1 Gagenoble Academy

The car came to a halt. The only sound was that of the tires screeching in the silence.

"We have arrived at the school" Our driver informed, nodding his head. Maybe this was his method to show us he disapprove of our behaviour of getting into nowhere. Basically this is not nowhere. It is, but it leads to somewhere. That somewhere is the Gagenoble Academy, the prestigious institution for Empires, unknown to mankind. That's why the driver, the stern man, doesn't get the big picture. There we can meet people with awesome powers and....

A rush of panic swept across me. I grabbed my brother's hand. He turned to me smiling concerned.

"There is no need to worry. All Water Empires are so cool. You are going to be okay."

Empires. The word made me stiffen more. They are also a person like me, relax Ellie...

"Ellie, relax...." My brother said gripping my hand tight, "I have been going to Gagenoble Academy for a year now. Look at me, you will do alright...."

"This is not about doing well in school." I said nervously. "What if the Empires don't like me?"

"You are a sweet girl. Who's not going to like you?"

"Well, I am a Shadow. What if they hate me for it?" I asked getting out of our car. The driver threw us worried glances as my brother tipped him.

"FYI, Empires are the race of people whose ancestors were a Vampire and Elemantalist. Shadows are people whose father is an Empire and Mother is a human. There is no difference between them" My brother Ethan said, shutting the car door behind. "If it makes you feel any good, I am a shadow too.....No one has ever bullied me for that" A classic brother lecture, still he's the coolest guy I know.

"We are just playing pretend game" Ethan said to shook off the suspicion and gave me a stare to stop talking.

I nodded and kept walking. Funny, Isn't it? Vampires can suck blood and have super speed. Elemantalists, on the other hand, have the power to control one of the elements – Fire, Earth, Air, Water and Sky. Meanwhile, the cross, Empires can suck blood and can control one of the elements but they are not blood thirsty like vampires. Empires only drink blood when it's necessary.

That's how it's been going on. In Earth, there are humans and Empires. Vampires and Elemantalists exist no more. But I couldn't tell the same for Calics. Calics is another planet. It's only of Empires who don't like humans. They call themselves pure Empires, ironically, Empires are not pure, they are hybrids.

Complete opposite, right? Anyway, We are forbidden to have contact with anyone in Calics.

"Earth to Ellie" Ethan said.

I snapped out of my thoughts. "Huh?"

"This is the entrance, Ellie. We can go inside only if we finish giving identification" Ethan said shooting confused glances at me. Sometimes, I wonder if I would have been lost in the corner of the world, if it's isn't for him.

I raised my head and saw the entrance. It was a black sparkly magic portal. Ethan kept his hand in the small square projection and it beeped green. He went inside and I kept my hand on the projection again. It beeped yellow and a hologram of an old man came. "State your business" He asked.

"I am Ellie Meltone. I am a Shadow and I have the ability to freeze things and sometimes time" I said timidly, remembering how Ethan and I rehearsed at home

"Water Shadow" he said, "Interesting."

"Can I go in now?" I asked shrinking down.

"Of course, I think this is your first time coming to Gagenoble Academy. I assume, you are a first year?"

"Yes, sir"

The colour changed from yellow to green. I stepped inside.

It was breath taking. That's the word. The view was beautiful. I was standing in front of a huge black building. The floors were decorated with sculptures and elements. The lighting was gold. The school was surrounded by such greenery. It's really was so pleasing to the eyes. The structure was so modern.

I went inside. Ethan was nowhere in sight. "uh oh" I panicked. TICK. A message beeped on my phone. It was one from mom and dad. I opened the text.

WE FOUR

8:47

Ethan: We have taken a taxi to Gagenoble..

Dad: have u arrived?

Ethan: not yet, but soon.... What did they say abt the car?

Dad: They told the engine needs to be fixed, if it hadn't caused a scene, I could have drove my kids.

Mom: Ellie sweetie, y r u not answering?

Ethan: she's day dreaming as usual and Dad, that's alright.

9:05 am

Mom: so, u all came?

Dad: Ethan, Ellie?

Me: I came, dad and mom. I am fine. I ought to go now and find some friends. I will talk later.

Dad: ok, El

Mom: You got it

I opened my camera and saw my reflection. My dark black hair was messed up due to the wind. I fixed it and closed my blue eyes, a facial feature I am quite proud of. YOU CAN DO IT, ELLIE.