The Keepers of the Elements

Para

"We're under attack." Pippy grabbed Ash's hand and Alex stepped in front of both of them.

"Stay behind me." He ordered, drawing the sword that the princesses kept hidden behind their mirror.

"We need to get to the throne room. There's a secret entrance to the bunker there." Ash bit her lip.

The servant looked back and forth at them. "Stay safe, princesses." Then he rushed out of the room yelling to others about the attack.

"Come on." Ash gently shoved Pippy in front of her, and grabbed a hairbrush.

"What?" She asked when Alex raised his eyebrow. "These things hurt. I know, from experience." She glared at her sister.

The trio made their way out into the hallway, hurrying past the chaos. At one point, Pippy caught somebody yelling "They're coming for the princesses!" She went rigid with shock, and so Alex scooped her up and continued running.

"Ash-" an explosion knocked them off their feet.

Ash's let out a shrill shriek. Pippy looked up and scrambled away. Her sister was on fire.
"Alex, help Ash!" Alex looked just as panicked as the sisters.

Ash dropped to the ground and rolled around. The fire extinguished, and Alex and Pippy gaped at her. There were no burns or scorch marks on her clothes. "Are you hurt?" Pippy asked.

"N-no..." Ash stood back up, shooken. "I couldn't feel anything."

Another explosion had them running again. Luckily, they didn't seem to encounter any of the attackers on the rest of the way to the throne room.

"Thank goodness, you're safe!" The king yelped. "Now come on, we need to reach the bunker." Alex began to follow, but the queen raised her hand.

"Sir, I do not believe that you are royalty, or a servant to the king."

Ash gaped at her. "Mother-"

"We need people to stay back and defend the castle. This young man is in shape to do so, and he has a weapon."

"We also need somebody to protect us in case we're followed!" Pippy argued.

The queen opened her mouth to speak, but a servant interrupted her. "M'lady, there's no time to argue. We must get to the bunker as quickly as possible." The queen shut her mouth, but glared at Alex. Then they all rushed into the passage.

It was dirty and wet. Which meant mud. After getting her shoes stuck in the mud several times, Pippy slid them off and continued in her bare feet. With each step, a disgusting 'squelch' sound bubbled through the tunnel.

The group moved quickly, and soon reached the end of the tunnel. The king revealed a silver key with an engraving of a horseshoe- their kingdom's banner. He slid it into the lock which had a twin engravement above it. The door clicked open, leading to a stone room with blankets, pillows, and several wooden barrels. There was a ladder leaning against the left wall leading up to a trap-door.

"How long will we be here?" Pippy asked, nervously tugging on a strand of her light brown hair.

Ashlyn scooted closer to her. "Probably until a servant arrives with a message saying we're clear."

"Or if we have to run." Alex piped in, not exactly making Pippy feel any better.

"We'll be fine." King Harold said, smiling at his daughters.

One of the two servants that had accompanied them held up a platter that had apples and bread on it. "Food, anyone?"

The seven of them scarfed down the food, enjoying the sweet taste of the food. The princesses felt like they hadn't eaten in days. Alex pulled his bronze pocket watch, his most prized possession, out of his pocket. It had belonged to his mother, but when she passed it became his.

"It's sunset." he informed them.

King Harold glanced at the queen and the servants. "Excuse us, children. We need to discuss something." The adults stepped over to where the barrels were, and began speaking in hushed voices.

Pippy plopped down onto a pillow. "So... Ash. Do you know what happened with the fire?" She asked.

Ash looked bewildered. "Th- there was an explosion, and suddenly I was on fire. But I couldn't feel it. I only felt..." Ash bit her lip.

"What?"

"Powerful. I felt powerful. Like something clicked inside me and all my skills were improved."

Pippy and Alex's eyes widened. "That's..."

"Weird, I know." Ash sighed. "But we can't tell anybody. Just think what would happen if mother found out."

Alex and Pippy agreed just as the adults came over. "If we haven't had word about the kingdom by noon tomorrow, the servants will go back to the castle and find out what's going on." The queen announced. "Now, we should rest in case we get caught in the situation of being attacked." The servants set up make-shift beds out of the supplies they had.

"Night, Pip." Ash said smiling at her little sister.

"Good night, Ash." Pippy yawned, before they both fell into a deep slumber.