Mythian Academy: The Timeglass

Chapter Eight: Fearing My Own Reflection

*Note* Her pack is something like this. On another note, there will be another note at the bottom that contains some information about this chapter that would have spoilers if I put it here. Enjoy!*

Chapter Eight: Fearing My Own Reflection

"We have theorized that the best people to send are three first years. So we have evaluated you, and," he pauses, "the three we have chosen are Asher Moare, Alexi Pill, and Layla Roth."

What?

My heart starts assaulting my rib cage with a metal bat. I cling to the fabric of the towel Sara had placed over my shoulders, and I stand there in shock as said energetic person embraces me and then relentlessly shoves me towards the front. At the front, I'm collected and ushered into a separate room.

"Why did I have to get stuck with these two," I hear Asher's quiet grumble over my shoulder.

I send a causal glare his way before assessing the room. In this isolated room, away from all the other students, all noise is left behind. All besides the worsening assault on my ribs. Pretty sure everyone in this room can hear my heart right now. The brass symbol crashes echo in my own ears. On the bright side the awe I feel drowns out the symbols. Varying in age and in shape a plethora of items hang form the wall and sits on dusted shelves. The history of weaponry expands out around me. Some items look shiny and new like one of the new age firearms patiently waiting with their kin while others look crafted by indiscernible ancient hands. My gaze meets everything in the room with outstanding awe. This place is a treasure trove of history. I can't help but feel so at home.

"Before we send you out on your mission, I need all three of you to get a good night's rest, and pack these bags with enough clothes to last a couple days. Include anything you think you might need, and tomorrow morning report to my office," Mr. Gale gives us all our tasks while he hands each of us a regular school sized backpack.

I peek up at Asher beside me before examining the soft fabric object in my hands, It has two compartments: a small front pocket, and a large main pocket both accessible by unzipping them. Mr. Gale gives us further instruction, but it doesn't reach me for I find myself enchanted by a beautiful silver vine framed mirror. Mr. Gale must have spotted my distracted gaze because he blocks my view of the enchanting mirror. His back is turned my way, but he when he turns back he has three small objects in his open palms. He regains my full attention. One by one he hands us the object he has chosen to assigns us to. The hand held mirror is gently set in my awaiting open hands. I watch as he places a metal cube in Asher's open hand, and a small wooden figure with a stone on top is put in Alexi's hand.

"You are now to go to your rooms, pack, find out what your items can do, sleep, and return to my office for further instructions after you have finished breakfast." he dismisses us.

The three of us are ushered back into the now silent, vacant, dim gym. We exchange similar confused expressions before tiredly saying our goodbyes and heading down our gender specific halls. Alexi is barely able to wave his farewell to me before he is dragged by his collar by a stern looking Asher back to their side of the dorms. I quietly laugh in response to their fake dislike, pull the towel closer to my body, and walk the desolate path back to my room.

My muscles cry in agony with every step I take, but, steadily, I trudge forward inspecting the murals as I go just to keep my mind off the pain. What I hadn't noticed before dawns on me now. According to all the different murals, during the creation two extra, secret, things were created. Both undenounced to me. One after the other to complement each other yet be opposite in standing like the Chinese tale of yin and yang. Very interesting... I'll have to ask Mr. Gale in the morning.

I reach up to cover my mouth as a large, stray yawn forces my eyes to close and my mouth to take in a large gulp of air. Glancing at my watch, I realize why the halls are so quiet. The clock reads 10:20. It's almost lights out. I better hurry. Goal set in my mind, with the sudden realization of the actual time, I reach my room as quickly as I can. My hand grabs hold of the key that is luckily still on the chain around my neck, and then unlocks the door with a quick flick of the wrist. Gladly, I pull open the door and lock it tight behind me.

As I grumble to myself about the horrible ATM machine and it's barbarous creators, I kick off my wet tennis shoes, and place them neatly next to the door to dry for tomorrow. I pull my soaked socks off. Once my feet are free of those blister causing wet shoes, I discard my key, bag, and mirror on the big white table before heading to my closet in search for a warm, dry change of clothes. I grab a cozy pair of gray pajamas and head to the bathroom for a much needed shower. A while later, I exit the bathroom feeling completely refreshed. Steam follows me out like a lost puppy, and the sugary smell of vanilla and Moroccan oil covers me like a second skin. I drop my wet clothes on my dirty clothes pile on my path back to the white table where the mysterious mirror waits for me patiently. Uneasily, I take the ice cold mirror into my feverish hands. My delicate fingers stroke the sliver flowering vine details with a light touch.

Beneath my touch the mirror begins to slowly warm. My fore finger traces the largest flower on the vine handle on the bottom right hand side. The detailing is so perfect that the silver wrapping could have been a type of extinct flowering vine. The surface is as reflective as a still pool of water... I trace the elegant design up to the top where a perfectly round stone sits in a circle almost like a nest or maybe even a crown in all it's exquisite ruby red glory.

I gaze into the reflection. Instead of my tired countenance a horrifying creature with wicked fangs, moss green eyes, and luminescent skin stands in as my duplicate. Somehow it's decaying fish breath permeates from the image. I flinch away from the image and drop the mirror back onto the table. What just happened? My brain springs into action. Was it some kind of joke? No, Mr. Gale wouldn't do that. Maybe the mirror just distorts the whole image? Nope, that definitely wasn't even close to looking like me. Maybe it shows the future... But that's not possible. Monsters like that only exist in myths. I'll just have to ask Mr. Gale in the morning when I see him.

With a heavy sigh, I take the dark green bag and carry it with me into my closet. Unlike a few other girls I know, I don't take much interest in what I pack. Instead I pull four random shirts, three pairs of pants, one sweatshirt, one coat, and a few other necessities from their designated places and stuff them neatly into the bottom of the bag. Strangely after packing everything the bag feels empty and light. Done, bag zipped, clothes and shoes set out for tomorrow, I decide to finally let myself crawl into bed and under the secure cuddly covers.

*Note* Each object that Mr. Gale gave them has a backstory about the people who once had it and or how it was created. If you're interested in reading the story behind them or just in me posting one of them after the completion of this book then comment here so I can take a poll. 

Layla and her mirror?

Alexi and his stick with a stone on top?

Asher and his metal cube?

Which story will be it be first?*