After four days of travel, the children's awe reached a fever pitch. They had left behind the quiet villages and rolling hills of the countryside, and now they stood at the gates of Starhaven, the bustling capital city of Starglade.
"Wow!" gasped Lumine, her eyes wide with wonder. "It's so…big!"
"People are so busy," Jack muttered, his gaze darting from one side of the street to the other.
And there are too many buildings." He was always on edge, always ready for a fight.
The air hummed with a constant din, a symphony of clanging metal, shouting vendors, and the rhythmic clip-clop of horses' hooves. The scent of woodsmoke, freshly baked bread, and exotic spices filled their nostrils.
"Wow, it's like a medieval fantasy game," Rethrus thought, his mind struggling to process the sheer magnitude of the city. His gaze swept over the towering spires, the winding cobblestone streets, the bustling marketplace overflowing with exotic goods. He felt a surge of excitement, but also a prickle of unease. He wasn't sure if he was ready for this.
Elizabeth, her eyes wide with wonder, couldn't help but be drawn to the intricate carvings on the city gates.
"Look," she whispered, pointing to a figure carved into the stone, "A griffin!"
Haldrin, his gaze focused on the imposing city walls, felt a sense of apprehension. "This place is huge," he muttered, his fingers tightening around his earth magic, a silent shield against any unseen threat.
Theo, his axe gleaming, couldn't help but smile. "This is where we'll really learn," he said, his voice laced with excitement.
As they entered the city, the children's eyes were drawn to the towering buildings, some reaching for the clouds. They marveled at the intricate designs, the vibrant colors, and the sheer scale of the city.
Rethrus, his thoughts still churning, noticed a strange energy emanating from the city. He couldn't quite place it, but it felt off, uneasy.
They stopped in the heart of the city, a bustling marketplace overflowing with stalls and vendors. The air crackled with the energy of bartering and negotiation, the cries of merchants mixing with the laughter of children.
A group of children, their ages similar to the newcomers, gawked at them.
"Those are the orphans from that where the king and his son was endangered," one of them whispered. "I heard they're really strong."
Xavier, his face a mix of pride and apprehension, stepped forward.
"Okay, kids," he said, his voice firm. "This is it. The Starhaven." He glanced at each of them, his eyes conveying a message of support and encouragement.
"You've all come so far. Now, the real work begins." He pointed towards a massive building, its façade a tapestry of intricate carvings and stained-glass windows.
The children, their hearts pounding with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, looked at the academy, its presence a tangible reminder of the challenges ahead.
The children, weary from their journey, found themselves in a bustling inn, its aroma of roasted meats and spiced wines filling the air. Xavier, his expression unreadable, gathered them in a corner of the common room.
"Rest, everyone," Xavier said, his voice a low rumble.
"Tomorrow will be the day that you'll take your entrance exams." He paused, his gaze sweeping over their faces, each one filled with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. "And give me all your weapons."
A wave of surprise rippled through the group. Their weapons were their extensions, their symbols of strength and power. Their reactions were varied:
- Jack, his face a mixture of confusion and frustration, hesitated before handing over his wand. He was never comfortable being unarmed.
- Elizabeth, always reliant on her water magic, handed over her wand with a shrug, her heart, however, pounded with a sense of unease.
- Rethrus hesitated for a moment, his hand lingering on the hilt of his staff. He couldn't quite understand why they were being disarmed, but he knew better than to question Xavier's judgment.
The other children followed suit, their weapons reluctantly surrendered to Xavier.
"Eat whatever you want here," Xavier continued, a flicker of concern in his eyes, "I'll pay for it. Don't go outside anymore, okay? I'll be back tomorrow."
"Yes, Master," the children replied, their voices subdued.
Xavier, his face set in a determined expression, turned away, his figure disappearing into the bustling crowd.
The children, their weapons gone, their strength suddenly diminished, felt a new vulnerability. They were left alone in a city teeming with secrets, their fears heightened, their trust shaken.
Xavier, with a sense of urgency, headed to the market. He swiftly sold the children's weapons, using the funds to pay for the chariots.
He then went to a nearby shop, a place known for its exquisite weapons and artifacts. He purchased a staff for each of the mages, except Rethrus, and artifacts and weapons for the rest of the children, excluding Aethra.
"Don't let them know about the weapons," Xavier said as he handed Greg, the chariot driver, the new weapons.
"Just bring them to the inn."
"Yes, sir," Greg replied, his eyes wide with surprise. He hadn't expected such expensive gifts.
As the children gathered around the table, their conversations subdued, their senses heightened, they had no idea what Xavier was up to.
They knew that something was different, something that tugged at their sense of security.
Xavier, a shadow against the backdrop of the bustling city, moved with an unnerving sense of purpose. He navigated the crowded streets, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings. He had a mission, a plan he had been formulating for weeks.
He arrived at a grand museum, its facade a testament to a bygone era. The building, a vibrant center of knowledge during the day, was now bathed in the soft glow of the moon, its windows dark, silent sentinels against the night.
The air around the museum felt thick with the weight of forgotten stories, the echoes of history whispering through the stillness.
The building was a monument to a past that Xavier couldn't escape, a past that continued to haunt him.
He entered the museum, the heavy doors sliding open with a silent groan, as if whispering a secret to the night. He walked through the darkened halls, his footsteps muffled against the plush carpets. The scent of old parchment and dust filled his nostrils, a reminder of forgotten times, of lost opportunities.
He paused before a display case, its contents a collection of exquisite weapons, their gleam muted in the dim light. His gaze fell upon a sword, its blade a gleaming testament to its craftsmanship.
It was a sword he recognized instantly - the sword of Aethra's father.
"This will do," Xavier murmured, his fingers tracing the intricate patterns etched into the hilt.
He took the sword, its weight a reassuring sensation in his hand. It felt familiar, a reminder of a time when he and Aethra's father had fought side by side, their camaraderie as strong as their weapons.
He moved to another display case, his eyes searching for the right weapon. There, resting against a velvet cushion, was a staff, carved from black wood, a network of intricate carvings adorning its surface. It was the staff of his old friend, a powerful mage who had fallen in a battle against the Duskmire kingdom.
"This will do as well," Xavier said, his voice a hushed whisper.
He tucked the sword and staff under his cloak, his heart heavy with a sense of foreboding.
He left the museum, the doors sighing as he closed them behind him. He walked to a nearby tavern, a dim, comfortable place where he could find solace. He sank into a worn leather chair, the scent of stale beer and sawdust a familiar comfort.
He ordered a drink, his gaze drifting to the flickering flames of the fireplace, his thoughts a whirlwind of emotions.
He loved the children, he truly did. But he knew that this would be the last time he'd be with them, at least for a while.
Diana, His first love, a woman he had loved with a passion that burned brighter than any sun, had died in a battlefield, her life snuffed out in a moment of chaos and violence. Her memory, a constant ache in his heart, shaped his every decision, his every move.
He sipped his drink, the bitterness of the ale a reflection of the pain in his heart.
"Ahh, good morning, everyone!" Jack shouted, his voice echoing through the inn, a contagious energy radiating from him. "Today is the day."
"Today is the day," Justus seconded, his face a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation. The children were buzzing with energy, packing their belongings and preparing themselves for the day ahead. They had been through a lot in the last few days, but their spirits remained high.
Xavier, his expression unreadable, arrived at the inn, carrying a heavy cloak. He motioned to Greg, who stood nearby, with a laden cart. The chariots, their bodies gleaming, were packed with an array of impressive weapons and artifacts. The children, their eyes wide with awe, gazed at the cart, a sense of excitement and wonder washing over them.
"Wow," Lumine whispered, her fingers tracing the intricate designs on a beautiful staff. She couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation, a sense of power coursing through her.
The children, their faces alight with anticipation, all wore new bracelets and those who used wands had been upgraded to staffs. Leo, a picture of confidence, was outfitted in his new gauntlets, his eyes flashing with a dangerous gleam. Finn, his axe gleaming, stood tall, his muscles tense with readiness. The rest of the children, each one with their new equipment, were a sight to behold.
"Mr. Xavier, they're so expensive," Aiko said, her eyes filled with wonder. "How did you get to buy them all?"
"Well, I used my own money," Xavier said, his voice a soft rumble. He had a lot of resources at his disposal, things that he wasn't willing to reveal to the children.
"Awh, thank you sir!" They all said in unison, their voices filled with gratitude.
"Wait, where's the staff for Rethrus and the sword for Aethra?" Terra asked, her brows furrowed with confusion. The other children, their faces mirroring her own bewilderment, looked at Xavier expectantly.
Xavier, with a subtle smile, reached under his cloak and pulled out a sword, its blade gleaming in the dim light.
"Wow, that's a very beautiful sword," Haldrin said, his voice filled with awe.
"This is for Aethra," Xavier said, his voice soft, his gaze lingering on him.
Aethra, his eyes wide with surprise, took the sword. It felt familiar, a sense of connection coursing through him. "It's my father's sword," he said, his voice hushed with reverence.
The children, their faces a mix of astonishment and wonder, stared at Aethra, their hearts filled with a sense of history, of a legacy passed down through generations.
Xavier then turned to Rethrus. He reached under his cloak, producing a black wooden staff, its carvings intricate and mesmerizing.
"And here's a staff," Xavier said, his voice filled with a sense of purpose. "A staff from my old friend. Hope you can use it to protect this kingdom as he did."
Rethrus, his heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and responsibility, took the staff.
"Yes, I promise to fight for this kingdom with this staff," he said, his voice resolute, his eyes locked with Xavier's.
Xavier then turned to the children, a serious expression on his face.
"You can go to the academy by yourselves, right?" he asked, his voice a low rumble.
The children looked at each other, surprised by his words. They were used to Xavier being their guide, their protector. Their faces reflected a mix of fear and confusion.
"We...we can," Silas said, his voice hesitant. "But..."
Xavier placed a hand on Silas's shoulder. "You've come a long way," he said, a hint of sadness in his voice. "You're ready to face this challenge. You're strong, you're brave, and you're ready to protect this kingdom."
The children felt a knot of anxiety forming in their stomachs, but they also felt a sense of pride, a sense of accomplishment. They were ready for the next chapter in their lives.
Xavier then turned to the chariots, a somber look in his eyes.
"Greg," he said, "make sure they get to the academy safely."
He looked back at the children, his expression softening. "Take care," he said, his voice a whisper.
Xavier then vanished into the bustling crowds, leaving the children standing in the inn, their hearts filled with a mix of apprehension, gratitude, and a sense of profound loneliness.