As the morning arrived, the first rays of light slowly made their way over the peaks of Mount Eryndor, penetrating the imperceptibly small window of Rhea. She has had restless nights, worrying about so many things; her powers, the enigma of the academy, and most importantly the caution given to her by Master Caelum. This knowledge was weighing on her soul's chest, as today was going to be her very first full day at Eryndor Academy.
Dressing as fast as possible, Rhea quickly wore her black robe strapping the mantle bearing the emblem of her rather bizarre dual inclination, which was that of a stone and a shadow. Vague memories flooded back to her as she recalled the symbol carved over the skin of her emblem. Touching the polished metal with her fingertips, she could hear and feel the low consistent hum of energy underneath it. It was a torturing praise for she knew she could wield such power but also knew the dangers of it when one loses control.
Walking down the labyrinth of stone hallways, the tapping of her boots grew louder as she made her way to the orientation at the Grand Hall. The hall was large, with long pointed arches going to the far-away ceiling and every surface covered with decorative patterns and ancient letters. She could sense the presence of magic in the air, which pulsated like a heartbeat in a person, and wondered how many centuries were contained within these halls.
Stepping into the hall, she marveled at how some first-year students were already forming crowds all over the middle of the hall and were awed by the sights. Rhea was part of the crowd too and stood on the periphery of the group, aware of but not directly looking at any of their amused expressions.
The gathering quieted down when a figure stepped up to the stage in front of the hall. It was Headmaster Aldryn. He was a tall and heavy-set individual with long silver hair and ice-blue eyes. He was clad in a robe which was a dark shade of blue, with an outer lining of stunning silver that glinted slightly in the glow of the magical lights. He stretched his arm out and with a flick of his wrist, the hall went silent.
"Let me take this moment to welcome you all to Eryndor Academy," he said, his voice echoing in every nook of the hall without straining, "You have been selected because your kinds are not only few in number, but also very dangerous. Here, you will be taught how to control them, and if you fail, there will be consequences," he said ominously. A moment's pause as an uncomfortable tension spread among the students, Rhea too experienced it. The gaze from the Headmaster Aldryn was quite penetrating and fixed on the people in the room, his face was inscrutable.
"Eryndor is not the typical academy one would come across," he said, furthering his point. "This is where the elements come together. The place where people like you, for whom the concept of power is much more than mere science, come to learn such powers." His pause earned him silence and let the weight of his words settle. "You all belong to an elemental house, but some of you have two. For these students, it is a gift, but a gift that has to be earned. And for a few of you, it is a curse," he explained.
Rhea experienced an unexplainable feeling creeping up her vertebral column, the instant he momentarily focused on her and forested his attention elsewhere. She was aware of the stigma that followed dual-affinity students and could tell the animosity and distrust in the air.
"And while you're all still here," the headmaster went on, "the time will come when you will take the Convergence Trials - tests that will stretch you to the very edge of your capability. These trials are not to be taken lightly. They mean to pull the power that is hiding somewhere inside you and to test your willpower. Those who succeed will be admitted to the upper echelons of mastery." He glared at them. "Those who do not will be deemed unworthy to carry the magic that they do." Rhea found it hard to breathe with the heaviness of his statement on her chest. She had arrived in Eryndor desiring to learn containment, to seek solutions regarding her abilities. But this wasn't just another institution - this was a society that expected the very best out of its members and one that punished the weak.
Headmaster Aldryn raised an arm and a gigantic stone appeared from the ground that glowed dimly and had markings on the surface that looked ancient. Rhea noticed the power of the stone with its low-frequency humming which seemed like her affinity for stone. "This," the headmaster said, "is the Convergence Stone. It is one of the integral relics of the Eryndor's foundation and moreover, it will be the ultimate determiner of your level of mastery. No one is allowed to touch it and claim the title of Convergent unless they successfully go through the trials and complete them."
The tablet gave off a soft glow in the shadowy light and produced ghostly outlines around the corridor. Rhea kept looking at it, a sensation of excitement and fear fighting within her. The Convergence Stone was a living entity, almost as if it was alive, lurking and probing each student's potential.
Headmaster Aldryn once more scanned the group of students. "Freshers, your journey starts today. You will be placed in your first classes and lectured on the basics of your affinities. Remember – each of you has a potential of that affinity whose actions can be consequences of order and chaos that can not be reversed. Control it or suffer the effects." "In that case, the school is over, and I encourage you to behave yourselves," He ended the speech and the crowd started to disperse, the hall filled with low whispers as socializing took place, some people nervously looking around while others were enthusiastic about the lessons ahead of them.
Rhea spun back to walk toward her first class when all of a sudden, a figure appeared beside her. It was Lena, the girl who had belonged to the House of Storms and introduced herself the previous day. Lena's silver hair shimmered under the dim light, and her amber-colored eyes were alluring.
"Didn't that just blow you away?" Lena said playfully. "They sure like it dramatic over here. So much for a simple introduction.
Rhea merely raised her shoulders in response and maintained her poker face. "I suppose they're just trying to make sure that we understand fully the situation we are getting into."
Lena turned her head away, stealing another quick glance at the Convergence Stone's surface. "I'll say that… it is said to be a memory keeper for every student who has ever completed the trials. It is also said to be kept by the spirits of the ones who did not make it."
Rhea raised an eyebrow, half interested against her will. "Haunted?"
"Indeed! But you see, there are whispers that upon failure of the Final Convergence, one's magic is shackled to the stone, literally... like a lifeless shadow of oneself, an echo an after effect—a faded essence."
A shudder overcame Rhea's body. She examined Lena in the hope she was joking only to find the expression in the girl's face hard to tell; it was a mix of amusement and curiosity.
"Does that… occur very often?" Whispered Rhea.
Lene shrugged and her eyes sparkled more. "Can't really say. I think most students who have failed, simply vanish. Which of course nobody really cares to explain."
Before Rhea could ponder more, a voice called out her name. Rhea turned to the tall figure, who wore a stern look as he stood within close proximity of the exit. Master Caelum, the stone magic instructor assigned to Rhea.
'Miss Frost,' he called, his voice icy. 'You are with me for your Introduction Lesson.'
Rhea bowed her head then gave a quick wave to Lena and stepped out of the hall after Master Caelum. They maintained silence as they traversed through the spiraling hallways, the atmosphere heavy with overpowering calmness. Rhea's heart raced in her chest as her thoughts were dominated by the Convergence Stone and the various trials that came with it and the looming dread of failing.
In a few moments, they stepped into a spacious hall that contained a lot of uncut stones and uncut crystals that were filled with soft energy invigorating the air. Rhea was conscious that her kinship with stone was in tune with the materials around her and felt some inner strength that she had never felt before.
Master Caelum's eyes were devoid of emotion when he looked at her. A slight turn of her head as if wondering what he was going to say next. "Your affinity for stone will give you the capability to control and work with these materials. However, you are also obliged to exercise restraint on it. Magic is not a device Miss Frost—there is a way of creating a bond. Use it improperly and it will no longer be in your favor."
Rhea held his gaze and nodded her head in comprehension. "I see."
"That's good. We'll start with the preparations. Show me what you understand."
Rhea moved to the front, gathering her will towards one of the stone blocks nearby; she reached out her hand and felt the rush of the stone magic coursing through her once again. The coarse piece of granite wabbled as it was lifted off the ground a fraction of an inch, but as she concentrated, she experienced a different pull; a deep and dark maelstrom from within beckoned her from the shadows.
Her focus faded, and the block of granite fell with a heavy crash. Master Caelum's narrowed eyes were also trained on her.
"There's… someone else hidden deep inside you, I think," he said as cautiously as he could while looking at her, albeit a little dangerously. "Another affinity. One that threatens to undermine your stone abilities."
Rhea's fists ballooned; she could feel the two conflicting forces raging within her: one was stabilizing, and the other was oppressive, and in motion. It had always been a challenge for her to keep them in check and to guard against the shadow, but here in Eryndor, the presence appeared to press upon her, vivid and almost tangible.
Master Caelum watched her, without alarm or any other discernible sign of emotion. "You won't be able to endure the tests if you cannot control this equilibrium. Eryndor has no place for half-measures, Miss Frost. Make a choice where you want to stand."
Rhea inhaled deeply, staring back at him resolutely. "I will control it."
Master Caelum inclined his head though the look on his face was more affirmative. "That is acceptable. But be forewarned — complete mastering comes with costs. Are you willing for that?"
Rhea neither wavered nor faltered. "Yes, Master Caelum. I am."
He nodded, satisfaction barely appearing in his eyes. "Then we begin."