Her nightmare began

[Ramona's POV]

I stood on the bridge, staring down at the water rushing beneath my feet. My face looked like a blank canvas, ready for inspiration to hit. I thought I was not supposed to be here. Even if the earth, sea, and sky weren't supposed to belong together, they do so perfectly, as if their small universe—which no one else could understand or acknowledge—is the only place where they were supposed to be.

I noticed clouds floating in from the sea as I peered up at the vast blue sky. There was the merest hint of the distant city. It was just amazing. I didn't want to consider what I would need to accomplish. I didn't want to deal tonight.

My eyes wandered to the city. I had remained still as I stood here. Why didn't it behave differently? There were a tonne of people going down footpaths, sitting outside cafés and speaking to one other. After being left for so long, everything sprung to life. The clamour of noises surrounded me. I looked down at the lake with moist eyes, and it looked black against the starry sky. I hated how many regrettable and terrible memories this place evoked. The water seemed to be holding me back, a continual reminder of my own weakness and vulnerability. If something bad were to happen to me here...

What would happen if I died? Would the river take my body and my spirit with it? What happens next? Would I be allowed to enter paradise? Were heaven and hell indeed actual places? What, after all, was heaven? or hell, or purgatory? I had lived in hell since the day I was born, and that was all I had ever known. I closed my eyes and let the tears fall down my cheeks. Even with my big jacket on, I felt cold.

I tightly grasped the sapphire pendant in my hands, clinging to it as though I would want to have it around forever. Paradoxically, this little object was designed to protect me from harm when I die. I looked down into the river and saw the whirling waves were still. A wave came up and blew my hair away, and then the world moved again, moving so quickly I lost sight of where I was headed.

Suddenly, everything around me changed, and I was floating on the river. My body felt lighter and lighter until there was nothing but silence. My heart was pounding and my breath was shallow. My breathing was becoming laboured. I yelled, but no one answered. I made a desperate attempt to move my hands and feet, but to no avail. I was floating on the surface of the river, slowly lowering myself.

After that, I was left alone with my thoughts. I was scared. All I could remember as I drowned was the sound of water rushing through my ears and the feeling of air shooting past me. I could see my life clearly in my mind, as if it were a movie. When I passed away, this was where it would all end. right then and there. It would all disappear like a flash of light. There was no way I could wake up. I had no one after me. It was only the two of us now. And I was scared of that more than I was of the water.

I tried calling my mother and sister, but the only people who answered were Ansel Whitaker and Selene Brooks. My vision turned entirely black. It was challenging to discern between the bright and dark parts. I gave in to drowning.

[Previous Years]

"Mona, would you please stop by and give your dad this lunch box before you head to the academy?"

"Okay, Mom," I answered as I headed outside with my backpack containing my magic books and potion vials. I went to get the lunchbox, but my sister Annalisa, ten, was busy with her Tiger's Eye stone magic. Annalisa threw back her stone and gave me a big fat smile.

"Annalisa, what are you doing?" I enquired, giving her a head pat.

Annalisa drew small circles with her dominant hand to form the letter "P" on her non-dominant hand while grinning. I observed closely as she placed her hand on her chest, palm facing inward. Annalisa then, her fingers flat, made a swift, sweeping move with her dominant hand, as if charming someone.

I smiled. "Ah! Applying your magic in real life.

Annalisa grinned proudly and nodded cheerfully. She stroked my shoulder, pointed down, and flashed me a short memory. As I gazed, her hands fluttered rapidly and animatedly in the air. She then raised her hands to her body in a beautiful arc and formed the shape of a "H" by gently running them across the side of her face.

I furrowed my brow slightly. "What made you want me to leave early tonight and head home?" I asked.

Annalisa looked at me, waiting for me to say something. With both hands outstretched in front of her, fingers spread, she gestured at herself with her index finger, pulling them in the direction of her as if she were drawing something. She gave me a little wave, then held out her hands, as if she was teaching someone something from her brain, putting the tips of her fingers to her own forehead. Then Annalisa pointed again at herself, stuck out her hand palm up, and gently flicked her fingers outward. Finally, she made a little, circular gesture with her dominant hand and the letter "S."

I smiled and gave her another pat on the head. "Learning spells is not that hard, is it?" As I said, I smiled. "I'll do my best to assist you in practicing some of the spells I've been practicing."

When I suggested that I help, Annalisa's eyes gleamed. I grinned and gave her a firm embrace. Just as I turned to leave, Annalisa glared and grabbed my uniform shirt. With her dominant hand, Annalisa formed a "L" and tapped her thumb against her chin. Then, as if drawing something in, she raised both of her hands in front of her and pushed them inward towards herself. I watched Annalisa make the word "MYSTRAL FRUIT" in the air with her fingers. Finally, she opened her hand into a "B" form and freed her body from her dominant hand.

Naturally, how could I have missed your favourite mystral fruit? I said, grinning. Indeed, mystral fruit. Annalisa nodded in agreement. I hugged her goodbye and headed to Stoneforge Academy.

I smiled as I walked down the street, my hands in my pockets. I was happy that my younger sister was becoming more adept at casting spells. I began to slow down as soon as I got to my father's shop. Mr. Caldwell, my father, was a shardsmith who created magnificent stones out of broken pieces and shards. His specialisation was crafting crystals that sorcerers could utilise to enhance the power of their spells. The store was usually packed, but not today. It must be because Mr. Caldwell decided to take a break after the opening. Everything was quiet, but for the faint footsteps of a few pupils.

I quickly used my spell to cover my Celestial Mark. It represents both the calming qualities of the stone and the power of the stars, with a sapphire gem at its core, giving it the appearance of a crescent or moon. There was a tinge of blue, and the lines looked lively and fluid. I had to put on a brave face for a few minutes before I could enter. Nobody could understand why I was so terrified of my father, despite the fact that he was a hard-working man who only worked hard to earn money for my academy fees.

He was going to send me to the enigmatic Petrus Academy in the desert. The primary focus of Petrus Academy is on the magical properties of ancient desert stones, including their ability to control heat and sand. But the academy I wanted to go to, Runestone Academy, is set in a huge enchanted forest. The primary subjects of Runestone are the application of runic stones and their impact on the natural world and magical beings.

It was not that I wished to defy his wishes. But I knew I wouldn't be able to go because Petrus Academy is one of the most expensive schools for Magistone users. There is normally a considerable cost to pay, especially for those with low spiritual energy, prior to starting studies at Petrus Academy. Purchasing magical crystals can run up to five million pounds a year, especially in the case of runic crystals. That's a significant sum of money for someone who barely makes enough to get by on their own. I could easily get a scholarship at Runestone Academy. Petrus Academy awards scholarships, although it bases its decisions more on spiritual energy than academic ability.

The individual with the highest spiritual energy will be given a 70% discount, while the person with the lowest spiritual energy will have to pay the full cost. Despite Mr. Caldwell's best efforts, I was never able to reach Flicker's level of performance. Of the ten users of magic stones, Flicker has the lowest spiritual energy level; she is weak and has a fragile link to magical realms.

Sighing, I made my way to my father's office and carefully opened the door. It was empty save for a few bits of stray paperwork. I left them behind and went straight around the back of the business, where a path led into the woods. As I walked down the walkway, a bright red rose petal blew in the wind. I picked it up and looked it over carefully. My eyes widened as I realised it was still alive. I put it in my pocket and continued to walk. As soon as I arrived to the forested clearing, my father was there.