A/N: Upon reading the ending in GoT: The Key, I wasn't prepared for Rochelle's unfortunate death, especially with how she died. Her complex character drew me out to her. Needless to say that I feel completely betrayed when her life ended the way it did. And in behalf of Ethan who still feels the injustice of it all, I write this story.

Disclaimer: Familiar characters, settings and plot are all due to the one and only Marianne Curley, who made traveling through history possible – even only in ink and imagination. ;-)

The Request

In the gathering twilight, the group has already started going their separate ways. The remaining Tribunal members who have witnessed the Immortals' death during the battle have already gone back to Athens, attending to the wounded, regrouping what is left of their sectors and preparing for Lorian and Lathenia's entombment. All that is left now on the mountain, where the Guardians of Time fought against the Order of Chaos, is the pile of debris and heaps of dead dark creatures. Some of the Named still remains as well, standing helplessly and quietly by Ethan, his knees on the ground, and Rochelle's lifeless body cradled in his arms.

He doesn't want to believe it. No, he won't accept this. After all those years of working for the Guard, fighting for their cause and this is what he gets? Rochelle's death? It wouldn't be even her death, if she didn't jump in front of that poisonous arrow. He's sure of it. He knows in his heart that Marduke intended for the arrow to hit him. Didn't she say, 'You're safe.'? He heard it loud and clear. And now that she's dead, he knows that nothing will ever be the same again. A tear drops, recalling their last moments together. That kiss, by the cliff, it was long and burning with passion. But obviously not long enough, because she died. Rochelle Thallimar, the only girl he ever loved is now dead because she saved him. That very knowledge, he won't and never will accept.

He finally looks up and sees that Jimmy, the protector, already left. He probably is home with Matt and Isabel's mum, keeping her busy to distract her from worrying about her children. Ethan notices that Isabel and Arkarian have already gone too. It's understandable. Isabel must be with Arkarian, comforting him about his father, Lorian's death. And directly in front of him is the insensitive and thoughtless Dillon who made Rochelle ran into the forest in the first place. Ethan stares at him for awhile and shifts his gaze on Neriah. She looks back, asking forgiveness for her father's wrong deed. Then he looks at Matt, the pain and anguish reflected in his reddened deep blue eyes.

Matt has only one second to think. The Guard has lost so much already and he won't let this affect Ethan's work for the Guard. He senses it. Soon, Ethan will withdraw from the Guard. And this he can't let happen. Ethan is Named. He's part of the elite. And he's also one of the greatest and most talented soldiers the Guard has ever seen in years. Losing Ethan will cause another major blow. A fact that he won't be able to live with for the rest of his life and he's an Immortal. Matt clears his throat, approaches Ethan and says, 'There is a way to bring her back.'

At first, it seems like they arrive in the middle of nowhere. They're standing on a long dirt road, lush meadows to its left and right. Matt glances sideways to Ethan and looks at Rochelle, in his arms. He knows that the task ahead is going to be difficult, but it's worth the try. A smile forms around his lips. It's good to be back, he thinks, even though only for just a little while.

'Matt, are you sure we're in the right place? Or maybe even in the right realm?' Ethan asks doubtfully, as he glances around the peaceful surroundings. He gasps in awe as he sees the five suns.

'Isn't it breathtaking? There're seven of them. And since this realm is divided into levels, there's one for each. The other two just hasn't risen up yet,' Matt describes, as if Ethan should already know about this. 'Anyway, where we're going is to that palace up ahead. Do you see that?' he says and points.

Ethan turns, and then he sees it. And its position reminds him of the Citadel. Although, he hasn't seen the Citadel from the outside, he's told that it also hovers in midair. He turns to Matt again. 'And how are we getting up there?'

'It's easy. I'm shifting the three of us. Just hold her tight,' Matt answers.

Without explaining any further, Matt closes his eyes. As he does this, Ethan begins feeling a similar sensation to how it feels like when going back to the past. Next thing he knows, he's slowly dropping down, Matt right behind him. His feet touches the floor and he gasps again. The hall is extremely huge with columns going up high supporting the ceiling. Along the walls, statues of gods and goddesses in pure gold stand out.

A door opens and closes behind them. They turn and see a woman dressed in a simple floor-length gown approaching them. 'My lord,' she addresses Matt and curtsies.

Matt nods and asks straightaway, 'Alexandra is my father at rest? There is something I need to ask him.'

'I'm afraid he's unavailable at the moment. He's attending a council, but he will be back soon,' answers Alexandra. She looks at Rochelle concernedly and waves her hand. At once, a rich mahogany chaise appears by Ethan. 'You may put her there while waiting. The meeting could take awhile, for it has only begun.'

Ethan thanks her appreciatively, smiling for the first time since Matt told him about the plan to bring Rochelle back from the dead. He lays her body gently, caresses her face and stands next to Matt once again.

'Can you prepare us our rooms? I think we will be staying for awhile.' Matt addresses the maidservant. She curtsies for a second time and leaves them alone.

'Boy, are you sure about this?' Ethan asks Matt. Standing in this cavernous foyer just feels so unreal. He looks around and wonders for the first time why the place is so quiet. Shouldn't it be loud and bustling? After all, it's larger than the Citadel.

'This is the Realm of the Peace. It's where all the mortals live their afterlives,' Matt says after hearing his thoughts. He shakes his head. Ethan should learn how to control them, especially now. 'Anyway,' he continues, 'this is just one place. When you get down to the cities, you'll know what I mean.'

'So, are we visiting these cities?'

'I don't think so. There's just too much to do. Besides, I don't think my father would allow it. See, they are happy and contented, and most importantly, they're at peace. Even though, they know about us, for they were once like us, our mere appearance in their settlements will disturb them in some way or another.'

Ethan stares at Matt, thinking. He's not sure exactly who Matt is talking about, but he has an idea. 'Are you saying that if we don't bring her back, she'll live in one of these cities?' he asks curiously.

'Well, that depends.' Matt answers secretively, suddenly looking uncomfortable.

'And it depends on what exactly?' Ethan asks again. When Matt told him about the plan and warned him that it might not even work, Ethan was still up for it. But now that they're there standing in a cavernous foyer with Rochelle's immobile body on a chaise, his doubts begin to resurface again. What if the great Dartemis wouldn't hear any of it? Or an even more important and good question, what if Rochelle's resurrection depended solely on this Immortal Dartemis?

Ethan panics. Like all Guardians of Time members, he's heard somewhat about Dartemis' story. He was born last in a set of triplet. Legend has it that out of the three, he's the most powerful Immortal. He has more powers than both Lorian and Lathenia combined. He also knows that Dartemis isn't as gentle and relaxed as Lorian. And according to Matt, a few months ago, not only does Dartemis take his role and importance very seriously but also his purpose to guide and serve for the greater good.

Ethan gulps, remembering these things about Dartemis, giving into uncertainty even more. Is he being selfish for wanting to bring Rochelle back? Doesn't he deserve to spend some more time with her; after all he's done for the Guard, serving them right to that tragic battle with Lathenia and her Order? Or maybe, bringing her back would also do the greater good some good? What if, it balances out at the end? If she gets resurrected, then he gets to spend however much time with her and they could continue their double lives as protectors of history, serving the greater good. There's a possibility, right?

'I'll be the judge of that,' a voice says from behind them, disrupting them from wherever their thoughts have taken them. Obviously the speaker has heard every little bit of what Ethan has to think.

They turn. Matt groans, and then clears his throat. Now that he's in his father's presence, he seems to have lost his superiority. Ethan must have sensed it because he gives Matt a look of incredulity. They can't lose control now! They have to give their reasoning! Ethan doesn't even think that Dartemis knows why they're here.

'Oh, I know!' Dartemis exclaims, looking rather annoyed. 'Alexandra has informed me of the lifeless girl.' He approaches the pair briskly yet gracefully, still with the air of someone of utmost importance.

Matt and Ethan looks at each other.

Then, Matt steps forward, bowing. 'Father, the prophesied battle has ended. And although, our side has won, we've lost so much.'

Dartemis nods and acknowledges the notion. He figured as much, knowing his quarrelsome and prideful siblings. He looks at Ethan, and at once, Ethan sees the resemblance he has with Lorian, not only with the physical state but also mentally. Dartemis gives a half-smile. 'You're in love with her,' he says, nodding to Rochelle.

'Yes, my lord,' Ethan answers quietly.

Dartemis begins to walk around them, talking. 'When the time came a few months ago, and I had to teach and train Matt everything I know and he has to know, I did it, knowing fully well that one day, he would use the knowledge as leverage against me.'

Matt shifts uncomfortably. He's looking anywhere but his father, gently tapping his foot against the marbled floor.

Dartemis suddenly stops in front of Ethan. He puts his hands each on Ethan's soldiers, as if he needs to regain himself some balance. 'But see, child, there's a flaw.'

'What do you mean?' Ethan inquires, color draining from his face. Dartemis is their only hope now.

'Yes, I have the power to bring back the dead. It is why I handle and guard this realm, for it is solely up to me. Though, I don't have any kind of power over humans, I decide where they go after death. In most cases, it's in this realm where they belong,' Dartemis answers gravely.

Matt opens his mouth and Dartemis stops him. 'And in this case, her fate is set in stone; very ancient stone, in which you two have seen for yourselves. Altering this fate will mean terrible trouble for the Guard, even more terrible than all of this,' he continues.

'Say it's true; let your statement be a warning for us, so we can prevent this more damaging event in the future,' Ethan comments right a way, his eyes begging the powerful being.

The immortal looks through Ethan, in the way Lorian sometime does with his soldiers. He sees Ethan's internal conflict, the battle raging between his mind and soul ever since Matt told him about Rochelle's possible resurrection. He makes a move, somewhat like slumping his shoulders. He glances at Matt and is struck by something new. He realizes that what he's seeing in his son is a change. He no longer is the confused boy with extremely low self-confidence, but a young man who believes in himself and asks for a chance to prove himself. Dartemis sighs, another hard decision.

A/N: What will Dartemis' decision be? And how is it going to affect the Guard? Thank you very much for stopping by! Don't forget to read and review. Tell me what you think of my fan fiction so far! - flammenia