My suitcase, stuffed with the few belongings I possessed, felt suddenly heavy. I hesitated for a moment, listening to the mournful cry of a distant seabird. Taking a deep breath, I started up the path—each step a reluctant farewell to the familiar and a hesitant embrace of the uncertain future that awaited me at Nexara Academy.
Chapter2
Thalia’s POV
The twilight sky casted an menacing glow over the academy, the shadowed landscape both beautiful and daunting. The gothic towers with sprawling arches... It looked carved from the very essence of the mountains, as though it had always been there, existing beyond time. Its towers reached skyward, intricate and jagged, blending seamlessly into the peaks behind it, defying gravity with impossible elegance.
The stone bridge arched across a canyon beneath, connecting to the structure before me that rose with terrifying grace, its exterior covered in moss and carvings that seemed to move with the setting sun. It looked less like an academy and more like a place where forgotten magic had made its home.
I hesitated at the base of the bridge, my heart racing as I gazed at the academy's monstrous beauty. The silence was suffocating, broken only by the soft whispers of wind. It felt as if the academy itself was alive, watching me, judging me—deciding if I was worthy to enter.
My fingers tightened around the handle of my suitcase, the worn leather creaking in protest as my knuckles turned white. Forcing my feet to move, I crossed the threshold of the bridge. The wrought-iron gates glistened with symbols that seemed to pulse with power. A shiver ran down my spine as the gates opened with a low, ominous creak.
This was it.
No turning back now.
With each step, the gates creaked shut behind me, the sound growing fainter until all I could hear was the pounding of my heart and the whispers of the academy itself, drawing me deeper into its darkness.
Nearing the towering doors, their pointed arch at the top giving them an imposing appearance, I felt a strange hum vibrate through the stone. The iron handles were cold and slick beneath my fingertips as I pushed them open, causing a light creak reverberating through the grand foyer.
The foyer unfolded before me like an overwhelming dream. Towering marble columns, decorated with elaborate carvings, stretched towards the vaulted ceiling, where three chandeliers hung like stars in the sky. A lavish staircase, its steps worn smooth by generations of Gifted, swept upwards, where students walked.
“Welcome to Nexara Academy,” a voice called, bringing me back to reality. I turned to find a tall man with silver hair and light brown eyes approaching. “I’m Professor Lorian, and I’ll be guiding you through orientation.”
"Thalia," I managed, offering him a small, nervous smile.
"Ah, yes, Thalia," he said, his smile tightening slightly. "The one destined forgreatthings." He paused, his eyes seeming to bore into me, as if trying to discern something.
"Yeah, guess that's me." I laughed, the sound a little too high-pitched, shifting my weight from one foot to the other, suddenly feeling very small beneath the towering marble columns and the weight of his expectation. "Do you know why I received the invitation? I don't think I have any gifts to be here, and I—" I stammered, but was cut off.
"In time, Thalia, you'll get your answers. In time. For now," he gestured towards a dimly lit corridor branching off from the foyer, shadows clinging to its edges, "let's get you settled in. Right this way."
Trailing behind, the echo of our footsteps mingling with the distant murmur of the students above us. We continued through what felt like endless corridors, each one decorated with portraits of past graduating classes and complex tapestries that spoke of ancient tales. As we walked, Professor Lorian filled me in on the events and lessons I had missed so far this semester.
Stepping out into the courtyard, the cool evening air washed over me, carrying the scent of pine needles and damp earth. The sky had deepened to a velvety indigo, and the vast reach of the courtyard seemed to stretch endlessly before us. Buildings of different shapes and sizes were scattered across the emerald lawn, connected by winding cobblestone paths.
"The campus is small but spread out. We just left Evermore Hall, which houses most of the faculty offices, the library, and the auditorium. The north side of the campus contains the men's dorms, cafeteria, and women's dorms. The south side will have the training grounds, locker rooms, and Eldrin Hall. Eldrin Hall is where a few classes take place, as well as our academy events. Directly west of us will be Leyndell Hall, which is where most of your classes will take place." Professor Lorian explained as we passed the men's dorms, their dark windows giving nothing away of the life within.
Ahead, I noticed a large lake shimmering through the trees, its surface reflecting the dusky hues of the sky like a mirror to another world. Beyond, the towering silhouettes of mountains encircled us, their peaks piercing the heavens as if standing watch over the grounds—silent guardians of this hidden world.
"Do you know who I would talk to about why I was invited here?" I asked as I followed him deeper into the heart of the academy grounds. I still couldn't quite believe I was here—that this was real.
"Dean Astor, but he is terribly busy and is away right now," he responded, his tone short, almost dismissive.
"I'm just trying to wrap my head around why this is happening." I sighed, running a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of the being here pressing down on me. I studied the statues that stood guard near each building—majestic griffins, fierce dragons, and creatures I couldn't even name, their stone eyes gleaming with an eerie life as if they were watching my every move, judging my presence here.
Finally, we reached the women's dorms, nestled within a grove of towering trees at almost the end of the grounds, their branches intertwining to create a natural awning. Lanterns hung from wrought-iron hooks flickered like captive fireflies, casting playful shadows that danced along the path. With every step, the academy seemed to come alive.
"This is where you'll be staying," Professor Lorian said, gesturing towards the dormitory. He gave me a quick nod and practically vanished into thin air, like he couldn't wait to escape.
Charming.
I took a moment to admire the building, its walls a deep, brooding gray, like storm clouds gathering. A small stone path, lined with overgrown shrubs and flower beds bursting with untamed blooms, snaked its way towards a wooden door, its surface weathered and worn.
I stepped inside, the heavy door closing behind me with a soft thud that echoed through the entryway. The dim lighting gave the space an almost brooding elegance, with deep green walls that seemed to swallow the light, leaving only the glimmer from the chandelier hanging above. I paused, taking in the polished woodwork, the molding framing the walls, and the ornate railing that ran along the stairs. Everything felt old, regal—imposing in a way that screamed I didn't belong here.
My eyes studied the chandelier. It gave the room a strange warmth, contrasting the cold, dark tones. A plush rug lay before me, rich with detailed designs, its deep green color complementing the somber decor, leading my eyes to the staircase.
