4. P R O T E C T O R S : Primordial

CHAPTER VII

Camilla sat on a large mushroom by herself, knees pulled up to her chest. Zechariah and Snake, the only other non- Worthy people present, were at the other end of the cave, speaking in indistinct tones.

The Cervidian lifted her head as the Avatars and Worthy began to trickle out of the training area, their silence a grim reminder of the burden that sat upon their shoulders. Camilla watched as Gustav and Addison exchanged a few words, then straightened up as they began walking over to her. "Hey, guys," she greeted them. "What's up?"

"Hey, Camilla." Addison sat down on another mushroom adjacent to Camilla's while Gustav leaned against a crystal, arms crossed. "We were just wondering... how are things going back home?" Addison asked, sounding anxious. "Is everyone doing okay?"

Camilla tried not to smile but failed. "Are you asking about everyone, or... a specific someone?" she asked back.

Addison scratched the back of his head, laughing. "Okay, you got me. How's Kenzie doing?"

"Last I heard, she was fine," Camilla assured him. "So are your parents."

"Latika included?"

"Latika included," Camilla confirmed.

"How is Alice?"

Camilla turned to Gustav and hesitated before responding, caught momentarily off-guard by his scar, as she had often been whenever she'd seen him around the haven after the Battle of Xirxine. "Alice?" she repeated finally. "You... you mean Jenkins? The techie?"

Gustav nodded slightly.

Camilla frowned, confused. "I—I'm sorry, are—are you guys a thing?"

Gustav's eyebrow rose. "Last time I checked, ja."

Camilla blinked in surprise. "Oh. Wow. That's... something." She let out a short laugh. "You know," she said, "earlier this year, if someone told me you guys would be coming to me asking about your girlfriends?" She scoffed. "I would've laughed 'em outta the haven."

Addison and Gustav glanced at each other before saying in unison, "People change."

"No kidding. And I don't mean that in a good way." Camilla winced and added, "Sorry, Gus. I... think she's moved on."

Gustav's entire body seemed to tighten at that.

Addison's jaw dropped in surprise. "Are—are you serious?" he asked, incredulous.

"Yeah. She's dating Delvis now, I think," Camilla said in an apologetic tone.

"Ich bin ein dummkopf," Gustav suddenly spat, turning and storming away.

Camilla and Addison watched him go with sympathetic gazes. "Is he gonna be okay?" Camilla asked quietly.

Addison sighed, shaking his head. "Eventually," he replied finally. "He just... needs time. Trust me—I know."

Camilla nodded, understanding.

Addison turned to her and said softly, "Hey. Sorry about what happened to Autumn." He reached out, and Camilla tentatively took his hand. "I promise—we'll bring him back," Addison told her. "Whatever it takes."

Reminded of her cousin's predicament, Camilla barely managed to put on a smile and hold back the tears that were threatening to flow anew. "Thanks."

Addison gave her a reassuring smile.

Then Camilla suddenly released his hand and blurted, "Hey, I just remembered. I have—"