Chapter 5 Five

It was sunset when the Academy finally came in to view.

It was basically a huge medieval-style castle that joint into the surrounding mountains forming lots of levels and pathways.

The setting sun made everything seem to glow heavenly in the fading light. Dragons of all different sizes and colours could be seen flying around riderless near the castle.

It was beautiful.

"Amazing" Chase whispered in my ear loudly making me jump out of my trance.

"Yes, it is," said Axel patting Nacendra's neck.

She closed her wings and fell down through the sky. I held my breath and tightened my grip on Axel.

"What the hell are you doing?" Screamed Hunter clinging to Chase strongly for dear life.

Nacendra opened her wings at the last second and landed gracefully on the ground with a small thud.

"Landing," said Axel over his shoulder, a massive grin present on his face.

I let out a large sigh and let go of Axel. He jumped off Nacendra's back and held out his arms.

"Jump down"

I swung my leg over her side and jumped down praying that my ankle wouldn't give way and embarrass me in front of everyone. I landed safely supported by Axel and walked over to Max and Zack who had already dismounted.

"That was amazing wasn't it" I gasped.

"Yeah" agreed Max.

"Awesome" added Zack.

"Especially when you have a whimpering idiot clutching onto you," said Chase sarcastically jogging up to stand next to me.

I laughed and watched as other dragons flew down carrying other students. Eventually, they stopped coming and the level was full of students of different races and abilities.

"Everyone gather round please" called Jack.

We walked over to stand by our pack.

"When I call your group, follow your appointed guide to sort you into your elemental regions, which basically just determine which quarters you're going to sleep in and what team you're in for the house games," he said announced. "We will start with the werewolf packs"

"Bloodstone pack, please follow Felix," he said pointing the boy with dusty grey hair and soft brown eyes.

He gave a wave to bring their attention to him before leading the pack away.

"I've heard about those," said Zack.

"Same, I think their quite a high rank," said Max.

"Not above us though" sang Chase.

I laughed at their prevail behaviour, the pack rank was determined by how powerful it is and at present, our pack was at the highest rank above Bloodstone pack.

"Crimson shadow pack, please follow Dexter," he said pointing at the boy with dirty blond hair and pastel blue eyes.

I waved goodbye to Axel and followed Dexter along with the rest of my pack.

We walked through various hallways, each coated in paintings and decorated with beautiful patterns and engravings.

"This place is huge" voiced Ace through the new main pack link.

Vicky linked her arm through his and we all murmured in agreement.

After walking down another hallway I gave up trying to memorize the way back, it's way too big to learn in a day.

We advanced through various corridors before we came to a stop outside large double doors.

"When you enter that room you will be tested in order to be sorted into your region. When the test is complete you will hear your element name in your head and say it aloud as soon as you walk through the door" explained Dexter. "Focusing on the basic elements, there are four regions, Fire, Water, Earth, and Air."

I looked at the doors and wondered what sort of test it would be.

"Do you think it will be physical or mental?" I asked Max who was also staring at the door.

"No clue, maybe a bit of both" he replied.

"Hunter Pierce, please come forward" called Dexter reading off a clipboard.

He approached cautiously and slowly entered the room. A few minutes later he came back out in some sort of trace. The room was filled with suspense as he stood before us all like a statue among its peers.

"I think that he's broken" snickered Chase causing Max to chuckle slightly.

All of a sudden red glimmering flames burst out of nowhere and engulfed Hunter's body as they swarmed fiercely around him before fading away into the still air.

"Definitely broken" gulped Chase releasing Max's arm, which he had previously grabbed in surprise, from his hold.

"Fire," growled Hunter in a low voice.

He then shook his head and walked back over to his friends. A few more people went in and came out before Max was called.

"Wish me luck," he said disappearing through the door.

When he returned he stood fixed in the doorway.

"Earth," he said breaking out of his trance as the ground around him sank back down to its normal state.

Next was Chase, who emerged in what seemed to be a tornado.

"Air"

Then Zack, who had a long strand of water surrounding his body in a glistening ribbon.

"Water"

And finally me.

I smiled at the boys who were looking quite disheartened by the fact that none of them were together before walking slowly into the room.

The door immediately slammed shut behind me, wrapping me in complete darkness.

I blinked a few times to adjust my eyes but the only thing that I could see was an ember torch flickering gently at the other end of the room, having nowhere else to go I walked confidently towards it and picked it up cautiously.

I gasped unintentionally and covered my eyes as the room was immediately filled with a bright light.

I removed my hands, blinking multiple times before I looked around to see I wasn't in a room anymore, I was outside.

I shook my head in amazement and took in my surroundings, to my left there were multiple trees forming a small forestry area which had a long silver river coursing through it before it disappeared off a cliff edge forming a skinny waterfall.

I walked alertly along the tree line using my enhanced hearing for any indication as to what I'm meant to be doing.

"H.. h ..help me"

I stopped dead in my tracks hearing the desperate cry.

I listened hard to the persistent pleas and followed the sound to the cliff ledge.