Crystal darke, p.1
Crystal Darke, page 1
Contents
Everfae and Titans Series
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Everfae and Titans Series
Book 1
Crystal Darke
Chapter 1
There I sat, by myself on a very uncomfortable bench. My fingers gripped around the handle of my bag. All my clothes were inside as well as some books. The information that was delivered all through my village came last week. Telling us that everyone between the ages of sixteen and eighteen would need to attend the next two months at Fawkes Institute of Training. A fancy way of saying they will train us to fight.
It was our sectors turn to receive this school. A large building that was travelling around the continent, Mythoria. Moving from sector to sector. Training almost adults to fight and use magic. To explore whether they have what it takes to join the most elite unit in the army. I had no interest in fighting or even learning how to fight. Annoyed that I would miss learning about our history. Science and maths. Useful things that will help me create a future.
I had no interest in taking another person’s life. To kill or even hurt. And now I would need to spend the next two months of my life in a place like that. Perhaps I would do so bad they will send me home. Back to my safe little bedroom and my father.
A foot coming along and hitting my bag. Snapping me out of my thoughts. Eyes lifting to the girl scowling at me. “Why is your bag in my way?”
“Sorry.” Lowering my eyes and tugging my belongings a little closer. Looking at her and apologising for a second time before she walked off. She was two years younger than me, seeing off her older brother. Biting my lip and cursing under my breath. I could never stand up for myself.
A loud whistle made me jump as a train pulled into the station. My eyes rising up to the electric board above the platform. This wasn’t my train which meant I was on the wrong side. It was a small station with just two tracks and I had still managed to get the wrong one.
Standing up I straightened my black skirt out with a wiggle. There was no information what we needed to wear. So I had put on my school uniform.
The black blazer had the symbol for our school on it. A yellow bird crossing the white sun. Fingers pulling at the collar of my white shirt. Tucking a few strands of my hair behind my ear. Making sure I was neat and tidy before slinging my big bag over my shoulder. Wiggling my hips as I walked slowly. Trying to wake up my butt cheeks as I moved.
Watching other boys and girls running around. Most of them seemed excited at what we were being demanded to do. The word mandatory was written in big letters on the information sheet.
As I came around the old steam train I spotted my brother and his groups of mates. They were having a laugh, happy that he was able to have his friends with him. Me on the other hand had only turned sixteen three days ago. The two kids I could call my some-what friends were too young to attend this school and by next year it would have moved on to a different sector.
As I came to the group I was yanked into the circle. Being hugged by one of his oldest friends. Luckily they all saw me as their younger sister and treated me as such. Having multiple big brothers had it’s bonuses and at least I wouldn’t be truly alone at this new school.
“I didn’t realise you would be coming as well.”
Looking up at the boy. His green eyes wide as he smiled, looking very cute. Flicking a stand of his long blonde hair from his eyes. “Lawrence, is that your way of saying sorry for missing my birthday?”
He laughed, “Have I actually remembered one yet?”
“Not yet but I’m still holding out hope.”
The tannoy binging on with a loud annoying noise. A voice coming through but the static made it impossible to understand a single word. My brother speaking loudly. “We should get to the platform.”
The group scrambling to grab their bags. Feeling the weight on my shoulder lifting. Giggling as Lawrence held it so easily. “You need to get some muscles if you’re going to lug around so many books.”
Both of us smiling but it was quickly interrupted when my brother snatched the bag from him. Lawrence just laughed it off and headed for the train.
“You know how I feel about you and the guys.”
“It’s not my fault he keeps flirting with me.” Lance shone a huge grin and pulled me in for a tight hug. “Always the big brother.”
“I promised father I would always look out for you and honestly, you’re not as annoying as the other little sisters the guys have.”
“That’s because I’m not an air-head who cares about looking the prettiest.”
“It couldn’t hurt a little.” I balled up my fist and slammed it into his belly. Yelping in pain, holding my hand to my chest. “You have to stop doing that. One day you’ll break your hand.”
“Maybe I’ll just kick you in the balls.”
“Alright, for that you can carry your own bag.” He slumped it onto my shoulder, almost toppling me over onto my butt. “The trains coming, come on.” An arm curling around my shoulder as we walked.
He took after our father with his height and the short brown hair. I was the spitting image of my mother. Short with the long blonde curls. Or at least, that’s what the photos showed. Our mother died shortly after I was born. All I had were those photos. Having them were the closest I would get to my mum and I had brought them with me.
Moving my way around to the other platform as the train came into the station. Coming to a halt next to the usual mode of transport that visited our village. It was like night and day. Old times meeting new.
The train that had been here first was an old steam train. A massive funnel at the front bellowing that smoke as it started moving off. The wheels spinning on the rails, screeching trying to find purchase.
The second looked like it was made from plastic the metal was so smooth. Running my hand over it as I moved towards the closest door. The windows were all black but the most amazing thing was the levitation from the metal rails.
Seeing the pulse of the purple rings that sat underneath the train. The whole thing having a slow bob up and down. Coming to the closest door and climbing on board, surprised the whole thing didn’t waver with the sudden movement of all the other students.
Inside the seating was extremely comfortable. Grabbing a set of four to myself which was then quickly filled with other kids. None of them even bothering to say hello in any way. So I put my bag by my feet and pulled out one of my books. Taking out the photograph I had inside. All my books had one inside, keeping them flat and pristine.
Looking at how happy my parents looked. Standing on the edge of a cliff. A massive shot of the horizon reaching out below them. The sun just about to disappear, painting the sky in bright orange. My father towering over her like my brother did me.
Wiping a quick tear away before anyone noticed. Slipping the photo into the back cover, curling my legs underneath me I started reading. Getting lost into the world of romance. Not noticing how much time had gone by until the driver came over the speakers in each car.
“We will be arriving at the school very shortly. If you look out the left, you will have the pleasure of seeing the amazing building standing tall.”
All the passengers rushed over to the left side of the train, my fingers gripping onto my book as I was nudged by the one sitting beside me. Looking out the window like everyone else. The view of this building made the floating train look like a toy.
The futuristic school looked amazing. The curvy, metal walls of the building catching the sun, shining bright. The massive tower in the middle had glass running down the back and the front. The bottom floor was three times as big as the rest. Six rounded roofs surrounded the middle structure. Looking like an upside down flower.
The view suddenly taken away by a tunnel. The sun getting blocked and the kids all returned to their seats. Placing my book back in my bag. Our transport coming out the other side of the rock. Slowing down next to a makeshift platform.
The building even taller than before. Looking up and hoping I wouldn’t have to ascend too high. My legs feeling like jelly at the thought. Not moving until most people had disembarked.
Slinging my bag over my shoulder and moving off. Following the crowd of kids, hearing a voice coming from the front. “Welcome to Fawkes Institute of Training. You are the last to arrive so we will move straight into the hall for the welcome assembly. You can place your bags on the trolleys just inside the entrance and they will be moved up into your rooms once they have been selected. If you haven’t written your name on them yet, please do so now. You will find pens by the trolleys.”
I shuffled my bag around and found my name written along the handle. Smiling as we all entered the massive school. Placing my bag on a trolley. Trying to catch sight of my brother or his friends but my lack of height made it a problem. The crowds moving through the massive lobby.
Either side of us were two grated openings. A small room that held a shop of sorts. Snacks and food on one side. Empty shelves taking up the rest. Opposite was a massive canteen. Tables and chairs just like in school back home.
As we all filled the area I saw the steps that led up to the middle shaft. An elevator sat at the bottom which could have housed at least half of us. My eyes moving higher, the sunlight coming through the glass sides. Seeing the many many levels high above. My legs almost giving way so I quickly looked down.
The herd of students changing direction as someone saw a set of doors with, Hall, written above it. Pushing through the double doors and inside one of those round shaped buildings. So many boys and girls already seated around the middle stage. We shuffled around until we filled up the last section.
Picking out the other villages and towns who had been invited. My village was right on the edge of the sector eight. We didn’t get many visitors out there so it was a shock to see so many different species here. Some looked similar to us humans but others looked like they belonged to another planet.
The seats were benches covered in a cushiony layer which was better than the one I had been occupying at the train station. In the middle was a stage like we were about to watch a live band. Five white booths sitting there at the back. Stairs leading up the front and then behind those five boxes. A single man climbed up to stand in front of the microphone. Out came some note cards from his fancy, black jacket.
His trousers looked just as nice, a red bow tie around his shirt collar. A hand was run through his wavy brown hair. A clearing of the throat echoed around the massive hall before he spoke. “First I would like to welcome you all to Fawkes. As I’m sure you know we are travelling around the continent to find fighters and soldiers for our toughest army unit. To prevent another war breaking out on our land.”
He was on about the fifty year war against the original inhabitants of Mythoria. We came in and tried to take over. It wasn’t at all surprising that we were met with anger and war. Sadly they were wiped off the face of this land and we deemed it a win. For some peculiar reason, I didn’t agree with that sentiment.
“I am the president of this school, Ethan West. Since you will be training in combat and some of you will have the pleasure of learning magic as well. We don’t tolerate fighting outside of the class room. You will be ejected from the school and sent back home. I hope I’ve made that very clear.”
There was a silence that rolled around the massive hall. The president flipped to another card before continuing. “You will be called down by your schools. Inside each of these booths is a crystal. They will not only determine your particular affinity. They will also unlock your potential. Making it much much easier to learn these things. Something that has helped speed up our process which brought great recognition from the government. Not to mention a generous grant.”
He waved a hand to the booths and started calling out the schools. Ours being the last one since we were the last to arrive. The rows of benches being emptied, joining the queue that led down the stairs towards the stage.
Finally it being my turn I entered the booth. Opening and closing the white curtain. Looking down at a pedestal. Sitting atop was an electronic pad and a crystal. The clear top of the booth shone light down upon it. Bouncing it across the material around me. So captivating.
Words popped up on the screen, giving me instructions on how to proceed. Cradling the crystal carefully in my palms. Watching as the middle started to shift. A cloud spreading inside that gem. Watching as my palms started tingling where the crystal touched. Those clouds began to change colour. Glowing from within with a red light. Seeing it storming around in circles.
The redness getting brighter, filling the whole thing. Wondering if that was it when there was something else at the centre. A darkness, just like the red. Growing until it was a little ball in the middle. Half red and half black.
Then the crystal started calming, going back to that clear colour so I placed it back on top of the pedestal. I tapped the pad and it came to life. It first asked me my name which I entered. Then I had to fill in how many different colours appeared in the crystal. Entering two and hitting next.
A keyboard popped up and I filled in the two spaces with my colours. Hitting next a final time and I was giving instructions to head for the canteen. The screen went blank and I left my booth. Walking back across the stage. Looking at the reactions of others coming out of the booths. Some looking confused, just how I felt.
Heading out the hall the way we had entered. Most of the students were hanging around the elevator. Some inside waiting for it rise up the column. I moved towards the cafeteria finding the gate unlocked. The lights on, shining down on the tables. My eyes rose to the menu above the counter.
There were no prices and the pictures looked amazing. My stomach grumbling despite having breakfast before getting on the train. Some of the other students here were chatting to each other. Sitting down near the corner away from them all. Wishing I had my book with me, since I didn’t I decided to watch the others. Recognising one of them from my village. The other three I had no clue about.
One of the guys seeing me looking came walking over with a big grin. His chubby features filled out his shirt and trousers. Surprised that top button hadn’t popped off already. Giving him a shy smile then looking away. Seeing the outside world through the massive window that ran the whole wall. Loving the green that stretched on for miles.
“I saw you looking at me.”
“Sorry, won’t happen again.” Turning further away from him. Hoping he would just walk away.
“It’s okay. I like you to. We should definitely be boyfriend and girlfriend.”
I couldn’t stop the laugh that shot out of my mouth. Seeing his hurt reaction. “That wasn’t very nice of me.”
“It’s okay. I forgive you. To make it up to me you should definitely dress nicer when we go out for a date.”
“I’m not going to go out with you.”
“Not yet maybe. You’ll soon change your mind. I won’t give up so easily. I know when a girl wants to go out with me.”
Looking up at him, hoping to see he was joking. “Does this usually work?”
“All the time.”
“Then why don’t you have a girlfriend right now?”
There was a moment of confusion on his face. Then an idea clearly popped in there. “I had to leave her behind. She was only fifteen.”
“So was I a few days ago.”
“But you’re sixteen now. So it’s alright.”
I gave as soft of a smile I could muster. “I don’t think you and I are going to work out. Let’s not even give it a try.”
“Why not. Look.” Suddenly he reached down and grabbed my wrist. Pulling me up to his body making me yelp out in pain.
A voice coming from behind him. “Let her go, Troy!”
The chubby boy turned with anger. But seeing his expression quickly changing when he saw who was speaking to him. “Kilroy.”
“Let her go.” My wrist being released, rolling it around and wriggling my fingers. “Now run along.”
“You know, you don’t have your father to save you here. It’s just us boys.”
“I never needed my father to kick your arse. Or your friends. Who I’ve noticed, most couldn’t make it because they haven’t gone through puberty yet.”
The red headed boy walked and nudged his elbow into Kilroy. Now he was out of the way I got a good look at my saviour. Blonde hair just like me, curly as well. Just a lot shorter than mine. Swept back so the short curls stood up a little. Giving him a boyish cuteness that I couldn’t stop staring at.
Out came a hand towards me. Taking it and taken by surprise when he leant down and kissed the back of it. “Kilroy, William. And you are?”
“Her name is Crystal.” Another interaction got interrupted but this time I was annoyed. Looking past William to see my brother standing there. He was one of the tallest in our village and it looked like that could be the case here as well.
Looking down at William with his big arms across his chest. Only my new friend here didn’t bother looking around or even acknowledging my brother’s presence. “Crystal is a very pretty name.”
“Thanks. This is my brother, Lance.”
“That’s a less pretty name. Not my type.” William’s bright blue eyes locked on mine. “You are very cute. I love your curls.”
As a hand came up to touch a strand of my hair my brother pulled him around to face him. Wanting to interject but I saw the look in his eyes. The need to protect me had always been in him. Sometimes it did go a little too far. “Lance, calm down.”
