Chapter Five the Luna they tried to kill
Author's POV
"Good morning, great students of Evermore Academy."
Mrs. Kimberly Clark's voice rang across the lecture hall, crisp and authoritative, instantly silencing the low murmurs echoing through the room. She stood before them with her arms folded, sharp eyes sweeping over the students seated in neat rows.
"It's rather disappointing," she continued, adjusting her glasses, "that you've chosen to begin this new academic session with the same lazy energy you displayed last year."
A few students shifted uncomfortably. Others rolled their eyes.
"Nevertheless," Mrs. Kimberly said, her lips curving into a thin smile, "I expect better from you all this semester. Evermore Academy is not a place for mediocrity. Now, without further delay, let's begin today's lecture."
She turned toward the long table beside her and lifted a small glass container, inside which rested a dark, twisted root faintly glowing with a silver hue.
"Who can tell me what this specimen is called?" she asked, smiling knowingly.
Kiara's hand shot up immediately, straight, confident, unmistakable.
But before Mrs. Kimberly could acknowledge her, another voice spoke, calm and assured.
"It's called Lycanshade Root," Trisha said. "Also known as Moonvine."
The classroom went dead silent.
Kiara's hand slowly went down.
Mrs. Kimberly's brows lifted in surprise. "Very good, Trisha," she said. "And where is it found?"
Trisha hesitated only briefly. "Primarily in the Shadowwood Forest."
"Well," Kiara cut in sharply, eager to reclaim her spotlight. "It grows exclusively in Shadowwood Forest."
Trisha glanced at her, then calmly returned her gaze to Mrs. Kimberly.
"Although that's true," Trisha continued, "it only blooms under a full moon. The root is brewed into advanced potions used to ease painful transformations and suppress blood rage in werewolves. However, it is highly toxic to vampires."
"Oh my goodness," Mrs. Kimberly exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "Excellent. Simply excellent."
The class erupted into murmurs.
"I think Kiara finally has a competitor," Leo whispered loudly, earning a wave of laughter from the students.
Kiara's face changed.
"Students," Mrs. Kimberly said, restoring order, "I advise you all to collect the listed textbooks from the library. This material will be our main focus throughout the semester. Have a great day."
"Have a great day too, Mrs. Kimberly." the class echoed.
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The hallway buzzed with noise as students came out of the lecture hall.
"Trisha!" Ayla called, hurrying to catch up with her. "Wait!"
Trisha slowed, turning to her roommate.
"I thought you said you attended a human school," Ayla said, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "So how were you able to answer those questions so perfectly and outshine Kiara of all people? Trust me, Trisha, Kiara is unbeatable."
Trisha let out a small laugh and shot Ayla a playful look. "Really? I honestly don't know where those answers came from. You have to believe me."
Before Ayla could respond, a sharp presence cut into the space between them.
Kiara.
She stood before them, arms folded tightly across her chest, eyes burning with rage.
"You little brat," Kiara spat. "You should learn your place in Evermore Academy."
She turned briefly to Ayla with a smirk. "I'm sure your roommate has already warned you about me."
Trisha tilted her head. "Do I look like I care?"
Kiara's smirk faded.
"For all I can tell," Trisha continued coldly, "you're just a snoopy little bully. And trust me, if you bring that attitude anywhere near me again, you won't like the version of me you awaken."
Ayla gasped.
Kiara's anger snapped.
As Trisha turned to walk past her, Kiara's fingers suddenly elongated, transforming into sharp claws. In one uncontrollable burst of fury, they tore into Trisha's back.
Trisha screamed.
She collapsed to the floor as blood soaked into her uniform.
"Oh my God!" Ayla cried. "Trisha!"
Kiara staggered backward, trembling violently. "I'm so sorry," she stammered. "I didn't mean to..."
"But you already did!" Ayla screamed. "You freak!"
Students gathered in horror.
"Someone help us!" Ayla shouted. "Please!"
Moments later, Xavier pushed through the crowd.
"What happened to Trisha?" he demanded.
Ayla pointed at Kiara, tears streaming down her face. "Ask her."
Xavier's expression darkened. "Kiara," he whispered. "I told you never to unleash your werewolf power when you're angry. You could kill someone."
He knelt, lifting Trisha carefully into his arms. "Get out of the way!"
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The Evermore Academy Hospital glowed with magical wards as nurses rushed forward.
"Over here." one of them called.
Enchanted equipment was affixed to Trisha's body.
Minutes later, the doctors emerged, faces grim.
Principal Greg stood waiting.
"How is she?" he asked.
"We're sorry," the doctor said softly. "The claws went too deep. She's already on a journey of no return."
"A journey of no return?" Ayla sobbed. "You mean...."
"Yes," the doctor said gently. "Death."
"But Professor Night taught us," Xavier interrupted, "that if someone is on that journey, another willing soul can stop them."
Principal Greg's eyes widened slightly. "That is true."
"No," Kiara cried, grabbing Xavier's arm. "You're not thinking of doing this."
Xavier pushed her hand away. "Let go."
"I ended everything between us long before Trisha was admitted here," he snapped. "So why did you hurt her?"
"She made me angry." Kiara sobbed.
"Then learn to control your damn anger!" Xavier shouted. "Because I won't always be here to clean up your mess."
"Enough!" Principal Greg commanded.
He turned to Xavier. "You know the risk."
"Yes, sir."
"You're risking your life."
"I know," Xavier said. "And we're running out of time."
After a long pause, Principal Greg nodded. "You have my blessing."
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Xavier raced to the Academy Temple.
He knelt, crossed his legs, and began to meditate.
The world dissolved.
His spirit tore free, plunging into the Realm of Death.
"Xavier."
A woman glowing in white appeared before him.
"You know Trisha is your responsibility," she said. "Yet you're also tied to her death. Why save her?"
"She's my responsibility," Xavier replied, breathless. "If I don't save her, the prophecy comes true."
The woman smiled. "There is a price."
"I'll pay it." Xavier said almost immediately.
"Good. Call her name three times." The woman said...
"Trisha."
"Trisha."
"Trisha." Xavier called unto her.
Her eyes slowly opened.
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Xavier slammed back into his body.
"What have you done?" Principal Greg whispered.
Xavier barely stood.
"You agreed to spirit terms," Greg said gravely.
Just then a letter fell into Xavier's trembling hands.
"Oh gracious," Xavier whispered.
"What have I signed up for?"
"This isnt meant to be a deadly price deal," Xavier said stuttering....
"How come???"