Deep within Kandrakar's palace rooms, there was a disturbance. In the vast expanse of whiteness, the Aurameres shuddered and stopped their never-ending journey of continuation. The room dimmed, and Luba was startled out of her daily task of looking over the sacred spheres. She dashed over to the source of the disruption, puzzled as to what had caused such a shift in the normally tranquil environment. To her horrified surprise, the Fire Guardian's magical light transformed from warm red to bloody crimson, with black veins spreading all around.
'Sacrilege!' Luba exclaimed, withdrawing her trusted shepherd's staff and attempting to pull the Auramere out of the circle. But it stayed in place, and the raging red flames scorched the rod. The Elder acted quickly before the Fire Guardian's rage consumed everything in its path. She closed her eyes and chanted a spell, hoping to calm the enraged spirit of fire within the girl. But the flames grew brighter and hotter, making it difficult to keep the magic going. With all her might, Luba focused on the spell, yet it did not take effect. As the energies conjoined, they backfired, and she was flung away in a blast of powerful magic. The woman stood up, staggering as the room trembled from within as the unstable enchantments clashed, attempting to contain the unexpected rebound. This was beyond her control. Someone tampered with the pure magic, and Luba had only one suspect, making her an accomplice she never intended to be. Yes, it was upsetting that the new Guardians were selected, but not because they were unworthy. She only wanted her student to be chosen because the girl had wished for it her entire life, but the opportunity was given to unknown Earthlings. To the females with no training and no magic on their plane of existence. It enraged her, and the sense of injustice drove her to make the worst mistake of her life: trusting Endarno. His words were sweet and enticing, and Luba believed he could make a difference in the established order, but not like this. Now, she realized Endarno was using her anger for his own gain and that his intentions were far from noble. Luba shuddered as she felt the taint inside the Auramere, considering the implications of such an action. Guardians were not mindless weapons. They could not be controlled, only guided, and yet someone dared... She needed to get to Oracle quickly before the situation escalated—this was a direct betrayal of the Kandrakar.
'Orube!' Luba shouted for her student, unsteady on her legs.
'Master? You asked for me?' Soon, a young woman emerged from a small white portal, and upon seeing the damage, she gasped. 'What happened?'
'I am so sorry, my girl.' Luba looked at her heart's child. 'Forgive your unfaithful teacher. I only wanted the best for you and made a terrible mistake due to my incompetence.'
'I do not understand, Master?' Orube looked confused at her teacher, suddenly feeling that she had missed something important.
'Kadrakar is invaded from within, and the Guardians are under threat. You can trust no one. Do you understand me?' Luba looked straight into Orube's eyes, trying to convey the seriousness of the situation. The young woman nodded, feeling a sense of unease settle in her stomach.
'I made a deal with the enemy without knowing he was one, and I paid a terrible price for it by failing to protect the Aurameres.' Luba bowed her head in shame. 'Now, listen to me, Orube. You are my daughter, whom I never had, and I apologize for pushing you to do your best and not asking about your feelings. I want you to know I am proud of you, no matter what happens. I have to warn Oracle and fix my mistake. You, my dear student, have to be strong and protect Auremeres while I am away. Allow no one in, regardless of who wants to enter.' She hugged the always-strong girl, feeling her trembling.
'You are the best teacher I ever had.' Orube muttered. 'I will protect this room with my life.' She promised, her voice firm and resolute.
Luba sighed and nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. 'I'm sure you will, Orube. You have grown into a brave and loyal warrior.' With that said, Luba gathered her courage and left the room. Before the doors closed, the teacher looked at her student with pride and sadness, knowing that this could be the last time they saw each other. Unfortunately, when Luba took a step in front of her, she bumped into a solid male body.
'Now, where do you think you are going?' Endarno inquired, placing hands on her shoulders. They felt cold and heavy like thick chains, and when she lifted her head, Luba could swear his eyes were black. She tried to step back, but his grip tightened. Luba's veins tinged with fear as she realized the danger she and her student were in. Regret was the only thing she thought about before her world faded into darkness.
Endarno smirked as he slung a limp body over his shoulder. Even though Luba had been his ally for a short time, he did not tolerate betrayals. One down, more to go before the main opposition is out of the picture. Soon, the Oracle will fall, and he will rule the Kandrakar with an iron fist. He had waited for this moment for years, and nothing would stand in his way. The power he would wield as the Oracle was worth any sacrifice, even if it meant eliminating everyone who opposed him. The only thing that remained was to wait for the perfect opportunity to strike and seize control. As he imagined the future, a wicked smile spread across his face, knowing his time had finally come. He would become the most powerful being in the universe, and no one would dare challenge him. Opening the door to the main hall, Endarno laughed at the shocked face of a young woman inside. Oh, this was going to be fun! Nobody heard the screams, but the peaceful atmosphere of the sacred palace was disturbed, and dark clouds began to gather outside.
Will screamed, or maybe she did not. It was hard to remember when everything ignited, like suddenly being doused in acid. The air stuck in her lungs, and her body bowed like a string as every muscle strained with the electrical current. A thousand needles traveled down in a stream of pain, and Will trembled like a leaf. She couldn't think or breathe as the fire raged on, and her mind struggled under the pressure. Reacting to its keeper's anguish, the Heart of Kandrakar pulled, but it was not quick enough, as Cerdric grabbed her hand and got sucked into their orbit. It felt like being torn apart. Will blacked out as pressure squeezed her on all sides. She was too weak to resist as Cedric tried to drag her through the darkness. They bounced like a rubber ball, moving all around in a vortex. Will heard him scream, but he did not let her go. The world rushed behind them in dizzying rainbow colors. There was no destination in mind. She could not go to Phobos, not with Cedric stuck to her like a leech. Seeing no point in trying to hold on, she let go, and they fell out of the interspace straight into the water. It was deep enough to survive the impact but felt cold and hard, like hitting a block of concrete. The air was pushed out of her lungs, and instead of taking a deep breath, she got a mouthful of water. Every part of her body hurt, but the excruciating burning in her stomach made everything else pale in comparison. Sputtering Will tried to breathe but could only get a short inhale of air as a heavy body crashed into her and her head went underwater. The blurry form above pushed her under, and hands that felt like iron shackles squeezed her neck. This was it. She was going to die. Will felt her strength fade and the edges of her vision darken. At that moment, something foreign and yet quite familiar awakened in her blood. Just a trickle, a drop of power so intertwined with her own that it could go unnoticed. That magic was already a part of her, but it left a rich taste on her tongue, like the darkest chocolate. In a split second between life and death, Will reacted with her whole being, calling upon the drop of ancient power to save herself. It surged through her veins, empowering her with a strength she had never known before. Will grabbed Cedric's wrist and rolled over, using the momentum to topple the heavy body down. They toppled into shallow water, and a few deep breaths finally filled her lungs. Coughing and sputtering, she stumbled once more as Cedric continued his attempt to restrain her. Growling like an injured animal, Will felt something ancient in her mind—the sudden awareness of something hard to understand but usable in this more than dire situation. Gathering the trickle of that strange power inside her, Will grabbed Cedric's hands and poured her willpower into him.
'Stop!' Her breathless voice took on a deep edge. She squeezed his wrist with an iron grip, sending currents of energy. 'Life for a life, Cedric!' He spasmed as if touched by electricity when the order was given.
Everything seemed to come to a stop at that moment, and Will could finally see where they had landed—somewhere in the unfamiliar lake. They were both sitting near the shore, dripping in wet clothes, as the sun shone through the leaves of the forest and birds chirped in the branches above them.
Cedric's eyes widened as the gravity of the situation dawned on him. He hissed as if being burned, but the magic danced on his skin like a brand. Somehow, the Guardian had invoked something he could not have predicted: a life debt. The most primitive and ancient magic that ever existed was a debt of blood and honor. He had no choice but to follow it, as she had indeed saved him. Until the right circumstances were met, they could not hurt each other. It was etched into his skin, with golden chains around his wrists. A life, for a life. Cedric looked at the petite and injured woman and hissed like a snake without poisonous teeth. His eyes glowed yellow in response to his rage, yet he nodded, acknowledging the words. The Guardian looked him in the eyes and let go of his body. He groaned, dragging himself to the lake's edge and flopping on the sand. Soon after, the girl followed, half crawling and wobbling on shaky legs. The woman collapsed beside him, gasping for air. Cedric grumbled as he examined his superficial injuries, relieved that they were not serious. The only problem was that his magical reserves were deeply depleted. It tasted like ashes on his tongue, a bitter reminder that he had overdone his limits.
'I should have killed you sooner.' He gritted his teeth, trying to soak up as much sun as possible, feeling a chill setting in his bones.
'I saved your miserable life. You could at least show some gratitude. As you should know, I am no longer useful to you. Or maybe you don't? If I die, the Heart will be inactive until another Keeper is summoned. It will only be a glass trinket for your Master. Did nobody tell you that?' Will rasped through the pain as the world spun around.
Her clothes squelched when she tried to sit, and her body flared with acute agony. The burn on her stomach strained with movement, and Will almost retched upon looking at the injury. It was red, blistered skin, sluggishly bleeding in some places, and parts of her uniform melted and stuck to the wound. It reached from under her ribs to her bare stomach below. The pain made her clench her teeth and close her eyes tightly, trying to hold back tears. Yet, without any resources, she could only endure and hope her magic would heal her enough to move. They could not stay here. Will glanced at Cedric. He was taking his coat and shirt off, trying to squeeze the excess water out of the materials. She sighed, suddenly feeling tired and cold. Even if he was an enemy, Will did not regret her decision to spare a life—not for him but for Taranee. What happened to her friend? She had no idea. The silent girl suddenly appeared to be a different person. Perhaps a spell or enchantment from her capture was still having an impact on her. Will was concerned about her friend's well-being, even though her situation was also dire. Groaning, she slumped on the ground, uncertain but confident that Cedric would not try to hurt her anymore. The knowledge that surfaced in her brain was unknown. Somehow, it reminded her of Phobos, having a certain feel and taste to it and imparting obscure insight. She used her will and blood to enslave another being, even if temporarily. It should have been repulsive to her morals, but all Will felt was the satisfaction of overpowering her opponent. Although she knew deep down that she had done something wrong, the rush of power was too intoxicating to resist. She tried justifying the action by convincing herself that it was necessary for her survival, but the guilt lingered in her mind. Will was suddenly terrified that somehow Phobos had manipulated her emotions. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. However, she couldn't shake the feeling that Phobos had played her again. Is everything they did a lie? Will needed to ask what he had done to her and confront him about the truth of their relationship. The conversation would be uneasy, but it was hard to keep living in this uncertainty and doubt. First, she had to get home in one piece and keep her guard up, especially around Cedric. They needed to find shelter before her pain became too overpowering, or she would never get out of there. Reluctantly yanking the invisible chains tying her to Cedric, she asked, 'Do you know where we are?'
'Do I look like I know?' Cedric hissed, his voice laced with annoyance. Will gritted her teeth, frustration boiling inside her, and looked around for signs of civilization or shelter, but all she saw was a dark forest. The sun was slowly setting beyond the tree lines, and the temperature began dropping as the shadows grew longer. Will shivered and hugged herself, feeling dizzy, vulnerable, and exposed in the middle of nowhere.
'You are going to get hypothermia if we remain here.' The general gathered his wet clothes and sighed, standing on the sandbank. He took the ribbon out of his usual ponytail and shook his head to get rid of the water. His long hair was still wet and stuck to his bare back.
'You coming?' He raised his eyebrow, looking at the shivering girl in front of him.
Only now, in the bright sunlight, did Will notice the aristocratic lines on his clear face and the deep set of gray eyes that seethed with rage, piercing right through her. His body was lithe yet muscular, exuding a sense of control. She hesitated before nodding and trying to stand, biting her lower lip to keep the scream inside as her wound stretched and pain radiated through her body. Despite the discomfort, Will kept her composure in front of this man. There was no trust between them, and Cedric could betray her even if he couldn't directly injure her more than she already was. Yet, as long as they were stuck in this predicament, they had to work together to survive. She straightened her back and met his gaze, determined not to show weakness. Soon, Will reluctantly followed him deeper into the forest, deciding he knew more about Metamoor than she did.
The foliage was dense, and it was hard to follow the man ahead of her. Will stumbled through the roots and underbrush. Her head spun, and body shivered, unsure whether it was from cold or heat. Cedric seemed to be moving deeper into the forest without hesitation, so she wondered how long they would go on. Will stopped trying to catch her breath, but soon her strength faded, and she slumped on the moss-covered ground. The forest was eerily quiet. The only sound was the rustling of leaves and twigs, with the occasional twirling of a bird. When she lifted her head, Cedric was standing beside her with a frustrated look on his face.
'Weakling! And I thought Guardians were made of sturdier material.' He scoffed in her direction, causing her hands to clench into fists.
'If you haven't noticed until now, I am injured. Be glad it's not you sporting this wound from the weapon meant to kill you! Besides, it takes more than physical strength to be a Guardian. There is courage, determination, honor, and kindheartedness—something you clearly lack!' Will retorted, her voice steady despite the anger he ignited. Cerdric's expression turned to surprise before quickly morphing back into a scowl. He stepped forward, his hand gripping a tree trunk, leaving deep gashes in its bark.
'You may have a point about my lack of heart, but you are just a child playing a hero!' He spat, his voice dripping with venom. Will was taken aback by the intensity of his hatred.
'Why do you hate me so much?' The unexpected question slipped through her pale lips, and Cerdric's eyes narrowed as he glared at her.
'You would not understand,' he sneered. 'I do not hate you specifically. I detest what the Guardians represent. You are a naive girl with no understanding of the real world! Your allegiance to Kandrakar blinds you to the truth and prevents you from seeing the bigger picture. I will not explain myself to you, Guardian!' With that spat, Cedric turned around and vanished into the underbrush, but she could still hear his voice. 'Follow me if you want to escape this forest alive.'
His words stung, but she had no choice but to follow him because, without Cedric, she would be lost with no way out. He eventually halted near a rock cliff covered in green and brown vines on the surface. Cedric walked along the ledge, reaching for the foliage, until his hand vanished inside the hidden entrance. He pushed aside the vines and gestured for her to follow him. Will wavered outside, but as the cold wind picked up, making her teeth clatter, she stepped inside the dark opening.
The air was damp and musty, and there was a distant sound of water dripping. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness, and she could make out a narrow path leading into the depths. It seemed that Cedric did not need any light, as he walked without fear, his steps confident and sure. Will stayed close behind her until the air became colder and damper, causing her to shiver uncontrollably. When the sound of water drew closer, Cedric stopped, and she almost walked into his back. Stumbling, she looked around, and her boots crunched on the gravel. They stopped near the underground stream, barely visible in the dim light.
'We will spend the night here.' He said, with a silent voice echoing off the walls. Kneeling, he dipped his hands in the cold stream, drinking the clear liquid from his palms. Will watched him for a moment before joining, feeling the refreshing water quench her thirst, which she did not know she had. Then Will sat by the stream, with cold rocks poking her back, trying to gather warmth into her body.
'Stay here.' Cedric dropped his damp coat on her head and put on a shirt. 'I will gather some wood, and you will only burden me. Otherwise, we will both catch a cold, and I doubt you wish to share your body heat with me.' He smirked and then disappeared into the darkness. Will watched him go, feeling a mix of gratitude and irritation, gathering the material around herself. She knew Cedric was right, but that did not mean he did anything out of the kindness of his heart. Will hugged her knees closer, groaning with every move, trying to ignore her burn, but tears welled up in her eyes after tasting blood in her mouth. She needed a healer because her natural magic couldn't handle such a severe injury.
Time passed slowly in the eerie cave, and Will began to suspect that Cedric had abandoned her. It would not have been a surprise, considering their tumultuous alliance. As she was about to give up hope, footsteps came out of the gloom. Soon after, Cedric appeared, dropping an armful of firewood on the sand and beginning to dig a small fire pit. Will watched him work in silence, unsure what to say. The tension was palpable between them, but the promise of heat lifted her mood.
'How's your injury?' His question broke the silence.
Will thought for a moment before answering, 'What's it to you?
He shrugged, a tiny spark forming between his fingers. As the fire began to crackle and the warmth spread, they both relaxed slightly. Will could finally see his face, and Cedric grimaced, rolling up his shirt sleeves and stretching his hands closer to the fire. She followed his example, noticing the glimpse of gold etched on his wrists.
'Believe it or not. I cannot let you die.' Cedric sighed, caressing the golden lines on his skin. 'These restraints prevent me from causing you harm, even if I wanted to, until your life is out of immediate danger. This is old magic. I am bound by blood and honor to fulfill the debt I did not want or ask for.' He looked at her with an unreadable expression. 'Lucky for you because I would have left you to die. When I regain my freedom, this cursed alliance between us is over!' He growled, his eyes flashing yellow from suppressed anger. Will knew it was extremely fortunate that he did not abandon her to fend for herself, so she nodded in agreement, silently acknowledging the truth in his words. There was no trust between them, and she had to be cautious because even chained beasts could bite.
'Sleep, you are no use for me half dead. Tomorrow we will try to find civilization and, if possible, a healer. Then I will get rid of you without any guilt.' He muttered under his breath. Will exhausted by his constant insults, laid on the ground, wanting to find a comfortable position that would not aggravate her wound. Feeling the strength leave her body, Will wondered how her friends and family were back home. Watching the shadows dance on the cave walls and being keenly aware of the enemy sitting beside her, flinging tiny branches of wood into the fire, Will dozed off. After closing her eyes, she thought about how Phobos would react if he saw his loyal dog chained to her in this terrible situation for both of them. Before drifting into an uneasy sleep, Will prayed for a miracle and hoped that tomorrow would bring a way out of this mess.