The Invasion

---Katherine---

We were all out in the gardens one day with all of the students and staff. The sun was shining in a clear blue sky, and fat clouds drifted lazily across the heavens. A light breeze ruffled the leaves. The great weather put everyone in a good mood. A little way from where everyone else gathered was a clearing, and that was where the seven of us gathered. Ever since the attack we had officially became a "squad", and although we were already friends, everyone got know each other better and grow closer. We did our homework together and practiced alongside each other. Each helped out with practice when needed. It was a lot of team bonding.

Rachel and Indigo sat under a big willow tree, discussing a fictional battle and using sticks and leaves to model out the different armies and their assaults. Jason and Lucian used their elemental powers to whip up obstacles as Ashley used spells to counter their attacks. Aaron and I dueled with our swords. Though it wasn't as important as expanding on your own powers, each of us dabbed in the fields of others. All of us were required to take defense classes that took fighting to a whole other level, but I had special training aside from that. Ashley taught us simple spells and found that different people were successful at different spells. I studied battle tactics with Indigo and Aaron, and Rachel taught Jason and Ashley the basics of healing and herbology. Aaron (and sometimes Lucian) practiced sword moves with me. The goal was to be as well-rounded as possible so that each individual could be ready for anything.

"I think I'm going to beat you this time," grinned Aaron as he stabbed at my abdomen.

"That's only because I'm going easy on you," I smirked as I blocked the strike with the flat of my sword.

"No you're not," said Aaron. "This is all you've got."

"Don't forget, I defeated Mr. Jacobson blindfolded," I shot back, swinging my sword up in an arc to meet his. A shower of sparks appeared as the two metals met. We separated, then doubled back.

"Bring it on, Kath," Aaron challenged. "Let's see how much you've improved since last time."

"Alright. You asked for it," I replied nonchalantly. "Don't whine when you lose."

"I won't. Because I'm going to win!" said Aaron as he swiped at my feet. I leapt up, only to find that it was a decoy. Aaron's sword was waiting as I shot into the air. He stabbed at me, a surely fatal wound for others, but I had something else in mind. I slammed the flat of my sword down on his, bending mine upwards. Using that momentum as a lever, I flipped in the air and landed safely on the ground.

Before I could fully recover, Aaron flew at me with his sword outstretched. I bent backwards, the blade passing centimeters above my nose. I felt the wind as Aaron's sword went past my face. Taking this chance to attack, I sliced my sword upwards at Aaron's unprotected left side. In a flash, Aaron withdrew his sword and blocked the blow. But that wasn't my true intention—because Aaron withdrew his sword, I now had enough room to straighten again.

And so we went like that, back and forth, spinning, dodging, and attacking. It may seem that we were even, but in reality, I was holding back. I wanted to practice, not defeat my opponent in three moves. Though the latter would be more beneficial in an actual battle, I didn't want to do that right now. Besides, Aaron was my friend. I couldn't harm a friend. I couldn't do any of the high-possibility-of-injury-and-death stuff on a friend. We both knew, yet it was still good to pretend we didn't.

All of a sudden the earth shook beneath our feet. Thrown off balance, both Aaron's and my sword went out of control. Mine pricked his leg as his sliced my arm. We crashed to the floor in a heap, unable to catch ourselves in time. Around us, people panicked as they tried to get away, only to slip and fall. Chasms opened in the earth. I smelled smoke.

Then as abruptly as it had started, the earthquake stopped. We slowly rose from the ground, shaky and cautious. It was quiet except for the clamor of students talking amongst themselves and the teachers trying to see if everyone was okay. We began to make our way towards the rest of the school.

The sky darkened. We looked up to see dark clouds cover the sun, and a sharp wind began to blow. As the light diminished, my eyes caught an orange glow in the far side of the school. Some students saw it and began to point and shout. Alarm dawned on the teachers' faces: the Academy was on fire.

We quickened our steps, running to rejoin the group. Aaron stumbled a little because of the cut on his leg. Indigo caught ahold of his elbow and helped him along. Rachel and Lucian, who were in the front, suddenly skidded to a halt.

"Ah!" I bumped into Ashley, who collided with Indigo. "Why are we stopping?"

"Look," whispered Indigo fearfully. Panic had broken out in the student masses, and everyone was scattering in different directions. There was an Evil right in their midst! Another transforming Evil had infiltrated our school right under our noses, just like Anna did. The teachers split into two groups. One consisted of three teachers who tried to herd the students away from danger. The larger group pulled out their weapons and faced the Evil. Fear was written on every single one of their faces.

"They won't be able to defeat it! Only rosewood can, remember?" I shouted over the roar of the wind and the shrieks of people.

"We have a bigger problem on our hands! Look!" Indigo pointed at a hill to the northwest of where we were standing. A dark mist seemed to be spreading from that area. Squinting, I could make out dark figures. Some were ginormous while others were about the size of an average human, and all were menacing.

It was an army of Evils. They were coming to attack the Academy.