Crowning Glory (In Bloom Book 2)

21: Survive

The rain showed no mercy as it beat against us. I created a barrier to keep us dry and warm, but I could only keep it for a few minutes at a time. It felt like someone was taking a blazing rod and piercing my skull. I had never used my magic for this long. I pushed my own exhaustion aside as we followed the footprints.

I knew Baul and Lilia could handle themselves, but my mind continued to flash with the worst case scenario. That we would not reach them in time.

A painful, thunderous roar made us all slow down in our pace. Even though we had left the battle scene, I could still hear the shouts of the Silver Owls.

"Surround her! Don't give her a moment's rest!"

"Aim for her blindspots!"

"Ready the catapults!"

The Knight of Dawn's voice came through, "Focus! You'll get trampled if you don't watch out!"

At the party, Malleus mentioned our dreams would be like our fairy tales. How we would never want to leave.

But how could someone want to remain in such an awful war?

Why could not Lilia have dreamt of a time when the Valley was at peace? When he and Silver were happy together? When Malleus was together with his parents?

Speaking of which, why had the fairy prince not made an appearance? The two Diasomnia students and I thought there was probably something that prevented him from interfering in Lilia's dream.

There were so many questions that bothered us.

Though, Silver addressed another matter. "Sebek, when did your unique magic develop? This is the first time I've witnessed it."

"You've known each other for over ten years and you've never seen it?!" Grim exclaimed. "I thought the two of you were practically brothers!"

Sebek explained, "It's not his fault. My unique magic developed when Silver was in his first year of Night Raven College. I was training on my own at the time. And when it finally happened, I ensured no one else would see it."

"But, why did you never show it before?" I asked. 

"I didn't want to show it to anyone until I had a good grasp on it."

There was no doubt in the power of Sebek's "Living Volt." The astounding speed he could travel and deliver attacks. Though with such potent spells meant great collateral damage. In his case, it greatly drained his own energy. Had he used it on a real enemy, there was no doubt they would take the opportunity to attack while he recuperated.

"You know, it's really quite a fitting spell for you," Silver commented.

"Hmph," Sebek tried to walk further ahead. He grumbled to himself. "I would've liked to have pulled it off flawlessly...for once..."

Swords clashing made us hurry into Moonless Forest. From a distance, I caught the shine of metal suits.

"Watch where you aim!" one of the soldiers commanded. "We need the egg unharmed!"

"Surrender now, Vanrouge! Or you're going to regret it!" another one shouted.

One voice swallowed all of the shouts of proclamations and promises of revenge.

"LISTEN UP, HUMANS! MY NAME IS BAUL ZIGVOLT! I AM AN IMPERIAL GUARDSMAN, A TITLE I BEAR WITH PRIDE! THOSE OF YOU WHO WISH TO SULLY MY AXE, STEP FORWARD NOW! I'LL DEVOUR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!"

Like grandfather, like grandson.

From the roots underneath the earth, I tried to get a sense of how many Silver Owls there were.