CURSED: The Last of Five Kingdoms.

Episode29-Vampireology and the accident.

Mael’s knowledge of his world is as limited as that of the commoners in their school. It is starting to get frustrating for him, especially with someone always going through the pains of wiping his memory. It is like they wanted him to forget. And gradually he is starting to get aggressive about it. Being in the dark and not knowing isn't a feeling he is used to. It is best for him to completely not know, rather than having bits of what can't even make complete sense when put together. The teachers guarding all the secrets when he is supposed to know isn't helping either. Well, you won't say guard because they, too, have no idea about what is happening. It is silence and confusion for every one of them.

As they hurry to class, they meet an awaiting Rabbi Humbledore who has early waited for them to take this process. It is the most important knowledge a vampire should have.

“Welcome, students,” the Rabbi says with outstretched hands. This time, the class is holding in the stadium where all sports activities take place.

The stadium has rolls of seats that can house the school and double of it. One thing about the seats is that they are arranged in six colours according to the six houses dominant in the school. Yellow for the Commoners, red for Witches, sky blue for Vampires, orange for Fire, white for Air and ash for Ice. The same thing is done to their robes. Every house has its colour embroiled on the collar of the student's robe, that way you can easily tell which house one belongs to. There is a large, neatly trimmed field where all the students are currently standing.

“This is Sports in Vampireology. It is the most important aspect of this class because the life force of your abilities, come from here. You will lose and you will win. Whichever direction it goes, the most important thing is to get the Mason and pay attention to every detail. You have your abilities which some of you might have started feeling or seeing, don't be overwhelmed with joy. All that comes with a heavy price. For one, our hunger. Insatiable and uncontrollable hunger. You need to learn how to deal with that. Two, weakness. When you don't learn how to control your hunger, or you do not feed, weakness occurs. Three, we can be killed. But, I won't tell you how because it will drive some of you to start digging further. With all the necessary things now known to you, let us get to the lesson.”

Most of the kids there have their jaws dropping to the floor because what he just told them is still a mystery. But Mael is paying ample attention because, somehow, he knows what Rabbi is talking about.

“I need five volunteers!” Rabbi demands.

Melody, Duke, Mael, Harry, and Gabriel comes out in a parallel line, warming up for whatever they need them to do.

“Oh, I am sorry. Wasn't specific. Vampire volunteers.”

“I have a question, Rabbi,” Harry's hands up in the air as he says. Turning his head to the left, he meets the eyes of a pleasing Melody, who is begging him not to ask whatever he had in mind. Harry turns his head back to face the Rabbi and ignores Melody.

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Why do we have mixed powers in the houses? Are they not supposed to be sorted out according to the ability that one possess?”

“That is a fair question. It is not done that way because there is no segregation in the family. Irrespective of whatever power one possesses, we are one. And to maintain balance, all the powers are meant to be found in every house. Does that answer your question?”

“Yes, Rabbi.”

“Back to our demonstration. We have Gabriel, Mael and Duke. Additional two is all that we need. Don't be shy. Step forward.” An additional two steps forward, “Huge and…. I have not seen you around, young lady?”

“Oh, sorry. Where are my manners?” She mumbles.

That voice. That perfect, soothing, melodic and relaxing voice. The one that fits her beautiful, flawless skin. Olive is smooth, very fair and translucent. Her perfect wide brown eyes. Looking good in her robe. How could anyone look good in this awful robe?

“I am…. Grenada Shine,” both their voices say at the same time.

“Well, now that we are complete, let us get to it.”

“Grenada, what are you doing here?” Mael whispers as she stands next to him.

“Like everyone else, school?” Shaking her head.

“I know you are here for school. I mean to study. But this isn't your regular kind of place.”

“Don't we all get to know something extraordinary about us in life.”

“Did you just arrive?”

“Nope. I've been here for a while. Always looking for the right time to talk to you, but until now, it has never seemed like the right time.”

“Keeping your mouth open like that, you might catch a fly,” Melody tells Harry, using her right hand to lift his jaw. “Who is the Queen B that seems to be affecting everybody.”

“That my dear is Grenada Shine. The most popular and hot girl back during our high school days.”

“What is she doing here.”

“I don't know. It is surprising to all of us that she is here. Why is she here? This is not the fashion school she wanted to attend.”

“Should we be worried that she is here?”

“Apprehensive, Melody. You see, Mael has always had a crush on her right from the moment he set his eyes on her, that is during our 'Kindergarten days'.”

“Why are you emphasizing the kindergarten?”

“As funny as it sounds, it is not actually during normal Kindergarten, since we were fourteen then. But, we call it that because it was a period that I was getting to know Mael and he was gradually getting to trust me. So, we were always fighting and pulling each other's hair. It was a crazy baby time for both of us. We were actually in high school but since then, till graduating from high school, he has always liked her. Now, the real question is, how is it possible for her to be here?”

“Don't ask me. Ask her?”

“Okay, Miss Shine, Mr. Hercules, Mr. Huge, Mr. Mighty and Mr. Ispain. The first thing is for you all to focus. Let your mind do the work. Feel yourself free as the wind, light like a feather, and your path will be directed. Focus and clear your mind. All senses will be active. There is a hidden red ribbon just beyond the stadium in the woods, I want one of you to get it for me. The woods are safe and protected, so we should encounter no problem at all. But, if at any point you sense danger of any sort, I want you to run back here as fast as you can. Go!”

The five break into a run, with the wave of wind, the fly across the fence. Mael and Grenada divert in the same direction, while the other three takes different directions.

*****************

“Don't you think they've been in there for a long time? Something doesn't feel right.” Melody whispers to Harry.

“They are doing just fine. Probably running around in circles, having fun while we sit here, bored out of our minds.”

“Tsk!” Smacking Harry's head, “are you seriously thinking about something as shallow as that?”

Massaging where Melody had just hit him, “why do you have that look?”

“What look?”

“The one that says you are about to suggest for us to go after them?”

“I don't.” Smiling, ” hmm, since you've very well suggested that, maybe we should just do it.”

“I am not getting in trouble, again. Well, we didn't get into trouble the last time, but, that is only because the authorities decided to let it slide. This time, they will punish us severely for breaking the rules.”

“We will just sneak out, and he won't even notice. See, from the way he is tapping his hands on his legs, he is anxious.”

“No, I am not going to it.”

“Okay.”

“Just okay?”

“Yep. Sit here like some old granny and wait.”

“Now, you want to get to me psychologically? That is so unfair.”

Melody stands, making sure that Rabbi Humbledore wasn't looking her way, she sneaks out.

“Oh, this girl is going to get us killed one day,” Harry says and equally sneaks out.

***************

Grenada and Mael are flying from tree to tree, then Mael loses balance on one of the trees, falling to the ground. Grenada seizes the opportunity and takes the lead.

“Are you okay?” Melody's voice asks from behind.

“What are you two doing here? Besides, how did you find me?”

“I can sense you,” Harry says in the most serious and deep voice.

“Haha, very funny, Harry.”

“Speaking of funny, what is she doing here?”

“That is the same question I've been asking. No one knew about her special ability and from her robe, she's in the house of Omiri.”

"For once, she never seemed like the one with extra abilities back in school. How come?"

"I never seemed like one with extra abilities."

"Fair point, Mael. Fair point. But, isn't it strange that she had to attend this school out of the billion schools in the world? And how come no one took notice of her even on the day we were sorted. Her name never came up."

"I don't think that her name never came up. We were too preoccupied and never paid attention. Besides who would have ever imagined for hot, smart and rich Grenada Shines to enrol in a school like this."

“She's a vampire?” melody finally says. She has been mute and distracted like someone who had travelled out of time but is back again.

“Yes, she's a vampire Melody,” Harry and Mael's voice echoes.

“How come we didn't take note of her all this while. She was too quiet not to be noticed until now.”

“Yes, that is true.” Standing to his feet, he starts growling at Harry, staring endlessly at his neck.

“Mael, are you okay? You are pointing those shiny teeth of yours at me.”

He says nothing. Melody stretches her hand to knock him out of his trance, but he is faster than she. Using magic, he makes Melody fall unconscious and with his vampire powers, he compels Harry.

Staring deep into his eyes, “you will keep quiet.” He said in a dark tone. His eyes, red and body, cold.

“I'll keep quiet.”

“No screaming.”

“No screaming.”

“Whatever that happens, you shall forget.”

“I shall forget.”

“Now, come.”

Harry walks to Mael. With all his might, he sinks his fangs into Harry's neck and begins draining his blood. Moaning and enjoying the taste that hits differently when the blood touched his mouth.

*************

“I got it!” Grenada screams as she returns with the red ribbon in her hands flying high above her head as she waves it.

Duke, Gabriel and Huge are all panting and dragging themselves back to the field, while Grenada seems unaffected.

Looking around, there is no sight of Mael, “where is Antigon?” Rabbi Humbledore asks.

“W-we have no idea. Barely got out alive,” an exhausted Duke mumbles.

“Congratulations, Miss Shine. You won today's task.” Turning to the students, “no one is allowed to move out of here. Sit down. I'll be back.” Saying that he disappears from everyone's view.

************

“Omiri!” Rabbi Humbledore snarls.

“Ouch!” Mael shouts in agony, releasing an unconscious Harry while clasping his forehead. "What have I done?” He asks, looking sorrowful.

“Harrison?” Rabbi Humbledore calls him. Harry doesn't respond, his body is totally numb.

Sobbing, “have I killed him? Did I kill my body?” Mael's voice becomes deeper and deeper, his body turning into Ice.

“Omiri, get a hold of yourself. He is unconscious,” seeing Melody, he checks for bite marks but, he doesn't see any on her neck. “What happened?”

“I-i can't remember.” Shivering and trembling, he seats on the ground.

“Mackenzie, I need you,” he says with his mind, putting two fingers to his head. “Edgar, get me a bandage.”

Seconds later, Edgar and Mackenzie appear through Hunters.

“What happened?” Mackenzie asks, directing the question to no one.

Rabbi takes the bandage from Edgar and wraps it around Harry's neck before handing him over to Edgar, who disappears through Hunters again, carrying Harry.

“That is what I want you to find out,” Rabbi tells Mackenzie.

Rabbi goes close to Melody, she is out cold. He summons Eugene, who appears and disappears through Hunters carrying Melody.

Mackenzie gathers the soil, the little blood that had dropped on the leaf, makes them ignite a fire and starts incantation.

“Zi m ihe ezoro ezo n'ihe e nwere ike ahu.” She sways herself from left to right and from right to left, a strong wind begins to blow and seconds later it stops. The wind gusts and a dying palm tree beside them clatter its leaves. The sound is faint but can be heard. “Nothing.” She says opening her eyes.

“What do you mean by nothing?”

“What happened here has been blocked. I can't see. When I try to access it, all I see is nothing but smoke.” Putting two fingers on her head, “have you asked the boy what happened?” She says with her mind.

“He can't remember,” he replies with his mind.

“Are you okay?” Mackenzie asks Mael.

“I am fine,” he says in-between sons, “what did I just do?”

“When Duke, Huge, Gabriel and Grenada returned with the ribbon during our Sports in Vampireology, I felt something was wrong. Getting here, I saw him feeding on Harry, and Melody unconsciously lying on the floor. Inspecting Melody, she is fine, but Harry is the one who almost lost his head.” Rabbi explains to Mackenzie in a whisper.

“Hmmm, this keeps getting serious.”

“This must be kept away from the rest of the school. Antigon, this is not your doing. Do not blame yourself for it. We will get to the bottom of it.”

“Yes, Rabbi.”

As they stand to leave, “she’s. . . near.”

Looking at Mael’s sudden weak and broken words, Rabbi’s eyes dart and narrow in fury towards the cracking sound coming from behind one of the trees. With speed, he sped off to find out whatever culprit that was following them. He had the feeling that they were being watched, but he saw no one when got there. Coming back, he meets Mael, unconscious.

“What happened to him?"

“After making that pronouncement, he fell and passed out.”

Whatever is happening to Mael is an indication that they were all in trouble. Since Rabbi Humbledore built the school, such a thing has never taken place. And what he feared the most is happening. How were they going to get help when the one person who has that responsibility hasn't helped himself? In as much as nobody is saying it, they are being pushed to fasten his transitioning process because he is their only survival key.

Look at him, the blood of his brother on his lips and the girl that has been nothing but kind to him passed out cold on the floor. He lost control of where he was supposed to be in charge protecting the two people that mattered to him. He couldn't win the task and he hurt the people that came to make sure he was okay.

“Let us take them back to school. Someone is watching us, but, I didn't see anyone,” Rabbi says with his eyes watching the environment. He is on the edge.

“How can you tell?” Mackenzie asks in a rather calm voice. Too calm for a situation like this.

“Because I can feel and hear someone or something, but I can't see who or make out what it is.”

"What do we do now?"

"We will take them back to the holdings, have them examined and resume classes. Until he remembers, this never happened. I'll compel Harry and Melody to forget. This must not get to the ears of the rest of the students."

Another secret swept under the rug. Secrets upon secrets that are threatening to break down what the school stands for. At this point, no one is to be trusted and everyone is endangered. Who would Mael feed on next and not remember? Did his gift come with a higher price which he is paying? Or, is he merely a cursed child who is hiding under the deception of having burdens to bear?

With a nod, Mackenzie and the Rabbi disappear through Hunters to the holding where they would hopefully nurse the three back to life. On the other hand, Edgar appears to the awaiting students, dismissing them from the class and instructing everyone to go for their meditation, which, at this point, is what the whole school needs.