It was the night before the young witch and warlock attempted the test of the Seven Wonders. Pandora was silently sat in the spare dorm room that Ariel had elected for her to stay in. Her room was in the head warlocks quarters; far from the other boys' rooms - which Pandora was silently grateful for. Pandora began to reflect on her time so far at the all-warlocks school, and she found herself smiling. The fellow sorcerers took a shine to the young witch due to her kind smile and caring attitude. Much to Pandora's dismay, she hardly ever really saw Michael, only ever in passing. Ariel had told a white lie to his Supreme about watching over both powerful beings at the same time. In reality, John Henry and Behold watched over Pandora's progress, while Ariel and Baldwin kept a close eye on Michael. Pandora, with all her heart and mind, wished to watch Michael progress; just to a snatch a glance at her competition, but at the same time the brunette found herself oddly drawn to the boy who held so much power and confidence in his stride. 

Pandora thoughts were snatched away from her as a loud knock came from her door. "Come in," Pandora mused as she sat up straight on the dark bed sheets. 

The face of Baldwin Pennypacker pooped from the crack of the now open door. "Evening Pandora, we are about to commence in Michael's Blood Moon ritual, if you like to come and watch. If I had it my way, I would have you join Michael, but we warlocks must protect our brothers and you are his 'enemy' in a sense." 

"Oh don't worry about that Baldwin, I completely understand why you are all focusing on Michael tonight, I'm sure it would be the same if it were the other way round. But I'd be delighted to come and watch, thank you for the offer," Pandora grinned towards the older man as she rose from her bed. Pandora has gotten along well with almost all of the warlocks here, particularly Baldwin and John Henry and of course, Michael, when she had the luck to see him. But Ariel Augustus was the only man in this building who made his repugnant feelings towards the girl visible and well-known. And this greatly bothered the girl as she did not want to cause him hassle, even though her long-term visit was, in fact, his own idea. 

The two sorcerers made their way down the winding staircase and Michael's bright blue eyes immediately lit up once he saw the beautiful brunette descent down the steps. Pandora noticed his longing stare upon her and shyly smiled in his direction. She secretly showed him a thumbs up, as a sign as good luck and congratulations. Michael's small grin grew larger as he realised he had your luck. 

"We gather at the cusp of the Blood Moon to anoint and protect our brother before he undergoes the rigours of the Seven Wonders," Ariel's booming voice quietens the chatter floating around the room. "Let the blessings begin."

Pandora stood at the front of the crowd of boys as she watched Baldwin bring a small black dish out from behind him and hold out to Behold. 

"Salt from the Earth," Behold dropped a handful of salt into the bowl. Baldwin continued by explaining that the salt represented how only good entities shall consume him. 

"Water from the sea," John Henry said reluctantly as she conjured droplets of water into the pot. Baldwin then explained that the water symbolised how all impurities and uncleanliness shall be cleansed.

"Blood from the body," Ariel sliced his palm and allowed a few drops of his crimson blood fall into the dish. Baldwin then defining that the blood symbolised how it protects the soul. 

"Let the fire illuminate our hearts and spirits and minds so that all darkness and cold retire herein," Baldwin continued as he scattered the contents of the bowl in a circle surrounding Michael. 

"I conjure the circle of power to be a place of protection, a circle to confer the blessings of all warlocks. May you be imbued with wisdom, perseverance, strength and courage." Ariel proudly uttered as he caused a large blue flame to surround the blonde-headed boy. 

"I accept the blessings," Michael spoke as he looked towards Ariel. "May I be worthy to the test."

"To our champion!" Ariel declared as all of the boys began to cheer. Many of the young warlocks pushed past Pandora to congratulate Michael, but the girl simply stayed still with a small, unnoticeable smile on her lips. 

It wasn't until Michael looked around the people surrounding him to notice the only female wasn't near him. Michael turned his attention to where he knew Pandora was standing during the blessings to see if she was still there, and thankfully she was.

Michael excused himself from his peers as he made his hasty treck towards the girl. "Hello again,"

"Hello Michael, haven't seen as you as much as I'd wished during these last two weeks," Pandora stated with a small, sad smile. She wanted to get to know the boy before they go head-to-head in the Seven Wonders test.

"It's a shame, really. But we have the rest of tonight and tomorrow to catch up on lost time, do we not, Pandora?" Michael kindly smirked down to Pandora. 

"I suppose we do. And you can call me Dora, if you like?" Pandora whispered up to Michael. 

"Dora. I love it," Michael beamed as he watched the young girl blush and smile uncontrollably. 

"You're going to need a nickname too, you know, but I don't know how you feel about Mike or Mikey -" Pandora stopped once she saw Michael's face scrunch up in distaste of those nicknames. "Guess I'll just stick with 'dear' then." Pandora laughed. 

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The next day, Pandora was greeted by her fellow sisters - Cordelia, Myrtle, Madison and Zoe. Each witch gave Pandora a long hug, as if they hadn't seen her in years. 

"Oh my dear, how are you, they disgusted you, didn't they?" Myrtle asked as she held Pandora at arm's length. 

"Actually, Mrytle," Ariel interrupted. "Pandora quiet enjoyed her stay at Hawthorn, did you not, Pandora?" Ariel fake smiled towards the young brunette.

"I did, thank you for your kind hospitality, everyone was so kind and made my stay equally as pleasant," Pandora gave Ariel an equally forced smile before she turned her attention back to the orange-haired woman in front of her. "See? I told you there was nothing to worry about."

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It was now time for the two young sorcerers to begin their test in the barn beside the school. 

"Guided by ancient tradition witches survive only if united under a strong, singular authority," Cordelia began to explain. "Every generation need its leader. The Supreme. No simple test could ever determine the sovereign among us. We rely upon seven. The 'Seven Wonders'. Seven acts of magic so advanced, each pushes the boundaries of craft into art." 

"Telekinesis will be your first test."

Michael looked down at Pandora to see if she desired to go first, but she simply nodded her head towards him to urge him to go first. Michael smiled as he turned his attention towards a horse whip. A few seconds went by before the crop flew past the three warlocks and landed neatly into Michael's hand. The three warlocks applauded their potential Alpha enthusiastically while Michael smirked down to Pandora. The girl simply smirked back and rolled her green eyes. Pandora pointed to a broom that was stationed on Michael's side. Like with Micheal, a few short seconds passed before the item whizzed past the boy and the wooden handle landed easily in Pandora's palm. A round of applause was heard from the four women but Pandora smugly smiled up to the boy beside her. 

"Next, is control of the mind, also known as, Concilium."

Like before, Michael went first. The boy sat on a haystack with Pandora behind him as he waved the whip in his hand, controlling Madison and Zoe - causing the two girls to waltz. Once he was done, he stood up and allowed Pandora to take his seat, placing the whip in her hand. Pandora waved the whip in Ariel's direction causing him to straighten his back, unconsciously. With a sudden twist of the wrist, the man began doing all sorts of skilful gymnastic skills - rolls, jumps, cartwheels - things that a man of his age would not easily be able to do. Pandora watched as Behold's jaw slightly dropped from the scene before him, which caused Pandora to smirk. 

"Next is Transmutation."

Michael hid behind a pillar in the barn as Madison and Zoe approached him. Madison tapped him on the shoulder and a large cloud of smoke replaced the boy. Michael then appeared behind Zoe and tapped her on the shoulder. Pandora watched as her Supreme glanced down to Myrtle in worry at how easily he was finding the test so far. Pandora then stood up and did the same, finding just as easy as the boy before her. 

"Divination."

Both Michael and Pandora had to step out of the barn for the group to hide an object. Michael, as usual, went first. Pandora believed it went successfully as she walked back into the barn to see Michael fiddling with a new-found pocket watch. Myrtle shook the rocks and beans from the cup onto the hay-ridden floor. Pandora bent her back to get a closer look having to get her black skirt dirty. Pandora nodded towards the rocks as she walked over to a bucket that was stuffed towards the back of the barn, surrounded by other pieces of junk. Pandora reached her hand down into the bucket and pulled out a white handkerchief, handing it back to Behold. Behold seemed confused and quite shocked at how the girl knew the object belonged to him without a moment of hesitation. 

"Vitalum Vitalis."

Both Michael and Pandora held a dead creature in their hands as they stared up at the group of witches and warlocks before them from their spots of the floor. For once, the two sorcerers did the task at the same time, which caused both of them to glance at each other from the corners of their eyes with a small smile. Michael held a dead mouse in his palm, while Pandora held a small squirrel. At the same time, the two placed their hands over their animals and allowed their tiny hearts to beat once again.  

"Pyrokinesis."

To save time, Cordelia decided for Michael and Pandora to complete this element of the test together, as it was one of the simpler tasks. Michael held out his hand towards Pandora for her to place her hand in, while the other held onto a small dagger. Pandora laid her small palm on top of Michael's larger on as he sliced a line into her fragile skin. Michael quickly did the same to his hand and handed the knife to Ariel. 

Michael placed his wounded palm over Pandora's own as he held onto the candle that he retrieved. Pandora and Michael closed their eyes and linked their fingers together over the flame. Their mingled blood dropping into the flames causing a large flame to erupt from the wick and almost surround the two. Michael opened his eyes and allowed his gaze to wander around Pandora's features - from her tight-lined lips, to her slightly furrowed brow, to her concentrated closed eyes. His longing gaze travelled down to their still linked fingers. His gaze absorbed how their combined blood seeped between his fingers. It almost aroused him. 

"And so we arrive at the final test Descensum. But today I'm not asking you two to perform this wonder. Today I am asking you to conquer it. I'd like you, together, to retrieve my dear friend Misty Day, who lost her own battle with this very task," Cordelia informed causing Pandora to gasp - she had the chance to see another one of her deceased friends again. 

"That's impossible!" Behold exclaimed. "Those who don't return from Descensum are gone forever - property of the underworld."

"No other Supreme's been made to do this ever. This is not only unfair, this is suicide!" Baldwin interjected.

"Enough!" Ariel shouted. "Cordelia. I need a word."

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Michael and Pandora stood outside of Ariel's office room where he and Cordelia disappeared into, hoping to hear snippets of their conversation concerning the next trail. 

"Are you up for it?" Pandora asked the blonde boy.

"For going to Hell to fetch a witch I've never met. Sure why not," Michael chuckled as he turned his attention to the girl by him. "Are you, Dora?" 

Pandora smiled as he used her nickname. "Of course, if it means I can see my friend again, I will willingly lie on this floor and go to Hell," Pandora mused. "Plus I've been before, I recommend it." 

Michael laughed heartedly at her lighthearted comment. But Pandora quickly set her hand over his mouth to silence his laughs so Cordelia and Ariel didn't know they were eavesdropping. Michael chuckled silently behind her palm as Pandora quietly snorted behind the other. Michael's laughs died down gradually as Pandora calmed her breathing with a large smile and closed eyes. The boy stared at the girl once again with a goofy grin. He raised his hand up to her face to move a strand of dark brown hair behind her ear. Pandora's gaze travelled up Michael's torso up to his face as he studied her with awe. 

"You're very gorgeous, Dora."

Pandora's breathe hitched in her throat at Michael's compliment and deeply blushed. "Thank you, dear,"

Michael and Pandora's moment were disrupted as they heard Cordelia's voice rise as she became more enraged with Ariel. Michael believed it now the best time to interrupt their conversation. Michael took a hesitant step back from Pandora and used his powers to open the doors. 

"We'll get your friend back."

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oof, sorry this was long - 2373 words holy shit - truly sorry for taking up so much of your time there fellas.