Author’s note: Well, here comes another chapter! Hope you enjoy.
Caitlin raised her arms, futilely trying to block the attack. This is it. I’m going to die, she thought, as the demons flew closer. She squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the final blow.
Suddenly, a flash of brilliant white light burst through the building. Time seemed to stop, and Caitlin felt as if she was floating. The light faded, and she opened her eyes, blinking in confusion.
“What the?” she muttered. Before her, she could see the last remnants of the ash that had once been her two attackers falling from the sky. She stared in disbelief.
“Caitlin? What’s going on? What happened to you?” Abby asked from behind. Caitlin looked down and found herself dressed in a floor length, white and silver robe. It was light as a feather, with short sleeves and a peasant-top-like cut for the collar. From her back extended glistening feathery white wings, edged in pale silver like her robe, and before her, the tiny white crystal she had found in the jewelry shop glowed. Caitlin plucked the glowing crystal out of the air, inspecting it carefully. It was warm to the touch, and seemed to emanate a soft, calming light.
“I think this crystal just saved my life,” she said. “But why I’m dressed like this and what I do now, I don’t know.” The crystal flickered, as if trying to tell her something then disappeared in a flash of light. A few seconds later, a line of slivery white light appeared in front of Caitlin and melded into a thin bow of pure energy. Caitlin grasped the silver handgrip and looked at it carefully. A thin arrow of light materialized in her other hand. “Am I supposed to help them fight off the demons then?” she asked no one inparticular.
“Well, you might as well give it a try. They could use help from the look of it,” said Cassandra, peering over the edge of the demolished balcony. Caitlin nodded.
“Right,” she said, flexing her wings. Somehow, this all felt familiar to her, like she knew what to do. She moved one foot back, then took a running leap off the balcony. Her white feathered wings caught her in mid-air above the nearest demon. She took aim carefully with her bow and fired three or four light arrows at it. As the demon exploded into dust, another came at her from above. Caitlin barely managed to twist free as she dodged and pulled out a small dagger from its hiding place in her sleeve. How did I know that was there? she thought, barrel rolling and slashing at the creatures head. Her bow of light had somehow disappeared when she pulled out the knife.
The demon dodged Caitlin’s knife slash and came at her, tearing a cut across her arm. Caitlin winced. Damn it! she thought. As the creature came around for another attack, Caitlin charged the dagger with glowing sliver-white light and threw it into the creature’s forehead. It too exploded as the dagger boomeranged back to Caitlin. Ok, how did that work? My aim usually sucks. The last of the creatures was about to come after her when a mix of red and orange energy blasted it into the ceiling. The creature turned to ash as it began to fall back to the floor.
Caitlin just hovered in the air, gasping for breath and sagging slightly, her wings the only thing keeping her a float. As she settled to the ground, she vaguely heard Cassandra and Anna cheering as they ran towards her on ground level. They must have taken the stairs during the fight, Caitlin thought. As Caitlin’s feet touched the ground, her wings folded and vanished. She collapsed to the ground, completely exhausted. Myrandel, Rhodry and Tooya came towards her, slightly hesitant as if in shock. The other people in the room, who Caitlin could now see as three guys and four girls possibly a little older than her, also approached cautiously. Myrandel gazed at her, finger tapping his chin thoughtfully.
“I think I know why you girls managed to stay conscious despite everyone else falling asleep,” he said, as Anna, Abby, Aria and Cassandra reached them. Cass gave him a strange look.
“What do you mean?” she asked, kneeling to help her twin. Myrandel nodded towards Caitlin.
“All nine of you could very likely have powers like hers,” he said. “It’s your dormant magical powers that probably kept you awake.” Abby frowned and looked over at the people they had tried to help. Two of the young men, probably the ones using the red and orange energy beams were now sitting on the floor looking extremely exhausted. The four young women and the third young man were giving Myrandel some extremely strange looks. Abby sighed.
“Before we get more in depth with this crazy theory of yours, we should all introduce ourselves since I think we’re going to be stuck here together for awhile,” she said. Myrandel nodded and turned to the unknown humans.
“My name is Myrandel, this is my brother Rhodry and a friend of ours, Tooya,” he said, pointing to his companions in turn.
“I’m Anna, and this is Abby and Aria. Caitlin is the one in white and Cassandra, her sister, is the one helping her,” said Anna, also pointing out her friends in turn. The tallest of the new girls nodded.
“I’m Heather and this is Liesl, Anne and Marina. Kevin is Liesl’s older brother and the two on the floor are his friends Joe and Jason,” said Heather, introducing her friends respectively. Myrandel eyed Joe and Jason thoughtfully.
“You two are mages aren’t you,” he said. Joe nodded, answering for himself and his brother. Myrandel turned to Kevin. “Then what’s your gift?” he asked.
“Psychic,” Kevin answered. “I had a vision about what was going to happen here and tried to get my sister and her friends out. I didn’t make it on time though.”
“Actually you may have made perfect timing,” said Rhodry, who was now helping Cassandra with the near unconscious Caitlin.
“What do you mean?” asked Kevin.
“The hallway above the food court collapsed soon after the lights went out. Since we didn’t see you in the mall I’m assuming that’s around where you were,” Rhodry answered. Kevin stared at him.
“That’s exactly where we found them,” he murmured in shock. Heather huffed in impatience.
“Can we get back to the problem at hand? We know you guys have some weird powers that kept you awake during the black out, but why are WE still awake?” she asked.
“Now that I think about it, it might have something to do with these,” said Abby, pulling out her sapphire blue crystal. It glimmered with dim blue light, almost like the sun shinning beneath the ocean. Myrandel’s eyes widened.
“Where the hell did you find those?” he asked.
“In the shop we stopped at when you three called us to keep up awhile back. Caitlin noticed they were glowing,” said Cassandra, pulling out a crystal of her own. It was deep blood red in color and glimmering fiercely with a dark light. Marina looked at it quizzically.
“Hey, was that the little jewelry shop on the fourth floor near the arcade?” she asked.
“Yes, how did you know?” asked Cassandra. Marina pulled out a crystal of her own, hers emitting a brilliant emerald green glow.
“We stopped by there a few hours ago and each of us bought one of those crystals,” explained Anne, rising her own midnight black one. It too glimmered with dark light.
“Those were in a JEWELRY SHOP?” Myrandel asked in shock. All nine girls nodded, the remaining few showing him their crystals. In Anna’s palm rested a bright scarlet gem, while Liesl held onto a shimmering pale yellow one. Heather grasped one of a deep forest green color and Aria’s was a glittering amethyst. Myrandel sighed. “I’m guessing Caitlin’s crystal was a clear color,” he said. The girls who had been with Caitlin on the balcony nodded in confirmation.
“So what’s the big deal about these crystals?” Liesl asked. Myrandel rubbed his head as if he felt a headache coming on.
“You might want to sit down. It’s a long story,” he said. The group sat in a semi-circle around the dark haired young man, looking up at him expectantly. Myrandel took a deep breath and began. “There is a legend that says that during a time of chaos and dark reign a group of young women, each bearing the power of a separate element was born to conquer the evil powers controlling the world and bring back peace. The nine were said to only awaken at a time when humans were unable to save themselves from the power crushing them, kind of a last line of defense against world domination. Each time a guardian, as they were called, was killed, her power was sealed inside one of nine crystals where it waited until they were reborn and old enough to reclaim their task.”
“So you’re saying that we might be these nine women?” Cassandra asked. Aria cringed.
“Um, guys. I don’t really want to have to fight those things. They’re really scary,” she said. A sharp glance from Anna silenced her with a soft eep. Rhodry sighed.
“You girls very well may be those nine. We don’t know for sure about most of you, but I can guarantee Caitlin is one of them,” he said.
“How do you know?” asked Anne.
“Look at her. She looks exactly as the Guardians were described. Robe and wings in the color pertaining to her element, obvious magical gift, not to mention a natural grasp on how to use her power. Judging from her appearance, she’s probably the Guardian of Light,” he said.
“I love it how you act as if I’m out cold,” Caitlin muttered. Rhodry blinked.
“You’re awake?” he asked.
“No shit Sherlock,” she muttered. “I’m awake and in serious need of Aspirin.” Liesl glanced at her and dug through her purse.
“Here,” she said, tossing Caitlin a bottle of Aspirin.
“Thanks,” Caitlin said, barely catching the bottle. “So, I’m supposed to be some kind of super hero born to defend earth from those creepy critters we fought a little bit ago?” she asked, opening the bottle and popping two pills down her throat. Heather blinked.
“How did you do that with out water?” she asked. Caitlin grinned.
“Weird talent and lots of practice,” she said. Heather shrugged. Myrandel cleared his throat.
“Essentially yes, Caitlin. You are super human, or more accurately not completely human. Your a decedent of an ancient celestial race,” he explained. Caitlin gave him a blank look.
“Never mind,” she said, shaking her head. “I don’t want to know.” As she sat up slightly, another inhuman shriek echoed through the large room. “Oh no, not MORE of them!” she yelped as about six or seven demon creatures dove at them from the celing.
“Crap, what do we do now?” yelled Cassandra. Myrandel watched the demons fly closer with a slightly worried eye.
“Well, if you girls are the nine Guardians, now would be a good time to test your powers. Concentrate on your crystals and try to transform like Caitlin did. You should be able to use magical attacks once you do. Some of you may also have magical weapons,” he said. The eight girls stood in their semi-circle, crystals held out in front of them, as the rest of the group prepared to defend against the creatures.
Anne was the first to feel herself react to the power within her crystal. I know this power somehow. It’s familiar, like it’s calling me back to something I don’t remember, she thought. Suddenly, a torrent of shadow encased her completely, shutting out the outside world. She seemed to float in a timeless space.
As suddenly as it had begun, the feeling vanished and she found herself in a long black robe. It was a little different than Caitlin’s, more kimono style with long draping sleeves. From her back extended a pair of black, bat-like wings and at her side, she felt the wait of a sword resting against her hip. Anne drew the katana, holding it out in front of her. Her eyes widened. I know how to use this thing. But how? I’ve never taken any kind of swordsmanship class in my life! A screech and a loud clang brought her back to reality. The demons were attacking the young men defending them. Just outside of their semi-circle, Caitlin sat cross-legged, eyes closed in concentration and hands clasped in her lap. A flickering white shield had flashed into existence while Anne was zoned out, defending the girls from the demon attack while they tried to transform. Right, I better help them, Anne thought, leaping skyward and out of the protection of the shield.
Abby was the next to sense the power within her. What is this? I here waves, could it be the ocean? No, we’re in the middle of a continent, she thought. Suddenly a wave of sapphire water burst from the ground and obscured her from view. The suspended, timeless feeling that both Anne and Caitlin had felt over came Abby.
In an instant, the feeling disappeared and Abby found herself in a sapphire blue robe that seemed to fade and swirl with greens and purples and rippled near the hem as if it were made of the waves themselves. Her sleeves were also draped like Anne’s, but longer and more slender. From her shoulder blades rose a pair of blue-gray, gargoyle-like wings. A slivery blue, collapsible staff appeared in her hand and extended to about two feet above her head. Okay, Myrandel said we were based off the elements right? I must be water, she thought. Might as well join the fight. They need help. But how exactly am I supposed to fight in a dress? Oh well.
Above, Anne dodged a swipe from the claws of another demon and swung at it with her katana. Black energy crackled along the blade as it dug into the creature’s shoulder, sending it blasting into a shower of gray ash. Another demon, coming at her, was blown away but a jet of water from below. Anne looked down to see Abby flying up to join her. She grinned, saluted, and turned her focus on her next victim.
Below, both Anna and Heather were suddenly covered in a pillar of flame and a twisting ball of vines. They felt suspended in space, almost unaware of the world, until they were brought back to reality with a bang. Both stood in robes of their own. Anna wore bright scarlet that faded to blue-violet or pale yellow near the edges. The collar was more of a V-neck cut while the mid-section was cut out to expose her stomach. From her back, two wings made purely of fire flashed brightly. Unlike the others so far, Anna had no weapon, just the deadly aim of her fire magic.
Heather appeared in a swirling greenish brown robe similar to Anne’s. The sleeves, however were shorter and cut into strips of fabric. At her waist hung a belt seeming made of twisted vines and leaves. A pair of pale green-brown, almost leaf-like fairy wings rose from her shoulder blades. She too had no weapon, but sharp violet claws now extended from her fingertips. Heather grinned as she inspected them. This could be fun, she thought. She glanced at Anna, who nodded to her, and the two took off through the shield and out onto the battlefield.
Anne and Abby desperately fought off the steadily growing number of demonic creatures.
“This is getting no where!” Abby yelled. “Every time we destroy one, two more take it’s place!”
“We can’t give in yet!” Anne yelled back. A blast of flame toasted two demons below her. From the origin of the attack, Anne saw Anna smirk and give her a thumb’s up. In the same area a few demons were slowly being suffocated by numerous vines that twisted around their faces while another two were struck down by what looked like purple darts. Near the site of the vines, Heather grinned evilly. Anne just shook her head and concentrated on her own battle.
The next to react to their powers were Liesl and Aria. Brilliant swirls of violet and pale yellow dust swirled around them, blocking them from view. When they reappeared, they too were dressed in robes. Liesl’s was a pale yellow color more like Caitlin’s but with longer sleeves. The robe was so light it seemed to be made of the air itself. From her back extended a pair of multicolored butterfly wings. She felt a strange weight at her side and reached down to find a small, collapsible crossbow. She grinned and felt at her shoulder blades. Liesl indeed also carried a quiver of pale gold arrows.
Beside the Wind Guardian, Aria appeared in a sparkling violet robe that seemed more like a lacy ball gown than the simpler design of the other robes. It floated out in near transparent layers while a thicker piece of fabric clung to her legs as a pair of slightly loose violet pants. Her sleeves were short like Caitlin’s and made of the same transparent fabric as the layers of her skirt. Her wings were almost completely transparent, four fairy like ones in an extremely pale violet color. At her waist she found a small case hanging on a silver chain that contained a sliver flute bound with violet ribbons. The two grinned at each other as they stepped out on the battlefield. Liesl flew above as Aria, who remained on the ground, raised her flute to her lips.
A sweet, soft tune filled the air as Anne slashed another demon to dust with her sword. The flock seemed to grow smaller and Anne took the momentary break to look around. Ghost like spirits now seemed to litter the battlefield below her, stunning various demons as golden arrows pierced their necks or eyes and turned them to dust. Anne saw Liesl just above the flock of spirits, shooting a limitless number of arrows into the crowd.
Heather, Anna and Abby also seemed to have control on their parts of the field. Vines still twined around various demons, blasts of fire roasted others and fierce gusts of water drowned still more. Others were smacked down by either Heather’s ‘darts’ or Abby’s staff. There were only two girls remaining inside Caitlin’s shield, just two left to awaken to their destiny.
Cassandra and Marina stood concentrating fiercely on their crystals, a sense of overwhelming power building inside of them. It’s so familiar, thought Cassandra. Like I’ve known it was there all my life. I know this power. It’s right there, right in front of me, thought Marina. Two beams of brilliant green and blood red light flared to life around the girls, hiding them from view. The two reappeared in Guardian robes of their own, determined expressions playing across their faces. Marina was dressed in a loose emerald robe with a V-neck cut. Around her waist hung a golden belt clasped with what looked like a pale red rose. Her sleeves were like Heathers, tattered and cut at the ends and from her back extended near transparent, pale green fairy wings much like Aria’s. Her hand clasped around a golden staff with what looked like a jewelers setting at the top. The nine crystals flashed around her as soon as Cassandra’s transformation was complete, melding into a single crystal and settling into the setting on Marina’s staff.
Cassandra herself reappeared in a black and blood red robe similar to Anne’s. There were, however some significant differences. The opaque fabric was cut much lower at the collar while intertwined black and blood red threads crisscrossed to form a spider web-like pattern that ended in a blood red collar wrapping around her neck. Her sleeves were similar, the opaque black fabric ending at the shoulder and the sleeve continuing down in the same web-like pattern as the neckline and ending in blood red wrist cuffs. Around her waist wrapped a blood red belt held together with a skull clasp. Her fingers wrapped around a glittering black scythe with a brilliant silver blade. Blood red ribbons fluttered from the base of the blade to accent the sliver wires entwined in the tall ebony handle.
Caitlin’s shield flickered out of existence as Cassandra and Marina entered the battlefield. The Guardian of Light gave them a calm grin, then finally fell unconscious. Cassandra twirled her scythe expertly, as if she’d had it for centuries. Red edged black lightning crackled around the blade and shot into the mass of demons above. The crystal at the top of Marina’s staff glowed bright emerald-gold and shot various balls of energy after Cassandra’s lightning.
Above, Anne grinned as the remaining Guardians stepped onto the field. The demons who had already begun to dissipate were struck down with surprising ease. Various magical attacks still flashed through out the building as the last of the creatures was blown to ash. Good thing we were in the court, thought Anne, At least we can maneuver well in here. She cut down yet another demon with her crackling sword. As she looked down, she saw the last of the creatures destroyed by a combination of Anna’s fire magic, Abby’s water and Cassandra’s red and black lightning. The Guardian of Darkness drifted to the ground, exhausted and glad the battle was over for now. Myrandel grinned as they landed.
“Well, I guess my theory was right after all. Nice to meet you, Guardians,” he said, saluting them. Heather grinned foolishly at him. Even if he was a little loud he defiantly was cute. The guys were huddled in a slight circle around Joe and Jason, who had completely exhausted their magic in the first attack, and Rhodry who was taking care of the unconscious Caitlin.
“Will she be alright?” asked Aria, peeking over the longhaired young man’s shoulder. Rhodry nodded.
“She’s just exhausted, she’ll be fine after some sleep,” he said. Aria nodded with an innocent grin.
“Good,” she said. “Now that those demon things are gone, can we get out of here?”
“I hope so,” said Kevin. “I don’t really want to hang around here much longer.” Myrandel nodded.
“If they’re really gone then… well there you see?” he said as the lights flickered back on. “The people should remain unconscious for another hour or so, we can make our escape before we get pegged by confused police.” Rhodry nodded.
“Good plan, but where should we go?” he asked, lifting Caitlin off the ground.
“We could go back to me and Anne’s house,” suggested Marina. “It’s big enough for a meeting.” Anne nodded.
“Alright, we’ll have to do some cramming in the cars though. We have at least three, you five drove here too right?” she asked Abby, Anna, Aria and Cass. Abby nodded.
“I drove Anna and Aria and Cass and Caitlin came separately,” she said.
“Good, you can just follow us back to my house then,” said Anne. Anna nodded, then looked down at her clothes in a slightly embarrassed fashion.
“Um, guys… I don’t think we can go out like this,” she said.
“You think?” muttered Cassandra. Anna shot her an annoyed look. Heather shrugged and turned to Myrandel.
“We can change back right?” she asked. Myrandel nodded.
“If you concentrate on you’re civilian clothes you should change back. I’m just glad Caitlin’s wings aren’t out right now or we’d have a hell of a time covering her up. We can’t change her back while she’s unconscious,” he said. Heather nodded.
“Alright then.” She concentrated on her normal clothes and within a few seconds felt the same weightless feeling she remembered from her first transformation. When she regained full consciousness, she was back in her civilian clothes. “Cool,” she muttered. The others had also changed back when Heather had.
“Well, let’s get going,” said Cassandra. Anne nodded.
“We’ll have to explain things to my brother when we get back, but my parents are on vacation so they won’t be a problem,” she said. Abby nodded.
“Alright, let’s go.”
Author’s note: Yay! Another chapter done. Wow I’m getting these out fast. I feel so proud! I hope you’re enjoying them! And yes, if you’re wondering, Myrandel is the same one as the angel-ghost in Before Light, just younger, more innocent and a lot louder. See ya later.
-Cat