“NOTHING, Damon! Just nothing!” Cadmus was pacing furiously around the still empty dorms on the morning the school would be welcoming students.

“What’s wrong!?” Damon glanced up from his book to see his frustrated friend.

“Nothing happened when I went to the waterfall last night!”

“Of course nothing happened. It’s just a stupid myth that the more experienced students tell the first years.” Damon went back to his book. Cadmus huffed and took a seat on one of the cushioned seats in the dorms. A rhythmic tapping filled the air as Cadmus let out his frustrations through his fingers. Damon slapped his book shut with a THWAP and eyed Cadmus with untold annoyance.

“Why don’t you check to see if Kelly or Megan have arrived yet?”

“But people aren’t supposed to be arriving for at least an hour or two.” Cadmus countered. His remark was meet with a cold stare from Damon. “Fine. I’ll go if I’m that unbearable already!”

“Thank you.”

Small grumbles and complaints could be heard from Cadmus as he trudged down the halls and to the front steps where students with all types of powers would arrive. About ten or fifteen minutes later Easton Kelvin, the headmaster of the school as well as the King of Imperium, came in his best attire made of the standard school uniform of black slacks, a white long sleeved button up shirt, and a dark blue and silver striped tie. The only thing that differentiated him and the staff from the students was a long black hoodless cape that was kept on his shoulders with a silver chain and clasps.

“Cadmus Lyons, what are you doing here all by yourself young man?”

“Waiting for the other students to arrive, your Majesty.” King Kelvin smiled a little.

“No need to call me your Majesty, Cadmus. Just call my Headmaster Kelvin.”

“Really are you sure, Sir?” King Easton Kelvin nodded his head with a joyful smile.

“Come, Cadmus, take a walk with me.” Cadmus stood and followed the Headmaster and King down the hallway of history. Images danced across the walls gracefully and others depicted violent 2D battles filled with blood and gore.

“Tell me Cadmus, have you been here before?”

“Of course, Sir. Everyone has seen the hallway of history. We take a tour every year in our history classes.” The boy was obviously confused by the man’s question.

“And what is unique about the hall of history?”

“It’s constantly being added to. The hall gets longer the more time that passes.”

“And what else?”

“What do you mean by what else?” Cadmus asked.

“I mean look around you, Cadmus. We’re surrounded by centuries of events that have already taken place. At the time they were documented there is no doubt that many were confused at what was chosen to be placed on the walls… but as time passes, they are enlightened, they understood what it all meant in the end.”

“And what does that mean to me?” Cadmus questioned.

“Cadmus, I know that your dreams have been troubling, but within time you will soon understand.” A perplexed look covered the boy’s face.

“No time for questions now. It seems that students have started arriving. If I were you I would dress in my uniform before anyone saw me in street clothes.” Cadmus looked down at his ragged jeans and light green t-shirt.

“Oh! Thanks for reminding me, Headmaster Kelvin!” With that Cadmus dashed off to get into his school uniform.

----------

Cadmus returned to the stone steps dressed in his school uniform consisting of black slacks, a white button up collared shirt, and a navy blue tie. As soon as students started arriving, Cadmus kept a sharp look out for his friends. He saw many people that he recognized like Reggie Coleman, Bartholomew Triad, and… oh no. He spotted the Adonis twins.

Sethos and Mateo Adonis were known for their chaotic powers and troublesome aptitude for pranking the teachers. The two boys spotted him as well and made their way over.

“Atlas? When did you get here? I thought you said you were coming a little later?” Sethos asked.

“Who’s Atlas? I’m Cadmus Lyons, remember? Last year I was a first year and I had Mystical Objects Class with you two last year.” The Adonis twins looked a bit beguiled then mild recognition passed over their faces.

“That’s right. You’re the Lyons kid.” Mateo smirked.

“Didn’t you fail Mystic Objects last year?” Sethos remarked. Cadmus got red in the face out of anger and embarrassment.

“Yeah, what’s wrong with that?”

“Oh nothing.” Sethos snickered.

“It’s just that Mystic Objects is the easiest class in the whole school!” The Adonis twins walked off with crude smiles on their lips. Cadmus huffed and grumbled to himself.

“Cadmus! Cadmus Lyons!? Is that you?” Cadmus turned around to see a girl with bouncy auburn curls and an overly excited smile stretched across her lips.

“Megan! How was your summer?” Instead of getting a warm hug like usual he received a slap to the face.

“CADMUS GREGORIAN LYONS! How DARE you not write, call, or text at all this summer! I swear I will kill you the next time you do that!”

“Geeze! That’s not even my middle name!” Cadmus rubbed his sore cheek.

“And for your information I had a fantastic summer!” He received a proper hug from the girl before she skipped off to get checked in. Cadmus then returned to watching other students arrive.

Before too long Cadmus spotted a hawk descend from the air above and land gracefully in the courtyard. He smiled knowing exactly who it was. The hawk shifted its form to that of a girl with blue-black hair, ice blue eyes, and a lovely smile. She set down the two bags she had in her hands when she saw Cadmus.

“Kelleva!” Cadmus exclaimed as she ran over to greet him with a hug.

“Come on, Cadmus. Stop teasing me.” She huffed in slight frustration.

“Fine, Kelly.”

“I said stop that!” She protested. There was a short awkward pause where nothing was said between the two friends until Kelly spoke up again.

“I need to get checked in. See you at the opening ceremony?”

“Definitely.” Cadmus said with a nod. Kelly retrieved her bags then set off to look for Megan. Cadmus turned around to wave at Kelly as she left and someone crashed into him and the two toppled onto the stone steps with a painful thud.

“Get off!” The other said and pushed Cadmus off of him.

“Sorry I wasn’t looking where I was going.” Cadmus apologized. The two of them stood up, brushed themselves off, and looked at each other. The more they analyzed each other the more confusion rose. Cadmus thought it was like looking in a mirror. The copy cat Cadmus had about the same facial features, piercing green eyes, and obnoxiously blonde hair. There were only a few minor differences about the person in front of him, a very noticeable set of black markings ran down the side of his face to his jaw and his hair was a tad bit longer.

“Who do you think you are!? I demand that you change back to your original form! Your shapeshifting is mockery and pathetic.” The other said.

“Excuse me, but I am no shapeshifter! I am Cadmus Lyons and I was born this way, thank you very much.” The other rolled his eyes and let out an over dramatic sigh.

“My name is Atlas Kingston and if you want to enjoy the rest of the year I suggest that you don’t make a fool of me. You’ll regret it if you do.” Atlas said in a dark tone before gathering his things off the ground and walking away.

“Man that guy has some issues.” Cadmus went to the main hall for the opening ceremony that would officially start the school year.

----------

“Welcome, both new and returning students to the Kelvin Academy of Powers. I am Mrs Crycine, the director of the Flight program here at this wonderful school as well as the teacher for all of the Mystical Object courses available here. Her voice was way too perky and her smile was too wide for the director of the Flight program. She handed the microphone over to Headmaster Easton Kelvin who explained the inner workings of the school for the newcomers.

“You will receive your schedules after the ceremony and your dorm leaders will answer any questions you may have. With that you may talk amongst yourselves until you know which sector you are in.” The main hall erupted into chatter as the students discussed which sector they would end up in.

“What sector do you think you’ll be in this year?” Kelly asked each of her friends.

“Gadum, I hope.” Megan gave a bright smile with her answer.

“Definitely Sapentae.” Damon said with his nose still buried in a book.

“I really want to be in Verom this year.” Kelly said in a confident tone. “What about you, Cadmus? Which sector do you want to be in?”

“I’m wishing for Cormum like last year but I think they’re going to put me into Vibrus instead.” Cadmus had a sour look on his face.

“If you do end up in Vibrus it won’t be so bad, right? You’re the strongest person I know.” Megan tried to cheer up her friend.

“Well whatever happens you and Damon have to move your stuff from the Verom male dorm.” Kelly told Cadmus.

“Yeah, I heard they can work up quite a temper when provoked.” Damon said in a matter-of-factly tone. A slip of paper appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, in front of every student with their intended sector printed on it. Megan received Gadum, Damon got Sapentae, and Kelly was rewarded with Verom. Cadmus didn’t dare look at the slip of paper before him. Once he gained the bravery to look at it, his heart dropped. There on the paper was the one sector he didn’t want to be in… Vibrus.