A/N: Hey, since we're getting more intense the more we get into the story, I'm raising this fic's rating into M. I hope the wait was worth it. Life had been a little unforgiving to me in January.

Recap: In Meridian, Caleb gets an unexpected tip about certain personalities associated with Phobos from none other than Phobos himself. Elyon messes up the treaty, but gets pointers from her host, Caesar. Cedric, bullied by his former colleagues, gets the idea to escape... again.

In Heatherfield, Cornelia rebels a bit and decides to try for a modelling gig. Will signs Orube up for a temporary shift at The Silver Dragon to give the warrior an idea about the Earth life. Irma gets to indulge in her crush on Mr. Sylla. Agents are spying on them.

In Arkhanta, we see Maqi's simple perspective of life that his father Ari does not seem to appreciate. In an isolated town, a young girl named Ilse does not find hope in the guardian's arrival to her world.

Warning: Depictions of violence against children (child) in the middle and self-harm towards the end of this chapter. You're welcome to turn back and drop the story if it gets too graphic for your taste.


Chapter 04: Colliding Forces

Just as they thought Riddle and Sylla were up to something, the day ended without any other suspicious activity.

Will grumbled. Yet another false lead, wasn't it? She'd done it with Dean; she'd done it with Serena. Oh, gee. She did it to both her almost-stepparents. Now she was doing it to her teacher?

The events told her she needed no more distractions and more action. Will scheduled a meeting at Mrs. Rudolph's house for the next day… which is today. Once there, they'd go to Arkhanta and try again.

Cornelia, as expected, was a little difficult to talk to. She wasn't picking up the whole afternoon, or at night. Taranee negotiated in Will's stead before it was time for bed, and a condition was placed: Lillian needed babysitting. That meant Matt had to go too.

Stupid guardianhood. Her parents' situation wasn't helping either. Will took deep breaths and sighed again and again, sparks appearing on her head. This was getting stressful for a 15-going-on-16-year-old to handle.

Two years. Almost two full years as guardians. And three years without her dad around. Will stared at herself in the mirror. She looked like whack. How could she attend her dad and Serena's wedding?

Ugh! Focus!

Arkhanta. Ari. Banshee.

And the villagers! How could she forget? They could've asked beforehand! Will and her friends headed to Arkhanta without any information on who Ari really was, or what to expect in Arkhanta. All they knew was whatever the Oracle showed them, and they'd focused on what happened to the banshee. Even asking Yan Lin yesterday, all Will got was 'they're very simple people, rather stubborn at times'. Like her parents. Ugh. Focus!

Will's impression of Arkhanta was that it was very backwater. Maybe they shouldn't be walking up to the villagers as guardians or anything, like how she should skirt with the issue of her dad's marriage around her mom. Argh. It was difficult to think on her own. Her mind kept wandering to other problems. She had to be at Orube's real soon, too.

Will forced herself to get up and get dressed. Oh well. Today was another day for work.

Another day for work. Caleb sat by his desk, between the stacks of paper surrounding him. He reviewed the papers again – more land disputes, more bandit attacks, and… surprise, some information on Phobos' court members. It was a report on who was who, mostly from servants and soldiers who once served Phobos.

Hm. Why didn't Caleb think of that before?

These other shady nobles seemed elusive, too. They must've merely been funding his rule, sitting quietly in the comforts of their home while Phobos did the work for them. Names, faces from artists' sketches, descriptions… none rang a bell in his mind. Who were all these people?

Well, except for the ones Phobos mentioned. And Haseldorf. However, Haseldorf was behind bars, so he's off the list. Hm… maybe not. Caleb swore to himself he'd take a closer look at Haseldorf later. Maybe there'd be useful information in there, somehow. Aside from, sigh, hugong-related stuff.

Anyway.

Marquise Edna. Hideous. (Well, Caleb didn't know what he was expecting out of Phobos' minions.) Known to throw lavish parties here and there. Owned multiple parcels of land all over Meridian. Why did Phobos mention her? Hmm… she apparently had hold over the market of seafood. Interesting. That must be why fish and mussels were very expensive. Caleb thought he'd put some priority on her. Next.

Jonathan Ludmoore. Alchemist. Charming. Huh. Caleb actually found the man charming. This guy had this very charismatic, very confident smile. Kind of the opposite of Lord Cedric, in some ways. Ludmoore was known to have a form of a red, fire-breathing double-headed dragon (interesting). Last seen about thirteen years ago, around the time Elyon disappeared from Meridian's radar. Flamboyant in a way, he was Phobos' magic adviser. (Hm, that explains things about Lord Cedric…)

Finally, Vaal the Useless.

A stunted green man. Reptilian, no doubt. He didn't look like mold, per se, but… he looked the opposite of trustworthy. He showed up only when Phobos called for him.

That was it. Nothing else followed.

Useless, indeed.

Ugh. Caleb should've really thought of this before. It would've been helpful to have investigated on Phobos' remaining allies, no matter how weak or unremarkable they were, and have them thrown in prison. Then again, last year, they were preoccupied with adjusting to their new ruler, their new policies, and their newfound freedom. Plus, Nerissa… plus, the sorceress was busy stirring up trouble, biding her time, and skillfully playing everyone into her hands… until that, um, thing with Prince Phobos and Lord Cedric. Ugh. Disgusting.

Of course, the Queen was still adjusting to her own role, too. She even got bored of it once (Who wouldn't feel tired about listening to hugongs, hugongs, and hugongs all day long?!), and went back to Heatherfield, with Caleb himself as her bodyguard. That was an experience; sitting with teens all day long, listening about these many things about the world, taking tests, making these projects… awesome, but, not as awesome as being rebel leader, or commander of an army.

…now that he thought of it, that had been a dangerous move. What if Phobos' remaining minions, these nobles, tried to instill another ruler? Hah, right. As if they had power to do that, or some other trump card who'd be strong enough to lead. Caleb felt confident about this. The previous Queen Weira only had two children, and no other name came to mind regarding her rule. King Consort Zayden, maybe. But, he was dead, like the old Queen.

Wait. Who killed him? Who killed them? Phobos? Ugh. Despicable. Truly despicable.

"Hey Caleb, you got a moment—woah!"

Caleb looked up from his desk, finding Aldarn by the door.

"Woah. This looks like a pigsty!" his friend remarked. "Where can I walk?"

Caleb glanced around his office – pieces of paper and stacks of paper littered the floor. Oh. Right. All the paperwork he said he'd attend to, that he told himself he'd organize later. Well. Now could be counted as later, but… later. For now, he had to entertain Aldarn.

And Aldarn… he was staring at the mess before him. He bent down to put some of the sheets away with shaky hands. Caleb sighed.

"Oh, darn it, I'll do it myself," he stated, standing up from his chair. Aldarn whipped his head, wearing a smirk.

"Did you just swear, or did you call me?"

"Aldarn!"

They chuckled. Caleb carefully treaded over the cluttered mess of his floor. Man. This was much worse than he thought! He had trouble extending his legs to ensure he wouldn't step on anything important, and to ensure that he'd be stepping on an uncovered part of the floor. He almost lost his balance a few times, earning laughter from his friend.

"You ought to clean this mess up, Caleb."

"Later. Oof—!"

"What's got you in a knot, again? I don't recall that I ever had to enter this room in such a mess!"

"Not much, just… woops! Just trying to sift through everything. You know. Hugong land feuds."

"And you thought you'd had enough of them!"

"Apparently, they're much harder to handle, than Prince Phobos himself… gotcha!"

Caleb reached the door, finally, as he stumbled into Aldarn. Aldarn caught him and helped him regain his balance.

"You really ought to clean up," Aldarn repeated.

"I will. Soon." Caleb winked. "So, what's the problem?"

"It's not a problem. We have word on Vaal the Useless."

Caleb quickly strode away, grabbing his friend by the wrist.

"Uh, Caleb—"

"We can't waste time! Let's go!"

"The briefing room's the other way around."

right. Caleb turned around, still holding Aldarn by the wrist.

"You're acting odd again, Caleb."

"Not really. I just like it better when there's some action!"

A day had passed, and yet Taranee's mind was still on the words Cornelia told her. Unleash the fire within. Dance academy. Her legs wanted to move. Her arms felt rather noodle-like. It was as if fire was in her limbs, and it wanted out.

She took a deep sigh as she took her camera set and cradled it in her arms. A forgotten hobby. Her fingers glided over every feature and over the film. Through the film, she saw herself, dancing.

Memories of Sesamo, her former home.

Her last night at Sesamo was one of the best and worst nights ever. She and her former friends were a team too and there were five of them. She was their leader and they formed a dance group, and even made it through contest after contest, and this last one was one of their best performances ever. She performed. Her last night; her last performance.

They would've missed her flight, had she stayed to see her group make it to the podium. She didn't have a choice back then.

Her hands trembled as she wiped her tears. A second chance landed on her lap, she thought. Now that she had a choice... now that the power was back in her hands...

"Are you really going?"

Taranee looked up. It was Peter. She told her brother yesterday about the thing. Her thing. The dance academy.

"Hey, bro."

"Sup?" He smiled. "My lil sis, a dancer, again! I thought you swore you'd never think about it ever again?"

"I did, but..." Taranee sighed. "How do I explain it?"

"You miss it?"

"...a lot."

Peter sat next to her and the bed bounced as it accommodated his weight. "Oh, I knew it. I knew that since we moved here, you've been missing a… liiiittle something."

"Gosh, what do I do with a brother like you?! One day, you'll be able to look into my thoughts!" Even though Taranee herself read (and heard) minds… well, just the minds of the guardians and some select magical people like Elyon.

"Ha-ha. Funny. So is it time for me to see you in those silly costumes again?"

"Peter!"

"Well, why not? You gotta take control of your life sometimes!"

Peter was right – these past months had been a whirlwind, and it would be nice if she could do something she chose for herself. "Yeah. I will. I want to." Taranee pushed her camera aside and spun about. "I want to dance again!"

"Awesome!" Peter clapped and took her in his arms to dance about in a waltz-like tempo. "The only step left is when we go tell Mom."

Taranee frowned as she led him into a spin. "Not yet, Pete."

"Why not?"

"Keep it secret for a bit longer, puh-lease?"

"Aww, Taranee!"

A smile crept up Taranee's lips. "You know how mom takes these things."

"That's why I offered to tell her in your place."

"Thanks, Pete. But... I want to tell her myself. You know… take control."

"Got it!" Peter winked.

"When I want it, where I want it."

"Sure, sure! Big Bro Pete's mouth is zipped!"

Peter was really the best brother she could ever ask for.

"Alright, now that's off my system, can I ask my brotherly unit to let me go?"

"Aww, now that you got what you want, you suddenly hate me? Ouch, I'm hurt!"

"Oh, shut up!" Taranee gave a few pats on Peter's back as he left her room. "I'm headed to a friend's, that's all."

"Okay. Well, don't forget to tell me if you need back-up with mom or something!"

"Yeah, thanks!"

She placed her camera back into her cabinet and readied herself to head to Mrs. Rudolph's house. It's looking like a great day...

Ari's sweaty hands twisted the knob as he mustered up his courage to walk into the room. He shouldn't be scared; it was only his son and that dumb sickness, after all. Besides, which father wouldn't want to play with his son and watch his son smile?

Only that, in this case, Maqi didn't smile at him. Why? Why him? Everything that Ari could give, he did. He accepted the loss of his beloved and welcomed their son into the world with tearful eyes. He had to separate his time between watching his child and toiling in the fields. He braved through his own illnesses to afford his son's own medications. He braved through evil to harness the good, but why? Why had it been his son? Why did the world hate Maqi? Why did the universe turn its back on the small boy and made it so difficult for all of them?

Ari entered the room, and the nurse merely bowed. This one was the best among the nurses he'd hired. She only spoke when necessary and did her job as he told her to. The first one was someone who liked to come between him and his son. The second one was neglectful and lazy. This was the third one. Ari was so relieved he didn't have to go through so many people.

So many people… so many people out there were still trying to be happy, despite the plague that slowly descended upon their world. And yet, yet… Kandrakar. Cursed Kandrakar. The so-called Overseer of the Infinite Worlds. And the Oracle. And his Guardians. They would never help. All they wanted to do was cause more trouble. How funny. And they were supposed to protect the innocent, weren't they? To fight darkness, to fight for the light.

So why were they so opposed to him? Why did they want to fix what wasn't broken? Why didn't they want to face the real problem here?

Ugh! He shouldn't allow himself to be distracted again. This was a moment between him and his son, right? Damn it; it was the illness. Remembering that curse that the world gave upon his son distracted Ari.

Ari took a deep breath, and approached his son, who was drawing the sun over the citadel. Ari smiled. Maqi would be a good craftsman once he triumphed over his illness. But, this condition of his allowed him to only draw the citadel. He should draw something else from time to time too, though. All good children had lots to draw!

"Maqi?" he called.

Maqi flinched and whined.

"Maqi?"

The boy whined louder.

"Maqi…?"

"No!" Maqi slapped Ari's hand away.

Why? What had he done wrong to his son again? No, no. This was the illness. This was the illness talking. Maqi couldn't see him or hear him right now.

"Maqi, please—"

"NO!" Maqi screamed.

"Maqi—!"

Ari took Maqi by the shoulder to look into his eyes. Maqi wailed and screamed and scratched.

"Why?! Why is this disease hiding you, holding you back?! I know you want to do so, so many things—"

"Daddy no! No! NO!"

Despaired, Ari took Maqi by the face. Maqi froze and shut his eyes.

"Please. Look at me. Look at me! It's me, Maqi! It's your Daddy!"

Maqi's face scrunched up; he was in so much pain!

"I'm sorry, Maqi," Ari continued, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry I can't find a cure for you! I'm sorry this disease makes you feel so painful and so hateful! But I promise, Maqi, I promise you..."

Ari hugged his son tightly. "I promise you everything will be fine..."

But, Maqi did not stop crying. Instead, he cried, and cried, and cried. So noisy… so noisy!

Ari reached for the toys and offered it to Maqi. "Maqi, can you hear me? I said everything will be fine!"

But no matter which toy he offered, Maqi could not be comforted.

Ari walked back to the toys' boxes. Ugh. When did Maqi even play with these many toys he owned? Why couldn't he see his son ever using them?! These toys were bad toys! He gave them a good kick, and the toys scattered around. Ari proceeded to crush them under his feet. CRACK! Useless! CRACK! CRUSH! All useless!

And then, he noticed. Maqi was wailing even louder.

"D-Daddy, no!"

Daddy, no! Daddy, no! Daddy, no! That was the illness talking! Maqi would never say such a thing, but the illness made him say such hateful things!

"Shut up!" Ari shouted back, kicking and crushing toys about. He only needed to rid of the evil things, and to remind his son. Then, then Maqi would finally overcome his illness! "Everything you behold with your eyes! Everything you feel with your hands! Everything around you! Is! The fruit! Of! My! Immense! Love!" He punctuated his words with stomps. Toys broke apart in his fury. "I suffered endlessly!" Crush. "Day after day!" Crush. "I imprisoned evil in person! For your comfort, Maqi! All for your comfort!" Crush, crush, crush! "Maqi, please, listen to me! You're in there! I know it! You can do it! I will crush the evil force so you can overcome your illness!"

"No! No, no, no! Daddy, no!"

"SHUT! UP!" That cursed disease—!

Ari raised his hand to hit the demon hiding in his son. Why wasn't it shutting up?!

However, as soon as he was about to make contact with Maqi's head, an ethereal hand stopped his arm.

"…Yua." Ari's voice was still loud. "Do not interfere with me."

"M-my Lord…" came his banshee servant's shrill voice, "The Guardians… will… be back…! I sense it!"

Ari stiffened. The Guardians! How could he allow the illness to once more distract him?!

"I sense… Kandrakar… peeking upon us!"

Ari withdrew his hand, feeling Yua's phantom arm release him. He looked around the mess. "Clean this up, banshee," he ordered.

Yua's magic lurked in the air. In an instant, the toys were fixed, and they floated back into their boxes as if nothing happened. As he tried to focus, Ari noticed one of the toys. He grabbed for it, holding it tightly in his hands.

"M-my Lord…?"

"Prepare yourself, Yua. I have a gift for the Guardians of Kandrakar." Ari escorted himself out, chuckling to himself. "And you, nursemaid, get rid of these toys. They are evil. As I should've expected of the banshee's power. Make sure to call for the toy-maker in Urdath."

The ever-quiet nurse bowed.

Talk about perfect timing.

Around lunchtime, the shifts were changing, and therefore the guards were distracted. At long last.

Cedric listened closely. He counted one, two, three guards. Apparently, the others were out to either round up on Vaal the Useless or prepare for the Queen's arrival. That meant the army had shifted and spread out, which meant there were less people down in the prison.

Cedric never pegged Elyon to be a competent Queen, or for her to build up a competent army. It was he and her incompetent brother who supervised her time, and while the rebel leader outsmarted them sometimes, he was still young and inexperienced. Tch.

The new guards sounded bored. They were most likely also fresh recruits, people who willingly joined the army because of the rebels' victory, and now that things were more or less 'normal', they were disillusioned. Cedric chuckled to himself and turned to the back wall. This was truly the perfect opportunity.

He slithered towards the entrance of his cell. He gazed and observed the enemy. The new guards were yawning and complaining; the prisoners busy with their lunch. Phobos was bitching about his food again, and his former minions arguing about the quality of the food.

Perfect.

Cedric charged against the wall. Once. Twice. The third time, it crashed, brick and stone falling before him.

He grinned.

Behind him, guards and prisoners alike gasped and panicked and yelled, but, no matter. Cedric cared little for them as he planned this all by himself; he would reap the fruits of his efforts all by himself.

He slithered into the unknown corridors of the Infinite City that stretched behind the prison, and hopefully, away from those who ruined his name. He would find the guardians, and he would destroy them.

Revenge truly made for a great dessert.

Will felt a migraine attacking her head the moment she arrived at Orube's.

She tried to tell herself it wasn't because Matt hadn't arrived, or that it wasn't because Cornelia arrived with Lillian and Napoleon in tow.

She wasn't convincing herself at all, and sparks appeared on her head again.

"I'm surprised we're still meeting here," was Cornelia's greeting to her, "Especially after I said that somebody has to… take care of this brat."

Lillian stuck out a tongue at her. Napoleon was happily seated in the little girl's arms – good for him, then. Will blew the stray strand of hair that was blocking her vision. She glanced at the others – wait, everybody was gathered outside the house. What was going on?

"Pussycat's holed up inside, I think," Irma answered her unspoken question, "Have you taught her how to answer the doorbell?"

Will slapped her hand over her face. Ugh.

Just as they wondered what was taking the warrior so long, something smelled. The girls sniffed the air, and through the wintry haze, they could see dark smoke wafting aloft… from the window.

"Our house! Mrs. Rudolph's house!"

"It's burning!"

"Taranee take it out, quick!"

Everybody scrambled to get inside, not minding that they practically barged in somebody else's home. Well, who cares about that, now? Somebody's house was burning in the middle of winter!

When Taranee saw the fire, she immediately waved her hands and controlled the flames. Orube was huffing and coughing about, her face and her clothes covered in soot. Hay Lin made the smoke twirl about and leave the house for good. In a few seconds, everything was back under control.

The neighbors asked about the fuss, but the girls shooed them away (successfully!).

Sigh.

"This isn't good for my complexion," Cornelia noted.

"What happened?" Will asked Orube, as she helped the warrior up. Huh, her arms were bandaged… already bandaged?

"I… ugh, hack! I tried to…cook something!" Orube explained, her ears flat and her tail… well, the hairs of her tail flaring about. She held onto Will rather tightly, too rough for Will's taste, but the Keeper of the Heart ignored it in favor of keeping everything in order.

"And you almost burned the house," Cornelia sighed.

"Why?" Lillian asked her, "It's not like you can cook, either!"

"Oh, yes I can!"

As Cornelia swooped in to tackle her sister, Lillian dropped Napoleon. The familiar was not at all happy with being rudely handled and chose to jump into Will's arms. Cat number one here, cat number two next to her.

"Hey there, Sweetheart," Napoleon purred. It definitely wasn't aimed at Will; he was staring at Orube. Thankfully, she ignored him.

Irma announced, "Everything but the oven looks fine!"

"So where's Matt?" Cornelia asked.

"Present!" Matt had a fireman in tow. The girls sighed.

Will was sure that the fates weren't rolling in favor of her health. Her head was getting pretty sparky today.

As the girls locked themselves inside Mrs. Rudolph's house, Matt lead Lillian into the streets, with Napoleon riding in his arms.

"So, what's this super top secret thing the girls are doing?" Lillian asked, huffing her cheeks, "And why do they need to be so sneaky about it inside some stranger's house?"

"Uh… just responsibilities to people! As a group!" he scratched his head. He had to change topics. "Wanna get hot cocoa?"

"Suuuure. It's on you, right?"

"On me!" Matt fumbled for his wallet and held it up. "Yeah, it's on me, all on me, your babysitter for the day!"

Lillian groaned. "Man, I wish I was already as old as you guys! I'd have the money to buy everything I like… plus, I don't want you guys to always babysit me. I'm a big girl now!"

Matt nodded. Darn. Lillian sure could impersonate an older girl. Hey, when did her hand seem so big…

"Uh, kid?" Napoleon tugged on him. "You might want to look at her."

Though confused, Matt turned around… and gasped as it all made sense.

"Uh, Matt, when did you get so short?" said the clearly teenage girl in pink teenage winter clothes before him. "You were waaay taller than I remember."

Matt could only point into the glass of the store they passed by, and the girl who he assumed was Lillian gasped even louder than he did upon seeing her reflection. How could it happen? Hadn't her powers as the Heart of Earth been passed onto them, her Regents?

Fearing that someone was watching them, Matt grabbed onto Lillian's wrist and lead her back inside Mrs. Rudolph's house, which the girls had thankfully vacated already.

"Good thinking, Matty-boy!" Napoleon said.

"Y-you talk?!" Lillian said through her pants, pointing at her familiar. "S-since when can you talk, Napoleon?!"

"Ever since you wished for it!"

"What?!"

Lillian looked to Matt for an explanation. He could hear the scolding he'd get, but for now, he had a bigger force to reckon with, and it was Lillian, a little kid who happened to be the Heart of Earth. He just hoped that nobody saw Lillian poof into a teenage girl…

"A-and, where's my sister and her friends?!" she asked him. He couldn't answer. "If you're not gonna answer, then I wanna go out!"

"Uh." Matt gazed outside. There was a van parked outside and some guy trimming his garden plants, but there wasn't anyone or anything that suspicious… still! "I can't guarantee your safety yet, we… really can't do that?"

She stomped. "You're so confusing! I'm gonna head outside now, danger or no danger!"

"H-hold up! Your sister will—"

"Well, I'm a grown-up now, and she's not here, and you won't tell me anything, so I can do whatever I want!"

"Uhhh…" Matt tried to think. "Okay, what about this? You give me about ten minutes to explain, then we'll go out, get some hot cocoa, do some ice skating or whatever you want. Is that a deal?"

Lillian seemed to think about the options too. "But, what do you even need to explain now?"

"Me talking," Napoleon answered with a gesture of his paw. "Your sister and her friends suddenly disappearing. Your sudden growing up."

"Well, I changed my mind about it! I wanna go out and do some grown-up things! Like, like going to the movies and leaving early if I want! Picking the diner I like and get my favorite dessert! Besides, you could always explain everything next time, right?"

Matt did see her point, but still!

"Doll," Napoleon said, "You're the Heart of Earth. That's why we need to discuss this immediately."

"Sure, but I'm hungry now." Lillian walked over to the door.

"But—" "Lillian—"

"Just for today. Pleeeeeaaaase?"

Matt didn't know if it was because he was her Regent, or because he was a guy and he had some sense of duty, or because Lillian's eyes were still childlike and were begging to him. He sighed and bowed before her; Napoleon followed suit.

"A-as you wish."

"Yaaaay!"

The Infinite City certainly lived up to its name, and Cedric hated to admit he was lost. The halls and corridors looked similar, and every single passage he took lead to even more passages. A labyrinth.

Just what was the Infinite City built for?

Cedric struggled to remember his history lessons as he traversed the maze-like hallways. Of course, it was not made by the rebels he fought, for they found the city as-is and used it to their advantage. There was a prison which emanated magical rays acting as prison bars, and those rays prevented them from using any strong magic.

It could've been made by the galhots in the long, long past, but there weren't any structures barring the prison to evidence that. It could've been made by the mage to protect herself, but who would testify to prove that? Could've, could've, could've.

As he pondered on Meridianite history, Cedric arrived in a different set of halls. They were much wider, and somehow, much darker, much more mysterious.

He felt a chill along his scale. The uncertainty made him feel inappropriate to continue as a naga; in this form, he would be easily spotted. He shifted into his human form and walked cautiously. There could be potential enemies here.

His feet lead him to rows and rows of pillars that emanated purplish hazes of energy. Nether energy! The power that ruled over the realm of death and destruction, as opposed to aether that ruled over life and creation. Curious as a scholar, Cedric followed the path, his heart thumping in anticipation. There was a power source, perhaps one he could use to his advantage.

But his desires led him to an unexpected place, a place often mentioned in books, but never elaborated upon. Cedric's jaw hung open.

"The Mausoleum of the Queens!"

The pillars lead him to the Escanors' final resting place, which was bathed in ethereal-looking hazes of nether. Gigantic statues of every Queen guarded their closed caskets and stared upon the astonished (and perhaps scared) Cedric. Elaborate dresses draped over each casket; they were, perhaps, used for special occasions. Over each dress were crystal pendants of different colors.

Cedric inwardly cursed himself and the world. This was a peculiar way to honor the Queens, when the other nobles and commoners had burial mounds – and none of these were ever in a book. Perhaps, there were only a few select people allowed to know of the rituals?

Cedric wished no revenant would suddenly appear before him and curse him for intruding, but he felt curious about the crystals. But as he reached for one, his eyes caught something peculiar in the distance.

"…by Hael's mercy."

He drew closer, unable to contain his curiosity or his fear. An open, empty casket lay beneath a status of the supposedly late Queen Weira.

Cedric quickly reviewed history in his head. Phobos, as a teen, led the nobles and their army into the castle, and his mother was slain in the onslaught. The infant Elyon was rescued by her wet-nurse Galgheitta, the mage, the then-Commander Alborn, and his wife, Captain Miriadel, but Johnathan Ludmoore intercepted them. The mage was left behind to fight with him, but if she survived, then where did Ludmoore go? Who arranged for Weira's funeral? Why didn't her body rest in her tomb?

Cold chills went down Cedric's skin. He quickly vacated the place in the hopes of regaining his sanity. Because, because if the previous Queen wasn't there, then wouldn't it mean she was… alive?

In the many towns of Arkhanta, one shone above them all - what was considered as the capital and a melting pot, Urdath. It was small, but it had the largest population as many are drawn to its taverns and grapes. True enough: different vine plants grew abundantly in Urdath. Many farmers, fishermen, and other workers came by this town to make their trade. It was also the town closest to the Scarlet Citadel, as well as the place Ari hailed from.

Or so Will's team came to know of simply by eavesdropping while holding onto their blue cloaks.

"So why isn't your Kitty-cat doing that superhearing thing now?" Cornelia asked.

Will glanced at Orube, who held onto her cloak a little too tightly and covered her ears. "Err, we have to do our part of the work, too! Yeah! That's it!" The Keeper of the Heart gestured to Hay Lin, who immediately stood next to Orube to assist her.

Cornelia huffed. "Anyway, Will, we look suspicious!"

"Welcome, strangers! And peace be with you!"

The girls turned behind them. They were greeted by an old woman with her hair in buns. Somehow, she reminded everyone of a white-haired Yan Lin, just much, much shorter (like everyone in town; everyone was short).

"I am Shawi, the head of this humble community," she introduced herself, "Please, don't be afraid, come join us!"

Will tried to find the words, but not even Taranee could say anything. These people were really nice.

"...thank you," Will blurted out.

"Sorry, was I too friendly for you?"

Waaaaaaay too nice. "N-no! Not at all, Miss Shawi..."

"Just Shawi is fine." The old woman took her hand and lead her to one of the quaint houses. "Now, come on. Into the taverns."

The thought of being in a tavern made the girls think of drinking alcohol. Wait!

"Uhhhh we're still too young for that!" Hay Lin said. Shawi stopped for a moment to think.

"Oh!" Shawi laughed at her mistake. "We call everything taverns, but I meant the inns! Silly me!" She chuckled. "Come now. You must be tired."

"Yeah. Thanks." Will chuckled.

Shawi lead the girls into the tavern-inn. Opening the door, they were greeted by a dozen or so cheery voices, all saying variations of "Welcome!", "Good day!", and "Come in!" A small yet cozy lodging, a full and warm stove, and many tanned faces wearing smiles filled their visage. A few plants decorated the simple tavern, which housed simple furniture and necessities. A very appetizing smell came from the kitchen behind the counter, that everyone could taste whatever was being cooked inside their minds.

This was the exact opposite of Ari and his citadel. Where he and his dwelling were so big and cold, his fellow farmers' were small and warm. Like a family, Will thought, like a complete, happy family. Even the farmers felt like they were treating their guests as family. Their wide grins, their relaxed stances, their bright eyes… a happy, complete family, even made more complete by accepting total strangers with open arms.

So unlike hers.

"Don't be a stranger now!" Shawi's voice snapped her back to reality. "Please sit!"

Will turned around and found her companions seated at a table. Her brows creased.

"Shawi, how can we even pay—"

"Oh no, you don't have to pay anything! Food is free for everyone!"

"Huh?"

"Less questions, more eating!" As Shawi spoke, two burly men served plates and plates of dishes to the girls. The old woman urged Will towards the chair. "Simply put, we are one big family in Urdath! Fruits and vegetables and meat and fish are available all year round, so there's plenty of food for everyone!"

What a carefree town… Will opened her mouth, but her stomach growled as the smell of the food registered in her mind.

Oh well.

As they dug in, Will observed her friends. Irma, who was currently obsessed with their teacher and was not that focused on their mission. Cornelia, who was being very stubborn because things weren't going her way. Taranee, who was pretty good at keeping the group together. Hay Lin, who was doing her best, and attending to the pale and sick-looking Orube. Those bandages only cover the forearm; thank goodness. But, not on the hand?

And then, Will picked up something interesting from the people talking around them.

"Did you hear about the King?"

"Yet another force wants to tear his family apart. Poor things…"

"Kandrakar must be out of its mind."

Will lost her appetite. Right. She was working. She immediately told everyone in their mental connection to pay some attention to their surroundings.

"Fairies! They were strange fairies who questioned his wisdom!"

"Weren't they guardians?"

"If they truly were the guardians, wouldn't they help the King?"

"Everything good with your food?"

Will almost jumped in her seat, but she quickly regained composure. "Y-yes, Shawi. All good."

"You look tired, dear. Don't let your worries get to you, or you won't be able to live as old as I am!"

Will smiled, almost feeling guilty about the fact that the man Shawi supported was an enemy to Kandrakar. "T-thanks…"

"Um, question."

Everyone turned to Cornelia. "I only heard stories about Ari, so I have to ask, is he really as kind and wise as you people say he is?"

Shawi only laughed. "Typical of the young ones!" Some of the other patrons laughed along with her. "Very well, young girl."

Shawi stood by the head of the table. Will looked around. Everyone was paying attention to her.

"To be honest, he is neither some wise sage, nor some kind, wealthy man! He is just a farmer, like the rest of us." Shawi winked. "Which is why, he is worthy of such fame! He is worthy to be a leader!"

Will looked at her friends. They were just as confused as she was.

"Ari is proof that a simple person can become legendary, simply by being courageous against the evil and doing the right things. See, Arkhanta is a land filled with magic. We live in fear of the trickster faefolk, who want nothing more but to bring us misfortunes, and the cruel ones like the banshees! Banshees, children, they are the strongest of all magical creatures in this land! With bodies of flesh and ethereal souls, they stand high among the seelie and unseelie courts! They are heartless and they eat corpses before we could bury them!"

Will suddenly remembered, where was the Heart of this land? Could the banshees be protecting it?

"However, Ari managed to turn their tricks against them. In his ingenuity, he made evil bow before him; he turned an evil spirit into a creature of good! He captured Yua, the most powerful banshee there is, and in turn, drove the fae back. Now we can use the lands they once hold monopoly over. We can build more houses, plant more crops, nurture more children. Everything you see is thanks to his help. Everything you eat, you wouldn't have eaten today if he did not accomplish what everyone before him had yet to accomplish…"

Irma placed the bread back onto her plate.

'I think I lost my appetite at that,' she confessed.

'I lost my appetite the time she started praising Ari.' Taranee offered a sympathetic smile.

"He never forgot who he was, girls." Shawi lowered her voice. "He knew suffering, so he helped us too, who were suffering. He even exposed the quack healers! Isn't he such a nice man? Now, we all enjoy a happy, prosperous life."

"Except the banshee," Cornelia chimed in.

"Now, now. It's wrong to pity the banshee."

"Right. That reminds me. What would happen if we freed the banshee?"

"Never talk of such a thing!" Shawi slammed a fist against the table, shocking the guardians. "That is a catastrophe! Banshees are cruel beings! When they unleash their rage, they—"

A strong wind blew doors and windows open. Patrons and staff alike clamored to close them.

"You girls ought to avoid thinking of ill omens," Shawi said with a grim face.

The wind blew again. Shawi closed the window. "Ah, what a bad wind…"

Suddenly, the door ripped from its hinges, flying inside the inn.

WHOOOOOOOOSSSSHHHHHHH!

A whirlwind!

Windows and doors and wagons flew aloft, and people started scrambling about. The whirlwind uprooted trees and carried part of the harvest aloft. Air, unseen, yet felt and sometimes heard, had never been this harsh or noisy!

The guardians' meal disrupted, they jumped outside.

"Great clouds of Kandrakar!" Orube screeched, still clasping to her cloak and covering her ears.

A worried Shawi followed them. "Goodness!" the elder screamed upon seeing the havoc, "What have we done to anger the Great God?"

"I dunno," Will answered, "But please, evacuate everybody!"

The Keeper of the Heart discarded her cloak and flew towards the whirlwind. "Hay Lin!" she called.

"On it!" The Guardian of Air followed suit and tried to control the whipping winds.

The astonished Shawi could only watch the other guardians remove their cloaks, and mutter, "You... are fairies?"

"More or less!" Irma laughed. "Now please move along, Ma'am, there's not much to see."

Cornelia rolled her eyes. What was everyone doing? She created a rift in the ground. "Oh yes, there IS something to see, Ma'am!" she shouted, "Get everyone in the chasm!" She pointed towards the rift.

Taranee started helping the villagers and their guests down the chasm.

"Warrior!" Cornelia called and shook Orube from what seemed to be a daze, "Get everyone in the chasm!"

"I… yes!" Orube still looked sick, but she tried to do as Cornelia suggested.

Irma, meanwhile, flew upwards to see if she could help her friends.

"Be careful, Will! Hay Lin! It looks really powerful!" She gave a little shriek when the whirlwind pushed her back. "...addendum: it IS powerful!"

"I-I can't stop it!" Hay Lin screamed over the whistling winds. "It's too strong!"

"Do you reckon going into Zenith mode can help us?" Irma asked Will.

The Keeper of the Heart shook her head. "And risk never coming back to our senses? No! I won't allow it!"

"If only I could manage to move it back...!" Hay Lin glanced at them, trying with all her might to control the whirlwind, at least.

Irma wanted to fly closer, but the winds were too strong for her to go against. "Then... what do you suggest we do against a force of nature, Will?"

Truly. What could any magical creature do against the forces of the universe? Who could truly stop death or its agents?

"T-this isn't helping," Orube whispered to Taranee, "It would only temporarily protect them from the debris."

"But we don't have a choice!" the Fire Guardian reasoned.

"What are you chit-chatting about?" Cornelia asked as she handed a child down to their mother. "Hurry up!"

"The whirlwind! We have to deal with the whirlwind, Miss Cornelia!" Orube said.

Cornelia flinched at the use of her name. "Don't call me so familiarly!"

"Cornelia..." Taranee rushed to her side and attempted to soothe her. "We have to stop that first, or else everyone would lose their houses!"

"So, assuming she's right—" Cornelia gestured to Orube. "—how are we supposed to stop that thing? Do you know what to do, Taranee?" The Earth guardian turned to the warrior. "Do you, mighty warrior of Basiliade?"

Neither answered her, but someone else did.

"I'm going Zenith!" Hay Lin announced. She didn't like the idea, not when it had been a suggestion from Nerissa, who had tortured her mind and soul. Hay Lin felt like she was betraying her own self, her grandmother, but there was no way out.

"Hay Lin, no!" Will cried for her to stop, to no avail.

Hay Lin focused on her energies, letting them flow around her, within her. Reaching to the core of her power. Finding the dragon within...UNLEASHED!

"AIR!"

The Arkhantans gasped as they watched the guardian become one with her element. But, while the whirlwind took everything with it, Hay Lin did not. Her huge form towered over Urdath as she embraced the harsh winds. She manipulated the air around her, absorbing her element – the opposite of what she's done the first time – and soon, the whirlwind died. Debris gently landed on the ground.

All that was left was a desolate trail of destruction - houses in rubbles, trees uprooted, harvest strewn about. The loud, howling winds were replaced with loud, howling cries.

"Our homes! Our harvest! The vineyards!"

"HAY LIN!"

The guardians rushed to their friend's side. "Hay Lin?! Can you hear me?! Hay Lin!"

"Yo! Air Girl! Come back to earth!" Irma tried to hold her hand but felt only the soft breeze and energy. "W-what's happened to her? Please don't tell me she lost herself, please?!"

As for Taranee and Orube, they helped the villagers back up on their feet and on the ground. Using her powers, Cornelia lifted the chasm.

"By the fae's might!" Shawi's voice rang. "You saved us! You're… good fairies!"

"You're welcome." Cornelia grinned. "I'm flattered you think we're fairies."

"But what about Hay Lin?" Will asked. "She's not turning back!"

Taranee closed her eyes and tried to contact Hay Lin mentally. "…ugh, she's not answering my calls!"

The girls started to panic.

All the while, Orube scouted the area. As she roved about, she found a toy top, undamaged and of great quality. She sniffed it and winced. She immediately returned to the guardians' side to report.

"Miss Shawi," the warrior turned to the elder. "Please do a head count. The damage is great, but—"

"What are you doing?!" Cornelia scolded. "We're not here to look at toys! My friend might be dying and you're just playing around!" She shoved the top away from Orube's hands.

Offended, the warrior bared her fangs. "Do not touch me so casually! I am merely following proper protocols following a disaster!"

"Follow them later!"

"CUT IT OUT!" Will shoved herself between the two of them. She cut to the chase and turned to Orube first. "What was it? Did you find anything strange?"

"That top!" Orube pointed to the toy, orange and green and bright. Irma picked it up for them.

"It looks like it doesn't belong here…" the Water Guardian muttered.

"Let me see," Shawi offered and held out her hand. She examined the little toy between her fingers, running them over its shape. "...yes, it is of high quality, one that we would consider a rarity here in Arkhanta! And all who I can imagine owning this is our lord, Ari!" She immediately tossed it back, perhaps in horror. Irma caught it again.

"But why would it be here?"

"Why?" Cornelia approached them with a scowl. "I don't know, but we're here and you gave us shelter. Maybe that's why he sent that whirlwind. He wanted to destroy us, and he didn't think twice about getting you into this mess!"

"But—"

"They're the guardians!"

A man screamed, pointing to the girls. "They're the guardians, Shawi!"

Wil looked around; terror filled every villager's face. Horror turned to rage, and rage called for escape. The villagers picked up their tools and held them like weapons.

"I heard the girl say they're from Kandrakar!"

"They must've summoned the whirlwind to trick us!"

"We fed you!" Shawi screamed, "And this is what you do to us?! You horrible, horrible agents of Kandrakar!"

It was time to run. Again.

It was time for her to run along, and Elyon had to admit: the treaty had been for naught.

After she heard the bigger town's side of the story, she knew that she had been wrong, and that the document she drafted up for the sake of peace was obsolete. Caesar was more or less correct about the overcrowding, and the neighboring towns had been more or less fine with their territories decreasing.

Elyon locked herself inside Caesar's house and refused to see anyone. She was looking to be a bad queen to the whole of Meridian, and this was just one, two towns!

"Your Gra~ce?" came a singsong voice with several loud knocks. "Might I interest you with a story?"

"No! Go away!" Elyon yelled, her face buried in his pillow.

"Your Gra~ce, I can't make tea if I'm not insi~de!"

"Leave! This is an order from your queen!"

She heard shuffling from outside. Murmurings, whispering. 'What a bratty queen…'

Elyon brought the pillow over her head and around her ears, but the window next to her opened.

"Aaah!" she squealed as she fell off the bed.

"Your Grace! Forgive me!" Caesar jumped in and assisted her, rubbing her head. "Please be all right. I didn't mean to frighten you, I only wanted to offer a little something as a friend."

Elyon scowled at him. "Don't scare me!"

But he only smiled. "I won't, if next time you would let me console you."

Elyon pouted as he left to make his tea. She followed him into the kitchen area and sat on the table.

"I'm a mess, aren't I?"

"It's never too late to make it right."

Never too late. Elyon's mind drifted back to the time when she was a child and her mother taught her how to use an eraser. She'd been really upset and she drew herself as a sad fairy. But, with the magic of an eraser and her mother's words, she became a happy fairy. Elyon could no longer remember what she was so sad about, but she still remembered that very moment, and her mother's words: 'If you make a mistake, you can always erase it and make it right the next time!'

She smiled at Caesar's words, too.

"Ain't I right?" he followed, mirroring her smile.

"Yeah. You are." Elyon sighed. "Guess I just… I just need to work harder. Be more careful."

"Yes. You do."

Caesar handed her a mug and sat. "Well?"

Elyon's eyes widened. Eh?

"Aren't you going to tell me anything?"

She huffed her cheeks. "Oooohhh no! Not until you tell me what you wanted to give me!"

"I already gave you some tea?" Caesar laughed.

"So you mean I was expecting nothing?!"

"Alright, alright!" He set his own mug of tea on the table. "Let's see… if I teach you a little song, will you tell me what happened?"

"Besides what you already thought would happen?" Elyon crossed her arms. "I can't possibly tell you any more of the embarrassment I went through!"

"Yes, yes, my apologies." Caesar placed a hand to his chin.

"But what's the song? Why would that be a good equivalent to my embarrassment?"

Caesar's smile should never get any sweeter, but it did, and Elyon felt so much at ease next to him. "It's a good luck charm, so to say. My father used to sing it for Mother, and when he was still practicing it, he practiced every single day, everybody practically learned it."

"Oooohhh! Well, what happened to them?"

His smile faded, and something pooled in his eyes. "Well, they did love each other very much, but… as you're very familiar with, things don't always, always go your way… like with your little mistake of coming here unprepared—"

"Hey!"

Elyon jumped from the table to softly beat Caesar on the side. He, in turn, tried to tickle her. She swirled about, and his hands caught her. By the end, she was sitting on the table, he was lying on the floor, and they were both laughing.

"You know, I wish I could've had you as a brother, Caesar!"

"Don't be ridiculous, Your Grace. I'm happy enough as it is!"

"What? You don't need an embarrassing sister to tease you about embarrassments and crushes?"

"Crushes, huh?"

Elyon gazed up the ceiling. She remembered that one boy she had a disastrous date with, Cedric, Cornelia… "Yeah. The people you like so, so much! Well, it's fun while it lasts…" That boy whose name escaped her now… Cedric… "They never really last that long." She turned to Caesar. "So, do you have anyone you like?"

"Oh, if you mean the romantic way, I'm afraid I don't feel such a thing." Caesar shook his head.

"Huh?" Elyon's eyes widened in shock. "Really? How so?"

"It's just a thing!" He shrugged. "Some people have these crushes… some don't. Simple as that."

"Oh, okay… well, in where I used to be, we called those people aromantic. Does that help?"

"Aromantic, huh? I like the sound of that. Aromantic. It's such a lovely word. I think I'd like to use that. Thank you."

Elyon shrugged. "It's nothing! Um, so… the song."

"Of course. As Your Grace wishes."

Elyon closed her eyes and listened to Caesar's gentle voice. Flowers bloomed in the meadow. The wind blew, and the grass tickled her feet. From afar, her mother called her, beckoning her towards freshly-baked cookies. She jumped and took Cornelia's hand, and they ran to grab the hot cookies that warmed their hands and their stomachs. Her fingers ached for some charcoal.

In a way, Elyon could imagine her mother humming the same melody as Caesar was—

Actually, maybe that's it. The notes did remind her of Miriadel, because Miriadel would sing a similar melody. Weird.

Elyon shrugged off the thought and tried to return to her imagination. There's a lot of songs in the world. It won't be too weird if some songs share similar melodies.

As she relaxed even more, she turned to Caesar, who was simply enjoying himself singing the song and humming the tune. "Um, thanks. I think I should get back to the castle." Thinking of Miriadel made Elyon want to go back home and talk to her mom.

Caesar nodded. "As Your Grace wishes."

Lillian got her hot chocolate, her favorite dessert, and her preferred movie in DVD, and Matt and Napoleon got dragged all around Heatherfield for the trouble.

"Where's Huggles again?" Napoleon moaned, having draped himself around Matt's neck in fatigue.

"With my Mom…" Matt answered, "She said I tour him around town too much so it was time for a… stay-in."

"Lucky."

Matt caught up to the Heart of Earth, who was skipping about ahead of them. "So, Lillian, we done yet?"

Lillian turned to him as they approached the weekend bazaar. Oh no. Oh no.

"Nooope!"

"Ugh." Shopping.

"Aww, don't be like that!" Lillian giggled and spun. "It's almost Valentine's! You gotta get a present for Will, right?"

Valentine's? It was already Valentine's?

"Napoleon, what date is it?" Matt turned to the familiar.

"February 13, why?"

"Seriously?" Oh no!

"Oh, no!" Lillian grabbed Matt's arm and dragged him to a souvenir booth. "You gotta get shopping now! Come on!"

Matt sighed. Last year, he didn't get anything for Will at all, not when their relationship was still in its first stages. If he waltzed in the Vandom's with chocolate and a bouquet of roses, he'd be trying too hard.

…hey, this meant this was their first Valentine's together!

"Alright, Lillian." Matt smiled. "I'll let you pick a gift with me. What's the catch?"

When Lillian turned her head, Matt gritted his teeth in distaste. Her face was badly smeared with makeup all over!

"I dunno…"

"Ugh, if you wanted to wear makeup, you could've just asked me!" Matt took his handkerchief and began to wipe Lillian's face of makeup as much as he could.

"Why would a boy like you even know?"

"Band appearances require me to wear makeup. Sweat reflects light and that doesn't look good on camera."

"Seriously?" Lillian's eyes went wide.

Matt grinned, feeling a little sheepish. "Yeah. Even VMJ does it… I bet."

"Woooaaaah!"

Matt stood back, satisfied with his little clean-up. At least Lillian didn't look like a clown anymore.

"Um, so will you help me pick a gift for Will?" Matt blushed. "It's our first Valentine's together, and I think a second opinion could help."

"Why don't you get a second opinion from me?" Napoleon whispered, but Matt ignored him.

Lillian twirled around. "Hm, I don't know, Matt. I mean, I am a little girl after all. What do grown-up girls like, besides clothes and makeup and dolls?"

Matt scratched his head. Of course; these were Cornelia's tastes Lillian was talking about! "Uh, what do you little girls like?"

"Pretty little dolls and cute skirts!"

A skirt, maybe? No, no, no. Will wasn't entirely the skirt type, nor was he sure of her size. He'd seem… imposing.

"This is rather difficult," he murmured.

"Try offering her something?" Napoleon suggested, "Roses? Food? Song?"

…yeah. Why not? Matt was good at writing songs (but, for tomorrow?!) and he was good at singing them (yeah, sure, but for tomorrow!).

"Oh, look, Matt!"

Lillian dragged Matt out of his thoughts and towards a poster. Matt squinted his eyes as he read the details.

"Charity concert by VMJ tomorrow night. Free admissions, no reservation required," Lillian read out loud, "You two can go together! On a daaaaate!"

"Hey!" Matt blushed from ear to ear.

"Matt and Will on a daa-aate! Matt and Will on a daaa-aaate!"

Lillian danced around him, laughing and singing. Matt could only try to hide his flushed face, in vain.

"O-okay, fine! We're going on a date!" And if he couldn't perfect a song for her by tomorrow, it can be simply a special poem.

The plan was secured. All he needed to do was ask Will out and get Mrs. Vandom's approval.

"Soooo." Lillian pursed her lips. "Why can Napoleon talk again?"

Matt gulped. The Heart of Earth finally regained her interest in the subject, but they were now surrounded by people. Children really do immediately get bored.

"Can we, uh, go aside first?"

He pulled her aside and glanced around.

"Actually, you can make it so that we won't be seen or heard," Napoleon advised.

Lillian's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Just concentrate and wish really hard."

She closed her eyes and whispered, "I wish we won't be seen or heard!"

In an instant, the three were enveloped in energy swirling in green. Lillian opened her eyes, but scowled.

"I can still see me!" she complained.

"No worries; we are now invisible to everyone but ourselves." Napoleon left Matt's shoulders and transformed into his bigger form.

"Wooooaaaahhh!" Lillian gasped. "Since when were you able to do that, Napoleon?!"

"Since you granted me, Matt, and Huggles your powers." Napoleon smiled and bowed before her. "But I am above them. I am your familiar, as your heart desired it."

"That's so cool!"

Matt smiled. He thought that Napoleon's form would've scared off Lillian, but perhaps, she was much braver than he thought she was. Or perhaps, this was another one of those Heart of Earth things. He could be wrong.

"So, what about Matt?" Lillian pointed at him. "Is he my Knight?"

Something from Matt's guts tried to release itself, but he pushed it down and swallowed hard. "N-no. Not a… a knight. I'm… your regent. Just a regent."

"Yeah, whatever. So, does Will know about you? Are you her Knight instead?! Is she secretly a princess and they're out to beat some evil king?! Did you battle for her love?!"

Matt and Napoleon shared sheepish smiles. Those ideas were far off the mark.

Napoleon stood aside and gestured to Matt. "Well, I give the floor to Matthew Olsen."

Matt gave Lillian a quick run-down of the girls' adventure. He mentioned Phobos and Cedric and Elyon. He mentioned Kandrakar and the guardian system. He quickly brushed on Nerissa's part, not wishing to visit the bad parts that got him involved in the magical world rather personally.

However, Lillian's questioning was never-ending, to a point she quickly gained control of the conversation. He began to walk away to deter her asking, but she only followed him, still absorbed in her imagination.

"I'm her sister anyway. Do you think I can borrow Cornelia's place in the team for a while? I think I can do it! Look at me, I can even act like her!" Lillian pulled a serious face and flipped her hair.

"I don't think it works that way." Matt began to walk back to Mrs. Rudolph's house.

"Oh, oh! We could ask the Orabell—"

"Oracle, Doll," Napoleon corrected. Still in his bigger form, he'd been following them around on two feet.

"—if I can be a guardian on my own! And I'll control… uh… I don't know! Whatever's there! Oh, puh-lease Mr. Orabell—"

"Oracle."

"—could you make me a guardian? It's just for a day! Hm… should I be wearing a pink dress, or a green dress? But, green is so Cornelia! …okay, a pink dress it is!"

Lillian ran and caught up with Matt. "Hey! Why don't I just wish for it?!"

"Careful, Doll!" Napoleon warned, "If your wish messes up with the world's balance, there'll be so much to pay!"

Lillian slumped against a wall. "Aww, then what can I do to have some adventures like you do? I mean, all these powers but I can't do anything at all?"

Matt frowned. He'd rather not thinking of the Nerissa part as adventure or his powers as a blessing. Placing those on the level of Will's own adventures made it harder to breathe. "N-no. You don't want that. At all. Please."

"Why do you guys always have to have the cool parts?!" Lillian frowned.

"Hey, Doll." Napoleon approached his master. "All these powers we and Huggles have? They'll be yours again when you grow up. You'll get your cool parts soon, I promise."

"When?!"

"When you're older, and when the world needs you."

"And," Matt added, "It's difficult. We've had this secret for so long now, but none of our parents know! Not even your parents know about you or Cornelia. Not even my family… when I.. disappeared…" He took a few deep breaths, trying to breath. "…it's hard being quiet. You want to tell them how it… hurts. You want to ask for help, but what can they do about… strong, evil powers?"

Matt tried to smile and felt Napoleon's paw on his shoulder. The boy shrugged and watched Lillian's initial enthusiasm fade from her eyes.

"…so, I can't?"

"No." Matt took her hands. "And I hope those things never, ever happen to you. Not those horrible, horrible things. Adventure comes with both fun and not fun things."

He squeezed her hands, and she nodded. Matt shared a knowing smile with Napoleon.

"Let's go back to Mrs. Rudolph's, okay?"

"Okay…"

As they walked hand-in-hand, Lillian's magic wore off. The green glow vanished, and she was a little girl again. She stopped, tugging Matt.

"Matt?"

"Yeah?"

"Could you… could you keep this a secret? My… my growing up, I mean…"

Matt nodded and hugged her. "Of course. As you wish, Lillian."

With a bit of difficulty, they managed to pull Hay Lin through the fold to Kandrakar. Will could see the look of disapproval on the elder's faces until they saw Hay Lin.

"Hay Lin!" the former guardians cried.

"What happened?" Hallinor asked. "Is this… is she in Zenith mode?"

"This is dreadful…" Kadma muttered.

Hallinor turned to Taranee. "Come on. Let's try to call her from within."

Taranee nodded, and the two of them went into deep concentration.

Will bowed before the confused elders. "I'm sorry. It was my fault. I took everyone there, but Ari, he…"

"We got a whole village involved in this mess!" Cornelia said. "Why are we still the ones assigned to this petty task? Why can't you just give the man what he wants?"

Luba frowned. "Once again, we cannot let arrogance command us!"

"By the way, your student's been playing around again."

Orube flinched. "I was following protocol—"

"You were totally useless at the beginning! You were acting all sick!"

The warrior shied away, retreating to Luba's side. "I-I don't do well with crowds…"

"That's not an excuse!"

"Quiet, all of you!" Will shouted.

"I'm not yet done!" Cornelia turned to her.

"Stop acting like you're the leader!"

"And stop neglecting your duties as leader!"

Their hands glowed with elemental energy.

"You're really getting on my nerves, Cornelia Hale."

"So are you, Wilhelmina. You've been a big bitch about not properly educating your alley cat."

"I was once a new girl, too. I'm not going to let her feel alienated."

"Well, let her be, else how would she know her place? We're a team, remember?"

"And as a team member, you too, you need to know your place."

Thorns grew around Cornelia's hair; lightning sparked around Will's head.

"STOP!" Tibor shouted. "Have you taken leave of your senses? This is a place of peace and harmony!"

The elder shoved them away from each other. The two girls turned away from each other, crossing their arms. The Oracle shook his head.

"We must retain our vigilance and our patience. Ari grows more hateful and ambitious with each passing day," he announced, "And if his banshee can extend her power to things she did not make herself… this is rather worrying."

Just then, the air around Hay Lin dissipated, and her form fell to the ground. Irma and Kadma assisted her.

"W-what happened…?" she whispered, weak and drained of her energy.

"Oh, thank goodness." Irma hugged her friend.

"Rest well, guardians," Himerish said, "Then you may return to Arkhanta the next time, and—"

Taranee stomped. "With all due respect, Sir! Our lives are not just about Kandrakar! We've done nothing but go with the flow all this time! We've done everything, but you've done us nothing!"

The guardians, even the former ones, were speechless. Their minds took them back to their tasks, to their missions, to their battles…

Kandrakar wasn't really ever there. It might've provided wisdom; it might've provided shelter. But Kandrakar, supposedly ranking above the guardians, hadn't really lifted a finger when Phobos took over and his power grew, threatening the other worlds, or when Elyon was manipulated into working for his side, into hurting her friends, or when Nerissa lost to the thirst for power. It's done nothing until Will had a plan. It's done nothing for Cassidy, either.

"B-because… because that is your fate," Luba tried to explain.

"That doesn't mean we can't choose! We've risked our necks for Elyon. We've risked our necks for the world. We even got Matt and Huggles and Napoleon into this mess! Aren't you the least bit ashamed? All this time we were fighting, you were just here in the comfort of this… this damned fortress!"

"We watch over you girls, and I watch over your Aurameres. Without me, your powers would've mixed up and give birth to a superguardian whose powers we cannot control!"

"That's it? That's why you just stand here and do your 'watching over'? To control us?!"

Kadma bit her lip. "…in a way, that… that is right."

Taranee huffed. "So we're Kandrakar's little puppets, is that it?!"

The Oracle's face crumpled. "…there is nothing wrong with the workings of Kandrakar. This is simply a system to maintain the order of all things—"

"In which we don't have a choice at all! Fine. Count me out; consider me as a none-guardian!"

Taranee de-transformed and everyone gasped.

"Taranee!"

"Taranee, you're…" Cornelia gulped. She agreed with most of this. "You're right…"

"But we can't do this without you, Taranee," Will said, ignoring Cornelia's glare. "Please, don't leave?"

"I'm sorry, Will." Taranee took a few steps back from Will. "I, I'm tired of this. I don't want to be special anymore if being special is all I have to be all the time. I just want a normal teenage life again. And right now, all I want, is to go home!"

As if it heard her, the Heart shone and brought a fold over their heads. In an instant, they were brought back to Earth, back to Mrs. Rudolph's house, and right in front of a sleeping Lillian who was somehow sporting makeup and two tired-looking regents.

"Please excuse me."

Orube's voice cut through and she ran upstairs. Will tried to follow her, but Matt reached for her.

"We need to talk. About Lillian," he said.

Will gazed upstairs, then back at Matt. "Yeah?"

"Um, Heart of Earth business." He sighed. "When are we supposed to tell her about… everything?"

"When she's ready," Taranee answered, stomping towards the door. Everyone turned to her as she grabbed her bag. "We don't need any more unprepared kids heading into a world of the unknown, without any knowledge of what she's really doing, and not when she'd be charging into a place risking her life and everyone's for nothing."

Cornelia hurriedly took her sister into her arms and rushed after Taranee. "Um, see you guys," she whispered.

The two left, and Irma and Hay Lin flopped against the couch.

"Today's a disaster, isn't it?" Will breathed out, and sank into an armchair. Irma handed her the top from Arkhanta, and Will gazed into the toy. "A real disaster."

"So… we just almost lost Hay Lin forever, but now… now we lost Taranee from the team?"

"…we did."

Matt gritted his teeth.

"That's worrisome," Napoleon said, and Will couldn't agree more.

"So what will we do with Orube?" Irma asked.

Remembering the bandages, Will groaned and shut her eyes. "I don't want to think. Just let me rest for a bit, will you?"

Irma nodded and rested her head against the backrest. Matt shuffled about and stood in front of Will.

"Um, one more thing, Will."

Will's eyes lazily gazed up at Matt. "…what?"

"There's a concert tomorrow night and it's free. Wanna go?"

"…why not? I could use the distraction."

"So, what's up?" Cornelia asked Taranee as they walked to the bus stop. "What's going on? What made you… do that?"

"I'm taking control of my life, that's all."

"Were you… serious about quitting?"

Taranee frowned. Unleash the fire within, her mind recalled. "It's just… break even. I gain my dancing hobby back, but in return I have to give up my guardian life." She tried to smile. "Besides, I don't think my mom would want me to divide my time further."

"Well, you are right…" Cornelia adjusted her hold on the sleeping Lillian. "I guess it would be difficult to do things once I start modelling big time."

"But at least you have time before anything big happens. Last I heard, it's difficult to build a career there."

"I'm sure it'll be fine." Cornelia grinned. "I mean, when I was still active in skating, I did receive a few modeling offers here and there…"

"And what happened to that?"

"Well, they were just small stuff and my name isn't really that big! The Hale Bankers are more well-known than Cornelia Hale the ice skater… but I know I have some connections in there, somewhere. I just don't know who."

The bus arrived, and the girls went inside.

"Even so, I'm gonna sweep the floor!"

"That's the spirit!"

They sat at the back, and the bus moved. Taranee found a familiar van turn to the other direction, but she wasn't sure where she saw it.

"Sooo," Cornelia asked, "You mentioned this dancing… hobby?"

"Yeah. I used to dance." Taranee smiled, a little shy. "Competitively."

"Woah."

"My group won in Sesamo, but it's really nothing big. I didn't even receive my part of prize."

Taranee looked away and gazed into the window. Fire appeared in her reflections' eyes. "But I'm gonna get that all back now."

"…good luck." Cornelia placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "I'm sure this will be a more fun adventure than the universe."

"Thanks." Taranee took Cornelia's hand with a warm smile. "I know I could count on you."

Cornelia mirrored her smile. "I hope your mom agrees."

"If she won't, I have to make her."

"Not guardian-style, I suppose."

"Of course not!"

After the short briefing, Caleb found himself outside a simple-looking house, in a small, quiet little town, one considered to be the farthest from the castle. He, Aldarn, and a team they formed surrounded the seemingly humble dwelling.

"Vaal's hideout," Caleb whispered, "Is awfully cozy."

"Yeah, and he's supposedly up and about after a nap," Aldarn whispered back.

The door opened, and out came a small green figure, no taller than a child. Caleb underestimated Phobos' words and the artist's sketch; if this was Vaal, he did look like mold. The mysterious noble had no neck, his nose was small, and his eyes were droopy. His grim expression accentuated his "moldiness" even more.

He walked around to shove snow out of the pathway, like it said on the report.

"Alright. Move out."

The men sprung to action. The surprised Vaal gasped, but he made no move to escape to his house or into the streets. He only held his short arms up and asked, "F-for what do you gentlemen need me?"

"Vaal the Useless?" Caleb asked.

"Yes, Good Sir?"

"We are here to arrest you, on the account of supporting Phobos' cause and embezzling taxes." Caleb motioned for his men to secure Vaal's four-fingered hands. "Care to explain a few things for us?"

Vaal's face returned to its moldiness—err, grimness. "…s-sure, as you say so…"

Caleb smirked. How good of Vaal to be so cooperative. When he'd return to the castle, he'd get right down to questioning this guy. Get the job done, and he'll soon get to the fun.

Cedric supposed he wasn't human, not completely, but his humanly body still had hairs standing on their ends, when he safely reached a portion of the castle connected to the Mausoleum. He took a deep breath as he walked as fast as he could. He had to forget; what he saw was not his concern or his goal. The dead could never return to the living, and he was a naga out for vengeance.

"Hey! You!"

Cedric locked eyes with a guard, and the naga ambushed the surprised human. Bah. Humans would never match up to his strength, and the guard dropped unconscious on the floor.

Yes. His goal was to escape, and to not alert the rest of the castle until he'd done so.

He met at least a dozen more guards before he reached a place more familiar to him – a treasury. But, this treasury was far more important than the other treasuries; this was the room that housed most of the handheld magical objects of the kingdom.

Cedric grinned as he found the Mage Ring. He placed it on his finger and scanned the room. A book with two dragons on the cover stood on a pedestal; a green star-like pendant on another. No, he did not need either of them.

He opened a fold to Earth and, finally, he made his escape.

Time to plan his revenge.

Orube locked herself in her room and covered her ears, but she could still hear. She heard it all, she heard all of them wish to not speak about her or her dismal performance, or how she suddenly feared being in the middle of a crowd, how she suddenly couldn't do what she was meant to do. She heard them leave her house and mention her once; she heard them say that they didn't want to think about her.

She punched the sheets. All her training, and it was useless, all useless! What use was being a protégé student of Kandrakar when she could not get along with its guardians, or even understand their protocols?

She stared at her hands. They were strong, they could hold onto a sword perfectly, and they could lift. They could do so many things.

So why? Why were they so useless?! Why, of all things she couldn't do, couldn't she be helpful?

Orube slapped herself with one hand, then the other. Then another slap. Another, another. Another. No, no, no. This was enough. She couldn't let the others see.

She slapped her arms. She scratched through the bandages that already had bruises and claw marks; she scratched the skin and drew blood. If she broke her bones, would that be sufficient to make up for everything? But she couldn't feel anything beyond shame, beyond disappointment and failure. She couldn't feel. She needed to feel.

The horizon had gotten dark when she found herself filled with claw marks and bruises once more. Orube tried to laugh, but all she did was cry, squeeze her flesh, and watch the blood ooze into the white of the bandages. Pretty… but what did it do when she still couldn't feel anything beyond the horrible shame and dishonor?

Why, oh why, was she such a stupid, stupid, useless child?