The five set out to find leverage against Sly and his goons but little did they know it was under their nose the whole time. The group still sat in the War Room late into the night with candle light around the room.
Losing hope and as exhaustion overtook their bodies, they sat down around the table with sighs of defeat. Vardy glanced at his staff and felt for the light within. It was dim, more than it had been in recent days. "The light seems to be more dim than usual, Tracy observed". Inside, Vardy was in panic with no idea what to do. But outside, he held his face and body in the same loose, confident and poised manner. He nodded. "It is. I don't know how to fix it." His voice came out even as he spoke. Tracy sat there, thinking and mentally flipping through books she had been reading for research purposes and remembered a particular spell book that had caught her fancy just earlier that day.
Scrolls and ancient diaries sat open and scattered across the table making it harder for her to remember which book it had been. She saw a dark brown leather bound cover sticking out under the scrolls and a grin spread on her face as she scrambled to grab it and flip it open. Looking for the information on his staff was harder than she thought. Flipping to the right page, she starts reading it out loud getting everyone's attention.
"The light in the staff gets dimmer as the handler of the staff loses the strength in his will power. The joining of two or the repairing of the Handlers will, can resurrect the light and restore it to its usual brightness." Tracey's voice trailed off.
"So.....all we have to do is repair Vardy's will or get him a gf?" Jesse asked. Tracy nodded as she stayed on Vardy. He didn't seem thrilled about finding a gf.
A sigh escaped his mouth as he leaned against the bookshelf and suddenly a very loud click could be heard in the room. The sound had everyone on high alert in seconds as Vardy sprung away from the books and leaned against the table, his staff in hand. Magic sparked the air as the group of friends saw the bookcase swing open without making a single noise. Ferah used a spell to make a glowing ball of light as a touch for everyone. Vardy stood straight and turned to his team mates with a nod of his head and the ball of light went in the tunnel.
Luthor and Jesse brought up the rear and closed the door before following the others deeper into the tunnel. After what had felt like ages to Vardy, he stumbled across a large ancient door that was decorated with designs. His hand went out and everyone held their breaths as the door swung inward and revealed a room full of Warlocks and Witches that seemed to be holding a meeting of sorts. The silence was deafening, the stares piercing…everyone frozen in place. Till a Warlock stepped forth. He had on a large dark purple robe over what appeared to be his stealth gear. The robe signified leadership. His face pale, the shadow of a beard but yet he looked to be around Vardy's age.
"Vardy, welcome. It is about time you found our home. Well....our new home anyway." He said with a warm smile.
"How do you know his name?" Questioned Ferah as she used her body as a barrier between Vardy and the man.
"We have a common enemy. So, we have been following you and your dear Vardy who seems to be quite a strong leader." A hint of amusement and admiration laced his voice.
"Who are you?" Vardy demanded, his voice steady, calm but authoritative. The man gave a kind smile.
"My! Where are my manners!? Leader Devon, and this is my crew." He said, his hand gesturing to the room. Vardy felt in his gut that these people could be trusted and held some answers but just to be sure, his eyes shot to those of his friends with a silent question to which they nodded in confirmation. Tracy seemed to be far more in tune with her intuition and gut than the others so he turned to her. When she gave her nod, only then did Vardy relax and step around Ferah who seemed to be a bit on edge.
"You said you had been following us....why? And why haven't you approached us before or come to our aid?" Vardy asked.
"Ah, well, there is a simple answer for that one, Young Master. Some battles are meant to be fought without assistance and you sir, had quite a few of those. It pained me dearly to sit by and not do anything but my council decided it was best to sit back and see what you were capable of. This Sly character seems to hate you a lot." He commented.
"And....what have you learned of us so far? How long have you been following us?" Vardy asked, curiosity in his voice.
"Not as long as you imagine. I used a cloaking spell to hide myself and that drained me quite a bit for a while before I got used to it. As for what we learned....let's discuss that a little later shall we?" He asked kindly. Vardy nodded, feeling like it was a reasonable request. Slowly walking into the table, the room started to thin out. Secret doors slid open among the walls and people started slipping away till only three people remained.
By the looks of it, they were the leaders of this coven. The large wooden table in the centre of the room was covered with scrolls, maps and books. The dialect seemed to be older and more ancient and it was all new, of places they had never heard of. Vardy stood across from the three elders and his friends, ever the support, fanned out behind him in protective stances. His heart swelled with pride and admiration to their loyalty and caution.
"Where are we?" Vardy asked, leaning his staff against the table. "We are underground. The tunnel you followed started in the academy and led you under the academy to here. They are ancient passageways that were built as escape routes and emergency exits. This, the room we stand in now is the conference room or the War Room as you might know better. We have been using them for years." Devon said.
"Why has no one else ever heard of it before? Does the headmaster know of this? Of you?" Tracy asked.
"No. He does not. We....have our suspicions of your headmaster. We are still investigating and aren't sure yet but no. He knows nothing and we would like to keep it that way." Devon explained. Vardy nodded, he understood the need for caution. "What exactly are you and your companions?"
"We, Young Master Vardy, are descendants of the older and ancient Witches and Warlocks. The ones that haven't gone all bad as Sly and his fellow people have gone. We used Dark Magic but we do not manipulate it or use it in a bad way." He explained. "You Master Vardy, it seems your staff is low."
"Yes. I'm aware. I'm trying to sort out why and how to change it. I tapped into it when I faced Sly earlier and he doesn't seem to appreciate that I have it." Vardy said tiredly.
"Would you like to know why?" Devon asked. Vardy nodded.
"You are both Light and Dark. They flow in your blood and that makes you a threat. You defeat the Dark by using Light magic but pure Light Magic. Not fake. Right now, you have too much Dark Magic and you need to be more in touch with the Light." Devon said. Vardy seemed to understand it. Tracy stepped forward and glanced at Vardy who nodded.
"I read that he can do it by having a partner or he strengthens his willpower. Is this true?" She asked. Devon nodded.
"Yes. It's true. But Vardy's will power is strong. Stronger than ever so he needs to find a partner who is a Light Warlock or Witch. He needs to have a deep bond. Usually, it would be a sibling but....in this case we must find him someone he can connect with and fast. Sly will be gathering and coming at you harder than ever. If he is scared of this then that means things will speed up. But know this, he has someone higher than him. He is not the leader. He is only following orders. Who's orders, we do not know but we know that he is following orders and now that he has been almost bested, he will not go light on you, Young Master Vardy. You need to train more, be more vigilant and get more in touch with your Magic, and you four must help him. He will need all the help he can get, Devon said, with determination in his voice.
"Who are they?", Ferah asked, nodding towards the other two leaders in the room. Devon walked to them and smiled.
"This is Aegon and this is Arlena. They are both leaders."Devon said. Tracy frowned slightly.
"Aegon? Dragon? Arlena....Elf." She whispered. Devon nodded with the biggest smile on his face.
"Yes. You, young Tracy, are a bright one." He said, chuckling. Vardy's eyes widened. Elves and Dragons were real...leaders...which means there is a group of Elves and a pack of Dragons with them.