Lion's Pride

S.2 Chapter 19: The Spy in the Shadows

Standing beside Alastair with Thiala on top of his head and Professor Avalon, in an open field, we watched as Bloom sent balls of ire conjured by her magic towards some rocks and causing them to explode. Making the small debris rush towards us just to immediately crash into the orange shield around us and fall to the ground.

"Why aren't you training Zariel?" The professor asked as we see the orange-haired girl send another fireball at another rock causing it to explode upon impact.

"I'm afraid." I answered simply as the debris fell upon our shield.

"Afraid? Of what exactly?" He asked curiously, making me hug myself tightly.

"Of losing control. In Cloud Tower I remember bits and pieces of what happened, but I remember most how I kept snapping at everyone. I don't want to hurt them." I answered, feeling tears at the corner of my eyes before I felt a hand rest at the top of my head making me realize that the teacher brought me into a hug causing me to nuzzle my face into his chest.

"Maybe a trip into your past could help to regain control of yourself if you'd like?" He proposed making me think it over and nodding in agreement causing him to let me go as Bloom landed before us before I felt Alastair nuzzle my side in comfort.

"Bloom why are you training so hard?" Avalon asked the orange-haired girl.

"I find it rather strange that it's been so long since we've been attacked by Darkar." She answered as I let out a sound of agreement.

"It's been quiet, hasn't it?" The professor asked curiously.

"Too quiet." Alastair added as we watched the girl form another ball of fire in between her hands.

"It feels like the calm before the storm!" The dragon fairy growled, sending the ball into a large boulder only taking a small chunk from it angering her. "Triple Blast!" She yelled flying up and creating three balls of fire sending it to the boulder.

They crash into the boulder with loud bangs, but only taking small chunks out of the large stone.

"That attack was weaker than your last one." I informed as we approached the girl that landed before us.

"What happened?" The professor asked, astonished.

"I have no idea. Since Darkar my powers have been weakening gradually. There's something about him. What should I do?" Bloom asked, feeling down.

"I'd say the first thing you should do is take a break from all this training." Avalon proposed as we see the girl hide into herself worrying me.

"But I can't even blast a boulder. How am I supposed to stop the Trix? Sooner or later, they're bound to find the secret archive." She brooded causing me to become on high alert.

"Bloom!" I reprimanded quietly, getting a confused look from the professor.

"Don't worry about that. The secret archive is said to be impossible to find." Avalon comforted the girl as tears formed in her eyes.

"But that's not true, professor. Zariel and I know where it is. We found it by accident, we've had to keep this secret. It's been so hard!" Bloom cried as he brought her into a hug as I try to gauge his reaction to the news before I felt a nudge to my side.

"You know where the archive is located?" The feline asked confused.

"Yes, but Concorda told me to keep it a secret." I answered honestly getting a sound of acknowledgement from the feline. "You're not upset, right?" I asked worried about his reaction.

"Not at all. Now I can tell you I've been training with Faragonda on extending my powers." Alastair stated sheepishly making me giggle.

"Zariel, Bloom you must be strong. You've got to promise me you'll never tell anyone where the archive is. Not even to me, okay?" Professor Avalon declared, gaining my attention, before he brought me into a hug with the orange-haired girl patting my head as we both agreed to his conditions.