4-1

-:{(4)}:-
Almost
"I‘ve waited so long… Tell me, how should this feel?"

___A ferocious concentration of thunder laid siege to Lars’ empty streets, a stampede sixteen hooves strong devastating the dusty roads. The Prince’s horses bred for strength above all else, dragged his hapless carriage through the listless night as if it weighed naught. The gentle vibrations from their mighty gaits easily lulled the trailing passengers into languid dreams. With the exception of one adorable thief, everyone was drifting off into his or her imagined worlds.
___Hardly even noticing the scenery change, Lukas expertly guided his team. The poorly constructed Business Quarter was gradually giving way to the austere simplicity of the Parliamentary District. Edged in by elegant black steel fences the road widened, diverging around a series of immense stone carvings. Buildings, now fewer and farther in-between stood massively tall, each exemplifying the specific grandeur of their owners. Breathtakingly bathed in the pale full moon‘s light, the world seemed to have shifted beneath them.
___“Whoa,” Lukas called, slowing the carriage’s advance. The boulevard’s end had arrived and the very last building, fittingly the largest, belonged to the Prince.
___“Durian, wake up and open the gate you dolt!” he bellowed, horses impatiently stammering to continue. It seemed they shared his mood, waiting behind the towering wrought iron bars.
___“Lukas, you never have and never will find me sleeping. Will you ever stop calling me a dolt…” Durian halfheartedly complained, walking over to unlock the massive entrance.
___At first glance, the guard appeared a mere statue, his entire body encased in dull smoky gray steel. He stood perfectly still, patiently waiting with unceasing vigilance for the Prince return, both hands resting atop an overly large sword pointed toward the earth. As Tiffany watched him proceed to open the entrance, it was obvious he was a seasoned warrior. Even with all his cumbersome armor, he moved with an intensely focused grace, evidently trained not to waste his movements.
___“The one day I break the routine and simply ask you to open the gate, your eyes will undoubtedly be closed inside that helmet of yours.” Lukas laughed, giving the reigns a small jolt.
___“Feel free to give it a try.” Durian dryly replied, watching the enormous buggy pass him by. Even in the midst of the playful banter, his eyes meticulously roamed the vehicle for anything suspicious.
___“Halt!”
___It didn’t surprise Lukas in the least to hear his brusque command.
___“Care to explain what‘s going on here?” Durian sighed, referring to the springs beneath the carriage. They were compressed much too far to be supporting the Prince’s weight alone. “I believe we have a protocol for bringing guest to the manner.”
___“Don‘t worry, they‘re harmless commoners. You can see for yourself if you like.”
___“It‘s not like I have a choice,” Durian griped, walking up to the door.
___Peering inside, he couldn’t help but wonder what had brought this random group of people together. The beautiful girl didn’t take much guessing, but the child and odd guy cuddling with his master was far from the usual.
___“I know Durian, I know… You‘ll get a full explanation tomorrow.” Lukas yawned, rubbing tired eyes.
___“I better Lukas.” Durian sighed, latching the door once again. “I‘m… curious about this one.”
___“I know the feeling,”
___The carriage proceeded onward, awkwardly fumbling along the unassumingly lavish cream stone driveway. It was only a matter of seconds before the coach was resting underneath the southern awning. Finally releasing the reigns, Lukas gently poked his fellow attendant in the side, jumping down as Minos slowly blinked awake.
___“I’ll let you attend to the Prince.” he softly ordered, already halfway inside the carriage himself. He couldn’t help but smile as he beheld Erik’s arm entwined with David’s, their hands resting atop one another.
___Of all the men in this world why him, Lukas thought, carefully reaching out to untangle them.
___It was awhile before Minos fully broke free from his haze, but his eyes recovered in time to watch the supposed hero from earlier being lugged inside. It was only at times like this he remembered Lukas and himself had once been accomplished knights. Watching him easily trudge inside the manor with a full-grown man slung over his shoulder, he couldn‘t help but hear the clash of their retired swords.
___I guess it‘s my turn, he reminded himself, hopping down.
___Unlike Lukas, he took extreme care not to wake his fighter. He carried Erik in both arms; his head nestled against his burly chest like a small child. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for the man in his arms. It was his vow. Hearing Lukas knocking on the Head-Mistress door below him, he stealthily made his way up the giant winding staircase to the Prince’s chambers.

___“I apologize for waking you at this hour, but I have need of your assistance Elise.” Lukas pleaded, a gentle authority tainting his tone. He was speaking to a crack in the door, unable to even see the aged servant in the dark recess of her room.
___“Lukas…? What is it?” she yawned, her voice merely a wisp as she struggled to adjust to the small light.
___“I‘ve brought back guests from the Prince recent episode and I need rooms prepared.”
___“Guest… at this hour?” Elise sighed, opening the door a hair more. Her mind was already running through the possibilities and of course, any number of young women was her guess.
___“Besides this one, there’s a young lass and her child.” Lukas interjected, answering the question he knew Elise wouldn’t ask.
___ “Allow me to put on something more appropriate.” Elise insisted, pertly closing the door. She knew better than to dwell on the impropriety of the matter.

___Reaching the Prince’s room, Minos sidestepped his way through the ornate double doors, taken aback by the onslaught of light. It was certainly no problem making out the young master’s grandiose bed. The entire room was basked in the moonlight streaming through the open terrace doors, a blinding glare reflecting off the pristine white tiled floor. The space was airy, an elegant simplicity forming its mood as Erik had wished.
___Softly setting the Prince down, the attendant silently thanked Elise for being so thoughtful. She’d already turned the sheets down and removed the unnecessary decorative pillows, even left out his night apparel. All he had left was to change the Prince clothing and tuck him in - a simple task.
___It wasn’t until Minos began slipping Erik’s arm through his loose linen shirt that he even began to stir, gently grumbling in dismay. The attendant was nearly done anyway, needing only to let him recline and pull up his covers. The servant watched him roll over contentedly snuggling in his bed, unconscious smile set upon his lips. For a short moment, he couldn’t help but simply watch him rest. It fulfilled him, this privilege of such menial service to the young heir.
___The glow of satisfaction wasn‘t making him any less tired himself though. It wasn’t long before he was pulling the room’s thick double doors closed behind him, pausing momentarily to simply breathe outside. Without giving Lukas a second thought, he slumped toward his room intent on finding his own dreams.
___“Lukas, you can put him down. The bed’s ready.” Elise announced, apprehensively selecting one of the fine Indencian comforters from the hall’s closet. She knew perfectly well the luxury of its texture would be wasted on this obvious commoner, but he was an honored guest of the Prince.
___Lukas was too tired to do anything more than casually toss him. Elise could only grimace as she watched the young man collapse onto the bed; limbs bouncing around like cheap a toy. Her gaze swiftly narrowed into the sternest disapproval, verbal condemnation of the fellow servant simply outside her right. Even as his senior, she was still restrained by Urchine tradition to respect him as an Armâre, the personal guards to the royal family.
___Lukas had to fight off a shudder nonetheless, pierced through by the eminence radiating from Elise round face. The woman may have been old, but she was a textbook example of what a manor’s head mistress should be. With a hasty retreat to the door, he propped himself against the massive frame, hiding as best he could. Silently, he waited for her to finish, watching lazily as she tossed her comforter across David’s body. With one practiced motion, she completely covered the entire bed, the light fabric slowly drifting into place.
___“I‘ll show you to the others. They‘re asleep outside.” Lukas announced, standing aright as he turned to lead the way.
___It was only with a small resigned sigh that Elise followed him. No need to dwell on the trivial.
___“I dare say,” she began, halfway through the long hall, “the last child to ever grace this manor might have been the Prince himself?”
___“Yes, it has been quite awhile…”
___It wasn’t very often Elise actually entertained these days. She missed the grand affairs, but even more so the intimacy of the royal family. Trusted confidant and friend, she held hundreds of fond memories, especially with the Queen. Little by little, she’d literally watched the Prince grow. The severity of never being able to return to those bygone days seemed almost unreal. The times where changing though, diplomacy a matter of militias and trade advantage rather than simple handshakes and gifts. Maintaining the country’s prosperity required continual effort, a task the monarchy met with unceasing vigilance. It was little wonder they found time to rest, much less make use of their small manner in Lars.
___Neither aware of the invisible forces wrestling before them, the two briskly proceeded outside. Luckily for Elise, the soul fate chose to educate was Lukas, his tired face unexpectedly warping in anguish. Lips parted and trembling, his breath shallow gasps, he nearly vomited from the violent force of his stomach churning. Everything inside him, and outside too for that matter waged a bitter war. A piercing wave of burn like intensity washed over his skin, so excruciatingly searing and unrelenting his desperate screams were silenced before they even began, choked up in his throat. His mind was left with just enough awareness to spin in the vacuum of space as the world fell from beneath his feet. The feelings were so rampant and expansive he couldn’t really feel at all, cut off from himself and forced to imagine what must be.
___Is this what death feels like?
___Elise only saw him pause momentarily, arching her brow in confusion before he simply continued on.
___The startling brilliance of the pain and shifting disorientation somehow passed before it began. It was like a premonition of a memory that was vague at best. Lukas would never know he’d just stumbled into the boundary between ruptured time streams. Considering a thief was the cause, it was probably for the best.
___Tiffany had finally made her move. She was now standing on the Prince’s balcony, looking over this new version of Lars. To the rest of the world, she teleported directly from the manor’s front entrance to the terrace up above. In reality though, she had carefully scaled the building with time frozen around her. Aware of the ever-present guards, it was a simple choice, realizing how insanely evident she’d have made herself otherwise.
___From her new vantage point the city was breathtaking. The clutter of Lars was off in the distance with the sultry elegance of the Parliamentary District stretched out before her. It was crisp, in its architecture and its feel, for the desert night was remarkably cold. A small breeze played in her short blonde hair, bumps rising along her arms and urging her inside. It was with a satisfied nod that Tiffany turned to peek within, bombarded by the manor‘s elegance even in the darkness.
___The shiny bi-colored mosaic of pale blue and white tiled floor made her nervous to even step foot on, but courage didn‘t elude her for long. Her slim shadow dipped far across the room, elongating her body as she took her first timid steps inside the noble’s sanctum. The space was overpowering to put it mildly. Everything was obviously worth more than she could imagine, embellished with polished silver and ornately designed. It was amazing how one person could have so much, especially considering her own home. The inequality gap was enough to make her furious, but the faint sound of someone’s breathing didn‘t allow her the time. Like any thief familiar with the unexpected she willed herself invisible and forced herself to breathe. Rash actions were a sure way to be caught.
___Tick. Tock. Tick. Tick.
___The precise tap of intricate clockwork assaulted the girl’s senses. It wasn’t like it hadn’t always been there; but as she strained for silence, for clarity to ascertain her situation, the ubiquitous echo preoccupied her. It was far too slow, and she could tell, and it annoyed her more than any one repetitive sound should. Time was compensating for her tampering, slowing down around her unnatural schism in an attempt to mend the rift. It was this very thing that made her dislike clocks. They taunted her, the girl forced to watch the world be swept away in the current of time. The sharp awareness of her seclusion was measured in ticks and tocks, the grinding of metal gears.
___Does it even matter? If I’m here, if I steal, if I‘m noticed… I‘ll still be alone.
___She wanted to laugh at herself. What did it really matter? As she considered the sad meaning of her existence, she easily forgot herself. Suddenly outside her body, she watched as if from above, this pitiful vagrant wandering aimlessly to nowhere. Those melancholy grey eyes made her shudder; fixated on such sadly fading hope. There was nothing she could do though, for she was looking at herself and no amount of understanding would change the fact she was alone.
___So, she stepped forward unafraid and uncaring of the consequence.
___Finding herself looking down at Erik’s sleeping face, she was honestly surprised. Short black hair tousled on his pillow, mouth hanging open and lips set in a small pout, he suddenly seemed almost… attractive? Pastel gray eyes intently studied him, the realization of his nearness slowly registering to the young girl. Almond skin smooth as silk and long full eyelashes delicately curled he nearly made her jealous. Without the stern lines of his noble scowl marring his face, he was undeniably stunning.
___I could, touch him right now, she imagined, undecidedly lifting a curious hand.
___“I love you, Charlotte…” Erik mumbled, snuggling into his covers.
___Tiffany’s fingers instinctively curled into a weak fist. In the haze of the moment, she felt betrayed by the sentiment lingering in the air, heart broken even. Whoever this woman was, he obviously cared for her deeply.
___Will anyone ever want… me?
___Tiffany stood digesting the question, listening to Erik lightly wheeze, until eventually the sound took on meaning. She was in his home. Whirling around, the scope of the room changed, fatigue exaggerating the already massive space. Even after she paused the walls continued to twirl, her balance suddenly a labor. She might have been dreaming, but if it wasn’t the room her world was certainly spinning. The past day had seen a mysterious spell casting boy, a fight between supernatural suitors, and even her intrusion into the Prince of Urchine’s home.
___I’m not big enough for this, she thought, sinking to the floor holding herself as her eyes began to tear.
___Using her power after already being up for nearly a day and half was too much for the poor girl. Everything was beginning to pull at her mind. She needed sleep something terrible.

___Outside, Elise plump form was peeking into the carriage, measuring up the two companions inside, both mere children to her sight. Her first thought was that they weren’t related, easily noting the difference between their complexion and hair color. At any rate, she intended to carry Alex inside, his small body none to big.
___Nina only feigned sleep though, awakened by the commotion of Lukas and Minos moments earlier. She was instinctively on guard, fully aware of Elise unfamiliar presence entering the carriage. It was with a single fluid motion she blocked the tired servant’s path, arm extended before Alex. Elise missed the entire gesture, belatedly realizing the hand with terror. She actually yelped, heart pounding in her chest and face flushed. Desperately attempting to catch her breath, she peered up at Nina‘s face, any possible comment stifled under the pressure her gaze. Nina‘s eyes sparkled like diadems on black velvet, a thin strip of moonlight from the carriage rear leaving the rest of her face hidden in shadow. No words were spoken but it wasn’t hard to decipher the ominous warning filling the space. Luckily, Lukas soon spoke in place of the aged servant, blissfully unaware of the exchange.
___“Allow us to show you to your room my lady.” he calmly directed, oblivious to Elise condition.
___A small nod of consent came from Nina before she turned to pick up Alex herself. Lifting him with an air of finality, as if he were her sole property, she left Elise with no doubt of the bound they shared. Watching Lukas lead them into the house, the servant took a moment to collect herself.
___So severe that one, she thought, replaying the past few seconds in her mind. It’s almost like déjà vu…

___“We have plenty of guest rooms so it‘ll be no trouble at all to give you and the child a room of your own.” Lukas rambled, merely making conversation.
___“He’ll stay with me.” Nina pronounced, in no uncertain tone. Lukas was actually taken aback by the surety of the order. He agreed before the thought even registered.
___“Alright, if that’s what you wish…”
___Stopping as he traversed the long hall, he gestured toward an empty room. It was directly opposite David’s and Nina could feel it as she entered. Luckily, it was growing easier to ignore the attraction between them. Continuing inside, the space was unhurriedly inspected, easily being three times better than the small room at the inn.
___“Elise will help you with anything you need. She‘ll be here shortly, so feel free to make yourself at home.”
___Lukas words were kind but it was obvious he was tired. He’d hear about their ordeal tomorrow, wasting no time finding the way upstairs to his room.
___Alone, Nina gently laid Alex down on the bed, sitting down beside him to remove his jacket and shoes. The tiny articles of clothing were soon folded and neatly laid in the room’s corner. By this time, Elise was timidly standing in the doorway, mustering up the courage to face her one last time.
___“Dearest, I brought you a night gown, and a small set of pajamas for the lad as well. I believe they‘ll fit proper.” she offered, weary of what to expect.
___“Thank you,” drifted through the air. The reply was almost instant, subdued and seemingly meek. It was nothing like what Elise expected, and it showed as she awkwardly handed Nina the folded garments. She couldn’t help but stare, desperately trying to find some tangible trait to label the girl with. Like everyone else, her search was useless. As Nina stared up into her eyes, her gaze seemingly asking if there was anything more, the aged servant caught herself gawking.
___“I must apologize…” Elise blurted, embarrassed at how uncouth she had suddenly become. “I’ll take my leave.” She hurriedly made her way out the room, turning around only to give Nina a small courteous bow before departing. Did I really just stare like that…?

___Up above, Tiffany patiently listened by Erik’s door, eyes widening at the sound of Lukas plodding up the stairs. Somewhat settled, her mind sifted through the options. Currently, the only one who wasn’t actually invited to stay in the manor was her, and she’d never be if they found her sneaking around like a… well, thief. With the late hour, it certainly didn’t leave her many options for an introduction. So where was she supposed to sleep? Some place she wouldn’t be noticed obviously. Her gaze naturally rested on Erik’s giant bed.
___“That‘ll have to do,” she whispered, tip toeing over to the bed’s vacant side. “Looks like we‘ll both be sleeping here tonight.“
___She pulled the covers back and gently removed one of the many fluffy pillows from the headboard. Shaking her head in reluctance, she tucked it under her arm and kneeled down to begin wiggling underneath the massive wooden frame. It wasn’t going to be the most comfortable night ever, but sleeping underneath the Prince’s bed was about the best she could do for now. Centering her body underneath the massive frame, she snuggled into her stolen pillow and almost laughed at the irony.
___Of everything in this room, I take a bag of feathers? She smiled, a calm peace lingering around her at the thought of tomorrow. Soon all of them of them would finally meet, and hopefully begin down the path to saving the world. For now, they would sleep though, each unaware of the comfort their fellow Elements bestowed upon them. They needed each other, and as they slowly grew in numbers, each would realize what being complete truly felt like.

*___*___*

___August continued through the darkness, almost clairvoyantly aware of the guest around him. It was like a game, listening for the delicate sound of their breaths and steady footsteps, differentiating between the minute rustlings of their garments. Visible in his mind, he’d even approximated their weights, feeling the vibration from their gaits reverberating through the ground up through his paws and tail. His massive size and strength was by no means his only gift. Amazingly sensitive to his surroundings, August could even recognize the slight temperature change their bodies caused in the air. It would take nothing short of miracle for them to escape him, especially with the looming threat of the Great Guardian’s wrath for such a disgrace. He could only imagine the consequence… which was true in many ways since he’d never actually been punished. Grinning, he reveled in his eternal faithfulness, still lost in the game as he felt the air shift unnaturally. It made his fur stand on end, his entire body poised to react to something. Twitching his whiskers, a disquieting apprehension began to envelope him. There was no weather here, every change in the atmosphere a purposeful result, and he knew this. He couldn’t help but be curious.
___"Esteemed guest, please remain here. I shall return shortly." August abruptly explained.
___Lady Aloedy immediately whispered a soft chant summoning an orb of light to her hand. Illuminating an area about ten feet around, the small globe blinked into existence.
___“Hey, you can make light?!” Ward blurted, suddenly irritated at the fact she had been force to march this long in the dark.
___“Well, I think that’s pretty obvious given the ball,” Bastien sarcastically answered.
___The stout warrior imagined almost nothing was outside the scope of Aloedy’s power. Ward only ignored him though, realizing belatedly August was nowhere to be found. She never even heard him leave.
___"Where'd the big cat thing go?" she whispered, giving Batien’s hand a gentle squeeze. Surprisingly, she was more at ease with the creature in sight than beyond her awareness.
___"I believe August went to see who’s approaching,” Lady Aloedy calmly replied, somehow having heard Ward‘s murmur. “I'm sure he’ll return shortly," she concluded, almost tangible certainty in her words. It was hard to doubt her, posture gracefully imminent, slender frame artfully illuminated by the mystic candle in her hand.
___Meanwhile, August was running through the darkness with breakneck speed. He shouldn’t have been worried, knowing full well only those allowed by the Guardian could enter this place, but his insensibility still forced him onward. He was honing in on his quest, his clawed feet digging into the solid floor as he narrowed his gaze.
___An ornate multicolored flash of light appeared in the distance and he instantly knew who it was. His sister Aerial was waiting for him, pale white fur shimmering like jewelry in the confection of light she’d conjured.
___Slowing down to a mere walk, he inwardly cursed himself. I can’t believe I left for this…
___"Hello brother." Aerial welcomed him, coy smile plastered on her face.
___"To what do I owe the honor of a visit way out here?” August inquired, not nearly as agitated as he should’ve been. “Before you tell me though, you should realize I left three very important people in the darkness for you."
___"Ha, well, I have a good enough reason for pulling you away. I just thought you should know I’ll be getting some fresh air soon." she baited him, sheepishly grinning as she tilted her head.
___Silence ensued, August slowly grasping what she meant and struggling to find a calm way to respond.
___"We must have a misunderstanding…” August choked, trapped between his sadness and equal anger. “I know you’re not speaking of the surface world… Tell me the Guardian didn’t invite you there. He couldn‘t!"
___Assaulted by the startling desperation in her brother’s dark blue eyes, Aerial couldn’t help but feel her confidence waver. The thousand mistakes she’d just made started to hit her in sequence. The Guardian had indeed allowed her passage to the surface, the only thing either of them had ever desired, but he had said nothing about her brother. And I never even thought to ask in his behalf…
___"Why...? Please tell me fate isn't this cruel. You gained access to the upper world while I'm trapped here, in this infernal darkness! The Guardian really does hate me…"
___"I'm so sorry brother... I know this must seem unfair but please try to be happy for me. Who knows, you might get to come to the surface as well?" she offered, voice betraying her own lack of faith.
___They had both been created to care for Nephilim, although August had been the only one to actually do it. Aerial had spent her time waiting on the Guardian in his interior chamber, finding the child a waste of her great power. Over time, it became clear August could handle the boy on his own and so the Guardian allowed Aerial to stay.
___"I accepted the fact that you live in the Guardian's favor a long time ago... I must, rejoin the Nites.“ August sighed, leaping backward outside the boundary of her light. “Enjoy your precious time on the surface."
___“August, wait!” she screamed, her light desperately trying to reach him. Her brother’s brutish speed left her completely alone though. Aerial stood in her magical radiance feeling for once absolutely powerless. Only the Guardian knew what the future held for her brother, and until he initiated his plans, they both would remain unaware.
___With no other choice but to return to the Guardian, she reluctantly drifted into the air, soaring back toward Inner Sanctuary with her golden ribbons flailing behind her.
___Aloedy’s gentle luminance sparkled within August sight rather quickly, a mere seven seconds of running hurling him across the enormous expanse he‘d traveled. With his unnatural speed, he seemed to materialize before the Nites almost magically, emerging as if from thin air. A full second elapsed, before the air seemed to catch up with him, assaulting the small group with a monstrous gust. Bastien and Ward both cowered together, shielding their faces, while Aloedy calmly stood her ground, simply nullifying the great force fighting against her. She used only the smallest bit of concentration, focusing more fully on August shift in presence. His fur billowing amidst the hellish gale he stirred made his solemn expression all the more ominous. The bitter sadness corrupting his heart was clearly evident. Even the dullest of fools would have known to avoid him, and thus even Ward stifled her complaints. Aloedy merely let her conjuration of light falter, and once again, the four continued on in the oppressive darkness.