Cry Of the Carniave

Shadowy Secrets

Jay, Shadith and I were standing outside the entrance of a humungous castle. It looked haunted and dark. And evil. I shuddered involuntarily.

"I can't come in with you Laura and Jay." Shadith said nervously.

Jay looked at her in utter surprise.

"Why not?" asked Jay "It's not if the shadows are going to hurt you!"

"Well… The thing is I'm afraid of the dark!"

"Ok Shadith, you stay outside while Laura and I go inside." Jay said, pointing outside. Shadith nodded numbly. For a moment, I thought I saw her eyes flash. That's weird, why were her eyes glowing brighter?

"Come on Laura, let's go inside." Jay beckoned to me. I followed him, leaving Shadith outside.

It was very dark inside the castle. We couldn't even see where we were going! I grasped Laura's hands as we walked silently in the darkness. Just as we were about to give up, I saw a flickering candle set on a table. I ran to the candle and picked it up meticulously. The shadows around me flickered as I held the candle. But just then, one of the shadows began to move! I gasped. It was a living shadow! The shadow changed form, turning into some sort of animal silhouette.

Without warning, the shadow leapt at me, knocking me off my feet.

It was now a panther with golden eyes. The panther snarled, showing long white fangs. Its long silver claws shot out from its front paws, raking my cloak. The pressure of the panther was crushing my lungs. I was frozen with intense terror; I just didn't know what to do. My mind was a big blank. I-I mustn't give up; I have to do this for Laura… And Shadith. I thought determinedly.Reaching deep inside my cloak, I drew out a shining yellow amulet. With shaking hands I brought it to the panther's eyes. With a furious roar, the panther started to transform into the Shadow Guardian… But when the Guardian looked up, I uttered a shocked cry. For it was…

"Shadith?! You're the Shadow Guardian?"

Shadith looked almost unrecognisable. She looked like a demon. Shadith's fingernails were black and pointed and her face was hardly human. Her face was the colour of wax, looking pale and ghostlike. I wouldn't have recognized her if it weren't for her eyes. I shuddered in disbelief. Was this Shadith? I couldn't believe it was she all along. Her eyes were glowing unnaturally like yellow amber. For a moment I was confused, taken aback by this unpleasant surprise.

"Shadith? But… How…" I stammered incoherently, but she interrupted me with narrowed eyes. Her ebony robes were fluttering as she held her black staff vertically.

"It's true." spokethe Shadow Guardian; her very voice was cold, devoid of any emotions. "My Guardian powers were restored to me when I entered this place. Every night I was forced to transform into my true form, which is what you see right now. I had sworn to Master Glen when my powers were taken to hide my secret from you, including Laura… Until now."

spokethe Shadow Guardian; her very voice was cold, devoid of any emotions.

She placed a slender finger to my lips; it felt chillingly cold against my face, leaving it numb where she touched me. "What's the matter Jay?" she added snidely, "Can't you handle the truth?"

"Shadith, it can't be you…" I said stubbornly, refusing to believe her. The Shadow Guardian snickered a mocking laugh, sounding harsh. "Don't you see, Jay? Shadith and I are the same…"

I watched the events unfold before my eyes. Never have I ever suspected Shadith to be the Shadow Guardian. But why was she so different, so cold? I wondered She wasn't like that last time. Jay was so shocked he couldn't speak.

The Shadow Guardian, as if she read our minds she said: "If you want your so-called friend back, you'll have to defeat me but I will be really difficult to subdue. I won't promise you an easy battle!" The Shadow Guardian wielded her staff like a weapon. Jay leapt at her and drew out his fire sword quickly. The sword's blade shone.

"Sword of fire, cause dire!" Jay screamed as he swiped the weapon at her. Flames leapt across from the sword to her staff.

"Jay, be careful!" I yelled. I was afraid she would hurt him, but to my relief he wasn't. Unfortunately, the fire passed through the Shadow Guardian and she didn't seem to be affected at all. Jay was tired from the effort, wiping his wet forehead with his long sleeves.

"You have to try better than that!" she sneered.

Next Jay took out the Water Guardian's flute and it thrilled me when I heard it. The flute sang of the beauty of the oceans and rivers, sounding like waves crashing onto rocks. Its echoing notes praised the wonderful creatures of the deep. Never had I heard anything more... Breathtaking. The Shadow Guardian's eyes were glazed over as if she was in a trance, but she regained her emotionless stare after about ten minutes. Jay groaned exhaustedly, grabbing another item from his pocket.

"I thought it would work! Aquaria said it worked against any of the Guardians!" he yelled, "I can't believe it!"

"Well, believe this then!" Without warning the Shadow Guardian raised her staff at Jay. Black magic streamed from the staff like liquid. The blackish substance hit Jay hard; it was so powerful it threw him against the wall. He groaned, struggling to get up, but he collapsed.

"Jay!" I cried as I ran to him. I hugged him tightly, scared that he was hurt. "Are you alright?" I asked him. Jay gave me a weak smile, but the light was fading from his azure eyes. A cut above his eye started to bleed. I tried to dab it but it wouldn't heal quickly. It took too long. A purple bruise appeared on his cheek.

"Laura… I feel weak…" whispered Jay.

"Oh Jay…" I sobbed. I knew that Jay was an immortal, but to see him assaulted like this… It hurt too much to bear.

I saw Laura cry for Jay, normally I would have run to her and comforted her, but I could do nothing because the Shadow Guardian had taken over. My true form. She felt no pity or remorse for what she had done, but I (Shadith) felt sympathy for Laura and her lover. A tugging at my heart continued as Laura wept. I wanted desperately to help her but my other self wouldn't, she refused. It was very frustrating. Suddenly Laura stood up, a fierce expression on her face. She gritted her teeth angrily as she ripped the light amulet from Jay's pocket. What is she going to do? I wondered.

"Shadow Guardian, you had gone too far! Don't you feel any sympathy?"

"Now I have no choice but to destroy you and get my friend back!" Laura said as she let out a war cry. My other self snorted, showing contempt. She laughed out loud. "What? With that dinky looking charm! Don't be ridiculous!"

During all this, I had noticed that there was only one element that could defeat the Shadow Guardian: Light. But if there was not enough light, the Guardian would extinguish it. But if there was enough light, it would destroy the Guardian completely!

If I aimed at her, that way I could defeat her. But I have to do it quickly before she has a chance to react. But what if it fails? I stared at Jay; he was slowly deteriorating from his injuries. I would do anything for him and I would save my friend Shadith, even if it cost me my life. Jay would be ok; he would have Shadith to help him overcome my death- if I died that is. I had to take a lethal risk: I will smash that amulet.

As I held the destructive jewel in my hand I could feel the energy pulse in it. It warmed my hand like a torch.

"Shadow Guardian, I will destroy you!" With all my strength, I threw the yellow gem at her, but it hit the ground. There was the sound of shattering glass as the amulet broke. Rays of white light shone from the pieces, lighting the entire room in the process.

"Aaaaahhhh!!! My Guardian powers are gone!"

The Shadow Guardian dropped to her knees in pain, covering her face with her clawed hands. Her staff and crown clattered to the floor as she let go of them. I grabbed the items, which were symbols of her power. They began to glow.

I watched, fascinated as the Guardian transformed. A darkish purple aura surrounded the Guardian, as the long black claws became neat nails. The long hair became buns. The black cloak shimmered once before the colour changed to gold and white robes. The transformation was finished. Shadith was still covering her face with her hands. Slowly she removed them from her face, trembling.

"Jay…" she muttered as she saw the crumpled form next to my side.

"Shadith! Are you ok?" I asked her in a concerned voice.

"Yes," she said.

spokethe Shadow Guardian; her very voice was cold, devoid of any emotions. she sneered. Without warning the Shadow Guardian raised her staff at Jay. Black magic streamed from the staff like liquid. The blackish substance hit Jay hard; it was so powerful it threw him against the wall. He groaned, struggling to get up, but he collapsed. I stared at Jay; he was slowly deteriorating from his injuries. I would do anything for him and I would save my friend Shadith, even if it cost me my life. Jay would be ok; he would have Shadith to help him overcome my death- if I died that is. I had to take a lethal risk: I will smash that amulet.