The Realm Protectors - Chapter 19: Chapter 19

We slept on Tucker's living room floor, wrapped up in blankets. At least it's warmer inside his cabin than it is outside. Enya lights the fireplace, and we roast marshmallows over the fire. Soon they all fall asleep. Enya and Nile are snuggled up together. I stay awake all night, feeling the shadows shift and change with the moon. I hear Tucker in his room, walking around, muttering to himself. Crying.
In the morning, I knock on his door. My friends feign sleep and pretend they're not listening to my conversation. Tucker opens the bedroom door, staring at me with dark circles under his eyes.
"You're the darkness elemental." He reminds himself.
"Nikolina." I nod. "And I wanted to talk to you."
Tucker sighs but turns his body, opening the door. He sits down on his bed and motions to me. I sit down and face him.
"This is a different kind of conversation." Tucker narrows his eyes.
"Why are you avoiding Capital?" I ask him. His eyes widen.
"What do you mean?"
"I've heard the rumors about you. 'The Great Disappointment.' You're legendary in Mork."
Tucker harrumphs. "And why is that?"
"Because you went to Asavanra instead of the Skol. Because you turned down being a High Arch." I pause. "And because you did it all for love."
Tucker hangs his head with a sigh. "All that is common knowledge?"
"You're missing the point." I roll my eyes. "You left Mork for Professor Grantwood. You gave a kid darkness poisoning because of Professor Grantwood. And yet when the time came for you to take your position as a High Arch beside her... you ran away. You're still running away. From her, from us."
Tucker's shoulders droop.
"I loved Cira." He admits. "I didn't mean to give Cain darkness poisoning. He was being awful to Cira. Asking her for nasty things. Of course I started fighting him. I knew I was stronger than the dweeb. I didn't mean to almost kill him." He turns to look at me fully, eyes shining with sadness. "But once I did that, I knew I could never be a High Arch with Cira. I would just get in her way. I cared too much."
"But why did you run off and hide?" I ask him.
"In order to vacate the High Arch position, despite the fact that many thought I was a Realm Protector, I had to make myself seem crazy." Tucker explains. "After the incident with Cain, it was too easy to just run off and hide. Any time someone found me, I scared them off, acting like a loony. Only took them a month to stop trying." He chuckles. "There's no way Cira would've named me your Grandshield."
"She did." I pull out my phone and pull up the video that Nile sent to us. Grantwood's face pops up on screen. I offer the phone to Tucker and he stares at it. I put it in his hands, allowing him the time he needs to reiterate himself with her face.
"Cira," He whispers. He traces her face with his finger, and presses play. The video sputters to life, showing Grantwood running from her attackers.
"I'm not sure who's doing this, but the High Arches are under attack," She says. "We can't fight them – they're too strong. They've already defeated the other seven – I can't fight them on my own." Grantwood sucks in a gasp as she ducks behind a column. "As the last High Arch left alive, I hereby pass on duty to the next generation of High Arches: Enya Fuego, Nile Aquino, Carter Cummins, Lyra Centauri, Faris Stellato, Avani Gipson, Nikolina Voronkova, and Ciana Leonide. I have reason to believe that they are Realm Protectors – all of them. The first full team in generations." Tucker watches the screen in horror as Grantwood falls, cracking the camera. He makes some sort of depressing whimper as the video cuts to the second file, showing Grantwood laying in a pool of her own blood. "Their Grandshield," She pauses to cough. "Their Grandshield is Tucker Brooks."
The video ends, and Tucker stares at it in shock. He stays silent, inspecting Grantwood's face again.
"You were telling the truth," He mumbles in wonder.
"Professor Grantwood knew you were the best person in the whole Realm to protect us." I point to the screen. "She spent her last breaths making sure we knew who it was gonna be. That it was going to be you."
Tucker takes a few breaths, as if preparing himself. Then he hands me my phone and stands up, grabbing a duffel bag out of his closet.
I watch him. "What are you doing?"
"What does it look like?" He turns around and looks at me, a strange glint in his eye. "I'm packing."
"You're coming with us?" Enya's voice makes me jump. I notice the seven of them right outside Tucker's door.
Tucker nods. "Cira trusted me. It's time I return the favor."
Ciana and Faris high-five.
"And besides," Tucker says, zipping the bag shut. "Maybe this will be more healing than alone time in the woods."
DeleteCreated with Sketch.
We help Tucker pack up the few things he needs to bring back to Capital with him. We encourage him to leave most of his clothes here, since Jaq will just make him uniforms anyway.
"Will this uniform be stuffy?" Tucker complains when Enya tells him. "These muscles need breathing room." He flexes his biceps, and Enya rolls her eyes.
"Are you forty or fourteen?" She asks.
Tucker crosses his arms. "I'm thirty-three."
Avani snorts, spraying water out of her nose. We turn off all the lights and leave, heading back outside. Avani's cat and deer left. She says her squirrel – Tabi, I remind myself – told her they got bored.
Lyra opens up a tunnel and we step through, appearing inside the Atrium.
"Welcome back," the maid in the Atrium says. "I'll let the Council know you've arrived." She scurries out down the hall to the rooms that we still haven't explored, leaving us alone in the Atrium. Tucker looks around at everything in wonder. The high, domed ceiling, painted with images of the creation of the Realm and a map of each of the countries. He steps up onto the dais and inspects each of our seats, lingering on Ciana's. On the one that used to be Grantwood's.
"This is the place, huh?" Tucker looks back at us.
"Where they were killed?" Nile asks.
Tucker flinches. "I meant where you kids go about playing High Arches."
"Oh," Nile winces. "Yeah. This is the Atrium."
"What's down there?" Tucker asks, motioning to the hallway the maid disappeared down.
"Separate offices for each of us and the main intelligence room." Enya explains. I guess she went exploring. "The other hallways leads to the meeting room."
The sound of footsteps appears from down the hall, and the eight senators appear.
"Well, that was a gloriously short trip." Senator Darcio rubs his hands together. His sleek black suit looks like it was made for someone much younger and much more fit.
"We accomplished our goal." Enya nods. "Tucker, these are the senators of the Arch Council. Senators, this is Tucker Brooks." The senators take their time looking Tucker over. Senator Darcio seems displeased with Tucker's tattered-looking clothes.
Tucker clears his throat, crossing his large arms over his chest. "Pleased to meet you all."
"The pleasure is ours, Mr. Brooks." Senator Sorin from Leve says. "Have you been debriefed on what exactly you are to be doing here?"
"No ma'am." Tucker shakes his head. "All I know is that I'm Grandshield, and my job is to protect the High Arches."
"If you'd like to come with us to the meeting room, we'll begin debriefing you." Senator Darcio steps forward, reaching for Tucker's arm. Tucker avoids his grasp, casting a look at us before walking down the hallway to the meeting room.
Enya narrows her eyes. "Nik, shadow yourself and follow them."
I look at her in surprise. "What?"
"Something about the Mork senator's attitude towards Tucker is... off." Enya looks at me. "Go collect some reconnaissance. Meet back at AR when you're done."
I nod and reach for my ability, wrapping the shadows around myself like a blanket. I jog down the hallway, just managing to slip inside the door before it closes. I stay close to the wall, sliding until I'm lodged in the corner. I take a deep breath and keep a strong hold on my shadowy blanket while I watch Tucker sit down at the end of the meeting table.
"Mr. Brooks," Senator Darcio begins. "Would you mind telling us where you've been the last fifteen years?"
"This doesn't seem like a debriefing." Tucker crosses his arms. "This seems like an interrogation."
"Oh no, of course not." Senator Darcio grins, his canines pointed. "Simply a nice little chat."
"Aloïs," The Vesi senator's voice is low. A warning.
"Calm yourself, Nimve." Darcio rolls his eyes. "I'm just interested in why Mr. Brooks was a lunatic fifteen years ago and yet now is perfectly able minded."
"The Dunia woods have a peaceful air about them." Tucker replies nonchalantly.
"Hiding in Dunia, were you?" Darcio glares at the Dunia senator.
"I had no idea he was there, Aloïs." She says. "Not that it was any of your business anyways."
"So you say, Tlalli." Darcio growls. "Tell me, Brooks. Why come back now after you ran away with your tail tucked between your legs?"
"Former Arch Grantwood named me Grandshield." Tucker turns his head to look at Senator Darcio, his face calm but his eyes angry. "It's my duty to protect these kids."
"It was your duty to serve as High Arch!" Darcio growls. He launches himself at Tucker but freezes in midair, held back by the force of the Aria senator's ability.
"If you cannot debrief Mr. Brooks like a human, you will be asked to leave." The Aria senator says. She releases her hold on Senator Darcio, making him fall to the floor. Darcio rushes to stand, fixing his odd suit coat and taking a seat at the end of the table.
"Now then, let's get acquainted." The Senator from Aria smiles. "Senator Haizea Ciel of Aria, at your service."
"Senator Aillard Sorin of Leve," The Leve senator bows his head in greeting. "You've already met Senator Aloïs Darcio." Darcio harrumphs.
"Jarek Fintan, Fajro." The red-haired Fajro senator raises his hand.
"Senator Anwyn Sagira," The woman in navy blue says, a soft smile on her face. She must be from Tijd.
"Senator Tlalli Aita of Dunia," The Dunia senator smiles, placing her hands on her hips.
"Your country is beautiful, Senator." Tucker replies.
"Thank you, Mr. Brooks." She smiles.
"Senator Caelum Esmeray of Stelluna," The white-haired senator bows. The lights highlight the contrast between his opalescent hair and his ebony skin.
"And I'm Nimve Zale, of Vesi." The senator from Vesi finishes.
"Pleasure to meet you all." Tucker nods. "I assume you all know me."
"Don't worry about the people who hang on to your actions of the past." Senator Aita says kindly. "I'm sure you're highly qualified to act as Grandshield."
Senator Darcio huffs.
"Now then, let's get to the actual debriefing." Senator Sorin claps his hands together. "You are, essentially, a glorified security guard. It's your job to handle all hiring of staff here at Arch Hall and inside the Arch Residence, as well as being present at all High Arch events to coordinate security."
"Seems simple enough." Tucker agrees.
"It would be best if you bonded with the High Arches, got to know them, and know which ones are the most capable of protecting themselves." Senator Zale adds.
"And you must know, that if it comes down to it, your main goal is to protect the Grand Arch, Miss Fuego." Senator Fintan leans forward. "If it comes down to protecting any of them or protecting Miss Fuego, you must choose Miss Fuego."
"That... makes sense." Tucker says slowly. "But what happens if it comes down to between any of the others?"
"Then your priority is to keep both of them safe." Senator Esmeray states it as if it's simple logic.
"Then shouldn't my priority be to keep all of them safe? Why does Enya get special treatment?"
"Mr. Brooks, your job is to protect the High Arches." Senator Darcio snaps. "As Grand Arch, Miss Fuego is the leader of the High Arches. She's the top priority. Always. If you can't understand that, then you'll be replaced by someone who can."
The room goes silent.
Sheesh, I think to myself. I wonder if Enya knows that her safety is considered more important than ours.
"I think Mr. Brooks is well aware of his duties." Senator Ciel glares at Senator Darcio. "We'll take our leave. You can find your way to the Arch Residence from here."
Senator Esmeray waves his hand and eight tunnels appear. The senators exchange goodbyes before walking through them. Darcio hisses at Tucker once more before going through his gateway.
Tucker releases a breath and slumps in the chair.
"You can come out, Nikolina." He says to the ceiling.
I release my hold on my ability and step into the light. "How did you know I was–"
"I can sense shadows just as much as you," He sighs. "I was a Realm Protector too, remember?"
Right, I remind myself. "Well, let's go to the Arch Residence." I lead Tucker back through the hallway and show him which painting swings open to reveal the door to the tunnels. Finally we reach the entrance, and I show him the door to his bedroom, which is actually in the tunnel, and not inside the Arch Residence.
"This other door here leads inside to the Arch Residence." I explain. "There's a kitchen, a lounge, and a gym." I lead him inside and he walks over to the gym.
Inside, Avani and Ciana are sparring. Enya told us before we left to find Tucker that we should start sparring with each other to get used to sparring against other elements as strong as ours.
"You know, I never learned much sparring-wise at Asavanra." Tucker says to me as we watch Ciana blind Avani. Avani raises her arms and vines wrap around Ciana's legs, holding her in place. "They don't know what it's like to have power like ours. I learned most of what I know from teaching myself. I could mentor you, if you want."
I spin to look at him. "What?"
"Yeah," he shrugs. "I mean, how much better can it get? Learning how to control Realm Protector-level abilities from a Realm Protector."
I think about it for a moment.
"I'm in."
"I'll probably give you guys hand-to-hand combat lessons too." Tucker nods. "Sometimes you have to learn to fight without your ability, especially when you're at a disadvantage."
Ciana struggles to free herself from Avani's vines, and calls for the end of the match.
"If I have to protect you guys, I want you guys to also be able to protect yourselves to the best of your ability." Tucker says. "That way, I won't have to choose which one of you to protect."