Thanks a lot for the previous reviews azngirlchibi, SpasticKitten901, and Chris's girl 14. Hope you like the new chapter. Sorry I hadn't updated sooner I lost the internet connection a few days ago and count post it.

Shadow Guardian

Chapter 8 The road to understanding

Rituals& fate…

Hikari stood silently as he watched the gods leave the room, all of them seemed to be lost in their own thoughts, none of them was eager to start the ritual but they all knew their was nothing else to be done. They had created the shadow realm for their selfish means and now the past has come back to hunt them.

He suddenly felt someone squeezing his shoulder gently, turning around he was surprised to see his brother looking worried. True they were all worried about the ritual it might not even succeed he wondered silently which was worse the success or the failure of the ritual in both cases a high price was to be paid.

Hikari you didn't say anything in the meeting, is something wrong. Mikotto looked worriedly at his brother even though he was used to see he wasn't use to see worry and a hint of fear in his eyes, and that far off look in his face he shuddered remebring the first time he saw the look on his brother face when they had collided in the hallway when Hikari was 6 years old. Not all things are what they seem Hikari answered sadly looking into his brother's eyes, the ritual will not be what we desire but sufficient for the time being.

Unlike the other gods Mikotto considered his brothers words carefully what do you mean Hikari the combined powers of the gods and our father directing the ritual the shadow realm will be sealed. Mikotto the shadow realm can not be destroyed. It's not possible what can be made can be undone he answered back trying to make his brother see reason.

With no more words he turned around and left the room. Mikotto stood silently as if stunned he knew that his brothers words would prove to be true, his brother had the gift to see further into the future then any of remaining gods, he knew it would probably be useless to tell their father what Mikotto had said the other gods would dismiss it, and as for his father they both knew that Hikari wasn't sided with them when it came to carrying out the ritual.

He silently remembered his brother reaction when their father had informed them on his plans to carry out the ritual.

Flashback

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Mikotto eyed his father carefully wondering what was this surprise meeting was all about, what was so important that their father couldn't wait to tell them in tomorrows meeting. He turned around and looked at his younger brother who was lost in his thoughts.

Once more his face was blank and held a distant look he couldn't push an away the nagging feeling that he knew something that he didn't wish anybody else to know. He was cut off from his thoughts when he heard his father's voice. 'You two are probably wondering why I had called for this meeting I wanted to ask you have you heard about the blood ritual.

Mikotto started to frown trying to remember he was sure he had heard about it before. Hikari looked at his father realizing where he was going with that question' father you couldn't believe that it's truly the answer'. He was surprised at his brother outburst his usual calm face was know full of anger have you thought about the consequences father the ritual if not controlled with care the director of the power would be destroyed.

His mind seemed to click when he heard the word director. He had read it somewhere many years age he suppressed a shudder not surprised why he had suppressed any memories he had about the ritual. It was a dark ritual that involved controlling the gods life energy all their powers were given by mixing their blood with the one chosen to direct the power to its purpose, this was done by mixing a drop of blood which held all the powers of the gods soul and mixed together to be drank by the director, he couldn't imagine any of the gods giving up their powers, their life source would be extinguished for a period of two years, that if the powers were directed carefully if any even the smallest mistake could lead to the total lose of all their powers.

He was surprised at his father for even thinking about it doesn't he realize the price what could happen if something went wrong the world would be thrown off balance and it would be the end of both their realm and the mortal realm. As if reading his older sons mind yes Mikotto I know the consequences well, but there is no other way, our worlds are slowly being destroyed the end would be the same if we don't do anything about it.

Hikari watched his father as he slowly calmed down he suspected that his father would probably use the ritual but it still shocked him to know that his suspicions were true. He knew it was their last resort but he had a nagging feeling that something was wrong the realm is too alive to powerful to be destroyed they may be able to imprison the shadow beast but the rest of the shadow realm would still survive and exists the energy of the souls that are now inhabiting the realm gave it more power and more awareness to its actions and surroundings.

It was now impossible to close off the realm if the powers were directed right they might be able to close off the shadow realm temporarily. He knew that the shadow realm would never be maintained for long it would eventually find a way to live and interact more with the mortal realm. He had a feeling that the shadow realm viewed the lost souls as her children that she would protect.

He himself had felt motherly concern when he had entered the shadow realm, he knew that it did not want the lost souls to suffer the way they were but their was nothing she could do the shadow beast fed off her powers leaving her with barely enough powers to maintain herself and the souls from leaving to the mortal realm for if any of the souls would cross back into the mortal realm it would be destroyed their soul now depended on the energies of the shadow realm to survive.

In a way he cared for the realm it had tried to protect him and even saved him from hiding him from the shadow beast passed by it had cared and healed him from the wounds he had received earlier fending off one of the shadow creatures attack. He wanted to help the realm survive, and get rid of the shadow beast. He didn't voice his concern nether to his brother nor his father he silently watch them discuss and argue the matter.

Mikotto watched his brother as he talked to their father they knew that Hikari wasn't going to voice anything about what he was thinking but they took his silence as a reluctant agreement. Their conversation was cut off as Hikari stood up and left once more loosing himself deeper into his thoughts.

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End of Flash back

Meanwhile on the other side of the castle Lily stood silently as she watched her husband look out from the balcony as his gaze fell on the realm of the dead. Anguish filled his soul once more as he looked sadly off, even the souls that were living in the realm of the dead safe from the shadows of the dark realm they emitted feelings of sorrow and anguish as they mourned for the lost souls each had lost a family member or a friend to the shadow realm.

She walked up too him and pulled him into a hug you did what you can beloved we have to continue to fight for the living. He sighed yes I know Lily but I can't stop the feeling that it's my fault. I should have tried harder im the leader and strongest among the gods, have been reduced to a helpless child. She pulled him closer burying her face in his chest she letting him become stronger from her presence she knew that no words comfort him no matter what she says, Ra is a leader and they always blame themselves if anything goes wrong even if it was impossible to do anything about it.

He heard a nock on the door to find Betsats waiting for him it is time she answered her voice deprived on any emotion. Even though she stood calmly in front of Ra on the inside she was shaken in fear, she still couldn't believe that she was doing this; they were leaving the world once more to face its fate on its own to be rebuilt from the ashes once more.

She did not regret taking part in the ritual she wanted to desperately to mend her mistakes even though what she did, to her was unforgivable she had allowed herself to be lost in the war for revenge and power and her hands were soaked with the blood of the innocent lives who were taken by the shadow realm.

For the first time since the begging of the wars she smiled, she felt as if a huge weight had left her shoulders for today she will pay off some of her debt to the lives that were destroyed with her help. Ra stood silently sensing Betsats inner conflict he knew that she blamed herself for what was happening but what's done is done they know have to move on they cant afford to mourn for what's has been lost any longer. He left his room determined to put an end to this all.

Hikari stood silently watching the gods preparing for the ritual he had refused to participate, and neither allow his brother to do so as well. What the others couldn't seem to understand the shadow realm is a living being that is essential to both our world and the world of the living.

The shadow realm, is a living being, but it know harbors the souls of half the mortal realm they are a part of it now they need it to survive. They can't simply destroy all those souls in a blink of an eye the only thing that this ritual would be cable of is to trap the shadow beast and giving them enough time for the next step.

He wouldn't allow his brother nor himself to waste their powers in a situation that doesn't need them their father was mistaken that the world can rebuilt itself on its own it had the powers but even some control is needed the gods powers would be used in the ritual but the residue of the power unleashed needs to be controlled or it would have disaster's outcomes.

As for him he knew that he was needed ales were this realm wasn't his home he never felt that he belonged here their was a feeling of longing, he had spent all his life trying to find answers, but know things were finally becoming more clear and he had finally discovered his true purpose. He wouldn't tell his father or his brother only after the ritual to make sure no one had the power to stop him.

He felt his brothers aurora as he came closer he noticed that his brothers powers had grown considerably over the years soon he would become one of the most powerful gods after Ra.He wanted time to talk to his mother he had to tell her and make her understand why he had selfishly refused to take part in the ritual and what was he planning to do.

He sighed as he suddenly felt the building of powers so it has begun he thought silently a begging to a new world, and an end to the life we once knew. He turned around he had no desire to see this his powers told him that the ritual world be successful in accomplishing the first step of his plan it was know his time to prepare for the second step.

His brother watched him leave, but made no move to stop him his brother had given him no reason to stop him from taking part in the ritual. He couldn't help worry, but he trusted his brother with his life; he knew the reason couldn't probably be to help him care for the god nor the mortal realm till the powers of the gods return.

He wouldn't need his powers to aid him; he was powerful and capable enough to deal with both the realm now that they weren't allowed to interfere with the mortal realm any longer. His brother cool stature, and blank face made him think that his brother knows the about the outcome of the ritual his eyes didn't give answers to what his brother was hiding. He turned to watch the ritual never forgetting his brother's words they had exchanged that morning.

To be continued…

Hope you liked the chapter, and if you have any comment on the grammar or any other aspect of the story please do I wouldn't mind even getting harsh reviews as they would help me improve over time. Thanks azngirlchibi for the review.Pleassssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssse! REVIEW