[https://img.wattpad.com/5045ab31425aaf96818e5d6fc8bde74d63bec146/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f31527155484c7264777766784b413d3d2d313235363530303639322e313732386166306365663734343064623933383433343737323434392e706e67]

Sophie was faced with yet another surprise when she entered through the gigantic gates.

"It's a building!"

Seen from the outside, the fortress had looked odd, but it still looked like it might have formed naturally, with the exception of the big, red gates. Sophie had half expected the inside to look like a hollowed-out cave, but instead...

Instead, she had stepped into a hall that was intricately built and massive – so massive that you could fit an entire skyscraper in there and still have room. Scattered around the room were all the strange creatures with their different looks, all talking to each other. Some of them Sophie recognized from the buses.

Nine staircases were placed around the hall, each of them a totally different shape and height. One of the staircases had steps that flowed freely in the air. Another one had steps that were constantly shifting in height. A third one was turned all the way upside down. Each staircase was totally different, and each one led to a different corridor.

Four of the staircases were placed on the left-hand side of the room, another four were on the right, and one was placed right in the middle. That one wound upwards in a circle and seemed to go on forever.

Behind the middle staircase, Sophie saw a wooden bridge that led directly into a thundering waterfall. Where the waterfall began or ended, Sophie couldn't make out.

Why would they have a waterfall inside their building? she wondered.

But as much as Sophie wanted to stand around and come up with reasons for having an indoor waterfall, she had to get a move on. She was supposed to find the principal's office. That was one of the few things her mom had told her.

But how?

She could try asking for directions, she supposed. Maybe she could approach one of the taller creatures that were standing around. She reasoned that the taller ones were likely to be adults, or maybe even teachers at the school.

Then again, she couldn't be too sure. The boy made of stone that had sat next to her on the bus had to be one of the students, considering he was on the school bus, and he was maybe the tallest person Sophie had ever met.

She wasn't sure who she should risk talking to. But before she had to decide, someone approached her first.

"Cozydozy there! You're new here, ain'tcha?" a voice boomed from behind her.

Sophie turned around on the spot. In front of her stood a pretty lady wearing an orange woolen hat and a light blue jacket. She was also wearing an old-fashioned shirt and a sash that Sophie thought made her look a bit like a pirate.

The woman had orange, shoulder-length hair, two long pointy ears that poked out to the sides, and a tail that calmy waved from side to side [https://img.wattpad.com/32d05a07439b1fce9147f6673bf6accbca820858/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f4746546b6f4f7850706b5a4b43513d3d2d313235363439383237332e313730396236626236333565383038353432313037393630373632362e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

The woman had orange, shoulder-length hair, two long pointy ears that poked out to the sides, and a tail that calmy waved from side to side.

"Um, yeah... It's my first day," Sophie said.

"Oh, that's rad! I haven't seen a human student around here in ages. Anything I can do to help ya out?" the lady asked with a smile.

"Yeah, the principal's office... Do you know where that is?"

"Yup, that's right on the other side of that there waterfall. You'll just need the watchman to let you through. He's kinda strict, but if you just tell him your name and that you're new here, I'm sure it'll all work out!" The woman pointed towards the bridge that led directly into the waterfall.

"Thank you so much," Sophie said. She turned towards the waterfall feeling very relieved.

"No problem, Sophie!"

Sophie swung back around to ask "How do you know my name?!", but the woman had already gone off and was heading towards the exit. Sophie looked after her with puzzlement before heading towards the waterfall. The woman seemed nice. And a little bit strange.

"Well, I guess I'm having a second shower today..." Sophie said with a sigh as she looked up at the waterfall.

She took a deep breath and stepped onto the small bridge. The waterfall was very close now.

I wonder if the waterfall is going to move when I get closer, or if I just need to walk through it, she thought to herself.

Halfway across, Sophie stopped and glanced down the side of the bridge into the vast nothingness that the waterfall was pouring into. It was dark as the night. She turned back towards the waterfall and stepped closer.

A deep voice rang out: "Name and password!"

Sophie froze completely while her eyes darted from side to side, looking for the source.

Where did that voice come from? she thought. It had to be that watchman that the strange woman mentioned.

"Um... Who said that? I don't know any passwords, but my name is Sophie."

Right in front of her eyes the waterfall took on the shape of a gigantic face. It looked like an old, wise wizard with long hair and an even longer beard.

"Sophie who? And what business do you have in the principal's office?" the watery face asked [https://img.wattpad.com/fa2e763c415e5bb79a42f09b507d0b2b105fb784/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f2d33466f4c43574c4945364257513d3d2d313235363439383237332e313730396236633535643834643365623239313635303338313033312e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

"Sophie who? And what business do you have in the principal's office?" the watery face asked.

"I'm, uh, Sophie Somera. My mom told me to go see the principal. It's my first day."

"Somera!?" The face in the water did not seem pleased to hear that. "So, you'd be the child of Colette and Marco, then? And this school had finally begun to calm down a bit, too. Are you just as..."

Before he could finish, Sophie was already blurting out: "Why do you have a face like an old man? And how are you even alive?"

The face in the waterfall gave her a sullen look.

"Yes, you are definitely their child... So, to answer your questions: My name is Dono. I am the spirit of the four waterfalls of Unum that spring from each of the four corners of the world. I protect the water from pollution and unwelcome guests! I am a spirit created by Prima herself, with the purpose of being noble, wise, and powerful. But above all else, I am the guardian of the office of Principal Marro!"

"But why do you have a face like an old man?"

Dono let out a tired sigh.

"... Because when you look like an old wise man, people tend to listen to you. If I'd chosen to appear as a giant baby face, do you think people would ever take me seriously?"

That made sense to Sophie, who nodded thoughtfully.

"Principal Marro should be ready to see you now," Dono said, and the waterfall split into two, like a curtain being drawn to the sides.

A door behind the waterfall became visible. It was made of a dark-brown wood with engravings of magical runes that were glowing bright blue. Sophie was fascinated by the door but noticed that there wasn't any door handle. She gave the door a light push and it slid open.

Sophie was lying in her bed with the duvet pulled up over her head [https://img.wattpad.com/8c8906bfb2eff326a3f9cd52b86ce8ec6d8acc52/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f767862706948304a73664a7570673d3d2d313235333934313835302e313733663230616534623765333861363936343636313337343032322e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

- Next chapter Friday the 25th of November