Mentioned in this story Passage of Memories and the trial of the elements, appeared in a special issue of the comic book "Core of Kandrakar".


The sight of the fortress at Kandrakar was always breathtaking.

Smooth facades so white and bright that they seemed to shine. Richly decorated chambers. High vaults supported by elaborate arches and columns. Numerous bas-reliefs depicting various scenes from the history of the universe. All elements of the building seemed to be made of marble.

No matter how many times Hay Lin traveled to this incredible place, she was simply captivated by it with each return. Although she no longer felt completely overwhelmed or dazzled by its size and sublime atmosphere (as she had been during her first visits to Kandrakar as a Guardian of the Veil), it certainly was still leaving her in awe.

Lately, she had been coming to the very center of the universe not only to discuss the details of the next important mission with the Oracle. It happened more and more often that the sole reason was an ordinary visit to her grandmother. Certain privileges came with gaining more experience as a Guardian and the ability to travel to Kandrakar on a regular basis was one of them.

Hay Lin was currently during one of these visits. She and Yan Lin went for a walk and were leisurely strolling through the fortress' long, endless corridors. They were deep in conversation. This time, Hay Lin was mostly talking about their family matters, like the recent rush of work at the restaurant, her mother's newfound passion for fitness, which had led to her signing up for Zumba or her father's high school yearbook meeting, after which he had renewed some of his old friendships.

"It's a pity that dad and mom can't come and see you like me," Hay Lin stated sadly, ending the string of happy family stories.

"That's true. I miss my son and daughter-in-law," Yan Lin agreed, looking melancholically into the distance. There was sorrow hidden deeply in her eyes. "But one day we will all meet again. All that remains is to wait patiently," the woman smiled gently. Hay Lin smiled back at her, then stopped abruptly at the railing.

"I... I've been to this place before. I recognize this pond," she said, looking over the railing at the greenish water at the bottom of the low stairs. The sources of water were several waterfalls, drained from slots in the ceiling. Water lilies floated lazily on the pond's surface and a few meters from the waterside were two small islets with shrubs and short trees growing on them.

Well, Kandrakar also had its equivalents of mini-parks in the middle of the city, if that was an appropriate comparison.

Hay Lin walked down the steps and stepped onto one of the many footbridges on the water that together formed a crossing to the other side of the pond. She jumped to the next footbridge. And again to the next one. After a moment, she reached an open archway and walked through it.

"Ah!" She shouted. "Passage of Memories!"

She had visited the Passage of Memories with her friends once, during a test to prove whether the individual elemental powers had been properly assigned to them. Beyond the archway was a narrow balcony, leading to a square chamber in the form of a shaft - a vertical tunnel that seemed to extend up and down the balcony endlessly. The bas-reliefs decorating all the walls of the room showed specifically the history of Kandrakar - what had taken place in the fortress in the past and what was happening nowadays. Future events were still waiting for their turn to appear in the images.

"What's happening, my little bird? Have you remembered something?" Asked Yan Lin, who had followed her granddaughter and was now standing behind her.

"Yes grandma, the Passage of Memories. We were here once with the girls during the trial of the elements," Hay Lin answered. Her gaze fell on the wall opposite the balcony. The likenesses of all the previous Guardians of the Veil had been carved into it with a magical chisel. Her and her teammates' portraits were at the bottom of them and the space underneath them remained, for now, empty.

Hay Lin then realized there was something she had never asked her grandmother before. How had she not thought of this earlier?

"Grandma, have you ever met the previous Guardians? I mean the previous ones for you, which were active right before you and your mates?"

"Yes, of course. All five of them are on the Council. I'll introduce you to them at the next opportunity."

"Really?! It would be great." Hay Lin cheered, then she thought for a moment. "Would you tell me more about them first?"


Cornelia hated being late.

This time, there was nothing she could do about it. Her skating practice started later than it should have due to the unexpected occupancy of the rink, so she finished it right during the worst rush hour. Crossing half of the city with omnipresent traffic jams was not an easy or pleasant task.

Neither the fast one.

It took her more than twice as long than she originally expected, to get to the apartment Taranee and Hay Lin were renting. The rest of the W.I.T.C.H. team had been there for a long time and now they were waiting only for her.

Spending Friday evenings together had become something of a tradition for the five of them. Ever since they had graduated from high school, it had been hard for them to get together, apart from the occasional assignments for Kandrakar. Their daily lives were filled with various duties and obligations, which meant a chronic lack of time. That's why they set aside a few hours a week for meetings among themselves.

The door for Cornelia was opened by Taranee.

"You got it hard with those traffic jams today. I really feel sorry for you."

"Don't even ask." Cornelia sighed and hung her coat on the hanger, then greeted all the Guardians in turn. She saved Irma for last - she approached her and kissed her lightly on the lips.

A minute later she was sitting comfortably on the couch with a large mug of tea in her hands.

"Hay Lin just shared a very entertaining story with us," Will spoke first, smiling meaningfully. Cornelia squinted. She didn't miss the fact that her friends and her other half exchanged knowing glances. What had they come up with again?

"Yeah? What is this story?" She replied, trying to sound indifferent. Maybe if she pretended she hadn't noticed anything, she could get by without… anything that would happen now.

"My grandmother recently told me about the ex-Guardians. Mainly about the ones from the term preceding hers, but also about the ones before that. Overall, I learned a lot of interesting information. The girls have already heard most of it, so I'll repeat it for you later. Just a moment ago, I got to one particularly intriguing fact." Hay Lin clearly emphasized the words 'particularly intriguing'.

"You heard about Kadma and Halinor, right? A lesbian couple running a foundation for children in need and also former Guardians of the Veil…"

"Yes Irma, I did hear something about them," Cornelia answered sarcastically.

"And well, it just turned out that in that previous Guardians' team, there was one girl who was into other girls. Grandma said she had a partner in the world she came from. And it was the same in the earlier group!" Hay Lin said with obvious enthusiasm.

"And in the once again earlier one, there were two members in a relationship. And in the one before that, the same thing," Irma finished for her, showing on her fingers the number of past generations of Guardians they were talking about.

"Fascinating, indeed." Cornelia took a sip of tea. "Apparently, history repeats itself."

"Do you know what is most fascinating about all this?" Irma lowered her voice theatrically and leaned towards her beloved.

"You're probably going to tell me anyway, so why are you asking?"

"That all those Guardians had the power of the earth! If there was a couple on the same team, one of them always controlled the earth, just like you and Kadma. And if there was no couple at all, the one of them who liked other women had the same power as you!" A stream of words shot out of Hay Lin before Irma could open her mouth. The Water Guardian gave her friend a disgusted look that clearly said 'Really? I wanted to tell her first!' Hay Lin quickly covered her mouth with her hand in remorse. "I'm sorry! It slipped out, I couldn't wait for Cornelia's reaction too!"

The said Cornelia's reaction was pretty calm. As Cornelia usually was herself. The days when she had been a teenager who had got upset easily about everything were long gone.

"Oh. It's really interesting… What a coincidence." This time, it was Cornelia who smiled meaningfully.

"You see, Corny? It's fate that we're together!"

"Am I saying that it isn't?"


This story takes place in the comic book universe, but if it were about the animated series, it would be titled: "There is no Straight Water Guardian", as according to its canon Cassidy/Nerissa were more implied as a couple than Kadma/Halinor.