Okay so legit I never planned on coming back to this, I personally think the story is bleh, buuuuuuuuuuuuuutttttttt I hate leaving things half done and don't want to leave people hanging. So without further delay I'll be posting up the final chapters for you guys. Sorry for the wait. I hope you like it.
[3rd Person POV]
Only a few went with Toothiana to visit the mysterious figure Father Time. Jack, Autumn, and Sandy flew together, all anxious and on end. Autumn, who was chilling in the back of Sandy's was golden plane watched as the world passed and the wind howled. Today should have been a lovely summer day but no. It dark and the gloom seemed to suffocate the sky. You couldn't find a speck of blue past the gray veil and the streets were just as grim.
Autumn gazed down at the sad world, watching as couples grew sick of each other and separated, ruining families. Children cried as spouses wept and yelled. The only safe people were the ones that were alone. With a heavy sigh Autumn looked back up at the passing clouds and wrapped his arms tightly around himself. He was used to darkness but not this. Not the blackening of man's heart.
After close to four impossibly long hours the group reached a lone tower in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It stood seven stories tall and was made of varying stones, all from different points in time and places. The structure looked ready to collapse, as if hanging on by a thread, yet it withstood all of the harsh beating of the gales around it. And at the top of this unlikely monolith was a large open window. Through this they flew inside and gently landed.
Hoping off the plane Autumn said, "Thanks" to Sandy and took in the space. It was a vast and surprisingly empty circular room. However, the very walls and floor seemed to move and when he got a better look at it he saw why; everything was made of sand in here. The floors and walls shifted with the breezes and for a moment a door leading down to the other floors appeared. It was lost in a second though and a gust rushed through.
"Tooth how are we supposed to find him? This place doesn't want to exactly stay put." He asked while Jack and Sandy inspected the walls and floor.
Turning to Autumn she smiled and said, "Automne, you don't find Father Time. He finds you." With that she relaxed and let the sand reach out and consume her, dragging her away.
Shocked he called out to her only to hear the others being taken away as well. He rushed to where they'd been trying to see where they had been whisked away to. But it was useless. Nothing could be seen because all there was was sand. That and the howling wind. The Guardian of Fall stood alone, scared and nervous. Never had he thought he'd be caught by what he loved most.
[1st person POV: Autumn]
I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. This must be a test or something set by Father Time. I mean who would just let anybody waltz into their domain without some kind of security…besides literally all of the other Guardians? Either way I need to find my friends and this Guardian of Time. I need to do it fast too.
Just as I took a few steps back the doorway reappeared and I bolted for it, throwing a gust of my own wind through to keep it there. Yet once through the ground fell out from under me and I fell into darkness, shouting in surprise. Ha, me being surprised is ironic since I rule over that. Anyway, back to tumbling down into nothing. Well I thought it was the end until I crash landed on top of an oversized clock face. The air was knocked straight out of my lungs and my staff flew from my hands. Groaning in pain I rolled onto my side, struggling to get up.
Gasping I rose unsteadily to my feet and stumbled over to my staff. Once I had that I looked around and saw nothing but velvety darkness and the antique clock I stood upon. Then from the shadows the howling of wind returned and I heard the shouts of my friends in the distance. Following them was an ancient voice coming from everywhere all at once.
"You young Guardian, why do you deny the sands of time? You fight against something that can never be killed or halted by mere men. Why?" It questioned me.
"What? I am not fighting against it. I'm not letting it take hold of me either. Where are my friends?" I asked, nervous as can be.
"Which ones? Them?" It asked showing an image of Tooth, Jack, and Sandy. "Them?" It showed the Guardians at the Cloud Palace, fussing over Eos. "Or perhaps them?" It then showed two I never thought I'd see again: Summer and Adelia.
"You know where they all are….I would love nothing more than to find Summer and Adelia and bring them back to us…" I stated, heart aching at the loss of my friends. "But I need to find something more important. I need to find the Guardian of Life. Toothiana told me that you would know who they are and now I ask you Father Time to tell me where they are. The world needs them. I beg you please help."
It was silent for a moment as the wind vanished and I was left alone in the dark. Then I a hushed whisper the voice spoke again, sending chills down my spine. It said in a grave tone, "Very well fighter of time. Your plea has not fallen on stone. Prepare yourself." A moment later the clock began to chime and glow a bright white. Covering my eyes I felt my world rumble and begin to collapse again. Soon I was falling and everything went black.
When I next woke it was peaceful and bright, a gentle warm breeze floating through the air. I opened my eyes to find what looked like the perfect autumn's day. Red and gold leaves slowly drifted down through the air and down onto the lone path before me. Yet off to the sides this lovely dream faded to darkness. So with a shaky breath I got up and walked down the way, calming myself. I made it this far I can't back down now because I'm scared.
At the end was a perfectly circular clearing with four pedestals surrounding it. I reached the middle, using my staff to support me, and stood at the middle. It just so happens that there must've been some kind of switch because once I did that stones started to glow. One was gold, one was purple, one was orange, and the last one was pink. The voice spoke again to me, and the news this time was terrifying.
"The Guardian of Life has never been picked due to there never being any candidates. But now there are four possible bearers. Summer, Imagination, Autumn, and Spring. You must chose who will carry this weight upon their shoulders. I must also tell you fighter of time the Death can never be killed, just subdued. Whomever shoulders the weight of Life will always be at war with Death. They will never fully know peace. Choose wisely."
Finally I was fully left alone with the weight of the world in my hands. Breathing was hard as I shook at the thought and the possibilities spun through my mind. I couldn't put this on Garret or Adelia. And Hilaria. Sweet innocent Hilaria. I could never in any life give her this burden. They had all been through so much and deserved peace. With a shout of anguish I made my choice.
[3rd Person POV]
Toothiana opened her eyes after a minutes in the sand to find herself along with Jack and Sandy in a sitting room. In there with them was an old man at a table with tea and biscuits. Happily she went over and took a seat, greeting the man. He smile and poured everyones drinks. Briefly he explained that when Autumn joined back up with them outside the tower he would reveal to them who the Guardian of Life was. Until that time came they would relax and trust their fellow team mate.
Sandy was at ease with the choice and took up a seat in a golden recliner. Jack was apprehensive and through the whole time kept worrying although he'd never admit to it. Hours seemed to pass as the group all chatted with the elder Guardian. It was only when the grandfather clock in the room began to ominously chime that he smiled and set down his tea.
Looking each of them in the eyes he simply said, "The time has come for all of you to join together outside. I wish you all the best of luck. Oh and take some of this and give it to dear Eos." Handing them a glass bottle of tea he escorted them to a door he created and wished them a safe trip.
Walking outside eagerly Jack and the others found Autumn standing alone on the rocky shore, the purple in his coat now white and his violet pupils a shimmering platinum. He smiled as they ran over to him and hugged their friend. Returning the embrace he looked at all of them and one thing was clear in his eyes: determination.
"So, Autumn did you find out…well you know. Who's the Guardian of Life?" Jack asked, almost impatiently.
"You're looking at him. Now let's go. Time is running out and we need to gather all the Guardians. Take everyone to the Hollowed Tree Grave in Salem. I'll meet with you there." He said with a new sense of confidence. Then their friend ran off and vanished in a whisk of light.
Woot woot! Maybe I can save this story by the end. Stay tuned in for the next chapter soon.
