When the sun rose up waking her up as sunlight beamed on her face as she groaned sitting up from her double bed stretching her arms slowly waking up from a nice slumber ready to start another amazing day. She had no other choice but to wear a ombré blue linen dress and a black silk hooded cloak to top it off while keeping the fiery crystal pendant hanging around her neck.
"Ugh, let's just hope that I don't bump into those idiots today, I have a lot of things that need be done" thinking to herself while putting everything she needed in a bag while her most precious were locked away by her magic never to be touched by anyone. Esmeralda left her room locking it behind her prevent anyone from getting in while casting a protective shield spell over things that are important to her so whoever comes in can only grab the lease of importance while she is out doing her own thing.
Upon walking down the corridor a single set of footsteps could be heard rushing towards her from behind as Theo put his arm over her shoulders being all buddy buddy. "What's up my lower class mate? You look oddly mysterious today" he asked admiring her choice of clothes even though she didn't like the fashion in general, but it was all she could wear since she wasn't a lad like him.
"I'm no longer lower than you, Theo. Albus last night just promoted me to higher class making you my 'lower class mate'" Esmeralda replied using his own words against him surprising the idiot who was unsure that this was correct since she only started a almost a year ago let alone a student who came from Camelot.
"You're kidding right? Right? *looks serious at him* Oh you're serious.. well, lucky you! I give you my best wishes friend" Theo sounded nervous and nervous knowing that she would be working along side Albus and learning way more spells than any wizard and sorcerer could ever dream of doing. "Oh Crap! Becky isn't going to like this" thinking to himself before noticing the pendant that dangled around her neck even though he never remembered her once being gifted or given such a powerful piece of equipment.
"What are you doing?" Esmeralda asked seeing him staring at her as she covered herself with the cloak wondering if this lad has gone all perverted on her and was staring at her chest, but really it was her pendant that has gotten him so draw.
"Where did you get that pendant?" He curiously asked making her release the cloak that covered her finally seeing what he was actually staring at.
"Why? It has nothing to do with you" she replied not wanting to tell him too much or things could go bad for her as he raised an eyebrow pulling himself way from her.
"Well, if you aren't going to tell me then I might as well tell Albus that you've stolen it then" Theo went with the dirty option blackmailing Esmeralda even though Albus is already aware that she had this pendant, but never got the chance to tell him how she gained such an item. She clenched her fists angered from hear such bull come from his mouth knowing that she had no other choice, but to tell him getting in his face.
"You're really beginning to get on my nerves, Theo. I got this while trying to get my familiar who gave me this item so clear I haven't taken it so keep your pretty mouth shut before I curse it shut!" Esmeralda whispered to Theo who stepped back knowing for a fact that she wouldn't hesitate to do such a thing even though curses aren't that really taught in class unless you're in middle class or higher with Albus. He nodded not going to say a single word about her pendant to anyone as she turned her back towards him before turning her head to look back at him. "And another thing. For the next 3 days don't think about bothering me unless it's something important since this 'Camelot loser' has a lot of things to catch up on" she lastly said using a nickname some of the students call her whenever they want to pick on her when there are no teachers around to stop them.
Esmeralda was about to leave the academy when a strange force made her to stop as her pendant began to glow in a pulse like pattern forcing her to hide it and quickly run off in a dark and empty room trying whatever she can to stop this pulsating before the others begin catch on.
"Come on! Stop it.." whispering to the pendant as only it's light gave the room light as all the curtains was closed shut preventing any light from breaking in.
"Go to the room filled with knowledge... pull the red book of secrets and all will be revealed.." a voice called out to her through the pendant it was more different and helpful unlike the sight she had on the beast she though to believe was her familiar and a simple mistake since familiars come to you not the other way round.
"Did my pendant just speak to me? Things are beginning to get weird" Esmeralda said to herself as the pendant finally stopped glowing allowing her to leave and head to whatever came to her mind as the only place here that has all the knowledge in the world is the library. "I can't believe I'm wasting my precious reading time on finding something that probably doesn't exist, first I have no familiar and now this! What else is going to happen to me?" Thinking to herself and sighed not really in the best moods this week and need some alone time for once.
When arriving in the library no one could be seen like pure usual lights off and everything as lifted up her hand facing her palm up using magic to create a floating red like orb to brighten up the darkness that surrounded her. The search began for this 'red book' the voice told her to find using the only sourced light to try and search for it wasting precious 30 minutes of her time with no luck.
"This useless! I can't find that book anywhere" mumbling to herself in a room filled with hundreds of books to search through, but there was nothing that matched to the red book the voice mentioned earlier.
"You're doing it wrong.." it spoke again as she looked down to the pendant seeing it dimly glowing feeling it's presence that was somehow connected to her through this crystal.
"Can you at least help me? I can't find this red book anywhere" Esmeralda asked wanting more answers than what the pendant has told her so far.
"Close your eyes and concentrate.. let the book guide YOU" it lastly said before the light dimmed leaving her alone once again as she stopped using magic leaving herself in completely darkness and closed her eyes just like she used to do while meditating, but this time to track something hidden from eyesight as she began to concentrate her mind allowing the book to guide her towards it. The book was in her mind somewhere far in the backs of the library shelves.
"There you are.." Esmeralda said to herself walking in its direction forgetting that there are shelves before walking into one hitting her head. "Ow, kinda forgot that I was in a library for a second" reminding herself before using her hands to feel for any obstacles that could possibly bump into her along the way taking a long route around. Knowing exactly where it was Esmeralda was confident on where it could be as the lights to the library turned on making her freeze in place.
"I swear I saw her go in here! This place is out of bounds when the librarian isn't here.. I don't know why though, but it just is" Theo's voice could be heard faintly at the doors of the library which made Esmeralda open her eyes and rush in the direction she thinks is where the book was seen to be located in her mind.
"I don't care I'm telling Albus! He'll surely ban her for this" Becky replied talking back to her little minion allowing her familiar to walk freely in the library and find Esmeralda somewhere and tell her partner where she is located.
It wasn't long when the white cat found Esmeralda and began to call out for Becky hearing their footsteps rushing in its direction startling her in the process.
"Crap! This isn't good" Esmeralda thought in a panic reaching the back shelves of the library looking back while touching random books using magic to help her feel the odd one out before touching new looking orange book. "This better work" she said hoping that this would work or she'll be doomed and pulled the book similar like a lever as the bookshelf spun swooping and trapping Esmeralda on the other side of the wall as their footsteps could be heard slowing down just outside of the bookshelf Esmeralda was hiding behind as she sighed with relief.
"What the heck angel! Where is she?" Becky moodily asked her familiar who too was confused not seeing exactly where Esmeralda has disappeared.
"You can't blame her, Becky. We're dealing with a Camelot wannabe remember. Esmeralda surely isn't what we thought she'll be as her talent goes way beyond our own and could easily become a master before us" Theo said reminding Becky that their friend was far more capable than they expect someone from Camelot to be. Esmeralda on the other hand was highly offended by this backstabbing betrayal of the ones who she considered as her friends, so all the fun times they had together just fake?
Esmeralda had enough of this and looked down seeing stairs that lead to somewhere new a place she hasn't explored yet in the academy andso she went deeper in its walls searching for these secrets this pendant is wanting her to find. "That's it! I'm sticking on only having Camelot friends and that's all... at least they don't backstab me like Theo and Becky" thinking to herself while travelling deeper down the stairwell until reaching the bottom as she stopped frozen in shock at what her eyes were seeing.
There chained down was the 10 feet tall huge white 9 tailed beast pull against its restraints wanting to be freed from this hell. It's roars we're deafening and loud that could cause a huge avalanche with just the vibration alone. Esmeralda cautiously walked away from the stairwell wanting to comfort the beast as freeing it could possibly get herself killed.
Esmeralda's PoV:
Whatever is even happening here is sick and needs to stop like how the heck did this creature end up down here anyway? This creature is far to big to fit down the stairwell and is clearly in distress. Suddenly it glanced up a me and snapped in a single motion trying to grab me or worse kill me as if I'm the one who originally trapped it down here.
"Stop that! You could seriously hurt someone with those things" I scolded it in a way a adult does to a child whenever they miss behave and cause endless havoc. It's looked at me surprised seeing it's pupils dilate as it slowly leaned in closer towards me sniffing me with its cute black nose.
"You're not from here are you?" Is spoke which was slightly a surprise to me as I slightly tilted my head curious on how this creature went from killer mode to just plain old chill.
"No.. I'm from Camelot, why? Where are you from?" I replied asking this creature a question as it laid down on the ground wanting to hear and see me better.
"I'm from a magical realm, a place filled with magical beings and magic, but something bad happened that caused it all to crash down ruining and destroying everything I loved so dearly" I felt sorry for this creature knowing that it's home had been destroyed forcing it to stay here chained up for who knows how long.
"How long have you been trapped here for? And why? You seem like a very nice guy" I wanted to know more as I sat down on the stone floor wanting to chat with whatever this creature is and maybe help it be free again.
"I lost count as it has been sooo long since I've seen the sun. Albus trapped me here after an accident that happened with the last person who paired with me.. it costed their life and now because of it I'm stuck down here paying for whatever I have done wrong even though it wasn't I who killed them.." this was tragic even for me I feel like freeing this creature was the only thing left me to do, but at what cost? "The names Cleo and I'm a kitsune, the type of partner all familiars are afraid of due to my size, comparability and ability to use eclipse celestial magic.. you probably never heard of it before so I won't bother lecturing you with it all" telling me more about themselves which is very generous of them, but I couldn't get the thought of her being able to use this so thought ancient magic like me.
"Wait! You can use it too? I've got an entire book about it, and not only that I can understand what it's telling me this is so awesome!" I excitedly replied magically bringing the book out from my secret storage as Cleo sighed before smiling to herself until noticing the pendant that hung around my neck.
"You really are the chosen one.. I have to warn you though, Albus shouldn't be trusted not now or ever as his plans for you now are evil and wicked so whatever you do, don't use our magic" Cleo warned me which is odd since we had just met so should I really believe her? Suddenly several set of footsteps could be heard walking down the stairwell staggering me back to my feet and hid behind a nearby pillar that held this place up from crumbling down. I peaked around to see Albus there with Theo, Becky and the librarian as they remained faced towards Cleo who was clearly afraid of him almost immobilised due to the chains that made her unable to use magic to break herself free.
"Why is she still alive? Didn't this MONSTER ruined your last ceremony, Albus" Theo coldly asked crossing his arms unpleased to see Cleo still alive chained in front of them.
"She being punished.. also I can't kill her or the aftermath would effect whoever has become her new partner and cause catastrophic damage to the kingdom. Find them and bring them to me so I can break the bond and rid the threat before everything I worked so hard to achieve is ruined" Albus seriously replied while keeping a close eye on his prisoner knowing that she was afraid of him.
"Yes, sir!" Theo and Becky replied before leaving me with Albus and Cleo in this temple looking place feeling his intense atmosphere growing the more he stood there.
"I hate familiars who don't listen to the rules especially my rules.. rule breakers shall be punished and talking about that, where is Esmeralda? She has long wine red hair and rusty red eyes a classic looking witch.." Albus asked wanting to make sure that I haven't found about this place or I too might end up being chained up like Cleo.
"No! I haven't seen anyone down here in years other than you.." she nervously replied hating being in his present, but why was he so neutral and kind when around me.
"Good.. I don't her to spread rumours about you around especially when the tournament is coming up.. I plan on seeing how truly good she really is" he replied before walking off as I watched him go up the stairwell however I remained behind the pillar for a few more minutes to entire that he was actually gone.
"You can come back out now.. he's gone now" Cleo called out ensure that it is safe to come out from hiding so I did and went back up to her.
"What is on about? What tournament? No one has told me about it yet" I asked as she sighed really believing that I knew nothing about Albus and what special events he has hosted just to keep his 'business' going.
"This specific tournament is hosted once every year in the summer time to see which student has been paying attention in their classes and find out how useful they'll become when coming out on top, but for you he plans on making you his next champion due to your indifference from the others.. the power you wield is nothing compared to anyone living here in Phoenix as it could even surpass Albus himself when kept under control" Cleo answered which is weird since I am unaware of whatever this power she's talking about and I won't believe her until I see it for myself.
"So you're saying I have some ancient power flowing through me? And I need to find a way to release and control it.. there's no way that's possible" I replied getting it but at the same time I didn't want to believe the things I'm hearing even though she is far older than me.
"I'm serious! You're not from this world and yet here you stand before me and could be the last hope we're searching for and stop Albus before whatever this plan he has in mind for you becomes a horrific reality" Cleo was not joking around, but what am I to do against a wizard like himself? I need to continue practicing my magic and become strong enough to stand on my own if it has to come to this.
"Fine.. but I'm going to keep on practicing to control the magic I have inside me now and try my best to make him think I have no idea that you exist. Is that a good?" I replied having a idea which could actually work if she goes along with it.
"As long as our hope isn't lost they sure since you are my partner so I trust you.." Cleo agreed not asking for anything in return which is putting even more stress on my shoulders, but it had to be done.
"Anyway, I have to go back to my dorm before anyone suspects anything. I'll try my best to come and visit you whenever I can" I said before touching her snout as a strange energy went through her body proving the link between them wasn't fake.
"Just be careful, Esmeralda" she lastly said before forming a portal behind me and nudged me through it leading straight to my room as I caught myself when touching the wooden flooring.
"I won't let you down.." I mumbled before instantly beginning to do my spells and some sneaky close combat techniques just incase magic doesn't help me in situations I wished it would. Albus popped round earlier that afternoon telling me about the tournament that'll be taking place in 2 months time, while interrupting me during my revision on things I should do as a higher class witch/sorceress, even though I want to do things that are far out of my reach like shadows magic as it always stood out to me so hopefully one day I'll be able to get my hands on it and at some point learn more about it and the ways of shadow magic.
What will come of Esmeralda if Albus were to find out about her little secret? Was it really the best decision to trust someone you just met or the one's that chose to help the supposed bad guy?