13. TWELVE

TWELVE

H er eyes remained on the pebbles that she'd been kicking with her boots as she neared the damp soil of Mistral. Beacon wanted to be the first to find his armor and he wished for the other Protectors to be present as he searched for it.

Davina couldn't help but think about her new duty as Captain of the Protectors. She'd have to be strategic and learn tactics that would bring victory, she had to become the head of the operation. Did she really have the intelligence needed to be the leader of the war? As Captain, she had the greatest responsibility of them all.

She was grateful to have been chosen, but she couldn't help but disagree with the King's choice. She was just a seventeen-year-old girl, a girl who had barely started learning to master her powers five months ago.

Nonetheless, Davina was determined to keep the promise she made to the kids the day they were born. And as much as she held complicated feelings for Mae and Nico, she had to protect them too.

Davina knew that she loved her mother, but she felt no joyous feeling whenever she was near Mae, only pain. Whenever she looked at Nico, Davina was grateful that he married Mae and gave her mother some sort of happiness but she could never forget all the torture he put her through.

Whenever she was home, she would avoid her parents and would speak only to the kids, mostly because every word that left Mae and Nico's mouths triggered her to snap at them. They were doing it on purpose, though. She knew what they were doing to her mind. She thought about leaving and even considered using her fire against them, but she couldn't imagine a world without them.

As much as she tried to fathom a purpose as to why she was given the parents that she had, she didn't understand. She wished she didn't have the parents that she had, and she felt horrible for having such a wish. But her parents felt like strangers.

Surely, her parents were gifted to her for a reason, right?

Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed the dirt beneath her boots became glittery and shiny. They'd arrived at the Forest of Mistral, where Beacon said he felt a calling to search for his armor.

Abigail believed it would be best for the team to learn how to fight in the middle of the strong winds of the Forest while Beacon began his quest. She claimed that they had to be prepared for everything and anything, that Raven could attack them in the winds of Mistral, the snowstorms of Neptulus, the deserts of Auris, or the calm valleys of Basalt.

Standing near the entrance, by a glittery line of ash, they watched the pine trees and bushes bend with force. From the outside, where the Island Protectors stood, no strong winds reached them. Currents swirled in a gray hue as the leaves danced at their will.

Passing the borderline of the woods, inside the windy Forest, the daylight was suffocated by the heavy clouds above the pine trees, leaving the Forest with a gloomy ambiance.

"Go."

"Now?" Caleb stuttered.

"Yes," Abigail answered.

"But the winds. They're so strong. How will—"

"If you can't train despite some harsh winds, how will you ever overcome Raven?" Abigail raised her voice.

Caleb had widened eyes. Davina patted Caleb's shoulder with a small smile.

"We'll survive, Caleb." Davina couldn't help but chuckle.

"It's not funny." He rolled his eyes before pushing her hand off his shoulder.

"You are embarrassing the Dunbar name, stop it," Leilani muttered.

"What if I'm deaf by the end of the day? Are you going to heal my shattered eardrums, Lani?" Caleb questioned sharply.

"Me, Ron, and Bane used to come play in this very Forest when we were children and our ears are perfectly fine, Caleb," Beacon exclaimed.

"You Mistrans have superhuman genes," Caleb argued.

"We all have superhuman genes, Caleb, now stop yapping and stand in line," Snow snapped.

Caleb huffed before stomping into place beside Leilani and Cara.

"Go in, Soldiers," Master Abigail ordered.

As soon as they stepped past the dirt line that made a division between them and the Forest, they were pushed to the leafy ground against their will. Everyone except Ron and Beacon, they remained upright as if the currents were a fresh breeze passing between them.

Davina had fallen into the mixture of dark foliage beneath her, branches scraping her forearms and ripping her sleeves. The wind clouded her ears completely, fogging up any audible ability she had before. Her ears were so clogged that she hadn't realized Beacon walked past her.

Davina turned to the others, observing the way they fought to push themselves to their feet. Ron was swift to rush to her side, reaching for her hands to help lift her up.

"Thanks," she said through the loud currents that swirled between them. He curt a nod before glancing behind her.

The look on his face let her know how much he wished to not be there like he didn't want to participate in anything that had to do with the war.

She turned to find Beacon standing still by the edge of a cliff. Nothing but darkness lay below the precipice where Beacon stood. His stillness startled her core. He took one step and he disappeared into the abyss of the earth.

"Beacon!" Ron yelled. She had never heard him yell so violently before.

"No!" Davina screeched as she freed herself from Ron's grasp but fell immediately into the mixture of leaves and branches again.

Ron jumped over her and ran to the edge of the cliff. She stood up and stumbled against the air, hair strands flying everywhere as she pushed forward.

Her muscles strained while she took each step with much effort. Davina reached for Ron's shoulder as he stared at the darkness below.

"He knew the edge was right here. Why would he do that?" Ron asked, mostly to himself.

She was at a loss for words.

Davina turned to find Cara nearing the edge, staring off at the darkness that engulfed Beacon. One by one, the others made it to the threshold of the darkness.

Valerie stood beside her as she stared at the void below with watery eyes, stumbling into Davina's arms. She held on tight to Valerie as her friend sobbed with a hand over her lips.

Davina recalled how Abigail had been standing over the hills on the other side of the Forest entrance, her hair and clothes perfectly unbothered. And Abigail betrayed no emotion as she stared at the group of Island Protectors.

Davina let go of Valerie and began to march toward the entrance of the woods. "Did you send us here to die? Is that what you and the King are planning?"

Davina's eyes flared purple. Her voice boomed throughout the woods and towards Master Abigail.

"Is it fair that you're the one over there, perfectly fine, while we may have lost one of our own?"

A violet light engulfed Davina's hands before she pushed her arms forward, sending waves of fire at Abigail. Despite the aggressive winds, her fire neared Abigail quickly yet the Master remained still.

"Davina!"

Dark gray currents blew her fire into plum specks. The little particles flew and mixed into the foliage. His steps resounded on the dirt beneath her boots. Davina slowly turned to find Beacon pulling himself upright.

He was alive, he was okay. No scratches or bruises, he was okay.

Her eyes traveled to the swirls of mahogany and dark gray over the shiny metal that engulfed his entire body. She noticed a long, brown, velvet cape wrapped around his collar. A dark sepia-hued spear with a sharp end was gripped in his hand.

"She didn't do anything wrong," Beacon said.

Davina sighed in relief and rushed into his embrace. "You're okay."

She'd forgotten about all those petty little arguments they would have. All she cared about was his wellbeing.

She could feel his hesitance to hug her back, but he did anyway. "Yes, I'm okay, kid. I'm not going anywhere."

Davina let him go. "I thought I lost the commander of the Island Protectors."

Beacon raised a brow in question. She was the Captain, she had the authority to make him second-in-command. No one else was perfect for the role like Beacon was.

"Please, you would've easily replaced me with Leilani," Beacon laughed.

"Magnar forbid Leilani ever becomes commander," Davina said with horror.

"I would make a good commander," Lani yelled through the wind, pushing her blonde strands back.

In an instant, Valerie threw herself into Beacon's arms despite the harsh winds. Davina heard them exchange sweet kisses as she watched Ron's solemn eyes stare at his brother's new armor. It didn't seem like jealousy, but more like sadness.

Why sadness?

Beacon then embraced Ron.

"You scared me, Bea, don't ever do that again," Ron ordered as he tightened his arms around Beacon's torso.

"Let's get out of here?" Caleb suggested.

"Yes, I think I can't hear out of one ear," Cara yelled.

"Don't be such children. You're fine!" Snow replied.

They trudged alongside one another against the strong currents, pushing closer and closer to the mountain ash division line. Ron and Beacon helped to keep them on their feet whenever the wind got too harsh.

Davina, Leilani, Caleb, and Cara sighed in relief once they passed the division line.

"I don't know about you guys, but all that struggle against the wind made me hungry for some chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk," Davina exasperated, leaning into Leilani's shoulder as her legs trembled.

"Oh, you're right," Ron sighed.

"D, when are you going to make the cookies again?" Valerie asked.

"Yeah, it's been a while since you made them for us," Caleb complained.

Davina said, "I promise I'll make them soon."

"Everyone, gather around, I want us to promise something," Beacon began as he put an arm around Valerie and Ron's torso.

Ron wrapped an arm around Davina, Davina hugged Leilani, Leilani embraced Caleb, Caleb held onto Snow, Snow hugged Cara, and Cara embraced Valerie.

"I want us to promise each other that we are going to protect one another every day from this day forward. The King chose us as the Island Protectors, and we must work together as a team to bring victory to Bellatorm in this war. No more petty arguments. No more playing around. We are not children anymore," Beacon proclaimed as he looked at each person in the chain they'd created. "Whether you're the oldest, youngest, newest, or you have a long-time training. We are equals. We respect each other, we trust each other, we protect each other."

Beacon should've been chosen as the Captain.

"I know I may not be the most ideal person to have been chosen as the Captain of this group, but I am sure of one thing, I believe in your power, whether activated or dormant. Magnar gifted us our abilities and each other, and I believe we can do this if we work together. No matter the end, until the end," Davina said, eyes scanning each one of them.

She noticed how they were watching her intently as they nodded.

"Until the end." Cara nodded.

"Until the end," Caleb agreed.

"Until the end," Ron, Valerie, Snow, and Leilani said in unison.

"Until the end, Captain," Beacon noted with twinkling eyes and a sweet smile. That was probably the only sincere smile Beacon had ever given her. She couldn't help but realize how much Beacon and Ron looked alike as he grinned.

They broke the chain and walked up the hill where Abigail stood.

Davina gulped as she recalled the rage that surged through her fingertips when she looked at the Master. As much as she hated having exploded that way, it was like she wasn't in control. It was like her anger took control of her abilities. Was that how her parents felt whenever they started fighting?

"Why couldn't you pick somewhere less unpleasant, Beacon?" Leilani complained as she rubbed her ear.

"You act like I wanted to risk my life by most likely jumping to my death and searching the darkness for my armor," Beacon exasperated.

"It wasn't that bad." Ron shrugged.

"You know, I thought Caleb was being a baby but now that I'm out of that Forest, I think I can agree with him. I'm pretty sure the rest of us will probably be deaf for the next week," Snow said.

Cara and Caleb nodded in agreement and held onto their earlobes.

"King Magnar sent word," Abigail informed. "He said that the next to find their armor is Ron."

"Me? I-I thought there was no order," Ron stuttered.

Abigail shrugged. "Don't ask me, I'm only the messenger for the King's orders."

Abigail turned and walked down the hill with her hands behind her back.

"Wait—" Davina began and jogged toward Master Abigail. Abigail turned. "I'm sorry for my reaction, I don't know what took over me. I wasn't thinking."

"There will come a time when your anger will be of use, girl. Meanwhile, keep a tight leash on your emotions," Abigail whispered before giving her a mischievous grin. Davina furrowed her brow. The Master walked off the hill and onto the pathway that led to the Bridge.

Caleb patted Ron on the back before following Abigail, giving him a goofy grin. Usually, Caleb's grin was potent enough to cause anyone to smile, but not this time. Ron's affliction was greater. Leilani, Snow, and Valerie walked past him with a slight nod.

Beacon approached him. "I believe you can do this, brother."

Davina climbed the mound, approaching Ron who stood dumbfounded, watching as the others walked down the pathway to Castellum. Right now, he needed her to be there for him.

"I don't know if I can do this, Vivi," he said quietly.

"Of course you can," Davina said with a smile.

He shook his head. Davina reached for his cheek which he was quick to lean into, as if he found comfort in her touch. "I know you can."

"I think I know where to go," Ron informed.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

Ron then turned his head back to the Forest.

"There?" Davina asked.

"When I looked down, I felt a pull to the abyss. I feel it right now. It's trying to get me closer to the edge," he said.

"Then let's go." She grabbed his hand.

"No."

"Why not?" she asked.

"Something's wrong with me," Ron sighed.

"Don't say that," Davina said.

"Then why do I hear the fiery mountains of Auris, the lakes of Neptulus, and the fields of Basalt calling my name?"

Davina felt her blood go cold. This must've been the reason why he seemed so upset. Was that why he stuttered when he was told that he was next to find his armor?

The King said that they would have to go where their powers originated. Ron was born in Mistral, his parents were Mistrans, yet the heat that manifested in his hands indicated those of Auris and now he felt a calling to the other islands.

"How is that possible?" she asked.

"I don't know," he replied with a shrug.

Ron's eyes set over the dark cliff within the Forest. Behind the entry line, dark gray swirls appeared from the harsh air currents.

"I will go wherever you go," she said and looked into the pool of brown and gray that were his eyes, reaching for his hand. "We are in this together, until the end."

He squeezed her hand gently. A way of saying ‘thank you'. He sighed before they paced down the hill and past the division line, never letting go of each other's hands.

The wind immediately clogged up her ears as she crossed the line into the Forest. She wouldn't complain this time because she was doing this for Ron.

She knew she'd regret being this close to him later, yet she wasn't going to worry about it now.

Her hair began to fly everywhere. With much struggle, she tried to tame her flying mess of hair. Hopefully, her struggle would lighten Ron's mood. She turned to Ron who had his eyes fixated at the edge of the cliff, she felt a bit stupid for trying to be funny when he wasn't even looking.

As they neared deeper into the dark forest, the darkness from the edge grew. His eyes never removed themselves from the abyss.

Davina wondered how Ron would pull himself back up. All she could do now was trust that he would make it out of there.

"Do you know what you must do?" she asked.

"I think so."

Ron then scanned her expression before asking, "Will you wait for me?"

Davina knew that he didn't allow himself to be this vulnerable in front of anyone else. She felt honored yet unworthy. "Yes, of course."

Ron turned his back to the edge, held out his arms, and let himself fall into the deep void.

She crossed her arms and began to pace a few feet away from the edge. The winds were pushing against her violently, but she ignored them nonetheless. The worry for Ron's well-being was too great to allow herself to be pushed back onto the dirt like a delicate flower. She wondered whether today would be the day his powers were to be activated. How she would love to see the joy on his face because of the activation of his powers. She no longer wished to witness the shame that locked itself above his shoulders.

Another sigh escaped her lips.

She'd have to trust the magic of the islands to keep him safe. Above all, she'd have to trust the King. Davina had to believe that the King was truly in control of everything. Beacon was able to push himself out of the abyss with his tornado abilities, but Ron…

No, she wouldn't give in to the horrible thoughts that bombarded her mind.

Moments later, Davina watched as the winds began to slow down. Uncrossing her arms, she scanned the Forest, the trees no longer stretched, and their branches no longer made creaks. The wind was gone.

Her hair calmed into a violent mess that looked similar to a bird's nest. She groaned as she petted her frizzy hair down.

A loud rumble resounded beneath her feet, sending vibrations deep into her bones. Davina looked at the hole of darkness beside her.

Ron appeared from the void with a whirlwind of air carrying him to the surface, where Davina stood.

Except, he didn't come out with armor the same way Beacon had. He came out with a dark blue sword in his hand. Just a weapon.

"This is all I found," Ron stated, clearly upset with not having found his full armor set.

"There must be an explanation."

"It's fine. Let's just go home." Ron stomped out of the Forest, Davina on his trail.

"No, we are not going home until we figure this out." Davina grabbed his arm.

"There's nothing to figure out. My armor wasn't there. It's incomplete, just like me."

"What if we search the other islands?" Davina asked.

"What?" he asked.

"You said you felt a pull to the other islands. Let's follow the pull," she said.

"What if it's a false lead?"

"It's better to find out if your armor is hidden in the other islands than to remain with questions for the rest of our lives." Davina shrugged.

She avoided his gaze as a smile crept onto his lips. She hated how beautiful he looked.

"You would go with me?" Ron's tone teased.

Davina struggled to find the right words as a slight blush rushed to her cheeks. "You would do the same for me."