-Azax-
"Start from the beginning," I told Ani and Anna after my inspectors had left, "What happened the day she went missing?"
"Nothing unusual," Ani said, "We went to class together and Zekora taught us about feeling intent in objects to avoid magical poisoning."
"Why did Zekora decide to teach you that?" I asked, "Her class is mostly review at this point."
"It was because Victoria was going to have dinner with Ustrea and we were all worried." Anna supplied.
"But Ustrea was taken at the same time," Ani countered, like he'd made that point before.
"And like I said it was probably the plan from the beginning!" Anna argued, standing from her chair.
"Calm down," I held my hands up to show peace, "What do you think the plan was?"
"I think who ever took Victoria used Ustrea to do it."
"Why would they do that?"
"Because Victoria has been very vocal about wanting to have a relationship with her sister," Anna explained, "And Ustrea has been jealous since the day she found out they were related."
"But why take both?" Nothall asked.
"Maybe so she wouldn't be implicated," Wuzahl suggested.
"They'd likely have her return worse for wear with a sob story about trying her best to save her sister." Itrix said, hand stroking his chin.
"But they'd have to know Azax would never marry Ustrea." Anna said.
"A marriage between us would bring peace," I pointed out, "That's not what they're after."
"Plus, when Ustrea became Queen, the relationship between the kingdoms would only get worse." Ani said.
"Why?" Nothall looked confused.
"Because even without proof, I'd always know she had something to do with it." I said, my voice like ice.
That hung in the air for a moment. It was a harsh reality considering two of the six of us were from that country. If the one who brought us together was gone, would we still be at peace?
"Speculation on what happened isn't getting us anywhere," I said breaking through the rising tension, "Right now we should focus on finding where they took her."
"Did your inspectors find anything?" Ani asked.
"Just confirmed what we already suspected," I said sitting back arms crossed, "That the headmaster was involved."
"How can you be sure?"
"The barriers that prevent direct travel into and out of the school were manipulated," I told them, "They allowed an unidentified person through at this location. Only the headmaster could do that."
"The headmaster really has that much power?" Anna looked astonished, "Why wouldn't he just take her himself?"
"His power is only as far as the grounds of the school," Ani, surprisingly, answered, "Plus, a condition of that power is he can't do harm to a student enrolled here."
"Which is likely why he tried so hard to get Victoria kicked out." Itrix added, "He's probably been scheming this since the moment he met her."
"And my departure gave him the perfect opening." I hung my head, guilt welling once again.
Nothall placed a hand on my arm, a gentle smile on her face, trying to convey to me that everything would be alright. I covered her hand with my own, unable to return the smile.
"If we're confident the headmaster was involved, we should be investigating him." Ani said.
"Zekora's been taking care of that." Itrix assured him.
"But your help would be appreciated." We all shot up at the unexpected voice.
Zekora leaned against the door leading to Victoria's room with a mischievous but sad smirk.
"The headmaster's power in this place is absolute," She continued, "The barriers placed on his private chambers are virtually unbreakable. But perhaps someone could manipulate them."
"You think I can manipulate the schools magic?" I asked.
"Stands to reason."
"Explain it."
"If the stories are true and you are the prince of the past," Zekora said, "The magic that makes up this school, impowering the headmaster, is from what was once your child. Parents have a connection with their children's magic."
"Mothers have a connection with children's magic." I pointed out.
"Ideally, Victoria would be the best person for the job," Zekora agreed, "With her gone, the hope falls on you."
"It's not unprecedented," Itrix said, "My mother has no magic, so she can't connect to mine. My father was in charge of my magical health instead."
"That's its own case," Ani countered, "When both parents have magic, the mother is the one who connects with the child while the magic develops in the womb."
"Technically, Victoria never made that connection." Anna pointed out.
"If the stories are true then she doesn't need too," Zekora told us, "The magic makes the connection. It was that magic that was reincarnated, not the body or mind."
"All we can do is try," I said with a huff, "Standing around talking about it won't get us any closer."
"Follow me then." Zekora walked out the room.
We followed her deep into the castle. You'd think the headmaster's room would be near his public office but that was far from the truth. It was in the lowest layer, right next to the center of power for the school. We stopped in front of a simple wooden door.
"This is the door to his rooms." Zekora said.
I placed my hand against the wood. The barriers flexed under my hand, and I applied magic to it. They hardened in response. I pulled back my magic, the barriers relaxing as it faded. How was I supposed to do this?
"This way..." A voice whispered in my ear.
I turned sharply to the group.
"Did you hear that?"
A collective chorus of head shakes and noes. I looked up the hall to see a faint light flicker around a corner. I chased after it, everyone hot on my heels.
Skidding around the corner, the hall opened up into a large room with massive stone doors. Torches lite the room as soon as we entered. The light from before disappeared against the door.
"What is this place?" Wuzahl asked in awe of the grand room.
"This is the receiving room," Zekora explained, "Behind those doors is the well of Pelmora's power. This is where you go to become headmaster."
I put my hand against the stone door. The presence I had felt earlier brushed up against me once again. I released a small amount of magic into the door but was met with harsh resistance that pushed me back.
"Those doors will only open when the current headmaster either abdicates or dies." Zekora explained, "They cannot be forced open."
I felt the energy nudge me towards the doors again.
"Something is pushing me to interact with them," I told Zekora, "But when I tried, it pushed me away."
"Maybe you're doing something wrong?" Anna inquired, all eyes turning to Zekora.
"What did you do when you touched the door?" Zekora asked.
"I tried to push my magic into it," I told them, "But I was only met with resistance."
"Ah, there's your problem," We all just looked at her confused, "It's not something you're taught until your last year. This method is also very difficult to use outside of caring for children or people who trust you."
We all shared a look. Something we wouldn't be taught till our last year?
"Instead of pushing your magic into a person, you pull their magic into you," She explained, "This allows you to see what their magic is doing and direct it to a better place."
"And you think this will work on the school?" Itrix's voice sounded skeptical.
"The school was originally a person," She surmised, "It also helps that it seems to be nudging Azax to do just that. It's worth a shot."
I nodded in agreement, turning back to the stone doors. Placing my hand on the door, I felt the magic. I let it seep into me, trying to control the pace at which it entered. It was a futile effort.
The power rushed over me like a tidal wave. It was like I was everywhere in the school while also being in one place. I could feel students pacing their rooms and guards patrolling the grounds. From the books in the library to a spider in the corner of dungeon, I was there.
I ripped my hand away from the door, breathing heavily. I nearly collapsed from the sudden loss of overwhelming power. Itrix caught me, concern etched on his face.
"What happened?" He asked.
"It was like I was everywhere in the school all at once." I said, trying to catch my breath.
"You connected with magic." Zekora said excitedly, "Now you just need to lower the barriers on the door."
"I barely knew where I was." I told her, "Finding one wooden door in all that will take years."
"Before you make the connection, feed the exact image of the door to the school," She instructed, "Keep it at the forefront of your mind and it should take you where you need to be."
I nodded once again, approaching the doors. I remembered the door I had briefly seen. The size, shape, how the wood felt on my hand, the barriers in place. I touched the door and I was there. Inside the door, looking at the barriers. I saw the one likely causing the problem. A barrier that assigned the doors entry to a person.
As soon as my thoughts went to the specific barrier, I was gone again. Flying to all the various places around the school where that barrier was used. I shot away from the wall, this time managing to stay steady.
"Did you do it?" Zekora asked.
"Not yet," I told her, "I found the door but then my mind wandered and I lost my way. Now I know what to do."
Without another word, I laid my hands on the doors. Back before the entrance leading to the headmaster's rooms, I conveyed a need to pass through the door. I saw all the barriers fall. I gave a feeling of thankfulness before backing away, this time the connection severing peacefully.
"It should be open." I told them.
We ran back to the rooms. I made it first. Placing my hand on the doorknob, I pressed the door open. It swung to the side allowing us entry. Hopefully, we'd find the answers we needed.