The Realm Protectors

Chapter 27 - Ciana

It's odd to think that if I were an Elenative, I would've probably been born here. From what I know so far, Cidade do Sol is by far the largest and most populated city in Leve. There's far more people here than in Center City, anyways.

I woke up before everyone else, feeling the strange sensation of the sun rising. Back in Capital, I always woke up relatively early, but here in Leve the sun's energy feels so much closer. I can practically feel the sun shining on my face like a warm summer's day, despite the fact that I'm in my room, watching the first pinpricks of light rise over the horizon.

As I look out the window, I can see the bright streetlamps beginning to dim as the beautiful sun takes over responsibility of lighting the city. I'm not the only one awake, either. Children are already walking out on the sidewalks, packs on their backs as they make their way to Leve's School of Light on the crest of a hill a little ways away.

Many of the buildings look very similar to the Casa de Luz – stone arches with gold detailing. Windows are filled with light, showing men and women getting to work in the many shops in the streets below us.

When the sun is finished with it's ascension, a calm sensation washes over me. I feel at home here, more than I ever felt at home in the Otherworld. Here with the bright sun on my face and my friends at my side, I can see how some people might find it easy to forget all about the Otherworld.

A knock at my door makes me spin around, nearly falling out of the window seat.

"Come in," I call, righting myself in the seat. The knob turns and Faris pokes his head in.

"Hey," he whispers.

"Hi," I smirk. "Couldn't sleep again?"

"Oh no, I slept perfectly well with the streetlamps shining directly in my face." He rolls his eyes. "I don't understand how you can stand to sit there and stare at all that."

I shrug. "It's comforting."

"You're a light elemental. Of course it is." Faris sits on my bed, making me wish I had remade it instead of leaving the sheets a mess. "By the way, you should mentally prepare yourself for the things you're going to see today."

His words make my stomach turn uncomfortably. "Why?"

"Leve's School of Light is one of the best in the Realm when it comes to impressive skills." He explains, running his hand through his white-blond hair, making it stand straight up. His muscles strain slightly against the shirt he's wearing. It's not wrinkled at all, which makes me wonder if he slept in it or if he just put it on before he came in here. I shake the disappointed feeling at not seeing him shirtless out of my mind.

"So... you think I'll get self-conscious?" I ask him. He nods.

"I just want you to be prepared. And to remember that you're a Realm Protector." He smirks. "No one's as powerful as you."

I blush.

"Thanks, Ris."

"No prob, Ci."

I turn back to the window, mostly so I can settle my rapid thoughts. Faris makes a humming noise and stands up, walking out. He pokes his head back in seconds later.

"Tucker made breakfast." He announces. My stomach growls at the thought of food and I get up from my perch. I follow Faris down the hallway to the kitchenette, where Tucker's already dressed in his Grandshield uniform.

"Tucker?" I ask him. "You're ready already?"

Tucker shrugs. "Too much light here. It's hard to sleep."

"Hopefully Nik got some decent sleep." I bite my lip with worry.

"Oh, she'll be alright." Tucker waves his hand, dismissing the thought. "Your rooms are equipped to allow each of you sleep better. Nikolina's room will have heavy black curtains to keep the light out. Meanwhile, my room is just kind-of there." Tucker seems quite offended by this fact, causing Faris to stifle a laugh.