A Castle Search

Today was the day, and an electric mix of dread and exhilaration surged through me. The passage of time seemed like a runaway train, hurtling forward at a pace that begged for restraint. I had anticipated that it would drag on, that each minute would stretch into eternity as I anxiously awaited this pivotal mission. Yet, paradoxically, it felt like the hours had evaporated.

Just the day before, Mr. Drails had pulled me aside and revealed that this mission could potentially lift the ban on my participation in future missions. A soft sigh escaped my lips as I contemplated the significance of this opportunity. It was the perfect moment for me to unleash my Perk, my unique power.

But there was a significant obstacle—I couldn't control it.

I knew how to harness the power of my Perk, but I lacked the ability to summon it at will. It had an annoying habit of manifesting at random or during moments of intense fear.

As the final school bell rang, I stood before my locker, attempting to contain the bubbling excitement within me. It felt as if I had arrived at school just moments ago, and now the day had rushed to its conclusion.

I meticulously organized my books, all the while trying to keep the surging enthusiasm in check. Then, like a scene from a movie, Greg, my friend, sauntered over to me and lingered, as if waiting for me to initiate the conversation.

"I can see you're serious about this mission," I remarked, and he broke into laughter. I chuckled along, feeling the camaraderie between us. "I'm going to miss you," I admitted.

"Miss me? Why?" Greg inquired, his brow furrowing. My words stumbled as I grappled with the dilemma of how to reveal the true nature of the mission. "It just feels empty without you sometimes," I confessed, feeling a flush of embarrassment creeping over me. It sounded awkward, to say the least.

Greg appeared momentarily taken aback, as if unaccustomed to receiving heartfelt compliments. "Well, I appreciate that," he replied, his tone tinged with concern.

"Yeah, I guess," I mumbled.

"Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow," Greg announced, his voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. "My mom is picking me up today because we're going somewhere."

"Where are you headed?" I inquired. Greg shrugged. "My mom didn't tell me yet."

"Well, see you tomorrow," I said, my voice fading as Greg walked away. Doubts gnawed at me, making me question my decision to become a spy mage. I didn't want to lose my friends or loved ones; they were the ones who truly cared about me. Perhaps I had made a mistake in choosing this path.

The clock ticked past 5:00 PM, and it hit me that the moment had arrived. Mr. Drails had instructed us to gather in the school parking lot, but instead, I found myself standing in his office.

Nikki, September, Malachi, and Tisiah were already there, making me feel fashionably late. Mr. Drails cleared his throat and began to speak, his tone grave and businesslike. "The mission is about to commence, and though I initially mentioned 6 o'clock, I believe we can start earlier. What do you say?"

We collectively shrugged, eager to dive into action. "In any case," Mr. Drails continued, "we've received some new information about the situation. I traveled to Washington D.C. to investigate the identity of the scientist who was abducted, and it turns out to be one of my friends, Dr. Michael Jones."

"Yikes," Nikki commented.

"At any rate," Mr. Drails pressed on, "we don't know the abductor's name, but I do know he's affiliated with the TSA. He has slick black hair and no facial hair, just so you know. If you encounter someone matching that description, apprehend him, and we'll question him, okay?"

"Sir, yes, sir," we replied in unison.

"Alright, take a moment to bid farewell to your friends here, as this may be the last time you see them," Mr. Drails said, his gaze lingering on me. My emotions welled up, and I could feel the tears threatening to spill.

I stole a glance at my fellow teammates, and they too seemed to be grappling with the gravity of the moment. Many of them took deep breaths, attempting to steady their nerves.

Unable to bear the emotional intensity, I closed my eyes and tried to shut out the images that raced through my mind—images of danger, pain, and the unknown. The prospect of what lay ahead felt daunting. My heart raced, and I woke up with a start, drenched in sweat.

"Alright, are you all ready?" Mr. Drails asked, snapping us back to the present. "Yeah, I think we are," September replied, her voice brimming with determination. "Alright, just walk through this portal, and your mission will commence."

The portal opened before us in a swirling motion, and we steeled ourselves for the challenges that lay ahead. "Let's go!" Malachi exclaimed, adjusting his vest. Each of us was decked out in vests and suits that, surprisingly, didn't feel uncomfortable in the least. However, I couldn't speak for the girls in our group.

"Remember, report everything to me on the radio, okay?" Mr. Drails reminded us. "There is service even in this winter wonderland."

"Winter wonderland? It's only November!" Nikki protested. Mr. Drails offered a cryptic smile. "Some places tend to get colder than others, I suppose. Good luck."

We stepped through the portal, and it closed behind us with a resounding thud. Malachi couldn't help but mutter, "Darn, could this door be any louder?"

But as soon as we entered the portal, Malachi's complaint was overshadowed by a collective gasp of awe. The base before us resembled an ancient fortress of epic proportions. It featured three towering levels, each with its own distinct sections, and a colossal tower that loomed over everything. When I say colossal, I mean it in the truest sense—the tower was tall enough that even I could stand beneath its roof. The base boasted exquisite architecture, and the falling snowflakes added a picturesque quality to the scene.

"Alright, let's move in," Malachi said, snapping us out of our collective reverie. We moved with caution, our heads held low as we attempted to blend in with the trees that surrounded us. Guards patrolled the walls, their vigilant eyes scanning the area.

"Somehow, I have a feeling that we should approach this with a bit of... stealth," Tisiah suggested.

"Stealth?" Malachi scoffed. "We're spy mages, not stealthy critters. We need to find a way into this base, and I doubt that crawling will do the trick."

We continued to crouch and move through the trees, ensuring that we remained hidden from view. Fortunately, the bark of the trees provided ample cover for our bodies, allowing us to evade detection.

I glanced to the side and noticed that one of the guards was moving away from our location.

"Alright, we can move now!" I whispered loudly to everyone. We began making our way toward the wall, but it proved to be taller than anticipated.

The wall soared to a height of at least twenty feet, and there were no doors in sight.

"Um, does anyone have a plan?" Nikki queried, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I don't think we can make it over this wall."

"We can," September asserted confidently. "Malachi, hop on my back." Malachi seemed less than thrilled. "Wait, what? You want me to climb on you?"

September positioned herself in a way that allowed Malachi to step onto her back. However, as soon as he did, he let out an audible groan of discomfort. "Darn, do you weigh like 250 pounds or something?"

"Quit being a wimp," September scolded as we all followed suit, using Malachi as a human stepping stone to get over the wall.