by Owens, Wendy
Michael refused to open his eyes; he didn’t want to know what happened. The last thing he could remember, his body was broken, and he was slipping into unconsciousness. The only thing he imagined that could be awaiting him, if he opened his eyes, was something he did not want to see. Either he was already dead, or worse, he in fact had been captured.
Instead he chose to think about Mirada, his beloved beauty. Her long, pale blonde hair that she would sweep around over one shoulder and the way her nose was small and turned up just slightly at the end. Her thin lips that matched in color, the hue that would flush over her cheeks when she was embarrassed flashed in his memory. He missed her haunting eyes, their blue color, that in the right light appeared as if they were gray.
“Mirada …” he whispered longingly.
“Yes, my love?” When he heard the voice reply he thought at first that he had gone mad. After the ensuing debate in his mind, he decided that he had, in fact, heard the voice. Opening his eyes, his heart sank when he saw the eyes he had been missing only moments ago, staring back at him.
“Mirada?” he gasped, attempting to sit up.
“Whoa, take it slow. All right? You were pretty beat up when you got here. You have to take it easy,” Mirada warned him.
“When I got where?” Michael asked, looking around him. He recognized it instantly. Though the years had taken their toll on their love nest, the tree house was still standing.
“Do you know where you are Michael?” Mirada asked, trying to determine if perhaps there were a head trauma she were unaware of.
“Of course I know, I can’t believe this place is still here,” he replied softly.
“You came here, not knowing this place still stood?” Mirada attempted to relieve her confusion.
“I came here? Of course ...” Michael muttered, realizing what had happened.
“I’m confused,” Mirada replied.
“I didn’t realize what I was doing. I was hurt and trying to transport, this must have been the first place that popped into my mind. I think of it often,” Michael explained, sitting up the rest of the way. He reached out and clasped her hand into his; he wanted to feel her flesh against him. Her warmth was soothing.
He took in the surroundings, as he did, memories of their young love came flooding back. When they had begun their affair, they used to daydream of having a simple home; one where they could live out their days together, perhaps even raise a child together.
This was the tree they had shared their first kiss beneath. He built her this home among the trees. It was simple, a wooden floor, a thatch roof that now appeared to be riddled with holes, and one open room, consisting of a bed and a makeshift cooking area.
Looking at the walls that he made from a mixture of mud and canvas, it made him smile. Though most of the mud mixture had crumbled, and fallen away, the fact that the canvas beneath still stood gave him a sense of hope.
“What happened to you?” Mirada asked, checking on the bandages she had applied.
“Did you do all of this?” Michael inquired, looking down at his battered and bruised body, no lovingly wrapped in clean dressings.
Mirada nodded.
Michael thought about her question. What had happened to him, it seemed unimaginable. Could things have really happened the way he remembered? Was the council really dead? Did he actually fight Baal and survive?
“It was Baal. He must have had a spy. He killed all of the elders and then lured me there. He wanted Gabe,” Michael explained, unable to look at Mirada as he recalled the blood-soaked scene. He had always been truthful with her. Always answered every question she had, even when he knew he was forbidden to. He was incapable of anything but full disclosure with her.
“Did you tell him anything?” Mirada asked, concerned.
“Of course not,” Michael answered, allowing his gaze to meet hers. His hand ran up her arm, cascading over her shoulder, and cradling her jawline. “I was so scared. I thought something might have happened to you.”
Mirada pulled away, this time she was the one who was unable to look at her beloved. Leaning forward Michael pushed, “Did something happen?”
She nodded, but said nothing.
“You have to tell me, what happened? Are you all right?” Michael asked, now panicked by her reaction.
“They found us,” she muttered before falling silent again.
“I don’t understand, who found you?” Michael inquired.
“I don’t know exactly, they were demons though. Stimely did everything he could to protect me. He held them off long enough for me to escape, but …” Her words trailed off as she looked down at the ground.
Michael reached out, pulling her into his battered body, holding her tightly within his arms. “I’m so sorry.” She collapsed into him, the sobs flooding out of her. As she trembled in his arms, the despair filled him and all he wanted to do was to take her pain. Stimely, though an undead, had been her only companion since she went into hiding. He knew, for her, it must have felt like she was losing her last friend in the world.
“I know baby,” he whispered, stroking her hair.
Breaking through the tears, she asked, “What are we going to do?”
Michael didn’t have an answer. In the past, when he didn’t know what to do, he went to the council and asked them. He felt like he had no direction. They had no idea where the Guardians crown was, they had no one to turn to now, perhaps Baal was right. Maybe the fight was already lost. Maybe this was the end and he should enjoy what little time he had left with Mirada.
“I suppose we could stay here. I think we could fix it up, don’t you? I doubt anyone will even come looking for us,” Michael suggested.
“Wait, what?” Mirada asked, pulling away.
“Yeah, I mean, with the council gone, there isn’t much left of the guardians. I guess our hope died with them. It doesn’t matter now, nothing does, as long as I can be with you. We could be so happy together. The life we always wanted,” Michael pleaded.
Mirada rose to her feet, crossing the room, “I don’t believe what I’m hearing.”
“I don’t understand, I thought you’d be happy,” Michael stammered, attempting to follow her and then falling back to the cot, unable to put weight on his leg.
“What? You thought I’d be happy that you’re just giving up? All these years, were you fighting for the cause or the council?” she demanded.
“I don’t understand why you’re reacting this way? You hated that I let them drive you into hiding. You hated the fact that we couldn’t be together. I figured you of all people would be glad I decided to stop this madness.” Michael argued.
Mirada shook her head, frustrated by what she was hearing. Without space to pace, she began to walk circles around the tree in the center of the room. “Have you really changed this much over the years? It’s like I don’t even recognize you.”
“Why would you care? The oracles are neutral!” Michael shouted feeling wounded by her words.
“And you think I’m just like all of them. I thought you knew me,” Mirada whispered, the words too difficult for her to say any louder. She came to a halt in front of him, staring, as if hoping to recognize something inside him.
“I’m sorry,” were the only words he could think to say.
She sighed and took a step closer, allowing him to wrap his hands around her waist. He buried his face into the folds of her skirt. Not allowing him to escape their conversation she lifted his chin until their gaze met. “The resistance was never defined by a council, their existence did not give cause. The cause was what gave them purpose.”
As Michael watched her speak, he swallowed hard, remembering in that moment it was more than her beauty he had fallen in love with. “I don’t know what to do,” he replied, his words barely audible.
“People need hope Michael, as much as they need a leader. You and Gabe are the answer to both of those things. You’ll lead the people of earth to victory and Gabe will give them the hope
they need to keep going,” Mirada said, her voice sensitive, yet unwavering.
“I don’t know if I can,” For the first time in Michael’s life he was completely unsure of what he should do. He had lost all sense of purpose.
“You can, and I’ll be at your side every step of the way,” she said with a smile.
“Are you serious?” Michael asked, his heart now racing.
Falling to her knees she embraced him, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. She pulled away, looking into his eyes. “I’m never going to leave your side again.”
Michael felt as if his heart might burst. With the death of the council he had felt as though he had lost everything that mattered to him, but here in his arms, he found the last piece of hope he had left in the world. “We have to go back and help Gabe.”
“Why, what’s wrong with Gabe?” Mirada asked.
“They found a book that says the guardians crown is real,” Michael explained.
“Well it is real, or it was,” Mirada stated, staring back at Michael.
Michael watched as she rose, taking a seat next to him on the bed and wrapping her fingers around his. “What do you mean it was?” he asked.
“The crown has been damaged, what’s left of it will never work against Baal,” Mirada explained.
“Are you certain?” Michael inquired.
She nodded solemnly. “I’m afraid so.”
He fell silent, his heart sinking. Shifting on the cot, he laid back, Mirada crawling up next to him, allowing him to wrap one arm around her back. “That’s unfortunate. I’ve never seen Gabe this engaged in the fight before. The crown gave him something to search for, something to hold on to. I’ll admit, he even had me believing it at the end.”
“He doesn’t have to lose that. Rachel needs him more than ever right now. He just has to figure out she’s enough for him to hold onto and that she is what he is ultimately fighting for,” Mirada explained.
Michael soaked in her words. Perhaps she was right and he was going about this the wrong way. Mirada had given him a reason to fight. When he thought she might be hurt, it awoke a beast within him that would have stopped at nothing to rescue her.
“I suppose we should get back and tell Gabe the hunt for the Guardians crown is pointless,” Michael suggested.
Pushing herself up onto one elbow Mirada peered into Michael’s eyes. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“What? Why not?” Michael questioned.
“If you take this away from him too soon, it might be more than he can handle. He needs to hold onto it for a while longer. Sometimes the journey can help us find what we’re really looking for. Perhaps looking for the Guardians crown will help him find what he is searching for.”
“I wish I knew what he was truly searching for, so I could help him.”
“He’s searching for what everyone else is my love,” Mirada explained plainly. “His destiny.”
Arching his back, Michael lifted himself, kissing Mirada on the forehead. A wave of relief consuming him as he realized he had just found his destiny.
They paused for a moment, Michael looking to Mirada for some indication she might be ready to enter through the gates. It had been some time since she had felt like she was safe to be anywhere near the Guardians. Her sister had been held captive for so long that she had grown comfortable in the idea that the Guardians were no different than the demons. For her, if you were fighting against evil that did not automatically align you with the Guardians.
Peering at the oversized entryway into Iron Gate, Michael attempted to put her at ease. “Clarite’s here, can you imagine how excited she’ll be to see you?”
“Somehow I doubt that,” Mirada said, delivering a half smile.
“Come on now, a lot of time has passed, I’m sure she has changed just as much as you have,” Michael reassured her.
“She never could forgive me for getting away when she didn’t. Well that, and she always thought I stole your heart from her,” Mirada reminded him.
“That will never make sense to me. I never had any feelings for that woman, I have no clue how she thinks there could have ever been something between us. Although it does explain why she loathes me so much,” Michael remarked.
Mirada laughed and looked back at the gate. Michael noticed how her eyes widened as she took in a deep breath. Though she had aged, she still looked like Michael remembered her.
The joy of that moment overtook him. Without another word, Michael turned to her and said, “This past week, being alone in our little tree house, I’ve been happier than anytime I can remember. I feel like the moment we were torn apart, my life stopped moving forward. I can’t imagine ever being without you again.”
“Awe, sweetie, I feel the same way,” Mirada replied, confused as to why he would be bringing this up now of all times.
Falling to one knee, he peered up at her. Her stomach twisted in knots as she felt her heart begin to race. Michael thought his own heart might leap out of his chest if he didn’t say what he was thinking, “I love you Mirada, you complete me. And I don’t want another day to go by without you as my wife. Will you marry me?”
It didn’t happen like in the storybooks. She didn’t squeal and say yes, there was no ring, there was simply the two of them, the gray clouds over head, and the undeniable bond between them, and an evilness darker than anyone had ever known lurking on the outskirts of their existence. She collapsed onto her knees in front of him, the tears streaming down her face. She simply nodded, and that was enough of an answer for him. Burying her head into his chest, he held her, and they were complete. It took more than a lifetime, but they had found each other once again.
“Michael?” Uri’s voice rang out. Rising to their feet they looked on as his loving family rushed out to greet them. They were all there: Gabe, Rachel, Dina, Haim, and Sophie.
Michael smiled; he had everything in that moment, and it made his heart feel fuller than it ever had. He delayed telling them of the council, wanting to prolong the joy of the moment.
“What happened to you?” Uri inquired, grabbing hold of his mentors arm, and looking into his eyes. The worry that had consumed him over the past week was evident.
“I found Mirada,” Michael said as he exhaled. That seemed to be the part that mattered at the time.
“We can see that, old man,” Gabe laughed. “I think what we’re wanting to know is if the two of you are you all right?”
“She’s just agreed to become my wife,” Michael replied.
The group erupted into congratulations, embracing the couple, and sharing in the happy occasion. Even Gabe, who inherently distrusted all oracles was pleased the man who gave him a chance all those years ago found his way back to the love of his life.
“When are you getting married?” Rachel asked.
“As soon as we can,” Mirada added, the smile on her face larger than any one Michael had ever seen her display.
“And the council finally approved this?” Uri inquired.
With those words the energy shifted. The smiles faded from Michael and Mirada’s faces as they looked at one another.
“What’s wrong?” Gabe quickly asked, sensing the change.
“The council’s gone,” Michael answered plainly.
“What do you mean gone?” Uri pushed.
Michael looked at him, holding onto Mirada with one hand and reaching out to grab Uri’s shoulder with the other. “You were right, it was a trap. When I got there, they were already dead.”
“No!” Uri exclaimed, pulling away.
“That can’t be,” Haim argued.
“Baal slaughtered them all. He demanded I hand Gabe over or he would kill me, too. When I refused, we fought. I barely escaped with my life. Luckily Mirada found me, and nursed me back to health. I’m still banged up, but I’m much better than I was,” Michael explained.
“Baal? You actually fought him?” Gabe asked, moving in closer. “What was he like?”
“As evil a
s they say,” Michael answered.
He watched as Gabe’s shoulders slumped forward, his mouth falling open, and despair washed over him. In that moment, Michael was confident Mirada was right. He couldn’t tell Gabe about the Guardians crown, he needed to hold onto that hope, at least a little while longer.
“What are we going to do?” Uri moaned.
Michael squeezed Mirada’s hand. She peered up at him; he nodded as if giving her permission. She looked to the group, “I know where the Guardians crown is.”
All eyes turned to her, she watched as hope returned to the small group. “What?” Dina was the first to ask the question.
Mirada explained, “Over the years, the weapon has been relocated many times, but in 1952, it was moved to the center of Mt. Rainer, in Seattle. It’s watched over by a keeper.”
For an instant, when she said the word keeper, Uri thought of Seraphine. He remembered her beauty. His heart ached, but he shook the memory away as Mirada continued. This was no time, he thought, to get lost in days gone by.
“The mountain is basically an active volcano. It’s decaying from the inside out because of the acid being discharged inside. Nobody would dare go near it and therefore, it’s the last place anyone would look for it,” Mirada explained.
Gabe shook his head, unable to shake his distrust of oracles. “And you’re telling us this why?”
Michael glared at him, angry he would even question his beloved. She reached up a calming hand, placing it on Michael’s chest, and flashed him a half smile, ensuring him she was fine with the question. Looking back at Gabe she replied, “Because I love Michael. And he loves all of you.”
“And how do you know about this?” Uri followed up, honing in on Gabe’s doubt.
“Come on Uri,” she began. “You of all people should know I know an awful lot of things. I choose not to share everything I know because sometimes people can abuse such information.”
“And suddenly you trust us?” Rachel asked, stepping in front of her husband.
“Hey! You guys need to show a little respect. Mirada didn’t have to tell us anything!” Michael said in a raised voice.
