Lauren was furious as she headed toward the Master's Hall. She ran into Vivian and Venice, and they confronted each other in the hallway.
"Are you still following me, even here?" Vivian sneered. "You find out I'm assigned here, and you immediately transfer?"
"For your information, I am here because I am one of Superior Nephtali's Grandmasters. Meanwhile, you are only here to get closer to him. I'm telling you, Superior doesn't like foolish women."
"If that's the case, then you certainly don't suit him. Everyone knows how weak you are in your studies, especially in fighting. That's why someone like me suits Master Nephtali; I am one of the excellent Grandmasters."
"One of the excellent ones? I heard you were defeated by a Junior Master. How embarrassing for a Grandmaster—defeated by a mere Junior Master."
"If you don't shut up, you'll see what I can do!" Vivian threatened.
"Master Vivian, Superior Nephtali might get angry if you fight," Venice interjected nervously. "You know Superior Nephtali is strict in this Division. We might be dismissed."
Vivian stormed off, followed by Venice. Lauren laughed at her eternal rival.
Natalie was heading to the training ground when she saw Kalmin staring blankly at Malika, who was talking to Fedor.
"Why don't you just tell Malika that you like her?" Natalie nudged him. "So you don't look like a fool just staring at them."
"Do you think Malika will accept me, Natalie?"
"Only Malika can tell you that. Before you confess your feelings, think carefully about what you're going to do. Alright, I'm leaving. I'm starving."
Natalie left. Kalmin pondered her words, still watching Malika. Fedor left for training, and Kalmin immediately approached Malika.
"Malika, why are you still talking to Headmaster Fedor? Won't Lencia get angry if she sees you two talking?"
"I just found out yesterday that Lencia broke up with him, so it looks like our relationship has a chance."
"What about my love for you? Won't you even give me a chance? I've been courting you for a long time, right?"
"Kalmin, what are you saying? I only see you as a brother. And are you courting me? Please don't be offended, but I truly only see you as a brother. I can't accept your love. I'm sorry, Kalmin."
Malika walked away, leaving Kalmin stunned by her rejection.
Kalmin walked listlessly toward the back of the training ground where many creatures emerged. He was crying, dwelling on Malika's words.
"Why can't you love me, Malika? You are the only one I love! I love you, Malika! I love you so much!"
Two creatures suddenly appeared in front of him. A thin, fast stick shot out and struck the creatures before immediately returning to Natalie's hand. The creatures fell from the force of the blow.
"I should be the one facing these, not you. What are you doing?"
"Just leave me alone, Natalie! I want to end my life!"
Natalie looked at her friend, who was ready to end his life without a second thought.
"If those creatures take your life, how will you show Malika what you can do? Don't you want to become an excellent Headmaster? Will you just give up like this, while Fedor is enjoying time with Malika?"
Kalmin realized his foolishness. He immediately stood up and looked at Natalie. The creatures rose again, and Kalmin's weapon materialized. He began fighting the two creatures. Natalie simply sat down, watching him and laughing.
"In all my time here, this is the first time I've seen a Junior Master fighting an Outcast, and two at that. You've been hiding your fighting skills, my friend."
Kalmin was suddenly struck by the creature's energy. He was about to fall when Natalie quickly kicked his left foot, helping him jump high enough to kick the creature. Natalie then fired a powerful energy blast at the creature, turning it to stone. Natalie quickly wrote an incantation on the ground, which hardened the other creature, and she hit it with a strong energy blast, turning it into stone as well.
"Wow! You are amazing, Natalie!"
Blood suddenly dripped from Natalie's mouth, shocking Kalmin. Natalie quickly wiped her mouth and smiled at her friend.
"You talk too much. Let's go."
***
They were in the hallway when they encountered Nephtali and Red with several Headmasters. Nephtali immediately noticed Natalie's weakness from the encounter.
"Master Red, take care of the creatures they defeated and ensure no other Outcasts entered the training ground. Headmaster Kirill, take Junior Master Kalmin to the clinic and stay with him. I need to talk to him about why this happened."
They immediately followed Superior Nephtali's orders. Natalie grabbed a nearby pillar, weak. Nephtali quickly supported her. He drew an incantation in the air and placed it on Natalie's back. The girl vomited blood.
"I'm so weak, Kuya. I only used a small amount of energy to attack, but I'm losing all my strength."
"You are weakened when you use strong energy because your body cannot handle your powerful spirit, and you must know, **this is not your earthly body**."
Natalie froze at Nephtali's statement.
***
In a special training ground, Natalie sat in a strong incantation circle, gathering strength, while Superior Nephtali stood before her.
"Your fighting abilities and knowledge do not match your Junior Master status. You constantly defy the Codes of Guardians and you are lazy when given tasks. These are some of my sister's traits."
Natalie listened quietly to Nephtali.
"When the **Chains of Guardians** came to your hand, I was certain my sister had returned to the world because the power of the Chains returned. Only her spirit can revive it because it is bonded to her. Do you know who my sister is?"
Natalie looked at Nephtali, pondering his question.
"She is considered the **Evil Guardian** or the **Grandminister of the Guardians**. She is a merciless being to all. But to me, her actions were justified back then. I still believe in her despite what they say about her. I still have great faith in my sister. That is why I protect you—because I know Sariel is in your body, but she doesn't remember her true identity. What is important to me now is to protect you, and I will keep my promise."
Nephtali turned his back to leave her to her meditation.
"You asked me once, if one day I found out we were siblings, would I accept you as my brother. Why wouldn't I accept my own brother, whom I almost entrusted my life to, on earth or even in heaven?"
Nephtali and Natalie looked at each other. Natalie smiled, revealing the faint **aura of Sariel**, before returning to the form of Natalie. Nephtali quickly embraced his long-awaited sister.
"Sariel? You remembered everything a long time ago?"
"I needed to pretend in front of all of you, Kuya. I was tired of arguing with warriors or telling them what to do here on earth. I was just waiting for the Chains to return to me naturally."
"Aren't you going to punish Remiel for what he did to you?"
"I knew they would do that to me because Azrael warned me."
"What? Azrael came down here just to warn you?"
"Yes, I was wondering why he came down to earth just to tell me that. Kuya, could he be doing something here on earth that we don't know about?"
Nephtali grew quiet from the revelation.
"What do you think, Kuya Raziel?"
"Let's find out what's happening first, then we'll take action. We need to restore the Guardians to you and punish Remiel for what he did."
"Do Remiel and his allies truly deserve punishment for what they did to me?"
Nephtali looked at Natalie and fell silent.
"Kuya, say something. Are you upset?"
"I'm just happy that you are here and with me. You made Red and me believe that you still didn't remember who you were."
"You can tell Red that I remember everything now."
"Whatever you do, I will always be by your side to protect you. But this time, you need to listen to me. You can no longer use excessive power. Your current body is too vulnerable if you constantly use it."
"What should I do now when the Outcasts fight me? Especially the Guardians who want to see me kneeling before them while they torment me?"
"Wake Caius up again. Bring back his spirit so he himself can fight those who want to fight you. You can still use your power, but not to create massive energy blasts. My only question now is, will you listen to what I want to happen?"
Natalie smiled at the man waiting for her answer.
"As much as I want to cover my ears, I have no choice. My life depends on you now, after all."
The siblings smiled at each other, in full understanding.
***
Kalmin faced Superior Nephtali and Master Red for attempting to end his life.
"If Natalie hadn't arrived, you would have been harmed by those creatures," Red lectured. "What possessed you to do that, Kalmin?"
"Forgive me, Master Red, Superior Nephtali. I was so hurt by what Malika said that I thought of that, but when Natalie opened my mind, I realized I was wrong. I should be a better Guardian, especially in my training. I will show her I am better than the Fedor she chose."
"It's good that your mind is open now," Nephtali said, nodding. "I'm sure you're ready for the punishment I'm about to give you."
Kalmin fell silent, dreading Superior Nephtali's punishment.
"Your punishment is that **you must pass as one of the Headmasters**. If you fail to do this next year, you will never return to this Division."
Kalmin was stunned. Red smiled, looking at the young man who couldn't believe his punishment.
"Superior Nephtali, did I hear you correctly? My only punishment is to pass as a Headmaster? Are you not joking?"
"You said you would show your skill and match Headmaster Fedor. I want to see what you can do, Kalmin. Natalie said you were able to fight the two creatures without fear, and you are the only Junior Master besides Natalie to fight them."
"Thank you so much for your trust, Superior Nephtali, Master Red! I will never disappoint you."
"You're welcome, Kalmin. You may leave."
The young man left overjoyed. Nephtali looked at Red.
"Do you have anything else to do? I want to talk to you and Caius at the old cemetery. There is something you need to know."
Red looked back at Nephtali intently.
***
At the old cemetery, Natalie sat on an old tombstone, eating fruit.
"What is Natalie doing here?" Red asked Nephtali.
Natalie looked up at Red. "Superior Grandmaster Red, how would you recognize me when I returned to earth? What would be your guide to recognizing me again?"
Red froze, looking at Natalie, who smiled at him.
"Sariel?"
"I remembered everything a long time ago. I just needed to pretend in front of you all. You were one of my loyal warriors, and your loyalty remains to this day, Superior Red."
Red bowed to Natalie, but she stopped him.
"I should be the one bowing to you and Caius."
Natalie started to bow, but Red immediately stopped her.
"Grandminister, please don't do that in front of us. Caius and I are just happy that you have returned to earth. We thought because your body was burned, your return would take longer."
"Ministers, I returned to earth a long time ago. I just wanted to see what was happening with the warriors. Many unexpected things are about to happen."
Natalie looked at her **Chains of Guardians** and stroked them.
"If these Chains hadn't returned to me, I wouldn't have revealed myself to you and my brother yet."
Natalie smiled at Nephtali, who watched her with love.
#ChainsOfGuardians