The Guardians of Mustikos (Watty Awards 2012)

      "What are you wearing again Neela?" Verity had burst in to Neela's room and she felt an intense heat wave hit her, "oh my damn Nee, what the hell. It's burning in here, I'm already sweating!" She lifted her arms to make sure that she didn't have any wet marks on her black shirt. She was wearing dress pants with heels and a simple but nice black blouse. All the black made her look even paler than usual, but it's not like it was customary to wear white to a funeral.

      "Better than your room," Neela said back as she walked out of her bathroom wearing dress pants and a black jacket, "every time I go into your room, I feel like I'm going to get frost bitten." She gave Verity a look up and down and said, "you look nice V, can you help me find some shoes? We're going to be late."

      Verity walked over to Neela's closet and picked out a pair of black flats, "here, these would look nice."

      "Thanks." Neela put the flats on, "come on, they're waiting for us."

      The two of them quickly walked downstairs and saw Portica sitting in a chair fidgeting with a napkin in her lap.

      "Morning Portica," Neela said gently, "did you have anything to eat yet?"

      Portica stayed silent and looked away from Neela. Before anyone could say anything Clyde strolled in with Black robes and gestured them to stand. "We'll be having the funeral in the meadow. That was Yvette's favorite place."

      As they headed off, Verity couldn't help but notice that Portica looked nervous. "Don't worry," she whispered to her, "nothing's going to happen, that's why Neela and I are here."

      "The meadow is where we landed, isn't it?" she asked, "Is that where all the portals open too?"

      "Yes, but don't worry. Even if they do come, we'll protect you." Verity gave her a small encouraging smile when they made it to the meadow. At the center of the meadow was a white casket and it was completely surrounded by flowers of all sorts.

      "It looks beautiful," Portica whispered.

      "It is isn't it? They did a good job, considering the short notice. Come on, Neela's up front with our seats. I think Cly, I mean your father is going to say a few words." Verity led Portica to where Neela was and sat her between the two of them. Clyde walked up to a podium and cleared his throat,

      "Thank you all for coming. I know what you all must be thinking . . ."

      Suddenly Clyde was interrupted by shrilling screams that came from the back of the audience. Verity turned her head and she saw groups of Hunters coming through what looked like vortex holes and hacking away at the audience, heading in their direction. The Hunters were as big as Verity remembered, with their bulk statue towering over the audience and their giant sized weapons, they easily made their way through the crowd. She quickly pointed in the direction of the Hunter and concentrated, suddenly an ice wall formed between the Hunters and the rest of the audience. Not at all discouraged, the Hunters used their weapons and started to use their axes and their long knives to break down the wall. "CLYDE!" she screamed and turned around to look at him.

      "Don't worry about me!" He was frantically gesturing the healers to move to a safer place to heal the wounded, "take care of Portica! I'll be safe with Erick." She noticed that Erick was waving his wand and muttering words that caused sparks to fly at the tip. She nodded and grabbed Portica's hand.

      "Neela, come on!" She dragged her away from the scene and saw Kier and Trick running towards the Hunters, preparing to fight.

      "VERITY, NEELA!" A tall man with blonde hair in a ponytail caught up to them, "take her to the tombs! The Hunters would never suspect that she'd be there."

      Neela nodded, "good idea, Liam." They raced off towards the tombs, but before they could catch their breath another vortex opened up in front of them, and another Hunter walked out. He grinned and his armor clanged as he made his way towards them.

      "Well, well," he said, "it looks like I wasn't too late." He swung the axe he was carrying but Verity quickly avoided the blow by putting her hand up towards the axe creating a small ice barrier between her arm and the Hunter. She let go of Portica's hand, grabbed the ax and twisted it so that it fell out of the Hunters hand and into hers.