3

Still staring at the gigantic open sea, Darius felt a pang of remorse for the people in Zomera. He knew that Bayterin would lead an invasion through this city. He would burn down buildings, kill people, pillage houses, and last but not least demand that Beta would give him every allegiance to take over Zomera. And what of the people in Zomera? They are practically brainwashed, for they think that the invasion was a delusion, a mere trick.

Instead of following Luna into the city, Darius concentrated and closed his eyes. Feeling the rushing of wind surrounding him, he was lifted into the air and teleported to another dimension. Wispy air was distinguished every time he took a breath as the scene surrounded him.

"Darius." a faint voice said.

Standing up, Darius took in his surroundings. It was like he was in a blank canvas which contained no life, no colour, no emotion. Waiting for the question, Darius stood still wondering what was taking so long.

The distant voice spoke again, "Tell me, what does Beta need at this time?"

"Guidance." he said loudly.

The wispy clouds began to vanish as a circular room with no ceiling began to take shape. There was a high stand in front of an immense scenic painting against one of the walls. From behind the stand, figures gracefully ascended into seats. In the highest stand sat a man with silver robes. His soft brown eyes observed Darius. Below him was a tall woman with gentle red hair. Her pale face reminded Darius of Beta's. And next to her sat another man: tall, proud, and strong.

And high above in tiered seats sat many guardians overlooking this event. All of them wearing distinguished coloured cloaks. Some of the cloaks set many apart from others. Loud talking and chittering echoed throughout the room, "SILENCE." said the man sitting in the top stand.

All remained silent as the red headed woman began to speak, "Darius, the Guardian of Maiden Luna and the Keeper of the Realm Zomera, The Council of Guardians welcome you."

Darius bowed his head in acknowledgment.

"You come to seek advice, I sense." the woman said thoughtfully.

Darius watched the people peering over the tiers up above, "No, I do not come to seek advice, Noble Ara," the woman called Ara looked displeased, "I've come to tell all that the fortress protecting Zomera is gone."

Gasps and moans were sounded throughout the room as the man on the top stand laughed, "Beta is either incredulous or is trying to avoid the situation of war."

Ara sat up straight, "It's not a time for laughter, Adam. What else have you found while you made your visit?"

"The Moon Stone now resides in Zomera with its carrier." Darius responded.

The room now turned over to a deathly silence once more. It seemed that the crowds of people listening to this changed emotions as the situations became even more serious. The colour in Ara's face disappeared instantly as well as the man sitting next to hers did.

The only one not silent and not stunned was Adam who was laughing so hard he was turning red, "The Moon Stone? My dear guardian, the Moon Stone was lost ages and ages ago. It couldn't have possibly returned without us knowing."

Ara spoke softly her eyes transfixed on Darius, "The Moon Stone has changed, Adam. It does not respond to the Council of the Guardians anymore nor does it respond to Queen Beta."

"The stone does still hold the life of Beta, does it not?" said the man sitting next to Ara.

"Yes, Brin, it does." as she turned her gaze towards him.

Darius thought long and hard, "Bayterin is after it because—"

"Because he wants the power of the Kingdom Zomera," interrupted Ara, "Without the power of the Moon Stone, he is feeble in all attacks which means—"

"–that he is going to be going after Luna which—" Brin said without thinking.

"–results in the power of the Mortal Realm as well as the power over the other realms located in this spectrum. With the Moon Stone in Bayterin's hands, Zomera and all other realms would cease to exist." Ara finished.

Someone from a tier said boldly, "And what of us? What will happen to the race of guardians?"

Commotion and pandemonium circulated. People were yelling and fighting one another of the outcome of their own race.

"SILENCE." shouted Adam again.

Ara stood up. Her brick red cloak billowed as the pearl amulet around her slender neck glowed, "Then we must fight along with the other races."

Brin looked up at her, "We are the Keepers of Peace, not of warfare."

Ara was determined, "Then what shall be done shall be done. It is time for us to come out of the shadows and fight."

"Nonsense Ara," Adam said now standing up, "Fight for a world that isn't even ours? Fight for those humans who—"

Darius just stared up at the council. They weren't friendly people, although Ara seemed to be compatible. But when the council was immersed in a fight, there was no chance in ever talking to them until they permitted you to.

"Those humans are our to protect, Master Adam." Ara said looking at him coldly.

Holding out her hands, she proclaimed loudly, "Enough of this nonsense! Be gone, Beta will seek her guidance sooner or later."

And with that said, everyone in the tiers vanished as did Brin, Ara, and Adam.

Darius was left standing, alone, in the lifeless canvas contemplating on the future of Zomera.