The Past

"Darius, I have a right to know," Talisa said.

"Why do you want to know about the past, Talisa?"

"You don't want to tell me anything, Darius!" Talisa exclaimed as she was annoyed. Darius' secretive attitude made her so angry now.

"I don't want to talk about the past. We better think about how to get out of here before someone finds us," said Darius.

Talisa had no choice but to give in again because what Darius said made sense. They are racing with time right now. Although annoyed, Talisa cannot say anything. Meanwhile, Darius got to his feet and looked around.

"There must be a genuine portal. There's no way it's a dead end," Darius said, half muttering.

He walked around where they were standing. Talisa was a little surprised to see Darius was able to walk normally even though the sole of his foot was injured quite deep as if there had never been a wound there. Talisa just kept quiet while tying her long hair because she didn't know what to do at all.

Suddenly, Darius stopped walking and looked at a corner that seemed empty and ordinary to Talisa.

"What is it?" Talisa asked.

"The door with the illusion of fire! I should have known!" cried Darius.

"What are you talking about?"

"The illusion of fire is an ancient trick to make something that actually exists, look like it doesn't exist. Heat can make people see things that aren't really there. The concept is like a mirage in the desert, but upside down. That kind of thing. There's no time to explain," Darius said as he let out a sliver of fire in his palm.

Darius moved his hands in a semicircle above his head and the firelight from his hands seemed to burn the air and make their surroundings brightly lit. After that Darius pushed the light and flames blazing in the air towards the wall. Talisa could hardly believe what she saw. Suddenly a magic portal appeared from that wall. With a simple movement, like punching in the air, suddenly the portal opened, marked by a large vortex of yellow and red like fire.

"I'll carry him," Darius said, looking at Michael.

Quickly, Darius brought Michael, unconscious, to the front of the portal.

"Follow my steps. Just like the portal that was previously opened by Michael, we will enter and it will be fine," Darius said to Talisa.

The last time through the portal, Talisa felt very nauseous. The thought made her wince.

"The second time will be better," said Darius, answering Talisa's thoughts.

Talisa didn't have time to answer, but Darius had already grabbed her wrist. A second later a spinning and dizzying feeling were felt. Talisa knew she had been sucked into the portal. In an instant, they came to a clearing. The moon shone above their heads and in front of them was a tall gate that read "Wilbury School of Sorcerers".

"Hey! Who is there?" someone asked.

Talisa was still trying to stand up straight when the stocky middle-aged man ran over. He held a magic wand in his hand. But suddenly, Darius moved so fast that he left a fire trail on the damp ground. In an instant, Darius paralyzed the man by compressing his veins until the man temporarily fainted.

The movement was so fast, even though he was still carrying Michael on his shoulder. Talisa gaped because when she turned around the sorcerer had already fallen on the ground.

"Come on," Darius whispered.

With one hand supporting Michael, the other hand Darius used to drag the man. Darius used the magic badge on the man's chest to open the gate, he then dragged him quickly to an empty guard post with a television in it. Darius sat the man on a small sofa in front of the television.

"How much longer will he be awake?" Talisa asked worriedly.

"Not too long. Let's go in," said Darius.

"Go inside? Can't we go back to the highway where your car was parked earlier?" Talisa asked.

"We've come this far and you want us to come back with nothing?"

"B-but…"

"Come on!" Darius whispered as he walked ahead of Talisa towards the tall and dark school building.

The school building gave Talisa the chills because it reminded her of old buildings in horror movies. However, Talisa didn't have much choice, she had to go follow Darius. With a little jog, Talisa followed Darius' fast steps towards the side of the school building, where there was a big window there.

Of course, the large window was locked. Talisa was about to persuade Darius to leave that horrible place, but suddenly Darius was able to unlock the window, making Talisa's eyes widen.

"An easy trick," Darius said in a whisper. He then half threw Michael's body into the room, then helped Talisa in, then he himself jumped inside. Darius quickly closed the large window. The room was very dark at first, but after a few minutes, Talisa's eyes began to adjust. It turned out to be a warehouse with lots of dusty stuff piled up.

"Now what?" Talisa asked.

"I don't know what Michael is planning," Darius said coldly, almost unconcerned.

"So we're just going to wait for Michael to wake up?" Talisa asked.

"Of course not, idiot! We will wake him up and make him show us what he knows about this school," Darius replied.

"Stop treating me like an idiot. Now tell me what will make him wake up?" Talisa asked, challenging Darius.

Darius just sighed and crouched down in front of Michael's body lying on the floor.

"This time just wake up, silver hair!" he whispered while expelling his energy through his palm, a streak of flames escaping from his hand as he did so.

Talisa feels bad now, it feels like there is a big danger waiting in front of them. They didn't even know that the gatekeeper had activated the magic alarm when he saw them. By the time they were trying to wake Michael up, the sorcerers had already started rushing to the sorcerer's school, looking for who the intruder was. Moreover, they did not find anyone's body in the sewers where they set a trap.

"Darius..." Talisa whispered.

She felt something on the ground. A vibration like… Footsteps.

"What is it? Stop bothering me!"

"There were a lot of footsteps… So many!" Talisa exclaimed anxiously.

"Damn it!"

"What will they do if they find out we are here?" Talisa asked.

"You really are an idiot? They hide and pretend to disappear from our lives. When someone found them, what would they do? Use your brain!" cried Darius.

"W-we will be killed?"

"They will chase us anywhere and kill us every chance they get because no one can divulge their secrets. That's why, I wonder how Michael found out about this place and still lives a calm life," Darius replied.