The Realm Protectors - Chapter 35: Chapter 35

Multiple machines and wires are connected to Aideen, beeping in and out of rhythm as the doctors try to wake her from her comatose state. The doctors couldn't find anything physically wrong with her, but they said she must've hit her head when she fell during the explosion. Enya hasn't left the room since we were allowed in yesterday, and neither has her mother, Nina. Nile comes and goes, doing his best to support his girlfriend, but also knowing that we have a job to do. Press conferences need to be held, and the people of Fajro need to be comforted. Since Enya is currently not in any condition to lead the press conference, the responsibility falls to me.
I'm terrified.
"You'll be fine," Faris assures me as we wait to go out into the courtyard of the Gemela-Suno. "No one is expecting you to do anything spectacular."
"All you have to do is give a quick debriefing about what happened the other day." Nile assures me. "You've gone over it so many times already, I'm sure you could give this speech in your sleep."
"I know, but that doesn't mean I'm not still nervous." I curl my arms around myself and try to keep my heart from pounding out of my chest.
"I thought you said you did plays in the Other World." Avani asks from the couch pushed against the wall. Carter and Lyra are sitting on it too, and Nikolina hovers beside the arm rest.
"I did," I reply. "But on stage I was a character. This is me."
"So make it a character." Faris shrugs. "Don't be Ciana. Be Right Arch Leonide."
I let the thought sink in for a minute before nodding.
"Okay." I turn to Nile. "I think I'm ready."
Nile nods. "Then let's go."
We all form a line as the guards open the doors. I force myself to take deep breaths as I lead the way to the glass podium perched on the staircase in front of the people of Varma Urbo. Nile stands on my left side and slightly behind me, while the rest of my friends fan out behind us.
Don't be Ciana. I think to myself. Be Right Arch Leonide.
I clear my throat and hear it echo over the crowd via Faris' audio-bending.
"Good morning." I begin. "Thank you all for coming out today. I know you all have been anxiously waiting for news about the events of yesterday. A few of you may be wondering why I'm standing here instead of Grand Arch Fuego. To the great sadness of us all, Arch Fuego's sister was injured in the explosion and is recovering in the hospital, surrounded by her loving family. We ask that you keep her in your thoughts, and we wish for a speedy recovery.
"Now for the conference," I pause. "As of right now, Griffin Gray is still in the wind. There are no current reports about seeing him or any leads to his whereabouts. That being said, any tip will help. If you think you saw Griffin Gray, please notify your local police department. Arch Stellato will be sending out fliers with Gray's image and description shortly." Wind kicks up around us as Faris blows stacks of papers into the crowd.
"The collapse of the Fajran gateway marks the fourth gateway of nine to be attacked and destroyed by Gray." I look out at the crowd of people, many with tear streaks covering their cheeks. "This violence needs to be stopped. Too many lives have already been claimed. If we do not stop Gray, many more will be taken. As more gateways are destroyed, each one remaining gets less and less stable. If we want our Realm to last another century, this violence needs to end." Cheers go up from the back of the crowd, and soon the entire crowd is cheering and clapping. Pride blossoms in my chest, warming my fear-numbed fingers.
"We also cannot let this war of fear stop us." I start again when the crowd calms down. My voice is stronger, almost like Enya's. "The High Arches will be continuing our tour of the Realm, we will find this perpetrator, and we will give him the justice he deserves!"
My chest blooms with warmth as the crowd begins chanting again.
"Ciuj saludas la leónon de lumoz!"
"Ciuj la leónon!"
I lean back slightly and whisper to Nile. "What are they chanting?"
He smiles at me proudly. "Hail the Lion of Light."
I grin and face the crowd again as the skin around my eyes tingles. Two words suddenly come to mind, words that Enya shouted at our coronauguration. I raise my fist in the air and pray that I say it right as I shout at the top of my lungs,
"Virtus aeterna!"
The crowd responds perfectly, raising their fists in the air and repeating the cry.
"Virtus aeterna!"
Eternal strength, I think to myself. My cheeks hurt from smiling as I back away from the podium, joining my friends in line. I look around at them to see various different facial expressions. Avani is smirking, Nikolina is smiling softly. Lyra has her usual soft expression, and Carter is determined. Nile looks proud, but Faris – Faris is looking at me like I'm the most incredible thing he's ever seen.
And that makes me feel more delighted than the rising roar of the crowd.
Sometimes I don't know how I let my room get so messy. Clothes are strewn everywhere, and I yet again struggle to find all of my favorite shoes. I just finish putting the last of my clothes in my travel bag when someone knocks on my door. I slide across the floor in my socks and open the door. Faris stands outside holding up my favorite pair of shoes.
"You found them!" I grin. I open the door further and motion for him to come in.
"You left them in front of the couch." Faris shrugs, setting them down next to my travel bag. "I thought they were yours."
"Thank you." I say, sitting down on my bed. He stays standing for a minute. "You can sit too, if you want." I pat the spot next to me and Faris hesitates a second before sitting down as well. Both of us are silent for a minute while I put my shoes on.
"You did great earlier," He blurts. "At the press conference."
"Thanks," I feel my cheeks heat up. "I'm just glad I didn't make a fool of myself."
"I knew you'd be amazing." Faris smiles. "You're a natural. You just can't see it."
His eyes lock with mine and my stomach turns fluttery. I'm suddenly much more aware of how close my hand is to his. I feel my fingers twitch as if to grab it, but I hold myself back.
"How's the Other World?" I ask suddenly, cringing on the inside. My heart pounds like I've just finished running a race.
"Oh yeah, it's good." Faris shrugs. "Most of the major gateways are in places that are far from any people, so there hasn't been any reported incidents yet."
"That's good, that's good." I nod, chewing on my lip.
We go silent for a while. Something seems to hover between us, heavy and thick. I find myself suddenly wondering what it would feel like to run my fingers through his hair. It always looks so soft and airy. He blinks, drawing my attention back to his eyes. His eyes. I've never seen any like them – a shade of blue so light they almost look gray. They shine like fluffy clouds on a summer day. My face warms as I watch his eyes skim over my features. His mouth opens like he's going to say something.
I find myself wondering what it is.
"Ciana, we're going to the hospital to see Aideen, are you comi–" Avani cuts off in my doorway as I jerk back. Faris rubs the back of his neck. "Am I interrupting something?"
"No," Faris laughs awkwardly. "We were just talking."
"Yeah," I nod. "Let's go see Aideen."
Avani narrows her eyes but stays silent as Faris and I walk back out into the couch room. Tucker is waiting for us there with the rest of the group. When we're all ready, he leads us all into the city and towards the hospital.
"What was that about?" Avani asks me with a smirk.
"What?" I reply.
"You and Airhead." Avani glances at Faris, tilting her head. "I saw you two on the bed. You were mighty close for a friendly conversation."
My cheeks heat. "Oh, I don't think it was anything like that."
Avani blinks at me. "You're blushing."
I purse my lips. "Am not."
"Are too," She grins.
I huff. "I don't think he sees me that way, Avani."
"Ah-ha!" Avani laughs, pointing at me. "But you want him to, right?"
I pause. "I don't know."
Avani groans. "Come on, Ciana. He gave you one of his jackets, for goodness sake. Hasn't a guy ever given you his hoodie before?"
I shake my head.
Avani sighs, shaking her head. "If a guy gives you their hoodie, if means they like you."
I blink at her.
"You think?" I ask. Avani nods.
"I think he likes you." She shrugs. Her eyes look over my shoulder and she smirks. "And I think you're gonna find that out real soon." Avani flashes another devilish grin before speeding up to walk next to Nik and Lyra. I notice a presence beside me and turn to see Faris.
"Hey," I say, feeling my cheeks heat up. Avani's voice runs through my head, turning my thoughts into a knot.
"Hey," Faris grins. Avani has a devilish grin when she's up to trouble, but Faris has a bright grin that makes his eyes light up. "I see Avani left you to walk alone."
"I think she was making room for you," I smile. Tucker leads us through the marketplace, and Faris and I have to squish closer together to avoid people. Our arms brush, and his skin leaves warm tingles where it touched mine. My stomach flutters.
We pass by a booth selling flowers. Two young girls braid little flower crowns together while their mother watches with a smile.
"Aw, they're adorable." I find a giggle bubbling up my throat. Faris turns to look at the booth before darting over to it. He converses quickly with the mother before handing her a handful of coins. The little girls hand him a daisy crown with a smile. He jogs back over to me and raises the crown above my head.
"May I?" He asks. I grin and nod. He lowers the daisies onto my head, adjusting it before standing back with a smile.
"What?" I ask.
He shakes his head. "Nothing. It's just really pretty on you."
I feel my cheeks bloom with a definite blush as we keep walking past other booths.
We finally arrive at the hospital, walking up to the front desk.
Avani notices my flower crown, grinning. She looks between Faris and I, and I suddenly realize how close we're still standing, despite having more room here in the lobby. My stomach flutters again.
"We're here to see Aideen Fuego." Nile tells the front desk lady. She smiles in recognition and begins typing on her computer.
"Looks like it may be your lucky day." She winks at us.
Nile leads us down the hallway to Aideen's room, which has been upgraded since her number of visitors was so large. Nile opens the door to a welcome sight – Enya and Nina both clutching each other, joy on their faces, and Aideen sitting up in bed eating ice cream.
"You're awake!" Avani grins, rushing over to the other side of the bed. Aideen grins brighter, setting down her ice cream to give Avani a hug.
"When did she wake up?" Nile asks.
"Just about an hour ago." Enya says, staring at her sister with happiness in her eyes. "She's been her perfectly normal self since then."
Aideen rolls her eyes. "I told you I'd be fine."
Enya's smile drops. "You were comatose for over twenty-four hours."
"You almost died, Aideen." Nile agrees, placing a hand on Enya's shoulder. "If not for Avani parting the sands like some sort of earth goddess, you'd probably be dead."
Aideen spins to look at Avani, shock written across her features. Avani blushes.
"I couldn't let you die." Avani shrugs. "You're my friend."
Aideen goes strangely somber, grabbing Avani's hand and squeezing it.
"Thank you," She says, voice oddly soft. Everyone in the room goes quite, watching the gentle moment shared between the two girls.
Nina clears her throat, running her fingers gently through Enya's hair the way only a mother does. "Now that we know Aideen is okay, it's probably wise for you all to continue on to Tijd."
"Mom," Enya argues. "She just woke up. I can't leave you responsible for her by yourself."
"Your people are waiting for you." Nina says firmly. "I can handle one unruly child."
"Hey," Aideen growls. "I'm right here."
Nina shushes her and looks around at the rest of us.
"Gray might be following you for now, but you can't guarantee he won't become impatient and decide to attack them faster." She says. "You need to go now and make sure they're safe."
Enya nods and sits up straighter.
"You're right, Mama." She looks around at each of us. Her eyes fall on my face last, noting the flower crown before tracing the skin around my eyes. I looked in the mirror earlier and noticed some shimmers finally beginning to appear, marking me as a Realm Protector. Enya smiles.
"Let's go save the Realm." She says.