Grendilton: Rise of the shadows.

A benevolent legend is foretold among the children of the seas. They refer to it as Te mārama — the 'bright light'. Unlike other mages in the world, this one is born from the bosom of the ocean herself, with the power to harness the moon. In the eyes of the children of the seas she is the embodiment of a goddess in human form. The moon mage was a leader with bravery beyond comparison. She separated islands and led her people around the world, guided by the stars. But every pure light, has darkness that lingers.

Cascades of ice spluttered against the cobblestone footpath, chipping away at the loose debris. The mages arm shot frosty magic at a breakneck pace, the nimbleness of her footwork elegantly gliding along the slickness of the ice. She needed to go faster but the moon mage was going as fast as she could. The ice couldn't leave the hex fast enough, her legs couldn't extend any longer.

"Move out of the fucking way!" She yelled towards an unfortunate sage, turning the corner jaggedly, crashing violently against a door. The moon mage's shoulder came in contact with the doorknob painfully. She was certain a tattoo may have fallen off her skin. "See asshole, if you weren't being a damn statue I would have made that turn!"

The late female checked her watch. Only five minutes late. No biggie.

Groaning in annoyance, she decided to run without the aid of magic. After all, this mage is five minutes late, being even later now is a bonus in this situation. Heading through the stony corridors, the marvellous courtyards and past the stadium, she finally reached her destination — the water masters class.

She whistled in amazement. "Wow spiffy place we got here. Well done Grendilton." Her feet were now small movements down a stairwell. This moon mage had to channel her inner water mage.

The entire lecture theatre is completely submerged underwater with only a bubble providing them with walls and air to breathe. Littered with both air and water sigils floating around, this so called lecture hall felt like something from a mermaids fairytale. Giant fragments of stone scattered along the ground which were shaped in the form of desks. And a giant crystal erected in the centre of such crop circle, glowing proficiently. All that seemed to be missing were singing fish.

In the distance stood a female who grumbled under her breath. Her voice made sounds of frustration and disappointment. The eyes of such an angered female fixated upon her watch.

"Esta chica es incredíblemente tarde." The female paced around the room, her back towards the late moon mage. "En el primer día también, Quién se cree que es?"

(Tr: this girl is incredibly late. On the first day as well, who does she think she is?)

With big-bug eyes gazing at the woman, the mage cleared her throat. Such an action startled the pissed off Spanish lady, making her turn around to set eyes on the latecomer. There was silence between the two which lingered longer than it should have.

They stood there, longingly looking at one another. Was this the Grendilton welcoming? To be insanely pissed then all of a sudden have a staring competition with the students? The mage thought this was strange. She'd rather get grilled for tardiness in Spanish.

"Sorry I'm late," Said the moon mage. "I slept in and um — my whistle charm...broke."

The lady sauntered towards her, the heels of such a fashionable woman tapped against the hard rocky surface beneath them. With her hands behind her back, she scanned the student like something on display. Such student was beginning to be weirded out.

"Is this necessary?" She asked, scratching the back of her neck while locking her eyes on this woman. "Ain't we meant to do some magi—"

"My name is Meridian Hazel and I am your water masters tutor." Hazel extended her manicured fingers towards the moon mage. "I am also the companions magic tutor as well."

In good form, the student shook her hand. "I'm Macey Russells. The moon mage here at this very institute, but you probably already knew that.”

The mere touch of Meridian felt warm and calming. Was it possible for friendship at first touch? Her complexion reflecting off the water above seemed flawless, and her platinum blonde hair complemented her ebony skin.

"You seem to be pretty well known,” the professors voice was coy, almost flirtatious. Her black Doris eyes shot though Macey like a dart. Why was the moon mage nervous all of a sudden? "I'm quite intrigued at what you can do Miss Russells. It's not everyday I get a water magic student with an incredible reputation like yourself. I haven't had one since I farewelled Michael Heslington a few years back."

Macey couldn't help but roll her eyes. The word Heslington seems to roll off the female tongue like dog dribble. And the name Michael seemed to make them all weak at the knees.

"I may not be some sorta sex god like a Heslington, but I'm pretty good at magic. Specially water." A dark blue hex appeared in the palms of the moon mage's hand, sprouting a small geyser of water. "So lets hurry up and get this mage test sorted!"

"Be patient mago lunar." The professor held her hands up towards Macey, halting her from conjuring anymore hexes. "First I have to show you what you must accomplish from this test."

(Tr: moon mage.)

Suddenly a low growl emerged from the darkness, and in such darkness beamed bright sapphire eyes. Macey prepared for a battle, ice shards hovered against her knuckles. She muttered under her breath then conjured water to hover over her knuckles. The mage forgot this was water masters, not ice.

"Calm down, that there is my familiar Nero. He was merely resting underneath the desks."

Macey's eyes were blessed with a benevolent creature, a pure white tiger. It donned beautiful sapphire eyes, and stripes that were a cerulean blue. The creature was absolutely magnificent, captivating Macey right down to the bone.

"You're an amazing Ennedi Tiger." The tiger approached Macey, her hands glided along its spine. The beast purred deeply, content at the mages gently touch.

"You have a way with beasts," said Hazel. "Nobody's ever approached Nero like that. They're usually afraid."

Macey shrugged, "I'm more comfortable with beasts than humans if I'm completely honest."

The professor pinched at her chin, her eyes felt alluring against the mage as she continued to toy with her tiger. A sigh left Hazel, peering down at her watch.

"We've dwindled about far too long, I have second year students to teach soon." Hazel extended her hand towards the roof, the water above them began to swirl about. Hexes of a dark blue colour appeared in the water, with a crystal like shine cutting though the ripples. The light spilt heavily into Macey's corneas.

"This test determines your place amongst us here at Grendilton. It's fairly simple, I will get you to conjure your magic against this maelstrom. Fail to keep it from breaking the walls, you'll be sent home. Are we clear?"

Macey found this as clear as mud.

"Hold on," the mage extended her index finger towards her, scrunching her whole face up in confusion. "I have to stop that?"

The gyration of the magic Hazel had conjure up was powerful, creating heavy vibrations against the thin walls of the air bubble. The professor nodded. It was meant to be reassuring but it wasn't.

"You usually have about an hour. But because you're first class has already begun, you Miss Russells have about ten minutes at the max."

Cursing under her breath, Macey's eyes peered up at the maelstrom. It began to pick up the pace, thrashing against the fragile bubble. The moon mages ideas ran through her mind at the speed of light. How was she going to conjure magic without breaking the barrier?

"You're wasting time mago lunar. I suggest you make a move."

Nodding her head, Macey glanced towards the unknown light source. Her chest extended outwards, air filled her lunges before she slowly exhaled. Focus swirled the moon mages mind. She was ready to cast magic.

The mage extended her arms above her head, vigorous amounts of magical energy propelled through her veins. Hexes emerged deep within the crystal clear rapids. The pressure wasn't calming down.

The sound of something cracking caught the ears of our student, followed by a dripping sound. A drop of sweat ran down the mages brow, her focus was dwindling.

I can do this!

Vibration of the hexes reverberated, redirecting the flow of the water upwards. However the tension in the water continued to press against the thin walls. The cracks became repetitive and always came with a trickle of water.

From a trickle to a relentless surge, the water penetrated through a few cracks, copious amounts of water flooded the class.

"Fuck!" Although the mage became enveloped in a state of panic, her focus remained in tack. She lowered one arm, appearing before her eyes was a light blue hex. A swirl of icy magic shot towards the gyrating current of water, instantly freezing it in place.

Returning to the actual test, Macey drew the focus she needed to control the turbulent waters. Scattered around the class appeared blue hexes, creating a rapid amount of water to circulate. The different water currents fought against one another, Macey's one being more dominant. With a little more of a push and a dab of effort, the waters became calm. The test was over.

The mage had barely any breath within her lunges, gripping at her knees while kneeling over.

"So ... how'd I do?" Asked Macey. "This is a pass right? Just uh — ignore that hole in the wall over there."

The professor looked at the worrisome moon mage with doubtful eyes. Her poker face became strong when Macey raised her eyebrows. Will she live to see Grendilton for another day? Is she about to go to her dorm and begin to pack her thing to go home?

Meridian shook her head, "you failed to keep water out of the class." The black eyes of Meridian met Macey's doleful brown eyes. They shot daggers right through the moon mage. "However you didn't let all the walls break down in this class, only one. You passed."

Words of joy hit Macey. She passed. Her brown eyes twinkled with bliss and her excitement took over her whole body. The moon mage jived at her success, shaking her booty and waving her arms about. This girl was an official Grendilton student.

"Well done Miss Russells." The applauses sounded fake, the eyes of this woman spoke of impatience. "I really need to be getting to my next class. And so do you."

Retreating to her desk, the professor handed the moon mage her papers and her class schedule.

"If you have any questions or concerns about anything, feel free to ask our headmaster." The professor winked at Macey before heading towards the exit.

Examining the class schedule, Macey shouted towards the professor. She had one piece of important information to tell her.

"Professor — about my familiar..."