… O.O

well. I guess this is it. The final chapter. It's taken six years, and we're finally finished.

That, my dear readers, is an accomplishment worth partying for. (fiesta)

But I also must remind you of the sequel, which is in the works. I'm still thinking on the plot. I know the end, I have a picture of the beginning... I'm starting to finally get ideas for the in between. Just fantastic. Hopefully I will have it started soon, but I think I deserve a little break, yes? Something tells me that the sequel will hold twice the action and four times the laughs. :D

Just to tease you a little bit, here is the title of the sequel:

The Enlightenment

And I would like to point out a song for this chapter:

What Goes Around.../...Comes Around Interlude → Justin Timberlake.

I am not exaggerating when I state that this song has literally been the inspiration and writing motivation for a large fraction of my 62 chapters. It has carried me across my writing slumps and bumps with little damage in the process.

Most importantly I would like to thank all of my readers. Your words give me twice the ambition that any song could—most of these reviews being threats to update soon or else (insert disaster scenario here) will happen. No joke. Nonetheless, I love you all.

Also, in case anyone was wondering, I just want to present to you a little fun fact. In The Guardian, Romeli has almost died...

TEN TIMES (not including Chaos Thoughts)

ah ha ha.

Without further ado then. The final chapter of The Guardian.

Chapter 62: The Third Guardian

In the last chapter...

"Sclythe? Old White?" Romeli whispered surprised. The two patrons were lazing on the sofa at the foot of her bed. The very sofa she had conjured for herself while trying to magically produce a milkshake.

Romeli walked further into the room, James trailing behind with some hesitance. He could tell that the exchange about to take place was out of his league.

Hello, Romeli, said Sclythe smoothly. James looked up surprised, hearing the voice in his head just as if it had been spoken aloud.

We've been waiting for you...for a while now actually, Old White stated, licking his paw.

"Yeah. Sorry about that..."

We didn't come here for apologies, Old White told the girl. Please, sit down. We have a lot to talk about. Romeli obliged immediately, unable to defy her Guardian's orders.

James stood in the corner awkwardly, unsure if he should leave or stay. The question was answered when Old White looked into his eyes, making him shiver. You should sit down too, Jameson of Queenscove. This concerns you as much as it does her.

"...Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure." - Harry Potter

Romeli and James sat across from the patron Gods with wide eyes, staring at them intently. Romeli's heart was pounding in her chest, waiting for one of them to finally speak. They had only just entered the room and settled down, but it felt like years had passed, and Romeli was restless.

Please, Romeli, calm down, insisted Sclythe, amused. His head rested calmly on top of his smooth coils. Romeli pulled apart her intertwined hands and exhaled heavily.

"Sorry,"she apologized sheepishly. "I've just missed you." Her words were uttered aloud for James' sake. Just because her Guardians could communicate with James through their minds, didn't mean that she could.

And us, you, added Old White, his eyes dancing. We have not had an exchange in a very long time.

Romeli tried to look back on the last time she spoke with her Guardians. It had been during their long and arduous Golden Magic training sessions, before the kidnapping, before saving James, and before the duel. That seemed like ages ago.

"Yes,"agreed Romeli slowly. "It has."

We want to congratulate you on your victory, started Old White, his voice proud. You have worked hard, and it showed through your confident and skilled actions.

Romeli dipped down her head, flattered by the compliment. She met their eyes again with unease. "So...does this mean I succeeded?" It wouldn't be the first time her Guardians had fooled her.

Sclythe hissed a quiet laugh. With flying colors.

Romeli clenched down her jaw to keep from screaming with joy. Unable to contain her emotion, she grasped James' hand and leaned against the wall with closed eyes. "Thanks. The. Gods," she whispered, exhaling heavily. "We're safe."

Old White pawed the ground. Saving both your life and James' was not the main goal of this ordeal, he started carefully. Romeli looked up at his words, meeting his gaze with confusion.

But you said—.

What I said was your motivation, he interrupted. If you did not succeed, James would die. You knew this just as well as we did. You figured out the puzzle behind your scars and saved both of your lives with minimum interference from us. But you gained much more than saved lives. You gained character.

Romeli blinked a couple times, listening to his words carefully. "This is more than just the ordeal. This is the big picture, isn't it."

Sclythe tasted the air in front of him with his tongue. Exactly. The picture began at the beginning of a war, and it ends now.

You have learned many lessons over these trying times. You have sacrificed your life for the sake of those around you, stood up to authority while turning towards morality, and embraced self control and serenity under circumstances invoking massive amounts of pressure. You have learned to be confident in yourself and your abilities while remaining humble. You have defeated inner evils, grasped a new and uncontrollable power, and manipulated your way out of an impossible capture. You even learned the decency to let your personal enemy live, despite the harsh conditions he put you under. Perhaps most importantly, Romeli, you learned to love.

Romeli stared at Old White with wide eyes as he spoke, her hand intertwined with James'. When he had finished, she couldn't find her voice.

This wasn't just one ordeal, continued Sclythe. This was many. You didn't just save one life. You saved a country. This wasn't just saving a country. It was living life, growing up, and conquering whoever and whatever wanted to stop it. And all of it was done, I repeat, with flying colors.

"I..." Romeli was going to say something, but she couldn't find the incentive to speak. She closed her mouth again.

Romeli, I think it's time that you met someone, Old White started.

Right on cue, a cloud of silvery smoke materialized in front of them, billowing and expanding smoothly like a developing cloud. Romeli narrowed her eyes to try and see through the opaque smoke to no avail. When at last the smoke settled, a sleek ebony panther sat before her, staring at her with slanted eyes.

Hello Romeli, greeted the panther, her voice a smooth purr. Her tail twitched behind her confidently. I am your third and final Guardian, Naraya.

Romeli's lips parted slightly. "Pleased...to meet you." She couldn't look away from the cat's beautiful coat as it shined in the candlelight.

Likewise, Naraya returned with a dip of her head. I have waited a long time to finally speak with you.

"And I you," stated Romeli, finally loosening up to the conversation before her. "If you don't mind me asking... if Old White represents cunning, and Sclythe wisdom..."

You are wondering what I represent, finished the panther, amused. I, Romeli, represent pride.

Pride. Romeli went over the word in her head a couple times. It made her heart beat with excitement.

Perhaps, in a way, I am the assimilation of many traits, explained Naraya as she stared into Romeli's eyes, unblinking. You have learned many lessons that taught you vital truths about your life and the lives of others. Pride comes with these realizations. Where once you doubted yourself and those around you, you can now embrace your pride in its humble demeanor and judge what is best. Pride gives you the confidence to be a leader. And in being a leader, you are somewhat of a Guardian yourself.

Romeli smiled weakly. "I suppose that I have always wanted to protect those around me," she admitted.

An aspect about you that you were born with, agreed the panther. Only instead of giving in to overprotection, you now know the certainties in life that will help you judge whether to embrace and protect, or let go.

"That's a heavy remark," observed Romeli as she traced James' hand with her index finger. James listened to the conversation intently, surrendering his hand to Romeli's devices.

And Romeli's own remark was ignored as the panther aptly transitioned into her next topic of discussion. Look on your shoulder blade, she instructed curtly.

Romeli blinked at the panther before hesitantly getting to her feet and standing in front of the mirror. She glanced over her shoulder into the reflection and exposed a part of her back by pulling down the neckline of her shirt. On her right shoulder blade was the emerald silhouette of a sleek panther, its tail curved elegantly behind her. The panther's head was held high, staring into the distance proudly. Romeli admired at it for a time, touching it with gentle fingers. Her upper back did not feel any different than it had yesterday, or the day before that. And yet here was the final mark that she was ready for her future.

She settled back down on the ground again, her eyes wide with thought at she stared at the patch of carpet in front of her. This is what she had been working towards for the past year and a half, and she had gone through hell and back to acquire it. Curing the plant virus, overcoming Chaos Thoughts, defeating her inner evil, bringing back her father from the dead, finding friends, stopping a war, escaping slavery, defeating death, going back to Scanra, discovering the meaning of her scars, preparing for disaster, undergoing torture, saving both her and James, and dueling ten black robed mages. All of it had been for her third Guardian.

But as she stared at the steady panther before her, realization hit. The whole idea of acquiring her third Guardian to find her true identity made it sound like it was a game. This wasn't just for fun—this was her life. Old White and Sclythe stressed that she would undergo many challenging ordeals before she got her third Guardian—only then would she be prepared to search for her identity. That may have been true, but most of the time her third Guardian wasn't even at the forefront of her mind. She faced her problems and overcame them not because it would bring her closer to her final Guardian, but because she had to.

So what did the third Guardian mean anyways? Sure, it was a landmark in her life—a physical indication that she had learned the meaning of pride. That was all well and great, but why did it matter? Third Guardian or no, it would not have changed how she faced her numerous challenges. She would have sacrificed herself into slavery for her friends and family even if it didn't bring her a step closer to another Guardian. The idea that she was working towards something gave her a push of motivation, but it was not her sole incentive for her actions.

In reality, the third Guardian didn't really matter then. It was just a notification that she had grown, and nothing more. It was an honor to have another patron God at her side to talk to, really. Naraya would certainly help her just like Old White and Sclythe had. But that was it. She didn't need a third Guardian to tell her she had pride. She didn't need a third Guardian to tell her she could search for an identity. It wasn't a step by step journey, but more of a steady growth.

Something told her that her identity wouldn't just be awarded to her on a silver platter. The idea of who she really was would take form in self realization, growth, and enlightenment.

The thought excited her much more than another tattoo.

You're quiet, noted Naraya observantly, her tail twitching behind her.

Romeli looked up at the God before her and gave her a weak smile. "Sorry,"she started. "I was just thinking."

I can guess what your thoughts are, Naraya told Romeli steadily, her glowing eyes boring into the girl's. At Romeli's shocked expression, she continued on. I know your character—I've always been good at reading people.

"And your reply to my thoughts?"asked Romeli quietly, her eyes at par with the panther's.

It is these thoughts that set you apart from the world, Romeli. Your realization that you don't need a third Guardian to tell you you're ready for your future is a thought most people can not conclude to. It is because of this that you are who you are. You are growing, Romeli—third Guardian, or not. And I think it's time for us to let you continue with your journey towards your identity.

Romeli's eyes began to brighten, her heart beating a little quicker.

For the first time since Naraya appeared, Sclythe spoke again. Your journey towards your true identity will be a difficult and ambiguous one, he told her seriously.

Right, she thought as she listened to her Guardian. No surprise there.

And it will commence on your sixteenth birthday, he finished, slipping out his tongue to taste the air. This may seem like a long time, but Midwinter will be next week, and before you know it January and February will pass. March twentieth is just around the corner.

Romeli took his words in carefully. "And what will I be doing once I'm sixteen?"

Old White pawed the ground, his eyes landing on hers smartly. It's not what you'll be doing, but where you'll be going.

"I swear, if you say Scanra..."

Old White chuckled, his ears flipping forward, amused. No, not this time.

The relief that swept through Romeli's person was a little sad, but she couldn't help it. She had seen enough of that country for a while.

Though I can't say that where you'll be going will be much better or worse. What I do know is that it will be much more dangerous, much more challenging, and much more unpredictable than anywhere you've been previous.

Romeli's brows furrowed in confusion as she looked at all three of her Guardians in the eye. "Okay you guys, where are you sending me...because I'm pretty sure that anything more unpredictable than Scanra is—."

Naraya interrupted her smoothly. The Divine Realms.

Her voice trailed off as Naraya's words hit her. "Oh."

Your travel in the Divine Realms will be long and life changing, started Old White, warmly. We do not know what you will undergo there, who you will meet, what you'll learn, or even if you will ever come back.

Romeli's eyes widened. "What...?"

The future, as you can imagine, is unpredictable. Anything can happen in the Divine Realms. You may not want to come back.

Romeli found her hand in James' once again. "How could I possibly not want to return?" Her voice was a squeak.

Perhaps you'll find the answer to your question once you complete your journey in the Divine Realms, started Sclythe slowly. I think you know just as well as we do that you are different from the people around you.

Romeli didn't need reminding of that. She nodded slowly, deciding to take her Guardians' words with a grain of salt. Maybe they were right. Maybe they were wrong. Only the future could determine that.

This fact is the very reason why you wont be leaving until your sixteenth birthday, notified Naraya. It gives you a few months to recuperate and say goodbye.

Naraya's last word hung in Romeli's mind like a death sentence. She glanced down at James' hand intertwined with her and then up at his face. He was looking at her, his eyes full with sadness. His expression convinced her, and she turned back to her Guardians sharply.

"I'm not going," she said flatly.

Old White's ears shot up with surprise. Romeli, you can't...

James shook his head quickly. "Romeli don't be serious," he told her, tightening his hand around hers. "You've been waiting for this moment for such a long time. Think about all you've gone through to get yourself here!"

"Yeah, and I wouldn't have gone anywhere without you with me," she pointed out, her eyes daring him to argue. "I'm not leaving you."

"This is your identity."

"My name is Romeli Salmalin. That's a good enough identity for me."

"Romeli, please realize that—."

Romeli, Sclythe started, cleanly interrupting James' next argument. Both Romeli and James looked over at the cobra with uneasy eyes. We did bring James to this meeting for a reason, you know.

"Is it to make my goodbyes more painful?" she retorted furiously, blinking back a small wave of tears. "Because you're doing a great job at it."

Irrational pup, Old White growled, though more amused than angry. I don't think even the Great Gods could possibly separate you two.

Romeli looked up at the wolf with watery eyes, a hint confused.

James eyed the wolf in front of him with realization. "We're...meant to be together."

You know, I've always liked you, confessed Sclythe with a flick of his tongue. You're very smart.

He dipped his head down at the compliment. "It's nothing I haven't known for a while now," James muttered, stroking the top of Romeli's hand with his thumb.

"Wait, wait, wait," said Romeli, shaking her head. "Are you trying to say that me and James are...soul mates?"

To be perfectly honest, I thought you would have realized this by now, pointed out Old White, shaking his head.

Romeli's eyes fell to her hand currently held in James' grasp. The idea really shouldn't have been much of a surprise, really. They had always got along. Well...that wasn't necessarily true. Like all relationships, romantic or not, they had their problems—the whole situation with James forgetting that she existed being at the top of the list. But despite the moderate bickering here and there, they connected. She felt united with James in an unexplainable and incomparable way.

The two of you didn't meet at the ball more than a year ago by coincidence, explained Sclythe seriously as he stared at his two subjects. The idea was premeditated, and for good reason. It was fate that James met you. Without him, you would have undoubtedly failed...well...everything.

She kept her eyes rooted on Jame's grip, watching his strong muscles absentmindedly stroke the back of her hand. The idea had never hit her before, but now that she thought about it, it was true. James had been her foundation since day one—even when he wasn't there.

Someone such as you, with such a challenging destiny, needs the support that James gives you, explained Naraya carefully. Every guardian like you needs a protector. No one could possibly do a better job at looking after you than him. As your Guardians, we can vouch for that.

Romeli nodded. But...you make it seem like James was made for me.

Old White shook his head quickly. In no way was James created to protect you. He holds just as much self-worth, independence, and strength as you do. It just so happens that his purpose in life is intertwined with you. Just like your purpose is intertwined with his.

"Yes, I am perfectly capable of thinking for myself," confirmed James, laughing slightly to ease the serious nature of the conversation. Romeli couldn't help but laugh a little herself.

"Well great because you know, I was really worried..."

"Ha. Sure you were," drawled James, dryly, ushering for the Guardians to continue with their speeches.

I suppose we should acknowledge your travel in the Divine Realms once again, started Old White with a nod towards James. And I suppose this is where James comes in.

Romeli inhaled shakily, a small wave of nerves creeping up her chest and taking residence in her speeding heart.

It is here that your life has come to a fork in the road, Old White told James. Which leaves you with a very important decision to make concerning which route you choose. This decision, either way, will change your live...forever.

James kept his eyes rooted on the wolf in front of him. "And the choices?" he asked quietly. Deep inside, Romeli felt like he already knew what they would be. There was a glow in his eyes that alerted her to his perceptiveness.

Old White ducked his head down before continuing. You may either stay here in Corus and finish your knight training, or leave with Romeli to the Divine Realms. The decision is yours.

"I'm leaving with Romeli," he answered instantly, his tone just as serious as the wolf God's before him.

Romeli shook her head and she glanced over at James with surprise. "You can't abandon your shield for me," she told him.

James met her gaze steadily. "And why can't I? Moments ago you were about to give up this trip to the Divine Realms because it would mean saying goodbye. Now we both get what we want."

"I don't want you to throw away your shield and six years of training for nothing!" Romeli interjected frustratedly.

"Those six years of training taught me more than how to be a knight—they taught me how to be a strong and decent human being. Surely you understand that."

Romeli whipped her head away from James' and met the eyes of her Guardians' desperately. "Can't we arrange for my departure to be later? After James gets his shield."

James' future is more than just an oath to chivalry, Romeli, pointed out Sclythe smoothly. His fate is intertwined with the Divine Realms just as much as yours is. But only if he wants it to be.

"I want it to be," he assured the cobra with a firm nod. "There's nothing more for me in this world that I can acquire from knighthood."

You embrace your identity with gusto, pointed out Naraya, impressed with the man before her. James dipped his head in thanks.

Romeli clenched her jaw, unhappy with her best friend's sacrifice. The discontent lasted for only a moment, however. James had every right to make his own decisions, no matter what the consequences would be.

At last, she sighed. "Alanna is going to kill you," she pointed out.

James shrugged. "She can't inflict too much harm. Not if she wants me to protect her niece on her next dangerous mission." He flashed her a wink, making her much more comfortable with the situation.

A small smile crept up Romeli's lips as she stared into James' green eyes. "We're going to the Divine Realms. In four months."

"Good. That gives me just enough time to ask your father permission to court you, recover from any bodily harm inflicted upon me because of it, and then have a good laugh about it with him later."

Romeli couldn't help but let out a small squeal. She threw her arms around his neck, kissing him quickly on the lips. James chuckled as she collided with him, sending his posture slightly off balance. He stared deeply into her eyes for only a moment before returning her kiss with a softer and sweeter one.

Neither of them noticed the three Guardians back up from the elated moment. Nor did they notice them disappear into three flashes of silver smoke seconds after. They sat in each others arms for a while, content with the moment, and excitedly awaiting all the other moments that would follow it.

"Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime?" he murmured quietly, his chin resting on the top of her head.

Romeli's ears pricked up at the word adventure. She sat up from his hold and met his eyes with a growing grin and eyes that flashed at him daringly.

"Bring it on."

…. O.O

I'm...I'm done.

I finished it. I...finally finished it.

It's taken six years, and now my epic is finished.

TIME FOR THE SEQUEL!!!!! WOOOOOOOOO!!!! ...you know you're excited for it. It's gonna be so KICKASS.

Final Replies:

LittleMissGiggles'94': I'M FINISHED!!! Can you believe it? It actually hasn't hit me yet. I think it's because I'm so excited for the sequel that I don't feel like I've completed anything. And I certainly do hope it will be a trilogy. :) Thank you so much for reading! YOU ROCK. Now, I will send you a message when I get the sequel up. That way you don't have to go hunting for it, you know? I LOVE YOU!!!!

Grace: "updated almost quickly-almost". Hah. I'm shocked myself to be honest. This update, despite how short this chapter is in comparison to others, has actually taken a long time. To be perfectly honest, the reason why is because I reread THE WHOLE THING and edited it so that it looks at least somewhat readable and decent. Haha. Omg. James is the hottest being to walk the earth. And I guess that James Franco is also, because that's actually a picture of James Franco. Ummm...haha...about Romeli's antlers... . I kind of... got rid of them. I took them completely out of the story. er. It was just too hard to keep up with. Plus...you can't fight with antlers. Someone with an axe would just cut them right off, and then what would happen? Half an antler? Not cool. Haha...now to answer your sequel question. Romeli is TOTALLY the main character, and it will be set...starting on Romeli's birthday (march 20). Thank you so much for reading!!!! LOVE YA!! Also, do you have an email or some way I can reach you so you know when I put the sequel up??

Saphiria: haha...thanks. The idea was pretty creative wasn't it. Thank you so much for reading! It means so much!!! Romeli also thanks you! And so does James! In fact, James just blew you a kiss! :D Oh James... so hottt. So, when I start the sequel, do you have an email or something I can reach ya at so you know when I put it up??

too-much-of-a-book-lover: ah ha ha...well this wasn't a super quick update...but good enough, right? Besides, the whole reason it took so long is I reread the WHOLE THING. I fixed up everything. The bad writing, the typos, the grammar (to the best of my ability), and the little loopholes or contradictions dispersed throughout the whole thing. :D Thank you so much for reading!!! I'll let ya know when the sequel is up!

Alliekat1996: I would love to look over an original that you're starting!! that would be awesome. I think I'm going to wait until I finish the sequel to convert this to an original. I don't even know which way to go about it, really. But alas. I am a moose. And moose are very skilled with problem solving. It's kind of our forte. UGH DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED ON HEADACHES. I think I've literally had a headache every day for two weeks. No joke. I think it's a combination of eye strain and heat exhaustion. Not a good combo, I must confess. I work at a zoo you see (a very hot zoo in inland california), so the sun is beating down on your for hours at a time. Not fun. Well. Sort of fun. There's animals around which is always good. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING!!! I'll let ya know when I get the sequel up. Just need to...take...a little...break (pants and faints).

Natsumi456: I FINISHED IT!!! AHHHHH. Thank you so much for reading!!! LOVE YA. I'll let you know when I get that sequel up.

Whisperingwinds11: lol. ...drawing skills... To be perfectly honest there was a time in my life when I really wanted to be an artist, and people always say that I should be, but I don't think I ever could. I usually draw when I have creative buildup, or am really bored. But whenever I try to draw hair I just get SO FRUSTRATED. Jeeze. Something about hair. It's just so...hairy. Ugh. Too many lines. I'm not that patient. Haha. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING!!!!! it means so much to me! I will let you know when the sequel is up, mm kay?

KrazyBookLuver: You know, I don't know whether I would mind going blind or not. I guess it would cause a few problems, but the good news is that my other senses would be totally heightened. I would be like that one superhero—daredevil or whatever his name is. Hmm. You gave me an interesting though. Years of writing = character development. I never really thought of it like that, but it's totally true! Interesting indeed. Ooohhh. Producing...that would be such a fun job! You should go for it! James James James James James. Even more James in the sequel. MUCH MORE Romeli and James. Which means...ummm...awesomeness. And fluff. And more detailed plotline. Me? Kill off James? I've tried twice now, and both times it didn't work. Maybe third times a charm? Hahaha...jk. Well...maybe. No seriously...JK.

Inktounge: ITS FINISHEDDDD!!!! AHHHHH!!!!!!! I think I just flipped my lid. Though actually it hasn't hit that I actually completed it. I think that will come around when I actually change the 'in-progress' button to 'complete'. WOAH. Well, I went back—and I fixed everything. Now everything makes sense, no typos (I hope), and no contradictions (once again, I hope). I now feel like a Romeli/The Guardian expert. Which I suppose is a good thing since I wrote it. Hmm. Thanks so much for reading!!! I'll let you know when the sequel is up!

Itachihater13: OMGTHANKYOUSOMUCHLIKEWOAH. ← if you can even read that. Haha. AH YOUR COMPLIMENT WAS AMAZING. I tried really hard to make the explanation chapter also an action-packed chapter. Because I know how boring explanation chapters are. Thank you so much for reading!!! ahhh!!! Do you have an email I can reach you at to tell you when the sequel is up??

dares to dream: THE SEQUEL!!!! ITS COMING!!!! AHHHHHH!!! yess. I'm so excited for the sequel. I'm definitely planning for it to be...well...hilarious. A change of pace I suppose. Did you like the escape sequence? Haha. It took a lot to squirm my way out of the predicament I put Romeli through. I was close to stuck a couple times when thinking up a solution haha. Neal is so awesome. No doubt about it. I love writing all the scenes with Maryann and Neal. Respectable. Haha. Yess...I loved that line with Maryann and respectable. LOVE IT. You know, if I were Romeli, I would totally detonate the palace. Three weeks of bed rest would destroy me. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING!!! I'll let you know when the sequel is up! LOVE YA GURL!

KEEP ON MOOSIN. FOREVAH.

MOOSE