Crow

by Vishnu Pinnaka

  “Woah,” Vanessa said, impressed.

  However, she soon lost her focus and the sword immediately disappeared. The others’ swords also disappeared since they lost focus when they saw what happened to Vanessa’s sword.

  “Amazing job! Just remember to keep your focus and you can perform magic with it. Now that you know how to create swords with magical powers, you still need to learn swordplay. Sometimes, you don’t need magic to win a clash, all you need is skill with fencing,” said Hale.

  “So you’re saying that you’re also going to teach us swordplay?” Vanessa asked excitedly.

  “Of course,” Mr. Hale answered and Vanessa grinned. “All agents of A.S.H. are trained in swordplay because it will be useful on the missions.”

  In the following weeks, Hale taught the four fencing. At first they all struggled to keep the balance of their blades. Whenever they tried to swish their swords, they would always fall out of their hands. However, after many more lessons, they had gotten better at it. They could now swing their swords in a protective fashion. They could firmly grasp the handles of the swords and balance them, so they wouldn’t fall out of their hands. However, one question remained, were they good enough to protect themselves in an actual fencing encounter?

  The question would be answered on the day Mr. Hale gave the four a swordplay test.

  “Each of you will be dueling myself. I won’t go too hard on you, but I want you to try your best. This test will determine if you are ready to move onto the other training,” Hale spoke. “Olivia, I want you to go first.”

  Olivia took a deep breath and stepped forward, this time she was ready. All of a sudden, Mr. Hale created a magical sword. Its blade was very sharp. It was also transparent and glowing bright blue. Olivia also created a sword that was smaller than Mr. Hale’s.

  Mr. Hale let Olivia make the first move. She quickly swung her sword at Hale and carefully balanced it. Hale blocked it easily. Olivia swished her sword again to which Mr. Hale blocked it again. This time Hale swung his sword hard and Olivia hastily blocked it. Hale kept making his moves, and Olivia was having trouble blocking them.

  “You are weak, Olivia Lee,” the same creepy voice which she heard before at the aeter conifer farm and, what she called, the dummy incident, taunted her.

  Apparently only Olivia could hear the voice as no one else flinched. While Olivia was still scared of the voice, and, more importantly, who it was coming from, she was determined to hold her ground. When Hale swung his sword again, Olivia blocked it very confidently. She continued to swing her sword against Mr. Hale’s. As their blades clashed, Mr. Hale was impressed at Olivia’s skill.

  Finally, Mr. Hale stopped and congratulated, “Well done, Olivia! I dare say you would have beaten me in a real duel!”

  “Thank you.” Olivia panted.

  She still couldn’t forget the creepy voice. While she was afraid of it, she was also very curious and desperately wanted to find out who it was coming from.

  Once the others succeeded in protecting themselves, Mr. Hale applauded. “Congratulations! Each and every one of you should be proud of yourselves! You each outstandingly held your ground. Now we will move on and learn how to use other weapons.”

  The four nodded. Mr. Hale kept teaching them how to use weapons and by the end of the new month, each of the four learned how to use a sword, lance, pike, crossbow, and a strange magian weapon called an intrifax.

  All of the four had gotten very far in their training and were almost finished. It wouldn’t be long before they would be ready for the missions.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  A Special Birthday

  Somehow, because of every magical thing that had happened to the four in Magia, they had forgotten some of the simpler things of life. Things which were special about their life on Earth.

  The morning was very normal. So normal, that it hid that the day was nothing special. Each of the four woke up slowly. All of them hated waking up in the morning. Then it came to them, it was their birthday! Each of the four hastily got dressed and rushed down the stairs. Once they all saw each other downstairs, they smiled.

  “Happy birthday,” they said to each other.

  Mr. Hale and Ivy both stepped out and smiled. Ivy was holding a very delectable cake. It had purple frosting and crows made of black frosting on the sides. Written on top of the cake was Happy 13th Birthday!

  “Happy birthday!” Both Mr. Hale and Ivy smiled.

  As Ivy set the dining table for everyone to have some cake, the four thought of the year before. It all started very normally, and then their whole lives changed. Changed for the better. Once the table was ready, the four sat down and Mr. Hale helped Ivy put the cake down. Once it was ready, Mr. Hale and Ivy sang the happy birthday song for the four. After they were done, Ivy cut generous slices for the four. This revealed the inside of the cake. It was filled with many tropical fruits. As the four each took a bite, they loved it. This birthday cake was the most delicious cake they had ever tasted. It was much better than the broccoli and asparagus cake the Kims got for Olivia every year, the store bought cake the Winstons got for David, the bread covered with whipped cream which the Harrisons got instead of cake for Vanessa since it was much cheaper, and even better than the chocolate cake which the Quinns baked for Eric. The cake was so delicious that it wasn’t long before it was finished.

  “You are now officially thirteen,” said Mr. Hale.

  That day, even as they were opening their presents, they couldn’t stop thinking of their age. They were officially thirteen, teenagers. They weren’t ready for the missions yet, but knew that they were closer than they every had been before. They just knew it.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  The Dream Room

  One night, Eric had a very unusual dream. What was even more unusual about it, was the fact that he couldn’t dream at all. It was because of the disorder he had. However, despite all this, there he was having the dream. The dream was nothing like how normal dreams were described to him by some people he knew at his old school in New York.

  It started completely in darkness. It was an infinite expanse of nothing but black. The dream stayed like this, until something finally happened. All of a sudden, many skulls and bones dropped down from nowhere. They covered the ground and seemed very portentous. All of a sudden, a hooded figure wearing a black cloak stepped forward. The figure’s face was covered so Eric couldn’t see them, but something about the person seemed like they weren’t even human.

  Suddenly, lots of water flowed in from the sides and swept away the bones. More and more waves came and covered the entire expanse. Kelp grew very fast and there were many unusual fish swimming around. The water looked very mysterious and uncertain.

  Then something very unreal happened. A fire appeared in the water! The fire spread very fast and the water disappeared. Soon, there was nothing but red and orange flames. Then, a pair of armored wings came into view.

  However, before the creature could fully come, lots of snow fell down onto the fire. The flames immediately disappeared along with the wings. Now, the snow covered the ground and clashed with the black background. Suddenly, a huge hand grabbed at the snow. The hand had fur as white as the snow and huge claws made out of icicles. Before the full monster could come, all of the snow disappeared and once again there was nothing but black.

  All of a sudden, someone walked into view. As the person came closer, Eric saw who it was. It was himself! He could see his honey-colored eyes and pitch-black hair. It was like looking in the mirror. Before anything else could happen, Eric disappeared and the dream ended.

  After that night, Eric kept having that dream every night that followed. The dream kept repeating itself over and over. Eric knew that dream meant something, but what? He soon became tired of not knowing and told Mr. Hale one morning.

  “Are you sure this is the dream exactly and you
keep having it every night?” Mr. Hale inquired.

  “Yes, and because of the condition I have, I can’t dream, which makes it even stranger,” Eric spoke. “Does this dream mean anything?”

  “There’s only one way to find out,” Mr. Hale responded. “Actually, one place to find out. It’s at the agency headquarters where we are going today to get your mirorvators and officially complete your training by a test.”

  “What’s a mirorvator?” Olivia asked.

  Mr. Hale rolled up his sleeve to display his watch-like device. “It’s this contraption. Mirorvators are one of the most powerful tools an A.S.H. Agent has. They will be of great use to you on this mission.”

  “So we each get one of those things? This just keeps getting better and better,” Vanessa squealed.

  “Bye! Good luck in your test,” Ivy yelled as Hale took the four to the agency’s headquarters.

  Mr. Hale took the kids into his car and kept driving until he reached the lake at the edge of the city. Hale quickly drove into the lake.

  “W-w-what are you doing?” Olivia stuttered.

  “Trust me.” Hale grinned.

  Once the car was submerged in the water, Hale somehow kept driving. The four looked out the window and saw that the car had activated a water engine. Along with that, the four were completely dry, like they were magically protected. Soon the car reached the floor and Hale pressed a button in his car. Suddenly, a piece of the ground opened up to uncover a civilized passageway.

  As Hale drove in, the four saw that the tunnel was lit up by bright ceiling lights and the walls were white, matching the aesthetic of the other parts of the agency. Once the passageway ended, Hale drove into the garage and parked his car.

  After everyone got out, Hale led the four into the main room. They got into the elevator (with a very chatty figon) and went to the second floor.

  “First, we are going to do the test,” Hale explained as they walked. “Don’t worry, it’s nothing to worry about because I know you will all do great. Once you pass, you will officially graduate from your training and be qualified for some missions. With extra protection and taken precautions, of course.”

  The group kept walking and saw that the second floor was very professional with framed awards and certificates. There were also many portraits of former agents, and recognized heroes of the agency. Finally, the group reached the edge of a corridor where a black door was waiting for them.

  Hale opened the door which revealed a cylindrical room. The room had a turquoise carpet and chandelier made out of suspended glass spheres. There were several solemn people standing in there.

  “Aah, Preston, you’ve come,” a short man said.

  “Sorry I’m late again, Benjamin,” answered Hale.

  “You were never known for your punctuality,” Benjamin joked.

  Hale nervously giggled. “Well I’ve brought the children and they’re ready.”

  “Excellent,” a lady spoke. “I presume that the children know about the crown and that they are the four.”

  “Yes, I’ve told them everything, Wanda,” Hale said.

  “Very good,” Benjamin said. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you children, Preston has told me a lot about you. I’m Benjamin Abernathy. I’m a descendent of Landon Abernathy.”

  He smiled and warmly shook each of the four’s hands. Wanda also greeted the children.

  “I’m Wanda Ross, Agent Ross’s sister,” she said.

  “We shouldn’t waste any more time,” Benjamin uttered. “Let us begin the test. Preston, you have taught the children everything they will need to know in the missions to find the crown pieces. They will now be officially tested on everything thing have learnt. First, you will each be asked to do a task magically; next, you will each be told an object to create with your powers; finally, you will each create a sword and duel a dummy.”

  The four nodded.

  “First up is Ms. Olivia Lee,” Wanda said looking at an electronic tablet which she held.

  “Okay,” Olivia said nervously.

  She walked forwards knowing that this test would be much more important than any she had ever taken before.

  “Please drop the chandelier,” Wanda instructed.

  “Are you sure?” Olivia asked, worried that she would damage the room and receive disapproval.

  “I am very sure.”

  Olivia nodded. She spun her hands and created a purple blast. She sent the blast flying towards the chandelier. It immediately fell down and shattered on the floor.

  “Thank you,” Wanda said. “Now if you would please repair it, we will move on.”

  Olivia fixed the chandelier and returned it to its correct position.

  “Very good,” Wanda uttered as she took notes on her tablet. “Now please create a small wooden clock.”

  Olivia quickly twisted her fingers and started to create the shape of the clock. She always thought that objects with small gears were the trickiest to create. Nevertheless, she finished. It wasn’t anything showy, just a small wooden clock. Still, she had done it, and it was a fully operational device since the clock was ticking.

  “Good.” Wanda took some notes. “Now for the final part of the test. I will create a magical dummy which you will now duel using a magical sword which you have created. Once you destroy the dummy, the test will be over.”

  After she said this, she moved her hands and lots of purple light came out of them. The light transformed into the silhouette of a person. The light soon became a dummy, similar to the one which she attempted to battle before in Mr. Hale’s penthouse. All of a sudden, two pitch-black eyes sprouted out of where the dummy’s face should have been if it was a real person.

  “You are afraid, Olivia Lee,” the dummy said in the same creepy, taunting voice she heard before.

  The dummy smiled, but apparently Olivia was the only one who could see this, since no one else reacted.

  “You know you can’t beat me, you can’t pass this test,” the dummy mocked as it laughed.

  “I’ll have you know, I’ve never failed a test in my life,” Olivia said, determined.

  “Excuse me?” Wanda asked, confused.

  “It’s nothing,” Olivia uttered and noticed that the dummy’s eyes had disappeared.

  It was as if her determination somehow intimidated the dummy, or the person controlling it. Either way, Olivia was assured that the dummy was back to normal, all because she didn’t show her fear.

  “Very well then,” Wanda spoke. “Let the duel commence.”

  The dummy pulled out a very sharp sword. Olivia created one that was just as sharp. It was transparent and glowing bright blue like the one she created before. The dummy then swung its blade at Olivia. She quickly blocked it. Then she turned her blade. All of a sudden, a small blue fire formed onto the blade! Olivia smiled, this was what she wanted, Mr. Hale had taught the four how to allow their weapons to perform magic of their own. All they had to do was imagine what they wanted their sword to do and, if they focused, the sword would do it. The four had gotten very good at it. Olivia hit the dummy with her sword and made it burst into flames. In a few short moments, it was nothing but a pile of ash. This time, it did not reform.

  Wanda cleaned up the ash pile with her hands. “Thanks, you may now go back. Can Mr. Eric Andrews step forward?”

  Eric nodded and walked towards her.

  “Please lower the temperature of this room,” Wanda told him.

  “How much?” Eric asked.

  “Hmm, how about very. I must warn you all though, it’s going to get chilly,” Wanda replied.

  Everyone in the room nodded. Eric moved his hands and spun them in the air. At first, nothing seemed to happen. However, something definitely was. The room really was getting colder. The walls started freezing up, ice started to appear on the chandelier, and everyone in the
room was shivering.

  “P-p-please m-m-make i-it w-w-warmer n-now,” Wanda asked, her breath visible in the air.

  Eric immediately spun his hands again, and the room’s temperature returned to normal.

  “Thank you,” Wanda replied and typed on her tablet. “Now for the next stage of the test. Please magically create a small functioning lamp with a lampshade.”

  Eric successfully created the lamp and smiled.

  “Good,” Wanda spoke. “Now for the final part. You already know this part. Please create a sword and duel a dummy I will create. Once you are done, this test will be over.”

  Wanda once again created another dummy and it pulled out a sword. Eric got ready and created one for himself. Eric made the first move and swung his sword at the dummy. It blocked the sharp blade with its own. The dummy then swung its own sword at Eric and he blocked it. The dummy kept on swinging its sword and Eric was soon having trouble blocking the swings. Finally, Eric had enough. He imagined that his sword would shoot out a blue blast and knock the dummy down. It wasn’t long before this became reality. Eric’s sword shot out an accelerated blue blast and hit the dummy. It immediately fell over. However, this wasn’t the end of the dummy. It got back up and charged at Eric. It was about to swing its sword at Eric, but he quickly imagined that his sword would separate the dummy into many individual pieces. He balanced and swung his sword so much that it knocked the dummy’s sword out of its hand! He then hit the dummy with his sword and it broke up into several parts. They didn’t come back together.

  “Thank you for that,” Wanda said. “Now would Ms. Vanessa Irvine take her turn?”

  Vanessa came forward very confidently. “I can do this.”

  Unsurprisingly to the rest of the four, she did great. When Wanda asked her to change the colors of the walls, Vanessa twisted her hands and magically painted the walls turquoise to match the carpet. Benjamin (and everyone else) wanted to keep the change permanent, but Wanda insisted that white was the pertinent color. Then, when Wanda asked Vanessa to create a vanity, she created a very elegant looking one made completely out of glass. Finally, when Wanda asked Vanessa to battle the dummy she created, it didn’t stand a chance. In the first minute, Vanessa imagined that her sword would transform the dummy into ice. She then imagined a fire on her sword and melted it (there was a huge puddle on the floor which almost spilt onto the carpet).