PLEASE READ

This chapter is mainly to showcase Erin's generosity, kindness and sense of justice while simultaneously giving you information on the island and its occupants. So it is pretty much a filler/informer chapter.

noneofyourbusiness09 - They are the symbol of his dedication to his patrons, so they can't disappear.

CourtingTheMoon - Don't worry they will be introduced by chapter nine or ten.

Hozven - That will not be for a long while my friend.

Thank you to all the other people who have reviewed and/or favorited and/or am following this story while giving me your opinion. Your opinion helps me write what people would like as a whole.

Just to let you people know I am a sporadic writer. Meaning if my attention is dragged away I won't do nearly as good. So if I don't update for a while it's because I am making sure it is as good as I can get it.

ENJOY

Chapter 6

Equinox of Eden

Erin

Two people stepped, one person stepped out and carried the other, out of a blue vortex into castle Equinox of Eden Island… the land out of time. One of the people was Erin Effigy, the unknown king and descendent of the greatest pure mortal warrior and wizard ever born, Miyamoto Musashi and Merlin Effigy respectively, and the other was Regina Filia, descendent of Aphrodite, daughter of Jesopel Filia, one of the tyrant kings of Pangaea.

Erin looked at the young girl in his arms "Are you OK?" his voice was soft and melodious instead of the harsh and cold tone that he used during the removal of the king.

She nodded tiredly and rested her head on his shoulder, she was out instantly. He carried the girl to one of the bedrooms he built in the Mesoamerican styled castle. As he walked down the halls lit by the soft glowing green gemstone chandeliers he walked past the many guards.

The guards weren't human, or really organic. The correct term would be Golem, Automaton or Ushabti. They were carved out of the same stone that made the temple and engraved beautifully. They were bulky and their eyes were bright green gemstones in Bolias and the castle, blue gemstones in Tempurast and orange to red gemstones in Kulgan.

They were positioned all around the island, in different forms but the same. In the east was Kulgan city, or the city of the desert. The Golems, more commonly called Ushabti's in Kulgan city, were made out of toughened sandstone, just like the buildings. The city is styled like Egypt.

Surrounding the city is Morlog's forest. This forest is separated into north and southern halves by Mount Tranquility. The only thing connecting them was Morlog's pass, a mountainous pathway in between Mount Tranquility, the mountain that holds the Armistice coliseum, and its twin, Mount Serenity, the mountain that bares castle Equinox and the beacon tower of Eden.

To the east of the southern half of Morlog's forest is Bolias city, or the city of the forest. Like the castle the buildings are designed like Mesoamerican and the guards are the same. Running through the city is the Sparrow River.

North of there is the Arctic forest, the southern half is tropical and the top is more… well Arctic, no one knows how and why it splits, other than Erin. Just above that is Tempurast city, city of the tundra and the guards are made of bronze, iron, etc. they are mostly called Automatons there. The city is designed like Scottish mixed with English. Going through the city is the Heron River.

Each separate city has its own power sources. Bolias uses magical orbs and shards of green gemstones that pull energy out of the ethereal plane of magic, Tempurast use blue gemstones that absorb the natural energy of the cold in the north while Kulgan uses the power of the sun by absorbing it into orange and red gemstones.

He got to her room and opened the door. The room is very exquisite, the walls were made of simple stone, and it had the regular green chandelier that can be adjusted with a clap. It was very nicely accommodated; a queen sized bed, a desk by the tinted window, and a few bookcases by the walls.

He carefully lowered her into the bed and drew up the covers. She immediately snuggled into the soft and fluffy pillows. She looked adorable when he looked down at her. She looked, for once, at peace instead of the nervous and guarded look she has adopted for the last four years.

He clapped his hands softly and the light dimmed. Now it was only just bright enough to barely see, like the dull glow of the moon at night. He left the room and shut the door softly. He usually rescues families if he does rescue people and they choose to live out their life in one of the three sectors/cities.

But he has almost never rescued a single person, let alone a six year old girl. And those people who are alone that he rescues are usually in their fourteens to twenties.

He walked to the balcony that looks over the Arctic forest. He looked into the golden tinged horizon of Jackson harbor, a millisecond behind regular time. That should be explained.

When Erin made the island he didn't want it to be found so he used his magical powers to pull the island a few milliseconds behind its respective time period. This way anyone looking for it, no matter how long they look, will be too late to find it, because it isn't present in the time period they are searching through, one step behind them, literally.

This would require little power because it is only a few milliseconds but it needs constant management and an anchor, now known as the beacon tower of Eden. The tower is in the center of castle Equinox and in the very top of the tower it contains a stone that shines with a blue light that supplies the power required and anchors the island to its current time.

Erin enchanted the temporal stone himself, it basically pulls energy from the ethereal realm of magic and uses said power to stabilize and anchor the island to this realm of time. It's a nifty trick, no one can get in the tower to steal the stone, and people have tried. But Erin has read those books, and met some people that think they are immune because of their amazing and impenetrable security. He even broke into a few places once believed impenetrable, like Olympus.

So he is always alert for threats and constantly upgrading the security, like lately he added his new invention/guardian. Instead of a humanoid shaped Golem, like usual, he made a draconic shaped Golem. It isn't that big, the size of a minibus and twice as long, but it is enchanted to have senses only trumped by Erin, Jade teeth, wing tips, claws and a tail spike that can rip through celestial bronze like butter.

It's body is nearly indestructible, it has the capability to breathe much hotter than normal Greek fire and to have one goal in its eternal existence. Protect the stone, because if the stone is removed from its hold the island will drift back to its regular place in time.

Along with this he placed four eight foot tall stone gargoyles on each cardinal point of the tower; they were each nicknamed by the residents of Eden for their unique battle prowess. The bloody north was called that because it tends to use its claws, teeth, wings and tail to rip people to pieces, loudly. The silent south was called that because it attacks efficiently and quietly from a distance, no one but Erin knows what weapon it uses, and most don't want to know.

The monstrous west was called that because it uses a great double-bladed axe and another smaller double-bladed axe attached to its tail to cleave and chop intruders to small pieces. The violent east was called that because it commonly uses dual swords and a spear like tail to slice and shish kebab all that moves. Together they are called the four cardinal demons of Equinox.

All the Golems on the island are linked to Erin's life force so if Erin dies they will shut down, except the dragon and gargoyles, which are linked to both Erin and the stone. They follow Erin's orders, but lives off the arcane energy of the stone they guard.

Erin felt two warm and hairy bodies push him to the ground, sit on top of him and run their slobbery tongues all over his face. He struggled for five minutes before he managed to shove them off him, non-violently, and sit up.

Sitting in front of him were two convertible sized wolves. One had dark yellow eyes, once bronze now black claws and fangs and midnight black fur. It's Fable, the king of the wolves. The other was a wolf with brighter yellow eyes, white claws and fangs and pure white fur. It's Mist, the queen of the wolves.

Fable has been with Erin since it was a pup and he found Mist when he was traveling far into the north during the world shift, as it was now called. He found her in a heavily guarded compound inside the borders of what once was Russia.

Along with their master, Erin, they were made eternal, not immortal, they can still die, just eternally existing till they die of unnatural causes, like murder.

'How did the revolution go?' a soft and warm voice that belonged to Mist mentally asked Erin. 'It went fine' came the short reply from Erin; he was too distracted thinking about where Regina may live. She could live in the castle but she would be all alone, seeing as how Erin is almost never there, always on missions.

'Who's the little one?' this voice was rougher then Mists voice, it was Fable, her mate.

'Her names Regina Filia, daughter of the tyrant Jesopel Filia and a slave that he raped' both wolves bared their finger length fangs in a silent snarl; they loathed slavery and rape 'Even though she was his daughter he treated her like the dirt he walked on'.

'Will she live in the castle?' asked Mist. Erin sighed 'I don't know, I'm hardly ever here, and she won't have any people to take care of her or friends to play with. She'll be all alone' he stared into the golden tinged horizon.

'Well… there is an orphanage in each city' Erin's head snapped up 'An orphanage' he hissed 'Why is there an orphanage? And why was I never told?'

'As you said you are hardly ever here and the children need a home' Erin glared at Fable 'and it never occurred to you that they can have more than a home here, it's practically empty'.

'You would let them live in the castle?' asked Mist, shocked. She shouldn't be shocked though, Erin is also known for his generosity and kindness.

'Why can't they. They could have food, clothes and a real family if they stayed here and there is more than enough room for over a hundred people. The only people who actually stay here are you two, your pups, me and the Golems' he pondered for not even a millisecond before speaking out loud 'I will bring them here and give them a real home, one that they deserve but missed out on'.

Before the wolves could move or even speak Erin stepped through a recently created portal to Bolias city's orphanage. He landed on the stone pathway right next to the building that homes the children.

People were shocked to see him. He mostly sticks to the shadows and avoids attention while looking out for the best for the people of Eden. He smiled at the civilians and walked into the building without another word.

He entered a long corridor that split of into several parts with stairs at the top. The first on the right led to the lounge, where four children were talking, the second on the left led to the kitchen and the door at the base of the stairs led to an office labelled.

Abigail Nurma

Orphanage manager

He opened the door quietly and slipped inside. He saw a lady with grey hair, slightly worn and wrinkly skin and bright blue eyes. She looked about fifty but age is very deceptive now days.

He cleared his throat and she looked up from the papers she was writing in and sprung to her feet. She went to bow but Erin stopped her.

"Please don't bow. I hate it when people bow" she nodded quickly, not trusting her mouth. The last person to make Erin angry on the island caused Erin to lose control and create the great maelstrom of Jackson harbor two hundred years ago.

"Lor…" he cut her off "And please don't call me lord. It's annoying" she nodded quickly "Please sit Miss Nurma" he asked her kindly. She complied, now looking at him with a less astonished and scared gaze but the usual amazed and adoring look.

"What c-can I do for you?" she stuttered slightly, she could see those beautiful crimson red eyes under his hood up close when they are normally a blur to everyone.

"I would to, ah, adopt the children" he said.

"Would you like to see them?" Erin only nodded in response and let her lead him back to the lounge room.

They arrived at the entrance and Abigail Nurma called for their attention "Children" they looked at her "You have a visitor" she gestured to Erin. Their eyes went wide and they jumped up.

One was a seven year old girl, with brown hair, hazel eyes and chocolate brown skin. The other girl was about twelve with black hair, perfect surfer tan and ocean blue eyes.

The two boys were completely identical. Blonde hair, brown eyes and lightly tanned skin. They were both fifteen from the looks of it.

"Hello children" Erin pulled down his hood revealing his snow white hair and goatee, ignoring the gasp from Abigail, and dropped onto one knee in front of the seven year old girl "What is your name little one?"

"Gw-Gwen" her voice was barely audible, staring at the man in front of her nervously. It's the ruler and creator of this paradise himself, right in front of her, asking her name, anyone would be nervous.

"Well Gwen, I have come with an offer for all four of you" they looked at him hopefully "Would you like to come live in castle Equinox?"

Hope gleamed in their eyes even more "Re-really?" asked the black haired girl.

"Of course, that is, if you want?" they nodded erratically. He smiled and turned to the others "What are the rest of your names?"

"I'm Kimberly Ashworth, daughter of Poseidon" Erin tensed slightly but it was gone as soon as it came "And that is Gwendolyn Suthers" she pointed to the little girl now tightly clinging to Erin's neck.

"I'm William…" said one twin.

"And I'm Aaron…" said the other.

"And together we're the Gale twins" the finished together.

Erin snickered lightly 'So much like the Stolls' he thought.

"Is there any paper work I have to sign?" he asked Abigail.

"Yes th-there is" she said "I'll just go get it" she left to her office and Erin took the chance to get acquainted with the kids. After six minutes of talking animatedly Abigail came back with four forms and a pencil in her hands.

She handed the forms to him and pointed at the bottom "Please sign here on each form" he did so and handed them back to her. She took them and placed them on the table. She turned to the four with slightly teary eyes.

"You four stay safe and write to me when you can" they hugged her tightly. "You know you can still see her if you want" they looked up at him surprised, most children adopted never see the person who took care of them again.

"But to be able to see her I may have to teach a few" a blue spark flew from one extended hand to the other "Tricks" he smiled at their astonished looks.

"Y-you would teach us magic?" the twins were obviously excited, and so were the other twos "Why wouldn't I?" he looked out the clear window and cut in before they could say anything "You should go pack your things and come down here. I'll give you a tour of the castle later" they nodded, hugged Abigail again and bolted up the stairs.

"Please take care of them" asked the women.

"Don't worry, no one will touch them while I live" she seemed more than assured, he is immortal, or so the legend says and his skill as a warrior and mage are unparalleled, added with the fact that he has an army of near indestructible Golems at his beckoning and a fleet of flying war machines that can rip apart the land if he so wishes.

After a few minutes they were standing in front of Erin, giddy and nervous as Hades. After a few more goodbyes and promises to see each other Erin opened the portal, scaring them to Hades.

"W-what is that-t?" Gwen was clinging to Erin's leg like a life line. "It's OK. It may look intimidating but it's just a portal, it can't hurt you" he picked her up into his arms and stepped through the portal after the others.

The children opened their eyes and looked around in awe; they were in the garden surrounding the beacon tower of Eden. It was gorgeous. The sparkling water dropped from half way up the tower, pooled in a mote like fashion around it and ran off in two rivers, the river Sparrow and Heron.

"It's beautiful" murmured Kimberly, the others nodded in agreement. Erin watched in amusement as they walked around the park, or got Erin to carry her around in Gwen's case.

They were inspecting the Banyan trees that grow almost everywhere in the garden when two large wolves bounded out of nowhere with a six year old girl on the female wolfs back.

As the wolves arrived the children cowered while the little blonde girl leaped, literally, into Erin's arms, who was still carrying Gwen. Erin promptly fell on his buttocks with a low groan emanating from his throat.

"Erin!" yelled the girl, completely oblivious to the surrounding people. He sat up and adjusted both girls in his arms, Gwen supported by his left arm and Regina by his right.

"Hello Regina, I have some people I want you to meet" he jutted his head at the three staring at the wolves nervously and the other girl in his arms.

Regina saw their wary stares and practically sprang out of Erin's arms and latched her small arms around Fables neck, surprising most of them with her speed. "It's alright" she looked at them "See he's friendly" she hugged Fables neck tighter and snuggled closer into his warm fur.

'Only to those I like' Fable thought, only Erin heard it but decided not to voice it for the others to hear. "Welcome, children, to castle Equinox. Your new home" Erin waved his hands around dramatically.

Erin lowered Gwen onto the ground and stretched his back "I have to go to a few places, but I will be back before nightfall" he looked at them "I'll let Fable and Mist here" he gestured to the wolves "show you around, until I come back".

'Before you go" thought Mist, Erin turned to her 'I took the liberty of researching the orphans in the orphanages and I will tell you there are two in Kulgan and one in Tempurast' she began to list them off.

'In Tempurast is Isabelle Monique, daughter of Mirabelle Monique and Boreas, god of the north wind and winter' Erin was slightly shocked, there haven't been any demigods of the cardinal winds in the last two hundred years 'She is sixteen, has snow white hair like you, ice blue eyes and wings of the same color' that's another thing, children of Boreas occasionally have wings.

'In Kulgan is a boy at age five, with black hair and blue eyes, his name is Caleb Cedric. His nine year old brother is name Alabaster Cedric; with the same features' Erin murmured a silent 'thank you' before disappearing in another blue portal.

'Gods. All this portal traveling, no matter how time saving, is so annoying' he thought before emerging in the lined town of Tempurast. The streets were warm because of the crystals absorbing the cold energy and converting it into heat.

The laws of energy conservation is present everywhere and in everything, it is a part of magic as much as science, which is just another form of magic. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only altered into another form, like from light to heat.

He opened the door, ignoring the curious stares, and walked inside. Despite only doing this once before he finds it utterly boring, the only reason he is doing is because of the children.

'All for one and one for all' he thought 'No matter how much my but gets sore'.

How was it?

Did you like the islands description and was it clear or too jumbled?

Did you like how he lives his life?

What about the Golem idea?

If you read this story and like it please review and tell what you liked and if there is anything I can make better.