The rest of first term flew by. Three more kids had gone missing, one from The House of Gia and two from The House of Leith. No one had any clue how they disappeared either. Two had disappeared in the night and the other was between classes.

Everyone in the school was terrified. The students all kept to as big of groups as possible. The masters weren’t sure what to do in order to help.

Parker and Hailee shared their dreams with each other. Each continuing to have similar dreams. The figure only ever managed to say their names before they woke up. However, each dream had a similar setting. They were in a room with high, stone, walls with no windows. The ground was rough, as though Earth Imperials had been through but didn’t smooth it out when they were done.

Alexis did everything she could to just focus on classes and passing her tests. She ended the first term with the highest marks in the class. Caleb finished just behind her. Everything seemed to just click for him. One day, it all made sense and he was having no more troubles. His Omni class was becoming easier and easier for him, even though the skills were growing in difficulty.

Classes didn’t come quite as easily to Parker, although he still passed. His favorite class remained to be his Air Imperials class, where he was the star student of the first years. He could tell at times that it bothered Alexis that he was better than she was at it.

With the end of term came a few days off as a break for all of their hard work, especially given the current circumstances. The masters continued to recommend that everyone still travel in groups and stay in the houses as often as possible.

“I can’t believe the Aether games have been so close this year!” Hailee was shocked by the last game. “You guys barely pulled out the victory against The House of Gia. But it puts you in the lead at three wins and zero losses. Need to be careful with The House of Kenna. The second term match will be a ruthless one; they’re going to be coming for you to get that win back. Have you been practicing to face them?”

Alexis nodded her head and filled her in on their new formations. Hailee found everything about Aether fascinating. She wanted to play and had Alexis help her routinely by try to get passed her with the ball. Hailee was improving dramatically with all of the help. She was hoping that she would be able to try out for the team at the end of second term.

“On a different note, how are things between you and Parker? Hailee asked, but could see Alexis withdraw a little.

Her cheeks turned a rosy tint, “Uh… I think okay. He’s always super nice to me and compliments me a lot. He’s even called me a nickname a few times and every time he does he gets really flustered like he didn’t mean to.”

Hailee couldn’t control her laughs this time. “That’s adorable. He totally likes you!” Alexis’s face turned from a rosy pink to a bright red.

“What? Why do you say that?”

“Think about it Alexis. Why would calling you a nickname, if he didn’t like you, fluster him? He’s embarrassed and doesn’t know if you actually like the name he called you. I wish I could’ve been there for that.”

A smile grew across Alexis’s face. “Are you ready to head down for dinner yet? We’re supposed to meet the boys there and I don’t want to be late.”

Hailee grinned, “Why don’t you wanna be late?” She winked, teasing her. Alexis playfully slapped Hailee’s arm as they headed down to the dining hall.

Sitting at the table, waiting for the girls to arrive, Parker and Caleb were talking about classes. “I hear that second term of first year is pretty tough. History starts to focus in detail on the start of the school. I enjoyed hearing about the recent masters that have made big impacts,” Caleb said. He always enjoyed the history class, just like Alexis.

Parker thought about how close Caleb and Alexis were and his heart started to race a little. He asked himself why he was reacting like this. So what if they were close, why did that matter?

“Everything okay, Parker?” Caleb tapped his shoulder. “Is everything all right?”

Parker shook his head back and forth, “Oh. Yeah. I’m fine. Just thinking about some things.” His face lit up as he saw Alexis and Hailee walk into the dining hall.

“Behind the Imperials is supposed to get really interesting this term. It connects a lot with what you will learn in history as well,” Hailee said.

“What are you two talking about?” Parker asked.

“We were just talking about classes for us this term. She was giving me some information about them. Saying that Behind the Imperials and history are going to be similar and will have information that connects.”

Hailee continued giving them advice through dinner about their upcoming term. “Parker can I talk to you after dinner?” she asked him. He nodded, unsure of what she would want to talk to him about. Alexis’s heart started to race a little bit, worried that Hailee was going to tell him that she liked him.

As they continued to eat, the dining hall slowly began to empty. Even the head table was only half full. Master Sora and Master Keegan sat together talking very intensely about something. When Master Keegan got heated in a conversation he moved his hands around a lot and the more heated he gets, the redder his hands become.

“What do you think they’re talking about?” Caleb asked. Everyone at the table shrugged their shoulders, not sure what was going on. Master Keegan’s hands looked like glowing coals at this point. Then he suddenly stopped, hands still in the air, glowing red. Master Sora didn’t budge, in fact everyone in the hall was no longer moving.

“What’s going on?” Alexis asked in a panicked voice.

“I have no idea,” Parker said as he stood up. The lights in the room began flickering rapidly. After a moment, they stopped, and the masters continued their debate.

“What just happened?” Hailee asked.

The four of them witnessed what had just happened, but it appeared that no one else in the hall was aware. “Why isn’t anyone fazed by this?” Parker couldn’t understand what was happening.

He walked up to the head table and interrupted the masters. “Um… sorry to interrupt, but did you notice what just happened?” It was clear that they hadn’t by the looks on their faces.

“Parker, what are you talking about? I understand that we were having a debate up here, which we shouldn’t have done in front of you, but I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. You’ve seen people argue right?” Master Sora was genuinely confused as to what Parker was saying.

“No, master. I know you were arguing, that’s not what I’m talking about,” he pointed at Master Keegan. “Your hands were in the air, glowing red, and then you froze. Completely stopped moving and Master Sora froze as well. Everyone in the room did, except me, Alexis, Caleb and Hailee. What’s happening?”

The masters looked at each other with a grim expression on their faces. “Parker, gather your friends and come with us. Now.”

The four them met the masters at the entrance to the dining hall. “Quickly, come with us. We need to talk about something.” They followed as the masters led them down a long corridor they had never noticed before. It was parallel to the dining hall and ended at the bottom of a very tall and narrow spiral staircase. Just enough space to fly up the middle of. The masters led the way, Master Sora sending Master Keegan and Master Kingston up first, to speed things along. Then, one by one, the students followed.

They arrived including a small room with desks scattered everywhere. Broken chairs littered the floor, accompanied by broken glass.

“What happened in here?” Alexis asked, looking around at the disarray of stuff.

“That is not important. We are here because it’s one of the most private places in the school. Only staff members, and now the four of you, know of it. Please keep it that way.” Master Keegan’s voice was anxious, as though he were waiting for something bad to happen.

“Why are we here?” Parker asked.

Sweat beaded on Master Sora’s forehead. “This is way worse than we thought it would be. I’m sorry that you four are involved in this. But based on what you told me from dinner, there’s only one conclusion. I have a feeling I know who is under the robe…”

Shock struck everyone’s faces. “What do you mean you know who is under the robe? You mean it’s a person? How come only certain people can see them then? Shouldn’t anyone be able to?” Question after question flew at Master Sora from the four students.

“You have to understand, there’s nothing we could’ve done to prevent this, except maybe in the past. Years ago, there was a young woman here. She was one of our strongest students ever. She earned perfect marks, studied hard, very popular, but always wanted more than what we could give her.”

Everyone’s minds were racing. “What house did she belong to?” Hailee asked. She saw Master Keegan slowly shake his head left and right, gesturing for Master Sora not to say it.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“I’m sorry Auberon, they have the right to know. She’s chosen them. She was an Omni. She didn’t belong to any one house. She went back and forth, which is part of why she was so popular. Many of the students liked her for the fact that she could control all of the elements. Back then, it wasn’t kept a secret.”

Caleb’s heart started racing. Was this what his future was going to be like? Always wanting more, no matter what he had learned.

“Caleb, you can tell them, although, I suspect they already know.” Caleb nodded. “Well, she not only learned how to control the elements, she also began learning how to control time and space, light and darkness. From what happened earlier, it seems that she’s doing well. She’s had plenty of time to master it. When we found out that she was learning to control things outside what we were teaching her, we tried to stop her. Then she just disappeared, one week before her graduation. We haven’t heard from her since. She started here Auberon’s, I mean Master Keegan’s, first year.”

Parker leaned to Hailee, “Did the figure sound like a girl in your dream?”

She shook her head and said, “I couldn’t make out if it was a man’s or woman’s voice. It happened so fast and caught me off-guard.”

“Same here. Do you think it could be this woman they’re talking about?” She shrugged her shoulders.

“I mean, it seems like it has to be, doesn't it?”

“Master Sora?” Parker blurted out.

“Yes?” he responded.

Parker’s heart started to race. “Hailee and I have had dreams of the figure.”

“Why have you not mentioned this before?”

“We didn’t think much of it. They were just dreams.”

“Parker… when it comes to her, nothing is just as it seems. This woman is capable of terrible, terrible things now. Her drive to want more and more is what made us keep Omnis a secret from then on. All in the hopes of keeping their drive under control.”

Fear set in on all of their faces. “You mean to tell me that she was… she was actually in my dreams, our dreams?” Master Sora nodded his head. “Is there anything we can do to keep her out of our dreams?”

The masters discussed whether or not there was anything to be done, any way to help, but couldn’t think of anything. “I think the best thing at this point would be to embrace the dream, to a point. I’m not saying I want your dream self to confront her, but really take in the surroundings. Try to figure out where she could possibly be. But it could be anywhere with her ability to control space.”

“Master?” Alexis asked Master Sora, catching him off-guard.

“What, dear?” She paused for a moment, “What’s her name? You’ve only referred to her as ‘her’ and ‘she’.”

Master Keegan cut in, “Her name is Lara Wilkes. But please, do not confront her in your dream.” They finished their discussion and ushered the kids out.

“Auberon, we need to keep a close eye and let the other masters know,” Master Keegan said as Master Sora walked out of the room. He nodded his head, agreeing without saying a word.

“Hailee, are you scared?” Caleb asked.

She nodded her head. “Of course I am. But all I can do is what they told me and go about my daily business. Everything will get figured out.” She sounded optimistic, as always, but Caleb could tell she wasn’t truly.

Parker leaned his shoulders over the balcony railing, looking down into the courtyards. Faint fires glowed, casting shadows among the trees. The courtyard was normally filled at this hour. The sun had just set, students normally stay out there for hours after it gets dark. But now, there were only a couple small groups of students sitting around. He thought about how dangerous that seemed to be, but felt the yearning to be down there with them, trying to have a good time.

Alexis appeared next to him. “Parker, I’m scared for you. I’m not even directly involved in this and I’m terrified. I can’t imagine how you must be feeling. Is there anything I can do for you?” He shook his head without saying anything. His eyes never left the courtyard. “Talk to me Parker. Let me know what I can do. Even if it’s as little as taking your mind off of it.”

“What can you actually do?” he snapped. “There’s nothing anyone can do! She’s come to Hailee, and me. It sounds like our lives are in serious danger now. Before, it was just scary and creepy. But now, now it sounds life threatening. So, no! There’s nothing you can do right now!”

Alexis withdrew from him, taking a step back. “I’m… sorry…” She turned quickly, robes swinging out wide, and stormed back into the common room as a tear ran down her cheek.

Hailee saw her storm past. She got up and walked out to Parker. “What just happened? Alexis looked like she was crying.”

Parker didn’t meet her eyes either. His focus was still on the fires down in the courtyard. “She kept asking me questions about this. I told her there was nothing she could do. Then she turned and stormed off.”

“Did you ever think she just wanted to help?”

“I know she wants to help, but there’s literally nothing she can do. I don’t want her to get hurt by this. We have to handle this on our own.” Parker was getting very frustrated. “I’m sorry that I got mad at her, I’m going to go find her so I can apologize.”

He turned and walked back into the common room. Everyone was engaged in conversations with someone, focused enough that Parker snuck down the girl’s corridor toward the bedrooms. He didn’t even know which room to go to. It could’ve been any of the three first year rooms. But then, he heard a faint crying sound coming from behind the second door. Parker gently knocked on the wooden door.

He could hear her try to stop crying, wiping her eyes and sniffling her nose. After a minute, she said, “Come in.” Parker opened the door to see her eyes were red and puffy. She was still sniffling while she lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

“I’m sorry Alexis. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”

Her head shot off her pillow. “What are you doing in here? You’re not supposed to be here!” She turned away from him so he couldn’t see her face.

“I had to come and apologize to you,” he said. “Why did you turn around?” She was trying to slow her breathing before responding.

“I don’t want you to see me like this.”

Parker walked around the base of her bed and sat next to her. “Can I tell you something, but promise not to tell anyone?” It took a moment, but she nodded her head. “The reason I snapped at you earlier was because I just found all of this information out. It’s a lot to take in. I mean, there’s a woman who’s been literally entering my dreams. I’m terrified right now. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to fall asleep.”

Alexis turned and looked at him. She could see on his face that he was being sincere. “I know it’s a lot. I just want to be able to help you somehow.” She brushed the hair out of her eyes.

“Not only did I find all of this out today, but it’s also my birthday… please don’t tell anyone. I’m not big on birthdays so I don’t want it to be a big deal.”

“What? Why didn’t you tell us?”

He looked at her slightly confused. “I just told you, I’m not big on birthdays.” She laughed a little which made Parker smile. He hated seeing her sad, especially when it was his fault.

“Well, duh. I know you’re not big on them but you still could’ve told us!”

“I’ve just found it easier if I don’t share it. I mean, I don’t know when your birthday is.” She made a face, as if saying “touché”.

“My birthday was before we got here. Like, right before we got here. Remember the day we met?” Parker nodded his head. How could he forget the first day he met her? “Well… that was my birthday. I turned thirteen and then my parents dropped me off at an abandoned subway station. Great birthday gift right?”

Her cheeks flushed a rosy pink. “Parker… can I tell you something?”

He nodded, “Of course, I’m always happy to listen!” She hesitated and twirled her hair between her thumb and forefinger.

“I just wanted to say… that…”

The door to the room burst open. Hailee stood in the entryway, “Parker you need to leave. I heard some others saying they were getting ready to head back to go to sleep.”

Quickly the three of them left the room. Alexis and Hailee were doing their best to conceal him as they walked down the corridor. Once they made it to the common room, they took a seat on an open couch in front of the roaring fire. The temperature outside had dropped significantly since they arrived at Lancastre.

Alexis leaned over to Hailee and angrily whispered, “You interrupted me! I was going to tell him I liked him, then you came bursting through the door!” Hailee’s eyes grew wide.

“You were going to tell him? I’m glad I came bursting in. I not only kept him from getting into trouble but I kept you from possibly hurting your friendship.” She didn’t understand what Hailee was trying to say.

“What do you mean, hurting our friendship?”

“Think about how he snapped just a little bit ago. He’s got too much running through his mind right now. The last thing he needs is to have that weighing on his mind as well.” Alexis shook her head.

“I think it would’ve been fine. He explained everything to me, what was happening, why he snapped and I completely understand. I probably would’ve snapped too.”

Parker had been staring at the fire, completely oblivious to the conversation that was happening right next to him. Caleb came over and joined them, snapping Alexis and Hailee out of their heated whispering.

“So, ready for the first day of second term?” He was so much happier with his Omni class now that he had learned how to control his thoughts, focusing on the right ones for each element. Ever since their meeting with the masters about Lara, he couldn’t help but thinking what it must take to control all of those other things.

No one responded to his question. The thoughts about everything that was happening clearly weighed heavily on everyone’s minds. “Well, I guess I’m just going to hit the hay. I’ll see you at breakfast.” Caleb got up and headed down the boys’ corridor and disappeared behind their bedroom door. A few minutes later, Hailee followed suit and made her way down the girls' corridor.

Alexis turned to Parker on the couch. “Parker… what I was saying earlier before Hailee burst in…”

“Alexis, would you stay up with me?” His cheeks flushed, his heart raced and Alexis could tell, even in the firelight.

“Sure, is everything all right?” She was worried. Parker never seemed to let anything faze him.

He shook his head. “I’m terrified to try and sleep. I don’t want her coming in to my dream again. What if she finds a way to take me through my dream?” She could hear the fear in his voice.

The other students slowly disappeared to their rooms. Once the common room was empty, they walked to the balcony and flew up to the roof.

They lay in the middle, next to each other, staring into the night sky. “It’s so beautiful out here. Back home, I lived in a field so we never had any trouble seeing the moon and stars at night. But it’s nothing compared to this. It’s amazing how detailed the night sky is.”

Alexis leaned up on her elbows. “I forgot you mentioned that you lived in a field back home. It must be way different for you to live on a lake now.” The waterfall could be heard from the roof, roaring over the edge of the cliff that Lancastre sat on.

Parker nodded his head. “Yeah, but it’s not the scenery that makes this place so great. It’s the people I’ve met while being here. You, Caleb, Hailee, the masters, our teammates. I didn’t have many friends at home. I spent most of my time studying, working around the house or playing with my little sister.”

Silence fell between them. Parker remembered that Alexis had had a little brother for a moment. “Alexis, I’m so sorry. I forgot about your brother.”

“It’s okay. Like I said, I’ve come to terms with it, at least for the most part.”

They lay next to each other, discussing a variety of personal interests from before and after they arrived at school. The moon slowly danced across the sky among a sea of stars. The galaxy shown bright, reflecting on the lakes surface.

“Parker.”

“What’s up, Alexis?” he said, not realizing that she hadn’t been the one to say his name.

“Parker, that wasn’t me,” Alexis said.

They both bolted upright, to see a robed figure standing at the edge of the roof.

“You will find the missing, hidden in the castle. No harm has or will come to them, as long as you arrive in time. You have until the end of term to find them.”

“They’re here? Where? In a secret room? What are you using them for?” His voice was filled with panic.

“I repeat, you have until the end of term to find those who are missing. You will need a true master in order to find the hidden chamber. Without one, any attempt will be for naught.”

Just as she had appeared, she was gone. They sat, speechless, until the sun creeped over the horizon. “Parker, we need to tell Master Sora immediately.”