Trinity Awakening

by K. L. Morton

  "Not bad." Morthos said to Nina in a nonchalant voice.

  "I just saved your butt big man." She had an amused look on her face. Morthos did something that didn't happen to often, he smiled.

  "We better catch up with the others, the one thing Garus can actually do well, is run." As he turned to go, a dark shadow plummeted from above them and enveloped Nina like she had been put into a huge black plastic bag, Morthos turned back but could do nothing as he saw Nina being lifted into the air, he could see her mouth forming a scream behind the shadowy form but he couldn't hear her.

  "Nina!" He cried out.

  "What do we do?" Trinny cried out in a frantic voice.

  "They can't touch us while we're within an Ora shield, but I can't keep this up for much longer, the Ora is weakening by the hour as the poison spreads, I can feel my powers getting weaker as well." Aarion looked worried. There were now two Stealth, one blocking their way and the other swirling around them waiting for it's move. Parts of the shield were starting to look thinner than others and it was flickering. Do something Trinny; use your power, but how? Trinny was so frustrated that she didn't know how to use her abilities. Think Trinny, think...the pendant! She took hold of the tear shaped amber pendant she wore around her neck and closed her eyes, now what? She thought. 'Breathe Trin, breathe.' Trinny could hear her fathers voice speaking to her, she was six years old and had climbed up a tall Pine tree at the camping ground they were staying in, and she was too terrified to get back down. 'Just take a deep breath and think about how to make your way out of this situation Trinity, one step at a time.' She started to breathe deeply and the word ‘protect’ formed in her mouth, she spoke it out.

  "Protect!" She opened her eyes, the ground around the failing shield Aarion was struggling to hold together rumbled, and the rocks and earth started to lift off the ground. "Protect!" She yelled the word this time, and as she did the rocks and earth around them shot up into a wall, they were now standing in an earth funnel. Aarion’s shield came down.

  "How are you doing that?" He looked at Trinny amazed.

  "I don't know, but it feels natural, so lets take this one step at a time...SEE!" As she spoke the word a small hole opened in the wall of the funnel, they could see that the Stealth had converged into a large umbrage and was moving forward in an attack. "Defend!" As Trinny yelled out the word the funnel wall unraveled around them to create a massive bullet like shape, it hit out at the shadow pushing it into the tunnel opening, there was a massive crashing sound as great rocks came down around the entrance trapping the stealth inside and blocking the passage through on both ends. "Oops!" Trinny said, realizing she had just cut off their path. Aarion grabbed Trinny by the hand and started pulling her back down the hillside path they had spent a good hour getting up.

  "We have to find another way, hurry, that Stealth won't be held back by rocks for to long, it will find some gap and slither it's way out, come on!"

  "But the others? Emma?" Trinny was worried about her friend.

  "Morthos will take care of her, and we will meet them at the Sanctuary." Aarion gave Trinny a hopeful smile, he still had her hand in his, she nodded and they both picked up speed.

  "Where are they?" Emma asked impatiently. She was pacing and fidgeting nervously as Garus leaned against a tree watching her. They had run ahead at least a mile and it had been 30 minutes since they left the others.

  "It shouldn't be long, I'm sure they'll be here any minute." Garus was trying his hardest to sound reassuring, but not knowing was also getting to him.

  "What were those things?" Emma asked in a distasteful tone.

  "Stealth, they used to be Elves once, the dark kind, but once the Empress convinced them to follow her, they turned into a purer form of evil, the are her devoted servants. They'll be trying to get all the Elementals." Garus saw Morthos running towards them and cried out.

  "Morthos, we're here!"

  Morthos was out of breath when he finally stopped.

  "Where are the others.... are they far behind you?" Emma asked.

  "We managed to fight off one stealth but we didn't see the one coming from above, it took Nina, I...I couldn't help her." Morthos was downcast, Garus could not remember ever seeing Morthos like this.

  "What will they do with her?" Emma was terrified by the thought of what could happen to Nina.

  "They'll take her to the Dark Empress, she has two Elementals now. She knows the Ora does not have a chance without their powers. But they must want them alive, or they would have just killed her." Morthos had got his breath back now and his expression was showing some anger. "We'll send out scouts to find her once we reach the Sanctuary."

  "What about Aarion and Trinny?" Garus asked in hope.

  "I went back to check on them, but as I approached the passage way collapsed, they were on the other side before it came down. They're going to have to get around another way."

  "Is there another way?" Emma asked, worry in her eyes. Morthos put his large hand on Emma’s small shoulder, it made her feel like she was a child, but safe at the same time.

  "Aarion will get her there, he's the crown prince of Taeith, if anyone can keep her safe, he will."

  "No way! He's a prince? I'm beginning to feel like I'm in some 'fairytale' story, no offense at the 'fairy' bit. But if he's the prince and Trinny has just found out she is some princess, where do I fit in this?" Emma was more talking to herself than to the others, but Garus smirked.

  "Well you are small, maybe you're really a dwarf." Emma hit Garus on the arm and laughed.

  "Lets get out of here fairy boy, we need to make sure this 'fairytale' has a happy ending."

  "Hey, what was the white string that you had in your ear before?" Garus asked Emma.

  "Oh Garus, let me introduce you to my friends, Linkin Park." Emma took out her iPod and placed the headphones in his ears, she turned the music on and watched. Garus jumped back and pulled the earphones out with a shocked look on his face. "Give it a chance to get use to it." Emma put the earphones back in. After a few moments Garus head started to nod to a beat and his expression turned to complete joy, he yelled over the sound in his ears.

  "This is so much better than even coffee." Emma agreed and nudged Garus to start him moving. Morthos shook his head wondering how he was the one who ended up with a smart mouthed human and a bumbling Fae warrior.

  CHAPTER NINE

  'We always long for the forbidden things, and desire what is denied to us.' - Francois Rabelais

  The sun was just about to disappear over the tops of the tall trees that lay only a few hundred feet away. Aarion and Trinny had had to wade their way through a large swamp for the past few hours; they had hardly spoken a word to each other. Trinny could see that Aarion was worried even though he was trying very hard not to show it. He had hardly left her side, always helping her through any difficult muddy parts.

  "It's not far now, we'll rest in that Ash tree grove tonight." Aarion lifted Trinny out of another deep muddy hole she had just managed to slip into.

  "Thanks." She looked up at him. "I really mean thanks, it must be hard for you too, knowing your friends are out there with those things everywhere." Aarion looked down at Trinny with sincerity in his eyes.

  "I'm the one who should be thanking you, you saved our lives back there, I wouldn't have been able to hold them back much longer, you were great. You never had to worry about your powers, they came when they were needed most." Trinny looked down feeling a little embarrassed at the compliment, but she felt so good to have finally been of some use on this journey.

  "I've been meaning to ask you, but with all the craziness over the past couple days...what is that orb thing you do with your hands, it's amazing, can all your people do it?"

  "Our people, the Fairon, are the protectors of the Ora, and a handful of us can draw powers from it. It is a defensive power only, I can deflect an enemy attack and disorientate them, but it doesn't destroy as the Ora is about life, not destruction. And even though I used
it against the Werewolf who died, it wasn’t the Ora’s power that killed him, it was the fall to the ground.” Aarion had kept moving forward toward the tree line, Trinny moved quicker to keep up.

  "Do Garus and Morthos have the same power?"

  "No, just a few of us. The rest of our people are trained to fight in combat by sword, bow and arrow, the types of things that were used in your world long ago." Aarion kept his head forward as he spoke.

  "How do you get to have this power, are you chosen?" Trinny questioned.

  "No, I was born with it...there's a great place to take shelter for the night." Aarion pointed toward a fallen, hollow tree trunk that lay beneath a cluster of huge Ash trees, they made their way to it. There was a small stream nearby where the water was trickling over small stones and out toward the swamp they had trudged through. Trinny sat next to the stream and started washing the mud off her legs, she was thankful she had put her denim shorts on that morning. She had only brought a few spare clothes. She grabbed her backpack and took out her skinny jeans and a black stretch short sleeve t-shirt. When she looked up she saw that Aarion was down the stream a little, brushing off the dirt that had dried on his dark pants. She found herself staring as he took off his mud-strewn shirt and rinsed it in the stream. When he stood back up she felt her heart flutter as she took in his tone, lightly tanned body. As he hung his shirt on a tree branch she noticed he was looking back at her, she very quickly looked back down into her bag making herself look busy, missing the smile that came upon his face. She took her clothes behind a nearby tree and changed, when she came out from around the tree she could see Aarion was sitting on a nearby rock, he was smirking at her.

  "What? Do I still have mud on my face?" Trinny was rubbing at her cheeks, but Aarion gestured toward her t-shirt, she looked down at the pink sequin motif on the front, 'tough ‘in up princess,' she laughed. "I suppose it's kind of appropriate, Emma bought me this one, she seems to be a lot more insightful than I thought."

  "Dinner?" Aarion pulled two pieces of fruit from behind his back; they were a light purple color and shaped like mangoes.

  "Sounds great. But just let me do something first." Trinny laid her unzipped sleeping bag on the ground and took out her water bottle, a chocolate bar and torch, she turned the lantern on and gestured for Aarion to join her on her makeshift picnic blanket. She was surprised when he sat along side her and not opposite. She tried not to get distracted by his bare chest as she broke her chocolate bar and handed him half.

  "What's this?" He asked taking the bar.

  "Crunchie Bar, I try not to go anywhere without one, and I don't usually share, but as we have gone through danger and near death together, I'm feeling generous." Trinny smiled and found she had to look away quickly when she saw Aarion smiling back at her in a way that made her feel a little flustered. He took a bite of the bar.

  "I can taste why you wouldn't usually share...now try this." He cut open the purple fruit with a small dagger that he drew out from a leg strap attached to his calf, the fruit was bright green inside.

  "It looks kind of.... Strange." Trinny was a little apprehensive. "Your crunchie looked strange to me, but I tried it." He handed her a piece.

  "Fair enough." Trinny bit into the juicy green inside, it tasted amazing, like banana and mango with a hint of strawberry. "Mmmmm, this is good. Where did you get it?" She said with her mouth still full.

  "It is Smars fruit, it grows near the streams and rivers along the ground, very common."

  Trinny finished the piece and then took more from Aarion who joined her eating. As Trinny finished, she was taken aback when Aarion leaned in and gently brushed his hand over her chin.

  "You had a little juice there." He said.

  "Thanks." Trinny quickly wiped around the rest of her face. There was silence between them for a few moments, and then they both went to speak at the same time.

  "You go." Aarion said.

  "No, you first." Trinny had wanted to hear his voice. It calmed her.

  "I'm sorry." Aarion looked at Trinny very seriously now.

  "For what?" Trinny asked.

  "I didn't mean to offend you yesterday when I said 'you weren't what I was expecting,' I really didn't mean it like that." Aarion was looking right into Trinny's eyes.

  "You don't have to, I reacted badly, it's just that...I've never been one to have much faith in myself and I thought when you said that, that you didn't believe in me either." Trinny's tone was very apologetic. Aarion turned his whole body to face her and took her hand.

  "It was the opposite, I was.... am, amazed at your strength, the way you have handled all of this, you truly are a princess, even if you never knew it till now. It comes naturally to you."

  She could feel his warm breath on her face now; he was looking straight into her eyes. Is this it, is he going to kiss me, oh man, I haven't brushed my teeth, Trinny's thoughts were in overdrive, she could feel her hand starting to shake. "Are you cold?" Aarion asked, and as he did he moved slightly away from her. Stupid, stupid, why did I have to start shaking? Trinny was not happy with herself.

  "No, I'm just a little tired." What did I say that for? Just shut your mouth Trinny.

  "We should get some rest." Aarion said. "We have a long journey to the Sanctuary tomorrow."

  "What is the Sanctuary?" Trinny asked, hoping to keep the conversation going.

  "It's a safe haven, no evil can enter there. They have boats we can take up the river that will lead us into Taeith." Aarion let go of Trinny's hand and stood up. "Rest Trinny, I'll keep watch, you'll need your sleep." Trinny handed the torch over to Aarion and lay down on her sleeping bag.

  "Goodnight." She tucked her bag under her head as a pillow and curled into a ball. The nights were warm here, she felt safe with Aarion watching over her, she just longed for him to be closer. She was a little overwhelmed by the feelings that were growing for Aarion. Little did she know that Aarion was struggling with very similar feelings. He was trying hard to concentrate on his mission, saving the Ora and his father. Guilt filled his head for enjoying a few moments with this young teenage girl, who had most likely not even been kissed before, and he so longed to take her in his arms and do just that. But for this moment, he would be happy just to watch every breath she took, and listen to the soft sighs that left her lips as she slept. At that instant, he realized he had never felt this way before, there was no one more he wanted to protect than her, even more than his people, even more than the Ora.

  "So if you are Fairon, what is a Fairy like, do they have wings?" Emma was sitting on her sleeping bag, her lantern lit up the small cave they had taken shelter in for the night.

  "They look very much like us, a bit like cousins I suppose. They have wings and they can make themselves very small to travel from place to place, a bit like Pixies, but Pixies are always small. Fairies can only fly when they are small, so their wings are hidden when they are our size." Garus had spent the last hour playing Crash Bandicoot on Emma’s IPod touch, and his attention was still on the game as he spoke.

  "So if you're alike, can you make yourselves small and fly as well, or do anything cool like that?" Emma was finding that the fairy stories she had been brought up with were not quite correct.

  "No, we are protectors, warriors, we are brought up to fight and defend the Ora and the Fae realm. The Fairies are peaceful, they are healers, but they also mine silver, it is what our swords and tips of bows are made from, it's super strong. They make themselves small so they can collect the delicate pollens and oils from plants that they use for medicine, Fairies also make the most delicious honey nectar that is sure to make you happy after a glass or two." Garus smiled like he was thinking of a fond memory.

  "And the Pixies, what are they like?" Emma asked.

  "Cheeky little things, about the size of my hand, they are terrible pranksters. You don't want to come across one unless they take a liking to you, or you may find yourself bound up in only your underwear, with your hair turned pink and rude
words painted on your chest, only to be found by the King and Queen hanging upside down from their bed canopy." Garus looked up realizing what he had said, Morthos was smirking and Emma was looking slightly confused. "Not that that's ever happened to me, just an example." He quickly put his head down hoping to avoid any further questions on the subject. Emma thought better of asking more about pixies.

  "So what about Aarion? He can do some cool stuff, those balls of light he made were amazing."

  "Only Fairon who have the royal bloodline can draw power from the Ora. They use this gift to protect the Ora and their people. They are born with the ability." Morthos answered matter-of-factly.

  "Oh yes, Prince Aarion. Has he got a girlfriend?" Emma asked with ulterior motives.

  "Aarion is not really the relationship type." Garus said.

  "Is he not into girls?" Emma looked a little worried.

  "Of course he is, but he's more dedicated to protecting the Ora, training and that sort of stuff, it's hard to get him out to have a little fun, why do you ask?" Garus looked up from his game with interest.

  "Oh, I just noticed the way him and Trinny had a few moments, you know, the intense eye locking ones where the world fades away around you and there is suddenly just the two of you there alone." She grinned at Garus; he was looking a little shocked.

  "No, I didn't. But even if there was something there, he wouldn't be permitted to see her."

  Emma was offended.

  "Are you saying my friend is not good enough for him because he's some prince? She's a princess, isn't that number one on the criteria for a prince's girlfriend?"