The Call to Arcana
A World Unaware Across various regions of the world, something stirs. A hidden force calls to its chosen ones. Letters, visions, and whispers arrive, each invitation is different, but they all lead to the same destination: Arcana Imperium, The Academy of Lost Magic.
The Whisper in the Mirror (Elara’s Invitation)
Elara Vaelis stands in front of a large mirror in her fancy home. She wears a stunning gown, and her hair looks perfect. The party outside is for her—another event where she needs to smile and play the role of the perfect girl everyone loves. She sighs, running her fingers along the glass. But as she turns to leave, a whisper echoes
“Elara… The truth awaits beyond the veil.”
She turns around. The mirror no longer shows her bedroom. Instead, she sees a dark sky, towers reaching into infinity, and a gate covered in glowing runes. A letter floats toward her reflection.
Elara Vaelis, you are called to Arcana Imperium. Your destiny awaits.
She gazes at it, then scoffs as she steps away.
“This is ridiculous.”
She grabs a nearby scarf and drapes it over the mirror. Out of sight, out of mind. But when she turns back to her vanity, the letter is now on her desk. She exhales sharply.“What the hell?”
The Lightning Strike (Nyx’s Invitation)
In the middle of a thunderstorm, Nyx Ashford races through the streets with his hood pulled over his head. The rain lashes against his face, but he doesn’t care. He’s running away from home. Again. Suddenly, lightning crashes down in front of him. He skids to a halt and stares at the spot where the bolt struck. Instead of burnt pavement, there’s a scroll. His heart pounds as he reaches for it. As soon as his fingers touch the parchment, a spark of energy runs up his arm.
Nyx Ashford, you are called to Arcana Imperium. Your power awaits.
He blinks. Then, he bursts out laughing.
“Right. Because I’m definitely signing up for some creepy magic school.”
He throws the scroll into a puddle and walks away. But as he does, a gust of wind lifts the scroll into the air, and it lands neatly back in his pocket. His laughter fades after that. “…Okay, that’s weird.”
The Mark of Shadows (Ronan’s Invitation)
Ronan Sable stands alone in an underground fight ring. His hands are wrapped in bandages, and his opponent lies unconscious at his feet. The crowd cheers, but Ronan hardly reacts. As he walks toward the exit, he notices a shadow stretching unnaturally long beneath him. He frowns. Suddenly, a symbol burns onto his wrist. His breath catches as black runes spiral around his skin, forming words.
Ronan Sable, you are called to Arcana Imperium. The darkness remembers you.
Ronan clenches his jaw. “I don’t need magic. I don’t need them.”
Without thinking, he grabs a knife and slashes through the symbol. For a moment, it disappears. Then, it reappears. Stronger. Brighter. Permanent. Ronan exhales sharply, tightening his grip on the knife.
The Flame That Wouldn’t Die (Aurelia’s Invitation)
In a dimly lit forge, Aurelia Drayton hammers on a piece of metal. Sparks fly, sweat drips down her forehead, and her muscles ache from hours of work. Then, suddenly, the fire in the forge turns violet. She steps back, narrowing her eyes. The flames twist and form letters in the air.
Aurelia Drayton, you are called to Arcana Imperium. The fire is yours to command.
She scoffs and crosses her arms. “Nice trick. I’m not interested.”
She tosses a bucket of water into the forge. The flames vanish. But just as she turns away, the fire roars back to life, burning brighter than ever. She glares at it.“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
The Ones Who Denied the Call
Not everyone accepted the invitation.
• A boy in France laughs as he throws the letter into a bonfire.
• A girl in Japan crumples the scroll and flushes it down the toilet.
• A scholar in Egypt carefully puts it in a locked drawer, choosing to ignore it.
Yet, the magic does not fade. The invitations cannot be truly destroyed. Because Arcana Imperium always gets what it wants.
The Choice is No Longer Theirs
Back in her bedroom, Elara wakes up with a start. The mirror is glowing again. This time, instead of a reflection, she sees a portal forming.
In the alleyway, Nyx pulls out his scroll again; now, it’s glowing in his pocket.
In the underground ring, Ronan watches as the shadow on his wrist begins to move, like ink bleeding through his skin.
In the forge, Aurelia sees violet flames creeping toward her, forming a doorway of fire.
Their choices no longer matter. Arcana Imperium has made its decision.
The Arrival:
One by one, the chosen students vanish from their world. In the next moment, they find themselves standing at the gates of Arcana Imperium. Towering above them, the academy hums with energy, its spires disappearing into the mist. A hooded figure stands at the entrance, waiting. “Welcome, initiates. Your real journey begins now.”
TO BE CONTINUED
