Chapter 1
The past is full of tales of triumph, great victories, battles, and true love, but some tales of the past aren't so full of light, some are that of the darkest shadows. One tale of the past still haunts the Oracle to this day. He remembers it well, on a far off world a dark evil began to brew in the form of a cursed plant, a cactus whose needles were laced with the most evil of poisons. Its first and only victim was Zarcus, a once highly-renowned warrior, tried to destroy the plant, but instead was cursed by its poison. Before long the plant began to spread wanting to place others under its nasty curse, but the Oracle sent the guardians to destroy the plant before it would have a chance of endangering the entire universe, the guardians succeed in what Zarcus could not. Afterwards, Zarcus pleaded to the Oracle to free him of the curse, but alas there was really nothing the Oracle could do to save Zarcus so he told him, "I most regretfully can do nothing to help you, Zarcus, It is out of my hands."
"Will you at least try, send your guardians to help me find a cure, please I beg of you!" Zarcus pleaded, but even though the guardians rised ready to help in any way they could, Zarcus' reply was met coldly by the Oracle.
"This matter is of no major importance to the stability of this universe; therefore neither I nor the guardians can do anything to help you, Zarcus"
To this day, the Oracle wonders if he made the right decision, that even though he destroyed one evil, that he may have just put a hand into creating another, for that day Zarcus left Candracar changed forever.
.~~~*~~~.
While the Oracle recalled of times long since passed, in Heatherfield, a young girl with fiery red hair was in a rush. Riding her bicycle as fast as she could, passing unsuspecting bystanders on her way to meet up with her friends at the Silver Dragon. It has been a month now exactly from the day they defeated, Cedric, Phobos and Nerissa and for the time being there was peace and the guardians enjoyed the time off from guardian work. It was great just to live their normal lives for a while, but vacation time is over, for only a few moments ago, Hay Lin telepathically called for an emergency meeting at the Silver Dragon. Will screeched to a halt in front of the restaurant and rushed into its basement; aka W.I.T.C.H. HQ. The other guardians, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, and Hay Lin, along with Yan Lin, Hay Lin's grandmother, were already there waiting, and as Will entered the room they all looked to the one they were waiting oh so patiently for.
"Fashionably late, I see," Cornelia teased looking up at Will with an unusual air of satisfaction of her witty, yet over-used comment.
"Yeah, It's about time you got here, 'o' Great Leader," Irma said sarcastically, obviously not hiding her impatience on having to wait for their leader.
"Sorry, but it was hard trying to get past my mom… Why is there a portal in the corner?" Will asked kind of awkwardly, realizing there was a swirling vortex of energy in the room.
"The Oracle wishes to speak with all of us of an urgent matter," Yan Lin informed with an air of calm wisdom.
"That's why I called you guys here," Hay Lin then butted in trying to sound serious, but being Hay Lin, it sounded more like a bubbly statement.
"We probably should make astral drops of ourselves, first before we go, I know my mom would be pissed off if she found out I was going to another dimension on a school night," Will said, the others giggles at her statement as she then pulled a glowing amulet from under her shirt, that was the Heart of Candracar and said, "Sprod Lartsa"
The Heart of Candracar intensely glowed as it then created copies of each of the girls, then each of the girl's copies, other than Hay Lin's went off to their homes, Cornelia's, Irma's, and Taranee's copies walked home together talking about things that could only be conversed between a group of young teenage girls (mostly about boys and the annoyance of schoolwork), while Will's copy took Will's bike back home. Once all the Astral Drops were gone (except for Hay Lin's who busied herself at looking at the ceiling), Will then proclaimed, "Guardians Unite!"
The crystal then released different flows of energy that was the guardian's elemental powers, the flows of energy then encircled each of the girls with their respected power and they began to transform into their guardian forms. They grew taller and more mature, their regular clothes turned into their elegant guardian uniforms and they even grew wings that greatly resembled that of fairies. As Will felt her powers of quintessence flow through her body and around her she proclaimed, "Quintessence!" With waves of water flowing around her under her command Irma proclaimed, "Water!" blazes of fire now encircled Taranee, dancing around her as she proclaimed, "Fire!" The powers and essence of Earth flowed around Cornelia as she proclaimed, "Earth!" swirling gusts of air surrounded Hay Lin and as the enjoyment of being in the air began to fill her, she proclaimed, "Air!"
Now as guardians, the five, and Yan Lin pass through the portal and enter into Candracar, where the Oracle waited. He then looked upon them with warm eyes and an even warmer smile as he said, "Welcome, guardians, I have an important task for you."
.~~~*~~~.
On a distant world, a bargain is about to be struck between two very different beings, but with very similar goals. A cloaked man approaches a decrypted old building and reluctantly pulls a rope that tolls a bell signaling his presence. The heavy wooden door creeks open, and the cloaked man is welcomed in by what-looked like a hairy beast though it was hard to tell in the deep darkness inside the abode. The beast leads him to a room where inside another being of a more scaly variety was busy working upon a desk, where beakers and bottles and paper were scattered upon, lightly lit by only a few surrounding candles.
"What do you want from me, Zarcus, as you can see I am very busy," asked the lizard-like being, not even sparing a glance at the cloaked Zarcus, as he continued working upon his old table.
"I need something from you, something your most well-known for, my friend," Zarcus replied humbly giving a slit bow showing his respect, even though his humble gesture went unnoticed by the other, his reply did not. The scaly being stopped in his work, realizing what Zarcus wanted. Hmm, this may be interesting…
"What is the reason, may I ask, for thisss sudden need of something so sspecial of mine?" The scaly being's tongue flicked in curiosity, causing a similar quality to his voice to that of a previous reptilian villain.
"For reasons I rather keep to myself," Zarcus harshly replied, getting tired of the other's questions, his uneasy temper flaring getting the best of him. This wasn't good enough for the scaly being.
"Humph, wrong answer! Carnage see to it that Zarcus here reaches the door," ordered the scaly being, his hint of curiosity replaced by anger and what seemed like a tinged of disappoint. The hairy beast known as Carnage started to shove Zarcus back towards the door, but before he could even get him out of the room, Zarcus proclaimed, "The Guardians!"
The scaly being at first was caught off guard by this fowl word, but only for a glimpse of time did it showed vaguely in his eyes, though this went unknown to the attentions of Zarcus or the beastly servant Carnage, the scaly being recovered quickly by raising his hand signaling Carnage to stop his attempts to get Zarcus out the door. Hmm, very interesting indeed…
Carnage reluctantly let go of Zarcus, as the scaly being finally turned to look upon his now very important guest with his own eyes. Zarcus replied the gesture by looking upon the face of the scaly being, only seeing the glowing moon yellow slit eyes of his host while the rest of his face was still too greatly darkened in shadow to see any other feature then those piercing eyes.
"What about the guardianssss?" the scaly being asked, his tongue flicking again, though this time out of excitement of this potential endeavor.
"You're not the only one who seeks power, and revenge against those Candracar fools," Zarcus replied with a bit of bitterness as if the word Candracar left a bad after-taste in his mouth.
"Hmm, right answer," the scaly being proclaimed with an air of satisfaction as he then approached a nearby bookshelf full of books, strange knick-knacks, beakers full of who-knows-what, labeled bottles of various odd things, what looked like failed inventions of all sorts, and other odd objects that would find in any evil geniuses' kitchen -I mean- lab. He ran his finger over several books before finding what he was looking for. He pulled out what looked-like a small tattered old book, but when he flipped it open, it revealed it had a secret cut-out compartment and inside lied a small vial. Zarcus approaches the scaly being as he took the small vial of purple bubbling fluid out of its resting place, anxious in accepting this small, but powerful token, though before the scaly being gives it to Zarcus, he warns, "This is my most-prized possession and thiss is not the first time I have helped you, Zarcus, so pleassse, don't fail me."
"Don't worry, old friend, your hard work will not be in vain," Zarcus replied, confident that now that he had this small vial of liquid, he would be able to achieve his long sought after revenge, and so Zarcus took his leave, the scaly being looked on until turning his attention back to the bookshelf, where he pulled out a box. Unlocking it, he looked inside to reveal similar vials to the one he gave Zarcus. Besides, Zarcus, if you fail, I certainly won't…
.~~~*~~~.
Far out in a vast sand dune desert, a cloaked shadowy figure walked upon the tops of the dunes, barely visible only by the little light that shone from a low hanging crescent moon. Its destination unknown it continued to walk on endlessly until what-looked like a small settlement came into view in the distance. The unknown entity began to head towards the small abandoned town of tents and shacks as though it was being pulled there by an unseen force. As it entered the ghost town, the figure walked slowly as it passed by the decrypted structures, as if time itself stood still. The figure finally came to its destination in front of a tattered tent where a table stood sheltered from the outside with two cups of liquid resting upon it. The figure seemed to ponder something for a moment then reluctantly picked up one of the cups, it then motioned as if it was going to drink the contents of the cup, but then it suddenly turned making one of its piercing eyes visible under the hood of the cloak. The eye was glowing slightly and was yellow like the moon with a slit pupil; it resembled the eye of a wolf.
Isis startled from her nightmare quickly arose from the sheets of her bed, drenched in a cold sweat, still in shock from her dream. It seemed so real. Then a sharp tink rang throughout her room, making Isis jump at first until she realized that it was only her golden amulet that had fallen to the floor. She got out of her bed and quickly grabbed it off the floor, strangely the eyes of the wolf adorned on the face of the amulet were glowing a dim green light. Isis became memorized by the eyes soft glow, until the sound of the lock of her bedroom door jiggling broke her out of the eye's trance. With lightning speed, she quickly, got back into bed, under the covers and placed her amulet under her pillow, before Zarcus even entered the room.
"Have you ever heard of knocking before entering," Isis asked trying to hide her shock that still hold her from her dream with her annoyance of Zarcus' non-existent manners, though it wasn't good enough to fool Zarcus.
"Are you alright, Isis, I heard you scream from downstairs?" asked Zarcus with concern, ignoring Isis' failed attempt at hiding her now obvious stress.
"It was only a dream Zarcus, nothing more," Isis told him trying to console him that it was nothing, when he clearly could see it obviously wasn't; her eyes told him very thing.
"It sounded more like you were having one of those nightmares again, your sure you're alright?" Zarcus inquired still worried about Isis' well-being.
"I'm fine, Zarcus, a little shaken, yes, but fine," Isis replied firmly now that the shock was finally loosening its grip upon her, making it more convincing.
"Well then, if that's the case, start getting ready for the day, since your already awake, even though the sun has not yet risen, I'm sure you won't be able to go back asleep" This much Isis would let slide as truth, she had to maintain that she was a strong woman, that's why she did her best to hide her weakness at the time. Any woman here needed to be strong or they would become the push-overs and pleasures of the cruel men in abundant here. Even, Zarcus had to be put in line that certain things were out of limits, and Zarcus respected Isis for it and treated her of equal quality, even though most men loathe strong women, Zarcus found strength in woman, especially in Isis' case, quite attractive. Zarcus pulled the curtains back and opened the window closest to Isis' bed, and then continued on his way out. Isis got up out of bed and looked out the opened window, resting her arms upon the window sill as she looked upon a beautiful landscape scene in front of her. The sun had not even reached the horizon yet, but what little early dawn light that crept from the horizon onward upon the landscape was enough to give a certain glow to the hills and sprawling town below. No one was walking upon the paths stretched upon the vast grassy hills as it was still too early for most to have risen, giving the area a slight ghost town feel, a vacancy longing for occupancy. Isis could make out the worker's square to the Far East, a bunch of tents and shacks huddled up together as if they were trying to keep warm from the last of the night's chilly wind. Isis could see not too far North West from the worker's square was the Eastern gates and Eastern wall that protected this small city from the dangers that lurked in the vast dune desert beyond. Over the gate, Isis could barely see the tips of the sheets of black rock that make up the Shiracon rocks in the distance. Over the wall, more towards the North, Isis could see the tops of the distance dunes, and upon one of them she could barely make out the sails of an abandoned sand boat, they were an often sight in the desert. Looking even farther North, Isis could barely make out the break in the wall that signaled the beginning of the Eastern Docks, a small amount of docks that lay within the break of the vast wall. Strapped to the docks were many different kinds of sand boats, though most of them belonged to pirates.
Not much law and order, marched around in the Northern parts of town, that's where the scum collects, at least that's what Zarcus says. Isis often sneaks into those parts of town; it's the only place where she could have a little fun. She likes the feeling of always being on her toes, not knowing where she would be swept off to next, and she even has a few acquaintances that are pirates, mind you, you have to be pretty much a pirate yourself in order to gain acquaintances with a pirate. After a few sword fights, and quarrels, Isis gained respect among the pirates and became pretty much one herself. Though, that doesn't mean Isis is evil in any sort of way, no, she just thinks that sometimes, in some circumstances, that the most right and just action could even be that of piracy and heck, it was fun being a pirate, the best way to keep the boring away. So anyways, the large shacks and tents that hung east from the docks was where the pirates had their way with things. Though, no pirate dared to go anywhere near Zarcus' abode where the law hung most close like stink to, well you know. Zarcus has become an important Captain after his mysterious recovery over the curse, and no one knows how he came over it, and he hasn't told anyone really how he did either, at least not in good detail. Many rumors have surfaced on how he may have recovered and a few even think that he hasn't come over the curse at all, but no one closed to him or under his command questioned him for he was a great leader and many still looked up to him also as a great warrior.
After taking in the scenery outside, Isis went on to getting dressed. She vaguely pulled out some clothes from her wardrobe; avoiding all the girly dresses Zarcus had bought for her, in an attempt to court her. Isis put on a simple white shirt, a pair of trousers, leather leggings, and hard metal-tipped leather boots. She also placed a belt around her waist where she strapped her sword and a small leather bag with an assortment of various things inside. She was about to put on her fingerless gloves when she stopped to inspect the scar upon her right hand. It was an old wound and not the only scar Isis has; she has 4 others, two on her hands, two on her shoulders, and one on her upper chest. They each resembled the individual symbols of the elements. Isis rarely showed off her scars, so that is why she wears the gloves to hide the strangely-shaped scars from peering eyes. After looking over her scar, she then slipped her fingerless gloves over her hands and then finished of her look with a long leather coat. Suddenly, Isis heard a tapping noise behind her; she turned to see that the tapping noise was made by a phoenix that had landed on the sill of the window that Isis was looking out of just moments ago.
"Haylee, what are you doing here," Isis asked as the black and white phoenix then flew into the room and dropped a scroll from her mouth onto Isis' bed and then took her leave back out the same window she came in. Isis quickly picked up the scroll from her bed and read it to herself. Her eyes reflected great surprise as she finished the letter, and then folded it up and placed it in an inner pocket of her leather coat. Isis then pulled the amulet of the green-eyed wolf from under her pillow and placed it around her neck along with another, a smoky quartz pendent that also hung around her neck. Isis never took of the pendent for it is precious to her; it was the closest thing to her heart.
.~~~*~~~.
As Isis was just starting to begin her day, the Oracle had just finish telling the guardians of the past events that still haunted his thoughts. When he finally finished Irma asked, "So what does this have to do with our important task?"
"It has everything to do with it, I fear that Zarcus may want revenge upon Candracar for what happened to him many years ago, even though he told me he harbored no hostility after his mysterious recovery over his curse, I doubt that what he says is true especially from what has been happening of late," replied the Oracle in a calm manner. The guardians wanting more information on the situation began to bombard the Oracle with questions. He raised his hand signaling the guardians to stop so he could speak; they complied and he replied, "Please, let me explain," The Oracle paused a moment as if he was gathering his thought then he continued-
"The curse upon which Zarcus was under is known as the curse of the Rai-Lent. Those under its curse are bond forever, and the cure to this curse to this day is unknown, so in turn many believe that it may even be incurable. The being under this curse by day seem normal, but when the moon rises and night falls upon the world they changed into a wolf-like creature…"
"Wait, so we're dealing with werewolves," Hay Lin butted in with a strange look on her face that was a mix of intrigue and confusion.
"No, not exactly," The Oracle replied looking at Hay Lin with a small smile and surprisingly seemed to be trying to hold back a laugh, "for one there really is no such thing as a werewolf, and another is that the Rai-Lent hate pure light like sunlight, so during the day they hide away from the sun, in fact they loathe anything related to light, purity, or happiness. Though they love and feed upon feelings of sorrow, darkness, and fear. Also, you must be careful not to get scratched or bitten by a Rai-Lent or you'll end up becoming one yourself…"
"So what's happened to make you doubt Zarcus," Will asked still unsure how all the pieces that lay out in front of her would fit together.
"I was about to get to that part, I'm beginning to doubt Zarcus' word because strange disappearance have been on the increase in the Rai-Conadora Desert and in the areas that surround it, also with the increase in disappearances there has been an increase in Rai-Lent sightings and attacks. There have also been sightings of a strange cloaked man anywhere close to where a strange disappearance has accrued. I have a suspicious feeling that all this and Zarcus may be connected, but even if he isn't the cause whoever is needs to be stopped before this evil becomes strong enough to have a chance to spread out of the desert and potentially to other worlds. Luckily, I know someone, an old friend of mine, who may be able to help stop whoever is behind this. He lives in one of the few settlements located deep in the desert, specifically in the southern west tip of the Rai-Conadora desert, the settlement is called Irecon. Unfortunately, because of a magical veil placed around the desert long ago to keep the Rai-Lent within the boundaries of the desert neither I nor the Heart can take you directly into the desert."
"That's ok, just get us as close as you can to where we need to go and we can take care of the rest," Irma said with an air of confidence.
"Another thing, I only want to send one of you to complete this task," The Oracle injects, but the guardians protest to this idea, all except one.
"I'll go!" Will proclaimed over her friends protests.
"Wait, Will, we're supposed to be a team, remember," Taranee said, bewildered by her friend's decision.
"Yeah, aren't you the one always saying that we need to stick together," Cornelia said, agreeing with Taranee. Irma and Hay Lin weren't so bright on Will's decision.
"The reason why I only want one of you to go is because it is important that whoever is the enemy doesn't find out about your secret task, and if they were to find out the guardians were going into the Rai-Conadora desert, I fear to think what could happen, so"
"If only one of us goes there would be a lesser chance of them finding out, and a lesser risk to send one of us then all of us," Will finished for the Oracle, already understanding the reasons for his choice in action; in fact they were the same reasons why she wanted to go alone.
"But, Will…!" Irma screamed, though Will stopped her and replied, "No, guys, the Oracle's right if all of us go, we would be easily spotted and recognized as the guardians, it's hard not miss a couple of 90 pound moths flying around," Will's friends couldn't help to giggle at Will's comment, "besides I don't want to risk all of our hides."
"Are you sure you want to do this… alone?" Taranee asked still unsure about what Will was about to do.
"Positive," Will replied grabbing Taranee's shoulder and then looked to all her friends. Taranee was surprised when she looked into Will's eyes she saw a fire in them that would rival Taranee's own fiery eyes. Taranee realized that Will had changed a lot ever since she first came to Heatherfield. At first, Will was insincere and was unsure of herself and defiantly didn't seem like guardian leader material, but now Taranee wouldn't follow any other than her best friend Will. Irma, Cornelia, and Hay Lin felt the same way for their leader and close friend, they cared about her and weren't about to willingly let their friend go on this mission alone, but sometimes our friends most go on their own journeys and even though they are out of our sight they will always find our love and protection wherever they go.
"Then it's settled, I'll create a portal for you, Will, that will take you to the Eastern Gates of the desert, there it should be easy to reach the Irecon settlement," the Oracle proclaimed as he created a new portal that would lead to Will's destination, but before Will left Taranee said, "Keep in touch." At first, Will looked back at her with a confused look until Taranee pointed to her head and then Will finally caught on to what Taranee meant.
"Will before you go let me give you this warning, that whoever is turning people into Rai-Lent is possibly using the water found in a cactus similar to the first, though not as powerful, it has similar affects to the first and it resembles a lot to normal water as well, but when the water of the cactus is boiled it losses it's evil qualities," the Oracle warned Will who then took her leave through the portal.
"What if something happens…," Taranee asked trying to hide her worry to no avail.
"Do not worry. The Heart will let us know if she is in danger…," Yan Lin said, she had been quite throughout most of the time and the guardians were surprised to hear her speak out for like them in truth, she too was anxious.
"And will be there if she needs us!" Hay Lin barked up with optimism, but deep-down she wasn't so optimistic, deep-down she was full of concern like the others, of what could happen to Will without her friends.