The Guardian Crusade

                              Volume I

                                                             Chapter 17

Aj sat on the step of the cottage as he watched Rayne and Nalia swim in the Lake.  The door behind him opened and he looked up.  He lightly smiled when he saw Kevin step out from the cottage, his hair still ruffled from the night before.

“Morning” Kevin grumbled.

“Morning dude” Aj said with a laugh at Kevin’s lack of enthusiasm for mornings.

“Have you slept at all?” Kevin asked as he sat down beside him.

“Nope” Aj said as he shook his head.

“Are things ok with the two of you?” Kevin asked him.

“Yeah” Aj nodded.

“How did she take the comment Brain made?” Kevin asked as he raised his eyebrow.

“She took it as our worlds our different.” Aj said with a sigh.  “Besides dude.” He said as he looked at Kevin.  “You think I haven’t done shit with her she’s never done before.”

“Ugh man.” Kevin said as he looked away. “No, no, too much info man, too much.” Kevin said as Aj started laughing.  “I could of gone home not knowing that.”  

Aj laughed as he looked away and back out to the Lake.  He was going to miss bugging Kevin like that.  But he could just do it to Nick and all would be well.  Aj sighed as the thought of Nick crossed his mind and what happened that night.

“Any sign of our boy?” Kevin asked.

“No.” Aj said looking over to him.

“Brian finally calm down?” Aj asked him.

“No.” Kevin said copying Aj’s tone.  Aj lightly smiled and shook his head. 

            “Did Marsa ever tell you how to send us home?” Kevin asked.

            “You’re just asking me this now?” Aj asked looking at him.

            “Kind of been a little crazy around here.” Kevin said rolling his eyes.

            “No he didn’t.” Aj said.

“Oh.” Kevin said a little stunned.

“But it’s a spell so I figured the Mages Council knew something, so I went there and was able to get the spell myself.” Aj said as he watched the relief come over Kevin’s face. “Guess you’re missing Kris something fierce.” 

“Yes.” Kevin said with a quick nod.  “And Brian misses Leigh-Anne and Baylee.”

“Yeah I know.” Aj said with a light nod.

“But it still doesn’t excuse him acting like a tard all this time.” Kevin said as the word tard made Aj laugh again.  “So what are we looking for?” Kevin asked as Rayne and Nalia came out of the water.

“I have no clue, piece of paper, a book maybe.” Aj said with a shrug.  “By the sounds of the book, Adamai was fighting over there when he called the Elemental, so, start there I guess, whenever we start searching.”  He was about to saying something else to Kevin but a shadow took his attention and he looked up and saw Rayne and Nalia heading his way.

“We are going to the cliffs to look around.” Rayne said as she walked up Aj.

“Don’t go too far.” Aj said to her.

“We will stay close.” Rayne said as she leaned in and lightly kissed him.

Kevin and Aj sat on the steps of the cottage porch, Aj talked about scenes in the books he had read, and Kevin helped him point out areas around the Lake that looked like the areas he was talking about. 

“I think the best place to start would be the falls.” Aj said as he looked over to the area.  He scanned the cliffs and looked for any sign of Rayne and Nalia.  When he looked at the top of the falls he saw them standing near the edge, looking out towards the forest.

“Must be a nice view, we should go up there later.” Kevin said as Aj looked back at him.

“Yeah man for sure.” Aj nodded.  A loud squawking sound made both men look up and they saw a hawk fly over head.  It soared through the sky towards Rayne and Nalia, then over top of them, and flew towards Hevi.  Aj looked back up to Rayne and Nalia, and now he just saw Rayne standing up there, looking in the direction the hawk went.

“Something’s up.” Aj said tapping Kevin on the shoulder.  Aj opened the door to the cottage and called for Avit, he closed the door and began walking towards the falls.

“What is she doing?” Kevin asked following.

“She must see something, getting a better look with the Hawk.” Aj said as he looked from Rayne back quickly to Kevin.

“Alex!” Nalia shouted out of breath as she jumped down from the cliff to their right.

“What’s going on?” Aj asked as she ran up to them.

“I thought I saw something, smoke a few fields away, she sent the Hawk out and she said it’s Nick.” Nalia said catching her breath.  “They are headed this way.”

“I will ready our men.” Avit said.

“He has a whole army behind him.” Nalia said stopping Avit.

“An Army?” Kevin said with nervousness.

“Get everyone on the Gryphon’s and meet me up top.” Aj said to Kevin as he looked at him.  Kevin nodded quickly and headed to the cottage.  “Nalia, Avit I’m going to go get her, you guys go with the guys we’ll leave and come back later.”

“Alex!!” Aj heard Kevin shout and he quickly spun around.  He looked at Kevin who was pointing to the top of the falls.  Rayne was standing on the edge, looking down at the water below.

“What the hell..” Aj said as his breath left his body.  “Rayne!” Aj shouted to get her attention but as the words left his mouth, she left the cliffs edge and he watched in horror as she dropped to the water below. 

“Rayne!!” Aj screamed as he took of running for the Lake.  He watched the bottom of the falls as he ran to the edge, when he got there he still didn’t see her, so he dove into the water and began swimming towards the falls.  “Rayne?!” Aj shouted as he stopped close to the falls.  The crashing sound of the falls muffled his voice so much he could barely hear himself yell for her. His robe was heavy and pulling him down, so he quickly, frantically pulled it off him, tossing it away.  He pushed down the panic emotion that was rushing through him as he took a deep breath and dove under the water.

The current was strong and it was pushing him back, he felt his lungs getting tighter, so he pushed himself upwards and popped back up for some air.  He gasped for breath as he broke from the water almost right under the falls.  Aj took three deep breaths, and then on the fourth one he held it as he went back down under the water.  He pushed with all his strength to fight against the current. 

Aj was about to go back up for air when something tugged his foot and before he could react he was being pulled under deeper.  Aj realized it was the current from the falls pulling him down and he struggled with everything he had to get back to the surface but the current kept pulling him back down.

He felt his head get light as his chest began to tighten.  He felt himself getting tired, his head spinning, and just as his eyes started rolling into the back of his head, something grabbed his undershirt and pulled him through the current.  As he came out of the water he gasped for air and started coughing and choking.  He gasped for air and coughed again as he rolled over.  His eyes opened and the air started to return to his lungs.

Slowly he pushed himself up on his hands and knees as his breathing started to return to normal.  His thoughts also returned to him and he quickly looked around, wondering where he was.  He looked up in front of him and saw Rayne standing over top of him.  Her hair was long and straggly, she was soaked from head to toe, and she just looked at him with no emotion on her face.

“Rayne?” Aj said relieved to see her, he quickly got up and pulled her into his arms.  “I saw you fall, what happened, why were you standing so close to the edge?” he asked as he held her.  She didn’t say anything and it was then that he noticed she wasn’t hugging him or anything.  “Rayne?” Aj said as he slowly pulled away from her. 

“Who is this Rayne?” She said and her eyebrows fell in puzzlement.

“You’re Rayne?” Aj said looking at her confused.  “Did you hit your head when you fell?”

“No, I do not believe so, why are you talking different?” Rayne asked.

“Why am I?” Aj said looking at her confused. “Rayne I think you need to sit down.”

“I am not this Rayne, I am sorry you are confused Sir but my name is Rayxes.” She said as she stepped back away from him.

“Rayxes?” Aj said confused.

“Have you seen Adamai?” She asked.  “He was fighting Ignis; I do not know what happened to him.”

“Adamai?” Aj said even more confused.

“I am right here my love.” A voice said from behind them and Aj froze when he saw a tall, slim Elvaan standing at the other end of the cave.  “Thank you Alexander, for bringing her safely to me.” He said as he walked up to them. When he got closer Aj realized he wasn’t totally there, like when he saw Tas, the man was transparent and floated along the floor of the cave.

“You know my name?” Aj said confused.

“Yes.” The Elvaan nodded.  “And I am pleased you know mine.”

“How do you know this human?” Rayxes asked.

“Ah my dear he is not human, he is Elvaan.” Adamai said with a light smile.  Aj looked at both Adamai and Rayne or Rayxes.  “Do you remember Ray, remember us fighting, and remember what Ignis did to the people of Pixcadia?”

“We were on the cliff.” She said as Aj looked at her.  “We were on the cliffs with Ignis, he had a life thread.” She said as she looked at Adamai.

“A what?” Aj asked but they both paid no attention to him.

“He broke it and the people forgot.” Rayne spoke.

“Yes.” Adamai nodded.  “Do you remember what happened next?”

“You went after him and you both fell over the cliff.  I climbed down and when I got to the bottom you had summoned your elemental.” She said looking at him.  “But then you both went under the water.”  Adamai nodded as Aj watched as Rayne began to cry.  “You did not come back.”

“No.” Adamai said sadly.

“You have been trapped here?” She asked.  “You were.” She said as she looked him with sympathy, when the rest of the memory hit her.  “Ignis told me he locked you here and before I..” she stopped, Aj waited for her to finish but she didn’t.

“We need to fix the thread Rayxes, so that they will remember, so they can do what we could not.”  Adamai told her.  Rayne nodded at him and his hand gently cradled around hers as he began to walk her to the back of the cave.  Aj followed the two still not sure what was going on.  He watched as Adamai nodded for Rayne to do something and she let go of his hand.  Rayne tuned and faced the back of the cave; she slid her hand along the dull jagged rock.  Aj heard a crackling sound and then a bright light flashed filling up the cave.  When he opened his eyes, he saw a whole in the cave wall, and what looked like a river of light. Pink, White, Yellow and many other bright colours flowed behind the wall.

“When we pass through the life thread, it will fix the broken line and the people of Pixcadia will remember again.”  Adamai said as he looked at Rayne.

“Pass through, what are you getting her to do?” Aj asked as he began to worry.

“It was good to see you my love, I have missed looking into your eyes.” Adamai said with a light smile.  Rayne lightly smiled back as she took Adamai’s hand and raised both of their hands to the wall.  They touched the stream of light and Aj heard another crackling sound as another flash of light broke out of the cave.  AJ covered his eyes as he tried to see Rayne but he could barely make her out.  She was still standing at the cave wall and he couldn’t tell if Adamai was still there.

The light stopped and Aj looked right at Rayne as he saw her start to fall to the ground.  He quickly reached out for her and caught her just before her knees hit the stone covered ground.  He looked at her as he sat down, her eyes were closed and he laid his head against her chest.  Aj breathed a sigh of relief when he felt her chest move, she was still breathing.  Quickly he looked up and didn’t see Adamai anywhere, or any sign of the river of light that was on the wall seconds before.

“Alex?” He heard Rayne say and he looked down as she slowly began to move.

“Rayne?” Aj said as he cradled her in his arms.  Her eyes opened and he titled his head a little at the look on her face, she looked lost in thought, thinking.  “Rayne, are you ok?”

“Yes?” She said with confusion.

“That’s not very convincing.” Aj said shaking his head at her.

“Where are we?” She asked as she slowly sat up.

“In a cave behind the falls?”

“In Winnol?” Rayne asked even more confused.

“No, at the cottage.” Aj said worried.  “Rayne do you know a Rayxes?” Aj asked her as she looked at him.

“That is what has me confused, I do know who she is but I know I did not know before.” Rayne said too him.  “She was a Guardian like me, very much like me, she was a human and a Druid.”

“But I thought you were the only one.” Aj said.

“The Evil, his name is Ignis and he put a spell on Pixcadia to make us forget.”  Rayne said looking at him.  “Rayxes, Adamai, Genua, and Alia they were Guardians.  Genua and Alia died trying to stop Ignis from changing the tale, and then he went to the cave to break a life thread, so we would forget because if we forgot...”

“We would be useless against him.” Aj said realizing as Rayne nodded.  “How come I don’t know any of this?” Aj asked.

“Maybe it is because you did not live here?” She asked but Aj could tell she was just as confused as he was.

“Shit.” Aj said as he helped her stand and the memory that the Evils army was heading in their direction.  “We need to get the others, Nick and his army.”  Rayne cut him off.

“On thier way.” She said finishing his sentence.  Aj nodded and then walked over to the edge of the ridged rocks.  He looked back to Rayne and saw she didn’t follow him.

“Rayne?” Aj asked a little confused.  She didn’t say anything but started walking towards the corner of the cave.  Aj looked back to the water and then looked back to Rayne.  “Rayne, darlin we need to go.” He said walking over to her but he stopped when he saw what she was staring at. 

Up against the damp wall was a skeleton, still dressed in its Robe, hood, and a staff laid beside it.  Rayne knelt down and picked up the staff, handing it to Aj.  He looked at her confused as she knelt back down.

“Is this Adamai?” Aj asked as he looked at the robe he saw the figure wearing not long ago.

“Yes.” Rayne nodded.  “We need to burn his remains, as with all Elvaans when they die, so they can return to the ground they came from.”  She said as she carefully gathered Adamai’s remains and bundled them up in his robe.

“What?” Aj said confused. 

“There is still much you need to learn about the Elvaans.” Rayne said with a light smile as she stood up.

“Tell me about it.” Aj said as he followed her to the edge of the rocks.  “What do I do with this?” Aj asked.

“It was Adamai’s, he was a Guardian, perhaps he would not mind if you used it.”

“We still have to deal with Nick and the Army outside.” Aj said as his thoughts went back to his friends.  “I hope they didn’t wait around for us and took off in the Gryphon’s.”  Both Aj and Rayne slipped into the water.  As they swam closer to the opening below the falls they felt the water pressure pushing on them. 

“This is going to be a rough swim.” Aj said with a sigh.  “Hold onto the staff.” He said looking at Rayne.  She nodded as she waited in the water beside him. Rayne grabbed the staff and tightened her grip around Adamai’s robe.  They both took deep breaths and went under at the same time.  The current was strong as he pushed against them, trying to push them back into the cave.  Aj felt his arms getting tired already as his breath was running short, and it made him push harder forwards. Like a dam releasing them, they were both pushed up towards the surface of the water and gasped for air as they broke through. 

Not forgetting that the army was just right outside, they both quickly looked around.  Aj looked over by the cottage but he didn’t see anyone.  He looked to the left of the cottage where the Gryphon’s were and they were gone too.

“Did they get away?” Rayne asked as she looked around.

“Maybe, but where’s Nick and the army?” Aj asked as he looked towards Hevi.

“There!” Rayne said as she pointed behind him.  Aj turned around and saw Nalia fighting Nick, Kevin fighting Rem, Brian, and Howie were fighting off a couple of guards.   Aj started swimming towards them and he looked back over his shoulder to check on Rayne, but she was gone.  He looked down into the water to see if she was swimming under the water but she was not.

“Damn it woman.” Aj cursed to himself as he looked back to Nick and Nalia fighting.  He began swimming towards them again. 

“It does not matter that the thread has been restored, you can not destroy me.” Nick shouted as Nalia took a swing at him and he blocked it.  Aj raised his arm and sent out an Ice bolt as Nick brought his sword up.  It struck him on his side and he let go of the sword and grabbed his left side.  Everyone stopped and looked to the water, to Aj, as he waited there.

“Alex!” Kevin shouted and Aj could see the relief on his face.

“So, the Mage has decided to join us?” Nick said with a smile.  “Oh, but what is this? No Druid.” He said quickly.  Aj was about to reply when something caught the corner of his eye.  It was Rayne, and she was sneaking up behind Nick.

“What the hell..” Aj thought as he quickly looked back to Nick.  Hoping his eyes darting to the right didn’t tip off the Evil. 

“One down..” Nick said with a smile.  “Three more to go.” He sighed.  “Although I had hoped the Druid would have given more of a fight.” He said as he looked at Aj.  Aj gritted his teeth and he stared at Nick. But then something weird happen, Nick’s eyes went wide, his mouth opened in shock and he just stared at Aj. 

Aj watched as Nalia dropped her sword and slowly backed away.  He quickly looked back at Nick who was now trying to turn around, reaching back frantically. Nick screamed as a green beam of Light shot from his sides.

“Nick!” Brian shouted and Aj quickly looked over.  He saw Brian fighting with Kevin to get away.  Kevin holding his cousin back with almost no effort.  Aj looked back to Nick and this time he saw what everyone else saw.  Nick had dropped to his knees and Rayne was standing behind him, over top of him, her hand was.  Aj stared in horror as he saw Rayne’s hand inside of Nick.

“This is not your body; your life is not welcomed here.” Aj heard Rayne shout.  Her voice was booming and he was pretty sure anyone within the area could hear her.  Then as the words left her mouth she began to pull her arm back.  Nick screamed in pain as the Green split into the colour of Red.  “This is not your body!” Rayne shouted. “Your life is not welcomed here!” When the words left her mouth Aj watched as she pulled hard on something.  Nick screamed again and then he fell forward. 

“Druid” Said another deep booming voice and Aj looked up from Nick.  His eyes went wide when he saw Rayne standing in behind Ignis. He was taller than Kevin, his features strong, his frame was wide, and face barely looked human.  His eyes glowed a dark red, his jaw wide and long. Ignis spun around and pushed Rayne to the ground  “I hoped, you had met the same fate as Rayxes but I will enjoy killing you anyways.”

Aj shot his arm out and sent an Ice bolt at Ignis.  The man fell to the ground and it had broken everyone’s stare on Ignis and they all looked at him.  He swam quickly to the shore of the lake. 

“Alex are you ok?” Kevin asked.

“What the hell was that?!” Brian shouted at him pointing to Rayne. Aj didn’t know how to answer him.

“Where’s Rem?” Aj asked looking at Kevin.

“Out for the count.” Kevin said nodding behind him.  Aj quickly looked behind them and saw Rem laying on the ground.

“This is not over.” Ignis said as he got to his feet. 

“He’s going to poof again.” Brian said as he broke from Kevin’s grip and took off towards Ignis.   Aj reached out to grab him but he felt Brian’s robe slip through his fingers.  Brian dove at Ignis but went through him and hit the ground hard.

“Too late” Kevin said rolling his eyes as he began to walk over to his cousin.  Aj couldn’t help but lightly smile.  Then he remembered Nick and spun around quickly, a feeling of heaviness lifted from him as he saw Nick slowly moving. 

“Kevin” Aj said as he looked at him.  Kevin looked back as he picked up his cousin and then looked at Nick.  His eyes went wide when he saw Nick moving.

“Nick” He said as he let go of Brian and ran to him.  Brian wasn’t ready for his crutch to let go of him and he fell back down to the ground.

“Ow” Brian huffed as he hit the grass.  He quickly looked back too see what was so important and saw Kevin kneeling down by Nick.

Aj walked over to Kevin and Nick and knelt down beside them.  “Lay down man.” Kevin said as Nick tried to sit up.

“Too much” Nick moaned laying back.

“Too much?” Aj said confused looking at Kevin.

“Too much tequila.” He moaned as he grabbed his head.

“Little confused” Aj said with a nod like he was diagnosing Nick.

“Nick!” Brian shouted as he got to him. “Nick! Are you ok!” Brian shouted at him.

“Dude” Nick moaned as he tried to push Brian away.  “Stop yelling”

“Does your head hurt?” Kevin asked.

“Ye-ah” Nick said as he looked back to Kevin.  His eyelids were squinted but Aj could see his eyes a little.

“He’s fine; he’s already giving me attitude.” Kevin sighed.

“What happened?” Nick asked as Brian helped him slowly sit up.

“Nick?” Aj heard Nalia say.  Aj watched as Nick looked at her, his face was confused, then puzzlement came over it, then recognition, and then realization. 

“What do you remember man?” Kevin asked.

“Remember being on the boat?” Brian asked.

Aj watched as Nick looked around at his surroundings, he looked around at everyone.  “It’s still sorta coming back.” Nick said a little confused.

“What did Rayne do?” Howie asked Aj.

“Rayne” Aj said remembering as he started too look around for her.  He broke pass Howie and saw her lying on the ground.  He ran over to her and knelt down beside her. “Rayne?” Aj said as he looked her.  She didn’t answer so he slowly rolled her over. 

When he did he saw the blood dripping down her face. He looked at her with fright and confusion; he looked around her and saw a rock by her head with blood on it. He quickly grabbed for his robe and then remembered he had taken it off in the water.  So without giving it another thought he ripped off his under shirt and bunched it up.

“Brian!” Aj screamed not taking his eyes off Rayne as he placed his shirt against her head.  He heard Howie shout for Brian too and soon everyone was running up on them.

“What’s wrong?” Brian asked as he knelt down on the other side.  Aj pulled the shirt away to show them the gash on her forehead.  Without missing a beat placed his hands over the cut.  After a moment he pulled his hand away.

“Ok, I got it to stop.” Brian said as Aj looked at him.  He then looked back down at Rayne, he waited for her eyes to open but nothing happened.

“Aj she hit her head pretty hard.” Brian said.  “I don’t know any spell to wake her up.”

“Then they do in Winnol.” Aj said as he reached under her and picked her up.

“Do you need anything Alex?” Avit said as he walked over to them.  For the first time he realized his General was there.  “The men that were with the army have fled, as soon as we remembered what happened, they seemed to drop sword and head into the forest.”

“So you remember too then?” Aj asked as he held Rayne in his arms.

“Yes.” Avit nodded.  “You should get her to Winnol right away.” Avit said and Aj wondered if it was out of concern or to change the subject.

“I do need you to do something.” Aj said looking at Avit.  “Over there, there is a robe.” Aj said pointing to the shore edge.  “There are..” He stopped to think of what to say.  “There’s valuable things in the robe. Make sure they get back to Winnol safely.”

“As you wish Sir.” Avit nodded and then headed towards the Lake.

“Can you fly?” Aj asked Nick as he walked up to them.

“I think so.” Nick said but Aj could see he was still a little out of it.

“What happened?” Nalia asked shocked for the first time seeing Rayne, her attention obviously on Nick.

“She hit her head when Ignis pushed her, I think.” Aj said.  “Brian got the bleeding to stop, taking her to Winnol, I’m sure they’ll wake her up.” Aj lightly smiled as he headed towards the cottage.  “Wait where are the Gryphons?”

“Avit sent them into the air when..” She stopped and looked at Nick.  “When Ignis arrived.”  And just as she said the words Aj heard a whistle being blown and then the squawk of the Gryphon’s flying over head.  They all started to land over by the cottage and Aj made his way to them.