The
Last Guardian
By: Selverwulf
Prologue
Once upon a time there was once an ancient place called the kingdom of Indole, a land all its own where magick ruled and mythical creatures lived, a kingdom where all animals were great giants and a land where peace and harmony thrived. The people only knew of love and compassion for one another. Indole was composed of five great lands. The Northern villages were known as Gaia Lands of Earth.
These were lands covered with mountains, crystal caves, caverns, fields as far as the eyes could see. The Northern lands were the most important and if they were to fall, everything else would fall. The Southern villages, also known as Agni the Lands of Fire, this place was cover with volcanoes and the people of fire built lava canals to help keep lava flow under control. Agni was also known for its vast deserts that fanned out across the great land.
Aradia Lands of Air was the name for the Eastern villages. Their great towers reach towards the heavens. These lands were also covered in mist and fog. Beyond the mists laid the Western villages known as Ashnan Lands of Water, these lands were filled with cascading waterfalls, crystal clear lakes and streams, vast lakes of murky water, a land where water lilies and willows thrived.
The mainland was called Akasha Lands of Mente. These lands were unlike any other. All paths lead to this holy place, its nature and life spreads to all the other villages that surround it. Indole's founder was a Silver Maiden named Wisdom. She watched over the creatures and people of the villages, but each village was not without its own guardian, because each village held their own secrets. These secrets had been discovered by Wisdom and she knew that they had to be carefully guarded.
In the North, Anath the great black she-wolf to watch over the Orb of Sand. In the South, Uriel the crimson fox was guarding the Wand of Power made from opal. In the East, the athame of Wind was made out of clear quartz was guarded by Aquarius the great white owl. In the West, Winter the grey she-wolf was standing guard at the base of a crystal cave the housed the Lake of Twilight.
Wisdom watched from the standing stones on top Truth Mountain. She held a moonstone locket engraved with an ankh and within her possession was the Staff of Light made from willow bark. On top of this staff rests a crescent moon made from pure silver. A giant fan made out of a special silk that protected the user against any element and lastly a sacred mirror that remained covered at almost all times. The power of this mirror was a mystery to many.
Deep in the shadow lands was a creature that knew of the treasures as well, and wanted the powers all for himself. His hatred for the Silver Maiden and Indole began to fester deep within his already blacken heart. He began to buy his time and when the time was right, he could annihilate Indole.
Wisdom awoke suddenly from her slumber because of her terrible premonition. She sent word to each guardian of the villages below to meet her at the stroke of midnight on top of Truth Mountain. They knew that something wasn't right and each brought with them their treasures, all except Winter. Wisdom appeared before them. She told them of her premonition...a premonition of death and evil.
A despairing Wisdom told the assembled of the evil that wanted the treasures within, and would stop at nothing to get them for his personal use. Wisdom had no choice but to send the treasures away and tell the people to abandon Indole. Wisdom stood on top Truth Mountain watching as the last of her people vanished into the misty barrier of the night to the outer realms of the unknown. The winds began to howl angrily blowing anyone or anything out of its way as the skies that were once clear was stampeded with black clouds blocking out any kind of light from the warm, radiant sun. A thunderstorm was brewing, filled with rage as the invasion of Indole began.
The demons oozed out of the darkness into Indole destroying everything in their path as they made their way up to Truth Mountain. The ground trembled with hatred and maliciousness and the lands screamed as they bathed in blood of the creatures defending their home. The clash of fangs and claws were heard echoing through the sky, but it was too much for Wisdom and her guardians. The demons stopped their assault and in the depth of their ranks came the leader—Chaos. He was once like her, a being of protection and peace, but greed and power corrupted the heart that used to be full of love and compassion.
Darkness began to sweep over the land.
Winter quickly made her way to the lake and swam her way towards the center. Winter used her six-tails to keep her afloat. She closed her eyes she felt the lands tremor once more. The evil was getting closer to the Twilight. The Twilight began to glow and the thunder roared, lightning crashed upon Indole--the lake and Winter were gone.
The winds wailed in horror.
On top of Truth Mountain, Wisdom staggered to her feet, she couldn't allow the secrets of Indole to fall into the hands of this evil creature. She painfully made her way toward the center of the standing stones holding her bleeding womb. Wisdom's blood began seeping into the engraved symbols of the altar. A blinding light spread across Indole and just as quickly as it came— it vanished.
Wisdom was gone.
Chaos, consumed by rage and a lust for power had destroyed the altar along with its stone pillars. Chaos and his endless army of renegade demons, who were once human and devoted to the land of Indole, left her land in ruins. The storm continued in the mourning for the life that was lost. The rain pelted the ground in hopes that it would wash the death and evil doing away.
Many years following its destruction it was said that Chaos continued his search for its treasures leaving nothing but death and destruction in his wake. In that instant, many realms died as a result, fading from existence.
Decades passed and the forgotten land of Indole remained abandoned, until one day a battle fell upon its cold grounds once more. These battles of wings and claws raged on for centuries there until an infant was born from an unlikely union.
Thus our story begins...
Chapter 1: Old Friends Meet Again
"Kagome, what happened this time?" Sango asked as she tied back her long silky black hair.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Kagome repiled lightly.
Sango watched intently as Kagome piled the food into the shopping cart.
"Oh really?? I seriouly doubt that you're planning a surprised party for someone," Sango pressed. "Did something happen between you and Inuyasha?"
They had made their way into the sugary aisle when Kagome stopped in her tracks and turned towards Sango. A veined popped out of her forehead.
"That jerk!!!" Kagome barked as she turned red with anger. A few people passing by shot a nervous glance in Kagome's direction and moved away quickly.
"Forget I asked," Sango shot up her hands in defense as she tried to calm Kagome down.
Kagome took a deep breath to calm down as she made a grab for a single bag of chocolates when another hand made a grab for the same bag. She turned her dark eyes sharply only for them to widen in surprise as she found herself looking into grayish silver eyes.
"I think you need these more than I do," Kamaria offering her old friend the bag of chocolates.
Sango heard a gasped as she returned with a gallon of milk in her hand. She noticed Kagome frozen to her spot as she stared without blinking at young woman with a milky chocolate complexion and with the most unique eyes she had ever seen.
She wore a black knit hat and had a few black strands of hair revealing themselves. Sango couldn't notice that she had three faded scars on her left cheek. The strange woman was about the same height as Kagome and she was dressed comfortably in a black t-shirt, silky black and white stripped yoga pants with navy blue sandals.
Her grayish silver eyes held such wisdom and kindness in their depths unlike any Sango has ever seen. Sango was startled as Kagome flung herself at the strange hugging her fiercely.
Kagome gasped, "I thought I'd never see you again. I can't believe it."
"It has been a long time...hasn't it?" She replied.
"Kagome..." Sango began hesitantly. Kagome pulled away from Kamaria smiling sheepishly at Sango as she had forgotten she was there for a moment.
"Sorry. Sango...I'd like you to meet Kamaria my sister." Kagome introduced her with a smile.
"Sister?" Sango gasped.
"Not by blood..." Kagome began.
"But by friendship," the young woman finished.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Kamaria smiled softly. She shook Sango's hand firmly, but gentle. She pulled away plopping the bag into their shopping cart.
"How long have you been in town?" Kagome asked as they joined Kamaria and continued to do their shopping.
"Just arrived a few weeks ago," Kamaria answered lightly. "I am visiting for the time."
"Is Mama Annis and Papa Sachiel with you?"
Kamaria frowned suddenly.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Kagome asked quickly noticing the change in Kamaria's face.
"They passed away shortly after we left," Kamaria explained softly.
"Oh I am so sorry Kamaria," Kagome apologized quietly.
"You didn't know," Kamaria assured her.
"What happened?" Kagome asked as they got out to the checkout lane.
Sango quietly watched the interaction between Kagome and her childhood friend. She stood quiet for a bit before she replied, "I don't know. I can't remember what happened and Mama Ahayla refuse to tell me what happened."
"Ahayla?" Kagome repeated.
"Yes," Kamaria replied. "She was a dear friend of my parents and she took me in when my parents passed away."
"But she won't tell you what happened to them?" Sango asked suddenly.
Kamaria shrugged her shoulder and shook her head, "Nope. She says that I'll remember it one day."
Kamaria waited at the end of the checkout line from Kagome and Sango to pay for their purchases. The three women headed out into the parking lot taking notice that their cars were sitting right beside each other.
"Well...I guess this is good bye for now," Kamaria hugged Kagome and shook Sango's hand once more. "I hope we can become good friends Sango."
"Yeah," Sango replied hesitantly, "I hope we can too."
"I'll catch you two cool cats later." Kamaria waving good bye to them before hopping into her car. "Kagome, why don't you bring Sango by the house? It's been a long time since the old place had visitors and I know I would welcome the company."
"I'd like that," Sango replied.
"Cool! I'll see you then." She hopped in her car and with one last wave pulled out of the parking space and drove away.
Sango and Kagome quietly loaded the car up with the groceries. Each buried in their own thoughts to talk to one another at the moment. Sango couldn't shake off the feeling that Kamaria was hiding something, but it seemed that she couldn't remember what it was.
Sango quickly shut the trunk of the car and Kagome walked over to the passenger side as Sango put away the shopping cart. She quickly hopped into the driver seat and turned on the engine. Sango turned to Kagome and asked, "Kagome is everything alright?"
"Yeah," Kagome answered quickly. "Why?"
"You seem a bit withdrawn is all," Sango replied.
"I can't help but feel that she's hiding something from me," Kagome confide as Sango pulled out of the parking space and started for home.
They fell silent and before Kagome realized Sango was pulling into the driveway of their home. They quickly grabbed the groceries and made their way to the front door when a loud crashed they nearly dropped the bags as they rushed inside. Inside they found Inuyasha embedded into the wall above the staircase.
Sesshoumaru emerged from the living room and the two brothers glared at each other as Inuyasha yanked himself from the wall.
Kagome and Sango merely looked at one another and shook their heads. They walked over the debris and made their way into the kitchen. Nelly, Sesshoumaru's housekeeper, was already making dinner. She was an elderly woman with dark grey hair always curled into a neat bun.
She was a short plumped woman with a set of kind sea green eyes. She acted like a mother to all she met, but no one really knew much about her except what she choose to tell them. No one really pushed it though they were all grateful that she was around.
Nelly was probably the only person alive that Sesshoumaru hadn't been able to run off with his temper and he actually seemed to enjoy the elderly woman's company even though he won't admit it.
"Oh you're back," Nelly smile as the girls walked in, "Did you find everything alright?"
"Yup and among other things," Sango hinted lightly.
"Is there anymore bags?" Kagome asked suddenly know exactly what Sango was up to.
"Nope I think we got them all, but I'll go check just in case," Sango replied quickly as she head back out to the car to check. Kagome quietly helped Nelly put away most of the groceries and once Sango got back. The girls helped set the table while Nelly checked on the food.
"Boys, food is ready," Nelly called form the kitchen doorway.
Kagome took her seat beside Sango, but the girls couldn't help feeling the tension build as Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha walked in the dining room.
Nelly made sure to sit right in-between the feuding brothers as to make sure no more trouble was started. The two dog demons glared at one another before taking their seats at the table.
"That's enough," scolded Nelly, "Eat before it gets cold."
Neither demon moved it as if they didn't even hear her, but as Nelly merely shrugged her shoulder. She was about to take a bit from her own food when she noticed that Kagome hadn't touched her dinner.
"Kagome, what's the matter dear?" Nelly asked, "Aren't you feeling well?"
"Huh, ah no I am okay," Kagome replied quietly.
"You don't look okay," Inuyasha said with a snuff.
Kagome glared at him.
"Why do you care," she snapped.
"I don't," barked Inuyasha.
Kagome abruptly stood from the table and left without even excusing herself. All eyes glared in Inuyasha direction.
"What!?!?" Inuyasha snapped.
"I hope you're happy," Sango snapped at him as she quickly excused herself from the table to follow after Kagome.
She found Kagome curled up on her side and her body shake with the force of her silent sobs. Sango made her way over to the bed and sat down beside her. Kagome felt when the bed drip beneath her body. She jumped up and turned around to see Sango watched her with concern floating in her eyes.
Before Sango could say anything Kagome launched herself at her was cried and all Sango could was comfort her friend as best as she could. Kagome had finally fallen asleep with tears still staining her cheeks. Sango gently tucked her into bed and left the room closing the door quietly behind her.
Poor Kagome, Sango thought sadly as she made her way to her room. How can you be so blind Inuyasha? Can't you see how much you're hurting her?
A few weeks later...
"What the hell were you doing with him Kagome!" Inuyasha barked at her.
"We were just talking Inuyasha," Kagome calmly replied.
"Talking! Talking!" Inuyasha roared, "He was holding your hand Kagome!`"
"Jealous," Kagome wondered out loud.
"Jealous!" Inuyasha scuffed, "Hardly."
"Inuyasha give it a rest," Sango sighed as she sat down beside Kagome. Koga had left as she was getting there so she knew why Inuyasha was to worked up. Miroku arrived soon after and he could only guess what had happened. Kagome looked ready to kill someone or in this case a certain half demon.
Inuyasha 's silver hair was tied back, he was grumbling in the corner about the stench of wolf that seem to linger in the air that only seem the irritate him more. Sesshoumaru had retired to his study as he didn't want to see his brother make a complete fool out of himself in front Kagome, but a scent drifted below into the study. He found himself quite drawn to it, pulling him up the stairs and into the foyer.
Ding!!
Dong!!
Nelly quickly rushed to answer the door as she wiped her hands clean on her apron. She opened the door and Inuyasha could hear mumbling but couldn't really make what was said. He stiffen in his chair as he sniffed at the air around as he caught a strange scent that now filled the room.
"Kagome dear there's someone here to see you," Nelly announced as she step aside to reveal a stranger woman standing behind her. She was dressed in a black spaghetti strapped shirt, a newsboy cap that she tucked her hair up into with only a few reluctant strands poking out beneath it.
She wore a snug black blue jeans with knee high boots. Her dark glasses rested on neatly on her nose, but when Inuyasha tried to see behind the lenses. His eyes widen in realization that he couldn't see anything. Inuyasha couldn't sense anything out of the ordinary about her, but who is she and why was she there to see Kagome?
Inuyasha caught sight of the many silver bracelets around one of her wrist as she waved to Kagome and Sango. She tilted her head to the side and smiled at them when he noticed the plain silver choke chain around her neck. Kamaria could feel the curious glanced that everyone were giving her expect Sango and Kagome.
"Hey!" Kamaria greeted with a soft smile, "I came--"
"Will you bear my children?" Miruko was down on one knee holding Kamaria's hand. A bead of sweat dropped for everyone in the room including Kamaria. A pillow come flying out of nowhere and it nailed him right in the head rendering him unconscious once he hit the floor.
"Is that normal?" Kamaria asked curiously.
"I am afraid so," sighed Kagome.
"So, Kamaria," Sango chimed as she walked over Miruko's body, "what brings you here?"
"I came to invite you to the café's opening." Kamaria revealed as she handed Kagome a flyer.
"When is it?" Kagome asked enthusiastically.
"Wait isn't that--" Sango paused as she glanced down at the flyer.
"The Crescent Moon Café," Kamaria finished with a nodded, "The grand opening is this Friday. Hope to see you guys there."
"Sure sounds like fun," Kagome squealed.
"It's getting late and I should get going." Kamaria bid everyone good bye and was heading out of the living room when she nearly ran into Nelly, who was coming back with a food tray with freshly prepared snacks and ice cold drinks.
"Oh dear, leaving so soon?" Nelly asked
"I am fear so," Kamaria repiled. "I only came to invite Kagome to the café's opening."
"At least eat something before you go." Nelly offered the tray up to her with a gentle smile, but Kamaria smiled back.
"I can't really I have to go. Maybe next time," Kamaria promised as she looked up from the elderly woman that reminded her so much her Mama Ahayla. She might have mistaken her for Ahayla had it not been for her gray hair and Ahayla had pure white hair.
Kamaria felt her hair stand on end she turned her head sharply to the side and found herself staring into molten golden pair of eyes watching her with mild curiosity. She tilted her head to the side and caught sight of his silvery white hair that was swept back.
He loomed in the doorway to his study staring her down and Kamaria could feel a shiver run down her spine as she stared back at him. She suddenly got the urge to run her fingers through his hair, but she quickly pushed it aside and merely acknowledged him with a short nod. She said her last farewell and quietly left the same way she came.
Sesshoumaru couldn't tear his eyes away from her until she was long gone.
Interesting human, he thought as he vanished back down into his underground study. She was the only other human other than Nelly that could stare back at him without flinching. Her sweet scent lingered teasing him long after she was gone. A scent unlike another he had known in his life. It drove him nearly off the edge but if it wasn't for his self control and training he would have lost his head. For a moment Sesshoumaru thought he could feel their hearts beating as one.
"What nonsense," he scoffed as he sat himself behind his desk and resumed his work, but his thoughts drifted even now and then to the mysterious woman who stepped into his home that day.
Kamaria collapsed against the door when she got home. She could feel her heart beating wildly against her chest as she couldn't shake the thought that she had seen those eyes in her dreams before. Isis rushed into the foyer greeting her with a gentle purr. Kamaria reached down and picked her blue eyes, black Egyptian Mau and cradled the kit in her arms.
Kamaria remember when her parents had saved Isis from a horrible owner who had left her out to starve. Her father had given Isis to her as a gift once she was well feed and they had been together even since then. Isis was her consistent company even when they had to return to Kamaria's birth lands. Isis plopped out her arms once she was close enough to hop onto the counter. She tapped her black tail against the counter as she wait patiently for Kamaria fix up her food bowl.
"There you are precious," Kamaria said placing the bowl at her feet. She waited for a bit as she watched Isis devoured the food and water that was placed in front her before contently sitting back to lick herself clean. Kamaria made her way up the stairs and she couldn't help, but to peek into the middle room that was forbidden to her as a child.
An altar was built in a far corner of the room with a large black carpet lay out in front of it. It was embroidered with a white ankh. A locked wood chest rested beside the altar beneath the window. The wall closest to her was an old writing desk with chair beneath it and across from it was an old mirror that her mother always kept covered. She leaned against the door frame as the scent of her parents danced around her. Kamaria took in their scent deeply.
Mama, papa, why can't I remember what happened, she thought suddenly as she pulled the door closed to the room and made her to the end of hall where her room was.
She closed the door slowly behind her as she tried to remember the last few days of her parents as she went into the bathroom. She walked over to the bathtub and began filling it with warm water. Kamaria turned to glance at herself but soon her image became clouded with the steam that rose from her bath.
She began to slowly undress, leaving a pile of clothing beside the bathtub. Kamaria turned off the water as she bath was nearly filled not enough that it was splash over. She slipped into the bath and with sponge and rose scent soap in hand lathered her body and merely sat back to relax.
The warm water lapped at her shoulder and she sink further into the bath. She rested her head against the rim of the tub, but that soothing calm eluded her as those pierce golden eyes returned to haunt her once more.
What would mama and papa think? She wondered. What would they tell her if they were still alive about this?
But she shook the thoughts from her mind as she rinsed off what remained of the soap remaining on her soaking body. She grabbed the towel that hung over the tub and wrapped it around her before leaving the warmth of her bath. On her bed laid her dark blue satin pajamas waiting to be slipped on her soft, cleaned skin. She tossed herself onto her queen size bed, but Kamaria rose from her bed with a moan as she heard Isis scratching at her door to be let in.
She slightly opened her door and Isis simply squeezed by heading straight for Kamaria's bed. Isis plopped down onto her bed and curled up to fall asleep. Kamaria shook her head shamelessly at her black Mau, but thanks to Isis she realized that she was still in her towel.
Kamaria walked to other side of the bed where her clothes was laid out. She let her towel slip from her body and quickly slipped on her pajamas before falling back into bed. Slumber soon overcame her and soon she began to dream…
Annis, her mother sang softly behind her as she braided her hair. Her face seem to glow with the happiness she felt whenever she was enjoying her father or Kamaria's company. Kamaria could always find where her mother was by simply following her voice as she always found something to make her sing, but she often said that her father and Kamaria were her only inspiration.
Kamaria watched her mother through the reflection in the mirror. She always remembered her mother being fair of face with a milky complexion and silky midnight black hair that flowed all about her. She had gentle sky gray eyes and that match her sweet and kind nature. Kamaria couldn't remember a day that her mother was anger at anyone.
"There are my angels," a deep voice emerged from the doorway, startled them both.
Kamaria turned her head to spy her father leaning against door frame with his arms crossed over his chest and a soft smile on his rough face. He stared at them with a mischief pair of liquid mercury colored eyes. His short unruly black hair was spike with white highlights. His slightly dark complexion made his face look rougher than it really was.
Kamaria hopped down from the chair she was sat in and scurried towards him with excitement. He father towered over him and he stretched him muscle before reach down to pluck her off the floor. Her father twirled her about over his head and she giggled happily it was like music to his ears.
"Sachiel!!!" Annis scolded him as she watched him tossed her up in the air. "You should know better than that. She is too young."
"Annis, you worry too much," teased Sachiel.
"And you don't worry enough," Annis revealed as she plucked Kamaria out her father's arms.
"I remember a time when you enjoyed being tossed about," Sachiel smirked.
Her mother's face turned bright red as she plucked her out of her father's arms. She cleared her throat, "Time for bed."
"Aww, but mama, papa just got home," she pouted as her mother tucked her into bed.
"Sleep sprite. I'll see you in morning," her father assured her as her eyes began to droop. Her mother hummed softly to her until she fell into asleep.
Kamaria awoke with a start she sat up in bed. She swiped the sweat the form on her brow and Kamaria could stop from shooting an envious glance in Isis's direction. Kamaria slipped away from her bed to the window at the foot of her bed.
She abandoned all attempted to get a restfully night's sleep because she knew that it her dreams weren't plague by nightmare it was filled with painful memories of her parents. Kamaria watched from her window as the blade of grass danced in the wind. The grass rippled under the effects of gentle breeze that push back.