Guardian: Protectors of Light

by Melanie Houtman

  *

  The three Keepers had made their way through the Twilight Forest, to the Gnome Village.

  They needed information on Sabrina’s whereabouts; the gnomes claimed they’d seen her around. You need to remember that these gnomes aren’t exactly lawn gnomes, so they aren’t to be messed with...

  “Greetings, Madeleine the Wise,” Barnaby, the Gnome Leader said. “We ‘ave received yer message; Sabrina the Dark indeed was ‘ere.”

  Madeleine shook the gnome’s hand. “Good,” she said. “How long ago was she here?”

  “No’ very long ago, surprisingly,” Barnaby said. “She probably was just passin’ thru ‘ere. She probably needed to get a message to ‘er master without runnin’ into the Guardians.”

  Madeleine nodded. “Did you know where she went?”

  Barnaby shook his head. “Scared ‘er off, we did,” he said. “Wanted magical diamonds from our mines, but we refused to give ‘em to ‘er. She fled into the Fairy Forest. Perhaps Queen Eloine can help ya.”

  Gabriel nodded. “Got that,” he said. “It’ll only be a matter of time until we run into her... She’s probably looking for us.”

  Rikki, who was just a little taller than Barnaby, smiled at the gnome. “Thanks, Barnaby.”

  “No problem at all, lass,” he said. “By now, we’d do anythin’ for freedom, eh?”

  “Don’t worry, Barnaby, you’ll be free once again soon,” Madeleine said. “You’ll no longer have to worry about Shadow Walkers ruining your villages and land again.”

  Barnaby nodded. “I ‘eard,” he said. “Those kids are magnificent... They are the first to make it this far in a thousand years, eh?”

  Madeleine nodded. “Yes,” she said. “They are... And we’re proud of them.”

  Barnaby smiled, before reaching inside his pocket. He drew out a leather bag, which had been tied shut with a rope.

  “These are fer you,” he said. “In case yer going to need ‘em while takin’ that girl down.”

  Madeleine nodded, and took the bag. magical gems were powerful; no doubt Sabrina wanted them too.

  They said goodbye to the dwarf, before continuing to hunt down Sabrina. They followed Barnaby’s advice, and set their next destination as the Fairy Forest.

  The Pixies looked at the trio as they walked through the Pixie Garden. Everyone knew them; everyone knew what the Keeper Outfits meant. War.

  Shortly after their arrival, Violina was notified and she approached them quickly. “So it’s true, after all,” she said.

  “Sabrina’s back.”

  “Indeed,” Madeleine said. “We need to speak with you and your sister. Quickly.”

  Violina nodded. “Of course,” she said. “Follow me.”

  The Keepers were completely safe to travel through the Fairy Forest, since practically all their weapons glowed brightly, similar to Timothy’s katana blades.

  The blade of Madeleine’s sword, which she held up ready as if it were a torch while manoeuvring past the trees, glowed in a golden colour, and so did Gabriel and Rikki’s arrows and daggers.

  “I know it’s none of my business, really,” Violina said, just a while before they reached the castle, “but I can’t keep myself from asking... Has she attacked the Guardians?”

  “Unfortunately, she has,” Madeleine said. “Multiple times. But none of her attacks were successful.”

  “At least that’s something positive,” Violina said. “We’re here... I’ll announce you.”

  Madeleine nodded. “Very well,” she said. “We’ll wait here.”

  Violina returned shortly, inviting the three Keepers inside. Queen Eloine was already waiting for them in the hall.

  “We must hurry,” she said. “We’ve got no time to lose if the situation’s as bad as I heard.”

  “Well,” Madeleine said, “I think it’s probably worse than any of what you’ve heard.”

  Queen Eloine nodded. “Sit down,” she said. “We’ll discuss options.”

  The five sat down inside the big room where the Bond of Light had been sitting two weeks earlier. “First things first,” Queen Eloine said. “If I understand the rumours correctly, Sabrina has been sighted and is under the Master’s control once again.”

  Madeleine nodded. “And she’s made so far unsuccessful attempts at capturing or injuring the Bond of Light.”

  “Barnaby said that she’d fled into your Forest,” Gabriel said. “Have you seen her?”

  Queen Eloine shook her head. “Neither of us has,” she said, “but various Pixies in the Pixie Valley have.”

  Gabriel nodded. “Any idea where she’s now?”

  Violina shook her head. “No...” she said. “Or...” She looked at her sister.

  “Fiyara,” they said simultaneously.

  “Explain?” Rikki asked.

  “Fiyara visited us about a week ago... It’s been ages. She said she’d seen Sabrina shortly after she’d finished guiding the Guardians across the mountains... She seemed rather excited about something.”

  “So that means she’s been following them for very long,” Madeleine said. “We’re behind.”

  “What do you mean?” Violina asked. “Where is the Bond of Light currently, then? Are they all right?”

  “They have currently crossed the border to the Land of Void,” Madeleine said. Violina gasped.

  “Do you hear that, Eloine?” she said. “Antonio and the others made it to the Land of Void!”

  Queen Eloine smiled. “I’m glad to hear that they’re still together in one piece... And that they’re guided by someone as smart as Timothy.”

  “It sure is a whole lot of a reassurance,” Madeleine smiled. “Timothy... Is rather brave, and clever, yes...” A slight honey glow appeared on her cheeks, and she stopped talking.

  “Anyway, we had better hurry,” she said, as she stood up. “We’ve got to take the passage through the mountains; that’s our best shot.”

  “Is there a passage through the mountains?” Violina said. “You mean – as in a tunnel?”

  Madeleine nodded. “You didn’t know?”

  Violina shook her head. “No. I didn’t.”

  “Perhaps I should’ve informed the Bond of Light it was there... I thought you knew...” Madeleine said. “But it no longer matters now... We should go.”

  They thanked Queen Eloine and Violina for sharing information with them. But just before they left, Violina stopped them.

  “I’m coming with you,” she said. “I’ll fight with you.”

  Madeleine, Gabriel and Rikki nodded. “Fine,” Gabriel said. “It’ll be good to have at least one strong magical person on our side. Especially if...” he stopped mid-sentence.

  The subject he wanted to speak of apparently wasn’t something appropriate to discuss at that moment.

  “Maddy, do you even know where we’re actually headed?”

  “We know this place like no one else does, Gabriel! Of course I do!”

  “Luckily we’ve got the passage through the mountains, or else it would’ve taken us days to get to Sabrina!”

  The Keepers had made their way to the secret passage underneath the mountain. They better had hurry; as they weren’t sure of neither Sabrina’s current location nor the possible damage she already could’ve caused thus far.

  While they hurried their way through the secret passage, they shouted things at each other. But whether they were meant as advice or just shouting in frustration was left to question.

  The main reason why the Keepers were frustrated and stressed was because time was running out; and another was that if they’d fail in stopping Sabrina, Lunaria and the Bond of Light were most likely to be as good as doomed.

  The Keepers were given new life by the Light Spirits for a purpose; serve to save. This might sound like complete gibberish to the unknowing ear, but they were to be serving the Bond of Light, who would eventually save Lunaria. Serve to Save.

  The Keepers had sworn to serve in peace, unless a threat co
ming from the Master had a certain danger which the Bond of Light couldn’t face on their own.

  And to Madeleine, Sabrina was this certain threat. The Master had used her, manipulated her, and turned her against her best friend...

  But if Sabrina was still alive, could that mean he was, too?

  Madeleine shook her head to get rid of the thought. It was impossible. She’d watched him die.

  She’d killed him herself... Something she knew she’d regret for the rest of her life.

  Madeleine was forced to return to reality, as they reached the location of the destroyed villages.

  And there she was. Sabrina.

  Squatted in the middle of one of the village ruins, as if she’d discovered something. Suddenly, she seemed to notice the Keepers’ presence, as her head shot up in their direction.

  The Keepers charged for her as she got on her feet and ran for it as fast as she could.

  “You can’t run, Sabrina!” Gabriel shouted. “Not again!”

  Sabrina turned her head, looking at him. “Let’s see about that, huh?” she said.

  Gabriel heard Rikki panting behind him. But as soon as he looked back to check on her, the panting stopped; Violina, who was little taller than Rikki, had taken her on her back. “Don’t worry,” the Fixie said, giving Gabriel an encouraging smile. “I’ll make sure she gets there.”

  Gabriel smiled at her. “Thanks, Vo.” He then fastened his pace, running after Sabrina.

  When she reached Imber Lake, Sabrina suddenly stopped running. She turned around; her face showed a devilish grin, as her glowing red eyes reflected the water’s blue colour.

  “What’s the matter, Sabrina?” Madeleine said mockingly. “Can’t swim?”

  Sabrina narrowed her eyes for a short moment, but the grin didn’t shrink a bit. “I can,” she said, “but I remember someone who couldn’t...”

  Gabriel made a growling sound. “I swear, if you bring that back up, I’ll drown you with my bare hands-!”

  Sabrina pounded and tilted her head, obviously amused. “It was your adorable little sister, wasn’t it?” she said. “Oh, how hard you tried to save her...” The grin returned. “Yet couldn’t.”

  “ENOUGH, SABRINA!” Gabriel roared as he ran forward, bow and arrow drawn.

  But as soon as he’d started to run, he stopped, as Sabrina had multiplied... By four.

  Two were standing in front of him, and two were standing...

  Behind Rikki.

  Rikki and Violina had just arrived; Rikki had insisted on walking on her own after she’d seen her brother running toward Sabrina. She’d run closer to the scene; away from Violina.

  Gabriel turned his head angrily; he growled as soon as he saw the two Phantom Sabrinas stand behind his sister.

  “Leave her alone,” he growled. “Or else...”

  “You’ll kill me?” one of the Sabrina’s standing in front of Gabriel said.

  “Don’t make the wrong choice.”

  Gabriel loaded his bow and drew the arrow backward, and within the blink of an eye, one Sabrina standing in front of him and one of them behind Rikki had been hit.

  ...They were Phantoms.

  “Oops,” the real Sabrina said, as the last Phantom in front of him disappeared. “Wrong choice.”

  Gabriel leapt forward, but one move from Sabrina, and he was forced to stand still in his position, unable to move. And apparently, the same had happened to the others...

  ...Except for little Rikki.

  She ran out of Sabrina’s way as quick as she could, drawing out her crossbow. “Stay away from me!” she shouted. “I’ll use this; I swear! You’ve seen me do it before.”

  For a while, Sabrina didn’t move a muscle. It was as if she was actually hesitating. Then she noticed how close Rikki was standing to the lake’s edge. The water was at least 3 metres deep; anyone unable to swim would be defenceless down there.

  Sabrina made a step forward. Rikki did exactly what Sabrina had expected she’d do; she fired the crossbow.

  Sabrina raised her hand, using Magic to block the arrow from hitting her in the face, and sending it straight back to Rikki...

  Who didn’t see the arrow coming until it was too late.

  The arrow pierced through her chest; straight into her heart. Her eyes, filled with shock and tears, sought for her brother’s, right before she fell backward into the deep water.

  And that was the point where the spell got broken.

  “RIKKI! NO!”

  Gabriel stumbled forward, tears streamed down his cheeks. Without even thinking about it, he dropped his weapons and dove down into the water, to save his dying baby sister.

  Meanwhile, Violina and Madeleine took rather hostile positions against Sabrina, who was laughing manically at the sight of the seventeen-year-old trying to save his thirteen-year-old sister.

  “You’ll never learn!” she laughed. “You’ll never do!”

  “Well, let’s see about that,” Madeleine growled.

  Gabriel had managed to reach Rikki. She’d gone unconscious; the arrow was still stuck in her chest.

  He reached out for her; as soon as he got a firm hold of her, he took her back up to the surface.

  Gabriel laid Rikki’s body down on the shore; meanwhile, he searched for Sabrina.

  “Where is she!?” he roared. “I want to kill her!”

  “She’s gone, Gabriel,” Violina said. “She disappeared as soon as we tried to attack her.”

  Gabriel let out something which seemed to be some sort of mix between a grunt and a heartbreaking sob. “Not again,” he sobbed. “Not again.”

  He stroke a gentle face across Rikki’s pale cheek. “Rikki?” he whispered. “Listen to me. You’re going to be fine...”

  Rikki opened her eyes weakly, and looked at her brother. “I know,” she whispered, offering him a weak smile. “I’ll see you soon. And then Lunaria will... be free, right?” Her eyes opened a little further.

  “Can you promise me that, Gabriel?”

  Tears streamed down his cheeks and he felt like he had a lump in his throat, as Gabriel said, “yes, Rikki. I promise.”

  Rikki smiled feebly. “Good.”

  Then, all motion left her body.

  For at least five minutes, all Gabriel could do was sob, while holding his sister close to him. He removed the arrow, but couldn’t bear even to look at it.

  Violina and Madeleine stood there, silently. Crying as well.

  Then, Gabriel suddenly spoke.

  “That girl has taken her last life tonight,” he growled. “Next time, it’ll be hers.”