Chapter 10

I stared at the marker for Dan's grave, the pendant lying on the ground at my feet as I mulled over what had happened only minutes before.

After getting over the initial shock of what I had done to Ilsa, I turned to Yori. I needed answers, but he wasn't too pleased with the fact that I had taken the pendant in the first place. Eventually though, with some help from Frost, he got through the story of the evil necklace.

Apparently along with the legends of the Guardian, there was a rumor of her wielding a great power, which had been put aside as merely myth or some sort of sorcery that was easily shrugged off. There were no exact details of what that power had been, but references to natural disasters during fights where the Guardian always seemed to come out on top hinted at a few things. But even though that helped clear up some of my curiosity, it still didn't explain where that voice had come from or what role it played.

"Frost, do you know anything else? Anything in the legends that talk about something…evil? Something destructive or otherwise?" I questioned.

He pondered the question a moment before answering. "There was one instance. During some of the earlier stories when the Guardian was beginning to gain power, it is said that a change came over the Guardian. Arrogance, a lust for power, harsher tactics...an evil seemed to fall upon the Guardian, same as what happens with many great heroes throughout history. When this fact was finally brought to the Guardian's attention that something had to change, the legend says that the evil was locked away, and anytime those evil urge sprung up, the Guardian merely stored it away in some secret place, though the legend never says how or where."

"What about the evil resurfacing and trying to take over again?" I questioned more urgently, finally sensing that I was onto something.

"I can't say for sure. This is an ancient history passed by word of mouth. Anything that may have been written down was lost when we were moved here. From what I do know, after the Guardian died, no one ever used the original pendant again. The Guardian, or the Guardian's followers may have known about the evil and feared the possibilities it might bring. I suppose that was why reproductions were made," Frost explained, ending on an inconclusive note.

I turned the other dragon, "Why was none of this recorded on the walls, Yori Yoi?"

"You expect me to know?" He snorted. "Those drawings were there long before I was born."

"I expect the followers did not want others to know for fear someone would actually try it. It obviously takes someone of strong will and virtue to keep it contained. All things considered, I'm surprised this didn't happen sooner Jaden," Frost noted, glancing a ponderous look my way.

"You and me both." I admitted. "The pendant tried before the first time I wore it. It attempted the same trick again just before Takua and I split up from Jaller. The voice said something about sensing…" I trailed off, getting lost in my thoughts along the way. That's when the connection hit me. "It was Makuata," I breathed.

"What are you talking about?" Tahu demanded.

"After Takua and I left Jaller, Takua told me something about Makuta. Right before that, I heard the voice again. It started going on about sensing darkness or something like that. It must have reacted to some sort of dark energy," I explained.

"That is one theory, but that would not explain what just happened," Frost pointed out.

"I know that, but do you have any better ideas?" I snapped.

"Perhaps," Frost continued, un-phased by my tone. "The legends refer to the evil whenever the Guardian was conflicted emotionally. That seems to fit better."

"Are you suggesting I become a Vulcan now and learn to suppress my emotions?" I asked rhetorically, not even bothering to hide the bite in my voice.

"Vulcan? I'm not familiar with that term. Please explain," Frost asked.

"It doesn't matter," I shrugged, sighing and trying to take control of my senses again. "What are you suggesting?"

"The simplest thing to do is to take it off," Yori said. "We've all seen what damage it can cause. The best thing to do is put it back in the cave where it belongs."

"I think he's right," Frost agreed. "It's too dangerous for anyone to handle."

I heard their words and knew they were all right, but at the same time, I couldn't help but disagree. For once I could actually do something to help. With that kind of power I could do so much more.

"Give me a minute to consider it," I told them before walking off.

"What do you mean, consider it?" Yori exclaimed. "You know what that thing can do without control, control you don't have."

"Jaden, he's right. That's nearly a thousand years of locked up anger and rage and who knows what else in that thing. It took years for the Guardian to learn the proper control. What makes you think you can do it any better or faster than him?" Frost challenged.

"I'm not saying that. I just…I don't know. I need a minute alone," I fumed and stormed off to Dan's grave.

Minutes latter I still didn't know what to do. I wondered what Dan would have said if he were still here. Probably the same thing that everyone else was suggesting, which made me roll my eyes at the thought. They all had sound advice. The medallion was dangerous and nearly drove the Guardian mad until she learned how to control it. Part of me was willing to wait long enough to figure it out, but the rational side of me was saying it was too risky to even consider. This shouldn't have been so hard to decide.

So why was it?

"Jaden," I heard Tahu call, bringing me out of my thoughts with a start. "We have to go now to catch up with Jaller and Takua. Are you ready?"

I looked back to Dan's grave and made up my mind. "I can't go with you," I answered, the conclusion I had already reached subconsciously finally forcing its way to the surface, making itself known.

"What? What are you saying?"

"It's time I grew up and faced reality. I can't keep on pretending that I can do anything of use. That's what got Dan killed. I won't do it again." These were sound reasons, and I stood beside them, fully believing.

"His death wasn't your fault Jaden," he said, trying to console me.

"If I hadn't gotten hurt, he wouldn't have left Yori's cave, and then Ilsa wouldn't have come after us. It is my fault, Tahu, no matter how you try and put it."

"So that's it then? You're going to give up just because one thing goes wrong?" There was an undercurrent of irritation bubbling in his tone, but I knew I had to do this.

"A father and husband won't be going home to his family," I snapped. "That's more than just a mistake. That's a catastrophe, and I won't be stand to be a part of another."

He gave a huff, "Fine. Sit here and sulk all you want. I have more important things to do."

It wasn't long before Yori appeared; coming the way the irate fire toa had left. "What's this I hear about you not coming? After all that fuss, you're not going to finish what you started?"

"If you mean getting in the way, then yes." My voice way low as I voiced the things I had known from day one but refused to acknowledge. "I refuse to be anymore a hindrance than I've already been. I can't do that to the Toa anymore. Besides, I've already gotten one person killed. Don't you think that's enough?"

"Jaden," he said in a sympathetic voice. "You can't run away from this, not now. It's too late. What would Dan say?"

"I know what he'd say," I said, finally standing to face him. "He'd be happy I started using my brain for the first time since we crashed here. I'm going to find a way home, Yori. I'm going back, and I'm going to explain to his family what happened. They deserve that much and I made a promise."

"But—"

"No," I snapped, cutting him off. "Look, I'm sorry Yori, but I just can't. This is more than I can handle. I should have known that from the beginning, but I was too thick-headed to see it. You can go if you want to, but I just can't."

Yori looked stunned for a moment, "I thought you were different." His expression had hardened as he voiced his stinging accusation. "I thought you were something unique, something special. I guess I was just being naïve. You're like all other humans, all talk and no action when you're really needed."

"The Toa don't need me Yori. I'm just a child. A child who should have learned long ago that she's not ready to be an adult yet."

"No, you're just a coward that's just running away when things get tough."

"Who are you to judge me? Before I came along, you were just an embarrassment without a name that hid in his cave," I snapped, firing up now that I had nothing to lose.

"At least I'm doing something to help, unlike you," he threw back.

"It took you long enough. If you're so eager to help them, then go. I'm not stopping you. Just don't be surprised when it all ends badly." I was shrieking by now, anger spewing through the gaps in my words.

"It wasn't just Dan who died. A piece of you died too," he growled before turning away to leave.

The words cut through me like a hot knife through butter. I knew too well that it was true. Dan was family no matter how much I wanted to deny it. A piece of me was gone, and maybe it was for the better. No longer did I have the defiance of a teenager, but instead the insight of an adult, something I could have used a long time ago. Too bad there wasn't an easier way of learning it.

I stooped over and picked up the medallion, resisting the urge to chuck it as far into the woods as I could. I stood there, contemplating what step I should take next. I had to leave this place, but I had no knowledge of boats or rafts or any other aquatic mode of transportation that could get me home. Well, Dan's home that was.

"Courage," I heard someone whisper. I jumped in fear that it was the evil of the pendant, but I felt no danger. I swiveled around, searching for the voice but found no one in sight. "Courage," the voice whispered again. I suddenly recognized the voice as the one from before the wreck.

"What do you mean? Who are you? What do you want from me now?" I questioned the wind that seemed to carry the voice, glancing around frantically as I did so.

"Do not lose your courage now, young one," the voice said and all of a sudden, like a ghost appearing from nothing, the same figure stood before me.

"Who are you? What are you? I must be losing my mind," I said, raking my fingers through my hair, grimacing.

"You have not gone insane, child. Do not lose faith over one death. He is still with you, even now. Do not give up. Your companions need you. They rely on you more than you know."

"But I've done nothing important, I've—"

"You have shown them the power of what one person can do. There is strength there more powerful than any evil creature. You agreed to finish this journey. There is no backing out now. You must complete your quest, if you want to learn who you are, who you were meant to be."

"My past is not worth this, not more death," I said and turned away, determined to leave what seemed to be a fever dream far behind.

"Death is a part of life," the apparition said sternly, appearing in front of me suddenly. I found myself sitting on the ground then, stunned by what was happening. "He would not want you to give up. Do not give in because life is too difficult to bear. You are not alone. Your friends are there to pick you up whenever you fall. Do not let them fail because of one accident. You can either spend the rest of your days running from your future, or you can face it. The choice is yours. The medallion shall be your aid in your journey. You can not simply forsake it now.

Now," the ghost said as she began to vanish, drifting away into nothing. "You must go to your friends before it is too late."

"Wait," I exclaimed, reaching out to her, trying to touch something insubstantial and failing. "You still haven't told me who you are or why you're doing this. Please, I have to know."

"I am never far away. We will see each other again, Jaden," she said, and was gone.

I sat there mulling over her words. Was it that simple? Go after them, possibly run into Rahkshi, fight them off with the toa, and save Jaller and Takua? Was it that simple to forget about the evil thing inside the pendent and try to use whatever power, magic or otherwise, that came with it?

No, I told myself, nothing was that simple.

AN: Here's the next chapter. As always, let me know what you think.