~Remember I don't own Escaflowne or its characters!~
~Each of these next few chapters will be in the specific character's point of view!~
~Very sorry about the delay of posting this chapter, but some major events happened taking me away from my writing time. Plus with graduation rehearsals and work it's been hard to find the time to do anything! Sorry! Enjoy!~
The Fate of Two Worlds: The Sequel
By Angel Wings
Chapter 20 ~ Tale of the Snowfall
~~~ Traveler's circle ~~~
Everyone sat in the ground as the ancient warrior of cold lands stepped to the center. The wind became noiseless and even the birds that flew overhead kept silent in respect of the coming tale. The guardians bowed their heads solemnly knowing little of each other, but knowing that they each had been through serious trials that had forever changed them… Hitomi felt a trance take over her making her attention lock fully on Zaado as he began to speak of his past… A history that had never been spoken of until now…
~~~ Zaado's POV ~~~
My story begins when I was only eight rotations… about fifteen years before the persecution… I was a young, but vibrant and stubborn lad. My family was small with me as the only child and we lived in the small area just outside of our kingdom's borders with a group of people acting as a plantation. It was a rather hard life working on a farm, but it was very peaceful and well secluded. From the beginning of my education I was taught of honor. The word was not a sort of attitude it was our belief… and from then on my mind was drilled with those teachings until my own behavior was made into the ways of an honorable man…
At age seventeen I was accustom to running off and playing mock battles with friends. I was pretty much the normal youth of getting too rough with people, but I was an honorable one making me quite favorable in my villagers' eyes. I was always respectful to the ladies and did honest work making sure to always try my hardest. Around those times I began to ignite the powers of the Draconians within me. Somehow I was able to make ice form even in some of the hottest places. My maturity gift had been discovered one day when I had been singed by a campfire. Hollering in pain my emotions had flared and suddenly the roaring flames of gold had become petrified silver blue of ice. Some thought it had been a fluke by slowly as the days went on I realized it was I who had done it.
A day of rejoicing soon followed… You see, when a draconian would finally come to puberty in the village and finally be granted his personal gift there would be a great celebration in that being's honor. My celebration was one of the largest my village had seen since I was greatly favored amongst many there. When the sun had peeked over the horizon the next day and the rays had struck the roofs of the small plantation of my parents I had already left on my rotation of wandering. Whenever there was the celebration the youth who was honored would leave the village the next dawn and would not return until a year had past. This was done so an individual could learn how to survive in the real world and show his or hers independence. I was no different and thus I packed my things and set off…
I had no trouble surviving in the wilderness and I found great enjoyment of living off the land. I could make food out of anything and make it a delicacy with just a few herbs and spices. Not to mention I was an excellent hunter and tracker of prey. With only an ax as my weapon I was a danger to any creature that made a good meal. Though I did not tread far from my village I rarely was near it. Some would journey to the far seas or to the heavy dunes during their wandering, but I was reluctant to go for it was about the time of my leaving that the persecution against the Draconians had started. When my rotation was up I returned in a rush. Two days after my return soldiers of the royal Draconians arrived in our village. A war had broken out against 'Man' and recruits were needed desperately for the humans made nearly a third of Gaea's population with no other race close to their numbers. I was one of the first to join and one of the few who did to survive…
Becoming part of the army was not a problem for they were desperate for men of age (those who had powers) and with my good strength and build I was quickly admitted. That night over thirty young men left their homes to face the full wrath of 'Man'…
Weeks went by as I was trained for battle and was finally brought out into the field,… but it was a full moon before I ever saw a true fight between the two sides. My group I was stationed with stumbled on a legion of 'Man' burning down a Draconian village. Filled with rage at the assault of our kind we struck them and took many down, but we were less than they to begin with and soon it was three to one. I fought like a cornered creature bringing my heavy ax through my opponents one by one and freezing any attackers that got too close. If we had not been so closely packed together, scattered amongst our enemies I would have taken all of the humans out with a single blast of coldness. In the mist of battle I noticed my high commander had been injured and fell to the group clutching his side as it bleed. He was an easy target so I raced through the mass of fighting bodies trying to get to him before an enemy could. I never shall know how I manage to get there in time, but somehow I suddenly was before my leader taking down all who approach either of us… Several men fell and abruptly the fight was over as the leader of the humans fell at my blade. With cries of fear that raced over the stained earth a few of us on the heels. When they had finally disappeared into the after dust I was rewarded with recognition by my commander…
With my recognition came the opportunity for me to have a small leave to see my village. Being that I had only been there in the last year for two days I felt a need to return so with a heavy pack on my shoulders I began the journey home leaving behind a great war to the men of my formation…
Days slithered by and finally the village I had grown up in finally appeared on the horizon… It was near midday and I was happy to arrive during that time hoping for a good hearty meal of my mother's. As I made my way into the man streets I caught sight of a group cluttering one of the homes located there. Automatically I grew tense knowing something was wrong. Treading silently I crept closer feeling a need to remain unnoticed suddenly. Coming to hide behind one of the other buildings I checked over the group. Many of the figures I saw there I had never seen and my skin crawled at the sight of them…
Abruptly three men plowed out of the house with a long rope pulling something behind them. I gasped as I saw three of my villagers' necks clutched by the wisps of the ropes and rough lines were wrapped around their wrists. Bruises and scratches ran over their bodies and they stumbled after their captors. I knew automatically what had happened; 'Man' had infiltrated my old village… Rage burned in my soul and I began to step out of hiding when suddenly I saw the most disturbing thing…
My parents walked out from behind the captive Draconians freed of any bondage. Their eyes were hard and their limbs tense as they stiffly walked behind their own kind. I felt my mouth go dry and my heart skipped several beats… In utter shock I watched as the angel folk of captivity were pushed to the dirt. Strangled coughs came from them as they struggled to their knees. When they finally got into a better position they glared at my parents with hatred in their eyes…
With such rage of never before I've seen for my parents one of the Draconian's shouted, "Clao! Dar! How could you betray us like this?!"
I remember gasping at the accusation against my parents. My heart filled with hate for the individual who had cried out and I yearned to end his life for the dragging of my family's good name through the mud… yet, I remained where I was… Not because of the fear of 'Man' there, but for the feeling burning in my chest… What was it?…
"Yes" came the second captive, "Why did you give out our location to them?!"
I stared at my parents pleading in my mind for them to deny the accusations… to restore the honor in our name that we had held so dear to our hearts,… but to my shock and displeasure they remained silent, their eyes glinting differently then I had remembered them from the past…
Suddenly one of the humans stepped towards my parents, a smirk heavy on his lips. I found myself thinking he was serpent as he spoke to my sire. I could almost see his tongue darting out…
"You have done well for us, Sir Dar son of Baltezar" the leader had hissed darkly, "In return we allow you to live in peace though we might come to see you more often if needed."
"We welcome that visit" my father had spoken in a grim voice unfamiliar to my ears. I felt my soul drop to the bottom of my stomach and my heart cried out in disbelief. My parents… MY PARENTS!!!… They who had taught me of honor betrayed their own teachings and beliefs!!!… WHY?!… They had been a respected couple because of their honor and yet here they stood over their own people not caring that they were condemning them…
My heart began to race and I felt my own doubt in their teachings,… but my own pride kept me from discarding something I had created my whole life upon… Growling I got ready to stop them…
It was then another human stepped forward this time with an unsheathed sword. The silver metal of the blade glistened with danger. I knew when he lifted the blade over the heads of the angel captives that I had to do something. I would not abandon them like my parents had…
I barely can recall that instant as I howled my challenging cry. I rushed the humans with rage and power flowing through my veins. Startled at my abrupt appearance they were unable to anticipate my attack and fell at the blade of my battle-ax. I was like a wild cat being everywhere at once and striking in a bloody frenzy spewing dark liquid onto the earth. As I took a final swing, killing another opponent, I took notice that most of the humans were running away screaming. I panted in exertion as I turned to my parents. Both gaped at me shocked to see me and my actions. I scowled at them as I growled, "Why did you do it, father? Mother?"
I thought they might beg for forgiveness or at least hope they would,… but their eyes were hard as granite and those familiar orbs glared at me in rage and anger… emotions I had not been graced with from my family in many years… My father… the man I had truly placed full faith in stepped forward and made my heart fall with his answer.
"Why did you do that, Zachary?!" he thundered with uncontrollable fury in his deep voice. The mountains even seemed to tremble at his roar.
My ax felt heavy in my large fists as if it were my soul's despair. Tears I had never shed in a decade surfaced as my entire being screamed out in anguish. While my spirit exclaimed its disbelief my voice quietly quivered, "Why?… Why, father?…"
He stared at me with a darken soul and growled, "You were not here for many years, Zachary. You do not know what has befallen here during the war and your rotation of solitude. They came upon many of our kind. Slaughtering hundreds and tearing our very wings from our hides with bare hands! Children bawled near their parents' bodies and whole villages were burned to nothing! Yes, they put up fights, but there were too many! Hundreds swarmed and against meager groups in small villages. Your mother and I refused to die! We exchanged locations of Draconians for our own survival… What is the good of honor with no life?… We will sacrifice even our honor to survive…"
"What has happen to you?…" I whispered in shock, "For years I have been taught to never give up honor, to die before I ever do that, yet you are ready to the opposites of your very teachings?! You hypocrites!"
My father's face became red like lava and my mother was tense as the three still tied up angels watched the dispute, unable to do anything. Suddenly my old man pulled out his sword his eyes blood red with crazed fury, "You dare to insult me?! You are my own son!"
"NO LONGER!" I shouted back with equal force, "I deny being your son! I am an orphan! My true parents were killed with their own selfishness for life!!!!"
"SO BE IT!" he thundered and soon he was in my face his blade coming towards my throat.
I remember very little of our fight, except for the gleam of our two blades dancing in the dust and sun. My tears, that I did not know about until much later, ran down my cheeks dramatically as I fought against my heart. As quickly as our fray began… it ended… Soon my father laid in the dirt dead with my shadow across his bloody chest… My mother screamed and fell to her knees at his side clutching her husband, my father, as if he was not the enemy. I grimly watched… my ax feeling so heavy…
Abruptly she snapped her eyes at me and reached for my father's sword. I tensed at the motion and growled a low warning, "If you pick up that sword I promise I will kill you also…"
She glared at me as her slim fingers brushed over the hilt, "You would kill a woman?… Your own mother?…"
"I kill in respect of my people" I hissed as her fingers slowly wound over the handle, "In honor of those who died from your help I will stop you from doing it again."
She shrieked loudly and thrust the blade at me, but she was not trained in the arts of fighting so all it took was a small dodge and a quick jab of my ax. Clutching her bleeding form she fell to the ground… gone…
Standing over my parents' bodies… the blade of my ax dripping with their deaths… In that moment that my fingers ran through the crimson liquid I felt my soul die with them… They had been my parents… my saviors… my rescuers… my teachers… my heroes… And now they were nothing more than figments of my imagination destroyed by my own self…
Numbly I released the three angels their eyes staring at me gratefully, but sorrowfully… As soon as they were released I turned away from them and swiftly left the torn world I once knew… never looking back…
I know at least a moon went by for I could remember a dark moon one night before the moon was full just like the night after the incidents with my blood heroes. The lands I crossed during that time are in a blur in my mind for I rarely cared where I was or where I was going during the time of the journey… I can't even remember if I ate or drank along the way…
What I truly remember of that dreadful wandering of mind in those places was the pain of my soul… I had never before felt such sorrow… such heartache… I was dead to the world… A ghost treading through deserted areas stained redness marking his weapon… I often would howl out a cry of sadness marking my mourning and several times I remember the birds flying out of the trees screaming out their pity to me… I was a dead orphan crying for his parents that died many years ago only to replace with my fosters, dark betrayers…
Soon I was lost in the blizzard of the frozen lands of Gaea… I drifted through the soft whiteness like I were like the very snow… I stumbled through it the wind biting through my thin clothes… Ice clung to my short beard and even my lungs felt as if they had swallowed chunks of ice that would rip at the very tissue of my organs whenever I breathed.
My knees collapsed and I fell forward tiredly into the sea of snow. My eyes slid shut and I knew I would die if I would fall into the world of slumber,… but at that moment I didn't care… Death almost looked desirable at that instant…
Thus, the world was a chaos of icy water roaring in my ears and stinging my limp body. Gradually the softness began to cover me and my mind lingered on the edge of consciousness.
"Zachary…" a voice suddenly pierced through the blackness growing in my mind sending a flash of light into the void…
"Awake Zachary…"
Slowly my eyes opened, but all I could see at first was the snowstorm…
"Zachary…"
With the bit of strength I had left I pulled my face out of the white blanket of coldness to look forward across its surface. There… standing a mist the array of frozen droplets stood a figure who was the most beautiful maiden I had ever seen… Her skin was pale like milk coming close to the whiteness of the snow surrounding her… Silky strands of chocolate framed her elegant face adorned with emerald eyes… Dressed in a superlative gown of white the lady appeared to be a goddess…
"Who are you?" I muttered weakly as I stared at her through heavy lids. The moment the words left my lips I noticed something startling… though the wind roared her clothes and long hair were motionless as if heavy with weight… More disturbing was the fact that the snow was flying right through her body!… In a shaky, low voice I whispered, "What are you?…"
The woman smiled warmly and spoke, "Do not fear me. I am a friend… My name is Lady Iris… Queen of the Draconians…"
"Queen?" I muttered as I grew a bit suspicious, "How can I be sure you are queen?… Or even Draconian?…"
Smiling with goodness she said, "Easily…"
With that she sprouted her wings letting their glorious illumination shine upon my frozen body. I stared at her in surprise… never before had I seen more beautiful wings… Only a true queen could have wings so lovely…
Seeing my belief in her she said, "I have come to save you, Zachary… I am need of you…"
"Need of me?" I said numbly, "Why me?"
Slowly she cocked her head, "I do not know to be honest. I come to you now only because it is my master's wish…"
"Your master?" I asked confused. Who could be higher than the queen herself?…
"Yes" she spoke in melodic voice, "Joutei calls upon you…"
"Joutei!" I exclaimed overwhelmed by this admission. The name was known well by all Draconians being that it was our God's name. Most of Gaea who believed in this immortal being did not know him by that name, but still knew of him. It was relatively hard for me to believe that a being so powerful would need the help of a dying man.
Smiling encouragingly down at me she began, "I stand before you, Zachary, as the spirit of my body for I am truly not here. Joutei has sent an image of me so I might speak with you while I sleep in my bed back at my kingdom. He has sent me, Zachary, to not only save you, but to ask for your help to save our people."
I stared at her unable to shake off the mystical feeling that has fallen upon me by her words. Her eyes of forest green lock with mine as she continues, "Joutei knows of your pain and suffering wishing to end it for you. You need only to have faith in him, Zachary…"
Stepping forward with noiseless steps she whispers, "But that is not entirely why I am here as you know. I am here to ask for your assistance."
Gradually I arise from the snow onto my knees feeling too unworthy to rise to my feet. Coming to stand a few feet in front of my frozen form she says, "You know that the war against the humans is growing incredibly one sided. Our people are falling everywhere we turn. I fear for my people and with the growing deaths I am worried I might fall to 'Man.' If that happens it would be disastrous… Rachelle, my daughter as you know, is still not ready to take the throne especially with everything happening. If our people are to survive I must survive and direct them until Rachelle is old enough or the war is over. Thus, I have decided to find warriors to become my secret bodyguards."
"I have spent many nights trying to chose who they should be" she said as her eyes drifted upward, "For you see the ones I chose must become strangers to all. There identities must never be revealed to anyone except to the reigning royal couple during their employment. For if their identities were known their pasts could be used against them…"
My interest suddenly piqued at these words and I asked, "Do you mean no one would know who they were? They would be given a clean slate?"
Lady Iris automatically snapped her eyes on me, her pupils dancing with sudden realization. Careful she spoke with wisdom in her words, "Do not take my offer the wrong way, Zachary… You do not need what you are seeking… Joutei can give you that you know… He can give you forgiveness…"
"I know he can" I whispered as I fully rose to a standing position, "But my heart feels dead with the dishonor my parents let fall on my family. I feel the need to disappear from the world and start anew… To bring honor back to my name…"
She stared at me unsure with me shaking from cold and anxious feelings at the idea of renewal. Her voice suddenly became still and quiet almost haunting in its affect as she whispered, "If you take this offer, Zachary, all of your past will be lost. You will never be known as Zachary, son of Dar and Clao. You will be a warrior who physical form will be hidden behind shadows, fabric, and masks. History of you will wash away with the tide. Know this, Zachary. This is not a temporary offer. It is for life! You can never turn back. Understand?…"
For a single instant I hesitated thinking over the consequences of this agreement. Socializing would be impossible. Could I become a lone wolf?… I had been like that for the last moon… Yet I felt a small need to hold back from finalizing the deal…
Slowly her hand lifted to me and it glowed a soft white as if it were my savior. In a whisper that was almost sad she said, "Do we have an agreement?…"
Just as I went to reach her hand she stopped my movements with a final warning, "If you take this offer, Zachary, it will not be an easy journey. More trials await. Probably some far worst then the ones you already encountered. Does the deal seem so sweet now?"
There was another slight bit of hesitation as my grayish eyes stared down at the palm. I looked up into her emeralds that sparkled with inner flames as she said, "What is your choice?…"
Finally I grasped her hand, which suddenly became firm with my touch, and said, "I take the offer with pride, Queen Iris."
She smiled warmly at me and suddenly the wind grew furious around the two of us. In an echoing voice she whispered, "So be it…"
In a flash she was gone and the blizzard disappeared into the sky. I blinked several times realizing the world of storming swirls had ended. Glancing about I saw a new realm of snow silent and still. Trees nearly buried beneath snow stood tall about me pointing to the starry sky above. I stared at the stars in awe unable to believe I was able to look upon them on high.
"Strange…" I remember muttering as I glanced around for the Draconian maiden.
"Go, Zachary…" whispered her voice on a young breeze, "Follow the way of your feet…"
I swirled around at the sound of her, confused, "What do you mean follow the way of my feet? What does that mean?"
"Follow the way your feet tread and you will find me" she said lightly slowly letting her voice fade, "Have faith, my new bodyguard… You will know all in due time…"
Then she was gone…
Days past and I soon found myself walking aimlessly with no idea of direction or destination. Like the beautiful queen had said I followed whatever way my feet directed. The strange thing was that no matter how far I walked it seemed my feet would never tire. Even when I would try to sit for a meal or sleep my two feet would shuffle about beneath me as if they were being called to continue. Their continuous movement finally would agitate me enough to rise and return to my long trek. Days went by without sleep and little water or food was consumed.
By the end of a quarter moon I finally came to a border… the border of my race's kingdom. It was a glorious land of beautiful stone edifices and grand villages, but that day the sun's spotlight had shifted from our kingdom leaving it in the darkness of a storm. Thunder clapped in the air and lightning shattered the sky. I was tense at stepping into the land, but didn't not hesitate long. When I was, but a few steps inward my feet suddenly turned sharply to the right leading away from the main road that directed travelers to the castle. I frowned at this, but could do nothing. No matter how hard I tried my feet were determined to follow their own way as if they had a brain.
In the twilight of the night with the two moons as my light I found myself at a small wooden door in the middle of the country side covered in old vines and brush. Their tawny hands clung to its frame as if determine to yank the portal opening. Gently I took the brass handle taking notice that some of the dust had been brushed aside recently. As I pulled it open the ancient door hissed with escaping air of old and creaking hinges.
The passage was dark with weeds growing in ever cranny they could fill and survive in. A smell kept locked in that hall for centuries filled my nostrils making me cough several times before I got use to the stench. Silence was the sound that enveloped me as I tread down into the blackness. Even my footfalls did not echo in my ears as I made my way to the end of the corridor.
After several minutes I stepped into a small perfectly round room with two halls connected to it. It's ceiling was round like the floor and covered in glass, however, most of the glass had fallen out with the years allowing all the light from the night's moons to shine down on the stone area. Carefully I glanced around the small enclosure noticing vegetation streaming over the stone walls and through the broken skylights above. Standing on either side of me was a figure both close to my age.
To my right stood a young woman whose face I had long forgotten only to remember now after seeing that face again. Her hair was a dusty blonde. It was long coming to her shoulders with the bangs pulled back and twisted into two braids that connected at the back of her head. With eyes of wealthy gold she reminded me much of metal found in only some of the rarest mines of Gaea. She looked upon me sternly with great hatred in her sparkling orbs making me wary of her automatically. Dressed in clothes that were tattered and stained I knew she did not come from high society.
Directly across from her on my left was a man that was perhaps a year or two younger than I. His hair was light brown spiky with style while a tiny braid of his bangs was pulled behind his ear (if you don't understand this just think of Obe One's hairstyle in Episode I of Star Wars). Over one eye was a bloody wrapping that obviously needed changing. Dirt stained the bandage and his face with his clothes of sea leather no better off. Carefully taking note of the fabric of his attire I knew he was from the sea. Most of the material was waterproof and easy drying fabric. The very smell of saltwater on him gave away his prior location.
The three of us glanced at each other tensely not liking neither of the other two. Stiffly my hand wound around the handle of my ax suddenly causing both of the other warriors to draw their weapons. The male quickly raise his staff that had two daggers tied to one end. Their lethal points gleamed in the moonlight for a second making the crude weapon appear almost like a lance or trident. The female on the other hand had produced a pair of daggers strangely curved. She clutched their handles nervously as she aimed them at either of us males.
We were each ready to start a fray when suddenly noise came down from the tunnel opposite of the one I had come from. Our focus turned to the shadows of the foreign corridor as we waited for the disturbance to appear. Slowly the blackness produced three new figures each of them dressed in royal garments. The youngest of the three was a young female about five rotations younger than I with long sandy blonde hair with light emeralds for eyes. A beautiful summer blue dressed of fine silk with pearls and silver she wore as elegant as an official. She eyed each of us curiously behind the other two individuals she had come with. The second new arrival was a man about a dragon's year older than myself. His hair was a graceful gold cropped short with a small beard marking his many years. His own attire was of mystical silver, gold, and pearl silk. Even his heavy black boots were covered in the precious metal shimmering in the twilight. The last figure was very familiar to me. It was Queen Iris herself dressed in the same outfit I had last seen her in.
She smiled at us three and stepped in front of the man and young maiden. Coming to stand directly in the center of the room she said, "Welcome my three chosen ones. I am glad you have arrived so quickly and silently."
We quickly brought down our weapons as we each fell on one knee. Looking up at our queen I was the first to speak, "Queen Iris, may I ask who is this with you?"
"You may indeed" she laughed lightly as she stepped back for the three warriors to see, "This is my husband, Kenneth, and my daughter, Rachelle. They have come to see you for we three will be the only ones who know of your true identities."
Stepping towards the young woman first Queen Iris spoke, "It is time… As you know each of you will never reveal yourself to anyone. You are to remain hidden beneath the darkness for the rest of your lives until I tell you otherwise."
Nodding at the bowed woman the royal continued, "You will be known as Nazomi, Warrior of the Dunes…"
Tenderly the queen placed her palm on the maiden's head and suddenly a pale cloak appeared on her startling the bodyguard. Her face that had once been so visible now hid in the shadows of a hood and a strip of fabric that fell from under her eyes downwards covering her nose and mouth. On the back of the long cloak was the golden emblem of the Draconian Royal Bodyguards, an angel with a sword and armor. Nazomi stared down at herself with shock gleaming in her eyes making Queen Iris smile. Tenderly the queen took the two daggers from the maiden's hand and held them in the moonlight. Slowly the two items glowed twisting into odd shapes in the night. As the light grew dim all could see the two daggers had formed what we know now as the weapon of the Guardian of the Dunes.
As Nazomi stared down at the weapon in wonder Queen Iris stepped over to me placing her palm on my head saying, "You will be known as Zaado, Warrior of Ice…"
A cream cloak appeared over me with a large hood and mouth covering identical of Nazomi's. Taking my ax gently from my palm Queen Iris transformed my weapon into what is known now as the weapon of the Guardian of Ice.
The same was done with the third warrior bringing forth a royal blue cloak on him, but instead of a mouth covering that Nazomi and I had he was given a mask of solid night blue so people would not know of his handicap blindness. You know what became of his weapon as he was named Tsuno, Warrior of the Waves.
After we had been transformed and our weapons enchanted Queen Iris opened her arms and exclaimed, "You are the royal bodyguards of the Draconian family. Your lives will change with the dawn and with it new destinies will come forth. Come let us retire… Tomorrow I announce your new employment to the kingdom…"
Thus we exited the small room never to see it again until several years later when Sian and Nembus arrived… But I will let them tell that story for it is more their tale than ours… All other information after that night though is unimportant really most of which you know of. Nazomi, Tsuno, and I became very close over the years, but never did we reveal our pasts not even to each other until now.
Our true destinies as guardians were never spoken of until after our death when Joutei and Queen Rachelle approached us. Once we met our newest queen in the afterlife we separated into our five sections of the globe to protect the Draconians who had remained on Gaea. Each of us was given lands that we could most relate to. I was given the land of ice and snow where solitude was welcomed. It was a world I had known quite well in my grief and as I settled in it with the group I protected I felt a sense of peace come over me. For the duration of the centuries to follow that we hid in the bellows of the whiteness I found peace in my personal separation from the group. I often would leave on treks to study our surroundings. Surviving was not a problem to me and the world though rough as it was I was easily able to cultivate, thus, that was why I was chosen for the frozen lands of Gaea… because I was survivor… a survivor of pride and honor… who was unwilling to give up… and also because ice was my power… Where I was able to manipulate its shapes and texture making homes in it… Even before I reshaped the caverns I felt at home there…
That is my story…
~ So, in Zaado's past he was forced to kill his own parents… Man, that's rough… After that his heart became hard with sorrow of his parents' betrayal and the grief of having to stop them by his own sword. Honor and pride were the only things he had left after his family had died at his hands… Yep, that was harsh, but as you know the guardians went through some horrible things in their lives before they became royal bodyguards…~
~Well, the next chapter is going to be about Nazomi. What's her dark history like? What's her connection to the desert and why does she suddenly want to be friends with the younger guardians when centuries ago she refused to have any dealing with them? Find out in chapter 21: 'Footsteps in the Sand Blown Away'~
~Each of these next few chapters will be in the specific character's point of view!~
~Very sorry about the delay of posting this chapter, but some major events happened taking me away from my writing time. Plus with graduation rehearsals and work it's been hard to find the time to do anything! Sorry! Enjoy!~
The Fate of Two Worlds: The Sequel
By Angel Wings
Chapter 20 ~ Tale of the Snowfall
~~~ Traveler's circle ~~~
Everyone sat in the ground as the ancient warrior of cold lands stepped to the center. The wind became noiseless and even the birds that flew overhead kept silent in respect of the coming tale. The guardians bowed their heads solemnly knowing little of each other, but knowing that they each had been through serious trials that had forever changed them… Hitomi felt a trance take over her making her attention lock fully on Zaado as he began to speak of his past… A history that had never been spoken of until now…
~~~ Zaado's POV ~~~
My story begins when I was only eight rotations… about fifteen years before the persecution… I was a young, but vibrant and stubborn lad. My family was small with me as the only child and we lived in the small area just outside of our kingdom's borders with a group of people acting as a plantation. It was a rather hard life working on a farm, but it was very peaceful and well secluded. From the beginning of my education I was taught of honor. The word was not a sort of attitude it was our belief… and from then on my mind was drilled with those teachings until my own behavior was made into the ways of an honorable man…
At age seventeen I was accustom to running off and playing mock battles with friends. I was pretty much the normal youth of getting too rough with people, but I was an honorable one making me quite favorable in my villagers' eyes. I was always respectful to the ladies and did honest work making sure to always try my hardest. Around those times I began to ignite the powers of the Draconians within me. Somehow I was able to make ice form even in some of the hottest places. My maturity gift had been discovered one day when I had been singed by a campfire. Hollering in pain my emotions had flared and suddenly the roaring flames of gold had become petrified silver blue of ice. Some thought it had been a fluke by slowly as the days went on I realized it was I who had done it.
A day of rejoicing soon followed… You see, when a draconian would finally come to puberty in the village and finally be granted his personal gift there would be a great celebration in that being's honor. My celebration was one of the largest my village had seen since I was greatly favored amongst many there. When the sun had peeked over the horizon the next day and the rays had struck the roofs of the small plantation of my parents I had already left on my rotation of wandering. Whenever there was the celebration the youth who was honored would leave the village the next dawn and would not return until a year had past. This was done so an individual could learn how to survive in the real world and show his or hers independence. I was no different and thus I packed my things and set off…
I had no trouble surviving in the wilderness and I found great enjoyment of living off the land. I could make food out of anything and make it a delicacy with just a few herbs and spices. Not to mention I was an excellent hunter and tracker of prey. With only an ax as my weapon I was a danger to any creature that made a good meal. Though I did not tread far from my village I rarely was near it. Some would journey to the far seas or to the heavy dunes during their wandering, but I was reluctant to go for it was about the time of my leaving that the persecution against the Draconians had started. When my rotation was up I returned in a rush. Two days after my return soldiers of the royal Draconians arrived in our village. A war had broken out against 'Man' and recruits were needed desperately for the humans made nearly a third of Gaea's population with no other race close to their numbers. I was one of the first to join and one of the few who did to survive…
Becoming part of the army was not a problem for they were desperate for men of age (those who had powers) and with my good strength and build I was quickly admitted. That night over thirty young men left their homes to face the full wrath of 'Man'…
Weeks went by as I was trained for battle and was finally brought out into the field,… but it was a full moon before I ever saw a true fight between the two sides. My group I was stationed with stumbled on a legion of 'Man' burning down a Draconian village. Filled with rage at the assault of our kind we struck them and took many down, but we were less than they to begin with and soon it was three to one. I fought like a cornered creature bringing my heavy ax through my opponents one by one and freezing any attackers that got too close. If we had not been so closely packed together, scattered amongst our enemies I would have taken all of the humans out with a single blast of coldness. In the mist of battle I noticed my high commander had been injured and fell to the group clutching his side as it bleed. He was an easy target so I raced through the mass of fighting bodies trying to get to him before an enemy could. I never shall know how I manage to get there in time, but somehow I suddenly was before my leader taking down all who approach either of us… Several men fell and abruptly the fight was over as the leader of the humans fell at my blade. With cries of fear that raced over the stained earth a few of us on the heels. When they had finally disappeared into the after dust I was rewarded with recognition by my commander…
With my recognition came the opportunity for me to have a small leave to see my village. Being that I had only been there in the last year for two days I felt a need to return so with a heavy pack on my shoulders I began the journey home leaving behind a great war to the men of my formation…
Days slithered by and finally the village I had grown up in finally appeared on the horizon… It was near midday and I was happy to arrive during that time hoping for a good hearty meal of my mother's. As I made my way into the man streets I caught sight of a group cluttering one of the homes located there. Automatically I grew tense knowing something was wrong. Treading silently I crept closer feeling a need to remain unnoticed suddenly. Coming to hide behind one of the other buildings I checked over the group. Many of the figures I saw there I had never seen and my skin crawled at the sight of them…
Abruptly three men plowed out of the house with a long rope pulling something behind them. I gasped as I saw three of my villagers' necks clutched by the wisps of the ropes and rough lines were wrapped around their wrists. Bruises and scratches ran over their bodies and they stumbled after their captors. I knew automatically what had happened; 'Man' had infiltrated my old village… Rage burned in my soul and I began to step out of hiding when suddenly I saw the most disturbing thing…
My parents walked out from behind the captive Draconians freed of any bondage. Their eyes were hard and their limbs tense as they stiffly walked behind their own kind. I felt my mouth go dry and my heart skipped several beats… In utter shock I watched as the angel folk of captivity were pushed to the dirt. Strangled coughs came from them as they struggled to their knees. When they finally got into a better position they glared at my parents with hatred in their eyes…
With such rage of never before I've seen for my parents one of the Draconian's shouted, "Clao! Dar! How could you betray us like this?!"
I remember gasping at the accusation against my parents. My heart filled with hate for the individual who had cried out and I yearned to end his life for the dragging of my family's good name through the mud… yet, I remained where I was… Not because of the fear of 'Man' there, but for the feeling burning in my chest… What was it?…
"Yes" came the second captive, "Why did you give out our location to them?!"
I stared at my parents pleading in my mind for them to deny the accusations… to restore the honor in our name that we had held so dear to our hearts,… but to my shock and displeasure they remained silent, their eyes glinting differently then I had remembered them from the past…
Suddenly one of the humans stepped towards my parents, a smirk heavy on his lips. I found myself thinking he was serpent as he spoke to my sire. I could almost see his tongue darting out…
"You have done well for us, Sir Dar son of Baltezar" the leader had hissed darkly, "In return we allow you to live in peace though we might come to see you more often if needed."
"We welcome that visit" my father had spoken in a grim voice unfamiliar to my ears. I felt my soul drop to the bottom of my stomach and my heart cried out in disbelief. My parents… MY PARENTS!!!… They who had taught me of honor betrayed their own teachings and beliefs!!!… WHY?!… They had been a respected couple because of their honor and yet here they stood over their own people not caring that they were condemning them…
My heart began to race and I felt my own doubt in their teachings,… but my own pride kept me from discarding something I had created my whole life upon… Growling I got ready to stop them…
It was then another human stepped forward this time with an unsheathed sword. The silver metal of the blade glistened with danger. I knew when he lifted the blade over the heads of the angel captives that I had to do something. I would not abandon them like my parents had…
I barely can recall that instant as I howled my challenging cry. I rushed the humans with rage and power flowing through my veins. Startled at my abrupt appearance they were unable to anticipate my attack and fell at the blade of my battle-ax. I was like a wild cat being everywhere at once and striking in a bloody frenzy spewing dark liquid onto the earth. As I took a final swing, killing another opponent, I took notice that most of the humans were running away screaming. I panted in exertion as I turned to my parents. Both gaped at me shocked to see me and my actions. I scowled at them as I growled, "Why did you do it, father? Mother?"
I thought they might beg for forgiveness or at least hope they would,… but their eyes were hard as granite and those familiar orbs glared at me in rage and anger… emotions I had not been graced with from my family in many years… My father… the man I had truly placed full faith in stepped forward and made my heart fall with his answer.
"Why did you do that, Zachary?!" he thundered with uncontrollable fury in his deep voice. The mountains even seemed to tremble at his roar.
My ax felt heavy in my large fists as if it were my soul's despair. Tears I had never shed in a decade surfaced as my entire being screamed out in anguish. While my spirit exclaimed its disbelief my voice quietly quivered, "Why?… Why, father?…"
He stared at me with a darken soul and growled, "You were not here for many years, Zachary. You do not know what has befallen here during the war and your rotation of solitude. They came upon many of our kind. Slaughtering hundreds and tearing our very wings from our hides with bare hands! Children bawled near their parents' bodies and whole villages were burned to nothing! Yes, they put up fights, but there were too many! Hundreds swarmed and against meager groups in small villages. Your mother and I refused to die! We exchanged locations of Draconians for our own survival… What is the good of honor with no life?… We will sacrifice even our honor to survive…"
"What has happen to you?…" I whispered in shock, "For years I have been taught to never give up honor, to die before I ever do that, yet you are ready to the opposites of your very teachings?! You hypocrites!"
My father's face became red like lava and my mother was tense as the three still tied up angels watched the dispute, unable to do anything. Suddenly my old man pulled out his sword his eyes blood red with crazed fury, "You dare to insult me?! You are my own son!"
"NO LONGER!" I shouted back with equal force, "I deny being your son! I am an orphan! My true parents were killed with their own selfishness for life!!!!"
"SO BE IT!" he thundered and soon he was in my face his blade coming towards my throat.
I remember very little of our fight, except for the gleam of our two blades dancing in the dust and sun. My tears, that I did not know about until much later, ran down my cheeks dramatically as I fought against my heart. As quickly as our fray began… it ended… Soon my father laid in the dirt dead with my shadow across his bloody chest… My mother screamed and fell to her knees at his side clutching her husband, my father, as if he was not the enemy. I grimly watched… my ax feeling so heavy…
Abruptly she snapped her eyes at me and reached for my father's sword. I tensed at the motion and growled a low warning, "If you pick up that sword I promise I will kill you also…"
She glared at me as her slim fingers brushed over the hilt, "You would kill a woman?… Your own mother?…"
"I kill in respect of my people" I hissed as her fingers slowly wound over the handle, "In honor of those who died from your help I will stop you from doing it again."
She shrieked loudly and thrust the blade at me, but she was not trained in the arts of fighting so all it took was a small dodge and a quick jab of my ax. Clutching her bleeding form she fell to the ground… gone…
Standing over my parents' bodies… the blade of my ax dripping with their deaths… In that moment that my fingers ran through the crimson liquid I felt my soul die with them… They had been my parents… my saviors… my rescuers… my teachers… my heroes… And now they were nothing more than figments of my imagination destroyed by my own self…
Numbly I released the three angels their eyes staring at me gratefully, but sorrowfully… As soon as they were released I turned away from them and swiftly left the torn world I once knew… never looking back…
I know at least a moon went by for I could remember a dark moon one night before the moon was full just like the night after the incidents with my blood heroes. The lands I crossed during that time are in a blur in my mind for I rarely cared where I was or where I was going during the time of the journey… I can't even remember if I ate or drank along the way…
What I truly remember of that dreadful wandering of mind in those places was the pain of my soul… I had never before felt such sorrow… such heartache… I was dead to the world… A ghost treading through deserted areas stained redness marking his weapon… I often would howl out a cry of sadness marking my mourning and several times I remember the birds flying out of the trees screaming out their pity to me… I was a dead orphan crying for his parents that died many years ago only to replace with my fosters, dark betrayers…
Soon I was lost in the blizzard of the frozen lands of Gaea… I drifted through the soft whiteness like I were like the very snow… I stumbled through it the wind biting through my thin clothes… Ice clung to my short beard and even my lungs felt as if they had swallowed chunks of ice that would rip at the very tissue of my organs whenever I breathed.
My knees collapsed and I fell forward tiredly into the sea of snow. My eyes slid shut and I knew I would die if I would fall into the world of slumber,… but at that moment I didn't care… Death almost looked desirable at that instant…
Thus, the world was a chaos of icy water roaring in my ears and stinging my limp body. Gradually the softness began to cover me and my mind lingered on the edge of consciousness.
"Zachary…" a voice suddenly pierced through the blackness growing in my mind sending a flash of light into the void…
"Awake Zachary…"
Slowly my eyes opened, but all I could see at first was the snowstorm…
"Zachary…"
With the bit of strength I had left I pulled my face out of the white blanket of coldness to look forward across its surface. There… standing a mist the array of frozen droplets stood a figure who was the most beautiful maiden I had ever seen… Her skin was pale like milk coming close to the whiteness of the snow surrounding her… Silky strands of chocolate framed her elegant face adorned with emerald eyes… Dressed in a superlative gown of white the lady appeared to be a goddess…
"Who are you?" I muttered weakly as I stared at her through heavy lids. The moment the words left my lips I noticed something startling… though the wind roared her clothes and long hair were motionless as if heavy with weight… More disturbing was the fact that the snow was flying right through her body!… In a shaky, low voice I whispered, "What are you?…"
The woman smiled warmly and spoke, "Do not fear me. I am a friend… My name is Lady Iris… Queen of the Draconians…"
"Queen?" I muttered as I grew a bit suspicious, "How can I be sure you are queen?… Or even Draconian?…"
Smiling with goodness she said, "Easily…"
With that she sprouted her wings letting their glorious illumination shine upon my frozen body. I stared at her in surprise… never before had I seen more beautiful wings… Only a true queen could have wings so lovely…
Seeing my belief in her she said, "I have come to save you, Zachary… I am need of you…"
"Need of me?" I said numbly, "Why me?"
Slowly she cocked her head, "I do not know to be honest. I come to you now only because it is my master's wish…"
"Your master?" I asked confused. Who could be higher than the queen herself?…
"Yes" she spoke in melodic voice, "Joutei calls upon you…"
"Joutei!" I exclaimed overwhelmed by this admission. The name was known well by all Draconians being that it was our God's name. Most of Gaea who believed in this immortal being did not know him by that name, but still knew of him. It was relatively hard for me to believe that a being so powerful would need the help of a dying man.
Smiling encouragingly down at me she began, "I stand before you, Zachary, as the spirit of my body for I am truly not here. Joutei has sent an image of me so I might speak with you while I sleep in my bed back at my kingdom. He has sent me, Zachary, to not only save you, but to ask for your help to save our people."
I stared at her unable to shake off the mystical feeling that has fallen upon me by her words. Her eyes of forest green lock with mine as she continues, "Joutei knows of your pain and suffering wishing to end it for you. You need only to have faith in him, Zachary…"
Stepping forward with noiseless steps she whispers, "But that is not entirely why I am here as you know. I am here to ask for your assistance."
Gradually I arise from the snow onto my knees feeling too unworthy to rise to my feet. Coming to stand a few feet in front of my frozen form she says, "You know that the war against the humans is growing incredibly one sided. Our people are falling everywhere we turn. I fear for my people and with the growing deaths I am worried I might fall to 'Man.' If that happens it would be disastrous… Rachelle, my daughter as you know, is still not ready to take the throne especially with everything happening. If our people are to survive I must survive and direct them until Rachelle is old enough or the war is over. Thus, I have decided to find warriors to become my secret bodyguards."
"I have spent many nights trying to chose who they should be" she said as her eyes drifted upward, "For you see the ones I chose must become strangers to all. There identities must never be revealed to anyone except to the reigning royal couple during their employment. For if their identities were known their pasts could be used against them…"
My interest suddenly piqued at these words and I asked, "Do you mean no one would know who they were? They would be given a clean slate?"
Lady Iris automatically snapped her eyes on me, her pupils dancing with sudden realization. Careful she spoke with wisdom in her words, "Do not take my offer the wrong way, Zachary… You do not need what you are seeking… Joutei can give you that you know… He can give you forgiveness…"
"I know he can" I whispered as I fully rose to a standing position, "But my heart feels dead with the dishonor my parents let fall on my family. I feel the need to disappear from the world and start anew… To bring honor back to my name…"
She stared at me unsure with me shaking from cold and anxious feelings at the idea of renewal. Her voice suddenly became still and quiet almost haunting in its affect as she whispered, "If you take this offer, Zachary, all of your past will be lost. You will never be known as Zachary, son of Dar and Clao. You will be a warrior who physical form will be hidden behind shadows, fabric, and masks. History of you will wash away with the tide. Know this, Zachary. This is not a temporary offer. It is for life! You can never turn back. Understand?…"
For a single instant I hesitated thinking over the consequences of this agreement. Socializing would be impossible. Could I become a lone wolf?… I had been like that for the last moon… Yet I felt a small need to hold back from finalizing the deal…
Slowly her hand lifted to me and it glowed a soft white as if it were my savior. In a whisper that was almost sad she said, "Do we have an agreement?…"
Just as I went to reach her hand she stopped my movements with a final warning, "If you take this offer, Zachary, it will not be an easy journey. More trials await. Probably some far worst then the ones you already encountered. Does the deal seem so sweet now?"
There was another slight bit of hesitation as my grayish eyes stared down at the palm. I looked up into her emeralds that sparkled with inner flames as she said, "What is your choice?…"
Finally I grasped her hand, which suddenly became firm with my touch, and said, "I take the offer with pride, Queen Iris."
She smiled warmly at me and suddenly the wind grew furious around the two of us. In an echoing voice she whispered, "So be it…"
In a flash she was gone and the blizzard disappeared into the sky. I blinked several times realizing the world of storming swirls had ended. Glancing about I saw a new realm of snow silent and still. Trees nearly buried beneath snow stood tall about me pointing to the starry sky above. I stared at the stars in awe unable to believe I was able to look upon them on high.
"Strange…" I remember muttering as I glanced around for the Draconian maiden.
"Go, Zachary…" whispered her voice on a young breeze, "Follow the way of your feet…"
I swirled around at the sound of her, confused, "What do you mean follow the way of my feet? What does that mean?"
"Follow the way your feet tread and you will find me" she said lightly slowly letting her voice fade, "Have faith, my new bodyguard… You will know all in due time…"
Then she was gone…
Days past and I soon found myself walking aimlessly with no idea of direction or destination. Like the beautiful queen had said I followed whatever way my feet directed. The strange thing was that no matter how far I walked it seemed my feet would never tire. Even when I would try to sit for a meal or sleep my two feet would shuffle about beneath me as if they were being called to continue. Their continuous movement finally would agitate me enough to rise and return to my long trek. Days went by without sleep and little water or food was consumed.
By the end of a quarter moon I finally came to a border… the border of my race's kingdom. It was a glorious land of beautiful stone edifices and grand villages, but that day the sun's spotlight had shifted from our kingdom leaving it in the darkness of a storm. Thunder clapped in the air and lightning shattered the sky. I was tense at stepping into the land, but didn't not hesitate long. When I was, but a few steps inward my feet suddenly turned sharply to the right leading away from the main road that directed travelers to the castle. I frowned at this, but could do nothing. No matter how hard I tried my feet were determined to follow their own way as if they had a brain.
In the twilight of the night with the two moons as my light I found myself at a small wooden door in the middle of the country side covered in old vines and brush. Their tawny hands clung to its frame as if determine to yank the portal opening. Gently I took the brass handle taking notice that some of the dust had been brushed aside recently. As I pulled it open the ancient door hissed with escaping air of old and creaking hinges.
The passage was dark with weeds growing in ever cranny they could fill and survive in. A smell kept locked in that hall for centuries filled my nostrils making me cough several times before I got use to the stench. Silence was the sound that enveloped me as I tread down into the blackness. Even my footfalls did not echo in my ears as I made my way to the end of the corridor.
After several minutes I stepped into a small perfectly round room with two halls connected to it. It's ceiling was round like the floor and covered in glass, however, most of the glass had fallen out with the years allowing all the light from the night's moons to shine down on the stone area. Carefully I glanced around the small enclosure noticing vegetation streaming over the stone walls and through the broken skylights above. Standing on either side of me was a figure both close to my age.
To my right stood a young woman whose face I had long forgotten only to remember now after seeing that face again. Her hair was a dusty blonde. It was long coming to her shoulders with the bangs pulled back and twisted into two braids that connected at the back of her head. With eyes of wealthy gold she reminded me much of metal found in only some of the rarest mines of Gaea. She looked upon me sternly with great hatred in her sparkling orbs making me wary of her automatically. Dressed in clothes that were tattered and stained I knew she did not come from high society.
Directly across from her on my left was a man that was perhaps a year or two younger than I. His hair was light brown spiky with style while a tiny braid of his bangs was pulled behind his ear (if you don't understand this just think of Obe One's hairstyle in Episode I of Star Wars). Over one eye was a bloody wrapping that obviously needed changing. Dirt stained the bandage and his face with his clothes of sea leather no better off. Carefully taking note of the fabric of his attire I knew he was from the sea. Most of the material was waterproof and easy drying fabric. The very smell of saltwater on him gave away his prior location.
The three of us glanced at each other tensely not liking neither of the other two. Stiffly my hand wound around the handle of my ax suddenly causing both of the other warriors to draw their weapons. The male quickly raise his staff that had two daggers tied to one end. Their lethal points gleamed in the moonlight for a second making the crude weapon appear almost like a lance or trident. The female on the other hand had produced a pair of daggers strangely curved. She clutched their handles nervously as she aimed them at either of us males.
We were each ready to start a fray when suddenly noise came down from the tunnel opposite of the one I had come from. Our focus turned to the shadows of the foreign corridor as we waited for the disturbance to appear. Slowly the blackness produced three new figures each of them dressed in royal garments. The youngest of the three was a young female about five rotations younger than I with long sandy blonde hair with light emeralds for eyes. A beautiful summer blue dressed of fine silk with pearls and silver she wore as elegant as an official. She eyed each of us curiously behind the other two individuals she had come with. The second new arrival was a man about a dragon's year older than myself. His hair was a graceful gold cropped short with a small beard marking his many years. His own attire was of mystical silver, gold, and pearl silk. Even his heavy black boots were covered in the precious metal shimmering in the twilight. The last figure was very familiar to me. It was Queen Iris herself dressed in the same outfit I had last seen her in.
She smiled at us three and stepped in front of the man and young maiden. Coming to stand directly in the center of the room she said, "Welcome my three chosen ones. I am glad you have arrived so quickly and silently."
We quickly brought down our weapons as we each fell on one knee. Looking up at our queen I was the first to speak, "Queen Iris, may I ask who is this with you?"
"You may indeed" she laughed lightly as she stepped back for the three warriors to see, "This is my husband, Kenneth, and my daughter, Rachelle. They have come to see you for we three will be the only ones who know of your true identities."
Stepping towards the young woman first Queen Iris spoke, "It is time… As you know each of you will never reveal yourself to anyone. You are to remain hidden beneath the darkness for the rest of your lives until I tell you otherwise."
Nodding at the bowed woman the royal continued, "You will be known as Nazomi, Warrior of the Dunes…"
Tenderly the queen placed her palm on the maiden's head and suddenly a pale cloak appeared on her startling the bodyguard. Her face that had once been so visible now hid in the shadows of a hood and a strip of fabric that fell from under her eyes downwards covering her nose and mouth. On the back of the long cloak was the golden emblem of the Draconian Royal Bodyguards, an angel with a sword and armor. Nazomi stared down at herself with shock gleaming in her eyes making Queen Iris smile. Tenderly the queen took the two daggers from the maiden's hand and held them in the moonlight. Slowly the two items glowed twisting into odd shapes in the night. As the light grew dim all could see the two daggers had formed what we know now as the weapon of the Guardian of the Dunes.
As Nazomi stared down at the weapon in wonder Queen Iris stepped over to me placing her palm on my head saying, "You will be known as Zaado, Warrior of Ice…"
A cream cloak appeared over me with a large hood and mouth covering identical of Nazomi's. Taking my ax gently from my palm Queen Iris transformed my weapon into what is known now as the weapon of the Guardian of Ice.
The same was done with the third warrior bringing forth a royal blue cloak on him, but instead of a mouth covering that Nazomi and I had he was given a mask of solid night blue so people would not know of his handicap blindness. You know what became of his weapon as he was named Tsuno, Warrior of the Waves.
After we had been transformed and our weapons enchanted Queen Iris opened her arms and exclaimed, "You are the royal bodyguards of the Draconian family. Your lives will change with the dawn and with it new destinies will come forth. Come let us retire… Tomorrow I announce your new employment to the kingdom…"
Thus we exited the small room never to see it again until several years later when Sian and Nembus arrived… But I will let them tell that story for it is more their tale than ours… All other information after that night though is unimportant really most of which you know of. Nazomi, Tsuno, and I became very close over the years, but never did we reveal our pasts not even to each other until now.
Our true destinies as guardians were never spoken of until after our death when Joutei and Queen Rachelle approached us. Once we met our newest queen in the afterlife we separated into our five sections of the globe to protect the Draconians who had remained on Gaea. Each of us was given lands that we could most relate to. I was given the land of ice and snow where solitude was welcomed. It was a world I had known quite well in my grief and as I settled in it with the group I protected I felt a sense of peace come over me. For the duration of the centuries to follow that we hid in the bellows of the whiteness I found peace in my personal separation from the group. I often would leave on treks to study our surroundings. Surviving was not a problem to me and the world though rough as it was I was easily able to cultivate, thus, that was why I was chosen for the frozen lands of Gaea… because I was survivor… a survivor of pride and honor… who was unwilling to give up… and also because ice was my power… Where I was able to manipulate its shapes and texture making homes in it… Even before I reshaped the caverns I felt at home there…
That is my story…
~ So, in Zaado's past he was forced to kill his own parents… Man, that's rough… After that his heart became hard with sorrow of his parents' betrayal and the grief of having to stop them by his own sword. Honor and pride were the only things he had left after his family had died at his hands… Yep, that was harsh, but as you know the guardians went through some horrible things in their lives before they became royal bodyguards…~
~Well, the next chapter is going to be about Nazomi. What's her dark history like? What's her connection to the desert and why does she suddenly want to be friends with the younger guardians when centuries ago she refused to have any dealing with them? Find out in chapter 21: 'Footsteps in the Sand Blown Away'~