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-Begin Chapter 4-

Nico took the steps two at a time. He was late for the meeting with Septum and the others.

“I don’t see why I have to go to this stupid meeting any way,” he said to himself. “It’s not as if I’m likely to survive this trip anyway. If I even make it to the edge without being killed by a Dark creature I’ll be lucky.”

Nico finally reached the 50th floor, breathing heavily. Going up 40 floors on a spiral staircase could be exhausting and make you more than a little nauseous. Nico walked up to Master Septum’s door and knocked.

“Come in Nico,” was the reply from the next room.

Nico opened the door and stepped in. Mora was standing near the window and Leera was sitting in the chair in front of the desk that Martin was leaning on. Nico wasn’t surprised to see Martin hovering around Leera, all the other guys were entranced by her, and Martin was no exception. What he was surprised to see were 4 small silver chests on a golden table in the center of the room. The others were staring at the chests. Nico could feel the magic emanating from the first 3 chests, but the fourth one didn’t seem to be Magical in any way, shape, or form.

“Now that we are all here,” Master Septum announced. “We shall begin equipping you with everything you will need to return safely. You will each be given a Map of the terrain between the tower and the Crater of Mephestis. I will give each of you a bed roll and enough food for the two week trek to and from the crater. Finally, I will give each of you a special charm that will aid you along the way.”

As he mentioned the charms, Septum moved over to the table and chests.

“In these boxes are the charms that I have chosen for you. Each one will play to your strengths. They were created in the demon’s forge thousands of years ago by the Orndae wizards. Now I will call you one at a time to receive the charm along with your supplies.”

Nico’s eyes turned to the fourth box. All the others radiated powerful magic, but the fourth was different. It showed no sign of magical power. Whichever wizard received that charm would have to rely on his or her power alone for this quest.

“First is Leera,” said Septum

Leera stepped up to the table and Master Septum handed her the first chest. As Leera opened the chest, a golden light shone from inside. Leera took out its contents, a mesmerized look on her face. Nico was surprised too. Leera was holding a golden neck chocker encrusted with deep blue Lapis-Lazuli stones. Leera unhooked the clasp and fastened the chocker around her neck. As the gold made contact with her neck it sent out a magical pulse. Nico quickly created a shield of energy around himself. He didn’t know what kind of magic the chocker contained and didn’t plan to let it near him until he did and was sure that it was safe.

“Mora, you’re up next,” called Septum.

Mora stepped up to the table and Septum handed her the chest. She opened the chest and her jaw dropped as she picked up the object inside. It was a thin bronze circlet with 4 small white diamonds placed at equal intervals. The circlet was elegant and far less gaudy than Leera’s chocker in Nico’s opinion. Mora placed the circlet upon her head, but instead of a pulse of magic, a purple aura appeared around the girl. With a radiant smile on her face, she stepped away from the table.

“Martin”

Martin walked straight up to the table and opened his box. He picked up a pair of silver gauntlets. Martin eagerly put them on, as he did so, his eyes began to glow a deep red. His eyes returned to normal just as quickly as they had changed. Nico wondered if he had merely imagined it.

“Last but not least, Nico.”

Nico slowly moved towards the final chest. As he had feared, it was the one that showed no sign of magic whatsoever. Inside was a small iron ring. Nico’s heart dropped. He looked down at the ring, dread etched into every inch of his face. With every ounce of hope drained from him, Nico picked up the ring and placed it on his left ring finger. Closer inspection revealed that there were lines cut into the ring. The lines lapped over each other in an impossibly complex pattern that seemed to move and change. Nico took his eyes away from the ring and looked straight at Mora. She was smiling, but her eyes gave away her true feelings. She was looking at him as if she knew that he wouldn’t be returning from this trip.

“That,” said Septum, breaking the silence in the room, “is the end of the ceremony. If you return to your rooms you will find the rest of your supplies already packed.”

With that Septum made it clear that his part in the quest was over. All four of the young wizards left the room and began their way to their respective rooms. Nico opened his door and found a traveling pack sitting on his bed. A quick look showed the contents that Septum had spoken of. Nico again looked at the ring, it was an amazing ring, and usually he would have be honored to receive such a gift, but what he needed now was a powerful charm, not fancy jewelry. He was so deep in thought that he didn’t hear Mora enter.

“You shouldn’t be so worried,” Mora said, making Nico jump.

“Don’t sneak up on me like that!” Nico responded angrily. He wasn’t really upset with Mora, but he couldn’t get his mind off of the uselessness of his so-called charm. “Why shouldn’t I be worried? I’ve been told to go to the most dangerous place in the world! If that wasn’t bad enough, the thing that is supposed to keep me alive turns out to be a simple iron ring! What’s the silver lining in this situation? It must look easy to you. The power from your pretty little circlet is so powerful its aura fills this entire room! You have magic in every fiber of your being! My life isn’t some little dream! If I don’t pass this test, I don’t have any other options! There’s no family waiting for me in a palace! So tell me what it the bright side of this?”

Mora was on the verge of tears. Nico finally regained his self-control and instantly regretted what he’d said. He stepped toward her and pulled her into a hug, tears rolling down his cheeks. For years he had thought of Mora as though she were his sister. He didn’t to part from the person he was closest to like this. Mora pulled away, wiping tears from her face.

“I’m sorry for what I said,” Nico told her, hanging his head. “This whole quest is terrifying, and with the charm…”

“I understand. Everyone is on edge,” said Mora in an attempt to reassure her friend. “None of the others are.”

“Leera sure seems pretty confident. If anyone is going to survive, it’ll be her.”

”If? Master Septum told us repeatedly that we would be fine.”

“That’s just it. If he really thought we would be fine he wouldn’t keep saying it. I think he knows this is a suicide mission. He knows that none of us will return from this quest.”

Soon Nico would realize just how right he was.

-End Chapter 4-