by Lynn Landes
"Well now, I was planning on letting you handle this trip on your own. Malach and I thought it would be best." Looking away he sighs and says, "Lina we are not getting any younger, we won't always be here. I trust Malach," stepping close he touches her cheek and says "he brought me you."
"Lucky you" she says smartly "he brought you a broken doll," she says reaching up to take his hand.
"If that's what you think then I didn't do a very good job raising you! Doll my ass, I have seen you train. I know what you can do,” he says in a husky voice. "Lina you are the daughter of our heart, never forget that!"
"You know I love you both." Checking her horse for supplies she hugs him tight, quickly mounting her horse she says, "See you soon; I will just leave him tied up in the cave.”
"All right, I'll retrieve him soon," he says watching her kick the horse into a trot she heads to the mountains. Turning in her saddle to look back at the ranch, Elina slows her horse. She allows the vision to take her and she smiles softly. Her Aunt Ruby is rocking by a fire, her hair has gone white, and her face has aged, Uncle Ronnie walks in with his coffee and leans down to kiss her gently, he too has aged, but they are beautiful to Elina. Tears fill her eyes and she gives thanks for the vision, and lets the images go continuing on her chosen path.
Elina's favorite part of this pilgrimage every year was the camping. There was always laughter, Uncle Ronnie teaching her how to fish, set up camp, canoeing, and hunting. Well okay maybe not the hunting. Joy, Elina thought, her soul was at peace and she could never imagine her life without them.
Stopping to give the horse water, she sits a moment in God’s country, and says a quiet thank you for the people in her life. Thinking back on the day she woke to find that she had blasted the face of the cave open. Malach told her that everything was going to be okay and he had not lied.
Waking Elina realized she was being protected by a dragon. Lying against his massive chest she discovered he was covered in strange markings. Running her fingers over them she watched in awe as they shifted and changed, rippling across his skin. A rumbling in his chest had her eyes jumping to his. Staring into the emerald eyes of the dragon, she asks him "Did I destroy everything?"
"No Elina, You just rearranged a bit. We need to talk," Malach says.
Climbing out of his arms she climbs a boulder so she can be eye to eye with the beautiful dragon. "Okay, Malach I'm ready," she says.
Facing Elina he looks into her eyes and begins, "You are part of a battle that has raged for centuries. You know the history of your people but you do not know all of it. My job is to train you so that your powers do not grow out of control, and prepare you for your role as a Keeper”
“Your people are traditionally watchers, and guiders of humanity. Normally you do not interfere in the lives of humans, but you are not normal. Every now and again a keeper is born, on the day you were born at the exact moment you took your first breath; the Ketuwah lit. It was a sign that you were special. You would have been trained slowly, but that has changed. Now that Raphaim knows you exist, he will not stop looking for you."
Looking away from the beauty of the blue dragon, Elina looks around her and tries to understand all that she is hearing. "Everyone has been saying that I am special, I do not feel special Malach. You called him Raphaim, Who is he? Why did the angel kill my family?
"He did what his kind always does, destroy light. Someday I will tell you the full story of Raphaim, but now all you need to know is he is only half-angel. He wandered on your village by accident, yours was not the first village he destroyed."
"Great. You keep calling me a Keeper, what does that mean and why me?" she asks obviously frustrated.
“You were being trained as a Watcher, which explains our fireworks last night. You are Watcher, but more. Keepers are Watchers who hold special gifts or powers given to them by our maker. You are especially powerful, which is how you accessed it during the attack on your people. When you are upset or angry your power simmers close and can be dangerous if not contained. I can teach you how to control it."
"Okay, you say the Ketuwah is a flame that lit when I was born, why must you guard it?"
"Only the Ketuwah can reveal its secrets to you Elina. I am your guardian until you have been accepted by it, but you have to be trained first. Then I will take you to it." Stretching his large muscular body he spreads his wings and warms them in the midday sun.
"Malach”, she whispers in horror, "Did he return to my village? I should have stayed!” Jumping down from the boulder she looks at him and says, "I have to go back!”
"Calm yourself Elina, they left right after you. They are safe for now, and you are not to blame for those he killed. His choices are his own," he says fiercely.
Turning to look at him with tears in her eyes her anger growing she says, "When the time comes, and I am fully trained Malach I will not hide from him any longer. He will not have to look for me, I will find him and I will finish what I started!" Stomping off, she picks up a rock and flings it into the water.
Nudging her with his head, he rumbles as she scratches his scales. "He is looking for you Elina. He wants revenge but more than that, he wants your powers. If he finds you he will strip you of all your powers and you will wish for death. You are not ready to fight him. You cannot stay here, we have to leave soon."
"Where will we go?” she asks suddenly scared again. "I have found you a safe place with watchers who will be able to train you. I have asked them to bring you to me for your keeper training once a year. Then when the time is right, I will take you to the Ketuwah."
"Can't I stay with you Malach?” her blue eyes plead with him. "I'm afraid not. Here is not a place; but a moment in time. When you pictured the Ketuwah you left your time. You move through time easily, which is why I chose a family for you somewhere Raphaim cannot get to you. You will be safe and happy."
Malach was right, she was happy with them. They loved her like a daughter and she treasured them, but she never forgot her family or people. She was at peace, but she wondered what price her peace would demand.
The camping was really just an excuse to spend time together, because of her ability she only had to picture him in her mind; her dragon. Over the years she had perfected her jumping; now she is only a breath away from him. The funny thing was the Ketuwah was never in the same place twice. As she mounted her horse she wondered where it would take her this time.
Sometimes she was with Malach for weeks, sometimes days. It really just depended on what he wanted to teach her. He taught her how to use the environment around her. She learned how to create an energy shield and perfected calling weapons from energy, and how to control her visions. The first few years were difficult because she did not have good luck with teachers. Only Malach and Aunt Ruby were able to work with her.
She shudders remembering her first teacher. It was nearly a disaster. “When you drop your earthly body you will see a silver chord that leads back to your body. Do not fear that it will break, you are in control. The moment you have the thought you will find yourself back in your body.” Raising her hand Elina asks "Teacher, what are the golden threads for?”
"No, you will only see silver threads, in fact some walkers see no threads at all," she responds barely looking in her direction.
"I see gold threads burning bright as the sun. Sometimes I follow the gold ribbons and they lead to people, healthy people," Elina responds.
"Enough! I am trying to teach a class, if you noticed I am the teacher in this class. We all know you think you are special,” she pauses venom dripping from her voice, and “did it ever occur to you that rules are important." Closing in on Elina's seat in the back of the room, she leans close as she says, “maybe it is because you did not listen that you invited destruction on your own village."
Horrified Elina gathers her things and runs out, leaving the snickering behind her. Angry tears run down her cheeks, of course they blame her! She blames herself. Tossing her books in the nearest
trash can, she starts to run, as the pressure builds.
Pain fills her heart, soul, and mind as she runs following the road away from town, towards the mountains. She cannot stay here. Her skin begins to vibrate a sound from behind her, has her spinning. Shielding her eyes from the sun, she stand with her fist closed tightly trying to hold it together, as her Uncle Ronnie's truck pulls up beside her.
Relieved and still angry, she jumps in. Turning slightly away from him, she huddles against the door doubled over in pain. Pulling off quickly, he heads out of town feeling a strong sense of urgency; he floors it as she whimpers, "faster." Remembering a shortcut, he heads for a ridge that he knows will shield them from the towns people.
"Hang on angel, we are almost there," he says urgently driving as fast as he can over the ridge looking for a service road. Seeing a gravel road, he turns sending rocks flying as he travels a few miles down the road and skids to a stop. Jumping from his truck he runs around, pulling the door open, reaching for her only to jump as she screams "don't touch me!" Elina stumbles from the truck, her hands glowing and she says "I can't stop, I can't take it!
"Then don't girl, let it go Elina," he says quietly.
Turning toward the mountain of trees, she breathes a sigh of relief as she brings her hands together and releases her fury. A beam of white hot light explodes in an instant shooting forward and incinerating the trees. A wall of flames shoot up reflecting the intense heat back towards them. Elina moves her hands smoothly in a fluid movement gathering a wall of air and pushes it forward toward the flames, snuffing them out like a candle.
Sinking slowly to the ground, Elina sobs uncontrollably. “I tried to stop him, I tried!" she screams beating her fists on the gravel road. Dropping down beside her Ronnie's heart breaks for what this child has been through. He wraps his arms around her and pulls her toward his barrel chest, letting her cry. "They're gone, all of them gone. I'm so alone," she hiccups as her sobbing slows.
Praying for guidance, he rocks her gently placing a hand on the back of her head he holds her close to his heart. Slowing his heartbeat he reaches for his gift and pulls from her mind the memory of a picnic by the river.
Her parents are laughing over the baby as he lies kicking on the blanket. Nearby Elina is chasing Senaka, threatening to throw him into the water, while he squeals and runs from her. Jumping from the blanket, Dad joins the chase. Elina screams as he makes a grab for her, while her Mothers watches laughing. Inhaling quickly, Elina watches the scene in her mind fade away.
Turning in his arms, she whispers in awe, "How did you do that?" He says, "I used the gift I was given to help you, just as you did the day you fought for your family. You are never alone Elina the love you shared is yours forever. You just have to decide to honor it. It won't be easy, letting go but you can replace every dark memory, with new beautiful ones."
"I don't know how, Uncle Ronnie," she says weeping again. "I can show you, you just have to trust us. Give us a chance Elina."
"I'll try," she says wiping her eyes. "Good, now help an old man up I can't feel my legs." They both start laughing and she helps him up. Waiting for the blood to rush back to his legs, she surveys the damage she has done and her smile fades. "Uncle Ronnie,” she asks softly "Am I shadow or Light?"
"We'll figure it out together," he says firmly.
Six
Feeling a sense of urgency, Elina rides hard and arrives at her cave. She ties the horse to a tree and waters him, then untied her supplies and heads inside. Switching on her flashlight she sets her gear down and gets a drink of water. Excitement skitters along her spine; she wonders where they will meet this time. Smiling a little she begins. Picking a safe spot she sits down, mentally preparing. Calming her mind she pictures him, her dragon.
She sees him flying free in a bright blue sky, diving towards her and just before he reaches her, he shifts his beautiful wings and soars up into the sky. Laughing out loud she wishes she could fly with him. Watching him the sun blinds her for a moment, and she feels it warming her all over.
A cold draft blows her long black hair around her face. Her breath begins to come out in mist, and chills break out over her body. A whispered question dances around in the back of her mind, staying just out of consciousness. Her eyes snap open and to her surprise she finds that she is back in the cave where she first met Malach. Looking around, she begins to feel unsure. In the last ten years they had never returned to the same place for training. Ready to find him, she hurries toward the sound of the waterfall.
Stepping around the curtain of water she steps outside into an oasis. Nothing had changed; the lush green surroundings remain untouched. Not a sound can be heard past the rushing of the water. The silence shouts to her that something is off. Seeking the power that runs through her body she draws it closer to the surface. Trusting her instincts Elina begins to back away to the entrance of the cave, when a shadow passes over the sun. Thinking it is Malach she looks up and is stunned by what she sees.
Rage pulses through her body. Suspended in midair with his black hair flowing and large wings spread is Raphaim. "Eleeeena, did you miss me?" The dark angel has found her, praying that Malach is okay she does not hesitate. She runs into the cave and sends a burst streaming toward the ledge that forms the waterfall. It fragments outward in an explosion of rock and water, caving in the entrance. Hoping to slow him down long enough for her to pick her battleground, Elina runs to her cavern and picks the entrance leading down into the depths of the mountain. As she runs, she can feel the heat building. A rumbling above causes her to stumble as he breaks through.
"Run little mouse, you cannot escape me this time!” he screams searching for her. Reaching the cavern Elina quickly assesses the situation. Suspended from the ceiling are large stalactites, which look like spears. A maze of stalagmites reaches up from the cavern floor and steam pockets vent randomly around the room creating a hot mist. Smiling Elina kneels to the rocky floor and feels the heat below her. The lava flow beneath the surface is what she is seeking, she creates a small crack in the ground and steps back as it begins to steam and slowly seep toward the surface. She can feel him moving closer, so she pictures the tunnel in her mind growing smaller. Lifting her hands she begins to bring them together feeling the resistance of the rock in her mind she struggles and finally feels the walls shift, closing him in for a moment. Raphaim screams in rage, when he realizes too late that he is stuck.
Knowing she does not have much time she hurries across the cavern and prepares. She thinks of her family and the villagers and she knows what she must do. Allowing no doubt to enter her mind, she closes her eyes and lifting her hands says, "Father, I ask that you spread your protection over me, be a wall of fire around me," a vibration begins beneath her feet, building with his rage and power but she does not stop. "Let your favor surround me like a shield, guard me in all of my ways, rescue and deliver me from this evil!"
The explosion that frees him from his rocky tomb throws her back against a wall. Elina draws on the elements using a cushion of air to protect her. She wraps herself in energy, deflecting the stones and sending a shower of rocks hurtling back at him.
"Pretty words and party tricks Will Not save you from me Elina!" he screams at her leaping across the cavern. Just before his taloned hands reach her she adds pressure to a steam pocket he is crossing over and sends him shooting to the spikes above.
Spinning in mid-air Raphaim manages to miss the largest spear but hits a group of smaller ones, piercing his folded wings. His scream of pain, turns to a hiss of rage and his eyes glow blood red. He drops to the ground looking at her from across the cavern and reaching out a clawed hand; forms a fist choking her with a thought.
Elina feels the pressure on her throat, and reaches for the power boiling in her soul. He separates the short distance and replaces his thoughts with his hands, lifting her into the air by her small throat, squeezing tightly. Dangling in mid air Elina's eyes begin to glow, she reaches for the crack in the floor and i
s rewarded with a stream of molten lava. It hits him in the back and he releases her shouting his rage. She drops to the cavern floor like a small cat and stands walking toward him. He is squirming on the floor and just before she reaches him, he swings his foot out and kicks her in the chest sending her flying across the cavern. Rising and laughing he shakes out his wings spraying the walls with acid rain. "You have learned much keeper, but not enough to stop me!"
Stalking across the cave he lifts her by her throat and pins her to the cavern wall with one hand. He presses his ear between her breasts listening to her pounding heart. Looking into her turquoise eyes he licks his lips and whispers close to her mouth, "I bet you taste like heaven, Elina".
Placing her hands gently on each side of his handsome face she opens her mouth and eyes wide; pouring all thought, prayer and hope into his soul. The light explodes from her and hits him full force. He is slammed back to the nearest wall.
Elina's entire body is now covered in white light. With a thought she imagines a shield and sword of light and is not disappointed. Swinging the sword she feels its weight in her hand and smiles. Turning towards Raphaim she points her sword at him, as he struggles to his feet.
Glaring at her with red eyes, he spreads his black wings and asks "Keeper, Are you Shadow or Light?"
Looking into the eyes of the Angel who killed her family she says, "I am both!" Lifting her sword to strike him she is shocked when her shield and sword flare with a brilliant blue light.
The color fills the cavern covering everything with its brilliance, Elina watches as it bathes the cavern, washing the walls away. She now finds herself standing in the oasis outside the waterfall. Everything is as it was before the battle. The sound of the waterfall flowing and birds calling soothes her soul.
