Daughter of Earth (Tales of the Guardian)

by Brianna Merrill

  “Feel the movement, Emily. Imagine your weapon is only an extension of your arms, or your core. Feel the fluidity of the motion, memorize it. Let it be imprinted on your mind.”

  He was moving her arms at a much faster pace in a more intricate weaving pattern. The sound of the banging metal grew louder with each blow.

  Emily tried to concentrate and imagine the waves of vibration that echoed off her sai each time it met her opponent’s sword. She tried to feel the gust of wind that pushed past her face with every swing of Lexington’s arm. Her movements became rhythmic and a surprisingly tranquil feeling overcame her.

  Like she was executing steps and movements to a dance.

  “Now,” Damarus snapped Emily from her trance, dropping his hand down and allowing her arms to be under her own control once more. He returned to his former position.

  “It should be exactly the same but this time you may have your eyes open. Focus on how it feels, not what you see Lexington doing.”

  He gave a quick nod and they began their exercises again, although this time Emily felt a difference in her actions. They did seem more natural as she concentrated, almost meditated, and attempted to become more in-tune with her body and core.

  Once it was obvious she was catching on, Damarus nodded his head at Lexington and he suddenly began moving at a quicker pace. Emily was caught off guard at first, she stumbled and took a step back, but the fight continued.

  Just when she regained her footing and stamina, Damarus gave another nod and Lexington once again increased his speed and strength of the blows.

  She quickly glanced in the elder’s direction to show her concern at the increasing difficulty and danger of the sparring, but his face remained firm, there were no signs of doubt. To prove his point he gave another nod to Lexington.

  Emily turned her attention back to her opponent. She feared she would make a mistake because they were moving almost as quickly as they would in a real battle.

  Beads of sweat began to develop along her hairline, threatening to roll down her face at any moment. Each time she blocked the Guardian’s strike she had to flex her muscles to keep his sword from continuing its motion.

  Suddenly Emily saw an opening in Lexington’s defense, as though her vision was fully clear and this opportunity was flashing bright lights to direct her attention. Then there was a whisper in her ear like someone was perched over her shoulder “Strike.”

  There was no time to think.

  Emily instinctively thrust her left arm forward while still retaining her right in the position to block her opponent’s sword.

  Lexington jumped back, barely missing the tip of the sia. A playful grin flashed across his face as he lifted his eyebrows. It was his way of further challenging Emily without using words.

  This game suddenly became very fun, both for the crowd, and of course, Lexington. She heard a rush of gasps and chatter from the surrounding Guardians. Things were growing more entertaining.

  The moment fed into the next, and the adrenaline began to pump through her veins and straight into her heart. Each movement made the next easier to accomplish and soon the two of them were thrusting back and forth, each making offensive and defensive moves.

  Within a split second the training went from defensive strategy to a full fight. It had become not only a battle of strength, but also of wits as she tried to stay a step ahead of her opponent. She could easily see now why her trainer had spent the first weeks developing her mind control and thought process.

  It played a much larger role in a fight than strength or ability.

  This scene went on for a solid five minutes. Each minute that passed, the intensity of their battle grew.

  Sweat dripped from both of them.

  Lexington brought his sword in from the side, making Emily cross her arms and lean more to the right than she should have. It was only a minor loss of balance but that was all it took. The tip of the Guardian’s blade grazed her arm just above the elbow.

  Emily felt a burning sensation but it was not pain. The crowd gasped and Lexington without hesitation lowered his sword. A look of panic spread across his face.

  She looked down at the source of the burning to see the small drop of blood streaking down her arm to the ground.

  Damarus was by her side in an instant. His hands supported her arm as he lifted it to get a better look.

  “It’s just a scratch,” she said between breaths.

  She used the moment to refill her lungs. She hadn’t noticed how out of breath she’d become because she was so caught up in the excitement of the mock battle.

  “It isn’t bad but I did not expect you to even receive a scratch. I should have stopped that,” Damarus said, regretfully.

  “No, really I’m fine.” Emily smiled widely. “That was fun.”

  The exercise had worked. Emily was thoroughly distracted from all the tumultuous thoughts and feelings she had been experiencing beforehand.

  She was even enjoying herself, despite her new scratch.

  Damarus opened his mouth but was interrupted by a loud clapping echoing from the far side of the arena.

  “Bravo!” Came a shout that thundered through the air like a storm approaching unsuspecting patrons.

  Indeed, a storm was coming.

  Alexander sauntered forward, his stride long and smooth. His dark hair seemed disheveled and out of place, his muscles were tense and hard. His jaw taut and firm.

  “Bravo!” He repeated clapping his hands even louder this time. Everyone’s attention was fixed on him as he quickly approached.

  “Alexander?” Emily said, questioningly.

  She was shocked to see him, but more shocked to see him behave in such a strange manner. It was like watching some drunken pirate flaunt about after docking a ship.

  “This is exactly what comes of not taking my advice,” Alexander motioned toward the bleeding wound. He was now only five feet from her and everyone was so shocked only silence was there to greet this long lost Guardian.

  “Where have you been?” Emily asked.

  He disregarded her question and pressed forward with his previous statement.

  “You trust Damarus over me, and this is what you get, Emily. I can’t say I didn’t warn you,” his eyes burned into her.

  They were not friendly eyes. No, these were dark and cold. Even the bright greens of his irises were hardly visible.

  “This is how it’s going to be? You’re going to storm in here like some school yard bully?” she was surprised with the harshness of her words but this was not Alexander.

  She hardly recognized him. Though his features had not changed, except for those holes for eyes, something inside him had. It now permeated from his flesh, streaming negativity, pessimism, a snide arrogance into the air around him.

  “I guess we should catch up first?” he said in a mocking tone. “Let’s see, I’ll start,” he crossed his arms pulling his hand up to fiddle with his pursed lips. “How’s Rob?”

  “Alexander that is…” Damarus had begun to speak up but was quickly silenced.

  “You shut your mouth, traitor!” Alexander barked. Small droplets of spit flew out from between his lips.

  The sudden shout had brought the remaining four elders to their feet. Each seemed completely alarmed and confused.

  Everyone in the stadium was bewildered, which accounted for the utter silence within the Arena. Never before had any Guardian spoken to one of the Governing Five in such an abrasive and insulting manner.

  Emily willed herself to remain calm. She held her hand up to the four elders. She felt like a trainer caged up with a rogue lion. Too many people would only spook him more, possibly stimulate an attack.

  “You know about Rob?” Emily threw the question out attempting to draw Alexander back to her, like dangling raw sirloin in front of the carnivorous animal.

  Everyone could feel the difference in him, the animal-like drive and hunger. The tension he brought with him was palpable. They all sensed
an eerie evil amongst them.

  Alexander snapped his angry stare back to Emily.

  His expression softened a bit but he in no way appeared agreeable.

  “Of course I know, I threw a little celebration right after I heard the news. No one came to it, though. Certainly not you.”

  His words were like a sharpened sword. They cut Emily and he knew it. The satisfaction she saw in his eyes told her it was exactly what he had intended.

  “You were too busy hanging around his coffin and mourning the pathetic mortal’s passing to notice me.”

  Emily pulled forth her inner strength. She could not break down. This was far too important to give into the raw emotion, the feelings still marinating within her over Rob’s passing and how she blamed herself.

  “You’re trying to hurt me. But, it’s not going to work. Do you want to know why?” Emily’s voice was low and controlled.

  “Please, do tell,” Alexander inched closer. He leaned forward causing her to look up to meet his eyes.

  “Because this isn’t you. This is some sort of show, a stupid façade. I do not believe this is who you’ve become, Alexander. I won’t let you be a monster.”

  Xavier came jogging around the corner, huffing short breaths, a look of complete distress on his face.

  “Ah, look who has come to join the gathering. My one true friend.” Alexander took a few steps back and then pivoted on his heels.

  He ran his hands down the length of the weapons table. Stopping at the end he grabbed hold of a handle and unsheathed the sword.

  The blade glistened in the sunlight as Alexander turned it over. “Interesting how weapons have now become the norm for Eden. In fact, it is just as I predicted.”

  He smoothly ran his fingers down both sides of the blade.

  “Alexander,” Xavier approached, still out of breath from his hasty journey to the Arena.

  “Yes, come over here. Come tell everyone about my predictions and how they are coming true. Everyone should hear this. Everyone should know what is going on, Xavier.”

  “That is irrelevant right now, brother. I think you just need to put the sword down and we can go somewhere and you can blow off some steam.”

  Alexander turned rapidly. The wild look in his eyes had grown more dominant. He held the sword out straight, pointing the tip at Xavier who now only stood a few feet from him.

  “Tell them, brother. Tell everyone here I was right all along. Tell them what I said to you that day in the western meadow.”

  Emily’s heart pounded heavily, things seemed like they were bound to escalate. She wanted to scream at the top of her lungs, but she forced herself to keep quiet, to try and come up with some brilliant plan to calm Alexander.

  Xavier threw his hands up to indicate he did not intend to attack or even touch his friend, yet Alexander held the blade at neck height as though he faced some sort of enemy.

  Xavier swallowed hard and then cleared his throat.

  “You said you didn’t think the Governing Five were what they professed to be. You predicted they would start with small changes, like allowing weapons to be used.” Xavier nervously glanced down to gesture to the blade threatening his neck. “You said once they introduced weapons it wouldn’t be long until the Governing Five convinced all Guardians to begin using them on humans. You said there would be a war where we would kill humans and no Guardian would flinch to do so.”

  Xavier nervously glanced back and forth between Alexander and the four elders who had slowly inched their way closer to the middle of the Arena. Everyone was now acting cautiously, not wanting to give Alexander any reason to pounce or do something more drastic than what he was already doing

  “You see,” Alexander shouted. “It starts with a small deception, a small rule is broken and then before you know it, you’re all following blindly like sheep after their shepherd.”

  Emily could not listen to one more word. She had to do something.

  “Alexander,” Emily dropped her weapons to the ground and took the few steps to close the gap between them. “Put the sword down. Don’t you realize what you’re doing? You have a blade pointed at your best friend as though you’re going to strike him dead.” She kept her tone soft; she was trying for a soothing, motherly approach.

  “I’m not going to kill him,” Alexander looked at her and then turned the blade in her direction. “I’m not going to kill you, either. There is no need for that. The Governing Five have it all worked out and nothing I do can change the fact that you’re going to die, and it will be because of the dreams and stories they put into your head,” Alexander spat in disgust toward the four elders.

  “Alexander, please, fight whatever it is that has taken hold on your heart my son,” Aldara finally spoke, her voice cracked as tears rolled down her cheeks.

  “I am not your son,” he said in a deep and menacing voice. “That is just one more lie you have fed me and I refuse to believe them anymore. I will not be your puppet, or your scapegoat.”

  “Alexander! What would you have me do? I will do anything to have to back. Do you want to leave Eden I’ll do that. Just name the terms I don’t care anymore I just want the old Alexander back.” Emily desperately pled.

  “Ah, that’s sweet but long past due. You had your chance and …”

  Xavier seized the opportunity while Alexander’s attention was diverted and made a lunge for the sword. But his movement was easily detected and Alexander removed the sword from his grasp, slicing it across Xavier’s chest in the process.

  The wound wasn’t deep enough to seriously injure him but it was enough to make him flinch and step back.

  Lexington now took his cue and raised his blade to the back of Alexander’s neck. The tip was only centimeters away from his skin.

  “No!” Emily cried, fear making her voice sound icy and strangled.

  “Oh, how quickly prophecies become real. It only took a moment before our Guardian here broke the rules and is now using his sword for a purpose other than deemed,” Alexander chuckled deeply.

  “You drew blood first, general,” Lexington confidently rationalized, but the slight tremor of his hand indicated how uncertain of his actions he truly was.

  Alexander spun so quickly it was hard to think he hadn’t already been facing Lexington’s direction. “You cut Emily. You drew first blood, not me.”

  It was now Lexington’s turn to stare down the long sword that Alexander held. He backed up a few steps, then braced his feet.

  Alexander thrust at him and the young Guardian was barely able to deflect the threatening blow. Xavier dove once more at his friend but Alexander was too quick again and caught Xavier on the arm, filleting it open like a tender piece of fish.

  This cut was much deeper than the one on his chest but all he did was grimace, he did not step back this time, which forced Alexander to reposition his footing.

  Lexington dropped his sword and leapt onto Alexander’s back, trying to quickly lock his arms around his neck.

  But Alexander was as agile as a cat and as strong as a bull. Lexington was flipped over and on his back in a flash.

  Damarus now joined in and made a team effort with Xavier to assault Alexander from the front. Between the two of them, they were able to force Alexander backward.

  Xavier caught a punch Alexander had directed at him and used his momentum to twist his arm while Damarus went for his legs, driving his entire body forward, crashing into Alexander’s pelvis and sending all three of them to the ground.

  Before Alexander could retaliate, Athos and Matthias were now on top of him as well, using their knees and arms to pin Alexander’s flailing limbs to the ground.

  It took four Guardians to restrain Alexander and even then they had to exert every ounce of their strength to hold him there.

  “You fools, I am a god! I am greater than you all. You will pay for this, all of you will,” Alexander howled.

  The fight had been so quick Emily had hardly understood what was going on before i
t was over. She watched as Alexander’s face became twisted and fierce and then she saw it, a flash of yellow and then another one.

  Alexander’s once bright green eyes had just turned yellow, the same yellow she’d seen in both Dante’s eyes and Sandros’.

  “No,” her hand flew to her mouth, to block her curdling scream. “No that’s not possible,” she shook her head.

  Alexander squirmed with all his strength and almost broke free. Lexington now joined the team and other Guardians flashed down from the stands to help restrain him.

  Aldara rushed forward so she was at Alexander’s feet.

  “His eyes Damarus, watch his eyes!” she shouted.

  So she’d seen the frightening color, as well. It was the first time Emily had ever heard Aldara sound panicked.

  “You must render him unconscious, and you must do it now!” Aldara commanded.

  Damarus did not hesitate.

  He swiftly slammed his elbow down on Alexander’s temple. A sickening crack resounded and Alexander’s body went limp.

  Emily wondered if Damarus had actually broken bones in his face. As everyone released their grip and backed up, she rushed to Alexander’s side.

  Her sobs were uncontrollable.

  “Why were his eyes yellow? His eyes were yellow, why did they turn like that? You saw it, Aldara! Tell me. Please”

  “Athos, call the surgeon,” Aldara demanded as she fell down on her knees on his other side. She lifted his lids to look at his pupils. “I should have known this was the cause of his actions, I should have seen the signs.”

  “What signs? What are you talking about?” Emily asked through her tears.

  “The question is, how?” Aldara ignored Emily and instead hunted for Xavier. “Xavier! Has Alexander been in contact with an Ancient One recently?”

  Xavier stepped forward, rubbing his neck, “No not that I’m aware of, not since that fight at Cooperstown where he killed Dante. But, you knew about that.”

  “That is too far back. It would need to be more recently. When did you first notice strange behavior from him?” Aldara interrogated. “Was it before or after you entered Eden?”