Chapter 19 - Part 3

Camila gave a big yawn as she watched Maree play with the little creature in his lap. The blue sister was still high in the night sky. Clear nights like these were Camila's favorite. The soft blue of the moon brought the stars around it to life with cerulean vibrancy while the red and green sisters only dimmed them further as if they would throw a sheer cloak over the sky.

"I'd love to watch you two play all night, but we do have early classes tomorrow, Mar." Camila said with another yawn.

"You're right." Maree smiled. It was strange, it was as if he genuinely smiled for the first time. Ever since Haiden met Maree he had never seen him so at peace and relaxed. He was on his guard, always ready to attack.

"Can you talk to him?" Haiden asked.

"Yes. It's weird, really. It's not quite talking, but I just feel him, and he feels me and we know what we mean. I can't describe it more than that." Maree took the little bundle of fluff in his arms as he got up. He hugged the creature tightly to his chest. It looked like he enjoyed it.

"Let's head back." Tasgal interrupted. "Who knows how much it will take us to crawl back." Everyone grunted and picked up their things, they flared out the stones just like before. Alva jumped from Maree's embrace and led the way with agile precision among the backforest's roots and grooves. "So, how was it?" Tasgal finally asked.

"Well, first, I have to admit. I thought you all were crazy and I just played along. Especially you, Haiden. It feels like I have just found a part of me I've been missing. Again, it's hard to explain, not sure what to say. I'm still adjusting to it so give me some time to learn more from Alva." he laughed.

"Your fios is much more calm now," Haiden commended. Instead of the fluctuating energy, Maree had a steady stream of Fios faintly being emitted. Haiden credited it due to his connection to Alva.

"I feel more calm, and if I'm honest, I feel more powerful." He made a motion with his hand and sounded out an explosion. "Like I can do anything I want."

'Dork." Camila laughed.

"How will you explain this to Rwoy?" ask Tasga.

"Oh... good question. I don't know."

"Just tell the truth?" Camila suggested.

"We'll get in trouble for sneaking out." Haiden rejected her idea.

"Well, we'll think about it when it comes. Right now I want to just enjoy the moment." Maree said with a smile on his face.

"Right." Haiden agreed.

Oh, oh! Might get in trouble. Screech boomed in his mind.

Glad for you to join us. Where have you been?

Just around.

You're getting better at talking.

Just bit. Need to turn left.

Why?

Now!

Damn it, Screech don't just pop in to cause trouble. Haiden swatted at the air imagining shooing Screech away.

Coming. Too late. Screech's presence disappeared. Haiden looked around but didn't see anything so he paid him no mind. Not even a moment later Haiden bumped into Tasgal's back.

"Ouch, whadye stopped?" he asked, rubbing his nose.

'Shhh." Tasgal raised a finger to his lips and whispered. "There are lights." He pointed to the left. The lights bobbed up and down and moved slowly. Haiden and everyone else in panic extinguished their own and crouched.

"What do you think it is?" Camila whispered.

"I don't know, but Alva doesn't like it." Maree replied, as soon as he finished the creature snuggled beneath him and started to whimper. "There, there, I'm here." Maree comforted it.

"Let's move slowly, I think it saw us." Tasgal motioned for them to follow. "The lights are moving this way. Come."

They all moved as quietly as they could, again on all fours through the cold mud of the forest. Camila tried her best to ignore all the unimaginably gross things that she felt while trying to move forward and held her breath. At least she could not see what they were.

The lights were closing in. "Faster" said Haiden in a panic.

What was following them knew where they were. It was heading straight for them much faster than they could move while crouched on all fours. Soon footsteps were heard, they were heavy and fast.

"Run," Tasgal straightened up and with a muddy hand grabbed Haiden's arm and pulled, both of them braking in a fast run with Maree holding Alva, and Camila right behind them.

"It's. Right. Behind. Me." Camila yelled between gasps. Maree reached over a hand to pull her along and ran as fast as they could. The footsteps were just behind them and the lights were right on their backs. The three young Wielders heaved with exhaustion as they all pushed themselves as much as they could to run. For Tasgal, on the other hand, this was nothing. He didn't even broke a sweat. He pulled on Haiden's arm trying to make him keep up with him

A few moments of continuous running exhausted Camila's stamina completely. "I. Can't" Camila manage to heave before letting go, falling on the uneven forest ground, landing with her side painfully against a thick root.

"Cams!" Maree shouted, turning back. Tasgal wanted to pull Haiden out of danger but Haiden stopped and in turn he pulled on Tasgal and made him follow. For a second shame rushed through Tasgal, he was about to leave Haiden's friends, and his for that matter, in order to save Haiden. Haiden and Tasgal rushed to their help but it was too late. The lights already encircled Camila and Maree. They too joined in. Haiden would never allow his friends to get hurt.

They were light stones. Circling around them while footsteps, now at a leisured pace, marched towards them. They waited in anticipation, their stomachs tightening until the one chasing them finally came into view in the light.

"Master Coner.' Camila breathed out in surprise.

"Children, what a surprise." The man finally came fully into view. It's brow hair tied neatly in a ponytail, strung on his shoulder. His Master Wielder garb was dirtied with mud and seemed drenched in places. He held something behind his back. His calm smile creeped Haiden out.

"What are you doing here, Master Coner?" Haiden asked definitely.

"A good question, indeed. One which you would do best to answer for yourselves, young wielders... and an Ashen. How surprising." Master Coner's beady eyes widened, his eyes darting towards the hilt of Tasgal's blade. "Interesting.' He said.

"We were just searching for, uhm..." Maree began.

"Nightfever mushrooms, Master Coner." Tasgal quickly jumped in.

"Yes, nightfever." Haiden agreed, although he had no idea what those were. Both Camila and Maree nodded in agreement.

"Nightfever mushrooms, you say. Usually they grow on the west side of the forest, not east." his smile widened.

"We, we didn't know that. We, uh, heard it from someone else." Maree tightened his grip on Alva.

"And what is that?" Master Coner approached curiously, with his hands still behind his back.

"It's my Na'vara." Maree replied.

"Is it really?" Master Coner was taken aback in surprise.

"Na'vara?" Camila whispered.

"So your family is from Bahal, then. Interesting, mister...?"

"Maree. I'm in your class." Alva struggled in his arms, he did not like the man one bit.

"We better leave," Camila interjected.

"Yes, you better." Master coner replied with a sickening smile on his face. The dim light stones casted deep shadows that made him look inhuman.

"What are you doing here, Master Coner?" Haiden quickly asked before Camila and Maree could get up. Tasgal gently tugged at his arm to stop and just leave. But Haiden needed to know.

"Oh, none of your concern, Haiden." Master Coner replied his grind dropping. Haiden's stomach tightened into a small ball. He did not remember Maree's name but he remembered Haiden's. Something was wrong.

"What do you have behind you?" Haide pushed further. Tasgal put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed.

"Don't" he whispered.

"Oh, it's just some meat I use for bait." He hummed. "Don't concern yourself too much with it." That was a command, not a request from mild politeness.

"Bait for what?" Haiden tried his luck.

"I advise you to listen to your Ashen friend. Too many questions, keep those for my class." The man widened his smile. "You have light stones, no need to spare my own. I think it's time you and your friends retreat for the night." He said, looking at Haiden with his squinty beady eyes. He turned to Maree. "Don't you think so too?" Maree and Camila nodded violently and scrambled to their feet. "Good. We all agree. Oh, don't forget your hair accessory." Master Coner waved a hand and from the mud burst forward with a squelch the blue stone pin Camila bought along with Maree's bracelet.

"T-thank you, Master Coner." She said grabbing it quickly.

"Be weary of future nightly strolls, children. The night is filled with dangers and terrors one can not even imagine."

At that time Haiden knew that Master Coner was that terror. Alva trembled in MAree's arms. His gaze was calculated and intentional. He studied the creature every second he was there.

"Let's go." Tasgal said, nudging Haiden. "Good night, Master." He said and the rest followed with goodbyes. He just sat there surrounded by light stones circling him, looking at them until all of the sudden the light stones vanished.

They waited for a few solid minutes before anyone said anything, makins sure they were out of earshot.

"What the fuck's wrong with you, Haiden?!" Maree finally said.

"What?" Haiden knew why Maree was furious but he didn't want to admit it. He placed everyone in danger.

"That was blood on his clothes." Tasgal let out without thinking. Camila and Maree gasped. Haiden wasn't surprised at all.

"Did anyone catch what was behind him?" Haiden asked.

"Stop it. I don't want to get in trouble, Haiden." Camila said trying to plug his ears and sing a song as she walked towards the gate.

"No, but it was dripping blood. The air around him smelled of death and blood." Tasgal confirmed.

"Alva says it too. He smelled blood on him." Maree gave it another tight hug.

"He didn't seem too surprised to see alva, what did you call it? Na'vara?" Camila asked.

"Yes, that's what Alva said he was. It means a separate soul of the same whole. I think." He replied. Alva had calmed down and preferred to run and jump through the terrain.

"Why were you so reckless, Haid?" Tasgal asked.

"Yeah, what the fuck was that?" Camila jumped in and Maree nodded.

Haiden sighed heavily. He wanted a confirmation from Master Coner even if he already knew what was behind his back, even if he knew what kind of monster he was. Of course he would tell him, of course he would not give himself away. What a fool he was for putting everyone at risk.

"I just don't like Master Coner." he said, he stopped in his tracks, giving it some more thought. "Don't let him get you alone. He's dangerous." He turned to his friends, his brows furrowed.

"I hate to agree with you, but he looked insane there." Camila said with a disappointed tone.

"Don't have to tell me twice."

"Good, I don't have to worry, then." Tasgal added in.

They all marched towards the gate in silence. It took the better half of an hour to reach the end of the forest where they came from. The gate came into view.

"So, how will I explain this..." Maree looked down at Alva, and the creature back at him. They seemed to be having a conversation as everyone kept quiet.

"I think it will be best to tell him that Alva came to you tomorrow in class?" Tasgal pitched in.

"It seems that we won't have to wait until tomorrow." Camila said stopping in her tracks. She pointed a finger toward the gate. There was a dark figure standing by the wall, just out of view. All four froze.

The figure stepped out in full view, Master Rwoy with his hands on his hips looked directly shaking his head. He motioned at them to come closer and they obliged with much hesitation.

"What in Creators' name are you doing..." He stopped abruptly, his gaze lowering down spotting Alva hiding behind Maree. "Creators... Is that...?"

"An awakened. Yes." Maree stepped forward.

"Headmistress' office. All of you. Now." His voice boomed, probably out of shock and surprise rather than annoyance.

All four kept quiet as Master Rwoy led them into the palace, onto the elevator, through the winding halls filled with old furnishings and embellishments until they reached the double doors of the Headmistess' office. He took a deep breath. "This is unprecedented, Maree," He took a moment to look at the others. "And you lot. Will tell nothing but the truth." And with that he pushed through the doors revealing the massive book stacked office. Headmistress Helena was reading a few stacks of papers at the light of a stone in the dead of night. Blue light spilling through the massive windows behind her. She gently put the papers down and looked annoyed over her spectacles.

"What is the meaning of this, Rwoy?"

"Headmistress." He began. "I caught these four coming out of the backwoods with," He paused. "Maree, if you will." And the young wielder draped his cloak off Alva, the creature jumping down at his feet.

Immediately the headmistress with a tight fist closed the doors behind them. "Incredible." she rushed past the massive study and crouched a few feet next to it, studying it as close as she could from a safe distance. She looked up at the youn Wielder with a puzzled looked then down back at the awakened.

"Is it?" Master Rwoy asked, and the headmistress simply nodded. "Well?" he looked at Maree.

"My great-great-grandfather was born in Bahal, Headmistress Vice." He began. He seemed to be communicating again with Alva and paused. "For days I've been feeling the pull of my Na'vara. I've asked Haiden, Camila, and Tasgal to help me find him. He lied to cover for his friends. He knew Haiden did not want them to know it was him who guided Maree, so he took full responsibility. "His name is Alva"

"Na'vara." She repeated knowingly.

"Yes, m'am. I have formed my contract with him." He showed his boding stone masterfully embedded in the bracelet.

Her eyes never left the awakened. "No. Maree, was it?"

"Yes, m'am."

"In the long history of this Academy there has never been a monster tamer." she looked at him with great skepticism. "This cannot be a coincidence, Rwoy. Not now at least."

"The emergence of young Maree's heritage could not have come at a worse time. What will the Councilmen say?" He replied. He opened his mouth to say something else but the headmistress bolted to her library. Searching frantically through books.

The four shared a look of concern. Maree mouthed an apology. Everyone waited in silence until the headmistress found the book she was looking for and began flipping through the pages.

"I'm sure you all know that the Empire's relationship with Bahal had always been strained. They had refused to share their knowledge of taming the awakened and whatever information they got from the long lived creatures. This, is the sole known book on the monster tamers in the Empire." She said as she finally found the page and began nodding. Everyone remained silent. "Na'vara. Soul-mate." She said and closed the book with a boom that echoed through the vast office. She turned back at Maree. "Incredible. And you can communicate with it?"

"Yes, m'am."

"Incredible." She said with great reverence. "Rwoy. You did the correct thing to bring him here. From now on, you will not speak of this until the Trials." She turned to Maree. "You will not show Alva to anyone but me and Rwoy until we are ready, especially not Master Coner. From now you will be training with me in private. Do you understand?"

"Yes, m'am." Maree began to sweat. He did not know what Master Coner had to do with anything, but he hid the fact that he already saw him and Alva in the backforest

"Good." She took a deep breath and handed him the book. "You will enter the Trials and display the fierce power of a monster tamer."

"But," Maree began.

'No buts, no ifs, no nothing. I will not hear any of it. Your life depends on it. I will declare you as my protégé and you are forbidden to join anything political or even entertain the idea. We shall begin training tomorrow, this takes priority above all. If the Councilmen caught wind of any of this, they will try to use you as a political pawn. There is no way to know what lows they'll stoop to, to get their power hungry hands on you, boy. Until you are under my official protection you are too vulnerable."

"Headmistress, please. I don't think it will be wise to separate Maree from his classmates."

"You're right, It will be too suspicious." she said matter of factly. "We don't know what spies the Councilmen planted in the Academy given..." She stopped herself and glanced over to Haiden. "Very well, we'll conduct the training in secrecy after class. If word gets around we will know who leaked it.

Everyone except for Maree go back to your rooms. I will need to have a word in private with him." She finally said and with a raised fist the doors swung open again.