O is for Obedience

Nerissa watched as her minions Shagon and Kor as they carried Caleb into what had once been her cell. "Careful you idiots! I don't want him dead merely unconscious," she warned them as they put Caleb down on the bed roughly. After dismissing her minions the former Guardian gazed fondly at her child. "It's been awhile hasn't it Caleb? What must you think of me? A mother who abandoned her child and turns out to be the very enemy you've been fighting against. You must despise yourself knowing my blood runs in your veins. But once you awaken you will see the honor and wonder being my prodigy gives you. Rest up Caleb, once you've awaken things will be much different," Nerissa whispered into his ear. After playing with his hair for a few minutes she left the room wondering what Caleb could possibly be dreaming about.

Caleb tossed and turned in his sleep. Memories of the last few hours were flooding his mind in a twisted sort of dream state. The truth about his heritage was too much for his conscience mind to absorb and Nerissa attack hadn't helped much either. As he relived his memories he wondered where everything had gone wrong. He winced in his sleep as he jumped into the water after his father after confronting Nerissa in the dungeons.

"Dad, enough! I want the truth. What are we looking for?" Caleb demanded angrily as he trampled through the undergrowth after his father. It made no sense to him at all. What had Nerissa meant by Mackenzie Falls and numbers? Why wouldn't his father tell him what was going on? It wasn't like him to keep secrets. As he brushed back a tree branch he spied his father kneeling by what looked like a grave. "Is that the Mage? How long has she been dead?"

"Eighteen years Caleb, but it was seventeen years ago that we fell in love and had a child. It makes sense now why she didn't want you to know the truth if only I hadn't been so blind," Julian mused

"Wait your saying the Mage was my Mother?" he asked in confusion. He'd never known who his mother was being raised by his father till he was sent to the underwater mines and presumed dead. He'd all his life wanted to know his anonymous mother identify was, but he wasn't ready for what his father was about to say to him.

As Julian gazed up on his handsome son he was chocking on the words of truth, which were attempting to escape his lips. Still he clarified what Nerissa had spoken in an enigma earlier to them. "No, Caleb. Numbers don't lie neither did Nerissa. We never would have defeated Phoebus without her. She and I gave the Rebellion nothing less the Rebel Leader himself. Nerissa is your mother"

All of the air was sucked out of his lungs as he lost the ability to speak. The world started spinning and he felt numb all over. This couldn't be true it just couldn't be true! No way was that hag his mother! But he couldn't deny the resemblance either. He had her chin, her eyes, and a lot her personality. Still this couldn't be true.

"Caleb? Are you ok, son?" asked his father as he rested a hand on his shoulder only to have Caleb shove him hard to the ground. He looked at his son confused wondering what prompted this behavior.

"This can't be! This can't be! You've got to joking! Please say your joking, Dad!"

"I'm not I'm afraid. Caleb I know this is a lot to swallow. I'm having a hard time myself. But you can deny it all you want; nevertheless it won't change the fact, that your mother is Nerissa. Are you going to be alright son? You want to talk about it?" Julian asked as he dusted himself off.

Caleb however just was a basket full of so many intense feelings he couldn't just stand there any longer. He ran and kept running till his father's voice became lost in the wind along with the tears falling from his eyes.

The moment he reached the palace he headed straight into his room and locked the door tightly crying his heart out. What was one suppose to do when their entire world came crashing down? How could his father keep the truth from him for so long? What other secrets did he have and what did being the son of an Ex Guardian, the one who had been the Keeper of the Heart of Candracar mean? He needed answers and there was only one place to get them. Grabbing his coat he stormed down towards the kitchen to locate Blunk.

The Passling had been enjoying a nice moss stew when Caleb slapped the bowl out from his hands smashing it to pieces on the floor. Blunk looked up at his best friend in horror. Caleb's face was contorted into an expression of pure anger. "Blunk, I need you to fold me to the top of Mt. Thanous now! If you don't I'll take your tooth and do it myself!"

Fearing for his life Blunk had done what he said. Once on Earth Caleb had started climbing to the top of the mountain to confront Nerissa. He hadn't been prepared for the attack nor did he know that his friend was watching him from nearby wondering how to save him and wondering what Nerissa planned to do to him.

Caleb woke up with the headache the size of Cleveland pounding inside his skull. Rubbing his temples he tried to figure out where he was and what had transpired since he lost conscience. After discovering he was in a cell he noticed Nerissa watching him as if he was her prey and she was the hunter about to dine. Somehow he got the really bad feeling that exactly what he was to her, prey. Still unwilling to show the fear growing him he stared her down and said without wavering in fear, "What do you want?"

"I sent my knights outside to wait for the Guardians eventual arrival. I thought that we could use the time to catch up with one another son. You came here in such a hurry I'm sure that you have plenty of questions for me so ask away," Nerissa told him calmly. She was ready for anything her son had to ask. However she wasn't ready for something else, neither was Caleb.

"Just one Mom, how do you live with yourself knowing what you've done?" Caleb demanded leaping off the bed. He tried to break through the energy bars, but was thrown back onto the bed. Groaning in pain as he tried to stand for a second time, even as the pain shot all the way through him. He had faced a lot of pain as well as hardship in his life so he was used to it.

As she watched him carefully with her hawk like eyes stagger to his feet, they showed for a moment almost concern. Once he was standing again she answered his inquire with full honesty. The time for lies and deception was over. Nerissa wanted her son to know who she was really and she was curious to know him in turn.

"By making the universe a better place Caleb. You may not believe me now Caleb, but trust me soon you will understand the truth behind my vision. The universe is corrupt son. Entire worlds are dominated by war, disease, poverty, death. Take Meridian for example. Phoebus was power hungry tyrant who nearly destroyed Meriden after sucking it dry. If you hadn't rallied the Meridianites together and fought back that world would have been forever lost. You served a greater purpose just like I do now. Soon the entire universe will be perfect. No more war, conflict, or evil. As Queen of the universe those obedient to me will benefit while those who fail to heed me will be eliminated. What do you say to that Caleb?" Nerissa asked him curious about his thoughts on the subject.

"You're crazy! There's no way that people of the universe will obey you. What makes you think you can create a new world order? All you have is four Knights of Destruction, two ex-guardians one who happens to be a ghost, and one stolen Heart of Meridian. What do you plan to do with them?" Caleb asked trembling slightly. He wasn't to sure how far he could push her before she pushed back.

He also was experiencing something inside him. It was some new sensation he never felt before. He brushed it off and continued to keep his mind focus on his Mother, no Nerissa. "No she isn't my mother, she not anyone mother. She only created me to be used to manipulate. I won't be her puppet any longer. Still is there a part of her that actually cares?" he thought to himself as he winced in pain. He felt extremely sick by whatever was going on inside him.

Nerissa remained unfazed by her son verbal assault too her. He without a doubt had inherited her strong personality. How very alike they were. Though she was glad he had his father looks. She simply adored Julian's messy chocolate locks and they looked very handsome on her son. There were many things about Julian she loved, but he was a very handsome man without a doubt. She secretly had wished she could've shown her real self as she was when she led the Guardians, C.H.Y.K.N. Still for her plans to work she had been force to appear as her deceased friend the Mage, whom she thought enough of to give a proper burial too. In next to no time both her husband and son would be assisting her.

"I've planned for a long time how exactly to achieve this dream, Caleb. I've been more patient then most people are in several lifetimes. I've always been a great planner. Even when I created you to aid Meriden I planned it quite well," as she flipped her long silver starlight hair and continued, "You're a very special boy, Caleb named after my own father. The universe needs someone like you," she told him in a loud tone of voice dripping with superciliousness.

She appeared for a moment to be gone astray in her own flight of the imagination. She was smiling blissful by whatever she was seeing in her twisted mind. She then spoke for a second time softer with more sincerity and hope to her aged voice, "I also need you. I've watched and protected you but never really known who you are and I would love to have that chance. So if you really desire all your questions answers why not join me and seize your destiny? Unlock your potential my child and take your rightful place in the universe as its ruler."

"Forget it! I'm not one of your knights! You can't force me to fight for you and I'm not as dumb as your former Guardians. I won't fall for your tricks Mother. The Oracle told me all about what you did and I have no desire to follow in your footsteps! You murder your own friend!" Caleb yelled at her with as much venom as a diamond back rattler.

The fury for this woman burned more intensely then the sun within him. She had the audacity to lie to his beloved father and then create him, just to use him! Furthermore now she want to be his 'mother?!" After abandoning him for 16 years?! She was definitely insane no doubt about that! Like no way she knew how to be a mother any more then a person! Yet he as much as he was loathing her he did recall how she had saved his skin a great deal. As "Trill" she had aided the Rebellion, as the "Mage" as well. When the Knights of Vengeance had captured him and his father had she not returned them safe and sound to the palace? When they first learned who she was she merely put him a cage so he won't get accidentally hurt. Also he wouldn't be alive without her he couldn't deny that fact. Still it didn't excuse all she had done.

For a moment Nerissa seemed actually affected by his words. Closing her eyes she saw again that day when Cassidy her friend had meet her untimely end by her own hands. She did feel a great deal of guilt for that mistake. That is why she wanted to give her life for a second time to make-up for that mistake that had placed her in that frozen cell her son was now in. She never indeed to kill Cassidy merely scare her enough to give back what was hers the Heart of Candracar. How could she make Caleb understand that?

As she tried to contemplate a way to answer him she was distracted for a second time. Her mind was filled with memories of the events that led to Caleb birth. After Cassidy accidentally death at her hands, she gazed her eyes at those hands for a moment, the once more was lost in a journey back to her past.

She had be sentence to be forever imprisoned in a frozen cell forever. How cruel of the Oracle! She may've unintentionally killed Cassidy but that no excuse for putting on top of a mountain with no bathroom or any other means to live! What was that man thinking? If he wanted her to 'reform" the least he could've done was proved her with a bathroom and food while she rotted on top of that hellhole! She had been force to drain her own life force to stay alive.

Her beauty was slowly stolen from her just too keep her alive. She loved how attractive she looked; her extensive ebony silk tresses that cascaded like a black waterfall had been her pride and joy, now it was gone just so she may live this miserable existence! The only other thing that kept her alive for a long time was her dreams, such wonderful dreams were they. She used all that free time to plan out just how to achieve them. Yet she was very lonely and thought she lose herself to insanity with no one to talk to. Even if she created a perfect universe Nerissa realized she didn't want to be alone.

On the other hand she couldn't count on her old friends. No they'd all had forgotten along with forsaken her! In all this time they never even had come to visited her! They all had gotten to life great lives even after their time of being the great Guardians of the Veil had come to an end. She was robbed of any chance of happiness

Just when it became too much and she was thinking of committing suicide rather then spend one more day in this cell a miracle happened. A portal had opened right there in her cell. "Well its true good things come to those who wait!" as she left the cell forever.

She arrived in Meriden a place she knew well enough. It was sorta a cross between Earth and Fairy Tales. She knew of the Phoebus a powerful tyrant who lacked a lot of vision. As she breathed fresh air for the first time in decades she was soon spotted by the Mage.

The Mage could sense the darkness within Nerissa soul but also saw the lack of sympathy and compassion the woman had been shown. She offered Nerissa a home and much needed companioning. She then attempted to help Nerissa to let go of the past and move on and start over anew. The Mage was the first soul to show Nerissa compassion which she was grateful

However after dreaming so long of her perfect universe Nerissa was ready to go forth and bring her dreams to life! Sadly her only friend the Mage died of natural cause. Nerissa didn't want to repeat that incident that had her locked up in the first place. She went to the spot where she and the Mage had meet and buried her.

A year later when she was passing as the mage to visit the grave she encounter Julian for the first time. He had been scouting for a place for the Rebellion to campout. She loved how the silver moonlight danced around the water and made him look like such a princeling. Soon she and Julian had fallen helplessly hopelessly and breathless in love, a love you thought only existence in a child dream or storybook.

It was the epic romance she had always had dreamed off. In her youth when she had attended Sheffield on Earth she had been in many school theater productions but this wasn't a fantasy. She loved this man and was even more overjoyed when their son was born. Just as summer was about to give way to the cool autumn he'd been born. She wanted him named for her father and then was force to have Julian take care of him because of the danger. It wasn't going to be easy to be both Trill and the Mage and fight in the Rebellion. Nor could they make their son anymore a target if he had inherited some magical gifts. She swore she do all in her power to protect them.

Caleb watched in silent fury as his words assault his mother. He had come for answers to his past. He had also hope to get his Queen back but in that moment for a few seconds he saw something that shocked him. In her eyes she actually showed remorse in addition to guilt. She almost seemed human for a few seconds. It stunned him greatly as she spoke once more. She didn't mention the last sentence but both mother and son saw in the other eyes that one act was one she did regret furthermore felt horrible about.

"Does the Oracle make your decisions like the rest of your friends do for you? Think about Caleb have you ever made a choice for yourself? All your life you've let someone else rule your life. First it was the Meridianites squabbling about what they thought were best. Then the Guardians used you in their fight against Phoebus not once asking about your wishes. Then you pledge your life to a queen who doesn't care that you have responsibilities to your girlfriend who also walks all over you. Seems to me Caleb instead of being a brave hero your nothing, but a lap dog. Maybe you be better off hanging up your sword and get a dog collar."

"Stop it! Don't you dare mock me or I'll ahh!" Caleb screamed. That strange sick feeling had now reached its peak at the same time as he had been yelling at Nerissa; a surge of power leapt from his fingertips and struck the bars. The force of the resulting explosions not only disintegrated the bars, but hurled him into the wall. Nerissa smiled proudly as she entered the cell. Caleb looked at his hand in fear before turning to her. "What did you do to me?"

"I did nothing Caleb, the power of quintessence has always been apart of you. Just as Yan Lin passed her powers down to her granddaughter you have inherited my former gifts. Don't look so surprised you've always known they're there and the question is what are you going to do with them? Are you going to use them to serve the Oracle's cause or do what you want with them? Think Caleb this is your chance to be selfish, to do what you want. Don't waste it!"

"I can't be selfish! I have to use the powers to assist the Guardians I mean that's what I have to do," Caleb whispered confused. A part of him knew he should use these new powers to attack Nerissa, but a big part of him argued saying this was his chance to do something big. His going insane as part of him wanted to zap Nerissa and grab the Heart and run for his life.

Yet there was a part of him now fighting that instinct. This was a part of himself he had long suppressed. He had power and he liked how it felt, also she did have a point. He had given himself to others but had he done any thing once for himself? He also couldn't deny that he still wanted to know his Mother. He had wanted that his whole life and it wasn't easy as he thought to let that go, even knowing who is mother is. Despite all the things she'd done she was his mother and he want to be with her a little. He screamed loudly as his soul was being ripped apart by these thoughts.

Nerissa walk slowly over to him and dropped to his side. She then began to gently stroke his back in a soothing manner and sung softly. She wasn't trying to hurt him more like just being a mom who child woke up from a nightmare. Holding him close she continued to do this. He was in such a state he didn't he fight it as she was now holding him in arms. He was feeling a bit better but the war in his mind was still tearing him up. She then began to talk to him soothingly as she continued to stroke him tenderly.

"Don't fight your destiny Caleb. All your life you've been selfless given yourself to others. The Meridianites, Elyon, the Guardians see you as nothing more then a pawn in their games. Never have they thought about what you want and desire. Join me and you shall be able to unlock your full potential. Create a perfect universe where you'll never have to do what someone else wants ever again!"

He tried to hold at bay her voice yet another voice in the back his mind was telling she was right. He done so much for the rest of world, they'd taken him for granted and he had enough of it! He won't let those stupid girls with their tacky purple boots or anyone walk over him anymore. No this time he make the rules and he show them what its like to be used and abuse. The battle in his mind ceased as one voice was now in trapped in golden silence and a new darker voice was speaking in the young man mind. He looked at his mother and kneeled before her respectfully, "It's not wrong to be selfish, to crave perfection, peace, and order. To want my hearts desire, to be the most powerful being in the universe! I pledge my loyalty to you Mother," Caleb said with completely sincerity as he kissed her pale hand. His anger for Nerissa forgotten for the moment, he'd a chance with her now that what matter, nothing about the past mattered, only everything form this moment on did.

Nerissa smiled pleased that she wouldn't be lonely anymore. Holding up the Heart she was ready to be of assistance to her son in unlocking his full potential and show a few of her old 'friends' and a certain bald lowlife the true meaning of power and to make them pay for what they did to her.

"That's all I need. The chink in your armor of your soul has been removed, Caleb. You're no longer held back by the annoying need to be selfless. To do what other want and do only their desires. You now can do whatever you want, my son. The time for rebirth is upon us. No longer will you be known as simply Caleb. You are the leader of the Knights of Destruction, the Solider of Callous, and The Prince of the Universe!" Nerissa whispered as the power of the Heart of Meridian engulfed Caleb transforming him into something new and far more deadly.

Caleb was now fully decked out in black leather with light armor. He wore black and gold leather boots that reached to his knees with black skintight pants and sleeveless shirt with Nerissa symbol on his chest. Around his wrists were gold gauntlets with a wicked sword in a jeweled sheath clipped to his side. His coat was now black leather as well. The transformation wasn't just limited to his clothing. His body as well had been upgraded. His lovely chocolate locks had changed; they now had a lightning blot strike of starlight sliver running through it. His whole body improved as well as it now was much stronger then a normal human body, the last thing to change was, his adorable face was now full of a look of pure evil as no soul of love now looked out his lovely eyes.

Blunk had been watching all this with a frog in his throat and he wet himself by this bolt from the blue. Nerissa was Caleb's MAMA?! This was really bad! She had done some hocus pocus on him and if he didn't get the Guardians he loose his best friend. Taking a deep breath he let his Tooth slice open a fold leading back home. First stop Meriden then Earth!

"Well it's seems that malodorous little herald has gone to deliver the message. Took him longer then I thought. Come we must get ready for the arrival of the Guardians, my son. We don't have much time and there is so much to do," Nerissa as she ran her ancient fingers through Caleb's hair. With both mother and son smiling wickedly she held up the Heart of Meriden to bestow her son his birthright. Everything was going according to plan.

Blunk exist the fold back at the castle. He had to find Julian! Being a Passling he had a very acute sense of smell. Which for some reason while he was better then a bloodhound when it came to tracking, he never was able to smell himself, and Blunk reeked! Oh he reeked so bad even the dead would be turning over in their graves and gagging!

Turns out he didn't have to look for long. Julian had just got back to the palace. He was still trying to come to terms with the shocking revelation himself. He was remembering how magical the moonlight night had been when he first saw her, the Mage. Or whom he thought was the Mage. He'd commit to memory how passionately they'd fallen in love. It was like an epic romance from one of the Earth manuscripts. Like a never ending dream of happiness. How euphoric they both been when Caleb had been born and she insisted he be named "Caleb." She had sworn she protected him and she protect Julian as well.

As Julian at a snail's pace climbed the last steps leading to the palace, he was now wondering was any of it real? Or was it all a dream? Did Nerissa merely give birth too their son so he could be used to aid her plans of conquest? Was there no good left in this woman? Or was there a tiny part of the woman he fell in love within this torture soul? Was there any love and kindness in her and if so did she care about them at all? If not him what of their son? Was it even possible she cared for him at all?

His head was spinning with so many of these thoughts; it was like a torrent of turmoil ripping him apart. It was no surprise he didn't sense Blunk at all not till the Passling leaped into his arms and the tumbled down the steps. Both rubbed their heads for a moment and ignored the headache they'd received.

"Caleb's Daddy! Caleb needs help! Caleb in trouble!" Blunk spoke frantically. The Passling was extremely panic-stricken in addition to ranting and raving on and on about something. His tooth almost hit Julian in the head with him acting like a chicken with his head cut off.

It took Julian a few more minutes to get his second wind. He slapped Blunk lightly on his right cheek to calm him down and then placing both hands firmly on the Passling shoulders he asked him, "Ok explain again. Slowly this time Blunk. What happened to Caleb? Where is he?" he asked though he felt he already knew. He knew Caleb had been very upset and distraught by the news of his parentage. Still Julian had hoped he hadn't done anything brash or foolish yet Blunk face showed him that his hope had been in vain.

"Nerissa has him on Mt. Thanous! Blunk saw her perform magic on him!" Blunk said as the color drained out of Julian. What had Nerissa done now? Was she so bent on having power that she had harmed her own child? Was their son life that meaningless to her? Had she just disregarded him like the rest of the pawns?

"Blunk get us to Earth NOW!"

"Already on it! Next stop the Guardians!" Blunk cried folding them as fast as he could. He could only hope they found the Guardians in time to save Caleb. Unfortunately Blunk didn't think about where he was folding so he ended up depositing both of them on stage during the middle of a concert. Lucky everyone thought it was part of the show.

Irma had to get them off stage quickly. Her cheeks flushed crimson from both embarrassment as well as anger. All the other girls were angry too, for the reason that Irma hadn't given them their credit a few moments ago furthermore she been working them to the bone as slaves. Still if both Blunk and Julian came from Meriden something was up. It was a surprise that Caleb wasn't here. Julian on the odd occasion came to Earth so that was odd he was here and not Caleb.

"Why did you two decided to drop in the middle of the most important night of my life? Vance Michal Justin was talking to me asking me about my expertise and you had to ruin it! What was so important it couldn't wait until after the show?" Irma demanded as they headed for the exit.

"Nerissa has captured Caleb and done something horrible to him. Blunk isn't sure what, but I fear it can't be good. I can't believe that Nerissa would intentionally harm her own son," Julian explained to the shocked teenagers. Never in a million years would they have guessed that Nerissa and Julian would be an item let alone the parents of their friend.

"Nerissa is Caleb' MOTHER?!" Hay Lin exclaim as all their jaws hit the floor in shock.

"And I thought my mom had issues!" Will and Taranne said at the same time considering their own mothers problems. It now seemed rather stupid they both thought. So what if Will mom was dating Mr. Collins and Taranee mom overreacted all the time. At least they didn't try to take over the universe!

Irma on the other hand was still upset that they'd been force to bail on HER concert, "I cannot believe we have to leave MY concert early!" she whined as she smacked her big fat head on the door.

Cornelia had enough and pounce like a lioness down on Irma throat, "Listen you ego tripping credit stealing slave driver! I have a boyfriend in curse here!"

"Not too mention a universe in peril!" chimed Will as she got out the Heart.

"Just saying its lousy timing is all," Irma mumbled

The Guardians rushed off to help Caleb praying they weren't too late. While Will, Irma, Taranee, and Hay Lin kept the Knights of Destruction busy Cornelia slipped past Halinor and Cassidy searching for signs of her beloved. Eventually she made her way into the cell and spied Caleb standing in the center of the room cloaked by shadows. "Caleb! I'm so glad that you're okay! I was worried that Nerissa hurt you," Cornelia cried wrapping her arms around Caleb and giving him a big hug.

Caleb ignored her and shoved her away from him surprising Cornelia. "Caleb what's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?" she questioned as the rest of the Guardians flew into the room.

"I'm glad to see you all here. It makes eliminating you much easier. Quintessence!" He shouted firing a powerful energy blast off. The Guardians had no time to defend themselves as the force of the blast sent them colliding into the wall. Caleb laughed as they struggled to stand up. "Pathetic."

"Wow! Since when is Caleb packing? Has he been taking vitamins or some other steroid we don't know about?" Irma asked as she struggle to her feet along with her girlfriends.

"You know Irma your sense of humor was almost as lame as your jokes! Now how about we ice those annoying quips permanently?" Caleb said with a malevolent sneer on his cute face. Using the life giving power of Quintessence he broke of one the large icicle lining the carven ceiling and aimed right at Irma heart!

"What no clever quips or comebacks?" he sneered at the same time as he chucked the icicle dagger at the brunette who become frozen with fear. She was only saved in the nick of time by Taranne firewall.

"You think your little sparks can protect you from me? You know they say lightning is like cold blood fire. It's fire of the purest from. Let's see if the flames of your fire stand up to the true fire of the heavens!" A huge wheel of cobalt lightning came rushing at the two Guardians. Both tried to put up a defense, but the wheel blew right through them as if they weren't there and struck the two Guardians. They screamed as pain raked through their bodies. After a few minutes they collapsed unable to battle. "Two down three to go. Who's next on the chopping block?"

"My turn Caleb. Let's see how well you fight in mid air! Air!" Hay Lin cried blowing a huge gust of wind from her mouth. The twister sucked up Caleb and held him in mid air tumbling about. "Got you! What?" she asked in horror as he righted himself and he was smirking. With a laugh two giant wings sprang from his back. They were dark black and bat like with a trail of emerald flames trailing from the tips.

"Surprise Guardians? You didn't think you were the only ones who could fly. FYI," he said turning invisible, "I also have your special gifts! Let's see what I can do with telekinesis!"

Hay Lin had no chance as she felt her body lifted into the air. "No put me down Caleb! Stop this please before someone gets hurttttttttttttttttttttttttttt!" she shrieked as she was flung into the cell and collided with the wall nearly breaking her wings in half. "Will…. Cornelia… you have to stop him," Hay Lin whispered before fainting.

"I don't care if you are my boyfriend! No one man handles my friends like that! Earth!" Cornelia shouted sending an avalanche of rocks at Caleb who had landed on the ground his wings vanishing. It tore her heart strings knowing that at any moment she could kill the guy she loved. "Caleb move or you'll die!" she screamed frantically trying to call back her attack, but to late.

He ignored her warning instead drew his sword. The sword was a sliver as Nerissa hair with five jewels with the elementals symbols carved into the gems, with a gold handle and a black diamond at the end. The weapon shone brilliantly charged with the powers of the five elements. With a mighty yell he swung the weapon in an arc slicing the boulders in half. "Thanks for the concern, but you're the one who needs it more then I do. Observe!" With a flick of his wrist a pair of energy vines wrapped themselves around the Earth Guardian tight enough so she couldn't fight anymore. "You know you were such a control freak Cornelia, how do you like it when the tables are turned?"

"Caleb stop this! Why are you fighting us? We're your best friends and we're only trying to help you!" Will yelled at him while at the same time charging a lightening blast. As much as she didn't want to attack him he was giving her no choice. She hoped whatever spell Nerissa had used on him could be countered with the Heart of Candracar.

"Do you really think you can take me down with your little lightening blast? Please I've got the power of the Heart of Meridian backing me up! Let's see how a battle between two Hearts end shall we? Hiyah!" A surge of blue energy darted from his fingertips and was intersected in the air by a pink lightening blast. Both forces struggled to keep the other one from gaining an upper hand. Finally it became too much and the resulting explosion sent both of them flying through the air.

"He's powerful, more powerful then Phoebus, maybe even stronger then Nerissa herself. How do I defeat someone like that?" Will asked herself at the same time as she struggled to get to her feet, but failed miserably. Her entire body screamed in pain and she was afraid that something was broken.

"Enough of these petty games it's time I ended this once and for all. Give me the Heart of Candracar or prepare to die!" Caleb informed her raising his sword above her head ready to bring it down.

"Caleb no!" shouted a voice and small and smelly blur leapt at Caleb. He was so startled by this surprise he dropped his sword and tried in vain to get the Passling off him.

"Get off me you damn rancid beast! How dare you defile the Prince of the Universe with your contaminated putrid flesh!" Caleb screamed but Blunk refused to let his death grip on his friend go.

"No! Blunk not let go! Not let go of his friend! No!" Blunk stated firmly as he and Caleb continue to wrestle in the sub-zero cavern. By now the Guardians had got their second wind back. They felt like hell furthermore they're angry as hell as well! They already had lost Elyon, Matt, and the Council of Candracar. They would not lose one more friend to Nerissa evil!

"C'mon, Guardians! All at once let's see how he handles the power of Five as ONE!" Will declared in authoritives tone of voice. All of them looked at one another with a raging fire burning brightly in their eyes. The girls took to the air and then got ready to attack.

When they we're hovering above Caleb and Blunk in five different directions Will whom was directly above them gave the single to hit them with all that got! So they summoned all that they could and attacked!

"Quintessence!"

"Water!"

"Fire!"

"Earth!"

"Air!"

Blunk and Caleb looked up from their brawl and stared. Cornelia yanked Blunk away with her eyes sealing shut with tears as their attack hit her beloved. The whole mountain shook from the sheer force of the impacted of their attack.

"Caleb? He isn't…?" Cornelia said in fearful tone. She was so worried about him she wasn't even yelling at Blunk who was shaking in her arms. All of them were waiting but all felt the dread fear of what was going to emerge when the dust cleared.

All of sudden a pair of glowing eyes was seen coming from the ominous smoke cloud. With a devilish chortle all the Guardians were now pin up against the ceiling with rings of lightning around them. With each passing moment the rings grew smaller and soon slice them up like meat in a meat grinder. Blunk was in a small cage of a similar design.

"So soon you'll be a distant memory. How I will enjoy never having to hear or see your faces again. Good bye Guardians. Can't say I'll miss any of you!"

"Caleb no! Don't do it!" Everyone cried out as they tried to hold off their ill fate when all of sudden the rings of death were brought to a stand still. Caleb hadn't finished his attack because standing before him was his father, Julian.

"Dad?" Caleb whispered stumbling backwards. He lost his focus and the Guardians plus Blunk fell to the ground behind Julian.

They looked at Caleb confused by what was going on. They didn't make a move at all being exhausted beyond belief. The girls only could watch in silent agony as the father tried to talk some sense back in his deranged son,

"What are you doing here Dad? Have you decided share more secrets with me about whom I really am? Or have you decided to join Mom and me in creating a new universal Order?"

"Caleb what has happened to you? Why are you attacking your friends with your powers?" Julian calmly asked him. He was angry but didn't let his angry consume him.

"I'm surprised that you even knew these were my powers and not something Mom gave me. When were you going to tell me I had powers equal to the Guardians? I could have used that knowledge to end the war with Phoebus years ago! You lied to me and I want to know why!"

"It was your mother's wishes that you not know of the possible powers you inherited until you were old enough to understand what went on between us. Caleb I'm sorry about lying to you, but just because you're angry at me doesn't mean you should take it out on your friends. Please Caleb come home and we can talk about this."

"The time for talking is over Julian. It is now time for action," a voice hissed from the shadows. Everyone turned and saw Nerissa appear from a hidden passage. The decrepitated Guardian calmly walked out and stood next to her son. "Our son has chosen to stay with me Julian and unlock his full potential with me. With our combined powers we shall rearrange the cosmos until all is perfect. Julian I don't want to fight you, I never lied about how I felt about you or how much I loved Caleb. I have done everything in my power to protect both of you from harm. Please say you'll join us so we can be a family together once more."

While Julian was contemplating his answer the Guardians were wondering if Nerissa had gone off her rocker. She was an evil being who had murdered her own friend in a quest to reclaim her power and had created a child for the soul purpose of using him. How could she even pretend that she actually loved Julian and Caleb? It was trap that was for sure!

"Nerissa you know I can't do that no matter how much I want to. I too want us to be a family, but not like this. I have never stopped loving you and probably never will. But what you want for the universe I can't be part of. Nor can I force Caleb to come back with me if he doesn't want to. All I ask is you let us go this one time and you promise to protect Caleb with your life."

"Very well Julian, you, the Passling, and the Guardians are free to go this one time. No harm shall come to you, but next time we meet Guardians be prepared for the fight of your life! Julian, you know if you ever change your mind there's a place for you by my side and don't worry about Caleb he couldn't be in safer hands. Knights of Destruction let's go!" Nerissa said transporting out of the room. Caleb followed a split second behind her after dropping something on the floor.

"He's gone; I can't believe he's gone. Nerissa took him away and you let her! How could you!" Cornelia yelled as she pounded her first on Julian's chest while crying her heart out.

"Why did you allow that to happen Julian? Your Caleb's father you should have done something!" Will demanded with the other Guardians backing her up. They wanted answers now.

"This is one time neither magic or force will help, I'm afraid. A part of Caleb wants to be with his mother. As long as that part of him is in control there is nothing I can do. If he's not being forced or spelled and is acting on his own free will I can't force him to do anything against his will. I knew for a long time this day would come, I just didn't foresee that it would leave so many hearts broken. I know that Nerissa won't allow anything or anyone to harm our son. But I can't do anything, but hope when this battle finally ends it won't end in sorrow but in joy," he said in a dishearten tone of voice. He slowly walked over and picked up what Caleb had dropped.

Everyone gathered around to see what was in Julian hands. It was a flower. It was white as snow with a tint of teardrop blue glistening on its six petals. It was so soft and smelled as sweet as the innocent dreams of a child. Looking at Julian for an explanation for the meaning behind the flower he said with a heavy sorrow.

"This flower is called The Tear of Meriden. It part of a legend of love, friendship and hardship. It means both undying love but it means also good bye at the same time. Caleb saying the boy we love is gone," Julian said as he gave the flower to Cornelia who wept uncontrolled as they all did at the loss of Caleb.