Wizardland

Aiden rubbed the back of his neck. "I can," he slowly admitted, "but it's not too bright."

"Or maybe they want us to fight, weakening us collectively. I don't know, but this whole thing is weird." Cole glanced around, wondering if someone was watching.

Al followed them, looking absolutely terrified. "Guys, these caves...they're not normal caves."

"That would be interesting . . . if only I knew how to fight." Esther snickered lightly.

Raine turned towards Aiden and smiled. "A small one will do. Any amount of light is better than no light. Let's get going."

"What do you mean they're not normal caves?" Erik questioned, peering over at Al with a slight frown.

Aiden nodded, cupping his hands together and began to concentrate. It took a few minutes before a small orb of light appeared.

"I don't know how to fight either," Cole admitted. "I probably wouldn't last long."

"These caves...they're dimensional portals. Every time ya walk through them, they drop ya off someplace new. Look 'ere." Al picked up a pebble and threw it ahead of them. It rolled dully on the cave floor. She walked over to it, picked it up, and threw it behind them. It vanished into thin air. "When ya change direction, they change where you're headed."

"Maybe we can ask the others if they know how to fight. If they do, then they can teach us." Esther smiled and kept walking. "I hope someone in our group knows how to defend themselves."

"Wait... so does this mean that Esther and Cole are gone? How can we find them if they're in another dimension?" Raine sighed a bit. Things were not looking up for them.

Erik huffed, shaking his head. "This has gotten a tad bit complicated now."

Aiden sighed. "There's got to be some way we can reach the two of them."

"I don't know why I'm even in this school," Cole muttered.

"I mean, I guess if you changed direction at the exact same point they did, then maybe you'd go to the same place?" Al offered. "Maybe?"

"Maybe you're here like the rest of us. You want to find out your true powers. My parents told me I can do so a lot more than I can now. I just need the proper training." Esther smiled and turned to Cole. "I'm sure you have a lot of abilities hidden away too."

"It sounds easy, but how are we going to find the point that they changed directions." Raine tilted her head a bit and sighed. "It's hard to think like they do since we just met them."

Erik wagged his tail and sniffed the ground, walking ahead before activating his peripheral vision. He lifted his head, scanning the area.

Aiden crossed his arms over his chest, closing his eyes to concentrate. "We have to find some way..."

"I guess, but how do they even know I have cool powers? Maybe they're stupid," Cole mumbled.

Al shrugged. "I dunno if it'd even work, ta be honest."

Esther looked at Cole and shrugged. "You never know. These people at the academy may know a lot about our races. We won't know until we actually get there and start learning."

Raine smiled and turned towards Al. "It's still worth a shot. Afterall, that may be the only way." She turned her attention back to Erik. "Did you find something?"

"Nothing," he replied. "I don't see their tracks anymore or smell their scent."

"Well, guess we have to try the best we can then," Aiden muttered.

"Guess so. I just wonder what it'll be like, when these exercises are so awful." Cole sighed.

"All right, let's just try ta stay tagether," Al said nervously.

Esther laughed lightly. "I guess so. If these 'exercises' are actually tests, then I may leave. I'm that fond of field tests."

"Hmm... I wonder if this will work in this situation." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "I hope this works." She slowly raised her hand and opened her eyes. "It worked!" Ahead of them there were glowing footprints. "I actually did it!"

"Have you found their tracks?" Erik questioned, peering over at Raine curiously.