The NightCrows I: Love And Rival
CH1: A Sudden Departure
ELGRAD ACADEMY FOR THE GIFTED
Aisha Redhood
Do you really have to leave?
Aisha Frowned. She could only tell a joke to convince her not to leave.
Aisha Redhood
Think about the food, Amy!
Amy NightCrow
I don't have a choice, Aisha.
She clenched her fists and bit her lips.
Amy NightCrow
I wish I could attend the ceremony. I really do.
Amy NightCrow
But this is urgent. I have to go.
Aisha Redhood
Is this about your family?
Aisha Redhood
Are they in trouble?
Amy NightCrow
I'm so sorry, cupcake. I can't tell you that either.
Amy NightCrow
I hope you understand...
Aisha Redhood
I'm so sorry you have to endure that place.
Aisha Redhood
You don't deserve it, but I understand how you feel about going home.
Aisha Redhood
I only ask of you to be safe.
This made her calm a little.
Amy NightCrow
Thank you, cupcake, for everything.
Amy NightCrow
When I return, I promise I'll tell you every---
Professor Gate
Leaving us so soon, Ms. Nightcrow?
A voice from behind pierced through the circle of crows in the midnight Sky.
Amy NightCrow
Professor Gate?
Aisha Redhood
Professor Wiliiam, we were just---
Professor Gate
Missing the ceremony with such intent could only mean one thing, Ms. Nightcrow.
Professor Gate passed behind them.
Professor Gate
Your contract as a student will be void and null.
Professor Gate
You will not graduate this time of year.
Professor Gate
Think Smarter.
Amy closed her eyes to take a few breaths. Then she saw a crow with a red string wrapped on its feet.
The Red String says one thing:
Amy NightCrow
I made up my mind, professor.
Amy NightCrow
My Family is calling.
Amy NightCrow
I am needed.
Professor Gate examines her from head to toe.
Professor Gate
I can see your determination.
Professor Gate
Did you at least prepare some things before you leave?
Professor Gate
Your journey on your way home may not be as safe and sound as you think.
Amy goes to a nearby garden to grab something.
Amy NightCrow
Here, professor.
Amy NightCrow
I always have a scattered brain. I know things like this will happen.
Amy NightCrow
A Go bag for emergency purposes will always come in handy.
Amy NightCrow
And of course, I won't forget the Crystal Gauntlet I made for myself.
Professor Gate
You're more intelligent than I thought.
Professor Gate
Be careful how you use it though.
Professor Gate
But I can only tell you are ready.
Professor Gate
I hope my lessons aid you in your journey.
Amy NightCrow
It will, professor. Thank you.
As Amy grab her bag, there's a flash of random memories swirling on her head.
Those memories she had to endure before she ran away from home.
There was a memory of her father; the root of all her problems.
Then the memories of her brothers and sisters who sees everything as a competition. All to impress her father.
Amy clenched her fists. Their faces drawing on her head makes her bitter.
A question comes to her head:
"Why would she sacrifice her future for the family she loathed for years? Only two days left before she graduate, and she can finally get to become a certified Science Mage and earn some money".
Aisha Redhood
Are you all right, Amy?
Professor Gate
You are lost, Ms. NightCrow.
Professor Gate
With that gauntlet on your hands, you have the power to change your life.
Professor Gate
So tell me...Who or what do you fight for, Ms. Nightcrow?
Of course. Not everything is about her problems.
Amy NightCrow
My real sister...
Professor Gate
Very well then.
Professor Gate
Ms. Redhood. Get back inside.
Professor Gate
It seems like Ms. Nightcrow had made up her mind.
Professor Gate
Unless you want a dramatic exit.
Aisha pulled Amy into one last hug.
Aisha Redhood
I will wait for you, my love.
Amy NightCrow
Worry not. When I return, there will be three of us.
Aisha Redhood
I can't wait to meet your sister.
Professor gate pushed the door open.
Professor Gate
Ms. Redhood. Get inside.
Aisha Redhood
This is a goodbye then.
She kissed Amy in the cheek.
Filix the crow lie low on Amy's shoulders.
Amy NightCrow
Goodbye, cupcake.
As she turns her back, Professor gate gave her one last glance.
Professor Gate
One more thing, Ms. Nightcrow.
Amy NightCrow
What is it, Professor?
Professor Gate
Please be careful.
Professor Gate
Your homeland may not be the same as two years ago.
Professor Gate
The Bloodmourns has their eyes and ears everywhere for some reason.
Professor Gate
They are cunning and malevolent, not to say they have obsession on crystal-powered technology.
Professor Gate
Like that gauntlet you possess.
Professor Gate
Imagine if it falls into the wrong hand.
Amy NightCrow
Thank you for your warning, Professor. You are kind as always.
Amy NightCrow
I will return here someday.
Aisha Redhood
I will be waiting for you then.
She turns towards a nearby exit.
Amy NightCrow
House NightCrow, here I come!
CH2: A Warm Welcome
NOTE: Read all chapters in night mode for better experience.
Amy NightCrow
I don't remember this place, filix. I have a bad feeling about this.
Amy NightCrow
I'm very sure we followed the same path I did when I ran away from home.
Amy NightCrow
We should be in a river by now. Where are we?
Filix the Crow
Crrr...Crrr...
Filix flaps her wings as if she wants to say something.
Amy NightCrow
I'm sorry, Filix, but I don't speak your language.
Amy followed a different trail. She stopped in her tracks as she saw this massive wall towering before her.
Amy NightCrow
I don't usually go beyond this point, but I'm sure I never saw this castle before!
Amy's voice echoed around the frozen place that she barely recognized.
Filix the Crow
Crrr! Crrr!
Filix flapped her wings in distress, and a cold wind brushed on Amy's skin.
Amy NightCrow
You're right. We should probably---
A guard barked from above. He leaned below the stone to see a young girl who screamed:
Not long after the scream, a groaning sound of a massive gate behind her catches her attention, followed by neighing horses.
Amy NightCrow
Night Riders!?
Amy NightCrow
I hope we can lose them around these trees!
Guard
You can't escape us, Witch!
Behind her, a number of mounted soldiers draw closer. Their blades are already drawn for blood.
Amy NightCrow
This isn't the welcome we deserve!
Filix flapped her wings to gesture something.
Amy NightCrow
You're right...
Amy stopped to her tracks to face them.
She reached for her crystal gauntlet and assumed a defensive stance.
Amy NightCrow
We don't have time for this.
Amy NightCrow
Leave us alone!
She brings her palms together. With the crystals empowering her gauntlet, she conjured a rather small but dangerous fireball.
The horses panicked. The guards fall to the ground.
Amy NightCrow
That's right! Now I can burn the four of you to ash!
Amy NightCrow
Unless you turn your backs and let us leave in peace!
One of the guards barked an order. They began to corner her from all sides.
Guard
Our Lord will be pleased by your magic, little girl.
Amy NightCrow
But this isn't magic!
Guard
Then at least we can use it for ourselves!
Amy sighs then raised both her palms.
Amy NightCrow
Then you leave me no choice!
The rustling of a fireball grew louder, followed by the sound of a creature lurking nearby.
Guard
What kind of abomination is that!?
Amy NightCrow
Hah! I'm not gonna fall for---
A monstrous figure appeared before them. It craves for a thrill of a hunt.
Amy NightCrow
What is that thing!?
Maya NightCrow
What are you still doing there, you dimwit?
Amy snapped as she heard a familiar voice from a distance.
Maya NightCrow
Now's your chance!
Amy NightCrow
Maya!? Sis? Is that---
Her scream snapped Amy's instinct to run away and make her escape.
She took one last glance at the monster, revealing its claws to tear down anyone it landed its eyes on.
Maya NightCrow
I can't believe you're still a slow poke after all these years!
Amy NightCrow
Trust me! Neither am I!
Amy NightCrow
What is that thing!?
Maya NightCrow
Shh! Quiet! I can see the moonlight!
Maya NightCrow
They are waiting for you.
Maya NightCrow
We're almost there!
CH3: Deep Breath, Deep Thought
After a long hour of running, finally, they made it safe. Amy was gasping for breath.
Amy NightCrow
How can you run so...
Maya NightCrow
It's called physical class, sister.
Maya NightCrow
For a nerd like you, you always choose brains over muscles.
Amy NightCrow
That's not the point...
Maya NightCrow
If you're done beating yourself up, then let's go.
Maya NightCrow
Talking to you for much longer won't do me any good.
Amy NightCrow
Why are you always bitter?
Maya NightCrow
It's because you always get yourself into trouble.
Maya NightCrow
I can feel your pain, you know?
Amy NightCrow
The pain in your neck?
Amy NightCrow
You're being sacrastic...
Maya NightCrow
I don't have a choice.
Maya NightCrow
Mom's orders.
Amy NightCrow
How did you find me, by the way?
Maya NightCrow
I guess being away from home can make you forget your family.
Maya NightCrow
Well...them.
Amy tries to recall her memories.
Maya NightCrow
Did you see any crows aside from Filix?
Amy NightCrow
Uncle Alfonso...
Maya NightCrow
The all seeing crow. The master of gossips...
Maya NightCrow
Blah blah blah.
Maya NightCrow
But luckily I got there on time. Thanks to his little birds.
Maya NightCrow
You should thank him later for all I care.
Amy NightCrow
You're right.
Amy NightCrow
But its really you that I should be thankful for.
Amy NightCrow
You came to save me, right?
Maya NightCrow
Why do I cringe every time you say that word?
Amy NightCrow
After everything we've been through?
Amy NightCrow
I really think we should hug it out. Just this time.
Amy smiles. Maya could barely hide her blushing cheeks. But she managed to snap herself out of it.
Maya NightCrow
You can always find a monster for you to cuddle just to hear that cracking sound coming from your spine.
Maya NightCrow
Whatever. Let's just go home before I snap.
There is an intense feeling boiling up inside her. She felt like there's a barrier that prevents her from stepping in.
Amy NightCrow
So much has changed.
Amy NightCrow
How long has it been?
Maya NightCrow
Um...Two years?
Amy NightCrow
Yes, I know. But that's not what I meant.
Maya NightCrow
You're just delaying the inevitable.
Amy NightCrow
But I can't do this, maya. I might throw up.
Amy NightCrow
This is a mistake. Maybe I shouldn't have left the academy after all.
Maya NightCrow
Save your drama for later.
Maya NightCrow
Because you will need it.
Maya NightCrow
You got the red string, right?
Maya NightCrow
If you ignored it...
Amy NightCrow
I know! It's just...
Maya NightCrow
Tsk. Speak of the evil.
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