Chapter 12
"Heads up!" Valerie's voice echoed through the misty swamp. Aura twisted her head in time to see a large boulder catapulting from the fog straight towards her. She swiftly dodged it by somersaulting through the air. The boulder exploded into pieces when Astrid struck it with a stream of light.
"Nice one" Aura called down to Astrid.
"I don't think we've even scratched that troll" Skylar moaned as she hovered through the lanky trees.
"It's got to be getting tired from throwing all those boulders" Valerie puffed. Astrid shook her head.
"Well let's not rely on that assumption and take it out as soon as we can". The sound of splashing water in the distance echoed through the swamp.
"That's probably it come on!" Skylar yelled out as she flew behind a cluster of trees.
"Hold on Skylar" Valerie yelled to her. All of them flew after her. They could see her up ahead as she dodged spider webs and hanging vines. However her form was silhouetted by the fog.
"Skylar wait!" Astrid yelled in vain. It wasn't long before they lost her.
"SKYLAR!" Aura yelled. Only the ricochet of her voice could be heard. Astrid, Aura, and Valerie all hovered in silence. Their ears keenly searching for Skylar's voice. They were answered by a commotion in the water somewhere in the west followed by the surprised yelp of Skylar. They flew as fast as they could through the muck of the swamp. They could feel insects smacking into them as they flew. Flashes of lightening up ahead confirmed Skylar's whereabouts.
"You like that?" Skylar taunted as she struck lightening at the troll. It grunted and roared as he scrambled up a tree. It was a large brown creature with moss growing all over it. If it wasn't moving it could be easily mistaken for a large rock. Skylar continued striking continuously as it jumped between trees. She missed every single time.
"Skylar stop!" Astrid demanded. Her command went unnoticed and soon the troll had made it to the tree canopy above her. Skylar readied one final strike. Aura realised what the troll was going to do and flew straight for Skylar. It dropped from the tree tops right above the electric fairy. Before it reached her Aura pushed her out of the way. However her heroic attempt landed her beneath it instead. Aura felt the muggy water all around her. It filled up her eyes, ears, and mouth. Then she felt the mossy swamp floor followed by the weight of the troll crushing her against it. She thought she would have drowned however a large hand curled around her body and pulled her out. She coughed and sputtered when her face felt air.
"Aura!" Valerie screamed. Aura noticed the hand holding her belonged to the troll. Astrid tried attacking it but it leapt out of her line of fire. It landed on the other side of a large rock formation. Suddenly it slammed Aura against one of the rocks winding her. She panicked as its wide open mouth filled with fungus infested teeth leaned towards her head. She lifted her hand and blasted it with ice. The troll gave a shrill having never felt the burn of frost before. It growled and lifted a fist above its head intending to crush her. Aura clenched her eyes and covered herself defensively. Nothing happened. She opened them to see a pink dust floating around the troll's head. Its eyes looked glazed over and its arm lingered mid air.
"Aura get out of there" Valerie called out. She could feel the trance spell draining her powers rapidly. Aura wiggled out from between the troll's fist and flew behind it.
"Someone please come up with a plan because I can't hold this spell much longer" Valerie pleaded. A low growl emitted from the troll, the spell was weakening.
"We only have sixty seconds left" Astrid informed. Skylar furrowed her eyebrows.
"Well then, let's hit with everything we got"
"We already tried that and it didn't work" Astrid said looking around the swamp for something they could use. Skylar created an electric ball in her hands and thrust it towards the troll. Upon impact it electrocuted it but didn't paralyse it. Instead it snapped it from Valerie's trance, the ferocious growl confirmed that much.
"You angered it! I told you not to do that!" Astrid snapped.
"Yeah well someone had to do something" Skylar retorted. The troll looked up at her hovering above the rock formation. She could see its beady black eyes through the moss that grew on its face. It growled before leaping up the rocks towards Skylar.
"You want some more?" she teased. She shot it with a bolt of lightning. The electricity visibly travelled around its body but it did not slow its pursuit.
"Skylar move!" Valerie yelled. A look of determination was moulded on Skylar's face. She readied another spell.
"Come and get it!" Skylar intensified the spell as the troll clambered up the last rock. It leapt into the air with its jaws wide open. When it was inches from Skylar she zapped it one last time directly down its throat. The troll fell back down smashing against the rock. It lay there motionless. Skylar could hear it gurgling. She hovered down closer to it and leant over its body.
"Skylar be careful" Valerie whispered.
"I think I got it" she said looking up to the others. Just as she said it the black eyes of the troll shot open. It thrust an arm to Skylar and wrapped a fist around her ankle. She flew up but it ripped her back down and wrapped another fist around her body.
"HELP!" she screeched. Aura and Valerie began shooting blindly at it but none of their spells made any impact.
"Aim for its mouth" Astrid ordered. The girls positioned themselves to face the troll. In one hand it clutched Skylar who cried out in pain every time it squeezed her with its rock-like hands. In the other hand it held decent sized boulders which it hurled at the girls.
"I can't get a shot!" Aura yelled.
"Help... me" Skylar wheezed, her eyes rolled into the back of her head. The troll threw on last boulder before lifting Skylar to its mouth. Her entire upper body was in its mouth. Instinctively Astrid flew straight towards it blasting wildly with the last of her magic. Aura and Valerie covered their eyes when they saw the troll's jaws bite down.
Just as its teeth sunk into Skylar they were enveloped in blackness, signalling the end of the simulation. The environment disappeared altogether and was replaced with the Magical Reality Chamber. Aura still had her eyes covered when the simulation ended. Skylar collapsed to her knees and shivered violently, Valerie knelt down beside her. The door opened up and the girls made their way out- Valerie never taking her arm off Skylar. Fifteen other students were gathered outside the chamber, with Tecna standing at the front of them. She didn't look concerned or sympathetic.
"Well not only are you the only team that didn't defeat the troll but you somehow managed to lose a member in the process" Tecna said sternly. The girls' eyes drifted to the floor, except Astrid who kept her chin up. Tecna turned to her first.
"Astrid I'll give you credit for having the intuition to stay back and observe your enemy, in doing so you learnt of its natural weakness- in this case a Swamp Troll's mouth is highly susceptible to magic" Astrid acknowledged the compliment by nodding.
"But you need to think on your feet better, you had a time limit that you couldn't stick to. The longer you take the more energy you use, keep that in mind. Also if you're going to take the role of the leader learn how to better instruct your team" Again Astrid nodded. Tecna turned her attention to Aura.
"Aura that was great sacrifice you made to save your fellow team mate, not everyone has that kind of bravery, but I wish you would show that same kind of fearlessness when you're battling. You missed opportunities to strike because you think you're weak- you're powers are not weak just your confidence. Don't be afraid because there is no room for fear when you're battling" Aura mumbled quietly in return which Tecna ignored and turned to Valerie who now had her hand entwined with Skylar's.
"Out of everyone I think you performed the best Valerie. I can tell you don't like fighting. You use alternate methods that don't hurt your enemy but still defeat it. You were also diligent in saving Aura and thought quickly on your feet, good work"
"Thank you" Valerie smiled completely shocked that she managed to impress a Winx. Tecna's stare turned stern when she looked at Skylar.
"You've got courage and a lot of it but your very disobedient, especially in times when your team mates needed you most" Valerie felt Skylar squeeze her hand.
"You ignored your team mates, you put one of them in danger and put yourself in danger twice, you even left them behind at one point. Your team is what keeps you alive stick to them and follow their direction. As for your magic you need to control it better. You have no idea what your limitations are and have no idea how your powers are best used. Your aggressiveness hindered you- learn to control it" Tecna decided to finish it there when she noticed Skylar's eyes were becoming glassy.
"In summary you need to work better as a team, learn more about each other. Know each other's strengths and weaknesses and you'll be able fight better with that knowledge" The girls looked beaten Tecna knew how much this would hurt their ego. She and the Winx had gone through it numerous times when beaten by their own enemies.
"I told you this class would be hard and this test is only the beginning, it will get a lot harder than this. Which is why I have to say this; you have one more chance to prove that you can do this. If you fail the next month's simulation test I have no choice but to remove you from the class- for your own safety" Astrid did look to the ground now. She tried to keep her pride but Tecna's words shattered it.
"You're dismissed, oh and tell Blaze that if she's not at my next class I'll remove her" with that Tecna turned to the rest of the class and started addressing them. The girls shuffled out of the room- silence hanging between them.
Each girl had her head hung low with a look of sorrow cemented on their faces. Valerie was the first to break the silence.
"I'm not sure I want stay in that class"
"What? Are you serious?" Astrid snapped.
"Yes I'm serious. I'm just not a fighter, I don't like fighting" Valerie gave Astrid a serious look.
"Valerie you have to stay. If we pass this class you'll have first choice in next's years classes and you want to get a spot in Advanced Potionology" Valerie went silent as she contemplated her choices before finally adding-
"We have to actually pass first"
"We will" Astrid huffed. There was more silence as they continued to their dorm. Skylar walked ahead of the group- almost on the verge of stomping.
"I can't believe her! I'm not too aggressive!" she roared. "So what I went ahead?" Astrid furrowed her eyebrows.
"You flying ahead of us is what made us lose" Skylar shot Astrid a sour look.
"Oh so it's all my fault?"
"Well if you stayed with us we could have actually come up with a plan" Astrid spat. Skylar stopped walking and turned to face Astrid. Aura and Valerie lingered behind Astrid.
"A plan? There was no plan. I went ahead so that we wouldn't lose it! I didn't hear anyone coming up with a plan" Skylar's tone raised a tempo as she spoke.
"Well maybe if you stuck around long enough there would have been one. Besides even if we had a plan I doubt you would have followed it anyway. You didn't listen to us when we told you to stop"
"Instead of trying to tell me what to do maybe you should have joined me in fighting" Skylar's tone became venomous. Astrid narrowed her eyes at her.
"I don't waste my power shooting blindly at something hoping that it'll work. I actually strategise and plot out my battles instead diving head first into it!"
"Well I don't sit around and wait for orders! I'm a girl of action-"
"Orders? You think I'm just ordering you around?"
"Stop it! The both of you! Stop fighting!" Valerie yelled. She moved in between them and looked them both in the eye.
"Do you really think fighting about it is going to make a difference? We have to work together, we have to learn how to cooperate" Astrid and Skylar stared at each other a moment longer. Skylar pinched the bridge of her nose as she thought about something.
"I'm sorry Valerie, Aura, you two shouldn't have to listen to us fight" Astrid said. Aura stepped up to her and laid a cold hand on Astrid's shoulder.
"Yeah we do actually, we're a team we have to help each other through this." Aura smiled at Astrid who returned it gratefully.
"They're right" Skylar said. "Fighting isn't helping us. But if we're going to pass this class we really need to focus" Everyone nodded in agreement.
"And Tecna says the best way to do that is to know each other better. We need to bond with each other and I know the best way to start" Valerie winked at them.
"How?" Aura asked.
"The Great Dragon Festival is on this weekend. Tonight's the first night"
"That's a great idea we should all go" Aura pitched. They all looked at Astrid who only stared back. She contemplated the idea of going but winced when she thought about the crowds that would be there.
"I... uh... I think I'll pass" she said. Valerie's shoulders slumped.
"Come on, it'll be fun. There's so much food, and shopping, and music. We can dance together!" Valerie's voice was high pitched and ecstatic. Astrid shook her head.
"I really don't feel like it"
"Neither do I" Skylar said.
"Guys come on. There's no need to be all moody. We're past it now just apologise to each other and move on" Valerie whined. Astrid looked up to Skylar expecting to see an apology forming on her lips. There was nothing Skylar just stared back. She expects me to apologise, she's the one in the wrong.
"Skylar please go with them. I wouldn't mind having the dorm to myself, I kind of need some quiet study time anyway" Astrid's posture returned to its normal shape- shoulder's back, head high. Skylar narrowed her eyes at Astrid. She just has to have it her way, who cares what I want it's about what the royal Duchess wants.
"Please Skylar come with us" Valerie begged. Skylar looked at Valerie and Aura's pleading eyes then looked at Astrid's adamant eyes. Skylar took defeat and smiled at Valerie.
"Ok I'll go" Valerie's grin stretched further.
"It'll be fun trust me... I bet the boys are there too" Valerie winked at Skylar who smiled back.
"We should go find Blaze, see if she wants to go"
The girls were struck with awe when they entered the laneway leading to the centre of The Great Dragon Festival. Lanterns were hung across rooftops, people had painted themselves and their children in blue, red and orange, and fire dancers dazzled passer bys with their fiery show. All through the laneways the locals had painted the walls and the cobble stone paths. The images depicted The Great Dragon breathing his fire across the land and the Keeper of the Dragon Flame either riding its back or absorbing the fire- depending on people's individual beliefs. The crowd was moving in one direction towards the Dragon Pit. At the centre of Magix was a monument built to honour the Great Dragon, every year the Dragon Pit was set alight and a weeklong festival would begin.
"Wow people are really making a big deal about this huh?" Blaze commented as they pushed through the crowd.
"The only place that makes more of a bigger deal is Domino" Valerie informed.
"I can't believe you've never heard of The Great Dragon Festival, I thought every planet celebrated it" Aura said as she dodged the flames of a fire breather.
"Well Rodend isn't exactly up to everyone else's standards. Most people there are usually too busy stealing off each other or begging"
"How come you never talk about Rodend? It sounds like you had a hard life there" Skylar turned around to face her. Blaze shrugged.
"I don't know. I guess because that part of my life is over, there's nothing left of it"
"Really? No friend's? Family?" Blaze immediately thought of Ivy. Not everything was left behind.
"Nothing worth mentioning. This is my life now... and what's with all the questions?"
"I'm just curious about Rodend and about you" Skylar replied.
"What about you?" Blaze asked.
"What do you mean?"
"We don't even know where you're from" Blaze mimicked Astrid's words. All of them turned to look at Skylar as she struggled to find the right words.
"Oh I haven't? Well I'm from... Oppositus" she blurted. Valerie cocked an eyebrow.
"Wow you must be their most normal stable citizen" she quipped.
"There it is!" Aura said pointing to the Dragon Pit in the centre of the circular amphitheatre. It was a large stone bowl with a marble dragon towering over it, its mouth open as though it were breathing fire into the bowl. Crowds of people began finding seats around the pit. The girls shuffled through to find a spot to sit, the best they could get was fifteen rows from the Dragon Pit- which wasn't bad considering the crowd.
"I don't get it. What exactly is happening?" Blaze asked as she lowered herself.
"All throughout the Great Magic Dimension people are gathering at the Great Dragon monuments and are waiting for the Keeper to light the monuments from Domino, it's just a tradition they started after Domino was restored and people seemed to like celebrating the Great Dragon so they built these monuments everywhere and every year the Keeper of the Dragon Fire lights it from Domino" Valerie explained.
"Who is the Keeper?" Skylar asked having very little knowledge about Domino.
"Bloom is. One day when he's old enough she'll pass the Dragon Fire onto her son Flynt and he'll be the Keeper" Skylar nodded her head slowly. She had heard so much of the Winx girls but there was still a lot she didn't understand. The girls looked up to the sky- a hologram floated above the monument. It depicted live coverage of the Dragon Festival in Domino. There was a man speaking into the camera, behind him was Domino's Great Dragon monument- it was still unlit.
"We're here streaming live from Domino and are just minutes away from lighting the Great Dragon. Behind me you can see the royal family of Domino and Erakliyon and with them... little baby Flynt- the next heir of Erakliyon and the Dragon Fire! Talk about responsibility- this Prince is going to need every piece of strength the Dragon Fire can give him!"
"Man that kid is going to have some serious issues when he grows up" Blaze commented.
"Why?" Skylar asked.
"He's just a baby and they're already obsessing over him, nothing will ever be private in his life. I don't envy him" Blaze said as she stared up at the hologram. Skylar cocked her head and watched Blaze. Hearing Blaze say she didn't envy royalty made Skylar realise something- Blaze really wasn't an ordinary fairy. A loud trumpet hummed through the air, echoing around the amphitheatre. Up on the hologram the reporter was excitedly announcing the start of the Great Dragon Festival. Queen Bloom approached the Domino Dragon pit. She stopped before it and held her hands above her head, flames combusted from them. The crowds in both Magix and in Domino were cheering loudly as she blew the fire into the pit. Seconds after seeing it on the hologram real fire burst from marble dragon's mouth filling the bowl with its flame. Heat and light spread through all the rows causing people to cover the faces. The entire theatre was lit up and could now be seen for miles just from the extreme light of the Dragon Fire. People jumped to their feet and cheered. Some people began singing songs and dancing through the rows. Blaze watched in amazement as the Dragon Fire crackled in the pit below.
"I can't believe I'm actually looking at the Dragon Fire! The most powerful element in the entire Magic Dimension!"
"Pretty cool isn't it, hey Astrid what's it like in Solaria? The Festival?" Valerie asked. Without taking her eyes off the crowd Astrid answered.
"It's pretty huge. Everyone in the Kingdom goes, but it's definitely better here. The moon in Solaria is too bright to really see how magical the flame truly is" People began clearing from the theatre and towards the market area where the festivities were just beginning. Valerie felt her stomach grumble.
"Hey do you guys want to head to the markets? Maybe try some spicy Kalsa?"
"What's Kalsa?" Aura asked. Valerie lips stretched into a smile.
"Allow me to introduce you to your new addiction"
The Magix city markets were one of the biggest in the Great Magic Dimension. It stretched across a park and through streets and laneways- too big to possibly see all of it in one night. The Great Dragon Festival made it even bigger. The girls entered down a laneway that wasn't as busy as the rest. Blaze was slurping down noodles from her second bowl of Kalsa while Valerie nibbled on Lynphean rice paper rolls.
"You really love your Kalsa Blaze" Valerie commented. Blaze sucked noodles into her mouth and swallowed hard. The spicy juice dribbling down her chin.
"My life is complete" Blaze said. Valerie giggled then turned to Aura who was sipping away on minty ice tea. Her usually pale face was flushed and red. She had teary eyes and a runny nose.
"Did you like your Kalsa Aura?"
"It was... different. I've never had spicy food before"
"Yeah I can tell you're looking a little... hot" Valerie chuckled and elbowed her gently.
"Sorry I should have gotten something a little milder for you"
"No its ok I think it's really tasty I'm just not used to it" Aura said while sniffling. The girls left the laneway and walked onto a busy street. Valerie cocked her ear to air. Beneath the loud noise of people talking and singing she could hear drums. She pushed through the crowds getting closer and closer to the beating drums. The girls followed behind her curiously. Finally she reached the source of the music. An orchestra of ten traditional drummers were beating away on their instruments. The music sounded exotic but had a good rhythm to it. Valerie's hips began to sway with the beat. It wasn't long until she was consumed by the rhythm. People began to stop and look- some of them even joining in. Valerie's belly dancing went perfect with the music.
"Show me how to do that!" Blaze jumped next to Valerie excitedly.
"Ok put your hands on your hips" Valerie began instructing Blaze on how to belly dance. Aura and Skylar stood to side and watched.
"Magix is so amazing" Skylar commented not taking her eyes off the dancing duo.
"What makes you say that?" Aura questioned. Skylar shrugged.
"I don't know, I guess it's just the atmosphere. People are happy here, they're not... scared" Aura furrowed her brows.
"Are people unhappy on Oppositus?"
"Huh?"
"On your home planet?" Skylar looked at Aura quizzically. Suddenly she realised what she meant.
"Oh no, they're not unhappy..." Aura raised an eyebrow, Skylar tried to think of a quick explanation.
"What I meant was...uh..." Aura tilted her head forward as though she were impatient for an answer. Skylar's shoulders slumped in defeat, her eyes drifting to the ground.
"I wouldn't know if people on Oppositus were happy or not. I lived... a very sheltered life" Aura thought of home and of her mother- she had a feeling she could relate. She put a reassuring hand on Skylar's shoulder.
"I know how you feel" Skylar looked up into Aura's icy blue eyes. She recognised the compassionate look- it was the same look Faragonda had given her when they first met. Aura wrapped an arm around Skylar's shoulder and gave her a gentle shake.
"But we don't need to worry about that anymore, we're here now. Nothing can bother us here" Skylar gave her a lop-sided smile, the smile slowly disappeared when she noticed the dark circles under Aura's eyes- they stood out against her pale skin.
"You're still not sleeping well are you?" she asked. Aura slowly brought her arm to her side.
"That obvious huh?" Skylar moved to stand in front of her friend.
"Is it those dreams?" Aura's gaze dropped to her feet.
"It's the same one every night. I'm in a castle room, and there's a sword. But I can never reach the sword because... before I can even touch it a monster, some sort of ice giant, comes out of the darkness and attacks me" she whimpered.
"Ice giant?"
"I don't know what it is. Ice and cold is harmless to me but for some reason... its cold breath stings my face when it breaths on me"
"Does it mean something?"
"I'm not sure" Aura finally brought her eyes up to meet Skylar's.
"Aura you should talk to someone about this. You can't just do this alone, you're losing sleep"
"I already know what I'm going to do. The place in my dreams, the Hall of the Dead, is in Drysis. Maybe if I go there I can figure out this stupid cryptic..."
"Well you're not doing it alone" Skylar cupped Aura's cold hands in her own and gave her a smile. Aura returned it with her own tired smile.
"Thanks" she whispered. Aura engulfed her in a hug, thankful for her support. The moment was interrupted by Blaze's loud voice.
"Shake it! Sh-sh-shake it!" The girls drew away from each other and watched Valerie and Blaze shake their hips in unison.
"Come on girls join in!" Valerie grabbed Skylar's and Aura's hands and pulled them into the crowd. The music washed away their worries as they tried to keep up with Valerie. Laughter consumed them as they made a fool of themselves in front of the crowd- Blaze wearing the jester's crown. She danced around in circles and jumped about. She tripped every few steps adding to her own intentional humility. Valerie was tapped on the shoulder. She turned around to see Sashi covered in colourful powder. Blue, pink, orange, yellow, green, and purple entrenched her clothes, face and hair.
"Great Dragon! What happened to you?" Valerie said excitedly.
"I did the colour run!" Sashi shouted. "You have to try it! It's awesome!" Valerie hugged her quickly, getting some of the powder on herself.
"Well now I'll have to do it" she said cheerfully indicating to the colourful mess on her own clothes.
"I'm so glad I found you Valerie, I've been meaning to ask if you found a way-"
"I did! You wouldn't believe it just as I left you that day a man followed me out the store and offered to buy both of them! I've paid off my semester!" A huge smile spread across Sashi's lips, her white teeth standing out against her colourful skin.
"That's great news! Does that mean you're staying?"
"Well for this semester I am. But don't worry he said he'll buy off me again if I ever have anything to sell" Sashi gave her a perplexed look.
"Really? That's weird... Which shop does he work for?"
"Oh none of them he's a private collector" Valerie said. Sashi's smile disappeared, a look of concern painted across her face.
"Oh no Valerie, you don't want to deal with private collectors"
"What? Why? He seemed fine to me, very gentlemanly actually" Sashi's forehead wrinkled up.
"Sometimes they're not what they seem. If you have something they want well... they'll find a way to get it. Some of them can be pretty ruthless and not all of them follow the law" Valerie was beginning grow worried.
"But hey maybe he's genuine, we don't know. All I'm saying is to just be really careful, and don't do any dealings in private do it all in a busy public place" Valerie nodded her head.
"Ok I will, thanks Sashi"
"That's ok, I always look out for my friends" Sashi winked at her. Just as she was about to leave she stopped and held up a clay bottle to Valerie.
"Do you want the rest?" Valerie grimaced.
"What is it?" Sashi giggled.
"The best drink you will ever taste. It's called Fireball Wine. It's from Domino" Valerie took the offered bottle. She smelt it, it was very strong and intoxicating. She lifted the bottle and took a drink.
"Whoa" she purred as she felt the warm liquid slither down her throat. Seconds later she could feel a burning in her stomach- a very pleasant burning.
"Thanks Sashi!"
"No problem, I'll see you around Valerie" Sashi gave her one last hug before disappearing into the crowd. Valerie returned to her friends who were still dancing madly. She shared the drink around to all of them. The only one who didn't enjoy it was Aura. The rest of night was spent dancing, drinking, and gazing at the fireworks continuously exploding above them.
The sound of trumpets echoed through the tunnel loudly causing Blaze to cover her ears.
"Is that really necessary?" she moaned.
"It's a big day for Red Fountain, they're just showing some school pride" Astrid said. The girls followed the crowd through the tunnel leading to the grand stands. All of them were tired except Astrid. Aura swayed as she walked, clutching her stomach as though it might fall off. Valerie looked over her shoulder at her.
"You ok Aura?" Aura shook her head slowly. Valerie gave her a sympathetic look.
"Don't worry we'll get you an icy cold drink when we sit down" she said.
"My feet are sore, I'm tired, I'm hungry, why are we even here?" Blaze complained.
"We're here to support the boys, you know show them some love" Valerie sang.
"You didn't have to come Blaze" Astrid said.
"Yeah as if I'm going to stay back at Alfea with Griselda, no thanks"
"Well then you shouldn't have come home at daybreak"
"I lost track of time, what time did you guys get back" Valerie thought for moment.
"About three" Blaze stared at her.
"I asked you to come with us but you wanted to stay" Valerie said.
"I thought it was eleven or something not three!" Blaze hissed and blocked her eyes from the piercing sunlight when they exited the tunnel. When her eyes readjusted she was struck by the sheer size of the Red Fountain stadium. It could easily fit thirty thousand people.
"Look there's a shady spot beneath that balcony" Skylar said pointing down the rows. The girls began descending down the steps when Astrid stopped.
"I can see the Solaria booth, I'll be back in a second"
"Ok, you know where we are" Valerie waved to Astrid who went back up the stairs and trotted towards the balcony reserved for Solarian royals. The guard recognised Astrid as she approached the entrance. He stepped aside and bowed. She walked in and looked around. Sitting down was the previous Queen Luna and the royal advisor of Solaria. There were also the prestigious Knights of the Solarii, probably scouting for young recruits, and a woman standing at the edge of the balcony overlooking the stadium. She had long brown hair that fell into ringlets and was wearing a gold and blue robe. Astrid recognised her immediately- it was her sister.
"Estelle" Astrid said smoothly. Estelle turned around with a quaint smile on her face which stretched into bigger smile when she saw Astrid.
"Sister! What a wonderful surprise" she said delicately hugging Astrid. Estelle cupped her sister's jaw gently.
"My you are looking absolutely radiant"
"So are you, what are you doing here?" Astrid said monotonously.
"Queen Stella asked me to come, the boys training under King Brandon are competing today, she asked me if I could see how they fair"
"That's funny because King Brandon asked me to come watch on his behalf" Estelle crinkled her nose.
"That is funny, well no harm in both of us being here. Besides any opportunity to see my beautiful sister is a good reason to go somewhere" Estelle smiled at her sweetly. Astrid's face remained hard like stone.
"It has been a while hasn't it? The last time I saw you... ah yes you were accepting your role as Guardian fairy" Astrid cocked her head and gave a fake smile. Estelle's suddenly disappeared.
"You're still mad about that? Astrid..."
"Did you really think that it was ok to do that?" Astrid said sardonically. Estelle narrowed her eyes.
"This isn't my fault Astrid! Stella asked me to be Guardian Fairy and it's not like you came out empty handed either!"
"I worked hard for months! And you did nothing!"
"I did nothing? I was the ambassador! While you were studying I was out making connections and deals with every King and Queen in this stupid-"
"I'm not talking about that Estelle! You knew for a long time that you were going to be chosen yet you let me believe that I had a chance. You let someone else break the news to me, you're my older sister you're supposed-"
"What was I supposed to do Astrid? Even if I did say anything you wouldn't believe me and besides Stella made me swore I wouldn't say anything... even to you" Silence passed between them as Astrid processed the new information. If she's sworn by duty... then who am I to argue.
Estelle looked at the other officials sitting down- thankfully none of them were paying attention to their argument.
"Look Astrid, I know you're angry but if you want someone to blame direct it towards that mother of ours. She's the one that put that idea in your head- that you could be the Guardian Fairy when Stella stepped down" Astrid shot her a look.
"I tried telling you for months that you were too young but you wouldn't listen to me so I gave up and now you had to learn the hard way" Astrid still didn't say anything. Estelle sighed and put a hand on her sister's shoulder.
"Astrid-"
"I get it, ok, I get it now. Let's just move past this"
"Well... good" Both girls turned to face the stadium. Down below a Wind Riders race just started. Astrid turned around and leaned her back on the balcony. Luna spotted her and gave her wave which Astrid returned.
"So how is being Guardian Fairy?" Astrid asked.
"It's hard work. It's not just Solaria you have to look after; there are the moons as well. I usually don't have a hard time keeping up with patrols or council meetings but now I've got these foreign soldiers I have to keep an eye on as well" Astrid gave her a puzzling look.
"Foreign soldiers?"
"Yep, Velocity recently reopened their realm and a whole bunch of refugees scattered across the Magic Dimension, we just got a whole bunch of them come to Solaria looking for a new home"
"What does Stella think?"
"She's happy to help"
"But Velocity and Solaria don't have an allegiance"
"Well they're not enemies either. The refugees aren't the problem though. Apparently a fugitive escaped and the commander of the Velocitian army ordered his soldiers to question every refugee that left. He seems to think someone on Solaria is harbouring them. But all they're doing is wasting my time"
"Sounds expensive, this criminal must have really angered the wrong people" Estelle turned to her sister.
"Something to do with the murder of the King and Queen, I don't know I try and avoid the commander as much as possible. He was on Solaria for a week wouldn't leave my side. Would you believe it he expected me to order the Solarii to search every home in Solaria to look for his fugitive. I stalled for as long as I could and luckily after a week the sun was too much for him so he left"
"Geez, I don't envy you" Astrid sighed and turned back around to see the race had finished. People throughout the stadium were cheering loudly. Astrid spotted her friends in the crowd, but only Valerie, Blaze and Skylar were there.
"I'll see you at the mixer, I have to go see my friends" Astrid said patting Estelle on the shoulder. Estelle looked around to her sister.
"Oh ok I'll see you later, you still have to tell me everything about Alfea" she called out to her. Astrid waved without turning around.
"I will"
Aura groggily moved her way through the crowd of people loitering at the food stalls. She looked around for a vender that sold ice cold drinks. Her prayers were answered when she spotted a popsicle stand- it wasn't a drink but at least it was cold. She ordered two popsicles one red and one yellow. She greedily began sucking on the yellow one as soon as it was in her hand. It didn't completely rejuvenate her but it did lower her temperature which was a start. She could at least beat the heat of the midday sun. On her way back she spotted a familiar face in the crowd- Dayton.
"Dayton!" he didn't hear her, instead he walked down a tunnel leading out of the stadium. Aura considered letting him be. I should let him know we're here, he might perform better if he knows Valerie is watching. With that she began trotting through the crowd with her two popsicles. She reached the tunnel and walked against the people that were still coming through it. When she reached the other side she was once again welcomed by the suns hot rays. She squinted her eyes and looked through the crowd. She spotted his lush blonde hair standing near the edge on the other side of the foot path. Aura pushed through the crowd until she was on the grass. When she looked up again she noticed he was with someone. She drew closer to them and as she did she began to realise who he was talking to.
"You told me you wanted this because you needed a break for school!" Sienna yelled. Dayton ran his hand through his hair, he looked very frustrated. Aura dodged behind a nearby tree not wanting to interrupt but also wanting to hear what they were arguing about.
"You break up with me to study and now you're gallivanting about with some new girl!"
"It's not like that Sienna, I really did break up with you to focus. The High Throne-"
"Oh yes your shot at becoming High King, Arcadia forbid you should have a girlfriend oh no you need to study" Sienna said in mocking voice.
"Oh but wait you do have a girlfriend!"
"She's not my girlfriend"
"But she will be"
"You know what, I don't have to explain myself to you. I moved on why can't you?" Sienna narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists.
"You inconsiderate bastard, you- you made me- no you tricked me into believing that we were in love" Sienna moved closer as she spoke. Dayton had his back to the edge, Aura was worried that Sienna might push him over it- she would have to transform if that were the case.
"And then 'POOF' you decide it's over, done, finished, leaving me with 'I need time to study' and I believed you! Then NOTHING! You ignore me and leave me behind like nothing we had was real! I told everyone why you left me"
"That is why I left you!"
"Then I have people telling me about your 'new' girlfriend, how she's prettier than me, funnier than me, makes you smile. Then NO ONE believed me! They all thought I was lying! Now no one wants to court me! You know my parents still think we're together"
"That's not my fault-"
"Do know how much of a failure they'll think I am when I tell them? Or when the council find out the princess is without groom"
"Is that all you care about? What other people think?" Now Sienna was close enough for her to push him. But she didn't, she just stared.
"Just tell me... why did you fall out of love with me?" she whispered. Dayton gave her a cold stare.
"I was never in love with you to begin with" There was moment of stillness and to Aura they almost looked like statues. Until Sienna turned around and ran away. Aura was struck with sadness when she saw Sienna's glassy red eyes streaming with tears. Aura stayed in her hiding place but she wanted to hug Sienna- she didn't know her very well but no girl deserved to hear that. Dayton lingered around the edge chewing his thumb. Aura slowly approached him from behind. He didn't notice her presence until she spoke.
"Dayton" He spun around and met her with his usual smile. Aura didn't return it. She had a look of concern on her face.
"What was that all about?" she asked.
"With Sienna? Nothing we were just talking" he said still smiling. Aura's expression didn't change. Dayton's smile began to diminish.
"How much did you hear?" Aura didn't say anything.
"Look Aura-"
"You won't hurt her will you?" Dayton furrowed his eyebrows.
"Valerie, you won't hurt her?"
"No... no I would never hurt her! Look Aura... everything with Sienna I did it because... I needed to" Now Aura was confused.
"Her Kingdom Eden is very wealthy, I saw the opportunity to have a rich queen. If Summer Isle and Eden were aligned through marriage well... I wouldn't have to worry about our people starving... ever"
"Then why did you leave her? What changed your mind?"
"A lot of things. Wealth is the wrong reason to marry. I believe my intentions were noble but they felt wrong. Besides, if I'm High King it wouldn't matter who I marry, I'll be High King I can direct the trade and funds anywhere I want" Aura stood silent for a moment.
"That's what I meant by needing time to study. I need to win the tournament if I'm ever going to be High King"
"And if you don't win? What then?" Dayton closed his eyes and thought.
"I don't know, but I'll find a way" he smiled as he opened his eyes. Something was still bugging Aura.
"How does Valerie fit in all this?" Dayton brushed his hand through his hair again.
"I'm still working that out myself. She was pretty unexpected"
"Just don't lead her on"
"I'm not going to. If anything happens... I'll stay committed" Dayton gave her a wink and a smile.
"I've got to go, I'm up soon" Dayton jogged away but stopped and turned to face Aura.
"Oh and we should probably keep this between us, you know save ourselves unnecessary drama" with that he turned back around and headed inside the stadium. Aura just stood still and watched as he disappeared, her popsicles melting in her hands.
When Aura went back she found Blaze lying on her side, resting her head on Skylar's lap. Aura shuffled to the end and sat next to Valerie.
"Can we go?" Blaze moaned. She had dark shades on to protect her eyes. Aura assumed she was trying to sleep.
"No we haven't even seen the boys yet" Valerie said. Skylar played with Blaze's curly hair, not paying much attention to the sword fight happening below. Aura fidgeted with her shirt.
"Valerie"
"Yeah Aura"
"I need to talk to you about something" Valerie turned her eyes to Aura.
"What is it?" Aura took a deep breath in, she tried to imagine the right words in her mind. But nothing seemed to sound right.
"It's about Dayton" Valerie shuffled in closer.
"You can tell me"
"Before he started this year-"
"Hey isn't that Alix?" Astrid said pointing to the short black haired boy in the centre.
"That is Alix" Valerie jumped up excitedly completely forgetting what Aura was saying. Aura looked down and saw Alix had a bow and arrows with him. Another student was down there with him. He was much taller and bigger in size, he held a broad sword.
"Oh dear" Astrid moaned.
"What?"
"That's Jordan Jackus" Astrid said as she slumped back into her seat.
"Jackass?" Blaze shouted.
"Blaze! don't call him that!" Valerie scorned.
"He is one" Astrid said. "He's also Brandon's best student"
"This should be interesting" Skylar said shuffling to the edge of her seat. The sound of a trumpet announced the start of the match. Jordan lunged at Alix and swiped his sword. However Alix was quick and agile. Jordan continued to thrust his sword every which way but never once hitting Alix. They continued to dance around for ten minutes until Alix finally pulled an arrow from his back and aimed at Jordan. When he unleashed it Jordan dodged. Alix resorted back to his old method of dodging Jordan's attacks. Each time Jordan seemed to be slowing down.
"I can't watch" Aura said covering her eyes.
"I can! This is getting good!" Blaze ripped the shades from her head and leaned forward.
Alix leaped over Jordan and landed behind him, immediately he drew an arrow and shot him. Being they were pulse arrows used for training they sent a shock instead of piercing his skin. In Jordan's paralysed state Alix delivered a roundhouse kick sending his opponent to the ground.
"GO ALIX!" Valerie cheered. All across the stadium the crowd hollered and cheered. Alix put the bow on his back and bowed to the audience. Valerie pulled Aura's hands away from her face.
"HE WON!" Aura stood up to see Jordan lying in the dirt trying to pull himself off the ground.
"We should go congratulate him" Astrid suggested.
"Actually I think Dayton's on next" the girls remained seated and watched Dayton's swordfight. It was a fifteen minute fight which he won. They continued to watch the competitions until the sun hovered lower to the horizon. Red Fountain was blanketed in an orange glow when people began heading to the mixer.
The mixer was outside the stadium in the courtyard surrounding Red Fountain. People enjoyed the sunset from the hovering school as it set over Lake Roccaluce. Lanterns were strung across the top and tables were decorated in the Red Fountain colours. Astrid went to the private booth reserved for Solarian royals and enjoyed a drink with her sister and Luna. Blaze and Skylar sat on the grass beneath the starry sky chatting. Aura watched Valerie and Dayton sit next to each other- talking away happily with the occasional outburst of laughter. She managed to get hold of an ice tea with extra ice. With sun finally down and the cool easterly winds blowing from the mountains Aura finally felt herself again. But she still couldn't shake what Dayton had told her. Something unsettled her now. What were his intentions? And not just with Valerie but herself? He made it clear he wanted to win the crown. Then why help me at all? The more she thought about it the more it bothered her. She wanted answers, now. She took a step forward towards Dayton when someone tapped her on the shoulder. She spun around and looked down at a pair of eyes looking up at her through strands of black hair.
"Alix" she said. Alix smiled and bowed. Aura looked over at Dayton and Valerie. He was holding her palm and drawing circles into it as though he were reading her future. I guess it can wait.
"Alix... that was such a good tournament. But I have to confess... I covered my eyes for most of it" Aura said sheepishly. Alix laughed soundlessly. Aura put a hand on his shoulder.
"But I heard you did really well, and you fought against a really good student" Alix nodded and cracked his knuckles. Aura imagined him saying something like It was nothing.
"I didn't know you did archery that's really cool" Alix mouthed 'thanks'. He pointed at her and mimicked pulling back a bow.
"Me? No I've never done archery" An awkward silence passed between them. Alix bit his lip as he thought of what to talk about. Aura noticed how close she was standing to him and took a step back. She blushed when she saw him smiling at her. She looked over at Valerie and Dayton. They were almost in each other's arms. She suddenly realised what she liked about Alix. He was the opposite of Dayton. He was quiet, humble, and the furthest thing from a show off. She remembered what she promised Dayton- a double date. She wasn't sure about a real date but it couldn't hurt to spend some time with Alix. Aura looked up to him- the words forming on her lips but she stopped herself when she saw the confused look on his face. He was looking at something behind her. Aura turned around and was shocked by what she saw. The Head of the High Council was standing in front of her. Her eyes widened in astonishment.
"Sir?" she whispered. When he started speaking she realised he wasn't really there, it was a hologram sent from home.
"Daughters and sons of the Kings and Queens of Springver, Summer Isle, Drysis, and Tundra listen carefully" his voice spoke through holographic static. Aura shot a glance to Dayton. The Councilman was in front of him and Valerie- giving the same message.
"The 2nd tournament for place as High King will be held on the next full moon. Every competitor is bound by law to participate. This battle shall fall on the day following April's Princess Ball. Rest well and train hard- your future depends on it" With that the holograph disappeared. Aura didn't move- barely a breath left her mouth. She was going back. She would see him again- Hanzon. She never realised how scared of him she truly was until this moment knowing she would be seeing him again. She remembered the pain she felt when he squeezed her throat and sucked the life out of her. Alix shook her shoulder and she snapped out of her trance. She looked in his eyes- he was obviously confused and unsure what had just happened. But also he looked concerned for her.
"Aura!" Skylar called out behind her. Skylar grabbed her hands and held them tightly.
"It's going to be ok" she whispered.
"Wait was that-"
"Yes Blaze"
Aura saw Astrid standing on the edge of the booth she was in. She had seen the whole thing- she looked worried as well. Valerie and Dayton moved in front of her. Valerie hugged her.
"Don't worry it'll be fine" she said into her ear. Aura and Dayton shared a look. She blamed her currently scattered brain but she couldn't decipher his emotions. He wasn't doing his usual confident smile- something told her he was just as scared.
"I guess we're going home"
