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Slowly the door creaked open, and the boy peeked out. He scanned the hallway carefully, making sure that nobody was there before he came out. He was dressed in the ceremonial white robe, with a white rope tied around his waist, acting as a belt. The cotton material billowed slightly as the boy walked, carrying a parcel about three feet long, wrapped in what appeared to be silk.

Nearest the greatest oak tree in the center of the forest there is a crystal blue lake. The water of this lake never stirs, never wavers, because long ago a magician put a spell upon this lake, so that it would ever be the symbol of tranquility in the midst of such turmoil. Beneath the surface of this lake, hidden by water grass and stones, there is a deep cave, protected by an illusion of stone. Within this deep cavern, a pedestal of stone stands in a large pocket of air, as if carved over time by the idle hands of a water god.

The boy slipped out of the building stealthily and not long after ended up at the water's edge. Taking a deep breath, he shut his eyes.

"Niveus Veneficus Strenuus," said the boy, opening his now-flaming white eyes and strapping the parcel to his back with his glowing white hands. Slowly, he stepped into the water. He was barefoot, unarmed, and clad in a white robe as the cold waters welcomed him into their depths. He held his breath and ducked under the water. Through the water grass, around stones, and up to the side of the stone formation on the bottom of the lake's floor, he put his hand on the rock. For a moment nothing happened, but then it shimmered, and the mouth of a cave appeared. It was small, just enough for the boy to swim through.

He pulled himself into the mouth of the cavern and swam onward in the dark, illuminated by naught but his glowing hands. Just as the end of the long corridor came into sight, he felt his grasp on the air slipping. As if coughing under the water, he blasted all the air out of his lungs and rocketed himself toward the surface, bursting through the tranquil glassy face of the water with a gasp.

He crawled up to the shore and stood, taking the parcel and unwrapping it. In his hands, in the parcel, was the arcane rapier that the headmaster had given him, but it somehow looked different. Rather than the bright silver and white it used to be, it had dulled to a dark, menacing grey. The markings changed from wispy air-strokes to a fiery design, and the blade had serrations in its edge.

"This is a blade of magick not fit for the world of mortals. This blade belongs to the Ageless, the Endless." He held an ankh aloft in front of him with one hand. "Death! I hold your sigil before me and summon you. Will you heed my call?"

There was silence for a moment. Suddenly, as if by the hand of fate, a mirror appeared in the air before the boy. A woman with black hair and dark eyes stared back at him. She was pleasing to the eye, and despite her deathly pallor, smiled.

"You called... Dove?" said the woman.

He helf the sword out toward the mirror. "This is... well, I'm certain you heard me the first time. Mayhap your brother, Dream, would want something like this?" he asked, knowing full well her answer.

"My brother? He spends all his time watching the hourglasses. He has no need for it. However, should occasions arise, such as have happened of old with my brother and the agreement he made with Lucifer, we may desire such a fine weapon. Leave it here, where mortals cannot or dare not tread, and I will watch over it. I will know where to find it, and to whom I should give my gratitude if ever I find need of it," said the woman, tossing her shining black hair.

"Very well then," said the boy. "You grace me with your presence, mistress Death. May our paths meet again in happier times."

"Soon, boy. I'm certain of it," she said with a wink as the mirror disappeared.

Always the lover of suspense and irony, Death... though the boy as he lay the sword down on the stone pedestal. He covered it with the silk he had used to wrap it in, and nodded, tying his rope belt tighter.

Some time later the wet boy walked with dirty feet into the building again, sighing. "I'm glad that matter is dealt with..." he said with a smirk. he headed toward his room, leaving a trail of dirt and water behind him.