Whispers in the Wind

A golden arch formed suddenly upon the dark land that was filled with dense fog and ash on the ground. The arch opened into a portal, shimmering with golden specks of glitter and light. Muriel poked her head out slowly, followed by the rest of her body. She held her spear close to her defensively, checking her surroundings. The air was dead silent and she could hardly see anything because of the fog. The only visible thing that was clear to her was the mountain straight ahead that stood tall far above the clouds. The path in front of her lead directly to the mountain, but it also looked extremely treacherous, unstable, and unpredictable.

It wasn't the path that terrified her, but where the path led to: Mount Varra. The erratic and quite active Pryalis still continued to churn hot magma. Will explained that on Earth, it would be considered an active volcano. Despite the Pryalis being active, it wasn't the only thing that made her quiver. The deep caverns and cave of the Pryalis were most definitely haunted by dead Adelaide, Caspar, and Basiliade soldiers during the war many years ago. She gulped and gripped her spear tighter, not at all ready to venture into the unknown once again. However, her princess and friend needed her, and that was all that mattered at the moment. She put her hand back through the portal and motioned to the others that it was safe to come out.

One by one, the rest of the large group stepped out, Keziah first. It looked just like she had envisioned from the stories she was told when she was small. Dark, bleak, haunting, and ominous. Once they began their venture upward, there was no turning back. Nerissa was supposedly already making her way toward the top. It was a two days journey, so they would have to rest at one point. Keziah turned around and stared at the group before her. The Guardians were all there, including Alistair, the Meridian rebels, Caleb, Aldarn, and Drake, Matt, and little Lillian. She was going to need to large group for what they were about to endure on the Pyralis.

"It is a two days journey to reach the top. We will have to stop and rest once night falls," Keziah explained.

"We really shouldn't stop if Nerissa doesn't," Will said.

"Trust me, she will. Oxana will tell her how even more dangerous it is to travel at night on the unstable mountain. She will stop… Otherwise, the lost spirits will attack them."

"I forgot about the ghosts," Taranee whispered to Irma and Hay Lin.

"We best begin the trek," Keziah stated firmly, turning with her guards and began walking. Aldarn gave a soft sigh, watching her leave. He glanced briefly toward Drake, who looked sullen as ever. He still had a slightly black eye from the party a week ago, given to him by the Earth boy. Drake didn't seem like he wanted to be here at all. Aldarn patted Drake on the back and they moved onward as well. Things between him and Keziah were also still very awkward. He hadn't really spoken to her since Drake gave him the sudden realization of why she was avoiding him so much. He thought it was best to give her some space for a while. He didn't know whether to be overjoyed or cautious.

He bumped into Caleb's back accidentally, realizing they suddenly stopped. Aldarn looked over Caleb's shoulder, making sure nothing happened to Keziah. Standing in front of the three Adelaide women was a Basiliade Warrior with a light blue sash around her waist. She took off her mask, revealing herself as Orube, the female Basiliadian who is the leader of the small group of warriors who were helping them. Her slim suit was tight enough to show off her muscular form, as she slowly strode closer to them.

Keziah smiled, "Orube. It is wonderful to see you once again."

Orube gave a slight bow, "Likewise, your majesty."

"It still amazes me how quickly you and your warriors arrive to our realm."

"We are quick on our feet, your majesty," Orube gave a smile. "My squad is scaling the mountain as we speak for any traps or signs of Nerissa. We should have smooth journey until we rest and get closer to the caves."

"Then we must proceed," Keziah declared with a nod, as Orube nodded in response with a slight bow. Orube lead the trek, as her eyes scanned the area. The fog made it even more difficult to see, but she had ears similar to a feline; nothing was going to get passed her. The incline began, as all of them followed the path that had been intact for hundreds of years. Those who could fly definitely did so, as the fog became lighter. "I trust the Stone of Demons is safe, your majesty?"

Keziah nodded, "I believe so. My mother took it the moment I presented it to her."

"As long as it is in good hands. I'm sure the queen will protect it."

"I do hope so, Orube," she sighed, knowing her mother has been disappointed with her ever since she let men onto the planet. She wondered momentarily if that would stop when all of this was over. If this ever ended. Who knows how long her life will last as long as the Keeper of the Heart of Adelaide. Probably not long…

They had been walking the steep incline for an hour now, although it seemed longer. The Guardians were flying so they weren't too tired, and the guys were fit enough to handle the long journey. The fog, thankfully, was beginning to dissipate as well. The path was easier to see in addition to the passage up ahead. It was also very silent besides the sounds of insects and some birds. When looking down, they were already a high up, although the thick fog blocked most of their view from the bottom.

Suddenly, a solid black form shot downward quickly and landed right front of them. The form stood up, revealing that it was one of Orube's warriors. Judging by the two katanas sheathed onto his back, it was Ronin. Mysterious as they remembered him, he stood and stared at the group for a couple seconds before calmly walking to his leader. His mouth went for her ear, as he whispered something completely inaudible to everyone else. Hay Lin was shocked herself when he couldn't hear a word he said. Orube nodded when he was finished.

"And Aina and Haruto?" she asked. She was silent for a few seconds more. Then, Ronin suddenly pointed at a bird that was flying above them, more specifically a crow. He whispered more into her ear, as she nodded critically. "Excellent, Ronin." Ronin stepped back when he was done, as Orube faced the group.

"No traps have been set so far by Nerissa and no paranormal activity for another five miles. My other comrades Aina and Haruto are already at the halfway mark and should meet them by nightfall. Nerissa is at least seven miles ahead of us. We can make that up easily." She stopped talking and rapidly sent a shuriken toward the crow, killing it instantly. This was definitely a surprise for anyone. "Kill any crows you see. Darius is watching us. They know we're following them." Killing one of Darius's crows was going to be easy; everyone wanted him dead for what he did to Cornelia anyway.

Since Orube obtained the new information from Ronin, they picked up the pace slightly. It was already going to be night soon, and they needed to reach a certain point in order to not offend any haunting spirits that roamed the mountain freely. Any invaders would most definitely be punished severely. By the time the sun was slowly setting, they were now above the clouds and extremely high in altitude. It would have been possible to see the kingdom if it were not for the puffy clouds that were now mixed with the colors of orange, pink, and purple. The two moons were faint, but still could be seen high in the sky. The stars were already beginning to gleam as well.

"It's beautiful," Lillian commented to herself, her eyes glistening with the clouds and stars. Her brilliant blue eyes shifted to the muscular back of Ronin. He was walking far ahead of the group, very alert. He barely knew any of them and he was protecting them as if they all were a part of his squad. She flinched when he moved suddenly to kill another crow. He was fast for someone who didn't have powers. Faster than Caleb or Aldarn. He had a connection to the water element, which Lillian didn't know much about, but that had nothing to do with his natural skill. He was trained well in Basiliade, that much she did know, and probably has been training since he was a very young child. Basiliadians were definitely fearless and tough. Nothing was going to get passed these warriors.

Lillian almost ran into her sister when the whole group stopped. It seemed they were at the halfway mark, and just in time. The sun was finally setting behind one of the mountains, leaving the two moons to shine down on them. The trail widened and acted as a resting area. A small cave was open against the mountain wall, as most of them gathered inside.

"We will rest here for the night," Orube announced. Aina and Haruto suddenly dropped down from scaling the mountain's wall, already whispering into Orube's ear to discuss what to do next. A small and very old wooden sign was nailed into the mountain's wall written in Adelaidean.

"Keziah, what does it say?" Will asked curiously.

Keziah squinted, "It is difficult to see…" Taranee's hands began to glow, making a fire in the center of the cave. The glow from the fire spread to most of the camping area. Keziah nodded to her as a thank you. She turned back to the sign and read, "To those who journey along this path, beware. As an agreement toward the spirits who haunt these mountains in the dead of night, this area is sacred and safe for those who wish to rest. Step beyond, and suffer a fate worse than death."

"Wonderful. I vote we listen to the creepy warning and do what it says," Irma stated.

"Agreed," Cornelia nodded.

"We need to get our rest anyway," Eric said, his hood still over his head, leisurely leaning against some rock.

"He's right," Orube confirmed. She looked at her squad, allowing them to rest for the night as well. Even they needed their sleep. Aina and Haruto took a spot farther away from the cave, clear of the Guardians and rebels. Orube followed and then stopped to turn around. Ronin walked to the edge of the mountain, took a seat, and gazed at the sky in contempt. Orube sighed, knowing he wasn't going to sleep tonight, not while they were on this mission. There was no use fighting with him either; she knew he wouldn't listen. She shook her head before joining her two other teammates, taking a place next to Aina.

The fire Taranee had made was still blazing in the cave, as Will looked out into the distance. Another fire could be seen on the next mountain over, the small flame dancing in the wind. Will sighed, "She right there. All we would have to do is fly over."

"You would surely be killed if you did," Keziah responded, also staring at the small fire miles away. Will took a seat, already seeing Taranee, Irma, and Keziah's guards fast asleep, exhausted from the trek. Hay Lin was with Eric outside the cave, staring at the stars, and the three rebels lingered outside as well. Lillian and Cornelia sat next to Will, not ready for the night to take them yet either.

"How do you do it, Keziah?" Will asked.

She looked at Will curiously, "About what?"

"Being able to live in a place with such beauty and hardships at the same time." Keziah stared into the fire, suddenly sad. "I know your mother is disappointed in you, for reasons I don't understand." She paused. "And I also know you don't want to live here, but as a princess, it is your duty." Keziah didn't speak for a while, and Will and Lillian were wondering if she ever was going to.

"This place is my home. It is where I was born and grew up…and yet, I feel as though I do not belong," she admitted, turning to make sure her friends were actually sleeping.

"Where do you belong then?" Lillian said suddenly.

Keziah gave a small smile, "On Thalion…with my father." She pushed her blonde hair behind her pointed ears, clearly showing that she missed him. "It's an Elven realm."

"I didn't even know you knew your father," Will stated, somewhat surprised. "I thought…"

Keziah nodded, "Most Adelaideans don't get to meet their fathers. Since I was royalty, my mother allowed me to visit him in Thalion. But when my father urged my mother that I be permitted to stay on Thalion with him, she forbade me from ever seeing him again. To make sure I wouldn't run away, she made me Keeper of the Heart of Adelaide, and I was forced to remain here." Small tears formed in her eyes, but they never dropped. Aldarn, along with Caleb and Drake, listened intently outside the cave. Drake turned to Aldarn, giving him a look of sympathy. "That was seven years ago."

"You haven't seen your father in seven years?" Cornelia asked solemnly. Keziah's silence was her answer. Her small smile came back, remembering all the memories she had with her father.

"Thalion is a beautiful place, more so than Adelaide, if you can imagine. It is a realm that is not typically visited by strangers, but all are welcome," she paused, remembering his long blonde hair and piecing blue eyes. "He taught me how to fight and defend myself, how to speak Elvish, and to love people. He was not royal, but he was definitely noble."

"That's why there is tension between you and your mother. You two really haven't gotten along," Will made the connection.

"The relationship I had with my mother was strong during my childhood, but then she saw the intense bond I had with my father and was jealous of that. Since she broke up my father and I, we have never been the same. We do not see eye to eye on many things."

"What about your sister?"

She stopped, thinking about her younger sister momentarily. "Iris is just like my mother. Seeing what my father did for me, Eudora made sure Iris never met her own. She despises men just like every other Adelaidean in this realm." She paused. "You see, most Adelaideans believe males are worthless, and all they are good for is sex and reproduction of our race. Because I had a loving relationship with my father, I know that to be false. He loved me unconditionally and I know males are wonderful, just as women. Unlike everyone else on this ignorant planet…" She looked at her sleeping friends briefly. "…I am capable of loving a man. Most Adelaideans are, they just haven't laid eyes on the right one."

Aldarn was staring at the stars when he heard her say this. He exhaled his breath, loving that he was getting to know her so intimately. Keziah continued, "Don't get me wrong, my people are very much attracted to men, just like Muriel and Semira, but they still have resentment towards them. It is a game of sex. Therefore, Iris would make a better ruler than me, if that's what my mother wanted."

"But…" Will began.

"But… despite what Adelaide's government might entail, I still love and want to protect my people. My father taught me that. And for some reason, my mother wants me to rule, not Iris."

"She knows what you're capable of. My mom does the same thing; she pushes me because she knows I'm capable of great things," Will explained.

"But she also does not care of what I think is best for me. She does not respect me…and I will never make her proud," Keziah almost whispered, pulling in her knees and resting her chin on them. They were quiet once more, the only thing making noise was the cracking of the fire. To change the subject, Cornelia had an idea.

She grinned, "So how does it work, anyway?" Keziah looked at her curiously. "You said the women here only use men as a way of reproduction. Men aren't allowed on the planet, so…?"

Keziah smiled with her, knowing where she was going with it. "Ah, you want to know how Adelaideans reproduce…" Keziah sat up straighter, ready to give a lengthy explanation. Will simply rolled her eyes at Cornelia's eagerness. " It is called the Golden Moons Ritual. Once a year, there is a certain amount of time in which women are allowed to leave the planet to copulate. They pick their own destinations, but the main purpose is to find and seduce a man. If fortunate, they will become pregnant and populate the land. Now, most don't actually engage in the ritual because some Adelaideans are lovers –woman to woman- but for those who wish to have daughters must do this."

"And when they have sons?" Lillian asked tentatively.

"They either send them back to the father… or they are killed instantly by the mother because they are disgusted," Keziah admitted. "But most go with the father." She then sighed, "Mothers should not be subjected to live in a world without their sons. Some women are devastated when they have to give their newborn son away. But because a woman is bound to Adelaide forever, she cannot leave unless it is the Golden Moons. That is one thing I would change as queen; if women don't want to stay here, then they shouldn't have to. Look what happened to Oxana…"

The sound of Oxana's name caused Drake to tense up, and Caleb noticed. He scrunched his brows curiously, nevertheless listening to Keziah's many stories.

"What's up with her anyway? How can someone hate their home world so much?" Cornelia asked. Drake moistened his lips out of habit, eager to her some of Oxana's background.

"Her mother abandoned her when she was very young. I don't know why, but her mother realized that taking care of a child was too much of a burden. Oxana was left on the streets at a very young age, fending for herself by stealing or any other means necessary. When she became a little older, she tried to find her mother once more and ask why she abandoned her. Oxana later found out her mother committed suicide, for life was not worth living. Desperate to change her life around, that is when she volunteered for the queen's guard and began training. That is when we met."

"So you were friends?" Will asked.

"Oh, yes, very good friends. We trained together often and got along very well. We connected. She finally had a home and friends she could count on. During the time, my mother was implementing new laws for Adelaide, rules Oxana did not agree with. I did not agree with them either, but I knew my mother was not going to give in to what I wanted. So she spoke out against the queen and claimed she was not fit to be on the throne any more. Queen Eudora stripped her of her metals and achievements, and cast her out of the castle in order to live back in the slums. She changed that day…"

"Forward two years later is when she meets Nerissa," Will concluded.

Keziah nodded, "Trust me Guardians, she is not evil. She just hates and resents Adelaide for all the hardships she endured. No one loved her or showed her any kindness, so she is doing the same." Drake gulped, realizing he and Oxana did have something in common… Both Drake's mother and father abandoned him too. Only, he was able to find and keep the friendship of Caleb, Aldarn, and Vathek. They were both broken.

"I honestly can't blame her then," Will admitted. "Deception is all she knows."

"I still believe she can be turned…but it will take a lot of effort."

"This whole thing is going to take a lot of effort," Cornelia exhaled, briefly remembering the sharp spike that went through her abdomen so easily. She looked at Keziah and suddenly admired her even more. She was a strong individual who had to learn to adapt, all while still staying true to herself. Oxana did not do the same. She needed help… Cornelia smiled, wanting to ask one more question for Keziah. "Have you ever participated in the Golden Moons ritual?" Will shook her head while Lillian giggled, seeing the blush creep on Keziah's face.

Aldarn's eyes suddenly widened and his mouth went dry. He never ever thought about Keziah having previous relations with other men before. He was instantly afraid of her answer. She laughed, "No, I've never participated in the ritual. I am of age, but I am not ready for such a commitment. I am in no rush." Aldarn exhaled, extremely relieved. Keziah sighed, staring outside at the moons. "We should get some rest. We have another long day ahead of us."

"Agreed," Will yawned, standing up to get Matt outside.

"Get some sleep, kid," Cornelia said to her sister. She knew Caleb would want to stay up longer, so she took a seat next to Irma, letting herself drift. Lillian watched her sister lay down, as Keziah did the same. Matt and Will came back inside, followed by Drake and Aldarn. Aldarn gazed at Keziah's sleeping form, noting how beautiful she looked when she was tranquil. Like the others, he took a spot and drifted into sleep. Hay Lin and Eric remained outside, knowing Eric preferred to sleep under the stars than inside a cave.

Lillian then turned her head towards the edge of the cliff, where Ronin was still sitting. He hadn't budged since he sat down, wondering how he had the stamina to do so. She exhaled slowly, knowing what she was about to do next. Mostly everyone was asleep, so she stood up and gradually walked over to the mysterious samurai. She wiped her sweaty hands on her clothes, completely nervous. She sat down right next to him, letting her legs hang over the side just like him. She looked at him in her peripheral vision, his black mask matching the sky. She gulped.

"Hi…" she began, her voice somewhat shaky. "I'm Lillian… You…you saved me the last time we saw each other. I don't know if you remember…" He remained silent, still staring out into the distance. Lillian thought she was crazy. What was she doing? "I'm sorry, I don't even know you speak English or understand me." She shook her head. "I'm just grateful, you know? I wouldn't be here if you hadn't done that." Still nothing; he kept quiet.

"I have powers, unlimited powers, I just don't know how to use them… And I'm the Heart of Earth. How pathetic does that sound?" She paused, staring at the moons with him. "My sister didn't tell me I was the Heart until recently, that's sort of why I haven't learned… But I don't really know how to train myself. Queen Elyon was going to help me, but all of this has been one big distraction. I wish I was more help, but I don't know where to start…"

Lillian pulled up her knees and shrunk, her arms wrapping around her shins. "I feel so useless sometimes. There's no point in me being here, but I also just can't sit at home and do nothing now that I know I have powers. I don't know how you do it. You're able to accomplish so much and you do it so easily… I wish I could do the same. You're amazing…" She shut up instantly, realizing she was saying too much. Despite his silence, he was extremely easy to talk to. She smiled, feeling great for being herself. She stared out, noticing the small fire across the way had finally burnt out. The enemies were now asleep… "Looks like they're finally asleep." She looked at him. "You're not going to sleep, are you?" Still nothing.

"I don't know if I can sleep either. It's difficult, being out here and all. But you're different; you just want to protect us. That's why you're not resting…" she stated, knowing she was right. "I was able to really use my powers only one time, and that was when I was upset when I saw Cornelia dying. Everything else has been small, like levitation and telekinesis. And when I made Matt a regent, but I didn't know what I was doing back then. I felt my power then, but how come I can't feel it anymore?" She pushed her legs in tighter. "I can't do anything right… I'm just so useless. I don't think you know how frustrating that is…"

Ronin slowly turned his head and looked at her. Her big blue eyes widened. She accepted that he wasn't going to interact with her. But now, as he was staring at her, she felt the heat through her cheeks. All she could see was his dark mask, but she could tell he was staring into her eyes. After another minute, Ronin took his finger and began writing something in the ash underneath them. She moistened her lips nervously, wondering what he was doing. He wrote a few small characters in the Basiliadian language. Before she could tell him she didn't understand, he wiped it away quickly and began writing something else. This time, it was in English…

Lillian squinted her eyes and read aloud, "Don't think, feel…" Her eyes went big once more. "You do understand me." He nodded once. She gulped; all that ranting she did, he comprehended everything. "How do I feel without thinking?"

Ronin balled his fist and hit it on his chest, right over his heart. She looked at him quizzically as he pointed to her own. "My heart?" He nodded once more. He picked his legs up from the edge and crossed them, sitting upright. He gestured for Lillian to do the same, and she obeyed. He placed his hands on his knees, and she followed. He put his hand over his own heart again and looked at her. She nodded, "Feel." He bowed his head slightly and did nothing else.

She blinked, looking around her before bowing her head as well. She also figured his eyes were closed, so she did the same. His breathing was even and slow, so she matched his. Everything that he was doing, she followed. At first, she didn't know what to think or do. She was simply sitting down, not doing much. Perhaps Ronin was a bit insane after all. All she was able to focus on was hearing her friends snore in the cave, the fire still cracking, and giant bird wings flapping with great might.

Bird wings?

Her eyebrows pursed together. Yes, bird wings. How far, she didn't know, but it was a great big bird in the distance and she could hear it flapping. She also suddenly could hear and feel small insects strolling along, scaling the mountain in all sorts of directions. She could feel the mountain itself, standing strong and rumbling every so often. She could hear the trees all the way down the mountain, singing songs in the soft breeze. When she opened her eyes, her slender fingertips were glowing a soft green.

She was one with nature.

Lillian could feel her power coursing through her. Her heart was pounding loudly in her chest, supporting all the power she had within her. Ronin gently grabbed her hand with his own and placed it onto the rough ground. He let go just as her hand glowed a little brighter, and a small flower began to bloom instantly, despite the terrain having no signs of life anywhere. Lillian's smile grew, looking up at Ronin with the greatest appreciation ever. He put his fist over his chest once more.

"Don't think, feel," she nodded, looking down at the small flower she created once more. "I get it." Her hands stopped glowing, as she felt her power grow weaker. She figured that's how everyone felt when they used their powers. It was incredible. "Please, can you teach me more? You're the only one who has ever showed me how do this… Or cared, for that matter."

He remained silent, as if thinking about her request. He stood up quickly and held out his hand. She grabbed it with a smile, helping her off the dirty ground. He put a few steps between him and her, and then gestured for her to follow his movements. He moved slowly, using different movements of martial arts. While he was doing it perfectly, she was sloppy. She did her best at following him, but she wasn't as graceful as he was. She realized all he was doing was Tai Chi, but with Basiliade enhancements. This was only the beginning, however; she knew if she kept this up, she would get better. She could already feel her power burning once more.

She smiled to herself as she copied him, slowly and surely falling in love…

Caleb watched from above, sitting on a rock that was higher than the cave itself. He knew he wasn't going to sleep, so he decided to nominate himself as a lookout, just like Ronin. He was helping Lillian with her powers, which he appreciated. Caleb would have helped her himself, but obviously he did not contain any abilities that could assist her. At least someone was doing it, and Ronin seemed like he was doing a respectable job.

He looked back into dark sky, wondering what tomorrow would hold for them. It was going to be another strenuous battle, likely, and after the last one, he didn't know what to think. When Cornelia was dying, all he wanted to do was give up. Never had he wanted to give up. Ever. When he saw the blood leaking out of her frail body and the life leaving her, he lost all control. And for that, he wanted Darius dead. No, he wanted Darius murdered.

"Mesmerizing, isn't it?"

Caleb nearly jumped off the cliff when he heard the voice right next to him. He even pulled out his small knife from his belt and held it out defensively. He instantly stopped when he saw that Hay Lin was floating right next to him. He hadn't even heard her come up to next to him, that was how quiet she was. Caleb looked down and sure enough, she wasn't next to Eric sleeping. He looked at her again; she was staring forward, enjoying the high altitude and atmosphere she was in. He blinked, confused.

"What?" he put his knife back, hoping she hadn't noticed.

She finally looked at him, "The sky. Mesmerizing, isn't it?" He calmed down slightly, sitting back to his regular position. He narrowed his eyes; her wings weren't flapping. She was just floating…on her own.

"Yeah," he replied. "You get lost in it." He looked at her curiously. "Why aren't you asleep?"

"I figured this was a good chance for us to talk." He continued to look at her, briefly taking peeks at Ronin and Lillian every so often. Hay Lin's power soared through her veins as if it was her own blood. Being high in altitude was the deepest connection to her element. When she breathed in the air and exhaled, the sky was with her. She flourished in its power. Caleb could see how lost in thought she was. When she didn't speak, he figured the two would sit in silence for the rest of the night. However, she did speak, "How long have you known?"

Caleb already knew exactly what she was talking about. She finally caught on to his own little secret. Caleb had his speculations before the party, the big one being when he saw Hay Lin in a deep trance that eventually led them to Nerissa later on. However, he didn't link everything until he witnessed Joel shoot out some lightning on the night of the party. That was when everything suddenly became clear. It didn't take long for Hay Lin to notice how differently Caleb was acting toward her ever since that day. His scrutinizing, cautious movements, and his language all indicated that he knew something.

"Since that senior party you guys threw. Although, I had speculations way before that. It became pretty clear when I saw Joel manipulate lightning."

Hay Lin shook her head, "That night was a mistake. I'm surprised no one else found out."

"No one wants to think about it… So they don't see it," Caleb put it simply. "But they have noticed how all three of you hang out more, which somewhat intimidates them."

"That can't be helped. I gave Nigel and Joel their powers, so they're always going to orbit me," Hay Lin reckoned. "Have you told anyone?"

"No. I figured it was a big secret for a reason. And I was curious to see how it all played out," he admitted. "You remember everything?"

"Everything," Hay Lin emphasized. "Whatever you thought before is not what happened. The Oracle wanted it this way."

Caleb nodded, "The Oracle. He always has something planned, doesn't he?"

"For our benefit… I hope…"

"Hay Lin, do you realize how bad this could be if the others find out? They are going to be devastated, especially if it doesn't come from you."

"I know…" she sighed, knowing the consequences were grave. "But it's not my secret to tell."

"Yes, it is," Caleb looked at her seriously. "You don't always have to listen to what the Oracle tells you. He's not in charge of your life."

Hay Lin pulled her knees in closer, "It's not that simple…" Her eyes wandered to Eric, sleeping perfectly under his stars. She could hear his gentle breathing from her powerful ears. He sounded so calm, so peaceful when he slept. She wanted to protect the ones she loved. "I know I'll tell them eventually, but until then, it stays hidden. It's too much for them to think about with Nerissa trying to destroy everything right now."

Caleb sighed, realizing her mind was set. "It's ultimately your choice." Silence was upon them once again, this time for several minutes. Hay Lin gazed into the vast sky that was in front of her. She closed her eyes and breathed in the refreshing air that was around her. She wanted to let the rain fall and drench the mountaintops, soaking every rock and boulder. Instead, she let the air fill her lungs and course throughout her body. Air was always going to be her ultimate comfort. It had been comforting her for so long now, even before she knew about her Guardian powers.

The wind blew harder the more she thought about it, as her long hair gently glided backward. She wished she could soar through the clouds and above the atmosphere, flying as fast as she could. She loved being high in altitude; there was nothing but pure silence above the clouds. As she exhaled, the wind blew the opposite direction, blowing outward to the deep sky she was staring at. She looked at Caleb from the corner of her eye; he could tell she was in her element and didn't want to speak to disturb her. She suddenly thought of something serious Caleb hadn't talked to anyone about. She turned to him.

"How are you going to be able to handle it?" He looked at her, sort of getting tired of all the open-ended questions she was asking him. "When we try to kill your mother…"

"She was never my mother," he replied, which was the usual response whenever Nerissa was brought up directly to him. "I was fine the last time, wasn't I?"

"Yeah, but we didn't kill her last time."

"And what makes you think this time is different?"

"We're all different. We've changed so much since the last time Nerissa attacked all of us," she concluded. "So I ask, are you going to handle it?"

He remained silent, afraid of what would come out of his mouth. He looked down at his feet, unsure of his feelings. He sighed honestly, "I don't know…" That was the answer she was afraid of.

"It's natural to care…"

"Not if your mother is a murderous sociopath," Caleb stated, fingering his knife once more. "I've never had a real connection to her. Why does she deserve any concern from me?"

"She doesn't," Hay Lin shrugged. "Kind of interesting, Keziah's story, about women leaving the boy infants with their fathers."

"How so?"

"Your father raised you alone and he never talked about Nerissa. It makes me wonder if she spent time on Adelaide before, since it seems like she adopted the ritual. It would make sense why she knows so much about this realm and why she wants its power."

Caleb continued to stare. He knew nothing about Nerissa. She abandoned him. If she didn't care about him, then why should he do the same? She was no mother to him. "It really doesn't matter." He finally spoke. "She deserves what's coming to her." He sighed, putting his hands over his face and slowly massaging his temples. "Now that I have your secret figured out, I now need to find out what's wrong with Drake." Hay Lin bit her lip softly. "And you can't tell me you haven't noticed what's been going on with him. He won't talk about it."

She sighed softly, turning to him. "Actually, I can probably tell you what's wrong with him." He turned and looked at her fully, narrowing his eyes curiously. "I think he's in love."

Caleb automatically chuckled, "I doubt that. He doesn't believe in love."

"I'm serious, Caleb. He's in love…with Oxana." His smile slowly faded, as he looked at her insanely.

"How? He's only battled with her once…and that was months ago."

"That's the same amount of time he's been acting strange, right?" Caleb remained silent. "Look, I have this connection with Oxana. I can sometimes see what she's thinking… And she's thinking about him."

"So it's mutual."

"Both of them don't know how to deal with this. They're scared…" Hay Lin confirmed. "I'm worried what will happen tomorrow when we go into battle."

"All we can do is wait," Caleb said softly, witnessing the sun peak over the mountaintop. Had he and Hay Lin really been talking all night long? It didn't seem that way, but their conversations were deep. When he turned to look back at her, she was gone. He looked down and noticed Lillian sleeping soundly, but Ronin was still perched in the same spot he was in before. Hay Lin was also asleep, sitting right next to Eric. He wondered momentarily if it was all a dream, but the breeze touching his skin reminded him that it wasn't.

All this time, one of his true best friends was hiding her identity. He saw the pain in her eyes when she told him, and when she told him she couldn't tell anyone. She was living a lie. They all were. It suddenly dawned on Caleb how screwed up they all really were. No longer was there trust within the group. No longer was there hope…and hope is what they needed most right now. Right then and there, Caleb unexpectedly feared for his friends. If all of them didn't believe in each other, then Nerissa would win for sure…

R&R

SilverShadow