Prologue
The Guardian lifted his eyes to the fourth story of the building in front of him. It was a nice building, surprisingly nice. He didn't think he'd find her here, in one of the posh apartment buildings on Charlesgate East. In searching her out, he thought he would find himself at some cute—but cheap—little complex that was filled with students, young professionals, the odd artist or two. But this was definitely the place. He could tell that the one he was seeking often stood on the other side of that large bay window, looking out at the small, inviting park across the street: thinking, wishing, remembering.
He had been surprised when the Greater Beings has pulled him off his case and reassigned him to this new one. That didn't normally happen. In fact when he had first been called up to meet with the G.B.s, he thought that he might be in trouble. Oh, not for messing up his assignment or anything, rather for indulging in a few of this world's pleasures. He understood and accepted that his kind existed beyond time and space, but why did they have to exist beyond The White Stripes, Franz Ferdinand, or Modest Mouse? That was taking this "greater reality," "beyond embodiment" thing way, way too far. So on the occasional assignment, okay, scratch that, on most assignments, he found some new indie rock album to add to his contraband music collection.
When he met with the Greater Beings, which was an interesting experience in and of itself (the first time he met with them, he thought he was going post-mortem crazy, the swirling lights and one androgynous voice that the G.B.s used to manifest themselves were very 60s psychedelic rock meets 70s glam rock, not what you'd necessarily expect in the beyond), music wasn't what they wanted to talk about. He had been quickly informed of an urgent situation arising on the planet known as Earth.
"You have been called here because the reality from which you came is at a turning point," the Greater Beings had told him. "The Greatest Being has proclaimed you as the Guardian who will play a pivotal role."
"Me?" He might like to deny it, but that had come out as a squeak. The Greatest Being had proclaimed that he should be the Guardian involved? He knew then whatever was going on must be really huge. Really, really huge. Normally the Greater Beings would assign Guardians. For the Greatest Being to make a proclamation spoke volumes. This assignment had to go beyond helping a family go through the loss of a loved one or calming the anger of an Embodied Being before it caused itself or another harm. One thing was for sure – he knew he needed to gain his composure. Wouldn't do for the Greatest Being's handpicked Guardian to start freaking out at the honor.
"So, are we talking being about being a presence of wisdom to a humanitarian leader? Or filling the heart of a president with peace?" The Guardian had heard of other Guardians being sent to do such things. Of course, most of those Guardians were older even than the reality he had come from. When it came to matters of global significance, experience seemed to matter.
What the Greater Beings said in response still gave him shivers.
"You will be the guide and supporter to a savior of worlds."
"Worlds? As in plural?" He hadn't heard the Voice right; he couldn't have.
"Worlds." The Voice had been laced with weariness as it continued. "Millions of lives can be lost or saved. Love or hatred sown for generations to come."
The Guardian had been stunned. Never had he heard of such a large assignment being entrusted to a Guardian. Usually for issues of this magnitude, the Greater Beings drew closer to the Embodied Realities.
"A council is being held, the outcome of which will impact worlds near and far. A Guardian has been whispering wisdom into the heart of the chair of this council. This chair will call upon a young woman to act as a mediator for the proceedings. Her role is essential for a peaceful outcome."
Now looking up at the window where the young woman often stood, the Guardian was still slightly overwhelmed by the magnitude of what he was about to do. One woman being called to save worlds. It went beyond all he knew. And the G.B.s hadn't stopped with the surprises there. Usually Guardians whispered into the hearts of their assignments, since they couldn't reveal themselves in a way that your regular five senses could identify. When he had referred to this universal practice, he had been corrected by the Greater Beings. Apparently, for this woman, he would be revealing - yeah, actually visually revealing himself to her - telling her of her call, and then staying on, providing support and guidance as she mediated the powers and principalities of her reality.
This meeting had been more disorienting than when he was first called. Everything he thought he knew about being a Guardian was thrown out the proverbial window. You just didn't do that, reveal yourself. Embodied Beings couldn't handle it. After stressing his concerns about what he was supposed to do, the G.B.s had reassured him that even cardinal rules needed to be broken on special occasions.
"Throughout the history of Embodied Realities," he had been told, "there have been certain beings who are able to be in communion with a Guardian. If she were not to play such a crucial role in the Embodied Realities, she would make an excellent candidate for a Guardian herself."
And just when he though things couldn't get any stranger... Before he left the Greater Beings to seek out his assignment, he received a warning. Apparently this woman, this amazing woman who would save worlds, who was so special that she could be a Guardian like him, this woman who had been chosen for such a great and unheard of honor to actually see and hear a Guardian, this woman might refuse her calling.
"What the he- um, what?" He had not-so-smoothly responded. "She might what?"
"Say no." The Voice of the Greater Beings, which usually was filled with warm assurance and a sense of authority, had actually sounded a bit... embarrassed.
"And why would she do this? I mean, I can bring on the burning bushes, the starry nights and chorus of angels, the talking inanimate objects if I need to. I can even get Elvis to appear to her if need be."
"Yes, well, that might not actually help." Again, the Voice had sounded unusually self-conscious. "You see, young one, this will not be the first time this woman has saved her reality. And while she has gone through much for the sake of the world already, she does not know exactly why. In fact, since she was last called upon to save her reality, she has questioned her actions and decisions. Questioned even her own heart."
"So what you're saying is she's not exactly going to be thrilled to be volunteered again."
"That may prove to be putting it lightly. It will be up to you to convince her that she must answer the call of the Greatest Being. Flashy tricks will likely just get in the way. Use your words, your wisdom, and hopefully she will listen."
Following that dizzying conversation, the Guardian had wished for the first time in awhile that he could still enjoy a good orange soda on the rocks.
The Guardian was pulled from his thoughts as he noticed a small figure engulfed in a large black coat hurrying down the sidewalk toward the building in front of him. Though he could not see her face—it was hidden by the brightly colored knit scarf and hat she wore—he knew this was the one had been waiting for. Seeing her now, he was filled with a sense of calm and confidence.
When the Greater Beings has told him to use his wisdom, he had really doubted the success of this assignment. Sure, he was a pretty good Guardian, but he was still pretty new to this gig. While Guardians and the Greater Beings existed beyond time, only five years had passed in the reality where he had come from. He would have likely remained in that doubt had the Greater Beings not told him the name of his assignment. The moment he heard her name, everything became clear and he knew why the Greatest Being had called on him. He only hoped once he explained everything, she would have the same confidence in her call as he did his.
Watching her say hello to the doorman of her building and hurry into the warmth of its walls, a slight smile crossed the Guardian's face. This was going to be both the best and worst assignment he would likely ever receive. Saying a small prayer for wisdom, he closed his eyes as he summoned the strength he would need to tell Liz Parker that she was needed to save the world.
Again.