Disclaimer: Never have, never will

TK awoke slowly with a pounding headache. Forcing his eyes open, he expected to see the white of the hospital room. But…no. He was in a dark room, on the floor. He could barely see anything. He tried to sit up, but found that his hands were bound tightly behind him.

He craned his head as he heard noises coming from somewhere outside the room. He laid in apprehension, as he could do nothing but wait. He held his breath as the noise stopped outside of what he determined to be the door. A handle turned and a figure entered. Suddenly, the room lightened to a pale shade of gray.

TK gaped at the figure. The figure's upper half was that of a well toned man, while his lower half was a snake body. The scaly tail seemed to be about 10 feet long and had spikes coming out of it from various points. As if that weren't imposing enough, he had great wings on his back, like those of Shaukaka. Piercing red eyes peered at TK from behind tangled black hair.

"So this is the Guardian who is said to be so powerful," he mused, practically spitting the word Guardian. "He's nothing more than a pathetic human child. I do not see how you could pose a threat," he continued, using his muscled tail to force TK into a sitting position. He placed the tip of his tail under the boy's chin and forced him to look up.

The man/creature chuckled evilly at the fear evident in TK's eyes. "Scared? At least you have some common sense. Tell me, Guardian, what is your name?"

TK didn't answer, he was still speechless. The man/creature growled and whipped his cheek with the tip of his tail.

"I asked you a question."

"T-Takeru," he answered, feeling a little blood run down his face.

"Well, small Takeru, do you know who I am?"

TK shook his head.

"Weak, scared, and ignorant. You're definitely no threat to me. For I am the great Shadowlore Lord Isan, lord of evil and soon to be lord of all of Hiata."

TK processed this new bit of information. So, it was another evil guy trying to take over a world. But, somehow this villain seemed a bit more serious than the others.

Lord Isan looked down at him again. "My Queen has told me of your developing powers BlackWolf-son. How you can sense evil. But she says it is all you can do, is that right?"

TK nodded slowly, not wanting to upset the beast more than necessary.

Lord Isan smiled wickedly and slithered around until his tail was wrapped around TK's chest and their heads were nearly level. "It is a pity. You have the potential to do so much more. Your father was able to create and destroy shadow magic, and with proper training, you could too. But you will not get that training with anyone but myself. No one else can teach you something so powerful. And," he added, placing a hand on TK's temple, "I can make it not hurt anymore."

To emphasize his point, he sent a jolt of pain through the boy, making it go all through his body before resting in his head. TK whimpered a bit, but tried not to show that it had hurt greatly. This thing, this Lord Isan, was evil, he couldn't, wouldn't, accept his help. He shook his head fiercely to make sure Lord Isan got the point.

Isan scowled deeply, squeezing TK's chest a bit so that the spikes scratched him, and sent more pain through him. "You will join me. You have no choice."

"I won't," TK replied through gritted teeth, "I can't."

"But you will," Isan hissed, "Or maybe I should go back to your world and punish your family and friends because of your insolence."

TK stilled, "You wouldn't," he said, shocked.

Isan smiled his wicked smile. "Do you want to risk their futures on the off chance that I might be lying?"

TK swallowed dryly. He couldn't take the chance. "Do whatever you want with me," he surrendered quietly, "Just don't hurt them."

Isan's smile grew wider as he retrieved something from a pouch at his hip. TK saw that it was a metal armband. It was made of a few jagged metal strands which formed a ring to go around the arm. In the center on the front was a purple/black stone a little larger than a quarter. It appeared rounded from what TK could see. All the metal bands led to that stone and surrounded it.

Isan loosened his tail a bit and untied TK's wrists. He grabbed TK's right arm and pushed the armband on it. When it was placed about halfway up the upper part of his arm, Isan let go. TK let out an involuntary gasp as the stone started to glow and the metal began to shrink. Soon, it closed around his arm tightly. The stone still glowed.

As the glow got brighter, TK felt an energy traveling through him, running through his blood. He couldn't describe it, it felt good and bad at the same time. Suddenly, the good feeling left and it felt as though fire was coursing through his veins. He cried out a little and tugged at the metal on his arm. Isan moved his tail so that it pinned TK's arms to his sides.

"Quiet, child. It will be over soon."

TK tried to stay still and obey Isan, but the pain was too much. He struggled against Isan's hold to try to pull the band off. However, he only managed to cut himself on Isan's spikes.

He found that Isan was correct about the pain though, it started dying down only 2 minutes later, though it felt like an eternity to TK. A few minutes later the pain had vanished completely and the glow had died.

"What-what happened?" TK asked shakily, still able to feel some of the pain.

"That is the stone that your father, BlackWolf, wore to channel his power. Now it has passed to you. It has accepted you as its new owner, and it has bonded to you. That was the pain you felt. Now, if you remove it before you die, it will kill you."

TK stared uncomprehendingly.

"It will all make sense in time young Takeru. However, first I have something else for you. I put that armband on you to control your power, and I am putting this on to show that you now belong to me."

He reached into the pouch and pulled out what looked like a metal collar to TK. Isan fastened it around his neck. It was leather-lined and fit snugly. There was a ring on the front. TK scornfully recognized that it was for a leash. He was nothing more than a pet to Isan.

"That is my mark of enslavement. You now belong to me, young slave. In return for your complete obedience, I will spare your world and those in it. Understood?"

TK nodded, looking away, ashamed.

Isan made a sound of disapproval and used his tail to force TK to look at him again. "You will answer me when I ask you something. And from now on, you will refer to me as 'master', do you understand?" he gazed at TK fiercely.

"Yes…master."

"Good. We will begin your training at first light. I believe that, with time and proper training, you will make an excellent tool, don't you agree?" he looked expectantly at the boy.

"Yes, master," he murmured, hating himself for it.

A smug look came over Isan's face. He hadn't known the boy for ten minutes, and he already knew his greatest weakness. It could prove to be very valuable knowledge. He inwardly smirked as he shut the door, locking his new slave in. Things were looking much better for his plans of total world domination this time around.

/o-o/

"Wh-where am I?" Kari mumbled to herself as she awoke.

"It's about time you woke up," a voice snapped.

Kari looked up quickly. "Shaukaka." She tried to move, but her wrists were bound.

"Yes, it's I," Shaukaka sneered. "Tell me, are all humans as weak as you? Or are you just special?"

"What?" Kari asked, brows furrowed.

"You took nearly five hours to recover from the sleeping spell. It only took your friend three hours."

"TK? TK's here? Where?" she asked, looking around as best as she could.

"Not here," Shaukaka answered absently. "He's probably busy with his new master. He gave himself up as a slave, you know. You'd be smart to do the same."

"What? TK wouldn't just give up. I don't believe you," Kari replied, not bothering to hide the edge in her voice.

"Oh, but he did give up. It seems that he believed his fate was unimportant compared to that of his family and friends."

"What do you mean?" she asked warily.

"Lord Isan gave him a choice. He could become a slave, or his family and friends would suffer. Like a true idiot he chose to save others rather than himself."

"He's not an idiot!" Kari spat. "He's a very caring and selfless person. Not that you'd know anything about that."

Shaukaka shrugged, looking uninterested. "Think what you want. But I'm not here to debate with you. I'm here to give you the same proposition that my Lord Isan gave to your friend. Choose now."

Kari looked up. Was this…thing serious?

"Yes, quite serious. And I'm not a thing."

Kari jumped, a little started. How had she known?

"Read your mind, darling. A little trick I picked up. Now, I have no time for games. Choose now or I will choose for you. And I will choose to kill those close to you."

Kari shook her head. "No, I won't let you hurt them. You…you can have me," she hesitated on the word 'have.' After all, she was no object to be given.

Shaukaka smiled somewhat evilly. "Good, hold still."

Kari was about to ask why when Shaukaka swept down and cut the ropes on her wrists. She was forced to sit up and Shaukaka held her left wrist firmly. She looked curiously as a metal bracelet was slid on her wrist. It had a light blue jewel on it.

Shaukaka looked into her eyes with a glint in her own. Kari found herself hypnotized by those hollow eyes. She tensed as she felt the bracelet become snug against her skin.

"Relax," Shaukaka hissed.

Kari looked down in surprise as the gem began to glow. Then, slowly, it began to heat. She tried to twist her wrist out of Shaukaka's clawed hand as it began to get uncomfortably hot.

"I said relax!" Shaukaka snapped.

Kari didn't listen. All she cared about was the searing pain that was surrounding her wrist. Then it engulfed her arm. And finally her entire body was overcome. She cried out and squirmed as her body felt like it was literally on fire. She tried to pry the bracelet off.

Shaukaka scowled and pinned her on her back so that she could barely move. For the next few minutes Kari squirmed and let tears roll down her cheeks as the pain continued. Then suddenly, it died down. Shaukaka released her and she lay, panting slightly.

Now, for the finishing touch. With that thought she pulled out a collar exactly like the one Isan had given TK. She fastened it around the girl's neck.

"What's this?" Kari asked quietly.

"A slave collar," was the simple reply. "So I can keep a leash on you during your training." She gave Kari a malicious toothed smile.

"Training?"

"My Lord Isan has instructed me to coax out your power's full potential, just as he will do for Takeru. We will start tomorrow. Oh, and from now on you will refer to me as 'mistress' and nothing else. You have not the privilege to use my name. Understand?"

Kari nodded.

Skaukaka let out a displeased growl.

Kari sighed. "Yes, mistress."

"Good girl," Shaukaka praised condescendingly. She turned to leave.

"Um..mistress?" Kari called out quietly.

"What?" Shaukaka snapped.

"This bracelet, what is it? Why did it hurt?"

"It belonged to EvenBreeze, who, as I already told you, is your true mother. It is her blood that runs through your veins at any rate, not that Earth woman's blood," she spat the word 'Earth'. "Because it was bonded to her, it will only accept those of her blood. Anyone else who tries to wear it will be killed. Because you are EvenBreeze's kin, it bonded to you. As for why it was painful, that's just how it is. I should warn you, try to remove it, and you will die."

'Die?' Kari wondered. 'Just what kind of bracelet is this?'

"Enough questions," Shaukaka said, irritated. "You'd best get some sleep, pet, I'll begin your training at dawn and I can assure you, you won't like it one bit."

Kari sighed and sat in the dark after her 'mistress' left. It seemed that, for the time being, she could do nothing but obey the evil woman. It was going to be a long while.

/o-o/

Some time the next morning, TK wasn't sure exactly when, Isan came back. The great creature slithered into the room, chain in hand. TK wondered what it was for. He didn't have to wonder for long.

Isan leaned down and locked the chain onto the ring on the front of TK's collar. Holding the other end, Isan turned back towards the door.

"Come pet," he ordered, jerking the chain slightly.

'How dare he call me 'pet' and put me on a leash!' TK fumed as he followed his 'master' down the hall. The windows showed that it was still dark, so TK figured it was probably a little before dawn.

He followed Isan closely, trying to memorize ways out, incase he ever got the chance to escape without risking his family and friends. Speaking of friends, was Kari here too? He thought he had heard one of the night guards say something about another girl from a strange world, but he hadn't seen her yet. Maybe he could ask Isan. He looked at the large creature. Maybe not.

Isan turned his head. "What is it?" he asked, irritated.

"I didn't say anything. Master," TK replied, just barely remembering to add the 'master.'

"You wanted to ask me something, what is it? Hurry before I lose my patience."

"I-I was just wondering…if my friend…Kari, was here too?"

"Yes, the other Guardian is here as well. My Queen will train her. Now, you will ask me no more questions, understand? I graciously allowed you to this time, but I won't be so lenient the next time."

"Yes master," TK mumbled, as they continued their walk down the hall.

A few minutes later, Isan stopped in front of a door. He opened it and pulled TK inside. TK looked around curiously.

The room had a cathedral ceiling, and was made completely of pine wood. There was a small room off to the side through a door. TK saw that there were a few boxes inside.

The main room had a long thin table to one side which had many liquids and powders on it. There was a raised stone platform in the center of the room. Light shone onto the platform from a hole in the ceiling. There were a few more chests along the left wall, all locked. Other than that, the room was pretty plain.

Isan turned to TK and removed the chain. "It's time to awaken your other power," he said. "But first, we must prepare you."

TK watched him go into the small room, and wondered what he meant. Isan rummaged through one of the trunks for a few seconds. Then he slithered back to TK.

He handed TK a pile of clothes. "Go into that room. Discard your old clothes and put these on. Wear nothing that isn't here. Nothing. Understand?"

"Yes master," TK replied, heading for the room. He closed the door a little, but not much because Isan wouldn't allow it.

He spread out the clothes and looked at them. There were black boxers, a black sleeveless shirt with a black sleeveless vest to go over it, black pants with a black belt, and black fingerless gloves. He removed all of his own clothes and quickly put these new ones on. Everything fit tightly, almost uncomfortably so. He walked back out to Isan, barefoot.

"Good," Isan said shortly, refastening the chain to TK's collar. "Now, come." He roughly yanked the chain.

TK followed warily, not sure about what was going on. He was led up onto the stone platform. He saw that there was a metal ring near the middle. Isan led him towards it and forced him down on his knees. The free end of the chain was fastened to the ring.

TK got increasingly nervous as Isan slithered out of his sight. The creature returned shortly with an odd looking rope. It was thick and rough, like regular rope, but it was bright unnatural silver. Isan slithered over with lightning speed and pinned TK's hands behind his back. They were tied tightly together from elbow to wrist.

TK was really scared now. Isan was free to do what he wanted to the boy, and he couldn't do anything to protect himself. Isan went over to the table that was covered with liquids and powders. TK watched fearfully as the creature mixed some of the liquids together in a small cup. Then, a few powders were dissolved in the cup too causing a little smoke to rise.

Isan turned after a few minutes and slithered towards TK, cup in hand. TK tried to shrink away, but the chain prevented him from moving very far.

Isan shook his head in rebuke and backhanded the boy. "Don't try to get away from your master. You do whatever I wish. And you do it with complete obedience. Now, drink this," he ordered, holding the cup to TK's lips.

TK didn't drink, or even open his mouth. He was too scared to move. Who knew what was in that drink? Whatever it was, he knew it wouldn't be anything good.

Isan growled. He reached his other hand down and grabbed TK's chin, forcefully opening the boy's mouth.

"I said drink!" he growled, pushing TK's head back and pouring the concoction into his mouth.

TK choked on the sudden amount of liquid, and tried to pull away. Isan just tightened his hold on the boy's chin however. The taste of the liquid made TK gag. It was so bitter and thick. But, he had no choice except to swallow it. Isan made it clear that he wasn't going to let TK have a breath of air until the drink was gone.

About fifteen seconds of gagging and choking later, TK had finished whatever mixture Isan had made. Isan released TK, and the boy gasped in some air. He looked up at Isan, who didn't look happy.

"You shouldn't have disobeyed," Isan warned, "Now I might not be in the mood to dull the pain of this process. But, do not be mad at me when you are writhing in torment, it is your own fault."

TK resisted the urge to tell Isan off. From what the creature had said, he was already going to be in a lot of pain, there was no point in making it worse.

Isan slithered behind TK, resting comfortably on his tail about a head and a half taller than the bound boy. He placed his clawed fingertips on the boy's temples and began to move them in a circular motion.

TK froze, what the hell was going on? He did not like this one bit! It was just too weird. Oh, how he wanted to go home. He'd give anything to be eating breakfast with Matt and his dad right now, like he was supposed to be.

He was pulled out of his homesick thoughts as Isan began chanting softly.

"Atrum creatura, audio mei advoco." (Dark creature, hear my call.)

Isan rubbed TK's temples more vigorously. as he continued.

"Exito hic parvulus' penitus auctoritas." (Wake this child's inner powers.)

TK tried to pull away from Isan's hold. Isan's claws were now cutting into his skin.

"Addo sicco hic puellus' fidelis potentia." (Bring out this boy's true potential.)

Deeper and deeper the claws cut. Isan didn't seem to notice TK's small whimpers of discomfort.

"Itaque qui infit facere appono caligo!" (So that he can serve the darkness!)

As Isan's voice rose with this last statement, the white light that had been shining on the platform turned black. However, the rest of the room was still lit.

TK got a strange feeling throughout his body. It was difficult to explain. It was like an energy rising from deep inside him. It kept getting more and more powerful. Too powerful.

TK squirmed and cried out as the energy surge reached its peak, engulfing his entire body. It was painful, to say the least. It was similar to when the stone had bonded with him, only about five times worse.

He struggled against the ropes binding his arms, but only succeeded in making them cut deep into his flesh. He tried desperately to get away, but both the chain and Isan kept him from getting too far. He screamed again as the energy hit another peak.

He squeezed his eyes shut, hoping that he would find that this was just a horrible dream. But, it continued. Suddenly, a strange jolt ran through him. He forced his eyes open and saw, unbelievingly, that he was glowing. A dark purple/black aura surrounded him.

It flashed and glowed brighter, sending another jolt of pain through his body. But this one was less intense than the one before. Over the next few minutes the aura grew, but the pain decreased. Then, without warning, the aura flashed one last time before being absorbed back into TK.

TK sat, panting slightly, as he tried to make some sense of what had happened. He couldn't think of any explanation.

Behind him, Isan chuckled darkly. "Success! Your power has been awoken. Now, let your training begin!"

TK grimaced as he was untied and led, via chain, towards a courtyard. He had a feeling he wasn't going to like this 'training' any more than he had liked this ritual.

/o-o/

"Concentrate!" Isan snapped, smacking the boy hard. "How do you expect your powers to grow if you don't concentrate fully?"

TK ignored his throbbing cheek and looked up at the creature. "I-I'm sorry master, I'm trying. Really, I am." He bowed his head in apology.

"Try harder," Isan growled.

TK nodded and silently tried to focus. It had been like this for the three weeks since his 'other power' had been awoken.. Isan would wake him before dawn and begin to work with him. The day started with exercise; running and lifting mostly. Then he would be trained in advanced hand-to-hand combat. His spar partner was always a Garian, which made it that much harder.

Garian's were forest people; quick, agile, and strong. A fighter's worst nightmare. Unless, of course, they were on your side. Most Garian's were dark haired and dark eyed with olive skin. This helped them camouflage with the trees. Very difficult opponents.

After combat training he would spend the rest of the day learning to control his hereditary powers. He still didn't understand them, and was continually amazed at what he could do.

With Isan's help, he learned to fine tune his ability to sense evil until he was able to sense anything with dark thoughts for nearly a mile around. It was like a heat-sensing radar inside his head, only it tracked Darkness instead of heat. Judging by how much Darkness was sensed, he could tell what a creature was. If he concentrated enough, he could tell it's exact position, including which way it was facing. He also learned to control the 'awoken powers' that the damned ritual had brought forth.

That meant that he could create and destroy pure darkness. A very powerful thing, pure darkness. More potent than the latest laser gun and much more deadly. However, just as it was dangerous to others, it was dangerous to TK.

Using it required him to tap into his life force energies. Using too much could prove fatal. He had to be completely aware of his limit. But, Isan was pushing his limit every day. TK would become physically exhausted from doing as much as he believed he safely could, and Isan would force him to do more until he collapsed. The monster seemed to have no remorse for the pain it caused the boy.

But, TK had to grudgingly admit, he was getting much stronger every time he was trained. While Isan's methods were cruel and oftentimes abusive, they got the job done.

He closed his eyes to find his center. Usually, using his powers didn't require this much concentration, but he was trying to perfect a new technique today. How to control the balls of pure dark energy once formed. So far, he could aim them at something, but couldn't control exactly where they hit, when they hit, or how hard they hit.

Tapping into his energy, he formed a perfect black sphere above his right palm. The energy tried to escape and pull away, but he mentally tightened his hold and wouldn't let it. He waited for the word from Isan.

"Try it again. Now."

TK nodded and released the energy, aiming it towards a clay pot in the garden that Isan had set up as a target. As it drew closer, TK tried to retain his mental hold on it. As he tried harder, the stone on his arm began to glow dimly.

When the energy was within a foot or so of the pot, TK tried to force it to change its course. The stone glowed slightly brighter, and it worked. The ball of energy veered to the right, missing the pot by inches.

"Good! Good!" Isan said excitedly. "Now, maneuver it around the course."

TK didn't take his eyes from the energy ball, but nodded slightly. Having tried this so many times, he knew where all the obstacles were. With little difficulty he wove the energy ball around each one in turn.

"Now, call it back to you."

TK obeyed and beckoned it towards him. It came with alarming speed, but he easily caught it in his left hand. Closing his hand, he absorbed the power again.

"Very good pet," Isan said, patting the boy on the head with a large clawed hand. TK inwardly cringed. He hated being treated like an animal for Isan's entertainment. "Now, do that ten more times, and I will let you rest early tonight."

TK's eyes widened slightly in surprise. Isan hadn't given him a break ever in the three weeks that he had been prisoner. Not that he was complaining now. He was exhausted. It took him only five minutes to complete the ten trials, each one slightly better and more controlled than the last.

After the tenth trial, Isan unlocked TK's 'leash' from the pole next to him. He had it put on the boy every time he left his cell as both a means of keeping him in line, and humiliating him. It worked well on both accounts.

Isan whistled and a small muscular pixie-type creature appeared. Isan handed the leash to it.

"Take him back to his cell and let him 'recharge'. I have other things to attend to."

"Yes master," the pixie replied, gripping the chain.

It glared at the boy as it flew ahead, leading him back. Ever since this new 'toy' had come along, the master paid him no mind. Before, the pixie had always been the master's favorite. Now he was nothing more than an errand boy. Jerking the chain roughly, the pixie flew faster.

TK stumbled a bit when the chain was jerked and glared at the offending pixie. That annoying creature had hated him since he first saw it. The feeling had quickly become mutual. He had to quicken his pace as the creature flew faster. They walked through the familiar corridors and soon were in front of TK's room.

The pixie opened the door and forced him inside. It turned to leave when TK stopped it.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" he asked sarcastically.

The pixie turned and glared. He saw TK pointing to the chain still attached to his collar.

The pixie sneered. "Give me a good reason why I shouldn't just leave it?"

"Because," TK answered matter-of-factly, "if you do the master will be even madder at you. You're already out of his favor, do you really want to make it worse?"

The pixie growled as he unfastened the chain. "I thought pets were supposed to be seen and not heard."

TK growled right back. "I'm no pet!" he ground out.

The pixie smirked, knowing he had hit a soft spot. "Could have fooled me," he replied tartly as he left, locking the door behind him.

TK silently swore at the damn little creature. Just because he was treated like a pet didn't mean he was one. He only obeyed Isan to protect his family. He closed his eyes as he settled himself in the darkest corner of the room.

He relaxed a bit as the stone glowed and filled his body with a pleasant feeling. It was pure darkness, but of the good variety. It refreshed him, replenished his health. It made it so he only needed to eat about twice a month or so. Useful, should lack of food ever be a problem. The only requirement the stone needed to perform this was shadow. Which, luckily, was never in short supply. It was one of the more practical things Isan had taught him.

He sighed. Forget the stupid pixie, he could always get back at him later. Right now, he was just going to enjoy his rest.

/o-o/

Isan smirked slightly as he watched his pet being led away by the pixie. The boy was becoming more obedient every day. Stronger too. It wouldn't be long before he could be used to take over Hiata. But, they didn't need just him. They needed his friend, and the other two Guardians as well. And they all needed to be broken.

However, his plan was still moving along with very few bumps in the road. Just a few days ago, the other two Guardians had been captured and brought here. They were being held in the basement dungeon until their spirits were broken and they became submissive to Isan's wishes. That only left the problem of the other Guardian. Hikari.

Isan slithered slowly to the other side of the fortress. He had made sure that Takeru and Hikari had not seen or come in contact with each other since they had been brought here. They might get an idea to rebel if they were together. His sensitive ears perked as he heard his Lady Shaukaka talking to the human girl.

"No, no girl! You are not focusing! An uncontrolled gust like that will only inconvenience your enemies, it won't even scratch them at all!"

"I'm trying!"

He heard a slap. "Don't talk back! Now, do it again! And do try to get it right, if it isn't too much trouble," Shaukaka said sarcastically.

Kari bit her tongue to keep from retorting. Oh, how she hated Shaukaka! Or, should she say, her mistress? It was so degrading to be treated like a possession. But, that's all she was to Shaukaka. A possession.

She concentrated on the target, a disk hanging from the branch of a tree. Calling upon the energy inside of her, she created a whirling mass of solid visible wind in the palm of her hand. Concentrating, she tried to aim it at the disk. Pretending the disk was Shaukaka's head seemed to work wonders on her aim.

She let the wind burst go, this time hitting the target dead on.

"About time you got it right," Shaukaka hmphed.

Kari grumbled something under her breath only to receive a hard slap from Shaukaka. She was sure she was going to get verbally punished too, and was surprised when she wasn't. She looked up and saw Shaukaka looking across the yard.

Curious, she looked too. Her eyes widened a little as she saw Isan. Isan slithered over quickly.

"My Lady," he greeted Shaukaka, "Let a pixie put your pet away, we have more pressing things to attend to."

Shaukaka nodded and summoned a pixie. Kari didn't mind being led away. The way Isan and Shaukaka were looking at each other made her want to gag. How could two creatures so horrible be capable of love of all things?

She saw Shaukaka glare at her and she mentally smacked herself. How could she have forgotten that Shaukaka could read minds? She was going to be punished later, that was for sure. She sighed as the pixie led her back into the large building.

Once Kari was gone, Isan turned to Shaukaka again. "How is her progress? Will we be able to use her come Autumn?"

Shaukaka frowned. "It is…hard to say. She is not trying, I think. I awoke her powers, the ability to tell a creature's weaknesses, not long after you awoke the boy's, but she seems to not have any intention of developing them. As for her wind powers that evolved on their own, she apparently finds it hard to control them."

Isan frowned too. "Will she be of any use to us?"

"Only if we can…motivate her. But, what of the boy? His progress?"

Isan smiled a crude smile. "He enjoys the power, he is half demon after all. He has developed his ability to sense evil more than I thought he would, and he is becoming very good at controlling his dark energy. Given a bit more time, he might actually become a threat. But I will destroy him after his usefulness is over to ensure that that doesn't happen."

"We will have to destroy all of them," Shaukaka mused. "Almost a pity. Spending so much time on them, only to kill them."

Isan shrugged. "It must be done. If we don-"

He was cut off by a pixie flying up quickly. It dropped to its knees, head down, begging for forgiveness in advance.

"What is it?" Isan snapped, annoyed.

"Th-the other G-Guardians have esc-escaped my m-m-master," it stuttered.

"WHAT!" both Isan and Shaukaka roared.

"You insolent bafoon!" Isan yelled, hitting the pixie and sending it flying. "Find them now or I'll have your head on a silver platter! Well, what are you waiting for!"

The pixie tripped over itself trying to get up and get away as quickly as possible. It was well aware that the only way it would survive was to find the two Guardians who had escaped. It flew through the corridors searching. It really didn't want to die that day. And certainly not by Lord Isan's hands. It shuddered at the thought.

/o-o/

TK tilted his head curiously as he heard a clatter in the hall. He stood up and walked closer to the door. Nothing eventful ever happened here. Might as well check it out, he could listen through the door.

He got within three feet of the door when it flew open, barely missing his face. He jumped back, startled. He saw a figure come in, but he couldn't see details. It turned to him.

"Please," a female voice panted out. "You…have to…help me. I…can't get…caught again…please…"

TK quickly put two and two together. This girl must be an escaped prisoner. If he helped her, he would be punished immensly. But if he didn't, he'd never be able to live with himself.

Making up his mind, he stepped forward and pushed her behind the door. "Stay there and be quiet," he hissed. He saw the girl nod. He quickly closed the door again. If they were lucky, no one would look in here. And if someone did, the girl would be hidden.

He went back to the opposite wall and sat down, closing his eyes, pretending like nothing had happened. Only seconds later, the door opened again. It was that hated pixie. TK stood up slowly, feigning confusion. The pixie turned on the lights and scanned the room.

Thinking fast, TK shielded his eyes. "You stupid pixie!" he yelled. "Turn off that light! You know I can't stand it!" It wasn't a complete lie. He was more sensitive to light because his power was over Darkness, but it wasn't enough to cause him pain or anything.

The pixie scowled down at him. "Shut up. I'm looking for a girl and a boy who got out. I'll turn out the light if you tell me where they are."

"Like I would know," TK retorted. "In case you haven't figured it out, I've been locked in this room for the past half hour. And besides, if someone had come in here, don't you think I'd be talking to them instead of wasting my time with you?"

The pixie growled. "Stupid human." It scanned the room again before turning off the light and leaving.

TK sighed in relief before looking over to where the girl was. He saw that she was still standing there, not moving.

"It's safe," he told her quietly. "You can come out now."

The figure shuffled a bit and suddenly a ball of light appeared. TK saw that the girl was holding it in her palm. She walked out calmly, looking him over.

"Thank you, whoever you are. I owe you my life. I am Katya, the Light Mage."

A/N: The action and adventure will pick up from here...hopefully