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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟒
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘

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Savannah went from class to class and did her best to seem attentive, but her mind was elsewhere. She couldn't stop herself from thinking about her plans after classes were over. She was looking forward to meeting up with Royce and hopefully having an uninterrupted conversation with him for once. The Silva girl couldn't stop herself from also thinking about Stella's plan to get her ring back. She was still furious with the Light Fairy for putting Sky and Bloom in danger without a second thought. But then again, the Princess always tended to put her needs above her own. That's how she'd been since the day Savannah met her.

The Silva girl was drawn out of thoughts when her instructor announced that class had ended. Adrenaline rushed through her veins as she grabbed all her things and stuffed them into her bag. After thanking her teacher for the class, Savannah walked out of the room. She was trying not to rush through the halls in an attempt not to draw any unwanted attention, but she was definitely walking faster than she normally did. The Silva girl was just eager to meet up with Royce before Sky and Riven came looking for her. It felt like an eternity passed before she finally reached her destination.

A million thoughts bounced around in Savannah's head as she looked around the gardens for the brunette boy. Her eyes scanned over many familiar faces, but none of them were who she was looking for. The Silva girl walked around the gardens for about ten minutes without spotting a single sign of Royce. A wave of disappointment washed over her as she turned to leave, only to come face-to-face with the boy she was looking for.

A large smile was plastered onto Royce's lips as he stared down at the girl in front of him. "Sorry, I'm late. My professor kept us after for a few extra minutes. He kept going on and on about our homework."

"Sounds important. What's your homework? I might be able to help you with it," Savannah responded as the two of them began walking down the path.

"I wasn't really paying attention," the Darnell boy admitted as the smile on his face did nothing but grow, "all I could think about was seeing you."

The Silva girl felt her cheeks grow hot, causing her to look away from the boy beside her. Her actions received a small chuckle from Royce as they continued walking through the very lush gardens. Their laughter was the only thing that could be heard as they went about their conversation. They talked about anything they could think of, which only seemed to make their laughter grow even louder.

Savannah was surprised by how easy it was to talk to the Darnell boy, and he felt the same way. It was like they had known each other for their entire lives. The only other people that the Silva girl had ever felt that with before were those she considered family, never anyone outside of it. And even with them, Savannah was still a bit cautious about what she said, not wanting to say the wrong thing. With Royce, it was as if nothing else mattered. Yet, something about that terrified the Silva girl.

But Royce was experiencing completely different thoughts. He couldn't remember the last time it was so easy to talk to someone. He had grown up surrounded by chaos, which was what he was used to. Nothing was ever constant, except for the fact that he was always on his own. The Darnell boy had grown used to that, never expecting anyone to stay in his life for very long. But all he could think about was how much he wanted Savannah to stay in his life. She gave him a calm feeling that he hadn't experienced in his life. And it had definitely been a long time since he had felt that relaxed.

Savannah and Royce approached one end of a tunnel created by trees, only to stop in their tracks when they spotted two other people on the other side. The Silva girl was a bit surprised to find Musa and Sam staring back at her, but it wasn't a bad surprise. And it seemed to her that everyone felt the same way. However, before any of them could say a word, Musa's phone went off. A confused look instantly formed on her face as she pulled out her phone. Her eyes scanned over the text she just received before all the positivity faded from her face.

The Mind Fairy glanced up to meet Savannah's gaze before her attention moved to Sam. "I have to go. Roommate drama."

"It's cool," the Harvey boy responded with a somewhat forced smile on his face, "you'll, um, feel me later."

Musa sent a smile Sam's way before glancing over at Savannah one last time. It wasn't long after that when she turned and walked away from them. The Silva girl watched her go for a moment before looking up at Royce. "I'm sorry. I should probably go with her."

"I understand," the Darnell boy told her with a hint of disappointment in his eyes, "can we do this again soon?"

"We definitely can," Savannah declared before looking over at Sam, "and you will be telling me about everything later."

After receiving a chuckle and nod from the Harvey boy, the Specialist sprinted down the path after Musa. It didn't take long for Savannah to catch up with the Mind Fairy, who seemed to be waiting for the brunette girl to reach her. Before the Silva girl had a chance to question what was going on, Musa handed her the phone.

TERRA:
Silva is moving
the burned one.

We have to hurry.

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Savannah adjusted the strap for her quiver as she walked alongside Terra and Musa. They were headed to meet up with Bloom, Stella, and Aisha before going to the shed where the Burned One was being held. The Silva girl still didn't agree with the Light Fairy's plan, but she couldn't just sit by while she put everyone in danger. If there was one thing that she gained from her father, it was the determination to keep those around her safe from the danger in the world.

The trio walked in silence until it was broken by voices clashing in the distance. A long sigh passed over Savannah's lips as she, Musa, and Terra approached their roommates. Stella and Aisha were standing just outside the barrier arguing about the correct way to teach Bloom how to use her magic. While they did that, the Peters girl stared into the forest outside the barrier, looking as though she wanted to be anywhere else but there.

"Oh good, everyone's calm and collected," Musa said when she, Savannah, and Terra stopped a few feet away from their roommates.

"Finally!" Stella exclaimed after turning her attention toward the newcomers. Her gaze lingered on the Silva girl, who she wasn't expecting to see.

"Sorry. I needed help with the Zanbaq. We're all good now though," Terra explained while holding up the small vial in her hand.

"Do you know where the barn is?" the Light Fairy questioned while they began walking through the barrier and into the forest.

"Um, yes. North," the Harvey girl responded right as she and Savannah crossed over the barrier, "there's this little stump that looks like an old-"

"Show. Don't tell," Stella interrupted without bothering to hide the annoyance in her voice.

The Silva girl couldn't help but roll her eyes at her before opening her mouth to speak. "We're here to help you, Stella. The least you can do is show a little kindness."

"No one asked you to come," the Lucia girl retaliated before turning her back to Savannah and walking deeper into the forest.

The Specialist couldn't help but sigh in response. After readjusting her bow in her hand, the Silva girl followed the group of fairies. The forest seemed to grow darker the deeper they went. No one said a word as they walked through the pathless woods. It was as if they didn't want to draw undesirable attention to themselves. But Savannah couldn't figure out what they were trying to avoid. And yet she didn't dare to make a sound. What felt like an eternity passed before they finally reached her destination.

The Silva girl had only been to the barn once with her father, and she wished that was the only time. It was an old and worn-down building that seemed to hold millions of stories, but Savannah didn't want to know any of them. In fact, she would rather be anywhere else. The six of them just stared at the barn for a moment before Stella, Aisha, and Bloom continued walking toward the small building. A shaky sigh passed over Savannah's lips as she began to follow them, only for her to stop in her tracks when she realized Musa and Terra weren't with her. When she looked back at them, she found the Mind Fairy walking in a completely different direction.

"Musa?" the Harvey girl called out as she and Savannah followed the raven-haired girl. The Silva girl grabbed an arrow from her quiver and loaded it onto her bow as they went, not wanting to be defenseless if they ran into trouble. It wasn't long before they reached a small clearing just beside the barn. "Musa, are you okay?"

"I don't know. I feel something," the Zimri girl responded to Terra without looking back at her or the Specialist. Not even a second after that passed when Musa cried out in pain and doubled over. "It hurts!"

The Harvey girl was quick to comfort her while Savannah aimed her arrow at the surrounding trees. It was as if expecting an enemy to make themselves known. But instead, her eyes landed on something that made her blood run cold. The Silva girl instantly brought her arms back down to her sides as she stared at the scene in front of her. Not even a second after that passed when Terra and Musa followed her gaze. A single tear rolled down Savannah's cheek as she stared at the bodies of fallen Specialists. Some of them were students who had just graduated within the last few years, others were far more experienced. There were dozens of them covering the forest floor in front of them with trucks still running nearby.

"Guys! We've got a problem!" the Silva girl managed to call out to their friends in the barn. It wasn't long after that when Stella and Aisha joined them in the clearing, both stunned by what they found.

"The Burned One," Terra muttered under her breath with a hint of fear in her voice.

"It's still here somewhere," Stella declared without taking her eyes off the bodies in front of them.

Not even a second after that passed when Savannah spotted movement in the distance. Her blood instantly ran cold the second she realized who it was. The bow and arrow in her hands soon slipped to the ground without her telling her hands to let them go. "Dad!"

The Silva girl didn't hesitate as she sprinted across the clearing toward her father. Despite her urgency, she was careful not to step on any of the fallen Specialists. No matter how much she wanted to reach Saul, she still wanted to respect those they had lost. But what Savannah didn't expect was for her father to aim his sword at her the second she was within reach.

Savannah forced herself to swallow the lump in her throat and ignore the sword being aimed at her chest. Instead, she focused on her father's eyes, which were dark and cloudy. But what caught her attention the most was the fear and pain within them. "It's me, Dad. It's Savannah."

"I know it's you, Savvy," Saul responded as he breathed heavily without moving his sword even an inch, "please get back."

"I can't do that," the Silva girl told her father while fighting back the tears threatening to escape her, "the Burned One cut you and you're infected. I need to get you help, Dad."

A shaky breath passed over Savannah's lips as she unsheathed her sword and slammed it against her father's sword. The force was enough to knock it out of his weak grasp. The Harvey girl soon forced vines to grow from the ground before they wrapped around Saul's wrists, keeping him from moving. The Silva girl just stared at her father as the fairies approached him. Terra didn't hesitate to approach the Specialist's leader as she pulled the vial out from her pocket.

"Okay, I've got Zanbaq for you. It'll calm the infection, and we can take you back to school," the Earth Fairy told the man in front of her, "I can hold his head, but I need one of you to pour it in his mouth."

When she didn't receive a response from either of her friends, Terra glanced back at them. She wasn't surprised to find Savannah staring at her father with tears in her eyes. She had always seen Saul as a man who couldn't be defeated, and now he was beaten and in pain. The Harvey girl would've been surprised if Savannah was calm at that moment. So instead, Terra turned her attention to Musa, knowing the Mind Fairy would be a lot more helpful in their current situation.

"They're scared. I'm not. Focus on me," the Harvey girl said as soon as she saw Musa's bright pink eyes locked on the Silva man.

That was all it took for the Zimri girl's entire demeanor to change. Not even a second after that passed when Terra handed Musa the vial before forcing Saul's mouth open. The raven-haired girl only hesitated for a second before pouring the Zanbaq into his mouth. It didn't take long for the liquid to take effect, causing the Silva man's eyes to return to normal. A shaky breath soon passed over Saul's lips before his attention fell on his daughter. "Savvy."

Savannah instantly snapped out of her daze and her instincts soon took over. She didn't hesitate to cut the vines away from his wrists before forcing him to his feet. The Silva girl slung his arm around her shoulders to keep him steady. It wasn't long after that when Musa did the same with his other arm. As soon as they were steady, Terra began clearing a path for them back to Alfea.

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"I need a med kit from the Bastion!" Terra called out as soon as they reached the courtyard, drawing everyone's attention toward them.

"I'll get the headmistress," Beatrix announced from her place between Riven and Dane before disappearing around the corner. It wasn't long after that when Savannah's attention landed on her brunette friend.

"Take Musa's place. We can get him to the greenhouse a lot faster," Savannah said, causing Riven to do what she told him and quickly swap places with the Mind Fairy. As soon as he was situated, the two of them walked even faster through the courtyard. They soon began walking up a small set of stairs before the Silva girl glanced over at her father. "Nearly there, Dad. Just hang on a little longer."

The world seemed to slow as they walked down the hallway that would lead them to their destination. But despite the determination flowing through Savannah's veins, she felt herself growing weary. Her adrenaline was starting to fade and her father was becoming heavier by the second. Just as the Silva girl felt as though she couldn't take another step, someone got into their path, forcing the young Specialists to stop in their tracks.

"Out of the way, Darnell!" Riven ordered without even attempting to hide the hatred in his voice as he glared at Royce, "can't you see we're in a hurry!"

The Air Fairy simply ignored him as he approached Savannah, who was staring at him with a hint of confusion in her eyes. Before she could question what he was doing, Royce switched places with her. He then looked over at Riven with determination in his eyes. "Let's go, Culbert!"

That was all it took to snap the brunette boy out of his daze before the two of them hurried toward the greenhouse. Savannah just stood there until quickly following after them. As soon as they arrived at their destination, the teens helped Saul onto the table that was cleared by Ben Harvy. Royce and Riven left the greenhouse once the Silva man was settled, wanting to get out of the way so that he could be treated. That left Savannah alone by her father's side. The tears she was holding back finally broke free and began streaming down her cheeks.

A hiss passed over Saul's lips right as Ben put medicine on the cut on his upper arm. Not even a second after that passed when he looked up at his daughter. Just seeing the state she was in put him in more pain than the Burned One did. That was all it took for him to reach up and take Savannah's hand into his own. "It's gonna be alright, Savvy."

"But are you gonna be?" the Silva girl managed to ask, earning nothing but silence from her father.

It wasn't long after that when Sky rushed into the greenhouse. His eyes scanned the room before landing on Saul. A hint of relief mixed with the panic in his eyes as he approached his family. The blonde boy just studied the man who raised him before his attention turned to Ben. "How bad is it? Can you help him?

"I'll be fine. Just let Professor Harvey do his work," Saul responded as his eyes bounced between the two teens. The Silva man let out a painful groan the second he finished speaking. But before either Sky or Savannah had a chance to respond, Dowling hurried into the room.

"I should've moved it right away. I should've had more soldiers," the Headmistress announced as she approached her injured friend, stopping just a few feet behind the pair of young Specialists.

"Guys, could we have the room, please?" the Silva man said, causing everyone to begin to leave. Everyone except for his daughter, who was staring at him with hesitation in her eyes. "We'll keep you informed. Go on."

Savannah was about to argue when someone grabbed her arm and forced her to walk away from her father and out of the greenhouse. She kept her eyes glued to her father until Dowling closed the doors, blocking her view of him. It wasn't long after that when her attention turned to the person forcing her to walk through the halls. The Ekon boy didn't look back once at Savannah, but she could see the determination and fear in his eyes.

They didn't stop until they reached Sky's dorm room. Luckily for both of them, Riven wasn't there. The blonde boy gently forced Savannah inside before closing and locking the door behind them. A shaky breath soon passed over his lips as he turned to face the Silva girl, only to find her rapidly pacing around the room. Sky's eyes simply followed Savannah until she began tightly wrapping her hair around her hands, something she only did when she was overwhelmingly stressed. The Ekon boy didn't hesitate to stop her movements and unwind her fingers before Savannah's eyes moved to meet his.

"What happened, Sav?" the blonde boy said in a gentle voice, not wanting to stress her even more.

Sky was greeted by silence, which continued for longer than he would've liked. Just as he thought he wouldn't receive an answer from Savannah, she began to speak. "I went with Terra and Musa to meet Stella. She, Bloom, and Aisha were going to the barn where the Burned One was being held. Musa picked up on Dad's pain, which was how we found him and...and all the bodies. It was terrible, Sky. And now Dad-"

A sob cut off the Silva girl's explanation as more tears streamed down her cheeks. Sky didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around her and pull him as close to his body as he could. Savannah couldn't stop herself from crying into the Ekon boy's shoulder, staining his shirt with his tears. It wasn't long before he led her over to his bed, keeping her in his arms as they sat down. They stayed like that for hours, Sky just letting Savannah get all of her emotions out.

Neither of them knew how much time had passed before Savannah cried herself to sleep. Her head rested in Sky's lap as leaned his back against his headboard. The Ekon boy kept his eyes glued to his sister, wishing he could take away all the emotional pain she was experiencing. But all he could do was silently promise to protect her the best he could, just like he always did.

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