by Wendy Owens
“I’m here, Dina, I won’t leave you.” Before she even said the words, Sophie knew they would offer little comfort to her friend.
Dina didn’t shift her gaze from her sleeping prince, “It’s not right, you know.”
“I know, it’s messed up. I wish I would have been there to help him.” Sophie offered.
“No, it’s messed up that they aren’t doing more. They want to just let him die. It’s like they’ve just given up on him. He would never have given up on any of them, especially Michael,” Dina explained flatly, her voice lingering in a haunting way.
“Sweetie, I don’t think they are giving up on him. They just don’t know what else to do.” Sophie suggested.
“Did you know Calysta was imprisoned at Rampart?” Dina asked.
Sophie pursed her lips outward, puzzled by the random subject change. “The oracle?”
“Yes. She told me right before the attack. She can’t leave the caverns,” Dina added.
“You know how she is, are you sure you can believe her?”
“I believe her,” Dina didn’t offer further explanation.
“Well, if that’s true, I’m sure it’s because she did something to deserve such a punishment,” Sophie reassured her friend.
“Like Raimie deserves to have everyone give up on him? Like Gabe deserved to be expected to give up his life to save the world? I’m just as bad, I should have stopped him …” Dina’s voice trailed off, dripping with remorse.
“What do you mean you should have stopped him?” Sophie pressed.
“He came to me, just before he left Rampart. Calysta told me I would have a choice.”
“Who came to you?” Sophie pushed her friend for answers in a panic.
“Gabe.”
“Wait, what kind of choice?” Sophie quickly followed up.
Ignoring her question, Dina asked her own. “When did your memories come back?”
“What?” Sophie gasped in shock.
“When did they return?” Dina repeated.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sophie insisted.
“I knew the moment you held me, it was my old friend,” Dina said.
“Please don’t tell anyone,” Sophie pleaded.
“I won’t. Although, I’m not really sure why you wouldn’t want everyone to know,” Dina replied.
“I don’t know, I guess there’s enough going on. I don’t really want any of the attention right now. Plus, I’m not really sure what I want anyone knowing; once people know I have my memories back, they will expect me to handle things a certain way.”
“You mean how people will expect you to deal with Gabe.”
“Yeah, and honestly, I’m not sure what the hell I’m going to do yet,” Sophie began before inquiring. “What did you mean by Calysta said you would have a choice to make? Was she talking about Gabe?”
“Yes.”
Sophie waited for a moment for Dina to continue, but she was silent as she stared at Raimie. “Well? I mean, seriously? That’s it?”
“Oh, sorry,” Dina replied. “I just can’t stand seeing him like this. I keep thinking he’s about to jump up. Umm— let me see, she was talking about what would happen if he stayed.”
“At Rampart?”
“Yes. She knew he was going to leave and told me that if he stayed, once you got your memories back, the two of you would get back together,” Dina answered.
“I see— and that’s a bad thing, why?” Sophie laughed awkwardly in response.
“It was more what it would lead to if the two of you were together.”
“I don’t understand.”
Dina glanced at her friend and then back to Raimie. “She said if the two of you were together, and he stayed with the Guardians, he would never fulfill his destiny as the protector. She said his happiness now would damn mankind.”
“No, that’s not right— it can’t be,” Sophie said, almost pleading with herself.
“I’m just telling you what she told me. That’s why when he came to me I let him go, but I was wrong, I should have begged him to stay. Maybe if he were there, Raimie—”
“Maybe Gabe would be lying there instead of Raimie?” Sophie snarled.
“No, that’s not what I meant … oh, I don’t know what I mean anymore,” Dina said, a tear escaping and rolling down her cheek.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that, I know this is hard on you,” Sophie added, and with that the girls fell silent. Neither knew what to say to the other.
Almost twenty minutes of silence passed before they heard a voice from the doorway. It was Michael. “Sophie, Uri told me you found out about Gabe and he was worried about you. He said you seemed pretty upset. Are you feeling alright?”
“Of course,” Sophie quickly replied.
“Can I ask you a question?” Michael prompted.
“Anything.” Sophie replied with a nod.
“Are you starting to regain your memories?” Michael asked plainly.
Sophie didn’t look at Dina; she hoped her friend would respect her wishes and remain silent. “No, sir. I— well, I guess I felt bad, like maybe Gabe left because of me. I would hate to think I caused everyone’s friend to leave.”
“I see, well don’t feel bad. Gabe made a choice for himself and what he needed, it had nothing to do with you, alright?”
Sophie nodded, trying not to look her mentor in the eyes for fear he might see through her lies.
Michael turned to walk away, but Dina quickly grabbed his arm. He hesitated, looking to the small girl. “Yes, what is it?” his voice was tender and loving.
“Is Rampart lost?” Dina asked.
“I’m afraid so,” he answered. “Our scouts say it’s overrun with legions of Baal’s foot soldiers.”
“Is Calysta still there?” Dina asked, staring Michael coldly in the eyes.
“I beg your pardon?” Michael answered firmly with his own question.
“You heard me, is Calysta still there?”
“I don’t appreciate your tone, Dina, but I understand you’re under a lot of stress, so I’ll let it go for now. And as far as your question, yes, I suppose she is,” Michael replied, remaining controlled and calm in his response.
“And are we going to launch a rescue mission for her?” Dina insisted.
“She’s safe in her home,” Michael reassured her.
“Why is that, sir?”
“What did you say?”
“Is she safe because her home’s a prison cell?”
“Look, Dina, I know you’re upset, but I can only overlook your insubordination so long—”
“No, sir, you’re right, I am upset, but I don’t want you to overlook anything. Calysta told me about how only Guardians can enter and exit the caverns. She’s a prisoner, is she not?” Dina pushed back.
“She’s a guest of the Guardians,” Michael replied, turning to walk away.
“Then shouldn’t we retrieve our guest?” Dina offered sarcastically.
“I’m not discussing this anymore. Do you understand?” Michael’s voice was firm.
Dina stood silently glaring at the man she had once respected so much and then barked, “Yes, sir.” She added a salute at the end for good measure.
He exited the room without another word, ignoring the young girl’s behavior.
“What the hell was that all about?” Sophie gasped.
“Nothing.”
“It didn’t look like nothing.”
Dina rushed over to Sophie, taking hold of her arm. “Do you want me to keep your secret?”
“What?”
“Do you want me to keep your secret about your memories coming back?” Dina asked.
“Of course … are you blackmailing me?”
“No. But how would you like to find Gabe?” Dina asked.
“What? I mean, yeah, of course I would. What on earth are you talking about? I’m so confused.”
“I put a tracking charm with Gabe’s stuff. Nobody knows, not eve
n him.”
Sophie felt her heart skip a beat as her hair stood up on end. “Are you serious?”
“You didn’t think I would let him leave without a way to keep track of him, did you?” Dina smiled.
“How do I find him?” Sophie asked.
“I’ll tell you, and I’ll keep your secret about your memories, you just have to do one thing for me,” Dina urged.
Sophie looked at her friend, a cautious stare in her eyes. “What do I have to do?”
“Just cover for me while I’m gone,” Dina said, trying to make the proposition sound as innocent as possible.
“Gone where?”
“I need to go and get Calysta.”
“What? No way! That’s too dangerous. You heard Michael, he wants you to drop it. I’m sure she’s fine.”
Dina knew she couldn’t tell Sophie the whole truth. She couldn’t share the fact that Calysta would probably know of a way to save Raimie. She couldn’t tell her friend about the witch the oracle had mentioned. She quickly thought of another excuse. “They are giving up on Raimie, Sophie. Leaving her there like that, it feels like I would be doing the same thing that they are to him. Do you get that?”
“She’s not your fight, Dina,” Sophie pleaded. “Please, just leave it be.”
“Look, I promise, I will transport to the stairs just outside her lair, give her a transportation stone, and then be back here before you know it. If things are bad, I will get out of there right away, I promise.”
“I don’t know.”
“Don’t you want to see Gabe again?” Dina pushed at what she knew would be Sophie’s breaking point.
Sophie hesitated only a moment longer. “And you promise, after you help her, you will come right back?”
“I promise, pinkie promise!” Dina lied, extending a friendly finger.
Sophie latched on, exchanging a promise with her friend, one she didn’t realize Dina had no intention of keeping.
Dina lived up to her side of the deal by sharing how Sophie could use a tracing spell to track the charm and find Gabe’s location.
The small girl ran to Ramie and leaning in close to his ear, whispered, “I’ll fix this baby, hang in there.”
Standing up, she walked back to where Sophie stood. “Will you watch over him while I’m gone?”
“You don’t even have to ask. Please be careful.”
“Always, sweetie,” Dina replied. With that, she was off on her mission, one only truly known to her.
The recent chaos at Iron Gate allowed Dina to slip away unnoticed on top of one of the faithful alicorns. As the duo soared above the clouds, she closed her fingers tightly around the beast’s mane and then closed her eyes. Sitting up straight, she allowed the cool rushing air to sweep over her. She imagined it was water washing away all of the horrors. Her life had completely come unraveled in a single day. The only thing she could think about now was that she needed to fix it.
A few minutes passed before Dina relayed her thoughts to the alicorn telepathically, “This should be far enough.”
The winged horse immediately began its decent, bowing its horned head as if cutting through the clouds. The creature landed as gracefully as it flew, Dina barely noticed the moment when its hooves met earth.
She slipped from the majestic animal’s back. Standing next to her for a moment, she stroked its neck, staring into the oversized, eerie gray blue eye. “Thank you, my friend.”
“Lumineer.” The animal relayed with her thoughts.
“Pardon me?” Dina asked curiously.
“My name, it’s Lumineer.”
“Beautiful. Thank you, Lumineer.”
“Do you need me to wait here for you, m’lady?” the animal inquired.
“No,” Dina quickly answered. She couldn’t reveal too much in her thoughts, she needed to make sure, if questioned, the beast would not be able to relay her plans. “I’m just gathering herbs for some potions, I have no idea how long I’ll be and I hate to keep you.”
“I’m happy to wait.”
“No, really, please, I’ll be fine,” Dina answered before turning and beginning to walk away.
“Very well.” With that last thought, the mighty creature stretched its neck upward and soared into the air.
Glancing over her shoulder, she ensured she had in fact been left completely alone. Dina smiled as she realized that she was the only one around and then continued to walk for a brief time to confirm she was not being followed. She had preferred not to involve the alicorn, but knew she couldn’t waste time; Raimie was growing worse by the moment. Also, she had to be certain that she had put enough safe distance between herself and Iron Gate before transporting. The last thing she wanted to do was endanger anyone else she cared about.
Taking one last look around her, she prepared herself to transport. Ever since Dina had discovered that Raimie had been injured, Calysta’s words haunted her. To warn her against visiting a witch that she had never actually met made no sense. She was certain Calysta knew something about Raimie. A piece of her was holding onto hope that perhaps it was something that could help him. She knew it was a long shot, but it was the only piece of hope she had to hold onto at this point.
Dropping the transportation stone into her front left pocket, she considered what might be waiting to greet her on the other side. By now the demons had most likely discovered the caverns and were most certainly trying to figure out a way in. Clutching the incendiary potion in her other hand, she pushed it up between her middle two knuckles, ready to use it if she must.
Closing her eyes, she envisioned the moss covered steps just outside the caves; she remembered what the cool dampness of them felt like underneath her feet. With that, she disappeared into a cloud of smoke. Solidifying a moment later, she was met by the exact horrors she had feared. In her path were at least a dozen demons clawing at the invisible wall that prevented them from entering into the vast caverns.
As they shifted, violently pushing each other to one side or the other, struggling to be the first to reach their prey, it looked as though they melted into one gigantic mass of dark leathery flesh. Though the lighting was dim in the hall of the cave, there was enough to catch and bounce off of the moistness of the lizard-like skin. Dina shuddered, the sight of them turning her stomach.
It was only a few seconds before they smelled her presence. Turning their long, black fangs and clawed feet towards her, they crouched into attack position. She wasted no time moving herself into a defensive stance and tossing the incinerate potion, hoping to even up the playing field. The vial met with the thick brow of the first demon, shattering and causing the splatter to branch out and consume two additional monsters. It seemed like it was all happening in slow motion, but this is how it was for them, for guardians that is. Time would almost come to a stand still for them when engaged in a battle; it was one of the advantages their senses gave them. The demon’s bodies burst into flames; she could feel the intensity of the heat on her face.
Wasting no time, she launched her small frame through the air, ricocheting off the cave walls with great precision. One of the demons lunged towards her, confident it could catch the agile human, but instead was met with the side of her foot, the blow causing its head to throw back with such force it was knocked to the floor. Dina flipped through the air, curling into a tight ball before nearing the invisible barrier. Stretching out as long as her petite body would allow her to, as if threading the eye of a needle, she slipped through the small opening made by the demons she had rendered to ash.
Landing safely on the other side of the magical wall, the demons let out a blood curdling cry. Outraged not only that their prey had slipped past them, but somehow managed to accomplish what they had been trying to do themselves, breech the barrier.
A single applause rang out, filling the cavern.
Dina looked up to see Calysta standing nearby, congratulating her heroics. “Quite an entrance, my dear.”
“Thanks,” she groaned, taking h
er first step and realizing exactly how hard the impact of the landing had, in fact, been. “Glad to see you’re still in one piece.”
“No thanks to those bloody bastards,” Calysta said, motioning back towards the cave opening and the demons who were still trying to figure out a way to get in.
“They’re not a breed I’ve seen before, what are they?” Dina asked, staring at the blocked exit.
“If I had to guess, some twisted cross between a Hell hound and a tracker demon,” Calysta replied, turning to walk away.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Dina said in disbelief, brushing off her pants and running to catch up to the fast moving woman. “Like we don’t already have enough to deal with.”
“So, I take it all hell has broken loose out there?” Calysta asked.
“I guess— I mean it’s pretty crazy,” Dina answered in a solemn voice. “Where are you going?”
“I’m sick of listening to those damn things. I’m going in my cabin,” Calysta answered as they reached her front door.
“What? We have to get out of here,” Dina insisted.
Paying little regard to the girl’s words, the woman opened the door, leaving it ajar for her guest, and took a seat near the darkened fireplace. “And where do you propose I go? Remember? I can’t leave.”
Dina had trouble regulating her thoughts, because the sounds of the rabid demons’ teeth gnashing outside was still reaching their new location. Turning, she closed the door, gaining a bit of relief from the noise. “Calysta, we have to get you out of here. It’s only a matter of time before a more powerful demon makes his way down here, and believe me, he will make short work of that barrier.”
The woman stared at Dina intensely before asking, “Are you sure you want to go down this road?”
Confused, she asked, “What are you talking about? What road?”
“You’ve forgotten I’ve seen this, the path where you come back for me. It doesn’t end well, at least not for you.”
“So what are you telling me? I die if I try to save you?”
Calysta laughed softly. “Why is it all of you Guardians think death is the worst thing that can happen to you? And no, saving me is not what gets you in trouble. I can’t reveal too much without causing interference in the balance and you know that.”
