The night before graduation Cyrus, Sophie and Zander were all trying to figure out how to go about their speeches without giving away who they were. Cyrus had reminded Zander and explained to Sophie that it was televised. The biggest thing was they could only televise the stage and not the student section.
They thought of everything, but eventually came to the conclusion the three of them should wear masks. Cyrus insisted that they either teleport out of there after the announcement or leave their masks on.
They also thought it would be a good idea to dye their hair and wear colored contacts.
Zander dyed his jet black, Sophie dyed hers black, and because Cyrus kept a clean, bald fade, he dyed it black, despite having darker hair in the first place. The three of them wore very dark brown contacts.
Back at graduation, Cyrus was just leaving the stage.
"Well, Cyrus, that was certainly interesting and unexpected, but may I now have Sophie Gra, sorry Elrod, please come to the stage," Principal Hammond stated.
As she was called to the stage, she and Zander had put on their masks and walked to the stage, holding hands with their wedding bands on, not wanting to dishonor Solace by wearing fake wedding bands.
Miss Bishop looked at the Principal for guidance, as she was confused as to what to do.
"It appears our rank 2 and rank 1, newly married couple would like to present together! This is certainly a first, please also welcome our top ranked student, Zander Elrod to the stage!" Principal Hammond said through the microphone.
Giant cheers erupted from the crowd.
They stood at the microphone together, and Sophie gave her speech first.
"I know I only just arrived at this school a few months ago, but I'm grateful to all the staff, students, and faculty for making my adjustment quite a pleasant one. I always dreamed I'd graduate at the top of my class, and could have if I stayed at my old school. Instead, not only did I leave that school, I started a completely new life."
She turned, looking at Zander in her pink Kabuki mask with white circles that looked like flames.
"Whether I graduated first, or last, my parents always taught me to forge my own path. They encouraged me to try and fail, to push limits I didn't think could be pushed, all while doing so much for others. I promise I will continue to try to do as much good as they did, as will my wife."
Zander looked at Sophie in his Gold Kabuki mask with symbols of earth, wind, fire, water, ice, the symbol of light magic, which was circles within larger circles, and the symbol of chi, which was a fist.
"My husband and I have decided to give up our scholarships and start a foundation for each of the other schools in Harmonia. The top five students at each school will be given full scholarships to the University of their choice," Sophie said.
"And because this school has done so much good for so many people, we have decided to award the students ranked 6-10 a full scholarship as well," Zander added.
The whole crowd erupted and in Phantoms Keep, Erebos linked with Theo and told him to turn on the Gifted schools graduation.
Confused, Theo turned it on and saw two people on stage, with black hair, brown eyes and Kabuki masks on.
"What is the meaning of this Erebos? All I hear is a girl talking, then looking at someone and then her talking again," Theo stated angrily.
"Calmer heads prevail my lord. The boy is speaking. Now I wonder why you can't hear him?" Erebos mocked Theo.
"It's him. That's the child of prophecy!" Theo exclaimed.
Theo was now Intently staring at the screen. Every time Erebos tried to tell Theo what Zander was saying, he couldn't speak, and if he wrote it down it would disappear.
"Stupid protection spell, but he's giving away where he's going next, and it's less than a year until I find these black haired brats and squash them!" Theo screamed.
After Sophie calmed the crowd down, she continued, "Mom, Dad, and to all of my family. I promise you need not worry, as I will always be with the one to protect me, I love you all. I will not be attending university. There is a note at home with instructions on how to contact me, burn them when you're done reading it," Sophie said, and her voice sounded confident, but had a hint of sadness to it.
"Mother and Father, I wish you were here to see this day, but I love you both and am grateful for everything you've done for me. I only hope you are in Solace and know that I will always be with the one to protect me. I will not be going to University. In fact, Cyrus, if you would."
Cyrus walked onto the stage, despite the confused look on Miss Bishop and Principal Hammond's faces.
"I ask for everyone to pray to the Father of Solace every day in my parents honor. You all know who I am. You all know who they were. Father of Solace, please allow for this message to go through to Theo."
Surprised, the Father teleported to Theo.
"Erebos, you heard the boy, I'm not to interfere per our agreement so Theo, if you would like to hear?"
"Yes I want to hear!" Theo screamed in anger.
After Zander's pause, he felt magic leaving him for a moment.
"People of Earth, I am Zander Elrod and I am the Chosen one to save humanity. For those of you who pray and helped, or were helped by my parents, I thank you greatly. Please continue to do so, as Sophie and I will need all your help."
Just as the fathers magic escaped, Theo could now hear and was basically standing right in front of his massive television.
"This next message is directly to Theo and all of his followers, as well as for all of those thinking of joining his side.
I don't give a damn that my barrier of protection wears off on my eighteenth birthday. I'm not afraid of you or any one of your creations, Theo. What you forced Tej to do, I will repay you one thousand fold in the name of Solace. For ambushing my parents and trainers through trickery and taking advantage of their kind heart, I promise you your soul will shatter. Whether by my hand or my beautiful wives or my whomever finally rids you from this world. You betrayed the Father and all of Solace in a time of universal Harmony, which had finally been achieved after billions of years, only to cause pain and suffering." Zander spoke so confidently that the crowd wouldn't move a muscle.
Sophie said, "You killed my husband's parents in an attempt to weaken Zander. Let me tell you, that was your biggest mistake Theo. It only strengthens our resolve to each other and to Solace."
"Thank you Father for allowing Theo to hear this message, please replenish my protection after I'm off screen."
"Theo, leave Harmonia alone, I'll see you in Phantoms Keep."
With a nod, Cyrus was first as he turned into a lightning bolt and shot off into the distance.
Taking two steps forward, Zander turned, lifted his mask just enough, as did Sophie, to give her a kiss.
Zander and Sophie then turned into their Phoenix forms, only giving Theo a quick glimpse as they teleported away.
In Solace, Tej had a big smile on his face, as did Leo, Zephyr and a lot of the other phoenixes. Nixie and Soraya looked concerned, but came around as Luna ensured their confidence.
The Father had arrived back in his manor and laughed a joyous laugh, "Oh, I do believe we found the right parents and the right child, wouldn't you all agree?"
"Never in my wildest dreams did I think Zander would do that, he must have found the rings and room underneath. Do you think they've unlocked it all?" Luna asked her Father.
"Why else would he be so confident? He could have not shown up to graduation and Theo would have never even looked. He's letting Theo know he's not scared. He's also trying to ensure Theo does not touch Harmonia, protecting the families of his loved ones and his wife," the Father said happily.
Back on Earth, Cyrus, Sophie and Zander were now in Zander's living room, all with big smiles on their faces.
"Zintan, can you please get rid of this hair dye," Zander said out loud.
Instantly his hair was its usual messy, spiky anime-esque gold. He threw out his contacts and saw Sophie also got the hint and they both were using their wings to cover their naked bodies.
"Go get clothes on you two or get a room," Cyrus joked.
Zander and Sophie laughed and looked at each other, then at Cyrus, "one week. That's all we have left as normal teenagers. Then it's off to find Haven."
Cyrus pumped his fist and said, "I'm ready."
After getting dressed, they all agreed to go to sleep early after a long day.
Both Cyrus and Sophie's parents consoled each other, knowing their children had made the adult decisions on their own and it was to protect them in the end.
Simon was bragging, "How cool are my sister and my brother in law?" to all his friends and they couldn't help but agree.
Meanwhile, in Phantoms Keep, Theo had summoned King Justice, Erebos, Kian, Vigor and two more of his personal guards, both chimeras, Deke and Zeke.
"Do we have any intel on where they think they're actually going to go?" Theo demanded as he slammed his head on the table.
"It would be unwise for him to simply storm Phantoms Keep, so my guess would be SilverCrest to blend in the the magic users." King Justice stated.
"I agree with the king," Zeke declared.
"As do I," Erebos stated.
"Then get me some eyes in SilverCrest, bribe whoever you can, someone will be willing to break. Bring Deke and Zeke, he's great with information gathering," Theo said with a menacing laugh.
Back on Earth, laying in bed, Zander asked Sophie if he did the right thing today.
"I think you did. You're directly protecting Harmonia, my family and all the lives you care about and sending a response about your parents death. Youre showing that you can't be pushed around. I'm glad you chose to include me and not hide that I'm like you." Sophie answered honestly.
"I told you, it's us, forever. Now we need to figure out the rest of the system and figure out what other magic you can use. Maybe Haven will have answers. I just hope Cyrus is allowed in." Zander said.
"Why wouldn't he be?" Sophie reassured Zander.
They laid in bed and they both drifted off into a deep sleep.
Cyrus laid in his guest bedroom, struggling to sleep.
"Ah, what am I worried about? It's Zander and Sophie. I won't be a third wheel. Besides maybe I'll meet someone on this journey of ours. Maybe I'll be able to improve my magic!" he thought.
He finally fell asleep, wishing he could see his parents one more time.
Thank you for reading arc one. I sincerely hope you enjoyed it!>