Sun and Star Academy: Book 3: Moon Kingdom

Chapter 22: Setting Of The Sun

“What is it doing?” an Elite asked. 

The darkness had now seemed to cover the ground, the way it was covering the sky. Working its way from the border inwards every few moments. 

“It’s corrupting the land…” Rachel said as she placed her hand on the ground, “The ground beneath it…it’s dying.”

Kareena released a beam of light to dispel it, but for every bit taken off, the quicker the rest spread, doubling as it went. “I’ll try and push this back, give everyone some time to get to safety,” Kareena said.

A guard rode their horse hard and rushed to Renay. “I’ll make sure everyone is pushed further in, while I get word to the King –” She stopped and listened to his words with a frown. “Can you get word to the King about the situation?” The guard nodded and rode off once more. “Kareena, this will have to wait. I need your help- Cole might be in trouble.”

“We can help,” Liam suggested.

Kareena shook her head, “We got this.” She glanced down at her strikingly handsome rabbit and as though reading her mind, her tilted his head to look at Leo and instantly glowed white before becoming an exact replica, the only giveaway was a white paw. 

Liam smirked, “So cool.”

Leo himself seemed impressed and walked over to inspect Thunder.

“Establish a connection as soon as you can so we can stay in contact,” Renay called out.

Kareena glanced at Liam and added, “I won’t let the connection drop on this end. Star Kingdom won’t fall. You save your mother and you come back, okay.”

“We can spare a few Elites for you? Even second rank soldiers?” Renay continued.

Chris shook his head, “We’ll go in, just the four of us. It’s safer. Rachel and Zac have both improved a lot with their time and training here, so we’ll be okay.”

“We know the risks, but if we don’t try to fight for our Queen in our home. What’s the point of fighting here?” Zac asked.

Renay nodded her understanding.

Liam took Kareena’s hand, “I can save her. King George really pushed my powers, I’m stronger than I’ve ever been. We’ll be okay. We’ll do what we can there, and you’ll do the same here.”

Kareena nodded as Liam pulled her in for a hug.

Chris nodded his greeting to Renay, and with one last smile, led the way to cross the border. Rachel and Zac close behind. Liam leaned down to kiss Kareena, “I love you,” he whispered before she teared up, “I love you…just please come back soon!”

He nodded and crossed over with his friends.

Renay got the horses ready, “Cole went to get his parents. They live on the outskirts, but we couldn’t get to him… the corruption has already covered that area. We can’t abandon him.”

Kareena nodded her understanding before mounting the horse behind Renay. Thunder sprinted off and both the girls bucked her horses and followed. 

***

The sky had darkened even more but hadn’t turned completely. And where they struggled to see, Kareena cast a light. While Thunder swished his flaming tail. 

They pushed their way through the corruption, getting thicker and more silent the further they pushed. 

Thunder slowed his pace and flicked his head, causing his mane to erupt in flames. He charged towards the cottage, burning the corruption, and creating a clear path for Kareena and Renay.