Soul Fire

4.4

Bloom was sitting on her bed, browsing on her laptop, when Musa came in holding a piece of paper. "Bloom, look!"

With furrowed eyebrows, Bloom grabbed the paper from Musa's outstretched hand. It was from Griselda- her request to bring Kiko had been approved. Bloom jumped up with a start. "Oh my god!" She said, nearly screaming as she jumped around with Musa. "I have to go get him! I'm so excited!"

She didn't even bother changing out of her leggings and sweatshirt as she rushed to her closet and started putting on her shoes. It wasn't long until she was out the door and heading for the station. She would have flown, if she could have, but she had never been to Red Fountain before. She didn't know the way.

Red Fountain's station was much closer to the school than Alfea's was. Despite the distance, Bloom arrived rosy cheeked and breathless from the walk. Her eyes trailed up at the looming school, which resembled more of a military compound, with tall terra cotta walls and a single large door- easy to defend and barricade. She checked her phone again, and scowled to see that Rhonan still hadn't texted her back about Kiko. She had no idea where she was going, and she was about one second from transforming so she could follow the specialists' trail to wherever they lived - she was fairly certain she'd know their scents if she smelled them- when she saw Timmy.

"Timmy!" she called, waving him down. With a confused look that morphed into a grin, Timothi ran over to meet her.

"Bloom!" He was still grinning, and surprisingly, it seemed sincere. "What are you doing here?"

She couldn't hide the excitement in her voice. "I'm here for Kiko! Griselda approved my request."

Timmy nodded, still smiling. "Nice!"

"I tried to text Rhonan, but... Can you help me?"

Timmy seemed to understand. "Sure. Rhonan's training right now, but I was just heading back to our suite anyways. Come with me."

Red Fountain was much different than Alfea. The whole school was made up of orange and honey-colored stones. It stretched up into the sky, with elevated courtyards and training spaces. Bloom could hear the clash of weapons from outside the walls.

They walked through the large doors- which were kept open, and into a courtyard. Two streams of water on either side of the gate flowed from the walls into channels on the ground, which led underneath the building that loomed ahead. Irrigation channels. She glanced around to all the raised platforms that Specialists were sparring on. They weren't in their black armor, despite all of them using a variety of weapons. It was some other kind of uniform- dark blue long sleeve shirts and pants, with a white stripe down one arm and side of their body. Timmy wore the same thing. The sound of them fighting filled the air. It was overwhelming, the flashes of color and quick movements of the sparring.

Timmy led Bloom past the sparring, a few of the specialists stopped to stare at her, and she felt her cheeks flush slightly. She kept her gaze straight ahead, but still looking in her peripherals for those light blue weapons she knew belonged to Rhonan.

She spotted him by the door, and her steps slowed. He was fighting with Skye, each of them swords in hand, circling each other. Skye had a nasty bruise on his cheekbone. Both of their knuckles were bloody as they grasped their swords and shields. Rhonan must have said something funny- Bloom couldn't tell from the back of his head,- but Skye, who's face was in full view, cracked a smile. Skye's eyes suddenly met Bloom's, and his mouth slackened. Rhonan used the opportunity to gain the upper hand, but stopped when he noticed Skye relaxing from his fighting stance. Skye said something lowly and Rhonan snapped his head towards Bloom. Timmy stood beside her, and gave the men a wave.