10. NINE

NINE

A fter the earthquake the night before, all six Soldiers and Davina were called into the Grand Archives by Amir and Isaiah.

Although she knew the circumstances for which she was called were dire, she couldn't help but bubble with joy at having been permitted to enter the Archives again.

As she entered the quartz-polished door, Davina marveled at the grandeur of the Archives structure within Castellum. Amir's bronze skin contrasted with his bright blue Chief Leader gear along with his weapons belt.

Isaiah fixed his frames as he looked back at the group of Soldiers and Davina. "Today, we're going to give you a passage into the underground section of the Archives."

Davina and Leilani turned to each other with widened eyes. "So, the rumors are true."

A loud swoosh erupted from the shiny wooden door that separated the rows of bookshelves on the first floor. Beacon, Valerie, and Snow were the first to enter after the Chief Leaders.

Leilani and Davina followed the Soldiers, Caleb and Ron behind them. They stepped onto a dark spiral staircase, which twirled downward.

Almost immediately, blue ripples covered every inch of the steps. Glass surrounded the stairs and allowed a clear view of the wonders of the sea. Leilani and Davina gasped as they watched the underground reef below Castellum.

Different colored fishes swam in circles around the glass window. Davina glimpsed a large stingray peacefully swimming past a group of clownfish.

"It's so beautiful," Davina said as a seahorse passed beside her.

"Will you two hush?" Beacon whispered.

"Someone's grumpy today," Leilani muttered to Davina.

Davina grinned as she sensed Beacon rolling his eyes. A soft chuckle escaped Ron's lips.

"I'm not grumpy, I can't hear Amir over all your yapping." Beacon looked back at Davina and Leilani.

"Seems like someone just has a bad case of apple polisher," Leilani laughed.

Caleb cackled obnoxiously, causing him to stumble into the next step of the staircase. He immediately searched to grip the railings of the stairs. His face of shock caused laughter to explode from Davina and the other six Soldiers.

"Careful there, buddy." Ron chuckled as he held onto Caleb's shoulder.

"It wasn't even that funny." Caleb rolled his eyes and fixed his sleeve.

Davina's shoulders shook from laughter as she said, "No, no. You're right. It was very funny."

"Look, even grumpy Bea laughed." Davina pointed.

His smile immediately faded at Davina's comment, giving them his back again.

"Uh, Chief Leaders, is this safe? Are you two sure that the water is going to devour us into the deep oceans?" Leilani asked.

"Leilani, are you afraid of water?" Davina asked with a grin.

"I'm not afraid of water. I'm afraid of drowning in the ocean," Leilani spat as Davina chuckled.

"Yes, Miss Dunbar, it is safe. No need to worry." Amir glanced at Leilani.

Davina watched as the two held a stubborn stare. Leilani was the first to break eye contact and turned to face the window.

What was that?

"Leilani, I didn't take you to be such a wimp," Snow muttered.

"I am not," Leilani huffed.

Amir waited beside Beacon as Isaiah pushed the door open. Davina and the others remained scattered across different steps of the staircase, waiting for entryway to be granted to them. Stone skidded across the floor at the opening of the door.

"Before we all enter, I just wanted to remind you all that we are not here to play or to waste time. We are here to study so that we may be prepared against the villain that has terrorized our islands. We must do this, for Bellatorm and for our home," Isaiah recited the Bellatorman military motto.

"For Bellatorm and for our home," Davina and the others repeated after Isaiah. Amir nodded at him before pushing the stone door wider into the room.

Beacon was the first to jump into the room, immediately captivated by the structure of the building. Davina entered with the others, their eyes shining.

Davina observed the swirls in the shiny polished floors. The white tiles matched perfectly with the chocolate brown shelves which had golden swirls at their edges, different hued leathered volumes were carefully lined at each wall of the library. Between each shelf, a long window to the reef glowed into the library.

Davina glanced at Ron, who winked at her with a grin. She shook her head, chuckling as Ron gazed at her with eyes filled with what seemed to be admiration. She liked the way he looked at her.

"We must start our search at once," Isaiah ruffed.

Davina glimpsed Amir nudging Isaiah because of his harsh tone. She nodded at Isaiah with an awkward smile and headed to the nearest lined bookshelves, eyeing the spines of each novel carefully.

She glimpsed a treatise spine titled Creation of Bellatorm . Then she found another titled First Families . As she opened the book, dust tickled her nose. Davina skimmed through the lists of Aurisan founding family surnames. Her last name appeared, the Almenaras being one of the first fire families to ever exist. Her lips pursed as she read the different names listed on the page.

Davina set the book back onto its shelf and walked deeper into the library, scanning the spines of the leather books. A tome titled Power Security caught her attention, she grabbed it immediately.

She opened the book and began to read the text:

The King instilled into each Bellatorman a spirit of war. Once a Bellatorman activates their powers at the age of thirteen, the Bellatorman will have a direct connection to the King. King Magnar will serve as a shield to his people during wartime. The people shall never be in a danger where their life will be at risk, that is if the Bellatorman chooses to attend the activation ceremony.

Silence filled the library. All that was audible was the removal of books from their shelves and the flipping of pages. Every now and then, there would be the noise of the plopping of books over the table that centered the underground Archives.

Several footsteps echoed throughout the library. Every Soldier and Apprentice turned, books in hand. Amir and Isaiah carried baskets, small pots, and jars. The Chief Leaders set them carefully over the table.

"Hey, everyone, we brought food!" Amir exclaimed with a smile while also lifting the baskets and plates in his hands. Davina took the leather novel and skipped down the nearest staircase. Isaiah set the clay plates over the bench as Amir took out several recipients with steamy food and pastries.

"Yay, food." Davina reached for the nearest biscuit.

Beacon slapped her hand. "Wait your turn."

"That was uncalled for." Davina furrowed her brow. Beacon rolled his eyes before scrunching his brows as he watched the Chief Leaders setting up the table, a remarkable scene indeed.

"I can help set up the table. Chief Leaders are not here to serve Soldiers. It is us who should serve you," Valerie said.

Davina agreed, "She's right. You shouldn't be doing this for us."

"We are a team, equals in every way," Isaiah said, his eyes passing across each Soldier and Davina.

"Besides, you are all busy looking through the information in the books. Let us take care of everything else," Amir added.

Davina and the others nodded. The Chief Leaders handed them their plates: lamb mixed with different spices, a side of beans and honey bread, a slice of pie, along with two biscuits. Certainly, the cooks who worked in Castellum prepared baskets of food for them. She was glad she would be able to fill her stomach today with a good meal because she knew things were about to get sour. Ron appeared beside her, a plate in his hand.

Amir handed the last plate to Snow as he said, "Okay, devour."

"How's it going, love?" Ron asked with a grin.

Davina rolled her eyes as a smile crept up onto her lips. No matter how much she fought to keep herself from smiling, she couldn't help herself. She hated it.

"Quiet," she hushed, but his grin never left his lips. She slightly pinched him only causing him to laugh.

Indulging in the delicious lamb over her plate, she quickly glanced at the others, hoping they weren't looking at them.

"Have you guys found anything?" Isaiah asked with a clenched jaw.

Davina swallowed her food before speaking. "I think I found the pattern of Raven's possession of Bellatormans."

Everyone turned with gawked eyes, still chewing. Davina felt Ron shifting in his place.

"Tell us what you found, D," Caleb said.

"The King gave us our magical abilities, but he also gifted us with free will. Should we choose to activate our powers, he will protect us through our abilities. No abilities, then our vessels are empty," Davina explained.

"No powers, no protection," Leilani muttered.

"Exactly, our powers are our shields against evil," Davina said.

"So, you're saying Raven is possessing Bellatormans that do not have a connection with King Magnar, consequently no powers?" Amir asked.

"I think you're onto something," Ron said solemnly.

"Yes, think about it. We know the Prey who have died. All of them, and I mean all of them, did not attend their activation ceremonies or some of them activated their powers but stopped practicing them," Davina explained.

Beacon nodded.

"What about those who do activate their powers?" Valerie asked.

"Well… since she can't possess us, she searches to attack us in other ways," Davina answered. "That's why she's been killing our fields, the animals, the water, and our homes."

Beacon had his arms crossed as he nodded.

Everyone remained silent.

"As we've all witnessed, it seems that this Raven bears some sort of dark abilities. Anything involved with shadows, darkness, death, or possession is in her expertise," Snow spoke next.

"I've never heard of dark magic before," Leilani said.

"I read something about dark magic," Caleb interfered, his hand raised.

Dark magic wasn't something commonly heard about in Bellatorm, all the abilities that the Bellatormans wielded were pure and natural.

"I didn't find much, but supposedly dark magic can only be born when natural abilities are present, whether dormant or activated. Which means, that the darkness causes an exertion in the wielder."

"That's great, Caleb. The wench is going to tire herself to death," Leilani exclaimed.

"Yes, but we can't just sit back and let her kill everyone on the islands while we wait for her to die of exhaustion," Davina argued with irritation laced in her tone. Leilani remained quiet.

"Is that all we have on her?" Valerie asked, clearly to break the tension.

"I believe so," Davina said. "Did anyone else find anything?"

"I didn't find anything interesting," Ron informed.

Beacon agreed, "Neither did I."

"I think it's best you all finish eating and head upstairs. Training starts in one hour," Isaiah ordered.

Everyone nodded and continued to enjoy their meal.

After they were done eating, they each headed out of the underground Archives one by one. It was just her, Ron, Isaiah, and Amir in the library.

Davina set her plate above the other trays on the table. She strode to the entryway of the spiral staircase when a rough hand grabbed onto hers. Only to be met with tender, gray-flecked eyes. It was as if his eyes were a passageway into her soul.

She didn't know whether she liked the idea of Ron knowing the deepest parts of her being, mostly because there were so many aspects she hated about herself.

Isaiah and Amir stood by the entrance. Davina nodded at them and they walked onto the spiral staircase, giving Davina and Ron privacy to talk.

By the look on his face, she was able to predict the conversation wasn't going to be a pleasant one.

She faced Ron with pursed lips, a deep frown replaced his usual smirk. Davina imagined that his scowl was due to the upcoming war that she seemed to be a part of.

Just by looking at his eyes and the expression of worry in his features, it seemed like he truly cared for her, and it annoyed her. When it truly mattered, she was completely alone. But now that she had to prepare to fight a war, she had something else to live for.

Davina was scared.

No man, no mother, and no father ever cared enough about her. It was always her and her siblings. Valerie and Leilani were the exception. She wasn't one to open her heart to others, especially not to potential suitors.

Although they had only met a few months ago, she knew that Ron was the type of guy who deserved the world. He had too good of a heart. He was proving that to her as he stared at her with those beautiful eyes of his that begged her to stay away from danger.

She didn't deserve him. What did he even see in her?

"I know what you're going to say," she began and leaned on one leg.

"No, you don't."

"Yes, I do."

"Don't do this, Vivi," Ron begged as his other hand reached for hers. Her heartbeat raced as his thumb caressed her bruised knuckles.

Vivi .

Her chest hurt as she heard the nickname he gave her. He had only called her that once when they were at Sadoc's party. She sighed and shook her head. Davina couldn't bear to look at him right now because she knew she had to fight this war. It wasn't what she desired but her siblings needed to be protected at all costs. However, he shouldn't fear for Davina because she was being trained to be a Soldier, just like he had.

Even though he didn't have any abilities at his disposal, he was a very competent Soldier whenever it came to hand-hand combat and weapons. Whatever he lacked with his abilities, he fulfilled in great measure in other ways.

"This isn't your fight, Davina."

"Of course it is, Ron. How can you say that?" she argued, freeing her hands from his grasp.

"No, it's not. You just got here, you are the most vulnerable when it comes to this woman. Let Beacon take the lead. He's older, he's much more experienced in this sort of stuff. You can stay back and be safe," Ron argued.

"Yes, I just got here. But I'm being trained by one of the best Soldiers of Castellum. I'm getting better every day to the point that I'm going to be lifted as a Soldier next month," Davina asserted.

"Stay out of this, Vivi, let us take care of it."

"Do you not think that I can do this?" she asked.

But she found him hesitating with for an answer.

"Okay," she said and took a step away, toward the door. He immediately grabbed her hand again.

"Don't leave, Davina. We need to finish this conversation," he said softly.

Anger sizzled under her fingertips.

"I know I just got here, I know I'm not a Soldier yet, but that doesn't make me less competent to do this than you."

"It's not that, Davina," Ron sighed as he brushed a hand over his hair.

"Then what is it, Ron? I'm capable. I'm always training. I've come to best Leilani in our duels. I need to do this because what if—" Davina stopped herself, tears stung her eyelids.

She was not about to cry in front of him. He was not going to see her tears stain her cheeks. Not again, never again. No one was going to see her pain ever again.

But her parents opened so many wounds and she continued to live unaware of how to close them. "What if my family is next? You know they don't train their powers. What can guarantee me their protection if I don't fight in this war for them?"

"What if something happens to you, Vivi?" Ron asked and reached for her cheeks. "Worst case scenario, we go to war against this woman. How am I going to protect you on the battlefield? I know that I would not be able to live with myself if something ever happened to you."

Davina shoved his hands away from her. "I will not be a coward and hide on the sidelines."

"You won't be a coward, you would be smart."

Davina's face reddened with anger, heat trickled into her lungs and down her fingertips.

"Be smart, Vivi."

Davina's eyes flared purple. Her fists sparked into purple flames, crackling loudly. "I don't expect you to understand, but I have siblings to take care of. They have chosen me as their protector, and I will not fail them. As the eldest daughter, it is my responsibility to make sure that Bellatorm is safe enough for them to live in."

Although she was covered in flames, he didn't take a step back. He didn't even flinch, and it unnerved her. Davina sighed with defeat as she shook her head.

Ron stood still with a clenched jaw. "Your flames are wondrous to me. They are not a motive of fear to me."

She gritted her teeth before stomping onto the staircase, ignoring the enchanting glimpse of the reef that surrounded her as she made her way up.

Davina left dark bootprints over the steps, they sizzled as she passed through them. She stepped into the Grand Archives burning bright violet. Each Soldier and the Chief Leaders turned to her with confusion.

"Don't worry, he's fine. Just a bit messed up in the head," Davina huffed through her burning flames.

Leilani pursed her lips, her blonde hair ruffling as she shook her head. Davina sighed, not wanting to disappoint her best friend. While Leilani was friendly and calm, Davina was the complete opposite. She was impulsive and fiery, she knew it. Since they met, Leilani's warm personality helped Davina's temper subdue. Leilani's disapproval of her flames manifesting caused Davina's heart to move with guilt.

She pulled the heat of her abilities into her chest, forcing the fire to disappear. The burning heat turned into a comfortable warmth that spread throughout her entire body. Her eyes scanned the men's faces. All of them with widened eyes.

She turned to Snow, who had her usual judgmental stare. Davina could feel the heat wanting to come back, but she couldn't stand staying another minute in the Archives; around her friends, around people. Davina sighed and rushed out of the library.