Chapter 9:
The group stared at her in awe. Slowly, the words began to sink in.
"What?" whispered Max, confusion in his voice.
"I come bearing a message of the stars, of a destiny sealed since the beginning of the universe. Please hear my cry," she repeated.
"We got that the first time, but who are you?" said Michael, not even confusion could dull his bluntness.
The girl smiled, and shook her head, as if she had just remembered something.
"I forgot that I didn't tell you," she answered.
"So why not tell us now?" replied Kyle.
"I am Ananda, the joy that without which the universe would cease to exist," she answered.
"Ananda, that's a pretty name," Maria said.
"It's the Sanskrit word for what I am. Though it is used as a name, and it is easier to say than the description," Ananda replied.
"We know your name, but that still doesn't tell us who you are," Liz asked respectively.
"I told you what I what I was, but perhaps I should word it more simply. I am a Guardian, the universe looks to my brother and myself for advice and counsel," Ananda stated.
"The universe? What planet are you from?" Tess asked.
"I'm not from a planet, nor was I born. I was created just before the universe was. I watch it and help in along. In a sense I am the universe,"
"Then how does the universe look to you for advice?" Max questioned.
"The beings of this universe look to us as sort of gods, in a sense. They know we are there, they just can't explain how. Occasionally, we do go corporeal,"
"You're a goddess?" Maria asked, disbelieving.
"In a sense yes, but at the same time no. It's complicated,"
"Why are you here?" asked Isabel.
"I am the Oracle and my brother is the Protector. My brother and I were separated and I have been trying to find him," Ananda answered.
"What does that have to do with us?" Michael asked.
Alex stood there, watching this conversation go back and forth between the gang and Ananda, all the while remaining quiet. Or rather, he watched Ananda. He couldn't help it, he felt drawn to her. As though something inside of her was calling to something in him, a part of himself he hadn't known to be there.
"I am here to retrieve my brother. He is here and I have finally found him," Ananda answered.
"Who is he? Do you need our help?" Liz asked.
"You all know who he is. In fact he is standing here right now," Ananda replied.
"Who?" was the group response.
She walked through the group towards Alex, her enchanting eyes fixed on him. She stretched out her arm in the same way a presenter would direct attention to an exhibit.
"Alex is my brother. Darrius, the Protector, he who upholds the good," she stated simply.
Hee hee! Aren't I evil? It's my second cliffhanger in a row. Just call me butter cause I'm on a roll.
Aren't you proud? This chapter is out so quickly!! Yippee! Things are really starting pick up, aren't they?
Man, I do seem to be using the word "aren't" a lot, don't I? LOL
Well, as usual, please review! Thank ya!