Author’s note: Well, I guess you must be enjoying this if you’ve read this far… I hope I’m keeping this up well. Have fun reading.
Cassandra, Marina and Anne reappeared in the realms of Death in the midst of a blood red mist. Cassandra sighed.
“We were so close,” she muttered. Marina laid a hand on the taller woman’s shoulder.
“At least we know she has a chance,” she said. Cassandra nodded.
“I guess.” Anne sat down on a scarlet tinted rock.
“Hey! Get off!” yelled a high-pitched voice. Anne jumped up.
“What the hell?!” she yelped as the rock faded and transformed into a tiny black dragon. The little creature ruffled it’s wings, which were oddly reminiscent of Anne’s, and glared at the group.
“You could be more considerate! Now tell me who you are and what living spirits are doing in the realms of the dead!” he demanded. Marina giggled and Cassandra attempted to hide her amusement as the tiny dragon continued glaring at Anne.
“We’re here for our own reasons little one. I’m sure Anne didn’t mean to sit on you,” said Cassandra, laughter sparkling in her eyes. The dragon turned to the death guardian, ink-like eyes widening.
“My Lady,” he gasped. “My apologies, I didn’t realize…” Cassandra held up a hand, effectively silencing him.
“It’s alright, but please don’t call me Lady, I’m not used to it. Now what is your name and purpose here?” she asked. The little dragon sat back on his haunches a little straighter.
“I’m Ryo, the Soul Gatherer. I bring some of the souls of the dead here after they die and help protect this realm,” he said proudly. Cassandra raised an eyebrow.
“Then why were you sleeping?” she asked. The little dragon frowned.
“Than’s on duty right now. She’s my partner,” he said.
“That is we’re supposed to be partners,” said another voice. A tiny bat-winged creature carrying a miniature version of Cassandra’s scythe appeared next to the dragon. She was completely covered by a black cloak, which hid her eyes. A black braid fell down over her shoulder to her waist. She bowed. “Lady, we’re glad you’ve finally come,” she said. Cassandra smiled.
“So you two are the Soul Gatherers,” she said. Than and Ryo nodded.
“At your service Lady Death,” said Than, grinning beneath her cloak. Marina poked Cassandra’s arm.
“So what are you going to do about your new minions?” she asked. Cassandra shrugged. She turned to the Soul Gatherers.
“Can you show us around these realms? I’m still very new to them,” she said. Than nodded, her hood falling further over her face.
“Follow us Lady.”
Abby and Alex’s mother and father hadn’t been to happy about Anna and Aria at first, but they had grudgingly allowed them to stay for a few days provided that they did their share of chores. Anna sighed. Well, at least they had somewhere to stay for a while.
Anna had been listening to the town gossip, trying to find more information on this ‘Regent’. Aria had been spending her time with the town children, helping them in their games. Abby had been a gracious hostess, making sure Anna and Aria where settled before she went about her daily chores.
The village was peaceful and close enough to Regent’s fortress to be generally safe from attack for now. But this tranquility came with a price. One half of all tills or selable items went to Regent to feed and support his armies and every year five maidens from the village were taken as a toll for keeping the land free of vampires.
Aria stopped in her games and watched Anna for a few minutes. We’ll have to move on soon, whether Abby agrees to come or not. We’re putting the village in danger by being here, she thought. On the hill, Anna nodded to her, as if hearing her thoughts. We’ll leave as soon as we can Aria. Don’t worry.
Trahern wiped a damp cloth over Caitlin’s forehead. He glanced towards the door. Regent had been so insanely furious by his return that he’d imprisoned the young half-blood with the Light Guardian. Trahern had been to weak to fight back when Caitlin had led him out of the Well of Worlds. Her spirit all but exhausted, Caitlin had fled back to her body and still had yet to awaken.
Regent had been especially furious about Trahern’s new knowledge of his past. The single crystal wing had remained after the incident and his fangs had receded, heralding the awakening of his angelic side. The lids of Caitlin’s eyes twitched. She moaned as they fluttered open. Trahern smiled at her.
“Are you alright?” he asked. It was the first time she had awakened since the incident in the Well. She smiled, then winced.
“I have a fever don’t I,” she said. Trahern nodded.
“You shouldn’t have risked yourself for me,” he said.
“I wanted to,” Caitlin replied.
“Why?”
“I don’t know,” Caitlin said. “Maybe it was a wish for friendship, maybe something more. I’ve never been in love before.” Trahern’s eyes went wide.
“You… but… I’m… I’m half demon. How… How could anyone love a creature like me?” he asked. A finger brushed his cheek. He flinched. It was so different than what he was used to, not like Regent’s threatening touch. It was gentle and caring, and unconscious act of affection.
“I can’t explain it. After all, a demon killed my brother. Shouldn’t I hate your kind after that? I guess I just felt that there was something special about you.” Her hand wandered to touch the crystal-feathered wing. “I can’t explain it, but I can’t deny my feelings either. That’s just how it is.” Caitlin propped herself up on her elbows, searching his face for some reaction. Trahern smiled and leaned closer, his lips closing over hers, pushing her gently back onto the cot. He broke away and grinned at Caitlin’s surprised face.
“You should stay in bed, or your fever might get worse,” he said. Caitlin glared at him, a mischievous light in her eyes.
“So that’s your excuse is it?” she asked. Trahern smiled and leaned closer.
“Illnesses know how to take a hold of humans. Just be careful.” He kissed her again, more passionately than the first hesitant touch and this time, Caitlin kissed him back.
Regent fumed, watching his nephew and the Guardian of Light in the Well. Sure they hadn’t gotten much farther than kissing, but it still disgusted and angered Regent enough for him to fume at the sight.
“Damn it!” he muttered. My plans are falling flat! I should have been the first to the Guardian! Not my weak half-blood excuse for a nephew! Regent turned away from the Well and it went black, the glittering stars still swirling around the surface.
The pale green star encircling the white had grown stronger and near by, the violet and scarlet stars were encircling a newly glowing sapphire star. The stars of death and darkness also shown brighter while the star of life dimmed slightly. All three were shrouded in blood-red mist.
I’ll have to accelerate my plans. The Guardian of Light must be destroyed before the others come fully to their powers. She is the weakest and if she dies then the Guardian of Darkness will die as well. Regent smirked slightly, turning back to the Well. The scene of Caitlin and Trahern reappeared.
Caitlin was now sleeping while Trahern watched over her. He looked so peaceful it made Regent want to gag. But first, I’ll have to get rid of that little problem. Maybe I’ll let her watch just to break her spirit before I kill her Regent smiled. And a pleasant death it will not be.
Heather and Liesl sat by a small campfire in a clearing in the woods. They had been traveling for a few days, retracing their steps to pickup the trail of the sanctuary they sought. Joe and Jason had joined them, making the trail a little more interesting with their company. A huge explosion in the distance made all four jump to their feet. Above the trees rose a scarlet cloud of demon magic and fire.
“Come on!” yelled Heather, dragging Liesl towards the fight.
“Shouldn’t we be running away?!” yelled Jason beside her.
“I’m sick of running! It’s time we used our powers to stand and fight!” Heather yelled back. They reached the top of the bluff over looking the burning village. The lake below glowed red from the fiery light that reflected off of it. Near the water’s edge, two women, one in scarlet and one in violet made a stand, trying to protect a group of children. A third woman beside them held a glowing sapphire crystal in her hand.
“Come on, let’s help them!” yelled Liesl. Vines twirled around Heather, wrapping around her waist. She took a running jump off the cliff.
“Heather!” yelled Joe. The vines pulled taut, then lowered her to the ground. Liesl grinned, watching Heather run towards the small defense line.
“My turn,” she said. I can’t believe I’m doing this, she thought and leapt off the cliff after Heather. Tendrils of wind wrapped around her and lowered her lightly to the ground. “I’m never doing that again,” she muttered. Above, Jason and Joe watched with wide eyes. She grinned at them and ran off after Heather.
The demon army had attacked around mid-day, hitting hard and fast and pushing Anna and Aria back to the lake. The only known survivors were the children behind them, Abby and her brother Alex. Another fan of fire blasted down a wave of demons.
“They just keep coming!” Anna yelled to Aria. Aria nodded. Around the Spirit Guardian, sylphs, salamanders and sprites flocked, lending their small magics to the fight. Suddenly a wave from the lake behind them rose overhead. It hovered over the group, tendrils of water flowing down and wrapping into a swirling cyclone. The cyclone exploded outward, showering the field with sparkling diamonds of water.
Two figures reached their group just as the wave crashed down over the oncoming army. AS the wave dissipated and ran back down to the half-drained lake, Anna looked up to see Abby dressed in a sapphire robe with blue-gray gargoyle wings sprouting from her back. Anna looked around her. No one in their group was wet, and there were two new faces, both human. Aria’s eyes widened.
“Those are the last two,” she told Anna.
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
The realms of the dead proved to be quiet and orderly, even peaceful. Cassandra had loved every minute of it, but now it was time to go home. She turned to the Soul Gatherers.
“We have to return to the living realms, we still have a duty to them. Please, care for this place until I return,” she said. Than and Ryo nodded to her.
“We will Cassandra,” said the little dragon. The tiny grim reaper smiled under her cloak.
“Take care Lady,” she said. Cassandra smiled, he scythe grasped tightly in front of her. Mist filtered around her and her companions as they moved between the realm of Death and the world of their birth. They appeared in the clearing they had left, the fire still smoldering before them.
“How long were we gone?” asked Marina.
“Long enough,” a dark voice surrounded them, as did dark shapes from the trees.
“Who’s there?” yelled Cassandra, gripping her scythe tightly. The speaker remained in the shadows.
“You’re doom. Attack!” Showers of arrows from the trees rained down on the black shield Anne had placed between the three Guardians and their attackers. A single bolt, sparkling with magical energy, burst through the shield and headed strait for Marina. She just stared at it in horror.
“Marina look out!” Cassandra pushed the Life Guardian down. A pained cry shattered through the sounds of twanging bows. Cassandra slumped to the ground, collapsing over Marina, the arrow sticking just to the side of her shoulder blade. Marina pushed herself up and turned the wounded Mistress of Death over.
“Cassandra? Cass?! Cass!!” Her voice rose to an almost hysterical edge. Cassandra’s eyes fluttered open weakly.
“Are you alright?” she asked, the pain in her eyes was too much for Marina to bear.
“Why? Why did you risk yourself?” she asked, tears welling up.
“No reason.” Cassandra’s eyes fluttered shut, then opened again slightly. “So sleepy…” Marina’s eyes widened as her eyes again slid shut.
“NO…” she whispered. “NO!! CASS NO!!” she screamed. Anne eyed her sister; the energy required for the shield was becoming a strain.
“Marina you can still save her! Use your healing powers!” she yelled. Marina’s eyes flew wide again, then narrowed, fierce determination evident in her face. Emerald light exploded outwards with the three guardians in the center. Paler emerald lights glittered around Cassandra as the arrow pulled itself out and disintegrated. The wound closed, leaving only a small scar between her spine and shoulder blade.
As the light faded, Anne stared in shock. Not only had Cassandra been healed, but not a single sign of life could be seen in the surrounding trees. A single body had fallen into the clearing, the features of the Shadow Wraith fading quickly. Cassandra’s eyes fluttered open. She smiled.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“You’re alright!” Marina yelled, hugging her tightly. Cassandra’s smile became strangely peaceful and content looking. She wrapped her arms around the smaller girl.
“Everything will be fine, don’t worry,” she whispered in Marina’s ear. Marina nodded, burying her face in Cassandra’s shoulder.
“Yes, everything will be alright.” Anne smiled, well more grinned at her sister’s happiness.
“Sorry to break this up, but we should try to find the others,” she said. Cassandra nodded and stood, helping the somewhat exhausted Life Guardian to her feet. She smiled at Marina.
“Think you can handle a hike?” she asked. Marina nodded.
“Let’s go.”
Caitlin jumped, as the door to the tower room she now shared with Trahern was unlocked. She stood up sharply with the half-blood beside her. Trahern stood slightly in front, ready for a fight as Caitlin readied a light spell. Two full blood demons entered. They glanced arrogantly at the room’s two occupants.
“We have orders to move you two. You are to come with us,” said one with golden eyes. Caitlin glared at him.
“We’re not going anywhere,” she stated. The second demon, this one with brown eyes, glared back.
“Then we’ll have to use force,” he said. His golden-eyed partner moved closer. Trahern stepped further in front of Caitlin. The golden-eyed demon attacked him, sending the half-blood into the wall. Caitlin drew her bow of light and fired at the demon. The golden-eyed creature blocked the attack with a shadow shield and threw a bolt of grayish energy back at her. Her white shield shattered as Trahern rose and ran towards her. The brown-eyed demon restrained him. He fought with all he had, but the demon was far stronger and older. Caitlin was blasted back through the wall, unconscious. (Again…)
“Caitlin!” Trahern screamed. A heavy blow to the back of his head rendered him unconscious.
“Caitlin!” She heard Trahern call out, her eyes fluttered open. Caitlin was falling fast towards the base of Regent’s fortress. Her wings flickered into existence, catching her only feet from the ground. She soared back towards the tower, landing inside the destroyed room.
“Trahern! Trahern!” she called. No one was there. Something snagged around her wrist and neck. “What the?” Another rope twisted around her ankle, tripping her. Regent smirked, coming into the light as the ropes he held twined around the Guardian guided by particles of shadow.
“I knew you’d return for him. Your human emotions get you into such trouble,” he stated.
“What did you do to him?!” Caitlin yelled. The ropes pulled her to her feet but still kept her restrained. Regent’s smirk grew.
“You’ll see soon,” he said. A blow to the head knocked the Light Guardian unconscious. (Yet again…) “Very soon.”
Liesl and Heather watched the three transformed Guardians closely. Aria approached carrying the two final elemental orbs.
“Here,” she said. “These are for you.” She tossed the deep amber one to Heather and the pale yellow one to Liesl. Both flared to life.
“What’s going on?” Liesl asked as Joe and Jason finally made their way to the group. Aria explained their situation, her big, child-like eyes full of happy innocence. Heather and Liesl just stared at her. Heather sighed as the Spirit Guardian finished.
“So we’re supposed to join you and save the world?” she asked skeptically. Aria nodded, smiling brightly.
“Right…” muttered Liesl. Abby sighed.
“I know it sounds crazy. I didn’t believe them either until…” Abby glanced at her wings.
“Point taken,” said Heather. “We may as well come with you then, it’s not like we have anything better to do.”
“We should probably stay here for now,” said Aria. Anna gave her an annoyed look.
“And wait for them to send reinforcements? We should find a safer spot in the woods. This place is to open.”
“What about the children?” asked Aria. Alex stepped forward.
“I’ll take care of them. Some of the older ones can help,” he said. Abby turned to her brother.
“Are you sure?” she asked. He nodded.
“We’ll be fine. You just worry about the job you have to do.” Abby nodded. She turned to the others.
“Then we should get going,” she said. She then noticed Joe and Jason, who were standing to the side of Liesl and Heather. Her eyes narrowed. “You haven’t introduced your friends,” she stated. Heather glanced over her shoulder and blanched, then glared at the brothers.
“Didn’t we tell you to stay put?” she asked.
“Actually no you didn’t. You just assumed we wouldn’t follow you,” Jason’s statement earned him a smack over the head. “Ow!”
“You should have stayed,” muttered Heather. She turned back to the three guardians.
“This is Jason and Joe, two brothers we picked up in our travels. My name is Heather and this is Liesl. You still haven’t told us your names,” she said. Anna smiled.
“I’m Anna, Guardian of Fire. The blond is Aria, Guardian of Spirit and the one in blue is Abby, Guardian of Water,” she said. Scarlet flames flashed and Anna’s wings and robe disappeared. Aria and Abby followed her example. “Now let’s find that campsite.”
Cassandra winced. Her wing-joint was still amazingly sore from the night before. Marina knelt beside her, placing delicate fingers on the skin beneath her ripped shirt. Cassandra winced again at the pressure.
“You won’t be able to fly for a few days,” Marina whispered. Cassandra closed her eyes and relaxed under the care of the smaller girl. Marina massaged the area around the closed wound, willing some of her power into the area. Cassandra smiled softly.
“That feels good,” she murmured. Marina smiled and wrapped her arms around the Death Guardian. Cassandra leaned into the embrace.
“It should,” said the Life Guardian. Across the clearing, Anne raised an eyebrow.
“Should I leave you two alone for awhile?” she asked. Marina glared at her sister.
“Can it!” Anne just smirked and lay back against a tree.
“Suit yourself,” she said, closing her eyes. A nap was sounding all to good at the moment, especially to avoid the sweet nothings being whispered across the clearing.
Trahern awoke with a pounding headache. He looked around the dark room, trying to shift his wings into a more comfortable position. He could feel chains wrapping around his wrists and ankles. He tugged on one slightly; disappointed to find it was securely fastened to the wall. The young half-blood sighed. I should have known this was going to happen. Regent was furious about my return, especially since Caitlin… Caitlin? Trahern panicked and glanced swiftly around the room. Where is she? Regent wouldn’t have… would he? then he remembered Caitlin’s fall from the tower.
He bowed his head, a single sparkling tear rolling down his face. She’s probably dead, he thought. The door across the room creaked open. Trahern didn’t acknowledge the demon entering. Regent scowled and stalked up to his imprisoned nephew. He grabbed a handful of the half-bloods hair and yanked his head back. Satisfied by the pained look on Trahern’s face, he dropped the head, letting it fall.
“Do you know what happens to those who betray me? Answer me boy!” he said, to quietly.
“They die,” answered Trahern. His voice was as hollow as his eyes. Regent smirked. His clawed finger drew a swift line down Trahern’s chest, cutting through fabric and skin. Regent frowned. The half-blood hadn’t reacted to the bloody cut now marring the flawless pale skin. To the demon’s surprise, the cut glowed pale green then sealed itself, leaving only a smear of blood where it had been. Regent’s eyes narrowed.
“A healing gift? Since when have you had this?!” he yelled. Trahern didn’t answer. Regent yanked his head up and glared into blank eyes. He pushed the half-blood’s head back down. “Fine, if you wont respond, I’ll have to give you an incentive.” He snapped clawed fingers. A shadow spy wraith approached, caring a shrouded figure. A dim light appeared over a wooden table near another wall.
The shadow wraith placed the bundle on the table and unwrapped it. Regent walked back up to Trahern, lifting his head again. “Yes, you’ll beg for my mercy, anything to save your human love.” Trahern’s hollow eyes fluttered slightly. His mouth moved slightly. “What!?” snapped Regent.
“She’s dead,” spoke the half-blood’s soft, hollow voice. Regent smirked and moved closer.
“Not yet my idiot nephew, but I can’t guarantee that will last much longer,” he whispered in Trahern’s ear. The half-blood’s head jerked up.
“You lie. I saw her fall,” he hissed, a defiant edge rising in his voice.
“See for yourself,” whispered Regent. He raised his hand and the figure on the table lifted into the air, shadows binding and raising it’s wrists above it’s head like chains. Trahern’s eyes went wide.
“Caitlin?” he whispered. The figure didn’t respond. “What did you do to her Regent?!” Regent chuckled blandly.
“For now she’s unconscious. I wouldn’t want her waking up before the real fun began would I?” he said.
“You sick bastard,” muttered Trahern, glaring at Regent.
“I believe you, my idiot nephew, are the bastard here,” he stated. “Yes, that poor half-blood whelp my pathetic sister bore, whose father died before his birth. Do you know how your father died Trahern? He wasn’t even able to scream after half of it. His vocal cords were completely destroyed you see. And all the time he could speak he spent begging me not to harm your mother, or you for that matter. Of course my idiot sister didn’t even know she was pregnant then. And then Jayne had to go and kill herself as soon as you could survive without her. To heart broken with out her beloved angel beside her, she was.
“So now this comes full circle, and I’ll have the Guardian of Light herself begging for your spirit’s release by the time I’m done. If she even stays sane that long. Such is the way of pathetic human emotion. How long do you think she’ll survive with her spirit broken?”
“She won’t break. She’s far stronger than anything you can throw at her,” Trahern said quietly. Regent smirked.
“I doubt that.” A tendril of shadow lifted Caitlin’s chin so they could see her face. Her eyelid’s twitched and lifted slowly. She blinked twice and looked around.
“Where…”
“So you’ve finally decided to join us, Child of Light. I trust my subjects have made you comfortable,” said Regent, smirking. Caitlin glared.
“Yah, sure,” she muttered. Then she noticed Trahern. She yanked at the chains around her wrists, struggling hard. “What is this? You’re fight is with me! Leave him out of it!”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible. You see you and your friends have been quite a nuisance to me for awhile now, and that deserves some punishment. How better to punish you than to torture your love in front of your very eyes?” Regent replied. Caitlin’s eyes narrowed.
“You wouldn’t dare,” she growled.
“Actually I would,” Regent replied. Out of seemingly nowhere he pulled an ebony handled knife and slashed Trahern deeply across the chest. The half-blood gritted his teeth as the wound began to close on it’s own. “Oh, I forgot. Did you know your beloved has a healing gift? Well now that could be a problem for him now couldn’t it,” Regent stated in a playful voice.
“Leave him alone! He doesn’t deserve this!” Caitlin yelled, struggling against the chains of shadow that held her bound. Regent ripped the knife across Trahern’s single black wing.
“This is the fate of those who betray me. It’s because of you that he suffers now Guardian.” Another slash of the knife, this one strait down Trahern’s chest. Regent dug the knife under the skin, pealing back a piece to reveal plain bleeding muscle. Trahern finally cried out. Caitlin was shaking with anger, fear, and the hopelessness that slowly crept over her as Regent ripped Trahern apart. The screams tore at her heart and shattered her spirit piece by piece.
“Please stop! Please take me instead!” she cried as in the back of her mind she heard her soul splitting. This is my fault! I did this, It’s my fault…
In the far distance, both Anne and Cassandra jumped to their feet, Caitlin’s words and thoughts echoing through their minds.
“Caitlin,” whispered Cassandra, a single tear falling.
“Her spirit is all but destroyed,” said Anne, clenching her fist. Marina placed a hand on Cassandra’s arm.
“Go to her,” she said.
“But…” Marina shook her head, quieting the Lady of Death.
“Take Anne and save Caitlin. I will find the others,” she said.
“I’m not leaving you alone,” said Cassandra, pulling Marina into a tight hug.
“Only you can travel fast enough to save her. Go and be careful,” Marina replied. She pulled away from Cassandra and placed a feather light kiss on her forehead. “Just come back to me.” Cassandra smiled and placed a kiss on the smaller girl’s lips.
“I will, and thank you,” she said, pulling away. Anne came to stand beside her as the scarlet mist began to collect.
“I love you,” called Marina. Cassandra smiled.
“And I love you. Be careful,” she said, as she and Anne disappeared, returning to the realms of death. Marina stood there, staring at the spot for a few minutes. She closed her eyes, focusing on Aria and Anna’s life forces. She felt them close by, surrounded by five more spirits. Marina smiled to herself and set off in that direction, intent on settling this once and for all.
Author’s note: I am so mean to my characters… I think Trahern wants to kill me now…
Trahern: You’re right I do! You are cruel woman! Torturing me AND making Caitlin watch!
Caitlin: I’d say…
Regent: *smirks* Ah, I’m having so much fun. I don’t think Cat’s cruel at all; she’s so nice to me.
*Trahern and Caitlin crack knuckles and glare. Cat smirks.*
Cat: *cackles evilly* You’re still one of my characters… I like torturing my favorites you know.
Regent: *winces and gulps* Uh oh….
Cat: You bet! Anyway, thanks for reading up till now! There’s still more to go, so stay tuned, and in the mean time, check out Shadow Demon, the newest installment in the Guardian Saga!