The Universe Saviors

Chapter 8 - Teamwork

Daemon suddenly woke up. Seeing Leo in the room, he asked:

"Leo, what happened?! How is Amethyst?!"

"Calm down. She's fine. She just..."

Before Leo could finish, Daemon ran to Amethyst's room. Muna was there with a cloth, cleaning Amethyst's bleeding wounds on her arms and legs. Daemon approached her and asked:

"How is she, Muna?!"

"Oh?! You're awake? She's fine, just unconscious."

"Then what exactly happened?"

"Come with me."

They went downstairs. The others were sitting and talking. Alaric spoke:

"Daemon, are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

"Alaric, did you find anything?"

"No, Muna."

"Can someone tell me what happened?!"

"Alright, I'll explain," Alaric began.

"After you were injured, Amethyst's power awakened. She attacked the commander and defeated him in just two moves. But then she lost control and passed out. We've been researching her power since."

"What was her power like?"

"We couldn't fully understand it. It had a sacred aura, like fire," Junia answered.

Muna chimed in:

"Actually, I have an idea."

"What?!" Alaric asked.

"I think Amethyst's power is the Sacred Flame."

"What?!" Leo stood up suddenly.

"But the Sacred Flame hasn't been seen in centuries. One of its counterparts is the Sacred Ice, which Daemon has," Alaric responded.

"What if Amethyst has it too?" Junia suggested.

"I don't know," Alaric replied with despair.

Suddenly, Junia's stomach growled. Embarrassed, she said:

"Oh! I'm a bit hungry. Aren't you?"

The others realized they were hungry too. They hadn't eaten in almost a day.

"Hmm? What's for dinner, I wonder?" Muna checked the cupboards, but frowned.

"Doesn't Amethyst eat anything?!"

In one of the kitchen cupboards, she found a map.

"What's that?" Alaric asked.

"It's a map of the forest," Muna replied.

"What does it say?"

"Oh! It marks the locations of mushrooms in the forest."

"Perfect! Let's go gather some. Daemon, you stay here."

"Alright."

After they left, Daemon went to Amethyst's room and sat on a chair beside her bed. She looked so peaceful while sleeping. Her hair flowed like a waterfall off the bed, and her hand rested near her face. Daemon felt like he could watch her for hours.

Meanwhile, Amethyst was "walking" in her mind...

"Amethyst! Amethyst!"

Amethyst stopped. This voice was so familiar.

"Mom! Dad!"

"Our little angel, stop crying for us. We're always with you."

"I can't help it. Remembering that day and losing you..."

"Shh! Don't say that. It might not pass now, but in the future, everything will get better. Be strong! Have you forgotten what we told you?"

"Never! You always told me: 'Living life is easy, but if you want to live your dreams, you must work hard!' I never forgot. I love you so much!"

"And we love you, Amethyst. Goodbye!"

"Wait, don't go!"

"Time is up, Amethyst. Don't go too far for revenge. The greatest enemy will always be close!"

"Mom! Dad!"

Amethyst suddenly woke up.

"Amethyst, are you alright?" Daemon asked.

Amethyst hugged Daemon and started crying. Then she said:

"Daemon, I'm sorry! I was so rude to you. Because of the kingdom, I hold so much hatred for Archer. When you yelled at me and said those things, I lost control. You always remind me of my family! Can you forgive me?"

"Of course! It's not your fault. I was prejudiced against you. Can you forgive me?"

"Yes!"

Amethyst hugged Daemon with joy. Then, realizing it, she composed herself.

"Uh... well..." She turned red with embarrassment. How could she change the subject?

"Where are the others?"

"They went mushroom hunting."

Daemon was also embarrassed but relaxed when the subject changed. Amethyst stood up, and they went downstairs.

"Amethyst, do you know what happened to you?"

"No, I don't remember anything."

"Then let me tell you."

Five minutes later...

"So, I...?"

"Yes, we suspect you possess the Sacred Flame."

"But how is that possible?"

"It's destiny," Daemon replied thoughtfully.

An idea came to him.

"If you really have the Sacred Flame, should we call each other Yin-Yang twins?"

"That's a creative idea! We could even name our team that."

"Perfect!"

"We're back! Amethyst, you're awake!" Junia ran to hug Amethyst, followed by Muna.

"Help! Get them off me!" Amethyst cried out.

"Oh?! Sorry," they said, stepping back.

"Let's grill these mushrooms," Leo suggested.

"Good idea, Leo!" Junia gave him a thumbs-up. They exchanged smiles.

Muna whispered to Amethyst:

"There's a smell in the air, don't you think?"

Amethyst sniffed.

"I don't smell anything."

"Amethyst, why are you so clueless?" Muna hinted at Junia and Leo.

"Oh! I get it! There's love in the air!"

"Girls, you asked for this!" Junia attacked them with a pillow, and Amethyst retaliated.

"Daemon, you might want to step aside," Alaric advised. "You could get hit any second."

Leo laughed.

Evening...

Everyone sat around a campfire, eating grilled mushrooms on skewers. Alaric asked:

"So, when are we heading back?"

Everyone looked at Amethyst.

"Tomorrow," she replied.

"Alright."

"And what about the graves?" Junia asked.

"Don't worry. We taught them such a lesson that they won't step foot here again!" Amethyst assured them.

After finishing their meal, they went to sleep and left the next morning. After a three-day journey, they arrived at the academy. Everyone went to their rooms.

While resting, Amethyst suddenly sat up.

"Daemon!"

"Yes?"

"We're going to have stronger opponents, right?"

"Yes."

"Then don't you think we should practice teamwork?"

"That's a good idea. It'll improve our coordination as well. Smart thinking!"

"Then let's start tonight!"

"What?!"

Daemon nearly fell out of bed.

"But I'm so tired. Aren't you?"

"When you're tired during an exam, will you ask the referee to pause the game for five minutes?!"

"But..."

"No buts!"

"Alright, Amethyst!"

"You're the captain."

"What?!"

"I said what I said!"

"Understood!"

As they were talking, the others were eavesdropping. When the voices stopped, Amethyst opened the door, and they all fell inside.

"You?!..."

"Hi!" Junia said with a grin.

Daemon and Amethyst began practicing, steadily improving their teamwork.

Exam Day...

An announcement echoed through the academy:

"Attention! All students, report to the 'Duel Arena'!"

Amethyst was ready. She brought her dagger just in case. When she placed it near her belt, it disappeared. The belt had a storage function.

In the arena, Amethyst noticed Giselle. She hadn't changed, with her red eyes and burgundy hair. She was drawing attention effortlessly.

Alaric said to Amethyst:

"Giselle is also known as the 'Red-Eyed Beauty Phoenix.' That's her nickname!"

Amethyst nodded.

A woman stepped forward with a microphone.

"Welcome, everyone! I am Teacher Calder, and I will be the referee for this competition. As you know, we will first compete in pairs. The last 12 students will form teams of six and fight. Good luck to all!"

The groups lined up.

"The first match: 'Junia and Leo' vs. 'Moa and Eros'! All other groups, please move to the spectator section."