This academic club produced all the most successful graduates. Even the university president once used to be in it.

So of course, Maximillian wanted to join.

He sat through rounds of applications and interviews to reach the final test, where he prepared for the worst.

What the freshman didn't prepare for, was to be abruptly awoken at midnight and driven to a ghost-white chapel, miles away from civilisation.

"So I go in there...and light candles?" Max sceptically eyed the lifeless building.

"Every last one." the club president, Collins, nodded.

"Just don't touch anything." She warned. "Light the candles and leave."

Max strained a smile in response before Collins wished him well and sent him in with a lighter. The door swung shut and the dense gloom cloaked his vision, but Max couldn't shake the feeling that someone here was watching.

"You'll be fine," he assured himself speeding through the six sets of candles in record time. Satisfied with his work, Max turned to escape.

But a careless swing of his arm knocked a small, angel statue from its altar.

It toppled on the floor with a shrill cry.

And all the candles flickered out.

His blood ran cold.

Max sprung for the exit, only to crash right into a lady standing behind. His legs buckled and he fell to the floor.

"SOMEBODY HELP!" Max yelled for the Collins.

Nobody seemed to hear him.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." The lady spoke in a silvery voice and approached cautiously.

Max scrutinised her. Huge eyes and a pointed face. Chocolate curls bobbed over an academic gown of glossy obsidian with a stole the shade of amethyst. Something was very familiar about her until Max remembered that one painting in the clubhouse every single member paid respects to.

"You're Penemue Beaumont," Max relief swept over him. "The one who founded this club."

"What's left of her, yes." Penemue was flattered by the recognition. "You can call me Penie."

"Hey, me too. I'm Maximillian, but people call me Max."

"Hello, Max." Penie shook his hand. "Now that you've found me, let me grant you a miracle to help you through university. What do you say?"

Max was still shaken from the whole ordeal. Yet, he couldn't stop his mind from running wild with all the life-changing miracles the founding member could offer him.

So Max agreed.

Penie flashed a salient smile and clapped her hands. A table slotted between them and cards gathered on her palm. Benches waddled over and Max sat, watching Penie shuffle the deck in fluid motions.

"Now this might feel insane, but think of something you need most," Penie instructed and looked at him, "Ready?"

Max nodded as she set a porcelain-white card in front of him. As Penie offered her hands, Max held them, closing his eyes. His mind swarmed with all the things he needed. Good grades, a good circle of friends, good health...There was a common theme starting to form so Max decided to roll with it. And as he did gentle warmth enfolded his hands, growing until it washed over him like soft rays of the sun.

"You can open your eyes now," Penie told him gently.

The sight that greeted him was enchanting. All the candles were rekindled. Except now, they drifted around the two of them, swaying to their own little trance.

Penie tapped the card gently and its pale cover flushed into a painting of an amber lion and a lady. The lady had flowers dotting her ivory dress and golden hair, with an infinity symbol shining over her head as she tenderly held open the lion's jaw.

 "Strength. Now that's clever." Penie was impressed.

"Thanks," Max scratched the back of his neck. "But I couldn't think of anything tangible, honestly."

"Still a wise choice," She persisted, then waved a hand over the card till it spun into a coin-sized pendant of gold. Its centre was hollowed out for a sigil scattered with arcs, circles and lines.

"Keep it close to you," Penie pressed the charm into his hands and closed his fingers around it. "Don't ever give it to anyone else."

Max let its warm energy dance over his skin. It felt as though he'd woken up from a blissful nap, wonderfully refreshed and eager to take on the world. He thanked Penie and rose from his seat, ready to put this bizarre encounter in the past...

...then something occurred to Max.

He sat back down on a whim.

"Ever gave yourself a miracle like the ones you're giving out?"

It startled Penie, but she recovered with a woeful smile. "Well, I can't possibly give myself anything of the sort, it's part of the curse."

"Curse?" Max gasped. Then he remembered anything was possible since he toppled that statue.

"Well," Penie sighed. "Let's just say that long ago, I wanted to help anyone I could. But I soon learnt that the path I chose—" she turned away in shame "—was an unforgiving one."

All the candles fizzled out. Their lifeless figures tumbled to the floor like fallen angels. Max gazed at Penie as she hunched over the deck of cards gripped tightly in her hands.

And just for a second, he caught it.

As Penenue shuddered, a mangle of ten swords jutted from her back like a brilliant pair of steel wings. But the blades skewered her, oozing blood that drenched her ragged gown pitch black.

Then she sat up and the swords were no more.

"It's all in the past now," Penie beamed victoriously at Max. "Everyone I've blessed has done so much good to this world...That's a miracle enough for me." 

"That's good." Max nodded. He couldn't find any words to comfort her, so he changed the subject quickly.

"Well, what do you miss most about living?"

"Eating," Penie replied instantly. "I can't believe I used to do it every day for 25 years. I've been trapped here for so long, I can't even remember what it feels like."

"I could never imagine..." Max trailed off, suddenly remembering the pair of Ferrero Rocher balls he stole from his roommate during supper. He pulled the treats from his pocket, flashing its golden decor to Penie.

"In our modern era, this is 'rich people chocolate'."

It wasn't entirely true, but it felt amazing to watch Penie's eyes twinkle.

"Here. Try it." He unwrapped both chocolates and placed the less deformed one in her palm.

"I'll eat one with you."

Penie stared at the ball, twirling it between her fingers before venturing a tentative nibble. Her eyes widened with amazement. She took another bite. Then another, and slowly, the candles rekindled themselves, floating around her as she savoured the creamy sweetness of hazelnuts and milk chocolate.

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Thank you, Max." Penie crushed him in a tight hug.

 

"I never thought I'd get to eat anything so lovely again. I never thought I'd get such a lovely miracle this year. Everyone is so kind...I can't even begin to express any gratitude."

Max laughed, "It cost me nothing. Don't sweat it."

"Make sure it stays that way." She advised firmly. "Goodbye now Max. I don't know if we'll ever meet again but thank you. For everything."

And just like that, Penie vanished in the blink of an eye.

In the next blink, Max found himself curled on the floor, drooling. The whole club was gathered around him.

"Feeling okay?" Collins offered him a hand.

"I'll live." Max took her hand, wiping away the drool.

As she hoisted him up, her bracelet charm caught his eye—a golden circle with the same bundle of circles and lines.

His eyes widened.

"That charm...Did you—"

"I did," Collins answered with a proud smile.

"All of us did."

One by one, the members revealed their Aurelian charms in bracelets, keychains and necklaces. A chilly breeze swept over them as Collins declared.

"Maximillian, welcome to Penemue's Circle."