It had been days since the attack. Arin was often left alone, no one able to provide her with answers. She busied herself with sleeping or reading a book that Wisp left behind. It focused mainly on the creatures of the land and the common “myths” of Fynne.  

            It was now the third day of absolute relaxation. She was so reluctant to wake up. Why would she want to leave this sea of comfort? There was a click startling Arin. Light footsteps and creaking floor buzzed in her ears, the lights were switched off. She wanted to sit up, see who her nurse was today, but a large hand pushed her down.

            Her eyes adjusted to the darkness around her. A young man with a cheerful expression was the first thing she could make out. His wide grin and sparkling eyes revealed his excitement.

            “Are you feeling any better?” he asked. There was only a slight throb on her left. It was a wonder how they treated her so efficiently in such a short time.

            “I’m fine. How much longer do I have to lay around for?”

            The Crimson sighed, “maybe until the lunch. You really took a beating, some thought you weren’t going to make it because the burn traveled to your heart. But don’t worry we fixed you up and now you’re ready to fight again, almost.” He gathered the yesterday’s supplies before standing up. “Don’t do anything stupid while you’re recovering though. It could take a few more hours.” With that small warning, he left.

            Arin waited for someone else to visit. Her burns stung, she tried not to play with her somewhat tight bandages, but temptation won. It must be bad if they wrapped it so tightly. Before she could find out how bad the injury was the door swung open.

            “You’re awake!” Wisp came running to Arin’s side, delighted.

            “I guess.” Arin winced sitting up. Wisp wrapped her arms around Arin’s shoulders, pulling her into a gentle hug. Her shoulder and ribs stung, but she didn’t want to push Wisp away. During her time of loneliness, the last thing Arin wanted was to push her friend away.

            “I’m so glad I finally have a small chance to talk to you. I’ve been so occupied with training during the day, and you always asleep when I came back. We were all worried about you!”

            “I guess I’m stronger than Kin thought. I should walk around. I need to reawaken myself,” Arin smirked removing the covers from the bed. Wisp released Arin and backed away giving her friend the much-needed space.

            “You know . . . everyone thinks that you’re some super-human after what you did. I mean a rookie came from nowhere and can now use fire! How did you do it?”

            “How am I supposed to know?” Arin shrugged.

            “Well, come on, we just spotted a gigantic fleet of Others coming anyways. I came to help you to the mess hall. Your wounds should be better by now, we gave you a cloth that heals burns much quicker than normal,” Wisp remarked glancing uneasily outside.

            “Are you going to leave me behind this time?” Arin teased. To her surprise Wisp nodded.

            “I was asked with a few others to round up all of the students and help them to the mess hall. Mila already sent a lot of Crimsons out to fight the incoming swarm. Seeing that you can walk I have to go warn everyone else. Security will definitely be tighter this time.” Wisp helped Arin stand, arm wrapped around her side. Her legs wobbled, body swaying. Wisp ensured that she didn’t fall.

            “O—oh . . . well . . . see you there.” Wisp smiled feebly before leaving the room.

            Her bruises were fading already but the burn in her shoulder and side were screaming in agony. So much for feeling better. I have to get out of here. I need to get to the mess hall.

            She stumbled out of her dorm, taking the sword on the desk. Breaking out into the fastest jog she could manage, Arin searched the castle for her destination. ‘A gigantic fleet of Others’ Wisp’s words rang in her head. Gigantic. What would they try this time?

            She stopped by a window. Black specks were starting to appear in the bright blue sky. Are you kidding me?! They must be really mad if he is sending that after me. She felt nauseous continuing down the empty hallway. Arin turned to the right hallway, bumping into someone. Someone seized her shoulders, making sure she wouldn’t collapse. Arin, face red from embarrassment, faced the person she crashed into. It was Loid, his face lit up. Scarlet on the other hand seemed disappointed.

            “Lot of Others, huh?” Scarlet grumbled breaking the awkward silence.

            Arin frowned at Scarlet, her wide mouth curled mischievously. She tossed her long hair over her shoulder, it almost reached the ground, the tips were dyed a ruby red. “we shouldn’t run around, we need to get to the mess hall.” Loid nodded liking the idea. Scarlet gritted her teeth blowing a strand of dark green hair out of her face.

            “I’ll go wherever you go, Loid,” Scarlet said sitting down against the wall.

            “Who is coming this time? Scolo? Kin? Who?!” Loid feared, flipping his golden hair to the side. Arin shrugged sitting down as well. “I’m scared just thinking about it.

            “We should go to the mess hall where it’s safe,” Arin suggested but Scarlet shook her head.

            “Isn’t this our home? Aren’t we supposed to protect it, we can’t do that by hiding.”

            “Okay well, is there a good place to escape if necessary? Plus, Mila wants us to go there and we should listen to him,” Arin’s voice quivered. Scarlet gestured to the hallway next to where she was sitting, annoyed.

            “Don’t be so scared, Arin, what could happen? Plus, I think we should help defend our home,” Scarlet restated. She frowned at her.

            “Three words for you, three-days-ago,” Arin sneered. Loid smiled thinking of a joke.

            “Wordplay,” he smirked. Scarlet and Arin frowned at him. “You said three words and you said ‘three’ in those three words so—”

            “That’s not wordplay! No wonder you fail half of your classes!” Scarlet grumbled, her dark skin reflected the rays of chromatic light streaming through a stain-glassed window.

            “That isn’t why I fail! You know I only care about learning combat and battle strategies, not grammar and vocabulary. You are the opposite on the other hand, great at the little details. This is why we’re a phenomenal team,” Loid teased and Scarlet smiled in agreement.

            “And what does that make me?”

            “You’re not on our team.” Arin frowned at her again.

            “Then why am I here?”

            “Why don’t you answer that question ‘master sword-fighter’!”

            Arin jumped to her feet ready to stand up for herself. Scarlet barreled forward shoving Arin against the wall. Arin clutched her side, biting back a scream.Loid backed away uncertain on how to stop the fight.

            “What are you going to do now? Push me off of a beam?” Scarlet snapped. Arin tried to push Scarlet away but wasn’t strong enough.

            “Guys . . .” Loid began but Scarlet and Arin ignored him.

            “I—I only did that so I could win! I would never hurt anyone!” Arin retorted.

            “And what will that victory give you?” Scarlet persisted. Arin looked at Loid for backup, but he wasn’t focusing on them, his face was pale like he just saw an Other.

            “Guys . . .”

            “I just want to live! The Others are going to kill me and not a single Crimson cares! If I prove myself—”

            “Guys!” His face was glowing with anger; he pointed down the hallway.

            Arin and Scarlet turned around, facing three Others. Scarlet released Arin fumbling for the handle of her sword.

            “Am I interrupting something? I can always come back later,” the Other in the middle shrugged. Arin revealed her weapon, breath shaky.

            “Run!” They didn’t hesitate to flee. Loid led the way through the hallways.

            The three turned down another hallway and found the staircase. Loid opened the door, sprinting up the stairs. Arin struggled to keep up, body aching from the workouts from previous day and burns from her enemy. Her friends disappeared as they bolted ahead.

         Below there was a crash. Metal slamming into something. The staircase door flew out of its hinges, a black dragon stood at the entrance. Curled golden horns grew out of the side of its head. It tilted its head up gazing at her. The dragon began to climb the staircase, suddenly shapeshifting into a spider during its sprint.

            Now that would haunt her dreams.

            “Keep going to the next floor!” Loid‘s instructions echoed from above.

          Arin slipped and fell, screaming. The monster was catching up to her. She faced the beast. Body throbbing. Flailing her sword at the spider, hopefully her actions would result in a positive outcome. It flinched rearing back, and tumbling down the stairs.

            Arin began to climb the spiral staircase again, limping a little. The spider pursued after a short delay. She fled through the next open door. This was the sixth floor. A forbidden floor. Loid and Scarlet were waiting for her at the closest hallway intersection. The spider reappeared, pursuing the three.

            “What is that—that thing?!” Scarlet shrieked. Arin bolted down the hallway ignoring the foolish question.

            “Others! What else!”

           Something wrapped around Arin’s legs tripping her. Breath gone, weak muscles, sword out of her grasp. She would never be able to outrun them.

            Apparently, the spider was so close to Arin that it could shoot a thick web and get it around her legs. The beast pulled her closer to itself. Scarlet and Loid stopped, facing their friend.

            “You’re not going annnnywherrrre!” the spider’s acidic voice was so loud hopefully someone nearby heard it. The three let out another scream of fear.

            “Guys, help! Please!” Arin begged trying to grab onto something, but the stones were too smooth. There was nothing to grab.

            Loid ran forward and did a quick slash to rescue Arin. Releasing another hiss, the monster charged forward. Scarlet rushed to their aid. Two colliding, her Rank One rival thrust the sword underneath the shapeshifter. While the two fought, Loid and Arin continued to flee. Arin bent over, grabbing her sword, and darted away. Her body ached, lungs pumping. She was out of shape.

            They turned the corner to find two Others blocking the hallway. The spider stopped behind the three, trapping them. More Others came running down the corridor, joining the spider and the two stationary Others.

            “If we die, I’ll kill you, Arin!” Scarlet snapped, and Arin did a small grin.

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            “Well, I’ll be dead already,” Arin replied, happy to correct her. The spider sounded a battle cry hiss.

            The spider and ten Others began to close in on the three, weapons drawn. Quite a few were aiming spears at them, hiding behind shields. The three Rank One were forced to retreat closer to the three Others. Arin stopped, refusing to shrink away from the Others. It can’t end like this.

            The shapeshifting spider charged. Following Coyasko’s instructions she brought her sword down, but too early. To her surprise, its skin was thick. Her weapon was stuck in the grotesque limb. She gasped trying to pull her sword free.

            “Back up nowwww!” the spider ordered. When Arin regained her blade that was the only thing she wanted to do.

            “Man, we really shouldn’t have cut you free,” Scarlet muttered. Arin and Loid glared at her.

            “Maybe you can get us out of this, like . . . um, you can use your fire again!” Loid suggested. Arin examined at her hands. Could she do it again?

            “If you use that fire again then I’ll use mine,” Kin spat stepping forward. The middle Other tugged Kin’s sleeve. He withdrew, now silent.

            “Arin beat you though! I bet it was easy too!” Loid flaunted. Kin tried to lunge forward but he was held back again.

            “I get to be the one to kill him!” Kin belted. Loid shuffled back a few steps, afraid.

            “I’m not going to kill them.” The middle Other chuckled. His voice wasn’t deep, he sounded young almost. The way he calmly spoke, he just had to have high authority to the Others.

            “Who do you think you are? Storming this place and making us your prisoners! I don’t think so!” Scarlet sassed. They laughed.

            “I am Croun, the king of the so-called Others. All I want is her, the Plaque Reader.” He drew his beautiful sword, pointing it at Arin.

            Kin is here, Croun is here and so are a lot of Others, um . . . I hope Mila’s coming fast! Her heart sank, the nausea returned ten times more powerful.

            “If you two are the ones to hand her over then I’ll let you stay here with these petty Crimsons,” Croun offered. Scarlet and Loid faced Arin.

            Scarlet proceeded closer to Arin. Loid was too busy thinking about what to do, he was shaking too. The spider closed in. Just watching all of this unfold was torture. Scarlet grabbed Arin’s wrist startling her. Arin gazed at her held wrist and then at Scarlet, sniffling.

            “The legendary Plaque-Reader. I don’t know what the Others want with the Plaque Reader but I—I can’t go back with them either. Please, Arin, do something,” Scarlet begged. She was released.

            The spider growled and charged at Arin. She held a hand out in front of her but nothing happened. It pounced at Arin, she was too focused on summoning her element to comprehend what was happening. Blood tainted her tongue. The spider had her pinned. It was horrifying to have the world’s biggest monster pin her down with just one of his legs.

            “Let her go!” Loid pulled his arm back, then brought his sword onto the spider. He was focusing on his strength in the single attack. His sword hacked into one of the fiend’s legs. It disappeared into black ash fluttering onto the stone floor.

            “Get rid of those two. There is no time for any pests,” Croun ordered. Loid and Scarlet gasped.

            No! I—I can’t be responsible for their injuries. Arin aimed her hand at the ten Others and horrifying black and gold spider. Once more, she felt invisible energy pull at her palms. As it concentrated, the energy weighed her down. Suddenly, fire was summoned. The beautiful flame raced from her palm, scorching her foes. When the ember disappeared, the spider shifted into a shorter man. Arin recognized him.

            Scolo.

            “Stay away from my friends, got it?” Arin dictated. Scolo shifted into his small dragon form. It was the same as the beast that began this chase. Wolf, spider, dragon were his forms that Arin knew about.

            “Sorry, but I don’t listen to recalcitrant children.” Croun snapped his fingers. For some odd reason, only his right hand was gloved. Before she could ponder why, the Others attacked.

            Arin tried to activate some fire, but the stress of the battle caused her to panic. She was shoved onto the floor, Others circled her. An Other’s knee was digging into her back, one of his hands held a clump of her hair.

            She reached for her sword, it was so close to her fingertips. Her index finger curled around the handle when a heavy boot slammed onto her wrist.

            Crack.

            Something was definitely broken.

            “This is how you win against the enemy,” Croun educated, the Other restraining her stood. “You inflict enough pain on them until they cry, once that happens . . . you know that they can’t fight anymore.”

            “That’s not true at all!” Arin tried to ignore the pain. Croun added more pressure on her wrist. She bit back a scream, burying her face in the floor.

            “Do you really want to challenge me? Even if you manage to make me stumble when I do win I will remember what you have done,” Croun hissed in her ear. Arin clenched her teeth. “I will go easy on you since you are just a little girl. However, anger me and you will pay dearly.”

            “You’re only desperate! You’re nothing!” Scarlet gasped trying to shake the Other off her.

            “That must take such courage to say that to someone who can kill you with a snap of their fingers,” Croun replied nodding affirmatively. Scarlet glowered at him.

            “Arin could easily defeat you! Maybe she could kill you with a snap of her fingers!” Scarlet retorted. The Other clapped a hand over her mouth.

            “Challenge accepted.” He was so calm about this. Croun grabbed Arin’s injured shoulder with his gloved hand, hoisting her onto her feet. With a swift kick, her sword flew into his open palm. He presented it to her, silent.

            “Hey, I never said a word!” Arin complained.

           The Others moved out of the way. Loid and Scarlet were pulled to the side. “If you win, I might consider letting you go,” Croun hinted backing away from her.

            “And if I lose?” Arin squeaked.

            “You’ll be coming with me.”

            Well, that’s not fair at all. I can’t beat a king when I’ve been here for almost a week! Arin complained.

            Arin positioned her shaking self, barely ready for combat. Croun circled her. She wanted to move but was paralyzed. Croun stopped behind her. There was silence. Trusting her stirring gut, she jumped to the right, suspecting an incoming attack. Seconds before he hit her. His iron sword smashed against the floor sending a few chips of rock flying.

            Croun almost lost his balance. Arin used this opportunity to ram into him. He stumbled back, wrapping his arms around her. Croun grabbed her hair, shoving her away. Arin clutched her swelling wrist, chest heaving. Croun lifted his sword, carefully approaching her. Hand by her side, she concentrated on summoning her fire, eyes shut. She focused on the invisible energy she felt on her french. It was stronger this time, her hands trembled at the power she felt. Arin glanced at her right hand, the red flame surrounding her skin. She faced Croun again.

         Terrified of her foe, Arin launched her fire forward. Croun blocked it with a thick ice shield. Was she too weak to melt ice? Arin squeaked, trembling at his power. He could summon thick ice from the warm air. There was no hope for victory.

            “Don’t let your guard down, when I did she pummeled me!” Kin warned.

            Croun rolled up his sleeves, straightening his glove. “I don’t need your advice! After all she is only a mere child. You could not defeat her because you did not take her seriously,” Croun growled, cracking his neck. She could only stare as he approached her, cracking his joints like it was nothing. While she was panicking, he attacked. Arin jumped out of his way, releasing another bright-colored combustion by flailing her  hands. Croun pulled his cloak over his body as protection. Summoning all of her strength, she drove her foot into his armored knee. It hurt, but he fell.

            Before Arin could attack, Croun was on his feet again. He shoved her against the wall, sword against her neck.

            “Looks like I didn’t have to try to capture you again after all, isn’t that great?” he teased. Arin was too terrified to speak.

            Arin turned her palm to Croun, focusing on the energy gathering at her palm. She blasted him back with fire. He hit his head against the floor, motionless. Minions made sure their leader was all right. Arin turned to Loid and Scarlet.

            “Run, now while you can.” They didn’t look back as they fled.

            “Are you stupid? Don’t you understand the consequences of being difficult?” He aimed a hand at Arin, threatening her with his glacial power.

           She summoned more fire, hands by her side. Her flaming fist was too close to her shirt. The edge caught flame. A few laughed. Arin patted it out, embarrassed by her inexperience.

            “Disappointing.” Croun knocked her over, with a shove in the chest. “We’re done with this ‘fight.’”

            Arin’s arms wobbled as she tried to sit up. An Other picked her sword off the stone, while a few surrounded her. They aimed their spears at her neck. Slowly she put her hands in the air, trying to catch her breath. The Others cackled, some sheathed their weapons. Two grabbed her shoulders, lifting her small body off the cold floor.

            “Where are the other two?” Croun pointed out. Everyone looked around the area. He sighed mumbling.

            “They ran away. The Crimsons will be here soon.”

            Arin imagined him to be infuriated but instead Croun shrugged. “Oh well. Let’s go. We have everything we came for.” He pivoted around, his cloak swishing behind him. “Five of you go create a distraction. Start a fire, beat some Crimsons down. Just busy everyone on this floor. You will be greatly rewarded on our return.”

            Five Others began to carry out their job. Arin craned her neck back to watch them. “Wait! Stop!” They turned and glared, probably, at Arin.

            “Make me stop,” Croun sneered. Arin began to thrash against the Others’ grip.

            “Don’t hurt anyone! I’ll help you if you leave them at peace.” A few chuckled at her offer. Croun approached Arin, grabbing her chin, raising her head to meet his. He was almost as tall as Coyasko.

            “What a sacrifice, you want to help me for the lives of two?” Croun cooed rubbing Arin’s cheek; she pulled away disgusted.

            “Yes.” He thought about it for a moment before nodding.

            “Then you better stop resisting.” She obeyed casting glares at her guards. “Hurry, we need to find a balcony to teleport away from for this child’s sake—”

            “Arin!” Loid cried out. Everyone faced the two little Crimsons at the end of the hallway.

            “No! Run away, go now!” Arin begged, the Others blocked her path to Loid. Kin pushed his way to the front of the crowd, his left fist flaming. Scolo joined his side, snarling at the Crimsons.

            Scolo shapeshifted into a black bull with the same golden markings all of his forms share. Arin faced Croun, hoping he would ignore her friends. He only looked ahead at the fray. Was he assessing the two?

            Scolo and Scarlet engaged in battle. Scarlet lunged and threw her sword at Scolo’s horn. Arin’s rival was incredibly fast. Her technique was impossible to dodge; she struck her hornIt was a painful sound, like a fork scrapping against a plate. Her power wasn't enough to stop the ferocious Other. He head-butted Scarlet, knocking her back. She collapsed, holding her chest. Scolo stood over her, attempting to stomp on her. Thankfully with her wits she managed to avoid his hooves.

            Meanwhile, Loid was fighting against Kin, dodging the fire thrown at him. Kin buffeted the Rank One with several fiery attacks. Poor Loid was burned in a few places but continued to fight. Kin enjoyed attacking Loid. He sliced his sword across Kin’s outstretched arm. Kin retreated, showing no sign of pain.

            Croun watched the two Crimsons, surprised by their skill. Scolo turned and charged to Loid. Arin broke free from the Others’ grip and dashed forward, blocking Scolo’s path. She knew that Scolo wasn’t allowed to hurt her.

            He stopped, nearly goring her. Scolo backed away before releasing a battle cry. He charged, skull aimed at her. Arin ran out of the way. Scolo halted, trying not to slip. He was limping on his back leg.

            Croun remained still, tapping his foot impatiently. The lingering Others protected their king. Kin and Scolo moved in front of the three, ignoring any injuries than they may have. Croun gave them wordless encouragement to continue, and they approached Arin. Scarlet and Loid joined Arin’s side ready to defend her. Arin aimed her free hand at the charging Others. Her friends mimicked her movement. Energy generated quicker, she was slowly mastering her flame. By imagining her flame, it appeared. Fire came first. Following the ruby flame was green light from Scarlet's palms. Lightning from Loid's fingertips appeared as well. The Others halted. To the enemy’s luck a shield made out of violet light appeared in front of them. Croun came to the front of the crowd, arms folded.

            “I spent years searching for you; my efforts will not be wasted. This was your last chance to come with us peacefully, Arin. Now you are going to pay dearly for resisting.” Croun shook his head.

            The Others disappeared.

            Scarlet examined her shaking hands, mouth open in shock. Loid embraced Scarlet and Arin laughing. Arin smiled wrapping an arm around his side. They managed to beat the strongest Others.

     A group of Crimsons led by Mila and Coyasko came running forward. They stopped laughing.

            “Mila! You came!” Scarlet cheered running up to Mila and hugging him. The king dropped his lance, wrapping his arms around her.

            His relief vanished. "You could’ve gotten these two killed! What were you thinking, challenging Croun?” Mila fumed. Arin stepped away. “As for you two! Why were you fighting Croun and not at the mess hall?!”

            “I—I was trying to get away but—”

            “You’re lucky Croun saw us otherwise these two could have been taken back with the Others!” Mila interrupted. Arin continued to back away, shaking her head, surprised by his words.

            “I—I told Croun that he could take me back and not hurt Scarlet and Loid but—”

            “You lacked the courage to say so. Get out of here! Go to your dorm and stay there until I can find a way to send you home! You are no longer allowed to train, and your roommates have to be with you at all times when you’re outside your dorm! Do you understand? Trusting you was a mistake,” Mila snapped. Arin slowly turned and fled his presence. “As for you two, we are going to have a talk about disobeying direct orders from your king.”

            Croun is going to kill me. Mila’s going to kill me. Does it matter whose side, I’m on? I thought I was supposed to be safe! If Ms. Holt was here she could help, but because of me she’s dead, because of me I almost got Loid and Scarlet killed, because of me everyone’s going to die! Where do I belong, Crimson or Other? Tears streamed down her face. Coyasko might be able to help. I’ll talk to him if I see him, but I’m stuck in my room now . . . Wisp! Wisp can help me, I’ll talk to her tomorrow about what happened and maybe she’ll help me.