Earlier in the day... Melissa breathed deeply as her hand enclosed around the strap of her camo-green satchel. She fixed her eyes upon the path beyond village exit with wariness. Come on Melissa, if Milo can do it, so can you.
She frowned and placed a foot forward. She stiffened, fear coming over again. Why am I doing this? She retracted her foot with a slight scowl. They threw me away. Why should I go back home-! No. This is my home.
The girl turned heel with a huff, only to stop in her tracks. I can't go back. She turned to the open outside. But I don't wanna go up there either...
"Melissa honey?"
She froze at the voice of Richard as he made way to her side, placing a hand on her shoulder in concern. "You've been pacing about for quite a while now," He frowned slightly. "Are you sure you're okay with this?"
Melissa sighed. "In all honesty, I'm not into the idea of returning to the Guardians that threw me away," Her gaze averted to the openness ahead. "But Milo, he's going to need someone up there! That and... Okay maybe I do want to meet this person that brought me up for the first days of life or so but at the same time I don't."
The man ran his fingers across his daughter's hair. "Well I don't blame you for feeling that way honey. You feel like whoever up there gave you up and away to someone else, I understand." He gave her shoulder a squeeze. "But still, he or she brought you into the world and you gotta respect that." His glance set upwards.
"Anacardians are heavenly beings. They love one another very much, perhaps so much to the point that they devote their lives to each other." He frowned. "I'm sure they never gave you or Milo up out of spite," He shook his bead quickly. "Okay I know we don't have enough evidence to support that but.. Anacardians abandoning their youth is so unlikely of them, you know? Especially if it's a Guardian."
Melissa nodded slowly. "Milo's planning to get some answers too when he gets to Anacardia." She held onto her satchel strap as she inhaled. She thought carefully once more. If Milo believed so much in the opposite of what she did in their Guardian relatives, so can she - but only for his sake. He's the only friend she's truly had and she refused to think of life without him. Also, a part of her did want to go take the chance while it's in her reach... She can't just let it go past.
"You're right dad," Melissa gave her dad a smile. "There isn't enough proof that I've been abandoned or not. That's why I'm gonna find out the truth for myself." She breathed shakily. I may or may not end up betrayed, but I'll prepare for that. She slid into Richard's arms for a last hug. "Don't worry about me dad, I'll still keep in touch with you wherever fate takes me. After all, you're still the dad I'll run away to stay with any day."
Richard laughed slightly. "That's so sweet dear." He turned serious. "But please, don't think of running away if the Guardian accepts you back home by any chance. Even if you feel any hostility, you gotta work on forgiving him or her. After all, it's happened so long ago and it's time for a move-on, don't you agree?"
Melissa nodded and she was hugged again. "Don't worry sweetie, I'm always out here for you," Richard's eyes welled up with tears. "And if you have any issues or so, just give me a call. Or you can come down here in a shooting star during the nights," He chuckled. "I'll always be awake for those."
"Sure dad..." Melissa faced forward and gazed back over her shoulder. "Well, I'm off." Richard nodded and waved after his little girl. "Take care honey!" He called out. "Say hi to Milo for me!" Melissa grinned behind her. "I will!" She called in return before focusing forward. Her steps grew larger and she grew bolder. Her pace became faster until soon, she was darting straight up with her feet floating above ground.
Soon she was no longer near the village, but much farther. Swamp Hamlet is now completely out of view from where she stood at a path lined with hills. I'm so far from home now. She stared forward and around. Now which way would Milo go? She mentally cursed herself. "Darn it, why didn't I bring one of those maps?!" She facepalmed. Even with a map, she wouldn't know where exactly to begin going for. The land is full of so many choice places. It's impossible to find the right destination...
"Arf!"
Suddenly, a cream and brown dog lept out from somewhere and swiftly grabbed Melissa's satchel from her shoulder, causing her to almost fall over in surprise. "D-Diogee?!?" She yelped upon recognizing the mutt that ran off with her belongings. "Hey get back here! What are you doing all the way out here?!" Diogee stopped a short distance ahead and dropped the satchel, his tail wagging happily.
Melissa growled slightly and took back her satchel. She didn't stay angry at Diogee though. "I'm guessing you're going to where Milo is?" She patted the dog's head as he barked in agreement. "But I don't know where he could be at this time. I'm kinda lost myself as you can see,"
Diogee yapped and bounded forward on the path, pointing his nose towards the open. "Arf! Arf!" Melissa blinked and stared at the road in uncertainty. From here on upper ground, she can see what looked like a few more meters of path followed by a wooden house and farther from that, a large forested area with no end as she saw.
Diogee stood before the 'overview' with a yap, bouncing forward to paw at Melissa before bounding back. "You want me to go that way?" Melissa muttered to which Diogee barked and focused up ahead. He is Milo's dog. Maybe he can take us to him. Her eyes turned full with longing and at the same time, uncertain fear of what's ahead. "This is it Melissa. You're going to Anacardia. Going home. With Milo. You can do this. You just... Have to," She inhaled deeply and slipped the satchel back around her shoulder.
Heart, don't fail me now
Courage, don't desert me
Don't turn back now that we're here
People always say
Life is full of choices
No one ever mentions fear
Or how the world can seem so vast
On a journey ... to the past
"Incoming!" A man driving a horsewagon full of crates dashed forward along the path just as Melissa and Diogee lept to both sides of the roads in their safety. The thudding of horse hooves followed by the wheels going along the bumpy road echoed down the path as a gust of silvery wind appeared to form with the dust of freshly-roughened ground.
Melissa swore she heard multiple voices whispering with the sparkling dust. All told her to keep going forth. She didn't know where that came from, but she obeyed with a smile, Diogee following suit.
Somewhere down this road
I know someone's waiting
Years of dreams just can't be wrong
Arms will open wide
I'll be safe and wanted
Finally home where I belong
Well, starting now, I'm learning fast
On this journey to the past
Melissa and Diogee stopped as they passed the wooden house halfway. There they were greeted by two young children, a boy and a girl, who played with Diogee for a bit. The children were watched by five adults - Four men and a woman, all of whom are wearing bright smiles full with love and devotion.
The children ran back to their elders with laughter and they were scooped up. Melissa suddenly felt a wave of longing and nostalgia upon seeing the little girl in the arms of one of the men. She couldn't help but feel... Feel how much that could have been her and her real family; A father.
Home, Love, Family
There was once a time
I must have had them, too
The family grinned and waved at Melissa with delight as she and Diogee went away. She smiled adoringly at a pair of baby squirrels that curiously came forward to greet Diogee, the parent squirrels watching nearby. She knelt down and watched them interact with a grin.
Home, Love, Family,
I will never be complete
Until I find you...
Diogee barked happily as he was spun around in the air by a happy Melissa. The pace was picked up as her steps grew bouncy and her feet kicked at the dirt as she skipped - Her skirt blowing with the gusts of wind, including when she twirled around in her joy, with Diogee wagging his tail happily in her arms.
One step at a time
One hope, then another
Who knows where this road may go
Back to who I was
On to find my future
Things my heart still needs to know
Yes, let this be a sign!
Let this road be mine!
Let it lead me to my past
And bring me home...
At last!
"Hey stop that tickles!" Melissa froze upon hearing the voice. It sounded so familiar. The shadows of surrounding forest trees cast upon her and she looked around quickly for the source of the voice. There it was. A boy with a chocolate cowlick, wearing a green cloak over a pink shirt with long cream sleeves and brown pants.
A stag, doe and fawn were nuzzling into his hair in affection - Melissa held in a giggle when one of them nipped onto the hair. Typical of Milo. She smirked. Every animal just had to love him. She quietly slunk forward just as Milo placed his hands around the stag's neck ruff in a stroking motion.
"Looks like somebody became a deer's plaything." She said a bit too loudly which caused her to quickly cover her mouth. The deer fled at the sudden rise of volume but Melissa quickly took her chance. She quickly stepped over to the surprised Milo and covered his eyes with a giggle. "Guess who finally managed to reach you Murphy!" Milo briefly stiffened until Melissa felt it melt into softness. The boy grinned.
"Melissa?"
Melissa lifted her hands and smirked. "Took you a minute and twenty-five seconds dork," Milo gasped in his joy and the two dashed forward in a swinging embrace. Melissa grinned as she was being twirled around in Milo's arms before she was hugged tight. "I can't believe it! You came! You actually came!" His cry was filled with pure happiness.
"Of course I did!" Melissa smirked and gave him a playful shove. "What, did you really think I'd let my best friend go by himself to a place that's barely confirmed to exist?" She ruffled Milo's hair. "Think again."
Milo laughed. "Oh I knew you'd be coming!" He mused. "Which reminds me! If you're here then that means-!" An excited barking ran through the air and a cream and brown ball of fur lept out. Diogee yapped and threw Milo off his feet in a tackle. "Diogee! Good to see you again boy!" Milo laughed as he was covered in slobbery kisses.
"For the record he took me to you," Melissa smiled with a shrug. "I had no idea where I should go until he came," She crossed her arms. "So, where are you heading off to?"
"Veronica suggested I head for the plains at the foot of Mt Laurel, where Lord Brick and Lordess Savannah are said to sit foot on to stop a war!" Milo showed her the location on the map provided in his satchel. "There's a big chance that Anacardia is above ground over there so that's where I'm headed to!"
Melissa frowned. "That actually works. But how are we supposed to get to Anacardia from there?" Milo's face fell. "Oh... Well to be honest I don't know," He levitated briefly. "We could fly, but I gotta feeling that Anacardia is beyond our skyline - Maybe even beyond space!" They both shuddered. It'll be impossible to fly that high. They'll only crashland out of fatigue before they can even reach beyond the troposphere.
Milo shook his head. "Oh I'm sure there's an alternative or something that can fix this." He held onto his satchel. "Anywho, we'll see what we can do when we get there. Now let's get out of this forest shall we?" Melissa nodded and they walked on - Diogee following his owner and his friend with a wagging tail...
Meanwhile in Anacardia
In deep isolation inside his room, Balthazar stared at the window in deathly silence. He hasn't slept. He didn't eat or drink. For thirteen years, he's kept himself isolated from the face of friends, his entire kingdom; His family. Part of him felt terrible for neglecting them in his grief.
From watching from the window and telepathically communicating with Palace Guards Julio and Octavio, Balthazar learnt that Vinnie had taken over for his years of absence. Vinnie… Balthazar shut his eyes in heartache.
He knew how many responsibilities he's had as the First Guardian and it hurt, knowing that the most cheerful and collected Guardian of the five had to juggle between managing the entire kingdom, replenishing the woods and making all the decisions that go on.
I wonder how he's doing? Balthazar thought the same for all the other Guardians. Are they doing well without him? How are they while he's not in their presence? Part of him wanted to stand up and go outside to meet them - only for the two words to hold him down once more.
Milo's gone.
"Milo..." Balthazar's voice wavered and his heart tore again. "Oh Milo..." The memory of his moments with him, including when he threw him through the barrier. Balthazar remembered it all as it resurfaced. It hurt so much. He missed the lovely brown eyes filled with happiness. He missed his innocent babbling and the times when he'd cry in need of love and comfort.
That was all thirteen years ago. Milo is definitely a young teenager by now. Balthazar wished it wasn't a long time before he could see his son again. He frowned. Does Milo have a family down there? Is he even still alive? He clenched his fists in resisting the urge to feel dread. He has to be alive. He just has to be...
"Balthazar? Are you alright in there?"
Orton? Balthazar stiffened at the voice. It's definitely him. Did he finally come out? The gray-haired Guardian carefully thought things over. The part of him that wanted to see his fellow Guardians again gained dominance. But the grief caused by being childless refused to step down. Two choices are persisting, Balthazar couldn't choose one...
He chose the dominant choice.
Raising his hand, he sent a glowing flow of green to the doorknob and opened the door. He held his breath and let out a broken sigh; His eyes casting upon the tawny-haired Guardian standing at the doorway.
Orton stood at the doorway, grey eyes clouded with the same sadness Balthazar felt himself have. Of course, he knew it was only natural - Orton is a father himself after all. Not to mention that he's lost his child to a fate similar to Balthazar's...
"Hello brother,"
"Bonjour mon frère aîné,"
After a tip of the hat in greeting, Orton gingerly stepped inside the room as he was led inside by Balthazar. The older man was all eyebags and exhaust like Orton was himself not long ago. The arctic blue eyes have lost their healthy glow and were dull with grief. He's still hurting... The tawny man sat down on the bed in uncertainty.
"So... How are you doing brother?" Balthazar broke the silence. Even his voice still carried the tone of pain. His hand came into contact with Orton's cheek while he was being studied head to toe. "My goodness you look like you haven't eaten for ages! You've grown skinnier than you've ever been!"
Hypocrite. Orton rolled his eyes. "Well if it eases your worry I have just started eating and coming out about a day ago." He glanced down at his body. "Oh but I've got to admit, wine and vegetables isn't enough to make up for the pounds I have lost."
Balthazar nodded slowly and Orton edged closer to him. "How about you, Balthazar? When are you going to start eating up and getting some sunshine? I swear you are no different from myself." The green-wearing Guardian looked away. "I was just thinking about that Orton," His tone was flat and he pinched his nosebridge. "In fact, I was also thinking about you, Vinnie and everyone else," Orton couldn't help but doubt this.
Balthazar's face showed worry now. "Is everything alright for all of you so far? How is the kingdom? And how is Vinnie doing?"
"He's doing a swell job as the First Guardian, busy busy busy, just like all of us." Orton's shoulders slumped. "It was.. Man, things aren't the same ever since - It's changed. We are back to square one, back when it was just us five." He shut his eyes briefly, a single tear sliding down. "If only things weren't this way. If only… If only there was a way I could reverse things, reverse time. That way, our children," He swallowed and let out a shaky breath. "They would still be here with us right now."
"They were so young..." Balthazar's voice was broken. "They did nothing wrong! They didn't deserve such fates like this!" His tone rose with the pain and he buried his face in his hands, letting out an anguished cry, loud enough to make Orton cringe.
The cry softened and all grew silent, one could hear only the Guardians' breathing or a dropping pin. Balthazar's hands clenched into fists around the covers. "Where did we go wrong?" Orton blinked. "I beg your pardon?"
Balthazar shook his head and raised it, a hardened scowl on his face. "Where did we go wrong? In all of this?" His tone was low and firm, like he was trying to force answers out of someone. Nothing warned Orton about the next words that came out of his brother's mouth.
"Orton we both raised our children just fine, didn't we?" Orton opened his mouth to reply but Balthazar went on. "We loved them, we fed them, clothed them, showed them the Anacardian life and well, we've given them everything as their fathers for Vera's sake!" The old Guardian standing didn't realise that his face is turning flushed with redness. Now Orton is starting to worry about his blood pressure getting high.
He slowly reached out to rub Balthazar's back in attempts of soothing him. Balthazar breathed shakily before his face hardened once more. His fit of rage isn't over yet.
"The Shadows will pay for this!" Orton froze. The enraged aura emitting from Balthazar; He felt it before and it is not very pleasant. Oh no, not good... He quickly made attempt to ease his elder before anything wrong could happen.
"Balthazar wait."
"I'll skin them alive and burn their corpses to the ground!"
"Balthazar!"
"I'll destroy every single Shadow out there for inflicting grief we never deserved!"
"Balthazar!"
The gray-haired Guardian silenced at his brother's cry. Orton was trembling from the immense distraught of Balthazar. "In the name of all things sacred Balthazar please, you've got to get a hold of yourself-!"
"Get a hold of myself for what, Orton?!" Balthazar fumed, his rage still yet to subside. "Give me one good reason on why I shouldn't go out there and give those Shadows a piece of my mind!" The Guardian's icy blue eyes were burning fuel, like the blue part of a flame. The rage is so intense that it can crush even the hardest rock to bits.
"It's because I've been in your place that night when it's happened, that's why!" Orton retaliated in bringing up the memory. "Balthazar believe me when I say this but that night we lost Milo I almost did exactly what you are thinking of doing - and it wasn't the best decision I've ever thought of making!"
Orton took a breath of exhaust from saying all that in one go. The plea in his eyes increased by the max as the man prayed hard for Balthazar to come to his senses.
"You've gone mad brother! You vacuous fool you can't just go waltzing out there in Shadow turf -You're a single Guardian against hundreds of them! What will become of you if you dare challenge them? They may not be as strong as we are but literally, you're a buck going against a pack of wolves that'll tear you to ribbons! You're far better than this, Balthazar! Milo would be ashamed-!"
CRASH!!!
The pieces of shattered malachite slid down the wall, missing Orton's jaw by inches. The angry Balthazar was snarling in anger, a tight fist shaking - The hand he used to fling the semi-heavy piece of green rock clenched really hard.
Orton stared at the fragments of green and back at Balthazar with utter shock and hurt. He reached up and clasped the side of his jaw where that malachite could have hit if he hadn't dodged.
"…Balthazar?"
The quiet voice of Orton stirred something up in Balthazar's mind and he blinked. Instead of red and the blood of Shadows spilling on the ground from his mighty blasts of magic, he saw Orton; Sitting on a fallen heap against the wall, gray eyes glazed with absolute fear and terror as they fixated on him.
It took the elder a moment to acknowledge his hard-clenched hand and the scattered malachite fragments beside his younger. Above them he can see a depression from when the green rock hit - It was deep, the result of his mighty throw...
No... Balthazar's hand flew to his mouth and he started shaking terribly. He just tried to hit Orton - His brother. What have I done?! His eyes screwed shut and he was letting out agonizing sobs, slowly falling to his knees. Every trace of rage has long been replaced by remorse now that Orton's words thrown at him sunk in.
"Brother!" Orton immediately went to Balthazar's side only to be pushed back. To his surprise, Balthazar was back on his feet after the shove, eyes no longer angered but pained and remorseful. Tears were sliding down from the arctic pools as Balthazar had his arm forward still. "Get away from me..." He shut his eyes tight. "I turned into a monster... Get out and stay well away from me!"
Orton looked incredulous and he quickly stood his ground, eyes hardened. "I'm not leaving you Balthazar!" He growled. "I've had enough of you being alone!" His eyes watered slightly. "Brother it's been too long! When are you going to stop shutting yourself away from us? From me?! If there's anything about just now I am perfectly fine, see?"
Balthazar said nothing as Orton continued, desperately. "Please, don't shut me out Balthazar, I came here so I can talk over things with you. I know that losing Milo has upset you, but you have a life to be flourished and you're slowly killing yourself over it - You can't just keep yourself cooped up in here forever!"
The gray-haired man's eyes narrowed slightly into a hard frown. His hands wavered briefly before one of them slowly rose. "A life to be flourished?" He let out a low chuckle that made Orton wince. "Orton, I fail to see exactly what life of mine there is to be flourished. My life, has been long gone, just like my dear son. I have nothing left to be flourished."
His hand glowed in green aura and it surrounded Orton. The man blinked in surprise until his eyes set on Balthazar who wore a mournful look. His eyes slid shut and he sighed. "I'm so sorry…please, don't think bad of me Orton. I need to be alone now more than ever."
Before he could react, Orton was flung outside the room and the door was shut before his face. A green dome of magic shielded the door from entry much to Orton's dismay. "Balthazar!" He tried to break into the dome but to no avail - it was too strong for him. Darn it. The man sighed heavily and he turned heel.
He couldn't blame Balthazar for the action - He brought up Milo just when Balthazar was heartbroken and blinded by angry emotion. Orton too went through that state himself in nearly pushing Vinnie down the staircase. The man cringed in imagining what he might have done had Savannah, Brick and Drako not been there...
"No use thinking about the past." Orton muttered and he disappeared down the hallways. So much for his attempt to talk Balthazar into going out. The man had his head lowered as he went on...