Chapter 4 Trinity Flare

Ryia had spent most of her life being told that a ruler always needed an answer.

When crops failed, the ruler had an answer.

When families argued, the ruler had an answer.

When Torik demanded more people, the ruler was supposed to have an answer.

When children looked toward the castle and asked whether they were safe—

the ruler was supposed to say yes.

Even when it wasn't true.

Especially when it wasn't true.

Now Ryia stood in the castle's war room surrounded by frightened guards, injured villagers, and maps she barely understood.

Her grandparents were gone.

Several of her people were gone.

Lord Torik had given her until sunset.

And everyone was looking at her.

Waiting.

Again.

Ryia stared at the map spread across the table.

Her hands trembled.

“Princess?”

One of the guards waited for her command.

Ryia swallowed.

“I…”

Nothing.

Her mind felt empty.

If she attacked Torik, the hostages could die.

If she surrendered, everyone in Maju would belong to him.

If she did nothing—

She closed her eyes.

What would Mother do?

No answer came.

Father?

Nothing.

Ryia clenched her fists.

Of course not.

They were gone.

And she was still here.

Alone.

“I surrender.”

The room went silent.

Ryia's voice barely sounded like her own.

One guard stepped forward.

“Princess—”

“I'll give him the barrier.”

She stared at the map.

“The castle.”

“The land.”

“Whatever he wants.”

Her throat tightened.

“If it gets everyone back alive…”

“No.”

Ryia slowly looked up.

Kai stood against the far wall.

His arms were crossed.

Chris stood beside him.

Ryia frowned.

“This isn't your decision.”

“Nope.”

Kai pushed away from the wall.

“But it's a terrible one.”

Several guards looked offended.

Chris muttered,

“Subtle.”

Kai ignored him.

Ryia's temper flared.

“He has my grandparents.”

“I know.”

“He has children.”

“I know.”

“He said he'll kill them!”

“I heard him.”

“Then what exactly do you expect me to do?!”

Kai didn't answer immediately.

That only made her angrier.

“You can leave!”

She pointed toward the door.

“This isn't Koi Town.”

“This isn't your home.”

“These aren't your people.”

Kai's expression changed.

Ryia realized the words too late.

Koi Town.

His home.

Gone.

“That's exactly why I'm not leaving.”

Ryia froze.

Kai stepped closer to the table.

“I know what it feels like to watch somebody take your home away from you.”

His voice had lost every trace of humor.

“To stand there and think there's nothing you can do.”

His fist tightened.

“I also know what happens if you let them.”

Ryia looked away.

“You don't understand.”

“Probably not.”

That answer surprised her.

Kai continued.

“But I understand Torik.”

He pointed toward the map.

“He doesn't want a deal.”

“He wants you scared enough to hand him everything without a fight.”

Ryia shook her head.

“If I fight, people could die.”

Chris finally spoke.

“If you surrender, people will definitely suffer.”

Ryia looked toward him.

Chris approached the table.

“We tracked the residue from the crystal.”

He placed a small blackened shard onto the map.

A faint trail of darkness curled from it.

“It leads north.”

One of the guards frowned.

“North?”

Chris nodded.

“There’s an old estate beyond the mountain pass.”

Ryia knew it.

“Torik's hunting manor.”

“That's where he's holding them.”

Ryia stared at the map.

Kai smiled.

“So we go get them.”

Ryia looked at him.

“You say that like it's easy.”

“No.”

Kai's smile faded.

“I say it like it's necessary.”

The plan was simple.

Chris hated simple plans.

Simple plans normally meant Kai had understood them.

That was dangerous.

Chris pointed toward the map.

“Torik's estate has three entrances.”

Kai raised his hand.

Chris ignored him.

“The main gate is heavily guarded.”

Kai kept his hand raised.

“The western wall borders a cliff.”

Kai waved his hand.

“The eastern service entrance—”

“Chris.”

“What?”

Kai lowered his hand.

“Can I punch through the main gate?”

“No.”

“Okay.”

Chris continued.

“The service entrance has fewer guards. We enter there.”

Ryia studied the estate.

“I know another way.”

Chris looked at her.

“There are old servant tunnels beneath the manor.”

Kai frowned.

“How do you know?”

Ryia didn't look at him.

“Because generations of my people were forced to work there.”

The room became quiet.

Chris nodded.

“Then that's our way in.”

Ryia pointed toward several chambers.

“The cells should be beneath the eastern wing.”

Chris traced a route.

“We enter through the tunnels.”

“Ryia finds the prisoners.”

“Kai and I create a distraction.”

Kai grinned.

“I like this plan.”

Chris pointed at him.

“You are the distraction.”

Kai's smile grew.

“I really like this plan.”

Chris sighed.

Ryia almost laughed.

Then she remembered what waited for them.

Her expression fell.

Chris noticed.

“If something goes wrong, we retreat.”

Ryia shook her head.

“No.”

Chris looked at her.

“I'm not leaving without them.”

“That isn't bravery.”

His voice was firm.

“It’s how people get killed.”

Ryia looked away.

Kai watched the two of them.

Then stepped beside her.

“We'll get them out.”

Ryia glanced toward him.

He wasn't grinning.

He wasn't joking.

He simply believed it.

That somehow frightened her more.

“How can you be so sure?”

Kai shrugged.

“I'm not.”

Ryia blinked.

“I’m terrified.”

Chris raised an eyebrow.

“You hide it badly.”

Kai ignored him.

“I have no idea whether this works.”

He looked toward the mountains.

“But being scared doesn't mean we stand here.”

Ryia stared at him.

Something her mother had once told her surfaced from years ago.

Bravery isn't knowing you'll win.

It's deciding someone is worth trying for.

Ryia tightened her grip around her staff.

“Then let's go.”

Torik's hunting estate stood beyond the mountains surrounding Maju.

It was everything Maju was not.

Maju had been built with stone, wood, magic, and generations of care.

Torik's estate seemed designed entirely to remind visitors how wealthy its owner was.

Gold decorated the gates.

Statues lined the courtyard.

Gardens stretched farther than some villages.

Kai stared through the trees.

“He has gold on his roof.”

Chris nodded.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“To show people he can afford gold on his roof.”

Kai frowned.

“That's stupid.”

Ryia whispered,

“Quiet.”

Kai lowered his voice.

“It's quietly stupid.”

Chris almost smiled.

The three crouched behind a fallen tree near the rear wall.

Ryia pointed toward a patch of overgrown ivy.

“There.”

Kai saw nothing.

“Where?”

Ryia moved the vines aside.

An old stone door had been hidden beneath them.

She pressed her hand against a symbol.

It glowed.

The door opened.

Kai's eyes lit up.

“Magic door.”

Ryia gave him a look.

“Please don't start.”

“I wasn't going to.”

Chris walked past him.

“He was.”

“I was.”

They entered.

The servant tunnels were narrow.

Cold.

And filled with memories Ryia wished she didn't have.

She ran her fingers along the wall.

Old magical symbols had been scratched into the stone.

Names.

Dates.

Messages.

Some were generations old.

Kai noticed one.

WE WERE HERE.

Another beneath it read:

REMEMBER US.

His smile disappeared.

“How many people worked here?”

Ryia kept walking.

“I don't know.”

“You don't?”

“My grandparents stopped keeping complete records.”

“Why?”

“Because eventually the list became too painful.”

Kai said nothing after that.

Chris walked behind them.

His hand never left the hilt of one sword.

They reached a split in the tunnel.

Chris stopped.

“Here.”

Ryia looked toward him.

“You take the eastern tunnel.”

“I'll find the cells.”

Chris nodded.

“Kai and I go up.”

Ryia looked at Kai.

“Don't destroy the whole building.”

Kai considered it.

“No promises.”

“Kai.”

“Kidding.”

Chris stared.

Kai sighed.

“Mostly.”

Ryia turned to leave.

“Kai?”

She stopped.

He smiled.

“You've got this.”

Ryia's stomach tightened.

She wanted to believe him.

Instead she nodded.

Then disappeared into the darkness.

Chris watched her go.

“She doesn't believe that.”

Kai's smile vanished.

“I know.”

Chris looked at him.

“Then why tell her?”

“Because somebody should.”

The main courtyard erupted approximately four minutes later.

Kai considered that pretty good.

“HEY!”

Three guards turned.

Kai stood on top of a statue.

He waved.

“Looking for us?”

Chris, hidden behind another pillar, closed his eyes.

“That wasn't the plan.”

The guards drew their weapons.

Kai jumped down.

“That was absolutely the plan!”

The first guard charged.

Kai ducked beneath the blade and kicked him backward.

Chris emerged.

His swords flashed.

Two weapons flew from their owners' hands.

More guards flooded into the courtyard.

Kai grinned.

“Now it's a party!”

Chris struck another soldier with the flat of his sword.

“You have terrible parties!”

A roar echoed from the manor.

Kai stopped smiling.

Shadow beasts emerged from the doors.

One.

Three.

Seven.

More followed.

Chris's expression hardened.

“Kuro's smoke.”

Kai clenched his fists.

“Torik's using it too.”

A beast charged.

Kai stepped forward.

“Good.”

Chris glanced toward him.

“Good?”

Kai's bracelet flickered.

“I know how to fight these.”

The creature lunged.

Kai rolled beneath its claws.

His palm struck the earth.

Power surged beneath him.

“Destiny Quake!”

The ground exploded upward.

The beast flew through the air and crashed through a fountain.

Kai stared at his hand.

Chris stared too.

“That was better.”

Kai grinned.

“You noticed?”

“Don't get excited.”

Another beast attacked.

Chris drew both swords.

Black.

White.

“Focus.”

Kai's grin sharpened.

“Right.”

They charged together.

Ryia moved alone beneath the manor.

Every step felt too loud.

Her palms were sweating.

Her staff trembled.

You've got this.

Kai's voice echoed in her head.

“Easy for you to say.”

She reached the dungeon corridor.

Two guards stood outside.

Ryia stopped.

Her breathing quickened.

She could turn back.

Get Chris.

Get Kai.

Someone stronger.

Someone who knew what they were doing.

One guard heard something.

“Who's there?”

Ryia closed her eyes.

No.

She raised her staff.

Blue light gathered.

The guards rounded the corner.

“Princess?”

Ryia opened her eyes.

“Sorry.”

Ice exploded across the floor.

Both guards slipped.

“Whoa—!”

They crashed into one another.

THUD!

Ryia stared.

Then smiled.

“That worked.”

One guard groaned.

Ryia quickly took the keys.

“Sorry again.”

She ran toward the cells.

“Ryia!”

Her grandmother's voice.

Ryia stopped breathing.

“Grandmother!”

She rushed forward.

Her grandparents were locked inside the largest cell with nearly twenty villagers.

Ryia struggled with the keys.

Her hands shook.

“Come on…”

The wrong key.

Again.

Wrong.

“RYIA!”

“I KNOW!”

Her grandfather sat peacefully against the wall.

“You're doing wonderfully.”

Ryia glared.

“This is not helpful!”

“Would juggling help?”

“No!”

“I can juggle.”

Her grandmother stared.

“No, you cannot.”

“I can try.”

“Please don't.”

Finally—

CLICK.

The cell opened.

Ryia threw herself into her grandmother's arms.

For several seconds, she forgot she was supposed to be a princess.

She was simply a granddaughter.

“You're alive.”

Her grandmother held her tightly.

“So are you.”

Ryia pulled away.

“Everyone needs to move.”

She looked around.

“There's a tunnel beneath the eastern storage room.”

“Follow me.”

The villagers began moving.

Her grandfather wandered toward the wrong corridor.

Ryia grabbed him.

“This way.”

“I knew that.”

“No, you didn't.”

“I was checking.”

Ryia paused.

Why did that sound familiar?

She shook it off.

Then heard footsteps.

Slow.

Measured.

A voice followed.

“I knew you would come.”

Ryia froze.

Her grandmother's face went pale.

Torik stepped into the corridor.

Several guards surrounded him.

He smiled.

“Princess.”

Ryia moved in front of everyone.

“Go.”

Her grandmother hesitated.

“Ryia—”

“GO!”

The villagers ran.

Torik raised one hand.

“Stop them.”

Ryia slammed her staff against the floor.

A wall of flame erupted between the guards and the escaping prisoners.

Torik stepped backward.

Ryia stared at the fire.

She hadn't meant for it to be that large.

Her grandfather grinned.

“Lovely.”

“GO!”

They disappeared into the tunnel.

Ryia turned toward Torik.

He smiled.

“You've improved.”

Ryia raised her staff.

“Move.”

Torik laughed.

“You think you're threatening me?”

“I said move.”

“You can't even control your own magic.”

Her hands tightened.

Torik noticed.

“Ah.”

His smile widened.

“There she is.”

Ryia's stomach sank.

“The frightened little girl pretending to wear a crown.”

“Shut up.”

“Your parents were the same.”

Ryia froze.

Torik slowly approached.

“All that pride.”

“All that talk of freedom.”

“And where did it get them?”

Ryia's breathing became shallow.

“Don't.”

“Dead.”

Her magic flickered.

Torik saw it.

And enjoyed it.

“They sacrificed themselves for you.”

He leaned closer.

“What a terrible investment.”

Ryia's staff shook.

“Stop.”

“They died believing their daughter would save Maju.”

His smile became cruel.

“And instead Maju got you.”

Ryia lowered her head.

Torik laughed.

“A princess who can barely cast a spell.”

Flames sparked around her fingers.

“A ruler who needs strangers to fight her battles.”

Ice formed beneath her feet.

“A failure.”

Lightning cracked along her staff.

Torik stepped closer.

Then spoke the word quietly.

An old word.

A word Ryia had heard whispered by nobles when she was a child.

A word meant for people born with magic who forgot their supposed place.

“Hex-blood.”

Ryia stopped trembling.

Torik smiled.

“There.”

“That's what you are.”

Silence.

Then Ryia slowly raised her head.

Torik's smile disappeared.

Her eyes were no longer frightened.

Fire swirled around one hand.

Ice formed around the other.

Lightning crawled across her staff.

Three forces.

Three spells she'd spent years trying to control separately.

Never together.

Never successfully.

Ryia remembered every failed morning.

Every burned target.

Every spell collapsing in her hands.

Every time somebody told her she wasn't ready.

Every time she'd believed them.

Torik stepped backward.

“What are you doing?”

Ryia stared at him.

“You were right about one thing.”

The three elements began circling her.

“I've spent my entire life afraid.”

Fire.

Ice.

Lightning.

They twisted together.

The air screamed.

Ryia tightened both hands around her staff.

“Afraid my magic wasn't good enough.”

Torik backed away.

“Guards!”

“Afraid I wasn't strong enough.”

The guards rushed forward.

Lightning struck the floor.

They flew backward.

“Afraid I would disappoint everyone.”

The magic spiraled faster.

Torik's face went pale.

Ryia smiled.

“But I'm starting to realize something.”

She raised the staff.

“I don't have to be perfect.”

The three elements converged.

“I just have to stop letting people like you decide what I'm worth.”

Torik turned to run.

Too late.

Ryia thrust her staff forward.

“TRINITY FLARE!”

The world turned white.

Fire, ice, and lightning erupted together.

The blast tore through the corridor.

Torik screamed.

He flew backward through two doors—

across the entrance hall—

and straight through the enormous front window.

CRAAAAASH!

He sailed over the courtyard.

Kai looked up.

“Huh?”

Torik screamed past him.

“AAAAAAAAAA!”

He crashed into his own golden fountain.

SPLASH!

Silence.

Kai stared.

Chris stared.

The shadow beasts stared.

Ryia emerged through the broken wall.

Smoke curled from her staff.

Her hair was wild.

Her robes were torn.

Lightning still danced around her shoulders.

Kai's mouth fell open.

“Whoa.”

Chris lowered one sword.

“…Impressive.”

Ryia looked at Kai.

For the first time—

she smiled confidently.

Kai pointed.

“THAT!”

Ryia blinked.

“WHAT?!”

“YOU'RE DEFINITELY JOINING THE TEAM!”

Her smile vanished.

“THIS IS NOT THE TIME!”

Chris blocked a shadow beast.

“WE STILL DON'T HAVE A TEAM!”

Kade watched Torik crash into the fountain.

Then looked toward Chris.

The two men stood opposite one another in the courtyard.

Around them, the battle continued.

But neither moved.

Kade rested one hand against his sword.

Chris did the same.

“You're good,” Kade said.

Chris raised an eyebrow.

“That sounded painful.”

“I don't give compliments.”

“Then don't start now.”

Kade drew his blade.

Unlike Chris's twin swords, Kade carried only one.

Simple.

Unadorned.

Well used.

Chris noticed immediately.

No noble decorations.

No Torik crest.

“You don't look like the rest of his men.”

Kade shrugged.

“I'm not.”

“Then why protect him?”

“Money.”

Chris blinked.

Kade's expression remained completely serious.

“That's it?”

“Pays well.”

Chris laughed.

“I almost respect that.”

“Almost?”

“You still work for an idiot.”

Kade attacked.

Chris barely blocked.

Steel rang across the courtyard.

Kade was fast.

Much faster than Braga.

Much better than Kuro's soldiers.

His swordsmanship was direct.

Efficient.

No wasted energy.

Chris stepped back.

Kade attacked again.

Black sword blocked.

White sword countered.

Kade twisted away.

Their blades collided.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Kai punched a shadow beast nearby.

“CHRIS!”

“BUSY!”

“HE'S GOOD!”

“I NOTICED!”

Kade glanced toward Kai.

Chris attacked immediately.

“Eyes here.”

Kade blocked.

Their swords locked.

“You're wasting yourself,” Chris said.

“On Torik?”

“Yes.”

Kade shrugged.

“I don't care what he does.”

“That supposed to make it better?”

“No.”

Kade pushed him back.

“I don't need it to be better.”

He attacked.

Chris parried.

Kade continued.

“Everyone works for something.”

“Honor.”

“Family.”

“Kingdom.”

He swung.

Chris blocked.

“I work for money.”

Chris smiled faintly.

“At least you're honest.”

Their blades locked again.

“But here's your problem.”

Kade frowned.

“What?”

Chris drew the second sword back.

“Your employer just lost.”

Kade glanced toward the fountain.

Torik was unconscious.

His guards were fleeing.

The prisoners were escaping.

The manor was burning.

Kade stared.

Then lowered his sword.

Chris blinked.

“Seriously?”

Kade sheathed it.

“My contract was protection.”

He looked toward Torik.

“I can't protect someone from his own stupidity.”

Chris slowly lowered both swords.

Kade started walking.

“You're leaving?”

“Contract terminated.”

“Just like that?”

Kade stopped.

He glanced back.

“Tell Torik he owes me for today.”

Chris stared.

Then laughed.

“I definitely respect that a little.”

Kade disappeared through the gates.

Kai ran over.

“You let him go?”

“He quit.”

Kai looked confused.

“In the middle of the fight?”

“Apparently.”

“I like him.”

Chris stared.

“Of course you do.”

Without Kade, the battle ended quickly.

Kai and Chris finished the remaining shadow creatures.

Ryia led the prisoners from the tunnels.

Torik's guards surrendered.

And Lord Torik—

after waking inside his fountain—

found himself surrounded by dozens of very angry magic users.

Ryia stood before him.

Torik looked around.

His confidence vanished.

“You can't do this.”

Ryia raised an eyebrow.

“Do what?”

“Arrest me!”

“You kidnapped my people.”

“You attacked Maju.”

“You used shadow creatures.”

Torik climbed shakily from the fountain.

“My family will hear about this!”

Ryia smiled.

“Good.”

Torik froze.

Ryia stepped closer.

“Tell them something for me.”

She leaned toward him.

“Maju isn't paying tribute anymore.”

Torik stared.

“You'll regret that.”

“Maybe.”

Ryia looked toward her people.

Then back at him.

“But it'll be my mistake to make.”

The guards dragged Torik away.

Kai smiled.

Chris noticed.

“What?”

Kai shrugged.

“She sounds different.”

Chris looked toward Ryia.

“Yes.”

She did.

That evening, Maju celebrated.

Not because everything was fixed.

It wasn't.

Torik's family still existed.

The outside kingdoms still didn't know the truth about Maju.

The shadow creatures were still appearing across the world.

And somewhere, thirteen Elementals remained free.

But for one night—

Maju breathed.

Tables filled the castle courtyard.

Music echoed across the valley.

Magic illuminated the sky in glowing shapes.

Children chased floating lights.

Kai had eaten enough food for several people.

Ryia watched him from across the table.

“How are you still eating?”

Kai looked up.

“What?”

“You've had four plates.”

Chris corrected her.

“Five.”

Kai swallowed.

“I died recently.”

Ryia stared.

“You cannot use that excuse forever.”

“Why not?”

Chris drank from his cup.

“Because eventually we'll start wishing Death kept you.”

Kai pointed.

“See? That's hurtful.”

Ryia laughed.

The sound surprised her.

It felt strange.

Good strange.

Her grandmother sat beside her.

“You look happy.”

Ryia's smile softened.

“I think I am.”

“Good.”

Ryia looked toward the village.

“So much needs fixing.”

“There always will be.”

“I need to strengthen the barrier.”

“Yes.”

“Train the guards.”

“Yes.”

“Repair the homes.”

“Yes.”

Ryia sighed.

“And I still have to learn how to rule.”

Her grandmother smiled.

“That too.”

Ryia looked toward Kai and Chris.

Kai was trying to balance bread on Chris's head.

Chris was threatening him with a fork.

Ryia smiled.

“They're leaving tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

For some reason, the thought hurt.

Her grandmother noticed.

“You could go.”

Ryia looked at her.

“What?”

“You heard me.”

Ryia laughed.

“I can't leave.”

“Why not?”

“I'm the ruler.”

A voice spoke from behind them.

“No, you're not.”

Ryia froze.

Her grandfather approached.

He was standing completely straight.

No crooked walk.

No confused expression.

No imaginary conversations with birds.

His eyes were clear.

Ryia stared.

“Grandfather?”

“Yes?”

She looked around.

Then back at him.

“…Are you feeling all right?”

“Perfectly.”

Her grandmother sighed.

“Oh, finally.”

Ryia looked between them.

“What is happening?”

Her grandfather sat down.

“Ryia.”

His voice sounded completely different.

Calm.

Measured.

Normal.

“I have something to confess.”

Ryia stared.

“You aren't crazy.”

“Goodness, no.”

Kai overheard.

He slowly lowered the bread.

Chris turned.

Ryia's mouth fell open.

“You've been pretending?!”

“Mostly.”

“For how long?!”

The old man considered it.

“Years.”

“YEARS?!”

He rubbed his chin.

“There were moments I genuinely forgot things.”

Her grandmother nodded.

“You're still old.”

“Thank you, dear.”

Ryia slammed both hands on the table.

“WHY?!”

Her grandfather sighed.

“Because everyone kept trying to make me rule.”

Ryia stared.

Silence.

“What?”

“After your parents died, the council wanted me to retake the throne.”

He shuddered.

“Meetings.”

“Petitions.”

“Budgets.”

“Hours of people arguing about roads.”

He leaned closer.

“Have you ever attended a six-hour meeting about drainage?”

Ryia's eye twitched.

“You pretended to lose your mind…”

“…because ruling was boring?”

“Yes.”

Kai burst out laughing.

Chris covered his face.

Ryia stared at her grandfather in complete disbelief.

“You made me ruler!”

“You're much better at it.”

“I WAS A CHILD!”

“Yes.”

Her grandfather paused.

“In retrospect, perhaps not my strongest decision.”

Ryia looked ready to explode.

Her grandmother patted her hand.

“He's an idiot.”

“Agreed.”

Her grandfather looked offended.

“I am sitting right here.”

Ryia's anger slowly faded.

“You really can rule?”

“I can.”

“And Grandmother?”

“Better than me.”

Her grandmother smiled.

Ryia stared at them.

“Then why tell me now?”

Her grandfather's expression softened.

“Because you've spent your entire life inside these mountains.”

He looked toward Kai and Chris.

“You've been asked to lead people without ever truly knowing the world they live in.”

Ryia said nothing.

“How can you decide Maju's future when you've never seen what exists beyond it?”

Ryia looked toward the distant mountains.

Her grandfather continued.

“Go.”

Her eyes widened.

“Travel.”

“Meet people.”

“Make mistakes.”

“Learn.”

“Become stronger.”

He smiled.

“Find out who Ryia is when nobody is calling her Princess.”

Ryia's throat tightened.

“What about Maju?”

Her grandmother took her hand.

“We'll be here.”

Her grandfather nodded.

“Against my better judgment.”

Ryia laughed through the sudden tears in her eyes.

“You're serious?”

“Unfortunately.”

He smiled.

“The world has taken enough from this family.”

“I'm not letting it take your life before you've had the chance to live it.”

Ryia looked toward Kai.

He was laughing at something Chris had said.

For the first time, the road beyond Maju didn't seem terrifying.

It seemed enormous.

Unknown.

Alive.

Her grandfather smiled.

“Go with them.”

Ryia looked back at him.

“And if they annoy you…”

He glanced toward Kai.

“…fire appears remarkably effective.”

Kai stopped laughing.

“HEY!”

Morning came.

Kai adjusted his bag outside Maju's hidden entrance.

Chris checked his swords.

Ryia stood with her grandparents farther up the road.

Kai waved.

“Bye!”

Ryia waved back.

“Try not to get killed!”

Kai pointed toward his bracelet.

“Already did that!”

Chris grabbed his collar.

“We're leaving.”

They stepped through the illusion.

Ryia watched them disappear.

Her smile slowly faded.

Her grandmother placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Well?”

Ryia looked at her.

“Well what?”

“Go.”

Ryia swallowed.

Then smiled.

She hugged her grandmother.

Then her grandfather.

Hard.

“I'll come back.”

Her grandfather patted her head.

“You better.”

Ryia picked up her staff.

Then her bag.

And ran.

Kai and Chris had barely made it half a mile.

“So where are we going?” Kai asked.

“East.”

“You always say east.”

“Because we keep needing to travel east.”

“What if the Elemental is west?”

“Then we'll go west.”

Kai thought about it.

“What if it's north?”

Chris stopped.

“Kai.”

“What?”

“Please enjoy the silence.”

Kai opened his mouth—

“KAIIII!”

He froze.

Chris looked behind them.

Kai smiled.

“I know that voice.”

Ryia burst through the trees.

Her bag bounced against her shoulder.

Her staff was in one hand.

Kai's grin became enormous.

“RYIA!”

She stopped several yards away.

Bent over.

Caught her breath.

Kai ran toward her.

“You're coming?!”

Ryia stood.

“Maybe.”

Kai pointed.

“That means yes!”

Chris sighed.

“It doesn't.”

Ryia smiled.

“Actually…”

She raised her staff.

Kai stopped.

His smile slowly disappeared.

“…Why are you pointing that at me?”

Ryia's grin widened.

“I practiced something.”

“Can we talk about it first?”

“No.”

“Chris?”

Chris stepped away.

“You wanted her on the team.”

Kai stared.

“TRAITOR!”

Fire formed around Ryia's staff.

Kai backed away.

Ice spiraled around it.

His eyes widened.

Lightning cracked through the air.

“Wait…”

All three elements twisted together.

Kai's jaw dropped.

Ryia steadied her breathing.

No trembling.

No fear.

The spell obeyed her.

“Trinity…”

Kai dove sideways.

“FLARE!”

The blast streaked past him.

It struck a boulder.

For one second, nothing happened.

Then—

BOOOOOOM!

Fire erupted.

Ice crystals exploded outward.

Lightning cracked across the earth.

When the smoke cleared, half the boulder was gone.

Kai lay facedown in the grass.

Chris stared at the crater.

“…Not bad.”

Ryia lowered her staff proudly.

Kai slowly raised his head.

“You almost killed me.”

“I missed you.”

“BARELY!”

Ryia smiled.

“That's called control.”

Kai got to his feet.

He stared at the destroyed boulder.

Then at Ryia.

Then back at the boulder.

His anger disappeared.

“That was AWESOME!”

Ryia laughed.

Chris groaned.

“I knew he'd encourage this.”

Kai grabbed Ryia's hands.

“You're definitely joining us.”

Ryia pulled free.

“I never agreed to that.”

“You followed us.”

“My grandparents told me to travel.”

“With us.”

“They said nothing about a team.”

Kai pointed toward Chris.

“HE SAYS THAT TOO!”

Chris began walking.

“Because there is no team.”

Kai hurried after him.

“There are three of us!”

“That's three people.”

“Traveling together!”

“Coincidence.”

Ryia caught up.

Kai moved between them.

“Fine.”

He pointed to himself.

“Leader.”

Chris immediately said,

“No.”

Kai pointed toward Chris.

“Swordsman.”

Chris considered that.

“Accurate.”

Kai pointed toward Ryia.

“Magic girl.”

Ryia struck him with her staff.

“Ow!”

“My name is Ryia.”

“Princess Magic Girl?”

She raised the staff again.

“RYIA! RYIA IS GOOD!”

Chris laughed.

The three continued down the road.

Kai in front despite not knowing where he was going.

Chris correcting him every few minutes.

Ryia pretending she wasn't enjoying either of them.

Behind her, hidden beyond mountains and magic, rested the home she had spent her entire life protecting.

Ahead waited a world she had never seen.

A world of kingdoms.

Monsters.

Magic.

Elementals.

And people she hadn't met yet.

For the first time, Ryia wasn't walking because somebody expected her to.

She wasn't walking because she was a princess.

Or because her parents had died.

Or because Maju needed a ruler.

She was walking because she had chosen to.

Kai looked back.

“You coming?”

Ryia smiled.

“Try and stop me.”

Chris sighed.

“This was a mistake.”

Kai threw one fist toward the sky.

“THE TEAM IS OFFICIALLY FORMED!”

“We are not a team.”

“Too late!”

Ryia laughed.

And for the first time—

there were three.