Aiden BravenHeart

And the FlosIgnis

Samantha Grace and Elizabeth Ashley Maglantay

 Chapters:

Chapter 1: Aiden Bravenheart

Chapter 2: Walk in the Woods

Chapter 3: Silverswan: The School of Afterfall

Chapter 4: The Ferocious Five

Chapter 5: Luan Moonstone

Chapter 6: Class Periwinkle

Chapter 7: The Emergency

Chapter 8: Realization

Chapter 9: The Talk

Chapter 10: The History of Afterfall

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 Chapter 1

Aiden Bravenheart

It was 4:30 in the cold Saturday afternoon. A young 12 year old boy with
chocolate brown hair and hazel eyes wearing a dark brown leather jacket,
tight blue jeans and hiking boots quickly rushed out the door, trying to
avoid his mother. “Thanks Mom!” he exclaimed not listening on what she
has to say. “AIDEN MICHEAL ZACKARY BRAVENHEART. YOU COME
BACK RIGHT NOW THIS INSTANT!” a woman with green eyes and long
brown hair wearing an apron, a long sleeve dress and house slippers yelled.
Anastasia Bravenheart, the young boy’s mother, was tapping her foot
impatiently, hands on her hips, and had an angered expression on her face.
Aiden felt his mother’s eyes shooting daggers into his back, and halted in his
tracks, he turned around to face his mom and forced himself to walk to her.

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He didn’t have time to fight with her, not when there’s a whole forest to
explore!

The forest’s name was The Blue falls. It was a place that is said to be
dangerous and filled with mythical creatures, and Bravenheart family had
just moved next to it in the town of Afterfall. His dad was offered in his
dream job, a chief engineer (I honestly have no idea what is that). He’s been
trying to get it ever since he was in college. Of course they couldn’t put the
offer down. Aiden didn’t really mind leaving his old town. He was teased
and bullied most of the time. But now he had a new chance to start over, but
he had to leave his group of friends… but that’s okay they could call on the
phone on their free time. But Tana did. She had loads of friends, loads than
her older brother can count. She just talks to a person for an hour, BOOM!
They act like they have known each other for 5 years. She begged her parent
not to go but alas, they went. Complaining didn’t help anything

“What is it mom?” Aiden groaned loudly when he finally stepped onto the
house porch. “Aiden we just moved in and you have school tomorrow” his

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mom said in a soft tone. “Ugh” Aiden groaned again as he rolled his hazel
eyes. His mom sighed “Fine. But get back before dark” Aiden’s droopy eyes
lit up with excitement.

“REALLY?!” he yelled not believing his mother’s words much. “Yup” she
said simply “Now go before I change my mind”. Aiden didn’t need to be
asked twice. He was about to run but then “WAIT!” Aiden turned to his
mom and raised an eyebrow in annoyance. “You’ll have to bring your sister
with you” she said with a sly smirk on her face.

“W-wait, WHAT!? That’s not part of the deal!” the boy exclaimed. “I make
the rules. Take it or leave it young man” she explained grinning. “Fine” he
grumbled softly. “Good. Now get your sister downstairs then both of you can
go. Remember, COME BACK BEFORE ITS DARK.” His mom said in a
serious tone. “Yes mom” he replied as he was going upstairs to get his little
sister.

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“TANA!” he called running up to her room, slamming open the door to find
his sister with her kitty pink headphones with her matching pink pajamas
designed with pink penguins on her reading something Aiden couldn’t see
in the doorway, so he quietly went to his the youngers desk and took the
book. Tana’s eyes widened and tried lunging for the book but it was too late,
Aiden was already reading it. “Hey!” she yelled, “Give it back!!” she whined
once more.

The boy sighed and pressed the book close to his heart, slightly turning while
his sister was making grabby hands for it. “You know it’s mine right? Dad
gave it to me” he said. Tana huffed “I’m also allowed to read it! Give it back!”
Aiden was thinking fast. He didn’t want to give HIS book, then he
remembered why he was there. He walked to the door casually, book still in
his hand. “Tana dress up we’re going into the nearby forest. If you don’t
hurry up, I’ll go without you” he said hiding his smirk.

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The younger’s eyes lit up (as some people would say, like older, like younger)
and rushed to dress up. “Phew” Aiden sighed as he went to his messy room
and put the book onto his bed.

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 Chapter 2

Walk in the Woods

Tana Alyssa Zyrenne Bravenheart, a 10 year old girl with light brown hair
and hazel eyes. She was wearing a dark turquoise wooly sweater, a light
brown leather skirt, black tights, and boots, Aiden’s younger sister, was
jumping and running around with glee. She had always wanted to be in a
forest ever since she learned about it in her old school. “Tana stop running
you might trip!” her older brother warned as they were walking down the
old dusty path.

Aiden was looking down to the ground, hands in his pockets and saw a
beautiful symbol covered in dust. It was a crescent moon with delicate petals
of a flower. Then he saw many of the trees having the very same symbol, he
smiled it reminded of his book with that symbol his dad found in their old
backyard when he was 9 and Tana was 7. It was titled ‘The Luna’s Tale’. It

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was the book he and Tana were fighting for before they left. He couldn’t
understand the title, but read it anyway, when he read it, there was many
mythical creatures he never could’ve imagined.

His favorite creature are the Vulgares Lunae, which is Folk of the Moon (or
common people of the moon) in Latin. They are beautiful, majestic creatures
with pearly white skin, elf-like ears, snowy, soft wings (could be grey, and
blue of any shade), an angelic voice, and more features. When they get mad,
their feathers turn as sharp as knives and black as the night itself. In fact the
feathers get so sharp, it can cut through the hardest of rocks.

While they were walking they saw a sign. Both stood there looking at it. “Oh!
Addie look! It’s a sign!” Tana said pointing at it. “Which way should we go?”
tilting her head and lowering her hand. “First of all little sister, its Aiden, not
Addie. Second, I’m still thinking.” “Hmm” Aiden hummed with his right
hand holding his chin the other on his hip. The sign on the left said ‘DO
NOT TRESPASS! HAUNTED!’ While the right said ‘PASS WITH CAUTION’
both with the same symbol.

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“So which should we choose?” Tana asked. “Isn’t it obvious? We should go
to the left” Aiden responded bravely.

Tana blinked a couple of times before blurting out her thoughts. “Are you
NUTS?!” she cried out loud. “The sign literally says NOT to trespass! We
could get ARRESTED you know!” She continued. “Relax little sis. We won’t
get arrested, and besides I don’t think anyone’s been here for a long time.”
His older brother replied calmly, not really caring on what will happen.

“Aiden this is absurd! I will tell mom about this!”Tana spoke with
confidence in her voice. “Fine. Go tell mom, but have fun getting home by
yourself” her older brother stated calmly, already walking to the left path,
hands in his pockets. “Ughh!” Tana groaned out. “Wait for me!!” she cried
out running towards her stubborn older sibling, going deep in the dark
woods.

“Big bro… I’m scared” the younger of the two whispered in a small voice. “Oh
please, don’t be a ba-” Aiden’s voice was cut off as they heard a twig snap.

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“Wh-Who’s there?” he stuttered out trying to pull himself together shielding
his trembling sister to his back. Suddenly a boy roughly of the age of 14 with
dark blond hair and eyes as black as the whole forest wearing dark blue
jeans and a magenta sweatshirt with the design of a sunflower emerged
from the large trees.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you” the boy said calmly. “…” the two
siblings remained quiet. The boy chuckled “Oh where are my manners, I’m
Micah Kison, and you are?” Tana was first to speak, she’s very fond of
meeting new people, even when they appear out of the blue. “I’m Tana
Bravenheart, and this my brother, Aiden Bravenheart. We’re new here!” the
young girl told the boy, Micah, cheerfully

. “What are YOU doing here?” Aiden asked suspiciously. “The sign literally
says ‘NO TRESSPASSING’” Tana shot her brother a look “That’s what I told
you 10 minutes ago idiot” she said crossing her arms and rolling her hazel
eyes (as her brother death glared her) then looking at Micah who was
laughing softly, waiting for his response, smiling.

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“I was on a walk here in the woods until I saw you two, so I decided to spy on
you a bit and hid behind a tree” The eldest replied with a smile. “Why are
YOU two here?” he asked the two in front of him with a hint of playfulness
in his voice. “Ummm…” Aiden said now feeling a sweat run down his neck.
“We live nearby so we wanted to explore” Tana interrupted her brother.
‘Thank you Tana’ Aiden mentally thought. “Ah, ok” Micah said.

“Oop! Sorry Micah we need to go. It’s almost dark and we promised our
mom that we’d be back before dark” the youngest of the three said quickly
pulling her brothers arm. “Oh ok, see you?” Micah asked. “Yup! See you
Micah!!” Tana said running off dragging her brother with her.

When they reached home the siblings decided that they’ll explore the forest
tomorrow after school.

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 Chapter 3

Silverswan: The School of

Afterfall
5:45 in the morning the Bravenheart siblings are getting ready for school.
Tana is in the bath while Aiden is eating his breakfast, (he already bathed) a
grilled ham and cheese sandwich. When he finished he started packing up
his school materials and his schedule in his backpack. ‘Books, notebooks,
pencils, art materials, ruler, pens, era-” “Aiden” the boy’s head shot up and
saw his mother. “Aiden did you pack everything?” his mother asked.

“Yes mom” Aiden groaned as he threw his backpack on his shoulder. Tana
came in the room wearing a blue jumper, light grey long sleeves, socks that
reach her knees, black shoes, her pink backpack, and a grilled ham and
cheese sandwich in her mouth. Aiden was wearing a black short sleeved
hoodie with a navy long sleeved shirt with blue jeans, white shoes, and his

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red backpack on his back. “Oop it’s already 6:00, school starts at 7!” Tana
exclaimed, apparently she’s very excited to go to her new school.

“Bye mom, we’ll be going to school now” Aiden said as he grabbed his sister’s
hand as she waved goodbye. “Ok bye sweeties!” their mom said waving.
Aiden and Tana are walking to school since it’s like a 15 to 20 minute walk it
will be alright. They’ll just need to pass the neighborhood and then viola!
They’re at school. The Silverswan: School of Afterfall (or SSA) is said to be the
best school in the whole town, so many children go there (mostly because the
tuition fee is not so hefty). It is where many successful people study.

Tana is most exited to go. She is a total extrovert, Aiden thinks she loves
meeting someone new so much, she would befriend a psychopath. He too is
an extrovert, but much more cautious and picky in making friends. “Hey
Aiden, who do you think will be friends with us?” his little sister asked
curiously. Aiden looked at her and sighed “I don’t know little sis, time will
tell if we are going to have any” he explained. “Oh… ok” Tana replied sadly
and started walking slowly, head looking to the ground.

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The Aiden noticed the change of emotion of his younger sibling. So he
searched his mind for an excuse to change the subject, then he looked at his
watch. “Come on. We need to hurry up, we only have 45 minutes left” he
said, but Tana’s expression didn’t waver and kept looking at the grey
sidewalk. Aiden groaned and knew what his sister truly wanted. “Fine” he
sighed “I’ll let you read my book once we get home”. Tana’s head finally
jolted up and started running to the school right in front of them. “Then
race ya! Last one there is a rotten egg!!” she yelled out to her brother mood
already changing. “Hey!! That’s not fair! Cheater!” Aiden yelled out with a
smile.

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 Chapter 4

the Ferocious 5

The two entered to palace -like school with awe for it was much bigger than
there old school, in fact, it doesn’t even look like a school! It looks like a royal
family had once lived here, but instead, it’s the place where the most famous
people in the town has studied and succeeded in their dreams. The siblings
started to slowly walk through the hallway full of children to find the
principal’s office. “Oh! It’s you again!” a familiar voice called out.

Micah Kison came out of the crowd wearing the same thing as the previous
day, with a large smile on plastered on his face. “Oh! Micah it’s you
again!”Tana said cheerfully. “Hello Tana and Aiden, I didn’t expect to see
you the very next day!” the blond said with as much cheerfulness as Tana.
“Yo bro, who are these two?”

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A dark browned hair 14 year old boy asked with amber eyes wearing a red
and black cap, black long sleeves with a flame design, a red denim short
sleeved jacket, dark blue ripped jeans, and checkered shoes came and placed
his hand on Micah’s shoulder. “Yeah Mike, who are they?” another 14 year
old boy with light brown hair, green eyes, a biker jacket, a yellow shirt, blue
jeans, and white shoes chimed in.

Micah looked back and saw two of his best friends going towards him. “Oh
hey guys! These are Aiden and Tana Bravenheart, they’re new here” he
explained. “Ah ‘k” the boy with amber eyes said “Let me introduce myself.
I’m Brandon Rosewell. Nice to meet you” Brandon said grinning. “And I’m
Kevin Anderson! Pleasure to meet you” Kevin said offering his hand for
either the siblings to shake.

Tana smiled and gladly shook his hand, while Aiden awkwardly stood there
thinking what to say. “Um… Nice to meet you two too..?” he managed to
blurt out. Micah smiled brightly and turned to Kevin,“Kev can you please get
Chris and Greg, I want them to meet them too” blond said.

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“Sure!” the light haired brunet said as he started to run off to find his two
other friends. “Umm...” the 14 year olds turned their heads to look down at
Tana, who wanted to say something. “Yes?” Micah said. “Can your friend
hurry up so can introduce ourselves? We still need to go to the principal’s
office for a student to show us around the place” Tana explained. Brandon
chuckled “‘k, do you have any idea who’s going to show you around Tana?”
he asked the youngest.

Tana glanced up to see Brandon grinning and she shook her head “No, no I
don’t” she said simply. “Why? Do you know?” she continued tilting her head
to show her confusion. “Yup! It’s my little sister, Serena” Brandon stated.
Aiden looked at the two curiously. “Who do you think will show ME
around??” he asked wanting to join the conversation. Micah and Brandon
looked at each other. “Umm...” Micah started.

“Based on what I heard you’re with Luan Moonstone, AKA, the coldest,
snobbiest boy in the whole school!” Brandon interrupted his friend, raising

17
his arms, while the other just death glared him. “He’s not snobby Bran, some
people say he’s kind you know”

He scolded softly as he hit Brandon on the head making his red cap fall off.
“Yeah yeah…” he scoffed bending down to pick up his red cap. Aiden was
confused. Why were they acting weird? What is wrong with this ‘Luan
Moonstone’ guy,the boy thought curiously, so he was about to ask the two 14
year olds but then, “Hey! We’re here now!!”

The voice that only belongs to Kevin Andersons was heard, bringing his
other two friends along.

“Hey, Kev! What took you so long?” Brandon said as he was waving at them.
Behind Kevin, was a ginger-haired boy wearing long green sleeves, with
dark green pants, white shoes, and freckles scattered all over his face. The
other boy seemed to be wearing purple headsets, a purple hoodie, black
jeans, and purple shoes. He had black hair and a wide smile on his face, he
took Aiden’s hand and started to shake it vigorously.

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“Hi! You must be Aiden Bravenheart! I’m Christopher Jackson! But you can
call me Chris! Nice to meet you!” Chris said with a Cheshire cat smile
plastered on to his face as he finally let go the younger’s hand.

Then he looked at Tana and started shaking her hand. “Hi Tana! As you
already may heard, I’m Chris Jackson! Such a pretty girl you are!” The
purple dude said as he started to play with her semi- chubby cheeks, which
sent the young girl into giggling fits. “I’m Greg Greengrass… Nice to meet
you?” Greg said in a tired tone. Aiden finally got himself together. “Nice to
meet you two too!” he said smiling uneasily.

“We’re the ferocious five!” Brandon announced to the two, and they just
laughed while the red boy started to actdramatic, like he was offended. The
group started talking until Aiden checkedhis watch. “Crap! Sorry guys we
need to go! We only have fifteen minutes left!” he explained to the gang of
boys. “See ya!” he said running of pulling his sister with him. “Bye! See you!”
Tana managed say out before they started to go upstairs to the principal’s
office. “Why is it always boys we meet?” she asked and Aiden just laughed.

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 Chapter 5

Luan Moonstone

The Bravenhearts finally reached the highest floor AKA the 3rd floor.
“Finally!” Tana let out a sigh of relief. ‘Dang was that a lot of stairs’ Aiden
thought panting as he wiped the sweat of his forehead. “Let’s go” the he told
his younger sister, “We don’t want to be late now do we?” he added. Tana
just giggled and smiled at her older brother while started to walk toward the
large door of the principal’s office.

Tana knocked on the door. 5 seconds later they were greeted by a large and
tall male figure wearing a grey blazer, matching grey pants and a red bow
tie. He had black hair and green eyes. “Ahh, Welcome Bravenhearts! Just in
time! Not a second later” the man said grinning “I’m Principal Blackwood”
the principal stated. “And those over there are Serena Rosewell and Luan
Moonstone, they’ll be showing you around” the siblings nodded.

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Blackwood just smiled then he turned to look at the two children sitting on
the chairs in front of his desk. “You two” he called out, startling the children.
“Yes sir?” said a girl who looked similar to Brandon. She had dark brown
hair with amber eyes that looked like a tree trunk, wearing a pink off-
shoulder sleeves that reaches her wrists, a lilac skirt, white long socks, and
black shoes. She looked like what you call a ‘Pick me’ girl as some people
would say.

The boy sitting next to her, looked like he had a demure personality with a
hint of coldness around him. He had somewhat long platinum blond hair in
a low ponytail styled with a ribbon, icy blue eyes that could pierce your soul
(his right eye was covered by his hair), pearly white skin, and his face was a
light tint of red from embarrassment by getting startled by the principal’s
voice.

He was wearing a pastel blue sweatshirt with a collar, around his neck was a
silver necklace with the pendant as a crystal crescent moon with aquamarine
stones shaped in to delicate petals.

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His pants were white shorts that reach a bit above his knee, socks with a
design of a blue flower on each side, and blue shoes.

The only thing that Tana was focused about him is that his skin. It was so
white, she thought that he bathed in milk or put a galleon of sunscreen and
lotion to look that white. While for Aiden, the only thing that he’s thinking
of is his necklace. He’s seen that symbol in the book, old pathway, trees, signs
and now him! ‘This is getting suspicious’ he thought

‘Wait…’ he thought ‘He looks like the mythical creature…Vulgares Lunae!

And the pendent was the design of the very same book…but what could this
all mean?’ but then his thoughts were interrupted by his sister whispering in
quite a loud voice.

“Psst! Aiden!” she whispered to her brother as she elbowed him in the ribs.

“OW!” he yelled out, causing the rest of the people to look at him. “Sorry” he
quickly added then turned to his sister. “What was that for?!” Aiden
whisper-yelled his voice full of annoyance. The younger rolled her eyes and

22
looked at Luan and secretly pointed at him. “Bet ya, he puts a galleon of
lotion to look that white” she said. Now it was Aiden’s turn to roll his eyes.

But he said nothing, then the two waited for Principal Blackwood be done
with his lecture for the students to show them around so they can go to their
classes. “Right!” the principal started “You may now show the Bravenhearts
our splendid school. And remember, you have ten minutes to show them the
places, oh and if you need to go to class, you just follow your guide. I have
scheduled you in the same classes now off you go! You still have class to get
to children” gesturing with his hand for them to leave. “Oh and if you don’t
have enough time you can show them later” he quickly continued

The kids nodded and left. “Come with me Tana! I’ll show you the 5th grade
sections and the bathrooms” Serena said holding the other girls hand. “Ok!”
Tana replied eyes lit up with excitement as they ran down the stairs, leaving
the two boys to themselves.

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Luan sighed “Come, Bravenheart” he started “I’ll show our classroom first”
he said while slowly going down the stairs fixing his light blond hair. Aiden
looked around for a second ‘He seems fine’ he thought closing his eyes and
shrugged. When he opened his eyes he saw Luan disappeared, then he saw a
hint of blond hair near the corner.

“Ok, hey… wait up!” Aiden said rushing down the stairs to where Luan was.
A minute ago he was just at the stairs and now he’s down below?! ‘How on
earth did you get there so fast?! Did he just teleport or something?!’ he
thought, try to get where Luan was while avoiding other older students.

When he was near the second floor, he heard voices talking.

He peered behind the wall. He didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but his curiosity
got the best of him. “Luan, you know mother and father don’t allow us to
show our necklace, you’ll get in trouble” a 14 year old boy with long blond
hair that was in a high ponytail, silver grey eyes, slightly pointed ears, same
complexion just like the younger blond, wearing a white polo, a dark blue

24
tie, navy pants, a black jacket around his waist, black shoes, and silver
earrings with the same symbol like the youngers necklace. Who Aiden
assumed was his older brother, told Luan in a serious tone.

“I know brother, I’ll just hide it in my sweatshirt” the boy said in a monotone
voice as he stared putting the necklace in his sweatshirt like he said. The
older sighed “Sorry if I’m too hard on you, I’m just a bit over my head” Luan
nodded not meeting his eyes. “It’s okay I guess…”he said

“Now shoo I still need to show Bravenheart around” his brother smiled and
started to walk away “See you later Lulu!” Luan’s eyes widened and his
cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. “Don’t call me that!” he yelled out.
“NEVER!!” he heard the older yelled back starting to run. Then Aiden heard
the blond mutter something under his breath in a language he couldn’t
understand “Hasumumu” he muttered again a bit louder clenching his fists.
‘Now is a good time to show up’ (no it’s not) the brunet thought as he started
going down the stairs, trying to act casual, to where Luan was.

25
“Hey!” Aiden said catching the blonde’s attention, causing him to quickly
look at him. “Oh… lets go now. We don’t have time so come with me to the
classroom” he stated calmly walking to their classroom. The other boy just
nodded and started following him.

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 Chapter 6

Class Periwinkle

The two boys entered the classroom. There was about 30 students in the
class, and all eyes darted to them. “Ah! Welcome, Luan! I see you have the
new student for today!” the teacher exclaimed. “I am Mrs. Sapphire, and you
are?” the teacher known as Miss Sapphire asked happily.

She was a beautiful woman that had had long blonde hair tied into a braid,
Windsor glasses that shows her bright green eyes, bright as nature itself,
and some freckles on her cheeks wearing a long sleeved dress covered with
different kind of flowers.

“Ummm…” Aiden started scratching his neck. “I’m Aiden Bravenheart. Nice
to meet you..?” he said uneasily, fidgeting his hands a bit, still looking at the
boys and girls staring at him, while Luan rolled his eyes ‘So this is the boy
who will save Afterfall? I doubt it’ he thought.

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The teacher smiled “Ah! Aiden Bravenheart. I hear your father is the one
building the new greenhouse of the Afterfalls’ and Moonstones’!” she
exclaimed. “Yup” the brunet said simply. “Now” Mrs. Sapphire started “Class
please accept our new student with kindness and respect. Do I make myself
clear?” She said strictly.

“Yes Miss Sapphire” the children coursed. “Aiden dear, you can sit beside
Miss Mary Anne. Luan can you be a sweetheart and show him where he sits?
Thank you dearie” She said quickly. The blond nodded and pulled the other
by the wrist to where the girl was sitting. Aiden senses jolted when he felt
Luan’s cold hand touch his wrist. “Here” Luan said and started to walk to
his seat, which was two tables away from theirs. ‘How the heck is he so cold,
like, literally!’ he thought while holding his wrist and just shrugged it off.

“Thanks” Aiden replied. The he sat down near the girl ‘Mary Anne’ putting
his backpack in the hook at the side of the table. “Hi” Mary Anne said which
startled the soul out of the boy. When he got himself together, he looked at
his seatmate. She was a short brown haired girl (4 inches shorter than

28
Aiden) whose hair was let down and up to her wing bone, wearing a pink
oversized hoodie, black tights, and pink shoes.

She had a calm aura around her and eyes were deep green, not like Mrs.
Sapphire’s eyed but, it was green like tree leaves at night. It may be dark but
they were soft. “Hello Mary...?” he said awkwardly then looked around the
class. He noticed a girl staring at him intensely.

The girl had dark blond hair, brown eyes and a ton of makeup on her face.
She was wearing pink crop top, a tight short black skirt, knee white high
socks and black shoes. When she noticed she’d been caught, she looked
away with a flustered expression on her face and said something to her
seatmate and started giggling maniacally.

Aiden just rolled his eyes and looked away from the girl who wore too much
make up and started to talk to Mary Anne .A conversation was about to
erupt but then the teacher interrupted “Class let us start our lesson” she said
brightly. Most of the class groaned (mostly boys).

29
A sly smile appeared on her pretty face “Oh class don’t be dramatic” green
eyes twinkling with mischief, which Aiden got a bit frightened of. “I guess we
won’t have the game I prepared for our exercise then…” she continued with a
fake sad face.

The most students’ eyes widened “NOO!” they chorused, some students did
not care much, such as Luan and Mary Anne, Aiden too, most likely because
he had no idea what was happening in the class. ‘What is going on??’ he
thought bluntly.

“It’s a morning exercise we do almost every Monday, you’ll be fine” Mary

said as if she read his mind. Aiden jolted up and turned his head to see her
just looking to the teacher calmly, hands on her chin and elbows on the
table. ‘That’s the second time now…’ he thought with a blank face then he
sulked down his chair, looked out the window and let out a long sigh.
‘Great…’ The boy never liked classroom exercises.

‘Hope this will go out well’ he thought sitting up straight, leaning on his

30
elbow and staring out the window, questions clouding his curious mind.

He was much more on video game kind of guy. But he would go outside to
play some sports once in a while. “Class, please form two lines, boys and
girls” Mrs. Sapphire told the children who could not sit still in his chair.
“Smallest to biggest!” she continued brightly. The children quickly formed
two lines, one line for each gender. Aiden was in the near back because he
was a tall boy for his age and Luan was exactly in the middle.

When Aiden looked at the girls’ line, he saw Mary Anne in the near front,
and the girl who was staring at him was in the near middle talking to her
seatmate who was right in front of her. He didn’t get a good look at her
because the girl was covering her with her back. She had long blue hair
(which he thought was hair dye), cloudy grey eyes, and a mole in the corner
of her lip. She wore a white polo, a checkered skirt and blue shoes.

31
Aiden noticed she was annoyed and that she and Luan were looking at each
other and were talking with their eyes and not mouth. ‘That’s creepy...’ he
thought.

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 Chapter 7

the Emergency

“Alright class! To the Court we go!” Mrs. Sapphire told the children

Obediently followed their teacher to the court which was outside the school
and passed many student going there too. Aiden was looking down staring
at his feet. He didn’t want to look at anyone or anyone to look at him just
followed the boy in front of him. Then he suddenly felt a soft tap on his
shoulder. When Aiden looked back he was met with a dark skinned boy
smiling at him widely.

“Hi!” the boy said brightly “Oh and watch where you’re going” he said
quickly making Aiden turn his and stepped to his right to prevent himself
from hitting his arm to wall. Then he let out a sigh of relief, before he could
thank the boy Mrs. Sapphire suddenly stopped at the exit door that led to
the court because a teacher with light brown hair and green eyes wearing a

33
grey long sleeve shirt, a black vest and matching pants came up to her and
whispered something quietly (so the children won’t hear) in to her earmarks.

Sapphire’s eyes widened in shock and looked at the children with a worried
expression “Oh dear…” she mumbled as she looked down to the ground and
looked back at the youngsters who were getting impatient talking to each
other. “Alright class!” She called out, catching her students’ attention. “To
the L.E.R we go! Chop chop!” she said walking straight. Some students
moaned but followed, some panicked and others tried to keep the people
panicking calm, leaving Aiden confused.

After 5 minutes of passing through students and empty classrooms they

were finally, at the library..? Out of all the places in the school, the library?
Every single 7th grader were there gathered together in the large chamber
full of books, and all the people who Aiden didn’t know was there, and that
made a ton of anxiety fill up inside him. One male teacher went to the
bookshelf with red books, one went to the 3rd one with yellow, another went
to 4th with green, Mrs. Sapphire went to the 5thbookshelf with blue books,

34
6th is indigo, and last one is 7th the violet bookshelf then they all looked at
each other and nodded, and all at the same time, they pressed a book. The
bookshelf disappeared and a silver door came in and opened. “Go! Everyone
get in where it’s safe!” The teacher who pressed the red bookshelf called.

The all the children didn’t need to be told twice and came running in as fast
as lightning, squishing the poor teacher in the rampage of kids. When all of
them were inside, all the teachers went in their previous positions pressed
their books in the same way. When they all calmed down, Aiden was able to
look around the room. The ‘L.E.R’ was a large white room with lots of books,
chairs and tables, old pictures that looked like it was over 20 years old, and
doors in the empty hallway full of photos of the school when it was opened.

Aiden sighed and went to a table in a corner and sat on a chair “What will I
do?” he blurted out loud. They had left their bags in the classrooms because
they thought they didn’t need it, and boy they were wrong. ‘Why did they
tell us to go here when they won’t even tell us the cause?’ the boy thought
getting frustrated and gripping his hair.

35
“Hey” Aiden’s head shot up to see who it was. It was the dark skinned boy
who was about to thank. “Don’t worry dude, it’s probably just a drill, so
everything’s going to be fine” he stated “Oh and I’m Daniel, Daniel
Winston!” he smiled. He was wearing a normal striped t-shirt with the colors
of black and white, brown shorts, tube socks, and green sneakers. He had
brown hair and dark black eyes and a band aid on his left cheek.

“Oh” Aiden started “Thanks for the heads up a while ago” Daniel’s smile got
wider “That was nothing bro! Can we be friends?” he asked smile still not
wavering. Aiden was taken aback. He just met the boy and he already
wanted to be friends? “Sure..?” he said.

“Yes!” Daniel whisper yelled in victory as he took a chair next to Aiden and
sat in it. The two started talking but then Mary Anne and the blue haired
girl came and interrupted them “Umm..” the blue haired girl started, then
she took a deep breath then started talking. “Hi can we sit here please? Me,
her, and him” she asked shyly.

36
“Sure!” Daniel replied. “Wait” Aiden interrupted. “Who’s ‘him’? I only see
you and Mary” Mary looked around and silently walked away from the three
who were loudly bickering. In less than 2 minutes, she came back holding
Luan’s small wrist. “This is ‘him’” she said pointing at the blond boy red with
embarrassment. “So now can we sit Danny boy and Bravenheart?” the other
girl said already frustrated. “Fine” Aiden said in defeat “Thank you. I’m
Zyrhrrene Kiyoshi by the way” Zyrhrenne said sweetly while sitting down at
the long table, Mary and Luan doing the same.

“Hey Zyrhrrene” Aiden started. “Yes Bravenheart?” Kiyoshi replied. “Is that
blue hair dye?” he asked. Zyrhrenne just looked at him like he was crazy and
started laughing, making the new boy embarrassed, and catching the group
lots of stares and glares from other students in the room. When she finally
calmed down, she wiped a tear from her eye. “No silly!” she laughed “It’s
real! I got it from my mom, while my dad has brown hair! I may not have a
streak of brown hair like my sister and brother do, but I’m proud to have
these luscious locks!” she told laughing.

37
 Chapter 8

Realization
Aiden nodded and the group started talking about what they like and what
are their hobbies which was a fun thing to talk about, but then Aiden
thought of something and decided to ask about it. “What does L.E.R mean?”
he asked, only be replied with silence and blank faces (most likely because
they forgot what it means) until Luan, for the first time since he went to that
table, spoke up

“It means ‘Learning Emergency Room’ ” he said softly. “Really?” Aiden

asked. “Then why are we not learning anything? It’s been about 30 minutes
and we’re not learning anything!” Aiden said. Daniel nodded in agreement
so did Mary Anne. “Yeah, come to think of it, he’s right!” Daniel commented
out loud, earning glares again. “Sorry” he said scratching his nape.

38
“Hey” Zyhrenne chimed in. “Did you realize that all the teachers left about 15
minutes ago?” she asked. “Yes” Mary commented. “I noticed it when you
were talking. They were whispering and had worried expressions on their
faces” she spoke, then she looked at Aiden. “Their eyes were like eagles,
searching for prey…they l0oked around the room for one particular
student-” “So?” Aiden interrupted. “Why on earth are you looking at me?”
he asked uneasily. Mary sighed. “It’s you… you’re the prey. Their stare stayed
longest on you” she said. Aiden, Aiden was dumbfounded and didn’t
understand at all what she was saying.

“What???” he asked with a confused expression plastered on his face.

Apparently Luan was annoyed, and because of that he slapped Aiden on the
head. “OW!” Aiden cried out from pain “What the heck was that for?!” he
yelled not caring about the stares. Luan rolled his eyes “For being an idiot”
he replied coldly crossing his frail arms. ‘No wonder he’s the coldest boy in
the whole school...’ Aiden thought while rubbing his aching head.

39
“Lu, give him a break. He’s new to this type of stuff” Zyhrenne told Luan,
while holding his shoulder. “Apologize…please?” she asked. Took a solid 5
seconds for the blond to think about it then he complied “Fine…” he groaned
softly. “I’m sorry Bravenheart…” he said coldly not meeting Aiden’s hazel
eyes. Zyhrenne smiled “Okay!” she started. “First of all…next time Lu,
enough with formalities. You can call him by his first name, and second-!”
“Students!” Zyhrenne’s voice was cut off by a familiar teacher.

“It’s Mrs. Sapphire!” Daniel whisper- yelled to the group. “About time” Mary
said calmly. “Form your previous lines! We still have lessons to tackle!” A
male teacher with brown hair blue eyes and wearing a grey suit called. The
kids groaned and stood up to make their lines. “We’ll talk about this in the
cafeteria” Zyhrenne told quickly before going to the girls’ line.

‘Well this is going to be a long day isn’t it?' Aiden thought, going to his
position in the back.

40
 Chapter 9

The Talk
Class went over like a breeze, or you can say hurricane. Aiden couldn’t
understand the lessons much, he was just a transfer student who just came
to the school just TODAY, and the teachers expect him to know the lessons
they give him. He studied some lessons when he was in his old school, he
racked his brain to understand, but his mind was just blank (very relatable).

Aiden’s brain was almost about to burst, but then, “RIIIING!” The bell rang.
It was time for lunch. He couldn’t be happier. He got his red backpack and
went out the brown door. “Hey Aiden!” Daniel suddenly came in, with that
huge smile still plastered on his round face. “Zye, Mary, and, ummm…Luan
is walking to the cafeteria. I’m going too! We have a ‘talk’ remember?” he
told, smile turning into a grin. Aiden blinked and remembered what

41
Zyhrenne whispered to him ‘We’ll talk about this in the cafeteria’ he voice
played in his mind.

“Oh” he replied dumbly and he mentally slapped himself for that, “Ok” he
said simply. Daniel nodded and he was about to walk away. “Wait!” Aiden
yelled causing Daniel to turn his head to look at him. Aiden took a breath
and started to talk, “Can I follow you? I don’t know much about this place…
Luan didn’t show me yet”. The dark skinned boy gave him a small smile.
“Sure” he said, “You didn’t have to yell though” he chuckled. Aiden grinned,
“Shut up” he laughed” as he elbowed him in the arm. Daniel laughed and
the duo went in the hallway to the cafeteria. Both knowing they’ll be good
friends.

When they reached there they opened to see a large space full of tables and
chairs, occupied with children big and small. It took them a good 5 minutes
to search the tables to find Mary, Zyhrenne and Luan. When they spotted
them near the far back, the two boys immediately ran to the table, surprising
the two girls while Luan looked at them with an icy glare, ‘Well that was

42
expected’ Aiden thought, looking away so he won’t turn to ice. “Next time…”
Daniel panted, “Give us a head start, alright?” he continued trying to catch
his breath. “Yeah yeah, get your lunches and let’s eat. I’m starving. Mary
insisted on waiting for you slow pokes” Zyhrenne grumbled to the two boys.

The group got took their bags and got their lunches packed safely in their
container. They all started eating. When they were finished, this is where
serious talk gets in. “So” Zyhrenne started as she clapped her hands
together. “About the-” she was once again interrupted by the slurping sound
of Daniel’s chocolate milk. “What?” he asked unaware that he was
disrupting serious conversation. Mary stared at him, Luan face palmed,
Zyhrenne glared at him with stormy eyes, and Aiden just blinked. “Really
Daniel?!” Zyhrenne yelled making Daniel slouch in his chair and causing
everyone to look at them annoyingly. “What?..” he asked once again. She
rolled her eyes and started talking. “So as I was saying” she continued.
“What is going on?” She asked the group. Aiden blinked once again, “So this
doesn’t happen a lot!?” he whisper yelled.

43
They all looked at him bewildered, “What? This doesn’t happen often” Mary
explained to the confused boy. Zyhrenne looked at each member and
crossed her arms, “Will you let me talk?! We need to discuss something
serious!” she yelled, making the group stare at her. She sighed, “Something is
going on in Afterfall, something dangerous” She whispered as she saw a
teacher pass by, “And it has never happened before” she told. Luan rolled
his icy blue eyes, “It has happen before” he said mysteriously. He then got
up, grabbed his backpack, and tuned his head, “I said too much” he
muttered and started walking away

“Hey where ya going dude?” Daniel called out, but Luan didn’t stop walking.
Then suddenly the bell rang. “DANG IT!” Zyhrenne yelled, “I didn’t even get
to even finish my sentence!” she grumbled once again crossing her arms
“Let’s meet after school ok? This is serious” Mary said getting her pink bag
and heading for the exit. “Hey” Daniel started, “Why don’t we go to our class
together! We’re in the same class right?” he said. Mary nodded her head,
Zyhrenne smiled, and Aiden just blinked, “Sure” he replied “I’m just tagging

44
along ‘cuz I don’t know this freaking school yet” he continued scratching the
back of his neck.

Daniel smiled and shouted “Alrighty then! Let’s go!” he called, and they all
went straight to their classroom, laughing, ready (or not) for their last three
subjects.

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 Chapter 10

The History of Afterfall

It was the last Aiden slouched is his chair as Mr. Aster, a young male teacher
with charcoal black hair, rectangular glasses showing his bright blue eyes
and he was wearing a brown jersey, gray pants and black shoes, was
blabbering away on the history and how After fall was built to how it is to be.
He was about to doze off, but then something that he said caught his ear.

“- This place is so magical, legend has it, That Mavi Afterfall, if you were
listening, he was the founder of our wonderful town, befriended the
mysterious Fae in the Blue Falls-” Aiden’s ears perked up ‘that’s the forest
that we explored yesterday!’ he thought, now this has caught his attention,
as he listened attentively to his teacher.

“Folks have said, that they came here by a golden ball of light, which they
use to transport from one realm to another. They say that they helped

46
Afterfall be as beautiful as it is today, but this is just a myth so I don’t expect
you to believe this sort of things-”.

Before he could continue the bell rang. “Oh” Mr. Aster mumbled, “You are
now dismissed. We’ll talk about more of this tomorrow. Remember to read
in Advanced!” he smile and left the classroom. The children packed their
books and pens, got their bags and exited the classroom. When Aiden exited
the class room he was met with three pairs of eyes looking at him. “Hi!”
Zyhrenne said close to his face. “Gah!” Aiden yelped and fell to the ground.
“Oops” Zye giggled, “Here” she extended her hand for him to get up and
Aiden gladly accepted it. “Thanks” he said getting himself of the grey floor.

“AIDEN!” a familiar person came rushing through the hallway and came
straight into Aiden’s arms, “I missed you!” the girl, when she looked up, it
was his little sister Tana.

“Tana?!” Aiden cried out, hugging his sister back. “Umm…” Daniel
interrupted the brother-sister moment, “Who is she?” he asked.

47
Tana looked at Aiden and then Daniel, she went out of her older brother’s
arms and decided to introduce herself, “Hi!” she started, “I’m Tana, Aiden’s
younger sister, frankly I didn’t know that Aiden could make friends within a
day!” she giggled while her brother glared at her, then he finally noticed
someone from the group was missing. “Hey” he said “Where’s Luan?” The
group just looked at each other while Tana blinked.

“Who the heck is Luan?!” she asked and Aiden slapped his face. Tana just
looked at him and remembered, “Ohhh! That Luan! The boy who had skin
white as snow? How could I forget!” she laughed, then Zyhrenne cleared her
throat to get the two’s attention.

“Luan said he something at home to do, so sadly he couldn’t join” she

explained, while Daniel snorted “As if” he said, “It’s honestly a gift that he
couldn’t join! I don’t think I could stand his eyes piercing my gentle soul” he
said touching his chest pretending to be hurt. Mary glared at him and
elbowed him in the ribs, “Ow!” he moaned out in pain. He was about to say
something but Mary put her hand over his mouth.

48
“He doesn’t mean it” she told sweetly, a hint of annoyance in her soft voice.
“Heck yes I did!” Daniel managed to say despite Mary’s hand on his mouth,
then Mary smacked him on the head with her other hand, “Shut up!” she
muttered, but that argument stopped when they heard Tana giggling like
crazy. “Haha!” she laughed holding her stomach, “Your friends are very
funny Aiden” she giggled.

Tana got herself together, “What are your names?” she asked. Daniel was
the first one to answer, “I’m Daniel Winton!” he said mood lightening up.
“I’m Mary-Anne Grayson” Mary said next, then finally chimed in, “I’m
Zyhrenne Kiyoshi” she smiled. Tana’s eyes lit up with happiness and started
yipping around like a puppy that just got a new toy.

“Yay!” she squealed jumping up and down, leaving Zyhrenne with a puzzled
expression. Aiden too was confused at first, but then realized why his sister
was so happy.

49
“OH!” he exclaimed and he face-palmed himself. “Why have I not notice it
earlier?”

50