Shield of Fire

What the hell was that?

Crini’s eyes widen in shock and her body stills.

“Find me”

The voice resonates. Each time louder and clearer. The roar makes Crini’s ears drum wildly and her heartbeat race. Fear drains the blood from her veins and cold hits her hard. Crini’s eyes fall straight on the group ahead. Tension is rising, charging the air around them and preparing for the big blow. Everyone looks furious – even Helion. She could see the anger flashing behind his eyes even if his mask is unbroken.

Their passionate conversation had been transformed into a fight. It was like something was polluting them, poisoning their minds. The roar within her head sounded once more. But there was something else this time. Something Crini didn’t notice earlier.

There was a hint of pleading hidden behind its loud and threatening voice. A prayer for help? Could whatever was calling her, asking for her help?

Crini closed tightly shut her eyes. Taking control of her was the first step. Accomplished. Slowly, she starts pacing, going in a semi-circle around the group still fighting. The dread of the unknown was making the hair at the back of her neck rise. She could see nothing beyond the point she was standing. The floating ball of fire that Ada had created was not helping her see anything else than a small span around her.

Please give me a sign, she prayed.

But silence was all she received.

Getting her hands over her ears, the sound fades but only by a bit. Crini keeps concentrating on the corridors spreading before her, in an attempt to clear her mind. There was only one way to proceed. This was the point where each one will be fighting for its own. Determined, she strides towards the group.

“Hey! HEY!” she screams hoping her voice will get above theirs. Even stretching her hands in the air, moving frantically wasn’t helping. The group continued to fight like she wasn’t there.

She wanted to choose a corridor and go in, leaving them behind until they started tearing the flesh out of each other. The thought was indeed tempting. But she had given a promise to Queen Tesfira about guarding her son. What if her son died and she was coming out of this alive? She will behead her.

So she had to stay with them. Great.

Not able to put up with their charades any longer, Crini grabs some small rocks from the ground. Putting in some effort, she starts throwing the stones at them. Her desperate try seems to work. Some receive the hits and annoyed they stop and turn. Soon more follows. Crini takes a moment to enjoy the silence that falls around them. Taking a deep breath, she opens her mouth to speak, trying to sound neutral. Talking to species so tall and stronger than her was intimidating. They could toss her miles away even with a swipe of their arms.

“Unfortunately the map is not working for unknown reasons and nothing can be done about it. As Triana said, time is of the essence and we already wasted a lot.”

“She’s correct” Triana confirmed. Crini braced to cut her off if she was continuing to put the blame on her but she didn’t say anything.

“So, we cannot go all together, therefore I suggest we split into smaller groups. After all, we joined as individuals. The winner will be one. It was nice that we combined our resources for a while but the winner will be one. Don’t forget that. It’s not a summer retreat, it’s a tournament.”

First time Crini sounded so strong and confident. Filled with motivation to go on, she starts pacing. “Moiki, Zoiki. Is there any way you can bypass the map’s system and get an idea of what lies ahead?”

Both Sopolians shake their heads sideways in disappointment. “I’m afraid we cannot pass its safety protocols. The map is down.” Zoiki’s voice fades as his eyes fall to the ground. “We need to fly blind” Moiki adds.

Crini keeps walking. She closes her eyes momentarily taking a deep breath. “Look, there are six different paths ahead. We can split into groups of two, with one getting an additional person. That way we can proceed and having always someone watch guard in case something happens.”

Crini turns her eyes towards the group. They all stand silent, looking at her without even blinking. “Do you agree?” she states with solid determination. Instant doubt haunts her. Was I too strict with them?

To her surprise, the group nods unanimously in perfect synchronicity. “And now, the tricky part. We should form teams.”

Ha! Let’s see how they will do it by themselves.

“Just to inform you, I’ll have to go with Tadal.” Crini states before she takes a few steps away from the group. The expression on prince Tadal’s face hardens as he throws a stern look at her. The fact that Crini didn’t call him by title was still making him angry.

Crini takes a deep breath, relaxing her shoulders and leaning at a nearby rock. The metallic cylinder of her pocket sword touches her bare foot inside the boot. Her safety card. Gods may bless general Kra’ko, she whispers under her breath. The general had been proved a great instructor even in this short time period. He had taught important lessons to Crini and she would be forever grateful to him.

She chooses to step aside as the Ethnians are split into groups of two. To her surprise, they somehow agreed for each team to have a mix of them instead of going into groups by species. Once the chatter gives space to silence, it was time to approach. But Ezpa got her first. He looks like he found out about something.

Hope whatever it may be to help us get out of this place.

“You’ve got to see this. Come” he calls. Crini follows him as Ezpa steps away from the group, going for the small pile of sacks they had with the essentials for the rest of the journey. Reaching one of them, he opens a small pocket attached to its side and takes out something that kicks in a trail of memories in Crini’s mind. Happy memories.

The device he shows her reminds her very much of an hourglass. The first present she has a memory of, given by her parents. A tiny hourglass filled with coloured sand. Crini’s jaw tensed, trying hard to compose herself and hold the tears gathering under her eyes. Her thoughts run like a waterfall. Would it still be there, on her desk? Are her parents still looking for her? And where to look? Crini was more than miles away. Light years - even galaxies - are most probably standing like an invisible wall in the middle, separating two dots from connecting.

“Are you all right?” Ezpa speaks looking warily at her.

She moves her hand in the air, making air before her eyes, drying the tears before they fall. “I’m good. Don’t worry. So, an hourglass.” she answers with a strange coat of emotion covering her voice. “Do you have more of those?” she tries to look more excited than she looks on the outside.

“All Aniveans have one at least. It’s a gift from the Queen we receive when we complete 10 full orbs. Some are getting also for being an example of excellence of Anivean citizen or serving the force or doing something brave. It’s like a formal gift. I’ll have to ask the others.”

“We need at least one for each team. If we can get six we’re perfect.” Crini responds with a smirk on her face. She had totally forgotten about Anivean hourglasses. A few minutes later, Ezpa runs to her, a bright smile forms on his face.

“I found more! Apparently, prince Tadal has more. No surprise.” the last words sound like whispers.

Of course, who would have more than an Anivean royal?

“Okay everyone, gather up!” Crini raises her voice with a leadership attitude that she really enjoyed. The group forms a circle around her. Triana is boiling with anger for not being the one in charge and Tadal seems like he’s eating his guts every time Crini forgets intentionally his title. Helion and Poinary - although royals - seem not bothered by Crini’s initiative to lead the herd.

“Moiki please can you do a last try to get the map working by going back the way we came? At least up to where the interference is absent.”

Moiki’s face freezes. “For what purpose?”

“Getting a clearer view of the area might not be possible as we have to be close for the map to open. But try it anyway. At least find what time it is. We will improvise from this point onwards.”

Moiki gives a sharp nod before he turns to look at Jato. The latter gets his request and they both start going up the path. Ezpa looks at Crini and she gives him a signal motioning her hand to distribute the hourglasses.

“This will be used to get the time, well approximately,” she instructs with ease. Once we get into the tunnels, keep this with you.”

Moiki and Jato come back running. “I’ve got the information you asked for.” he smiles victoriously. “Unfortunately I can see only a brief part of the path ahead. So far nothing important to worry about. And it’s night now, around two short orbs before the highest point.

“Very good Moiki,” Crini gives him a genuine smile. “We can camp for a few hours if you want, get some rest. The road from here might have more dangers than we anticipate.”

The group spreads like bowling pins after a strike. Crini helps as much as she can - considering her size - almost in every station. However, something feels strange. Her gut wakes up poking her to stay sharp and alert for something. Being as neutral externally as possible, she behaves like nothing’s bothering her until she happens to walk closer to a small group Tadal has formed with Ezpa and Ada further away from the fire.

She doesn’t hear a lot of what they say but the words are enough to drain the blood out of her body.