The Punishment
I wake up from the labyrinth feeling frustrated.
Why does he always leave me with that sentence, "wake up before it's too late."
Before what is too late?
Why can't he be less mysterious?
Still, I was partly relieved. I got a few answers last night… a little more about the invaders, the power of the cranium, and the compass.
He said I'm already in possession of it.
How would he know that?
I shot up from my bed and rushed to my drawers. The only compass I had was the one Giselle gave me for my birthday. If this was really the compass Doya meant…
I found it and examined it carefully. No initials in the front. None at the back. Then I checked the side and there it was: a very tiny "CC." Exactly as he said.
If this truly is the compass…
Did Giselle know she gave me something that leads to the cranium?
Another question I'll probably never get an answer to.
Goddammit.
I held the compass tightly and tucked it into my bag. I wasn't letting it out of my sight.
I got ready for school, greeted Mum and Dad on my way out, and stepped outside to where Bali waited gracefully. My beautiful Bali. I hopped on her, and we rode off toward school.
It was a beautiful day… but a school day nonetheless.
Would it remain beautiful? I doubted it.
As we arrived, I slid off Bali and headed for the entrance.
Whispers hit me from every direction:
"She caused the attack."
"Destruction follows her."
"She brings bad luck."
Instant regret filled my chest. I should've stayed home. But missing school isn't something I do.
I settled into class, waiting for the Sage to begin the lecture. Giselle was nowhere in sight. I wondered if she even came today.
The lesson was about the dangers of misused spells. Halfway through, Giselle walked in, looking unbothered, but… off. Disoriented, even.
I signalled for her to sit beside me. She dismissed me.
Okay. Maybe after class.
While Sage Greta taught, Sage Maera stormed in with a scroll, calling out names of those who attended the coven party:
"Killis Morogan, Rian Flaunch, Peckam Patrigan, Dana Snide, Giselle Lambroch, Hasi Malui…"
When she finished, we were all told to report to the coven chambers for punishment.
I glanced at Giselle. Still no reaction. Something was definitely wrong.
After class I rushed to her, but she pushed past me.
"G, what's wrong?" I called, following her. "Did I do something?"
"Please… just leave me alone."
That pierced me.
My only friend distancing herself without warning or reason?
She turned, looked me directly in the eyes and whispered, "I don't think we can be friends anymore."
My chest tightened instantly. "What?"
But she turned and kept walking toward the chambers. I followed anyway, my heart pounding, my mind racing.
"Why, Giselle? Did I do something?" My voice cracked a little, but she ignored me, speeding up.
By the time we reached the chamber entrance, a small tear escaped my eye but I brushed it away immediately. I had to be strong. I had bigger things to deal with than losing a friend… right?
Still, the hurt lingered.
Inside, the chamber still showed the scars of the attack.
Why hadn't the sages repaired it yet?
Was this our punishment, to fix it?
"Good. You're all here," Sage Maera's voice snapped me back. "You defiled the sanctum with an unsanctioned party. Your punishment will reflect that."
My eyes flicked to Giselle, blank expression. No emotion at all.
"You will restore this chamber by hand," Maera continued. "No spells. Only for the atonement ritual may magic be used. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Sage Maera," we chorused.
As she left, the room buzzed with murmurs of frustration and confusion.
Peckam stepped forward.
"Hey everyone. If we work in groups, we'll finish faster—"
"Who are you to tell us what to do?" someone snapped.
He held his ground. "Do you want to be here all day? Without magic, this will take forever."
I couldn't help smiling a little.
See? I knew there was a reason I liked Peckam.
Soon we were divided into groups of five, thankfully, I ended up with Giselle. I tried talking to her again, but she dismissed me.
"Did it really mean anything to you?" I asked quietly.
"Did what mean anything to me?"
"The friendship we shared."
I swear, for a split second, I saw pain flash across her face.
Then it was gone.
Still no answer.
Fine.
If she wouldn't talk about that… then maybe the compass.
"Why did you give me the compass?" I asked.
She ignored me, busy picking shards of broken glass.
Alright then.
I'd force a reaction.
"I lost it."
Her hands froze.
"What?!"
"During the attack," I said calmly. "I had it with me. It must have gotten lost."
"Oh no. No no no." She grabbed my hand urgently. "We have to look for it. It could still be somewhere here."
"Why are you so worried? It's just a compass—"
"It's NOT just any compass!" she cut in, panicked. "You don't understand."
"I don't understand what, G?"
"That compass is an ancient artifact. It's very important. You can't lose it."
Ancient artifact.
My suspicion grew deeper.
"If it's that important… why give it to me?"
"Because you need it for directions," she said quickly, pulling me along.
"What directions?" I pressed.
No answer.
She dragged me through the chamber, frantically searching. And then I remembered her words the day she gifted it to me:
"When channelling, always remember that directions matter."
Who exactly is Giselle?
And what does she truly want from me?