Serene’s POV

It was time for our final exam "Distinctive Historical Eras" and unlike our other exams, it was wholly in written form, which made it dull. Although Shumal Sensei’s witty and gripping teaching style made this subject look incredibly interesting to study but compared to others I found it a bit less interesting.

The exam’s duration was two hours and my hands began to ache from the continuous writing. "Hurry up, little pixies and sprites." Shumal Sensei was giving us funny names as usual. I glanced towards Zeph who was sitting on my right side and was buried deep in writing oblivious of everything around him.

I focused my attention back on the paper in front of me trying to remember the date of an inter-realm war between werewolves and vampires. After thinking for 2 minutes I wrote whatever came to mind and prayed for it to be the exact date.

"Put down your pencils, two hours are up, idiots." Shumal Sensei announced as she began to collect our papers. I heaved a huge sigh of relief once I handed mine over and placed my head on the table, closing my eyes, hands dangling on each side.

Someone touched my right hand making me open my eyes and take a peek. Zeph raised his eyebrows at me as we locked eyes as if asking what was wrong. "Tired and relieved," I whispered with a smile and he smiled back.

"Attention delinquents, so today was the last exam. Your result will be announced tomorrow, anyone failing even one exam will be held back. The rest of you will be able to go to your homes for three weeks. As it’s your last day before the Cold break, a party will be held tonight, enjoyyyy." Shumal Sensei told us, enthusiastically before dismissing us. Everyone roared in excitement at the announcement and most of them were jumping up and down.

The word party dampened my mood. I had the worst experience at both parties I attended here and I did not incline to attend anymore. So I slumped even more on the table with a bigger ’Sigh!’

"Don’t worry, this one won’t be like the old ones. This time we will be together." Zeph whispered in my ear as if he had read my mind.

"I doubt it, I hate parties not gonna attend." I declared in a bored voice.

"Serene, so much pessimism at a such young age. Tch, tch!" Ralph who had come over seemed disappointed at my decision.

"There is no way we are letting you skip." Ayrden pipped in. "Umm, I appreciate all of your sentiments. But I think I jinx parties and dampen everyone’s mood and something always happens because of me. So, it’s better if I don’t attend." I tried to shrug my shoulders in that awkward position I was lying in.

"Now, you are being ridiculous." Ralph was not pleased with my words.

"I will carry her if she doesn’t come willingly." Zeph declared in a threatening voice.

"That’s my boy," Ralph and Zeph gave each other a high five. "Uggggh, unbelievable you guys are unbelievable. We will see." I got up from the table and began to collect my things. I just wanted to head over to my room and sleep, I was in no mood to attend parties. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

As we came out of the class, Zeph stopped me: "Serene, I am serious. Don’t miss it or I will come to get you." I just gave him a fake smile in return.

"Come, I want to show you something." He grabbed my hand and began to drag me with him when we heard a commanding voice.

"Serene, can I see you in my office? Alone." Artins Sensei was standing in front of us. He looked tired and his eyes appeared to have not seen much sleep. We knew he had been travelling but I had a hunch that he had gone to search for answers relating to my nightmares.

"Yes, Sensei" as Zeph let go of my hand and told me they will wait for me in the dining hall.

I followed Artins Sensei and once inside his office he asked me to settle down. "Serene, any more nightmares when I was away?" He asked as he sat down in his chair.

"Just one, but I haven’t been sleeping much due to exams."

"Understandable. I visited someone to discuss this matter and that person provided some insight into it. She believes that your nightmares must probably indicate that the spell holding the dark realm will be broken one day and you will somehow be responsible for it. A war is imminent to happen in near future as the result. She also believes that the girl in a white dress is Sahala; your ancestor and she wants you to end the evil present in the Dark Realm once and for all."

Artins Sensei’s words turned my world upside down. I would be the cause of bringing war and destruction to our world which our ancestors had toiled hard to maintain. Why was he telling me all this so calmly? Shouldn’t I be locked up or probably killed to maintain the peace? Is he going to do that and that’s why he called me here? My whole body was drenched in a cold sweat as I began to tremble but I couldn’t show weakness at this time.

"Umm...u what will happ...en to me now?" My brain had decided to fail me as I stammered. "Serene, I will have to call the meeting of heads of all five realms but before that, I will like to talk to your father. He has the right to know the truth first. And, nothing will happen to you. I will guard you with my life. So, don’t think for a second that you are alone or cursed or anything along those lines. Is that clear?" I only slightly nodded my brain was still trying to make sense of what he had said.

" I told you the truth because you had a right to know it. I want you to have a normal life and as much authority as I possess, I will make sure that no one ever thinks of hurting you or even looking at you with nefarious intentions." Artins Sensei was clear in his stance but I knew he wouldn’t be able to protect me once the word gets out and it was going to get out after the meeting.

"Serene, just make sure you are not alone at any given time. And, you should never go anywhere near the dark dimension. Stay with your friends at all times and once you go home you will have a bodyguard assigned to you. I will talk to your father about it, I am going to visit him in the next few days. Meanwhile, don’t feel dejected and miserable. Your exams have just ended so enjoy this time as much as you can and whatever you need. Don’t hesitate to ask, I am always here." Artins Sensei tried to cheer me up but nothing he said seemed to work right now. My heart was so heavy that it seemed like it would explode.

"Yes, I will," and with those words, I tried to leave his office. "Wait, here." He told me and went outside leaving me alone with my thoughts. My thoughts were so jumbled right now and everything seemed to be swirling. He was back in two minutes with another person.