Centuries of Shadows

"Jade, after everything we've been through in the last 30 minutes, honestly, this whole witch thing feels like the most believable explanation," Jason muttered under his breath, keeping his voice low.

"Yeah. Sure." Jade nodded, though her tone dripped with reluctant acceptance.

"So," Anne began, grinning ear to ear, "you must be a witch, Jade, and Jason is a wizard. Right? I mean, you don't have paws, fur, or fangs, so that's the only logical explanation."

Jade exchanged an uneasy glance with Jason before responding hesitantly, "Uh...actually, no one mentioned this to you?"

Jason leaned in, his voice calm but firm. "We're human."

Anne froze, her bright expression replaced by sheer disbelief. Her mouth hung open, words failing her for a moment before she blurted, "You're joking, right? Please tell me you're joking. Nobody jokes about that here."

"We're not joking," Jason said bluntly, cutting off her denial.

Anne blinked, staring at them like they'd just announced they were ghosts. "This explains why you both looked so stunned earlier when I said I'm a witch. Urg, curse it! No one warned me I'd be babysitting humans!" She groaned, pressing her hands to her temples.

"Chill. What's the big deal?" Jade asked, puzzled.

Anne's gaze turned serious, her voice quiet but heavy with emotion. "Do you know why we live here, in a world apart from yours? Centuries ago, during the Witch Trials, humans nearly wiped us out. Witches were hunted, burned, drowned—everywhere, without mercy. So, we created this realm: The Unbelievable World. A sanctuary for our kind."

Jason listened intently, his interest piqued. "Your kind? You mean just witches?"

Anne shook her head. "At first, yes. But over time, this place became home to others. Vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, sirens, and more. All the creatures your world rejected found refuge here. This isn't just a school—it's a whole society, a magical sanctuary where we could finally thrive without fear."

Jade tilted her head thoughtfully. "Wait, so where does this school fit into all of this?"

Anne smiled faintly, though her eyes carried a hint of pride. "This school isn't the whole world; it's just one part of it. The Unbelievable World is vast, stretching beyond the mountains, forests, and seas you've yet to see. Cities, villages, and magical communities—our society spans realms you can't imagine."

"But Aloney Academy is unique. It was founded by Carol Lordie, one of the ten original witches who created The World. Carol wanted more than just survival—she wanted the next generations to thrive, to be powerful. She believed that young outcasts, whether they were witches or not, needed a place to learn, to grow, and to find their place in this world.

"That's why she built this school high on the Great Mount of Witches, the very mountain where the first coven took refuge centuries ago. It's not just a place for education—it's a symbol of resilience, of unity. A place for those who don't belong anywhere else to finally belong."

Jade's eyes widened. "That's...actually ate. A whole world for outcasts, and this school as a haven for young ones? Makes sense."

Jason, too, seemed impressed but still skeptical. "But why is it just for the young? What about the adults?"

Anne laughed softly. "Oh, they were here once, when they were young. Now, they're out there—living, working, running the world. The Unbelievable World is their refuge too, but they've already found their footing. Aloney Academy is here to help students prepare for that. To guide us as we step into their world. Some of us will become leaders, some will protect this sanctuary, and others will create entirely new paths."

Jade nodded slowly, absorbing the weight of it all. "So this is more than just a school. It's like...a gateway to something much bigger."

"Exactly," Anne said, her voice tinged with pride. "But for all the beauty and unity you'll see here, there's still a deep scar—a wound left by what your kind did. That's why humans are so hated here. It's not just history—it's personal. For every family, every friend, every ancestor."

"So, this is a world without us," Jason murmured, piecing it together.

"Exactly," Anne said, her voice hardening. "We hate humans. And with good reason."

Jade raised her hands defensively. "Totally get it. If someone tried to wipe out my family, friends, and ancestors, I'd probably hate them too. You're so real for that."

Jason nodded in agreement. "Makes sense. We're not here to defend what our kind did."

Before Anne could respond, a loud, commanding voice echoed through the schoolyard.

"Good morning, Aloney students, future leaders of The Unbelievable World!"

The three of them turned toward the source of the voice. On a grand stage in the center of the courtyard stood Mrs. Carol Lordie, her presence regal and commanding. Thousands of students from every imaginable species filled the yard, their attention locked on their headmistress.

"Quick!" Anne said, motioning for Jade and Jason to follow. "The opening ceremony is starting!"

The trio slipped into the crowd just as Mrs. Lordie began her speech.

"For over four centuries, Aloney Academy has cultivated generations of brilliant, talented students—guardians of our realm and protectors of The Unbelievable World. Today, I proudly declare the opening of our 444th school year!"

The crowd erupted into applause, a wave of energy surging through the courtyard. Jade and Jason clapped awkwardly, trying to blend in despite the suspicious glares from every direction.

"To belong! To grow! To lead!" Mrs. Lordie chanted, her voice echoing with power.

"To belong! To grow! To lead!" the students roared back, the chant reverberating like a battle cry.

Jade leaned toward Jason and whispered, "Okay, that was intense."

"And now," Mrs. Lordie continued, her voice rising with excitement, "to mark this special year, I am honored to introduce our first two human students, who will walk among us as symbols of forgiveness, understanding, and the hope for peace between worlds. Jade and Jason, come to the stage!"

The crowd fell silent, stunned. Then, like a wave, whispers of outrage rippled through the students. Eyes filled with anger and disgust locked onto the twins as Mrs. Lordie smiled serenely, clapping her hands as though this announcement were cause for celebration.

Jade and Jason exchanged panicked glances. "Did she just say human students?" Jade hissed.

"Come on, let's just get this over with," Jason muttered, leading the way.

The crowd parted reluctantly, students glaring at the twins as though their mere presence was an insult. Whispers and hisses followed them as they climbed the steps to the stage, their unease growing with every step.

As they reached the stage, a sudden flash of light streaked through the air, aimed directly at Jade.

"Look out!" Anne shouted, leaping forward. She cast a protective spell just in time, the light shattering harmlessly against her barrier.

"Curse it, Agatha!" Anne yelled, pointing toward a girl in the crowd. Dressed in a maroon Regency gown with a flowing cape, Agatha's face was partially obscured, but her smug expression was unmistakable.

"You mortals don't belong here!" Agatha snarled, stepping forward. A hulking werewolf joined her, growling menacingly.

"Enough!" a stern voice boomed. Professor Minimous, the Self-Defense instructor, strode onto the stage, his presence commanding silence. "This is Aloney Academy, not a battlefield. Whether you like it or not, these humans are now your classmates. You will not harm them."

"Pardon me, Professor," Agatha sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "But we're not letting those vile creatures breath the same air as us"

Jade stepped forward, her jaw clenched. "Then stop breathing."

Thomas - The werewolf, growled and lunged, but Mrs. Lordie appeared between them in an instant, her calm voice cutting through the tension. "Enough. No one will be harmed under my watch."

Her gaze swept over the crowd, her voice steady but powerful. "For centuries, we have lived apart, driven by hatred and fear. But this is an opportunity—a chance to bridge the divide, to end the enmity that has defined our worlds for too long. If you cannot see that, you have no place at Aloney Academy."

The courtyard fell silent, the weight of her words sinking in.

Jade and Jason stood frozen, their hearts pounding as they stared out at the sea of angry, mistrustful faces. They had a long road ahead of them—and enemies waiting at every turn.

"Everyone, back to your dorms," Carol's voice rang out, shattering the tense silence.

The crowd slowly began to disperse, leaving Jade and Jason breathing sighs of relief. Jade turned to Anne and gave a grateful nod. "Thanks a ton. Honestly, if you hadn't stepped in, I'd be a charred corpse by now."

"No need to thank me. It's my responsibility."

Suddenly, a bat swooped down from above. "That protection spell was impressive, Lordie," the bat remarked casually.

"Uh...bats talk here?" Jade and Jason froze, staring at the creature in disbelief.

The bat flipped in mid-air before landing gracefully on the ground, morphing into a pale young man with pointed ears and glowing crimson eyes. "Hey, calling me 'bat' is offensive, humans!" he snapped, crossing his arms.

"I'm Darky, Darky Darcy. Vampire." Jade couldn't help but notice the sharp fangs gleaming as he spoke.

"I'm Jade, and this is Jason, my twin brother," she introduced, nudging Jason, who waved awkwardly. "Wait—what did you just call Anne?"

"Uh...Lordie. As in, Anne Lordie," Darky replied, his tone nonchalant.

"Darky, shut up," Anne cut him off, her voice sharp and hurried.

"Ohhh, now the ginger hair and that fancy 'L' necklace make total sense," Jade said with a smirk.

"You're Carol's daughter," Jason finished, his eyes narrowing in realization.

Jason couldn't help but notice something odd—the peculiar friendliness of Darky. It was unsettling, considering that every other creature here seemed to harbor a deep, visceral hatred toward humans. Why was Darky so... different?

"Darky's cool. Don't worry about him," Anne said, snapping him out of his thoughts. She smirked knowingly, a clear sign she'd read his mind. "He's my best friend. And don't get me wrong, we still hate you—but not as much as everyone else does."

Jason frowned. "Reading people's minds? That's not cool, Anne."

"How do you even know she read your mind?" Darky asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's obvious, what the fuck. Does Aloney not teach logical or something?" Jade muttered, rolling her eyes.

"Not to mention her mother does it all the time," Jason added, his tone half annoyed, half amused.

Darky let out a hearty laugh, his fangs glinting in the dim light. The tension eased, and soon, everyone was laughing. For a brief moment, the differences between their species didn't seem to matter.

Anne's expression grew serious as the laughter faded. "Alright, let's head to our dorm. There's a lot we need to discuss."

Without waiting for a response, she stretched out her hand, and a sleek, black broom materialized out of thin air. Swinging a leg over with practiced ease, she shot into the sky, her long hair billowing behind her like a fiery trail.

Darky, ever the loyal companion, transformed into his bat form in a flash, his wings cutting through the air as he followed close behind.

"Hey! You're flying! That's totally unfair!" Jade yelled, her voice carrying frustration.

Darky turned mid-flight, his crimson eyes gleaming mischievously. "Fair? You're humans! Don't lecture us about what's fair," he called back, his voice dripping with mockery.

Jade groaned in exasperation, and Jason just shook his head. "Guess there's no other choice," he muttered.

With that, the twins broke into a sprint, weaving through the dimly lit paths of Aloney Academy. Their footsteps thudded against the cobblestone, the eerie glow of magical torches lighting their way. Above them, Anne and Darky glided effortlessly through the sky, their laughter teasing the siblings as they struggled to keep up.

"Sure, we're the inferior species, but at least we have cardio," Jason panted, half-joking as they rounded a corner.

"Shut up and run!" Jade snapped, pushing herself to keep pace.

The gap between the humans and their magical companions grew wider, leaving the twins breathless but determined to catch up.