Ice and Fire:League of Shadows

The backyard of the estate was empty, it was  only me standing there, there was no noise except for the wind blowing through the trees. My grimoire opened and floated in front of me, it contained all the spells I've learned since I got it at the age of 13. "Icicle shot!" I said loudly as an icicle formed in front of me and shot towards the makeshift target I had made hitting it dead centre. My hand was still stretched out when I cast the next spell,"Icicle barrage!" I said loudly as a few dozen Icicles formed around me, I pulled back my hand then I pushed it forward, shooting the icicles towards the target. The target got covered in icicles. I then heard  clapping behind me,"Looks like you're almost as strong as me then,Arthur." I spun around to see my twin sister Evelyn standing behind me. I grinned,"Stop lying to yourself, you know I'm stronger." She only shook her head and smiled. "Let's have a sparring session then, to see who is stronger," she said with some confidence in her voice. A grin crept across my face,"Let's do it!'

We did the usual traditions when having a duel or a sparring match, we started facing each other standing about 1 meter apart then we turned around and walked about 10 large steps before spinning around and fighting. "Icicle barrage!" I shouted as the icicles formed in front of me and shot towards Evelyn. She countered with "flame wall", a giant wall of blue fire formed in front of her melting my icicles before they could reach her. "Nice try,"she said as she took away the wall,"now it's my turn!" then she used "destructive flame", she quickly moved her hand in front of her then a large beam of blue fire magic shot out of her hands towards me. "Ice shield" I said as a shield made of ice started to form on my arm then I raised it to block the flames. I then heard her shout,"fire barrage!" I peaked over my shield to see multiple blue fireballs heading towards me. "Ice wall " a wall of ice started to form between me and the fireballs. The fireballs made contact but my ice wall held. Eventually the fireballs stopped coming then I destroyed the wall then I retaliated with an attack,"heavy blizzard", suddenly a blizzard formed around us it blinded my sister but not me because the spell blinds my opponents and it lets my allies see through it. "Creeping ice" I said as I touched the ground then a thin layer of ice started to form on the ground moving through the blizzard towards Evelyn. Eventually it reached her as it touched her it started freezing her in place, it kept going up to just below her neck. I then stopped the blizzard and walked up to her immobile form,"Looks like I've won." Evelyn sighed,"I guess you have, brother,I guess you have." I then destroyed the spell setting her free. "Well done, both of you," said a deep commanding voice. We both turned to face it seeing our father standing in front of the manner, his warm smile inviting us to approach.

"It looks like both of you are prepared for the magic knights entrance exam at the end of the week," he said with his green eyes flicking from me to Evelyn. "Thank you father," we both said simultaneously. My father just smiled as his shoulder length hair blew in the wind,"You two really are brother and sister you know that",he then approached us and said,"Now let me give you two a real test, both of you against me, just a sparring session, how does that sound?" I was about to say no when Evelyn said,"Of course,father",she turned to me,"now's our chance to really test our strength!" To be honest I was scared, my father was a magic Knight in his youth but not just any magic knight he was also part of the Dire Wolves squad, the best magic knight squad ever.

The fight was over before it even started. When I had thrown my first attack and my father countered it with ease, I knew it was over. He waited for Evelyn to throw her attack, he countered it before throwing a spell he called "Spiral flame", I tried to block it with Ice shield but it broke almost instantly when the spirals of flames made contact, the sheer force of the spell shot me back, I hit the ground hard, skidding across the ground like a rock bouncing on a lake or river. My sister however could hold out a bit longer since she also used fire magic it was a bit easier but when my father threw his third attack towards her it was done for, she shot back hitting the ground just as hard as I did. "Well, both of you still have ways to go but you have to train harder,"I heard my father say calmly after he has just destroyed both of us in battle. I slowly stood up grunting, my muscles aching from the spar. My father then walked up to us, Evelyn was still laying on the ground, taking quick breaths. "Tomorrow both of you will leave for the capital, and take the magic knights exam, you will bring honour to the family name and make me and your mother proud," said my father,"and remember if one of you finds William..... ask him why he left us." My father brought my thoughts back to my older brother, William, who had left to join the magic knights, but not long after he joined he stopped communicating with the family, he had just left us behind for some reason. Just then I heard my mother's voice," Arthur, Evelyn, come, Thomas made lunch." She was standing in the door with her black hair hanging loose over her shoulders and her blue eyes scanning the yard for us. "Coming,mother," said Evelyn walking over to my mother and I soon followed.

It had been  a three day trip to the capital our carriage had only stopped twice a day allowing my sister and me to stretch legs and get some food before we were back on the road. After we made the second stop we kept on moving until nightfall, we would then set up camp and start moving on early in the morning. Evelyn and I were tired, we were not used to waking up this early and sleeping on such an uncomfortable surface but we were determined to make it to the capital so we could take the exam.

The capital was a large city built into a mountain. When we entered the front gate we could see that the streets were bustling with people working and buying wares and some were here for the magic knights exam to either take it or to look at the future magic knights. We were escorted by one of our guards to the arena to sign up for the exam. As we walked some people looked in our direction whispering something to each other, they had probably seen the cloaks we were wearing, they bore our family crest, the Blackwell family crest. They were probably gossiping about my brother or my father or maybe they were just wondering how we were going to follow up on our parents legacy.

When we arrived at the arena entrance there was a man standing behind a table with papers on it waiting for us there. "Names and surnames?" he asked us his tone direct and formal. "Arthur and Evelyn Blackwell," said Evelyn formally. He then grabbed a quill  and dipped the tip in ink before grabbing two papers on the table and writing on them. He looked up and said Your numbers are 76 and 77 remember them," he said his tone neutral and plain. We thanked him as we entered the arena.

The walls of the arena were high and the seats surrounded us. We were early so most of the seats were empty and there were people already here who wanted to take the exam but they weren't as much as there are when it is time for the exam to start. We had to wait there until the exam started.

"Welcome all of you to this year's magic knights exam," said the announcer using a magic item to make his voice louder. "Your first test will be a showcasing of your magic to the magic knight captains, who I will now introduce," he pointed towards a man with short red hair sitting in a throne like chair to his left,"Captain Thorkell Slayer, captain of the Crimson Blades," he then pointed to the next captain, a man with black hair and a black beard,"Captain Bellec Thunderblade, captain of the Storm chasers." The announcer then pointed to a woman  sitting to his left in the last throne-like seat,"Captain Erica Whitehorse, captain of the White Sparrows." He then pointed to a man with blond hair sitting to his left,"Captain Bernard Tallon, captain of the Grey Hounds," he then pointed to another woman sitting next to Captain Bernard," Captain Arna Stellen, captain of the Red Roses," pointing to the last man sitting in his throne like chair," Captain Warren Wolvern, captain of the..... Dire Wolves!" Everyone cheered at the mention of Captain Warren's name. The Dire wolves was the squad both of my parents were in, the best magic knight squad. Then the announcer said,"We have one more captain to name..." I then heard the boy next to me say,"Why do we have to mention them, their captain isn't even here!" I wondered who he was talking about. The announcer then said," He is still on his way but I shall tell you his name and squad, it's the captain of the Black Lions, captain Eric Night- Blade!" Just after the announcer said that the arena's door burst open and a tall man with short brown hair and a short beard walked in,"Sorry I'm late, I had to take care of a few things," he said calmly. Next to him stood another man but he looked younger and more serious. The announcer said,"That's fine just come join us up here and we'll start the exam."

The exam started and they started at number one going up. Then they called out my number,"76, please step forward and please showcase your magic to the captains." I stepped forward and I readied my grimoire, there was a target in front of me in case I wanted to demonstrate an offensive technique. "Icicle storm," I said as dozens of icicles formed all around the target, with a swift motion of my hand all of the icicles shot at the target from all directions and high speeds. The target was impaled by the icicles. Two captains looked interested, captain Bellec and captain Bernard. Next up was my sister she used "fire barrage" shooting blue flames at the target destroying it. It looked like she caught the eye of captain Thorkell and captain Erica.

"For your next test...." said the announcer," a duel to test your skill in battle, there are healers nearby for any injuries and remember no holding back but no killing either." My sister then said,"I hope I get to face you." I then gave a slight smile,"I hope so too."

"Next up 53 and 76!" Said the announcer. I stepped forward into the open space the crowd had made for the duels, I scanned through the crowd for my opponent then right across from me emerged a figure wearing a green cloak, their hood pulled over their head to cover their face. We then approached each other standing about a meter apart then we turned around and walked ten steps, then the announcer shouted,"Begin!!!" We both spun around, then the figure removed their cloak to reveal a boy about my age with short red hair standing ready to face me. I also removed my cloak, then I waited for him to throw his first attack. "Blazing fury," he shouted shooting a large fireball out of his hand towards me. I blocked it with "ice wall" then I pushed the ice wall towards him. He destroyed it with  a spell then I used icicle barrage on him. He dodged some of the icicles and others he destroyed with a quick spell but one of the icicles grazed his shoulder. "So you think you're better than me?huh, we'll you aren't take this! Destructive flame!" He said then he held out both of his hand and then a giant beam of flames erupted, it was huge about three times as high and as broad as me. I had to think quickly, I cast "ice wall" to soften the blow then I cast "frozen knight", armour made of ice started to form all over my body then a shield and sword of ice formed in my hands. I pressed my shield against the ice wall and prepared for the blow. It hit then my ice wall was destroyed. There was dust and smoke everywhere around me but I saw it as an opportunity I ran with my ice sword through the dust and smoke towards where the other boy should be standing. I emerged running as fast as I could, he was caught off guard, I quickly closed the distance between us then I kicked his feet from underneath him. I then pressed the tip of my sword on his chest as he was lying on the ground. "I win," I said out of breath. "Looks like number 76 is the winner!" said the announcer loudly. I looked up at the captains as I dissipated my magic armour and weapons. I could see more have taken an interest in me notably, captain Warren and captain Arna. I turned around and walked back to my cloak to pick it up.

Evelyn's duel was not as exciting as mine she had quickly bested her opponent who wielded glass magic. The duels had finished and they were about to announce the last test.

"For your final test, you will be paired up with a random person and fight in a duel against another duo," said the announcer.

Only about 5 of these duels had passed when the announcer said,"Next up is 67 and 76 against 52 and 101." I stepped into the open area that the crowd had made and I looked around for my partner. I heard a girl's voice behind me,"Hey! are you number 76?" I spun around to see a girl a bit shorter than me with blond hair and blue eyes standing behind me, she wasn't hard on the eyes either,"Yes I am, are you number 67?" I asked. She extended her hand out to me,"Talia Lumiére, nice to meet you." I grabbed her hand and shook it,"Arthur Blackwell." I then saw a big smile form on her face,"Blackwell! are you by any chance related to Mary Blackwell?!" I gave a slight smile,"She's my mother actually." Her face lit up,"She was my idol growing up! She was crazy powerful, did you get her ice magic perhaps?" I nodded. She excitedly said,"Yes this is gonna be so great." The announcer then said,"With all the participants ready let's begin the duel!" We approached the other duo,they were two boys, both had brown hair and green eyes and they looked almost exactly the same, they were twins. We did the usual routine, starting standing about 1 meter apart the turning around and walking back 10 big steps. "Begin!!" shouted the announcer when we took the tenth step. We both spun around and stood ready for battle. I cast "Icicle barrage" at them shooting as many icicles as I could a them. Both of them shouted,"Crystal wall," two walls formed next to each other, one blue and the other red and both were made of crystal. It blocked my Icicles. The walls shattered into pieces. The pieces floated the shot at us. I cast "Ice wall" to protect us. I pushed the ice wall towards them. They destroyed it with a  spell. I was about to attack when I heard Talia next to me,"Light of hope!" She stretched out her hands and a beam of light came out, shooting towards one of the twins. He just made another crystal wall. The other twin shot a crystal spike towards me. I cast "Frozen Knight", the ice armour enveloped my body and the shield and sworded formed in my hands. I blocked the crystal spike with my shield. "I will keep him busy, you go for the one attacking you," said Talia straining to speak. I nodded in agreement. I charged towards the twin shooting crystal spikes towards me  keeping my shield raised ready to block any crystal spikes. He kept on creating more and shooting them until he decided to shoot low he turned his attention down towards my leg. When the crystal spike made contact it pierced right through my frost armour and into my leg. It felt like I was being stabbed with a sword in the leg. I wanted to give up there and then but I remembered, I am from the Blackwell family and we never give up. I pushed through the pain gritting my teeth as I advanced towards the twin. He was in shock but he tried again shooting another shot at the same leg and it also pierced right through the armour. I felt rage and I started to sprint, I could barely feel the pain anymore. He looked frightened but  I hit him with my shield when I got close enough. He was knocked out cold. I turned to face his brother who was still holding up his defence against Talia. "Hey, you," I said loudly trying to get his attention. He clearly hasn't noticed that his brother is out cold. He glanced in my direction, his face turned to pure confusion,"How!" he shouted. He lost his focus on the crystal wall and it shattered allowing Talia's light beam to go through hitting him in his shoulder, sending him flying.

"Looks like numbers 67 and 76 won!" said the announcer with some excitement in his voice. The crowd was  cheering loudly. I started to feel the pain of the crystals in my leg again. I looked down at my leg to see they were dissipating but I still felt the pain and I fell down to my knees as I dissipated my armour.

"Healers!" I heard Talia shout. She approached me and said,"I know a healing spell that might help a little." She put her

hands near the wounds on my injured leg and cast "Healing light". Soon a bright light came from her hands and I could feel the pain slowly going away. "That's what you deserve you bastard," I heard a voice say to me. I turned my head in its direction to the still conscious twin standing next to his brother who was being cared for by two healers. He was looking at me with anger in his eyes. "Leave him alone,just because you weren't good enough doesn't mean you have to be angry at him,"said Talia in a stern and angry voice as she healed my leg. "Why you-," he was cut of when healers came to help me. They motioned for Talia to step aside so they could completely heal my leg. The twin only turned around to face his brother who had just regained consciousness.

Evelyn had been partnered with a plant magic user and she and him had won their duel against a team who were using water and ice magic. My wounds were mostly healed but they were there was still some healing left to be done. It was the end of the exam and the sun was setting when they started the selections. Talia was picked by captain Erica, captain Arna and captain Eric. She chose captain Eric's squad the Black Lions. My father only told me that there were six squads, he never told me there was a seventh one but maybe this was a newly formed squad. I don't know anything about them only that their captain's name is Eric Night-Blade. "Number 76 please step forward!" said the announcer ceremoniesly. I stepped forward scanning the captains to see who wants to pick me. I was surprised when I heard captain Warren Wolvern speak,"You are the son of Löwe and Mary Blackwell aren't you?" I nodded,"Yes captain." A large smile crept across his face as he raised his hand to select me but then all the other captains did the same. I could heard the crowd gasp because this is something uncommon. I was overwhelmed I didn't know which squad to pick. Should I follow in my parents footsteps and join the Dire Wolves or should I choose another squad. I stood there for a few minutes the I answered,"I want to join the.....Black Lions!" The crowd started to talk among themselves. Most of the captains had neutral expressions except for captain Warren and captain Eric. Captain Warren had a large frown on his face while Captain Eric had a large grin across his face. "Looks like you haven't gotten your dream team yet Warren!" said captain Eric laughing.

Captain Eric had gathered all his recruits near the gate, which weren't many, it was only me, Talia and another boy named Romain. This is the reality for many people most of the people who take the exam don't get picked by a squad.

"Now listen up you idiots,"said the captain with no emotion in his voice,"the Black Lions base is not far from here and I've already brought a few horses with me from my stables here in the city. Now follow me."  We followed him through the city to his stables where the same man who was with captain Eric when I first saw him was standing. "Meet vice-captain Seth," said the captain gesturing towards the man. He just gave us a nod. "Now lets get you idiots some horses," said the captain.