Chapter 13: Golden Winds

Morning came, and Alexander’s condition worsened.

Trinity attempted to feed him soup, but he could barely open his mouth let alone his eyes. Feeling his forehead, Phoenix frowned. “Hot as fire,” he muttered.

Trinity did the same, the mix of heat and electricity causing a spark, pushing their hands back. “He’s getting worse!” Trinity said frantically. “Should we send for a medic?”

Boom!

Trinity and Phoenix jumped, shouts coming from outside. “What was that?” Trinity said. Standing, she opened the inn window, commotion in the streets. Astellacan Guards were running west, people jumping out of the way. “Excuse me!” One Guard stopped and looked up. “What’s going on?”

“There is a situation occurring at the clinic,” the Guard said. “We’re asking all citizens to stay away from the area until further notice.”

He ran off, Phoenix coming to the window. “Suppose we can’t send for a medic,” he said.

In a flash, Trinity’s orb of light appeared on the street. She and Phoenix glanced at each other and sprinted out the room. Rushing onto the street, they slid to a stop before the light, a soft voice coming out.

“I need help, please!”

“It’s Ria!” Trinity said. Without another word, she and Phoenix sprinted to the clinic. They followed the Guards while staying out of sight. Once they arrived, there was a large crowd in front of the building. Among the crowd was MD. Viento Diaz trembling while talking to a Guard. The smirking medic apprentice was on the other side, hands over her terrified mouth as she looked at the roof.

A giant creature of only arms stomped across it.

“We’ll never make it up there with all these people around,” Phoenix said.

Trinity looked around, seeing patients of the clinic being taken out. Many seemed as ill as Alexander was, and she was sure their fevers could cause sparks.

A light flashed in her mind.

“I have an idea,” she said. “If we combine my lightning with your flames, we can jump over the crowd onto the roof. But we need to raise the Curtain first.”

“That sounds insane,” Phoenix said, Trinity pouting. “So insane, it might work.”

The pout changed to a smile as Trinity faced the clinic. “Aria, watch over our fates!”

Both Protectors threw their hands into the air. “Curtain, rise!” Phoenix shouted.

Blue and red mixed together, creating a purple bubble around the clinic. Lightning sparked through the sky, the air heating up. The noise of the crowd turned into a murmur before every person froze. Trinity held her hand out to Phoenix. After hesitation, he took it. Putting a foot back, Trinity sprinted towards the clinic. “Now!” she shouted. With a high jump, she shot electricity from her feet, Phoenix doing the same with fire. The combined power shot the pair off the ground and to the roof. Clinging to the edge, they pulled themselves up.

Trinity gasped at the scene.

The large arm monster was coming out of The Legends of Astellaca book, Marina standing near it. Under the beast was an unconscious Ria. Snarling, Trinity jumped up, formed her balls of electricity, and threw them. The monster was pushed back. “Get away from her!” Trinity yelled.

Marina spun towards her. “You’re here? And well?” she said. “Why, in Chia’s name, why?” She pointed at Trinity. “My monster, finish them!”

The monster charged. Phoenix jumped onto the roof, running to Trinity’s side. Forming his bow and arrow, he shot it at the creature. It froze, body aflame. “That should hold it,” he muttered.

“Trinity Starbolt?”

She flinched and turned. Ria was sitting up, looking between them with wide eyes. “She can move?” Phoenix said. “I thought people without magic couldn’t move in a Curtain?”

“The next target is who we’re looking for, remember?” Trinity said with a smile. “Ria might be—” A growl filled the air, the Protectors turning. The flames around the monster had vanished. It ran at them, Trinity and Phoenix dodging its attack. Forming electricity, Trinity kicked it at the beast. The attack stalled it as the pair jumped into the air. Putting their feet out, they simultaneously kicked the monster to the edge of the roof. Marina stepped back biting her nails as they landed near Ria. “Are you okay, Ria?” Trinity said, helping her up.

“Ye-Yes,” she said with a shaky frown. “You two are—” She gasped. “Behind you!”

The pair turned, the monster charging. Flinching, Trinity put up her shield. “Darn, how do we beat this thing?” she muttered.

Arms aching, her shield fell. The monster grabbed her and Phoenix, lifting them into the air. “Trinity!” Ria yelled.

“Stay back!” Phoenix shouted. “Otherwise, this thing will take you.”

“Please stop, I beg of you. You are getting hurt over this, and I—”

“We can’t,” Trinity said. “We’re Protectors. It’s our job to protect others, especially a friend. That’s why I won’t let her hurt you!”

Ria stared at her, legs trembling. “A friend? You…you truly consider me your friend?” Trinity whimpered as the monster squeezed her tighter. “Let her go.” Hands forming fists, Ria glared. “Let go of my friend!”

Strong wind blew around the Curtain, a bright light coming from Ria.

The light grew, and she closed her eyes. A twister of golden wind surrounded her. The gusts swirled, making it hard for Trinity to see. She strained her eyes to find her friend, heart pounding. With a blast of air, Ria flew to the top of the twister. Her plain white blouse and skirt had transformed into a golden dress with long sleeves. A large bow was on the back, reminding Trinity of butterfly wings. Ria opened sparkling golden eyes, Trinity smiling wide. “I knew it!” she said. “Ria is—”

“The missing Protector,” Phoenix said with a gasp.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

The monster reached an arm out to Ria. She flinched before moving her arms back as if to throw a double punch. Pushing her hands forward, a blast of air shot out. The wind knocked the monster over, its hands releasing its captives. Landing, Phoenix formed his attack and shot the beast. The fallen creature’s body was set on fire. Trinity landed on her knee, formed one electric ball, and sprinted. “Take this!” she shouted, pushing the attack into the monster.

It sparked before vanishing, leaving behind a ruined book.

Phoenix sighed, Ria floating to the ground. Walking over to the pair, she looked between them with narrowed eyes. Before either could speak, a shriek rang through the air. The trio jumped and turned. Marina stared at the ground, fists shaking. “I’m going to get that idiotic princess for her so-called help,” she said.

She lifted her hand to snap her fingers. “Oh, no you don’t!” Trinity said. Sprinting, she grabbed Marina’s wrist. “I’m not letting you run away this time.”

Marina struggled against her grasp. Lifting her other hand, she summoned her bejeweled mask. Trinity snatched it. “My mask!”

“What do you people want?” Trinity said, holding the mask back. “Why is Queen Pandora after The Areiria?”

“That’s none of your business.” Marina grabbed the mask. “Now, release my mask!”

“Not until you answer my questions!” The girls pulled harder on the mask when

Snap!

Trinity stumbled back, half of it in her hand. “My mask!” Marina screeched. Pushing Trinity away, she cradled her half as one would an infant. “It’s all I had…my most precious treasure.”

“I…I—”

Marina looked up, Trinity backing away. Tears streamed down her face as she glared. “You’ll pay for this, Protector of Light.”

The spiral of crystals surrounded her, and she vanished. A spark of guilt ran through Trinity’s mind as she looked at her mask half. Turning it around, she squinted. Inside was half of a star with a diamond in the center.

It reminded her of a Protector Star.

The Curtain began to fade, Phoenix’s eyes closed. Closing her eyes as well, Trinity waited for her clothes to change back before opening them. She walked over to the others, Ria gazing at her with her regular dark gray eyes. The noise of the crowd slowly returned as well. “We need to get off the roof before someone sees us,” Phoenix said.

Trinity nodded, Ria turning. “This way, if you please,” she said. “It is the fastest safe way down.”

The pair followed her to a nearby lamppost at the back of the clinic. Sliding down, they ran as Guards began to surround the building. Once at the flower garden, they stopped, Ria panting. “Are you okay?” Trinity asked, Ria nodding. Smiling, Trinity held up her star bracelet. “Do you have a Protector Bracelet like mine? Every Protector has one.”

Ria lifted her hands, her eyes growing. “Is this it?” she said.

She held out her left hand, the other two leaning in. On it was a Protector Bracelet, a tornado surrounded by flower petals inscribed on the star. “A tornado?”

“It must be for air,” Phoenix said, leaning back. “You’re the Protector of Air.” The girls looked at him with surprise. “Well, it makes sense, and it’s what Wolf Boy would say.”

Trinity snapped her fingers. “Wait, let’s take you to Alexander,” she said. “His symptoms have been getting worse. Maybe he can explain more once he’s feeling better.” Ria looked between the pair and slowly nodded. Spinning around, Trinity led them out the garden and back to the inn. She opened the door to their room and nearly banged her head on the opposite wall out of shock. Sitting at the table was Alexander eating soup looking like his usual self. “Alexander!” He looked up as the group came in. “How are you feeling?”

“Much better, actually,” he said with a small smile. “It’s like the illness vanished.” Smile shrinking, he bowed his head. “I’m sorry for pausing our mission, but now we can continue looking for the missing Pro…” he choked, eyes landing on Ria, “…um, continue our job. Is this a medic’s apprentice?”

“Oh, we don’t have to look for the missing Protector,” Alexander’s jaw dropped, “we found her.” Stepping back, Trinity put a hand on Ria’s shoulder. “Alexander, meet Ria Viento Diaz, the newest Protector.” Alexander’s mouth almost touched the floor, Ria glancing away as Trinity held her hand up. “See! She has a Protector Bracelet!”

“Um, can you please let go, Trinity?” Ria muttered.

Trinity let go with a quick, “Sorry,” as Alexander leaned in. “You have the Protector Star of air,” he said. Frowning, he leaned back. “When—?”

“A few minutes ago,” Phoenix said. “It’s likely Marina was behind an illness in the town, and she attacked the clinic.”

“We were losing the fight, then with a swish, Ria flew in and saved us,” Trinity said. “She was amazing!”

Ria stared at her feet fiddling with her fingers. “I suppose I should explain our mission,” Alexander said. He spread his arms out, the other three sitting at the table. “We are searching for Protectors who have yet to awaken. By unlocking their magic, we hope to awaken the power of The Areiria so that they may unlock The Heavenly Star from its Starr Palace cage.”

“The Heavenly Star is where all our magic comes from,” Trinity added.

“We must do all this before our enemy has a chance to.”

“Which is the full reason why we’re traveling.”

Ria placed her elbows on the table, hands covering her mouth, eyes focused on Alexander. “So, it was true,” she said. “The Heavenly Star did return to the palace.”

Alexander’s eyebrows rose, Phoenix’s lowering. “You know about the treasure?” Trinity asked.

“It was mentioned in a book I have read. The precious pendant was used by The Areiria with assistance from Her Majesty.”

“Oh…Her Majesty?” Trinity leaned forward. “You mean our queen? Queen Elysia?”

“Why are you surprised?” Alexander said. “She’s your predecessor.”

“That’s not common knowledge! Wait.” Trinity blinked before a huge smile spread on her face. “Her Majesty was the last Protector of Light?” She jumped up and twirled. Her hero was confirmed to not only be alive but was the reigning monarch of her kingdom. Trinity wanted to dance across all of Cameria. “How do more people not know this?”

“For starters, the Protector rules. And secondly—”

“Most former Protectors have gone into hiding,” Phoenix said, Alexander nodding. “My uncle was the previous Protector of Fire, and—”

“The bookkeeper was a Protector?” Trinity said with a gasp.

“Not Uncle James. My father’s brother, Avalon. He told me that quite a few nobles are former Protectors who lost their magic after The Battle of Astellaca.”

Trinity shuddered at the mention of the battle. It was something she learned about in her last year of school, though her father had gone into more detail about it at home. Years before she was born, Astellaca was attacked by Ethenia, and the capital was nearly destroyed. Atland Village was barely affected by the battle, so Papa did not hear about it until his parents told him. However, Trinity’s mother had apparently been living in the capital at the time.

Her face when she asked about it was so frightening that Trinity learned to never bring up the topic with her.

“Those Protectors lost their magic due to losing The Areiria,” Alexander said. “That is why it is important we find the unawakened Protectors of Water and Nature as soon as possible. So,” he turned back to Ria, “will you help us, Protector of Air?”

Ria glanced between Trinity and Phoenix, the former smiling, before looking back at Alexander. “All of this is quite strange, and it feels like a dream,” she said. “However, it is something outside my normal…and getting to help someone who is kind.” A few seconds passed before she smiled. “I will have to discuss it with my mother, but I will gladly help you find the missing Protectors.”

Alexander sighed as Trinity threw her arms around Ria. “Welcome to the Protectors, Ria!” she shouted.

“Too loud, Trinity!” Alexander said, Phoenix rolling his eyes. “Now, here is the location of the next Protector.”

Pulling out his map, he laid it across the table. The star over Cameria had become yellow, a white one glowing over the northern mountains. “The northern region!” Trinity said excitedly.

“Majihana, the second home of The Countess,” Phoenix said with a small smile.

“Since the next location is so far, we should spend the rest of today gathering supplies,” Alexander said. Trinity flinched, eying her bag filled with little money. Peeking out was the yellow chocolate-chip bag she needed to get to her mother. “If you must make arrangements with your guardian,” he glanced at Ria, “do it without revealing your magic.”

“Understood,” Ria said quietly.

“We’ll leave tomorrow for Majihana no later than—”

“Wait!” Trinity said, putting her hand up. “Can we stop in Atland Village along the way? I’m a little low on money, and,” she held up her bag, “I should probably get these ingredients home.”

“I…” Alexander paused and crossed his arms, “…I suppose we could do that as well.”

“If we’re doing that, let’s go back through Southern Bridge so I can pick up my horse,” Phoenix said.

“So, now you want the horse,” Trinity said, Phoenix looking away with a huff.

“No matter which way we go, we will leave for Atland Village tomorrow,” Alexander said. Phoenix nodded, Ria’s eyes on the map. Leaning back in her seat, Trinity thought of how excited Philly and Dior would be when she told them of her adventure. How in awe Oriana and Skyler would be. But it would just be for a night. She would stop home, give Mama the ingredients, get allowance in return, and then come up with another excuse to head off to Majihana.

What could go wrong?