Tobias and Doreen left their cabin blushing from ear to ear after the kisses they had just shared.

"Let's get serious, Doreen," Tobias said as he tried to compose himself after kissing his best friend, "I really think we should question the village chief and get more information on Atka." he informed the squirrel heroine, which caused her to nod her head in agreement.

"I agree, we really need more information about this Atka." Doreen said in a low tone that only Andrew could hear. They where just about to head to the chiefs cabin when the elderly lady from the day before approached them from the front.

"Ah, the two young ones have risen from their slumber, good, and how are you feeling today Mrs..." she faltered because she didn't know Doreen's name.

"Well I go by Squirrel Girl in combat, but you can call me by my real name, Doreen." Doreen said as she extended a hand for a handshake, which the woman took.

"What a lovely name." she said with a small bow, which Doreen repaid by giving one of her own out of respect, and it appears that you are feeling much better after you two where attacked?" she questioned the two.

"I feel much better, almost no pain in my stomach." Doreen said with a happy smile on her face.

"I as well feel good, thanks for asking." Tobias thanked the elderly lady with a nod of his head, which she gave one as well.

"May I ask what you plan to do today?' she asked them both. Doreen was about to answer, but Tobias spoke up first.

"We are going to meet with your village chief about Atka," he began in a serious tone, which caused a surprised look to emerge on the woman's face, "I know you think we shouldn't be involved with this, but I'm afraid we have no choice in the matter." Tobias explained to her, which caused her to nod her head in understanding.

"Very well," she began which surprised the duo, they expected her to try and talk them out of it, "I had a feeling you two would not be satisfied until you two got to the bottom of things, while I cannot really help you, our chief however will be able to, follow me and I will be able to take you to him." she said in a low tone as she began walking. Tobias and Doreen exchanged a silent look and decided to follow her. Roughly two minutes later they arrived at the chiefs cabin. The dlerly woman knocked one time on the door and waited for an answer. Her answer came as the door opened and the chief emerged from within his cabin.

"Yes." he said simply to his elderly friend.

"Chief, our victors want to know more about Atka, and it seems they are determined, so I suggest we help them." she informed her chief, who had a stunned look on his face that turned into confusion.

"Very well." he said in a low tone after thinking it through or a minute. He quickly gave a hand gesture for the three of them to follow him into his cabin, which they did.

"Thanks." Tobias said simply as he and Doreen took a seat on the couch, while the elderly lady just stood their, but the chief took a seat on the bench next to the fireplace.

"Can you tell us more about this book?" Doreen blurted out, which surprised the chief, but he did not let his surprise show.

"To understand this book, you must understand the history of the guardians, Atka was the last guardian, but there is more than that to the story, for I was the chief when he was chosen, let me explain more..."

*Flashback*

The village was tense, for today would be a special day, it was the day for the choosing of a new guardian. Two young boys stood outside the chief's cabin, while the boys' fathers were inside discussing the pick with the chief. The boys where Atka and his slightly older brother Keelut.

"Brother, today is the day where one of us is chosen, I wonder who it will be," Atka said to his brother in a curious tone, for he hoped that he was chosen for this honor since his father was the previous guardian.

"Hope you aren't to saddened when I am chosen, little brother," Keelut said in a confident tone and a confident gleam in his sea green eyes.

"Father and our chief will make this decision, for we are not able to since we both want to be a guardian," Atka said simply as he took a seat on the snow-covered ground, to which his brother did the same.

"Brother I am stronger and more cunning, I see no reason why a father wouldn't pick me," Keelut argued with his younger brother.

"Perhaps you are, but I am more kind and caring, just like the father." Atka argued back. The two siblings continued to bicker for a few more minutes before the door to the cabin opened, which caused both boys to jump to their feet, as the village chief was standing before them.

"Please come in," he said softly to the boys, which they immediately did. The cabin seemed to contain nervous energy as the boys stood at attention in front of both their father and the village chief.

"The time has come for me to pass on the torch, my sons, for years I have guarded this artifact, but now the time has come for a new guardian to be chosen." their father said simply as he held the book in his arms.

"Agreed my old friend," the chief said as he watched the man be about to choose the next guardian, "We both are in agreement on this choice, for heed this warning, once the choice is made, there is no going back." the chief warned the boys, and their father, to which their father simply nodded. He approached the boys with the book and planted it in Atka's hands, which surprised the brothers.

"Father... I don't understand... I am stronger and more cunning, why have you not chose me?" a stunned Keelut asked his father.

"My son, this was not an easy choice, while what you said it'a true, you use your strength and cunning to suit yourself, and that is not what a guardian is, I'm sorry my son, but Atka is to be the guardian." their father said in a low voice.

"I am honored, father," Atka said simply.

Keelut couldn't believe it...he should have been the one. All this waiting and years what he spent while examining his powers as well as that training...useless.

"I should have known...Atka always gets everything! Fine, since you are so keen with your favorite, I wish you a good luck dear brother...you are gonna need it. Like you know what that means", Keelut spat over his shoulder and left the cabin, slamming the door behind him.

"But Keelut, I didn't...!", Atka yelled after him, but his father stopped him.

"Let him go Atka...there is no use to argue. We can only hope that in time, Keelut will understand."

"But...but why me?", Atka asked.

"As I explained...you have something that your brother does not. But remember this...you are brothers. A family. And family sticks together until the end. Love is what matters", Atka's father pat boy's shoulders.

Little confusion, Atka nodded and turned to see the door. Despite he was the chosen one...he would not let this ruin their relationship.

Outside, Keelut ran out of the village and into the forest. Throwing rocks and branches away, he felt how anger grew inside of him. Ever since Atka was born...he was brushed off by everyone. His brother was always so special and everything...like some god.

"But this isn't over...I'm gonna get my hands on that book", Keelut decided. "And then everyone will see how wrong they were to judge me...all those years. And especially Atka...I'm gonna make you regret that day you were born!"

As this misunderstood boy swore his revenge, neither could have known that it would last for many, many years...and that it would change someone else's destiny...boy's, who was once born to a multi-millionaire...and whose father named him Harold Osborn, which ironically meant ruler or leader. They say names have a special meaning...but was this it?

No one can know. And so did not Keelut.

*End Flashback*

Once the chief was done explaining both Tobias and Doreen sat there with a serious grimace on their face.

"So now we know the story behind the book, so who's the new guardian?" Doreen asked the chief.

"Even I do not know since Atka acted alone in choosing this new guardian, I'm sorry I have no answer for you." the chief said solemnly as he continued to poke the fire in his fireplace with a poker.

"Might I ask where Keelut now resides?" Tobias asked the chief.

"He now resides in the middle of the woods, he lives in exile, by his own decision, if you plan to look for him like you intend to do, you will need this." the chief said as he pulled a map out from the top of the fireplace and handed it to the armored hero.

Tobias and Doreen exchanged a silent nod of agreement before thanking the chief and leaving the cabin and returning to their cabin.

"What if Atka's brother is somehow involved in all of this?" Doreen asked her best friend, which caused Tobias to nod his head in agreement.

"I guess we'll find out, for we leave tomorrow morning to find him."