6. FIVE

FIVE

W ar had become unfamiliar to the people of Bellatorm, even though one of the main statutes of King Magnar was to always be prepared. The statute was why he had decided to institute a Master, Chief Leaders, Leaders, Soldiers, and Apprentices.

Every Bellatorman was required to at least be an Apprentice. No one would be a liability and would be fully capable of defending oneself if the situation ever presented itself.

Davina couldn't help but ponder upon this fact as she waved her hands above the baskets of bread to warm them up. Few served the King as Castellum attendees and far too many people received help from the Castellum social events that were organized weekly.

Predator attacks began four centuries ago, but they began to progress even more recently. Could the King, at last, end his silence? Would he intervene to stop the entire population of Bellatorm from turning into Predators?

The domestic sequence that would be followed daily was interrupted because of the quantity of Prey who had encountered the darkness that had bestowed the islands. Different incidents occurred each time. There would be times when certain fields and gardens would putrefy overnight. Earthquakes would shake the foundation of the island cores, causing the buildings to collapse. Bellatormans of all the islands would become possessed by anger and irrationality, which resulted in them striking against their neighbors.

These incidents would cause children to become orphaned, leaving them without a home, without nourishment. Davina was aware that it went deeper than just not having parents, a home, and food. It was the envy that came from seeing others have what one lacked; a family that comforted, a place that provided rest, clothes that warmed and expressed personality, and a plate that satisfied one's needs.

Davina turned to the wooden table that was assigned to her before greeting fellow Mistrans who passed by and entered Castellum. Mistrans were always the most neutral when it came to the Aurisans. She thanked Magnar for that.

She had piled honey, barley, and white bread over some argil plates.

Davina's eyes traveled to the long line of tables surrounding Castellum's courtyard. Valerie had several shapes of crystal lights set over her table. Leilani had baskets of fruit and vegetables over hers. She caught onto Snow's counter, who had frosted meat being given out to the Prey.

A bench with numerous folded quilts sat beside Snow's table. The unattended table was Ron's table. Davina sighed slightly as she realized his absence, questioning his whereabouts. It was odd that he wasn't there, he was almost always present in the Castellum social events.

Despite receiving backlash from Leilani, she didn't regret the hassle they caused in Sadoc's manor. She'd never forget the wonderful moment they shared as they sat on the roof under the twinkling night sky. Nor would she forget the admiration in his eyes as he observed her and her fire powers.

But she could not forget that getting too close to him could end in heartbreak for both of them. So, Davina forced herself to push Ron out of her thoughts.

While the Leaders were to remain inside the castle to give wise counsel, Soldiers and Apprentices were to oversee the volunteer work in Castellum's courtyard.

Davina remembered a history lesson that Master Abigail had given; for there to be harmony in Bellatorm, each island had a duty to give to one another. That was the belief that the Leaders, Soldiers, and Apprentices held close to their hearts.

Hopefully, the Prey would see that it was worth training their abilities. Only then they'd be able to rise above a life of breadcrumbs and activate their abilities to support themselves and their families.

Nearly all of the jobs in Bellatorm demanded the use of one's power. These jobs would require them to activate their powers since their powers would make the tasks easier to complete.

Valerie, Snow, Leilani, and the boys were already Soldiers, whereas Davina was an Apprentice and only needed one more month of training to become a Soldier.

She enjoyed the training for Apprenticeship, but she knew that to be a Soldier was different. It was more responsibility, but it brought more honor.

The training was more intensive, her powers would grow; and new abilities would be unlocked. She'd receive a new uniform with an emblem based on her birth island. But that wasn't the best part.

For her, the best part had been the ability she would acquire to truly keep Bellatorm safe, which was her main goal. To protect the islands even if they rejected her. She loved Bellatorm, and she loved her siblings. Davina knew that one day her siblings would grow up and leave their parents' house, they would choose someplace in Bellatorm to reside. So, she had to protect the islands for them. For her friends, too.

A young woman from Neptulus approached Davina's table with a deep frown. She was a blonde with beady eyes and her lips pressed into a line. Her bodice had slashes running across the leather and her dark blue dress had grime smudged into it.

Davina was moved by the woman's bitterness. When she looked into her ocean-blue eyes, she was met with grief. The Aurisan in purple offered her a smile.

Perhaps a simple smile can help her, she thought.

"Hi, what can I get you?"

"Can I have a honey bread?" the woman asked flatly, not meeting Davina's gaze.

"Of course."

Davina reached for a white cloth and engulfed it around a honey bread, quickly handing it to the Neptulan woman. "You are welcome to visit our other tables if you need anything else."

The woman nodded and walked away. Davina breathed in and out, turning to look at the castle. "Magnar, help these people."

A screech echoed through the courtyard. The stones beneath her feet trembled. Davina, along with the other Soldiers nearby, quieted. Eyes locked between the Soldiers and Apprentices, Davina furrowed her eyebrows and turned to the direction of the cry. Leilani and Valerie approached Davina.

"What's happening?" Leilani asked.

"Come with me," she said to Valerie and Leilani, before walking closer to the entryway of the Bridges. Davina rotated on her feet as she noticed Basalt Bridge was left desolated while the Basalans rushed into the Castellum courtyard, causing some of the tables to tip over. Soldiers and Apprentices hurried to keep the tables planted.

Whispers and chatter rang through the crowd of Basalans.

The morning sky disappeared and was covered with deep gloomy clouds casting an ominous shadow among all five islands. A deep rumble pounded beneath their feet.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Master Abigail and the four Chief Leaders ran behind her to Basalt Bridge. They stopped by the entrance, not daring to step foot onto the arched bridge.

Master Abigail and three Chief Leaders argued, hands raised and motioned. Only the Neptulan Chief Leader remained calm as he rubbed his temples.

The Leaders were preeminent, but there had been a democratic vote for who would be the Chief of the Leaders, responsible for leading and assisting all the Leaders, Soldiers, Apprentices, and people of their designated island. There were only four Chief Leaders: Chief Leader Sigmis of Auris, Chief Leader Stowne of Basalt, and the two youngest, Chief Leader Isaiah of Mistral, and his best friend, Chief Leader Amir of Neptulus.

A Leader instructed the Soldiers and Apprentices to help the Prey and Basalans into Castellum.

Beacon and Caleb followed their orders and guided the people into the hallways of the fortress.

Was there an attack happening right now? Did she have to fight? Would she be able to stop the Predators from invading the castle and hurting the Prey who were already contrite?

Soldiers that were near the entrance of the Bridge pulled their weapons from their belts, and swords and daggers sliced through the air.

"What's going on? Why are they all..." Davina began.

"Let us see her!" A deep voice raged.

"Get ready Davina," Leilani whispered.

Valerie pulled out her sword, and Leilani pulled out a dagger.

Davina didn't have her assigned weapon yet, since she'd only receive it in her Soldatus ceremony. She instead pulled forth her purple fire and watched the five most important leaders of Bellatorm discussing the matters of the attack. Ice crystallized into the hands of Neptulans, and fire and light lit up the dark atmosphere. Winds passed through the crowd of warriors that stood behind Master Abigail and the four Chief Leaders.

She was able to glimpse Basalans with coal-black eyes, inky fingertips, and black goo dripping from their gaped lips.

They stumbled closer to the entrance of Basalt Bridge. The ground below rumbled louder as they seemed to be marching into a formation. A large Basalan man stood in the middle, leading the army of the Predators.

They were looking for more Prey.

Her flames crackled brightly above her palms as she listened intently. Beacon and Caleb pushed through the crowd.

"What are you here for?" Abigail's demanding voice echoed.

Davina had never seen the Predators in action before. She had only seen the aftermath, the Prey suffering from the calamities that the Predators had caused: hunger, unemployment, orphans, pestilence, death, and darkness.

Her family had not been attacked yet, and she was grateful for that, but she couldn't help but imagine her family being the ones suffering. A sort of indignation sparked in her being each time she saw children suffer the consequences of the attacks.

"I seek the one named beloved," a voice boomed. All of them speaking at once, moving as one. Their dark eyes searched the other side of the Bridge, into Castellum. Davina watched them through the gaps of the throng that surrounded her.

"Beloved?" Davina whispered.

"Who is this beloved?" Abigail asked.

That was the meaning of her name.

"The girl born of violet and fire," they rasped.

Davina turned to Beacon as his alarmed look confirmed what she was thinking. The crowd of Soldiers and Apprentices slowly turned to her, blinking with widened eyes.

Valerie and Leilani looked at Davina with worried creases between their brows.

"Why would they call you?" Caleb asked.

"Did you do anything? Anything that could cause them to think of you?" Leilani asked.

"Nothing. I haven't done anything," Davina stuttered.

She could hear the Predators growling from where she stood. That was when she noticed the drool that covered their grimy tunics.

The multitude of her fellow companions of war parted in the middle, allowing her a clear path and view of Master Abigail and the Predators on opposite sides of the Bridge of Basalt.

"Come forward, girl."

Davina cringed at the number of pupils that gazed at her, all of them with questioning looks.

She wished for someone to tell her what to do. She hadn't known whether to hide or face the Predators. What did they want from her? What could she possibly give to them? A Bellatorman Aurisan girl with unusual fire powers, who was she anyway?

Her ears rang before they became completely silent and all she could hear was the oxygen that traveled in and out of her lungs. She could not hide, she had to face this. She had to be brave. She had to, for Micah, Genevieve, and Emmy.

Taking one step forward, Beacon brushed past Valerie and grabbed her arm. She turned to him.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asked.

"I have to go." Davina motioned toward the Basalan Predators.

"No, you don't," Beacon answered. "Ron will kill me if I let anything happen to you."

Leilani and Caleb looked at one another after hearing Beacon's comment.

"I'll stall them while you and Caleb lead troops into the Armory. Gather weapons out and get ready in case they attack."

Beacon tightened his jaw and released her forearm. He nodded once.

Before she walked through the passageway to Basalt Bridge, she couldn't help but look back at the Prey that had taken refuge inside the castle. They stood by the entryway, fearful of stepping out of the threshold and onto the staircase.

She held her head up high as she walked along the clear path. No one would be allowed to be able to see the fear that trembled on her fingers and knees. Davina held her poise as she drew closer to the Bridge, getting a much clearer view of the Predators. She felt like gagging as she noticed the Predator's droopy black eyes, the drool that spilled unnaturally from the corner of their lips, the dark welches that appeared over their faces, their grey skin, and their twitching fingers.

Davina stood beside Abigail and the four Chief Leaders.

"What do you think you're doing, girl?" Abigail gripped Davina's arm.

"Stalling them while Beacon and Caleb retrieve weapons from the Armory, in case they decide to attack Castellum."

Abigail's frantic eyes stilled and stared into Davina's. As if with a silent conversation between them, Abigail let her go.

"We will be right here in case you need our assistance," Chief Leader Amir said to Davina. It was the first time a Chief Leader had ever directed a word to her. The Neptulan Chief Leader held a quiet humbleness to his blue eyes which complemented his deep bronze skin. Davina sent him a small smile before crossing the threshold of her favorite Bridge.

As she made it to the highest point of the Bridge, a grim smell entered her nostrils. She inhaled sharply, immediately regretting her impulsive inhalation.

"What is it that you want, Predator? Why have you come to torment us today?" she snapped.

"I'd be more careful with your choice of words, beloved one," they growled. The Predator's shiny black eyes never left hers. Her heart pulsed faster. "My patience has become thin. I've waited for you for too long."

"What do you mean by that?" she asked.

"For years, I've waited and searched. At last, I have found you. My one last hope," the man before her was in perfect sync with the other Basalan Predators behind him, their unified voices resounding into her mind.

Although there was one man in the middle of the formation, Davina doubted he was the one controlling them. He seemed brainless, along with the others. Someone must be controlling these people. Someone was inhabiting the Bellatormans and making them go mad.

"I don't even know who you are."

"You will if you join me." Every Basalan Predator raised a hand, a wide smirk over their chapped gray lips. "I have come to conquer what is rightfully mine. The throne of your King shall belong to me. I have waited for centuries for someone like you, Davina Almenara. I will make sure you rule beside me. You will reign over all these creatures your Father calls warriors. You will no longer have to refrain from making them pay for all their debts to you."

Gasps, from the mob of Bellatormans behind her, reached her ears.

Davina remained silent. She turned toward the Soldiers, Apprentices, and Leaders that stood nearest to her. They were all ready for attack, but she could see it in their eyes. She saw fear and doubt.

She pursed her lips. They feared the idea of her becoming a Predator when she had given them no reason to question her integrity. She would prove them wrong. If they saw her as the villain, she would be the hero instead.

Davina returned to face the Predators ahead of her. "I will not join you. I refuse your request."

Their smirk immediately faded. Davina gulped, fearing for their reaction. Her eyes traveled across each Basalan Predator. Familiar faces blurred past her vision. She recognized them. Many of the Predators had been Basalan's who were Leilani's friends and neighbors. Davina looked over to one woman on the far left, the woman had the same blank expression as all the other Predators beside her. Davina recalled a time when the woman smiled at her as she handed her a beautiful green apple from a tree she had grown at the center of her shop. Davina remembered its roots covering almost the entirety of the shop with different fruits dangling from its branches.

"Very well, then, I shall give you one more chance. Will you join me, girl of violet fire?" the Predators asked.

"No," she stated. "You've killed innocents. You've taken lives without a second thought. You are ruthless. I would never side with a murderer, someone who's willing to spill the blood of innocents. You are a vile creature. And you are not worthy of walking above the same dirt as us," Davina spat.

The Predators pursed their lips. Pools of darkness filled with rage were the eyes of the Predators.

She knew there had once been charming green and honey-brown eyes under the inky pupils that stared back at her. She felt her heart tighten as she imagined those families who would be mourning the death of their loved ones tonight.

"Very well, then. You have risen, but I will rise higher," the Predators chanted.

Some of the Predators began to stumble around in what seemed to Davina in an organized manner. Their legs took them to different points around the sandy shore of Basalt Island.

Davina jolted backward, away from the Predators. Her eyes froze on the Predators' bodies that jerked in violent contortions.

"Quick, Davina. Get behind me!" Abigail shouted. Davina's frozen limbs obeyed the Master's command. Beacon, Caleb, Leilani, Valerie, and Snow stood near the Chief Leaders, their hands motioning for her to hurry off the Bridge.

"The blood of Bellatorm will be on your hands."

Davina watched their formation carefully.

"The ichor of your family will be your responsibility."

She furrowed her brow as she stood behind Master Abigail. The Master twirled her sword in hand. Davina observed her friends that surrounded her, their jaws were tight, fingers curled around the hilt of their knives and swords.

"Your King will not save you, he has abandoned you completely."

Davina's hair flew as she turned. The Predators stood in their place. Dark spumes formed inside their mouths as they shook uncontrollably, the dark coals in their eyes were replaced with their usual green and brown, and a swift panic flashed through their gaze.

Their bodies dropped to the stone floor, never removing their stare from Davina. She knew that she was staring into the eyes of the real habitants of those Basalan bodies.

The Basalans had retrieved consciousness while they were struggling against the force that was making them violently tremble across the floor.

"No," Davina whispered, her eyes stinging with tears. Davina ran toward the Bridge. Strong arms wrapped around her, carrying her back onto the shore of Castellum.

"Beacon, let me go!" she struggled in his arms. She set her foot on the ground while curling her fingers inward. Heat emanated from her fists. Her punches collided with his arms and chest. He gasped and released her.

Beacon looked at the red splotches on his arms, she'd burned him. His alarmed eyes met with her bright purple as she breathed heavily through gritted teeth, heat dancing along her fingertips.

She faced the twitching bodies on the Basalt shore.

"Davina," he began. Davina snapped her gaze to him. Beacon gulped as he stared into her violet eyes, and she was able to see the slight hesitance in his demeanor.

Davina turned back again to the people who were lying on the ground, their life was coming to an end. Their breathing was beginning to slow, their shudders were growing weaker.

The intensity of her fire grew at her fists, her chest, and her brain. She felt it racing through her veins at rapid speed. She had to find out who was behind the Predators. Who had this person been? Why were they doing this? What did she have to do with everything?

She'd known already that the Predators would die almost immediately after enunciating an attack against the others. She'd known and heard about the effects this dark magic would have on the bodies of those who were possessed, but she had never seen someone die before her eyes. Davina had never felt responsible for these deaths until now, until finding out that this person, this villain, was using the Predators to look for her, to call for her attention.

What if all those people died because she never stepped forward before?

She hated the feeling of guilt that wrapped around her heartstrings. People were dying, children would have to live without their parents. Husbands and wives would continue a life without their beloved. Mothers and fathers had to live through the unnatural death of their own flesh and blood.

Could it really be her fault? What if Micah, Genevieve, and Emmy were next? What if her parents died? Who would sustain the children? She didn't have a prosperous job.

"Davina, look at me," Leilani began. She reached for Davina's shoulder, her finger grazed over Davina's light brown skin. Leilani snapped her hand back as a hiss followed immediately and a red spot appeared over her fingertips. Caleb appeared beside Lani and examined her blistered hand.

Snow, accompanied by Valerie, approached her. Valerie went to inspect Beacon's sizzling chest and Snow grabbed Davina's arm.

"I don't care if you're going through a mental breakdown right now, but you cannot allow them to see your weakness. Snap out of it," Snow muttered, pulling her away from the Bridge, their skin sizzling smoke at the contact. Davina watched, through her purple vision, Snow's eyes were glowing a bright silver.

An icy spike rushed from her hand into her chest. The cold against her heat was calming, dimming the fire that appeared within her eyes and had heated her skin.

Davina sighed as she lowered her chin, shoulders slumping. Snow released Davina's arm.

Snow was right, the others would start to talk. If only Ron was here. She couldn't help but wish for the comfort of his embrace, and the ring of his soothing voice.

She raised her eyes and looked at her friends. In unison, they exhaled in relief. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare any of you. I just—" she began.

"We understand," Valerie interrupted.

"I can only imagine what you're feeling right now, D," Caleb said with a small smile. Leilani and Beacon nodded in agreement as Snow avoided eye contact with Davina.

"We should help the others," Davina said sheepishly. She wiped her palms across her pants.

They all nodded once more.

Her eyes reached those who were surrounding the fallen Basalans who spent their last moments as Predators. Something about this incident was different than the others.

Her thoughts were interrupted when a rainbow of pink and chestnut brown crashed into her. Davina reacted quickly and tried to keep the girl on her feet. "Are you okay?"

"I'm so sorry, miss, so sorry," the girl muttered, her gaze set on Basalt's shore. An expression filled with horror painted the girl's face.

Davina had known that look of panic, it was the same look that passed through her eyes whenever her parents would use their fire in front of the children.

"No, it's all right," Davina said, but the girl was already on the other side of the Bridge.

Davina observed the shredded pink dress that she wore before shaking her head, such a beautiful girl and she was already stricken by grief. The girl must've been attending the Castellum social event.

Before she knew it, she was walking toward the Basalan girl. Davina's eyes scanned the other islanders who wept for their deceased. The girl had been kneeling beside a young man who bared the same chestnut brown hair as hers.

Davina slowly kneeled beside the young girl and set her hand over her shoulder. The girl fell onto her behind and began to crawl away from Davina.

"It's okay, hey, it's okay. I don't mean any harm."

The young girl calmed as she met eyes with Davina. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, don't worry. I'm Davina, what's your name?" she asked. The girl in pink remained silent with beady eyes that caused Davina's heart to clench inside of her chest. She was beginning to believe that the girl wouldn't answer.

"I'm Cara," at last she said.

"What a beautiful name." Davina smiled.

"Thank you. Although, I don't believe that will be of much help now."

"There will come a time when your name will never be forgotten," Davina said with determination.

"Do you believe so?" Cara asked while wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand.

"I do, although you must believe as well." Davina smiled.

Cara nodded.

"Come, we have soup and refreshments inside Castellum." Davina held out her hand for Cara, who turned to the young man who lay with his eyes closed. "We will give him a proper burial, but first you must eat."

"If I am, to be honest, my family and I... have not been devoted to our powers and our King the same way you have been. And I think that's why I am one of the Prey now," Cara said as she lowered her head, her fingers fidgeting with one another.

"Don't be ashamed, Cara. I was once like you. My family taught me to reject my powers. But the King is good because he did not stop my activation ceremony, and it was long overdue. Activation ceremonies are supposed to be done when the child is thirteen years old. I'm seventeen and I just did it a few months ago."

"I'm seventeen too but… I don't think the King would welcome me into the fortress." Cara's cheeks grew pink, like her dress.

"But that's the King's greatest desire, for you to activate your powers. You'll be able to live a happier life with them enabled," Davina said.

Cara remained silent.

Davina extended her hand. "Now, come with me. Let's get you something to eat."

Cara hesitantly reached for Davina's hand. Davina pulled her up.

"Do you have a place to stay?"

Cara nodded, sadness visible in her eyes.

"I do, but it is a lonely home. I've lost my father, my mother, and now my brother. I don't know what to do. My father left me loads of debt and a business to take care of."

"Why are you so worried?" Davina asked.

"I'm young and I have no power to depend on. I have nothing. What can a girl like me do?"

"You can do so much more than you can imagine."

It was as if Cara was a reflection of Davina. The words that spilled from Cara's heart were the exact thoughts that abided in Davina's mind. But she did not doubt that if this young girl were to choose to activate her abilities, she'd be powerful. Perhaps she had to see herself that way too, despite what everyone else said about her.

"Why are you being so kind to me?"

"I'm not doing anything but fulfilling my duty to my people." Davina grinned as they entered the Castellum shore.