Note: My laptop died. So all my chapters are lost right now for The Nymph and The Prince and An Eventful Summer. So here is something to past my time with. No Beta.


The Oath Forge

Chapter One

The fallen Prince of Meridian had his doubts about the current unfolding events. While being freed from his cell was a welcomed change, one long overdue, that was far from enough to forgive the slithering creature before the prince.

Cedric was in his true form, with the spider, Miranda, on his right shoulder. They had many fights over the last few years, yelling at each other from their respective cells, and making up after days of silence. They had somehow escaped a few months ago, puzzling the guards and Elyon's court. The Fire Guardian had arrived to read everyone's mind, even his, to search for clues, but no one saw or knew anything.

It was jarring, seeing the guardian, as she was older in her human form than he remembered. Hair long in many small braids and her form shapely. More time had passed in his imprisonment than he realized. As he had not even seen Elyon in many moons as well. Phobos was just a forgotten memory, wasting away in a stone cell laced with wards and spells.

So, it was a real shock for the two escapists to return for him at all.

To his astonishment, they had both focused their magic to recreate the forms he had punished them with years ago. And, using tools made from Cedric's hard scales and Miranda's spider silk, had gained their freedom. Gaining his freedom, though, was less sneaky, as his powers were bound as long as he was in Elyon's castle.

They had managed to completely free him before the alarm was sound, and they had pursuers. The prince's liberation was timed well with Elyon's absence. Miranda had set up plenty of traps on their escape route, trapping most of the guards, with Cedric knocking aside any that dared get in the serpent's path.

They traveled down and into crumbling tunnels and dilapidated sewer systems. Before the prince could complain of the surroundings, the two in front of him walked into a false wall, magic flickering as they passed through. He followed, as anything was an improvement, and was rewarded with the white walls of the Infinite City, lit by green flames. Now, outside Elyon's domain, magic turned in him, burning his blood, pricking his skin, flooding his body.

His power returned.

Phobos snapped his fingers, the rags he wore stretched and soften, flowing around him in a simple, but proper, black robe, with a dipping collar showing the symbols of power at his neck. His hair, kept short, grew. Strands finer than Miranda's silk and near as white as the surrounding walls. His tattered shoes became fine slippers.

"Better," he mused as the snake and spider approached him, taking human forms.

While they didn't wear the tattered clothes they escaped in months ago, what they did wear was barely an improvement and was, frankly, an insult for him to be seen with or to grace the City.

He snapped again and they flinched, only to look in shock as they both now wore clothes similar to their preferred looks from years ago, hair and skin immaculate.

"Also better," Phobos said. "Now, tell me, why free me?" he asked, staring at Cedric. The snake had enough sense to fall to his knees and bow. Miranda quickly followed.

"You are our Prince," he said, head low, arm across his chest.

"Oh?" Phobos mused, lifting a hand, electricity jumping between fingers. "I did not get the impression that meant much to you, Cedric, when you swallowed me on Kandrakar."

Cedric flinched but did not dare look him in the eyes as he said, voice pleading, "I have had years to wallow in my shame. I should have told you I had deduce the Keeper's plan. Ensuring your victory and rule. My weak nature led to all our imprisonments."

Phobos laughed, voice echoing in the grand halls, and released a blast at Cedric. He didn't move, only clenched his teeth and held in a scream. Miranda flinched but didn't move.

"You say such pitiful things, Cedric. Have you forgotten I was your master for years? You are not this groveling creature, belly up, declawed. Tell me, traitor, what you seek."

Cedric finally looked up, and Phobos smirked, seeing the fire in his eyes.

"I regret it," he said, voice rising. "We had suffered so many failures so fast after the return of the Guardians, I had become disillusioned. It was humiliating, being beaten by children, day after day. I had wanted them to crumble before me, to rule like you once had."

"Tsk, tsk," Phobos admonished. "And this is all you accomplished. Yet, you have not answered; why did you free me? Because you are now living a brief life. Minutes long, in fact. Both of you."

Cedric shifted, glancing at Miranda, who stole a glance back at him.

"I seek forgiveness. We can not live a safe life in Elyon's kingdom. Only in yours can those like us ever be seen as more than monsters. I do not seek a place in your court, only to return you to the throne, as there are those still loyal to you in high places."

Phobos folded his arms. "You take me for a fool? To ever have you at my back again? Either of you?"

Cedric shook his head. "No, that is why we have come here, for me to prove my bonds of fidelity."

Miranda finally spoke up as she said with excitement, "We have found the Oath Forge, long lost in the Infinite City."

Cedric held his gaze, firmly saying, "You will see my words are true, my lord."

Phobos pondered, hand on chin, pacing, before nodding. "Very well. Any sign of deceit and I will wear you by nightfall."

He nodded, standing, reaching a hand out to help his lover from the ground, and they led the way to the Oath Forage.

After years of listening to the two exchange both flowery words and heated squabbles, having them quietly walk next to each other, hands entwined, was a slightly more tolerable experience.

Slightly.

Phobos, not trusting the creatures before him, memorized the way to the exit in case a trap awaited him. But they were true to their word and led him down impossibly wide corridors until they passed another false wall into a vast chamber. It had a small viewing pool in the center, with a single marble bench circling it. The room was lit with the same enchanted flames that lit the city, letting them see the large double doors at the far in. It was high enough that Cedric could pass through in his true form. The door was plain other than an inscription written in the old language.

At the door, he read it to himself.

'Speak the oath to forge the bonds. Weave the loyalty between. Enter and emerge only when the strings of fate bind thee both anew.'

Phobos narrowed his eyes.

"This is magic based on spoken word. It will be fickle. Too vague and the spell with interpret other meanings. To detailed and we maybe trapped, never able to adhere to the conditions. I will decide the language used," Phobos informed his ex-general, who nodded.

"I would expect nothing less, my lord," Cedric said, looking warily at the door.

Phobos thought for a while, not wanting to be trapped in some magic chamber with Cedric while trying to reinstate his strongest follower at his side. While Phobos was ready to kill Cedric for his actions, he couldn't deny that they were clever. And that was the other issue. Too vague, and Cedric could fake his way through the trials.

Yet, none of that mattered, as a blast of wind knocked the three into the door. Cedric snarled, panic visible, and wasted no time in changing forms. Miranda looked shaken, the short woman pale and still. Once she caught his gaze, she nodded, changing forms and joining Cedric in his defense. They were here to prove themselves to him, after all.

"Phobos!" a familiar voice yelled, a young woman floating in the room.

He was right. More time had passed than he realized. The queen before him was a woman, not a girl. Near his height, wearing a crown of gold and a form fitting teal dress. A long white cape dragging from her shoulders, with blond hair billowing around her. Her eyes glowed with yellow magic, hands in a fist as she marched at him.

"Elyon," he calmly replied. "Good to see you, dear sister."

Next to her stood a woman with short red hair that fell wildly into her face, revealing only one deep dark eye. She wore a skintight bodysuit and dark boots, with finger-less gloves and sleeves that trailed long at the crook of her elbows. Huge iridescent wings curled at her back. While he vaguely recalled her, the pink jewel at her neck confirmed her.

"Keeper," he spat, far less pleasant. It was his vow to her that caused his downfall.

She narrowed her eyes at him, hands shifting into claws, static dancing between her fingers. "Aw," she cooed, voice thick with fake excitement. "You remember me? After all this time? I'm flattered." She smiled, eyes flashing with exhilaration as she hunched her shoulder slightly. "Let me catch you up on a few things." And she charged at him.

The other four guardians were there as well, so there wasn't much of a chance that they would prevail. So Phobos determined himself by settling things with the Keeper.

Only she was quicker than before, body freely changing from a solid mass to buzzing electricity, and she dodged each of his own electric strikes. He managed a hit in, learning the patterns of her movements, and she blocked it with a cross of her arms and a pink shield.

She smirked as she closed in on him again. "Quick learner, as always," she said, body flickering out of view, static electricity pulsing through the room, spreading in a wide arc that made the others jump away. Making him unable to tell where she would reform.

"But I'm quicker," the Keeper gloated, floating before him, hair free from her face, both deep brown eyes flashing with magic, wings spread like a bat swooping into hell. Her hand gripped his robe and she shoved him fully against the door, picking him up off the ground. He gripped her arm, releasing a wave of magic into her. She ground her teeth, hair on ends and wings shaking, but she bared it, keeping her hold on him, electricity jumping between them.

"Why look at that," she mocked, knowing she was victorious with little effort. "What I always wanted; sparks flying between us."

Phobos paled.

A vague, sardonic request; but one none-the-less.

What eternal pit of magic awaited them?

"You fool!" he snapped as a magic pulse shook the room. The Keeper frowned, eyes now on the door behind him.

The door glowing with blue magic.

"What?" was all she managed as the door disappeared, startling her, causing her to yelp. As she was still pressing them against it, they fell into the void, the Keeper falling into him, the door sealing them in.


The doors reappeared too fast for the other Guardians to act. Hay-Lin reached the door first, her small fist banging on it, long hair billowing after her. Taranee was next. Only hers covered in flames, leaving streaks of embers with each hit.

"Stand back!" Cornelia yelled, hands slapping together, palm to palm. The other two jumped out the way as the doors glowed green, using both her powers over Earth and telekinesis to try and force it open. Irma pulled the water from the center pool, creating a battering ram. It rapidly hit the door, her whole body moving with each strike.

Elyon turned to the two trapped in a clear sphere. They both wore a similar expression of uneasiness. They were both so much older than the queen remembered. Where Phobos still was young, the years had worn on them in prison. Fine lines on their faces, sunken cheeks, tired eyes. Cedric was thin, looking gangling with his height. Miranda looked a little fuller around her edges, skin flushed. While she was still short in stature, she now visibly looked Cedric's age, with no room for doubt.

"How do we open those doors!" Elyon demanded.

There was a flash of light, and the four guardians stood in their human forms.

In a panic, Irma and Taranee rushed over, banging with their fist, as Hay-Lin hovered back, worry now overtaking her.

"Will!" Irma and Taranee called, fist pounding, voices urgent.

Cornelia looked around, heart pounding, before rushing to join the other blond, pointing at the two fugitives. "Tell us what your plan is!" she demanded, Elyon reaching out and stopping the advancing earth master. "Why can't we open it?"

The three at the door gave up, running to join the others. They were all frightened, yelling over each other for answers. For a solution to open the doors. While Will was far stronger than Phobos, that was with access to the Heart. If it disconnected from them, did it disconnect from her?

"Shut up!" Miranda snapped, dark eyes heated as she scanned them. "You ruin everything! Is nothing beyond your interference?"

"Miranda," Cedric chided. He didn't want her to say more than necessary. They were so close to forging a safe life in Phobos' shadow. They didn't expect Phobos to take over Meridian, not after months in Metamoor, now able to understand the extent of Elyon's powers as the true ruler. No, they expected him to use his powers to create a safe haven, spending years plotting and mulling, trying to grow strong enough to overthrow his sister. And the years would pass, with them hidden alongside him, able to live a life of their own for once. And by the time he would have been able to make a move they would have been old and gray, useless to him and his schemes.

"Ruin?" Taranee questioned, mind digging into Miranda's.

Miranda hissed, knowing that feeling of one looking in her mind, and brought up her defenses best she could.

"Ah, there, it's something about the room," Taranee said. It was harder without her full powers. "There! On the door! There is an inscription!"

They all rushed over, Elyon dragging the trapped two along. They reached the door and now noticed what they missed in their panic.

"Ellie!" Cornelia waved the queen forward. "Can you read this?"

Elyon walked forward, hands tracing the etched words. "No, I don't know enough of the old language. Galgheita knows more. I can go get her."

"Can you make out anything?" Irma asked, tracing the words like they could make sense at any moment.

"Something about rebirth? And bonds? I'm sorry, I just can't read it."

"We don't have time for Galgheita," Cornelia turned to Taranee. "Can't you get in their heads?"

"No," she admitted, fingers digging into her palms. "They're too used to magic. I need my guardian form."

Elyon turned to the pair, shoulder back, hand raised. "Tell me now how to open the door."

Miranda sneered at her old playmate. The indignity she suffered under Phobos, forced to play a child in his court. Breaking him out was Cedric's idea. Honestly, all his plans involved the damn useless prince. They were doing fine without the power crazed fool. They had escaped without him. Survived without him, hiding in the slums, stealing and begging. Only they one had too many close calls and they needed a safer place. A stable place. She hated the idea of Cedric binding himself to Phobos in any form. But he was determined and foolhardy.

Only a new plan now came to her.

"We will tell you," she said, Cedric gripping her shoulder tight. "But only for a full pardon and passage to Earth."

They both knew Earth. The culture and layout. They would thrive there, with their shape-shifting powers. And Phobos never sought Earth, as it had such a weak magic Heart.

"What?" Elyon demanded, shocked. Only Hay-Lin spoke up.

"Do it!" she said, the others looking at her. "I can feel the desperation in them. The fear. They just want to leave! Even when we first arrived, they didn't want to fight us. We can monitor them on Earth! I promise!"

Irma nodded. "Yeah! I second that. His old book shop is empty. I'm pretty sure he owns that deed. We all have family still in Heatherfield, we fly by like every day! Just do it! We don't have time for this."

Elyon was thrown, not used to anyone telling her what to do. "They are two of the four most wanted criminals in my kingdom. On my planet! I can't just… just let them go!"

"Elyon," Taranee said, voice calm. "Either you pardon them or we get Galgheita. One of those is going to take a hell of a lot longer."

"Ellie," Cornelia said as she placed a hand on her shoulder.

Elyon closed her eyes and nodded, not enjoying freeing the two people who earned her trust and friendship, only to lure her into her brother's grasp. "Fine," she said, staring at the two. "I will pardon both of you and give you passage to Earth. I will arrange it with Lillian. She will be your new queen. Show her the respect you never showed me." She waved a hand and the bubble faded, freeing them.

Cedric nodded and asked, "Have you learned of the Oath Forge?"

Elyon froze, growing pale as she looked at the door. She looked back at the empty pool in the center. "That's a viewing pool! Irma! Gather the water back! Hurry!"

Irma gathered the water at their feet and refilled the pool at the center.

"Did anyone hear what Will or Phobos said?" Elyon questioned, rushing to the water's edge, pool nearly full. They all said they were too far away.

"What's an Oath Forge?" Taranee asked, all joining them except the two newly pardon war criminals.

"Stay here!" Elyon ordered. "For all we know you are lying."

Miranda scoffed. "Look at this place. You know its old and cursed, like all things magic."

"Ellie, what's an Oath Forge?" Cornelia repeated at her side.

"It's said to bring people to understand each other. To create bonds when none are possible. They used it in everything from ending wars to preparing arranged marriages. I don't know the extent of the magic or what… bonds it is trying to forge. We need Galgheita after all. We need an absolute direct translation to counter its magic."

Taranee turned to Cedric. "Did Phobos translate it?"

He nodded. "Yes, but only to himself. He does not share knowledge such as that. He said wording the request was of the upmost importance."

The pool was glowing, a fine mist rose, chilling the ground, and the image of two people appeared and sharpened until they were clear.

Will was no longer in Guardian form, dressed in black leggings, jean shorts, and a deep green tee. Her short hair was in a neat style around her face, and she unnecessarily pushed it back more from habit than a need.

Phobos was dressed the same, arms folded, as they stood in what looked like a hall of mirrors.

They were arguing, talking over the other, pointing and gesturing with their hands. There was a ripple and Will became audible as she yelled, poking a finger into the slightly taller man's chest.

"Trust you? Did your brain rot in that cell?"

Phobos backed away from her touch, face twisted in fury. "You invoked the magic here, Keeper! You chose the words that bind us. You said it has to do with trust, so that is what we must do!"

Will's eyes grew wide, face turning red. "No! Absolutely not! Just blast a hole in the… the," she stopped, looking around in confusion. "Where are we? Weren't we in an empty room? Why is this a fun-house? Oh, god, are there killer clowns here?"

Phobos glared at her. "Stop your incessant blabbering!"

Will glared right back. "Stop your bitching!"

"You disrespectful wench!" he yelled, looking near purple in his frustration.

"I'm sorry, oh great and powerful Prince Phobos, whose amazing plan has backfired again," she said, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms as she turned slightly away from him. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

"You are such a pathetic excuse for a Keeper! Do you know nothing of enchantments? You bound an oath with as much thought as a passling in a library. And you blame me for your foolish actions?"

"Pathetic? Buddy, I just mopped the floor with you in ten seconds flat and you think I'm the pathetic one here? You've been free for half a damn day and we found you! Losing your touch, Phobos?"

"Yet, here you are, trapped in magic of your making. I never defeated myself."

Will turned to him, silent for a moment before simply saying, "Kandrakar."

Phobos looked ready to explode.

"It appears," Cedric said, peeking over to watch the two fight. "They may be in there for a very long while."