Page 121 of Magical Melee

“I saw a figure, and I’m almost certain the Academy made itself present.” I shook my head. “But then it all vanished when I wouldn’t step forward. The energy felt like she was a female.”

Twobble’s eyes widened. “A figure in robes? Ooh, that’s a classic Academy kerfuffle. Did she say anything?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “But she showed me something. A light… and then a grand building appeared behind her.”

“Amazing. Truly amazing.” Twobble stroked his chin thoughtfully. “The Academy doesn’t do that for just anyone. I mean, the fact that you’re still alive is impressive. I wouldn’t have bet on your safe return, to be honest. But I knew one way or another it would be entertaining.”

“Are you serious? You’d gamble with my life?”

He shrugged. “I’m a goblin.”

Without warning, a brilliant flash of light moved through the tunnel from the opening. I shielded my eyes to see vivid colors bouncing through the trapdoor in the night sky.

“What is going on?” I whispered.

Twobble’s eyes grew as he slowly shook his head. “I don’t believe it.”

“Don’t believe what?”

“The Academy is awakening.”

His words sent a chill through me.

I bit my bottom lip for a split second. “Has this happened before? Who was that woman?”

The earth rumbled beneath us.

“Not in the last century. This is a kind of a dime-a-dozen type of thing, Maeve. I’d need a little more specifics on the lady. Ear shape? Eye Color? Humanoid? Creature?”

The sky lit up like a magical firestorm as the ground continued to rumble to life.

“I need to see what’s happening.”

Twobble’s bony fingers clasped my wrist. “You might not return. I don’t know what’s going on.”

But the pull was too great.

I shook my head and smiled at Twobble. “I need to.”

He let go of my wrist, and I climbed out of the tunnel and stood in the moonlit garden.

My heart raced, and the air felt charged with something electrical.

No.

Magical.

I glanced back at the open trapdoor leading to the tunnel. Twobble’s voice drifted up faintly, but I ignored it. Something was keeping me here, an invisible pull urging me forward.

The sky’s brilliant mosaic was nearly blinding until I saw the building again.

My fingers trembled with anticipation as I took a deep breath and stepped away from the tunnel. My gaze followed the winding path ahead. The garden shifted around me, and the flowers glowed brighter with each step I took.

Tall, twisting trees framed the path with their bowing branches arching overhead like a natural cathedral. Vines draped down, their leaves brushing against my arms as if trying to hold me back or guide me deeper—I wasn’t sure which.

The further I walked, the denser the foliage became. The path narrowed as the vines and trees clung more insistently. Their cool tendrils brushed my skin and caught on my clothes, but I wasn’t stopping.

Each step felt like an act of will. The forest tested my resolve, but the air grew warmer and richer.