Natalie looked out the window. The weather was beautiful, and many people were walking or sitting under the trees.
"Master Nephtali, may I go out now? I just want to visit my friends. The weather is perfect for a walk."
"Just don't stay out too late," Nephtali cautioned. "Something might happen to you again."
"Yes, I won't be long. Thank you."
Nephtali watched Natalie leave, a smile on his face. Natalie soon found Kalmin.
"Kalmin, where is Malika?"
"Still working in the dining hall. Where else would she be?"
"Oh, right. Their punishment isn't over yet."
"You know Master Nephtali is strict when it comes to punishment. Hey, Natalie. I hear a lot of rumors among our colleagues about your closeness with Master Nephtali."
"I know they'll say I'm trying to gain favor. What can I do? He is my Guardian, and he is the one training me now. They forbade me from joining your sessions, so he took over. I just ignore what they say."
"That's not what I'm hearing. The rumors are different. We can all see Master Nephtali is handsome, and you two seem close. Don't you have a crush on him?"
"What?! Do you not get chills from what you're suggesting? I see Master Nephtali as a brother, nothing more."
"Many women have a crush on Master Nephtali. Even Guardians assigned to other Divisions transferred here just to be near him. Headmaster Fairah, for instance, has a huge crush on him. But Malika and I don't think that about you. We know Master Nephtali is protecting you from the creatures you always fight."
"You know, even though I just met Master Nephtali, he never made me feel like I was just a trainee here. He treats me like a sister and teaches me properly. He never leaves my side, especially with everything happening now."
"We've noticed you haven't caused any trouble lately. You've finally met your match, haven't you?"
"Not a match, but a brother."
Natalie smiled at her friend. They saw Adira, on crutches, being greeted by everyone. Adira and Natalie made eye contact, and they crossed paths in the hallway.
"I heard what Headmaster Dmitry did to you," Adira said. "I didn't expect him to do that. Please forgive us, Natalie."
"I'm fine. I was severely beaten, but I'm recovered now. You're the one I hurt badly, though."
"I'm just lazy to stand up. The Nurse said I should be fine and back to training now. I realized our skills aren't truly equal. You're much better in a fight, probably because you constantly fight the Outcasts, unlike me, who only trains in the ring."
"Don't talk like that. It's because of my stubbornness that I always run into those Outcasts. Besides, I still have a lot to learn about fighting. Let's just forget what happened. Let's move on."
The two shook hands, making peace.
***
Natalie was walking through the training ground when a shy young girl approached her.
"Do you need something from me?"
"Aren't you the one who saved me when the big monster almost ate me?"
"And you are the girl who didn't run, even though there was a huge monster in front of you?"
"I'm still new here. I apologize, but thank you for saving me. I'm Luna. Ever since I saw what you did, you've become my inspiration for training."
Natalie smiled at the polite young girl.
"I'm Natalie. Don't push yourself too hard in training. It's important to rest and condition your body. I know you'll become an excellent Guardian when you grow up."
"I will remember that, Ate Natalie."
"Luna!" Fairah called. "I've been looking for you. Come back to your group; it's dinner time."
"I have to go now, Ate Natalie."
The girl left. Fairah turned to Natalie.
"I didn't know you were one of the girls chasing after Master Nephtali. Are you happy now that you are not only training with him but sharing quarters, and he gives you everything you need?"
"Why are you speaking to my sister like that, Headmaster Fairah?"
Fairah jumped, not having noticed Nephtali behind her with several other Headmasters. Natalie was stunned by Nephtali's statement.
"Master Nephtali?"
Nephtali walked up to Natalie, who was visibly hurt by Fairah's words.
"After all Natalie has done for you all, is this how you repay her? She constantly gets into trouble because you all fail to help the junior masters when they are being bullied. She becomes your helper, stopping the aggressors here. If I hear anything like this again, I will not only punish you, but I will strip you of your positions!"
Nephtali ushered Natalie away, who glanced back at the pale Fairah.
They reached the quarters, and Natalie broke down in tears.
"Why are they like that, Kuya? I'm doing the right thing now, but they still see me as wrong and fight me. I haven't done anything bad to them."
"Don't dwell on what they said; none of it is true. Don't cry; sadness doesn't suit you."
Natalie looked up as Nephtali approached, wiping her tears.
"Kuya, I'm not a bad Guardian, am I?"
"You are not kind, and you are not bad. You are just playful sometimes."
Natalie smiled through her tears, and Nephtali smiled back.
"Don't mind anything they say. What matters is that your heart, your soul, and your conscience are clean, and you don't do evil to others."
"Thank you, Kuya. You are always there when I need someone to talk to. You just listen. You are always by my side to guide me. You never abandoned me, just as you promised."
"I could never abandon you."
"Kuya, I wish you could be my Guardian until I finish my training and become a full-fledged Guardian. I wish we would never be separated. Honestly, when I first saw you, I felt comfortable, as if I had known you for a long time. I'm happy when I talk to you, and I feel safe by your side."
"That's how it feels when your brother is by your side."
"But we aren't truly siblings, Kuya."
"What if one day, you find out we are siblings? Would you accept me as your brother?"
Natalie looked at him, quiet for a moment.
"I wouldn't regret being your sister. What matters is that we are together and will never be separated."
Nephtali was struck by her words, remembering the last thing his sister told him—that they would be together when they met again on earth.
***
Natalie was heading to the dining hall when she saw a woman standing in the middle of the hallway, glaring at her. Natalie looked around, but she was the only one there.
"Are you Junior Master Natalie, who defeated Headmaster Venice?"
"I am. But I wouldn't say I defeated Headmaster Venice. He only defeated himself."
"I don't believe a Junior Master could defeat a Headmaster. No one can defeat my protégé except a Grandmaster. Do you know who I am, Junior Master?"
Natalie remained silent, looking at the woman.
"I am Grandmaster Vivian, one of the most powerful Grandmasters. Do you know what I can do? I can turn a weak Guardian like you into ice, and you will never be able to use your hands again."
"I'm not surprised Headmaster Venice is a weak Guardian. It seems you are the one finishing his fights, and everyone thinks he is defeating them. It's fascinating what you do for your protégé."
Natalie smiled. Vivian suddenly fired a powerful energy blast at her. Natalie quickly dodged, and the blast hit the tower, encasing it in thick ice.
"I don't understand why Headmaster Venice doesn't finish his own battles. Why are you doing it for him? Are you a Grandmaster who takes orders from your own protégé?"
"You truly know nothing! Headmaster Venice is the son of Superior Grandmaster Remiel!"
Natalie pondered the information. Vivian lunged to punch her, but Natalie dodged and pushed the woman hard. Vivian hit the ice, fell, and passed out. Natalie smiled at the unconscious woman.
"What an interesting turn of events."
***
Grandmaster Vivian, holding an ice pack to her head, faced Master Red and Master Nephtali in the office. Natalie entered with Kirill.
"She! She did this to me! I was only asking her questions, and she suddenly attacked me! You must punish her! I want to see that girl locked in the Cursed Chamber immediately!"
"Master Vivian, Natalie does not fight without a reason," Red calmly replied.
"Who is that Junior Master's Guardian?! Punish her Guardian too! If you don't punish them, this will reach Superior Grandmaster Remiel. He will not tolerate his own son being harmed, especially by a mere Junior Master, and a woman at that!"
"Let's go to the Cursed Chamber, Natalie." Nephtali said.
Everyone was shocked by Master Nephtali's decision.
"That's very good of you, Master Nephtali. You know what must be done with that girl and her Guardian."
"How many days will we be locked up there, Master Vivian?"
"Why are you joining that girl?"
"Master Vivian, Master Nephtali is Junior Master Natalie's Guardian," Red explained.
Grandmaster Vivian was stunned, watching Nephtali walk toward the girl. Natalie entered the chamber, but as Nephtali was about to follow, Vivian grabbed his arm, stopping him.
"Master Nephtali, I just found out you are that Junior Master's Guardian. I don't want you locked up. I only want her punished."
"Natalie is my responsibility, Master Vivian. You decided to punish her and demanded her Guardian be included. I only want this over with so we can return to our duties. I repeat my question: How many days do you want us locked up here?"
"Master Nephtali, don't do this."
Nephtali removed her hand from his arm.
"For Natalie fighting a Grandmaster, we will be locked up for three days here. Headmasters, ensure we complete the full three days to satisfy Master Vivian."
"Yes, Master Nephtali."
Vivian stared in disbelief as Nephtali closed the door of the Cursed Chamber. Nephtali and Natalie looked at each other.
"Forgive me, Master Nephtali. I didn't mean to involve you this time."
"Don't apologize to me. You did nothing wrong. I don't want to leave you alone. It's not just the Outcasts fighting you now, but your fellow Guardians too. I need to protect you from them."
Natalie walked up to Nephtali. They stood together in the middle of the large incantation circle.
"Kuya, you don't have to do this. I can be locked up here; I'm used to this place. I'm used to being punished by anyone or fighting anyone who challenges me. I don't want to ruin your reputation and their respect for you. You are one of the most excellent Grandmasters, and I don't want to destroy that."
"Your safety is more important. I don't want to see you suffer and endure hardship. Position or reputation means nothing to me. Your safety is all that matters."
Natalie was silenced by his sincerity.
"Everyone sees that I haven't done anything good. I am a bad Guardian to them. I don't know if I deserve your protection, let alone to have you as my Guardian."
"I see a good Guardian who is willing to fight for the right cause, not for selfish desires. You have never been bad. You only do what is necessary for others."
Tears streamed down Natalie's face. Nephtali embraced her.
"Kuya, I thought no one believed in me anymore, but you are here for me."
"Don't stop yourself from doing whatever you want to do to help others. Do what is right. I will always believe in you, and that will never change."
Natalie thought about his words, and the Chains on their wrists glowed simultaneously.
#ChainsOfGuardians