” asked Aiden.

“It looks more like he’s glaring,” said Mako.

“Aww, he’s cute,” cooed Penelope.

The hawk flew around them and then stood back behind the door.

“Does it want us to come inside?” asked Penelope.

“I think so,” said Aiden.

Mako took the first step and entered the office with the book secured in her hands. She followed the hawk up a few stairs and into a beautiful old office, that had fire goblets around the room.

The hawk guided them to a desk that was neat but busy. He perched himself on a golden-stand. Mako, Penelope and Aiden waited in front of the table where the hawk instructed them to do without words.

“What are you three visiting my office instead of playing in the snow?” asked Headmaster Wiggin as he descended the winding staircase behind them. “I hope you weren’t sent here by a professor.”

“No, headmaster,” said Mako. “We had to give you something.” Just as the headmaster came to sit at his table, Mako put the book in front of him. She knew that he recognized it as soon as he saw the black and gold book, because his sharp grey eyes grew strict.

“Where did you find this book?” he asked them.

“We found it in Neo’s office,” said Mako. “He was using it to reverse a curse.”

Headmaster Wiggin laced his hands and put them in front of his lips, his grey eyes examined Mako with a severity that unnerved her. “And how do you know this?” he asked her.

“Neo told us,” she said. “Neo told us that he is working for the dark lord.”

Headmaster Wiggin scowled like the hawk. “The dark lord,” he repeated, but then, he grew quiet for a moment. “If Neo was going to do that, then this book would have certainly done the trick.”

“Neo’s also the one who was taking alchemy from our classmates,” said Mako. “He was using our chakra to give it to the dark lord.”

Headmaster Wiggin frown deepened. “That fool targeted my students,” he growled cruelly.

“We also think he’s the one who broke the barrier and has been lying about his origin,” Aiden shyly pointed out.

Headmaster Wiggin’s frown turned into an amused grin. “How long how you three been investigating this?” he asked.

“For a while,” chuckled Penelope.

“Well, you three are incredible,” he said. “And honourable done for brining me this lost book.”

“What will happen to Neo?” asked Mako, when abruptly, the door behind them opened and the other brother strode inside. His cigarette lit and, in his mouth, that was glowering.

“You three-” Professor John Wiggin stalked towards the three kids ready to beat them to a pulp for their sudden heroism.

“It’s fine, John,” Headmaster Wiggin stopped his brother. “They did good work.”

“Reckless, is what I call it,” snapped Professor Wiggin. “Because of you three, Neo has run off.”

Mako, Penelope and Aiden groaned. “We didn’t know he would do that,” said Mako. “We found the chance to get the book and took it.”

Professor Wiggin grabbed the bridge of his nose from frustration that was giving him a pounding headache. “I swear, you three never listen to a word I say.”

“How long did you know Neo was the culprit?” Headmaster Wiggin inquired.

Professor Wiggin’s glare shifted to his brother. “I knew from the damned beginning,” he said. “That boy reeked of dark alchemy.”

Headmaster Wiggin released a deep breath. “Well, all is solved now.”

“No, it’s not,” said Professor Wiggin. “Neo’s on the run.”

“But he can’t do anything without the book,” pointed out Mako, but Professor Wiggin glared at her so intensely she shut her pie hole.

“Stop glaring at them, Johnny,” said Headmaster Wiggin endearingly. “Neo can’t do anything without the book, which will be safely locked away in my office.”

Professor Wiggin crossed his arms. “I don’t like that at all,” he said. “Neo will come back and attack.”

Headmaster Wiggin stiffened, he got out of his seat and towered over his six-foot brother. “If that boy shows up at my school once more, he’s dead meat,” growled the Headmaster.

The three felt that dangerous energy that swept towards them after Headmaster Wiggin made that promise. Mako studied that vibe, it was powerful enough to scare off any enemy without even a fight. These two brothers weren’t ordinary alchemist. They are warriors that Professor Gregor is telling all the students to strive to reach. But Mako felt like even then, they still couldn’t reach this extreme height of power.

Headmaster Wiggin put his arms behind his back. “You kids go back to enjoying the holidays,” he said. “Don’t worry about Neo any longer and concentrate on your studies. Okay?”

“Yes, sir,” answered Mako. Everyone turned to leave the room, but Mako stayed back and turned to face the Headmaster again. “Sir, do you think the dark lord can come back?” she asked him.

Headmaster Wiggin’s grey eyes stayed focused on her. “It’s a very low possibility,” he answered her. And he didn’t sound like he was lying to her because she was just a kid. He told her the truth and only the truth, which she admired.

“I don’t know much about the dark lord,” she admitted, “but he has hurt Aiden and is maybe even using Neo. I don’t think the dark lord is a very good person.”

Headmaster Wiggin smirked. “He’s not, but that’s my opinion and many disagreed with it and even followed him,” he said. “But Mako, don’t follow what others say- even me. You have to decide and learn to judge people with your own heart.”

“How do I learn to do that, Sir?” she asked Headmaster Wiggin.

He petted the seamless feathers on the hawk’s head. “Just like how you could tell that your friends were trustworthy but Neo wasn’t,” he said. “You already know how to do it very well, Mako.”

“Thank you, Headmaster,” said Mako.

Headmaster Wiggin genuinely smiled, that it even reached his silvery eyes. “Happy holidays, Mako.”

Mako matched his smile. “Happy holidays to you too, Sir.” She waved to the hawk ‘goodbye’ and then ran to her friends and Professor Wiggin.

“What took you so long?” asked Aiden.

“I had to ask him something,” she said. “What are we waiting for, let’s go.”

Professor Wiggin was lighting another cigarette. “It looks like I’ve been going too easy on you,” he said. “From now on, you three are training every day and all night.” The three kids laughed. “Oh, you think I’m joking?”

“No, Professor,” said Mako as she bit back her laugh.

“Wait, the exams ended already,” Penelope pointed out. “So, the holidays have started.”

“So, technically we don’t have school anymore,” added Aiden. “Professor Wiggin isn’t our teacher as of now.”

Professor Wiggin’s sneered. “You little gremlins!” He ran after them across the long corridor.

“You should quit smoking too, Sir!” Penelope screamed back.

“Yeah, you’ll only die faster!” yelled Mako.

Professor Wiggin stopped running after them. “Don’t you dare show me your faces all through the holidays!” He bellowed at them, but it wasn’t like they were going to listen.

-The Next Day-

Returning all of the books they borrowed, Aiden and Mako were in the library, which was quiet and empty because everyone was preparing to head home for Christmas.

“Guys,” Penelope caught their attention just as they left the library. She had a suitcase and was still in her uniform, but snuggled behind winter apparel, unlike Mako and Aiden.

“You didn’t leave yet?” asked Aiden.

“I wasn’t going to go without seeing you,” said Penelope.

Mako nodded. “Have fun at home.”

Penelope smile had saddened. “I don’t really want to leave you two,” she said. “I’ll try to make it back on Christmas to wish you both.”

Mako laid her hand on Penelope’s shoulder. “Don’t worry too much,” she said to her friend. “Have fun and open gifts on Christmas with your family.”

Penelope smiled. “Happy Christmas,” she said before she strode off with her suitcase chasing along behind her.

“If she doesn’t want to go, she should just stay,” remarked Aiden.

Mako gaped at him. “Does Aiden not want Penelope to leave?”

Aiden rolled his eyes and started walking away. “I can’t believe we’re stuck together on the holidays.”

Mako followed behind. “Come on, it’s not going to be that bad,” she chuckled, “I’m so fun to be around.”

“Uh huh,” sighed Aiden. “We should prepare for next semester’s classes.”

“Or,” Mako intervened, “we could join the gingerbread-making contest and win some prizes.”

Aiden was convinced. “That sounds good too.” Mako put her arm around his shoulders as they walked through an empty hall to get ready to spend the holidays at school.