Nyx stood inside of her house by the cauldron. She was making some stew for the festival. It was where everyone in her town that was 11 to 20 gathered in the main square and 1 was selected from each of the age groups to attend Darkness Academy. The other not picked would attend a much simpler school, Witch-Academia. Nyx expected she would be part of Witch-Academia. Nyx was definitely not the best witch. A small sigh escaped her lips, and she added some diced carrots to the stew. "I'm going to be stuck here forever Nyxy! What am i supposed to do without you?" Asked her little sister, Ebony. "Ebbs, you'll be fine without me. Mother and Father prefer you after all, and you're one year away from being ten. You can manage until the next festival." Nyx replied. She turned off the fire and began to ladle the stew into separate bowls. Cooking, was something she was actually good at, like making potions, and gathering herbs. She poured some of the stew into a smaller bowl, put a spoon in it, and gave it to her sister. "Here, try some." Ebony spooned a lot of the stew into her mouth, swallowed, and smiled. "This stew is amazing sissy!" On a much sadder note, she said: "I'll really miss you and your cooking." Ebony suddenly looked close to tears. "Shhh. Ebbs, you'll be okay. I'll send you lots of letters, and I'll also give you some souvenirs from the school shops." Nyx told her little sister. Ebony nodded, eating the rest of her stew. Nyx put plastic wrap over the bowls, and then focused. She then snapped her fingers, and the stew bowls were all put in a large box. "Yes!" Nyx smiled. "It finally worked!" Ebony looked happy as well. Suddenly, quick footsteps started coming down the stairs. Nyx quickly began to clean the cauldron, nervous. It was their mother, Cora. Despite her soft and gentle name, she was horrible with Nyx. She treated her daughter like the maid. Cora smiled at Ebony. "Sweetcakes, how are you? Did you eat anything yet?" Cora asked, fussing over Ebony. "I'm happy mommy. Sissy made me some yummy stew." Ebony said cheerfully. Nyx tensed as Cora's cold eyes turned to look at her. "Is that so Nyx?" Cora asked. Nyx nodded. "Yes mother. The stew for the festival is also ready." She replied. "Good. Thank you for feeding Ebony." Cora said. Nyx was surprised. Since when did her mother... thank her? "Come, we have to go now." Cora said it just as the bells rang. Nyx got up, and Ebony got picked up by Cora. Nyx scrambled to get her bags. She had a backpack, a purse, and a duffle bag packed with all of her things. She also grabbed the box with the bowls of stew. Her father came down the stairs, and they all went to town square. Nyx placed the box with the bowls of soup onto the town squares main food table. She quickly reached for some rice and chopsticks, quickly eating it. She looked up at the sky, her rainbow colored eyes glittering. The sun was at its highest point. Just then, the leaders of the village climbed onto the stadium. "Welcome all of you! We are glad to announce this years 10 witches that are picked for Darkness Academy!" Loralie called out.  "In age group 20 we have.. Lizzy!" Nyx cheered. Lizzy was one of her friends. "In group 19, we have.. Gemma!" "In group 18.. we have.. Ellie!" "In group 17, we have Elizabeth." "In group 16, we have Sunny!" "In group 15, we have Golden!" "In group 14. we have Star!" "In group 13, we have Light!" "In group 12, we have Moon!" Nyx cheered so loudly she was surprised she didn't lose her voice. "And in group 11, we have Nyx!" Nyx gasped loudly. "How did I-" She was speechless. How come she was picked??!! Her parents rushed over to her. They were smiling. They gave her a hug. The first one in her whole life. Ebony raced after them, panting. "Mommy-" Ebony got cut off by their father, Grey. "Nyx, dear! It's amazing you got accepted! We're so proud of you!" Grey told her. Nyx blushed. Cora smiled. "Sweetheart, be careful out there okay? Make sure to write lots of letters! And visit when you can." Cora kissed Nyx on the cheek fondly. Nyx was flustered. Why were they suddenly acting like she was the best? They had always favored Ebony. "Mommy! Papa!" Ebony wailed. "Ebony! Shhh! Can't you see your sister is having one of the best moments of her life!?!" Grey scolded. That just made Ebony sob more. Grey scoffed. "I'll be back in just a moment sweety." Grey told Nyx. Grey grabbed Ebony and seemed to drag her back to their house. Cora smiled at Nyx. "You look so beautiful Nyx. The sunlight really brings out your eyes." Cora cupped Nyx's face in her hands. When she let go, Cora reached into her pocket and out came a few bags of macaroons. Chocolate. Nyx's favorite. "Here Sweetheart. You can have these as snacks on your way to Darkness Academy." Nyx accepted them gratefully. "Thank you mother." She said. "Nyx, just call me mom. No need for the formality." Nyx's jaw almost dropped down to the floor. Why were her parents acting so strange. Grey suddenly appeared next to Cora. "I made Ebony fall asleep in her bed. Hopefully it lasts long enough. Oh! And Nyx, I need to bring you to the pet store so you can pick out your companion." Nyx nodded, still shocked. As the crowd began to wear thin, they led Nyx to the pet shop. "Which pet are you going to pick dear?" "I would like a cat please." Nyx told her parents. "Wonderful choice Nyx!" Grey said kindly. They led her to the cat section. "Can I have the Applehead Siamese?" "Of course!" The shop owner said. She picked up the cat, cuddling with it. "She's so cute." Nyx said. "She is. What are you going to name her?" The owner asked her. "Brownie." Nyx chirped happily.  "That's a pretty name Nyx." Cora told her. They paid for the cat, and then ff they went to the train station, together.   

1057 words! This was actually really easy to write! Tysm for reading, and joining me on this crazy ride. I have no clear update schedule, and I might not be able to update frequently due to the fact I'm still in school. Anyways, thank you again! I hope you have a good rest of your day/night! Bye, I'm off to learn Russian!

~Hecate's Daughter.