Page 34 of A Storm of Fire and Ice

Chaos.

Heart racing, I yanked a yellowed scroll from under a pile of scrolls, dust pluming, and unfurled it on the table. My eyes quickly skimmed the text.

“Brontes! Brother!” I cried, urgency coursing through me. “This is it! I think it’s about Chaos Magic!”

Excitement bubbled inside me as I began to read aloud to Brontes and Fannar:

When Chaos unveils its shadow vast,

The realm shall tremble, futures recast.

From unity’s heart, a storm of fire and ice shall rise,

Two become one, the key to the realm’s reprise.

Powers merge, a hidden truth from the past,

For in combined might, the scales find balance at last.

“Well, that’s not confusing or anything,” Brontes said sarcastically, furrowing his brow.

Fannar smiled weakly. “You think they’d make it easy on us?”

“The first two lines ‘When Chaos unveils its shadow vast, / The realm shall tremble, futures recast,’” I repeated. “That has to be Chaos Magic.”

“‘A storm of fire and ice,’” Fannar pointed out. “That’s what Obsidia once said.”

“But the rest of this . . . ‘Scales find balance at last,’” Brontes muttered. “What does that mean?”

Fannar’s gaze sharpened, his eyes flashing. “We should talk to Headmaster Moira. She can help us figure this out.”

I nodded, gathering the scroll in my arms. Hope kindled within me like a flame. We had a lead at last, a chance to stop Obsidia’s dark reign.

The three of us hurried through Haven Academy’s hallowed halls, our footsteps echoing on the polished marble floors. I craned my neck, gazing upward in awe at the soaring arched ceilings painted with intricate murals and colorful stained glass depicting legendary figures and epic battles.

Like an ancient citadel, it radiated majesty with towering spires and sweeping staircases imbued with centuries of mystical history. I imagined what it would be like to have students brush past us in their vibrant uniforms, heading to classes on Enchanted Realm history, magical creatures, and advanced elemental mastery.

“You are so lucky to study in such a magnificent place, Fannar,” I said as my cool breath mingled with the warm air.

“Yes, it’s truly incredible, Gwyneira.” Fannar nodded, his eyes filled with appreciation but also an underlying sadness that tugged at my heart. “But it’s nothing compared to Brontes hiring the professors to teach you at the Storm Castle! Talk about pulling the king card.”

“True.” I smiled up at Brontes with my own gratitude, and he beamed back at me. “That’s been pretty incredible too.”

As we approached Headmaster Moira’s office, a ball of nervousness fluttered in my stomach. Despite her eccentricity, I’d always admired her as the venerable guardian of this bastion of learning. Her wisdom and guidance had shaped generations of Enchanted from every kingdom. Not to mention, her status as the only Cosmic Enchanted in our realm made her privy to secrets most could only dream of. If anyone could help us unravel the mystery of defeating Obsidia, it was her.

The door to her office was opened, so Fannar poked his head into the doorway. “Headmaster Moira, may we come in?”

“Yes, come in,” she called.

I followed Fannar and Brontes inside. The headmaster sat at her desk, her striking raven hair cascading over her shoulders like a glistening river in the moonlight.

“Ah, my young royals,” she greeted us, her voice gentle yet commanding. “What brings you here?”

“Gwyneira, show her what you found,” Brontes urged.

Hesitantly, I stepped out from behind the boys. The scroll crinkled under my fingers as I unrolled it across Headmaster Moira’s desk.

“This prophecy,” I said, my voice trembling slightly, “I-I think it’s about Chaos Magic.”

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