People were dying all around him. Blood was spilled everywhere, he knew why. They were coming for him; they were after his magic. He kneeled beside a dying woman, her head rested on a stone, a gaping wound on her stomach, blood gushing out. He knew her, she was his sister after all, she fought and now she's drawing her last breath…all for his sake. Why? What was so important about his magic that his sister and those who died had to protect? He had yet to know more about his magic.
The sand was warm against his knees, a strange comfort against the coldness spreading from his sister's hand. Her eyes, usually bright with life, were now clouded and still. It wasn't fair, his magic, once thought as a blessing was actually a curse. It wasn't fair. It wasn't right. He took one last look at his dead sister, at the still beauty of her face. Before he said or did anything else, two figures, silhouetted against the fading light, emerged from the sand dunes. Their armor glinted menacingly, their weapons held low, ready to strike.
"Surrender now," said one of the soldiers. "If you resist, we will strike."
He let go of his sister's hand and rose from the ground slowly. The tip of the soldiers' spears following him. One of the soldiers neared, ready to shackle him. He took a one last glance at his sister, and something cold settled in his gut. He blurred, one moment he was there, the next, he was a swirling vortex of sand and shadow, right beside the soldier. He shoved him into a black portal. The soldier screamed, his eyes wide with terror as he was pulled into the abyss, his screams echoed before the darkness closed.
The second soldier, his spear raised, reacted intensively. He closed the distance between them in a flash, snatched the spear from his grasp, and spun, the weapon a blur. The point of the spear found its mark, piercing armor, he ripped the dagger from the soldier's belt and plunged it into his chest, his eyes widening in disbelief before he slumped to the ground. He stood over the soldier's dead body.
"I will take your land, your men and women and children," he told him, knowing full well that the soldier is dead. "They will be all mine, trust me on this." He spat on the dead body and headed to his sister's corpse.
After burying his sister, he made his way further into the village, where most of the soldiers are. They might still be killing plenty of villagers; some are probably having fun hunting the women for their sinful pleasure. It didn't matter, they were all going to die anyway.
Jacob gasped, jerking upright in his bed, the sheets tangled around him like a shroud. The scent of sand, sweat and blood clung to his skin, remnants of the dream so vivid yet it felt like reality. His heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drumbeat echoing the chaos of the dream. He was a mage, he had been in ancient Egypt, a village ravaged by plague, a power he couldn't control, a dead sister, and those soldiers.
Jacob ran a hand through his purple hair, the strands catching on his fingers. A shiver run down his spine. This wasn't just a dream; it was a memory. A memory that belonged to…Grim.
He remembers how Sinister Jacob, his other self, had absorbed Grim's life essence and dark magic into his own. It was that being, that dark entity that had given him those memories. He checked the alarm clock, it was half past 3 in the morning, so he went back to bed. Doing his best to push aside those dark memories.
The morning sun filtered through the towering pines surrounding the camp, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Jacob adjusted the strap of his satchel, filled with his textbooks. His belt carrying his dagger, as he made his way to the training ground. The air was crisp, filled earthly scent of grass and the faint whisper of magic that always seemed to linger in this place.
As he approached the training area, a buzz of excitement and chatter drew his attention. A group of students had gathered near the camp's exit, their face a mix of curiosity. Jacob squeezed his way through the crowd, his heart quickening as he wondered what had caught their attention. Just as he neared the front, he caught sight of Ralph. Even some of the teachers, Miss Anya, Miss Melisa and Rudolph Collins were watching, but none of them moved or spoke.
"What's happening?" Jacob asked Alex, who was standing beside him in silence.
"I don't know," Alex replied. "He just got out of bed and decided to leave camp. Said he'd be joining the Silver Knights camp way over in England."
"What?" Jacob sounded shocked, he was surprised at himself. "Why?"
"I wish I knew."
"Where is Susan?"
"I don't know." Alex looked around, searching for Susan. A moment later, "There she is."
Jacob followed the direction of Alex's pointed finger and saw Susan. She was sitting on a rock, further from the ground, lost in thought while she saw Ralph, a tall figure with broad shoulders and an air of confidence that often bombarded on arrogance— striding purposefully towards the camp's exit. She looked sad, very sad. Jacob knew of course, the night he caught them lips-locked in the hall was still fresh in his mind. He also knew about their past, from what Susan told him of course.
"Hey," Jacob said softly as he approached her. "Are you okay?"
Susan looked up at him, "yeah." She answered.
Jacob sat beside her. "What happened?"
"I don't know."
"I know that you guys still have feelings for each other." He kept his voice low.
"I wasn't good enough for him. And now this camp isn't good enough for him." Her voice shook.
Jacob felt a pang of sympathy for her. He reached out and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're more than enough." He said.
"Thanks." She smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I have to go to the ladies' room."
"Sure." Jacob said as they both rose from where they sat.
Susan gave him another short smile and headed for the ladies' rest room.
It wasn't because she needed to use the bathroom or anything, she just couldn't handle it, lying to Jacob. Ralph didn't just come up with the idea of leaving camp, it was her. She made him do it, against his will. Sure it wasn't by physical confrontation, she's no match of course, but it still wasn't right none the less. Ralph was a big distraction, she needed him out of her life if she wants to excel in her magic and become the next great sorcerer that the Campbell family will have.
The annual sorcerers' exam is approaching fast. Jacob stood at the edge of the training field, his heart racing like a wild stallion. He could feel the electric buzz of anticipation in his fingertips, a reminder of the trainings he took with Bernard…and the secret trainings he took by himself to master his other magic, he doesn't plan on using it officially as it would start raising questions.
Taking a deep breath, he clenched his fists. "Only as a last resort," he muttered to himself.
"Hey," came a voice from behind. Angela sat next to Jacob, "you excited about the international exam?"
Jacob managed a weak smile. "I'm actually a bit nervous."
Angela chuckled softly. "Don't worry Jacob. You can handle it, you know how I know? Because you're strong."
"Really?"
"You fought an ancient mummy looking sorcerer, you've killed two hybrids for God's sake!"
Jacob chuckled, even though he felt his face getting hot.
"And besides, if worse comes to worst you have us," she leaned a little closer, "you have me."
Jacob swallowed and slowly scooted away from her.
Her expression softened. "I know that kiss startled you."
Jacob didn't answer, he didn't even try.
"I have feelings for you okay? You might not feel the same way, but it doesn't matter. You'll always be my one and only." She stood from where she sat, "See you around Jacob."
And then she left. Jacob just sat there, lost in thought, he doesn't have feelings for her. He just doesn't, he only has eyes for Beatrice. He knows it's a long shot, he even acknowledged the fact that she already has a boyfriend…but still. It was something like love at first sight. And now Angela is there, fancying him. She just told him she loves him, that's kind of hard to swallow.
"Oh man," he finally managed to say.