As it turned out, Fletcher hadn't heard about the murder suicide in the square. Micah described the incident, along with the message from the King, and the two of them discussed what it could mean.

They went back and forth about various incantations and tonics that might help sever the connection between me and the King, but they came up with nothing. They vowed that they would talk with the Council the following morning about other options.

I was only half paying attention to their conversation as I lay on the mattress, turning to face the wall. I had become so focused on my success in training, I had forgotten the seriousness of the matter at hand. Today had been a brutal reminder, one that I wasn't sure to forget any time soon.

I tossed and turned for several hours that night. Every time I closed my eyes, I was haunted by the accusing stare of the young boy who jumped to his death.

When I was finally able to fall, I dreamed that I was standing in the middle of the square. I was alone and it is quiet, too quiet. Even after curfew there were a few sounds- people's deep breathing through the thin walls as they slept, guards patrolling the streets looking for stragglers, birds in distant trees singing their evening melodies. But not in the dream. In the dream there was a silence that chilled me to the bone.

I was wearing a long, white night dress, my pale legs exposed to the cold autumn morning. For some reason, I was barefoot. I stared curiously at my ghostly white feet, mesmerized and confused, until something caught my eye.

A dark red liquid was crawling slowly  in my direction. It dispensed rapidly from an unknown source until it surrounded my ashen feet, gliding effortlessly between my toes. The scarlet solution looked strange next to the pastel of my luminescent feet.

"What's this?" I muttered, as I leaned down to touch the liquid with the tips of her fingers. It was surprisingly warm.

I noticed a trail of the liquid not that far away from me. I followed it, an eerie feeling flooding through me. I let out a spine-tingling scream when I found the the source.

Fletcher's still body was a couple of yards in front of me, lying in the dirt of the town square. He was on his side, his glossy eyes staring at me as blood flowed from his lifeless corpse.

I tried to run to him, to try to save him before it was too late. But I was frozen in place, left staring into his cold, brown eyes. I turned my head, unable to look at him, but let out another horrible cry when I saw Micah's body beside me, the light in his bright green eyes forever gone. I tried again to move, to flee from the horrific sight, but my feet were cemented to the ground.

Everywhere I turned, I daw another body lying dead in the streets of Tueri- Sage, Patrick, Dennis, Commander Nero, the people that work in the kitchens, a group of first year children I had seen training that morning, all lying on the ground, all dead.

I stood in the middle of the square, surrounded by hundreds upon hundreds of cadavers, stretching for as far as the eye could see. As I struggled to break free of my now paralyzed legs, the warm, dark blood continued its rapid course towards me, covering my toes, my ankles, my knees until I felt as though I was going to drown in it.

The last thing I saw were the accusing stares of my friends as they pierced into my soul, imploring why I didn't save them.

Their blood continued to flow, pouring into my mouth and eyes, suffocating me until I eventually blacked out.

I woke up gasping for precious oxygen, as deafening sirens blared all around. My hands automatically darted to my head, covering my ears to drown out some of the noise. I looked around and saw that Micah and Fletcher were already up and bustling around the bunk in a rush.

"What's going on?" I asked, barely audible over the earsplitting alarms.

"There's an attack! These are the battle sirens!" Micah explained. "Hurry, Alexis- we need to go NOW!" he yelled, tossing my tennis shoes at me.

I fumbled in a panic, dropping them on the floor. I slipped them on and hurried to lace them, but the cacophonous sirens shook my hands and teeth with their vibrations, causing the process to take much longer than it should have.

I followed Micah and Fletcher into the square where pandemonium was ensuing. Small children were standing in terrified groups, covering their heads and shaking with terror. The teenagers were trying to play it cool, but you could tell that they were also anxious about the impending attack.

I found it almost ironic that these kids had to endure so much torture to make them resilient, battle ready warriors, but when the situation actually came about, they were just as frightened as any normal kid would be.

In the midst of the disarray, I registered Commander Nero marching down the stairs of the command tower, and to the middle of the square where everyone could see him.

"This is not a drill," he said in a deep, authoritative voice, so loud that the thousands of people crowded around could hear. "I repeat, this is not a drill. We have been informed that an army of Malin soldiers have somehow breeched the barrier and are on their way to Tueri," he said, as hundreds of worried whispers break out. 

"We have estimated that they will be arriving in approximately ten minutes. That being said, I am initiating infiltration protocol. Just remember your trainings- you all know what to do. May good fortune be with you all." He touched his thumb against his forehead and lifted his fist into the air, and everyone joined in solidarity.

The moment the Commander finished his speech, large trucks backed into the square. Several soldiers jumped out, opening their doors to display piles of metal armor and weaponry.

I stared at Micah in confusion.

"In infiltration protocol, every person over the age of fourteen is responsible for helping the younger members with their armor first," Micah explained, placing two cumbersome metal vests in my arms.

Micah and Fletcher stepped toward the hundreds of children huddled together in a frightened group. I followed their lead, and walked up to a small girl who was around seven years old. She had blonde hair that flowed in lovely waves down to her elbows. Her big, beautiful brown eyes contrasted dramatically against the fair skin of her soft, innocent face.

I squatted down to my knees so I was at eye level with the shivering young girl.

"What's your name?" I asked, fighting to keep my voice calm.

"Chasity," the girl whispered.

"That's a beautiful name, Chasity. I'm Lexi."

"I know. Everyone here knows who you are," Chasity said with a shy smile.

Oh great, I thought.

I motioned to one of the armored vests I was holding. "Is it okay if I help you get this on?" She gave me a small nod.

The truth was that I wasn't exactly sure how to get the armor on. There were so many straps and buttons involved, I didn't even know where to begin.

"You have to start with this," Chasity said with a giggle, as she pointed to a strap on the side of the vest.

"Of course," I smiled at her.

I watched Fletcher and Micah, and tried to imitate them as they unfastened, unbuttoned, and unlocked multiple sections of the armor. Eventually, I figured out how to open the contraption and placed it over Chasity's head, latching everything back so that it was secure. Chasity was so small, the metal vest came down past her knees. The idea of this little girl wearing battle armor made me sick to my stomach.

After I clasped the last section of the vest, I started to stand up, but Chasity grabbed my hand.

"I'm scared," she breathed, glancing around anxiously as though someone might overhear.

"That's okay," I whispered, placing my hand gently on the girl's cheek. "There's nothing wrong with being afraid. I'm scared too."

Chasity's eyes widened in astonishment. "You're afraid?"

"Of course. We all get frightened sometimes, and anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is lying. It's just a matter of how you show it. You don't want to let other people see that you're afraid, so stand tall, put on a brave face, and know that everyone here is scared too, even if they aren't showing it."

Chasity swallowed hard and gave a nod. "Okay. I'll be brave," she said. "But, will you stay with me in the battle, Lexi?"

My subconscious screamed at me to say no. Chasity would be better off on her own than with my inadequate training and limited magical knowledge. I would be of no use to anyone when things began. But I looked down at her, hazel eyes staring into terrified, pleading browns, and I knew that I couldn't deny her this one request.

"Of course I'll stay with you," I said, and the young girl's face lit up. It was a beautiful, seeing the light on sweet Chasity's face. I smiled, and then frowned, my stomach lurching at what horrors Chasity might be undergoing in just a few minutes.

"Alexis... your armor," Micah said.

This woke me up from my temporary amnesia, bringing me back to the present where hurried feet and chaotic preparations surrounded us. I glanced around and saw that everyone else was already wearing their vests. I hurried to put mine on with fumbling fingers: Micah, noticing my struggle, stepped in to help.

"Alexis," he murmured, fastening a loose strap on my shoulder. "When the battle begins, everything will become mayhem. I have a responsibility to help my fellow protectors and to defend our home, but my top priority is your safety. Please try to stay close to me; I need you in my sight at all times."

There was a deep worry line between his brows, his green eyes filled with terror. I knew it wasn't fear for his own safety or the battle to come, but fear of what might happen to me. I was the reason the Malin were here, after all.

I nodded, knowing by the authority in Micah's voice that it wasn't up for debate. That didn't stop the gut-wrenching guilt I felt as I gazed at the young children surrounding me, knowing that many of them may die. The effort Micah would put forth protecting me could have been used to save their lives instead.

"I've got your back too," a deep voice said behind is. Micah and I turned to see Dennis dressed handsomely in his metallic armor, a brilliant smile on his face.

"Like hell you do," Micah said, color rising into his face.

Dennis let out a sigh of frustration. "Micah, I know that you and I have had our differences, but can you put those aside, just for today?"

"I don't trust you," Micah admitted through gritted teeth.

"Well, this isn't about you. It's about Lexi and keeping her safe, which I think we can both agree is the most important thing. Isn't it better if you've got as many people watching out for her as possible?"

Micah pondered it over for a minute. As though in pain, he said, "Fine. But so help me if you do anything that gets her hurt, I will kick your ass."

"Deal," Dennis laughed. He reached out his hand out to shake Micah's, but Micah ignored him and finished tightening my armor instead.

"Soldiers! Get in position," Commander Nero called out over the noisy crowd.

Everyone stopped and immediately filed into lines, standing shoulder to shoulder to form an impenetrable defense. I found myself in the middle line with Micah to my right, Dennis behind me, Chasity on my left, and Fletcher in front.

Chasity grabbed my hand and held it so tightly I felt as a though I was losing circulation. But I didn't complain. As much as Chasity was holding my hand for comfort, I was holding hers just as much for support.

"We are passing around weapons. Everyone grab the one that you feel the most comfortable with," Commander Nero said, as the men brought around containers to each line of soldiers. I watched as Dennis grabbed a mace, Fletcher decided on a lance, Sage picked out a sharp trident, and Micah and Chasity chose swords.

The soldiers stepped in front of me, waiting for me to choose a lethal weapon, and I settled for a small blade. The man gave me a judgmental look, but I didn't care; I had never trained with any of these weapons, so they wouldn't be of any use to me.

Worse, I could accidentally hurt one of my allies by using a weapon I wasn't familiar with. At least with the knife, the only person I was likely to injure was myself. I stuck it in the belt of my pants for safekeeping, hoping I would never be in the position to have to actually use it.

As the weapons were being distributed throughout the battalion, a young woman came running into the square, red-faced and out of breath.

"Commander!" she called. "I just spotted the offensive line. They're almost to the wall."

Sage hopped from foot to foot in anticipation, her eyes bright and a grin plastered on her face. She was clearly in her element, the bloodthirst running fervently through her veins as she prepared for battle.

"Alright everyone, it's time. Remember your trainings- they are about to be put to the test. Fight for your brothers and sisters. Fight for Tueri, and all of Kapanathy, as its future lies in our hands right now. Good luck to you all," Commander Nero said, as cheers rang throughout the square.

I could hardly hear their war cries because my pulse was pounding in my ears. A think layer of sweat formed on my forehead as I realized that I was willingly walking headfirst into battle. I wanted to run to safety, but there was nowhere that was safe for me anymore because the King would always find me, no matter where I ran.

Besides, it wasn't about just me anymore. I had others who were relying on me, whose very lives could be dependent on my presence. I glanced at my friends, my comrades who were counting on me- sweet little Chasity, compassionate Dennis, kind-hearted Fletcher, and, of course, my partner and protector Micah. If I left and something happened to any one of them, I would never be able to forgive myself. So I grit my teeth and took a deep breath, trying to brace myself for the terrifying battle that was to come.

The protectors' joyful cries were interrupted by a loud thump against the front gates of Tueri. I gaped at the thick, towering wall, hoping that its reinforcements could withstand the impeding militia on the other side. This feeling of security lasted for only a moment, as the banging rang through the square once again. The gate shook with the force, causing dust and debris to fall around us.

"This is it," Micah muttered, getting a better grasp on his weapon.

Chasity clutched my hand even more tightly, as she held her own sword in her small, trembling hand. My heartrate accelerated and all I could think about was how unprepared I was for this battle, about how I wished I had taken my training more seriously, about how this could be the moment that I died.  

A third bang reverberated throughout Tueri, as the seemingly impermeable front gate came crashing down. Through the cloud of dirt, I could see a large group of Malin soldiers waiting, their faces reflecting surprised glee at their successful breech. There is a moment of resounding silence and hesitation as the two armies analyzed each other, before the Malin let out loud battle cries and ambushed the city.

The protectors held their defensive stances, but the Malin had the advantage here, both in numbers and surprise. They quickly began throwing firebombs from a safe distance. Most of the energy balls missed their targets, but several hit the protectors in the first row, causing life-threatening injuries.

"Get ready to move!" Commander Nero called to his troops. "Charge!" he yelled, as the protectors ran toward the oncoming Malin.

The scene was complete chaos. The youngest of the children ran all around, crying and screaming in terror. The older kids held their own, trying to fend off the enemy, but you could see the defeat in their eyes as the Malin continued to pour through the entrance of Tueri in a seemingly never-ending stampede, firebomb after firebomb raining from their heads.

The moment the fighting began the protectors broke rank, many in panic, some due to their yearning to take out as many Malin as possible, and others in confusion. It was evident that, regardless of their trainings, many of the children had never actually seen combat. Simulations and practice drills were one thing, but an actual battle was something else entirely.

Although Micah had said that the protectors had a protocol in place for possible attacks, it was obvious that they had never actually needed to use it. Anyone who might have been foolish enough to actually try an attack on Tueri were always deterred because of it's magical protections. Fortifications had been built up over the years, each new generation of the Council adding more complex layers of magic to the already impassable barriers that were in place. The fact that King Casimir and his army were able to find an incantation to break the barrier was terrifyingly impressive. No one had ever made it this far into Tueri, that much I knew from her classes with Patrick.

It was all I could do to keep from covering my ears at the deafening sound that ensued as the Malin and protectors clashed, armor crashing against armor. The protectors had strength and experience on their side and were able to force many of the Malin back, but the Malin had magic, and were able to hold their own. 

There was danger at every turn. Malin filed in rapidly, converging on our ranks. Firebombs fell from the heavens, causing hellfire to reign down on our heads as we weaved in and out of the storm.

Through the slightest of gaps in the protector's defensive line, several Malin soldiers were able to break through the ranks and into the square. One of the soldiers stopped as his eyes locked on mine, recognition crossing his face. He charged and I screamed, trying to back away, only to trip over my own feet and plummet to the ground. The man lunged at me, a firebomb at the ready, but Micah appeared out of nowhere, crouching protectively in front of me as he plunged his sword into the man's throat.

Micah helped me to my feet and I gave him a thankful smile. He smiled back, just as a firebomb soared past and grazed leg. He let out a line of angry profanities and took off after the source of the assault, eager for revenge.

Everyone around me was engaged in battle. Even little Chasity was putting up a fight. She used her small stature to her benefit, scurrying behind a group of unsuspecting soldiers and drawing her blade across the back of their knees, bringing them tumbling to the ground.

I watched as if in slow motion as one of the soldiers caught on to Chasity's tactics and leaped at her, picking her up off of the ground by her long, golden locks. She let out a squeal of protest as the man hoisted her into the air.

I searched for the knife in my belt, fervent on saving Chasity, only to find that I had lost it in the heat of the battle. I was now standing in the heart of a full blown war with no weapon, and no Micah around to protect me. I had never felt more helpless. 

The Malin soldier smiled ruefully at Chasity, summoning a firebomb as she continued to struggle against his grasp. The sight of the firebomb seemed to conjure something in me. I could feel an angry heat rising inside of me, my blood pressure mounting as my heart accelerated. The sight of this grown man threatening the life of a sweet, innocent girl as she cried out in fear, infuriated the deepest parts of me.

Time seemed to stop as I watched the man guide the firebomb closer to Chasity. I felt my magic stirring inside of me, forming in my heart and coursing outward, all the way to the very tips of my fingers. For the first time since finding out I was a witch, I allowed the feeling to consume me.

The Malin was about to let go of the firebomb, to use it's vicious strength to take away Chasity's life, but I couldn't let that to happen.

"NO!" I yelled in a thunderous voice that would put Commander Nero to shame.

Almost everyone in the square stopped mid-fight to look at me, protector and Malin alike. I was vaguely aware of the look on the Malins faces as they realized I was the one the one they were sent to retrieve, the precious Redeemer.

But I only had eyes for one person. The solider holding Chasity stared at me. I saw the acknowledgement in his eyes, and he changed the direction of the firebomb toward me instead. I heard Micah crying my name from somewhere far away, saturated with terror as he witnessed the Malin about to attack.

I knew Micah was too far away, that he would never get to me in time. But I also knew that I didn't need his help. My magic was strong and fierce, dominating my body and mind. I had never felt more powerful.

The breeze rustled the autumn leaves, sending them swirling subtly. The Malin twitched ever so slightly, but I don't give him the chance to send the firebomb airborne. Instead, I raised my arms out straight in front of me, my palms facing the Malin as the magic traveled through my arms and out of my hands.

The breeze progressed into a full blown gale, more powerful than any storm could create. The soldier's eyes widened in alarm as the whirlwind lifted him off of the ground, and slammed him violently into the side of the cafeteria. He dropped to the earth in an unconscious mound.

I was relieved to see Chasity lying safely on the ground, rubbing her scalp, but otherwise unscathed. But this did little to alleviate the anger I felt when I saw the Malin soldiers all around me, intruders in Tueri's sacred land, standing over the bodies of fallen protectors.

In a fit of infuriation, I utilized my building wrath to send every Malin in my sight flying through the air. They began to run in a panic, fleeing from the witch who had gone mad, but still, I don't stop. I propelled soldier after soldier into walls, through windows, and into the middle of crowds, until I was too exhausted to do anything but fall to the ground, the world around me going black.

Thank you for reading! If you are enjoying this story so far, don't forget to vote! :)

© Dawn Norwell