Hello:)
1. I do not own W.I.T.C.H comics or cartoon.
2. This story is AU, a mash between comic, cartoon, and my own creation.
3. Everyone looks like in their comic appearance, in my imagination.
4. The story will have a rating of T, later it can go to M.
5. Everyone in this story is much older than in the original universe. Girls will be around 17-18 years old.
6. Sorry for the mistakes, if you have any questions pm me or write in the comments.
Happy reading! :) Comments are appreciated, thanks :)
SEARCHING FOR BETA, IS ANYONE INTERESTED?
PROLOGUE
Drip… drop… drip… drop… In the vast underground cavern, water dribbled and echoed.
Something bothered him... There was a loud noise, and warm liquid dripped down onto his palms. He did not want to wake up. The never-ending white fog and pleasant warmth were peaceful. Yet, the irritating feeling did not stop...
'Leave me alone…' The sluggish thought came to his mind.
The unfamiliar energy burned inside his body... warm... too warm... hot... painful...
'Please… stop! It hurts!' He wanted to scream but was unable to open his mouth.
Like a drowning man, the figure writhed and gasped for air, trying to escape pain. The cursed Seal on him pulsed like a drum and shattered into a thousand shards. He awoke... But everything felt dulled as if he was lost in a mist. The magic thrummed in his blood. An electrifying, all consuming, and overwhelming presence. When it ignited in his frail body, scorching everything in its path, he screamed in agony. His unused muscles spasmed while the energy healed any damage it could find. Gradually the magic retreated to a dormant state, waiting to be used, like a long-forgotten friend reunited with its master.
When he was finally aware of his surroundings, silence greeted him. The male, however, was not alone. Someone stood beside him, silently sobbing. A crying woman...
The lying figure slowly opened his eyes. A familiar green light greeted him. Blinking the tears away, he looked around. His body was lying on the white marble altar in a cavern, surrounded by a sea of roses. A green crystal floated above him, illuminating the cavern. He smiled as the Heart blinked in greeting because it was a dear friend.
The male sat and marveled at his fine body, young and lean muscles that moved effortlessly. The Seal worked. It held him in a static shape, freezing time and space. He chuckled. The only thing that had changed was a curtain of long pale hair dropping on the ground all around him. Even his white silk tunic was the same one he fell asleep in.
'Guardian?' The individual was startled by his thoughts, forgetting he was not alone. A woman on her knees beside the grand altar was staring at him in awe.
'Guardian... I sincerely apologize for reviving you, but I had no choice!' She lowered her head in guilt, looking at the ground.
The woman was beautiful. Her long auburn hair was gleaming in red sheen, braided into an elaborate crown. Her head was adorned with a delicate crown that held a large purple gem in the center. She wore a green gown embroidered with golden flowers. It had a sleek corset framing the waist and ample skirts that puffed around her, landing on the ground. Although the woman's face was flawless and noble, her deep sky-blue eyes were filled with tears.
'I am ashamed, Guardian. This hidden Temple, as well as your Heart, which kept it safe, are now revealed. I need your assistance.' Looking at him, she pleaded with genuine sorrow.
'Tell me, dear child, how long I slept and who are you?' the male sighed.
'Oh… where are my manners?' The lady arose and curtsied gracefully.
'My name is Weira, and I am the current Light of Meridian. 14th-generation Queen of Metamoor. I was appointed to faithfully protect and maintain the Seal. I do not know how long you have been sleeping here. It had been a long time. This secret was also kept by my grandmother and mother before me. I failed in this sacred task! Now because of me, everything is in danger…' The woman sniffed, and the lonely tear traveled down her pale cheek. The male reached down and gently brushed the tear away. Her eyes were filled with profound sorrow. He flicked his hand, and the ground parted. Rose roots emerge from the mud. They wrapped, twisted, and rolled around each other to form a natural wood bench.
'Sit down and talk. I want to know everything.' He ordered, getting more comfortable on the marble altar.
'I'm not sure where to begin...' Weira said, squeezing her trembling hands into the folds of her skirt.
''I believe it all started with my carelessness. The Metamoor is a peaceful kingdom. I had no reason to be concerned about the enemies from outside because the last war had been over a century ago. By your command, all Queens acting as Lights of Meridian are defenders of this planet. You granted powers to the imperial family a long time ago, relinquishing your duties to the next generation. The Merdian Guardian and the Heart of the Planet became a legend. A fairy tale we read to our children before they went to bed. I also did it for my son. A brilliant boy at the age of six... my sole child…' she sniffed, trying to keep the tears at bay.
'He liked the tale so much, but I knew some legends contained certain truths in it. In folly, I told my son there was a Guardian sleeping beneath the castle. It stayed with him. Children have a vivid imagination.' Weira's voice trembled as another tear streamed down her cheek.
'One day, he got too curious and followed me into the Temple…Even though he is not the heir to the throne, he is of royal blood. Since he came with me, the Temple's security had not worked. It was a mistake, but my son was overjoyed. He liked playing here and brushed your hair…' Weira cracked a faint smile.
'He swore by the magic to never reveal this location to outsiders. It had to remain a secret because it is the sacred duty of every royal. Nonetheless, he was tricked and deceived. My boy, my beautiful son…' the Queen wept. 'In the morning, Magic warned me about the danger, but I don't know to whom he revealed this secret because I was too late...' Weira knelt on the ground as if praying, and her enormous magical powers filled the cavern. Slowly, beside her knees, materialized a small figure. It was a child. A boy with long pale hair and an ashen face, clad in a purple tunic with white pants. The Queen wailed as she gently cradled the child in a loose embrace. 'He is gone, poisoned... I have all of this magic within me, but I can't save him! My son died an hour ago in my arms. The secret has been revealed... Somebody desires power and your abilities. The Heart of Meridian is in danger. Therefore, I came here and poured my magic and blood into the Seal, hoping it would revive you. Please help me... I don't know what else to do…' Weira's gaze pierced into him. She gently rocked the lifeless body in her arms.
'I cannot resurrect the dead.' The male said, and the woman crumpled, wailing on the ground, sobbing. 'The only thing I can do is to protect The Heart of Meridian. I am this planet's Guardian... The first one to be born and the last one to die. He jumped down from the altar, took a few steps, and knelt beside the woman. 'Do not weep, my child. Your son is safe, joined with the others inside our planet's Heart… We are its power, and it is ours. In the continuous cycle of death and rebirth,' he gently took the child from the Queen's arms and laid him on the ground. Without saying anything, a green crystal flew into his palm, illuminating everything.
'If you want, I can give him a proper burial. Here in this sacred place.' he smiled. 'I will give this Heart to you... with a Queen of Meridian as its keeper, it should be secure. Only your death would release it.'
When the crystal was gently pushed inside the Queen's body, a greenish light surrounded her. It felt warm and inviting, like a soft blanket on a cold day. Weira gasped as it settled in next to her heart, gently pulsing like a second heartbeat.
'What about you, Guardian?' The Queen inquired, her gaze returning to the magnificent creature that had awoken.
'Me?' I would like to investigate what has become of my world,' he said, tilting his head.
Weira felt a pang in her chest. She was the one who awakened him. There was a responsibility for the mistakes made. Weira wanted to cry, wail, and mourn while looking at her deceased son's body, but an improper idea formed in her mind.
'Take my child…' she bitterly murmured. 'Become the first prince of the Meridian and my son. I will treat you as if you were my son. I've done it all these years until now... Perhaps it will atone for my sins...' she said humbly, lowering her head.
'As you wish.' the male agreed after a brief consideration. 'You must understand my memories will merge with those of your child. I'll be your son, but I'll still be myself. A combination of two beings, an old soul inside a young body. While his appearance will be similar to mine, it will change. I'll resemble him, but some of my features will appear on his body. Like my long hair or a tattoo on the neck. It is a Guardian sign. The Heart of Meridian sign. I believe you could inform anyone who inquires that it is for the prince's protection.'
'It's also the crest of the royal family. Nobody would be surprised if it manifested on your body…' Weira silently whispered.
The Guardian placed his palm on the child's heart and started to pour his essence, power, and magic into it. Molding and carefully shaping it to fit the small container. As he breathed in and exhaled, his mind slipped. His body slowly disintegrated into a concentrated ball of light. It immersed itself in the child, pulsing brightly. After receiving a new soul, the boy glowed from within. He evolved. The child's height increased. The baby fat vanished and the childlike face gained more prominent cheekbones. His hair got lighter, almost white, and long enough to reach the ground. The most noticeable difference was a red tattoo on the neck. A symbol consisting of two vertical triangles with a circle in the center. The child opened his eyes. It felt odd and quite disorienting to be this small. Memories flooded his mind. The carefree days of playing and unconditional love of the parents... the last moments of unbearable pain and fear... peace in death.
'What is my name?' a childlike voice inquired, peering into his mother's radiant blue eyes.
'Phobos, your name is Phobos.' she tenderly smiled and clasped his hand...
