by Katie Pottle
“What the…” Before he could contemplate what had happened, the Anger Cube blasted him with a cold shot of air.
Cadin looked up from the ground where the warrior who had struck him down was now fighting both Lep and Sun. His neck tingled and he instinctively rolled out of the way of a small bolt of lightning. The Anger Cube connected to the large storm cloud which pulsed a sickening purple light as it readied to fire again.
“Take this,” he said, expanding two of his gins to wrap around the cube while a third one zipped around inside, slowly damaging the Cube.
“Perfect,” a smooth voice said.
Cadin spun to find Ryker striding towards him. His dark eyes were focused.
“One less Energy Cube to worry about,” he said, approaching without rushing, as if there were no time-limit.
The metal of Ryker’s etched blade gleamed as he casually lifted it towards the cloud next to him. His eyes never left Cadin’s, but the moment his sword touched the cloud his focus turned inward.
Cadin pulled the dripping ice dagger into one hand and had Tsuyo transform into a matching one-handed dagger in his other hand.
“Hello again,” Cadin said.
Ryker’s mouth twitched, but he didn’t respond. He pulled his blade from the cloud as he continued to walk forward. As the blade left the cloud it became fully coated in ice.
Oh, crap! Cadin thought. Coating a blade in an element was a far better solution to obtain double damage than making one from scratch. Too late to worry about that now, he thought as Ryker picked up his pace and sped towards him.
Ryker feinted his first blow, and when Cadin reacted to block, Ryker struck across Cadin’s armor with the ice-coated blade.
Cadin backed away and refocused. Ryker pumped his wings to accelerate forward and Cadin struck hard with Tsuyo, not against Ryker, but against the ice-coated blade, shattering the element. He spun and sliced with his own melting ice-dagger, catching Ryker’s shoulder.
Ryker glanced around at the surrounding clouds.
No re-coating your blade! Cadin thought as Ryker retreated a few steps towards the bulging storm cloud.
Cadin threw the ice-dagger which was little more than a pointy ice-cube.
“Ha!” Ryker said as he easily dodged the icicle, only to be shocked by the lightning torus sticking to his breast-plate that released small bolts of electricity. “Eh!” he shouted as he knocked it off his chest with his arm. He glanced up at Cadin with a small gleam of respect.
“Good one,” He said in his smooth voice.
Cadin, wasn’t really listening, he was herding. Two more steps to the left—and Cadin released his gins that had been containing the lightning Anger Cube. The yellow Cube crackled and released several bolts at once. One bolt knocked Ryker on his shinny butt, and the other two flew at Cadin. He dodged one, but took the other one right in the thigh—instantly numbing his leg.
“Not quite what I’d hoped for,” Cadin said as his gins returned to the hilt of Tsuyo.
“Cyclone!” An unfamiliar voice yelled in the distance.
Cadin smiled as he stood up on one leg and flapped his wings hard. If he couldn’t walk—he would fly to victory. He twisted past the Anger Cube that had zinged him and sliced across it—dimming its bright yellow lights. His gins had dealt enough damage to it earlier that he decommissioned the Cube with one blow. Unfortunately, his flight path took him right into the storm cloud which seemed to flex upon his entrance.
Small bolts lit up the purple interior where wind and rain rushed past him. His whole body tingled as the center of the cloud began to glow, gathering a huge bolt of lightning.
Cadin was disoriented, and pumped his wings towards the brightest surface of the cloud, hoping that meant the closest exit. He breached the surface as the crackling started behind him.
“Down!” he yelled to Sun who was engaged mid-air with a red-warrior directly in front of him.
The bolt burst from the cloud behind him and singed his feathers as he rolled out of the way. An electric burst echoed through the Arena.
The crowd’s collective gasp rushed over Cadin as he turned to see both Sun and the red warrior falling from the sky.
“No!” Cadin cried as he angled to catch Sun. He was barely able to grab her arm and stop her descent—catching her limp body just before it impacted the ground. He expected to hear the thump of the red-warrior hitting the ground; however, instead he saw Ryker’s red Aura flare as he glared at Cadin—teammate secured in his arms.
Ryker set the unconscious red-warrior down before lifting his sword and running at Cadin.
“Be safe!” he pleaded to Sun before he gently set her down and pulled out Tsuyo —raising it just in time to block Ryker’s first blow before being stabbed in the armor by a small knife.
“Screw elemental damage,” Ryker hissed as he attacked Cadin.
Cadin pulled out his last lightning torus only to have it smashed out of his hand by Ryker’s blade.
They grappled for a moment, tumbling back towards the dark cloud. The scoreboard flashed across Cadin’s periphery and was already blacked out. He had missed hearing the two-minute warning.
The cloud pulsed behind them and the hairs on Cadin’s arm rose. The cloud was building another bolt and Cadin planned to direct it right into Ryker’s breastplate. Cadin pushed Ryker away and connected to the cloud. The energy built and Cadin felt it heading straight for him. He started shifting to direct it towards Ryker who was recovering when Cadin’s ring contracted painfully. Cadin knew without a doubt that Master Emilio was in great pain somewhere across the Calvarian System.
As Cadin lost his focus the lightning bolt shot forward—smashing into his own chest.
“Time!” echoed through his head before everything went black.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
And the Winner is…
“What a fantastic Final Round to the Warrior Path Games, eh?” The announcer shouted from the stage near the Light Bay.
Cadin had woken up and recovered from the lightning strike soon after time had been called and had to push away the healers hovering over him to get to Sun. To his relief, she was sitting up and answering her healer’s questions.
“Bart and Lep!” Sun said, pointing.
They were both flying, though Bart’s flight staggered a bit before they landed.
Cadin hugged them both. “You’re okay,” he sighed.
“Yep, nothing worse than the usual,” Bart said as a healer attended his wing. He grimaced and nodded when the young healer asked if the spot he was examining was tender.
“Sorry we couldn’t meet back up for plan B after Bart’s awesome cyclone,” Lep said, patting Cadin’s shoulder. “Two of those red jerks would not leave us alone—especially the girl, Valerie. I found Sun for part of it, but got separated at some point.”
“Yeah, I think it was part of their strategy to not let us band together during the battle,” Cadin said, sitting down and finally letting a healer examine him.
“But, it’s over now!” Sun said. “How…”
“When our amazing competitors are done being examined by the healers, we will announce this year’s champions!”
Sun turned back to them after the announcer had finished. “How did you guys do?”
“I think I did alright, except they coated their blades rather than making new ones,” Lep said.
“Master Emilio!” Cadin shouted, suddenly remembering his ring.
His team turned to him—various levels of concern across their faces.
“What now?” Lep asked.
“He’s in trouble—and pain—serious pain! We have to go help him, find him.” Cadin stood up and turned to find the exit.
“Whoa there. You are not cleared yet,” the healer said, holding him back.
“I don’t care, I must help my Gin Master!”
“Cadin, hold on,” Sun said as she wove her fingers through his. “Take a breath and tell us what happened.”
Her touch calmed
him just enough to keep him from bolting. He took a breath and tried his best to explain. “I was summoning a lightning bolt to direct at Ryker when it happened. I would have felt it even without the ring, the pain Master Emilio felt was so intense.”
“Oh, no,” Sun said. “So, with the ring on…”
“Yeah, I completely shut down,” Cadin admitted. “And then the lightning bolt hit me and I blacked out.”
“And I don’t know how,” the healer interrupted, “but you only suffered a small exit wound to show for it. You are medically cleared and can head to the stage.” He waved towards the Light Bay where Ryker and his team were already assembled. Master Sanjen stood next to the Head of Games, Yoser.
“We can leave right after the announcement,” Sun said, pulling Cadin close to her. She whispered in his ear. “You know they won’t let us leave yet. Stick with us through this part and then I will go with you to help Master Emilio. Promise.”
Cadin peered into her eyes and nodded. “Thank you.”
They stepped up onto the stage as a team and turned to face the crowd. They had taken their position to the left side of Master Sanjen. Instructor Kade had joined them, standing next to Bart on the far end and patting each of their shoulders. Other important sponsors to the Games filed in behind them making the stage feel like a lone sunstone being fought over by a mob of tiny grass dragons trying to bathe in the sunlight.
“And here we are!” Yoser, the Head of Games announced. “This has been such a fantastic tournament, and I am sad to see it end. However, a champion team has emerged!” His red neck jiggled as he nodded to the shouting crowd. “It is with great honor that I now announce the winner of the Calvarian Games is—Team Inferno!”
The crowd erupted, stomping, cheering and screaming. The crowd of mostly red Auras had their home-cloud team crowned the champions. Even Ryker smiled at the announcement and patted his teammates on the back. Master Sanjen presented each member of Team Inferno a medal that Cadin couldn’t quite see as he shook their hands and stepped back allowing the other people on the stage to step forward and congratulated them.
“I know where Master Emilio went,” a whispered voice said in Cadin’s ear. He swung around to find Instructor Kade nodding to him.
Cadin’s heart sped up. “Locker rooms,” Cadin said.
Instructor Kade jumped off the stage and flapped his wings to avoid the mob of the crowd that was spilling over their seats and flying down to the stage to celebrate with Team Inferno. Cadin followed his path and glanced over his shoulder to see Sun, Lep and Bart close behind.
They made their way to the locker room and locked the doors behind them.
Instructor Kade walked through the entire room, perhaps checking that no one was hidden behind a bank of lockers before sitting on a bench in front of them.
“First, I want to say good job during the Final Round. You were all magnificent—even if you didn’t win.” He ran his hands through his short hair before turning to Cadin. “I spoke with Kevin. It took some convincing, but I believe that he never truly wanted to be a member of the Tlalocs—especially after they started drinking wrath blood. Anyway, he told me of a Tlaloc lair close to Ansford that he told Master Emilio about. He said he doubted it was still in use, but it was the only place he could think of to send him.”
“That must be where he went. And he most certainly found something there,” Cadin said. “I have to go there now to help him!” Cadin’s voice cracked.
“And I will take you,” Instructor Kade said.
“You don’t have to, sir—I mean I am so grateful for everything, but you would be at risk.”
Instructor Kade’s eyes lifted. “I will, of course accompany you; however, there is more. The Core is active right now. I truly cannot disclose why,” his jaw was clenched as if he wanted to say more but was fighting to stop himself. “Needless to say, you may need my help and connections.”
“Thank you,” Cadin said. He turned to his teammates. “I’ll meet up with you back on Glade…”
“We are going with you!” Lep said.
Bart stood and nodded.
“Of course, you wouldn’t leave us behind,” Sun said.
“But if they can take down Master Emilio—the danger is too great,” Cadin said.
“All the more reason to stay together,” Bart said.
Cadin took a deep breath and smiled, holding back the tears threatening to flood. “Let’s go pack!”
They had to push their way through to the Arena’s exit as many people rushed to congratulate them on a great performance. Breaking free of the crowd, they unfurled their wings to take off.
“Kade!” Cadin turned as Master Sanjen stepped through the exit of the Arena, holding several folders. “I need to speak with you.”
“Why don’t you guys fly ahead to pack and I will meet you at the condos. Be ready to leave as soon as possible,” Instructor Kade said.
“Yes, sir.” Cadin said, grateful to not be held up any longer than they had to. As he took off, Master Sanjen approached Instructor Kade.
Cadin flew back to the condos, circling the commotion below before landing.
Gur met him mid-air and clicked and chirped in his ear before butting his head on Cadin’s chin.
“Hey, mom, what are you doing?” Cadin asked as he landed in the mess of bags and equipment being lined up in the courtyard.
Sara walked over and hugged him before answering. “Instructor Kade filled us in about Master Emilio right before your match ended; so we are all packing up of course.”
“I really didn’t expect everyone to leave with us right away,” Cadin said.
“Not everyone,” Devin said, patting him on the back. “Most of the other Gladers are hanging back to celebrate at the feast tonight.”
“You know what leaving early with me may entail, right?” Cadin asked quietly.
Devin smiled and slapped his knee, laughing. “Us fringelanders know far more than most about fighting the Tlalocs, and them ol’ Raiders, and the Core, and the Far Folk, and anyone else we need to defend our cloud-lands against. We are pros here!”
“It’s true,” Ferris said, walking up to them and sheathing a crude, sharp-looking dagger. “We are packed and ready.” He turned to Cadin. “You are looking well after a lightning strike. Even a calmed down Arena version.”
“Oh, yeah—I couldn’t bend it in time.” Cadin started helping his mom pack up the last few provisions on the table. The rest of his team ran to pack up their personal items. Cadin had already packed up most of his stuff the first moment he felt the pulse ring days earlier.
“I got struck by a bolt half that size once,” Devin butted in, “and I was out for two hours! Freaking Crow and Cinna drew on my face with lightning bugs while I was out.” He shook his head in disgust.
Ferris smiled and rubbed his shoulders. “Yeah, that was pretty funny.” He slung his bag by the wall where everything was piling up.
Sara hurried over to where Tal was wrapping up his few remaining pieces of armor. They had already closed their booth in the Competitors’ Village before the Final Round.
A bird call pierced the air. Cadin glanced up to see a small dark hawk circling overhead. He put his hand on Gur, wondering if Ryker’s falcon had sought them out for something.
“I think that’s a night hawk,” Devin said.
“Definitely,” Ferris said. “Must have a message for someone.”
“I’ve never seen a night hawk before,” Cadin said as the dark bird soared down.
“They are more common on the fringe—oh watch out!”
They ducked as the hawk flashed dark blue and iridescent purple feathers as it landed poorly on the cluttered table.
“They don’t have the best vision during the day,” Ferris said, jogging over and helping the bird disentangle from the straps of a pack.
He pulled a small scroll from the bird’s leg and examined it. Ferris patted the bird’s head twice and it took back off into the sky, knocking ove
r a bottle of feather conditioner in its way. Ferris walked over to Cadin and handed him the scroll. Everybody had stopped what they were doing—attention on Cadin and the small rolled up paper in his fingers.
Cadin squinted as he brought the scroll up close to read. Cadin of Glade was scrawled on the outside just under a wax seal sprinkled with cloud-stone dust. Carefully he broke the seal and unfurled the tiny parchment.
In the same scrawling hand was a single line.
The elements do not control a Storm Angel!
-Mira
“What’s it say, kid?” Tal asked.
Cadin handed it over.
Tal laughed and shook his head. “Leave it to old Mira to send a cryptic hello via night hawk!” He handed it back to Cadin and went back to packing.
Alberta bustled out of their kitchen with three huge bags. She set them by Tal’s feet as he helped James. Cadin rushed over to help them tighten an awkward band. Delicious aromas permeated the air.
“For your journey,” their amazing Condor cook said. “It was an honor having you all here.”
“Thank you!” Cadin said, wrapping her up in a large hug. She blushed and patted his head as he backed away.
“Thank you both for the food and for being such a wonderful host to us,” Tal added.
“I need to grab my things,” Cadin said.
“Be ready to start loading everything into the airships in about five minutes,” Tal said.
Cadin nodded as he rushed into their room, finding Lep, Sun and Bart darting around and stuffing things into their bags.
Sun glanced up. “You boys are so messy.” She smiled as she shoved clothes into Bart’s bag. She hadn’t officially stayed in their room, but she spent so much of her time in there it had felt like it.
“True,” Cadin said as he grabbed his last few items from the bathroom.
“What’s this?” Sun asked, holding out the scroll.
“Oh, Mira just sent me a message tied to a night hawk. You can read it.”
“A night hawk, really?” Lep asked as he shot over to the window. “Is it still here?”
