Oaken (The Underground Series Book 1)

by Melody Robinette

  Cera was smiling proudly as she pressed her Warrior, Olivia, into the ground with her Gravity. Olivia’s Power was Healing, which was extremely useful to others, but it was definitely a defensive power, rather than offensive. Cera seemed to be toying with Olivia, easing off of her Power long enough for Olivia to charge at her, then pushing her to the ground again. She didn’t allow the Tetra to get close enough for her to attack.

  Charlotte, on the other hand, was having trouble with her Tetra, Lucian, who had the Power of Hypnosis. She was able to hold him off with her thick fog at first, but he managed to reach her and look her right in the eyes, hypnotizing her. Her fog began to dissipate, remnants of it still floating lazily on the ground. Lucian’s Power was not unlike Autumn’s, but he had to make eye contact for it to be effective.

  The most interesting pair to watch was Jastin and Candi. Autumn didn’t even find out what Candi’s Power was during Warrior Test because they weren’t allowed to use them in the fighting portion. Now she was glad she’d never had to find out because her Power looked slightly ominous to say the least.

  “Her power is Fear,” Eden informed Autumn. “She’s able to fill her opponent with an intense terror that isn’t easy to ignore, but this Initiate seems to be handling himself rather well considering. Though, he’s not as quick as you. If I’m not mistaken, I believe you were the one who broke her nose in the Warrior Test?”

  Autumn gave her a small smirk and nod.

  “She can stand to be taken down a notch or two,” Eden said.

  Apparently Autumn was not the only one who disliked Candi.

  Autumn and Eden stopped watching the others and managed a few more duels before Atticus called for the Initiates to group up. They said goodbye to the Tetras, respectfully shaking hands with one another.

  “Good luck on the Warrior Trial,” Eden said to Autumn.

  Her stomach flipped as she thought of the nearness of that day. Avery approached her and said, “You two seemed to get along well.”

  “Yeah, she’s nice. Especially compared to that Candi girl. She’s not so pleasant.”

  “Well you’re going to have to get used to her,” Avery said.

  “Why?” Autumn frowned.

  “The Tetra and Quinn Warriors work together often because we’re the youngest. We’re also the strongest physically and do most of the fighting while the older Warriors do more guard work and station themselves higher in the trees to attack with arrows from above.”

  “Oh.”

  “Good work today, guys,” Atticus said. “There will be no training tomorrow so you have time to recuperate and rest before the Warrior Trial. On Saturday morning you will all be informed as to what your task will be and its location. You will then be transported to that location in pairs. It will just be you and your partner starting out, though it’s not unlikely that you’ll run into another pair along the way. It’ll be up to you whether you continue on alone or if you decide to group up. I’ll say no more. Make sure and eat a good breakfast Saturday morning. You’ll need the strength. Until tomorrow, Warriors.”

  During Powers class the next day, the Initiates were made to sit out of practice. The rest of the class shot them looks of envy and admiration. None of the Initiates seemed to pay much attention to this, though, because they were all so nervous about the Trial.

  “We should all meet at Sugar Brown’s after dinner tonight. You know, just in case,” Charlotte began.

  “Don’t say that,” Cera said. “Nothing’s going to happen to any of us.”

  Charlotte swallowed and nodded mechanically as Jastin wrapped a comforting arm around her.

  “We should still go,” Autumn said. “To celebrate our last night as Initiates. After tomorrow, we will officially be Quinns.”

  The others nodded in agreement, except for Victor, who was gazing at the floor with a dead look in his eyes.

  “You going to come, Victor?” Forrest asked doubtfully. Victor blinked and looked at him in confusion. “To Sugar Brown’s,” Forrest clarified. Victor shook his head before Forrest finished his sentence.

  When Powers class let out, Autumn decided to swallow her pride and talk to Victor.

  “Victor?” Autumn called as she exited the Powers Tree. He turned to her, his face etched with surprise. “Can I talk to you?” He studied her for a moment, but eventually nodded. They walked a little ways away from the Powers Tree and came to stand awkwardly beside an old willow tree. “I don’t hate you, you know, for…what you did.”

  His eyebrows shot up at her bluntness, his eyes flicking down to her scarf-covered neck, which was almost unnecessary because there was only a shadow of a bruise left now. When his eyes met hers again she continued, “I know what I did with Avery was wrong and I hope you’ll forgive me for any pain I’ve caused you. I’m sorry things ended the way they did and no matter what happened between us, I know there’s good in you even if you can’t see it yourself.” He continued to study her, saying nothing, an unreadable expression in his eyes. “Well, that’s all I have to say, I guess. I’ll, uh, see you later, Victor.”

  Autumn turned to leave and he said, “Stay safe tomorrow,” in a quiet voice. She turned slightly and gave him a small smile, nodding and left him standing behind her, a dark silhouette in the setting sun.

  After Autumn and Luke had dinner with Olympus, they left with Crystal and Avery for Sugar Brown’s. The rest of the Initiates were already waiting for them. They sat in silence, drinking their coffee or cider, and staring blankly into space.

  “What do you think it will be?” Forrest spoke up.

  A few people started at the sound of his voice.

  “Maybe we will have to fight warlocks or something. They would be our biggest threats right?” Luke said.

  “Their magic isn’t as powerful as our powers, but they do have a larger variety of it,” Jastin said.

  “I’m thinking we’ll have to deal with Shadows since Atticus has had us train with them so much,” Autumn said.

  “Shadows live on Alder Island with Vyra and all her followers,” Kyndel sneered. “They aren’t going to put us in that much danger. We’d all die.”

  “Shadows aren’t just on Alder Island,” Crystal spoke up in Autumn’s defense. “There are Shadows all around Arbor Falls. Why else do you think we need Warriors to protect the elves?”

  “Oh, what a thrilling Trial that would be. Running around Arbor Falls, trying to kill stray Shadows,” Kyndel said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

  Autumn rolled her eyes.

  “We should just drop the subject,” Cera said. “We’ll find out soon enough. Let’s just enjoy our last night as little Initiates.”

  “Agreed,” Luke said, raising his mug in mock celebration and splashing it all over himself. Everyone burst out laughing as he cursed under his breath.

  “Let’s make a pact,” Charlotte said.

  “What sort of pact?” Kyndel asked, looking wary.

  “A pact that we will all make it through tomorrow no matter what,” Charlotte stated.

  Everyone exchanged amused glances. Autumn put her hand in the middle of their circle, palm down. The elves raised eyebrows at this, not knowing the significance of this gesture. Luke grinned and placed his hand on top of hers. Crystal smiled in understanding and laid hers on top of Luke’s. The rest of the elves mimicked them until everyone’s hands were stacked in the middle.

  The Warrior Trial

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  When the Initiates met in the Powers Tree the morning of the trial they were surprised to see Gregorius Dodge, the leader of the Warriors, there as well.

  “Welcome, young Warriors,” he said cheerfully. Atticus watched them enter with a proud look upon his face. They were dressed in their official Warriors uniforms with their bow and quiver full of arrows slung across their backs and knives in their holsters. “I expect you are all eagerly anticipating your final Trial?” Everyone nodded in unison, too nervous to speak. Dodge laughed at this. “Very well. T
he components of this test are quite simple, yet equally dangerous. This year’s Warrior Trial will take place on Alder Island.”

  Autumn’s eyes widened, her mouth hanging slightly ajar at this news. Glancing sideways she saw her expression mirrored in the others.

  “As I am sure you all know,” Dodge continued, “Alder Island is the home of Vyra Vaun, her many Atrum followers, and hordes of Shadow creatures. Your task will be to cross the Opacious Sea to reach Alder Island. Once you’ve made it to the island, you will travel to the center where you will find five silver roses, one for each pair of Warriors. You must retrieve a silver rose and return to the shore, where we will be waiting to greet you. There are many dangers lurking on Alder Island. You will have to keep your senses sharp and your eyes open. Never let your guards down. In the unfortunate event that your partner should perish, you must continue on.”

  At this point their faces twisted into matching looks of terror as they looked from one to the other, wondering if they would all make it through this alive. Avery and Luke simultaneously grasped either of Autumn’s hands tightly, and she squeezed back just as hard. Luke took hold of Crystal’s hand as well, her crystal blue eyes full of fear. Autumn didn’t know what she would do if she lost any one of them. She glanced around the room at the others. These elves had all become so important to her. They were more than her friends. They were her family.

  “You and your partner will be transported to the shore of the Opacious Sea. Once you arrive, your Trial will begin. Tetra Warriors will be stationed along the shore to await each of your return. There will also be Navigators informing Atticus and myself of each of your locations and informing us in the event any of you perish.”

  The casual nature with which Dodge said the word “perish” was unsettling. Autumn was sure that, as head of the Warriors, he’d had to use that word a multitude of times.

  The reality of the extreme danger of this test was clearly beginning to seep into everyone’s minds. Charlotte and Jastin clasped each other’s hands tightly, while Kyndel squeezed Charlotte’s other hand. Autumn’s eyebrows rose when she saw Kyndel’s other hand occupied by Cera’s. Apparently in the face of danger, all known grudges were temporarily forgotten. Cera and Forrest’s fingers were locked together as well. Victor was the only one without any physical contact, an empty look in his eyes. Autumn supposed their talk the day before had little effect on him.

  “At this time we will be taking you to your designated positions. If you would all follow me,” Dodge said.

  They exited the Powers Tree and he lead the Initiates to the training field where several pegasi were waiting, along with five Tetra Warriors: Lucian, Thad, Eden, Willow, and Jack. Autumn heard Crystal groan slightly at the sight of the winged horses and had to suppress a laugh. Each Initiate pair was to share one pegasus and would have one Tetra as a guide. Before they parted, Luke wrapped Autumn in a tight hug.

  “Don’t die, okay?” he said. She laughed and nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat at the thought of the dangers they were both about to face.

  Crystal gave Autumn a quick hug as well and left with Luke to meet their Tetra guide.

  Willow, the brunette who could change into animals, approached Autumn and Avery. She greeted them warmly, her colorless eyes shining. “Nervous?” she asked.

  Avery shrugged, but Autumn nodded truthfully.

  “You’ll do well,” she said before transforming into a pegasus herself, her mane the same chestnut color her hair had been seconds before. The black and white spotted pegasus Autumn and Avery were riding followed Willow obediently into the air. The weather was pleasantly warm for January. Regardless of the warmth, Autumn began to shake slightly in nervous anticipation. Avery laced his fingers through hers.

  “You will make it through this,” he stated without question. “I’m not letting anything happen to you.”

  “I’m not worried about me,” she said.

  Avery shook his head in exasperation. “Of course you’re not.”

  They flew for what felt like at least an hour before they began to descend. Autumn could smell the salt water and had to stop herself from asking how the heck there was a subterranean ocean. She was sure the answer would be, “It’s the magic of the Underground,” anyway. There was an Underground sun and Underground stars—why not an Underground ocean? It was truly a world within a world.

  Willow landed softly on the black sand of the shore and transformed back into her elf form. Autumn and Avery’s pegasus landed beside Willow and they climbed off slowly, taking in the sight before them.

  The violent sea was a stormy gray—a reflection of Avery’s eyes—surrounded by a black-sand beach. In the distance was a large mass of land, too ominous to be called an island, covered in thick, dark Alder trees, true to island’s name, with mountainous rocks jutting up on the right side.

  “I’m not technically supposed to be saying this, but that’s Vyra’s Lair,” Willow said, pointing to the large, menacing rocks. “I would try to avoid that if at all possible.”

  Autumn and Avery nodded their thanks.

  “I’m supposed to remind you again that your silver rose is in the center of the island. Your task is to retrieve the rose and bring it back to the shore where a Warrior will be waiting for you. Be safe,” she said, smiling supportively at the two of them.

  Willow retreated then, leaving Autumn and Avery to discuss their plan of action.

  “The island is basically half rocks and half forest. I figure if we’re able to walk a little to the left of the rocks, we will be pretty close to the middle of the island,” Avery said.

  “Okay, but first we have to figure out how we’re going to cross the ocean to the island. It looks closer than it actually is. We should avoid swimming the whole way because we’re going to need our energy once we get there,” Autumn said.

  “You can hold on to my back and I’ll swim the whole way,” Avery stated.

  Autumn was shaking her head before he had finished speaking. “Your Power is Strength, Avery, not endurance. It may help with how fast you swim and how quickly, but it won’t keep you from becoming fatigued.” She glanced at the water and wondered if there were some sort of helpful creatures in there, and—if there were—would her Power work on them? She approached the shore with caution.

  “What’re you doing?” Avery asked.

  “I’m going to Sing underwater.”

  Avery raised an eyebrow at her, but didn’t argue.

  Autumn waded a little ways into the freezing water until she was about waist deep. Plunging her head underwater, she opened her mouth to sing. Though she couldn’t see in the salty water, her Song came out as clear and loud as it did in air. The image of her lyric-less melody traveling through the waves floated across her mind. Her air supply soon ran out and she pulled her face out of the water, inhaling deeply and wiping her frozen face dry.

  Then they waited. After several minutes had gone by, Autumn turned to frown at Avery. “I guess it didn’t work. It was worth a try, though.”

  Suddenly there was a loud splashing sound and Autumn turned to see three of the strangest looking creatures she’d ever laid eyes on. They looked like a mix between a giant sea horse and a baby dragon. They were peering up at her with their heads tilted to the side in curiosity, and she was strongly reminded of a puppy eagerly waiting for a treat.

  “That’s a sea dog,” Avery said in wonder. “How’d you do that?”

  Autumn shrugged. “Animals like my Song.” Sundance listened to her sing all of the time.

  Turning back to the sea dogs, Autumn sang a couple of notes to them. Their round eyes glazed over for a moment before becoming focused again as she stopped. Their long, green tongues lolled out of their mouths and their backsides moved back and forth in the water as if they were wagging their long tails.

  “I think they like you,” Avery noted in amusement.

  “Do you think they’ll let us ride them?” she said.

  “Worth a try.”
<
br />   Autumn held her hand out cautiously and two of the sea dogs moved backwards in the water, eyeing her hand and quiver full of arrows warily, but the third one moved closer, allowing her to pat it gently on its rubbery nose.

  “Sort of feels like a dolphin,” she noted. The sea dog’s backside moved even more quickly as she rubbed its nose. “Can you take us to the island?” Autumn asked the sea dog, feeling slightly foolish for talking seriously to a sea animal. The sea dog, however, seemed to understand what she was saying and glanced at Alder Island. He swam closer, allowing Autumn to climb onto his smooth back. “Call the others,” she said to Avery.

  “Here…doggie,” he said, holding his hand out. The other two sea dogs seemed more trusting after watching Autumn’s interaction with the first one. The larger sea dog moved towards Avery, allowing him to scratch the animal behind the ear and climb onto its back.

  “To the island, please,” Autumn said to the sea dogs and gasped a little as they jetted off towards the ominous rocks in the distance. The third sea dog swam playfully next to the others. Autumn found herself temporarily forgetting her worries and simply enjoying the strange, yet thrilling ride. As the sea dogs neared Alder Island, they slowed their progress. The waves became larger as the rocky shore neared. At a certain point, the sea dogs stopped swimming, and Autumn realized they didn’t want to go any closer to the dangerous island.

  She patted her sea dog gently and slid off into the dark, cold water, trying not to think of what might be waiting beneath her. “Thanks, Buddy,” she said, absentmindedly naming him. She sang a short note to send them off and Autumn and Avery made their way to shore, the powerful waves throwing them mercilessly around in the water.

  “Climb on my back,” Avery insisted. “The shore’s not far.”

  Autumn did as he said, wrapping her arms under his, securing them tightly around his torso. When the water became shallow enough to walk, she released her hold on Avery and began making her way clumsily to shore. The water slowed them significantly, pulling at their legs as if they were walking through thick tar. Autumn looked at the dense foliage before them with a wary expression.