Chapter 3 Meeting Ari of Arkhanta

Our day of training went by with some difficulty. After Elyon had gotten wind of what exactly had happened, she decided to remain with us until we were done. Having her as a babysitter felt a bit weird, but I was grateful for her cleaning me up. Vathek arrived shortly after our story and so, he became my new sparring partner. With permission of him, I tried going all out. I think I should be glad that Vathek is a galhot, for he only staggered back and looked winded and very surprised I managed to punch that hard. He also was quite sure he didn't want to be my sparring partner if I were in Guardian form.

Talking about Guardian form, we also transformed. We figured that we might as well at least test the boundaries of our powers in Guardian form. We didn't try any of our secondary powers, though Taranee did complain of unintentionally hearing thoughts of others. Trying to block them out was something she primarily focused on as we practiced. We also managed to literally destroy the whole training grounds. We restored it before Elyon got a fit, but it was fun to see her pale by the thought that she had to restore all of it.

But I was concerned. I didn't show it, so the others took no notice. I'm not sure if they realized how dangerous we had become. Cornelia tore the ground apart without much effort. Irma had filled the crevices in seconds and Taranee made it all evaporate shortly after. Hay Lin had gathered the steam, creating clouds. And well, the clouds only made my control over lightning much easier. I was even capable of redirecting the lightning when it was headed to a tall tree. As I said, we'd gotten pretty powerful and so, terribly dangerous.

That being said, it wasn't an excuse for Kandrakar. The next day, after school though, they summoned us. The Council was about as friendly as they were the day before, but at least they weren't yelling at us. I felt like we had the right to yell at them. I hadn't forgotten what Elyon had told us about them tempering with our lives. But it wouldn't aid us now. For now only the Oracle spoke.

"Guardians, we have received new intel about Ari's intentions," he said. "It has become clear to us that he wishes only ill for Kandrakar."

I swallowed, preparing already for a new storm of rage from the Council. I took a tentative step forward.

"If I may, sir, but why would Ari harbour such feelings? What did Kandrakar do?"

The fact that the Council remained silent, unnerved me. I didn't dare to look at them. I just hoped the Oracle had chided them for the show of disrespect they'd put up during the last time we'd been here. The Oracle showed no sign of what his thoughts were.

"Kandrakar did nothing and that's what he accuses us off."

I frowned. The fact that Kandrakar did nothing wasn't something I was surprised off. But why would someone besides us get angry about it? At least we had reasons to complain. Hay Lin let out a very soft moan and, as I briefly looked at her, saw her shake her head while placing a hand on her stomach. I nodded, before turning back to the Oracle. I needed an explanation.

"I'm not sure I understand," I said.

The Oracle waved his hand. Once again did the image of Ari appear, only this time he was accompanied by a child with straw blond hair. The boy seemed to be zoned out. The gaze reminded me of Hay Lin who'd gone into one of her painting frenzies, or Taranee who was buried in a book.

"Ari has a son, Maqi. He is a young, healthy boy, but different from other children. Silent and solitary, he lives in a world of his own, far from that of others. And not even the magic of the Banshee can bring him out of it. He blames me for inaction and thus Maqi's current status in life," the Oracle said.

I was agreeing with Ari, but I didn't show it. I bit my lip, mulling over my options. I decided to go for the stupidest one.

"Wouldn't...Wouldn't it be simpler to just give Ari what he wants? I assume you've got the power to help little Maqi..."

This indeed elicited a new string of whispers through the Council room. But none were loud enough for me to understand.

"I will not. That is not my task. I am but an observer, a simple keeper of balance," the Oracle said.

I balled my hands. Observer my ass. An observer wouldn't have set my former friends against me. Wouldn't have made Taranee move away. Again I heard Hay Lin whimper softly, but this time I paid no attention. All of it was already reserved for the Oracle and his hypocrisy.

"And yet you alter our lives so it all works out well for you."

I couldn't help myself. I had to speak my mind. I believed to see a short flash of anger in the Oracle's eyes, yet when I looked more clearly at them, they looked the same as they've always done. I heard Taranee agree with me telepathically, while Cornelia requested me to calm down.

"You will relate these words to him. I do not decide anyone's future nor can I make up for mistakes and injustices. This is my final conciliatory gesture."

It was no reply to my response. He just ignored it. Yet I didn't dare to press the issue.

"One way or another, Ari must free the Banshee and renounce his intentions. This is the wish of Kandrakar."

"One way or another?"

I repeated the part that was most concerning. It sounded more like a threat. If the Oracle really only wanted to keep the balance, he should've gotten off his high horse and just healed the kid.

"If you have nothing else to say, you may go."

With that, the Oracle created a fold. I clenched my teeth. I had many more things on my mind, but none would save Ari or our cause. I just nodded and walked through, knowing the others would follow me.

The fold lead us directly to a grant, red palace. You really didn't need to be a genius to figure out that this was most likely Ari's place of residence. Irma whistled in appreciation. The fold snapped shut behind us, leaving us temporarily alone.

"I'm starting to understand that Ari guy more and more," Cornelia said.

"No kidding. Leaving an innocent kid to suffer," Irma said.

"Can't we just do something?" Hay Lin said.

"Like what? I doubt that guy would even let us come close to his son," Taranee said.

I shook my head. We couldn't try to do much now. We were only send to leave a message. Approaching Maqi would probably be seen as an act of war. I rolled my shoulders and looked back, noticing they were all staring at me. Hay Lin was a little paler than when we went to Kandrakar, but when I was looking at her I could see her colour return. Maybe a small dizzy spell? Or a stomach ache due to something she ate? At least she looked better now.

"We're only here to deliver the message. Let's just hope Ari is more open minded than Kandrakar leads us to believe."

I could see them nod, with Hay Lin looking quite upset that we weren't going to save the boy. I know how she felt, but I couldn't change it. Kandrakar hadn't been that accommodating to us and I didn't want them to get another fit that might get us into trouble. Now, self-preservation was more important than the lives of others. Even if that meant ignoring the plead of an innocent boy.

We walked to the gates, where we were met by guards. They were overall quite friendly. It was obvious Ari was not expecting an attack, or we wouldn't have been invited in. The guards didn't bother to ask our names, or titles. When we told them we wished to speak to Ari, I swear I saw them smile in understanding. I really doubt they knew our reason, but they let us enter and guided us to a large room. As we walked, I noticed a severe lack of other guards. When I asked them, they both said that their lord did not have a reason to fear an attack. They were given the job as palace guards as a sort of punishment. It seemed that they'd been caught stealing and, while the old traditions required their hands to be cut off, Ari spoke with them. When he learned they only stole because they couldn't find a job, Ari gave them those positions. They weren't required to be here, but they did so anyway.

The more I listened, the more I thought of Ari as a great man. One who'd gone through more misery than was necessary. How was it balancing to have someone who's good, go through so much misery? I internally frowned at the Oracle's words, before the guards left us. We waited patiently, or as patient as Irma could be.

"The big guy is making us wait for quite a while. Can't we just barge in? It's not like guards will stop us," Irma said.

"Because barging in will convey that we've come in peace, right?" Cornelia said.

Irma shrugged. "All I'm saying is that we could definitely pull it off. Just pull rank."

"With a guy who is willing to try and level Kandrakar with his Banshee?" I frowned.

Irma was willing to argue more, but I already shook my head.
"Before doing anything, we better think things through," I said.

"That's an excellent suggestion strangers."

I turned around, cursing myself for not paying enough attention. I could hear Cornelia say his name and when I finally faced the one who had spoken, I could indeed see Ari standing behind us. His blue hair was the same as when the Oracle had shown us his picture. He wore a cloak that ended in large feathers, most likely from some local bird. He looked the part, but I could see something dark in his eyes. Like he'd abandoned all his hope. He didn't seem all too impressed with us, or that Cornelia had uttered his name. He placed his hands on his hips and I could see the simple farmer he once was standing now in front of us. Unsure of how to meet guests.

"You know my name, I see... Yet I know nothing about you," he said. This already didn't bode well. "This puts me at a disadvantage, which leaves me no choice but to defend myself."

Crap. If he decided to call on his banshee now, we wouldn't even had a chance to negotiate. I tried my most likeable smile.

"We're the Guardians of Kandrakar, sir," I said as politely as I could. I actually had trouble saying 'Kandrakar', because I was just anticipating a negative reaction. "and we're here to speak with you."

Unfortunately, his face contorted the moment I said 'Kandrakar'. His eyes turned darker and his mouth twisted into a snarl. He growled the word like a wild animal.

"You're very young," he said, circling us. I tried to keep my face straight. Even in Guardian form, we looked little older than 18. In about two years we would – hopefully – look like this. Being called young even now, irked me. "So the Oracle hides now behind little girls."

I took a very deep breath. Cornelia and Irma, both, were ready to tell him different. Or, I thought they would. Instead I saw them staring at me, their faces telling me to speak up or they would do it for me.

"Don't let appearances fool you," I said, the tone carefully balanced between a warning and a sneer.

Ari didn't seem to read much out of it. He stopped his circling and turned his head to us, his glare telling us we should be silent. That kids shouldn't mingle with the things adults go through.

"It was brave of you to travel all the way here, but your journey has been made in vain! I've already said everything I have to say to your master!"

I know that in the past, I would have given Cornelia a stubbornness award, but even she had the ability to listen to others. This guy, he was just vexing for the sake of being it. He was so wrapped up in his own sorrowful life that he refused to listen.

"What happened to your son..." I said.

I could have hit myself for speaking about his son. It was probably the most sensitive subject I could raise. And yet I wanted him to realize that his problem with his son was not our frigging problem. Yet, I never had the chance.

"Don't speak about my son! You know nothing about him! Absolutely nothing!"

It was like a bomb had exploded. He made himself bigger and turned around, his arms emphasizing his words.

"Your Oracle has done nothing for my little boy!"

If I had to imagine someone cursing his gods, Ari would make a pretty could example. He spoke of the Oracle like a magical fairy godmother, there to help everyone at every given time. If he were, we wouldn't be send to different worlds. If he were, he wouldn't have been locked in a miniature Veil.

"He turned a deaf ear to my plea! He never answered my calls for help!"

So did God with mine, yet you don't see me burning churches. I could tell him that, but I doubted he would listen. His explosion of anger had taken us by surprise. We took our distance from him and from the corner of my eye, I saw everyone preparing for a fight. And here I was hoping we could do this without fighting.

"So then, with what right does he call himself the wisest of the wisest. The greatest of the greatest?" Ari's rant didn't seem to end. "With what right does he demand to be respected?"

For a moment, we all looked at each other. I wasn't liking it, but this guy was actually making a point. A very solid one. I couldn't refute his logic, but I still wanted to change his mind. If he were to attack Kandrakar, bloodshed would follow. Unnecessary bloodshed I might add. If only I could make him realize that.

"The Oracle isn't worthy to sit in the highest throne of Kandrakar." If he knew that the Oracle shared that throne with an entire Council, then perhaps he wouldn't blow this up so much. "Which is why I will drag him through the dust! I have the power to do it, and you can rest assured I will!"

How much as I wanted, I couldn't let a threat to Kandrakar slide. I guess I finally realized why Elyon and Matt called us the soldiers of Kandrakar.

"Ari, I can't let you," I said, taking a step towards him.

He looked at me, his eyes shining madly. "Yua!"

A feminine voice suddenly echoed through the room. The voice sounded like someone spoke with their mouth half under water.

"I'm listening Master."

"It's the banshee!" Hay Lin said.

"Looks like we're in trouble! Let's clear out!" Irma said.

I couldn't agree more. I motioned everyone to get out. Our wings reacting only seconds after our feet started to run away.

"Get rid of these intruders spirit! Remove them from my sight! And take them where they can never return!" Ari's voice echoed.

"Retreat guys! Out of here! Out of here!"

I didn't want to sound desperate, but I didn't want to try our chances with a banshee. I didn't know how powerful she was, but if she could make almost every wish come true I figured she could give us a run for our money.

"Your wish will be granted, Master."

Terror gripped my heart as her creepy voice echoed around us. I could see the gates of the palace, when suddenly I could feel the familiar tugging of teletransportation. Only with a more forceful tug than usual.

A second later, the palace had disappeared and I realized I couldn't breathe. Water was surrounding me and I saw the others struggling as much. My vision blurred, but I could still feel the water bubble around me. A bubble appeared around my head and I took some very, very grateful gasps of air. I looked around to see Hay Lin wave at us. I gave her the thumbs up for thinking so quickly. She pointed aside of her, where I could see Irma grinning broadly. Irma was the only one of us lacking an air bubble, but I wasn't really concerned by that. The way she moved told me she was doing just fine. The thing that slightly worried me was that Irma was the reason for the water bubbling around us. She raised her arms, causing all of us to shoot through the water at a high speed. Panic was setting in as I suddenly flew through the air. It took me a few seconds to realize I had wings that actually worked. Shrieks resounded through the jungle as the other girls went through the same panic as I had gone through. I was still trying to calm my heart as Irma's laughter of joy followed the shrieks of terror.

We landed, where Taranee started drying us. Irma was still laughing like she had had the best ride of her life. Hay Lin had managed to see the fun in it and was giggling along. Cornelia was shooting daggers while Taranee decided to focus all her attention on drying her.

"Are. You. Insane?" Cornelia said. "Shooting us off like freaking fireworks!"

"Oh Cornelia, it was fun. And it got us out of the water. Unless you're telling me you've grown stronger in swimming?" Irma said.

I remained silent as I watched Cornelia flush. She decided to halt her discussion in favour of making sure Taranee did not accidentally burn her hair. I could see Irma's victory smile and knew she was ready to gloat over said victory. Something I would stop before she began. I tapped her on her shoulder. Her smile dropped immediately.

"I admit you helped us greatly with firing us out of the water. The current was pretty strong and some of us would have struggled to get out." Irma smiled again at the praise. "But next time, at least warn us beforehand. I understand that if we didn't have Hay Lin's air bubbles, you couldn't have asked. But that wasn't the case."

She nodded, muttering some apologies I didn't need to hear. I grabbed her shoulder and grinned broadly at her.

"It was a great shot into the air though. Always wanted to do that," I said.

She grinned again. "Next time we won't be forcibly teletransported underwater," she said.

I grinned and hugged her shoulders as we watched Taranee dry Hay Lin. Irma suggested to pull the water off of me, to which I agreed. Once everyone was dry we watched the lake we'd landed in. We were in the middle of the jungle. It was quite a pretty cool place to have a vacation here. Or at least some place to chill for a while. And probably could be if Ari wasn't bend on proclaiming war on Kandrakar.

"So what now? Leave and tell Kandrakar the jolly good news?" Irma said.

"We can't really let him go with threatening Kandrakar, can we?" Taranee said.

"I don't know... I can definitely see where he's coming from," Cornelia said.

I didn't want to nod at Cornelia's statement, but I felt the same way. Instead I looked over at the horizon. We could try and fly back, or just teletransport. I was thinking about the latter.

"We're going back. Ari's got to listen to us if we want to stop a war from breaking out," I said.

The reaction was something I was expecting and it somehow seemed a bit hilarious. Cornelia's lips drew together to a line, her eyebrows knitting together in a frown. Taranee looked like she was sure she heard me incorrect. Hay Lin and Irma looked like I slapped them.

"You want to go back up there? Ari is going to kick our butts all over again!" Hay Lin said.

"We can't go back into battle without a plan!" Irma said.

I frowned. I shook my head and turned to them. "I don't want to fight. I just want to talk."

"I don't suppose you want us to fly back?" Cornelia said.

I smiled at her. "How lucky are we that we learned teletransportation just last year."

My reply didn't make her smile, or any of the others. Dread was visible in their eyes, but we had a job to do and I would be damned to let it go past without trying at least one more time.

"If I ever complain that you're being stubborn, Corny, remind me of this. Will would out-stubborn you," Irma said.

"I doubt that's a word," Taranee said softly.

I didn't wait much longer for more complaints or eventual arguments, so I pictured the entrance of the palace in my mind. Within seconds the usual pull followed and when I opened my eyes, the two guards yelped in surprise and I heard the curse of the man we wanted to speak.

"Damnation! Them again!"

Before I could think of anyone who would say 'Damnation', Ari had already stalked inside. The doors flung shut, surprising his two guards. The two men, first surprised and slightly confused at our spontaneous return, now raised their weapons at us. The message was really clear.

"What lousy hospitality! He saw us coming, and this is the welcome he gives us!"

I could always admire Irma's leisure way of handling the situation. When the time came that she would lose her jokes, I would assume her to be dead.

"Stop complaining! He could've done a lot worse than this!"

I raised an eyebrow as Hay Lin chided Irma. She wasn't one to do that, but perhaps even my happy, go-lucky friend needed some seriousness every once in a while. I could see her studying the walls and, as I did so as well, I noticed a severe lack of windows. Ari really didn't want us to get in.

Suddenly, I felt a chill run down my spine. The hairs in the back of my neck were standing on end. I could only wonder for a second why I was feeling this when a loud thunder crash resounded above us. More lightning followed. I felt restless. This was absolutely not me calling a storm. How powerful was that banshee?

"Eyes open girls! I don't like this situation," I said.

I could hear Irma faintly mumble a sarcastic reply, but as per usual I let it slide. The lightning rumbled ominously. We could try to teletransport inside, but I didn't want to risk the banshee manipulating our destination. I didn't know if she could, but I was in no mood to find out. Instead I turned to the two guards, who were trying to enter through the now disappeared doors.

"Call Ari. Tell him he needs to listen to us!" I demanded.

The guards paled. Maybe they thought we were the cause of nature's rumblings. They pounded the wall even harder when the ground started to shake. I looked at Cornelia, who shook her head. It wasn't her who was causing these earthquakes. I could see the cracks reach for us and just when I wanted to lift off into the air, fire erupted from the cracks. The flames grew in a matter of seconds and were a sickly shade of blue.

"Taranee!" Cornelia yelled in alarm.

I could see Taranee frantically try and subdue the fires, but every time she focused, the flames rose higher. Panic was starting to show on her face.

"Let me try!"

Irma prepared hands full of water, but before she could Taranee blocked her.

"No! Don't!"

Irma looked only slightly annoyed, as the raising need for a way to stop the flames was becoming more and more important.

"Someone has to douse them. If you can't, I will!"

I could see this was a blow to Taranee's ego. The Fire Guardian frowned darkly as Irma rose her hands. Even so, Taranee still attempted to stop Irma. She was but a split-second too late. Water cascaded from Irma's hands and unto the flames. They however gave the fire even more fuel. Irma immediately halted when the flames roared higher and I was sure I saw her pale. Not only was the situation becoming more and more dangerous, not just physically but mentally as well. Two of my Guardians were disturbed by their inability of taming the fires and the other two were desperately trying to stop the flames by closing the crevices or evoking the winds. Nothing seemed to work.

"We've wasted too much time. We're surrounded." I took out the Heart and slashed in the air, creating us a fold. "We have no choice then. We're going back to Kandrakar."

When I'd created the fold I hadn't been that specific. I just wanted us gone from Arkhanta and to Kandrakar. That we folded right into the Council Hall was something I should've thought of. Now we immediately faced the Council, while Cornelia was still patting her hair out and both Taranee and Irma were spacing out. Not our best entrance.

Outrage followed our appearance, but they were quickly subdued as the Oracle came forth. His eyes were cold as he regarded us. The silence finally returned and for a full minute, nothing was said. He then cleared his throat.

"There is little to say, I believe. The evidence speaks for all of you. You have failed."

Those last three words, those were the ones that hammered home. It was not fair. We tried. We didn't know Ari would react that harshly. And we did deliver the message.

"It's not our fault! We threw ourselves head-first into Arkhanta without knowing what to expect!"

The Oracle nodded ever so slightly, as if to acknowledge as much.

"And we did deliver the message. His answer seems clear," I added.

Mutterings along the Council arose once again. Though this time they lacked the obvious dislike towards us. I sensed more of a certain discomfort and unease going through the Council. The Oracle momentarily took his eyes from us and scanned the Council as well. When his gaze returned to us, his gaze was grim.

"We'll have much to discuss. Halinor, guide the Guardians to the proper folding chambers and hurry back. These are grim affairs indeed."

My heart almost leapt from joy when Halinor emerged from the crowd of Council members. While her face remained impassive, her eyes radiated with concern and joy for us. She was perhaps the only friendly face in the crowd. She ushered us out and for a moment, no one talked. We rounded a corner and I noticed Halinor looking back.

"What will you be discussing?" I said.

Halinor halted and looked at me. Her wrinkles seemed to be a lot more than I remembered as worry washed over her.

"Ever since the whole Council has returned, Kandrakar's actions seem a lot more direct," she said. "I'm afraid we will discuss the option of war with Arkhanta."

"You can't do that!" Hay Lin said. "Ari's doing this for his son! If the Oracle just healed him..."

Halinor shook her head. "Hay Lin, the Oracle only acts if the situation becomes too dangerous to control."

I looked at the petite Asian. Her head drooped and she stared at the floor. I couldn't remember seeing her like that.

"Can't we try it? I mean, I can heal?"

I looked at Cornelia. Hay Lin perked up visibly and looked at Halinor. I turned my gaze to our predecessor to see her think. She seemed only mildly surprised that Cornelia was able to heal. She looked at all of us and slowly nodded.

"I will certainly vote for that option. A final peace offering from Kandrakar."

I smiled broadly. The others smiled as well. Irma and Taranee finally snapped out of their daze.

"That being said, I want to give you five some advice. You might have noticed the Council's hostility towards the five of you."

I silenced Irma's sarcastic retort before she could even make one.

"That is because the Council has no faith in another set of Guardians from Earth. Yet the Oracle didn't see any harm as you five were the first choices of the Heart of Kandrakar. This does not mean the Council will not try to expose your flaws. My advice to you is to stay low for a while, obey the Council and the Oracle and in time, they will accept you."

I tried my best not to frown. I already had a hard time getting my mother to accept that I need a little more freedom. I didn't want to make an effort like that with the Council. Despite that, I nodded. The others followed my lead and Halinor proceeded to lead us further to the folding chambers. I transformed us to our human forms and as I opened a fold to Earth, I watched Halinor pulling Taranee apart for a moment. Halinor noticed me looking and waved me along. I stepped through, only for Taranee to follow me a few seconds later.

"What was that about?" I said telepathically.

"Tell you later."

I nodded and turned to the others. We all stared for a moment at each other. In the background we could hear the ruckus of Hay Lin's family restaurant.

"So... Anyone up for homework?" Hay Lin said with a lopsided grin.