The Realm Protectors

Chapter 35 - Ciana

Multiple machines and wires are connected to Aideen, beeping in and out of rhythm as the doctors try to wake her from her comatose state. The doctors couldn't find anything physically wrong with her, but they said she must've hit her head when she fell during the explosion. Enya hasn't left the room since we were allowed in yesterday, and neither has her mother, Nina. Nile comes and goes, doing his best to support his girlfriend, but also knowing that we have a job to do. Press conferences need to be held, and the people of Fajro need to be comforted. Since Enya is currently not in any condition to lead the press conference, the responsibility falls to me.

I'm terrified.

"You'll be fine," Faris assures me as we wait to go out into the courtyard of the Gemela-Suno. "No one is expecting you to do anything spectacular."

"All you have to do is give a quick debriefing about what happened the other day." Nile assures me. "You've gone over it so many times already, I'm sure you could give this speech in your sleep."

"I know, but that doesn't mean I'm not still nervous." I curl my arms around myself and try to keep my heart from pounding out of my chest.

"I thought you said you did plays in the Other World." Avani asks from the couch pushed against the wall. Carter and Lyra are sitting on it too, and Nikolina hovers beside the arm rest.

"I did," I reply. "But on stage I was a character. This is me."

"So make it a character." Faris shrugs. "Don't be Ciana. Be Right Arch Leonide."

I let the thought sink in for a minute before nodding.

"Okay." I turn to Nile. "I think I'm ready."

Nile nods. "Then let's go."

We all form a line as the guards open the doors. I force myself to take deep breaths as I lead the way to the glass podium perched on the staircase in front of the people of Varma Urbo. Nile stands on my left side and slightly behind me, while the rest of my friends fan out behind us.

Don't be Ciana. I think to myself. Be Right Arch Leonide.

I clear my throat and hear it echo over the crowd via Faris' audio-bending.

"Good morning." I begin. "Thank you all for coming out today. I know you all have been anxiously waiting for news about the events of yesterday. A few of you may be wondering why I'm standing here instead of Grand Arch Fuego. To the great sadness of us all, Arch Fuego's sister was injured in the explosion and is recovering in the hospital, surrounded by her loving family. We ask that you keep her in your thoughts, and we wish for a speedy recovery.

"Now for the conference," I pause. "As of right now, Griffin Gray is still in the wind. There are no current reports about seeing him or any leads to his whereabouts. That being said, any tip will help. If you think you saw Griffin Gray, please notify your local police department. Arch Stellato will be sending out fliers with Gray's image and description shortly." Wind kicks up around us as Faris blows stacks of papers into the crowd.

"The collapse of the Fajran gateway marks the fourth gateway of nine to be attacked and destroyed by Gray." I look out at the crowd of people, many with tear streaks covering their cheeks. "This violence needs to be stopped. Too many lives have already been claimed. If we do not stop Gray, many more will be taken. As more gateways are destroyed, each one remaining gets less and less stable. If we want our Realm to last another century, this violence needs to end." Cheers go up from the back of the crowd, and soon the entire crowd is cheering and clapping. Pride blossoms in my chest, warming my fear-numbed fingers.

"We also cannot let this war of fear stop us." I start again when the crowd calms down. My voice is stronger, almost like Enya's. "The High Arches will be continuing our tour of the Realm, we will find this perpetrator, and we will give him the justice he deserves!"