"ARIELLE!" I commanded, dropping to the ground to avoid the five-foot tall bear that leapt at me, his claws narrowly missing me. The bear skidded to a stop, turning around without losing momentum as he charged towards me for another attempt.
He didn't even get close; Arielle crashed into him, her leg hitting its side with so much power, he flew into the air. She'd used the attack to push herself up and she flipped in the air before her flaming wings burst out of her back. Multiple magic circles appeared across the sky, sending beams of fire at the stampede of bears coming at us from all sides.
Cairus and Caio appeared from the forest in their tiger forms with the two orbs we needed. One was orange, which was in Caio's mouth and the other orb was blue which Cairus held in his mouth. They skidded to a stop, presenting the orbs to me. I quickly took both orbs out of their mouths, holding them securely.
They moved to stand protectively on either side of me. Then they both roared in unison, large magic circles forming beneath the ground, one in a gold-red color beneath Caio and a blue-purple one beneath Cairus. Ice shards began to rain down on the approaching crowds while fireballs shot out from behind Caio, attacking the bears who were trying to dodge the ice shards.
Arielle flew higher up in the air and I took a calming breath, closing my eyes. I held the orbs protectively against my chest while I concentrated a large amount of mana, knowing Arielle would need it for the next attack.
"Arielle!" I called out when my mana was high enough for her to initiate the final blow. She nodded, raising her hands in the air and closing her eyes. Her blazing wings doubled in size, stretching out in multiple colors. She looked like a blazing rainbow as a vibrant glowing bow and arrow appeared in her hands.
The neon orange and gold weapon burned with intensity and caught the attention of the bears, distracting them for a moment. Arielle raised the weapon in the air, loading the arrow and aiming upward. She pulled back on the bow, chanting something under her breath before letting go.
The arrow shot straight up, disappearing from everyone's sight. The bears looked confused, their attention wandering back to us, who'd also been distracted and had stopped our onslaught of attacks. Well that is, everyone was distracted but me, since I knew exactly what was about to happen.
The sky suddenly darkened and seconds later, multiple flaming arrows began to rain down, crashing down to the earth. The bears screamed in agony, being pierced all at once, over and over again as the rain of arrows continued. Cairus and Caio cuddled next to my feet, looking a little spooked out by the immense show of power. I knelt down to comfort them, placing the orbs at my feet so I could pet them both, while my eyes stayed focused on the sky and Arielle's attack. She was breathing hard but her eyes blazed with power. Her neon dark purple hair with pink highlights whipped back and forth from the force of the wind and power brewing around her.
When I saw no more movement, I decided to call off the attack. Arielle. Enough.
She snapped her fingers and just like that, the arrows stopped and the sky returned to normal. She slowly lowered to the ground, landing quietly as her burning flames extinguished. The siren went off and the intercom clicked before a voice spoke. "Passed."
We sighed in relief and the dead bears slowly faded away as the once-battered environment healed as if nothing had happened. Arielle walked up to me and I gave her a weak smile before I leaned forward.
"Ah. Celestia!" she called out, surprisingly catching me in time before I fell. Caio's and Cairus’ whimpers could be heard but I felt so groggy, just needing a moment to keep my eyes closed and wait for the dizziness to past.
In seconds, another pair of arms held my shoulders and helped Arielle lower me to the ground. "Celestia, can you hear me?" Caio's serious voice called out.
"Dearest?" Cairus questioned.
"Let me shift back. I'm taking a lot of energy from her," Arielle announced, her voice filled with worry. I could feel the magic in the air as she shifted back and I sighed in relief, feeling a little better at the sudden addition of energy that began to flood back into my body.
"I'm...fine. Just need a moment," I confessed.
"Is she okay?" Othello's worried voice spoke. I heard footsteps approaching us at a fast pace.
"Bru...." Arielle's quiet response made me lift my hand, knowing exactly where she sat without the need to open my eyes. I slowly pet her, hoping it would reduce her worry.
"I’m just really groggy," I admitted.
"We should take her to the clinic to be checked," Cairus suggested.
"Ya. Cutie Pie has been really groggy in the morning lately. Not to mention she's been sleeping longer and longer," Caio added.
"Cutie Pie?" Othello asked.
"Dearest," Cairus replied as if Othello would know that nickname instead.
"Bru," Arielle huffed.
"Oh, Ms. Rainbow. She's been sleeping more but still feels weak and is incoherent when she wakes?" Othello confirmed.
"Yes. That's what Finn, Theo, Hunter, and Orion have observed this week," Caio explained.
"She takes afternoon naps with us too and she's still really weak when she wakes as if she hadn't slept at all to begin with," Cairus added.
"You guys...are exaggerating," I mumbled. Sure, the last couple of days had been really exhausting but I thought maybe it was because of the trials, but they hadn't drained my magic to the point of me feeling this tired. Even after hours of sleep and taking naps, nothing seemed to be working. I'd slept twenty hours yesterday, not even waking for lunch or dinner.
In fact, I hadn't been eating a lot at all. I would have rather got the extra time to snooze than to eat a meal. Orion scolded me about it this morning, saying he'd spoon feed me if I missed even one more meal.
"I'll ask Miona to take a look at her. Orlando isn't on campus right now to take a look and Magnor went on an emergency trip this morning and won't be back until the next trial. Let's get Ms. Rainbow to the clinic," Othello suggested.
"Who's Miona?" the twins said in unison.
"Ms. Arcadia," I mumbled, trying not to nod off but failing miserably. Arielle moved from my hand and in seconds her head was brushing my cheek over and over soothingly.
"Bru..." she whimpered. "I'm sorry, Mistress."
I don't get why you're apologizing, Arielle. I'm fine. You did a really good job. We passed thanks to you. Don't be worried. I think...I will just take a quick nap.
"Bru-Ree," she replied. "Okay. I love you. Please be okay...don't leave me."
I'll never leave you. That was the last thing I thought before I fell unconscious.
"Bru. Bru. Bru. Bru,"
"Don't worry, Arielle. Celestia's experiencing exhaustion and malnutrition. She needs to sleep in order to recover faster. When she wakes up, I'll make sure she eats a nice warm meal and goes right back to sleep. At least the IV is helping ensure she gets enough fluid in her."
I stirred, letting out a weak moan as I turned slightly, my mind trying to figure out why Arielle sounded so sad. I really disliked when she was upset. The thought she was troubled by something made it hard for me to go back to sleep, even if my body desperately wanted me to.
"Celestia?" a familiar voice questioned. I didn't reply for a while, debating whether to stay awake for the sake of figuring out what was worrying Arielle, or if I should head back to sleep.
"Bru...." Arielle chirped quietly, and once again, the motivation to check on her was strong enough to help me open my eyes. My vision was blurry at first, slowly coming into focus for me to see Faelia sitting on my right, right next to the bed I was in. Arielle was on her shoulder but immediately flew down to land right next to my face so she could nuzzle right next to my cheek. She begin whimpering away, her small chirps making me concerned.
"Why is Arielle so worried? Did someone die?" I asked, totally confused.
"No one died. She's worried about you," Faelia answered.
"Me? Why? Oh...Hi Faelia," I started asking questions before I realized I hadn't greeted her, which was a little rude of me. She gave me an appreciative smile as she nodded her head.
"Afternoon, Celestia. She’s worried because you fainted after the trial due to exhaustion and malnutrition," Faelia revealed.
"Fainted? I don't remember fainting," I added. Everything was kind of foggy and I really was unsure what had happened.
"You fell unconscious after Othello arrived on the scene after you passed the trials. Twin Two carried you with Twin One explaining everything to Miona while she was giving you treatment," Faelia summarized.
"Oh," I replied, looking to my right. I spotted an IV pole, following the clear tubing to see a little needle placed in my arm which was connected to the long clear tubing linked to the bag of clear fluid.
"Bru." Arielle snuggled as close as she could before she relaxed, quickly falling asleep. I lifted my right hand to stroke her softly, feeling bad that I'd been worrying her.
"Have you been sleeping, Celestia?" Faelia questioned.
"Yes. Too much actually," I confessed.
"Arielle says you have DEM. Sia, was it? Has she been taking over when you sleep?" Faelia inquired.
"Um...no. Not lately. Before we arrived at Aslan, she would every night but now, not really. I've been assuming she just didn’t want to tire me out," I confessed. I didn't know for sure, but that was usually the reason why she'd stay absent for a longer period of time.
Faelia looked deep in thought, crossing her arms. "I don't know what it would be then. I guess everyone will just have to keep an eye on you to make sure you're in good health. Your men were worried."
"Where are the guys?" I asked, curious now that she'd brought them up.
I felt bad for worrying them. It totally hadn’t been my intention. I wanted them to know I was okay, already picturing their worried expressions.
“There's a test in class. You were excused but the rest of them had to attend. It a little lengthy, so they won't be back for awhile. Miona did say I should get her when you woke up and that if you're strong enough to go back home, you can. Of course, I won't let you go alone so I'll escort you back,” she reassured me.
"You don't have to," I whispered, not wanting to be a burden to her.
She laughed. "I want to, Celestia. I know we haven't gotten any time to do what friends do, but once you've completed your trials, there will be plenty of girl time,” she reassured me.
"Okay. That would be pretty nice," I confessed. The idea of having a female friend like Faelia really intrigued me and sounded like it would be fun. It was also nice that she was in a similar situation to mine, having more than one lover.
"Faelia, I have a question."
"What would you like to know?' she asked; her eyes twinkled with delight as if she knew exactly what I wanted to ask.
"How are you able to share yourself with your men? Does it get easier with time? I just...feel I'm struggling to give them all enough time with everything that is happening. I'm also scared of disappointing them," I confessed.
"Why would you disappoint them?" she asked.
"I don't know? What if I'm not strong enough or am unable to share myself properly amongst them?" I pressed, lifting my eyes to stare into hers.
She held my gaze, taking a deep a breath before closing her eyes. She was silent for a while before she opened her eyes, a smile forming on her lips.
"Celestia. You truly underestimate how powerful you are. It kinda reminds me of myself when I too, felt I would disappoint my men. It takes time, Celestia. Your journey is only beginning and I won't lie and say you won't experience challenges, because you will. But those experiences are what will help you grow together. For both yourself and the men that have immense love for you, even if they themselves haven't fully realized how much they care don’t think you aren't good enough, because you are. Just believe in your love and know that nothing can tear you apart if you fight back and stand firm in the love you hold dear. That's the best advice I can give you since it's something I would have told myself a year ago,” she confessed with a bright smile.
I grinned. "Thank you, Faelia. That helps ease my worries a lot."
"Anytime. Strengthen your love with your men, and never hesitate to be yourself. They fell in love with you and will continue to love you for the person you are."
I nodded and sighed. "Why don't you sleep a little more? I'll wake you up and take you back before classes are done so we don't need to deal with crowded halls," Faelia suggested.
"That sounds great. I wouldn't mind more rest," I admitted.
Faelia nodded. "I'll keep an eye on you. Just sleep."
My eyes already felt heavy and I didn't fight the darkness as it rose up to greet me.
As long as I'm true to myself, I can love my men with all my heart.