Soul Of Calypso

The usual chatter of students echoed faintly through the corridors of the academy. However, something felt different today. The lively energy that typically filled the hallways was missing. There were far fewer students wandering the grounds, their absence likely due to the upcoming grand ball. Preparations were well underway, and many of our classmates had chosen to stay home, perhaps planning their outfits or practicing their dances.But Charlotte and I had decided to attend school as usual."It's a must," Charlotte had said firmly that morning, her emerald eyes set with determination. "We can't slack off just because of a party."Now, seated in the classroom, I couldn't help but notice how quiet it felt. The emptiness of the room made every shuffle of paper and scrape of chairs echo louder. Our teacher, Mr. Harlow, stood at the front, his voice steady as he began today's lesson.The topic? The sea.At first, I was distracted, my gaze drifting around the room. Across from us sat Lord Jake, his striking features illuminated by the soft morning light streaming through the windows. His gaze wasn't on his notes or the teacher, though. Instead, he seemed to be staring at Charlotte.Or so it seemed.I couldn't be sure, but every now and then, his eyes shifted-just slightly-to glance in my direction. The movement was subtle, quick, like a secret only I was privy to. But Charlotte, oblivious as always, continued scribbling notes in her journal, her brow furrowed in concentration.I tried to ignore the fluttering feeling in my chest and focus on the lesson instead."Miss Scarlett, are you paying attention?" Mr. Harlow's voice jolted me back to reality."Yes, sir," I stammered, sitting up straighter.He gave me a pointed look before turning back to the board, where he had drawn a rough sketch of a sea serpent. "As I was saying, the legend of Calypso is one of the most intriguing mysteries of the ocean."The name instantly captured my attention."Calypso was said to be a monstrous being," Mr. Harlow continued, his voice dipping into a storyteller's cadence. "A creature so powerful that its soul could not be destroyed. Instead, it was hidden-sealed away in a place no one could reach."The room was silent, every student hanging on to his words."It is said that the soul of Calypso resides deep within the ocean, guarded by treacherous waters and the spirits of the sea. Pirates have searched for centuries, lured by the promise of unimaginable power. For whoever finds the soul is granted three wishes."My breath hitched. Wishes?"Three wishes," Mr. Harlow repeated, his eyes sweeping across the room, "that could change the fate of kingdoms. But there is a catch. Once the three wishes are made, the soul of Calypso vanishes forever. Its power spent, never to be used again."A ripple of whispers spread across the classroom. I glanced at Charlotte, who looked equally fascinated, her lips slightly parted in awe."Is the legend true, sir?" a student asked from the back.Mr. Harlow chuckled, his tone cryptic. "That depends on what you believe. The ocean holds many secrets, some of which are better left undiscovered."His answer left an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach.Jake shifted in his seat, drawing my attention once more. His eyes lingered on Charlotte as though studying her reaction to the story. She remained oblivious to his gaze, nodding along with the teacher's lecture.But then, Jake's gaze flicked toward me-briefly, almost imperceptibly. It wasn't a look of scrutiny or curiosity; it felt deliberate, as though he was checking to see if I'd noticed him watching her.I looked away, my cheeks warming under his lingering stare.As the lesson continued, Mr. Harlow elaborated on the dangers of the sea, recounting tales of sailors who had disappeared without a trace and ships swallowed whole by the waves. He warned us of the seductive call of power, how it could lead even the bravest souls to ruin.The bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson, but the story lingered in my mind.As the students packed their belongings and filtered out of the classroom, Jake approached our row. My heart skipped a beat, though I wasn't sure why."Charlotte," he said, his deep voice drawing her attention.She looked up, surprised. "Yes, my lord?"His gaze fixed firmly on her, though I caught the briefest glance in my direction before he spoke. "I trust you found the legend as intriguing as I did?"Charlotte blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Uh, yes, it was... fascinating."Jake smiled faintly, his expression unreadable. "Good. Stories like that often hold more truth than we realize."As he spoke, his eyes flickered toward me again, though Charlotte didn't seem to notice. She nodded, offering him a polite smile, completely unaware of the silent glances passing between us.With that, he walked away, leaving us both puzzled."What was that about?" I asked, watching him disappear down the hall."No idea," Charlotte replied, her tone light, but there was a flicker of unease in her eyes."He's always that weird, don't you agree?" I asked, wanting her to agree.Instead, Charlotte shrugs her shoulders as a little smile flutter her features. "I don't think so. Maybe he just wanted to be friends with us."I stared at her for a couple of seconds before drifting my eyes away. There was something else in her eyes.As we made our way to our next class, I couldn't shake the feeling that today's lesson was more than just a tale. The legend of Calypso, Jake's strange behavior, and the eerie emptiness of the school-it all felt connected somehow.Later that evening, as I lay in bed, the words of Mr. Harlow echoed in my mind: "The ocean holds many secrets, some of which are better left undiscovered."But what if someone did discover them? What would they wish for?Unbeknownst to me, the first threads of an ancient mystery were beginning to unravel, and we were about to be caught in its tide.