Chapter 7: The Boy of Burning Swords 2

The door of Border Parlor slammed shut as Trinity rushed after the orb, Alexander close behind. It led them down the path to a bridge going over a small creek. With a quick glance at a nearby sign, Trinity knew she was entering the eastern region.

However, her excitement was buried under her worry for her former friend.

Sprinting through trees and bushes, the pair arrived at a small lake. The orb stopped and vanished like before. Looking around, Trinity jumped at the frantic sounds of a horse. On the other side of the lake was Marina holding Phoenix inside a pink crystal, his horse jumping around in a panic. “Phoenix!” Trinity said. Before she could move, Alexander grabbed her arm. “What are you—?”

“You have to raise the Curtain first,” Alexander said.

Frowning, Trinity snatched her arm back and nodded. “Aria, watch over our fates.” She put her arm in the air. “Curtain, rise!” A storm cloud formed above her as a bolt of lightning shot down, Trinity’s clothes changing to her armor from before. The area turned blue, Marina looking around in confusion. By the time she noticed Trinity, she was already throwing a punch at her. Marina dodged her and fell to the ground. The crystal around Phoenix vanished, Alexander catching him. “Why are you back, Marina?” Trinity said.

Steadying herself, Marina glared. “You again!” she said.

Trinity glanced back at the boys. “Alexander, is Phoenix okay?”

“He’s fine,” he said, “but there is strong magic inside of him.”

Trinity gasped, Marina smirking. “I knew it,” she said. Zooming around Trinity, she picked up a nearby book on the grass. She snapped on her bejeweled mask and threw the book in the air. Magic light shot into it as it spun before the pages poured out, forming a creature in a paper dress. “Defeat the Protector of Light!”

Cackling, the monster lifted its arms. Sheets of paper shot towards Trinity. She put up her light shield, moving away from the boys. Once the attacks stopped, Trinity lowered her arms. She formed her balls of electricity in her hands and jumped. “Take this!” she shouted, throwing her attack. “Sparkling Lightning!” The monster dodged one of the balls but was hit by the second. “I did it!”

“Did you just…why are you naming your attacks?” Alexander said.

“It makes them sound stronger!”

Slash!

Trinity winced as a paper sliced her arm. It had hurt but not as much as she expected. More sheets shot at her, and she ran. “Don’t run!” Alexander shouted. Running faster, Trinity glanced at Marina. She was watching the battle while biting her nails. It was as if she was nervous of the outcome. But before Trinity could think on it more, she tripped over a rock. She covered her head as the barrage of paper came towards her.

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“What…happened?”

The paper attack stopped, Trinity uncovering her face. Beside Alexander, face slightly tired, was Phoenix sitting up. “Are you alright?” Alexander asked.

Phoenix slowly nodded, his expression changing to fear. The monster turned from Trinity and sprinted towards the boys. Jumping up, Trinity dashed before them and put up her shield. The monster shot paper against it, Trinity’s arms beginning to ache. “This is a little exhausting,” she muttered.

The boys stood behind her, Phoenix gasping. “You’re…the baker’s daughter, aren’t you?” he said.

Trinity flinched, her shield vanishing. The paper hit her, pushing her into the other two. “Trinity!” Alexander shouted.

Catching her, he and Phoenix helped her stand. “This isn’t a dream, is it?” Phoenix said. Trinity glanced at him, his eyes looking straight at her for the first time in years. The monster roared, and she spun around putting her shield up as another attack shot at her. “Wait, you’re not going to keep fighting that monster, are you?”

“Of course I am,” Trinity said.

“But why? You’re getting hurt!”

“‘Cause,” she looked back at him with a small smile, “it’s my duty as the Protector of Light to protect you.”

Phoenix blinked slowly, jaw dropping slightly. “You’re…a Protector?”

Arms aching, Trinity’s shield vanished. She yelped as a vine of paper wrapped around her and lifted her into the air. “Trinity!” Alexander said when a paper attack pushed him back.

“Good,” Marina said with a wave of her hand. “Now dispose of the Protector of Light so we can go.”

The monster squeezed Trinity tighter, making her wince. Hands clenched, Phoenix stepped forward. “Let her go,” he muttered.

“What?” Marina said.

“I said let her go, you witch!”

In an instant, a pillar of fire shot onto Phoenix.

Everyone stood back as the flames swirled. Faster and faster they went when, in a blink, they vanished. In its place was Phoenix with fiery red hair and eyes. His clothes had changed to a ruby red buttoned shirt and black pants. A long white cloak hung from his shoulders, a matching beret on his head. He looked all around before his eyes landed on Trinity whose jaw dropped. “He’s…” she smiled, “he’s one of the missing Protectors!”

The monster roared and shot a paper vine at Phoenix. Flinching, he threw his arms up. A wall of flame appeared before him. With one touch, the beast was set aflame. Screeching, it jumped back, Trinity released from the trap. “Trinity, now!” Alexander shouted.

Nodding, she formed her electric attack. With a throw and kick, the monster spurted with sparks before it vanished, leaving a burnt book. Stepping back, Marina trembled. “You have to be kidding me,” she said.

Snapping her fingers, her crystals surrounded her, and she vanished. Trinity’s blue Curtain vanished, the Protectors’ clothes returning to normal. The unfrozen horse continued to move in a panic, Phoenix patting their head. Once they were calm, he stumbled over to what was left of the book and picked it up. “So…this really isn’t a dream,” he said softly.

Trinity scratched her head, Alexander stepping forward. “Do you have a bracelet?” he asked.

“What?” Phoenix said with a frown.

“He means did you get a Protector Bracelet where the magic came out?” Trinity said, pushing Alexander away. “It would be like mine.” Phoenix leaned in as she held her hand up. Looking at his own, he gasped. On the left wrist was a gold band like Trinity’s. “That’s it! With a…” she squinted, “…red sword surrounded by flames inscribed, making you—”

“Enough chatter,” Alexander interrupted. “We need to make it to Southern Bridge before the sun sets.”

“But we just found—?”

“If you’re going to Southern Bridge, we’re close,” Phoenix said. “It’s about thirty minutes until—”

“Wait, are you also going to Southern Bridge?” Trinity said, Phoenix flinching. “Great, we can walk to—” Before she could finish speaking, Phoenix had backed up to his horse. With one jump, he pulled on the reins and rode down the road. “Hey!” Grabbing her discarded bag, she jogged after him, Alexander straggling behind.y stared at him quietly. “Why are you your uncle’s apprentice anyway?” she finally said. “Shouldn’t you be your parents?”

Phoenix’s heart got caught in his throat. “I…” he turned away, “It is none of your—”

In a flash, a blue ball of light appeared near the gate.