A strong gust of wind shook the wooden walls of Fareth’s home, the windows rattling in its howls. He lived in Haven, a small town perched on top of a hovering rock in the sky, meaning there was nothing to block the air currents. His hand hovered over the doorknob shaking; once he stepped foot outside it would mark the beginning of his journey towards the tournament - a trial in which he would face the expectations to follow in his family's footsteps as proficient Staffwielders.

“I can do this,” he said to himself and exhaled. “No, I have to do this.”

He swung the door open and a powerful blast of icy wind invaded the warmth of his home. His white robe fluttered in the forceful winds, arm straining to keep the door open, and body shivering as he ventured into the snowy streets. He braced his body, walked down the pathway and breathed into his hands before placing them inside his robes. He sighed at the mundane repetition of houses; they were like his own home, small and quaint.

Two great white flags with dragon insignias rustled violently at the end of the pathway. Wide open silver gates stood between these flags and marked the exit of Haven, with a sheer drop into the clouds and a plummet to the lands beneath. The closer he got to them, the more crowded it became. Those in the crowd were carrying leather bound books, others grasping onto scrolls and some were like him carrying nothing but a staff. It was still hard for him to believe that they would choose someone as young as him to be counted among these honoured individuals clad in Haven’s white robes.

The closer he got, the more restless his finger became, fiddling with the carved dragon head atop his white staff in a nervous fidget. He quickened his pace, passed through the gate and felt a spring beneath his feet as he placed his foot on top of a levitating golden step. These steps lead off the cliffside of Haven and ascended directly into the heart of Azurean, the sky castle above the Blue Mountains.

Men and women made their journey up the golden steps and arranged themselves into five separate lines, each shadowing the next. Fareth followed suit and reflected on his strategy. He would have to beat those from his house in three separate duels to make the final eight. It would not be that simple though because he would not be able to overpower them in a fight. He would have to find a way to outsmart them or if it came to be… his hand hovered over the waist of his robes. Beneath it was the secret that he kept. A secret that he might have to reveal in order to pass the tournament. The secret of a rare magical art known as Hiltwielding. He let out a vaporised breath and regained his focus.

As he approached the top of the staircase, the landing up ahead became clearer and so too did a familiar sight that was bouncing up and down.

“Fareth!” The man said, waving in his direction, “Fareth, over here!”

As if jumping up and down wasn’t enough to make him noticeable, he was the only one in a sea of white wearing the distinct dark green robes of Naxen house.

“Gaia?” Fareth said as he stepped onto the open landing above, pleased to see his old childhood friend. “What are you doing hanging around the top of Haven staircase? You look like you’re about to burst open.”

“Because… I just am, okay?” Gaia said, but before Fareth could question his odd response he grabbed Fareth’s arm and whisked him away through the landing.

“Wha- what are you doing?” Fareth said as the two weaved their way through the waves of white robed individuals. They were heading in a hurry towards an immense stone archway that lead inside the castle. “Where are we going?”

“Not here.” Gaia said, his usual cheery tone was brief and low.

Together they approached the looming archway, passing by small hovering balls of flame above them. It served as both a temporary relief from the cold and as a light for the landing.

They passed under the archway and entered the hallway inside the castle. Gaia twisted his head, his eyes darting around until he dashed to a quieter part of the hall, bringing Fareth with him. Satisfied with this spot, Gaia leant in towards Fareth and said, “I found something odd in the library yesterday.”

“Alright,” said Fareth and nodded his head slowly, “What did you find?”

“It was a book.” Gaia said.

Fareth raised one eyebrow, “A book, in the library, well that is odd.”

Gaia’s eyes lit up and he gave a short firm huff, “No! You don’t understand, this was no ordinary book.”

“Sorry,” Fareth said, his eyes glancing up and down at Gaia, “do you have it with you?”

“No, it’s back where I found it, inside the library.”

“This book you found… it isn’t going to get us into trouble, is it?”

Gaia stammered for a bit. “Well, no… probably, yes.”

“Gaia!” Fareth protested.

“I promise you, it’s not going to be like the time we borrowed Housemaster Zaran’s staff.”

“I can’t believe you tricked me into taking that.” Fareth said.

“I can’t believe you fell for it so easily,” Gaia said, chuckling before returning to a flat tone, “But that’s not the point I’m trying to make. This is serious, alright?”

Fareth nodded his head, “Alright, alright. What was strange about this book?” he said.

Gaia’s eyes searched the bustling hallway again before his gaze met with Fareth’s. “It’s too crowded to tell you here. Let’s meet on the fifth level inside the abandoned garden after our trial today.”

“Sure,” Fareth said, “but is there anything you can tell me now?”

“All I can say is that after I read the book I went searching for more information in the library.”

“And? What did you find?”

“Nothing. This book was the only one containing information on …” he paused and let out a sigh. “... on a fifth town, Xaven.”

“What? That’s not possible, there are only four towns.”

“Shh! I’m not comfortable talking about this anymore. I’m not answering any more questions, alright?”

“You won’t answer anymore of my questions?”

“No.”

“You just did.”

Gaia playfully punched Fareth on the arm. “I can’t believe I just fell for that.” A smile crept over his face and Fareth relaxed upon seeing his usual cheerful friend return to him.

“Fareth, where’s Housemaster Geroth?”

“Oh,” Fareth said, “Father had to attend an early meeting this morning.”

Gaia uttered a slight humming sound. “Hmm, curious that. You know, Housemaster Zaran has been absent around Naxen lately, too.”

“Well, he’s a Housemaster, they both are, it’s busy time of the solar cycle for them.”

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right. Maybe I’m just reading into it too much.”

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Fareth narrowed his eyebrows. He tried recalling a time in the past when his father was getting ready for the annual trials. His memory was hazy, shrouded in a veil of ambiguity. He struggled to remember if what was currently happening to his father was similar to the past. As of late, he arrived home deep into the night, hardly getting any sleep and left long before the sun woke up. Perhaps there was merit in what Gaia had said.

“What are you thinking about, Fareth?’ Gaia asked.

Fareth cleared his throat. “Oh, nothing, really. It’s just, I thought maybe you were onto something.”

“Oh?” Gaia said. “That’s rare of you to agree with me!”

“I said maybe. Don’t get carried away here.”

The congestion of people had dwindled in the main hallway and the sound of a deep horn blasted around the castle, alerting Gaia to the time. “Oh no,” he said, his face looking as if all blood had drained out of him, “I’ve got to go!”

“Where are you going? The doors to our trial won’t be opening for another couple of blasts.” Fareth said.

“That’s exactly where I’m going! Housemaster Zaran said he wanted me there early.”

“Why?” Fareth said with a puzzled expression as Gaia turned around and sprinted away from him, weaving between people.

“Something, something, troublemaking, I couldn’t make it out!” he called, turning the corner into the main hall.

Fareth rolled his eyes and smiled.

He walked at his own pace, joining the few that were passing through the hallway and entered the main center hall. The ceiling was high and had suspended levitating fire lamps illuminating the room. A large spiralling staircase went up and up, higher than Fareth was able to see and it branched off at various levels. The ground level floor had four different hallways extending to the north, south, east and west. At the end of these hallways were the steps that lead down to each of the small towns. Fareth had entered in from the southern hallway that connected to Haven.

Fareth stood in awe of the stairwell, admiring that it lead to so many wonderful things about Azurean. For one, there was the Great Library on the third floor. Perhaps this morning the Haven’s that carried the leather bound books would place them on top of a library shelf where they’d collect dust.

The stairwell harboured another great feature, but this one lay deep within the bowels of the stairwell, where a hub connected the castle to the surface below through the use of a portal. A messenger would return to Azurean with sightings of creatures terrorising the different races and it was the duty of Fareth’s kind to respond with arms. This was what Fareth had dreamt of since he was a child. This was his purpose for being here. To join those that would serve as the guardians of Aeroth.

A young and powerful voice broke his concentration and said, “Fareth.”

Fareth turned around and recognised the voice as his older brother’s.

“Taranth?” Fareth said with a smile, “I didn’t expect to see you here! I thought you’d be busy with work!”

Taranth wore a similar white robe to Fareth except his had a silver dragon insignia on the front and back. Just like his younger brother his eyes were white. Unlike him however he had long, brown hair that lay straight against his neck.

Taranth approached Fareth and gave a slight ruffle of his hair. “I couldn’t miss the big day that my little brother went off to the tournament!”

“Hey!” Fareth said, grabbing his brother's arm and attempting to put it into a hold.

Taranth removed his hand away from Fareth and gave a slight sigh. “Where has the time gone? It’s hard to believe that you’ll be joining me in the Wizarding Guard after you finish your trials.”

“That’s only if I pass the trails.” Fareth said.

“You worry too much!” Taranth said, “Of course you’ll pass them. I remember my first time taking the trials. I was excited and ready to prove myself. It was a great time.”

“Didn’t you end up in the healing ward for a month afterwards? I can’t remember what that was for.”

Taranth chuckled, “Ah, yes. Broken bones, all of them,” he said wincing, “Pain was awful. Food was good, though.”

The two brothers were interrupted by the sound of two deep horn blasts echoing around the castle.

“Seems like we’re out of time.” Taranth said. “I’ll have to take my leave here and I’m afraid I won’t be seeing you until after your trials.”

“What?” Fareth said, feeling his heart drop in his chest, “Why not?”

“I’m being sent off on an investigation that will last a few days.”

“Investigation?” Fareth asked. “Anything interesting?”

In an instant all cheerful expression on his brother’s face had washed away, ushering in a new look of dread.

Taranth wet his mouth, “Perhaps, brother,” he said, changing his tone to match the serious topic. “I’ll be going to Tal’thorn, the village of men, there are some questions that need answering.”

“Tal’thorn?” Fareth repeated.

There had been rumors circulating the castle of an unprecedented darkness lurking nearby Tal'thorn - the sightings of a strange man clad in black robes. Whispers here and there say that the man might be a Dark Mage. It couldn't be a coincidence that this was where his brother was being sent to investigate.

“Wipe that worried expression off of your face, brother. Concentrate on your tournament. I’ll be fine and so will you.” He leant in to give one last ruffle of Fareth’s hair but Fareth was ready for it this time. Determined to put his older brother's arm in a lock he reached out to grab it. Taranth was quick, too quick and in a fluid motion he swept his arm away wrapping it around Fareth’s neck.

“Taranth,” Fareth said struggling in his brother’s grip. “Promise me that you will return in one piece.”

“Do not fret, Fareth. They did not award me with the title of ‘Mentor’ because of my good looks. I promise you that I shall return home.”

Fareth sighed. “Good,” he said, raising his hands up to where his brother’s arm was wrapped around his neck. He attempted to pry his brother’s arm away but his grip was too strong.

“Do you yield?” Taranth asked.

“Yes, I yield!”

Taranth smiled at his victory and released his younger brother.“I’ll see you in a few days when I return,” he said.

He turned around, walked over towards the spiralling staircase and raised the back of his hand to signal goodbye as he disappeared down the staircase.

His brother had told him not to worry, but how could he not? He shook his head and regained his focus.

“There's no time for this,” Fareth said to himself, "I've got a trial to win."

Fareth took a few steps forward and began his climb up the spiralling stairwell heading towards the first floor. As he walked up the stone steps he noticed the gaze of others in his direction. As they passed him by a few of them struck up a smile and some offered him words of encouragement.

"Oh, I heard you're participating in the tournament this year! Good luck, Fareth, do our house proud!"

"This is it, huh? The big day! I can't wait to hear of the brilliant accomplishments you’ll make!"

"Keep your wits about you, Fareth. I hear Siren has quite the Gladiator this year."

Fareth pushed his lips into his mouth and gave an abrupt nod in the direction of those that were encouraging him. He moved his hands towards his staff and tightened his grip, keeping his head low as he exited the stairwell onto the first floor.

He quickened his pace and passed through a large, clay coloured brick corridor. The corridor was brightly lit by the wide windows lining either side of it. Fareth instinctively shivered at the frozen tundra outside. His eyes lit up and a smile crept over his face as his home town of Haven rotated into view outside the rightmost window. He wondered how long it would take before it rotated out of sight. Over at the left window the edge of Myren's floating rock crept into view. Dark green trees covered with snow glistened in the frosty breeze. Fareth shivered again and averted his gaze away from the window as if continuing to stare outside would give him a cold.

At the end of the corridor stood a large group of individuals, each clad in different coloured robes. They waited outside a pair of great wooden doors. They were each from one of the four houses; Haven, Naxen, Myren and Siren. The coloured robes they wore were white, dark green, dark blue and dark red respectively.

The crowd arranged themselves into groups from their respective houses. A few of them stood together and whispered amongst themselves. The rest however stood on their own, wearing a restless expression as they fiddled with their fingers or tapped a foot on the floor.

Those from Haven stood closest to hall doors. Fareth made his way towards them and as he passed one of the other groups he turned his head briefly towards them and scanned the group of dark green robes. His eyes searched each of the individual faces that were in his vision but none of them were Gaia. He let out a sigh and continued walking towards the Haven group.

“So, it’s true then.” A strong and determined female voice said as she broke the low whispers of the crowd.

Fareth turned his head to see who the source of the noise was. It was a girl from Siren. Her hair was long and crimson in colour and her eyes were a fiery red. She forced her way through the stagnant crowd and approached Fareth. She stood uncomfortably close, he could feel her breath on his face. He instinctively took a step back.

“What’s true?” Fareth asked.

The girl took a step forward, “A Fresh Wizard in their early twenties really did make it to the tournament.”

The onlooking crowd began to whisper to each other.

“Oh, that’s him? That’s Fareth!”

“That’s who everyone in Haven house has been talking about!”

“What an honour it is to be taking the tournament at the same time as him!”

“Yeah, it’s hard to believe that he’s taking it at such a young age.”

Fareth felt his face flair up and his heart began to race. She stood in front of him, eyes narrowed, lips unmoving and a stare that never wavered. What was her deal? Had he wronged her in the past?