"And that concludes today's partner exchange rounds with team Vinton on the lead by two points!" Balthazar marked off the score that was Vinnie and Orton's. "Congratulations you two!"
Vinnie was grinning from ear to ear in pride. "I've never won a net ball match before!" He turned to Orton with glee. "Seriously Orton we make a great team! I never thought you'd be that good at serving!"
Brick and Savannah applauded from their side in impression. "My my, I'm surprised that you gave up those skills for mere scorekeeping." Said Savannah. "Seriously, be on our team next time bro!" Brick added.
Orton rolled his eyes. "Aw come on now. Who do you think taught me how to play net ball in the first place?" The other four chuckled at their youngest's statement. As they did, they didn't realise that the sun has already lowered and the sky turned to dusk.
"Wow, we've been pretty busy today." Vinnie complimented. "We didn't even realise that it's turned dark! Shall we go on home for dinner?"
The others Guardians shared words of approval while Balthazar got to his feet carefully as to not rouse Milo, who was starting to wake from his nap. "You four go on ahead. I'll probably be back at the palace a bit later than the usual. I wouldn't want you to starve yourselves just to wait for me."
"And where are you heading off to?" Orton lowered a brow. "Wherever it is it better not be someplace unexplored. You know those Shadows tend to lurk in the night."
Balthazar snorted. "Oh Orton, you worry too much! I'll only be going to Katalina's place to fetch some bananas for Milo." He shrugged with a chuckle as he slipped the baby into the carrier - Milo's hands briefly releasing and then clutching onto Balthazar's clothes once more, contently sucking on his pacifier. "You know the boy. He's always cranky on Sundays unless he has his source of potassium before bedtime."
They all winced in recalling of something unpleasant. Definitely, Milo throwing a fit over a lack of Sunday bananas is as bad as it is when he sets things on fire when bored. Even Orton got slightly scared thinking about it.
"Alright. Well in that case you'd better be going. Goodbye brother." Orton bid Balthazar a word of leave and he went with the others for their own way - Going falcon and going with a couple flaps of the wings.
"I won't take too long at all!" Balthazar called back over his shoulder as he too went his way. "I'll see all of you later!" With that, Balthazar took his leave - Just as a female Shadow Falcon took off from her perch among the trees.
Orton paused halfway when his falcon instinct alarmed him of the presence of another. He turned but unfortunately, he only saw a tail before it fully disappeared. He frowned. He didn't see the bird. But he knew it was another falcon - Not a pretty one judging by the dark feathers the tail possessed.
He stayed there a moment longer before flying his way, muttering things about the suspicious activity to himself. Maybe he'll find out sooner or later. Now, he just wants to go home... Which he gladly did.
"So Cooperdink and the baby are heading for Katalina's place all by themselves?" Block asked after taking in the information poured out to him. The female falcon nodded before morphing into her human form. "All by themselves sir. The other Guardians went back to the palace. I flew by the borders today and there's no patrol in sight."
"Good. Very good." Block stood up and raised his staff in the air, summoning the Creepers that loyally agreed to do the task they're assigned by the king. One of the Creepers, a large one, hissed in excitement, its forked tongue sticking out. "Can we get the baby now, massster?"
"Where are theyyy?" Hissed another.
Block grinned maliciously as did Gretchen. "He and that old Cooperdink are at Katalina's place. Remember the plan we discussed and wait for them there! Then when you defeat the old guy, bring the baby back." He paused dramatically. "Alive."
The Creepers hissed in sheer delight as they filed out of the Stygian Palace. "Don't fail me Creepers!" Block's voice can be heard echoing from the palace. "Your success will bring the Shadows to victory! Tenebri will finally be avenged!"
Block hovered above ground before shape-shifting into an ebony-colored falcon with a body more heavily built than Orton's in his form. Gretchen watched as her King swooped in circles for test flight. "Is there something you're planning to do, your majesty?"
Block stopped in front of the patrol with an excited grin, that appeared more pained since avian beaks aren't built for grinning. "Why of course!" He squawked his reply. "I know Cooperdink is likely gonna get followed by my best friend," They both snickered at the thought. "So I'm just gonna head over for some fun with Orton right before he goes saving the day - Just like the old times!" He cackled maliciously as he took off, Gretchen saluting him off. "Good luck your majesty!"
In some nearby bushes, Drako leapt out in his bat form, membrane wings flapping fast as he followed the direction the Creepers went, right after seeing Block fully disappear to the opposite way. Clearly, Drako had been hiding in the bushes and spying on the villain Shadows for quite a while now - and he definitely isn't going to let whatever they planned be carried out.
Only problem being now that the Creepers have disappeared from his view, he had no idea who this Katalina is and where she lived. It'll take a while of aerial search but as long as he hopefully he could reach them in time…
I won't let the Guardians lose another baby to us. Drako held a closed claw to his chest while he flew. Not tonight, not ever! He let out a determined squeak and flew even harder, eyes furiously scanning below for the ones he was desperate to save.
"Thank you so much as always for providing the bananas for Milo, miss Katalina." Balthazar gratefully thanked the Anacardian lady at he and Milo are about to go. "Say bye bye, Milo." He hoisted the baby up as Katalina bent a little with a sweet smile.
"Bye!" Milo giggled as Katalina gave him a quick kiss on the head. "Bye bye dearie! I hope to see you again next sunday!" The curly rosewood-haired woman waved her last before closing her door.
Balthazar chuckled softly to the infant. "Miss Katalina's a nice lady. She's held quite the fondness for you, you know?" He slipped Milo into the carrier in a way that his front faced Balthazar's so he can easily hold on.
Minutes passed and steps were done until both adult and baby were out of the lightshot coming from Katalina's place - Balthazar squinting around for traces of the path bound for the palace. The breezes made the wooded area branches creak and owls hooted as part of their nightly routine.
It was dark. The light was long run out since they left. Milo whimpered and tugged at the adult's coat, fear in his eyes. Oh right, he dislikes the dark. Balthazar realised and closed his eyes - his body started glowing in emitting a moss green light that lit up a little of the surroundings around them.
"Papa?" Milo tilted his head. He's never seen Balthazar glow in the night before; It reminded him of the pretty Luminescent Llama he got to ride during his outing with Vinnie. The baby cooed and pawed at the adult's chest, the green light illuminating him.
"Every Anacardian glows a certain color, my son. That glow is our aura, a projection of the eternal magic dwelling within us." Balthazar explained in eyeing the little one's curiosity. "And you have magic too Milo. Though you'll have to get the hang of using it first when you get older and then perhaps when the time is right, the aura will start to emit."
He frowned when he returned to finding their path. His eyes stayed at a certain area where he stared for an object that wasn't there. That's funny, I could have sworn it was here were the glowing mushrooms are. Balthazar felt worry rising. Or did I wind up in the wrong spot? He scanned the place around them - Dark trees, grass silhouettes. No mushrooms that emitted faint glows. The one clue that marked the way for home.
"Oh dear..." The Guardian stood in place while only using his eyesight and turning his head to find the 'lost path.' Any movement and he might get them both even more lost... Oh no.
"We're lost in the woods. Stupid me!" Balthazar silently cursed. "I knew I should have memorised the map of minor pathways in wooded areas!"
The adult kept one hand on Milo and gingerly paced about in search of where to go. Even with his aura, there wasn't enough to guide them. Too bad it wasn't daylight when they could get out much easier…
"Crackkk!"
Balthazar jumped at the sound of what seemed to be a twig being stepped on. "What was that?!" He yelped to practically no one as he looked anxiously around. Another breeze blew past and strangely, it felt chilly to the touch. So chilly that it vowed frostbite if it touches the spine.
Before he knew it, something sped past them through the bushes creating a loud rustling noise. Another one sped past from another side giving Balthazar the horrible impression that they were being cornered by predators.
A sinister hiss followed by eerie snickers sounded and leaf rustlings grew louder. Balthazar grew stiff but narrowed his eyes in attempt to appear strong. He let out a threatening hiss and shot a glare around.
"Whatever and whoever is there, your hiding efforts are futile! I know you are there!" All timidness reverted to fierce defensiveness."Show yourselves! Show up or you'll face the wrath of Lord Balthazar Marshall Cavendish!"
Low chuckles filled the air. "Wow, your bravery impressed meee!" Hissed a voice while a dozen others chortled. "I like what you displayed there!" The voice turned mockingly pitiful. "But are you able to stop all of usss? Lord Cooperdink?" Balthazar frowned. Cooperdink? Why only Block calls me that... His thought trailed off and his eyes widened in grave realisation.
Gargoyle-like figures rose from the upfront shrubs. Eyes gleaming red or yellow and grins contained viciously pointy teeth. Pointed tails swished in eagerness and claws scraped the ground.
"The Creepers…" Balthazar gulped and backed away only to be snapped at by the clamping jaws of one of them. While they're only about the size of a boulder, the group outnumbered him by far - a dozen to one. He can't fight them. It'll trigger them to strike back and he can't let that happen - Not with the vulnerable, little Milo in his hands.
Left with no other choice but to flee or die, Balthazar flew fast for his life with the Creepers at his tail. Both arms held Milo securely while he sped. In his frenzy, he sent a telepathic message to the first person that came to mind...
Got lost...
Creepers ambushed!
They're chasing me now!
Need your help at once!
Hurry!
Orton's eyes snapped open and he squawked in shock, almost losing his perch but managed to balance himself with his opened wings. Balthazar's terrified voice rang in his head and the falcon gasped in feeling a puzzle piece fit the hole.
Not long earlier he speculated that the tail he saw belonged to a Shadow Falcon and he felt something is up. Shadow Falcons don't show up in Anacardia. Unless…
"Hello Orton. Picking up a distress message I see?" A gruff, sweet voice sounded with the rustling of folding wings and talons slicing in wood - the branch Orton perched on shook from the sudden weight increase.
The hat-wearing brown falcon narrowed his eyes and turned to glare at his left, knowing very well who the voice belonged to. "Block." He hissed and turned his body so he's facing the bigger falcon. The two levelled in height but Block being stouter in size is heavier and therefore wider than Orton.
He raised his head up so he was looking square in the eyes rather than black breast feathers. "What are you doing here?" He shook his head. "Ugh I don't even need you to tell me because I know you and your ruffian buffoons did something!" His voice grew soft. "I saw your minion Gretchen fly by. Correct me if I am wrong."
"Oh Orton you are big genius as always! You never fail to amaze me!" Block snickered and roughly smacked a wing on Orton's back, sending the other falcon hissing and backing off. "That if you know, surely you have an idea on what's in store for you?"
The idiotic blockhead. "And you are asking me this because? Let me repeat; I don't need your telling me about whatever. Why? It's because I am way ahead of you" Orton rolled his eyes and raising a claw, poofed up a cup of tea fit for an avian. His two talon fingers stirred the little spoon in the cup. "And may I speak as a point-out, you are clearly not thinking things through.
"Honestly, look at yourself now. You're a mere few seconds away from revealing your kind's schemes to a non-Shadow, putting you all at risk of exposed confidentials. But that's none of my business." Orton sipped at the tea causally before making it disappear with a snap of talons.
With the task done, he casually shoved Block aside as he moved to the edge of the branch in preparation for flight. "Now if you excuse me, I have a brother to aid and sadly I have no time for dilly-dallying with fools either." He narrowed his eyes. "Get your stuck-up face out of my sight, you'll make it dirty." He simply flapped his wings and went without a care. Head tipped up with arrogance.
Block blinked before he seethed with rage. How dare he speak to him that way?! That tone of voice used - it made his blood boil. Luckily for Block, the brown falcon underestimated his opponent's temper. With a mighty flap of his monstrous-sized wings and a loud screech, Block lurched at Orton with talons outstretched.
Orton's gasp of surprise was cut and he howled in pain, feeling the sharp claws of Block's foot sinking into his back while the other enclosed around his neck. Turning his prey to face front, Block pulled his foot from Orton's back to grip on his chest. "Wow this has to be the funniest thing ever!" Block's spittle landed on Orton's face. "It must have taken a lot from you to speak to the Shadow King that way!"
"Hey I was only being nice you oversized piece of feathered charcoal!" Orton hissed in anger before suddenly wearing a cool expression. "But since you complained, I guess I'll just have to be much nicer than that!" His talons reached up and scored really hard into Block's chest - the claws drawing out blood when Orton pulled and flapped away the moment the bigger bird let go of him with a wounded cry.
Orton stared at the blood in his talons and back at Block, eyes narrowing. "Serves you right. If you had just let me go I wouldn't have struck back! Now stay out of my way unless you want something a lot worse than what I just gave you!"
The black falcon stubbornly shook his feathers in recovering before returning the glare - His icy emerald pools filled with outrage. "Never!" He shrieked and lunged himself at Orton once more, sending them both to the ground in a tornado of brown and black feathers. Orton tried to flee the battle in order to go save Balthazar but Block held him back.
Talons slashed. Grazes are formed. Squawks rang out loud and wings thrashed about. The two falcons are now in a frenzied fight as Orton seized every spare second to flap till the two brought their frenzy to mid-air. Block kept raking his claws at the brown falcon while Orton with his swift dodging, retaliated faster.
Not one human word is exchanged. Being engrossed in their fight, they didn't care about whether there are blood droplets splattering in the air or to notice the presence of tawny and ebony feathers flying around them...
Meanwhile, Balthazar kept flying from the incoming Creepers. He's carried himself in rash flight for quite a distance and his body is starting to ache from fatigue. In his distress, he didn't see or think of where exactly to run so it was not surprising when he realised that he was headed for an unexpected area.
A sudden strain washed over Balthazar and he landed hastily on his feet with Milo still in his clutches. "Perfect timing…" He cursed at his run-down levitation and relied on running. Unfortunately for him, it was now the Creepers who had the advantage in speed and they were catching up fast.
The Guardian picked up his pace and kept his panicked eyes upfront in refusing to look back as he panted. Now it was slowly becoming the turn of his legs for tire and he felt that familiar ache in both his limbs. Run any longer and he might collapse - proving the Creepers victorious. No! Balthazar's gaze hardened. I will not let them catch us! I must keep going!
With a war cry of determination, Balthazar went even faster. He ignored the ache in his legs and the lungs begging for a catching of breath. To his utter dismay, Balthazar saw an obstacle that blocked his one way to escape; A large hedge that exceeded his height by thrice. No way around it but fly - and Balthazar did not have the sufficient energy for that.
Balthazar grew alarmed when he realised how far the Creepers bad chased had chased him. He found himself standing before The Hedge - The barrier that separated Anacardia from the Mortal World down below. The place where Orton lost his daughter and he lost his niece…
"We've got you now Cooperdink!" A hissing voice sounded from afar making Balthazar glance over his shoulder in terror. The Creepers are now visible and and running fast. Still far but Balthazar knew he couldn't waste time. His head snapped forward and frantically looked from left to right for a possible escape route but to no avail; His magic is low from fatigue.
Turning back is futile since he'll only make himself easier to be caught by the nasty beings. No going through The Hedge either for if one goes through the through, he'll have to go fast or he'll perish to dust.
Balthazar felt his heart ache as he slowly turned his gaze to Milo who remained pressed to his clothes from being held best throughout the run. Milo shifted in place and looked up at his parent with a tilt - Eyes big and full of wondering. "Papa!" He cooed before cuddling the man's chest.
He's so innocent. Balthazar shut his eyes tightly when tears threatened to spill. The Creepers are nearing and he cannot escape without risking Milo being caught. What will they do if they catch us both? Likely knock me out, but Milo... The man thought over frantically and finally, reopened his eyes with anguish, coming to a painful decision. It broke his heart just thinking of it, but it had to be done.
He gently pried Milo off before quickly pulling out a green fabric from his coat pocket; Milo's blanket. With his free arm, Balthazar wrapped the blanket around Milo so it fully wrapped him before shifting him over to that arm, allowing him to move the other one in a sliding-down motion below the wrapped Milo - creating a beige colored shell casing to contain the blanketed baby.
Shifting him again and raising his hand above Milo to create another half of the shell, Balthazar was about to do so only to stop in reluctance for Milo started to cry and shift in his little shell.
"Shhh…It's alright Milo, you'll only be like this just for a bit." Balthazar quietly attempted to hush the small one while looking over his shoulder anxiously, knowing that only little time left is left. I'd better do this quick.
Milo's cries softened when he felt Balthazar's thumb gently brush at his cheek and he cooed, reaching out to hold the finger in his little hands. The Guardian settled the shell down on the ground with his heart swelling with love. Balthazar started to weep, his hand covering his mouth as he shook.
"Oh Milo..." He knelt and bent over so he could give the baby one last nuzzle, keeping the position as he shut his eyes, the tears streaming down. "Wherever you may be tonight and during the days that follow, always remember, that I am right here with you, no matter how far apart we may be." I pray that whoever finds you will provide more love and protection for a much longer period of time. "My sweet little Milo." Balthazar's voice reduced to sobs. I'm sorry... But it's for the best. You need to be safe.
The Guardian wept through closed eyes as he entwined his finger around Milo's hand for a momentary squeeze, then gently pulling away - letting the baby's hand slide off in releasing the finger. "I love you..." He whispered and swept his hand above the infant.
Milo tried to reach out only for a beige hood to form and cover his view of his weeping father. Finger brushing at his eyes, Balthazar stroked the protective shell he made for the baby - a small cradle shaped and resembling the empty shell of a pistachio. A portion of Milo's feet wrapped by the green blanket can be seen through the thin gap that remained open.
The Creepers' hisses became louder as they grew nearer. Balthazar's broken expression turned firm as he quickly stood up; Charging a moss-green beam aiming for the shell. Balthazar felt dizzy as he strained to use his magic to send Milo through The Hedge. He felt like fainting, but he refused to let go until he safely sent Milo away.
In perfect timing, the Creepers approached with gleeful hisses and a strong beam shot from Balthazar's hand as he collapsed, clashing into the shell and sending it through the Hedge in lightning speed, just before any claws could come into contact. The Creepers let out agonizing, high-pitched shrieks of horror and dashed into the Hedge in futile attempt to grab the baby.
Balthazar watched in horror from his fallen position and scrambled to the Hedge. Even through the leaves, he can hear the painfully loud screeches from the Creepers as they were being burned alive by the Hedge's magic - the very one that turns you to dust unless you're fast to go through. The black bodies melted to dust and shrunk into particles. Then disappearing for good.
Well, that's the end of them Creepers. Relief washed over Balthazar and he noticed a shrinking green light slowly floating down from exiting the Hedge - The shell conjured from Balthazar's magic alone shielded the baby within from having the same fate as the foes. The Guardian was stiff in his emotions. His son... Is now headed for the Mortal World. Safe and sound.
The emotion cogs regained their ability to turn and now, Balthazar felt a strong sensation of loss wash over. Milo is safe in another world where no Shadow can get to him again - but at a grave cost. Now, two babies are lost to the same fate and this time, it is poor Milo, after little Melissa.
Balthazar dug his fingers into the soil and let out a shrill, heartbroken scream. The scream reached the sensitive ears of an incoming bat and he stopped halfway. Drako's eyes were wide with utter shock when he saw the crying Guardian.
Alone.
No Creeper, no baby in sight.
And they're close to the Hedge.
All clues led to one situation that didn't need any further explanation. He didn't see the Creepers rush back to the Stygian Palace with an Anacardian baby either. Therefore leading to...
No. Drako flapped frozen in place, guilt taking over at he shut his eyes. Oh Queen Tenebri I'm sorry, I failed you… I am too late. The bat squeaked in terror when the man below went limp and all went quiet. Balthazar's eyes slowly slid shut as his vision blurred - The last thing he saw being a blurry figure of a bat morphing into a tall halfblood Gethen he thought he knew from somewhere before...
The two flustered falcons raised their heads at the loud scream that reached their earholes. Both expressed different reactions; Block displayed a successful grin while Orton looked downright horrified in recognizing the scream. "Balthazar!" He cried and tried to fly with a screech, only to hover barely a meter above ground and crashland in a brown heap.
His 'little fight' with Block just now cost them a couple lost feathers and bleeding bald batches. Grazes covered both their bodies but Block was the only one with a bleeding pair of trios across his chest made from Orton's claws. The brown falcon weakly cried as he continued to feebly attempt to fly, but some of his wing feathers are missing and his body is too strained to work.
Orton turned to glare coldly at Block who was chuckling nastily. "What did you do?!" He grabbed Block's neck feathers and madly shook him. "In the name of all things sacred what did you do to my brother?!" The question turned into a yelp when Block kicked Orton right in the stomach, sending him flying and hitting the ground with a thud.
The ebony falcon towered over his tawny counterpart. "And you're the one who called me foolish! But since you wanna know, I'll tell you anyways!" He grinned maliciously when the storm in Orton's gray eyes grew clouded with fear.
"My patrols happened to come across your nephew some time ago and then Gretchen told me a bunch of good things about him!" His wings slowly spread. "He's strong. His aura is radiating from miles away! Who could resist grabbing a small delicate infant and suck all of that magic out of him?"
A dreadful realisation dawned upon Orton. "You didn't…!" He gasped when Block leaned up close so he is locking eyes with him. "Oh the truth hurts doesn't it? Huh Orton?" Block's voice was sickeningly sweet and taunting. "Judging that scream earlier, my Creepers must have downed old Cooperdink and then snatched the baby right before his eyes!"
He laughed sinisterly before looking smug. "Man, you don't know how glad I am we finally got one baby in our hands. We could have gotten that jumpy little redhead if it weren't for your petty little sacrifice!"
All fear turned into disgust as Orton stared daggers at his foe who casually twirled a brown feather in his talons. "A father's love. So overwhelming, so powerful that it makes you selfless to the point of using yourself to a whole new level."
His talon ran across a certain spot on Orton's right side near the rib, in tracing a scar that's invisible under the downy feathers. "If my minions struck twice you would have been dead a long ago!"
Block wiped a tear from his eye and he flapped his wings - albeit hovering unevenly due to feather loss. "I'm gonna go back to my grounds, see to news about my Creepers and the new prisoner." He chuckled evilly. "
But don't worry my friend, that kid is in great hands! I'll be expecting you in my palace if you dare break in to rescue him." The falcon screeched and heavily flew away, leaving Orton stunned with grief.
The brown falcon wasted no second in morphing into his normal form and teleported to the place where he heard the scream. Orton nearly fell back when his hearing instinct led him to the place where he never wanted to be in since Melissa's loss. The Hedge was right there in front of him and the leaves brushed against his nose.
The man hastily backed off panting in remembering his own time in this place. He looked around anxiously and spotted a figure laying on the ground in supine position - an all-too familiar top hat sitting on his chest. Orton immediately knew who it was.
"Balthazar!" he cried.
No reply.
The Time Guardian flew shakily to the elder and knelt down, hand on his back and the other at the shoulder. Bathazar's eyes were shut and moist with tear streaks. His breathing was soft and no movement was made other than the slow rise and fall of the chest.
A shadow loomed over the two Guardians and Orton turned to find that he was facing a male Shadow. While he could have attacked at first sight, Orton ceased that for male showed no evil but sympathy towards the two of them. That and Orton himself is too stressed to engage in another fight.
"He fell unconscious not too long ago." Said the Shadow as he shifted uncomfortably. "All that stress from earlier has worn him out." He sighed. "But don't worry, I checked him over and other than suffering from severe stress, he's alright. He'll awaken soon enough."
Orton rose a brow in surprise when the Shadow looked remorseful. "I'm so sorry… I wanted to stop those nasty Creepers before they did harm but I was too late," The Time Guardian sat up. "Creepers?" The Shadow nodded. "Yes, Creepers. A gargoyle subspecies native to the Black Forest." He gave a small smile. "But don't worry about them. They perished in the barrier is it seems."
"Perished in the Barrier?!" Orton's eyes cast on the Hedge. "If they did, then that means-!" He didn't finish for he let out a choked sob, the scenario being too familiar all together. Oh Balthazar… Orton silently wept for his elder having to go through exactly what he did. He didn't deserve this!
The man shakily pulled himself together and stood up, hoisting up the out-cold Balthazar and taking his arm around his shoulders - The weight sending his knees to buckle below. He wearily looked at the Shadow with plea. "Please... Help me take him home." The Shadow nodded eagerly and quickly took Balthazar's other arm so both men get a share of weight to carry.
They walked home quietly that night. The Shadow down with sorrow and the conscious but weakened Fifth Guardian let his tears fall. Not one word was said; Except the sobs and anguished cries that came from Orton as he mourned for yet another child's loss.