Next Mage

"Don't worry mom," I said, taking one of my best dresses out of my backpack. Rika, Carissa and Terra turned towards me and began to admire the shimmering blue fabric. "Great!" Mom exclaimed. "Now, do you guys have any makeup?" She said, turning towards my friends and winking.

Rika held up a box of makeup supplies, and we all grinned mischievously.

~Oliver's POV

The dining hall was abuzz with laughter and chatter.

Mages weaved their way through tables of food, dressed in their best clothes, eyes dancing with joy as they talked amongst themselves with glee.

Music beat jauntily into the air, and the five Elders were seated on magnificent thrones on a raised platform. Beside them, there was another raised platform, with seven chairs placed on it.

One for each of us: Marilla, Terra, Cam, Carissa, Elvira, me...and Emma, I realized. I felt slightly flustered that the mages would honor us in this way.

I shook my head in stunned disbelief and made my way to the food.

A delicious, tempting scent wafted into the air as I took in the spectacular feast:

Huge roast turkeys with tureens of cranberry sauce on the side, mountains of creamy mash potatoes and stacks of rice cakes; dozens of plates filled with dumplings and vegetables; dishes brimming with hot soup; bowls and bowls of ice-cream and chocolate syrup; plates stacked with pancakes and platters of various desserts...

There were magic foods too.

Spicy fire crackers, which exploded in your stomach once you swallowed it, giving you an enjoyable, tickling sensation, sticks of cloud cotton candy (they were made up of clouds and allowed you to fly for five to ten minutes), stone chocolates, which had a hard, sugary coating and a soft center of hot, melted chocolate, and golden treacle, a thick, luscious, golden liquid that caused your body to become deliciously warm and glow with a soft light.

I'm in heaven, I thought dazedly as I noticed Destan stuffing his face with water-jellies.

But before I could rush to get some food, Marilla walked into the dining hall, and my heart skipped a beat.

She was striking.

She was wearing a stunning sea foam-blue dress that seemed to sparkle with thousands of tiny droplets of water in the light of the room. Her hair was twisted up into an elegant knot at the top of her head, and a thin silver necklace graced her neck.

I felt myself redden as she caught me staring.

"Y-you look...beautiful," I stammered. Marilla flushed, her cheeks going a pale pink.

"Hey Oliver?"

"Yeah Marilla?"

"I love you."

"I love you too," I replied, kissing her gently on the forehead. "But... I'm not sure if I will be allowed to go with you back to earth--"

At that moment, my mother appeared beside me.

"You're going to earth," she said firmly, her grey eyes shining. Both Marilla and I gaped at her. Then we stared at each other, ecstatic.

"Th-thank you so much, mom!" I exclaimed, embracing my mother before squeezing Marilla into a hug. "But...will I be able to visit you?" I asked tentatively.

Mom nodded.

"Of course!" She chuckled. "I'll send you letters. I'll write every day," she said.

"Every day," I repeated, pulling her into a hug once more.

Then, grinning at Marilla, we hurried over to join the festivities.

this is the last dashy line thingo of Mage Academy ;w;

~Marilla's POV, a a few hours later (for the people on earth at least)

"Mom! Oliver! A letter! Come look!"

I slammed the door shut, fumbling with the postcard.

"I'm coming, sweetie! Just a moment!" Mom's voice sounded from the kitchen.

"What ish it?" Oliver rushed into the hallway, nearly slipping as his socks slid over the smooth tiles, his toothbrush still in his mouth. "A letter? That'sh quick! Ish it from..." Hope leaped into his eyes as I nodded my head vigorously. "Already!" Oliver squeaked.

"I'm here! What is it, dear?" Mom exclaimed, hurrying into the corridor.

Oliver and I were already reading the letter.

Dear Oliver, Marilla and Mrs Waterson,

We are pleased to inform you that Miss Emma is finally awake. Mom gave me a bewildered look.

"I'll explain it later," I told her, before going back to the letter.

Our spirit mages have been stopping time; that is why it may seem like it has only been a few hours since your arrival back on earth. For everybody in Myragon, it has already been three weeks. "Three weeks!" Oliver exclaimed.

A portal will be opened in Marilla's bedroom soon after the appearance of this letter. We will be anxiously awaiting your arrival.

Sincerely,

The Five Elders of Myragon

As soon as we finished the letter, we rushed to my room, and, sure enough, there was a portal, bright and swirling. I felt gratitude swell in my chest, as I grabbed Oliver's hands, mixing with other emotions: Joy, elation, relief...

Love.

Oliver and I grinned at each other, and, stepping into the portal, we were engulfed in a whirlwind of colors.

the end