Crossing Forbidden Lines (Guardian Series Book 2)
Page 23
Aurelius took it, then stood up and approached Darshun.
By this moment, Darshun just felt bedazzled from all that’d just happened. This man was definitely more than just an elder. As if instinct took over, a spiritual instinct, he got on his knees before him.
Aurelius placed the necklace over his head and once again it rested upon Darshun’s chest. “By facing all these trials you have learned who you truly are my son,” Aurelius spoke, placing a hand on Darshun’s shoulder.
There would be no denying the elder’s words any longer. Darshun finally accepted who he was and why he’d been born. For truly, he was the Guardian of legend, the Guardian of the Forbidden Realm. “What am I to do? Abaddon has already corrupted three Wizard Crystals and probably has the fourth.”
“Travel to Syngothra, destroy the Unholy Altar and the darkness of Abaddon.”
“And if I fail?”
“Failure carries no disgrace if your heart follows the path of righteousness. No matter the outcome of this journey, by placing your faith in Abidan you can never fail.”
“Then how am I to get to Syngothra? I lost my guide.”
“Travel back to Loreladia and there you shall find an Elf by the name of Caelestias. He will take you to his kingdom Ashhaven where you shall meet others to accompany you on this quest and who know the way. From there, the final journey begins.”
“The currents in the river flow east. That is the direction to Loreladia. I can find my way.”
“Yes, now go. No more time must be wasted.”
“Aurelius, I don’t know who you really are, but thank you for saving my life for aiding me back to health and encouraging me to accept who I really am. I wish I could repay you somehow.”
Aurelius smiled at him. “A humble heart is all I ask.”
Darshun put on his sandals—not surprisingly they fitted perfect—smiled once more at his savior, then arose and began to walk away when suddenly the crystal around his neck shone brightly, a golden light shining behind him also. He turned around and Aurelius was gone, the animals storming off, scattering in different directions. But where exactly did the ‘elder’ go? For it seemed he’d vanished into thin air or perhaps into—another realm?
Just then the name ‘Aurelius’ finally dawned upon him. Aurelius the Golden Wizard of the First Great War, the original Guardian of Seventh-Realm Earth! According to Mirabel he was even held by some as a God. Strangely, Darshun felt—afraid, but at the same time overjoyed, believing whom he’d just seen and how he cared for him to be amazing.
Darshun could think of himself as the chosen Guardian of Abidan, Nasharin in nature—what some might call an abomination. But truly the old ways were a thing of the past. One could be of good, or one could be of evil, children of Light or children of Darkness. This seemed to be something even the High Wizard Levieth understood.
Then, after some quiet moments of listening to the currents of the river, the gentle wind rustling the tree leaves and the beautiful singing of birds, he stood up and faced the east, pondering the things Aurelius told him. A memory of a conversation he held with Mirabel came to mind.
“But why must I be the one to save the earth? Why must I be this ‘guardian?’ I didn’t ask for any of this. It’s too much responsibility. I want to have my own life!”
“ ‘Why’ is a question we all ask, my son. Why must evil exist in a world of such beauty? Why must pain, suffering and death be part of life? Why must the ones we love so dearly be taken from us? Perhaps these are questions we’re not meant to understand. Not in this life. But together we can face these trials and tribulations and move forward, realizing that every creature that longs for peace is worth fighting for. And I would gladly take your place if it were in my power to do so. I promise you this; I will be with you until my very last breath is gone. I will share this burden and suffer with you even if it brings me to the valley of death.”
“Forgive me for not being there my father,” Darshun said aloud upon remembering his father’s faith and his honor. A few teardrops rolled down his cheeks. “I will not make the same mistake twice. You were right, you all were right. The Guardian has arisen.”
He took a deep breath and began his journey to Loreladia, eagerly awaiting the mystery Elf Caelestias.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J.W. Baccaro is the author of the Guardian Series. In his free time he enjoys literature—fiction and non-fiction, playing electric guitar in the heavy metal band Rigor Hill, Consciousness and NDE studies, and thinking how to intertwine his thoughts about the world’s myths, legends and distinct truths into his next novel. He lives in upstate NY with his wife Melissa, his son Alexander, his two German Shepherds and his three cats.
The Magical Guardian Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df-L6u1zvpo
https://www.facebook.com/pages/JWBaccaro/184531844916499?ref=hl
Blog site: (under construction) http://jwforbiddenrealm.blogspot.com/
THE GUARDIAN BOOKS
THE ENTIRE SERIES
BOOK ONE
BOOK TWO
BOOK THREE