Hi guys long time no see. This chapter wasa real brat to write. No matter what i did it always did the opposite of what i wanted. Well...It's here now though im not sure of its claim to be here. Might have to be changed.

Disclaimer: I own the plot...i wish i owned Arkerian sadly this is not the case.

Reviewers:

Karakin: Thanx for the review. It's not as soon as i wanted and definately not as soon as you wanted but it is here. I hope you enjoy it! Read On!

Jen: Thanx for the review i'm glad you're enjoyin the chapter here is the next one. Read on!

Fluffyrachel:Thanx for the review. The books are amazing and its an honour to think that my writing sounds like MarianneCurley's. Wow. You mademy day (Blushes) i tired writing using present tense but it always falls into pasttense. I tired it but don't hate me if its not as you wanted it.I'll definately try for the next chapter. Thanx for the tip. Heres the next chapter i hope you enjoy it!


Angel Falls

Chapter Three: Arkerian

The tunnel is one of the ancient fortifications around the city of Veridan and even though the City fell this tunnel did not. The ancient magic that surrounds the City protects it and also allows the City to rebuild itself in the event of disaster.

We were members of the Named, we belonged in Veridan to guard it, keep it safe but the tunnel may still put us through the trials to allow us entrance.

Our intent will be clear, as will our origins but after Marcus' betrayal the City may make us endure the Trails. I had been through those before. When I first joined the guard.

I hoped that for Ethan and Isabel's sakes that this would not be the case. The trails were hard and could be taxing but I knew that if this was what was needed then Ethan and Isabel would pull through.

Both of them were proud to be Named and I knew the City would find them worthy.

I led the way down the tunnel using a "light me" spell above our heads. It was so dark. Darker than I remembered. And I found myself doubting the plan Matt and I had set out to restore Veridan to its former glory.

Suddenly the "light me" spell went out and we were left in complete darkness. I had known this would happen but I hadn't expected that it would happen so soon. "Remember," I called to Ethan and Isabel. "The City is testing you. You must conquer your demons. They are not real."

I never knew if they heard my warning because then I was plunged into a world of nightmare that was my own making.

I felt like I was falling forward and I was falling over and over into the dark and I had no way of sopping myself. Just when I thought it would never end I came to an abrupt end and staggered forwards my knees connecting with hard earth.

I winced at the pain and knew from the throbbing in my knees that I wasn't dreaming. I had entered my test.

I stood using the help of a wall I found by groping wildly around. It was so dark I couldn't see even a centimetre in front of me. I wondered if my test was to navigate my way to the City in the dark.

But I dismissed this as soon as I had thought on it because this was a personal battle I had to face and though I did not like the dark I did not fear it. People far what goes bump in the night, in the dark.

I know and I am one of the few that bump back. The dark is not something I fear. As if it was waiting for me to acknowledge this and then when it had my answer the whole of the place moved and I yelled more out of fear than out of shock.

It moved and I saw a rush of colour and I felt like I was hurtling through time and space I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth against the pressure.

Then when it seemed about to burst my skull then everything seemed to stop moving and I staggered with the release of pressure.

Thankfully I didn't loose my footing again.

I looked around at my surroundings. It was a bright summer day and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

I realised I wasn't in Angel Falls which was strange. Apart from the Critadel it was the only place I had ever lived.

So if I was in neither of these places where in the hell was I? I didn't understand if this was to be my test then shouldn't it be somewhere I knew? But then this was the City and nothing the City ever did was meant to make sense.

"What do you want of me?" I whispered. The City seemed to have been waiting for the question because then it moved again and I moved from a place with a sky so blue it blinded me to somewhere where only storm clouds ruled.

"This is not good." I whispered. I was well aware of the City's temper tantrums. I had lived with them for as long as I could remember and if the City was not happy that did not bode well for us.

"What do I have to do?" I asked unsure I even wanted an answer. For the longest time I didn't think I was even going to get an answer. Then a voice tickled in my head. You must choose your alliance.

I frowned I wanted to believe that it would be easy. But things in the City had never been easy and now the city did not want to believe its own. It had been betrayed by one of those sworn to protect it. Now it was testing each and every one of us.

I thought of Marcus and how we had believed in him. The City no longer trusted any of us and although it could not be helped my heart felt betrayed. The City was asking things of me that it must surely know the answer to already. Anger filled my heart and I knew it had to be done.

I am ready. I told the senses that engulfed my being as though they were waiting for an answer. Do what you will with me.

Very good.

Was all the City said in response. I wanted to spit that I was waiting but I knew better than to make this situation worse. I knew I was in way over my head I had no idea what was about to happen and I did not like it. I felt angry at the world in general had I not proved my alliance was to the Guard over and over a thousand times over. Was not all I had done enough?

Damn you Marcus! I cursed. Damn you to the very pits of Hell! I vaguely wondered how Ethan and Isabel where getting on I loved those two more than anything in my life and if the City did anything to them while in these tests I did not care that we were to protect it I would rip it apart with m bare hands.

The Guard could only stand and protect if we had each other and if the City ripped apart that then it would rip apart the very threads of the Guard and what it was.

I did not shield my rebellious thoughts and I felt the City touch my conscious again and it seemed amused at my almost suicidal protectiveness of Isabel and Ethan.

I loved them both. Ethan was one of the first charges I had been given and he had become one of the best in the Guard since it's beginning. He had given up almost everything he had for the Guard and never complained once. He believed he had done the right thing and even after Rochelle had been taken from him had come out the other side still believing in the good of the guard.

Matt and I had never been prouder.

Isabel. My one and only love. I'd do anything for her. I'd die for her if it meant she'd come to no more harm. She was brave and she was honest and I loved her with an abandon that I'd never let myself have before.

The City almost laughed and then said, we shall see. Before I could wonder what that could mean I was thrown forward again and the world around me burst into a million different colours.

I thought oh not this again! Can't you keep me in one place?

I felt myself moving unable to stop the fall I had to make I let myself fall. I hit the bottom with a soft thud that left me winded and I picked myself up. I wiped the tears that had fell on impact off my face and looked around.

My stomach hit the floor. I was in a place I had hoped I'd never see again. There were screams and cries and without a second glance from the direction I had been thrown in I ran towards the source of the cries.

It was a village on fire. A small village and unfortunately one I recognised. No! I thought panicking. Anything but this! Before I knew what I doing I was tearing towards the village like the demons of hell were chasing me. I knew this place better than I would have liked too. Too well in fact.

"No, No, No," I whispered wishing my eyes were telling lies. Why here? I yelled in my head speeding towards the town. The City gave no answer. How typical. The place was burning just like the last time I had seen it but I couldn't help but get trapped in the memory.

Screams echoed around my head and I instinctively headed for the house that was engulfed in flames. "Hannah!" I heard someone yell. Hannah had been my older sister. I looked around and then realised it had been me. I ran towards the flames choking on the smoke even before I had got right up close.

By now my old house wasn't the only the only house in flames. I knew now the Goddesses Dominions had started this long ago because she had felt one of the Named here. She had already test me and at the age of ten I proved I would never be of the Order.

I heard a scream from above and realised that she was still in the house. I went to dive into the flames when I realised she wasn't the only one trapped. I saw parents crying and realised I remembered that there had been a five children stuck in the blaze next door. I couldn't remember if they had got out.

In fact now, I couldn't remember whether this was the last time I had seen my sister. I couldn't remember what happened after the blaze only that soon after Lorian came for me and I went to The Guard.

I laughed bitterly. So this was my test. Here, facing my most horrific memory I was to test one of the most brutal theories. I remember Lorian once asking me if I were to walk into a burning building whom would I save: Hannah or five strangers.

I had told him not to be stupid it would be Hannah. Hannah had taken care of me after mother had died though I did not remember her. Now after all my time in the guard the City had decided to put my choice to the test.

I felt sick.

Here I had the power to save my sister's life easily. But after all my time in the Guard I had learned the value of the population at large. That was what the Guard had always fought for do not forget. Fought the Order to stop history changing and protecting the generations.

Now, here again I could do that but it would mean leaving my sister. And even now seeing her after so long I felt a fierce bond with her. Tears were in my eyes but I knew what my choice would have been.

I plunged into the house next door.

My tears keeping my eyes clear. I sent my sense out to feel presences and felt them in the attic huddled up. I chocked on the smoke it was so thick I fell to my knees and instantly the air felt better.

I coughed and my eyes were streaming stinging from the intensity of the smoke. I groped way in the dark burning my hands on the floor. I wanted to yell but all that came out was a choking cough that stole what little breath I had left.

I remember once I had told Ethan that I was really very mortal despite my gift of eternal youth. This is true. I could die in this fire but if that was to be so then I would make sure the sisters got out first.

I burnt my hands feeling for purchase. I found a set of steps and felt the blisters on my hands as I climbed. Then faintly I heard the cries of the children. "I'm coming!" I Yelled, or tired too. The smoke clawed at my throat and I wondered if my voice would ever be the same again.

I gradually made progress forcing myself onwards even though I wanted to do was go to sleep. My brain was fogging and every time I stopped I felt the overbearing need to go to sleep.

I forced myself onwards I refused to be beaten I would get these children out. The thought of my sister had my nearly blacking out with pain. I had chosen these strangers over her.

I plunged into the attic mindful that the house might collapse at any moment. "Help us." Came a voice. I started. It was my own.

I plunged into the attic and found my ten-year-old self over one of the children. My sister was calling out of one of the upstairs windows. "Don't do that!" I snapped. I ran over and closed the window. "You'll let my air in that way and the fire will get bigger." Their eyes were huge and I realised I must like a demon with wild violet eyes and charred blue hair.

I couldn't think about that now I had to get them out. If I knew the Order they'd be around here somewhere.

I looked around me and realised that there as seven kids caught in the attic. And I knew I had to get them out. The front door was a no go. I barely made it through before the flames leaped up around me.

I knew the only way we'd get out is if we went through the windows. I quickly assessed the damage Leon and Mercy were injured and I remembered that they would soon die. I swallowed a lump in my throat. I wanted to help them but after so many trips into the past I knew better than to change what was meant to be.

"Alice open the window darling." I rasped. She jumped and obeyed me looked at me with wide frightened eyes. "You told us to shut it!" My younger self rasped. "I know." I said gently "but it's the only way out." As if the fire was listening there was an explosion and I jumped to pull Hannah out of the way.

"It's ok I'm going to get you put of here." My throat felt like it would tear and I swallowed the pain.

"What about Mercy and Leon," I heard my younger self-say. "We'll get them out too but I'll need your help." They nodded. "Hannah sweetheart go first." "How do you know our names?" She demanded. "Because I've been sent to help you." I said easily.

"Are you an angel?" Alice asked. "I wouldn't go that far." I smiled. "David come on help me." I changed the subject. We headed to the window. And I looked out. The fire fighters were fighting the blaze next door.

I snarled to myself. Politics. More important than people's lives.

"What do we do?" my younger self asked. "You help me with Mercy and Leon. Alice and Luke will go first and then we'll get Leon and Mercy out somehow." "You won't leave them?" My younger self demanded.

"No. I won't leave them." The fire roared again and I yelled, "GET DOWN!" My throat protested and I thought I heard the muscles tear. I wondered if my throat would be the same again.

I heard a scream and looked round Hannah was now nursing a severe burn. Oh God. Was my existence ever going to be easy? "Jonah!" She called. My younger self turned. I ran to her. "It's ok brave heart." I whispered. Her eyes widened. That was what I had used to call her when we were small.

Her mouth formed my name and I smiled and nodded. She looked at my younger self and I nodded and whispered. "I've been sent to help you." I put my hand over the burns and took my hand away there was nothing there. She stared and grinned. Then I put my finger to my mouth and she smiled.

"Jonah!" I called. It felt so strange calling my own name. Calling myself. My younger self turned. "You'll need to help me with Mercy we've no time." Jonah picked Mercy up and handed her to me. "You climb down the pipes and we'll get her to help you." I turned to Mercy and whispered a healing spell in her ear.

She moaned and I whispered, "Mercy can you stand?" Her eyes flickered and she nodded, "I think so." I nodded at Jonah, it was easier to think of him as a child rather than the child I used to be.

Jonah began to climb out the window and I helped Mercy out whispering comforts in her ear as she moved and quietened her sobs, as she grew more frightened. She took a step out the window and slipped in her terror.

"It's ok darling." I whispered. "Go on!" She smiled and me and grasped Jonah's hand who was clinging to the wide ledge further down. Once he'd got her there he carefully climbed down guiding her. Seeing Mercy and Jonah it Alice and Luke followed using the same path.

David was still bent over Leon who I could feel was fading as quickly as the flames were rising. I bit back the pain. I bent down and said, "David." He looked up there was tears in his eyes. "We'll get him out."

"No." This was Leon's voice. "It's my time now. I can see my sister she's waiting for me." I closed my eyes. "David help me. Hannah go first sweetie. Hannah however didn't move she seemed to be frozen in fear. "Hannah." I moved to help her. "You can do this." I whispered.

"I can't." Tears were falling down her face. "Yes you can." I said firmly. "I will not leave you here. You hear me? You will not stay here!" I turned and helped David heave Leon up. He was a dead weight and I knew that soon he would succumb to his injuries. They were internal I could feel them. But that didn't mean he had to remain here.

The fire seemed to realise that its quarry was getting away. "SHIT!" I screamed. I threw myself over David and Leon who were closest and felt the fire burning me.

Hellhellhellhellhell

But damn that hurt I could feel the flames licking my skin and it wasn't a pleasant sensation. I heard a scream and looked up. Hannah was frozen in terror staring at the flames. "Hannah!" I yelled. "GET OUT!"

She seemed frozen in time and my heart seemed to freeze and I realised even after everything I'd done this was my true test. Save David and Leon, whose fate I could still change or that of my sister.

Why can't it be both? I screamed desperately.

I ducked again.

David coughed his eyes streaming. I collected Leon in my arms and headed to the window. Hannah screamed. "Hannah come to me!" I tried to yell but my throat closed up. I'd abused it too much for it to listen to me.

They say fire is silent but its not. It's like the demons of hell roaring and destroying everything in their path. Then I saw something that made my heart stop.

The Order. Or at least one of their agents. My eyes narrowed. He saw me and smiled. "Arkerian." "You will not touch them." I snarled. "And who are you to stop me?" He grinned. "Look at you Arkerian your dying and there will be nothing to stop me from killing you and the children. You will die knowing you couldn't stop me."

David grew rigid. "Take Leon." I screamed and pushed him towards the window. "Get Hannah and get out of here." I pushed them and ran at the agent. I knocked him to the ground.

He smiled and I realised my mistake. Adam was a Pyro. He controlled fire. It would never hurt him. In that second I realised what he was doing and my powers flared. I thought they had forgotten me. I had been forced to do everything without them but now facing the Order and knowing I was the only one that could save the children they reared and answered to me.

Thunderbolts blasted from my hands and I shot Adam into the wall and looked at David. He looked at me and then nodded pulling Hannah out the window out with him.

At that moment Adam tackled me to the floor and the fire roared and consumed us. I screamed and I knew he was going to die. I saw David scream. "GO!" I yelled.

I pushed Adam away and saw to my horror that Jonah had climbed back up the pipes to help. "Go!" I yelled both of you!" I turned and threw myself at Adam and we tumbled into the flames.

I saw Jonah, David and Leon disappear just before everything went black.