Mila battled through the harsh wind as it occasionally knocking her off her feet. Then a large tree fell in front of her, nearly crushing her. “Ahhh!!!”, she screamed. “Mila! Are you okay?”, a girl asked, her glowing ice blue hair flying in the wind. “Yeah. But just stay behind me”. The girl adjusted her dress that matched her hair and eyes. “Are we even close?!”, she yelled over the storm, then a loud thunder clap sounded, rattling the forest. “Yeah! We made it!”, Mila screamed, hugging the girl. “Come on, before another tree tries to kill us”.

They sped through the forest, but another tree slammed down in front of Mila, crushing her leg. “AGHHHH!” “MILA!”, the girl screamed. She scrambled on the forest floor, trying to pull Mila out from under the tree. The girl grunted, using all her strength trying to lift the tree from her leg. “Hold on. I’m gonna water your leg, maybe it’ll help your leg slide through easier”. The girl stood back as water poured from her fingers, then dropped to the floor again. This time Mila slid right out. Mila cried out in pain. “It’s okay. Celeste will heal you”, she said, slinging her arm over her shoulders. Soaked from the storm, and terrified from the thunder and lightning, the girl set Mila down by the dying flowers, and banged on the door. 

Amos opened the door with a diamond sword in hand. “Stars, Amos, it’s me! I’m here with Mila. She was badly injured. She needs help”. Amos placed his sword back with his armor. “Come in”, he said. “But Celeste can’t help you”. Closing the doors, Mila breathed heavily. “What do you mean she can’t help me?” “Celeste pulled up a barrier against the queen. If she wakes up, the barrier breaks, and our plan is ruined. Queen Spina will take any chance to get through. One second we slip up, we’re finished”. “Mila can’t help Rose if her leg isn’t healed. “I don’t know what to do. I’m sorry”, he said guilt painted on his face. 

“Mila! Mare, what happened?”, Queen Stellina said on her knees, holding Mila. “On the way, the storm uprooted a tree, it smashed her leg. So we figured while we come here, Celeste would heal her, but Amos said she was holding up the barrier. Please help her. If she isn’t healed, she can’t help Rose”. “Okay, um, Mare, grab a cup, then pull out the green bag, it’s zoisite tea. It’ll heal her mostly, but it's not as strong as Celeste”. Mare ran into the grand kitchen, and comes out within seconds. 

“Mila? Who are you? Wait, what happened?”, Rose asked, confused. “On the way here, a tree crushed her leg. I’m Mare. Your other element”, she said and curtsied. “Oh, um. Nice to meet you, but will she be okay?”. “Yeah, mostly. She can still help you battle though. So can I”. Rose breathed deep. “Thank you. Mila, how are you doing?” “Rose, you’re here. I’m so happy to see you”, she said gasping. “I was worried about you. I’m glad you are safe”, she said giving her a hug. “Please, if you’re not healed properly, don’t fight”. Mila stared at her. “No. For years, I have been waiting for this day. One injury isn’t going to stop me. I’m defending my queen”, she said, determination in her voice. “Rose, we need as many as possible”, Queen Stellina said, still on the floor with Mila. “I know. Bu-”, Rose was cut short by a heavy rumble. The sound shook the castle, then trees slammed down on the forest floor, the gem leaves shattered scattering all over, making the ground look like stained glass. Then a shock of lighting lit up a fallen tree, making the tree explode into pieces too.

“She’s fighting it”, Amos said. “Which one?”, Mila asked. “Both. But the storm is worsening, Celeste is becoming weaker”, Queen Stellina said, tears in her eyes. “I believe in her. She can do it”, Rose said. Just as she said that, the windows shattered, cutting into the floor of the castle. A large shard of moonstone flew towards Rose. Rose dodged the shard, falling hard on the floor. Eyes wide, Rose grasped Amos’ leg. “Sorry”, she said. “That’s alright. After all, I’m your shield, right?” “That would’ve stabbed you right in the chest”, Mare said, pointing at the broken piece. “For us to be struck that close, that only means the barrier is down. Queen Spina is in”.

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