Who will Guard the Guards

by Lisnnaya

It's a dangerous world. With the murder of his mother and betrayal of his butler, it is time for him to untangle the web of lies and deceit weaved around him since the day of his birth, before dark secrets are allowed to sneak through his door and hold their blades at his throat. Darkness is creeping up on his horizon, and it calls for a new dawn. A new age. A harsh one.

2. Chapter 2

Warning: This story will go on for while before I introduce the Ancient Civilization into the story, cause I need to develop Harrison's power first. The story might be a bit dark, because the Academy I am going to enroll Harrison in, is a dangerous one, where only the fittest survive.

Pairings: none so far

Rating: PG-13 might go up if necessary

Words: 4,292

Chapter 2 - Who will Guard the Guards

A light snow was falling.

He watched the people rush by, hurrying home to escape the chill. Reaching out, he watched as a small snowflake landed on his palm.

"Sir, ya meal," the waitress dress in thick clothing shivered slightly in the cold. "Would ya like ta move inside the diner? It is warmer in there."

"No, I am fine thank you," he smiled, graciously rejecting her offer. The waitress blushed and hurried away.

He chuckle softly, it would take him some time to get used to his new appearance. Then he felt the sensation of a pair of eyes focused on him. Looking up, he found two young men seated at the opposite, gazing at him thoughtfully. He raised a brow at them, silently challenging them to voice their thoughts. The two men exchanged glances; unspoken messages hang in the air between them.

Then, the one the right, a handsome dark-skinned man with a finely chiseled jaw line gestured at his ears, "I have never see any of your kind, your race is rather secretive."

Earlier that day, he had decided to braid the hair around his brow, leaving the rest of his wavy black hair cascading down his back. With his hair held back, it revealed the lobeless, upswept ears – the hallmark of his race.

Harrison laughed lightly, the sound resembling the gentle musical trailing of a phoenix. Ever since the change, everything about him that used to be somewhat clumsy, with any resemblance to an ill-mannered clod, had dissolved away. Replace by graceful, elegant, smooth, lithe movements. Luxmundi even remarked that when he fought; his movements resembled that of a dancers.

"Are you here for Deus Gloriosus Academy trials?" the blonde man seated by the dark-skinned man asked. He was as beautiful as the other, though not in entirely human terms. His pale blue eyes were large and nearly luminous in the darkness of the drawing winter night. But he supposed that with his sharp Elven features, he didn't look entirely human either.

"Aren't we all? Benedicite Crydee by the way." Harrison said with a smile, reaching his hand out as he introduced himself. He had decided to use his middle name together with a false surname. Using his real name would be like lighting a bonfire and sending smoke signals to Daniel Hosgrol.

"I am Tomas Crebda, and this is my cousin Keiran Crebda." The blonde man nodded towards his cousin while taking Benedicite's hand in a firm grip. Benedicite blinked in surprise, the Crebda was an old and well-known Vampire family.

"Related to Carline Crebda?"

Keiran smirked, "well cousin, looks like grandmother's reputation has spread far and wide."

~0o0o0o0o~

Benedicite watched as the townsmen rush about courtyard of the small town, shouting as they went long with their daily lives. He had been in the saddle for the last ten minutes together with a group of forty others. Dawn was just commencing, giving the courtyard some colors instead of the black and grey that had greet him when he had first arrived in the town.

A few other students were still rushing about, hurrying to pack last minute items. Benedicite, had already packed the night before unlike the incompetent fools before him. After much arguing and convincing, he managed to get Luxmundi rest in one of the magically enlarged cushioned pouches attached to his saddle. He didn't want to attract too much attention with her wrapped around his shoulders. He was well attired with a spell-prove silk vest underneath his dark blue tunic, with a pair of fine black dragon hide pants wrapped around his long legs. He also had his bow and quiver, Ardevis, strapped onto his back together with his staff. He could practically feel the power of Ardevis seeping into his skin.

"Are you travelling with us? There strength in numbers," Benedicite turned to see the blonde man, Tomas moving his Firehorse along side his own Elf Steed. Benedicite had been pleasantly surprise to note that he possessed enough royal elfish blood, to command an Elf Steed. The majestic stallion had responded to his call for it just before he left the manor.

He smiled, "I don't see why not. It is going to be a long treacherous journey to the Academy, I wonder what sort of trials they have lined up for us."

"Long and treacherous? More like exciting. By the time we reach the Academy, they would have weeded out the weaker students." Keiran said with a gleam of excitement in his eyes.

"Are we ready to go?"

"Yes, let us ride."

Slowly first, then they rode with increasing speed through the gates of the town and down the dirt road towards the Grey Forest.

~0o0o0o0o~

They had been riding for about an hour before they entered the dense woodlands. The snows of the early winter had draped most of the landscape in white. It had been falling heavily throughout the day, and the layers of snow had quickly frozen up into a thin crust of ice. The rhythmic crunching of the dry leaves and ice beneath the hooves of their steeds, could be heard resounding through the still winter air.

The bickering of another group of students just behind, sounded hollow to the three of them, who sat silent and vigilant. Their eyes searching the woods for any signs of trouble.

"They are too loud, we already have half of the woods watching us." Benedicite remarked to Keiran and Tomas.

"You felt it too don't you? The crawl of eyes upon us," Tomas muttered.

"Let us hurry ahead, if we are lucky the woods would remove the competition," Keiran said with a smirk.

"Ah, you are so sinister," Tomas said nudging him playfully in the ribs, allowing some of the tension slip away.

"Hold your horses! Aren't those Firedrakes circling at the distance?" Benedicite said with alarm creeping into his voice.

"Yeah, what about them?"

"Damn it, I can't believe that we haven't noticed them earlier. Don't you remember? They are well-known for being used by during battles and ambushes." Tomas hissed at his cousin, while pulling at the reigns of his horse.

"It is probably the natives on orders from our damn Acadamy," Benedicite said in a hushed tone, glaring at the Firedrakes just beyond the canopy of the trees.

"There is no way to go around them except on foot," Tomas cursed softly before turning to Keiran with an odd gleam in his eyes. "Do you trust me?" Tomas asked, looking at his cousin dead in the eye.

Keiran looked warily at his cousin before responding slowly, "well yeah, we hav– WOAH!" Keiran let out a panicked shout, as Tomas hit the legs of his Firehorse. Sending the stallion rearing. Unable to maintain his balance, Keiran toppled out of his saddle.

With mirth dancing in his eyes, Tomas jumped of his horse and quickly cradled Keiran's ankle, and said with mock concern, "Damn it Keiran, you sprained your ankle. Hey, Benedicite get down. Let us rest for a bit while I heal this." Benedicite grinned at them, before he dismounted. He waved away the curious and concerned looks from the riders behind them, indicating for them to go ahead. The purpose of the whole ruse was to prevent the other students from being alerted to their plans. They could ride straight into the ambush for all he cared. He then gracefully knelt down next to Keiran, putting on his best sympathetic expression, while Keiran tossed venomous glares at Tomas.

"Damn it, Tomas. I never knew you had that in you." Benedicite said with an approving grin.

"Don't encourage him, Benedicite! " Keiran hissed at him under his breath.

After the students were around the bend, they quickly scrambled into action. "Grab what you need from the horses, we will disillusion the Horses and the rest of our baggage," Tomas said.

"Yeah yeah, we know, relax Tomas."

"How you can be so at ease, amazes me, Keiran," Benedicite said with a laugh.

Benedicite turned from them and whispered to his Elf Steed in his musical language. His steed reared in salute and speed off into the forest, with the two Firehorses following closely behind.

"Lets go. Lets hope we won't encounter any goblins or the native Kasumis," Tomas said with a glint of excitement in his eyes.

"Hard and fast they say. Hard and fast."

~0o0o0o0o~

Tomas motioned for them to keep still. With an indication of his hand, the white-blonde manmotioned for them to ascend the trees.

Then they heard screams coming from the distance, "its an ambush! To me! To me! We are surrounded!" From their vintage point, they had watched the group of students panicking as they rode straight into the ambush like rabbits into a snare.

They then quickly memorized the positions of the attacking Kasumis. They watched as the students finally managed to break through the line of attacking archers, riding hard and fast seeking to keep ahead of their pursuers.

"It's a massacre, At least eighteen of those students are down. Thank goodness we were alert enough," Benedicite whispered.

"They are approximately a mile away, they are attacking from the East, let's head north," Tomas remarked to them.

"We can't go north. Don't you see it? They are herding them away from the East towards the North; they are bringing them to their main strength." Keiran said gesturing at Kasumis runners, running along with the galloping horses. "Right now, they not seeking to massacre them but to keep them moving in a blind haste. Their arrows and runner from the East side serves to hurry them along the path towards the North."

"Damn, you are right. Alright then, let us follow the course of the river out of the Grey Forest then. It is the faster route. Once we are out, we can call for our horses." Benedicite said gesturing towards the river a quarter mile to the west.

"The Grey Rivers are the most dangerous part of the forest. Many have died at the hands of the Creatures of the Grey Waters." Keiran argued.

"Nah, not if you have an Elf in your company," Tomas said with a grin.

"What? What does that have to do with anything?"

"Looks like you don't know much about my kind, but the any Creatures of Water loves Elves."

~0o0o0o0o~

Swiftly, they made their way along the river, travelling at a speed which no human could keep up with. The Deadly Creatures of Grey Waters lurked in the depths of the river passing no mind to the passing trio. They travelled quickly, ignoring the smothering looks the water nymphs were throwing them, or more accurately, Benedicite.

"Looks like, they like what they see," Keiran said grinning at Benedicite.

"That is a gross understatement, my friend. They are practically drooling at our little Elf," Tomas said with a laugh.

With mock solemnity, Benedicite said, "I do apologize for stealing all the attention. I tend to outshine everyone I am with, sometimes I do wonder what it is like to be dull and boring."

Keiran sighed in a theatrical fashion, "Ah… Indeed, my friend. Sometimes I do feel the same way. Then I remember if I ever want to know what it is like, I simply look at Tomas."

Tomas gave him a crooked grin before he lunged forward, wrapping his arms around Keiran's tan neck, and said with a wicked leer, "well now, there is no need to jealous of my extravagant lifestyle. Merlin knows when was the last time a lady had laid her eyes upon your stout figure."

Keiran spluttered indignantly, "Stout? Stout? I am barely two inches below than you!"

They both dissolved into uproarious laughter at Keiran's indignant expression.

Within three hours, the group emerged out of the dense forest. Benedicite then called out for his Elf Steeds, the magical steeds could hear the call of their riders no matter the distance. Soon his steed came riding out of the forest, with the Firehorses just behind. Once they mounted their stallions, they gathered around Tomas and the map.

Keiran looked at the map and said, "So we head towards the Southern Pass right? Deus (the academy) is just beyond The Pass of Desual."

"Well lets go, don't forget about the timer," Tomas grinned with a glint of competitiveness in his eyes.

"It is nearly nightfall though, we have to be careful. I don't know what lurks in this part of mountains," Benedicite said eyeing their surroundings with caution.

Soon, they were riding swiftly through the valleys between the snowing peaks.

~0o0o0o0o~

They had travelled through the night, covering about 40 miles. Stopping a couple of times to eat and refresh. They were travelling hard, due to the hours they lost travelling through the forest on foot.

"It is rather suspicious that we haven't encountered anything yet," Keiran muttered.

"I don't like it, I feel like something bad is going to happen," Benedicite said, while tugging his dark green cloak around him. Shielding himself from howling winter winds.

"A snow storm is approaching, we might be able to tolerate the harsh winters, but I am afraid that we might get lost in this weather." Tomas said gesturing at the clouds rolling in from the northwest, and the darkening skies. "We need to find shelter, we have about an hour before the storm comes. Benedicite, if you would."

"Give me a moment." Being an Elf made him more in tune with nature, with his mind being connected to the creatures of the Earth. Gently, he lowered his mind shields, slowly spreading his senses out, mentally preparing himself for the onslaught of activity.

After he returned to his conscious mind, Benedicite gestured towards the North, "There is a habitable cave less than a quarter mile ahead. I'll lead the way."

~0o0o0o0o~

Benedicite woke up to the smell of cooking meat. Sitting up, he saw that it was dark outside, and the snowstorm was still going strong.

"How much longer do you think the storm is going to last?" Keiran wondered aloud.

-I have never seen such a powerful snow storm before-

Upon hearing the voice in their head, both Tomas and Keiran reared back, plain surprise written on their faces.

-Luxmundi, don't scare my bloodsucking friends- Benedicite chided her gently, more amused than annoyed.

-If they know fear, then they are not worthy of your company- She said, while slithering out of his baggage, towards the warmth of the fire. The shadows of the flames danced across her scales, making her scales look more obsidian than the usual opal like appearance.

-That was a horrible ride; you didn't even feed me for the whole day- She grumbled.

"Benedicite, why didn't you tell us that you had a familiar?" Tomas asked, as he throw her small chunk of rabbit meat.

Benedicite chuckled softly, "sorry, it must have slipped my mind."

" 'It must have slipped my mind'," Keiran mocked in a high-pitched voice. "What utter rubbish, you just wanted to give us a fright."

"Now, now, lets not mock our dear elf. I heard Elves are very sensitive," Tomas said solemnly, with a finger on his lips, indicating that the knowledge was a highly guarded secret.

Benedicite reached forward and whacked Tomas on the back of his head, "oh, why am I even friends with such imbeciles?" Benedicite said with an expression of theatrical grief, while beginning his meal of rabbit meat.

-Hey, Luxmundi, can you give me an estimation of how long do you think the storm will last? –

-For as long as the caster can hold it- she answered.

The three of them froze at the sentence, "this storm isn't natural?"

"No, Tomas, I don't think so. This must is part of the trials. They might even hold the storm till the end of the time limit, just to see which student can make to the Academy despite the storm." Keiran said eying the raging blizzard just outside the mouth of the cave. The howling winds seemed to increase in strength with every passing minute.

"Dammit, there is no way we can travel through a storm of this magnitude, magical creatures or not. We wont last 5 miles." Tomas hissed.

Just then, Benedicite heard the gentle thumping of furred paws against the cold stone floors. Quickly, he raised his hand with his palm facing upwards, a motion indicating the need of silence. Immediately, they fell quiet and listened. Slowly, Benedicite got to his feet, reaching his back to grab an arrow from his quiver. In a single fluid motion, he nocked a single silver arrow and pulled the string taut to his ear, before releasing it into the darkness of the cave. A soft yip from the gloom, revealed the he meet his target. Without a word, Benedicite run forward into the darkness.

A minute later, he emerged from the blackness, with an odd grin on his face. In his hands, he cradled a small furry creature. Tomas slowly stood from his position, his eyes fixed onto the small creature. He then gently, took it from Benedicite's hands.

A grin slowly spread across his face. Finally, he looked up and shared an excited grin with Benedicite.

"Alright, are you two going tell me what's going on? Or are you guys going to keep the secret to yourselves?"

Ignoring Keiran, they both continued grinning at each other. "Do you want to give it a shoot?" Tomas asked.

Benedicite said still grinning, "we have no lamp."

"We have fire."

"There are many dangerous lurking in there."

"As well as many treasures and rare and useful creatures."

"We have no map."

"What's a little adventure?"

"Indeed what's a little excitement?"

Keiran stepped up to the two of them, and wrapped his arms around their shoulders, "I agree, what's a little excitement? Hmm?"

Both of their turned exasperated looks to Keiran, "Do you even know what we are talking about?"

"No, I don't," came his cheerful reply.

~0o0o0o0o~

"This is madness. Many people get lost wondering through the tunnels of dwarfs." Keiran said, as he waved his torch around him, sending flickering shadows dancing across the walls. Benedicite peered down a narrow tunnel that branched off the main tunnel. "Adventure is good for the soul," Benedicite replied distractedly.

"I don't think this is wise, I have lost nearly all sense of direction." Keiran said, worry coloring his voice.

The tunnels were wide and damp, with the ceiling falling and rising. They had to pull down the heads of their steeds occasionally for the low ceilings, but they had ample room for movement.

After some time, they came to a large cavern with several tunnels branching out, with the sound of rushing water coming faintly from a few of them. Studying the tunnels, they picked the one that had cool air blowing out from it. As they walked, the sound of rushing water became louder. Before long they entered gloriously large cavern, the ceiling hanging above them by a few hundred feet.

The path they had been walking on had narrowed down to a ledge that was now merely 10 feet wide, running along the right side of the cavern. The edges of the ledge gave way to a gapping vortex of darkness stretching away below them. They continued on the path, walking along the curve in the wall. Once they rounded it, they were greeted by sight they that left them speechless. The ceiling of the cavern had caved in, giving away to a mighty waterfall that spilled over the outcropping slab of rock, crushing down into the endless abyss below. The glorious sun light and harsh snow poured into the cavern, reflecting off the waters, splashing luminous colors of greens, blues and gold across walls of the magnificent cavern. Illuminating the entrances of the endless number of gaping tunnels that lined the walls. The sheer size of the cavern amplified the deafening reverberations of the waterfall striking against the rock face and the bottom of the cavern, making it nearly impossible to hear themselves over the loud water crushing against the rock.

"Its beautiful, almost unnaturally so," Benedicite admired the tranquil scene before him.

"That's because it isn't," Tomas hissed. "I recognize this place, it's The Wriath's Nest. We have to get out of here, now."

Then crawl of decaying magic began seeped into his senses, the Wriaths had sense their meal and were awakening. "Ride! Quickly!" Benedicite growled, pushing his steed into full speed.

The Wriath's Nest, he remembered reading about the place in old of the old tomes back in the manor. It was one of the most dangerous places in the world, it wasn't easy to find, and many adventurers have spent their lifetimes seeking the place out, for the glory of slaying the Lord of the Wriaths. Many of them were arrogant and this merely led them to their deaths. Yet they were able to stumble upon it, by sheer luck.

Bad luck.

The luxurious waterfall was the trademark of the place, the waters were saturated with compulsion magic that drew attention away from the hundreds of cave entrances the dotted the face of the waterfall.

Just as they rounded the corner and re-entered the tunnels, hundreds of Wriaths were already emerging from their caves.

They push the steeds even harder, hugging their manes, dodging the overhanging slabs of rock. The rush of the passing wind slapped harshly against their faces, seeming to push them back into the outstretch claws of the Wriaths.

But Benedicite could feel it, no matter how fast they were going, the decaying magics of the Wriaths were getting closer. The horrible blood curling cries for their flesh were getting louder with each second, resounding off the narrow walls of the tunnel. They were no longer choosing their path wisely, they were running in the blind. No less pathetic then a sheep's mad dash for escape, from the wolves.

"They are too fast! We have to attack them!" Benedicite yelled over the mane of his steed.

-What were their points of weakness? Think!- He screamed to himself, forcing coherent thoughts back into his head.

-Wriaths are known to be weak against the Enchanted Flames of the Old… the key is to attack the Lord of the nest. Set a trap- A distant voice echoed in his head, it was sounded like the harsh winds in the winters and pouring rains. A voice you didn't disobey.

"What manner of man would be able to take on a hundred Wriaths? No! We ride!" Tomas shouted back.

"No, we must set a trap. Draw out the Lord." Benedicite whispered into the darkness of the cave. His primitive Elven instincts were bowing to the voice in his head, like how a young Dark Elf would submit to the wishes of an Elder.

Quickly, Benedicite spread out his sense willing the earth to lead them to largest nearby cavern. "Follow me!" he yelled over the increasingly shrilly cries of the Wriaths. They had less than a few hundred meters head start; they needed to get the nearest cavern quickly.

Left.

Left.

Right.

He had completely lost all sense of direction, relying solely on his Elven Senses. But they were drawing near. Soon the narrow tunnels opened up into a large cavern.

- Call on the power of our ancestors. If you are worthy, they will answer -

- How? -

- You know how –

Desperation was rearing up in him, with each passing second, hope was being sapped from his body. The Wriaths were sucking greedily from them, replacing what they took with hopeless despair and the deepest terror that seeped deep into his bones. How?

- Go on child, CALL ON THEM! –

His Dark Elven heritage snapped in him at the voice of his Elder, and the language of the Old spilled forth from his lips.

"SUCCURRO ME, o maiores! Isti mihi potestatem ligandi!"

Immediately, a powerful presence washed over him, the magic flowing in his veins seemed to have triple in intensity. The strength of the presence of those long dead forced him to his knees.

"Benedicite, it's a dead end here! Where have you led us!" Keiran growled, anger seeping into his voice, seemingly ignorant of the meaning of the display before him. He reached over and grabbed Benedicite's arm rather painfully.

"Let go of me" a steely voice spilled forth from Benedicite's lips. In a swift movement, Benedicite jerked his arm free from Keiran's hold, leaving Keiran momentarily stun at the intensity of the magic he had sensed beneath his companion's skin.

Transfixed, they watched Benedicite spread his hands above his head and began in chant in a tongue long forgotten to man. As the incantation echoed off the walls of the cavern, threads of gold began to form around the mouth of the cavern, fashioning a complex web of magic. The words were pouring forth more rapidly now. Then a wind came, from seemingly nowhere, blowing from all directions. Keiran fell to his knees in pain, unable to handle the intensity of the magic swirling violently around him. Then the Golden Web begun to glow, Keiran and Tomas buried their heads in their knees, trying to avoid the blinding light. Benedicite's voice was now magnified above the sound of the rushing winds, and just as Keiran and Tomas began to scream from the harsh pain from the raw magic, then Benedicite finished the incantation.

And the room was ablaze with brilliant Gold and Black flames.

"Lord of the Wriaths, come to me."

A loud, sharp anguished cry reached their ears, as Keiran vaguely saw a harsh black figure being jerk through the web of flames to pierce through the chest by the Golden arrows from Benedicite's bow, "Burn Ardevis. Burn it to the depths of hell where it belongs." Before the darkness claimed him, he heard a voice.

-Well done, my heir –

-Thank you-

Its in Latin :)

"SUCCURRO ME, o maiores! Isti mihi potestatem ligandi"

"AID ME, oh ancestors ! give me the power to bind these demons!"