I crane my neck to see the encryption on the smooth marble rock above the arched entrance of the mountain. Its made up of glistening emerald and lined with strings of gold that glimmer in the light of early morning.
'Welcome back!'It reads.
I sling my backpack onto my shoulder and tow Willow along with me inside.
"Come on Willow! Your turning seventeen in two months you cannot still be afraid of the dark" Irritation prickles my voice. The archway gives in to a tunnel, dimly lit from being deprived of sunlight. By habit I reach for my wrist, saddened to feel only skin.
"I need to get my bands its weird not having them on" I whimper even though I've been apart from them for four months. Me and Willow–like children–sprint through the stone halls, skidding on patches of ice. Exitment pushes out any fear. I slap my hand down on a white marble desk which makes my palm sting. Its a delicatly carved thing, squared in on all sides with an elderly man sitting in the middle on a cloud of air.
"Band me Pete" I demand jokingly. He stiffles a silent chuckle and waves his hand over my exposed wrist.
"Roan Elex, second year Emerald student...16 years old...ahha! Specialty: Air" He reads leisurely off a worn scroll. I'm eager to see what the heavy bands that wrap around my wrist will look like this year. With a wave of his hand and a flick of his finger my wish is fulfilled.
"Thank you!" I squeal.
"See ya later Willow!" I grin. She gives me a sheepish smile and walks up to the desk. The room is huge with a sloped ceiling that arches with elegant and expertly crafted designs. Seven tunnels lead off from it, the first four for the specialties; Earth, Fire, Water and Air. Another that leads outside and the sixth leads to an additional room smaller then this with more tunnels sprouting off from it. The seventh will be the longest because most of the rooms the second year students are staying in will be down there. Knowing this i rush down the hallway, a gentle breeze swaying, my bright blonde hair following in its lead. My heavy rubberboots make loud gurgling noises with every stomp. My arm feels ponderous from the weight of the bands but I'm glad to have them back. I turn through an I open door. A familiar room greets my ice blue eyes. Two walls lined with books, an antique desk in the center with an assortment of what head Air teacher calls 'art'. Its piled with papers and a birdcage containing a peppy but newly disturbed dove.
"Vice!" I screech, throwing my bag. A man looks up from a dusty book. Immediately a smile creeps onto his face.
"Roan" He chuckles, pulling me in for a hug. I gleefully accept.
"Your room key. I paired you with two others" He explains, handing me a small stone. I roll it into the palm of my hand, its smooth and cold on the skin.
"Training starts tomorrow morning" He says, waving me off. His eyes are droopy with a grey hue under them and an exhausted look. I rush down the hallway once again, stopping to examine the rock. Pure white malamite with strings of gold tracing it. I clutch it tightly and look for my home for the next 10 months. I find it closer to the end of the hall, separated from the others which makes me glad. I wave the stone over a patch that looks just like it. There's three dents in it and I slide mine into the farthest on the right. It gives in with a satisfying click and I push on the white marbled door. I'm relieved to see the room is just what I wanted. A fireplace in the middle with a brown leather couch in front of it, a rug and coffee table. The left wall lined with books and an antique looking dining table to my right. Three doors are lined up on the right wall. I throw my bag down and slip off my boots in a not so elegant way. I weave air through my fingers, something I haven't been able to for four months since my first year ended. I run over to the doors, all looking the same. I search for my name and am surprised to find that its the first one. I swing it open slowly. A window on the left wall and a bed on the right. I smooth out the purple duvet and admire the bookshelf. There's a small dresser and chest for my things, along with shelves mounted to the walls. I quickly unpack my stuff, throwing tank tops and hoodies into random drawers at a rushed pace. I hear a faint sound of voices and laughing from the hallway and realize I'll have to socialize with people. I look at my outfit–blue leggings and a baggy navy coloured sweater. I immediately feel self conscious and change into light hued ripped skinny jeans and a blue crop top with a white tank top underneath. I scan the room for the black leather book bag that's given to every student. Mine had fallen off of the bed. I drape myself over the plush mattress and pick it up. The underside of the strap is gold to match the buckles. I adjust it around me and sling it over my left shoulder so it won't fall off my arm. I hear the fusslig of paper and open it to find a scroll that welcomes me to my second year and a layout of the whole underground school. Exitment churns inside of me. I pull my hair into a fishtail braid, I had gotten streaks of white and light blue in my bleach blonde coloured hair. I'm surprise to see a boy draped over the couch, his nose in a book. I walk slowly and examine him. His hair is geled and sleek black with a blue base. I see a tattoo crawling up his neck. I can't see it all but I admire it, mine is small and simple–a diamond shape thing on my hand with swirls and feathers.

"Can I help you?" He grits, showing agitation but not drawing his eyes off the page.
"Uh...I'm Roan, you must be one of my roommates?" I say unsurely.
"Zeris" He replies dryly.
"Water I'm guessing?" I observe, matching his tone. He nods slightly.
"And you?" He asks becoming less defensive.
"Air" I chirp, making for the door. The stone that's my key is still in its crevice on the other side. I slip on a pair of brown boots with long whispy laces. They're what I usually wear when training but I might as well get used to them again. It feels nice to have them. I slip out into the hallway and retrieve my stone. I wrap it in a leather string and tie it around my neck, giving it a few yanks to insure its security. I push past a hoard of people, resorting to using my ability and hovering on a ball of compressed air. It whisks me through the halls until I hear a familiar but chipper bark. The aching in t my chest seizes as I hear a tussle of feathers accompanied by shrill screams.
"Aussie!" I chant, the Australian Shepherd leaping into my arms gleefully. A smile is non resistant. His molted red merle coat is long and his feathered wings fold after hitting me multiple times in the face. His tongue lolls out and sprawls over my face in wet kisses. I scratch behind his ears and his tri coloured eyes flicker with delight. A tear forms in my eye but doesn't escape. I set him down and he lays on my foot, sprawling out his wings.
"Well, well, well look what we have here" A familiar voice growls snidely. I whip my head around.