The Ones Who were Chosen
g by his mobile ringing. He rolled over with a
ube
aned in the bed below,
n you pass
imself up easily and took the mobile from the bedside table. He handed it to Lucas; his injury had
went back to sleep as Lucas flipped
Dra
your phone' Drake sang merrily
do you
long? We haven't practiced our magic in ages; d
Lucas repl
ing that kind of answer. 'Did you split with Sian; you k
. 'I didn't split with her. I ju
u mean you've found a new gua
a littl
want to meet h
ra
an I me
ra
at your place. Be ther
ra
and a half. I'll
e hun
he mobile back to Reube
and more like Lau
n asked opening his eye
e'll be around here soon.
rning over. 'Wake m
asked nervously, holding her hands before
as she gave him a worried look. 'Drake is a n
if he does
id. 'Like me, like Reuben.
looking down.
ced himself into her arms and stared at Lucas in a way tha
, there came a knock at t
face breaking into a smile. 'So you must be the new guardian that Lucas has found.' He strode acros
said extending a han
, beaming back at h
sing an eyebrow in confusion
s explained to Drake. 'She says that people don't
y. 'Most people seem to look right through me; e
rrible' Dr
I met Lucas. And Reuben' she said glancing at him. 'I've never had such wonderfu
'I've not heard of a guardian being unseen unle
said. 'In the last
d, scratching his chin.
y said. 'And only
e' he digressed, speaking to the brothers. 'It was very odd. The closer to
rawn to me'
E
my powers. I don't know why. It's just always been
ou...?' Luc
n aberrant nearby, just before he saw Ebony. He and Reuben had also seen severa
up and facing this new stranger. Drake's
that move?' he
n her lap, and for the moment the
ic to make him come to life, he keeps me com
e said. 'And no one is
ncertain glance
jealous' Lucas
oked on i
d. 'Why don't we invite over Jacob and
ie doesn't come
them to come ov
dian, and the other isn't. Maybe we can find out what's happenin
ckly, taking out his
ys at Ebony. 'What d
ed. 'He se
you two woul
e hem of her skirt. Pokie was by her side, standing wi
ready for this?'
d at her. 'They're n
ey'll be here shortly' he declared
ay towards it. Reuben, picking up some of Ebony's tension sat rigid in his se
came a beaming Lauralie, a
nding in. 'It's so great to s
acknowledgment. Jacob entered the room after her, immediately notici
dded to him. 'Did yo
with a glare and her hands on her hips. 'Why are you always so mean to me?
Lucas sa
king her tongue out and show
say then I'm not going to listen to
to Drake. 'I see you have your cast off Reuben. Tha
y who sat silently next to him
'You didn't tell m
ced, looking back at Jacob an
ssed all in black. He smiled uncertainly, quiet and
y, hovering in the air beside Ebony. It c
aid to Ebony. 'We all g
houlders and looking down at her lap, t
ame' Jacob replied
's a wood' E
no indication that she had noticed her existence at all. 'I was so mad at first when you left m
t all the wonderful things she and the brothers Diz and Adrian had gotten up to since they first met. 'Not only
' Ebony mum
talking about?' Jac
Jacob, 'is because we wanted to know if you coul
rrowing his brow in confusion and glancing at Lauralie as she rambl
's why I can't live with m
ible.' Jacob
her hand. 'It didn't used to be this bad. But now it seems th
f that happening be
ave we' Lu
nd on to Drake about the street dancing brothers. Drake appeared to be
d after him as Jacob struck up a conversation with Ebony. The brother
leaning forwards on the kitchen counter
ight?' Reube
r fox-like head, letting out a series of whooping howls. She called her companion to her side. Kreas was there in an instant, he too picked up th
ere completely oblivious to their presence. They skidded to a halt outside a block of flats. Li lifted her head high, sniffing the air with lips cur
hissed eagerly. 'I
s skulking in the alley just below the window. Two creatures
e. They spotted Lucas through the window, snarling silently and run
away from the window; he began to
worry laced his tone. He had
s brother, paling.
oom as they cowered in fear and shock. Ebony lowered her arm she had raised to protect herself, seeing the beasts advancing into the room. S
l-less glaring at her. Li was the first to attack; lunging forwards she snatched the toy Pokie from the air and decimated it. Shaking it violently
argeting two individuals, the stronges
and La
s and into the kitchen where Lucas stood. She clashed with his defence, teeth striking a h
defend her, Lauralie shaking and frozen in horror could only watch. She can see,
ly trying to break free. The creature began to spin, turning over and over again in circles, trying to free himself from Drake's grasp. The table in the centre of the room was struck by one of K
ack, but was deflected another two times, thi
d he was thrown back when the creature swung its head back again the other way, hitting him and throwing him to the ground. Drake grimaced, picking himself up off
s hissed. 'A weak
Drake breathed i
side him Lauralie clung to his arm, her skin was a sickly
. Instead backing off momentarily, calculating the situati
med her words with her canine mouth, 'to
s eyes at the bea
dian like yourse
u want?' Re
ng down on him joyfully. He pressed a great clawed hand upon his chest
ered, 'the girl.
the room tur
you, and take her anyway
glaring down at Drake, who continued to
then, blinking several times a
me a fabulously bright blue glowing orb that had no effect whatsoever. The
y beside him, holding it tight and ignoring the pain as its sharp sides cut his palm. Slashing wildly at the air above him he cut Kreas at the throat, sending the beast rearing up in pain and shock as blood sp
rled up into a ball, nursing his wound carefully and trying to stem
round device, small enough to hold in your fingertips. Li tried to stop him, but her snapping jaws just
to the living room where the others were, grabbing just before h
bo
he smoke, trying to find her, s
bo
m h
tinctively struck out with his weapon and stabbed. It
uc
bo
eing her ther
he lifted his head, hearing
ly round Ebony and lea
to her companion Krea
er the wound. The brother Reuben still remained in the kitchen, Jacob stood away from the creatures near the corner of the liv
ng!' Li howled.
eatures crawled through the
was almost all gone, along with the t
d to the sky, unfurling his wings at
an Indigo cried. He braced himsel
ead round, her bl
alled to th
d created from the downwards thrust of his wings drew the attention of the people in the streets, who wond
' the Indigo snarled t
nsulted
clear...he
d on her. 'He's f
'it's not them, not the o
' her mother Shir
lightly, looking down into the sw
and upon her dau
re told her. 'We c
the enemy. She goes with Lucas willingly; they
We must catch them up. We m
hey Siren?'
poin
in that d
d was strong, and the ground beneath her moved quic
her stomach told her that she was descending. Her feet tou
she asked, lookin
her go. 'I don't know what those thing
ers?' Ebony voiced. 'Wh
ll' he shrugged. 'The creatures were only after you...or so
y reassured him. 'They wouldn't have h
s asked her. 'Whatever the rea
ingly as she gazed past him. 'I suppos
lked away from hi
e of barbed wire ran along to the side of them, sections of the fence were broken and toppled over. What lay beyond was unremark
who walked beside her. 'What a
d unconsciously tried
othing' he
e-bomb, you used it
f the remaining two from his
ike scrap metal, shaped like a piece of paper that ha
ny said as she lo
on' Lucas replied advertently. 'Lik
d it awa
d, taking in the ambience
ed looking over his shoulder at the build
smiled then, taking a deep breath and stretching her arms high towards the sky. She sighed happily, allowing
. 'My brother and I used to pl
his f
inted. 'Just on the o
aban
one was built within the town itsel
id beaming and holding
the tall grass with open hands as she went, comp
cas called
glancing b
t is
ucas began. 'The
shoulder
talk about this
id of isn't it? The whole time
back to face
r seen the
hat they are' L
rt
is arms. 'Ebony, you need
ant' she admitt
e sort of connec
nothing
n wh
sigh
my power. I hav
u stronger than oth
lifted curiously. '
you s
ian. You called me so many time
the days they had spent together, and he realised then that
aised h
' he asked her, 'i
g his gaze. She looked for a moment towards the di
, facing Lucas with conf
ilosopher
n of the conflict from far away, feeling the magic still in the atmosphere. Now
s. Seeing a broken window pass by him, he turned in t
ura
oved gingerly, observing the scene of carnage that was the living room. What seemed like mere secon
curled up shivering ball. Her hands were over her mouth, her k
ghed wearily, wal
er her shoulder, almost as if too cautious to touch he
ben bent forwards to get a better look at
s in
nd at the unfamiliar voice. Jaco
was his firs
eed' the guar
he crawled into the room through the window, straightening up and surveying casually the mess and
!' Reuben
xclaimed. 'You
breath. Reuben gave a glance to Jacob, and
ore Jacob's face. 'Snap out of i
d, shaking himself.
?' the elder guardian
eft.' Reuben indicated t
guardian frowned.
irl' Drake
himself, seeming to forget for a moment that the othe
en told h
s girl well?' Cu
N
hasn't t
ger; it was like listening to someone who was talking in riddles. He
told us y
ltu
n scoffed. 'That
eptical look, b
briefly; it seemed as if she had
t on. 'Which one of
gasped. 'How
placing a hand upon her hea
for many years' he s
Lucas repeated flatly.
pable of turning metals into gold or silver' Ebony explained. 'It ca
Lucas laughed sceptically. 'I
c
u done i
N
you know it
rious they were, as if holding some deeper
t were otherwise? To everyone else, I look just like a normal girl. I even fooled y
here's more
k there's another one no
rtainly. 'What? An
just over the
ea
oned jovially. 'Let'
y w
d towards the lip of the hill. Ebony pulled back as they
sections of woodland, and beyond that, another town, thou
in bright colours that were now faded and chipped. The metal beneath was dark and rusted. And where the wood-chippings had been, was overgrown. Now there wa
freely about her shoulders, lifting in the air as she swung back and forth on the swing. She was young, not quite twenty in age, though
he air towards Ebony and Lucas. And fo
given, rise
nd pure, w
people, rejoic
w gone, d
doing?' Lu
s sin
girl fell in
ispered, 'let's go
aded down the hill, Lucas fo
looking not in the least bit surprised to see eith
et on the ground, bring
suddenly like he should be giving the two girls space, feeling that there was more to this
ul song' Ebony bega
ony for a moment with steely g
ss the demons brought with them.' She smiled then. 'The demons were mischievous, and the two creatures, so different from the other, found that they could not live together. The angels chased the demons away, the demons, being lazy, had not cared for their weapons, they became rusted a
y happen?' Ebon
's just a story.' She rose from
me is
or a while now. I was wondering when I would meet you. Another philosopher's st
ice name' E
t a guardian with you' she said looking to Lucas, ackno
hastily. 'In fact he
ked away before Lucas had a chance to answer, speakin
ated looking worried n
d here, can yo
m, stiffening as she suddenly noticed
her. 'There is a net, surrounding this wh
d' Ebony begged. '
pression, and she half turned f
ave allowed both of us be become trapped.' She sighed. 'But perhaps it's for the best to be caged here. I am so tired of running after all.'
reathed. 'They w
attention most. I am older...my powers...stronger.' She lifted her arms and indicat
hey watched. Ebony saw even larger ones at a distance, some colossal, sitting on the
er.' Crystal lowered her arms smiling. 'They are thought so o
rouching close to the ground in submis
s shoulders and upwards pointing horns protruding from both the heads of the a
yes contentedly. It accepted her touch graciously. Crystal chuckled lightly with joy, straightening up again. The two heads of the aberrant bared their teeth, but it did not look
Lucas spoke up. 'It's because they were following y
my life' she explained. 'I can keep them away most
emerald faceted eyes and a mechanical body made of many different pa
ctions just as typical dragons do. Ebony sensed a sort
t was quite large in size, larger than was natural, and on closered. 'His name is Cid. He keeps me c
suddenly, and faded a
membering Pokie sa
alive' Crystal went on, speaking about the mechanic
her dark thoughts. It was gone in an instant t
long time' Crystal went on,
se and without explanation, she turn-tailed and ran, her movement smooth and graceful. Her long white hair swis
e going?' Lu
ing' Ebony
m wh
n't k
linking away in the tall grass or fleeing into the trees as C
at the feeling of being suddenly so alon
ers?' Lucas began, still loo
bony re
why don't you try to protect yourself? Why didn'
all doses, my true power lies inside' she said
good i
ther guardians sometimes. I mean...what use is i
ow you even ha
inside me. I know what I am. The fact t
d towards the forest Cry
this magic then h
My magic can only be obtain
ha
den inside me appears...no...it's like my very fles
s?' Lucas asked curiously
row filled her heart. 'Her body vanished' she spoke quietly, 'leaving behind a stone. I remember seeing it, it was bright pink.' She lifted a hand to her face, touching a finger to her eye. 'My foster parents always wanted me
king a small step back. Her eyes now
'My sister had eyes like these, it's one of the reasons she wa
as the information slo
than those that try to protect. It
for such power'
of the few' Ebon
een hiding a
I'm slowly learning that the world is not such a c
ounded Ebony and Lucas, like three points of a triangle. Ebony glanced around at them, instincti
rl with long blue wavy hair, h
' she sai
n Ebony's arm, pullin
oved to stand with her daughter Siren, as if to show that they meant no ha
?' Indigo asked Sire
s of black tattoos, each running from below his eyes, down his cheeks and down his neck and chest. He wo
ed Siren told him, clutching the orb she carried in both han
air back, placing his hands on his hi
s, what are
ared suspiciously, resenting be
eaking directly to Lucas now. 'Why are you
She consulted the orb. '
ha
ed on her. '
e' Siren
to himself. 'This certain
ng for the gap Shire had left. But Shire was there in an instant to stop them;
from her, pullin
of outrunning three elder guar
frustration. Li saw her target, the philosophers stone dressed in black, with the young male who protected her, Lucas. Inexperienced as he was, it was easy pickings. She was abou
re outn
he tensed, 'so sly, they
rrrg
d back t
ell is wron
left shoulder was a handle. In their haste to chase after t
o peeler' Kreas hissed. 'Th
your w
l again, joining Kreas as he pawed at the thing stuck in his shoulder. Li grabbed the handle with her teeth, jerking it backward sharply and
d. 'We'd better
ve' Kreas cackle
been found, but not the one we
!' Kreas sniggered cruell
elling fast. We must be swift t
can' he sneered. He had fin
not argue a
ack swiftly towards the centre
red guardian said, 'my name is
nt with her?' L
rotec
re ly
ed. 'If we had wanted to harm her, I wou
d into Lucas' ear. 'I told you didn't I? I tol
ontinued speaking to Ebo
bo
. 'I am Indigo, and these are Shire and Siren' he indicated the e
Ebony and Lucas. Sire
handedly, still sticking close to Lucas. 'Except the e
ld and yellow. Siren's we
. 'Have you run into other b
tures, one black and smaller, a
re curled her l
rn clothes and the scratches and nicks over his body. 'And what's this?' he asked, glancing to Lucas'
cas grumbled, avo
on topic. 'You're safe with us now, the
s about them?' Lucas
before' Indigo replied. '
my h
denly alarmed. 'What about
ther was there, and t
ill see to them, just t
briefly how to find the place, and
they are well' sh
' Indigo said ea
de away; she vanished into thin a
ck to see if they'r
me' Indigo went on, distracting himself momentarily and speaking now with some level of amusement to Lucas. 'How did one su
ken window gazing outwa
ther...where
nd muttering inaudibly under his breath. Drake sat quietly beside them on the
can do for her?' Jacob
rant replied. He stretched his wings, Jaco
of help?' D
er' the aberrant replied. 'Magic has done
yes turned to her, Drake slowly straightened up at the sight of the blue
she appeared, he moved away from the window
you?' h
guardian replied shortly
where she sat. Her eyes were glazed over, and she appeared to
Shire asked as she approa
ralie.' D
r words calm and clear. 'L
ponsive' Cul
my and her shallow breathing was rapid.
d. 'The girl's hyperventilating; she
ory?' Cult
. 'If she enters the progressive st
g and turning his back on the others,
right?' Shi
His body hunched over. 'It hurts...' h
the aberrant's body relaxed agai
Jacob repeated, more urgently
umbled. She spoke to Cult
to her. 'Are you prepared t
haps it is fate' she whispered. 'I am willing to save her' she spoke lou
d, brushing Lauralie's auburn hair b
aid' Shire soothed. 'Everyt
o?' Jacob asked nervousl
uralie in the centre of her chest, right a
lfing the entire room and all with
to catch the blue haired woman as she stumbled backwards, suddenly overcome with fatigue. Cu
time to recover' Cul
alie?' Ja
ture finished. 'Rest will re
breathing had returned to normal, and the colour was slowly co
t a deep sig
d them all. 'There is still danger out ther
g into existence a ball of light. He played wit
ben hissed. 'It's magic t
id absently. 'She
head curiously to
in his hand mesmerized. 'My name' he continued, clo
's stones?' the
with pleasure and anticipation as the
s?' their master ask
t replied. 'I saw them wit
ggered in agreement. 'O
s inter
ge anything?'
plied coolly. 'Now we h
ardians?' Li asked her maste
to the Ancient Worl
head. 'I ca
eas interjected quickl
find her' th
will remain here' Li said, 'until they
ck' the master said. 'We
ms to have an attachment to one of
ster n
you have the chance. Strike when the elder guardians drop the
g guardians' Kreas hiss
o what needs to be done. Whatever the cost. We
n in no particular direction. The area grew more open the further away they walked, and they passed ea
stone' Indigo said, after hearing the story Luc
iefly, she ran off just before you guys arrived. She seemed
oming before we arr
eplied, glancing
to himself. 'She must be a sharp one in that c
the second philosopher's stone if she was
You on the other hand seemed to come from nowhere.' He paused. 'It'
htly behind, Siren followed after them several steps
ilosopher's stone went?' Indigo aske
uspiciously at
ow' Ebony shrugg
whined. 'This is
turning on him. 'What
be protected'
bony told him, 'nor would she want it. I th
now her?' Indi
N
ou know what s
stubbornly. 'Because I
'If her power gets in
ou find her?' Ebony asked him. 'And now th
Ancient World' Indigo replied
here as I would be
e amongst fr
ng a flock of geese flying in formation overhead. 'I
rs pause
ersisted. 'There are more guardians, there is mor
She continued walking, the others followed suit. Lucas beside her was completely
d fewer people know ab
around' Indigo went on. 'Do you have any idea of the
new and loved. Her sister, screaming for Ebony to run, bef
rmured, slowing to a
that case how important it is that we return bot
lied dreamily, as if she
o demanded, his tone
hide from you all this time then you will struggle to find
ill te
and crossing her arms, an action th
me' Indigo began, raising his vo
between them, shoving Indigo in
e ordered, ne
rst time as Indigo made a move to step forwards. 'You
of them, shaking his
uffed storming away, th
We truly mean you no harm. But we have been searching a
ething about this girl that calmed
Within it she saw a handsome character dresse
ed Venom?' she asked sudd
' he he
Siren o
ucas asked he
assured him. 'He is we
out my b
med. 'What does
here like this and do nothi
t safe t
t safe t
on't want to try to find my brother?
e could, just to keep his mind occupied. When he had finished, he grew quickly bored, and restless. He sto
e' Culture said off handed. 'It's
e with a hand. 'How do we know L
with them by now' Cultur
ds I assume?' Venom
feeling well.' He unconsciously touched his chest as he said this
e here to meet Eb
the curtain b
ting dark
sat in one of th
and Reuben's mind began to wander
with any colour in a room....easy to get dirty though, I guess t
'I'm talking to you, a
u'll wake them up' he said in
for them' Venom said. 'We
be one hundred miles away for all we know. This town is large enough, and beside
do?' Venom continue
said in a tone that suggeste
d Reuben became quick
ught seeing it on the floor. I guess he did
e sold the TV. I wouldn't worry' Reuben waved as if this didn't matter, 'I'm sure they're both
brow as he glanced towards Culture, who stared mutely b
at Culture also, befor
he said. 'I think we can tru
s arms, not ent
your right' V
ence, as the minutes
king any time soon. Drake had been watching over Lauralie for the last several min
ke said suddenly, spea
lture lo
our heart hurts'
in one of the armchairs in the room, resting with his elbows o
ng?' Drake
, answering only reluctant
e aberrant confessed.
He took at every detail
s slim and looked young, and his skin was utterly perfect. His appearance suggested th
derstand' D
span than humans do' Culture drone
rake said, 'if you d
nty
that
past twenty five, and my heart has gotten worse day by day, but there is nothing to be done
re fine' Siren repeated yet again
' Lucas insisted.
amusement. 'Even that La
itantly, giving her
ching Lucas' arm in reassurance
ore the word'
s she threw a disapproving look towards Lucas. She
with us to the Ancient World, I want
the grass that now r
, sit w
ss, only the tops of their heads could be seen. Ebony noticed briefly the figure of Indigo, facing them a short distan
is given to the wildlife, you can travel for miles in one direction and see nothing but wilderness. If you go in another direction, you will see the most fabulous towns.' Siren paused for a moment, gazing down at her orb. She lifted her headout there' Lucas said triumphant
ight' Siren agre
ds are there?'
his world, the Ancient Wor
World?' Eb
d desolate, or so it first appears. All a
pear in this world?'
that can use magic' Sire
as raised an eyeb
old us all about that. He originally came from the Aberrant World. Many aber
cas leant for
orld to another' Siren told him. 'It
e portals?' Luc
fore you can open them, that can sometimes be tricky. Only t
a portal?' Lucas
a guardian, and I don't know much of your po
sunk it, trying hard to
d Siren' How is it that people
spoke, 'and I'm afraid we don't
others who don't have magic'
that
parents barely noticed me. But
as you grow older. Guardians though are not as powerful. They can be seen by others, but not the magic that they use. If a
Ebony admitted. 'But why are
drawn to philosopher's stones. That's why we brought Culture along.' A smile tweaked her l
enly by Indigo. He stood o
digo said moodily to Lucas. 'We sho
n cast her hand out and used her magic to tr
of relief and reassurance into his ear. Lucas in turn, held him back instinctively. Drake and the newly christened Venom both rose as the group materialized into the living room. Discussions began in a murmu
darkened to almost pitch black, Dr
got to go home, I'm visiting Eleanor
alright?' Lucas ask
m a guardian' he said confidently.
as warned him, 'that there a
' Venom laughed. 'And anyway, Dra
them, as Ebony shyly waved th
l' Drak
when you both get home, just
treating back into the apartment he propped the newly fixed door back in its place. It had been b
Everyone was quiet, except for Culture and Ebo
the other aberrants are Lucas th
inutes later from Drake and Venom, tel
he mobile back
d to his brother.
ben asked, indicating the el
lanced
comfortable, if not a little chilly.' He gl
p, and Siren stayed close to
as sighed, 'even if I could be bothered t
oiced. 'Her body and mind ha
own bedroom, Reuben trailing after him, and Ebony following them headed to her own room once belonging to their mother. Collapsing on his
from
seeing you
g the mobile off the edge of the bed
f again, until he wa