Crossing Forbidden Lines (Guardian Series Book 2)

by J. W. Baccaro

  Azriel hadn’t taken him. Or perhaps the Angel of Death had just been an imagination brought on by stress and blood loss? If so, some miracle must have taken place for him to drift so far within the water and not drown, let alone survive his wounds from Abaddon, which made no sense either. He should be dead! How did he manage to survive? It seemed to go against logic. Then, turning his head he noticed an old man cooking a stew over a fire.

  The elder had long silver white hair, a thick gray beard dressed in a well-worn brown robe strapped by a black leather belt and cream-colored sandals. Surprisingly, beside the elder were a host of animals.

  He saw a tubby black bear, deer, rabbits, raccoons, wolves, and more continued to come. Additional bunnies hopped out of the woodwork, a mountain lion nuzzled Darshun’s face gently, purring in content as she strayed by. As though sensing the Nasharin awake, a litter of wolf pups stormed over to him, playfully licking his face. The mother rushing over to get them before they got a chance to climb all over his sore body.

  Darshun smiled, loving the attention but as of yet he hadn’t made a sound. He watched a variety of birds ranging from blue jays, red cardinals, golden-winged warblers, a red-tailed hawk and a prairie falcon flocked themselves around the elder also. It grew difficult to tell whether these animals were wild or belonged to him for they walked amongst one another, neither attacking nor scrambling.

  Perhaps he possesses a gift similar to Uncle Seth and Kelarin—the animals were perhaps willful companions? Most likely if any sense could be made of this. Darshun attempted to sit up but a shooting pain pierced through his body.

  “Easy my son, you are not yet well,” the elder said. He handed Darshun a cup containing hot liquid. “Drink this. It will help restore your wounds.”

  Darshun sniffed it and gagged. “Ugh! Smells revolting. What is it?”

  “Helothia, a past remedy most men have forgotten. Now drink and then I shall give you some stew.”

  So as to avoid what would have been a long bitter taste, Darshun gulped down the remedy in seconds, trying his hardest not to vomit it back up. Though his body felt severely burned and his innards sore, within moments of the hot liquid flowing through his veins the pain began to ease. Then his stomach growled, awfully loud too. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d eaten and the boiling stew resting over the yellow flames smelled good. He glanced over at the pot, remembering the promise the elder made, hoping it might be fulfilled any moment.

  Smiling, the old man took his ladle and filled a large wooden bowl to the brim, then handed it over to Darshun.

  “Oh, thank you!” Darshun dunked the spoon deep into the golden broth, bringing up chunks of carrots, celery, onions, garlic and mushrooms. There were also bits of corn, yellow squash, green beans and peas. He blew on them, the steam drifting away and slurped the food into his mouth, his taste buds exploding into ecstasy. Not only were the vegetables freshly picked and cooked to perfection, but also the sweet and peppery spices blended together made the dish the king of all stews. Darshun loved it. “This is delicious!” He sounded like a little excited child, eyes widened, feeling delighted by the simpler things in life like he’d always done before getting involved in such a long, drawn out bloody war. “It is the best stew I’ve ever tasted. Really! If you were a God I would worship you, heh-heh.”

  The elder chuckled, as if knowing that for a moment Darshun forgot about all his troubles. “I am glad you like it, now finish up so you can regain your strength.”

  Darshun obeyed and didn’t know why but felt an inner peace being aside this elder. In a strange way, his presence reminded him of Kelarin, peaceful and compassionate. It shone in his gloriously blue eyes; they spoke with such grace and his voice seemed soft and gentle like a mild breeze. “Ahh, thank you kind sir,” Darshun licked his bowl clean of every drop of broth.

  “Good eater,” the elder commented.

  Darshun felt a little embarrassed, hoping he hadn’t made too much of a fool of himself, knowing his distasteful eating habits. “Um—if I may ask sir, who exactly are you?”

  “You may call me Aurelius. I found you lying face down in the sand beside the river three days ago. I’ve been aiding you back to health ever since. Only this morning were you even well enough to remove your filthy garments.”

  Darshun peered down and noticed his change in attire. Nothing fancy, just a forest green tunic, dark blue breeches belted with a black leather strap and a pair of hard wooden brown sandals resting next to his feet. “I thought I was going to die in that river,” he said, a sadness sweeping his tone.

  “With wounds such as yours…most creatures would have. Your spirit however, is quite strong.”

  “The Angel of Death appeared, so I was certain I waited at death’s door. Except he didn’t take me.”

  “The Angel of Death?”

  “Azriel, he is called. The one who stalks the river at nightfall, sailing his boat, taking lost souls to the other world.”

  “A better translation of him would be ‘whom God helps on their way.’ And I would say he most certainly helped you by keeping your head above water.”

  Not sure whether to believe this elder, he cast the thought aside and smiled. “Well, for the time you’ve spent caring for me I cannot thank you enough. Oh, where are my manners? Let me introduce myself, my name is—” His enthusiasm faded away with his words for as he spoke, he reached down to his chest feeling for the necklace…it wasn’t there. Lost probably in the river—forever! An expression of defeat swept over his face. “What does it matter who I am? I’m an embarrassment to the Light and a failure. You should have let me die.”

  “I would not call you a failure Darshun Luthais.”

  Darshun gazed up, meeting his gaze. He wasn't all that surprised Aurelius knew his name. Olchemy, Nayland, Kelarin and Kaylis also knew Darshun by name and they sometimes knew some events in his life, before meeting him personally. “Seen visions of me too? Seems everybody knows everything about my life…more so than myself. With such wisdom, you all should gather together to defend the earth yourselves, instead of having called upon such an unworthy fool.”

  “I know many things about your life, Darshun. I know many things about your future also, every un-walked path. I need not experience a vision to have seen it. However, that is not in question here at the moment, son of Ariel and adopted son of Mirabel Luthais.” A wind hollowed, rustling through the trees, the animals quickly lay themselves down, and Aurelius fixed his eyes sternly on Darshun.

  His gaze seemed utterly—dramatically powerful and Darshun felt he would melt like a candle before this elder’s feet.

  “You call yourself a failure, yet think back to your past, the trials you have faced. The attack at Arundel Mountain where you lost your childhood friend Elwin Theodore, encountering the Cave Serpents, freeing the city Zithel—your first great battle alongside Mirabel and Uncle Seth. The Siege of Zithel, your imprisonment in Castle Volborg, including the time spent in the Arion Chamber and your battle against Abaddon…a battle no other mortal could have survived.

  “Um—I—?” Darshun felt at a loss for words. His mind could barley fathom the fact how Aurelius seemed to know so much, recalling the events of the war as they unfolded gradually. Had this ‘elder’ been stalking him from the shadows?

  “Remember when you were young,” Aurelius continued, “How quickly you learned the Nasharin arts, how further beyond you advanced your skills at Shajin Island? All these trials and tests you have surpassed, survived, and now sit here before me. And you have the wit to call yourself a failure? ”

  Darshun sighed with grief but also frustration. “If you know all of this, then you must know about the innocent lives that were slain at Zithel because of me—”

  “Did you slay them?”

  “Well no—not exactly. But it was because of my incompetence they died.”

  “And if they were called to bear such a burden, having feelings and emotions identical to yours, do you believe they would have accept
ed?”

  “I—suppose not.”

  “Darshun, to lack acceptance to such a calling is not grave sin unless you persist in that protestation. For a creature such as yourself, it would be foolish to accept so fluently. For these events are not common and such ill feelings come natural even logical, especially to one holding nature in high regards, not wishing to founder it. But if your heart remains humble, and you desire truth, then you shall find it. Your eyes shall be opened and all incompetence will wash away. For you are the chosen one of Abidan, and Abidan always delivers his promises. If you place your faith in him he will not fail you, it is not in his nature to do so.”

  “I am also guilty of lust, desiring a woman I suspected to be wicked from the beginning, and have endured many sufferings because of it.”

  “And yet, here you sit, raised above those flames, stronger and wiser than before.”

  “Sir, I am nothing.”

  In that moment, Darshun could’ve sworn to see Aurelius' gaze darken a tad, and then return to normal.

  “The God of the Light, he who reigns among the highest of heavens has chosen you. Do not call yourself—nothing—lest you test his anger."

  “Oh, I did not mean to offend, please. I am sorry. It's just that— well I don't see myself as a great and mighty Guardian of earth. Rather, I’m a lowly spirit and delight in simple things. Heh, I find it difficult squashing an insect and only do so if it is the stinging type.”

  “And what wonderful virtues these are, Darshun. Do you really think Abidan calls on the mighty and wise, or those too proud to see their own sins?”

  “Should not the wise and powerful be the dominant?”

  “Not the way you’re thinking or the world would have descended into darkness long ago. Abaddon is both wise and powerful, yet desires for you to know how to do wrong.”

  “I know there isn’t anyone on earth who can rival him. I thought I could—had myself convinced my Ascension was all that would be needed— that we didn’t have to bother destroying the Wizard Crystals, or even his Unholy Altar. I was wrong, tragically wrong and it nearly cost me my life.”

  Aurelius smiled. “You are destined to defeat him, Darshun. You are Abidan’s Holy Warrior destined to end these days of darkness. There is much hidden power within your spirit you are unaware of, strength that surpasses Abaddon’s.”

  Rolling his eyes Darshun scoffed, “No amount of training, not even fifty years at Shajin Island would heighten me to his level.”

  “It is not by any physical means you will unleash it.”

  “Then—how?”

  “By following the path of righteousness.”

  “Righteousness? See, that is just it, I’m not righteous. My mind has been darkened by anger, my heart despair my spirit full of sorrow. I mean not to offend, but in all truth, I’m not the chosen Guardian everyone keeps saying I am. My actions have proven it.”

  “Remember your first kill, the elk?”

  Caught off guard by the sudden change in subject, Darshun’s heart shot to his throat, recalling the moment he took down the deer, remembering the look on the creature’s face, the fear and confusion. Enough was enough. How could it be possible Aurelius knew about this? He didn’t even want to look at the mysterious elder anymore but could not budge his head or loosen his gaze. “How did you know that?”

  Curving his lips into a gentle smile Aurelius answered, “The Elk gained your trust, did it not? Watching him peacefully eat his blades of grass tamed your heart. He knew the elk and he felt it in your spirit which was why he didn’t run when you strolled out from the bushes. But the sudden clatter of the blackbirds causing him to flee awakened your instincts of survival. You let go of the bowstring and brought him down.”

  “I didn’t want to kill him.” Darshun sounded like he was defending himself before a judgment.

  “But you knew you had to for food, clothing, medicine, weaponry, your survival. ‘The ways of the forest,’ you said.”

  Darshun looked away, tears in his eyes. “I remember.”

  “By the end, he knew it too, in his own special way.”

  “He? You mean the elk?”

  Aurelius nodded. “You have a gentle heart my son. True, the Nasharin in you desires to fight, though only for sport. You have never held a desire for killing things, not even the smallest of animals. That is nothing to be ashamed of.”

  “What does that have to do with the present?”

  “Sometimes that which appears to be wrong is right. It’s not sin to kill Abidan's creatures in order to live. Neither is it sin to be angry. It only becomes sin to kill for pleasure to waste what you have been given or to dwell within needless emotions of anger, leading one to disparity, hopelessness and death. Yet you, as much as you bring yourself down, you’ve never given up hope ever! You have always carried it with you. Sealed away at times yes, but it still remains.” The elder smiled at him.

  His words rang true, but how could he know of all things in Darshun’s life?

  “The anger and sadness you have expressed are emotions given to creatures by God to be used naturally, wisely. They do not make one a heathen. There is a pure love, a pure hate, pure sorrow and pure joy. There is a time to kill, a time to let live and a time to sacrifice that which we hold so dearly to our hearts. Some of these tests you’ve overcome, others you still must master. But the love you have for others shines brightly within your heart, a true sign of the Guardian. Follow that heart and you shall conquer every trial, every test and unleash the strength I speak of. This I promise you. Now, look into the fire.”

  Darshun did as he commanded and to his amazement, the flames turned golden and formed a large burning circle becoming transparent in its center. Then within the center appeared what seemed like visions from the past. He saw a child, a little boy wrapped in blood-red garments and to Darshun’s horror the babe sat in the palms of Abaddon! Next to Abaddon, stood the High Wizard Levieth having a look of worry and concern.

  “My lord,” Levieth spoke, “It would be unwise to slay the child now. If you do…the wrath of Abidan through the Golden Wizard shall fall upon the Dark, stronger and fiercer than before. All that you’ve planned shall be swept away, forever. For you know better than I, there are rules and stages we must perform in order to kill a Guardian before it reaches understanding.”

  “What do you suggest?” Abaddon asked.

  “We could raise him as one of our own, then when he reaches an age of enlightenment kill him. Or send the child off with the Cullach about to take Loreladia. Commander Deloth informs me that the land's taking is in our grasp. Once accomplished, not only shall we begin our search in the east for the Wizard Crystals, but we can offer this child as sacrifice to the Gods of darkness, as a victory gift that will increase our powers of sorcery, powers that shall enable us to find the crystals quicker.”

  “And who shall offer this sacrifice? As you say neither you, I or any of the Dark can slay him as of yet without dire consequences.”

  “There is a man who could, a dark priest once holy priest, turned away from the Light by the obsession of lust and greed. He understands the ways of sacrifice, the proper procedures. And being Man, bearing no ‘pure evil’ in his heart, he can take a blade to this child’s throat without fear of retaliation from deities of Light; this child that we were warned about by our Gods, this child the Elves called ‘Windtros.’ ”

  “Windtros!” Darshun gasped. “Why that’s—that’s me!”

  “Continue looking,” Aurelius commanded.

  Darshun again looked into the flames.

  Next, what looked like a large bulky Cullach—except with white skin, red eyes and long tusks, wearing full-plated armor. The metal shining crimson and having a powerful gaze marched in toward Abaddon and Levieth. He bowed.

  “Deloth,” Abaddon greeted, “My most trusted and mighty warrior. You have delivered kingdoms to my feet, annihilated those who opposed my will. Yes, a loyal servant you are to me indeed. I have a task for you, and under
stand it must be accomplished immediately after you have conquered Loreladia.”

  “Loreladia is in the taking as we speak,” Deloth replied. “There will be no survivors and I shall do as you command.”

  “Excellent. Extend your hands. He obeyed. Then Abaddon held the child up, stared into the babe's eyes. “Imagine what you could accomplish were I to let you live little one, so frail, so weak at the moment. According to prophecy, your power would ascend even mine. But you shall never see that day. The Dark triumphs, the Light falls.” Windtros began to cry and wiggle his little arms then Abaddon handed him to Deloth. “Levieth shall inform you what to do with him. Now leave my presence, both of you.”

  “As you command my lord.” Levieth abandoned the chambers with the Cullach Commander Deloth, carrying the crying babe.

  Then the vision jumped to the night of the sacrifice. Darshun saw the babe—himself strapped to a table, surrounded by graven images of serpents producing a six-sided fire star. A demonic looking statue stood over this while lowering a knife, having a ghostly image in likeness of itself floating above mimicking its movements and a dark priest speaking and sprinkling blood onto the child, Windtros. Then he saw strange unnatural explosions, the flames a dark blue. Wolves were attacking Cullach, tearing them to shreds while the dark priest fell to an arrow shot by Mirabel and all the events taking place at that time.

  Though what inspired Darshun the most was when Mirabel, Uncle Seth and Kaylis stood bewildered, witnessing a fierce golden light shooting off the Golden Crystal— onto and around little Windtros, igniting his body like some kind of ‘sun child.’ Then Darshun remembered the words Olchemy the Wizard had once spoken: “Your father told me when you first came in contact with the crystal. You were a babe and the crystal’s golden light dramatically surrounded you for a moment and disappeared. The four Wizard Crystals of the Elements did the same when merging to their masters.”

  The visions ceased and the gold flames died—only to be replaced by a shining crystal Darshun recognized immediately, the Golden Crystal which had been the source of the fire from the very beginning. It changed back into the necklace and levitated in the air.