Saviors

Red had anticipated some retaliation of some sorts from the vativaths but it seemed like they had successfully eliminated the deceitful daemons. From the coast, they could only see the smoke rose from the other side of the island, the mountains obstructed their view of the grand tree that had burned.

Now that she thought about it, she felt forlorn how such a beautiful tree that became a sanctuary for many animals had to be burned down.

All because something evil had lived within it.

If only there could have been another way to escape and defeat the daemons.

Archer was the first one to get up from his beat down position and when he did, Ari stirred and opened his eyes to see that he was now free from the clutches of Morgianna.

They had tried to their best of their abilities to wash and disinfect Ari and Archer's injuries with what was readily available – salt water. She tore off the hem of her shirt using sharp shells and bandaged Ari's wrists and ankles.

With her abdomen fully exposed, Red zipped up her jacket to avoid getting an upset stomach from the cold wind. She wasn't really fond of showing skin since she was not confident enough in her body.

She hardly doubts she had the curves to parade.

Archer on the other hand, had completely stripped his shirt off and tended himself single-handedly. Red would have gladly helped him but by the time she had finished with Ari, Archer had already tied the last knot on his arm.

He had his back to them, and Red saw that his body had been laced with many scars. Some even cut on top of the other. She turned to Ari and asked how his younger brother got those deep marks.

Ari's face had turned sorrowful by the mention of it and she could feel the tears that wanted to tumble out of his eyes. He opened his mouth to say something but thought better and decided to just keep it to himself.

Red didn't pry in much further, thinking it might have been something personal and left Ari to his musings so she could check on the younger brother.

Sir Arthur saw the opportunity for a cuddle and proceeded to climb up Ari's lap and butted his head on the faey's stomach. He was asking for attention and he demands to be attended to. Ari obliged and absentmindedly scratched the cat's chin as he watched Red and Archie from where he sat.

"How you doing?" asked Red from behind Archer. He had been standing for awhile now, facing the seashore, his hands tucked inside his pockets. "I'm really sorry about the -"

"I have been through worse Red, don't sweat it." He cut her off mid-sentence as he smiled smugly as if his injury was nothing but an ant bite.

"You were amazing back there." Red tried to throw in a compliment. "I didn't know you could summon swords out of thin air."

"Sabers, future queen. They were sabers, like the ones used by swashbuckling pirates." He corrected her with a matter-of-fact tone to his voice.

"Oh, sorry 'bout that I had no idea." She said in response, suppressing the urge to retort. He pretended to do a little sword-play in front of Red and she let out a little giggle at his silliness.

He is definitely a man-child.

"Wow, the Queen of Sass apologizing to me. I need to write this down my diary." He teased.

Red elbowed him jokingly. She was still sorry that she had caused him burns and there he was pretending it didn't hurt. It's not like Red didn't notice he winced when he swung his injured arm.

If only she knew magic that could heal.

"You know Red, I think you have been amazing as well back there." Archer said all of a sudden.

Red was taken aback. The smug that he was actually complimented her! That was the second compliment he had said for the evening following that he mentioned Red was pretty.

She blushed at his randomness and she tried to hide that she felt butterflies flutter in her stomach. She peered downwards, pretending to be interested with washed up dead corals. She had previously removed her hair tie and now her strawberry curls hid her face from Archer.

The young faey wanted to see her tiny pretty face and he reached out to brush her hair away and tucked it behind her small ear. Red whipped her head, startled by Archer's actions.

"You know, we should go back to Ari and start a fire. It's getting freezing cold with the summer winds blowing." She said and proceeded to stride back towards where Ari and Sir Arthur sat. Archer shrugged his shoulders and followed suit.

He tried to hide the fact that he was actually conscious when Red had kissed his cheek. Her lips were so soft he didn't mind that she had burned his arm accidentally. He wondered what that kiss meant and his heart felt so giddy.

She was indeed amazing.

He had never heard that spell she had casted that created pillars of flames so powerful they were able to take down an ancient evil that lurked in the island.

"Hello bruh, you ok now?" he said as both of them joined Ari where a pile of dry driftwood was gathered.

"Much better, Archie. Thanks to the both of you." Replied the older brother.

"Enbrazea." Red whispered and the wood burst into flames, flickering at first but blazed fiercely afterwards.

"You are getting better with your spells now Red." Ari quipped.

"Thank you, Ari. Both of you had taught me well." She smiled at him then turned to Archer. Her smile was awkward and she said a quick thank you to Archer as well.

Ari noticed the sudden change of atmosphere between the two and became suspicious but just pretended to act like nothing was amiss. As long as they didn't fight, he was fine with it.

He didn't have the strength to pull them apart if they ever began to bicker now.

"You were my saviors tonight. I couldn't think what would have happened if you weren't there. How did the two of you knew where I was?" he asked.

"Oh, Archer had casted a spell on the moon dust we collected during the first trial and turned the shimmering dust into a 3D model of the whole island where we saw orbs representing living beings aside from plants and animals." Red explained as she took out the flask and her watch.

"At first we just took a leap of faith but when we heard the vativaths mention your name we immediately sprung into rescue mode." Archer added.

"I saw beautiful women with the most enchanting voices. It was all an illusion after all." the warrior's voice sounded downcast.

"Dear ancient spirits." Ari exclaimed.

"What is it Ari? We were pretty amazing, weren't we?" Red said proudly.

Ari pointed at her pocket watch and said, "Another bud has opened."

Red stopped in her tracks recalling how they had saved Ari and turned to look at her timepiece's casing.

Red's heart dropped and her elation vanished quickly like sea foam.

Indeed, another bud had started to bloom which only means one thing,

"The second trial." They all said in unison.