Marinep still does not move from the place and Esteban's power was getting out of control, chains begin to appear in the surroundings calling the attention of the passing students. The chains attack when they feel their movements, as he can, Erick creates a wall of fire that surrounds all the chains, these when feeling the flames direct their attack towards him.
This, keeping Esteban so that he does not fall off his back, holds him tight with his left arm, also leaning forward a little and with his other hand he grabs Marinep by the shirt, throwing her to the ground, protecting her from the strong heat that fought the chains .
—I'm in no condition for this— says Erick trying to keep his breathing steady. —Boy if you're still sensible talk to her, I need her to move by herself.
—Marinep— Esteban's tired voice is heard.
—... Don't talk to me, I'm not in the mood.
—I'm sorry ... I'm really sorry ...— Esteban stretches out her arm to try to reach her but she backs away avoiding her touch.
—Do you want to apologize? Why don't you start by apologizing that you made my identity public? You knew well how I felt, the humiliation I had, the threats I had to endure.
—If it's any consolation, I didn't know it was you. When I found out that you were the leader of Amira Sur I felt completely devastated, I told myself that I would help you.
—You shouldn't have done it in the first place.
—They were orders from my ruler.
— You say that your ruler sent you to create disturbances in my territory to make me leave?
—Yes.
—Don't you know that that just seems like an excuse?
—I won't deny that it seems like that but it's the truth Marinep I… ugh… damn this hurts… ack.
—Stay sane, don't weaken— says Erick, still concentrating on protecting them from the attacks of the power that flows from Esteban but instantly he bites the shoulder of the one who holds him so tightly that he begins to bleed causing him to destabilize and the flames disappear, being exposed .
—Heavens this is not good, girl move!
Marinep turns around but she can't concentrate so she closes her eyes waiting for the blow that never came, when she opens her eyes she sees a large wall of sand.
—Kevin— she whispers.
—Are you okay princess?
—Yes, thank you very much— Marinep thanks him and Kevin looks behind her at the other two people.
—For heaven's sake Erick!— She approaches to help him with Esteban. —What happened to your shoulder? It looks really bad.
—I'll worry about this later, for now it's important that the boy's power be countered by moving him to the greenhouse, so we'll be safe.
—If it is our only option since taking it to his territory can be dangerous for the long journey.
The two boys begin to move towards the greenhouse at the same time that they must defend themselves, Marinep for her part, seeing them, tries to move but when she sees the chains that sprout from Esteban in all directions, she takes her to that moment when everything began and likewise That moment she couldn't move, all the frustrations she had that day came back to her like a great wave.
She had told herself that she would teach her main enemy a lesson and she can do nothing with him head on and with a clear advantage in her favor. Helplessness invades him again and her body begins to tremble. Kevin noticing that Marinep is not following them stops to talk to her.
—Princess, aren't you coming?
—I don't want to be where he is.
—Princess ... you must not be left behind, there are things you should know and that is why I need you to come with us.
—You don't understand how I'm feeling right now.
—It's true, I don't understand you even if I wanted to. But believe me when I tell you at this moment what I will say << Damn it can't be that I'm going to say this >> Esteban is a good person and you know very well that when the ruler gives an order we cannot refuse him.
— ... I know and it's what bothers me the most.
Erick, upon hearing that the conversation flows in a way in which they would not reach an agreement, passes Esteban with Kevin and then carries Marinep like a sack of potatoes.
—Let's move until I lose patience— Kevin nods accommodating Esteban with an arm around his shoulders and they move quickly.
—Hey! What's wrong? Put me down!
Without paying attention to Marinep's tantrums, they continue on their way to the greenhouse, upon entering they arrive at the place where Kevin and Marinep had spoken the time they were there.
Kevin leaves Esteban leaning on a wall and then approaches the window, below this there is a small pillar of plaster covered with mold and insects, with his hands he moves it to the side, pushing the earth away, finding under it a marble disk surrounded with a kind of pearly-colored force field whose stone in the center had a blurred symbol similar to the institution's emblem. Erick, after releasing Marinep, puts Esteban on the ground covered with sand scattered by Kevin, when placing him they place his head close to the stone and so that he does not hurt Erick places his jacket as a pillow.
—Esteban this will hurt you as you have no idea, you will have to hold on and then you will be fine, like new— he warns. —Marinep I need you to help, when I went through the same thing, it took twenty (20) men to keep me quiet, but here we are alone.
—Why should I do it?
—For reasons of humanity, because he is a living person who needs help and because he is a friend. A friend shouldn't betray you or cheat on you like that— Marinep starts to sob, Kevin tries to comfort her but Erick gets up from the ground and faces her.
—Look, girl, stop complaining, you are the one with the excuses, she had to grow up fast, congratulations, you're an adult now, face it and get over it. Did you confirm that you were a leader?
—I do not…
—Let me answer that question faster and the answer is that you couldn't tell him, right? That was the rule, not to show our identity. What he did was not his fault, you know well that if we do not obey the rulers they have fun making us suffer a disease for days or decide that we must have pain in some part of our body, all because according to them they are educating or appeasing us.
—I want to believe in him ... but if he knew my identity he should have trusted me.
—If you want to believe in him, do it is your decision and no one else's, but the reality behind those words is that you never trusted him and the most likely thing is that he made that happen and it is even necessary to say that you do not trust him. we.
—It is not true.
—I don't trust you— Hers her honey eyes focus on her without hesitation. —I'm just supporting you because Kevin is.
—It's good to know that you have someone to trust— Tears don't stop running down her cheeks. —I should have followed the advice of my brother and Joselin.
—Listen and I want you to stay calm. Since you mention her, if there is someone who has made fun of your confidence, it was Menrip's girlfriend.
—No, you're never wrong she ... mmm— Erick closes his mouth with the palm of his hand.
—I told you to face the facts that are presented, she is the leader of Irop.
—YOU LIE! - She shouted after having slapped her hand away.
—Erick!— Kevin tries to stop the conversation but Erick giggles and keeps talking.
—We were going to tell him anyway.
—I didn't know that whoever terrorizes the institution with his exploits was a liar.
—I don't lie to my clients or to the judge. The day they dared to attack Ocania, she was with the leader of Antirda, he was wearing a full face mask and the cape covered his eyes and hair so I could not recognize who it could be, but when she approached to help him back I was able to see his face.
— ...
—I'm telling you this so you can decide. Do you choose to stay with us and help your "friend" or do you go and tell that Joselin, having us as your enemies? The door awaits your decision.
Marinep is left thinking about the place, Erick returns with Kevin to the ground to continue attending to Esteban who looked more and more pale, his clothes soaked with sweat and his forehead wrinkled with pain. She instantly takes a huge gulp of air filling her lungs completely and taps her cheeks, wiping her tears by kneeling to place herself on the floor. Kevin smiles when he sees her, he looks at Erick but there is only ignorance on her face.
—Thank you for trusting us princess.
—I must find out what Joselin is hiding and find out about the identity of the Antirda leader and I can't do that alone, it would be too dangerous.
—Interest is always a good fuel in relationships— Erick says.
—Ignore him, we'll do that, don't hesitate. Now I need you to hold his head and shoulders, Erick keep your legs steady, I'll take care of his arms and his chest area.
They all tried their best to keep him in his place. Kevin added some of the sand to Esteban's chest and concentrating, he moved the energy from the stone to him, then he held his arms. Estaban began to shake as if convulsing at the same time as he let out thunderous screams with rather painful screams.
Erick, before the shock, holds his legs more tightly, Kevin had to practically lie on Esteban's chest to prevent him from moving so that he could hurt himself and Marinep before the movements placed his head between his knees and applied force on his shoulders immobilizing him.
After fifteen (15) minutes his body relaxes, fever persists in his body and gasps due to the screams, but his life is out of danger, his power stabilizing little by little.
—Well, the worst is over. The madness of his power is gone, for now he is weak but will recover.
"I have not asked what is that thing?— Marinep points to the stone.
—It's a catalyst. Have you never seen them?— Explains Kevin. —It's the only catalyst that isn't found forming the foundation of the territory. Our catalysts for some reason are many meters underground and to deal with cases like this we require that the ruler be nearby or, failing that, we concentrate to channel the powers of the foundations.
— Isn't it weird that there is a catalyst in this place?
—We have been investigating and we came to a conclusion that this must be the work of the rulers— says Kevin, changing the handkerchief on Esteban's forehead. —We still can't find the complete story.
—Umm ... I want to thank you for taking me into consideration— Kevin looks at her in surprise while Erick sitting in the window looks at her sideways. —I'll do my best to live up to his trust.
When the boys see her, they show admiration on her face and then look at each other and laugh. Kevin with a laugh that could be heard in his own territory and Erick's was a barely audible giggle.
—That's what we're friends for, princess.
The calm environment soon collapses due to a loud sound heard outside, a boy comes running towards them to get closer to Erick, his face is covered in sweat and his breathing is rapid as if he had escaped from rabid dogs following him to bite him. When he catches his breath a little, he speaks between gasps.
—Sir, there is a problem, we have seen Norilex come out of the forest in a very alarming state, it is very likely that he has fallen into madness.
—What the hell?! Couldn't it be him at another time?— Erick quarrels with his tongue at the information. —Well back off and start cornering her, we'll go right away.
—Immediately!— As we leave, a brunette girl of medium height also rushes in and approaches Kevin.
—Sir, we have news from Esia's territory— the girl reports.
—What Norilex got out of control? We already know. Any other news?
—Yes, the cause is because the ruler of that territory was assassinated by the leader of Antirda, beheading him and throwing his head into the representative's arms.
The reactions of those who listen are shocking. Until now the deaths of the rulers had been without showing themselves to their leaders, so they reacted in a controllable increase in power without going totally mad. That she is she has seen her ruler in this way could influence an unbridled madness. Kevin just swallows thick and orders the girl to leave.
—We have to face her— Kevin mutters and another girl enters the room.
—Miss, I bring news.
—It's rare that you come to report, they don't even take me into account. Even so tell me something that has not been said here, I know you know the information of the others.
—Experts in South Amira have been studying the girl's level and for now she is below her so they can arrest her, news also came that the North Amira ruler has also lost her life. Another thing the ruler says to reconsider what he said about leaving and do not forget to kill the leader of Amira norte.
—It was enough, I will not leave so I will ask you to leave— the girl looks at Esteban helplessly on the ground and takes the opportunity to take his weapon from under her skirt.
—What do you think you're doing?— I stop her arm when I see the weapon.
—Fulfill the order— the girl answers.
—You better get out of here or if I'll be the one to kill you— the girl hesitates for a moment but when she looks at the other two leaders she just keeps her weapon and immediately withdraws from the greenhouse. —That old man only thinks of himself.
—Forgetting what just happened, we must take into consideration that to stop someone who is at high levels of power out of control it will not be enough just to go all and avoid significant injuries— says Erick
—We can't do anything about it anymore than face what is already approaching us— Kevin responds. —Marinep, stay here and take care of Esteban, we'll take care of it.
The two prepare to leave when Marinep who was attending Esteban gets up and speaks to them.
—You said Esteban was out of danger, didn't you?
—Yeah, I did— Kevin confirms.
—Then I'll leave with you.
—Princess you should consider staying here, you've had too many emotions today.
—There's no way I'm staying, if we don't stop Norilex in time many will be injured or die.
—Seeing that you will not back down from your words, it will be an honor that you accompany us princess.