Warsong | Celeste Academy Series Book #4

Chapter Sixteen ⚜ Fortress (pt. 1)

Chavi didn't tell her what she wanted. She told Valeriana to leave, her lips sealed tight, saying her request was meant to be heard some other time. Her eyes, on the other hand, were burning. When she first met Chavi, she would always have a look of hopelessness—a sense of docility. Now she knew that it had something to do with her twin this entire time, bringing her down, like a silent poison picking off the bits of her soul until she crumbled into their will.

It all came to her then—understanding. No wonder. No wonder Chavi would sometimes act strange. It was her, yet it wasn't. Two people in the same body. One side was of darkness, the other was of light.

Perhaps this wasn't something a simple purification can solve.

"Are you seriously going for it?" Valeriana inquired as they left the containment facility and out at front. Seraphina was by her side with one hand on the girl's forearm, stirring her to the direction of the Celeste Dispatch Division's transportation portals where Brindon and Keelan were waiting.

"We have to try, Valeriana. It's our only way of countering these demons. After all . . ." Seraphina shook her head. "I'm sorry for bringing you these trouble. You're on your way to the Denovegasian continent, are you not?"

"Yes."

"At least you will be safe with the Kaivens. It is time we do our jobs as Celestes. We're all about taking risks after all." She then smiled at Valeriana, brushed her hair affectionately and leaned forward for a tight embrace. "The path will not be an easy trek, Valeriana. I wish you all the best. I hope you get those blessings. I will be hoping and praying for your safety the entire way."

Valeriana returned the embrace, comforted by the snugness. "Yes, Lady Seraphina. You too."

"You got used to calling me Lady. Just refer to me by my name, like always. And what happened just now, do not speak of it."

She had planned on telling the Twelve, but since Seraphina told her not to speak of it at all, perhaps she would just keep her mouth shut. This was not a trivial matter—it involved certain dangers that required lots of confidentiality.

They resumed walking to where the portals were.

As expected, Keelan and Brindon were waiting, perhaps impatiently. Valeriana feared that they would leave her behind after how long she made them wait, but the two boys were still standing, chatting away amiably—mostly Keelan.

"Boys," said Seraphina as they approached. "I apologize to have kept you waiting."

"It's nothing, Lady Seraphina. The line was long anyway. At least here, we got to see the place. It's awe-mazing," Keelan said, nodding his head in satisfaction. "How did it go?"

"How," Brindon echoed.

"It went fine," Valeriana said. "Kind of hard to explain."

The Denovegasian lord nodded empathetically. "Then I won't ask. Whatever it is should remain within these walls."

The portals activated, the arches bursting with phenomenal power that warped the space before them. Seraphina squeezed Valeriana's arm before stepping back and letting her go, watching as she, Keelan, and Brindon walked forward.

The eleventh-ranker's voice echoed loud and clear. "Kaiven Fortress. Capital of Denovegasia—Dhavanaea."

The connection was successfully established and a rippling image of the other side appeared. Keelan and Brindon unhesitatingly stepped through while Valeriana took in the sight for a moment, a twist of anxiety in her stomach before she choked up her courage and went through.

She looked over her shoulder, watching Seraphina fade away as she passed through the warp. Valeriana pushed back all her other problems and focused on the present, setting aside the distracting thoughts of the earlier events to the farthest corners of her mind.