How terribly bad this whole situation looked helped settle down my anger. I mean it didn’t just look bad, Wyatt, her hero, was within an inch of his life with my hand around his throat in a crater. I must look completely insane here! The blue haze stopped flowing from me and began to dissipate. I couldn’t stop breathing so heavily though. Our eyes met for the first time since the day I was sure we’d both die. For the first time, it genuinely hurt to see her.

“Get away from him!” energy crackled up her body as she came to Wyatt’s rescue, I moved aside.

She settled Wyatt’s head resting on her lap and began channeling her magis into his chest as a sort of rudimentary first aid measure. She looked at me, eyes welling up with tears. “Why would you do this Tyson?! I never thought you had it in you to be so ruthless, and for what?!”

Her words stabbed my chest, I blew it again. “Alina…” I couldn’t think of what to say to her. I wasn’t ready to speak to her before all this happened anyways, it isn’t fair!

She began healing him after her diagnostic with a spell she knew. She was deeply focused, but her eyes wouldn’t break contact with mine, piercing me. I took a step closer, beginning to try and explain myself. She raised a hand at me and began to conjure lighting with it, “Stay back please, if you take one step closer, I’ll… defend myself.”

I turned around and ran off; I didn’t stop until I got back home. Once I reached my place, I went inside slamming the door unintentionally. A few loud bangs followed from the ceiling, Lloyd was pissed hitting the floor with his broom. I guess I’ll have to stew in the mess I’m in quietly tonight. I didn’t know what to think or what would happen next. Does Alina hate me? Does she think I’m a monster? Is Wyatt hurt? I mean I really hate that guy right now, but I went way too far with that, he was struggling to breathe even after I let him go. There’s no way I can’t get in trouble for this, maybe Travers would pull some strings to keep the authorities away from me. I shuddered at the thought of this though, because he would only do that to get a shot at me himself.

Why did I run?! What was I thinking? I paced back and forth around my room not knowing what in the world was going on. Running just made me look more like a guilty person. Although I do feel a bit guilty, I should’ve controlled myself. I’ll just have to find Hank in the morning and explain myself, either that or wait until someone comes here to get me. I’m not going to avoid this conflict anymore; it’s a shitty option anyways.

No one came that night; I just sat in my room nervous as I could be. I stayed up most of the night too but ended up falling asleep in my reading chair. I figured I’d go to Travers first thing in the morning before I passed out.

It couldn’t have been more than a few hours later when I was lifted by my shirt and shaken awake by none other than Hank. I was flabbergasted to find myself being held a foot off the ground by the back of my collar looking like a cat that just got caught misbehaving. I didn’t ever realize he was strong enough to just lift and move me around like this. Despite how much trouble I must be in and how he’s towering over me at the crack of dawn while I’m barely awake, I couldn’t help but think how it was kinda cool how he could hide all of his strength in the green pinstriped suits he wears all the time. No one would guess he was this ripped, it’s pretty sweet.

Right, impending punishment, not the time to be gushing over muscles you don’t have Tyson.

“Uh, morning Hank. Could you let me--?” Before I could finish my sentence, his right hand lit up with green energy which he shot into my window before throwing me into it. Instead of shattering glass, bruises and cuts, I was greeted with a chair that fell over when I landed in it. I picked myself up, now slightly more awake and put the chair back up. I was in his office at school. That’s one way to get someone here, I guess. I took my seat and noticed the chair next to mine, in it was Wyatt. He looked pissed, but he wasn’t dead, so I was happy to see him for once. For a second anyway. Travers marched his way in through the portal and ripped it off the wall like some crazy dimensional blanket once he passed through, then sat in his chair across from us. I was weirded out how that worked, I mean I’ve studied magic like this as long as I can remember, but sometimes I still just don’t get it. He took a deep breath and looked at both of us, the way he looked the day he gave me this pocket watch thing, which I kind of wanted to give back to him.

“Boys, we need to talk.”

No shit. I’d like to think Wyatt and I both shared that thought. “I’m sorry I lost control yesterday, I shouldn’t have let a bunch of words throw me off the edge like that.”

“Not about that, about both of you. We’re not going to be able to make this work without you two reconciling with one another. So, I’m going to reveal the truth to you. Wyatt will help.”

I gripped the arm of my chair a little bit, I had a feeling I was about to have something heavy dropped on me today. I looked over at Wyatt, judging from how stiff he’s sitting, Alina managed to help with the major injuries, but he’s probably bandaged up under his shirt. I’m not proud of it but I really did a number on the guy.

After clearing his throat, he continued, “I can’t tell you the full extent everything today. Because not only would it cloud your judgment, but it would endanger you. However, I will tell you both everything I can at the moment without compromising your safety or the mission at hand.” He pulled a picture from his desk, showing us the face of the man that started all this turmoil. “You remember this man correct? He was a scout, or a message, to be more accurate. Sent here to seek a breach in our defenses and measure how ready this city is for an invasion, I’d say we weren’t ready at all.”

“Invasion? There hasn’t been war since before my parents were kids, why would there be a cause for one now?” Wyatt inquired with his arms crossed.

“Wait, wait, wait, a war? I thought this city was founded on the pursuit of knowledge, and to raise people who would change the world for the better with their wisdom and power and all that flowery stuff. Why would we be a war target?”

“This city was founded for the reasons you say, yes Tyson. However, the primary reason was to gain the knowledge to put an end to the Crusades. The last war was the most recent Crusade, which went on for about twenty years. Our generation, the generation of your parents and I, are to usher in the next Crusade. However, my colleagues and I do not wish to leave the future with periodic wars for something they don’t understand.”

I raised my hand like I’m in class, “These Crusades, what’s the real point of them? There must be some sort of reason to have a large-scale conflict on regular intervals, right? If so, what is the cause behind all of this ruckus?”

“The maiden.”

“The what?” Wyatt was as confused as I was.

Hank took another deep breath. “The maiden is the ultimate source of magis, one that could cause great and drastic changes to the world as we know it. Some say she is the end as well as the beginning. This entity is reincarnated into a new woman every few generations or so. We have reason to believe she is here again, and we will protect her at all costs until we can use her great power to end the conflict ourselves.”

Wyatt interjected, “So what does that have to do with some grade-A wizard destroying the square for no reason? Why would Arcton City be a target?”

“That man came here knowing he may die, but he sent us a message in doing what he did. He showed us the amount of power they have as our enemy and that even a man of his stature and prowess was an expendable pawn to them. I sent you both to stop him to match their bet with hopes you would win without any of the higher council having to step in.”

“You put us in danger over a message?” He didn’t answer me; I didn’t know how to feel. Was I a pawn in this? Or did Travers honestly think I had what it took to stop that guy myself.

“In any case, I need you two stronger, so I’ll be putting you in an advanced curriculum of personal studies with me and a few of my aids. You will be our first line of defense. Are there any objections to this?”

I took a few seconds to gather my thoughts, and then I began. “I’m not sure, maybe after a few more questions. So, what I’m getting is, you want to train us to fight in some war for this maiden lady, right? If we find the maiden first and take care of business, could we end this thing before the invasion happens and no one here has to get hurt?” By no one I mostly meant Hank and Alina, because the other people here are crappy to be honest, especially Wyatt.

“Yes Tyson, which would be a lot easier if you put forth your efforts into this.”

“Then I’m in.”

“Mr. Thompson?”

“This city is all I have left of my parents, I’m not gonna let anyone mess with it.”

“Very good gentlemen, now about your relationship. I need to put an end to any hostility so that you can work together more efficiently. Whether you like it or not you will be partners in this struggle.”

“WHAT?!” we shouted in unison.

I calmed down and began to tell my side of the story, “You know, I wouldn’t have a problem with that if he took back what he said about Alina, I for one apologize for kicking your ass Wyatt.” I couldn’t help but smirk.

He scoffed, “I admit what I said about her was unfair, and I was just mad. But I can’t work with you. I’ve got my reasons.”

“Yeah what was that back there anyways? You didn’t even explain yourself before you tried to shoot me. I know you feel like you don’t owe me a thing. But I know I deserve an explanation for attempted murder. I mean I kind of want to punch your face in right now, but I feel like I could get over that if you just let me know why you hate me so much.”

Wyatt stood up and began to make his way out of the room; Hank locked the doors from a button he keeps under his desk. He’s trapped me here with it a few times. He began to shake the door violently, “Let me OUT Travers!”

He shook his head, “We have to go over this at some point Wyatt, please.”

Wyatt turned around with his face growing red and his eyes tearing up, “How can you do this to me now?! This guy almost killed me yesterday! He almost erased me just like mw just like the others years ago and I’m just supposed to accept he’s a new person? He probably would have just forgotten about doing me in too! He chuckled, To the depths with both of you!

I stirred for a moment, what was he going on about? I turned around to ask when Wyatt reach for another weird stick he had on him, this was a way cruder design. It just looked like some piece of wood. I could see raw magis forming at the muzzle, he was charging something up!

“Wyatt hang on man- “

“Fuck OFF.” Wyatt pointed his device at the door, “Two ways to let me out of here Hank, choose.”

Travers let out a sigh, and with a click the door opened. Wyatt made his exit swift.

“Hank… What was he talking about?” My mouth dried up as I waited to hear what happened.

* * *

It was a lot to process, but with how Wyatt acted towards me, how other students treat me like I have some plague, and how no matter how many texts I tear through for insight, I can’t find any explanation for my funky body. I think the most unbelievable thing was that I brought Hank near death when my power went berserk. I’ve sparred with him before and swapped hands when I got out of line talking to him once or twice, I always ended up on my ass before I knew I hit the ground. I would have to find a way to make peace with Wyatt eventually, sure I’m a different person now, but I’m the same thing that brought him an unimaginable amount of pain in the past there’s no making up for that. Despite all that, he saved Alina and I, he probably did it more for her when I think about it. Who could blame him? Still, if I could somehow get him to work with me, we might have this whole war thing in the bag. He’s got evocation skills I didn’t think were possible outside of theory!

I went home after agreeing to meet with Travers after class tomorrow, whether he could get Wyatt to show up or not, I needed work. When I arrived at the building, Alina was waiting for me. Can’t catch a break today huh?

After some awkward fidgeting and stumbling over words from both of us, I decided to just blurt out what I’m feeling and get this over with. “Hey so, I just found out I’m an actual monster, and I’ve done a bunch of crazy shit that I don’t remember. I’ve hurt others. It was a different me from long ago and I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel about that, but I thought you should know. Wyatt and I got in a heated argument, and he tried to shoot me in the face so my instincts kicked in and I got all glow mode and I went too far before I knew it and things are just a big crazy mess right now! We almost died the other day, and I felt like it was my fault so I avoided you and I know that’s dumb, and I’m dumb and I just had this made-up compulsion to protect you no matter what because you’re my friend and you mean a lot to me and I feel so good and normal and happy when we hang out!” I took a deep, deep breath realizing that I was out of air after those last words.

Alina blinked. “I uh… I was worried about you, and I was freaked out after I saw what happened, but when Wyatt came to he just kind of said thanks and brushed me off when I asked what made you act like that. I don’t think he told anyone about it. So, I thought I’d come hear your side. After you stopped hiding that is.” She motioned towards my apartment, “You wanna hash things out over tea and some good reads?”

This was… going way too well and easy for me. “You don’t uh, you’re not scared of me after what I did to Wyatt? Or anything I just told you?”

She gave me a half smirk, “Well, I have a feeling I know what it was all about. Plus, you said it yourself, you’re a different person now, who happens to be my closest friend here. So, let me in and we’ll figure things out together.”

My chest felt so light after hearing those words. For better or worse, Alina accepted me, and was willing to stick around and hear me out. I don’t know what I did to deserve to have her drop in to my life and make things better, but I’m so damn grateful.

She plopped onto my recliner as she cracked open and issue of Arachnagus and the web of wizardry, as I started a pot of tea. “By the way, while I appreciate the concern for my safety. Although if it’s you I’m facing? I’ve got nothing to worry about.”

I decided to just leave that to interpretation as I pulled up a chair to figure out what issue to comb through tonight.