Chapter 5: An Initial Meeting

"That part where he serenaded the wrong dorm," Mara stated, barely managing to hide her giggles, "that was hilarious."

Celeste laughed, too, remembering that part of the movie. At first, she had debated about taking Mara out for dinner and a movie. Although the chance of an attack was not likely, she wasn't willing to jeopardize the girl's safety.

However, in the end, it was Broeas's words that decided it. 'Well, if you're keeping her locked up in a dungeon somewhere, Sol, then you're really no better than I am.' She was nothing like Boreas, and she wouldn't make Mara live her life that way.

'She's just an innocent,' Celeste told herself for the hundredth time. 'No matter what, she's just an innocent girl.'

"I had a good time, Celeste," Mara said quietly. "Thanks for doing this."

"Any time."

The girl smiled. "I don't know if Jonathan would like that."

"I think I can handle Jonathan."

The two giggled light-heartedly as they continued down the sidewalk. They talked about guys, fashions, and movies. There was no mention of battles or Mara's powers.

Still laughing and talking, they decided to stop for ice cream. It was a good way to end the night. As they entered, however, they didn't notice the man studying from across the street.

Zephyr had spent several nights wandering through the city. He had vowed that he would not repeat Boreas's failure. Yet, here he was, following the same ineffective plan.

'Where is she?' he fumed, violently brushing his hair out of his eyes. The girl was the key to everything. And Aeolus was becoming impatient.

Then, he felt it. It was the tinge that alerted him to another powerful being's presence. As he scanned the area around him, the tinge intensified and grew into an ache. Finally, he saw the two women enter the ice cream shop.

It fit so well that it had to be them, Zephyr decided, watching the pair through the shop's wide front window. The younger one with the short, dark hair was the one, the key to his master's plans. The one with the red hair had to be the guardian that had caused Boreas so much trouble.

This was the opportunity he had been waiting for. And unlike Boreas, he would not waste time with bungling creatures. He would take care of this himself.

"So, what was Jonathan doing tonight?" Mara asked, stirring her milkshake with the straw. "Is it safe to leave him to his own devices?"

"I'm almost tempted to tell him you said that. He's catching up on some schoolwork. He has a tough load this term."

"And with everything that's going on, I'm surprised that all of us are not extremely behind."

"Somehow I don't see Sofia falling behind, ever," Celeste remarked, trying to inject some humor.

Mara rewarded her with a small smile. "No, I doubt Sofia has much trouble with school."

There was a lengthy pause before Celeste spoke again. "Do you regret transferring? Do you want to go back to your old school? I'm sure we could work out something if that's what you really want."

"No, I don't want to go back. Besides, Sofia's there and I beginning to make friends. It's just going to take some time for me to fit in, Celeste. That's all."

Nodding, Celeste tried to believe that. "I'm glad that you and Sofia are becoming such good friends. It makes things easier."

"Well, she's nice and fun to hang out with it."

"Then why don't you like Emily?"

"Oh, the cheerleader?" Mara scoffed.

"You don't like her because she's a cheerleader?"

Mara shrugged. "I'm sure she has some good qualities, Celeste."

"Can you at least try to be civil to her? Please?"

"Sure, I'll try."

"I guess that's all I can ask," Celeste sighed.

The two finished their ice creams in silence, continually their walk home. With a shake of her head, Mara threw her milkshake into a nearby trashcan and turned to Celeste. "Celeste, look I'm sorry. I know I'm being a real . . ."

Her sentence was cut off by a violent gust of wind, which sent Celeste flying into a nearby wall. Calling her guardian's name, Mara ran to the prone figure. She didn't see the man walking up behind her.

"So, Hecate, we met at last."

Mara froze as she tried to help Celeste sit up. 'I'd hoped this was over. I thought this wouldn't happen.' Slowly, she faced him and shivered at his cool smile.

"If you come with me now, you can save your friend a lot of pain."

In a whirl of motion, Celeste shot up and kicked the man in the knee, causing the leg to buckle. As he moaned, she sent another kick to his mid-section and punched him in the jaw.

"Run!" she screamed, turning briefly to Mara "Run!"

Capitalizing on Celeste's momentary distraction, Zephyr used another gust of wind. The blow sent her further into the alley, crashing her into a dumpster. Shaking her head to clear it, she labored to her feet and managed to place herself between Mara and the attacker.

"Leave her alone," Celeste growled.

Zephyr merely sneered. "Give up. You're nothing against me."

"We'll see. Sol Star Power, Make-up!"

Although he had suspected her as the guardian, it was still surprising to be face-to-face with the one who nearly killed Boreas. But, she didn't have her friends around, and she was already weakened. The odds were in his favor.

"My dear, you'll have to do better than that."

Sol merely smiled. "Sol Celestial Wind!"

With his injured leg, Zephyr barely dodged the attack. His early conclusion of the odds was gone. He sent another gust of wind, sending Sol rolling down the alley.

With surprising quickness, Sol managed to get back to her feet, pointing her staff menacingly at him. "Sol Corona Flare! Sol Nemesis Nova!"

"It's not over!" Zephyr bellowed and then teleported away, leaving the attacks to hit the wall behind him.

With a shuddering sigh, Sol fell to her knees before falling back. She managed to sit instead of falling completely. However, that gave her little satisfaction.

"Sol, are you all right?" Mara said, crouching beside her guardian.

Sol looked up at her wearily. "You should be miles from here. Do you know what would have happened if you had been captured?"

"I couldn't just leave you here," Mara spat, "while you are hurt protecting me."

"Your protection means more than my safety, Mara."

The girl shook her head. "Not to me."

"I'm not going to fight with you right now." Groaning, Sol used her staff to help her stand. "I think I have enough strength to teleport. Let's go home."

Before Mara could even protest, the red-orange aura enveloped her and they were gone.