A deep rumbling was felt in Sebastian's chest. He murmured and rolled. The rumbling continued and he groaned. Quite a while after the rumbling, Sebastian's eyes ripped open, realizing his impending demise. He flung away his covers and shot up from the bed. He glanced over to his bedside clock, "7:43 A.M." it read. "Damn!", he shouted as he ran to the shower, stubbing his toe on his suitcase. He winced in pain as he showered under the cold water. Soon, a banging came from the front door. "Coming!", Sebastian responded, now shoving his monogrammed shirt into his pants. The banging continued, Sebastian not responding. Instead, he quickly slipped on his socks and violently tugged his jacket over himself.
The banging grew louder. "COMING!", Sebastian shouted. He ran out of the bedroom towards the door, skating all over the wooden floor. As he unbolted the door and opened them as fast as he could he greeted Darius, "Ready!". Darius shook his head, "Of course you would be late!". Sebastian ran over to the elevator, Darius tailing. As the elevator groaned downwards, Darius looked on at Sebastian who was now frantically brushing his hair with his hand. The boys emerged from the gloomy tower and ran towards Magnus Hall. On the way, they passed other latecomers as well as the gardening gnomes who were clipping the lawn one blade at a time.
At long last, they arrived. The pair took a moment to tidy themselves and wipe their glistening foreheads. "Come on!", ushered Darius as they entered into the Hall. Sebastian could not believe his eyes at the sight! The hall was twice as large as a football pitch and so incredibly tall. The ceilings were even higher than the other halls and the stone seemed to have been polished by artisans. Along the walls, bright soulful figures of serpents, angels and all sorts of creatures danced on the stone canvas. As they shuffled between the seemingly endless tables, Sebastian noticed dozens more of the school's knights, all standing along the living artworks. The boys got seated under the table that had red banners of a golden phoenix. The other tables had a black banner with a yellow griffin for House Israel, a white banner with a blue Pegasus for House Gabriel and a grey banner with a black crown for House Abaddon.
As the boys took their seats, eight loud bells tolled throughout the school. As the last bell faded, a silence befell and the students turned their attention to the thirty-foot doors at the entrance. Three knights could have been seen approaching. They were different from the others, wearing golden armour and red capes. The one in front held a giant ceremonial mace and the two others carried banners in one hand and closed the doors behind them. "Who are they?", Sebastian asked. "Those are the Templar Pontiffs, they are the personal security for your Grandfather.", Darius explained, "Never mind them, look at the front!" As Sebastian slowly looked away from the rigid golden knights, he recognized a familiar silhouette walking up on the wooden stage.
"Good Morning, my young pupils!", Regulus' voiced boomed, reaching every student. "We have come, once again to another start of an Academic Year.", the Headmaster continued, "As we say farewell to those who have successfully completed their studies, we welcome many of those are joining us for their first experience of the Arcane." The students peered on, some noticeably more anxious than others. "Now, while we may have lost some of our friends, mentors and even family, I say to you;", Regulus stated, "Dwell not on the ghosts of the past instead, yearn for the opportunities that our future may hold." Immediately after finishing his sentence the students erupted into applause, silently acknowledging the words of their Headmaster.
As the applause carried on, one student sat still, glaring over to Sebastian. This student I refer to is, of course, Maximinus Iscariot. Head of the Iscariot Family, they're said to be descended from the legendary traitor, Judas, cementing their disgust by the rest of the Templar population. He sat resolutely in his seat, his entire being radiating a menacing aura. Max and Sebastian were always rivaling, since childhood. From theology, arcane studies, formal education, even musical performance! Max continued his staring just as the Regulus was finishing his speech. "...and now, what you've all been waiting for, Breakfast!" The Headmaster clapped his hands and summoned hundreds of small cherubs. They zipped around the hall, leaving silvery trails and fully plated meals onto the tables. As the students looked on is sheer amazement, the cherubs threw goblets of the finest juices, full cutlery, and napkins in the form of owls. "Now remember students...", Regulus smiled through the commotion, "classes begin at nine-thirty, today only!"
The students enjoyed their breakfast to the fullest. The buttered rolls, fried sausages; for some even chocolate cake! Sebastian and Darius were both filling their mouths with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon on toast. As Sebastian downed his cup of milk, he noticed something. Sitting under the banners of House Israel, was Arielle, laughing and eating with the rest of her housemates. Of course, Sebastian stared, his mouth crumby with toast. "Hey!", Darius nudged Sebastian in the side, "We've got to hurry...class..." Sebastian snapped back into himself, "Yeah, yeah", he replied wiping his mouth off. The pair groaned as they stood up, their bellies filled and eyes beaming. They set off, Darius leading the way.
They left the school and entered the grounds. Shuffling through the rose gardens and fairy fountains. The lawn was surprising still damp with dew and with each step their shoes squelched. "Is it really necessary to walk through this mess?", Sebastian asked. "If you want to be late, that's your problem.", Darius answered, "Either way, we're almost there." The two made it to the top of a little slope and coming into view was Lock Morar. The magnificent Scottish Highlands jumping around the great lake. Darius began trotting downhill just as Sebastian noticed a group of people near the shore.
The two approached the group and started to file through the crowd. "Well, well, well", a voiced radiated, "looks like some wee stragglers". The voice belonged to Professor Alexander Anderson, a true Scot. He was a burly man, a comfortable six foot six and wore the most magnificent blonde beard. Sebastian was nudged forward into the clearing by a grinning Darius. "So, yer must be tha Regulus' lad, eh?", Alexander asked in his thick accent. Sebastian didn't get enough time to reply and was met with more of the Professor's vocabulary. "Lucky not to be too late", he continued, "we'll all start in a wee bit, so why don't ya follow the rest of the boys?"
Sebastian nodded and the group broke and made their way to the large wooden building on the shore. The building was annexed to a Jousting Lane and quite a muddy one at that. As they entered, the boys were greeted by a dark blue tiled interior. Complete with showers and red changing rooms that resembled telephone boxes, the locker room was clearly well equipped. Each student made their way over to the rooms and entered the one with their name on it. Sebastian and Darius stood by before making their way over to two vacant stalls.
The red doors were blank, however, unmatched to both Darius and Sebastian. They looked at each other in confusion. Then, wispy black dots began to appear. The dots came together slowly, spelling out their full names. Before entering, Sebastian took one last breath and then pushed the door open and was greeted by astonishment. The stall seemed to grow in size! The outside looked chokingly small while the inside was the size of a comfortable office. The walls were lined with red cupboards, filled with fresh uniforms, socks, chain mail and torso of armour. Sebastian paced to the end of the stall, approaching an illuminated case. As he came closer, Sebastian immediately recognized the contents of the case.
Peering through the crystal-clear glass was a sword. The hilt was wrapped in crimson leather and the guard made of gold, gilded with gems of star-light. At the end of the handle was a golden head of a lion, its mouth gaping wide. The blade was even more impressive. It appeared to be a folded steel, however wherever it gleamed, a golden shine radiated. Looking closer, Sebastian noticed a double row of holes beside the spine of the blade and some Latin words engraved on it. "Soli Deo Gloria", Sebastian muttered, "To God, be Glory alone." The sword was exactly what Sebastian thought it was, the Holy Blade Sol, the weapon once wielded by the Archangel Michael. As Sebastian took the sword out of the case, an overwhelming wave of emotions flooded him and suddenly blacked out.