V. Rewind
From: Caelum Nubis
August 3
Dear Hector,
Congratulations on getting the internship with Regina Aire. Allow me to give you a word of advice: Tread with caution. From what I've heard from Sir Aevus and his many friends, she's a capricious, soulless beast. No intern has stayed with her for long and she's said to be rather fond of hexes. Many tales surround her and I've got a few to share some time.
Life outside the academy must be refreshing. A tabula rasa. Lucky you. Have you met the woman? Or has every female within a 10 mile radius rebuffed your horrendous advances?
I hate to admit it but academy life has gotten extremely dull and nigh unbearable without you. The new T.A I have to work with, Rhea Sirius, claims to detest every fiber of my being. She claims I'm too pretentious and apathetic. Yet all the students turn towards me for assistance instead of her. I've received countless letters of gratitude and she has none to her name.
Oh, why couldn't you just conjure a clone when you left? Sadly, you're the only person I could ever work with.
If it weren't for that vile, sneering virago, my academy life would be just fine. There are no more classes for me to take and the only block I have to show up to is my T.A shift for Theoretical Time Travel. It's a very niche elective and this year only ten students have opted to take it. This is the lightest my workload has ever been.
However, Sir Aevus's training is downright brutal. Discussions, reading and beating up dummies no longer satiates that man's desire for progress. Lately he has been been coaxing me to train by lucid dreaming. It doesn't sound bad but it's downright frightening. Sir Aevus has this air of unparalleled boldness that is only amplified when he invades my mind. Sparring against his multitude of shape shifting forms by convincing my mind to conjure up a solution is nerve wracking. What's even worse are the places he takes me. They're cold and dark and downright frightening. There's something about them that's just queer. At least I don't retain any injuries or physical exhaustion from this training but that doesn't detract from the fact that it's so arduous.
Sir Aevus has been demanding a lot more of me. He's been bringing me to more Council gatherings and extending training hours. This week, he had me participate in a discussion with the other Council members regarding the issue of foreign policies. I made a complete fool of myself by engaging in an argument with a hard headed, egotistical pyromancer. He showed zero remorse as the perfectly capable pyromancer had her golem guard forcibly escort me out of the meeting. Ever since that day, he's been pounding diplomoacy into my head.
Unfortunately, my schedule has been thoroughly consumed by Aevus's shenanigans. I will not be able to write to you for a while but please do not hesitate to send me letters. I am always pleased to hear from you and even though I'm busy, I will find a way to read your letters and reply albeit it might take much longer.
Hector, I miss you. Sir Aevus informed me that you're visiting the Academy over winter break. Would you like to accompany me to the Academy's winter ball? As the Headmaster's apprentice I am forced to attend this overly frivolous event and I don't think I can bear to go through it alone.
Yours truly,
Caelum
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From: Hector Cenyth
August 5
Dearest Caelum,
I'm so touched. Caelum the Curt has congratulated me. Due to this, immense honor and joy have swept over me today.
Alas, unfortunately you're right. Regina Aire, though she is a captivating beauty, is highly demanding and unpredictable. But I'll make it through. You are my hope Caelum. If I manage to prove myself to Regina, the pickiest person in all of Lux, I'll finally be accepted on the Council. If that happens, I may have a shot at being your adviser once Sir Aevus steps down. You and I both have a dream and I'll go to any lengths to help you fulfill it. Being the Headmaster is your destiny but that's not all. You have great plans for the both the Academy and the nation and I shall assist you in every way I can. Like you said, I'm the only one who can really work with you after all. We're a team with the same dream. You may be more studious and bright but I have charm and grit, eh? I'll be of some use in some way.
Heh, Sir Aevus may seem tough, but he's doing it for your benefit. I know you already know but Sir Aevus is a genius and there's reason behind this madness. Don't worry, you'll push through. You always have. We'll get through this together.
Also, the name Rhea Sirius seems to ring a bell. I can't place my finger on it but it's really familiar. Your description of her oddly mirrors Lady Regina. They'd probably be good friends.
I'll gladly accompany you to anything Caelum, as long as I can attend and when I do, I'll show up in style. You can count on me attending the winter ball.
I suppose this will be the last I'll be hearing of you for a while. I'm really going to miss you. Lately I've been preoccupied as well but I'll try to send a letter every two weeks.
Working for Regina Aire has its perks and free postal service is one among many.
Yours truly,
Hector
P.S
Regina and I have developed a new type of pocket watch. It doesn't look like much but you're brilliant enough to figure out its use. Don't let it fall into the wrong hands.
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From: Caelum Nubis
August 8
Hector you fool!
You can't be serious. What have you been thinking? Sending an artifact like this in a paper thin box? So much could've happened but I don't have the energy to reprimand you.
I didn't show Sir Aevus. I fear what his reaction will be. While it may be his area of expertise, he had once been so consumed with his obsession of retrieving the the missing piece of whatever would morph his studies from theoretical to practical.
Please tell me this is a prototype. Please! This is far to dangerous to just plop onto one's front porch. Regina Aire wouldn't be so foolish. Neither would you.
This joke does not evoke humor. I need answers now Hector. A new type of communication sphere has been developed and its impressive range will allow us to talk.
You're Regina's intern so getting ahold of this shouldn't be a problem for you.
Respond as soon as possible and burn this letter when you're done.
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From: Hector Cenyth
August 9
Dearest Caelum,
For reasons I must remain reticent about, lest this falls into the wrong hands, I cannot acquiesce to your request. The Council can trace every conversation I have on a communication sphere. It's far too risky. In due time, everything will make sense.
Regina and I will meet you sometime, though we won't announce when. Both of us have decided that you're the only one suited to carrying out this task. The watch you hold is incomplete. It needs a jewel of essence from each nation. The Jewel of Magi Magi can be found in the Academy's library.
I cannot offer you any insight on the locations of the other jewels but Regina and I are working on it. The watch is the safest with you. Nobody will suspect a thing.
I am heading to the Mortem Marshes in search of the Jewel of Spirits. Regina is in Inferno trying to retrieve the jewel of the Phoenix. and will head to the Fey Forests to find the Jewel of Rappaccini. At the moment, we have no clue where the Jewel of Cryomeidis and Echo are. We do know they are in the icy Proditione Peaks and the great Triton seas, respectively.
I'm still accompanying you to the winter ball, I swear on my honor. I'll tell you more about it then.
Yours truly,
Hector
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From: Caelum Nubis
January
Dear Hector,
I have figured out where the Jewel of Cryomeidis and the Jewel of Echo are located. The Jewel of Cryomeidis is at the peak of the Proditione Peaks, not surprisingly. As for the Jewel of Echo, it's located in the Triton Prince's lair.
You didn't come to the ball and I was lonely. It was tremendously awful.
Sir Aevus says you and Regina have been MIA. I don't believe it. You're not missing, you're keeping a low profile. You are, aren't you?
I've kept the watch at my side all this time. The Jewel of Magi locks into the cover like a charm. I don't know why it hasn't warranted any attention yet. Well, it is small, colorless and lacking luster but you claim that it's so important.
Hector, tell me where you are.
Sincerely,
Caelum
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It was a lie. It was a lie, wasn't it?
The paper fluttered to her feet in a heap of shreds.
"Master, is it true?"
Sir Aevus was looking down at her with those signature, woeful blue eyes.
Pity.
"Both Regina Aire and Hector Cenyth have been declared dead. They were sent to Inferno to make negotiations and their bodies were found charred. The faces are undeniably their's."
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I'm not sure how relevant this is but I originally wrote Caelum as a guy. Then I changed Caelum to a girl on a whim.