A Tail’s Misfortune

Sora took a deep breath as she stood before the swirling vortex that would lead them to Avalon Academy. Ember, their tiny Fire Fairy guide, buzzed excitedly around them, her fiery wings leaving a trail of embers in the air.

Anxiety churned her stomach, the anticipation was almost tangible, like static electricity dancing along her fluffed up tail. Wendy stood beside her, fidgeting with the edge of her dress, her own big bushy tail swaying nervously. The subtle tremor in her sister’s hands wasn’t missed by her as she reached out to give her a reassuring squeeze. Beside them, their father did the same to her mother and Noelia, who looked somehow as anxious as them.

Cute.

“You ready?” Sora asked, flashing her a confident smile, despite the butterflies in her belly.

Wendy glanced at her, a small, nervous grin tugging at the corners of her lips. “As ready as I’ll ever be. This is…huge, right? That’s what you said. Like, bigger than anything we’ve ever seen before—a magical school.”

Sora nodded, trying to sound reassuring. “I mean, high school was huge the first time, right? It’s just a school…a magic school.”

“No, scratch that,” the brunette chuckled, “It’s a whole new world. Literally. Filled with magical creatures, fae royalty, and all sorts of beings who probably had no idea what to make of us. Uh…can we even fit in at this place?”

“We shall conquer the Open House with ease, sisters. Trust in one another’s strengths,” Eyia stated from beside them, lightening their mood by her intense icy gaze fixed on the vortex. “Be on your guard. There are enemies where we tread.”

Sora suppressed a giggle with Wendy, nudging her frosty sister-in-arms with her tail. “Sure thing, Eyia. Just make sure to have fun, too. You’ve got Wendy?”

“I will be with her without fail!”

“Well, I’m reassured,” the brunette mused. Letting go of her hand after another squeeze, she scooted closer to be with the blonde. “We’ve got our buddy system in case we get lost!”

Beside her, Noelia and their father stood close together, smiling at their words as the tanuki whispered, “Aren’t you girls growing up fast?”

“Oh, they have a lot of room to grow,” the vulpes beside her sighed, not fooling anyone by her twisted tails. “As do I. When you girls return, everything will have changed! I’ll be at a whole different level.”

Sora hoped that was true as she shared a quiet exchange of looks with her dad and Noelia, asking to look out for her helpless, restricted goddess of a mother. Aiden hovered nearby, his fiery presence a comforting warmth in the cool morning air as he stared at the portal from beside Kari, keeping herself somewhat aloof from them.

“Okay, everyone, follow me!” Ember chimed, her tiny voice brimming with excitement as she darted into the vortex. “Here. We. Go!”

Sora took one last look at her family before stepping forward. The sensation of being pulled through the portal was like being swept up in a whirlwind of magic—colors, lights, and sounds all blended together in a dizzying swirl. And then, just as suddenly, it was over.

She blinked as the world of Avalon Academy materialized around them. The swirling magic dissipated, leaving a brief sensation of tingling energy running through her fur and skin. It was like stepping from a storm into a vivid dreamscape—too surreal to be real.

Whoa. It’s more…active than I thought for a back entrance.

All around her, Avalon buzzed with life, the air humming with power and tickling her magical senses. Trees towered above them, not like normal trees but living entities that glowed with faint, pulsing light, each trunk seemingly carved from crystal—the whole landscape had changed since their last visit, except for one loud thing—the surging river.

The leaves of the giant trees shimmered, casting soft reflections on the grassy ground that almost felt alive under her feet. She could feel some acting force making them sing, and it didn’t take her long to see why. Not far off, ships were bringing what appeared to be more important attendees of the school.

Dryads and what she assumed were treants were disembarking from a ship of solid wood, as if it was crafted that way from its inception. Most of them were likely advanced students by the swelling radial magic they produced. Flowers of every color imaginable were blooming along their path, gently swaying in a non-existent breeze.

In the distance, over open cloudy seas, floating islands hovered, their edges draped in mist on their approach to Avalon. They were likely miniature kingdoms, from what she’d heard along their journey to the Realm Tree from Aiden and her last journey here.

Wendy's breath caught, her large, emerald eyes wide with wonder while following the wood-like ladies and the monstrous tree men that towered over them, yet appeared nothing but gentle giants in the dryads’ presence.

“Sora…this is… It’s incredible.”

Sora couldn’t help but grin at her sister’s reaction, her own tail swaying with a similar vibe rolling through her. “Yeah. This is something else, and we both haven’t even scratched the surface.”

A small trail of embers danced ahead of them as Ember zipped through the air, literally glowing. “Come on, slowpokes! You haven’t seen anything yet! We haven’t even gotten to the audience zone.”

“Audience zone?” Aiden asked, rubbing his chin and glancing toward Kari. “What do you think?”

“Hmm? Oh,” she dully grunted, unimpressed gaze sliding between the surging river, floating islands, and disembarking tree people. “They probably don’t have basketball here.”

Sora restrained a snort. “Is that all you think about? No, sorry, Ember. We’re coming!”

Despite the Fire Fairy’s playful tone, Sora couldn’t shake the feeling of eyes on them as they proceeded along the path. Sure, there were people that glanced at them, but most eyes went to her mom, likely due to her nine tails. Overall, they were generally not even a blip on the map for most groups.

She glanced around, catching sight of students—so many different kinds of students who were now filing onto the path to Avalon Academy. Some had the delicate features of elves, their pointed ears peeking through hair that shimmered like spun gold or silver. Others were clearly fae, with translucent wings that fluttered behind them as they walked. Pixies darted in and out of the crowds, leaving trails of sparkling dust, while trolls lumbered past, their enormous forms towering over most creatures around them.

There were even smaller beings. Sora nearly giggled when she spotted a group of brownies. The tiny creatures had tufts of hair and mischievous grins, walking alongside a gnome chaperone who seemed intent on making sure none of the larger visitors and students stepped on them. Their high-pitched voices carried on the breeze to her sharp ears as they exchanged playful jabs at one another, unaware—or unconcerned—of the chaos around them.

Ember circled back, darting between Sora and Wendy. “So? What do you think? This is even the less-traveled side of the school!”

Wendy blinked, clearly still absorbing it all. “It’s like…every kind of magical creature I could imagine, just…in one place.”

Sora nodded, still scanning the environment and looking for whatever was prickling the back of her neck. Eyia seemed alert, yet the Valkyrie appeared distracted by something that had her furrowed brow trained on the ground.

Her father brought them into forward momentum, Aiden trying to test the waters with Kari as they went. The wolf didn’t appear too excited, though.

Sora couldn’t stop being distracted, spotting more species that pulled her gaze—ghostly entities drifting near the treetops and vulpes with multiple tails like herself—none more than three, excluding their parents, of which some had five.

Her lungs practically jumped into her throat when a family of giant dragons swooped down from the sky and transformed mid-air into elegant humanoid forms. One of the younger dragons, a boy who looked no older than eighteen, landed gracefully beside his regal-looking parents, his gaze sweeping across the area with a mix of curiosity and pride.

“There are stronger students than I would have thought. Perhaps I should have come last year.”

His green-haired mother sighed, vision darting their way and her tone somewhat low for a woman. “More than you might think…”

Sora's ears twitched as the distinct scent of Germanic werewolves hit her nose—a pack of humans moving in a tight group to their right passed by them, their auras dark and wild. The scent immediately brought Jenny to mind, making her stomach tighten for a moment.

No, not like her. I’ve got this. She subtly shifted closer to Wendy, a protective instinct rising to the surface, not that she’d understand what the smell meant.

As they continued through the academy’s background, Eyia remained at their side, her icy blue gaze sharp and vigilant. She had been silent since they arrived, but Sora could feel the tension radiating from the Valkyrie, possibly already sensing Jin.

Noelia walked slightly ahead beside Ember, glancing back every so often, her usual calm demeanor not entirely masking her own anxiety. Their father was beside her, his presence a steadying force for the group to press onward, though Sora could tell he was just as on edge as the rest of them.

His baby girl is going off to a school in some mysterious and dangerous realm… Sora thought, her ears pulling back while glancing toward her mother’s stiff tails. He must really trust Mom a lot… Please, be good to him. Dad deserves so much more, Mom.

“Are you doing okay?” she whispered to Wendy, nudging her sister’s tail with her own.

Wendy’s tail curled in, brushing against Sora’s leg. “I think so. It’s just…a lot. You know? New place, new faces…new me. Everything is new.”

“Yeah,” Sora mumbled softly, her gaze sweeping the sky where more floating islands hung like distant stars. “But we’ve got each other. We can figure this out. We’ll be away from home and able to stretch our tails. I’m excited!”

“Yeah. Me, too…and scared, but excited,” she chuckled.

Their conversation was interrupted as Ember directed them toward a massive building ahead, its walls made of living wood intertwined with veins of glowing crystal. In a stretching effect and a swirl of magic, they passed between two posts and suddenly they were at the entrance, its giant walls loomed before them, two massive doors opened to reveal a grand hall within.

The space was filled with students—some seated, some hovering mid-air, others leaning against the walls in casual conversation. Despite the grandeur, there was an underlying tension in the air, a sense of anticipation that Sora couldn’t quite place.

They were directed to a section of seats by one of the academy’s staff, a tall, elfin woman with long, cascading hair that shimmered with an otherworldly white light. Her instructions were polite, but there was an edge to her tone that hinted at the importance of the event.

Sora glanced around as they took their seats, feeling a bit more on edge herself. The rest of the seats in their section quickly filled up, and just as she was about to lean over to ask Eyia what she was so fixated on, the entire section jolted upward.

“What the—” Wendy gasped, clutching Sora’s arm as their seating area began to rise into the air, floating upward to join several other hovering sections that broke away with theirs, taking their place in the sky with the vanishing ceiling.

Sora’s breath caught in her throat as she looked down. The ground seemed impossibly far below them now, the massive arena-like structure below only adding to the surreal feeling. They were in the sky, suspended by nothing more than magic, and she could feel the pulse of that magic thrumming beneath her feet.

It didn’t take long for her to see another section rise up to take the place theirs had been. Once that was filled, it rose to join them, and the process continued until dozens upon dozens were occupied. The sections continued to rise until they formed a circle, hovering around what looked like a central platform.

Sora’s heart raced as she noticed figures appearing on that platform, their forms projected in the center of the hovering sections as if they were standing right between them as giants.

The first figure to blink into existence was a rather welcoming and homely-looking elf woman in her mid thirties. Dressed in simple robes and holding a wand at her front, she glanced around at the students and their parents gathering around them.

Lean and tall, she swept the throng as the chatter became hushed, Sora’s ears twitching as a magical dampening field fell over the crowd. She could hear her parents nearby easily enough but anything more than a few seats away were dampened to almost nothing, leaving an air of silence. However, one of the staff that appeared last made Sora gulp and glance toward Eyia.

Jin…

Eyia sat straighter, her hands knotted in her lap, and Wendy noticed, leaning over to bump shoulders with the blonde to let her know she wasn’t alone.

The short Korean girl looked bored, unapproachable, and as annoyed as the first time Sora had met the 2nd Generation Dragon Founder. Her eyes, sharp and golden, swept across the assembled students before landing on their section for a brief moment. Her oppressive aura was hardly hidden this time around, causing the sound barrier to be pointless the moment she appeared.

Sora could feel the tension between the Dragon and Valkyrie like a steel weight against her chest, and for a brief moment, she wondered if there was going to be a confrontation right there. Eyia looked as if she wanted to charge down and have another heated chat with her.

But Jin simply huffed, his gaze moving away as if dismissing them altogether. She crossed her arms, clearly waiting for something else to happen.

Sora exhaled, realizing she had been holding her breath. “Well…I guess Jin would be introduced for the—wait, Fen and Sela just showed up, too? This just got interesting,” she muttered under her breath, glancing at Wendy, who looked equally stunned.

Eyia didn’t move, her gaze still locked on Jin as if expecting something, and not soon after, her brow softened. Sora leaned over as she relaxed, her voice low.

“Hey…you good?”

“Yes,” the blonde replied, looking relieved. “Jin has made the decision to meet me, as you say, the halfway. She will send word to speak to me later.”

“Good. We’re here to check out the school, not start a fight.”

“As you say, Sister. But I will remain, mmm…prepared for war is the wrong phrase but I think Jin has chosen to be the rebellious daughter.”

Sora was a little surprised to see her mom lean forward and whispered, “Here’s to that. Another victory for us.”

“If you say so, Mom.”

All eyes were turned toward the center of the arena, and Ember floated over to sit on her shoulder. “That’s the—”

“Ahem.” The Fire Fairy straightened as if whipped, the elf woman’s voice reaching all of them as if sitting beside their chairs. “I am Elder Abigail Rosewood, a senior instructor and Dean of Magical Disciplines here at Avalon Academy. Many of you alumni of this great institution know me well…perhaps a little too well,” she said with a short laugh that had a few trolls in their expanded seats near Sora chuckle.

“This semester, we have fifty thousand new students that will be taking their first steps through our doors, many of which are here today with your guardians. As such, Grand Chancellor Elowen Moonshadow has invited me to open up this Open House with the simple format that our establishment operates under.”

Sora shifted in her seat, her ears twitching slightly as Abigail’s voice filled the arena. Despite her homely appearance, her tone was calm and authoritative, cutting through the still atmosphere like a hot knife.

“At Avalon Academy,” Elder continued, gesturing to illusionary examples that spread out above her, showcasing her points and keeping the audience focused, “we follow a flexible and student-driven approach to education. Instead of rigid class schedules, each student is encouraged to explore their interests and pursue their unique learning paths. However, there are core expectations and milestones that must be met before advancing to the next rank.”

Sora nodded slightly, trying to wrap her head around the idea of self-directed learning. She’d done a lot of extra credit self-study, so this was still in her alley. It sounds…freeing, but also kind of terrifying. What if I mess up? How will I know if I’m in the wrong course?

“I suggest you develop a good rapport with fellow students and learn quickly. As for the daily routine,” the elder went on, “classes are offered throughout the day in both lecture halls and practical workshops. Our campus is possibly beyond the scope for you to comprehend, but know that we patronize more than five-hundred thousand students…and our campus has room for many, many more.”

That’s insane! Sora glanced around the giant stadium of 50,000 new students, spread out across the massive floating sections, and all looking intently at the giant illusion of the elder. It sounds so chaotic. How do they keep everything organized…or keep bullying from happening?

“You are free to choose which sessions you attend, but it is essential to manage your time wisely.” Abigail’s vision narrowed, a firm note in her voice. “Curfew is at six o’clock in the evening, and when I say six o’clock, I mean six o’clock you are inside your dorms. All students must remain indoors after that time.”

The elder’s gaze swept across the students as she paused, letting the importance of her words sink in. “This is not a mere precaution. Avalon is new to many of you creatures from Earth, and yes, we have a marvelous realm of magic, but it is not without its dangers. The Darkness prowls below your feet, and at night, it can reach its tentacles far…even during the day for the deeper dungeons.”

“Dungeons?” Wendy choked, leaning over to hiss, “Why does this place have dungeons?”

Sora shook her head, glancing at her mom, who was holding her father’s hand, a frown on her lips as she listened. What have you plotted, Mom? Did you…mess with anything before coming back into our lives? Is there some bigger plot here?

“Any student caught outside during curfew risks encountering this malevolent force.”

A shiver ran down Sora's spine as she felt Wendy shift beside her. She glanced at her sister, catching the worried furrow of her brow. At first, when she’d heard it from Titania, it was something far away and not really that present in their lives, but now it was becoming very real—the spiky tentacle illusion that reached up to snatch a Fairy out of the sky and drag her into the shadows didn’t help her imagination.

“Breaking curfew,” her attention was snatched back by the elf as she pointed up the next scene, “will result in severe consequences. First-time offenders will face detention and temporary magical binding to the dorms.”

“Grounded, basically,” Wendy mumbled.

Abigail’s lips became a line, her enchanting appearance turning as dark as her illusions. “While repeat offenses can lead to more…drastic measures, including expulsion and magical banishment.”

Sora swallowed hard. The weight of the elder’s words settled in her chest like a heavy stone. No messing around here.

“It is not just you that you put in danger when exposing yourself to The Darkness,” Abigail went on, directing them to the Fairy who had been captured, now corrupted and looking similar to Sela’s Unseele, lurking in the shadows to snatch her friend who had come back to check on her.

The instructor’s slitted eyes drifted to Sela, who was looking quite a lot better since the last time she’d seen the healing fae. “Once turned, you cannot be redeemed…and you would corrupt or murder your own parents or siblings for the fun of hearing them scream and beg.”

Sora’s fur bristled at the comment. That’s uncalled for! She internally growled. Sela is changing! That was totally an attack on her.

Sela maintained a controlled demeanor, though, keeping her gaze averted and waiting to be brought into the discussion. It made Sora recall how mature and old Sela actually was, at least by human standards. Yes, she had a rough life, but she was a woman who could handle herself. After all, she’d been able to handle Eric and that bastard was a real piece of work.

Elder Rosewood’s cautious gaze moved away from Sela, returning to explain how the academy's curriculum accommodated the diverse field of study necessary for the various magical beings in attendance. Sora found herself listening more to find something to find against Abigail rather than for the information itself. It did help her focus, though.

There were elemental zones, combat arenas, and dormitories tailored to each student’s specific needs. It was a far cry from any school Sora had ever attended—far, far larger, with classes in the thousands—this place was more like an entire world dedicated to mastering magic.

Sora glanced around again, her gaze drifting to the floating islands hovering in the distance. The sheer scale of Avalon Academy was overwhelming, and now she was realizing those are actually a part of the academy. She could feel the power in the air, a constant hum of energy that buzzed against her fur and skin.

“And now,” Elder Rosewood concluded, “I have been instructed to introduce some of the new additions to our staff and teacher aides who will be guiding you on your journey here at Avalon Academy.

“If you are unaware, there are five ranks in Avalon.

“Seedlings, or all of you, are entry-level students. Once you completed your foundational courses in magic, fae customs, and combat, demonstrating control over your unique basic fundamentals, then you may advance to Sprouts. Note that this can take months to milenia, depending on your aptitude. Some students learn slower than others.”

Sora caught Ember’s wings dim as she curled in atop her shoulder. Yeah, she didn’t like this teacher.

“Sprouts have taken root in Avalon, developing the intermediate skills and cultural awareness to better contribute to fae society, while gaining the proper talents to handle Shadow Pockets or the Rising Tide, should such events occur. More training will be had during every opening course, so I would pay close attention.

“After that, Blossomed students have matured and mastered their magics and grown into fae society, at which point, they graduate. As such, graduates of Avalon Academy will then be given the right and citizenship of Avalon to pursue their own unique aspirations. However, to graduate, a student must accomplish something significant in combating The Darkness.”

She paused, a smile brightening and softening her face while scanning the crowd of fae and monsters. “And then there are the Luminary, our alumni, who shine bright in their own studies, developing grand advancements in their own chosen field of study. Luminaries are those who seek higher learning, receiving specialized instruction from Grandmasters or Elders, such as myself, and become student teachers.

“There are a few such individuals that have been recommended and brought on due to their sharper understanding of their powers.”

Sora felt a smile come on upon seeing Fen among that group, who stepped forward, the haughty vulpes sporting a fancy Chinese gown and displaying herself proudly.

Jian, however, stood behind Jin, the Dragon crossing her arms and now tapping her foot. Sora winced and shivered as the Korean girl’s agitated tone cut past Abigail’s in a swirl of wind that reached every ear; the frenzied heat of Jin’s radial power reminded her how strong the girl actually was.

“Could we get this moving, I don’t like sitting around twiddling my thumbs.“

Abigail’s sweet smile turned toward the dragon with a short chuckle. “Of course, Founder Jin… Each of you, whatever your rank, brings your own unique expertise to the table, our Luminary, and I encourage you all to seek mentorship when needed. Why don’t you introduce yourselves? Elder, why don’t you start us out since you have such important work to do.”

Sora straightened up a bit, her eyes flicking to the platform where the instructors and student teachers were. Jin stepped forward, her posture relaxed, almost casual, but her golden eyes held a certain intensity that Sora couldn’t ignore, even from this distance.

The Dragon unfolded her arms and placed a hand on her hip with a toothy, challenging grin. Her heated aura cascaded across the stadium, making Wendy sink lower in her seat, her voice carrying an undercurrent of boredom as if the whole situation were just a mild inconvenience and beneath her.

“Hardly. I’ll be quick. I’m Jin, and if you join my class, I’ll kill you,” she said, her tone blunt and to the point as everyone began to sweat under her pressure. “I teach advanced physical education, you could say—doesn’t matter what it is, magic or not. For those who want to push their limits, I may see you through, but no promises. If you’re looking for a challenge…”

She chuckled, looking right at Eyia, who was staring right back. “I’ll give you a taste of fire you’ve never experienced. But don’t waste my time if you're not serious about it… Expect ninety-nine percent of my students not to survive. That’s all.”

Sora couldn’t help but grin a little at Jin’s attitude as her aura vanished as if never there in the first place. She turned, and vanished in a single step, slipping away in some manner Sora couldn’t hope to guess. There was something refreshing about her straightforwardness, even if it came with a side of arrogance and death.

She’s tough, but fair… I think. Sora glanced at Eyia, who actually wore a gentle smile now. I guess that’s their way of saying we’ll work it out through training. Yikes. She held a hand to her chest, hearing her heart thump. I need to have Eyia train me up a little and get me in shape…or my heart might not survive a third encounter.

Abigail slid right by her exit, gesturing to Jian as the man nodded without a word and followed the Dragon. “Elder Jian has chosen to take a subordinate position under Elder Jin for the advanced physical education…which includes defensive studies against The Darkness, which is a required course.”

Sora didn’t blame the looks others gave one another at that revelation, but a breath of fresh air came after.

“There are other instructors you may choose. Now, shall we get back on track, next?”

She directed them to Fen.

Sora's eyes darted toward Fen as the black-furred fox stepped forward to take her turn on the platform, her single white tail drawing eyes. Despite the composed expression she wore, there was an unmistakable tension in the way her tails flicked back and forth—a sharp contrast to the smooth elegance of her stride. When Fen spoke, her voice was light, playful even, but Sora could detect the strain beneath the surface.

“I am Fen,” she began, her tone lilting as if she were delivering a well-rehearsed line. “A Huli Jing, though I’ve been many things throughout my long life.” She paused, a slow smile spreading across her lips. “Perhaps I shouldn’t get into those topics with young students around. We can always talk about them in private lessons, though!”

Sora lifted two fingers to her brow and sighed. “Really?”

Giggling, the vulpes went on. “Now, it seems I am to be supporting your favorite male vulpes into guiding you pups into this strange, magical world. For those of you curious about illusions, shapeshifting, or…well, let’s just say more creative approaches to magic,” she chortled, “I might be able to help. Though,” she added with a hint of irony, “I make no promises. Learning from me may be more dangerous than you expect. Vulpes always require a little bit of energy in return…are you brave enough to sacrifice it?”

Sora threw up her hand as Wendy snorted and gave her a look. “Is she the class mascot or advertising agent? What’s with that hook?”

Fen’s words hung in the air, and the students shifted uneasily in their seats but Sora could feel the interest in the wealth of auras around her. Whatever she’d done, it worked.

As the seductive fox finished and took a step back, there was a murmur in the crowd, but Sora’s attention was already shifting to Sela. The once-Unseelie Queen stepped forward slowly, her gaze cast downward and clearly struggling.

Sora’s heart clenched as she saw the weight that Sela carried—memories of a past filled with torment, pain, and regret. There was a brief moment of hesitation, her gaze darting to Abigail’s judging eyes before Sela finally looked out, meeting the eyes of those gathered.

“My name is Sela,” she began, her voice low and somber. “I was once…something else. Something darker. An Unseelie, a servant of The Darkness.”

A ripple of unease passed through the audience at her admission, a cold chill and fright that brought many even to their feet in shock. There were some parents who murmured about it being impossible to purify an Unseelie. Sora could feel the discomfort radiating from the other students’ auras, as well while looking to their guardians.

Sela continued, undeterred by the reaction. “I did terrible things in my past…things I cannot undo. I will not run from that. I don’t expect your forgiveness, nor do I ask for it or your understanding. All I can offer is the truth of who I am now. I am here to teach you about The Darkness… At least, that is the task assigned to me by High Queen Titania. About how to defend against it, how to recognize its touch before it’s too late.”

She took a deep breath, her shoulders trembling ever so slightly before she regained her composure. “I understand if none of you wish to come to my classes. I wouldn’t blame you. I don’t belong here—among you—but I have been asked to serve my sentence by sharing what I know. That is all.”

Silence fell over the hall as Sela stepped back. Sora’s gaze flicked toward her father, mother, and Noelia, who were huddled together, whispering quietly to one another. The tanuki’s magic kept their conversation out of Sora’s earshot, and she couldn’t help but feel a pang of curiosity mixed with unease.

What were they discussing? Was it about Sela? Or perhaps something more? We’re not kids anymore! Why hide stuff from us?

Sora turned her attention back to Sela, who stood at the edge of the platform, her head bowed slightly as if awaiting judgment. Her heart ached, recalling the moment she’d purified the former Unseelie and the battle still waging within her guilt-riddled soul..

I hope she knows she’s not alone in this. You were a different person, Sela. It wasn’t you who did all of that… You can help people understand that about Unseelie…but maybe they don’t want to know that? Maybe that would be too hard… Still, Unseelie can be saved.

Taking a deep breath, Sora gave Wendy a reassuring nudge. “She’s got this,” she whispered, more to herself than her sister. “We’ve got this. Avalon will be great!”

Wendy nodded, her expression softening. “Kind of intense opener, but yeah. I think she does. Well, that we do. Umm. Yeah, but what are we doing now?”

Sora shrugged and chuckled. “Wander and feel things out, I guess. Right, Ember?”

The Fire Fairy jolted as if in a trance, blinking and looking between them. “Huh? Oh, yeah. Mhm! There will be magical pamphlets that will show the layout of the school. You’ll want to keep it! It took me years to get everything down here. And I was a quick learner,” she boasted, puffing up her small chest.

Kari rose to her feet, stretched her arms overhead and started to move down the row toward the edge, making all their conversations pause. Aiden straightened in his seat, glancing between her and the wolf as Kari’s thick tail swayed slightly in her exit.

“Where are you going?”

“To explore… I don’t like staying still,” she growled. “This is bullshit.”

“Huh?” Sora blinked and gave Wendy a pained smile. “Take care of Eyia?”

“Count on me.”

The blonde’s face blanked. “Wendy is to escort me from danger? I am confused.”

“Hehe. I’ll keep you straight,” the brunette snickered.

Aiden gave her a thankful smile as she jogged after Kari, giving her parents a thumbs up in passing. “Noelia, can you link us so we can communicate if we have a question for Ember?”

Ember floated off her shoulder, both hands cupping her cheeks in shock. “You can do that?!”

Noelia giggled and nodded. “Say my name, and it will act as a phone call.”

“Thanks! Wait up, Kari!”

The wolf seemed to relax a little, or her posture did as Sora caught up with her. She figured the wolf didn’t want to be alone but didn’t exactly want to talk.

Snickering inside, she brushed her copper locks over her shoulder and felt everything calming down again. Freaking wolves. So high maintenance. Well, I think school will be fun. Mom was right. Maybe this is what we all needed. Plus, my friendship circle grows! Yahzarah, to new horizons and overcoming evil shadows! She internally cheered.