Fantasy Howl's Flying Castle (Finished! ---Whoo! (*＾▽＾)／)

[Zer0]

[SIZE= 18px]- James Pendragon -[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 14px]"Sorcerer's Academy, Kingsbury "[/SIZE]
​

"[SIZE= 18px]J[/SIZE]ohnny likes butter croissants and raspberry-hazelnut galettes." said James, picking up his bag and Johnny's as the latter had completely forgotten about it. "As long as it doesn't have any sheep or goat meat in it, it's fine."


He looked at Echo with interest. This girl might just be good for his friend. She seemed nice and somewhat straightforward . . . and gazing at the pots hanging on her antlers James felt that she was interesting and would be able to accept Johnny's peculiar dressing style --- something that most girls found weird.


"And he loves sheep --- especially the Cotty breeds in his family's farm --- mountain goats, llama's, fluffy things like wool, and he likes talking about how to take care of animals. We're going to be summoning war beasts probably over at the north courtyard after class, if you both would like to watch." he added casually to the two.


"Anyway, I have to go now, sis." and he gave Renee a wave before following Johnny who accidentally hit a wall.


@Katsuya

OOC || Characters || Interest Check
​

 
​

 

[Katsuya]

Renee nodded before realizing what he just said about Johnny's favorite things and the invite. "Wha-? Wait, James. I thought you wanted me to go- Okay...bye..." She waved back and winced when she saw Johnny bumping into a wall. Then she sighed before looking over her friend who's peeking through her fingers. The white-haired teen can tell that Echo is still blushing.


"Uh...Ren, can we...go and see them?"


She blinked, barely hearing what Echo asked and simply replied. "Yea, sure. We can watch my brother fail... I'll just tell the twins about it later." In truth, Renee knew what her brother is planning and is going along with it. She's rather curious on how this whole thing is going to go with Johnny and Echo being together.


"Renee! You shouldn't tell them that! It'll destroy his dignity and pride if they know about it. You out of everyone here knows how they are and-"


"Yes! Yes! I know, Echo, but I owe them that much."


Echo tilted her head, the pots handing from her antlers clanged against each other. "You owe them? For what?"


"For playing that prank on James and making me laugh." Renee grinned at her friend before following her friend to the lunch table to eat.


@Zer0

 

[Zer0]

​

[SIZE= 18px]- James Pendragon -[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 14px]"Sorcerer's Academy, Kingsbury "[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 18px]J[/SIZE]ohnny didn't speak to James all through out that afternoon until finally James apologized and explained that he didn't have anything to do with Renee pushing a real girl onto him.


"I was surprised too." said James as they cleaned up more will-o-wisps after their master's last class.


Johnny looked at him dead in the eye. When you've been friends with someone for a long time and know them very well, you can tell whether or not they're lying.


"Alright . . ." muttered Johnny, still annoyed and bumped James a last punch on the shoulder, but this one was a friendly punch that meant everything was all good between them.


Guys have many types of punches for different occasions. There was the "Why-did-you-do-that?!" punch, the "Bro-greeting" punch, the "I've-got-go-now- but-I'm-happy-to-see-you." punch, and finally the, "I-forgive-you-but-you-deserve-another-punch" punch among other things.


"Was that the first time a girl touched you after a long time?" asked James.


"No, I bump into girls all the time when I'm passing through a crowded place, but I've never had them fall on me nor touch my bare back like that." said Johnny shuddering.


"How do you feel?"


"I do not know . . . worried? Why are you curious?"


"Nothing. So you weren't scared?"


"Strangely, no? . . . That wasn't my chief emotion now that I think about it."


"Hmm . . . worried about what?"


"That. . . perhaps she found my skin too pale?"


"Well, it wasn't like you were trying to impress her."


"I was not. You yanked my shirt up, you bleeding troll."


James laughed. "You should've seen your face, I could have cooked an egg on it." Johnny gave him an exasperated look, but was looking good humored all the same.


"James, Johnny," called their master's in his deep voice. "Come here." the two obeyed and stood in front of Professor Magnus. They were all alone in the classroom now. He gave James a curious look as though wondering why he was half naked but did not bother to comment about it. "Have you chosen your war beasts?"


"Yes, master." they said together.


"I chose a boar hound from the realm of the Jotnar." said Johnny. "I know it's a Tier II fire elemental summon, and not one of the weak ones as it's big enough to drive away a bear, but it's one of the most trainable summons. I'm confident I can tame it."


"My choice is the same as Johnny's." said James. "If I'm conscripted into the war, I'm planning to be one of the healers part of the search and rescue division, and having a creature with a good sense of smell for tracking would be useful."


"Very good. Have you made your incantations? --- yes? Good. Now, let's proceed to the north courtyard." their master swept out of the room and they followed feeling excited. "You'll want to know, James, that wizards and witches from the Wizengamot will be watching the upcoming warlock tournament next month." he smiled.


James looked as though Christmas had just arrived early. Joining the Wizengamot, an order of magicians who researched the lesser known and unstable branches of magic, was his life long dream. He was pumped up for this chance to impress them, but he kept his speech eloquent when he asked, "Will they be visiting the academy, sir?"


"Yes, I believe so. I think this is a good opportunity to show them the practical application of your Multi-cast Thesis during the tournament ."


"You're suggesting I join the tournament, sir?"
 


"If you're interested. It'll make a better impression done on stage than in a room."


"Yes, I'll think about it, sir. Thank you." said James. Multi-casting was the simultaneous casting of many spells at once. It was a difficult feat and people usually only manage to cast two to three at once. James thesis for his last year in the academy is about finding a way to safely and correctly cast up to ten.

***
​

[SIZE= 18px]T[/SIZE]he north courtyard was a large patch of land surrounded by a magical barrier and guarded by ten stone gargoyles. All around students were practicing conjuration or having friendly duels with each other. There were people seated on stone benches at the side under the cool shade of the trees watching people practice magic, or just relaxing and talking about what they were going to do now that class was over.


James and Johnny summoned Frey and Butters and began the first step of summoning a war beast for the first time and that was drawing their own made spell circles for the spell with their wands, and then sitting in the middle. Next was to calm your spirit.


When it comes right down to it, taming summons was a matter of will. If you were scared, or unsure, the war beast will sense it and will become confident enough to attack or eat you. Why should it listen to a creature weaker than itself, or follow someone who did not know what he wants?


"Baremu shaula flamme canis." said Johnny.


"Flamme canis venire." said James.


Two circles appeared in front of the warlocks, growing bigger and bigger. But something was wrong with James' spell circle. It stopped growing and remained small enough for a dog to pass through. Professor Magnus who was watching them some feet away summoned his giant eagle and stood in wait, his wand ready.


Bark, bark!


A big shaggy dog with floppy ears and a bushy tail came running out of Johnny's spell circle. Johnny was in glee at its level of fluffiness. "Well, that wasn't so bad --- Butters, shall we catch and make friends with this new fellow?"


"Baa!" bleeted the giant ram. Butters was almost as big as the boar hound that looked like it weighed as much as two cows.


"Onwards!" and they were off to catch the dog and began trying to call and temp it with a slab of fresh meat.


Meanwhile, James had mounted Frey and was looking warily at his spell circle. Nothing had come out yet. Did he accidentally summon a demon? There was silence for a few moments . . . then he heard a cackle of electricity, and in a flash of bright blue light a streak of lightning thundered out of the circle.


"Get down!" yelled James.


The lightning hit the side of the barrier in a shower of bright sparks; students began to scream. A giant salamander as big as a dog with a frill of electricity and a hogback of cackling sparks, quickly slithered out of the spell circle breathing chain lightning.


"James, that is not a board hound --- it's not!" yelled Johnny.


"You don't say!" said James sarcastically, nudging Frey's sides and the large ethereal stag leapt into action. "Help me unsummon it!"

​

@Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-Renee Pendragon-
​

"Ms. Pendragon, before you go, I need to speak with you."


Renee was packing her items when Professor Grandiflorus stopped her, the other students walking out of the classroom. "Yes, Ma'am?"


The professor smiled at her, which surprised the winged teen because she barely smiles in class. She either smirked or frowned. "Are you aware of the warlock tournament that's coming up?" 


"Um...yes, I've seen the posters all over the city. What about it, Professor?" Renee asked quietly, a bit confused as to why she would mention the tournament to her. She didn't want to join in since she's not much of a fighter....


"Well, you have impressed me with your lollipop antidote and Roke poison tea. So much so that I have signed you up to be part of the medical wing of the warlock tournament." It took a moment for Renee to recover from the shock, but when she did, she grinned widely; her wings flapping excitedly. The white-haired teen bite her bottom lip so she wouldn't scream in her joy, though she does want to scream. Instead, she breathed in and calmed down to answer back as professionally as she can, still grinning like a loon.


"I'm honored, Professor Grandiflorus. Thank you so much! I won't let you down with my performance." It's a common accordance for herb professors to assign students to certain places like a children's hospital or visiting a botanist's garden to help grow plants; what's not common is the tournament's medical wing. Only professionals can join in and for her professor to sign her up...it's a very good opportunity to be noticed and maybe be taken under as an apprentice.


"Of course! So go and start on making recipes. I'll check on them to see if they work or not."


Renee didn't hold back her tight hug on her surprised professor, not seeing her face turn red when she snuggled a bit. "Thank you so much!!"


With that, she gathered the rest of her stuff, including the leftover lollipops, and ran out of the classroom. Her wings flapped in joy as she spun around and skipped. Echo, who waited outside, giggled when she saw Renee's happy dance in the hallway; almost laughed out loud when the winged teen grabbed a random student to spin with.


"What got you to be so happy?"


"Echo, you wouldn't believe it!"


The girls walked to the north courtyard, talking about what in class, and Echo screamed in a high pitch as her doe ears wiggled.


"Congratulations!! Are you going to tell your brothers? I'm sure they'll be-"


"No, I'm not." That shocked Echo. Her friend usually tells her family her achievements and mistakes, so it's rather odd that she doesn't want to with this news. Seeing her confused face, Renee sighed, her wings folded against her head. "Ever since the dragon attack, James kept underestimating the twins and me, and I hate it. He thinks that we can't do anything responsible on our own. Now that the twins' have the Cool Beans guild and proved him wrong, I want to show him that I can handle myself too."


"C-cool Beans?...An-anyways, I'm sure James just wants his family safe." Echo reasoned, reaching to the stone benches to sit and searched for James and Johnny. Renee snorted, not wanting to believe it. "Yea right. More like he wants to control how we do things since he's the older brother and knows better." She mocked. Okay, so she's a bit bitter about the fight.


"Now Renee, you know that's not true. Don't be childish."


"Let me be childish, Echo." Renee quickly retorted, finding her brother and his friend. "Look, they're over there. See their summons?" She grinned secretly when Echo quickly sat up and intently staring at them...more like at Johnny. The winged teen giggled quietly, watching her brother's circle grow until it stopped. She noticed that the professor watching over them readied himself...but for what? Maybe it's a regular thing to do, just in case, Renee thought.


Hearing Echo cheering for Johnny when his war beast came out of the summoning circle and trying to catch him, made Renee roll her eyes in amusement. Nothing came out of James' circle and it gave her a weird feeling. It's not bad like the darkness that's coming, but it's not that peaceful either. She shook it off and continued to watch until a shot of lightning hit the barrier, scaring the students nearby. Hearing Johnny's scream at James made her reach a conclusion and stood up, Echo looking at her, confused at her action.


"Renee, what's wron-"


"Echo, go to the entrance and make sure they go inside. I'll stay out here to make sure no one is left behind." Echo simply nodded and did what Renee had asked of her. The winged teen ran around the courtyard to tell the other students to go inside as well, but some didn't want to since they wanted to watch. Of course, that made her a bit angry and told them to go inside again, which they listened, albeit reluctantly.


The other students didn't understand why they were being herded back inside and away from where James and Johnny were. There was a barrier, it wouldn't break that easily, also there was a professional warlock nearby, nothing bad will happen to them, is what they thought. Renee has her reasons though. Having barriers herself, she understood that it can break under certain circumstances and she didn't want to take that chance. Not with a war beast like that running around.


Knowing that every other student was inside, Renee ran back as well, and stayed near the entrance. She put up a wide enough barrier in case the war beast came nearby. The winged teen knew her barriers are not strong enough for combat, but it'll give the other students a chance to run away when the lightning creature does break it, and slow it down.


She watched her brother and Johnny chasing the creature, hearing her friend's hooves coming closer and rooted quietly for them. Renee stood ready and waiting, in case Johnny, James, or their professor needed help with something.


@Zer0

 

[Zer0]

[SIZE= 18px]- James Pendragon -[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 14px]"Sorcerer's Academy, Kingsbury "[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 18px]P[/SIZE]rofessor Magnus' giant eagle took off with a piercing cry just as the master summoner shot four jets of azure light at the backs of James, Johnny, Butters and Frey. To people watching it seemed like it did nothing, but James felt the hair on his skin stand up on end as a sensation similar to having a suit made out of cold wind enveloped him and his ethereal stag.


"E' gads, James, I'm feeling an entire new level of goose bumps!" shouted Johnny from afar. He turned Butters away from the boar hound that was now chewing the slab of meat he tempted it earlier and was now galloping to his aid. "That or the lightning salamander did something funny!"


"Master cast a Lightning Shield charm on us!" said James as Frey chased the lizard. It was so quick as it slithered here then there, and weaved around three stone gargoyles that suddenly sprang to life and were trying to subdue it; the seven other gargoyles had flown and landed in front of clumps of frightened students and spread out their stony wings like a shield.


"Corner it!" instructed their master who continued to stand in the distance. The giant eagle cut the lizard's path, blowing it with a strong gust from its wings that sent it rolling in a cackle of sparks back to the two apprentices.


James used this moment to try and catch it with an unsummoning hex --- the casting of an arcane circle that magically sucks in the summoned creature like a vacuum and sends them back to their home realm, but the lighting salamander flipped back up too fast that the circle only began pulling when it was already far.


The salamander struggled to pull itself forward, shooting deafening peals of lightning at the gargoyles and the guardian spirits. It had no effect on the stony hide, but James had to close his eyes when the white hot lightning struck him like a bolt out of the blue, orange sparks erupting around the magical barrier that protected him.


For one wild moment Frey reared in panic and James was thrown off the stag's back "Ow! Johnny, a little help --- what are you staring at?!"


"Errr, w-why [SIZE= 11px]is that[/SIZE][SIZE= 10px] g-girl[/SIZE][SIZE= 9px] here[/SIZE]?" he stammered anxiously looking at Echo's direction, his face red. He had heard her cheer a while ago.


"She's not going to come over here!" said James incredulously. "Get your head straight!"


"Yes, forgive me for being daft!" and he quickly cast an unsummoning hex. Poof, Frey disappeared. "Ah . . . I missed."


James gave him a very steely glare. At that moment the war beast escaped the pull of the spell circle; evaded the stony hands of the gargoyles who lunged forward to catch it and speedily ran away towards where Renee was standing in the entrance.


@Katsuya

Spoiler

Rolls in descending order:
1. James success (1-5)
2. Johnny success (1-5) = result: 8

• OOC: I just want to mention this. I like letting the dice decide sometimes. Makes for interesting development as to the reason why Johnny missed.
  

3. Lighting Salamander success (1-8)

 

[Katsuya]

-Renee Pendragon-
​

Her eyes widened in panic, screaming at the other students. "GET DOWN!!!" Before they could move however, the lightning creature broke through her barriers. It shattered like glass. Renee fell on her back, her barriers disappeared in mid-air. Luckily, the beast missed her, thanks to the force of the impact. At least she managed to slow it down, but it's still quick as it crashed on one of the thick pillars before it ran again. The screaming students had enough time to duck down and dragging anyone else with them as the salamander bounced on the walls of the hallway.


Renee crawled to her friend who is crouching down and hiding behind a pillar, trembling. "Echo, are you okay?"


"I'm-I'm...O-o-o-okay..." The fawn stuttered and Renee didn't believe her. She was about to tell her to go outside and hide somewhere when she noticed a light coming closer towards them. The winged teen grabbed her friend's wrist and pulled hard as they lied on the floor. The war beast missed them and bounced again. She stood up quickly, dragging her very scared friend into the courtyard by running under the gargoyle's wings. She has a plan...but she didn't want to trouble anybody or get in James', Johnny's, or Professor Magnus' way when they capture that creature.


"What are you planning? I know that face! What. Are. You. Planning?!" Renee snapped out when Echo screamed, turning her head towards the fawn, not slowing down their run.


"I'm gonna fly."


"Fly?! Renee! No! First off, how can you fly when your wings are tiny! Secondly, it hurts you when you try to use them. You can't even carry your own weight, much less with us both!" Echo dug her hooves down on the ground, not moving from her spot as long her friend does not explain right now. The white-haired teen sighed and simply showed her how: Renee used her transformation spell. As her wings grew larger, Echo's green eyes went wider, not expecting that. She shook her head and yelled.


"No! No flying! I'm not about to be-" Renee pushed her down and jumped to the side to dodge the creature again as it flew by. She cooed at her friend, urgent in her tone before slightly crouching over the fawn. The war beast is coming back quickly. Knowing that they can't dodge this time, Renee has an idea...She just hopes it works.


Digging her talons on the ground, she flapped her large wings rapidly, creating gusts of harsh winds towards the creature. Renee is copying what Professor Magnus' eagle did; trying to blow it away.


@Zer0 (Roll the dice of destiny! XD)

 

[Zer0]

[SIZE= 18px]- James Pendragon -[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 14px]"Sorcerer's Academy, Kingsbury "[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 18px]T[/SIZE]he lightning salamander tumbled out the entrance in a cackle of electricity, claws scratching the stone as it tried to hold on against the gust. It clung on tiredly, its hogback of sparks was weaker, but in a last effort to defend itself it breathed a bolt of lightning that narrowly missed Renee but arched and electrocuted Echo.


"Renee!" yelled James fearfully, thinking she got hit.


A split second later the three stone gargoyles caught the lightning salamander and one pinned it's mouth shut. The lightning salamander squirmed, pulsing electricity, but it had no effect on the gargoyles' stony hides.


An unsummoning hex circle blossomed underneath the warbeast and in a moment it vanished into it as though it had fallen into water. And the circle faded away.


@Katsuya

Spoiler

Descending roll order:


1. Echo (success 1-5) = result 7

• She got a seven! Le gasp!
  

2. Renee (success 1-5)


3. Salamander (success 1-8)

 

[Katsuya]

-Renee Pendragon-
​

It went by so fast. Renee could only close her eyes and readied herself to take the hit, hearing a scream from somewhere...but nothing else happened. She barely opened her eyes to see the creature already caught and smiled. The hybrid teen was about to cheer until she heard a whimper...from Echo.


She chirped worriedly as she watched her close friend convulsing on the ground. Thinking she could get paralyzed by the shock, Renee looked into her worn leather bag and took out a lollipop. After convincing Echo to eat it, the hybrid teen turned her head to her brother and chirped loudly, urging him to come closer. She wants him to watch over the red head while she gets the school nurse. 


When her brother did come closer, Renee slightly glared at anybody else who also came over, feeling protective. She trusts her brother; she does not trust anybody else at the moment. Unfortunately for her, she's going to have to deal with it. The hybrid teen stood up, cooing at her brother before running towards the ledge and leaped. If anybody looked over the ledge, they'd see her flapping her wings and flying down with ease.


She flew to where the school nurse's window should be and knocked on it.


@Zer0

 

[Zer0]

[SIZE= 18px]- James Pendragon -[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 14px]"Sorcerer's Academy, Kingsbury "[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 18px]J[/SIZE]ames rushed in riding Butters behind Johnny and quickly dismounted looking relieved that his sister was alright.


"I'll get the nurse." said Johnny immediately, but before he could ride out Renee swept pass him and flew out heading for the school nurse's window. "Would you look at that, I didn't know your sister could turn into a bird." he said in awe and went back to see if there was anything he could do.


"She's been practicing." said James distractedly, poking the convulsing the young girl with his wand to test if she was safe to touch; Johnny went to gather Echo's scattered things and was asking the other students if there was anyone else who got hurt.


"Echo, you'll be alright, you're safe. Don't go to sleep. Renee's gone to get the school nurse." reassured James in calm tones, standing over her and telling people to back off and give the girl some air. When he was sure there was no electrical discharge surging through her that could electrocute him too, he and three students picked the red head up and carried her to the soft grass under the shade of a tree.


Meanwhile, over at the nurse's clinic, the school's healer Mrs. Chansi Pomona, a short plump witch with a motherly face who was checking up on a student that had a handlebar mustache, was shocked to find Renee outside her window.


"Ms. Pendragon!" she exclaimed sternly, "what potion brewing accident did you get into now?" she thought Renee's transformation was a result of an experiment gone wrong.


(OOC: @Katsuya, you can control the nurse as much as you want.)

 

[Katsuya]

-Renee Pendragon-
​

Echo whimpered when they moved her under the tree and sighed in relief when she could hear James talking. She would panic by now, but Renee and James are doing their best to help. So she'll stay calm for them.


In the meanwhile, Renee cooed anxiously at the plump witch, landing on the frame of the window. Mrs. Pomona urged her to come inside as the teen looked over shoulder and spotted her medical bag...


"Okay Ms. Pendragon. Come inside and-! Ms. Pendragon! Ms. Pend-! RENEE! PUT ME DOWN RIGHT NOW!" The hybrid teen swooped in the nurse's office, grabbing the medical bag and went back out with the nurse in her arms. She almost dropped the poor woman though, not expecting her to be that heavy-! After a few minutes of Renee cooing and Ms. Pomona shrieking, they landed safely on the courtyard. Then the hybrid teen ran towards Echo, sitting next her brother. She chirped at the surprised nurse. 


"Oh dear!" Ms. Pomona went up to the injured red head, examining on her. She demanded for an explanation, which some of the students did. Renee cooed sadly, her wings fluttering a bit before limping on the ground and on her friend's legs. She watched the nurse looking under Echo's shirt and grimaced when she saw a bit of the burn on her shoulder. 


"You're lucky, Ms. Muses. Lichtenberg figure burns on your shoulder and chest. Responds to voices, but you might have issues moving your limbs. We'll have to see after you rest. Help me move her." She asked and some of the students lifted Echo up and walked to the medical ward.


"Before I go, Ms. Pendragon. Please, don't ever do that again." Renee chirped and Ms. Pomona left. The hybrid teen stood up, changing back and not caring about the back of her clothes being ripped again.


"I hope she'll be able to move..." Renee muttered quietly, her wings limp, staring where Echo and the nurse left.


@Zer0

 

[Zer0]

[SIZE= 18px]- James Pendragon -[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 14px]"Sorcerer's Academy, Kingsbury "[/SIZE]
​

"[SIZE= 18px]Y[/SIZE]eah . . . " said James looking very anxious and guilty. He noticed the state of Renee's clothes again and dumped his robe on her while steely glaring at some guys who were staring at his sister too long. Johnny was gathering some of the plants from a few shattered pots that fell from Echo's antlers and James kneeled down to help him.


"Renee, I'll take Echo's stuff to the clinic." said James. "Johnny, could I borrow Butters for a while? I don't have enough manna to summon Frey anymore."


"Of course, of course." said Johnny immediately. He happened to look at Renee and then immediately looked away covering his face with his blue hat. Then he looked back stammering, "U-um, R-Renee, s-sorry for today."


"Caprice." called Proffessor Magnus using Johnny's last name. "Your war beast." and he pointed at the big shaggy dog that was licking its paws after having consumed the slab of meat; The giant eagle was watching it carefully some feet away.


"Oh, right!"


Before James followed the nurse to the clinic, he bowed low to his master and apologized for all the trouble he caused. Professor Magnus simply said that they will talk later and that summoning practice was over for today for James, but Johnny was still going to continue.


The students were murmuring and talking about what happened, many were angry at James and Johnny because they or their friends almost got hurt, some were just glad they were alright and hastily moved out of the area while giving the giant boar hound in the distance frightened glances as though it might suddenly start attacking too.


@Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-Renee Pendragon-
​

Renee tugged his robe close over her shoulders, smiling a bit at him and Johnny. "Thanks, James and no worries, Johnny. Echo is pretty strong despite her shyness. She'll be fine..." Then she looked down, now forcing her smile. "She's in good hands..." The white-haired teen had enough of losing people that she cares.


While James and Johnny was picking up the broken pots and plants, Renee noticed all the jeers the pair was getting from their peers, and glared at them. It was an accident. A major one, sure, but still an accident. It wasn't as if James did that on purpose. He's still a student after all; an apprentice. Yet, already people are judging him and Johnny for trying something their master asked of them to do. How terrible of their classmates. Some of the ones that wanted to watch even dare to blame on them...she thought of an idea of how to get quick revenge...


"Big brother...when you get home, I'll make your favorite, okay? We'll talk after dinner." The winged teen transformed again, her large wings stretched widely and flapped down harshly, creating a harsh gust of wind and dirt around her. The unfortunate students nearby yelled as they were blown on their butts or have their skirts blown up. Not that Renee cares since that was the idea. She grinned. The twins really are affecting her...Oh boy.


Running off the ledge again, Renee flew back home, carrying James' robe and her own bag. Once she reached the door to the castle, the winged teen swooped inside, changing back and leaned against the door. She bit her bottom lip as she mentally repeated her usual mantra: 'Mom and dad will come back, Markl is with them, the witch of the west is laughing at their efforts again, Rhea is laughing with her...and Echo will replant her pots.' The white-haired teen added the last part. This mantra started after waiting for their parents to come back. A way for her to still believes that they will, with Rhea and Markl and the witch of the waste.


"They will come back...and we'll make them proud." She muttered to herself before breathing in and smiled brightly. Bouncing up the stairs, she greeted Calcifer, letting him know that she's making dinner again. She wondered if the twins are here and decided to check in their rooms. Renee walked up to the second floor and to their room, knocking on the door.


"Sen? Seth? I'm home!"


@Zer0

 

[Zer0]

​

[SIZE= 18px]- Sen & Seth -[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 14px]"Flying Castle, Night time"[/SIZE]
​

"[SIZE= 18px]W[/SIZE]elcome back, sis, come in!" yelled Seth.


When the door opened, the twins were sitting on the one big old bed they've shared with each other ever since they were kids. They were still in their matching striped pajamas and looked like they haven't taken a bath since morning. They had been conversing while absentmindedly popping a big long roll of bubble wrap that had come with one of the crates they ordered days ago.


"Is it crazy how saying sentences backwards creates backwards sentences saying how crazy it is?" Sen was saying while popping bubble wrap.


The twin's room was a messy place full of oriental trinkets, piles of crumpled paper, and had a trap door that led down to the bowels of the flying castle where the basement was located. They had laid claim to it ages ago and over the years had transformed it into their crammed dingy little work shop that smelled of fireworks powder and stale crackers.

​

@Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

When she opened the door, Renee raised an eyebrow at their PJs.  She really can't say anything considering her clothes are ripped again. Tugging on James' robe over her shoulders again, the white-haired teen replied. " Um...yes, very. Did you two do anything while we were gone? Because it looks like you two were sleeping in all day." She teased lightly.


Grinning, Renee placed her hands on her hips, looking at them. " The herbs you asked for bore fruit today. I checked on it this morning and I'm gonna need help with catching them...so~" 


Then she leaned forward a bit. "If you're not doing anything today, can you help me catch them and make sure none of the other plants would eat them?" Yes, she has plants that are opposed to each other together. It was the only way to make sure they have living conditions similar to their habitats. 


@Zer0

 

[Zer0]

​

 
​

[SIZE= 18px]- Sen & Seth -[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 14px]"Flying Castle, Night time"[/SIZE]
​

"Why, how could you insinuate that we have been lazing all day?" said Sen in mock indignation.


"Yeah, trying to run a guild while failing to resist the temptation of popping bubble wrap is hard you know!" said Seth very seriously, showing Renee the shiny puffed up plastic bubbles that were so satisfying to pop. "But we can find time in our busy schedule to help you collect the fruits today, of course."


"Ah, and we have something for you." Sen went over to the desk and picked up a fresh book without a title that lay amongst some papers scribbled with alchemical equations and potion recipes. He handed it over to Renee. "We've been doing our own research on Manna Trees, but since we couldn't borrow the books we just had the pages from several books copied here."


"Don't let James know about what's really in it, or he's gonna' get angry again." said Seth, putting aside the bubble wrap and got ready to help with the fruits.


"And speaking of our brother dear, did something odd happen to him today?" asked Seth, getting up and getting ready too by putting on some tough gloves and a broom.


@Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Renee curtsied, joining in their joke. "Well! I'm honored that you two have time to help little ol' me." She giggled. As Sen passed her the book filled with pages on the Manna trees, she froze. "Yea...sure...Wait! Where did you guys find the books to even make the copies?" She wouldn't show it to James because she knew he would try to destroy it.


The winged teen hugged the book tightly, smiling a bit as she finally has something to help with the researching part. She couldn't wait to read what's in here...but first, the plants. "Okay, thanks Sen. Seth. I promise not to show this to James." Renee told them of what happened today; from James finding the prank to his accident with the war beast. She even mentioned about her professor signing her up for the tournament's medical center. "Don't tell James about it though! I rather he doesn't find out yet until after it starts."


Renee walked out of their room and turned the knob's color wheel from green to orange. She left the door open for the twins to walk in and placed the book on her study table, making sure the baby carnivorous flytraps cannot reach for it. Then she grabbed her gloves and passed a wicker basket to Sen. "Are you guys ready?"


@Zer0

 

[Zer0]

[SIZE= 18px]- Sen & Seth -[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 14px]"Flying Castle, Night time"[/SIZE]
​

"[SIZE= 18px]Y[/SIZE]eah, we're ready!" said the twins. Sen passed the wicker basket to Seth.


"But she gave this for you to hold." said Seth.


"Too late! Hohohoho!" laughed Sen and pranced dancing ahead of his brother.

***
​

[SIZE= 18px]L[/SIZE]ater that night about an hour past dinner time, two sets of hooves clipped clopped outside House 44 in Ruby Street of Kingsbury. The door opened and in stepped James, wiping his feet on the door mat before walking up the warm living room followed by Frey, then by Johnny who was carrying two big bags, then Butters who had to squeeeze in through the doorframe.


"Baa." bleated Butter in interest looking around the living room as the door automatically closed shut. Frey softly grunted nonchalantly and nudged him towards the sink where James got the water running for the two to drink.


"I'm home!" announced James.


"And I am sleeping over!" said Johnny and trotted over to the fire place. "Good to see you once again, Calcifer, you're looking as radiant as ever!"


Calcifer's flames sizzled in interest. "Johnny, how you doin'? You look so fired up!"


"Ahh, are you perhaps burning with curiosity as to why?" smiled Johnny, " Our first day of school was a blast!"


"I lava good pun." chuckled James joining in.


"Good, because I am just warming up." said Johnny, his eyes twinkling.


@Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

​

 
​

-Renee's bedroom-
​

Renee tugged on the bandage around her right wing, making it tight and snug, and tied it like a sling around her head. Her wing got shot by one of the plants that can shoot numbing needles. Luckily, the twins were able to run away with their needed herbs before it could get them too. She has to wait until morning for the numbing effect to go away. The white-haired teen shook her head a bit and deemed it okay for now.


She left her bedroom and went downstairs, hearing the three of them making puns. The winged teen hugged her brother.


"Hello James. Johnny. I see that you guys are in the heat of the moment." She giggled before letting go.


"So James, what did your master talk to you about? I hope you aren't in much trouble for...what happened today..." Renee asked.


"Are you guys hungry? I can make something..."


@Zer0

 

[Zer0]

[SIZE= 18px]- Flying Castle -[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 14px]" Night time "[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 18px]J[/SIZE]ames patted Renee's head. "Not as much trouble as the professor was in. He was summoned to the headmaster's office."


"G-good [SIZE= 12px]evening,[/SIZE][SIZE= 11px] R-Renee, [/SIZE][SIZE= 10px]sorry for [/SIZE][SIZE= 9px]intruding [/SIZE][SIZE= 11px]. . .[/SIZE]" said Johnny softly, bowing. As usual, when courtesy seriously demanded it, Johnny would properly look a girl in the face while speaking. If it didn't, he'd always look away or prefer not to talk at all.


James walked over to the second kitchen and took out a key from one of the cabinets and threw it to Johnny who caught it. "Er, I thought we agreed I was camping outside?"


"Yes, it's just in case you want to change your mind and use the spare bedroom." said James. Johnny thanked him and just excused himself as he went out again with one of his bags. Butter followed after, squeezing out the doorway again.  


"Johnny's staying for a while," said James putting on a spare cloak that hung on a stand near the door. He had worn no top until now and was slightly shivering from a chilly draft that wafted in through the window.


"And about my master, I guess the other teachers were wondering why he let us handle the warbeast instead of immediately unsummoning it himself --- oh, right, I forgot you were going to make my favorite . . . me and Johnny already ate since we figured we'd come home past dinner time --- but I still have room for more!" he lied hastily. "Baked chicken and brown rice casserole, please."


Meanwhile, the twins were still upstairs and were sneakily returning James' books which they had kept out of sight from Renee earlier.


"Careful, Sen, you musn't move anything." whispered Seth walking tip-toe across James' messy bedroom. Despite how unkempt their older brother's room was, he'd always know if something was out of place.


@Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-Renee Pendragon-
​

She curtsied back, replying cheerfully. "Johnny, you know you're welcome at our home. No need to feel like you're intruding, okay?"  When James' friend left, Renee listened to her older brother and frowned a bit. "He's staying for awhile? How come?" She asked curiously, tilting her head.


"Oh! Well...Yea, that is weird of your master, but I'm sure he has his reasons too. After all, he wouldn't be a professor in the school if he didn't, right?" She really hopes that she's right. The white haired teen really wants to believe that James and Johnny's master is a good person and not trying to abuse his authority over them. After all...James was really happy when he got Professor Magnus as a mentor.


Renee turned around and raised an eyebrow at him, not really believing that he has room for more food.


"My dear, older, and wise brother, you do know that you'll have a stomach ache if you eat too much. It's good to have a big appetite but don't force yourself if you can't eat more." She lightly scolded him, grabbing a metal kettle and hanged it over Calcifer.


"I'll make you tea instead. It'll warm you up faster...wonder if Johnny wants some tea too? Wouldn't he be cold outside?" She wondered out loud. Renee grabbed broken cinnamon sticks, shavings of ginger, and lemon leaves off the shelves near the fireplace and dropped them in two small metal tea cages. Then she placed them in two cups, ready for the hot water.


"Sen! Seth! Do you guys want tea? I'm brewing some right now!!" Renee yelled as she waited for the water to heat up. "Thanks for all your help, Calci." She smiled at the fire demon, like she usually does whenever she cooks or brews tea for them.


@Zer0

 

[Zer0]

[SIZE= 18px]- Flying Castle -[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 14px]" Night time "[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 18px]C[/SIZE]alcifer's flames sparked, "Hey, no problem, Renee!" he grinned.


Just then they heard the muffled sound of glass breaking from upstairs, then one of the doors creaked open. "Yeah, that'd be nice, sis, thanks! We'll be down in a bit, just squeezing a few more shrivel figs!" came Sen's voice.


James had looked up too, but shrugged it off. He's heard much worse, like explosions. He sheepishly conceded to Renee's suggestion of tea, raising a disbelieving eyebrow when she called him wise.


"Professor Magnus often leaves those kinds of things to us even though we haven't experienced them before," said James, "he believes in learning on the job. Although that wasn't what I told Echo's father when he came over . . . The school called him, of course, and my master still took responsibility even though it was my fault . . ."


He took a seat and absentmindedly traced imaginary spell circles with his wand in the air. "I wonder why I failed? . . . my spell circle was perfect and my soul was calm . . . Oh, and yes --- Johnny. He's staying here because he doesn't like staying at his place. He has nine older sisters who are more evil than Sen and Seth . . . Anyway, he'll be fine outside, he's used to sleeping out and Butters makes a very warm comfortable pillow."


James leaned out the window. "Hey, Johnny, you want tea?!"


"Why yes, I'd love to have tea!" replied Johnny's voice from outside. "I'm just finishing setting up my tent, I'll be right up! Did you take out my cakes, James?!"


"Oh, right. No, but I'm taking them out right now! --- Johnny bought some cakes as a hostess gift." James explained to Renee and rummaged around Johnny's bag --- which contained sheep treats and a very sturdy comb --- and pulled out a bag of what sounded like water balloons inside.


When James pulled out a cake, it looked like a deflated blubbery balloon made of elastic taffy that seemed to be holding a lot of liquid. "It's a cake for kids, " explained James, "it turns solid after being exposed to air for a few seconds so you have time to make cake sculptures --- kind of like using quick drying cement, but out of cake. He chose this because he knows you're an artist and the twins love making stuff."


@Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-Renee Pendragon-
​

She looked up and raised an eyebrow. The shrival figs shouldn't be that hard to fit in...where exactly are they fitting it in?? Renee shook her head, not wanting to know what's going on. Last time she got curious about the twins' experiments, her feathers got stuck together with gum.


As she listens to James' explanation, Renee grabbed three other cups and tea cages, filling them up with same herbs. Thinking for a moment, the white-haired teen responded back, though quietly. 


"Hmm...maybe there's something in your mind that's currently affecting you. James, I can think of several things that could be the reason..." Renee meant their missing parents, Markl, and the Witch of the Waste. It's only been a few weeks, but she really doubts that James has gotten over their family's loss. The winged teen hasn't stopped believing that they'll come back. The twins...they probably haven't moved on either, instead used their loss as motivation hence the guild and the military contract. 


"Or it could be that you're scared about meeting a war beast." She shrugged.


When she heard about Johnny's cake, Renee's left wing flapped excitedly and yelled out the window. "Johnny! You are so considerate!! I love your cake!!" She would hug him, but she has an odd feeling that he's going to be scared out of his wits. She'll just make a sweet treat for him in his lunch box.


Hearing the kettle whistling loudly, Renee put on a mitt and poured the steaming water in the cups. She waited for a minute or three for the tea to seep in the water, then she passed one to James. She put the steaming cups together in the middle of the table for the others to grab easily.


"Boys! Your tea's ready! Johnny brought us cake!" Renee yelled up the stairs before walking towards the window and let Johnny know about his tea too. Then she sat down and sipped on her tea. The white haired teen wondered absentmindedly if this is how their mother felt when getting things ready on the table and smiled a bit.


@Zer0

 

[Zer0]

[SIZE= 18px]- Flying Castle -[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 14px]" Night time "[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE= 18px]T[/SIZE]he boys gathered around the table, taking a cup of tea each. Johnny muttered his thanks to Renee, his face red, and said that it was his pleasure to bring the cakes. The moment they saw Johnny, the twins' faces had both cracked into identical evil grins. There were so many possibilities in pranking someone who was afraid of girls, but didn't tease him tonight as the cakes won them over.


Instead of eating, Sen and Seth spent most of the time using the quick-drying cakes to build a miniature guild house. "We'll eat it once we're finished." they said distractedly; James just made a normal cake and ate that, while Johnny made a swirly tree that wobbled and threatened to fall the higher he went.


It was nice having another person at the table. Johnny relaxed after the warm tea, and shared the funny story about how he discovered the mysterious old Viking witch named, Brunhilda, who sold these very unique pastries. The story was about a one-legged troll, the cheese of a pirate, a caravan of wigs, and how Johnny, who was still thirteen and an ordinary human at that time, accidentally turned the troll into a one-legged sheep.


"The polymorph spell was the very first intermediate level transmutation spell I learned, and that's how I got my sheep horns and ears." Johnny pointed at his head. Unlike shape-shifters and half beasts, Johnny had four ears: one pair was human, another pair was sheep. "I couldn't find anyone who was willing to be my test subject, so I tested it on myself and it was a blinding success. I got carried away, though, and on my fifth try I wouldn't turn fully back." he chuckled. "I had to bugger off transmutation for a bit after that."


"We totally understand." Sen was saying. "We don't have anyone to test our stuff either so me and Seth use it on ourselves . . . or James."


"Pfff ----!" James spat out his tea. "What?"


"Yeah, we've been putting stuff in your drinks for a long time." nodded Sen solemnly. "It wasn't anything dangerous." he laughed, waving a reassuring hand, but James wasn't convinced and pressed them to tell him what they've been slipping in his food.


@Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

-Renee Pendragon-
​

Renee giggled, molding her cake into a cute-looking dragon with a flower on it's head.


"I guess we have something in common then. I got my wings from an experiment. Couldn't find how to get rid of them, but...I'm okay with that." She mentioned and raised an eyebrow at the twins, shaking her head in disbelief. Sometimes, the winged teen believes that the twins will somehow mutate James with all the stuff they put in his drinks and food.


She peeked over to Johnny before making a decision and stood up from her chair. The white-haired smiled at her brothers and Johnny as she took her cake and tea.


"Well, I have homework to do. Any later and I won't be able to finish them."  She fibbed, before patting on the twins' heads.


"Behave, you two...you can bother James tomorrow morning, when he's not expecting it." Renee teased, grinning playfully at her older brother before walking to her studio. In reality, she wants to read the book the twins gave her, considering it's about Manna trees. That and she wants Johnny to feel comfortable in their home.


After making sure her door is locked, Renee put her cake down and sliced the flower part for her baby flytraps. Then she sat down and opened the cover, starting to read what's in there. Her wings fluttered lightly.


@Zer0

 

[Zer0]

​

[SIZE= 18px]- Yggdrasil and the  Devourers -[/SIZE]
​

"[SIZE= 14px] The Beginning "[/SIZE]
​

 
​

[SIZE= 18px]T[/SIZE]he nameless tome indeed contained copies of pages about manna trees and dragons arranged chronologically, but without a table of contents as it seemed the book was hastily put together. There were also notes on the sides written in the big loopy handwriting of the twins. The gist of it revolved around the legend of "Ragnarok" or the end of the world.


The first notes were about an ancient poem written during the first age of Midgard by the first historian, the shaman Vala, whom legends say was a wanderer who could speak all the ancient languages because he listened to the earth, sea, and sky. It was about the creation of the world and the copy was a translation in the modern common tongue:

 
​

 
​

“A twinkling consciousness became the first star which sparkled in the night and banished the darkness. Avariel, the Goddess of Harmony acquired consciousness by gazing into the light of that sun. She was the first song that delighted the star into dancing, the weaving of its essence guided by her music created smaller stars and Yggdrasil , a great tree, but so far a barren and empty one.”
​

 
​

“Avariel drew beams of nine colors from the sun. They became the nine moons, each hiding a small deity within. When those gods awoke, they played beautiful music and that brought fortune to the great tree Yggdrasil and delighted the smaller stars causing them to twinkle and dance.”
​

 
​

“The nine deities became the Moon Gods and demanded that the Goddess of Harmony name them. So Avariel gave each of them a shining stone, which filled the air with music: "Stars, follow me! Moons, walk with me! And we shall celebrate your names!”
​

“Tryne, merciful god of water.
Zea, passionate god of fire.
Barlen, selfish god of gold.
Libleyt, hopeful god of wood.
Morphes, wealthy god of earth.
Ghazel, whimsical god of wind.
​

The Moon Gods rejoiced, and Avariel returned to her slumber, resting in the light of the first star. Yggdrasil was left to the whims of the Moon Gods.”
​

 
​

“The Moon Gods each created their own realms on a part of the tree, and here they made land and ocean, trees and flowers through song according to their liking, and gave them light and the power to determine their fate. The light became the Elemental Spirits, riding in the sky. They released bountiful light, and were full of desire to serve the Moon Gods’ will.
​

 
​

“The Moon Gods tried to outdo each other in creating beauty. Sometimes they argued trying follow Avariel's will for harmony and created creatures and men of all shapes and sizes. But dark clouds came to Yggdrasil, and the Moon Gods created greater beasts: giants, dragons, sea monsters, and set them loose upon the land. The gods often quarreled, and the cycle of creation and destruction repeated endlessly.”
​

 
​

“The trees withered, and the Elemental Spirits lost their luster. The land dried up, and soon thereafter, wars began. As the wars dragged on, the powers of the Moon Gods were lost. The realms of Yggdrasil were scarred, and pits that led to them opened in the wounds. The Moon Gods peeked into these pits, and came to know fear, envy, and desire.”
​

 
​

“Cracks appeared in Yggdrasil. Waves of chaos from the more volatile realms came and tried to envelop all of the others in what was called the Rift War. Each weakened Moon god chose an Elemental Spirit and gave it a stone, then the gods turned back into moons. The spirits rode into the sky. They were born of the earth to ride in the sky and return to the earth. They became a flying river of Manna.”
​

 
​

The children of men lamented over the wars, and called upon higher beings for help. The smaller stars answered their prayers.
​

 
​

Stars were beings who served the goddess, whose true forms cannot normally be seen by the children of men. Many reincarnated in the nine realms, but seven fell down to reincarnate in the realm of the children of men.
​

 
​

These seven stars became seven manna trees that constantly sang to soothe the waves of chaos, and the nine realms were at peace once again. Yggdrasil healed and the portals were shut. A new age had begun.
​

 
​

 
​

[SIZE= 18px]- Yggdrasil and the  Devourers -[/SIZE]
​

"[SIZE= 14px] The Present "[/SIZE]
​

 
​

[SIZE= 18px]A[/SIZE]nother collection of information was about the manna trees of today and had been written nine years ago:


". . . Among the seven manna trees that had been discovered one thousand four hundred years ago, only three have survived pollution and the harvesting of its highly prized wood: The manna tree in Paroosia, the manna tree of Ashenvale capital of the jewel-hearted elves, and the manna tree rumored to be within the Storm wall in Shoflo Ocean . . . "

 
​

" . . . The state of the world declined every time a manna tree died, wars and monster attacks became more frequent, and so did the morals of mankind. Arcane researchers fear that mankind is self-destructing itself and that in the future the earth will become too polluted either through neglect or war to sustain human life . . . "

[SIZE= 18px]- Yggdrasil and the Devourers -[/SIZE]
​

"[SIZE= 14px] Nidhoggs and Ragnarok"[/SIZE]
​

 
​

[SIZE= 18px]A[/SIZE]ccording to texts in ancient rune stones, Nidhoggs are colossal dark dragons from another realm who devour the roots of manna trees and were said to have been the cause of the death of two of the four dead trees, namely the tree in the oriental city of Qui Gong, and the tree in the frozen wastes of Northrend, before the dragons disappeared into the Storm Wall ten thousand years ago.

 
​

It has been foretold that when they devour the roots of the last manna tree, the portals that were shut away after the Rift War will open again and waves of chaos will once more flood into the lands of men, thus beginning the first stages of Ragnarok, the last great war that will destroy the nine realms.


@Katsuya