Page 24

The Advantage

Elite: Alice

––––––––

A few days of laying low turns into a few weeks. What’s worse is the ankle monitor I have to wear that’ll go off if I leave the island. I can’t leave the base anymore either. I’ve paced between my room, the cafeteria, and the infirmary to visit Evangeline, who is now on a breathing tube. My healing won’t work and neither will visits to her tree. It’s hopeless. It all feels hopeless now.

I sit cross-legged on my bed, bitterly folding laundry with sloppy folds because I can’t relax my simmering rage from losing my mind.

It’s been weeks, Nicholas is probably besties with all of Mildred’s peeps by now. Or dead.

The metal bed frame creaks until Billie’s head emerges into my view, showering her stray blond strands onto our just swept floor. Usually, it’s funny, but today it’s not and it’s taking everything in me to not snap. Billie flips the rest of her body over the railing of her top bunk and lands perfectly on her feet. She launches herself onto me and ruins the pile of clothes I’ve unsuccessfully folded. My nerves kick in, so I shove her off and wipe off all the blond strays and try to hand sweep it off the bed.

“You usually laugh when I do that,” Billie says.

I grind my teeth. “Not today.”

“Alice.”

My hand freezes in mid-sweep as I look at her. Arms and legs crossed, Billie sits in black, baggy basketball shorts with an oversized plain, indigo shirt. Her brows are drawn close together and her frown is carved deep on her tanned face.

“There’s a rumor going around that Elite might get shutdown,” she whispers.

“Because of me,” I mumble.

“This is scary and it’s not your fault no matter what anyone says.” Her voice is wobbly. “People don’t understand mental health is worse as a Spirit User because we’re constantly scrutinized for not being perfect. We also don’t always have full control of these powers.”

I grab the black basket from the floor and shovel all the now unfolded clean clothes in there to make room for me to scoot closer to Billie and wrap my arms around her. Her body shakes, but she slowly hugs me back and rests her head on my shoulder.

“Hey, thank you. For everything,” I muffle in her shirt. She pulls away and sniffs. “I’ve been... ashamed of what I did, and I don’t know how I did it. My fear for Evangeline and Nicholas has heightened because I feel so powerless.”

“I’ve been wondering if you almost reached Berserk,” Billie murmurs.

Did I really reach a high level of stress almost beyond repair? When was the last time I had tea? I can’t help save the world like this.

And if we ever capture Mildred, it doesn’t put an end to the murders. Her groupies may still carry out her wishes. And even if we do stop them all, it’ll take time for the world to restore itself as it should. Evangeline’s recovery won’t be instant.

Billie studies my face before pinching my cheeks.

“Hey, we’re in this together. I worry about them, too. You’re the sister I’ve always wanted; grumpy on the outside and gooey on the inside.”

I laugh and take a deep breath. “Nothing from Master Azul?”

Billie relaxes in the corner of my bed, once again sitting on my pillow. “Nah. Vinyl and Wren have been treated and cared for. Azul hasn’t said much about the information they’ve provided, but they did have a visitor who’s this chick from Ultima. The Guards I petrified were cured and brought into custody for further questioning. No reason was provided behind their motives, but Azul said we’re keeping Wren and Vinyl here for protection.”

“So, are you off the hook then?” I ask.

“Rebecca issued a final warning.” Billie’s eyes are glassy. She’s never been in this much trouble before. “But looks like everyone is still in a panic about Topaz having blood rain.”

It’s a big deal since it’s the first time ever the blood didn’t turn clear and instead stained everything. It still looks like a murder scene on the whole island.

“And we might lose Elite.” I echo her earlier comment. I swallow and look away, shame resurfacing up my stomach and throat. “I certainly didn’t help with that.”

Before Billie says anything, I abandon the laundry to flee the room. Silence rings through the building. In all my pacing, I didn’t realize how dismal Elite had become. The only person who looks unaffected is Stacy the secretary, and I’m pretty sure it’s because she routinely jams to her music at the front desk. Occasionally, I see the stationed security agents roll their eyes whenever Stacy blasts the music throughout the lobby.

I round the corner from the lobby to the hall heading toward the infirmary. I stop at Evangeline’s bed first, seeing her Trace Mark flashing slower by the day. She’s almost skeletal on her bed that the tears well up. My heart deflates with a slight pained quiver in my ribs.

I move a few rooms down to find Lady V and Wren sitting on the bed and watching TV. Wren looks at me and does that head tilt and smiles. Vinyl pats Wren’s head and rubs his shoulders.

“Hello, again,” she says.

“H-Hey.” I tug the hem of my shirt and awkwardly shuffle in. “Sorry about leaving so hastily when we first met.”

Vinyl’s face crinkles into waves of relief and warmth. Staring into her soft eyes wraps me in a blanket of longing.

“Please don’t worry yourself with that, dear.” She pats a spot next to her. “Sit.”

I obey and sit between her and Wren, who is still staring at me as if he’s viewing thousands of universes within me... or through me? Wren’s skin is more yellow than the purples and blues from the last time I saw him. His cheeks are rounder, but he still has the awful bowl cut hairstyle.

“I know you’ve probably explained everything to Master Azul and Commander Rebecca, but I was curious about your thoughts on the whole thing,” I mumble.

Wren grabs my wrist, eyes enlarged and face frozen on me. His head orients itself back from being tilted, but his face is vacant. Vinyl reaches over to gently pry his chubby hand off my wrist as I stand up to move away.

“Wren, honey. Tell her what you see, but you don’t need to touch her.”

Drool leaks from Wren’s hanging lip. “Wave Riding Season.”

Lady V looks up at me with a frown. “He hasn’t quite figured out how to articulate himself. I apologize for his abruptness.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m assuming he sees something bad happening?” I gingerly rub my wrist.

“Possibly.” Vinyl purses her lips. Her eyes are familiar, gray and cloudy, like someone else I’ve met. “Wren is clearly special, and I’ve lived a quiet life prior to meeting him. I can guess that someone is after him.”

“All the more reason to keep him safe then,” I murmur.

Vinyl’s smile shifts to a smirk. “Exactly.”

“Do you... know anything about a girl who can communicate with dragons?” I ask.

“Never heard of anyone like that. Someone you’re looking for?”

“Fae. Poppy. Gigi,” Wren whispers. He’s gnawing on a pillow and staring at the TV again. “Wave Riding Season.”

Vinyl’s eyebrows rise before she reaches to rub his back. I try to not gape at the kid, but I’m speechless at what he can see, and I want to know more. He’s so young though, how is he capable of this much already?

A nurse walks in carefully holding a small cup of an earthy tea that dances through my senses. She passes the mug to Lady V who then tries to get Wren’s attention, but he’s too focused on the TV. She sighs and turns to me, steam wiggling out of the mug.

“Did that mean anything to you?” Vinyl asks.

“Actually, it does.”

I sprint out of the infirmary and jog upstairs to Master Azul’s office. I’ve seen the news, the papers, the online media, and it gives me haunting chills seeing so much hatred from trolls and bigots. I never meant any harm, even when I threatened Mildred on Remington’s property. It’s time to face that and Azul. I’m glad I’m wearing my red hoodie this time to brace for the harsh chill in my bones.

Master Azul is also dressed in warm, wool clothing while sitting behind her desk. The fuchsia wall lamps’ glow bounces off her glossy skin today, and the stress of events shows through the subtle acne scars on her forehead and chin.

“Alice Reid.”

I immediately bow in front of her desk and straighten up. “I am so sorry for the trouble I’ve caused, ma’am, a-and... trying to confront Mildred alone. I’m sorry for everything.”

Azul sighs, propping her elbow on her desk and resting her cheek in her hand. A small, rosy smile forms, but it’s distant.

“You’ll need to wear the ankle monitor for the full thirty days.” She stands up and walks around her desk, uncharacteristically giving me a hug, her wool sweater scraping my cheeks. “We will take care of this, one day at a time.”

“Uh... Evangeline’s okay, right? She’ll be okay?”

Azul pulls away and holds my shoulders. Her blue eyes wash through me as they study my face before she purses her lips.

“I don’t know. I feel weaker these days, but I don’t think any of us are capable of dying from the lack of dragons. I certainly don’t want to find out, though.”

I push away and fold my arms. “The world will die first before we find out.”

Azul withdraws and sits back at her desk. She stares absently, almost like she’s pondering something before meeting my gaze. This is the first time I’ve looked at her, and I can finally see the youth and exhaustion in her weary eyes.

Once an Air Superior and now trapped on this world with the rest of us, forever deemed a failure to the Light of Judgement. So, what is she so afraid of when this is her second chance to make things right in the world?

“You know,” she begins. “I had a chance to speak with Vinyl Steed and the boy, Wren.”

Great, so have I.

“Vinyl seems to think that Guards are after her because of Wren. So, Elite will do everything in its power to keep them protected. In this case, this also means we may have someone Mildred wants,” Azul theorizes. “We’re in a position to act now because it’ll force her hand in coming after us directly and we can respond accordingly.”

A smile creeps across my face. “So... she slipped up.”

Master Azul nods, matching my smugness.

Finally, we have the advantage on this evil woman.

The simmering hope that’s been dwindling into a wilting flame finally blooms into the fire I need. Of course, I’m still in hot water, but we can make progress on stopping Mildred and her evil band of wild followers.

“I spoke with them too, Wren touched me and mentioned Wave Riding Season, and three names: Fae, Poppy, and I think... Gigi? I only recognize Fae’s name.”

“How lucky of us,” Azul muses.

I spend more time in her office as she’s telling me about Queen Sophie firing a ton of her staff. Not only did she uncover rogue Guards, but attendants in her home, too.

I scratch my cheek. “Mildred is operating somewhere in Garnet’s tunnels, but to have one place seems silly. The one we went to was empty. Wouldn’t she have backup places?”

“Yes. I sent Rebecca on a scout mission for Nick, starting with that first tunnel you were at. Her methods are reckless, but she found the other side of the dead end you reached. I don’t know when she’ll be back, but she sends check-ins to keep me updated.”

“Wh-what? Really?”

“Believe it or not, Alice, she does care about everyone... to some extent.” She gives a half shrug. “Anyway, the public is wary about you being out, so I can’t send you to Wave Riding Season, nor can I send Billie due to her suspension. I’ll go with Rachel since she’ll detect any danger.” Azul glowers at me, darkness shadowing her eyes. “I’ve given you so many chances, so I mean this respectfully when I say: do not dare leave this building under any circumstances or I will discharge you. That is your final warning.”

The chill in the room overcomes my bones. This place is all I know—all I ever knew since losing my dad. But... there won’t be an Elite if Zeala is destroyed.

I nod fervently and try to unglue myself from the chair across her desk. I can’t screw this up. I have an ankle monitor for Superior’s sake.

Azul’s attention shifts to her surveillance screens. When I look back, one screen stands out to me. The one that oversees the lobby and entrance. Someone is arguing with security or so it appears that way. No audio can confirm, but the angry gestures say otherwise. Security whips out their shields to try to push the situation toward the exit, but the familiar face bursts into flames, sending security backwards in a retreat.

“Is that Natasha Redly?!” I gasp.

I jump to my feet, mouth hanging open as Azul comes from around her desk and points to another screen showing the front steps outside the building and someone else running in.

Rio freakin’ Shackler.

“Wow, they are relentless,” Azul whispers, rushing out the room. I follow behind her to overlook the commotion from the balcony. Natasha is flaming out on the security agents while Rio is standing back as if wanting to approach her but unable to. Seeing how our first line of defense can’t withstand Natasha, Stacy stands on her desk, headphones slung around her neck. She whistles once, causing Natasha’s flames to die down and for her to scream, kneeling to the floor. Stacy shrugs and goes back to work at her desk.

Security recovers to subdue Natasha with a Solincium injection while holding off Rio from advancing. Master Azul chuckles beside me with an amused smirk.

She’s right, Ultima is relentless, and I’m sick of seeing this guy’s stupid face.

Natasha whimpers and looks at her surroundings, but her eyes move up to me and Azul on the balcony. She scowls and screams, pointing a finger at me.

“YOU! You did it! I will cut you, Alice Reid!” she snarls. “You’re the reason she almost died!”

“Commander Rio, please escort your disruptive team member out of here,” Azul commands across the lobby. Security steps aside for him to rush over and help Natasha to her feet. A third person walks in but is halted by two security agents at the door. Someone I don’t recognize and not in any uniform. The guy points at Rio but tries to keep his hands raised as security inspects him before letting him through.

A jarring pink scar flits across the right side of his face, cutting through his eye and down his cheek. He wears navy cargo shorts, with sandals, and a loose plain white shirt, so honestly, I would’ve never guessed he was with Ultima.

Rio holds Natasha but she thrashes in his arms, still screaming.

“Go outside; Drake can you wait with her?”

Drake frantically nods and grabs Natasha’s arm to usher her outside, but she’s resisting and hollering. Stacy hops over her whole desk, winking up at us as she heads for the doors with her clunky combat boots.

“Just gonna go out there with them juuust in case it gets rowdy,” she says.

The name clicks in my brain, Drake must be Drake Strife who Rebecca mentioned before Evangeline fainted.

Rio looks up at us on the balcony, teal eyes wide from the sight of me.

“Alice.”

“Rio,” I breathe, a grin sneaking its way across my lips.

He puts a fist over his heart and bows. “Master Azul. Please accept my humblest apologies for my team member. She is a little distressed at the moment.”

I prop my elbows on the railing, leaning forward.

“Why is she accusing me of almost killing someone?” I ask. “After everything, you’re still feeding them lies?”

“No,” Rio says, teeth apparently grinding. “Misinformation was spreading, and it became too much for Natasha. I understand Ultima’s relationship with Elite is a bit strained, but Master Cedric and I are committed to repairing—”

My right eye twitches.

“Lies! Master Cedric is committed to ruining everyone’s lives if it means getting what he wants in the end. Even if it means KILLING people for his own gain. You’re just his brainless lackey ‘committed’ to doing his dirty work like a good for nothing idiot! You both want to absorb Elite and I’m sick and tired of you all pretending you don’t!”

“Alice. Enough.” Master Azul’s voice has a warning edge to it.

Rio matches my grin from earlier. It’s almost intoxicating to look at. The heat in my blood pumps to my ears.

“Wanna say that to my face?” he taunts.

I unhook my dagger from my pants. “With pleasure!”

“Alice!” Azul snaps.

It’s a long drop but I hop over the rail and lunge for Rio. He shoots a bolt of lightning at me, but I deflect using my shield and crashing right into him against one of the pillars. He grunts as I knock the air outta him but gets up to stomp on my foot (ouch) and kick the dagger out of my hand.

What kind of footwear does Ultima wear? My mistake for picking a fight while wearing socks.

I hop on my good foot to reach the dagger, but Rio trips me to the floor. I crawl the rest of the way, feeling a sizzling jolt through my body from him grabbing my ankle. My shield emits with enough force to blast him across the lobby, so I can grab my dagger and get up. I glance fast enough to see Azul watching from the balcony. I ignore the incoming soreness as Rio hurries to his feet.

Members who were once walking by skid away from the fight and take videos on their phones, cheering me on. More people crowd into the lobby as Rio turns around and shoots another lightning bolt at me. I dodge in time and slash the blade at him, but he steps out of the way and grabs ahold of my hoodie sleeve. The electrical shock is back, and my body convulses again. I focus on emitting the shield, but a painful, vibrating tickle surges through me and my muscles won’t stop contracting.

I stiffly try to slash the dagger at Rio’s face to get him to let go, but he just leans back. When I tug my sleeve away, he tugs back. So, either this hoodie is gonna rip...

Oooooor I just spin out of the hoodie and stumble to the floor. Gosh, I feel silly.

I’m still crouched when I swipe the dagger toward Rio’s ankles, but he hops and kicks me square in the face. My head throbs and my eyes sting with tears as I gasp from the sudden force. The lighting in the lobby isn’t helping.

“Alice!” Billie screams.

Gathering myself to my feet, blood oozes out of my nose, but I can keep going.

“Enough!” Azul bellows, having come downstairs. Everyone circles Rio and me, but Azul emerges with her hands behind her back. Rio straightens up as she approaches him, stepping forward and pausing our long staring contest. He clears his throat and does a quick sloppy bow, sweat beading from his flushed face.

“My apologies, Master Azul. I... I d-don’t know what c-came over me, I just—I... I am so sorry!”

Azul stares at him, the waves in her eyes freezing in her arctic glare. I wouldn’t want to be punished with whatever shadow powers she has. Even after five years, I’m not exactly sure what Azul can do.

“Your improper caution is ill fitting of you, Commander Rio. Considering we’ve already filed a complaint of contempt against Ultima, I’m quite bewildered at your willingness to engage in battle with my Special Agent,” she says.

“Self-defense, Master Azul,” Rio huffs. “You may disagree with my choice, but I’ve been trained to never back down, and that’s the kind of role model I am for my team.”

“That tracks,” I mutter, crossing my arms.

“Interesting. I will certainly be in touch with Master Cedric.” Azul steps aside so Rio and I are in full view of each other again.

I glower at Rio, ready to rip him to shreds, knowing full well I’m supposed to be on my best behavior and not do anything reckless. Billie runs up to me and links our arms while Azul strolls away.

“Get. Out,” I tell him. “If Natasha ever shows up again, we’ll yeet her back to your hellhole.”

Who knows when the last time she’s had tea to settle her agitation. Her psyche is rapidly dissolving; how Rio can’t see this for himself is beyond me. Surely, she’ll reach Berserk soon and she needs to be far away from Elite when this happens. Our Natasha is gone, and Elite has had enough time to mourn our loss. Seeing her in this state is just too much, even for me.

I think about Wren’s father reaching Berserk in the park likely from excessive agitation as a human. Luckily, he was able to die on his terms before he lost total control.

Rio flexes his hands before shoving his palms up his eyes with a long groan. He paces in circles in the lobby while Billie and I exchange glances. Every time the entrance doors slide open from someone coming or leaving, I barely catch Natasha’s defiant screams outside before the doors close again. Stacy strolls back in, smirking and shaking her head, shortly after, Drake runs back inside huffing with enlarged green eyes.

“Sir! Natasha ran off; I’m sorry, I couldn’t hold her for much longer,” he says.

Rio clenches his fists, flexing the tension in his jaw. Bags form under his eyes. He’s crumbling. He needs a win; I know that feeling.

Ultima is obsessed with perfection, peace, and unity. They’ll do whatever it takes to get what they want, just like Cedric. In the end, Ultima is just as toxic as Overdrive was.

The lights in the lobby flicker, catching Rio’s attention, so he stomps out the building. Drake looks back at him and then trudges toward us with a solemn expression.

Billie studies his face but her brows crease massively and generate a wrinkled forehead of utter confusion.

“You’re Drake Strife, right?” I ask. “You know Evangeline.”

He’s a deer in headlights. “You... y-you know about us? Yes, that’s me. I was actually wondering if Eva was around so I can see her.”

Billie tenses and stares Drake down. “Absssolutely not,” she hisses.

His shoulders and face drop with desperation fuming in his green eyes. He looks at me, possibly for a different answer, but I shrug and look away.

“Please? I’ve been trying to call and text her with no response. I–I think she hates me.”

“She’s sick,” I murmur. “You can’t see her.”

Drake straightens up and flails his hands like he’s trying to process a thought he can’t quite formulate into words. He looks like such a lost, wounded puppy with that scar on his face. The eye his healed cut went through tends to wander on its own, separate from the other eye; both convey the same forlorn expression tied with his scrunched-up brows and slight pout. I want to trust this guy, but I just can’t.

“I swear I would never h-hurt her,” he says. “I’ve been seeing her for months now, ever since we saw each other on Em—”

Billie holds her hand up. “Enough. We don’t care.”

Drake’s grimace deepens, creating creases around his lips. “Please.”

Maybe it’s worth taking him to see her. Or maybe, it’s worth keeping him around for ourselves. Reverse recruiting is a thing, right?

I look at Billie to read her expression but it’s blank. She shrugs, probably mulling it over, too. I’m stiff and ready for a shower to relieve the contracted muscles from the electrocution.

“Look... uh, Drake,” I begin. “Evangeline is in no shape to accept visitors right now. I mean this in the nicest way possible, but you need to leave.”

The twinkle in his eyes brings a flip in my stomach from how much love radiates in his face. This poor guy hasn’t seen her in weeks and just shows up out of pure concern, like hope springing through his heart and veins. I’ve never felt something like this, and it took me a while to realize my lack of this feeling isn’t strange. It’s perfectly okay.

“Well, w-will you k-keep me updated?” Drake asks. I look at his weary eyes and smile. He hesitantly smiles back and bobs his brown-haired head, sprinting out the building. My shoulders relax, bringing my aching back to my attention.

“Oi! What’s next on the agenda? I know you’ve got plans. SO many ideas,” Billie says. We walk back toward the dormitory.

I suck in air. “Well, unfortunately, I’m going to do something that’ll get me fired.” I look at her, sticking my leg out to show off the ankle monitor once again. “I’m not leaving the island, but I am going to Wave Riding Season. Master Azul told me to stay put, but... I can’t. I’ll have to be discreet since she’ll be there, too.”

Billie frowns. “For Zeala?”

“For Zeala,” I whisper back. “None of this matters if there’s no world to be in at the end of the day. I rather risk my job to save the world because I know if something happens, Azul and Rachel can’t do it alone, not with our powers weakening. Even if the world hates me when I’m done. If Wren’s sight is right, then I may run into Fae.”

Billie grabs my hand and squeezes. “Then I’m coming with you.”

A shudder of fear rocks through my nerves from the thought of glares and angry whispers coming my way if I attend, but I have to if I want to catch Mildred. She’ll be there, posing as the perfect giant rep for Garnet. We must stop her.

For Zeala.