Draconic Testament by Zac Atie Page A

something.” Veronica began. “I need to state that finding this place at such a young age was a monumental, if a strange, feat. There are those who are stronger than you and I combined that could not find this place… yet you…”
”I what?” Bastion asks.
”You can’t be a simple, normal human, oh no. Nor are you some ordinary son of a Magi, as you entailed earlier.” Veronica says, sitting down. “You have some incredible potential… Not only did you sense this place, and trained here, but you were able to hide your Aura from the killer and the rest of the Magi posted here, those who may have brought you harm or kidnapped you in your vulnerable, child-like state. I… I’d like you bring you back to our base, my home, in Korreal.”
”Korreal?” Bastion laughs, thinking it’s a stupid name. “Sorry, where is this Korreal?”
”We have bases, small settlements with huge undergrounds to keep out of the watchful eyes of humans. They don’t know we exist. If they did, they would never leave us alone. Our existence would never be the same. Korreal is over in the surrey hills, a countryside not all that far from here.” She said “I have a lot of answers for you… about Sanctum, the Magi… Incredible things that will be beyond your imagination. Things that will shimmer the world as you know it, and change it into something with less limits.”
”Well… shoot away, I got loads of time.” He said.
”No.” Veronica said.
”Uhm, what?” Bastion pondered.
”No. I want you to decide. Are you coming to live with us, and train as a Magi, or are you staying here?” Veronica prods. ”Wh- I can’t just decide to up and go with you! I mean, the end of school exams are coming up and everything! Plus, just leave my friends and family behind?” Bastion snaps, and Veronica realizes what he’s saying.
“Of course…family…” Veronica says “I suppose people with family should never be in a hurry to tarnish what they have.” She gets up and heads towards the gate. “Meet me at the train station on the Monday after the exams. I can’t stay any longer than that, I'm sorry. Remember, there’s the normal life, the human life, which you obviously do not fit in, with your addictions, depressions and your lust to follow your instincts… The life of a caged animal.” She pauses “Then there’s the Magi life. While not a glamorous life, I believe that you’d be a vital member of our group, to make our lives better. Do not talk to me again, until that day. Remember, this discussion never happened if you decide against our order. I know where you live.”
”Wait, cant you jus-“Bastion begins, but Veronica simply leaves, without a care for Bastion’s words, and walks away from the park. “Goddamnit.” Bastion sighs, and sits down on the platform, thinking about what Veronica said. There are many things he has to consider before leaving. To just up and leave Talia, Vander, his mother… His hard earned grades will be meaningless, he’ll likely face constant danger and will only find friends within his Magi community… Plus, this talk about portals, and Paragons? On the upside, he likely wouldn’t be driven insane from his depression, though he doesn’t know if it’s something that will pass, since it only came up after he began seeing the glowing silhouettes of people. Then, something hit him. He forgot to tell her about Number 3, the one who was disappearing every time Bastion saw him… though it was too late now. With the long hours of teaching Talia, the fight with the red-faced fiend, the fire and this talk about Mages, he felt he had done his deeds for the day, and went off home to rest.

Exam week, Monday. The school was in shock and awe about the tragedy that conspired in the assembly, though it was a godsend for the younger students who were sent home until repairs were made. No such luck for the Year 10’s and 11’s, who had to complete their exams. There were two exams per day,