Fractured Worlds (Worlds Away #1)

Edoline Chapter 55: Taken

"We will resume tomorrow." Chatter erupted in the room, and the children rushed out. Boradon stepped aside as the herd left, a game of tag already starting up. Despite the training that they had endured, energy was still to be found.

"You really do have a knack with children," my brother commented after they had all departed.

"They simply understand me." Together, we left the training rooms. I followed my brother.

"You know, after all these years, I still don't know why you started those classes. Why do you teach them?"

"Children do not like to be left out of affairs; they like to be involved. They are raised into this life of survival, and even though no one wants them to join in this war, they do. Knowing all of this, I wanted to provide the young with a means to protect themselves when the time comes for them to step onto the field. In addition, it makes them feel involved in their parents' fight."

Boradon nodded. "Makes sense." We emerged into the central room. It was just as crowded as ever, but a particular group returning caught my attention. Something had happened, I could tell. I did not waste time before running over to them. Boradon followed without question.

Team Igniatus, Justin, and Rayja returned. The eldest Keeswood held Rayja close, his body curled around hers to protect the young girl. The young girl clung onto the man, her arms tightly holding his neck. The group was tense, their weapons still out–Justin's swords circling around him and Rayja. In addition, Igniatus' hair was still aflame. I could feel the heat radiating from him, but that did not make me falter in my approach.

Gloria was the first to act. "We need to get a team back out there now," she said, her voice firm with urgency.

"What happened?" I asked.

Celia bent over to Rayja, exchanging soft words. Tears stained the girl's face, and she shook, her eyes wide and breathing heavy. After words from Justin, Rayja let go of him. Celia took her hand, pulled her in close and led her away.

"Zerbelgrim was there. He was after Rayja. We couldn't find out where Brela was before we had to jump away. She's still out there," Justin said. His normally calm attitude was gone, distress in his voice.

"Get the director," I told Boradon. She needed to know what had happened. My brother sprinted off as I asked my next question "Were you followed?"

"No, I ensured that," Wynnter stepped forward. "We took some detour stops before coming here to be on the safe side. We took all the precautions we could. We were not followed."

"Good."

Boradon returned, but not with Director Cornelia, rather Siegefried, Haruto, Dr. Jelen, Wayne, Gryph, and Audra—the half-eternal charged with tailing Gryph. My brother held a note in his hand, quickly passing it to me.

"This was on her desk. Marasen is here too."

The note was hastily scribbled, and recently too. It was definitely the director's handwriting.

I have left to attend to personal business. I will return as soon as I can. There was nothing more written, not even a signature. The director had truly left in haste. I needed to take care of this until she returned.

"I'm sorry, but who's Marasen?" Wayne asked, raising his hand.

"It's not a who, it's a what," Gryph said. "Marasen is Mae's two-handed sword. If it was left here, that's not good."

"Why not?" Wayne asked.

Gryph let out a sigh. "Long story short, Marasen was Mae's brother's sword. He died protecting people from the eternals, so in turn she wields it in his name when she is protecting the worlds. When she's off hunting eternals, she wields her own single-handed sword named Kahreesh."