Chapter 1: The Guardians- Rise of Garthox
Chapter 2: The Guardians- Journey to the Worlds

And now comes the 3rd chapter to this enticing tale of heroes, ancient evil, powers and adventure....

The Guardians- The Lost City

History:

God created 8 Worlds. He also built a sacred land called Arilt. Arilt is the linkway from one world to another. On Arilt, the gods left two beings to protect it from evil. They were two brothers. At that time, evil was anything that reeked of greed, hatred, jealously, vengeance and menace. It had no particular form.

Both brothers were tasked the job of making sure that the eight worlds were taken well care of. They were to also watch over the gateways that led to the eight different worlds. Anyone could visit any of the other worlds but they all had to go through the two brothers. All was calm and at peace. However, soon, there was word of an evil rising. His name was Garthox. Garthox raged war against many Worlds and took many innocent lives. He attempted to strike a deal with God.

He asked for complete rule over Anothadis. When god said no, Garthox flew into a rage of fury and began to wreak havoc. Noone knew where he had attained his powers but to expand his power, he began to steal the souls of other creatures. Slowly, he became powerful and although, the two brothers, warned him, he ignored all warnings and carried on with his quest to dominate all eight worlds. The two brothers pleaded with God to destroy Garthox.

God made a decision. He chose eight different beings from the eight different worlds. He made them stronger than the rest of their people and named them the Guardians, the chosen ones. Their abilities were enhanced ten- fold.

Together, they formed a plan to capture Garthox who now had the power to form an army of his own. He was becoming greedier and hatred filled his soul.

The Guardians requested the 2 brothers to create a portal to entrap Garthox in the Void Dimension. Garthox was now too powerful to kill so they could only trap him. The brothers agreed and created the portal to the tormenting dimension where time does not exist. The Guardians fought a great battle that lasted for decades before they finally captured Garthox. At the point where he was most weak, they managed to overpower him and seal him within the Void Dimension. But they could not trap 5 of his most powerful minions who ran his armies.

However, this is not where it ends. For when Garthox was being sealed into the Void Dimension, he created a prophecy. He put a curse on the portal leading to the Void Dimension. Every ten thousand years, the portal would weaken and with the help of his five powerful minions, he would be free. But everytime he attempts to escape, the descendents Chosen ones have always managed to seal the portal back.

Garthox has never left the Void Dimension. The worlds have been in peace with the two brothers guarding the doorway and the portal kept under close watch. But it is now once again the ten thousandth year and Garthox’s prophecy will take place again. The Void dimension will reopen but this time............

Garthox will escape and the 8 Worlds will face the greatest battle they have ever known...
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Okay, "The Guardians- The Lost City" is the third of 'The Guardians'. In the previous two chapters, Garthox has all ready escaped and with the help of his 5 minions, he has taken control of the World of Belluvier and the World of Flinx.

The Guardians have each attained their full strength and abilities from the Tree of Wisdom. They have all traveled back to their worlds to find the item that will aid them in the battle. Each one of them have discovered the item.

Now with their relics in hand, the Guardians must find the Lost City that holds a secret that could help defeat Garthox.

You do not need to have been in Part 1 or Part 2 to join this but if you would like to read up, here are the links:

Chapter 1: http://www.roleplaygateway.com/the-guardians-rise-garthox-t5663.html
Chapter 2: http://www.roleplaygateway.com/the-guardians-journey-the-worlds-t8076.html

And here's the link to the OOC thread for anyone who is interested in joining this roleplay: http://www.roleplaygateway.com/the-guardians-the-lost-city-t37223.html

Ghislaine sat at the old oak table, her cloak tight about her shoulders- hiding the wings revealing her identity. Perched on the chair next to her was Leannan, one wing fanned out to reveal the pale cream coloured feathers on his underside as he cleaned his feathers with his beak, on the chair beside him was her beige satchel that he carried in his beak during travels, merely because he wished to - Layna had never asked him to carry it for her.
Layna stirred the lukewarm, bean and potato stew around in its wooden bowl for a few moments before taking a mouthful, Leannan watches her with his large black eyes, and clicks his beak, folding his wing away and ruffling his tail.
With a small smile that brings a slight dimple to one of her cheeks, she taps the bowl with one finger, moving it towards him by a fraction. He spreads his wings half way out and lands with a clumsy shake of his feathers onto her hand. She moves her hand towards the bowl, holding it steady as he perches onto the side. She watches him with a loving eye as he lowers his head and drinks the slightly salted water, nipping at one of the green lentils hovering near his beak.
Once he’d had his fill she spoons the rest of it into her mouth, grimacing in distaste as she sets the empty bowl down. She lifts her hand down to the table, where he tucks the handle to her satchel around his neck, before she lifts her hand to her shoulder and he manoeuvres over onto her shoulder, rubbing his face against her neck in an affectionate way as she takes out a heavy silver coin from the purple velvet pouch she now wore around her waist. The pouch also contained a mixture of seeds for Leannan as well as her keystone. She takes the coin over to the kindly old woman by the open fire place - the fire was small and flickering wildly as if it could go out any second. the woman nods, taking the coin in her palm and holding it close.
“you’re leaving so soon?”
“yes ma’am. I have a long journey. Thank you for the hospitality.” Layna replies. the old woman stares at her, worry furrowed in her brow and in her pursed lips, as Layna head towards the door.
already missing the warm glow of the fire, she steps into the frosty night.
Every night Flinx got colder, the sky that little bit darker, and every sunrise took longer, the sun didn't stay as long, its light didn't get rid of shadows...with a shiver, Layna pulls her cloak about her tighter, tying the ribbons at the front tightly together in a long bow, as Leannan makes a squawk of protest of leaving the fire.
she shrugs her shoulder to shush him, the day time was scary enough in the realm she called home, but the nights chilled the bravest into silence. Looking up at the two luminous moons, the first small and the colour of blood- it used to have been a beautiful shade of green, before Garthox came and turned the peaceful living found in Flinx into a ruin, and their moon expressed their fear. the second moon much larger and the bluey purple colour of a bruise.
The ground echoed the blood moon, dry and barren, burnt to embers. Only a small percentage hadn't been effected, and that was slowly wilting away. Food was getting in shorter supply, and many had resorted to hunting, even a leg of wild dog was a delicacy now.
She pulls the hood up on her cloak and pulls it about her face with one hand. As soon as she’s walked for five or six minutes, out of the dishevelled, broken little village she bids Leannan down onto her hand as she removed her cloak with the other, unsheathing her great wings, which she ruffles ruefully, stretching them out after keeping them still for so long after so much use.
She folds the cape up, tucking it into the satchel around Leannan's neck. He takes off ahead of her as soon as the clasp is done up tightly, she watches it swing like a pendulum before shooting up into the night after him, her wings aching form being disguised in the cape of illusions for so long. She overtakes him with a light hearted laugh. Laughing louder as he nips the end of her wing, beating his wings faster, his competitive nature overcoming him. She head upwards until the window of the inn is an orange dot below her.

Hugh paced his humble abode, his face distorted with worry. It had been three moons, according to the time here in Arilt since the Guardians had left for their own worlds in search of the relics. Time was of the essence and it was slipping right through their fingers. Word had gotten out that Flinx was now under complete control. Villages destroyed, Kingdoms torn down, spirits broken.

As the protector of the Land of Arilt rubbed his hand over his face, he prayed that the Guardians would return fast. They had found their relics and it was time to return to Arilt.
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She awoke from her nightmare, beads of perspiration lining her forehead. Her breathing was heavier than usual and it took her a minute to calm down. Her memories of her parents death and her being the cause of it had been replaced by a vision of fire- everywhere. She had not been able to breathe in that second as the smell of burning debris and human flesh had filled her environment. And just as she had muttered the name of the person she missed most now, she had awakened.

Ash looked about her old room, dust covering the wooden floor as well as the cupboards that lined the room's wall. She had returned here upon discovering the chains and needed some rest before she traveled back to Arilt. As she lifted herself of the less than comfortable bed, Ash paused for a minute before moving to open the door. Something was wrong. And for the first time since she awoke, Ash realised there was something odd about the environment. The air seemed oddly...still. It was as though the winds had stopped moving and there was not much noise at all. Her brows pressed together in confusion, Ash flung the door open and took the stairs two at a time. She had to know what was going on before she headed back and god she hoped it had nothing to do with her vision.

As she opened the main door to her old home, Ash was surprised to find that the rest of the people were out of their houses. Some were with their families, huddling together. Some were standing alone while a couple of teenagers were pointing up to the skies, the direction at which everyone was looking at. Ash's back was facing the direction they were all looking at and she took a slow turn before facing the skies. She now knew the reasons why the winds had stopped.

Her eyes widened at the work of Garthox. It could only be him. There was a huge eye of a storm gathering over New York city. Despite the fact it was night, the gray clouds were very visible as they swirled and clashed into one another in an angry image that frightened everyone around her. Ash gripped the hilt of her sword as she looked straight up into the eye of the storm. He would send his creatures soon and she couldn't leave these people alone. Turning to face the people, Ash began to shout to them, "Go back into your homes! Go back inside! This storm is going to get worse! You have to head back in!"

Only a few listened to her, they were mostly families with young children. The rest seemed too interested in the formation of the clouds to even bother listening to her.

“Leannan! Wait up!!” she shouts, as the eagle shoots ahead of her, he turns his head and caws at her mockingly, but slows up, flying next to her shoulder. She smiles, reaching out to stroke along his back. Before tucking her hands against her chest, it was bitterly cold. She feels the temptation to land and fold her wings around her, as she had done on nights as cold as these, but resists - her will power strong tonight as she is so close to the portal. She can feel it in her blood, even after so long being away from it - the surroundings so unrecognisable from the beautiful greens she was used to, then crystal water fall and bubbling springs... but she knew.
Leannan lets out a cry and circles back, confused she looks up, purple-black clouds - smoke like in consistency are whirling their way towards her, She knew what they were, now a common occurrence across Flinx, clouds that arrived as Garthox did, they were like smoke, suffocating and disorientating, rumours had run around that if you didn't die from inhaling them, the evil would burn you up and make you one of his slaves, though it hadn't been proven as true...
she gasps at the sight of them, folding her wings and diving to the ground far below her, another layer of clouds are beneath her though, and she doesn’t see them until she’s within them, they submerge her wings in their blackness, stiffening them so she cant open them to fly free. She gags, choking on the blackness surrounding her as it spins in her delicate lungs. She screws her eyes shut tight, ready for impact with the ground, wondering how vast the darkness was, only then she realises that there is no wind flying past her, she’s mid-air, not moving… stuck in the weird black clouds that she thought were myths - the stuff of nightmares, quite literally.
She clamps her mouth shut, holding her breath. Pushing at the clouds with her hands - but it just slips through her fingers, like smoke she thinks pathetically. She feels a sharp pain on her knuckle - and realises is Leannan, she opens her eyes long enough to see the smoke isn’t effecting him before the stinging the smoke causes her eyes forces her to shut them again. As her oxygen begins to run low, she contemplates just breathing in, but Leannan's constant scratching at her hand gives her the will power to hold on, she feels herself moving - amazingly - being dragged by the golden eagle.
She falls to the floor with a low thud - overgrown bushes and the cushioning of her wings stopping the long fall from severely hurting her, or breaking her wings but scratches from the thorny bushes litter them and snag in her feathers. she clenches and unclenches her badly pecked hand; breathing heavily. She feels the accustom weight of Leannan on her stomach, he flaps his wings screeching at her; worry in his fathomless black eyes.
are you alright? Layna…! Ghislaine!! his mind calls to her - his voice still low and velvety despite the croaking of worry.
She coughs, reaching out her bleeding hand to stroke and calm him.
“I… I’m fine.” she gasps, a strange ache in her shoulder, she rolls it carefully - the brambles scratching against it as she does. She realises the pain if from the top of her wing, where they meet her body.
“oh no!” she cries, waiting for Leannan to leave her stomach before struggling painfully to her feet, and working her way through the sharp brambles to empty ground, onto what appears to be an overgrown dirt trail.
She tries to move it and the pain shoots across her right wing and her shoulder.
well?
“Lee…! damn it Lee, I think is dislocated…”
better than you being dead… will you be able to fly? he asks as he lands on a tree branch only a few feet above her head.
“I'll rest it up a bit... we can walk from here anyway – its warmer down here.”

HUGH:

His gentle eyes scanned the Land of Arilt that was now a scene of sadness. The usually bright green grass was now loosing its colour. The skies were becoming a dull gray that was slowly spreading shadows across the land. And out of the eight gateways that laid across the grassy hills, two were now black instead of silver. The World of Belluvier was not the only world to have been conquered. Garthox had complete control over Flinx now.

And from the looks of it, the World of Sapiens was next. The gateway to Earth was slowly turning from the sparkling silver into an odd mix of gray that Hugh knew would soon be black.

Time was running out, the final battle was approaching...

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ASHANTI:

Screams could be heard from all around her. The air was filled with horror and pain as the moans and cries of the people mingled with the screeches and shrieks of what was threatening their very existence. Ash pinned herself against the wall of the alleyway, her eyes shut tightly. Her nails dug into the brick wall, leaving blood to trickle down the sides. She was in a tremendous amount of physical pain but that did not even match the emotional hurt she was going through.

Everything around her froze. Ash stopped breathing for a second as confusion seemed to be her friend in the situation. And when she did exhale, the very air around her seemed to vibrate slowly as waves of motion spread away from her. She thought she was seeing things for such things could not be real. She blinked her eyes as though she could wipe away whatever was happening. But nothing changed. She was still there, standing at the doorway of her parents' bedroom where that hideous creature had both her parents held by the neck. Except this time, no one was moving except for her. Ash was too afraid to move as her mind could not comprehend what was going on. The ten year old started to tear. And as that single drop of salty water trickled down her cheek to hang from her chin, Ash whispered, "Mummy."

It was as though that word had caused the severe change in the surroundings. Everything seemed to be pulled away from her as her house was stripped away. Ash could only watch in horror as her house was replaced by a new surrounding, one that she did not recognize. As the last image of her home was gone only to be replaced by grassy hills of a strange land, the ten- year old screamed, "Mummy!"

"No," she whispered, the memories causing more pain to her heart. Ash turned her head as though that simple movement could remove all those memories. "I can't do this." She whimpered and slid down the brick wall, the screams penetrating the strong wall she had built around herself. This was her home. HER HOME! And she could not even defend it! Who was she to help defend seven other worlds! Finally, Ash opened her eyes.

Fire. Fire was what filled the streets. Cars were burning, houses were being eaten away by the orange flames. The ashes of burnt debris floated about, flying amongst the people who were running in confusion. Ash's brown eyes reflected the deadly orange colour. She clutched the pouch that hung at her waist tightly. The eight time chains were safe inside.

Earro guardian of Pastecew was found lying face down motionless along side a river. Xylon move forward to check on him as he fear something might be wrong. He turned his body around....... dead, Earro is dead, his face such horror emotion was on his face like he was being torture to death. His eyes were wide open staring straight into Xylon's eyes like it was he who killed Earro. Blood stain can be seen at the side of Earro's mouth, sign of him puking blood. His hands were full of scratches but as Xylon move down to his fingertips he realise there were skins inside each nails."He was scratching himself" he thought. Tears flow down his cheek as he move his right hand over Earro's face to close his eyes. "Our guardian is now gone, what are we going to do. Will there be another guardian to protect this piece land. Xylon stood up and carried Earro's body to the near by field and put it down, moving away from the body, Xylon lift up his right hand in a horizontal manner and as he move it to the left side, grasses and roots from the field covered Earro's body and pull it down into the earth. There is where Earro will rest forever in silence.

Xylon walked back to the river to fetch some water for himself when he realised there was a horn on the floor. Just as his finger touch the horn, flashes of images was running through his mind. Fire, war, people dying, land crack into half images of such horror was what he seen. "AHHHH! Such image so much death so much fighting, what is going on!" Just then Xylon heard voices coming from some where. "Xlyon my boy what you have seen was what i had been through fighting to save to our land." "Who are you? Why am i seeing those images?" Xylon move around staring into space wondering where is the voice coming from. "I'm Earro, Guardian of Pastecew. You have come in contact with the Gado horn, Pastecew's relic. Now listen my boy there is not much time left! GARTHOX have escape and i have failed to protect our land now it is up to you to take over as guardian of Pastecew and protect this land before it too late." Feeling lost and not knowing what to do Xylon fall back and sit on the floor " What am i suppose to do? I am not the Guardian!"

"You are now, the Gado horm have choose you as it owner, which is why you are seeing images of such horror." "Xylon my boy bring Gado horn and hurry up back to the Land of Arilt. Over there you will meet up with the other seven guardians and Hugh, just move up north from here and you will see the gate NOW GO!" Earro's voice fade off with the wind.

With a little wave of his hand the grass bring the Gado horn to him, putting it around his back Xylon stood up. A new chapter is about to begin for Xylon as he moved toward the gate to the Land of Arilt. Xlyon Kane, Guardian Of Pastecew, land of the Sprites.

The world warped and shimmered, a singular spot of space seemed to bend inward then expanded out in a flash of violet light. A single leg, massive, muscled and thoroughly horrifying extended through the spot. As the clawed foot gripped the loam, the talons curled and locked into the ground. The tip of a massive blade, extended through, as the rest of the weapon flowed through the shimmering gate, anyone who looked at the sword could see it roil and shift as if it were a live within the defined borders of the blades edges. A massive head, adorned with twisted and coiled horns emerged through the opening, as the first breath of the world was inhaled in to the nightmarish being, the swirling energies that comprised the eyes flared and sparked; the Lord of Nightmares had arrived.

The rest of the massive being flowed and rippled through the gateway until the being known as Garthox stood in a field of standing stones. As the tip of the great sword grazed the ground a hiss filled the air, the grass began to wilt and die, a black spider web of cracked and fetid earth spiraled away from the blade. Inhaling deeply Garthox erupted in laughter as he tugged the elves through the gateway. A whorl of hellish winds roared through the gateway and swirled and crashed into the stones causing strange striations upon the rock. Grinning wickedly, the living nightmare began to extend his influence, as he winds whipped around him, raising debris skyward only to crash it down again with thunderous results.

Raising the massive sword skyward, Garthox roared, as he did so a miasma of darkness flowed and oozed from the blade, reaching upward, tracing across the sky as if a massive storm front were forming above the creature. Slowly the fear that is Garthox flowed across the lands, as the dark clouds grew in their enveloping nature; slowly the sun was eaten away, replaced by a hideous gloom. Peels of demented thunder roared from the clouds, causing even the bravest to cringe, impaling the weak minded with fear. Animals began howling and fleeing, seeking to find shelter that would protect them from the great morbidity that had manifest upon their world.

Slowly the nightmarish creations of Garthox rose from the miasma of abyssal energies that flowed around the lord of nightmares. Great unholy canine headed ape-like creatures began to take shape, their eyes a maddening glow of the deepest crimson, framed by the dusky shadows that comprised their bodies. The howl of the Cynocephali began to carry as they snarled and snapped. Their cry was known to paralyze the weak and frightened, they devoured them in a savage fury.

With a wave of his hand, the Lord of Nightmares unleashed his creatures, with a chittering they swarmed and spread out, following the great clouds that thundered and arced with multi-forked tiers of lighting. Slowly, hunting of the hated Guardians had begun. Across the worlds, the minions would hound them, slay them and expose those pathetic worlds to the power of He Who Should Not Be. This time heaven would fall before him and the great celestial throne would be his…but for now Pastecew.

As the new Guardian of Pastecew make his way to the gate that will lead him to the Land of Arilt, he realise the change in weather. Behind him dark gloomy cloud covering what used to be light blue, thunder and lightning can be seen and heard from within distant. One by one birds that fly pass are strike down from the skies. "Could he be here already? The one that everyone fear so much that even his name would be bad enough to be mention!" Keeping his cool, Xylon move toward the edge of the cliff, right there he saw what pain him a lot, large area of Pastecew are already ..... gone. The green grass and the big tree that provide fresh air, those lovely animals and birds, the sound of the clear water from the waterfall they are all gone.

"No this cannot be happening. I must do something about it." He jumped off the cliff, as he fall he started taking into shape, his hand and fingers slowly turning into gray feathers, arm shorten into wings, body once full of tiny hairs are now cover with feathers and what use to be a pair of long legs are now turn into sharp talon. His round head is now a bird face with beak, Xylon had turned in to a hawk. Just before landing hard on to the ground he flap his wing and sore right back into the sky. He scout across the land hoping to see any animals that is still alive. After hours of flying and nothing was found, all of it were dead rotting bodies. What seem to be hopeless was then once again brought back to life when Xylon saw a White Stag running among the dead forest. Diving down toward the white stag and flying beside it he connect his mind to the stag as he speaks "Don't worry my friend, my name is Xylon Kane, Guardian of Pastecew what is it that you are running away from?"

"Look behind and you will see a group of hideous ape looking creatures is coming for me or for this case us." Xylon turn around and flap his wing keeping himself in mid air, there he saw a group of five ape looking creatures dashing across the forest towards his direction. Cynocephalis, he thought as he start transforming back to himself. "Go my friend, I will hold them here as you make your escape." Just then one of the Cynocephali leap into the sky and dive towards Xylon. *Chants* sprouting out from the ground a huge thick roots that smack the Cynocephali out of the sky. Four against one, an unfair battle to even begin with, Xylon look around as he was surrounded. Trees and plants in the area were all dead bring disadvantage to him, in his heart he was chanting another spell, the land started to shake cracks coming from behind towards the Cynocephalis and took them by surprise. Two fell into the hole while the other two jump and avoided the attack.

The battle carry on as they try to finished Xylon. Tired and exhausted Xylon fall down on one of his keens. He use his last bit of energy and summon a huge spike from the ground that pierce right into the fouth Cynocephali. Xylon fall to the ground motionless with no more energy left to fight back. The last Cynocephali took it as a chance and strike but before killing him with the final blow the White Stag came back ramp right into it pushing it into the crack that was form earlier on during the battle. Making sure all clear the White Stag lie down using it antlers pushing Xylon on to it back and stood up.

Carrying Xylon on it back, the White Stag move out of the dead piece of land.

Cursing herself, Ash decided to at least try. She moved across the street to get the people into their homes, hoping that she could save as many as possible. But a thunderous and explosive sound filled the air and Ash barely turned when her home, the last thing that tied her to Earth, burst into pieces as flames licked at it. Instinctively Ash summoned the energies within her, feeling it rush through her very blood, surging through her entire being. And as her eyes widened and turned into that shade of gray, everything slowed down but nothing changed. Instead of feeling the heat and shock of that explosion immediately, Ash watched in horror as waves spread through the air. There were like ripples on the surface of water except these were in mid-air. Ash could not avoid them and could only bring her hands up as the first wave smashed into her and she fell back onto the concrete road.

She lost control and time resumed back to normal. Ash held her head down as debris were flung about, some smaller pieces hitting her hard on her back. Looking back to what was once her home, she saw the silver archway that had been in the attic now lay atop the rubble and from the skies above, hellish creatures, demons of Garthox broke through the clouds.

Ash quickly picked herself up from the ground and stood her ground. All around her people were screaming in panic, running about in no particular direction only hoping they would not die on this fateful day. As Ash pulled the blade out of her sheath, she only hoped she could save some people.

Wisps and tendrils of black vines surged forth from the skies, twisting and turning as they spiraled down to capture and destroy whatever was within their reach. There was too many, too many victims for Ash to focus her attention on one spot alone. As the first one came straight for her, Ash raised her blade and slashed at it several times causing the spires to fade away as mist would when one waved their hands into it. But just as mist regathered, the spires of dark shadows reformed and just carried on surging forth.

Dodging the tendril, Ash watched in horror as the spires wound about the humans that had refused to return to their homes. Unable to move in that moment of shock, Ash knew she would never ever forget what she saw that night. The spires pierced through the bodies of the humans, causing them to writhe and moan. Their bodies shook and trembled at the pain that racked their bodies before the carcasses that once held souls fell to the ground like lifeless dolls.

Ash stumbled backwards and felt her fingertips come in contact with the bark of a tree. Her breathing became heavier and her heart pounded harder. She was stuck in her own mind. Her fears were becoming reality and she was feeling...she was feeling....

Anger filled her very soul, the strong emotion fueling her blood and rushing through her veins. Without her realising, Ash's hands slowly began to glow and odd colour as misty wisps of azure began to form about her wrists, slowly creeping up her arms.

"Aine! Leave now! You cannot stay here any longer!"

Fire was everywhere. Fallen debris and ruined buildings were all over the place. Screams filled of agony and pain were heard from every direction. The scent of blood and decay filled every part of the city. Corpses killed in despicable ways loitered the streets. The scene happening before her was not of a picture taken from a novel or story book. It was not even a hellish nightmare that one can wake from. This was the reality of her world. It was not a mere illusion where one can simply dispel it. Everything that she had cherished ever since she was young was now being destroyed in the blaze of darkness. The Land and Home of Dreigns, Belluvier was now the domain of the Dark Lord Garthox.

"Take this! Hurry and go towards that direction! You must live my daughter at all costs!"

Turquoise eyes that were always calm and always filled with much courage were now fearful and in tears. She was being pushed by her father to another direction. Ever since the declaration of the Former Guardian of Belluvier dying of a grave injury. The whole land was in shambles. No one knew what would happen. Especially when the Darkness was coming for the Dreigns. The Hador Chain the important artifact of the Guardian was entrusted to her father and now, they are running for their lives to keep it safe from the minions of the Lord of Nightmares.

"Father what are you doing! Do not do these! We can get out of this together!"

Her father grabbed her by the shoulder with such strength and had a determined yet sad look upon his face. Aine did not need to ask what he was about to do. For the years they had been together, she had already knew what that look meant. It is for that reason, the tears kept rolling down her cheeks. It was clear that they cannot leave this place together. The minions of darkness were closing on their track and soon enough, they would be surrounded. One must take the role as bait to let the other escape and the one who had taken that role was her father.

"Please...no..."

Kissing her forehead with much affection, he placed the Hador Chain in her hands which gave of a shimmering subtle light as if slowly awakening from her touch and a stone that was said to be used to open the gateway to the Land of Arlit. Keeping the artifacts close to her, her beautiful face was now filled with a sorrowful look. Biting her lower lip, she heard the continuous shouts of death and pain echoed throughout the land. Chaos was everywhere. It was a fact that Belluvier is no more. The life of this land had now been extinguished.

"Aine. Escape and go to Arlit. There you will know what to do. Search for a new guardian. No matter what happens you must live understood?"

She slowly nodded as her father embraced one last time and whispered gentle words into her ears which even made her cry harder. How much she wanted to stop him and say to go with her. Nevertheless, she knew that once his father had already decided it would not change. After doing so, she was pushed away with much force as the minions had already found them. Her father readied his weapon to fend them off. It was clear that this would be no-win situation for him. However, his only goal was to secure the safety of his daughter and the Hador Chain. Thus without further ado, Aine would not fail him.

"Father! Promise me We'll meet again! Promise!"

She shouted at the top of her lings as she run towards the hills where the Gateway to Arlit would be found. Aine did not bother to listen to her father's reply. It would be fine knowing that her father had no choice but to say yes. She would like to think that way. Despite the madness happening around them. she can still hope for the better. Reaching the gateway, she placed the stone with much haste as a bright light engulfed her. It was time for her to face her new destiny and take hold it towards the land of Arlit.

Be careful...
She nodded at her companions warning as she took her cloak from his bag, wrapping it round her and feeling the steady relief, because in the cloak, her wing weren't just undetectable, she didn't feel them.
Still, her right shoulder throbbed cruelly, the pain travelling to the crook of her elbow.
She took the backpack of him and slung it over her left shoulder,
“Lee, fly a few metres ahead of me, years eyes a keener than my own.” She tells him, watching his powerful wings rock the branch as he leaves.
She could hear the steady beating of his wings up ahead and followed them, looking around her and examining the charred floor carefully. Stepping over the cracks because you could never be too careful. After several minutes of walking, her hands were a pearly blue, her steps shallower and louder, she sniffs loudly and calls out Leannans name in a hoarse whisper. He circles back quickly and lands carefully on a thorny root below her.
Problem?
“No, just cold...”
Resting won't help, come along Ghislaine... And with that he pushed off again leaving her shivering on the ground, she tucks her arms up against her chest and lets her hair down, despite now getting caught in overhanging foliage, she was slightly warmer, the cold wind didn't nip at her ears or neck as much. She screamed as she encountered an old owl as she pushed braches out of the way, it turned its head, a little jumpy aren't we Guardian?
She laughs breathlessly, “Hard night...”
An abandoned cottage up ahead might be just what you need.
“show me?” She asks as Leannan lands next to the owl, the owl hoots quitley and rises up, Leannan locked eyes with Ghislaine for a moment before following, the two birds flew level with each other and Ghislaine fought her way through the deceased forest, turning around to fight her way through bracken she faces forwards again and her breath catches, “Perfect...”
She races forwards, the door had been blown of its hinges, and the two roomed building was thick with dust and leaves, but it stopped the wind. She tested her look by trying the water pump, and was greatly surprised. After a few spurts of filthy rustic water, the pump ran clear.
She examined the rest of the rooms before cleaning off a green copper pot.
She filled it with water and piled the dead leaves into the ashy fire, gently coaxing a flame from them. She collected a few larger materials for the fire and when it was going enough put the pot, now filled with water, into the flames.
She sat back and warmed herself up as the two birds cleaned the place of insects and rodents.

"No Pastecew is gone all gone. A land that was once blooming with flowers and trees, animal running around birds soring in the sky are now all gone. NOOOOO!" Perspiring all over Xylon woke up with a shock, breathing heavily he look around trying to figure out where he was but all that he could see is a gloomy cloud sky moving. He tried to get up slowly but the intense pain prevented him from doing so. " Don't move Guardian you are badly injured. Allow me to carry you to your destination." It was the White Stag. What irony, with the intention to save ended up being save.

"Let me down by the river up ahead, I will be able to regain my strength there." The White Stag slowly make it way forward. Upon reaching the river, the White Stag keen down with it front two legs first followed by it back two from there Xylon pushed himself off from the Stag's back and crawl towards the river. The water here is still clean and clear show that the Cynocephali have not been here yet. Drawing strength from his body he push himself of the edge and fall into the river. Inside the river, tiny water plant slowly moving twisting around his legs and arms up to his body, within seconds Xylon was covered up with water plants from all corners. As the plants heal the injury on his body it give off a slight glow of green that can seen from the river bank.It took a good whole ten minutes before bubbles can be seen forming on the surface of the river as the plants lift Xylon out and putting him down nicely back to the ground.

"How are you feeling now my Guardian, I hope everything is fine." White Stag asked as it look right into Xylon's eyes.

"I'm fine now, thank you for saving me back there, may I know what is your name."

"Call me Ophelia and it is I that should thank you for saving me from those hideous apes. I owe my life to you."

"Ophelia, you came back and save me have you not, for that you don't owe me anything. However, I would like to ask you to join me in defending our land from the hands of the Lord of Nightmare Garthox. "

"That would be my pleasure. Command me as you wish." Ophelia finished it sentence with one leg keening down to Xylon.

Working as a team now Xylon climb onto Ophelia's back, pointing at the direction where the gate of Arlit is the both of them set off with Ophelia galloping away. While riding on Ophelia, Xylon summon a pathway make out of purely vines and roots in front of Ophelia leading into mid-air shortening time to reach their destination. "There is the gate of Arlit. Once we enter the gate there will be no turning back." With no hesitation the both of them gallop right into the gate to the Land of Arlit.

A stirring in the vast darkness that consumed Garthox alerted him. Thick rubbery lips split wide and wickedly gleaming teeth jutted from the massive jaws in a hideous eruption of laughter. A serpentine tongue darted and lashed the air, tasting, savoring the sweet mixture of Arlit’s pure atmosphere.

Rising swiftly the Lord of Nightmares snatched his great sword, as he did so he spun around swiftly then dropped to a knee, thrusting the black blade deep into the earth, as the metal rend and shifted the earth, polluting it with the Dread Lord’s vileness, concentrating a moment before the image of a white stag and the Guardian of Pastecew riding hard for the gate. Standing slowly as he withdrew the sword, Garthox snarled as he cast his gaze skyward, “I am coming for you…”

Spinning on his cloven hooves the dark bulk yanked the chains that bound the blind elves to him, “Sing me a dirge…sing for the death of heaven.”Before the three could respond the hellish winds whipped and curled around them, raising a massive howl as across the dying world a ripple of fear exploded outward, the hatred that drove the great lord would consume the hope of those who still believed in their champions.

Inhaling, a curl of smoke roiling away from his nostrils, Garthox extended his reach through the eight worlds, feeding upon the fear and discord is minions had created, “I have a way to Arlit…Come to Pastecew for our entry to heaven has been opened for us.”

A moment later as He Who Should Not Be felt the tugging at his consciousness, he knew his minions would come and the final battle would begin. Peering at the three elves, the miasma of light in his eyes shifted to a deep crimson, yanking the chain gently. Slowly the three stood, their melodious voices carrying a dour and lonesome tone.

Using his vast powers, Garthox wrapped dismal tendrils around the gate, stabbing through the opening to infuse the opposite side with his presence. As the world of Arlit surged to fend off his powers, He Who Should Not Be, redoubled his efforts until he felt the ground around the gate weaken and finally succumb to the darkness. As it did he felt a familiar presence, a malevolent grin spread across the monsters visage, “Hugh…Hugh…I am coming, we have some matters to settle.”

Galloping right into the Gate of Arlit, Xylon and Ophelia hope to reach the other side as soon as possible. Just as they were half way through the narrow path of the gate way, Xylon felt Garthox's presence filling up the air in the gate way. "This is bad we have to hurry, Garthox might be near." Speeding up her steps Ophelia dash for the exit on the other side. Xylon on the other hand chants spells as he move his hand in such manner that it look like he was writing some inscription in mid-air.

A light glow emit out in the middle of no where touching the side of the narrow path way creating wall make out of thick roses stems. One after another the wall grow creating layers and layers of obstacles. Praying hard this would be good enough to buy them time to reach Arlit. Fears strike Xylon again and again causing him to start hallucinating.

"Xylon! Get yourself together we will make it. Don't worry" As Ophelia finish her sentence her hoof and her antler give off a light that is very warm and calming and at the same time it speed up Ophelia's movement allowing her to travel three times faster then usual.

"smash! whack! crack!" one by one Xylon's rose wall are being ripped into pieces. Feeling Garthox's presence is making him think that he is right next to them. "It there i can see it. It the entrance to the Land of Arlit." Sprinting away within the next 2 meter or so Xylon and Ophelia jump out of the gate and landed with a sharp turn.

The gate is now wrapped with dismal tendrils, Land of Arlit fight of the presence of the Lord Of Nightmares, the gate is about to fall a part. “Hugh…Hugh…I am coming, we have some matters to settle.” hairs on every part of the body stands as the both of them heard Garthox's voice of terror, such horror, such deep voice that full with hates. Xylon froze for a second staring at the gate as it sink into the weaken ground.

"XYLON!" Ophelia mind shouted. Xylon snap out of fear and immediately he told Ophelia to the remove the stone that open the gate way, right then he place both his palms on the grass patch *chant*. Hundreds and hundreds of vine and roots twist and turn sealing the gate shut. He finish it with a final seal that place the gate in a pond full of lotus flower.

As she watched the birds feast her own hunger made itself known with a low rumble in her stomach. The watery stew earlier had barely quenched the days of little or no food. And it was taking its toll on her body, her cheeks were more hollow than they had been when she retrieved the orb. Her ribs slightly more prominent.
She stocks the fire with the driest of the wood pile in the corner, coughing at the damp smoke.
She sighed, dreaming of her mothers cooking, hot crathen in a creamy stock... the thought of crathen, a small cattle animal with beautifully fatty meat.... made her mouth water.
There's a thud and she looks up in alarm, Leannan's hovering over her, a smile in the glint of his eye.
She looks below him to find a large stanch-rat dead by her side.
She looks up at Leannan with a grin.
you didn't think i'd gorge myself and leave you empty? he asks, flying up into the rafters, his eyes on her as he cleans the bits of dust and cobwebs caught in his feathers.
She quickly draws her sgain dubh and skins it, gutting it swiftly as the water begins to gently boil. She takes a handful of seeds out of her pouch and adds them to the water, the water swiftly turning a bright green colour.
She adds a few more pieces of wood, as she looks for something to put the stanch-rat in, she finds a tin mug, and a roughly carved set of wooden cutlery, but nothing to cook in so she decided with a sad look to boil it instead, it was much nicer roasted though... she looks around once more with fruitless results, she lays the pieces to one side resting them on the skins to they don't collect dust. She pours the green bubbling liquid into the tin mug, catching her breath through her teeth as the tin heats up quickly. The stanch-rat is quickly cut into bite size chunks and is added to the rest of the green liquid, the seeds swirling round at the bottom, the meat quickly turns grey in the mixture and begins to cook.
She moves over to add more wood to the fire and examines it for the first time, it looked like rowan. You didn't usually burn rowan as it was considered a bad omen...
She shrugged, adding it to the fire anyway.
After a boring and long wait she figured the meat cooked and got the rough wooden spoon she had seen earlier, using the edge of her cloak to pull the copper pan off the flames, pain shooting up her shoulder as the tips of her wings escape the cloak, she lets the cloak fall back around her and sighs in relief as the pain subsides.
She enjoys her feast, watching Leannan as he slept in the rafters next to the owl.
Tomorrow. she promises herself as she blows the hot meal tomorrow we get to Alirt.
with her meal finished and the tin mug drained, she leaves the seeds soaking in the scant remains to absorb the liquid more.
She quickly finds sleep in the warmth, her first truelly hot meal for awhile working its way through her.