Chapter 1 Part one: A birthday gone wrong.

It was August 6th,mid-morning. The sun's rays reached the crystal buildings of Lightside like light reflecting off a chandelier. The eternal daytime of Lightside had bright crystal buildings were surrounded by sparkling blue beaches, wide savannas, rivers, tall waterfalls and active volcanoes around the city.

In the town square a huge banner written 'Happy 16th birthday Cyra!' was hung. The marble stone streets bustled with chatter. The people wore red,white,bright white yellow and gold outfits with a strange gold metal bracer on their wrists with a marigold gem in the center of it, that seemed to glow faintly under the blazing sun. They called it a Solar Bracelet.

In the highest tower in the city where the bright red phoenixes soared, a girl with chocolate brown hair, tied in a messy bun, with amber brown eyes leans out the window. Her name was Cyra Sinclair.

"Happy birthday to me, I guess.." she thought. A warm and gentle voice comes from behind her. "Cyra, you should be celebrating. Sixteen is a big deal you know?" Her amber eyes mirroring the calmness in Cyra's eyes, and the man beside her stood tall with a soft expression. Her parents, Nora and David Sinclair.

David chuckles deeply, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Yes, dear, you should be out with the rest of your people." Cyra turns around, arms crossed,the same stubborn expression she carried on her face for years. "I don't want to accidentally burn anyone ... again." She said,looking away.

It was the incident where at a very important holiday, where she had accidentally lost control of her powers, and sent a small spark in one of the civilians clothes and nearly set them on fire. Ever since after that day, Cyra was too embarrassed to talk about what had happened. But the memory was still fresh on her mind, like a cool breeze on a hot summer day.

Nora takes a step further and grabs her chin gently to face them. Nora looks into her daughter's eyes, expression softening. "Cyra. Everyone in Lightside knows that was an accident. Don't blame yourself for that." Cyra's arms loosened reluctantly and she sighs. "I just can't hurt anyone-"

Before she could finish her sentence, alarms blared across the city. The Brightstone's invisible barrier began to crack like glass, the ground rumbled as if there was an earthquake. The people's screams and shouts of fear and authority of evacuation, echoed through Lightside. Strange shadows loomed over the town with intent. It could only mean one thing ... Hunters have breached Lightside. Nora and David looked at Cyra with a serious expression. "Cyra! You need to leave now!" David said urgently, while shouting out orders to the guards outside from the window. Nora gave Cyra a suitcase and a satchel from a nearby closet and placed them in front of Cyra. Her eyes were filled with fierce determination and worry. "Cyra, take these and go to this address." Nora shoved a piece of paper with the address on it in Cyra's hand and looked at her carefully. Cyra looked at the crumpled paper in her hands and up at her mom with a confused expression. "But mom-I-I can help fight! H-how am i supposed-"

"Cyra." Nora cuts her off gently. "hunters are looking for someone, and that someone could be you. Promise me you'll hide your identity." Cyra looks down, tears filling her eyes. She blinks rapidly, trying not to let them fall, she nodded. "I promise mom." Nora and David nods and gives her a quick hug. David looks at Cyra with those serious yet gentle blue eyes. He kisses the top of her head gently and wipes her falling tears with his thumb, his touch was gentle, soft, yet soothing as always.

"Be strong Sunshine. Your mother and I love you so much."

Before Cyra could answer, a flash of bright light appeared, then whisking her away from the only home she'd ever known, the last thing she saw was her parents determined expressions.

In a split second, she stumbled upon a large building with a mysterious and eerie aura. The buildings bricks were mostly covered in moss,dirt and vines. And on the moist ground, thick white fog was gathered. Around the building were lakes, forests and as farthest the eye could see, an abandoned clock tower that seemed to haunt the grounds for decades.

She had reached the address on the crumpled sheet of paper that was still in her hand. UP.A.B(Unitary Preparatory Academy of Britain) It loomed above her like it had been ... waiting for her arrival. Across the courtyard, she saw-other supernatural students chatting around and already making friends. She adjusts hoodie's sleeve to cover the Solar Bracelet on her wrists. The marigold gem's light seemed to fade as if it was hidden in the darkest cave.

From the other side of campus a certain person caught her eye, he had dark brown hair with a pair of green-hazel eyes, his expression unreadable, as he leaned against the brick wall casually.

He notices her looking and his eyes narrow slightly, a small smirk formed at the end of his lips. In curiosity? Suspicion? Cyra forced herself to look away, but she couldn't get this nagging feeling in her chest, that her instincts told her to stay away from him. But despite that she also felt some sort of connection to him .. her chest tightened, and a shiver ran down her spine. For the first time, her stomach knotted with nerves.

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© Chasey Buena

Sides of Day and Night

Chapter 1 Part two: The other side of light.

On the same day, August 6th, the other side of Lightside's barrier another town loomed over. Nightside. Unlike Lightside's bright, crystal buildings and sunny atmosphere, Nightside was different. Nightside had dark crystal buildings, surrounded by tall, long mountains, dark and deep enchanted forests, lakes with a mysterious dark blue glow and deep caves. Along with a sky mix of the golden sunrise, and the quiet moonset combined, like one big canvas painted across the sky.

The city centre was covered with lanterns and tall, wooden lampposts. In the nearest tree trunks, owls with bright, glowing yellow eyes peeked their tiny heads out, and hooted. Watching over the town. The people there wore black,white and silver.

They all wore velvet colored chokers with a dark navy blue gem in the centre, which is what they call a Nightgem. They call their choker a Nightgem Necklace.

In the tallest, darkest crystal building, a boy with dark brown hair and sharp green-brown hazel eyes and outfit from black baggy pants, with a white shirt with silver accents, and a small chain necklace, leans against the window frame casually, arms crossed. His name was Nathan Nightwalker.

"Hmm ... something is .. off today. More than usual." He thought in his mind. Then a white, snowy, fluffy owl perched on his shoulder, his claws gripping on Nathan's shoulder gently. It hooted. it was low, deep, almost cautious. Like it was about to warn something. Nathan looked at the owl and his calm, nonchalant expression softened for a split second. He stroked the owl gently with his hand, then let it fly out the window once more.

His mother and father, Isabella and Jason Nightwalker. Isabella had piercing green eyes with a neat styled, bold blond hair and a slim figure. Jason had black night hair with deep gazing brown eyes and a tall figure. She had her arm linked on his, as they approached Nathan. "Nathan. What are you thinking of this time?" She said. Nathan turned around to face them, his expression calm and guarded. "Nothing, mother. Just felt something .. off." Jason studies his expression carefully. Tapping his finger on Isabella's hand thoughtfully. Knowing there's more to the story. "How so, son?" He asked slowly. His eyes never leaving Nathan's.

Nathan catches his careful response and his eyes sharpened. "I felt a pulse. Something happened outside Nightside." He said bluntly. His hands clenching inside his pocket. His parents stood up straighter. "What do you mean, a pulse?" His mother asked. "Do you mean ... Lightside?" Jason said tensely. Like the name would kill him, as if it was poison. Nathan tensed slightly at the towns name and nodded.

Before anyone could react the ground shook and trembled. The Nightstone's barrier cracked with each passing second. Shouts of evacuation from the security team echoed through Nightside. The same shadows from Lightside have breached inside Nightside. Hunters have breached inside Nightside as well. Jason and Isabella extended their hands out, balls of shadow shot out to layer the defenses outside. Nathan grabbed the nearest sword hung on the wall, preparing for battle. His father approached him and put the sword away. "No. You're not fighting." He said firmly. Leaving no room for argument. Nathan's expression became into frustration. He scowled. "What do you mean? This is my home. I'm going to-"

"Stop." Isabella cut him off sharply. She looked at him and her eyes softened. "This is not your fight. Not yet at least." Nathan looked at her in disbelief, frustration and in reluctance. Jason sighed quietly, and wrote something down on a piece of paper, he picked from his pocket. Then gave it to Nathan. He picked it up suspiciously. "What's this?" He mumbled. "Stay here until things get sorted out." Jason said gently. Isabella gave him a gently hug, which Nathan didn't give back, but didn't move away. "Stay safe, young star." Isabella and Jason extended their hands out and this time the balls of shadows swirled into a sphere. Nathan looked back at his parents, and nodded. He walked inside, every step feeling like a stab on the back, leaving Nightside.

In a split second, he stumbled upon a large building with a mysterious and eerie aura. The buildings bricks were mostly covered in moss,dirt and vines. And on the moist ground, thick white fog was gathered. Around the building were lakes, forests and as farthest the eye could see, an abandoned clock tower that seemed to haunt the grounds for decades.

He had reached the address on the crumpled sheet of paper that was still in her hand. UP.A.B(Unitary Preparatory Academy of Britain) It loomed above him like it had been ... waiting for her arrival. He stared at it, not intimidated in any way at all. Across the courtyard, he saw-other supernatural students chatting around and already making friends. It made him scowl and scoff and puke up at the same time. He leaned against the wall, raising his collar up higher to hide his Nightgem Necklace. The dark blue glow from the gem fading. As if not wanting to hide.

As he leaned against the wall, he caught someone looking at him. A girl with chocolate brown hair, tied in a messy bun, with amber brown eyes. He couldn't help but smirk slightly in amusement. Then when she turned away his smirk faltered slightly. He felt something magnetic. One that's intriguing and dangerous. "What is this..?" he thought.

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© Chasey Buena

Sides of Day and Night

Chapter 2: New beginnings

After the girl had turned away, Nathan found himself still looking at her, he shook his head and turned away. Leaning on the other side of the cold brick wall. The clock on the top tower of UP.A.B had turned to 8AM and a GONG sound echoed through the courtyard. It wasn't exactly the most pleasant sound you would hear. It sounded like a horror shriek and a dying cat who was drowning in water. The students around, immediately covered their ears, unable to face that horrible, terrible sound. Even the crows nearby flew away from their usual spot and moved to a different lake to feed their thirsty beaks.

As soon as the bell stopped ringing, through the skull-wrapped announcement speaker a high pitched, squeaky voice came in. Everyone put their hands, claws, fins and whatever they had from their ears to listen. "Attention students, welcome to your first day at Unitary Preparatory Academy of Britain. Please, proceed to the gymnasium for orientation. Prefects, make sure the first years don't get lost. I do not want anyone. And i mean, Anyone. Lost. That is all from I, professor Murk Giggles from Worldwide Supernatural class. Dismissed!" The crowd of students erupted immediately into murmurs. Cyra stood at the sidelines fixing her messy bun into a high ponytail. Her hands gently combing through her hair, as she tied it up. While Nathan, still leaning on the wall had a sharp gaze. Scanning the courtyard with wary, yet curious eyes from earlier.

As Cyra finished tying her hair into the ponytail she exhaled in content. Her amber brown eyes swept across the grounds.

She noticed a color pattern between students.

1st years are white and red

2nd years are blue and white

3rd years are green and white

4th years are silver and white.

They also wore the school badge on the left side of their uniform.(The flower of life symbol in the middle with in each section is colors of the elements. Red for fire,blue for water,green for earth and grey for air.)

The top would be a white buttoned shirt, and the pants would be the year color. But the prefects always had a special touch to their uniform, which was a golden name plate on top of the school badge.

She raised her eyebrow in intrigue.

Then she saw a girl who had purple and blue hair, which seemed to be mixed. Tied in pigtails, with bright blue eyes, and a colorful bracelet with a seashell attached to it. Which made a small clinking sound, with every skip and hop she made, as she 'walked' over. The girl squealed excitedly and grabbed Cyra's hand without warning and shook it enthusiastically. "HI! Oh, my, sea ponies! My name is Kimmy Johnson. But everyone calls me Kim! It is so nice to meet you, also a freshman I see, yes I do! Ooh! We are definitely besties for life\~" She said, grinning ear to ear. Cyra found herself smiling awkwardly, unsure whether to shake her hand or let go gently. She mentally told herself to just stay and try and act normal. Though she hardly knew what 'normal' meant to other supernaturals. "Nice to meet you, uh .. Kim." She said softly. "Nice hair." Kim smiled again, wider if that was possible. "Oh! You are SO sweet. Thank you. You know, this is an all natural. Unlike SOME people who think I just dyed it." Kim turned around the gave an accusing glare to a group of other kids. The group turned away quickly and ran to the other side of the courtyard with small steps. Cyra couldn't help but smile faintly at the chaos. Kim caught her smile and her expression changed to 'innocent' to mischievous. "So\~ you don't have your uni, yet?" She asked. Cyra blinked in confusion. "Uh, uni?" Kim rolled her eyes playfully. "Short for uniform, duh." she giggled. Cyra chuckled quietly at her sassy and quirky, demeanor.

Before she could react, Kim threw her the uniform without warning. Nearly making Cyra drop the white buttoned shirt and the red pants and school badge. "Here. You need to change for the orientation." Cyra peeked out from a small opening in the pile. "Thank you." She said with a muffled voice. Kim winked at her and walked away.

Cyra's POV:

Cyra looked around and head inside the nearest bathroom stall and changed. She put her old cloths inside her suitcase and swept her hands over the wrinkles on the shirt. As she stepped out, she followed the other students to the gymnasium. The gymnasium was a sight to see. The fog was on the ceiling with old spider webs and bioluminescent algae stuck in every corner. She looked around for a seat, and the only one left open, was the one next to the mysterious boy(Nathan. But she doesn't know his name yet.) "Seriously? Him?" She thought inside her mind. Her heart raced, her hands twitching slightly. She could feel the connection she had earlier with him again, but her instincts told her to not be near him. She took a deep breath, gathering courage and slowly took steps to the seat.

She placed her things down and sat down beside the boy. Who was leaning back, casually, arms crossed. She couldn't help but notice how his black hair looked as black as ink, and his hazel-brown eyes, seemed to be from another world. She stood up straight and looked in front of her.

Nathan's POV:

As the girl from earlier sat down next to him, he felt a chilling feeling rolling down his spine. He self-consciously run a hand through his hair and glanced at her briefly. He saw how her posture was guarded. Sitting up straight, shoulders back, hands curled up on her lap. He raised his eyebrow slightly. "I don't want to be near her. But why do I feel like I have to know who she is, even if it was dangerous?" He thought to himself quietly. As he looked away, he suddenly felt her gaze on him. His breathing quickened slightly. After she looked away, he looked forward at the front, thinking to himself. "Why do I feel like this? I feel something magnetic to this ... girl. And my instinct is telling me to not get close."

When the murmurs in the student crowd, had put to a stop. In the air a sudden BANG! Echoed through. The smoke from whatever explosion was filled the gymnasium. Making everyone cough. Along with a maniacal laugh and cackle. From the smoke emerged a ghost-like creature who was wearing bright colors, glowing purple eyes with a clown like hat. He had an enormous grin across his face and a mischievous expression, in his bloat figure. He rubbed his hands together and began to speak in rhymes. "Welcome! Students from near and far, let us see for who you are! My name is Poltergeist Pete, yes it's true, and i'm the headmaster of this school!"

The students all laughed and clapped in excitement, confusion and amusement. Nathan couldn't help but smirk slightly. Both in annoyance and with a hint of amusement. Meanwhile, Cyra was still processing what she just saw and just shook her head. As the students quieted down Headmaster Poltergeist Pete clapped his hands. "New year, new faces. New beginnings, new challenges! Now it's time for introductions, teachers show your faces!" Then one by one each teacher came out front.

The first professor was short, had black button sized eyes, sharp fingernails and neat, non-wrinkled clothes. He cleared his throat and spoke in the squeaky voice. "Hello. My name is Professor Murk Giggles. My profession is in Worldwide Supernatural class. You shall hear me in the morning announcements. I will tolerate you. Do not touch my things. That will be all."

Then came another teacher. He was tall, had huge feet and hands, white fur like snow and ancient blue eyes. His voice boomed over the gymnasium. "E'llo! Me name is Professor Ian Yeren. Me teach, History and Lore of the Supernatural. Good luck!" He smiled warmly and sat down. He drank from a water bottle and his eyes widened slightly and he laughed deeply. "Tis' not me bottle!"

The next teacher had fair skin, nature green eyes and silky brown hair. She was wearing clothing made of real nature. Her skirt was made of leaves and vines. "Hello there, younglings! My name is Professor Elowon Nissa. I teach Mythology class and while i do give out homework, most of it will be essays!" She smirked mischievously as the students groaned in protest.

There were three more professors left.

One had a neatly tied up bun, straight posture and striking yellow eyes. She was a centaur, she introduced herself as, Professor Sylvia Horsefoot. Professor of StrangeBiochemistry class.

The other was rather tiny. For she had clear and sparkly fluttery wings attached to her back, shimmering blue eyes and wild blond hair. She introduced herself as, Professor Elm Wood. Professor of Defense and Protection class.

The last teacher was a ghost. He was See through and all black and white. He quietly introduced himself as Professor Casper Wraith. Professor of Languages and Pronounce class.

After all the teachers were introduced the students clapped once more. Excited, nervous, some rebellious to meet their teachers.

Professor Yeren explained of the school history.

UP.A.B was the first supernatural school in the magical world that has any kind of monster inside that's united.(No vampires,witches,wizards,hunters and half humans allowed.)

It is located in the underground of the magical world in London,United Kingdom.

And that the school was found in 1800. They have four years at the school, from the ages of 16\~20 years old.

Some were listening intently. Some taking notes, some trying not to sleep, some excited. Cyra's gaze changed to curiosity as Professor Yeren went on. She had never seen a school like this before. She knew it was very different from the one she was used to in Lightside. Nathan, on the other hand, was still nonchalant but listening intently.

After thirty minutes of speeches from each professor, Professor Wood came up. "Now your dorms! It has specialized for each student based on your supernatural form and your personality and hobbies! Enjoy\~"

The students stood up as the orientation finished and dispersed the gymnasium. Cyra and Nathan were the only ones left. As they stood up to leave, their hands brushed against each other for a moment. And they both felt the magnetic, yet dangerous connection in a spark flowing through their hands. They both immediately pulled away and head in opposite ways to their dorms.

Cyra's POV:

She walked more faster than necessary. A lot has happened for just her 16th birthday. She felt the connection but she couldn't help but think if he felt it too.

Nathan's POV:

He put his hands in his pockets, his head up and high. "That girl... i knew it. I should stay away." He scoffed lightly, not believing at all that he was having .. feelings.

They both leave in their opposite directions. This day, August 6th. Was truly a day no one could ever forget. Chills went down on everyone's spines in some way. But .. in the darkest shadows and in the brightest dawn of daylight .. someone of both sides rises quietly.