Chapter two - no strangers here

When Via woke up the next morning she headed straight for her dad's room, only to be told that he and the headmistress had something important they had to take care of. Reluctantly she went back to her suite just as the other girls were waking up and getting ready.

The last thing she expected to see when she walked into the bathroom was a slightly scared Terra and a fully naked Aisha.

"Woah... I'm not interrupting am I?" Via's mouth turned up at the corners.

"I'm getting a shower, Terra was about to change but she brought the wrong bra." Aisha said as she stepped into the shower.

"Did, uh, either of you see Stella? Because, uh, I don't think she came in last night." Terra spoke keeping her eyes planted in the opposite direction of the shower.

Via looked over to her friend and her eyes turned purple, she could feel the anxiety coming from her. "I'm sure she'll turn up." She shrugged and then whispered, "my rooms empty, you can change in there."

Terra smiled nodding and the two of them left the bathroom, Terra heading straight into Via's bedroom with her clothes. Musa was making coffee and Via's head practically snapped towards the scent. The smile on her face slowly dropped as their missing roommate walked through the front door.

"Oh, that outfit's so similar to yesterday's. Same designer?" Musa joked making Via laugh through her nose.

"Do you know how I feel about that joke, or shall I tell you?" Stella gave her a fake smile. "Where's Bloom?"

"Well, she's had a rough night." Musa told her.

"Thanks to you." Via added.

"I didn't think those things were real, but we all saw it. It was creepy as hell. It looked like it wanted to kill her." Musa frowned.

"They're supposed to be extinct, my dad told me it took them years to get rid of them all."

Stella sighed, "what about my ring?"

Bloom came out of her room then, looking extremely tired, "that burned... burned thing took it."

"What?" Stella gave her a look that could kill.

"Calm down, Princess."

"Don't tell me to calm down, and don't use my title as an insult." The blonde bit Musa's head off.

"Are you actually a Princess?" Bloom half laughed, an excited glint in her eyes.

"Mhm, Princess of being a selfish twat. We all know that for sure." Via smiled, moving over to the coffee that had just been made.

"Watch your mouth Via." Stella spat before turning back to Bloom, "Yes, I am. My mum is the Queen, and the ring you lost is one of the Crown Jewels of Solaria. That might not mean much to a First Worlder. So feel free to ask your suite-mates how big of a screw up that is."

"Almost as big as giving it to her in the first place." Aisha said as she came out the bathroom. "Dowling has the creature locked up, which you would know if you were here last night when she gave us an earful."

"And if people knew there was a burned one even in the First World temporarily, disaster." Musa told Bloom.

"Wait... did you just say she has it locked up?" Via asked Aisha.

She nodded, "you were already in bed when Dowling came back, she caught it and locked it up."

"For fuck sake, so that's the something important my dad's seeing to. I'm going to kill him." Via said before storming out, leaving them to argue.

✵ ✵ ✵

Via figured that the headmistresses office would be the best place to start looking so she hurried straight there. Dowling was there but her dad wasn't. She cleared her throat as she approached the woman and her assistant.

"Via?" She half smiled.

The girl crossed her arms over her body and gave her a pointed look, "do you happen to know where my dad is?"

"Yes, he's just gone to start his class. Speaking of class, isn't there one you should be getting too." Miss Dowling looked behind her then, "Yes Beatrix?"

"Uh, you look so well-rested." An auburn haired girl came up next to her. Via looked at her questionably, Dowling looked exhausted.

"Thank you. Is there a reason you're here and not gathering in the stone circle with the rest of the first years?"

"I was seeing if you wanted an escort." The girl, Beatrix, smiled. "Maybe somebody to help carry the Vessel."

"I have an assistant. I don't need another." Dowling looked between the two girls, "Via is a student mentor, I'm sure she wouldn't mind walking you down."

"Oh- uhm, sure." Beatrix tried to hide the look of disappointment on her face.

"But I have to go and-" via started but was cut off.

"If I see you near the specialist's training area, I will kill you. You can talk to your father later." She warned.

A frustrated grunt left Via's mouth, "Fine. You were so much more fun before I was a student."

The two girls walked in silence until they got outside, Beatrix occasionally looking over to her subtly, almost as if she was studying her. Via smiled a little as she shoved her hands in her pockets, finally turning and looking back at her.

"You planning on drawing a picture?" She asked.

"Sorry, I was trying to figure out your power."

"Ahh, well." Via's eyes flashed and she felt for the other girls emotions. "You seemed all nervous and admirable back there, but really you don't care about Dowling and your full of confidence. Right now your trying to block yourself from me, cute."

"Your a mind fairy."

"Mhm" Via nodded.

"The headmistress mentioned your father, he works here?"

"Yeah, he's the headmaster of the Specialists." Via stopped in her tracks, "To get to the stone circle you just walk straight down that path."

"Thanks for walking me, Via?" She said the name like it was a question.

"Via. And your Beatrix." She bit down on her lip to stop herself smiling.

"Yep, see you around." Beatrix called as she started down the path.

"Hopefully." Via turned, shaking her head as she walked.

✵ ✵ ✵

After boring classes, with her only source of entertainment as Phoenix. She lasted about ten minutes before telling him everything that had happened the night before, he nearly smacked her over the back of the head for getting herself involved. She told him about meeting Beatrix as they were walking out the last class before lunch and he got rather excited.

"What's the point in being a mind fairy, if you won't use your powers to dig into peoples minds and find out their sexuality."

"Because Nix, that's an invasion of privacy and that is just not my style."

"Excuse me, when I told you I hooked up with someone but wouldn't tell you who you immediately used your powers on me. How is that not your style." He raised a brow.

"If anything that was for your own safety, I mean Riven might be pretty but he's a man slut." She looked up at him, "besides I'm trying to be less intrusive."

"Mhm, let me know how that works out for you. I'm assuming the girls with Terra are your new suitemates." He gestured over to where the girls were waving her over.

"Burned one business, sleepover tonight?"

"I'll text you before I come over, don't put yourself in more danger, thank you." He leant down and kissed the top of her head, ruffling her hair before walking away.

Via took a seat in between Terra and Aisha, before she could even get a word out to the girls, Stella marched over with Sky trailing behind her. She spread out a map across the table before looking at them all.

"So we have a plan to get my ring back."

"What's this?" Musa asked.

"It's a map of Alfea." Via answered.

"The little dotted line is the barrier, and that's Crag Creek." Terra pointed out areas on the map, "Wind meadow! Do you remember when we were kids and we'd spend every-" she turned to Via and started to say but she was cut off.

"Great story, Ter." Stella gave her a fake smile.

"Stop being such an arsehole." Via frowned as Sky walked around the table and gave her a hug from behind before sitting next to Bloom.

Terra told everyone the story that Stella interrupted while Stella stared daggers between Bloom and Sky, Via or literally anyone with eyes could see the jealousy dripping off her. Once Terra had finished her story Stella touched Sky's shoulder.

"Uh, Sky... where do you think they're keeping it again?" She said as she ran her hand along his arm making Via want to vomit.

"Um... there's only so many buildings outside the barrier they can secure a creature like that. There's the barn and the mill." He pointed to each of them.

"Oh, the barn would be my bet. My dad fortified the beams because he was chaining the wounded horse-"Terra said but was once again interrupted.

"So we just have to sneak in there and get my ring." Stella smiled falsely at everyone.

"Strange how casually you're tossing about the word, we." Aisha returned the false smile.

"Yeah, sounds more like a, you, kinda deal." Musa added.

"Except I didn't lose it."

Bloom didn't even look up from the map, "when do we go?"

"Gonna be blunt. Sorry. Bloom, you have zero control over your magic. That is, if you manage to channel it. Bad idea." Aisha told her truthfully.

"I lost the ring. I'm gonna get it back."

"If your going, so am I. I definitely don't trust Stella to be alone with you." Via nodded, sending the girl a glare.

"Guys, maybe we should take a second to maybe-" Sky started.

Once again Stella butted in, "I think everyone is making a bigger deal of this than needs to be."

"Then go get your stupid ring, by yourself then." Via rolled her eyes.

"Terra said the burned one's locked up."

"Oh, and subdued. I'm pretty sure my dad is distilling this oil that'll subdue it. It's called Zanbaq, I could probably make some more." Terra smiled up at Stella.

"Thank you Terra, for being helpful. And thank you Bloom for taking responsibility. Via... whatever. And thank you everyone else, for nothing, I guess!" Stella half laughed. "Thanks for nothing."

Via stood from the table and walked around to where her brother was standing next to Stella, "Sky, has dad finished his classes yet? I've been trying to see him all morning."

Sky looked down at his watch, "uh, yeah. He should be done by now. Why, is everything okay?"

"Mhm, I'm fine, just need to talk to him." She half smiled, "oh and, awful decision getting back together with her by the way." She gave him a thumbs up as she walked backwards.

"We're not!" He practically shouted across the cafeteria.

✵ ✵ ✵

It didn't take her long for her to walk across the school grounds and bang on her Dad's door. He opened the door and gave her a look that asked why she was trying to break his door, then he stepped aside. She huffed as she walked in and sat down on the couch.

"Do you have something to tell me?" She asked him.

"Your the one who's got some explaining to do." He sat down next to her. "What on earth were you thinking? going passed barrier. Putting yourself in danger like that."

"You wanted me to make friends, I was helping a friend. Now why on earth do you and Dowiling have a burned one locked up and why are you going out messing with it?" She folded her arms over her chest.

"V, we're taking every precaution to stay safe. It's chained up and Ben's got it dosed with something so it stays knocked out." He put his arm around her shoulder, "I am glad that your making friends though."

"Just, please be careful. Me and Sky need you."

"I know, love. Don't worry about me, okay. I'll be fine, I promise." He pulled her in to a hug.

"Oh, I think Sky's getting back with Stella again. He said they're not but she stayed out all night, so."

"God, well that's gonna be a nightmare." He laughed under his breath, "Stay out of your brothers business anyway, this is why the two of you argue. Do you remember two years ago when you were in an argument with she who shall not be named, you threw him through the living room window."

"To be fair we were sparing, I just... took it a little too far." She smiled.

"Well, I actually have to go and try to convince Farah that the Burned one should be moved to Solaria. It's safer there and they have better resources."

"Don't take no for an answer, I will murder you if you get hurt." She nodded as she walked to the door.

"See you later, love. Stay out of trouble."

Phoenix was waiting outside the suite when she returned, hands in his pockets trying to hide the stuff he'd most likely just gotten from one of the earth fairies. Via shook her head at the smirking boy and dragged him inside, quietly letting him in her room.

The first thing Via did was open up all the windows in her room, Nix began rolling a joint each for them and then he joined the girl by the window, he snapped his fingers and a flame sparked from the tips so he could light both joints. Once they'd smoked they got in bed and watched a movie on Via's laptop, this was something they had done most nights the previous year.

✵ ✵ ✵

Via was woken up by the suite door closing loudly, by the time her and Nix were both ready all of the girls had left for their classes. So the two of them strolled to class, attempting to keep their eyes open.

"We don't have anything until second period, so why couldn't we stay in bed another hour." Phoenix pouted.

"Nix, I'm on a mission here."

"A mission?"

"I need to tell Stella something."

"Oh your friends with the she devil now?" He scrunched his nose.

"No- never, but I like Bloom and Stella's dragged her into this mess. If I can help them not get caught or die then I'm going to you." She tightened her lips.

It wasn't until lunch that she managed to track Stella down, Phoenix swiftly excused himself so he didn't have to deal with her while Via had to do a little jog to catch up to her.

"Stella!"

The blonde turned and frowned looking Via up and down, "what?"

"Has everyone from our suite got an invisibility cloak I don't know about, I've been trying to find you guys all day."

"Well here I am." Stell gestured to herself.

"I spoke to my dad and he's got Solarian soldiers coming in to take the burned one to the capitol, your mum's approved. If you want to get the ring back we have to go now." She told her.

"Shit... let's go get Bloom." Stella sighed before marching off.

Bloom and Aisha sounded like they were arguing when the two older girls walked into the room, Via slightly more awkward.

"They're moving the Burned one to the capitol. We have to go now." Stella basically demanded.

"Sorry, but nothing about how stupid that idea is has changed." Aisha gave the three girls a questioning look.

Bloom got up and follow Stella out without another word to her room mate, Via called goodbye out and hurried after them, to her surprise Aisha followed.

The four girls approached the barrier having spent the whole time listening to Stella moan about the fact Aisha decided to come after all.

For what felt like the thousandth time in the last 5 minutes Stella spoke again, "you don't have to be here, Aisha. You either Via."

"Leave me out of whatever this is." Via pointed between Aisha and Stella, "I said I was coming from the start, wouldn't want bloom to trip and fall on blinding light would we." She smirked at the blonde who sent her signature eye daggers back at her.

"This is idiotic, you need me. What are you gonna do Stella? Dazzle it with light while Bloom struggles to start a fire?" Aisha argued.

Bloom scrunched her brows together, "I'm right here!"

"If it helps I could make you think we're in Aruba, or maybe throw some big rocks at it." Via smiled.

"See we'll be fine." Stella said tapping her hand on Via's shoulder. "Anyway I fixed Bloom."

"Negative emotions are unreliable. They have limits. Your method won't help her in the long run."

"Aisha's right about that." Via nodded.

"None of you are helping right now. Can we please just do this?" Bloom but her hands on her hips and looked at them.

"Oh good, everyone's calm and collected." Musa's voice came from behind them.

"Finally!" Stella said as she spotted Terra and Musa.

"Sorry. I needed help with the Zanbaq, we're all good now though." Terra smiled holding up a small vial.

"Do we know where the barn is?" Stella asked.

"Head north." Via pointed in the direction that was north as she crossed through the barrier.

The seven of them trotted through the woods, Via at the front with Terra because the two of them knew the way. When they finally got to the barn, something in Via didn't feel right. She scanned the area with her powers and a chill ran up her spine, Musa must have done the same thing because the two of them started heading in a different direction.

"Via, Musa?" Terra called after them. "Are you two okay?"

The two mind fairies shared a glance as they carried on waking, Musa answering, "I don't know. I feel something."

Via could hear her heart pounding in her ears and her palms began to sweat, something wasn't right and pain flooded through Via's body. She could handle it, using a nearby tree to steady herself ignoring the damp feeling under her hand as Musa doubled over in pain.

"Guys! We've got a problem!" Terra shouted back to the others.

As Via's vision cleared and she looked around the tree she let out a gasp, looking to her hand that was covered in blood from the tree. She felt the whole world spin as she realised who the men were, Solarian soldiers, the men her dad was with so they could move the burned one.

Stella and Terra tried to hold her back but she tugged herself out of their grips, rushing forward into the massacred bodies that lay on the forest floor. Her body shook as she looked at all of the faces belonging to the dead bodies, praying non of them were her father.

When she finally found her dad up against the tree, she sank to her knees, the voices behind her muffled as the earth felt like it was being dragged up from under her.

"Dad!" She cupped his face, his eyes were completely black and he was covered in blood.

"Dad?" She heard Musa's voice questioning.

Silva let out a low grunt as he picked up his knife, "love, stay back." He jerked his hand to where Terra and Musa were coming up behind her.

"The burned one's cut you and you're infected." Terra said calmly.

"Terra please tell me there's something you can do!" Via sobbed as hot tears flooded her face.

Branches wrapped around his arms pinning him to the tree, Via cried still holding on to the side of his face.

"Can you use your magic to calm him down?" Terra asked Musa.

"Via's stronger than me... she should do it." Musa furrowed her brows.

"She's too emotional." Terra crouched down, "V, I need you too move aside. I've got Zanbaq for him, Mr Silva this'll calm the infection and then we can take you back to school."

"Dad, you promised me you'd be careful!"

"I can hold his head, but i need one of you to pour it into his mouth." Terra said with worry in her voice.

"I- I- I can do it." Via took a deep breath and tried to steady herself.

Via took the vial from her friend and screwed off the top, Terra tilted his head back and Via poured in the liquid. Silva heaved a few times and slowly the black clouding his eyes faded and went back to normal, his focus immediately shifted to his daughter. Terra undone the vines around his arms and he threw them around her, panting as he held his sobbing daughter at his chest.

"Come one, let's get him back to the school." Terra said as her and Via each put one of his arms around them.

The walk back to the school was dreadful, having to stop every few minutes, Via panicked at every single breath Silva took.

"I need a med kit from the bastion!" Terra shouted.

"I'll get the headmistress." The familiar voice made Via's head snap up, Beatrix.

"Dane, help us carry him to the greenhouse." Terra asked the boy who she'd became friends with.

Dane took over for Terra, as they continued rushing through the school.

"We're almost there dad, your gonna be okay." Via spoke quietly, the weight of him exhausting her.

Terra turned to her older brother who was standing nearby, "Sam, go and get dad." He nodded and rushed off.

They sat him on one of the tables in the greenhouse and once Ben Harvey arrived, everyone but Terra was ushered besides out the room. Via only had to give the man one look and he didn't ask her to leave a second time, she got a chair and sat down next to her dad with a tight grip of his hand while Professor Harvey worked.

When Sky rushed through the door he stood next to his sister, as Silva winced in pain, "How bad is it? Can you help him?"

"Sky, I'll be fine. Just let Professor Harvey do his work." Silva told him.

"He's just concerned dad." Via, who had finally stopped crying, weakly smiled up at him.

Miss Dowling came in then, scared look on her face. "I should've moved it right away, had more soldiers."

"Guys, could we have the room, please?" Silva shifted uncomfortably.

"I'm not leaving you!" Via frowned.

"Sky, take your sister please. We'll keep you informed, go on."

Sky had to physically drag Via from the greenhouse, leaving their dad, Miss Dowling and Professor Harvey alone. Once they were far enough away Sky put her down and earned a smack on the arm.

"Why are you hitting me, I was just doing what he told me to." Sky rubbed his arm.

"He promised me he'd be careful!"

"V, he's going to be fine. Professor Harvey is the best at what he does, right Ter?" Sky wrapped his arms around her.

"He is, your dad'll be fine. Come on let's get you back to the suite." Terra rubbed her back.

Sky helped get her into bed and then she watched him go into Stella's room, she frowned and used her powers to slam her bedroom door. Luckily enough Nix had left behind a joint, she smoked it and put on her headphones, hoping to get some sort of sleep while she waited for news from her dad.