Crestfall

Chapter 6: Covenant

I couldn't focus on the lessons.

The day went by so quickly that I didn't notice it was already dismissal. Lucky assured me that their ~SightSeeing~ skill was always not absolute and could be wrong depending on certain circumstances, but I can't help myself from worrying.

I noticed Lucky standing up at the back of my desk, then tapped my right shoulder. "Don't dwell on it too much, just... Just take care and make sure to watch each other's six. Everything should be fine as long as you work together."

No matter how you reassure me, that won't help, big boy. I need to stop her from coming with us tonight.

"By the way, please don't tell Janinna about it."

It wasn't Lucky who said that. It was me.

I recalled last night's encounter with... who was it again? That sparky lady witch? Anyway, it was still crystal clear in my memory how Janinna was so adamant and willing on trading her life for my safety. So I am 100% sure that she will be much more determined to go with us tonight if she knows about her demise. If she's made aware of the grave danger that could befall her later, she'll most likely won't let it happen to me, then, she'll become desperate to join. She's not suicidal, it's just that I can sense an enormous amount of patriotism, security, and recklessness in that girl's actions, just to fulfill her duty as my guardian.

So it's imperative that she shouldn't know about it, yet I need to find a way to stop her from coming with us.

"Who else did you tell about this?" I asked Lucky who was about to leave.

"Just you, man. Don't worry, it's only between the two of us. Please, all of you, take good care of each other."

"Got it. Thanks, man" We exchanged fist bumps and he left the room. Some of our classmates were also gradually diminishing in numbers as they left the room one after another. After checking I didn't forget any materials I could leave behind, I strapped my backpack and stood up.

Determined, I approached Janinna, but as I was about a few meters away from her, I noticed a bespectacled individual raised her hand to stop me from moving forward, subtle enough that only I can see it. Shyrhine shook her head ever so slightly. I immediately deciphered what she was trying to signal me to do: 'Stop right there. We'll talk once everyone's gone.'

I slightly nodded at her, showing affirmation on what she wanted to happen. I sat back to my chair and waited patiently.

"Hey, Jared!~~" There's something soothing whenever Janinna speaks.

"Yo! Take care."

"You too!~~ See yah later~~~" She smiled and winked at me before she walked out of the room to go home.

Oh, please don't make this harder for me, Janinna.

∆∆∆

"So? What is it?" I walked towards Shyrhine after making sure that only the two of us are left in the room.

"Lucky told you something and I saw how your dark face become more darker. After that, you were listless the whole day. Then, after classes were about to approach Janinna with a grim face."

"Well, I can see that you've been very observant of me."

"I am a Wind Sorcerer, so it's common sense that I can sense the air full of joy, excitement, dread, malice..."

I squinted my eyes a bit after realizing what she's about to say.

"...grief." Shyrhine looked at me with serious eyes, seemingly waiting for any change on my facial expression.

"What did Lucky tell you? Is it about Janinna?"

I didn't know what to say. I knew she's been the group's acting leader so I should be able to trust her, but this time, I was not even sure if I could rely on her too much.

I stood in front of her for a couple of seconds before I decided to give in.

"Lucky... said that someone will..."

"Die?"

I didn't respond. I just pursed lips and looked down.

"And that's Janinna, right?"

I still didn't reply.

Shyrhine went silent and I didn't know what she was doing or what her face looks like at this point because my eyes were locked down into my shoes.

"...Jared. We need that Crest. I can't afford to have it taken away by someone somewhere we wouldn't be able to go."

I looked at her. "At what cost, then?"

Her mood must've changed by my words due to the fact that her eyebrows quickly slid towards her nose bridge.

"Anything." She answered with conviction in her voice.

"I'll do whatever it takes to fulfill my duty. Even if it cost--"

"Her life? Are you serious right now?" My mood started to change, as well. I dislike this feeling of uncomfortable angst, but it was gradually eating me.

"Shyrhine. I will also do whatever it takes to avoid anyone that I know be hurt. As far as I see, you are capable of protecting us since you can fight back. If I have your word that nobody gets hurt, even a single scratch, then I'll join you tonight." I had to make sure she gets my point so I instinctively pointed my finger, which I regretted immediately since I kinda looked and sounded rude, but surprisingly, she wasn't fazed at all.

"I promise." Her lips curved into a smile. "I promise I won't let anyone be hurt. I'll protect all of you." She reached her hand after her promise, seemingly to gesture me to accept her bargain.

I held her dainty hand and shook it ever so slightly.

And just like that, a covenant was made.

∆∆∆

Fortunately, the Air Force camp is just an hour away from Kampola City if you take the public transportation. After arriving at home by 5:00 P.M., I immediately dashed to my room and changed into my comfortable outside clothes: a T-shirt, a pair of denim pants, sneakers, and a cardigan sweater. I couldn't find Mom and Dad anywhere in the house so they probably went to the night market to replenish supplies. Sarah was sleeping so I didn't bother waking her up.

I wrote a note telling them that I'll be at Ivan's house and slapped it at the fridge with a magnet. Then, I took off and rushed to the meeting place. I thought of going to Janinna's or Ivan's house first to check on them but scrapped the idea in the end, thinking they might already be on their way there.

After the quick commute, I arrived in front of a convenience store that is just adjacent to the Air Force camp's Gate 3-A. A shroud of soldiers on break flooded the outside of the store; some were eating sandwiches and soda, some were smoking at the designated smoking area, some were just talking and probably catching up with their peers.

In the middle of the camouflage haystack, I found a set of needles, eating some sort of sandwich and salad.

"Yo! Was I late?" I started.

"Nope. We're still waiting for Ivan and Allen." Shyrhine answered. Across her are two beautiful girls munching on their dinner.

Shyrhine was wearing a gray leather jacket with a pink blouse underneath. She's wearing a fluttery black skirt down below and a pair of red Converse sneakers. High cut, by the way. If I was not aware of how she treats men in general, I'd probably fall in love with her at first sight.

"Yo." That gloomy greeting was Charlotte. She's wearing an army green, or olive as my sister would correct me, long-sleeved polo blouse; the sleeves were rolled into three-fourths. Can't make out what she's wearing down below but I guess a denim pants would make sense.

"Hi Jared~~!" That beaming greeting was Janinna. This time, I saw the change in scenery. She's wearing a light blue frill sleeved (I guess is what they are called, not really a fashion kind of guy so I'm sorry) blouse that really accentuated her pale skin. From where I was standing, I can see her skirt that looks just like what Shyrhine was wearing, just white. She's also wearing a pair of high cut Converse sneakers, also white.

"Sup?" That was all I could say the moment I saw Janinna. I couldn't withstand the fact that she--

A cold hand abruptly stopped my train of thought. Shyrhine secretly grasped my arm and her eyes squinted towards Charlotte, who was almost done wolfing down her sandwich.

Right. She can read minds. Shyrhine probably deduced what I was thinking based on my greeting to Janinna. That, or she sensed my air of worry.

I sat down beside Shyrhine and looked towards the soldiers standing idly across our table. They were chitchatting and laughing loudly, like they always had the urge to showcase their manliness that way.

"So, where're the idiots?" I asked the bespectacled lady beside me.

"Ivan told me earlier on my way out of the school gates that both of them will arrive later than us. Didn't say anything more, but they promised they'll be here on time before our mission." Shyrhine answered before biting into her sandwich.

*DING*

*DING*

*DING*

A loud series of bells reverberated on the area. I looked back through the fence dividing the convenience store and the camp where the bell tolls are coming from.

The soldiers dilly-dallying around our table hurriedly ran towards the gate and into the camp, some remained to finish whatever they were smoking, but also ran inside the camp after they finished it. I guess break time's over.

At least five minutes after the soldiers were gone, a white van stopped in front of the convenience store. The driver turned off the engine, and doors on both side opened.

It could've been a really badass scene if an action-movie type of people were to come out. Instead, we get these two morons.

"Sup, girls?" Ivan waved as the two of them walked towards us.

They were wearing... I don't care. Simple college boys outfit. That's it.

And what did you mean 'sup, girls'? This guy's trying to piss me off the moment he sees me.

"What's that?" Shyrhine pointed at the parked vehicle they left from.

"That's my throne. Charlotte and I will be staying there as I do my thing. An easy getaway vehicle as well, don't you think?" Ivan's smile didn't leave his face.

"So? Let's go?" Allen asked.

I looked at the time and it's 7:03 P.M.

I guess we're doing it now.

After a brief refresher of what we're about to do and confirming the tasks of each individual, the plan was set in motion, and no one's turning back.

∆∆∆

Shyrhine and Janinna were walking side by side while Allen and I were a few feet behind them.

"Nervous?" Allen muttered.

"No. Actually, yeah." I replied.

"Good." I always thought of Allen as the more serious type than Ivan, but this time, I could really feel tension swelling up from him.

A few meters away from reaching the gate's entranceway, Shyrhine suddenly raised his hand.

One second after that, I heard a very soft yell from behind us. It was most likely Ivan casting his spell inside the van.

The next second passed. I suddenly felt a massive pressure in my ears that I started to hear a static ring. I subconsciously closed my eyes and covered both of my ears. When I opened my eyes again, the world stopped.

Like, literally.

Cars on the road were not moving, a plastic bag fluttering through the wind came to a halt midair, people walking at the other side of the road stopped any motion whatsoever.

It's as if someone pressed the Pause button on the reality remote control.

"--red!" I still couldn't hear too much because of the ringing in my ears, but I started to notice Shyrhine and Janinna sprinting towards the camp, while Allen was beside me, yelling my name as he firmly clutched my right arm.

"Let's go!" Allen yelled in my ears. I just nodded as I winced due to the pain in my head. When he noticed my nod, he let go of my arms and started to sprint towards Shyrhine and Janinna's destination.

I clapped my ears hard to try to stop the ringing and it kinda helped a bit. So I started to run.

Past the gate was a very open area that was reminiscent of parking lots on supermarkets, just three to four times the size. Way ahead of the open area were three dome-like hangars with massive gates to protect what's inside.

I was able to arrive inside the middle hangar a few seconds after the three people I followed. I found them standing in front of a huge military plane.

"So where's the vault?" I immediately asked the moment I caught up with them.

Shyrhine turned to Janinna in a quick motion. "Janinna, are you sure this is it?"

I looked at Janinna, who looked petrified as her eyes scan the surroundings.

"Y-Yes. My decoy was sure that this is the hangar where the crest was stored. And the soldiers should be loading it into the plane at this point in time if they strictly followed their schedule." Janinna answered. She looked like she was about to cry.

"Janinna, there are no soldiers here."

You know what? It struck me just then. There were no soldiers anywhere. They should've been here since it was only a few minutes since they came back from their break.

But all we see is an empty plane inside a hangar devoid of people except us four.

"s**t. Did we enter the wrong one? We should check the other hangars then, we still have at least three minutes before Ivan taps out." I tried to keep the mission moving since we were fully aware that we should have the Crest before Ivan's spell cools down.

"No, wait..." Janinna stopped me from walking away. "...I'm sure. I'm 100% sure that this is the right one. I fully trust my decoy's information." She looked at me with confident eyes.

Then, what the f**k is going on?

"Let me tell you what the f**k is going on." A familiar voice resounded the hangar. I will never forget that voice.

"F-Friana?!" Janinna's trembling voice was enough to make me shiver.

Is this it? Is this what Lucky saw?

"Oh? What did Lucky see, mortal?"

SHIT s**t SHIT

"~Air Spike~!!!"

Shyrhine didn't waste any moment and shot a couple of her spikes towards Friana, who was standing on top of the plane in front of us. The spikes rushed through the air and was about to hit Friana when she suddenly disappeared.

"Wha--" Janinna's voice hit my ears and it was enough for me to know that something dreadful was about to happen.

"Wait--" I instinctively moved my body to run towards where Janinna is, but the purple witch materialized herself in front of my Cute Girl number 1.

"Hello." Friana mockingly whispered, then she pulled something from her side.

A dag--

A dagger.

"JANINNA!!!" I yelled on top of my lungs.

"~WIND WALL~!"

"~IGNITION~!"

Two consecutive spells were heard. The familiar gust of wind abruptly levitated Friana up in the air, then without any breaks whatsoever, an explosion hit her face the exact second her momentum stopped her mid air. Due to the impact of the explosion on her head, her body rapidly spun like a wild ragdoll as she dropped down to the ground at immense speed. If that was to happen to a normal person, he'll surely be dead upon impact.

The moment she was sprung upwards by Shyrhine's wall, I quickly grabbed Janinna and pulled her away, so the second she hit the ground by Allen's explosion magic, Janinna and I were clear.

I looked at Friana's ground zero. Dust and cement shards were flying all over the place so I couldn't clearly make out what happened to her. Again, that was a SOLID impact that should kill a normal person.

But then again...

"Whoo! That was intense!"

...this is Friana we're talking about.

"Jared, take Janinna away from here!" Shyrhine yelled.

I looked at the girl in my arms and she's clearly shocked in these turn of events. Her eyes were wide and tears were running down her cheeks.

"I-I can fight..." Janinna begged.

I looked at Friana again as she was about launch another electric attack towards my direction.

"No. You gotta leave." I told Janinna without looking at her. Yes. She's not safe here. I'm not gonna let her--

"DIE!!" Friana completed her spell and my sentence. A bluish-purple light shot out of her staff and traveled at a speed of light towards me.

"~Ember~!" This time, Allen's spell consisted of a series of mini-explosions on the ground where Friana was standing, causing her to flinch and step back.

But it was too late, she already commenced the attack with absolute accuracy.

"~Gale Blade~" This time, Shyrhine's hand materialized a green-ish translucent crescent blade and threw it towards us.

SHINK!

It hit!

Shyrhine's blade was able to deflect Friana's spell in a nick of time.

Friana, who just recovered from her giddy side-step a few seconds ago, turned her face towards Shyrhine.

"YOU! ARE! BOTHERING! ME!!!" After that ominous yell, she raised her left hand and gestured it as if she's clasping something.

That's when it hit me.

Shit. Shyrhine's in trouble.

Shyrhine suddenly held her neck, an action you will only do if something, or someone, is choking you.

This was the spell she used when she first attacked me!

"No, you don't! ~Igni--"

"YOU, TOO!!!" Allen wasn't able to finish his spell as Friana was able to do the same thing to him with her right hand.

Friana then flickered her hand in a wide manner, as if she's trying to throw something very far away..

"AAAGHH!!"

...which she actually did. Allen's body floated softly for a few inches before jerking him out of the hangar in the most violent way. After a few seconds, I heard a thud from afar. s**t. Allen...

"Now, you..." Friana now turned her face back to Shyrhine, who's still trying her best not to pass out. "...will come with me."

Friana picked up her staff with telekinesis of some sort, just like a Jedi would do, then swished it towards Shyrhine's direction.

I looked at Shyrhine's face.

She looked at me.

I was about to cry.

She smiled.

WHOP!

Then she suddenly vanished.

"Your friend's Time Stop spell is about to end. It pains me to do this but I have to go. I'm pretty sure we'll meet again..." Friana smirked.

"...Mortal."

Then as if on cue, she also disappeared just like how Shyrhine did, and at the same exact time, the eerie silence caused by the temporary halt on our surroundings was replaced by a sudden burst of noise from vehicles, airplanes taking off from the nearby runway, and my loud heartbeat.

What?

What the f**k just happened?