Page 4 of Celestia, Year Four

I blinked, allowing them to fall, and they only multiplied when Magnorsaid nothing as he pulled Arielle into a hug. That's when she lost it, breaking down into a mess of tears and sobs.

"Celestia! Come back! Mistress! I'm sorry! Come… back… please!" Arielle begged.

I felt something land on my shoulder, and I turned to see Gabriel who looked just as sad.

I bet it was hurting him to see Arielle completely shattered. I could feel the guilt and disappointment he harbored.Not just for Arielle, but for me as well.

"She's not really gone… right Bri?"His voice echoed quietly in my mind as my purple eyes stared into his pink ones.

No. My brother wouldn't allow her to die. We'd feel it. We're bonded to her and I have both blessed marks. If she died… it wouldn't be long before I'd go as well. I can't confidently say she's alive or safe, but I have hope in Odion that he won’t let her die. It's in Celestia's hands now on what happens from here onout with my brother. As for us… I honestly don't know what we should do.

"We need to find out who that man is and make sure Alpha Pure and Aslan are safe from any more attacks. The more time we waste the more damage and risk of shifters getting attacked or even consumed."

I know… I… just need a minute.

Gabriel nodded and unexpectedly wrapped his arms around me into a warm hug. I rested my head on his shoulder as my tears fell and stained his armor.

I should have been the one to protect her. Should have been able to destroy that man with my power of light. We couldn't do anything.

All of us were here and we couldn't even smash a simple barrier. Celestia suffered because of my lack of power. I vowed to protect her and now, when she needed us the most, I'd failed her.

Shouldn't I have been able to protect her? Why couldn't I help her? I'm strong. I know I am, yet I felt like an amateur in that battle. I was the weakling and Old Darkness is probably laughing in mockery at our pathetic attempt to protect someone who meant the world to us.

"It's not your fault, Orion. That man… he's not of this time. Doesn't feel that way. I don't know what happened or why I'm so sure, but I don't think any of us could have stopped him. The power and magic from that attack is a lot older than anything I've witnessed. Don't blame yourself. Celestia would tell you to keep your chin up and not think of this as your fault."

I know… but it's so hard not to.

"I know,"Gabriel replied.

Within our bond, I could tell he meant it.

He could feel what I felt through our bond and he was listening to Arielle's sobs while I quietly cried in his arms.

"Cry as much as you need to Orion. Let's take this moment to mourn what we've lost but use it to motivate us for the next steps of action. We'll figure this out."

I nodded into his shoulder, hugging him a bit tighter as I absorbed his words and allowed them to sink in.

We have to figure it out because time isn't going to be our friend in all of this, and I'm afraid this is going to lead into something over our heads.

Gabriel didn't answer but feeling his acceptance through our bond was enough for me.

He was giving me this moment to cry out all the pent-up emotions I'd been carrying since I'd read Odion's file.

The sadness, guilt, doubt, and pain of losing Celestia. Even though she wasn't truly lost, it would take all of us to help find her and make it safe enough for her to return.

My deepest fear was how vulnerable she was. Her magic was depleted from the battle that had just occurred before her Awakening Ceremony, which added to the problem.

Believe.

I just needed to believe that Celestia was strong enough and that Odion could protect her from the unknown territories of the Darkness.

With a deep breath, I lifted my head and looked at the sky as the first set of raindrops fell. I zoned everything out, from the whimpers and sobs of Arielle to Charlotte's cries for her baby.

I couldn't take any more of it and decided to do the one thing I was almost positive would work.

It always had when we were younger, and I hoped that it never disappeared.

Please, Odion. Protect our Blessed Love from the Old Darkness. I beg you... protect her and we'll do our part. Be safe, brother... be safe.