14. THIRTEEN

THIRTEEN

D avina and Ron ran down the Bridge of Neptulus then onto the sandy surface of the island, heading straight for Cryogen Lake. That's where Ron had said he heard a call.

She knew that today could either elevate his motivations for a better future or destroy all his hopes of a life with activated powers. If this calling he was hearing to the other islands was a simple intuitive mistake, then he would be left with nothing but a sword. But if this calling to the islands was pulling him to find the other pieces of his armor, then it could mean so much more. He would have his armor complete and perhaps would be a step closer to finding out why his abilities were different.

She truly believed that he was special, and she was just realizing how much his dormant abilities had affected him. Even if he made up for the lack of them in other ways with his strength, agility, and fighting style, there was probably no other Soldier like him on Mistral Island. Not even Beacon, who had been training since he was thirteen and was now twenty-three, has been able to overpower Ron in a duel.

She was able to notice the look of despair on his face as he had his arms crossed, tapping his thumb against his forearm.

Davina couldn't help imagining how much mortification he had to carry because of his dormant abilities. His inactive powers were a constant reminder that he did not belong in Mistral and Mistrans were known to bloom in their abilities at an earlier stage than the rest of the islanders.

Davina imagined Ron as a child, frustrated with himself as he watched his older brothers conjure air currents. How it must've been awful to witness how easy it was for Beacon and Bane to master their powers.

Beacon started a successful transportation business with his tornado abilities while his brother Bane was a Leader of Mistral.

Bane's duties as a Leader hadn't allowed him to be with the Levina family as much. Davina met him once, at Valerie's birthday party. Just like Beacon, he was funny and silly, unlike Ron who was always serious and quiet.

"What do you think this means?" Ron asked. "That I feel a pull to the other islands?"

"I think we can finally have an answer to the question of your powers."

He remained silent, looking at the cobblestone pathway that they were pacing by.

"Whatever it is, we'll figure it out together." Davina reminded him with a wide smile. Ron's lips curled slightly.

"I don't wish to burden you with my issues, Vivi."

"You could never burden me," Davina affirmed.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, we are in this together until the end," Davina assured before tiptoeing and quickly landing a kiss on his cheek.

Despite his broodiness, he had the most magnificent smile. It was a rarity to see him beaming like he had been in that moment, she decided to memorize every crease in his cheeks and the shape of his lips. Perhaps he would gift her with more smiles, like the one he was portraying, after they left the lake.

Minutes later, they were surrounded by deep green trees. The cobblestone pathway had been replaced with moist soil. They stood before a stairway that led them into the blue water.

Davina's pulse skyrocketed as she let out a shaky breath, looking at the ripples within the lake. The thought of being near a lake had tormented her when he mentioned Cryogen but she had to be there for Ron. It felt more real as they walked closer to the large stream.

"Can you keep track of time?" Ron asked her.

"Yeah." Davina gulped.

"You seem conflicted, is everything okay?" He neared her, reaching for her arm.

"I'm not a big fan of water."

"I'm sorry I don't think I understand. We need water so we don't die of thirst," Ron questioned.

"Not water, just large bodies of it." Davina looked at the lake. She would've considered it beautiful had she not lived one of her worst memories by a lake.

"That's a bit controversial since we live on islands," Ron stated.

Davina rolled her eyes. "I hate lakes, streams, and huge waves that are taller than me and can easily swallow me whole."

"We can leave if you want to. We don't need to do this," Ron suggested.

"No—" she said sharply. "You have to do this."

"Are you sure, Davina? I don't want you to feel like you're forced to do this for me." Ron looked into her eyes. His eyes were so tender and so full of care. She hated how much she was starting to love that look he would give her.

She nodded. "I'll be okay."

"Fine. Can you take care of—" He motioned for his sword.

"Yes, of course."

Davina grabbed his sword then he began to unlace his boots. Meanwhile, Davina observed his sword. The hilt was easy to grip and despite the thick blade, it was light as she moved it back and forth between her hands. Ron walked down the steps, the water of Cryogen Lake already enveloping his shins.

"I'll be out in a minute, don't you worry," he said, then winked. Davina could see the grin on his face as he plunged gracefully into the water. She scoffed and shook her head at his shameless flirting.

She examined the carvings above the hilt of the sword which held designs of clouds, leaves, water, and what seemed to be flame sparks. The four designs over the hilt surely represented the four elemental islands of Bellatorm.

Davina counted down the seconds. A minute passed yet she couldn't find a glimpse of his figure nearing the surface. He wouldn't survive any longer down there.

She had promised him that everything was fine, but now she wasn't so sure. Davina didn't find herself prepared to face her fear of lakes.

"Ron?" she called.

He didn't appear. She couldn't do it. She wouldn't do it.

But Ron was inside the lake for over a minute and he wouldn't live much longer if he remained there. So, she found herself with no choice but to throw his sword over the soil and untie the laces of her boots.

"Ron," she groaned, throwing her black boots near his sword.

Davina grabbed onto her dark violet skirt and stomped down the gray steps, the water coldly biting into her skin. She sighed before emerging into the lake.

A large tree trunk was planted underneath the surface, interrupting the sunrays from reflecting into the water. How deep was the lake?

Softly flapping her hands as she squinted, scanning the reef until she found flashes of blue and yellow striking inside of a cave. Davina moved her hands outward as she kicked herself closer to the rocky cavern.

She leaned against the mouth of the cave, the rock so sharp that if her hand were to slip, her blood would be drawn. Then she noticed Ron floating inside of the dark cave with metal attaching itself across his figure. His eyes began to close as his body began to slouch. She screamed, immediately feeling a burning sensation in her throat. Another reason why she hated water and ice. Whenever she was near the Neptulan elements, she'd feel the heat in extremity.

Immediately, as soon as the piece of the armor finished growing over his chest, he passed out. Water rushed down her throat as she yelled for him, bubbles surrounding her. Hot, burning pressure tightened her lungs. Then her eardrums clogged, she had to get out of there soon.

Davina kicked her way into the cave, pushing herself deeper into the darkness of the rock that surrounded him, and grabbed his arm, which was wrapped in cold metal.

She pushed against the water, but her chest had begun to burn. It wasn't the same pleasant warmth she usually felt from her fire. It was an icy burning sentiment in her lungs that traveled deep into her throat. She used her left arm to scramble toward the surface while she held onto Ron with her right.

She cursed the waters whose weight struggled against her efforts to swim to the top. She would be able to breathe, Ron would live, they were both going to live. Her eyes stung with joy at the near future of being able to breathe oxygen again.

But then, Ron jerked out of her grasp. Davina felt her lungs burn with more violence as she struggled to swim after him, dark seaweed vines wrapping themselves around his body quickly.

Davina panicked. A jolt ran down her leg, pulling her away from Ron. The same sticky seaweed began to entangle itself around her arms. She immediately began to rip off the vines from her skin as more collected around her waist and ankles.

Ron was under the water longer than her, she had to get him out of there. Rage ripped through her as she forced herself to heat her body. The fire would not be able to conjure under the water, but she could pull enough heat toward her skin to burn off the seaweed. The vines that wrapped around her body began to snap off of her.

She pushed closer to Ron as she burned the life of the vines that stuck to her clothes. Davina's hands trembled as she grabbed onto the shrub of black vines that wrapped around him, burning them with all her might.

Fatigue had grown so heavy above her eyes, but she pushed through it because he had to make it out alive. He had to fulfill his dream of activating his powers, and she was going to make sure he would do just that. She wasn't going to let anything stop him from achieving his abilities. Davina pulled against the vines' strength while simultaneously pushing to the surface once again.

Quicker this time, to not give any other lake creature a chance to attack them again.

Davina gasped for air, pulling Ron closer to herself. "Ron? Ron, wake up."

She tapped his wet cheek as they floated above the water. She sighed, "Come on. Wake up."

Davina dragged herself and Ron onto the shore, away from the staircase where they once stood, and soil immediately coated her dark violet kirtle. Exhaustion strained her muscles, she fell next to him. Breathing hard, allowing her lungs to be overwhelmed with fresh air, she stared at the clear blue sky above them. Her wet hair itched with sand.

"Ron, please wake up." She turned to him who had his eyes closed with eyelashes kissing his cheeks. She sat up and began to search for an opening in the armor, frantic to try and open the metal. She trembled, not knowing whether it was from fear, or the water, or both.

"Ron, please, please, wake up."

She couldn't find a way to open his armor. She cried and slammed her fists into his chest. If she burned the metal, she'd hurt him even more. Tears began to sting her eyes. A cry escaped her lips. She couldn't believe that this was his moment. This couldn't be the moment that he parted.

Davina didn't want to spend her entire life wondering what could've been if he survived. What could've become if he didn't die? Maybe she was exaggerating but the moment felt too real because he wouldn't wake up and he was under water for too long. He had passed out long before they got out of the water. Davina rested her hands over his chest as she curved her head, leaning against his chest, trying to force herself to breathe properly.

Suddenly, after a few long moments, his chest convulsed. Ron coughed out the water onto the sand beside him. Giving him enough space to breathe in new air.

Once his coughing calmed, she exclaimed, "Ron!"

She threw herself around his arms and he didn't even hesitate to wrap his arms around her.

"You can't get rid of me that easily, love," Ron croaked out, she was almost sure he was smirking.

Davina didn't want to let go of him, afraid that it was all a dream. She hated the fact that she was doubting the reality of Ron having woken up despite it being a good reality.

"I thought I lost you," she whispered.

It felt like she was able to breathe now that she knew he was okay. "I'm okay. You don't have to worry anymore."

Davina reluctantly pulled away from his embrace and looked into his gray-flecked eyes. King Magnar had chosen him to be a Protector as well. Then why did it seem like he was the Protector that was struggling the most?

The King chose them. The King had watched over them, over Ron, yet he seemed so upset instead of being happy for being chosen as a Protector. What was stopping him from activating his powers? Why is his armor scattered throughout the islands? When he had sworn that he'd done everything right, that he had gone above and beyond to activate his powers, yet nothing ever happened.

"We should search for the other parts of your armor," Davina said.

As much as she wished to plop onto her bed and sleep for days, they had to finish what they had started. She had to observe him and see what was wrong. What was he doing so wrong that his powers refused to appear? So, she pushed the shock of almost having lost Ron to the waters deep into her soul. She'd deal with it later.

Her bare feet left prints on the sand as she shuffled to stand and give him a lift. Ron furrowed his brow, he must've noticed the way she removed all emotion from her expression.

She pulled him harshly before he stumbled onto his feet. Davina stood still as she realized the force of her arm.

"Alright, let's go."

He nodded, alarmed by the sudden change in her tone. "Uh, my sword?"

"Oh, right, it's over there, by the staircase." Where her boots also lay.

Davina walked quietly behind Ron toward the staircase. While she picked up her boots and laced them back on, he did the same before grabbing his sword.

"Basalt's next?" she asked.

"Yes," he chirped.

She only nodded. Then they headed out of Neptulus to Basalt, crossing the Bridges into Castellum and then to Basalt Island.

The entire walk to Basalt Island had been quiet. She felt odd with herself for the hug and the emotions she felt when they got out of the water. It was a moment of fear and comfort mixed into one.

It was an impulse, she didn't mean to react like that. And she certainly didn't mean for him to see how much she cared about him.

But it was almost impossible not to care for him. He had comforted her that one night in the woods, the night of Sadoc's birthday celebration, the argument at the Archives, the portrayal of their powers, the day the King instituted them as Protectors, and now the lake.

After their argument in the underground Archives, she was able to understand that he didn't want her to fight in the war. It upset her that he seemed to not believe she could be a capable Captain. Since she was already struggling to believe in herself.

She was chosen to be the leader of the Protectors. It felt wrong and unpleasant to even think about rejecting this new role she had been given, even though it also felt wrong to have been made Captain.

Curiosity itched her brain as she began to think whether any other Almenara had been given this kind of leadership for the good of Bellatorm before. Did the Almenaras ever have the chance to show they were competent? The answer had been no.

Davina recalled the stories that circulated the islands on how the Almenaras had once become the villains. The rogue ones of Bellatorm, a scandalous family. She shook her head as she realized that the latter term had stuck to their family after all.

"Do you know where we have to head to?" Davina's voice ripped through the silence between them. This wasn't like the stillness they usually shared, this silence was awkward.

Usually, the silence was comforting and peaceful. She was the one who made it awkward by choosing to become so cold one second to another. Surely, he didn't know how to deal with this side of her. No one knew how. She had to admit that even she didn't know what to do with herself either.

"The pull is coming north. Close to Basalt's Petal store."

Ron pointed down the passageway that would lead them to the northern part of the island. Davina turned and focused on the stone-filled pathways. They curved in different directions. She observed the chipped signs beside the pathways.

Bloomstou Rivers

Harvest Cavern

Basalt's Petal store

Blossomhill Mountain

Davina turned to the walkway that would eventually lead them to the franchise store that was the Petal store which had become so popular throughout the islands of Bellatorm that the Leaders allowed the Basalans to build markets of the Petal store on all four islands.

Each store was assigned a certain type of flower since not all flowers would resist the heat of Auris's core, the cold of Neptulus, or the winds of Mistral.

"Okay, let's head on over there," Davina said before walking down the Petal store walkway.

She wished he could understand that she was only trying to help him. Or was she just trying to avoid having to be vulnerable in front of him?

Her mask.

The first layer of her mask was having to smile when she was upset about a certain situation. The other layers consisted of setting aside her emotions, convincing herself that she was fine, or that she would deal with it later and never would. Other times, she was able to disconnect from reality, able to live inside of her mind without anyone to bother her.

But Ron was the embodiment of all the emotions she didn't want to feel, which caused cracks in her mask that she refused to accept. In her silence, she was trying to glue the pieces of her mask back together.

He took her out of the comfort of the walls she had worked so hard to build. The walls were lifted to avoid any more heartbreak and that's what she feared would happen between her and Ron.

She had to be stable. She had to be okay. She usually felt okay, but after seeing Ron lay over the moist soil without consciousness, she felt a piece of her had broken along with her strong mask.

"Davina!" he called.

She jumped at the rise of volume in his voice. She turned to him, only to find tender eyes staring back at her.

She looked away. If she let herself feel, even a little, she wouldn't be able to stop and she couldn't afford to spill all of her emotions out in front of him.

"What?" she asked harshly. She didn't mean to.

"Why are you being like this?" Ron asked.

"Being like what?" she asked.

"You know how. What happened? It's like I lost you right after we got out of the water." He tried to make eye contact with her, but she turned and continued walking toward the Petal store.

The beautiful building began to appear. Ron continued to try to start a conversation with her, but she continued to dodge his questions. As they were traveling deeper into the back fields of the Petal store, she could hear him approaching her.

"Stop trying to talk about what happened," Davina deadpanned.

Davina turned, he held a lemony daffodil between his fingers with a wide smirk over his lips. Davina rolled her eyes, biting down at her tongue to avoid smiling.

"If I give you this flower, will you talk to me?" he asked with a grin.

Why was it so difficult for her not to blush whenever he grinned at her? How can one's grin be as contagious as his?

"What happened back there?" he asked.

Davina brainstormed for an answer as the cobblestone path came to an end and green grass covered their shins. Immediately, the scents of the hundreds of flowers filled her nostrils with a pleasant sensation. The sun glinted onto the fields of flowers as it set itself between the mountains.

"Everything is so beautiful."

"Yes, I agree," Ron answered.

Ron was silent for a few seconds, causing her to glance at him. Except he wasn't observing the wondrous field of flowers, he was looking at her. Could he possibly be referring to her?

She smiled at him as she couldn't hold it anymore. Davina turned back toward the rainbow sea before them. She promised herself she wouldn't get too carried away with the conversation since he seemed like he wanted to talk about what was occurring between them. How she desired to ignore the feelings that were spilling in and out of her heart.

"Okay, we can talk, but we can't stop walking to the location," she said.

"Fine."

"Lead the way, Levina."

They began walking along the grass.

"So," Davina began.

"I want to know why you're hiding away everything that you're feeling right now."

So, he did notice.

She shook her head as she struggled to find an excuse to divert his attention from her, from her having to explain.

"Davina."

"Yes?" she asked.

"Look at me." He stopped walking.

"Why?" She stopped as well, twirling the flower between her fingers.

"Just look at me," Ron pleaded.

The urgency in his tone caused her to look into his eyes. Her stare circled his eyelashes and his cheeks. His pale skin contrasted perfectly with his dark hair. She smiled.

"You're looking at me."

"You asked me to."

This moment was something she wished she could capture and treasure forever. In that moment she yearned fervently that she had the ability of those of a fire painter. Aurisan artists used their heat and fire abilities to create wonderful paintings and sculptures.

Davina never had the patience to learn the ability of fire painting. But as she watched his hair dance with the wind, she burned this masterpiece into her heart.

Ron with a gray tunic and royal blue trousers. His black hair was puffier than usual from having submerged into the lake earlier. The chest piece of his armor in his hand and his sword in his left. Dozens of differentiated flowers were planted behind him, the sun kissing his face wonderfully.

She scanned the look on his face. Nothing but sincere interest in her. How dare he?

Davina knew that if she allowed herself any more time spent with him, she would ruin it all. She feared to destroy whatever good he had to offer. How much longer would she be using that excuse?

"I know that we are barely getting to know each other, but the little that I know about you… you are magnificent. I've never been more sure of my feelings than I am now. You inspire me with your light, and you seem to have full control of my mind like the moon does over the tides of the ocean. The person that you are is extraordinary and I would love to get to know you more if you were to allow me."

Her whole world froze. "I-I don't know what to say."

She cursed herself. Here he was, giving his heart to her, but she didn't want it. Because she knew that she'd only let his heart fall and break into a million pieces, sooner or later.

"You don't have to say anything."

Davina nodded as they continued the walk down the track. As they arrived at the Bloom Tree which was planted in the middle of the colorful fields. The tree roots traveled far into the fields that surrounded them. The tree was so majestic that it was the only tree in all of Bellatorm that had at least one fruit of each kind. It was present since the creation of Bellatorm and was a witness of the Revolt and the Era of Silence. Its branches were dark while its leaves were a bright green. Wonders of pitaya, kiwano, gold kiwifruit, cherimoya, and guavas.

"Is this where you felt the pull?" Davina asked.

Ron nodded as he observed the tree. His eyes analyzed the different fruits within the tree. They all hung and danced with the breeze. The fruits that had grown from the tree branches were so majestic that they slightly glowed.

"Do you know what you need to do?"

"Not really." Ron shook his head.

Slowly, Ron stalked toward the tree trunk. He set his left hand over the bark. A loud screech of ripping bark echoed into Davina's ears, Davina reached for her ears as birds flapped out from the nest of branches and leaves.

Ron groaned as tree branches wrapped around his arms, his sword fell out of his hand and the chest piece in his other was being wrapped in branches.

"Davina!" Ron called with his eyes widened.

"Ron!" She cried. The branches were circling his figure faster as she neared him. Ron reached for her, pushing against the tightness of the branches. Their fingers grazed before he was yanked into the hollow trunk of the tree.

"Ron?" Davina croaked as she touched the bark of the tree, pushing away all the foliage. "Ron!"

This was too much for one day. She was still tired from the exertion she'd done back at the lake. They still had to find a way out of here and into Auris. Who knew how long it would take to find the armor in Auris. Would every search for their armor be this terrible?

They hadn't even gone to a battle against Raven and circumstances were already gruesome. These trainings were becoming too harsh that she questioned whether they were truly necessary. The King had chosen her to be the Captain of the Island Protectors, but she was no leader. What kind of Captain is incapable of saving those in her team?

What if she lost Leilani, Valerie, or even Snow? And Cara was also on the team. The boys. What if something happened to them?

Her hands reached for her head, her fingers shaking, her limbs filled with tremors. Chills spread across her skin. Her knees buckled as her eyes remained where Ron once stood.

All she could do now was sit and wait for him to come back. What if he didn't come back? What if he needed her to help him again?

Davina sighed, rubbing her eyes. Getting anxious or beating herself up for her incapability was not going to solve her issues.

Slowly, the same hollowness from a few seconds before reappeared. Ron stepped through the pit, this time with his armor complete.

There was a bright smile on his lips. He seemed so happy, and rightfully so. Davina swiftly pushed herself to her feet as she saw the dark metal covering his figure completely. Once again, the islands responded. His weapons and armor were, in fact, scattered throughout the four islands.

The only remaining question was why.