(Zelda's POV)

I got up from the ground quickly and looked around for Shawn. "Shawn!! Where are you? For the love of the goddess, Shawn, this isn't funny. How did you sneak away so sneakily?

I took a deep breath and explored my surroundings, knowing something didn't feel right. Zelda, stop being paranoid. Shawn is known for his pranks, and I looked at the bench and noticed the book was missing too. He couldn't have taken it without me noticing. I'm so confused right now. I'm going to go back inside the manor and look for him. As I went inside the mansion, it was deafeningly quiet, and I made it to the ballroom and saw that it was empty. Where is everyone?

"Hello? Is anyone here?" my echoes through the halls. The manor is eerily silent as it is empty. As I walk, I hear my heels' resounding clack on the marble floors. It does nothing to calm my nerves. My pulse beats faster with every empty hallway I walk down and past. Fear and panic begin to bubble up inside me.

I walked down the grand staircase, knowing I had explored everywhere for someone, and this house was like a ghost town. This has to be some sort of joke, right? Moon Goddess, I need your help. What the hell happened to everyone?

"AHEM," said a voice behind me, and I gasped in fear. Wait, he looks familiar. He must work for the Portmans. But I don't think I know him.

"Um, hi!" I said nervously. "What's your name? Do you happen to know where everyone went?"

"What's my name? I believe I'm the one who should be asking you that question, intruder." The young man said.

Wait, WHAT? Intruder?! "I'm sorry for the confusion, but I suppose we never met before. My name is Zelda, and I'm a family friend of the Portmans."

"Oh, I see. Well, I am the steward of Portman Manor. So, it's odd that we have never met before. But then again, it's odd that I see anyone around here these days," he said.

Did he say that he was the steward? But the steward is kind, old Mr. Staples. More affectionately known as Uncle Percy to Shawn and me, he is more than twice the age of this wizard. Although, I have to admit that he bears the most uncanny resemblance to Percy. Maybe?? "Are you related to Mr. Staples?" I asked him.

"Um. I am Mr. Staples," he said as I giggled.

"Of course you are. Sorry, I meant to ask if you are related to Percy Staples." I smiled.

"Miss, I am Percy Staples," he said, as I wasn't buying it. This has to be a prank. Okay, Moon Goddess and everyone, you can stop this charade.

"Oh, I see! You must be Percy Staples Jr.?" I nodded.

"What? No, I'm certainly no Junior." He crossed his arms.

"So, Percy Staples The Second, then?" I guessed once again as he faced palmed himself. "No?

"No," Percy said. "Look, how do you even know my name? Were you sent here by someone?"

I'm so confused right now. "Mr. Staples, I do apologize for the misunderstanding. Let's start over. My name is Zelda, and I'm a family friend of the Portmans. I'm just looking for Shawn. Can you please let me know where he is?"

"Shawn? I'm not sure who this Shawn is you speak of, young lady."

I sighed annoyingly. "Well, what about Professor Portman? Is he around? I asked nervously." If anyone can give me an explanation about what's going around here, it's him.

"Oh, so you do know Master Malakai?" Percy said.

"Yes!" I smiled cheerfully.

"He's at Elysium Academy currently. But did you refer to him as a professor, though? The first semester started about a week ago. So shouldn't you have known that?"

"Wait, hold on. School started a week ago?! That's not possible!" I yelled.

"I assure you I'm not mistaken. Classes started on the 1st, and it's the 7th now," Percy explained.

"So, you're telling me I've missed A WHOLE WEEK OF CLASSES?" I said as I was about to have a panic attack. "Oh, sweet merciful Moon Goddess. I'm fucked. I'm going to be SO behind on classwork! Not to mention my MPAT schedule." I was about to break down right then and there.

"Um, why don't I contact Master Malakai for you? Just stay right there, and I'll be right back." Percy said as he backed away slowly from my meltdown. I'm not sure how much time has passed, but Percy eventually returned. "Miss? I spoke with Master Malakai, and he has agreed to meet with you tonight so you can talk."

I felt like I was able to breathe again. "Oh, good, the Professor is coming here?" I asked.

"Oh, no. You can head over to the Academy. The headmistress had granted permission for your arrival. The wards to Malakai's office are scheduled to open half an hour from now. So he'll talk to you then, and that will leave us with a tiny bit of time to pass then. I can make you a nice cup of tea while you wait." Percy offered.

"I would love that; thank you so much, Mr. Staples.

Percy smiled as he guided me to the living room. "I'll be right back with your tea, Zelda."

Now that I had a moment of peace to myself to take everything in finally, it was becoming clear just how little sense anything was making tonight. Where did Shawn and everyone else disappear to? Who exactly is this mysterious second Percy Staples? Did Uncle Percy have a grandson that I never knew? And how is the current date, September 7th? When the night of the party was, August 31st? Did I lose a whole week? How is that even possible? Is everyone missing because I somehow jumped forward in time? No way, that's impossible. No way that I accidentally time travel, right? The Empyreans created strict laws that forbid others from using Time Magic. Not that anyone could if they wanted to since so little is known about it and how dangerous it is.

Percy returned with a tiny teacup and handed it to me. "Your tea, miss," Percy said.

"Thank you, Mr. Staples. I appreciate the hospitality." I smiled as I took a sip of the tea.

"Oh, please call me Percy, dear." Percy smiled. "It's no trouble at all. I brew a mean cup of tea, so I'm always ecstatic to share my talents. It's also nice to have a bit of company once in a while. I was beginning to give up any hope of Master Malakai ever inviting friends or acquaintances over, and it's difficult not sometimes to feel a little concerned about that man and his reclusive ways. He should be enjoying life and exploring new friendships and relationships at his age, but tonight, you showed up! I was somewhat alarmed at first to see you walking freely around the estate. But none of the safety wards were tripped, as they should for an intruder. So I realized that you must be a personal guest of Master Malakai. You must be familiar with one another for you to show up at his home unexpectedly and can be discreet.

What the fuck? "I'm sorry, but I have no clue what you mean," I said.

"Of course, of course. I'm sorry. I understand a young witch such as yourself must wish to maintain some mystique. Just know that I'm very excited about this development! Malakai is like a younger brother; I want nothing more than his happiness.

Oh, did he just say younger? What an odd relationship dynamic. "That's good then, I suppose." After we chatted for some time, I heard the grandfather clock chime.

"It's time, Zelda. Let's return to the foyer so you can leave through the transverse point." Percy said.

Percy kindly guided me to the portal that would take me to Elysium. "Percy, thank you for everything. It was very nice meeting you."

"Likewise, my dear. Please do take care of Malakai." Percy then winked at me. Why does he keep doing that?

"Okay," I said with confusion.

"Oh, and I would like to impart some advice to you. If Master Malakai seems down, take him for a little karaoke." Percy winked once again.

"Karaoke? Really?" I was shocked by this. I didn't know Professor Portman liked to sing.

"Yeah, he perks right up! It's his weakness; he can't help it." I laughed with Percy.

"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you again, Percy." I waved him goodbye as I said the words that would take me to Elysium. "Percurro Elysium" Everything around me turned white, and before I knew it, I was standing in an office.

"Well, hello there!" said a voice from behind. I turned around and saw a man who was smiling at me. "You must be Zelda."

What? Huh? Who the hell is this guy? "Yes, I am. Am I in the right place?" I said to the man. "This is still Professor Portman's office, right?"

"Hm, last time I checked, it was." He chuckled. "Please have a seat." I pointed to the chair in front of his desk and sat down. "So, how may I help you, my dear?

He looks pretty young, so maybe Professor Portman has got an apprentice? "Oh, sorry. I think you'd also be accommodating, but will Professor Portman be arriving soon?" I asked the man. "I need his help."

"Well, this is awkward. I am Professor Portman." He said. "Why do I feel you were expecting someone else?"

Ugh, Shawn got his grandfather in on this ridiculous ruse. "You've got to teach me your skincare routine. You truly make the age of 77 look good," I said.

"77?! Are all you kids this terrible at gauging age?" said Professor Portman.

"You can cut the act now, Professor. I suspect that Shawn had been screaming his magnum opus of pranks for our final year. But this is seriously too much. It's one thing that makes me think I somehow accidentally time-traveled. But tricking me into thinking I missed a whole week of classes?!" I got up from my seat. "Now that's just cruel! And I'm supposed to believe that you're somehow 52 years younger right now? This prank doesn't even make any sense."

The man looked like he was looking at a crazy person. "I'm very lost right now," Professor Portman said.

"You and me, both. Just tell your grandson that I will get him back for this. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be heading home." I said, storming to the teleporting circle, but the Professor stood in my way, and he touched my shoulder.

"Please, wait just a moment," the Professor said.

His hand on my shoulder took me by surprise. As I faced him, I found myself relatively silent. For the sight of this man up close left me somewhat stunned. He looks so much like Shawn. "Listen, I realize you seem to be under the impression that this is a prank, but based on everything you're saying, I feel like I'm the one being pranked,"

"What is that supposed to mean?" I crossed my arms.

"Well, for one thing, you seem to talk as if I'm such an old man, and now I supposedly have a grandson? Did the other professors put you up to this? Is this a welcoming prank since it's my first year on the job?"

"You're kidding me? You're still not dropping the act?" I said, shaking my head.

"I'm not the one who's putting one on." We took a long look at each other, and my eyes widened.

"Wait, you're serious?" I said.

"I think you need to fess up," Professor Portman said.

I have nothing to fess up here." I said.

"So, you think I have a grandson?" Professor Portman said.

I facepalmed. "Oh, for the love of the goddess, you DO have a grandson. We GREW UP together. He's my best friend, remember?"

"Okay, level with me for a second here, Zelda. But what year do you think this is?" the Professor asked.

"What? What kind of question is that? The year is 2077." He stared at me. "Isn't it?"

"Yeah, no. You're about fifty-two years off," Professor Portman said.

"WHAT?" I screamed. "THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE."