___“That’s means you’re all done,” Alex laughed, a small strain evident in his voice. Weakly attempting to rise, he shuffled over to Nina’s side, doing his best to act ‘normal,’ whatever that was. It didn’t keep Nina from raising her hand to his chin though. She casually turned his gaze to hers, unspoken question looming in the air.
___“I’m fine… really. I overdid it a bit, but I‘ll be good in a minute or two.” Alex assured her, hoping it would suffice; which it did, at least for the moment.
___Regaining his strength really was a minor chore after all. It simply required a bit of selective leeching, gradually and discreetly absorbing trace amounts of heat, light, and any other easy forms of Nexus he could grasp. It was a slow process, but he had plenty of time to fiddle with the various stubborn elements. Still, childishly impatient, he wished it was as simple as manipulating his life force. Whenever he needed to do something quickly and panicked it was always the first to be employed, David’s slight injuries the most recent example. The fact his animating force was finite always loomed in the back of mind though, and this coupled with his fatigue made it pretty obvious he’d have to stop relying on it and soon. Guardian forbid anything terrible happened to the entire group. He’d obviously have to continue training as well.
___“You gonna be alright?” Tiffany asked, leaning over and playfully poking David in the forehead.
___“I can’t complain,” David overly emphasized, staring unabashedly at the girl’s chest before stiffly standing.
___“I bet…” Tiffany chided, rolling her grey eyes at his obvious interest. It certainly wasn’t the first time her proportions had drawn attention and it probably wouldn’t be the last either.
___“Let’s move on then,” Erik announced. “I’d prefer to limit my time down here,” he explained, summoning a white orb of light to his palm and letting it dangle by his side.
___“Why? You scared sweetie,” Tiffany laughed, stepping forward to walk beside the Prince.
___“I promise I’ll protect you,” the young thief jokingly cooed, tossing the rigid Noble a cute wink.
___Erik immediately rolled his eyes. “I’m sure…” was his dry reply, silently making his way down the corridor a few more paces before he spoke again. “I take it your confident in your ability,”
___“Why wouldn’t I be?”
___“Just wondering. If I had your power I imagine I’d feel likewise,” Erik admitted. “We‘re all magically possessed and your power is no less amazing. I must say curiosity has me anxiously anticipating your match.”
___“I hate to disappoint but I doubt it will last very long… You might even miss the whole thing,” Tiffany laughed. It was clear by her expression she felt sure of herself, smiling even as she looked back to find Nina. The intended confident smirk quickly dissolved into a nervous peek as she realized the wind conjurer was already staring into her eyes. She didn’t seem worried at all, which oddly enough was the most unnerving thing possible.
___There’s no way I can lose… right?
___“Hey, I don’t know what you did, but thanks kid.” David commented, ruffling Alex hair as they walked along.
___“Oh, no problem,” Alex softly replied, “It’s what I’m here for I guess.”
___“Well, hopefully I wont need that again, but it’s nice to know you can. Where’d you learn how anyway? You seem to have all kinds of tricks.”
___“I had to train forever before I was able to start finding you guys. One of my favorite instructors, Lady Aloedy, showed me how to see and use the energy around us. I learned how to do all kinds of useful things, but it’s nothing compared to what you or Nina can do. I mean, you guys have almost endless power!”
___“I don‘t know if I‘d say all that? It‘s not like we‘re gods or something,”
___“No, you kinda are,” Alex corrected him. The full potential of an Element was drilled into him almost every day. It was strange to realize he had no idea. “See, you control heat and of course that means you can make small flames and stuff, but that’s nothing. Your powers are connected to the planet, which means with enough effort you can affect the entire world! It’s what the Guardian intended actually, for you and the other’s to regulate the planets natural processes.”
___The words spilled from the boy’s mouth like water, cool and certain without a trace of doubt. The earnest sparkle in his eyes was a testament to that but it didn’t change the enormity of the words. David was speechless, looking over at Nina just to verify he wasn’t the only one astounded. Of course she seemed unmoved, easily maintaining her smooth stride but truth be told she was deep in thought too. The boy‘s words implied a lot about her mastery and nothing promising either.
___The kind of power the boy speaks of would kill me… but I’ll get there eventually.
___David marveled, “You‘re really serious.”
___Alex just laughed a bit, quizzically looking up at the dazed expression on David’s face.
___Well, he’s probably not it, Alex thought briefly reflecting on his master‘s words. Prior to entering the surface world the Guardian had revealed that only one Element had attained complete mastery of their gifted power. The reason was to impress upon him the dire need to assist the rest. At the time he never even thought to ask which Element was the single exception but he highly doubted it was anyone with him now. Either way he’d just have to wait and see though.
___Without much reason the group convened in a giant circular shaft of light falling from the ceiling. Shoulder to shoulder they all paused in reverent silence at the grand expanse before them. It was old and unused, a dust filled haze clouding the air, but even still the undoubtedly wondrous history of this place seemed to sing unto itself. Striking multicolored shafts of light shone through great stained glass panes in the walls and three skylights allowed just enough light to pierce the darkness for the numerous ornate fixtures and furniture to faintly sparkle.
___Overtaken by memories the Prince softly breathed, “Welcome, to the Great Hall of Arc-Lind Manner,”
*___*___*
___August sniffed the almost imperceptibly warmer air wafting past him and easily recognized the scent. The torches of the Guardian’s Sanctuary were near.___"It seems we're drawing close to your destination esteemed Nites.” August announced, just as relieved as the party behind him. “I hope you haven‘t grown too fond of this dismal darkness."
___“I think a change of scenery would be quite nice,” Aloedy insisted, content that August seemed to have settled.
___"Finally, just when I was about to give up hope." Ward scoffed, eagerness clearly evident.
___The only one enjoying the darkness, Bastien said nothing, instead giving Ward’s hand a small squeeze. His opportunity to hold her like this was drawing to a close. She was such a fickle creature.
___The Nites continued onward with August bracelet still their only guide for another fifteen minutes or so. At least until stars began to fill the sky, their eyes straining to make out the twinkling lights before them. The giant servant before them didn’t bother to immediately explain, instead letting the enormity of the place settle in first. The first few twinkling stars dotting the horizon seemed to grow in number with every step until they were literally immersed in a sea of light. The ‘stars’ themselves proved to be thousands of small dancing flames floating at various heights scattered all around. Sir Bastien and Lady Ward could only marvel at the beauty, Aloedy contemplating the endless fates these flames would create. She prayed for an era of peace and understanding, even if it was a feeble dream. August only contemplated his sister’s great fortune, the bitterness replaced by endless curiosity. The Guardian inevitably had his reasons but what could they be?
___"Where exactly is the Guardian?" Lady Ward finally asked; nothing but endless flames filling her view.
___Startled from his daze, August belatedly realized it could be a little confusing for a newcomer.
___"The dwelling of the Guardian is actually up above.” August answered her, assuming he might as well explain their current placement. “At the moment we’re in Nirvana. Every flame is a soul waiting to be given another life. The Guardian decides whether they shall be a newborn baby, butterfly, or even a tree. Every living thing in death returns here as one of the flames you see to be reassigned a fate.”
___As August spoke his words were punctuated by the occasional mystical torch skittering overhead to find its designated space. They looked like comets, arcing through the air at dizzying speeds. The great servant couldn’t help but remember Nephilim's childish laughter following them. “This was actually Nephilim's favorite place to play…"
___They all continued until they reached a huge white circle in the middle of the ground. It’s interior was ebony black with beautiful white and gray marbled characters and inscriptions covering its surface. August stepped into its center with the Nites in tow and uttered a beautifully phrased incantation.
___The disk rumbled a bit, startling Ward alone as it broke itself free from the ground. A creeping spin ensued as the platform began to wind its way upward into the air. Passing one flame after another, it eventually came through a hole in an invisible ceiling, an almost cruel brilliance suddenly assaulting everyone’s eyes. When the Nites finally adjusted to the new atmosphere they found themselves surrounded by beautifully still crystalline water. A trail of stones protruded through the surface leading from the platform to a gigantic tree growing stoutly out the lake. Its branches reached out over the endless ocean of water like an enormous umbrella covering everything in its shade. The gigantic old gnarled branches with there thousands upon thousands of vibrant green leaves made the most interesting ‘roof’ above them. The whole scene was amazingly beautiful as the clear blue water held the tree in its reflection. Beams of mist filled light trickled down through the rare gaps between the leaves like pillars supporting the aging giant. It was supremely peaceful, with the exception of the occasional leaf that would gently flutter to the water's surface and violently burn on contact. They would crackle and sputter in a small explosion of color almost insignificant in sight of everything else.
___"This is where I leave you. Follow the stones, enter the tree and you’ll find all you seek." August admonished bowing and vanishing before their eyes.
___Lady Aloedy immediately stepped toward the tree without a second thought. The other two Nites looked at each other slightly baffled by August disappearance but soon followed nonetheless. Ward would apparently have to wait to ask August about this room. The tree and burning leaves just begged questions, but their were obviously more important matters at hand. The Supreme Guardian of their world lay ahead.
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