Chapter ten

FIVE DAYS LATER
“I won’t lie to you, Talia, I am afraid.”Talia heard her mother shiver over the line as she pulled down hair in preparation. Her room mates gave four way glance at her mother’s statement and Talia was forced to put her phone off speaker mode. She begrudgingly hoped her mother wasn’t trying to discourage her at the last moment. For the past five days, She had put in all her effort into achieving this dream and all Talia would appreciate right now was her mother’s support but in the mean time, She needed to understand what her mom was getting at. Talia headed for the privacy of the bathrooms where she could vent without getting eyes on her.

“Mom, I will be fine. The teachers have revealed to us that the test are usually basic magic stuff and students in the weekly program are more than sure to get accepted.” Talia eased her mother as she looked at her appearance in front of a misty mirror. The porter had told them to prepare earlier than usual and meet in the theatre. Talia was guessing it had something to do with the exam most of them were going to be taking to graduate.

“That was very unprofessional of them but your exams aren't what I'm worried about.’ she sighed before continuing. “The forest witch told me a very disturbing…”

“The forest witch?” Talia repeated, as if she didn’t hear her mother correctly. If Talia’s memory wasn’t failing her. The dense forest close to the borders of her village was one place they dared not cross for fear of the evil witch that relished ripping apart Faerie wings for her concoctions. It felt pretty uneasy for Talia knowing her mother visited a witch for prophecies.

“Contrary to the rumors flying around Talia, She is not a bad person. She just does not fancy spirited little creatures disturbing her peace and quiet.”

“Okay, What was the dreaded prophesy about?” Talia dared to ask.
“Talia!” a familiar voice fired. Talia made a brief turn in the direction of the voice and saw one of her roommate, The one with acid green hair and translucent wings that you could almost see through. Seeing Talia was still on a call, the girl flagged her wrist watch implying they were running late before she bolted out the doorway.

“Do not take this the wrong way but she mentioned something about you being the harbinger of my death and your very own ruin.”

When you are told those kind of damning things, It was stupid to laugh but Talia couldn’t fight the urge to. The idea that failing a test would ruin her entire life was way too absurd. “Mom, its a prophesy. It could take years before it actually happens and more importantly, The future is always changing. I promise you, I will be okay and with your blessings, I am sure I cannot fail.”

“You are brave Talia. I wish I had your confidence… I should not keep you waiting. Go live your dream Talia but promise me you will be safe.”

Talia made her a solemn promise. “I will. Goodbye mom.”

When she cut the call, She proceeded to douse her face with some water to extinguish the worry looming in her mind before running out to catch up with students already in theatre. On her way there, She caught up with Solomon who was angst about what the Principal had in store for them and more importantly how he was going to perform in his test. He had a hard time bonding with his wolf at the last test which was the very reason why he was trying out this season.

“How are you this calm?”Solomon asked with a nervous laugh.

“I am not.” Talia confessed,rubbing her hands together to warm them up. She was petrified, because just like everyone else having the final tests. It meant a lot to her. Perhaps even more. This was her big break. “I am pretty afraid of how it is going to turn out. But being afraid doesn't change anything Solomon. We have to step up our game and prove to the ley lands that we are worth it and of course get our dream jobs.”

It felt comforting when she told him herself. By reassuring him, She managed to give herself hope albeit fragile and tiny as a mustard seed. As the students approached the great hall where they were all summoned, Talia remembered something important. She pulled out the crimson bright jewel that had adorned her neck for five days straight. Solomon refused to take it back and she had kept it. There was a possibility it might have actually protected her from Sybil’s bad magic but over the past days, Sybil seemed to have avoided Talia completely. It did not mean she did not occasionally taunt her but other than that, She wasn’t a menace to the demigod’s life anymore. It was like a dream. Her coven sisters however weren't so kind, neither were they smart or successful. It turned out it took mastery of the arts for Hecate’s beloveds to actually cast offensive magic and Sybil”s gang was a mash up of basic witches.
“I want to give this back Solomon. It helped me more than I will ever know.” She acknowledged, unlocking the necklace and dropping it into Solomon’s outstretched hands.

“You are welcome.” He said and they both turned silent and continued walking.

On entry, Most students let out a gasp just taking in the splendor of the hall. The ‘great’ wasn’t chipped in for nothing. The ceiling had to be twenty feet high. Designs of the creation story were carved into the moulding and several artifacts hanged around in every angle of the gigantic square. Up on the furthermost part of the room where an altar stood erected above the platform, Madam Zora’s voice shook the whole school.

“Take it in students but please, Have a seat.”

To her words, Students hurried to have seat. Most of them terrified of what the woman had to say at a time like this. When the murmuring of the crowd stopped, The principal continued speaking.

“As you all know, Today is the day most of you follow the path destiny has chosen for you. But I have called you all here today to inform you that there has been a recent change of plans…” Her words sent the school into panic mode. The academy had been tormented by bipolar weather yesternight and that meant Zeus was in one of his foul mood. For most students, It would not be a surprise if Zeus moved the tests. Madam Zora called her school to order with a stern look and Talia swore she saw the woman’s eyes flash green. When the school turned silent again, she resumed.

“It is not a drastic change like most of you are thinking. Its the good kind because today’s judge was replaced by a celestial queen.” she said with a smile. “I want you all to welcome Queen Persephone.”
The crowd was bedazzled. There was silence then almost immediately the room turned into a cacophony of applause and cheering as the said goddess walked to the platform. Talia stood breathless for a silent moment, swallowing her mother’s warnings. For strange reasons, It felt all too real now. Talia stole a look at the goddess’s eyes; They looked like the oceans when the sun rays went through them in the morning, Her hair moving like each lock had a life of its own and her satiny teal gown which told a story of her realm.

“Oh my goddess!”Solomon exclaimed, stealing a look at Talia’s expression. “Talia, Are you okay?”

“Yeah!” Talia replied,absentmindedly. She just could not believe her luck. Her school mates might despise her identity but with a major deity, That was taking it to a whole new level.

***
THE GREENLANDS
With a small radio playing to her ears, Maveth tried to play out the Witch’s wicked prophesy from messing with her hope in her child. The radio went static and back telling the entire magical society that the big day was here. The day supernaturals in training proved they could be freed to the human world. There was four academies in the first realm; each one of them scattered midst the ends of the realm. Maveth wished she could be there. Somehow she felt that was the only thing that was going to ease her mind. Out of the blues, She sensed a bad omen when a name was mentioned in the radio.

“Did you hear that?” A Fae whose daughter was in the program of ‘blackchild’ inquired.

“What?” Maveth sent, feeling a strange urge to hear the name she could not quite register yet again.

“A goddess is judging this year’s students.”She answered. “What a honour.”

“Which goddess?” Maveth questioned yet again.

“Persephone.”

All the blood drained from Maveth’s face. The witch’s word echoed once again and this time the puzzling question made sense. It all went down to Persephone and Hades.
Your family will burn to the ground because of the blood running through your daughter’s veins. She tells me the girl will be the harbinger of your death and her ruin.

Maveth immediately got out her mobile…