The sun had just risen as its gentle light blankets Nevermore Academy. The students as well as teachers had only woken up and started getting ready for the day. Challenges await the students as the long-awaited Edgar Allan Poe Cup will be starting soon this week.
Many are brainstorming and strategizing as there are no rules in the competition. The competition is a boat race from the docks to the island where Joseph Crackstone's crypt resides to grab their team flag and then row back to the docks to the finish line. The competitive spirit of Nevermore had inflicted its inhabitants with such zeal and excitement till the competition began.
Y/N just woke up from his bed and slowly headed to wash up for the day. Many questions lingered my mind on what kind of creature that claw remnant belongs to. I'll have to find a book of monsters somewhere in the library.
Perhaps that hidden library by the Edgar Allan Poe statue might have a copy. After confirming my thoughts, I'll have some Shadow Knights find the book or books about monsters in the hidden library tonight.
Y/N looked up and saw the time, "Good thing I only have fencing class today and it's later in the afternoon."
After putting on a casual outfit, I headed towards the gate only to see Principal Weems waiting for someone.
She noticed me and asked, "Mr. Ashborn, looking at your attire, will you be heading to Jericho today?"
I nodded and she asked, "Splendid. I have some business to take care of in town. Will you wait for a few more minutes? I will be escorting Ms. Addams to her therapy session."
Sure enough, five minutes later, I see Wednesday dressed in an all-black Nevermore uniform. Unsurprisingly it suits her quite nicely. She looks ready to explode considering I just heard from Principal Weems she's going to therapy.
Knowing her, she'll probably slip out somehow or some way when no one is looking. Judging from the magical signature I felt from her bag, Thing is also coming along. Wednesday saw me waiting by the car with Principal Weems. Curious why Y/N is waiting for her.
I waved my hand towards Wednesday and greeted her, "Good morning Wednesday~! Sleep well?" Wednesday replied, "Morning Y/N. I slept enough though I'm surprised to see you waiting with Principal Weems."
I replied, "She actually spotted me heading to Jericho so she offered to give me a ride there. It was a nice gesture so I thought why not?"
Principal Weems chimes, "Precisely, Mr. Ashborn. Now come along, Ms. Addams. You don't want to be late for your appointment now, do you?"
Wednesday begrudgingly nodded.
Both Wednesday and I got in the car with Principal Weems driving towards Jericho.
I looked over and whispered to Wednesday, "Don't think much of it too much and just be yourself with the therapist. You don't even need to respond if you don't want to."
Wednesday looked over to Y/N and nodded. It was a quiet twenty minute ride before arriving at Jericho. The car finally stopped in front of the therapist office, which read "Dr. Kinbott, Therapist Practitioner."
Principal Weems turned to the back seat where Y/N and Wednesday were sitting and looked towards Wednesday, "I hope your session with Dr. Kinbott goes swimmingly and maybe after we can go get some hot chocolate at the Weathervane?"
Upon hearing the offer, Wednesday looked Principal Weems in the eye and replied, "Principal Weems, this feeble attempt at bonding is beneath you."
She opens the doors and finishes, "And chauffeuring your students around is below your pay grade."
I sigh, "Forgive Wednesday for her comment, Principal Weems. I'm sure she'll come around."
I also got out of the car leaving Principal Weems to her thoughts.
I stopped Wednesday before she headed for her appointment, "I'll see you later Wednesday. Head to the Weathervane across the street if you want to find me. I just gotta look around the shops for a bit before getting some coffee later. Good luck with your escape. You too, Thing." Wednesday nodded and thanked me as she headed inside.
I started to wander the shops around Jericho for a bit and found some lingering psychic energy radiating inside the shop. I looked up and it said "Uriah's Heap".
I thought, "How fitting?" I enter and plenty of knick knacks from who knows where. Following the trail of energy, I spot the items on the shelf. Both were necklaces and they looked exquisite. One is made of obsidian and the other of moonstone.
Thinking about the two girls, "These necklaces would be helpful to them, plus they look pretty good."
I proceeded to take the two necklaces and paid for them and left the shop.
I head to the Weathervane to grab some coffee while waiting if Wednesday will actually come by later. As I get close to the register. I notice a young man struggling to get the espresso machine working. Too bad he had no clue what to do to fix it though.
I ordered some fresh coffee and he rang me up. From the tag on his shirt, it said "Tyler." I took my coffee and headed to one of the seats by the window while Tyler went back to fixing the espresso machine.
I looked over to him and thought, "What a weird presence he has. Like two minds in one body. One is sane and the other full of madness. He's definitely an outcast or weirdo."
Before I can think of anything else, I see Wednesday enter with a scowl on her face. She must've just escaped from the therapist. I see her fixing the espresso machine pretty easily and Tyler seems to have some affection towards her.
He's acting all nervous and anxious like an abandoned puppy waiting to be adopted. Wednesday seemed to ignore him after grabbing her drink and noticed me. I waved at her to come sit at the booth. She headed towards the booth and sat across from me.
I gently smiled, "Seems like you evaded your jailer for a bit. Nice job."
I took a sip of the coffee while she nodded.
She replies, "Not yet. I'm still trying to find a way to get to the train station at Burlington. No luck so far."
I hummed and offered, "If you really want to go that badly, I can take you there myself. We can go tonight during the Harvest Festival but you'll need to find a way to distract Principal Weems though."
Wednesday stared at my eyes with slight shock why I'm helping her.
I laughed and before she can get a word out of her mouth, I said, "I can see what you're thinking from the look in your eyes and all I'm gonna say is that finding yourself is more important than you being miserable here at Nevermore. Though you might find something intriguing if you stay."
Wednesday finally went back to her senses and replied, "Perhaps there is something that will interest me but I still want to pursue leaving this institution."
Looking at her unyielding face, I relented and agreed to take her out of Nevermore tonight at the fair. People will be all around and it shouldn't be hard to slip out undetected.
Before long, three teenagers dressed in pilgrim costumes looked over and ridiculed,
"What's a couple of Nevermore freaks sitting in our booth?"
"They look like they're dating. Suits them with freaks being with other freaks."
Wednesday calmly spats back while looking at the three stooges, "Why are you dressed like religious fanatics?"
One of the guys spat, "We work at Pilgrim World!"
Wednesday retorts, "It takes a special kind of stupid to devote an entire theme park to zealots responsible for mass genocide."
The lead boy angrily replied, "My dad owns Pilgrim World. Who you calling stupid?"
Wednesday stares back and replies, "If the buckled shoe fits."
The three boys looked offended and ready to teach Wednesday a lesson.
I looked over to Wednesday and said, "You want to start or should I?"
Wednesday said, "I can handle it."
I nodded and let her do her thing. The three boys tried to charge and fight Wednesday but they seemed to underestimate her and got their butts handed to them. They lay sprawling on the floor moaning in pain.
I congratulated her, "Nice moves? Self-taught?"
Wednesday replied, "My uncle taught me. He spent five years in a Tibetan monastery."
I raised my eyebrow, "As a monk?"
Wednesday smirked a little and said, "Prisoner."
Moments later, the sheriff of the town came in and saw the boys on the ground.
Sheriff Galpin looked over to Wednesday and Y/N and questioned, "Did you two do this?" Before me or Wednesday can answer, Tyler came and explained to his dad that it was the three boys who started harassing them and then put them in their place.
Right after Tyler explained the situation, Principal Weems entered in a hurry looking for Wednesday.
She looked at Sheriff Galpin and said, "My apologies, sheriff. This one slipped away from me."
She then waved to Wednesday and urged, "Come on, Ms. Addams. Time to go."
As Wednesday passed the sheriff, he stopped her and asked, "You're an Addams? Don't tell me Gomez Addams is your father?"
Wednesday nodded. He continues, "That man belongs behind bars for murder. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
Hearing this, I stood up and walked to the sheriff and said, "I would watch your tone sheriff. Seeing as her father is out and free clearly shows he's innocent of the crime. After all, not everyone's history is as clean as they appear."
Turning my eyes to Tyler and back to the sheriff.
Sheriff Galpin looked worried for a moment and returned to his calm self and nodded.
He looked at Wednesday and replied, "Don't start any more fights. Good day."
The sheriff talked to his son Tyler and then walked out of the Weathervane. I approached Principal Weems and Wednesday and told them we should start heading back. Both women looked at me and nodded as we all headed to the car and drove off to Nevermore.
Principal Weems looked at Wednesday from the rear view window and said, "It's your first trip to Jericho and you're already in Sheriff Galpin's radar. Please stay out of trouble and make more friends than enemies."
She briefly looked at me and continued, "But seeing as Y/N stood up for you, I guess you're not off to a bad start."
Wednesday looked at me and let out a small smile and then looked at Principal Weems and asked, "What did the sheriff mean about my father?"
Principal Weems pretended not to know anything of the sort. The car started slowing down and I noticed that an accident occurred not long ago. From the signs of shadow extraction, one person is dead.
Wednesday said to Principal Weems, "He's dead. Broke his neck."
Principal Weems looked shocked and wondered how she knew that the person was dead.
She asked, "How do you know? I can't see from this angle."
Wednesday stayed silent as the car passed through to the side of the accident.
Ten minutes later, we reached Nevermore. Both me and Wednesday got out of the car and headed inside.
As we were walking, Wednesday stopped me and clumsily said, "Thank you for defending me and my father. I.. appreciated it."
She looked like she had not given anyone a compliment or thanks in her life.
I thought and imagined her as a cat saying thank you, "How cute."
I gently smiled looking at her and replied, "You're welcome Wednesday. The sheriff really should mind his own business. I really enjoyed watching you kick those guys' asses. You looked like a black dahlia with all its qualities of death, darkness, power, and beauty in its purest form."
Wednesday looked shocked and blush filled her pale cheeks as the black dahlia was her favorite flower from her favorite novel. Her heart started beating more than the last time it evoked a reaction. She doesn't hate the feeling but her curiosity towards Y/N is much stronger than before.
After that little episode, Y/N bid Wednesday farewell as there's still an hour left before fencing class. I walked around the quad thinking about what the sheriff said about Wednesday's dad being a murderer.
Maybe I should investigate this later after the Poe Cup. I spotted Enid and joined in talking with the few students there with Yoko, the Japanese Vampire and Ajax, the always-high-as-a-kite gorgon. It was a great way to pass the time.
After a while, it was time for fencing class. I took my gear and headed there alongside Enid. Class has started and proceeded to spar with our partners. I naturally partnered with Enid as she said she needed some practice with a more adept experience.
Sparring with Enid was another good way for me to teach her flaws as well as correct those flaws. Every time I correct them I have to hold her wrists as well as her legs to correct her posture, I feel a different kind of accomplishment. Though from how Enid's face is getting red as a tomato, I guess she's enjoying it or just embarrassed.
She's more like a labrador to me than a wolf anyways. We finished sparring and watched Bianca, a siren with an arrogance reaching the sky, and Rowan sparring. Rowan is slowly losing ground from the spar. Right before Rowan was about to lose, I saw Wednesday wearing the same black fencing gear heading towards us.
Bianca had just beaten Rowan to the ground and asked the teacher, "Seriously coach, when am I going to have some real competition besides Y/N?"
I raised my eyebrow at that comment.
As I was about to step forward, Wednesday chimed in, "I'll challenge you."
Bianca turned to Wednesday and condescendingly said, "Oh you must be the psychopath they let in."
Wednesday spat back, "You must be the self-appointed queen bee. Interesting thing about bees, Pull out their stingers, they drop dead."
The venue was silent after that. Both Wednesday and Bianca started their stance before their sparring started.
The coach looked at the two ready, shouted, "En Garde!"
And with that both girls started their sparring with Wednesday gaining momentum as she delivered her strikes with precision. Bianca tried to counter back but unfortunately left a flaw in her defense and handed the first point to Wednesday.
After readjusting, Bianca was more defense-inclined towards Wednesday's offense-oriented fencing style and countered a clean strike on Wednesday earning her the second point.
With both girls tied for points, Wednesday proposed a military challenge for the final point. The winner is whoever drew first blood. Bianca accepts and readies herself.
Me and the audience widened our distance to give the two competitors more room. Once again, both girls have started their fight and with more ferocity with each strike. After going at it with each other for a minute without deciding a winner, Bianca found a flaw in Wednesday's defense and left a cut right above her eyebrow leaving a blood stain. Both Enid and I were somewhat shocked as we both hoped Wednesday would win.
Bianca chuckled at her victory and said, "I guess you don't bleed in black and white."
I stepped forward and led Wednesday who's in disbelief at her loss to Enid and looked over to Bianca, "Seeing as you're so confident, why don't I challenge you? Same rules."
Bianca turned around and looked shocked from the challenge as everyone in Nevermore knows that Y/N is the best they have seen in years, even better than the coach. The whole room became so quiet, a pin drop can be heard.
Bianca is now sweating whether to accept the challenge or refuse but her arrogant nature as well as her win with Wednesday gave her confidence to accept.
I walked around to my side looking at Bianca with calm, indifferent eyes while Bianca was nervous but confident. I will let her feel confident with each strike, only for it to crumble down as I strike her down later. She lunged with a strike as I side-stepped.
She continued to strike in a flurry while I either continued to block or dodge. Her footwork starts becoming disorganized as her stamina drops. Bianca knows that she's gonna lose if it doesn't end quickly, so she starts preparing for a final strike hoping to win the match.
I see Bianca going for the final strike and thought, "Time to knock her ego down a notch."
Bianca stroked with all her might, only for it to miss its target while I saw the opportunity and slashed at her cheek, leaving a deep cut while blood was dripping on the floor. Bianca hurriedly covered the wound with the audience looking shocked from my cruel display.
They guess even Y/N, who was easy-going and nice had a cruel and dark side to him except Wednesday and Enid. Both had thought of how the Shadow Knights bowed to Y/N that night and how he commanded them from a regal stance. They can only associate that type of behavior from kings or tyrants of the old ages. That type of loyalty and respect can only be achieved from their subjects thoroughly defeated with fear and power.
Y/N looked at Bianca with the same tone and said, "Keep your ego in check next time. Not everyone will give way to you just because you may feel that you are royalty."
I gave her one last look before walking to Wednesday and Enid. I told them we should head to the infirmary to help Wednesday with her cut.
Both Wednesday and Enid were silent while watching Y/N lead the way to the infirmary. They were still trying to process the cruel side of Y/N, though Wednesday had a smile on her face but was invisible to Enid. Wednesday thought Y/N's darker side was enchanting, even to her.
That indifferent look with an attitude of aloofness of a higher being made her heart beat faster. Her frozen heart is slowly being melted by this young man and curiosity is the first sign of falling for that person after all.
Enid, on one hand, was shocked but smiling brightly seeing as she saw it as Y/N protecting Wednesday and the very act made her think of some incredible thoughts. Maybe imagining herself replacing Wednesday instead.
We finally reached the infirmary and I told the nurse if she could fix up Wednesday's cut. After cleaning up the wound and applying a bandage, she was ready to go.
On the way out of the infirmary, we see Rowan and Bianca enter. My eyes locked onto hers and she immediately looked down. Me, Enid, and Wednesday walked out and left heading downstairs.Rain started to pick up while I was walking the girls to Ophelia Hall. As we were walking towards the dorm, I sensed signs of energy being used above.
I noticed a gargoyle statue fall and heading straight towards them I pulled Wednesday and Enid towards me and used "Ruler's Authority" to push the statue to the side breaking it into pieces. I looked towards the window above to see it open. I sent a Shadow Knight to see what or who was in the room, only for it to telepathically say there was no one inside.
Y/N looked up and thought, "Whoever the culprit is will show up sooner or later."
While Y/N was rescuing the girls, Wednesday was having a vision of her own after being held by Y/N. She saw herself wrapped in darkness with glowing blue eyes looking at her from the abyss. After staring at the figure, her vision returns and in shock of what she saw. Whatever she saw from that vision was definitely Y/N.
Returning to her senses, she looked over to the broken statue and said, "That wasn't an accident."
Both me and Enid looked at her and nodded. We all continued to Ophelia Hall and I told Wednesday's plan to get out of town tonight at the Harvest Festival to Enid. Enid was a little shocked but supported Wednesday as a friend.
Wednesday felt Y/N and Enid's friendship at this moment. Though her connection to them is intriguing, it was not enough to sway her decision unless something drastic happens.
I dropped both girls and waved, "I'll see you guys tonight!"
Wednesday and Enid both said, "See you there."
Both looking at each other with a slight smile. I smiled and left heading towards the forest.
I chuckled, "I guess they're bonding faster than I thought."
As I got deeper in the forest, I summoned the Shadow Knights asking them to scout the festival ahead of time. With the order in hand, I went to train with Igris to pass the time.
As night falls, I head back to the school and take a shower before finding Wednesday and Enid.
After getting dressed in casual clothes, I walk to Ophelia Hall only to see both Wednesday and Enid in comfier clothes. I waved to them and told them that they'll be taking the shuttle to the Harvest Festival.
Both of the girls nodded and followed Y/N to the shuttle bus. We're talking about how to get Principal Weems off Wednesday's trail when the escape happens and come up with me distracting Principal Weems while Enid takes Wednesday to the side. So while Principal Weems starts to look for Wednesday, I can meet up with them and drive Wednesday to the station.
I thought about it and shrugged, "Seems like a good plan. Though I thought someone else would distract Weems. Well plans fall through, I guess."
We arrive at the Harvest Festival while Enid and Wednesday look at the booths before starting the plan. I hung back to see Principal Weems following Wednesday and Enid. I also saw the three guys at the Weathervane before with one of them with a bat in hand.
I approached them and told them to beat it before I got angry. They were about to yell but stopped when they saw my intimidating eyes glowing in power. They scattered and I moved towards the festival looking for Wednesday and Enid.
Sure enough I lost them but I did find Principal Weems in a panic with a huge panda plush looking for Wednesday. I felt a burst of magical energies bursting towards the forest as well as that madness signature as well. I felt the two Shadow Knights I left in Wednesday's and Enid's shadow are barely keeping whatever it was killing them.
I burst towards the location only to see Wednesday and Enid on the ground by the tree gasping for air. I also saw Rowan on the ground dead with his stomach gutted.
I angrily thought, "Damn, I was too late to save Rowan."
Fighting the two shadow knights was a monster looking about two and a half meters tall with a hunched back and bulging eyes. It looks disfigured with sharp teeth and knife-like claws. Seeing the monster and the magical signature it exudes made me think of Tyler from the Weathervane earlier. I'll be leaving a shadow seed after beating the crap out of it.
Seeing Wednesday and Enid in danger really pissed me off. I didn't think I would be this affected but they could've been a worse situation had the shadow knights not fend off this creature before I got here. I ordered the shadow knights to move back and protect the two girls.
With the two protected, my aura started to rise as I approached the creature. Step by step, my momentum started to affect my surroundings and stirred up the wind. The creature looked at me and was ready to escape but it couldn't move due to the shadow chains binding its feet.
I sped to it and unleashed a flurry of punches beating it senselessly. I was measured with my beating of this creature so that it may only be injured and not killed to verify my conclusion of Tyler later on.
After the beating I gave, I kicked it towards the tree in the distance and the creature whimpered and ran in the distance. Calming down, I looked over to Wednesday and Enid only for them to be passed out from exhaustion and Rowan's death.
I used my phone and called Principal Weems to our location. I dismissed the Shadow Knights after giving my thanks for protecting both Wednesday and Enid. They cheered and then returned to their shadows. I stood guard over the two girls before Principal Weems arrived.
She looked shocked seeing Rowan's death and asked what happened. I told her the situation about me fending off the creature without mentioning about the Shadow Knights. Thankfully, Principal Weems seems to believe the story and took some precautions and will be telling Rowan's parents about his death as well as covering up the murder to not implicate Nevermore.
I looked at Principal Weems and said, "You know, Wednesday is gonna investigate this. Both her and Enid saw Rowan's death. She would want answers for why she was targeted."
Principal Weems knows this from Morticia, Wednesday's mother, as Wednesday is very inquisitive, which was a reflection to the novels she had written before.
She replied, "I know but we have to keep this a secret for now. I don't even know what kind of monster it is. Perhaps there is an entry in the Book of Monsters in the Nightshade Society."
Thinking about that hidden library I found some time ago and said, "Is it that library behind the Edgar Allan Poe statue?"
Principal Weems looked surprised and nodded. She replied, "I never thought you'd find the society on your own. Most of the members stick to themselves and hardly invite people in unless they are a legacy. Congratulations on your discovery of the Nightshade Society."
I took the compliment and told her, "I might know who this creature is. I felt the same energy signature when I was at the Weathervane and it could be Tyler, Sheriff Galpin's son."
Hearing my accusation, Principal Weems looked even more shocked as she did not even know that the sheriff's son was an outcast. Thinking about it, she felt he could be a hidden outcast. She then told me without physical proof, she could not do anything forward. Once I find some solid proof, I can then report it to Principal Weems.
After thinking about it, I nodded at Principal Weems' plan, though I have a plan of my own. Perhaps after killing this creature, I will bring him into the Shadow Legion.
Both me and Principal Weems carried Wednesday and Enid, who were unconscious, back to the car and drove back to Nevermore. I sent both Wednesday and Enid to their room while Principal Weems made arrangements for Rowan's murder and cover-up.
After putting both Wednesday and Enid to their beds, I see Thing crawl out of the bed wondering why I was here. I told Thing to keep an eye on them as they just had a bad night. Thing gave a thumbs-up and stood guard watching the door as I left the room.
I head down and start heading back to my dorm room. I felt someone following me but immediately left so I just let the shadows leave a seed so that I can track them later. Thinking about what happened tonight is definitely gonna ruffle some feathers tomorrow. If Wednesday or Enid or both of them ask me, I can always suggest going back to the crime scene for answers.
After a tiring day of ups-and-downs, I finally took a fast shower and then headed to bed.
The impact of what happened tonight will definitely shake the corridors of Nevermore.