"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won.

There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible,

but in the end, they always fall. Think of it-always." ― Mahatma Gandhi

Chapter 11

Soren cracked open his eyes. His body felt like a pile of rocks, and he could hardly move. He seemed to be in a cave, because he felt the hard stone of the floor on his side. For a moment, he didn't know where he was. Then the memories of the Great Tree being attacked bombarded him, and he moved his wings and legs stiffly, until he was able to at least stand up.

He was correct in thinking that he was in a cave. It wasn't very big, only a few feet away from him did the wall appear. The entrance was guarded by a Pure One soldier, who turned and stared at Soren for a few seconds, then said in a gruff voice "Follow me." Soren shook his wings and legs, then when the stiffness was out of them, he followed the soldier into the air. As they flew, he looked around at the ground in horror. St. Aggies was the same as he left it, except there looked to be even more soldiers and owlets here than before. The Guardians were getting weaker and weaker, while the Pure Ones were starting to triumph. That wasn't right. In the story, the Guardian's were supposed to help strong the weak, mend the broken, and vanquish evil. It looked as if the evil was vanquishing the good. Most owls would've given up already.

But Soren was like most owls. He was brave, caring, and friendly. And he never backed down. Though he was in the belly of the beast, he would rise up and be the one to vanquish the evil. And save Luna. That was a promise he would give his life to keep.

A flew on without a word. The soldier didn't talk either, and they both liked it that way. The soldier led Soren into a giant cave, where it was so large that stalagmites and stalactites met. The two owls manuevered around them, until Soren couldn't take it anymore.

"Where are we going?" he asked, but the soldier didn't answer. He knew he wouldn't. But maybe he thought he could've given him a clue on where he was going. The further they flew, the darker it became, until Soren had to focus to see anything. Finally, the soldier alighted on the ground. Soren landed a few feet away from him, feeling wary. They were in a ring of huge stalagmites, ten in all, nearly touching. At one end of the cave, there was complete darkness that even Soren couldn't see. At the other end, light started to creep inside as the sun rose. "Why are we here?" asked Soren again. Instead of answering, the soldier took flight and flew into the daylight. Soren was prepared to follow when a voice spoke behind him.

"Hello, young Guardian." Soren turned quickly around, but didn't see anything, or anybody. "I've heard so much about you."

"Who are you?" Soren yelled, his voice echoing off the walls.

"I am the one that the oh-so-famous Lyze of Kiel scarred. I am the one who will crush the Guardian's in my talons. I am Metal Beak." Suddenly, one glowing red eye appeared high above Soren's head. There, Metal Beak suddenly appeared as the sunlight shined upon him. "Your precious heroes are finished, Soren. Join my army, and you'll have something real to live up to."

"I'll never join!" Soren growled. Metal Beak chuckled.

"Such strong words for a young Tyto. I know how bad you love your little Luna. And so, since Nyra was killed in the battle at the Great Tree, I have decided to take Luna as my mate. I'll believe she'll make fine offspring."

"Don't you touch her!" Soren flew straight Metal Beak, hoping to give him another scar to remember. Out of nowhere, two Pure Ones flew out of the disappearing shadows to grab Soren's wings, one in his pair of talons. He hung there in the air, the soldiers easily holding him in the air.

"Don't you worry yourself Soren," said Metal Beak. "I'll take good care of her. Take him to the dungeons."

"NO!" Soren struggled and fought the whole way, but it was no use. The soldiers didn't even hesitate as they threw him into a smaller cave than the first, then rolled a large rock in front of the entrance, trapping him there. Soren threw himself against the boulder until he started to bleed, but he hardly felt the pain. He was filled with so much anger, so much rage, he felt like he must burst. But one throw after another only further weakened his resolve. Finally, he collapsed, his back against the boulder. Angry tears ran from his eyes through his feathers, darkening them. Ever since he had learned how to talk, he believed that good would always triumph over evil. That the Guardians would defeat the Pure Ones. That he would vanquish Metal Beak and he and Luna would live happily ever after. But he now knew that that wasn't how the world worked. Evil would stamp out good. The Pure Ones would rule the forest. And he would be a slave to them until the day he died, while his true love became the mate of his worst enemy.

Right then, Soren missed his friends. He missed his Ma and Da, and Eglantine. He missed his brother Kludd. And most of all, he missed Luna.

The Great Tree

Sunset

Kludd opened his eyes and groaned. The scratches from the battle the previous day ached with pain. With great diffuculty, he managed to stand up on his legs. A wave of dizziness came over him, and he wobbled backwards.

"Steady now," said Twilight as he used his wing to keep Kludd from toppling over.

"Thanks Twilight," Kludd said, shaking his a little. "I haven't been the same since after the battle."

"We're all recovering slowly Kludd," said Twilight. "You should really get some rest."

"Have you seen Soren?" Twilight shook his head.

"I'm sure he's not dead," said Twilight, "but I don't think he's safe. It's best if we wait until everyone's fully recovered to go and look for him." Kludd suddenly looked angry.

"What if something happens to him? We can't just leave him with those- those Pure Ones!" He spat out the name as if they put a bad taste in his mouth, which they did. Kludd regretted being so mean to his Soren when they were younger. He had abandoned his cruel side, and wanted to protect his brother. But he knew now that the world didn't work that way. Not at all. He sighed as the anger left him. Twilight was right. It would be foolish to send out a rescue group when the Great Tree is almost torn apart.

"I'm sorry for yelling Twilight," Kludd sighed. "I'm just worried."

"I am too," Twilight said. "That's why we have friends, to help each other and deal with their problems." Twilight nodded at this, as if it was someone else saying these words. "Oh, and if you want something to do, Gylfie has arranged for some owls to help gather food and supplies. You can join, if you'd like." Then the Great Gray took off on his large wings, made a sharp turn, and vanished. Wincing, Kludd took flight and went in the opposite direction.

'Just hold out a little longer Soren.' Thought Kludd. 'We haven't forgotten about you.'