Wiggin Academy and the Forbidden Curse

The holidays had come to a conclude with a tremendous feast in the great hall celebrating Christmas and the New Year. Everyone went to sleep fairly late last night, but Mako woke up before anyone did. It was the crack of dawn when she rolled out of bed still in her pyjamas and slippers. She shrugged on a coat and wrapped the blue scarf around her neck that Penelope made for her, and then, she quietly crept out of the soundless dormitory.

The young sun still had to wake up this fine winter day- so, the sky was a hue of dark blue, the trees casted dark shadows and birds hadn’t started their days either. Mako made her way towards the long bridge outside the castle. The breeze was brittle but not intolerably cold.

“What are you doing awake?” A voice startled Mako. From the cigar and sharp grey eyes, she knew it was Professor Wiggin.

“Good morning, Professor,” she smiled. “I was just out getting some morning exercise.”

“Can’t sleep?” he asked her bluntly.

“I don’t know why,” she told him. “I have an unsettling feeling in my gut.”

Professor Wiggin nodded. “I know how you feel, kid. Come on.” He joined her on the slow stroll through the bridge.

“Professor, I’ve been meaning to ask you something?”

Professor Wiggin blew out a ring of smoke from his mouth. “Hmm?”

“What happened to all the black smoke alchemists?” she asked carefully. Professor Wiggin didn’t even flinch at the dark question many don’t ask without caution. “My mom didn’t tell me anything and dad refused to speak of it too. None of the books help nor does anyone else dare.”

“Because they know that dangers of mentioning black smoke outside these school walls,” said Professor Wiggin. “Unlike this academy Mako, not everyone in this world accepts us.”

“I know that,” she sighed remembering all her time in the school back home.

“Our kind was involved in a great war,” he continued to explain. “A war that built the foundation of what we are today.”

“But why is everyone afraid of us?” she asked. “It’s not like we hurt anyone.”

“You’re right,” he said. “But it was our ability to evolve and our intelligence that scared many people. They started to rally against our kind and drove us out. Some tried to kill us; some tried to use us in war as slaves- even experiments.”

“Like Neo,” she alleged. “He said that the dark lord needed my powers.”

Professor Wiggin let out a weary breath. “He spoke the truth,” he admitted. “The dark lord would be exponentially stronger with your alchemy.”

“I’m not even that strong though,” said Mako. “Not like you or my mom.”

“Oh, Mako,” Professor Wiggin chuckled. “You are the last remaining black smoke child. That makes you very powerful.”

“I don’t know if I want this power if people like Neo need me to bring back the dark lord,” she confided with a bitterness in her mouth.

“No,” Professor Wiggin stopped her from thinking such a way. “You do not run away from this, Mako. Protect your alchemy because that is who you are, it’s your responsibility.”

“I don’t know, Professor,” she mumbled.

Professor Wiggin’s eyes warmed as they gazed into hers. “I think you were the perfect choice for this,” he believed. “I wouldn’t have chosen anyone better than you.”

Mako craned her neck back to look up at him smiling. “Do you really think so?”

“Of course, I do,” he said. “You are my student after all. If I don’t believe in you, who will?”

Mako smile broadened and they continued on their stroll. “Yaga told me not to share this but-”

“Then you probably shouldn’t,” Professor Wiggin interrupted.

“But I need to know if you have one too,” she said.

Professor Wiggin regarded her with confusion on his face. “Have what?”

“A Guardian,” she said. “Do you have a Guardian too, Professor?”

Professor Wiggin gaped. “You met yours already?” he astonished.

“Was I not supposed to?” she countered.

Professor Wiggin thought for a good long moment. “I met mine when I was seventeen,” he said, “and you’re just twelve-” Mako grinned at him- “What’s that look for?” He asked her.

“I finally did something faster than you,” she announced, feeling proud of her accomplishment.

“Alright, I’ll give you that one,” he said. “So, what about your Guardian?”

“Are they always that cynical?” she asked.

Professor Wiggin laughed. “Yours is like that too, huh,” he remarked. “My Guardian is a pain also. But he’s saved my life many times and taught me to train better even more.”

“I don’t think my Guardian likes me very much,” she said.

“Just give him some time, he’ll warm up,” said Professor Wiggin.

Mako put her cold hands in her pockets. “How did I even get the Guardian inside of me?” she asked Professor Wiggin.

“It was passed down to you,” he answered.

Mako tilted her head. “You mean I wasn’t born with it?”

He shook his head. “Lady Belmont created the seven Guardians of Black smoke alchemy who helped her with the war during her time,” said Professor Wiggin.

“Why is there always a war in every great story?” Mako sighed in defeat.

Professor Wiggin chuckled. “After the war, Lady Belmont set them free with pieces of her power inside of them, making them the strongest Black smoke alchemists. But, many saw that power and wanted to take it for themselves. Lady Belmont saw that her seven children were suffering and becoming targets of another war. So, she decided to hide them. And she hid them inside the bodies of seven children. The Guardians soon become legend and then a mere myth.”

“Lady Belmont put the Guardians inside other kids,” Mako couldn’t believe her teacher.

“Before she passed away, she made sure that the Guardians were safe within those children,” said Professor Wiggin. “Those children grew to be warriors themselves, and when they passed away their Guardian was passed down to another child of their choosing. And like that, the cycle continued down to us.”

“So, it doesn’t need to be a Black smoke user they choose?” asked Mako.

Professor Wiggin shook his head. “The Guardian can only bond with a Black smoke alchemist.”

“If I have one and so do you,” she said, “then where are the other five?”

“I don’t know,” he sighed. “I haven’t found any in my travels either.”

Mako stopped dead in her tracks. “Do you think they were killed off?” she asked him.

Professor Wiggin didn’t want to admit it, but he thought about that question a lot too. “I think so, since there are no more of our kind,” he said regrettably.

Mako frowned, but her heart was pumping up with adrenaline. “When is the next lesson, Professor?” She asked excitedly. “I want to get stronger.”

Professor Wiggin’s brows lifted in surprise at her spirit. “Why don’t you change out of your pyjamas first,” he suggested.

“I don’t care,” she shouted as Professor Wiggin lazily trudged off towards the school. “I want to know now!”

“Come on, let’s go inside. I’m freezing,” said Professor Wiggin as Mako jumped beside him back to school.

It was the start of the new semester and Spring was right around the corner. All the snow had started to melt because of the blazing heat of the sun. White hills were soon becoming green meadows and the days started to stretch longer. The jackets had come off and their moods had uplifted. From the dark, grey skies, now they had a clear blue horizon over the school.

“What a beautiful day,” said Penelope chirpily. “Smell the flowers and the morning dew, Aiden.”

Aiden had a dead expression on his face. “It’s hot and all I see are bugs,” he complained openly. “I hate pollen and I just want to go back to sleep.”

Mako, Aiden and Penelope were going to their new class of this semester. This semester was a bit different than the last. This semester was concentrated solely on learning about the Alchemy elements. They had Fire, Water, Air and Earth alchemy classes. Each element had its own instructor who would teach the kids. And at last, they had art with Professor Kimiko Blue, which was an upside for all of them today.

“We have Professor’s Vulcan’s class today,” said Mako as she read their schedule.

“What element does he teach?” asked Penelope.

“Fire,” answered Aiden without even looking at the paper Mako held.

Mako lifted her head from the paper. “How’d you know?” She asked him. Mako and Penelope shared a confused look. They entered their next class and took a seat at the back-corner bench, when they heard some kids whispering to Damian.

“That’s so cool,” said Carter. “So, is Professor Vulcan like your uncle or something?”

“He’s from the Spectre family, right?” Ash asked Damian.

Damian held a proud smirk. “He’s part of the Spectre bloodline,” he said. “He’s related to the richest Spectre family, apart from mine, that is.”

Carter and Ash looked in awe.

Mako had a feeling she understood why Aiden was so tense all of a sudden- even though he didn’t look it. Aiden was aware that their teacher was a part of the Spectre family who were clearly the enemy of the Phoenix family, which were all gone except for Aiden.

A towering, muscular robust of a man marched into the room. A strict look in his regal dark honey eyes and his jaw set in a hard lock, which showed the nasty scar running down the left side of his face. Dressed in a leather trench coat and black suit, he looked severely intimidating behind the poised attire.

The class went quiet when their teacher grabbed the white chalk and started to write on the board.

“I am Professor Vulcan,” he wrote his name on the board as he spoke with a reverberating voice. “I will be teaching you about the element of fire.” He turned and leaned on his empty desk. “Now, with a show of hands, how many of you are fire users?” Seven hands went into the air right after he asked that question. “You seven should be paying attention the most,” he said sternly. “In this class, I have a few rules: there will be no slacking off and most importantly, I hate repeating myself.”

If there was anyone who walked into this class feeling confident, was absolutely losing their cool right about now.

“Since I am head of the Fire Users,” said Professor Vulcan. “I will individually meet with each fire alchemist in this class. I want to see your progress personally.”

Finley nervously raised his hand in the air to ask a question. Inwardly, all the kids groaned and wished for him to just put his hand down.

“What?” asked Professor Vulcan.

“Can I use the restroom, Sir?” asked Finley nervously.

All of the student’s heads dropped on the table when they heard Finley’s question. He definitely left an impression on Professor Vulcan now.

“Make it quick,” dismissed Professor Vulcan.

Finely ran out with his tail between his legs, whilst his friends Thorne and Ava were feeling sorry for the kid.

Class ended after Professor Vulcan handed them their homework sheets and textbooks.

“All the fire users stay back,” Professor Vulcan announced as all the kids left for their next class. Mako and Penelope waited outside the door for Aiden as he reluctantly walked back inside.

“What do you think they’re talking about in there?” asked Penelope.

“I don’t know,” said Mako. “We’ll just have to ask Aiden.”

A few moments went by and all of the fire users strode out the class, everyone had a beaming smile expect Aiden, which worried Mako and Penelope.

“What did he say to you?” Mako asked Aiden, but they were interrupted by Damian.

“You don’t really think a Spectre is going to teach a Phoenix?” asked Damian conceitedly. “Professor Vulcan is part of the family that went to war against your family. I’m pretty sure he hates your guts, Aiden.”

Aiden stood unbothered, but Mako and Penelope were all fired up. “Shut up, Damian,” sneered Mako.

Damian’s cold gaze turned to her. “You’re no better than him, cursed child,” he spat back.

Penelope lunged forward and toppled Damian to the ground calling all the attention of the kids around them.

“Penelope, let him go,” rebuked Aiden.

“No!” Penelope’s face was beet red. “Who does he think he is talking to you guys like that.”

“Get this crazy girl off of me!” Damian cried for help.

Mako didn’t know whether to laugh or help Penelope win the fight, but by the looks of it, she already was.

“Enough!” Professor Vulcan’s one shout broke the tussle instantly. “My office! Now!”

Damian stood next to Mako with an icepack on his bruised cheek. Professor Vulcan sat on his table in front of them, his arms crossed and his expression deadly.

“What in the hell were you thinking getting into a fight in front of my classroom?” he asked, but they didn’t answer. “Why’d you attack him?” He looked at Penelope for answers.

“He insulted my friends,” said Penelope.

Professor Vulcan looked at Damian sharply. “Is that true?” he asked.

“No,” wailed Damian. “She’s just a crazy girl who wanted to hit me. You should get her expelled for this.”

Penelope snapped. “You’re lying!” she held. “You said that Professor Vulcan hated Aiden because he’s a Phoenix.”

Professor Vulcan glared at them so coldly that they all shut their mouths once again. “Damian, go to your class,” he said. Damian left with a smug grin on his face mocking the other three.

“You’re just going to let him leave?” asked Penelope, clearly astounded.

“You punched him in the face, if I hadn’t let him go than he would have made me suspend you from school, kid,” said Professor Vulcan and it seemed preposterous but reasonable. “What are your names?” he asked.

“Mako Hawthorne,” said Mako first.

“Penelope Primrose,” sulked Penelope with a grumpy pout.

“And you must be Phoenix,” said Professor Vulcan.

“It’s Aiden,” he remarked back to the teacher.

“Well, Aiden,” sighed Professor Vulcan, “did you believe what Damian said earlier. Do you think I hate you?”

Aiden didn’t answer, but his reaction was clear as day.

“I don’t hate you. So, get off your high horse and study well in my class because that’s what matters to me,” said Professor Vulcan.

Aiden lifted his head. “But your part of the Spectre family-”

“So,” Professor Vulcan shrugged. “That family feud ended decades ago. Besides, you’re just a kid and I don’t expect you to hold that burden.” Aiden nodded. “And, you -Primrose- control your fists,” he scolded. “Sheesh, it’s only your first year here and you already got in a fight.”

“I can’t help myself,” she grumbled. “Damian just gets on my nerves with that ugly smile of his, and he smells of hair-gel.”

Professor Vulcan smiled for the first time today. “This class might actually be pretty entertaining with you kids.”

Mako, Aiden and Penelope heard the bell warning them that class was about to start.

“You’re that black smoke kid,” pointed out Professor Vulcan.

Mako nodded.

Professor Vulcan regarded her under a hard look. “Be off now, you don’t want to be late for art class.”

For someone who looked like she had one foot in the grave, she moved fairly fast around the room. Although, Professor Blue had to use any type of surface from keeping her to fall straight on her face.

“Is she okay?” mumbled Thorne.

“I don’t think so,” said Ava.

Finley got out of his seat and helped Professor Blue pour the glass of water, she was trying so hard to get.

“Thank you-” she searched his face for his name.

“Finley, Professor,” he told her.

“Thank you, Finley,” she said and he returned to his seat. “Welcome to Alchemy Art class,” she said. “This is where you will discover your inner artist with your alchemy.”

“How is that even going to work, Professor?” asked Belladonna.

Professor Blue’s kimono dragged behind her as she approached the girl that asked the question. “You will use your alchemy to create art,” she said simply.

“But why?” asked Kade. “Can’t we just use regular paint and colours.”

Professor Blue smiled. “Always so eager to know,” she muttered. “I’ve told every class that I’ve taught, this lesson; Alchemy is not only to use to fight, it can also be used for creation, for fun.”

“But how will be use our Alchemy to make art?” asked Rock. “It seems pretty impossible.”

Professor Blue smirked. “That is why you’re in this class,” she said. “You will learn every day and make that discovery for yourself. And then at the end of the year, you’ll have an answer.”

The kids all headed down to the great hall for some lunch, before they had to go to the study hall and get a head start on their homework.

“I’m starving,” announced Penelope actively.

Aiden yawned. “I hope they have jelly,” he said.

“I could eat about anything right now,” Penelope retorted.

They had arrived at the entrance of the great hall, when Mako spotted Professor Wiggin passing by with his usual nonchalant expression.

“Professor,” Mako called out for him.

He didn’t even bother looking over to see who had called out his name so bravely, because only three kids could dare.

Mako ran to his side. “When is my next training session?” she asked.

Professor Wiggin sighed. “Soon, kid,” he said.

“Where are you headed?” Penelope asked him.

“I was going down to Bard’s place,” he said.

Mako, Aiden and Penelope followed their Professor down the school grounds over to Bard’s cabin. When they reached the comfortable home, they noticed the gatekeeper talking to a strange man who had a sickly pale complexion and his voice was deep and raspy.

“Bard,” called out Professor Wiggin interrupted the two men.

As the three kids approached, without even exchanging a single word with each other, they released a surprising gasp loud enough for everyone to hear. Professor Wiggin regarded them with a dumbfounded expression.

“Professor, you came,” said Bard.

The pale man pulled on his hood. “I should go now,” he said. “Thank you for the help.” The man quickly walked away from the crowd.

“Who was that man?” asked professor Wiggin.

“He was looking for directions,” said Bard.

“What’d-”

“That was the man Neo was talking to in the bar!” Mako interrupted Professor Wiggin.

Professor Wiggin raised a brow, finally understanding their earlier reaction. “Oh,” he mumbled. “What did he need, Bard?”

“He was just asking directions to the town,” said Bard. “And I told him.”

“Did he say anything else?” asked Mako eagerly.

“Well, he asked how I was doing and then about the academy,” said Bard. “He did ask about the teachers, which I found strange.”

“He was asking about Neo,” Mako told Professor Wiggin.

“Where’d you even get a chance to meet that man?” Professor Wiggin narrowed his eyes into two slits.

“We met him in a pub at the Grimoire Square during Halloween,” said Penelope.

Professor Wiggin regarded the man who had walked away under the dark hood. “Let him go for now, he’s no danger to us because Neo’s gone,” he said. “Bard, I had to ask you something.”

“Of course, Professor, what is it?” asked Bard.

“I need you to check if portals are being used around the school property,” said Professor Wiggin.

Bard’s expression fell grim. “You know I can’t take these bandages off just willy-nilly,” he remarked.

“It’s important,” reassured Professor Wiggin. “I think that’s how Neo escaped.”

“Alright,” Bard rolled off the bandages off his hands and wrists revealing those same flaming red marks. He tucked the white cloth in his pockets and started walking ahead of them.

“What are those marks, Professor?” Mako softly asked her teacher.

“It’s the markings of Cain,” said Professor Wiggin. “Bard has the ability to rejuvenate portals and barriers. The marks give him the power to handle that extreme level of alchemy without being killed. But those markings cause excruciating pain to whoever bares them. I don’t know how Bard does it.”

Mako looked over to the gatekeeper of Wiggin Academy who was always a kind person and never once did he hurt or bother a student. He always helped anyone who came to him in need. However, he bared such a secret without feeling the weight of it crush him into despair. Respect grew in Mako for Bard.

“Professor,” Bard’s alarmed voice startled them. “There has been a breach in our border.”

Professor Wiggin joined Bard near a small arched hall that was open and connected to the meadows behind the school.

“This was where Neo talked to the dark lord,” said Mako.

“How do you know?” asked Aiden.

“I spied on him not too long ago,” she answered.

Bard closed the portal only he could see in the air. “This is how he’s been getting around the school property without being seen,” he said.

“So, then where is he now?” asked Penelope.

“He has to still be here if he needs that book,” suggested Aiden.

“No,” said Professor Wiggin. “He’s gone looking for another way.”

“Where else is he going to find a way to heal the dark lord?” asked Mako. “The book was the key to unlocking the forbidden curse on the dark lord.”

“He’s looking for another healer,” said Aiden.

Professor Wiggin lit a cigarette. “Thanks, Bard,” he said. “You can get back to your day now.”

“But what about this?” asked Bard. “How will you catch Neo?”

Professor Wiggin blew out some smoke. “Don’t worry about it.”

Mako was about to bombard Professor Wiggin with her questions about Neo’s plan-of-action, but then, the bell tower rang through the entire school warning them of the time. It was time for their study period.

Professor Wiggin made his way back to the school.

“Professor-” Mako was interrupted by Bard.

“You three go to your next class,” Bard said. “Let Professor Wiggin do what he does best, alright?”

Mako didn’t like it, but she didn’t really have a choice in the matter.

“Bye, Bard,” said Penelope. Aiden and Mako waved their farewells before they made their way towards the study halls to finish their homework.