38. THIRTY-SEVEN

THIRTY-SEVEN

T wo days had passed since Isaiah was thrown into the dungeon.

The tension in Bellatorm hadn't calmed. There were countless questions from the people of the islands for the Castellum warriors.

How could a Chief Leader ever betray Bellatorm in such a way?

People demanded to speak to Davina, to Master Abigail, to the Chief Leaders, Leaders, Soldiers, and Apprentices. Anyone who served the King. To anyone who could have answers.

But she couldn't speak to them, not at that moment. The other Island Protectors, Soldiers, Leaders, and Apprentices held the mob back for the past two days. After the sun would set, they grew tired and would head back home.

Ron approached her when she was heading home, she appreciated his efforts in trying to cheer her up, especially after the way she tortured Isaiah in front of Bellatorm and for her reaction to his supposed betrayal. If anything, he proved his loyalty even more after everything he had done.

"Are you going to be okay? I can stay longer if you'd like," he suggested.

"Yes, I'll be fine. No need to worry for me." Davina grazed a hand over his arm, a form of reassurance. A certain dread rested over her chest as she let him go. Her heart screamed and begged for him to stay, yet she remained silent.

But she couldn't afford to be near him at the moment because of what she'd done. They still hadn't spoken about the horror that she had done to Isaiah and him.

She had no idea that she'd been capable of hurting someone in such a violent manner, although Isaiah deserved it. But her anger had gotten out of control again. Those moments were always the worst.

This anger was bitter, strong, and scary. She recalled the way Master Abigail had said that her anger would be of use one day. How could this powerful fury she felt in her chest ever be of use?

He saw her hesitation. Ron reached for her chin and softly lifted it to be able to meet her gaze.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing, I'm fine." She tried to lie.

"No, it's not. Tell me what's wrong."

She stuttered, "I just feel bad because…"

He sighed, letting go of her chin. "I think I would've reacted the same if I thought someone so close to me betrayed me as well."

She knew that he wouldn't, he was just trying to make her feel better.

"I'm sorry," she said, not being able to meet his gaze.

"I have already forgiven you. Now, forget about it because we need to put all our focus into tomorrow's discussion for strategy," Ron said.

"Are you going to be there?"

"Of course I will. Until the end." He smiled as he caressed her cheek.

She smiled slightly. He then leaned for her forehead. Davina thought her heart would beat out of her chest as he landed a soft kiss on her temple.

"I'll see you tomorrow, love," he whispered.

The next day, Davina looked at her purple uniform that hung from her wardrobe. Leilani must've washed it by the river for her, Davina smiled. She sighed and got herself ready before heading out to Castellum.

Davina could feel the stares from those in Basalt as she passed by them but she continued her stroll to Castellum with an impassive expression. No matter the war that was going on in her mind, she kept calm. She remained with her poise, her hand over her Soldier sword which felt smaller than the swords that appeared behind her back whenever her armor manifested.

As Davina entered the sandy island of Castellum, she spotted a bright figure at the top window of the castle. The King had his gaze on the throng of people that huddled together in the courtyard.

Shouts and cries pierced her ears. Davina felt a pang of fear as she heard the voice of a woman weeping. She knew that cry.

Davina pushed through the crowd, her eyes fixated on the dark-haired woman who clung to her husband as she wailed. The woman wept before Master Abigail, who seemed to be conflicted by the woman's words. What could ever afflict the Master like that?

"Mother?" Davina asked.

Mae turned and flew into Davina's arms. Davina, in shock, hesitantly wrapped her arms around her mother.

"I tried to stop them. I did, I really did."

"Mother, please, calm down. What happened?" Davina's eyes widened.

Nico held a solemn look, his face had reddened. His eyes filled with tears. Davina noticed his slouched posture and the hands he held in his pocket.

Davina's eyes frantically searched for her siblings among the crowd that surrounded them. She saw distinct faces, none of which she could identify. The only faces she was able to recognize instantly belonged to Ron, Leilani, Beacon, Valerie, Snow, Cara, Caleb, and Amir.

"Mother where are the children?" Her heart pummeled in her chest.

"She took them," Mae sobbed.

Davina felt every inch of her body paralyzed. Her eyes found Ron's who had a bewildered look marking his expression.

She slowly shook her head while she imagined her siblings at the mercy of Raven, the torture that the Dark Mistress would be putting them through. Raven was capable of doing much worse than what Davina had done to Isaiah. Slowly, Davina pushed her mother away as all the oxygen left her lungs.

Ron pushed through the crowd to near her, but she held out her hand for him to stop.

Davina had already told them what the risks would be. She had warned them about Raven. She had told them that the Dark Mistress was a threat, that Davina was being targeted so they would be targeted too. She had even volunteered to show the children certain self-defense tactics, but they always refused, claiming the children didn't need to be traumatized like that as if they hadn't been already.

"You kick me out of your house. You forbid me from seeing my siblings. You curse me. You abuse me. And you come here crying for my help," Davina uttered. "I told you this could happen, didn't I?"

Mae stuttered.

"Didn't I?" she yelled. Mae flinched.

Davina turned to Nico who had his eyes glued to the stones below him.

"And you." Davina neared him. "You pathetic excuse of a father. You said you'd protect them, that you didn't need me. You got what you wanted and look what happened!"

Nico didn't look at her. Davina couldn't hold it in anymore. She wouldn't cower anymore. She rushed to him and grabbed his collar. "Look at me!"

How the roles have changed, not too long ago it was him who had her pinned like this.

"Davina," Leilani said, stepping through the crowd toward the Captain. Ron and Snow stopped Leilani from nearing Davina and her parents.

"Leave her," Snow hissed.

"She needs this," Ron said.

Nico looked into her eyes, at last.

"Look at the mess you have made." She wasn't just talking about the children having been taken.

Mae put a hand on Davina's shoulder. Davina pushed Nico away before slapping her mother's hand off of her. "Don't you touch me."

"I'm your mother."

"You lost the right to be my mother the moment you chose this man over me." Her voice quivered, not with just rage but with frustration and sadness. Davina could feel the tears wanting to spill.

Mae remained silent as Davina panted with blurry vision.

A loud rumble erupted throughout the entire island. The birds that had been sitting at the castle top rapidly flew away as a violent tremor shook the ground beneath them.

The crowd no longer stood close to one another, each began to huddle close to their loved ones. Bellatormans shrieked as their feet vibrated with the ground. Water jumped into the Bridges, coating those who had been strolling through the arches. Ron threw himself toward Davina and wrapped his arm around her, keeping her on her feet. Davina held onto him tightly, waiting for the earthquake to pass.

The loud rupture of stone fracturing penetrated their ears. Davina's eyes widened as the Bridges of the Islands began to crack. In all the years of Bellatorm, no matter the wars or battles, the Bridges always remained intact. Until now.

A cackle echoed above in the air. Davina snapped her glare to find Raven above a big dark cloud, with several Predators surrounding her.

Another cry of fear left the lips of the visiting Bellatormans. "Master Abigail!" Davina yelled.

"How may I be of assistance, Captain?"

"Get the people inside," she ordered.

"Yes, Captain." A smirk etched the Master's face. Leaders, Soldiers, and Apprentices helped the people into the castle. They all scurried, shoving and pushing past each other to find their way into the fortress. Davina glimpsed how Ron swiftly led Mae and Nico into Castellum through the mobs of frightened islanders. Before she could miss his presence, he was already beside her.

The Island Protectors remained near one another as they watched intently the Predators that surrounded the Dark Mistress.

"Get ready," Davina commanded.

They nodded curtly. Ron was the first to summon his armor, his staff, and his sword at his side instantly. Davina could see from the corners of her eyes a whirlwind of shining colors appearing.

Cara had pink iron flowers pressed into her diadem. Caleb had a long, dark green cape, while Leilani had her green shield matched to a lethal sword. Snow had an intricate ice sword which she swirled around as her white iron armor appeared. Valerie's katana shined brightly, matching her brilliant gear. Beacon had his dark sword with a cape flowing behind him.

One Predator was assigned to stand behind each of her siblings. Micah, Genevieve, and Emmy had black cloth wrapped around their mouths while their hands were bound tightly before them.

Davina shook with rage as her chest heaved, all three of her siblings were crying through the gag that covered their mouths. Purple fire engulfed her hands, her arms, her legs, her eyes, and her hair.

"Raven!" Davina's fury resounded.

"Hey, sis," Raven purred as she sent a wave. "Do you like my new pets?"

"Give them back to me," Davina shouted.

"I'm afraid I can't do that. I've grown tired of this little fight between us, Vivi. Haven't you?" Raven pulled out a black dagger from her sleeve. Davina could almost hear the slice of the knife as the witch twirled between her fingers and inspected the design of its hilt.

Davina's lips and hands quivered.

"You have twenty-four hours to decide whether you and your Island Protectors will fight me or you will surrender. Only you and your Protectors can oppose me, no one else. You are forbidden from involving those Castellum freaks or any other of my brothers and sisters. Should you choose to defy me, I will have no other choice but to hurt your darling little siblings. Mmm, perhaps your brother will be my first." Raven strutted to Micah and held the sharp edge of her blade to his neck. Micah whimpered, frozen with fear. Davina had never seen him so scared.

Davina's fire burned brighter. Her eyes flared with purple sparks as she scanned for any wounds that could've been inflicted upon her siblings. Emmy and Genevieve's faces were reddened with puffy eyes, grime-covered their clothes and their skin.

"No need to get so hot, sis," Raven chuckled. Raven removed the dagger away from Micah's throat before stalking over to Genevieve and Emmy, brushing a hand over their distinct hair strands. They cried as Raven's long fingers skimmed over their cheeks.

"Don't you dare touch them," Davina croaked. Raven lifted her hands away from the girls, amusement in her black eyes.

"No need to worry. I am a woman of my word," Raven said then dramatically extended her arms to the bright sky.

Davina and the others watched as dark smoke left the witch's palms. The dark mist spewed out and gracefully circled the oceans surrounding the islands.

The Island Protectors watched as the darkness took the form of an arch that surrounded the five islands completely. The round shield was wide and mighty, daylight turned into night. No ray of sunshine was able to glow through the darkness.

"There's your timer. At every passing hour, it'll get closer and closer and closer. Once it touches the islands… well, I'll let you see that for yourself. The survival of your people depends entirely on you, Captain. I'll be among the shadows, awaiting your response."

Davina's chest continued to heave as she glared through the lavender hue of her vision at Raven. If only she could send rays of fire through her eyes. Surely, she would be able to end her with just a look.

Raven gave a sharp laugh before snapping her fingers and becoming engulfed in a haze of ink, along with the Main Predators and her siblings. Davina took a few strides forward.

Micah, Genevieve, and Emmy screamed, their chests violently moving as they begged their eldest sister to come save them.

"Davina, help!" Emmy freed herself from her gag. Before the darkness completely covered them, a Predator came rushing for Emmy. The Predator tried to put the gag back into her mouth but Emmy was quick to bite the Predator's hand.

"Leave me alone!" Emmy shrieked before they blended into the night.

"No," Davina whispered, a hot tear escaping her flared eyes.

She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. She had to calm down. The rage would not grow, it would not take control of her, and she would calm down. Davina shook her head, feeling hot, burning, boiling fury trickle into her chest.

"Davina?" Leilani asked.

"D, you good?" Caleb questioned.

"Vivi?"

"Davina, are you okay?" Valerie voiced.

"Davina, you're scaring us," Cara said.

Davina spun in place and marched onto the Castellum staircase, her boots leaving charred footsteps over the steps. The islanders, Soldiers, Apprentices, and Leaders pushed themselves aside as her blazing figure passed by them.

"Davina!" Leilani yelled for her.

But her flames continued to crackle.

"What?" Davina snapped, marching forward.

"Vivi, where are you going?" Ron asked.

"To get justice," she muttered.

"Davina, stop!" Valerie called for her.

"No! This is all his fault." Davina stomped into the castle corridors, the Island Protectors close on her trail. Boiling anger bubbled in her heart as she began to near his door.

"Davina, please, stop to think this through," Cara begged.

"Please, Davina, stop this," Beacon said.

"Leave her be!" Master Abigail hissed.

Davina ignored all their pleas for her to halt and pushed the King's doors open, her hands leaving a black mark over the door, sizzling as she passed through the threshold. The King was standing in the middle of his chambers with his hands behind his back, like always. He held a certain serenity within himself, Davina could see it in his face.

"How can you be so calm while Raven is out there? While she's been killing your children right under your nose!"

"Believe me when I say that I have not been calm, and I am not okay with what is happening. I have not been sitting here doing nothing like you think I have been," the King replied.

Davina strode to him with flames surrounding her frame, her face reddened against the purple fire working inside of her.

"Davina, stop!" Cara yelled.

"Davina, what are you doing?" Beacon shouted.

Beacon and Caleb were about to pass the threshold. Davina waved a hand, a circle of purple fire surrounding herself and the King.

The Protectors stumbled away from the roaring flame.

The young Aurisan lifted her arm and jabbed for the King's face, he dodged with absolutely no effort.

"You chose me for this. And for what? So I could lose the people that I love?"

Davina spun and aimed to kick him. He dodged. She kept aiming, kicking, punching, and he dodged all her hits. She yelled loudly, letting out all her frustration as she screamed. She raised her hands and sent her wildfire blazing at the King.

All the while, he was standing still. Her fire didn't send him blazing. No, he stood still before her power as if he were welcoming the warmth.

Davina aimed for his jaw, his hand caught hers. Her inflamed eyes and body dimmed immediately, along with the ring of fire that surrounded them. Davina turned to face him, no other emotion on his face than serenity. He was still calm.

She pulled herself from his grasp. Her lips went into a frown as she pushed against his chest.

"Why?" she raised her voice. "Why do you let me go through this? Why?"

She pushed again.

He remained undisturbed, but now in his gaze, there was sadness. Davina furrowed her brows. She could never understand the King, or his expressions, metaphors, and actions.

"Why did you let them do this to me?" Tears brimmed her eyelids. "All I ever wanted was for them to be kids. I wanted them to have what was stolen from me. And now look what's happened to them! They're gone! They're gone!"

"They're not gone, Davina. There's still hope."

"What hope is there?" she asked as she pushed him, trying to provoke some kind of reaction from him. "I trusted you! I trusted you and you lied to me. I put my faith in you. You said that we would win."

Davina continued to struggle against him. He raised no hand against her, he only stumbled and fought to keep his balance. She was sure that the others were watching the scene before them with horror, but she had to face him. She needed answers. There had to be a reason.

"Why? Why did you choose me? Look at me! Look at what I am. Look!" she screamed. She aimed to kick him, but he pushed her leg away.

"Because I wanted you to be a part of a great story. Great stories come from great tribulations."

Davina grew tired from scuffling against his chest. Part of her felt like a child throwing a tantrum. At the end of the day, she was never allowed to be a child anyway. She panted.

"Your parents did much on you, I know that," he began as he reached for her arm. His grip was soft but firm, welcoming yet powerful, and comforting but peaceful. He pulled her into his embrace. "But I knew you'd be the only one to withstand these afflictions."

A sob left Davina's lips as her arms grew limp. Her head rested against his chest while his hands brushed her back.

"Why did this happen to me?" she cried, her legs buckling from beneath her. But the King didn't let her go, he kneeled with her as she wept in his arms.

Her tears represented all those lost years of her girlhood. Each drop represented the frustration of having felt powerless against the accusations that came from her parents, and her pain whenever she thought about her mother choosing a stranger over her own daughter.

The idea of having been born by mistake rushed back to her. Where was her father? Why did he choose not to contact her? Was something wrong with her? Did she do something? Why wasn't she enough for him to come back?

Davina recalled all those moments when she cried herself to sleep while covering her lips to avoid anyone from hearing her cries for justice.

The misery she felt when she began to see how Nico and Mae didn't change even after bearing three more children, how the responsibility to protect her siblings was hers since her parents refused to do so. Every choice she made was for them. Every sacrifice for them. And now, Raven took them.

She failed at being their older sister, their protector. That's what Emmy called her anyway. Davina, the protector. The savior. The helper. The second mother.

"I knew you were strong enough to go through it."

She shook her head as she continued to wail as King Magnar cradled her. "I feel so weak, so helpless. I tried, I tried so hard— it's all my fault. It's all my fault."

She felt as if all the air had been ripped out of her lungs. Her throat burned harshly.

All the sobs that she kept locked in for many years forced themselves out of her lips. She couldn't stop, no matter how much she tried to put an end to her weeping.

"You were never alone. I was there the entire time," he said gently. "Do you remember when your first battle with Raven ended?"

Flashes of that horrid night rushed back to her. Raven had removed the knife from her chest and stared ahead, at someone or something inside of the house, with a wide smirk. Davina froze before raising her bloodshot eyes to face his honey-brown ones. She sniffed. "Yes, she walked away."

The King sent her a sweet smile.

"You were there? That was you? You're the reason she walked away?"

She thought it was Ron who found her.

He nodded slightly. "You were never truly alone. I promised you that wherever you went, I would go with you. You're my daughter. It is my duty to protect you."

Davina gulped, suddenly feeling a bit guilty for having barged into his quarters in a raging manner.

"I have been a witness to the battles in your mind, in your heart, and your exterior. I have been that soft voice you hear in your head, the one that has calmed you and the one that has comforted you. Your mother may have forgotten you, but I will never forget you. I never have and I never will."

Could Davina find in Magnar the parent she never had?

"The greater the struggle, the greater the triumph." The King stood tall, then held out his hand for her, she took it. King Magnar set both his hands over her cheeks. His thumbs cleaned the multitude of tears that stained her beige skin, a smile over his lips.

Davina questioned him with her eyes. It was as if he understood her thoughts without her having to explain with words.

He nodded.

Is he agreeing with me?

His smile grew larger, nodding again.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

"You will overcome Raven. You will save your siblings. I guarantee you that you will. And I will be there with you, in battle, until the end."

Davina nodded. King Magnar brought her closer and gave a soft kiss on her forehead. Davina gave him a small squeeze.

"All your pain is worth something. You will serve as an example for many others who have experienced similar suffering," he whispered.

Somehow, it was at that moment that she truly understood that she was never alone. Isaiah's betrayal struck her deeply, but the thought of Ron betraying her hurt even more. That was the King's exact same pain when the Revolt occurred.

Now, she was able to understand the King's position, a state in which he was forced to live for four hundred years.

But the King was a better person than she ever could be because he was fighting for his people through the Island Protectors, giving them their exceptional abilities and protecting them as they fought in the battles. The people, Bellatorm, none of them, deserved the chance that the King was gifting them.

The rest of the Island Protectors, accompanied by Master Abigail, passed the threshold into the throne room, nearing Davina and the King who were wrapped in each other's arms.

The King beamed at the others as they neared them. Davina let go of Magnar, Ron stood beside her and rubbed her back as the King and him looked at one another.

She wondered what silent conversation was going on between them.

"The greatest battle of our world is about to occur, and I wanted to give you all a few parting gifts. There will be few, but necessary adjustments to your armor," King Magnar informed. "The battle will not be easy. It will be hard, it will be difficult. You will have to make sacrifices but do not worry because I will multiply everything that you lose, And when in battle, I want you to remember… strong like death is love."

Davina didn't understand. Most of the time she didn't, but this time she was going to trust that this metaphor was going to help her at some point.

Davina almost bounced on her feet as she realized that a war was coming. And she was going to win.