The Guardians of London: Third Echelon CHAPTER THREE [6 Slots Open]

[Daft Sikes]

Hadrian was deeply disturbed from the further information given to them. He was going to say something, but Bastian had already removed his hands from Rena's ears.

Hadrian chuckled, amused by Rena's pouting face. "I doubt that you would have obeyed even if Bastian told you, little one." He ruffled her hair again. "It's good that you didn't though," A sad look was now prominent on his face. "You're better off not knowing what they said."

 

[Kuroneko Aisha]

Rena winced a little bit when he said that she wouldn't have obeyed him if asked. Sure, she would have snuck a listen by only pretending to cover her ears, but it would have been better than forcing it. looking to Hadrian, she said. "T-that might be true, but could you please stop treating me like a little kid? I'm as much of a grown-up as anybody! I can handle lots of adult stuff!" She flailed her hands up and down as she said this, making her look even more childish.

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

"Relax, little one. Now we should get moving since time is of the essence." and here Bastian chuckled. "Let's strut down to wet our throats...someone stay with the girl."
Pytor, sensing drink was next oin the agenda, was already gone. Sniffing around for a nearby bar with the blonde Anastasia attempting to follow the roving russian.

 

[Daft Sikes]

Hadrian made a mock salute. "Sir yes sir," he said with a grin.
"Well, it looks like you're under my care," he paused. "Or rather, I'm under your care. Care to show me around Grand Moon while these guys grab a drink?"

 

[Kuroneko Aisha]

Rena was more than happy to stay away from the place with the funny smelling spirits. Giggling happily, she took Hadrian by the hand and said. "I'll show you to all the best places! Are you hungry? We have a bunch of places to eat! Not to mention there's lots of cool hiding spots, where you can play pranks and no one finds you!"

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

Bastian took a stroll down to a local place that smelled of wine and spirits. He pushed the door open and everyone looked up at him, noted his lack of horns or pointed ears and then continued to stare at him. He sat down and asked the bartender for "Something sweet and local, good sir." and dropped two golden Athame marks on the table. Accepted as a common currency to many creatures, marks were pressed with the symbol of the Athame Common Exchange which meant it was equal throughout all species that took part, including the Fae from the old times. The bartender was confused though, having not seen the coins before and brought it over to an older gentleman at the end of the bar and said "Is this real?" and the old man looked at them, his horn cut to half length and looking worn. He examined the coin and said "Oh this is genuine. Witchknife coin hasn't been seen in a long time...not since I was wee." and here the old man chuckled while the bartender passed Bastian a bottle of stout cider with nutmeg and cinnamon. "One Cinderbrick Stout Ale."

~~~

Elsewhere in another place of spirits and not the ghostly kind, Anastasia and Pytor reminisced about their homeland while Anastasia prepared a special kind of absinthe for drinking, letting it run over the sugar cube she said "I miss my family the most...I'll never get them back..."
"Shot, chopped tp pieces and burned....not even a master necromancer can fix that..."
Here she finished preparing the absinthe and filled a small glass and said "To Czar and country." and she took the drink, it went down like swallowing needles. She coughed as it went to her head, making her dizzy. "Goodness." and she read the label "Stabsinth?" she asked to Pytor "Lives up to the name."

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

The cheers Anastasia had said was a sentiment Pyotr didn't share, that kind of patriotism was partially the reason he abandoned the military and joined The Guardians. But all the same, he threw back a shot of the Stabsinthe and winced as it went down harshly. "Syn suka! That's stronger than I had anticipated," he said as he poured himself another shot and tossed it back, same as the other. "DorogoĭBog...that will take getting used to. Not bad once you get past the searing pain. I will have to get a bottle of it to bring with me."

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

It was another few shots and Anastasia was already feeling loose lipped. "You remind me of my country before the reds made me flee. I haven't seen another russian in.....forever. Always foreigners to me. Chechen, Polish, Germans, Alsatians and a nice French couple that helped stow me to England and got their throats cut for the privilege. If...when I got back, they'll be there waiting for me. The Reds are everywhere, and they want me to disappear! For good! sdelatʹ ushel, mertvyĭ! They won't stop or rest, either! Like....like....bloody monsters!"
Here she started crying, heaving into her crossed arms on the table.
Pytor put a hand on her shoulder and she looked up eyes a little red and she poured herself more of the alcohol and said "To running away...it's all I do..." and she knocked it back and kept crying and drinking, a vicious cycle. The more she drank, the more she blubbered about her home and her family.

 

[Daft Sikes]

"Actually, now that you mention it Rena," Hadrian rubbed his belly. "I am pretty hungry. Let's grab a bite to eat first, then you can show me the cool places."

 

[Kuroneko Aisha]

Rena nodded her head and happily led him to a nice restaurant that was fairly occupied, though there were still a few empty tables and booths for one to sit. Hurrying over to the table, she said. "Come on, it's a self seating restaurant! The waiter should be over here in a minute. I really recommend the stew! It's got veggies and meat in it all together!"

 

[Daft Sikes]

Hadrian took his seat, ignoring the many eyes that were staring at him. Arguing could be heard at the far end of the restaurant, causing Hadrian to turn his head toward that direction. A scrawny, young Fae boy was shoved out of what appeared to be the kitchen. He was dressed in something similar to a waiter's outfit, though it was primarily green, and the buttons appeared to be made of the husks of beetles.

He jerkily made his way to Rena and Hadrian's table, sweat dripping down his forehead and his eyes were shifting around nervously.

A forced, trembling smile was on his face when he spoke. "W-welcome to the... the umm... err..." He stuttered. "M-may I t-take y-your order?"

 

[Kuroneko Aisha]

Rena couldn't help but giggle at the antics of the boy, and said with a mischievous grin. "What's the matter Touka? You're stuttering like you're having trouble confessing!" She looked bashful for a moment before saying. "I'm really flattered, but I'm going on a mission to defeat the Dark Skull. If you're this shy now, I can't imagine how you'll be around me when I'm a hero." She let that sink in for a moment before saying. "Oh, and I'll have the rabbit stew with extra carrots! Also some milk!"

 

[Daft Sikes]

Touka nodded nervously, and was about to take Hadrian's order, until Rena's words sunk in.
"YOU'RE WHAT?!" he shrieked hysterically, making Hadrian cringe. All the shyness in his voice was replaced with panic and concern. He grabbed Rena by the cheeks and pulled at them. "ARE YOU INSANE RENA? YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOURSELF KILLED! YOU KNOW WHAT SHE'S CAPABLE OF DOING!"

 

[Kuroneko Aisha]

Rena squeaked a little bit when he yelled out the first time, but when he started to pull on her cheeks, she waved her arms around and said. "Iww be fiiie!" She finally manages to release her face before saying while rubbing her cheeks. "Owie..I'll be fine! The strangers are really strong! We definitely won't fail in our mission! Besides, We're on the good side, no way we can lose!" She nodded her head as if she were sure that would convince him.

 

[Daft Sikes]

"You were listening to Elder Velandril's rants again weren't you?" Touka pointed an accusing finger at Rena. "I KNEW IT!" He cried, not giving Rena a chance to reply. "Rena, there's a good reason why he doesn't get a say in the counsel anymore!"
Hadrian rested his head on his hand, eyes slightly narrowed, annoyed by the raving little Fae boy.

 

[Kuroneko Aisha]

Rena blushed a little bit before saying with a cute pout. "It's because all the other elders have given up hope! We can definitely defeat the Dark Skull, and I believe that this time we'll really win! My intuition is telling me that so it has to be true! Soon the snows around us will clear and we'll be able to reclaim Faerie as our own!"

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

Bastian was prepared to down one more of the sweet hard cider when the shadow slithered in. It was a male fae with its horn's tip blunted down and wearing black. He had a bow strapped to his back and whispered to the bartender who passed him what seemed to be black coffee.
"Who's he?" Bastian asked to a fae seated next to him.
"That's a black ranger, they're wild folk that wander the borders. They keep to themselves and only pass through when something bad is going on out there. Best keep quiet and leave him be, they've got a hard life on the border."
Bastian nodded and soon many of the patrons had left, giving the black ranger a wide berth. All that was left was Bastian and the ranger.
"You're brave. Not many men would stay in ten feet of one of us." said the ranger.
"I'm no fae, and I am not afraid of anyone."
"Strong words coming from an outlander. You wouldn't last ten minutes in the wastes."
Bastian walked over and stood before him "Are you challenging my skill? Because I am no fool, I can handle magic and weapons as well as any man."
"I challenge no one. Tell me, outlander, why are you here?"
"I was tasked by the Illrian Shadow to slay the Dark Skull and to heal the homeland of the Fae, allowing them to return without fear."
"A grand task, and one we have forseen. The Illrian Shadow spoke to us, the black rangers, long ago. We stalk the wild lands, keeping the enemy at bay. We were once great heroes, living on our own in the wild and serving no kingdom. We were free as the beasts we hunted, and we sold what we could not use to those kingdoms which would have us. Then she came...out of that portal and brought with her some sort of disease that blighted the soil, she came upon us like a sickness and soon there were two choices. Brave the coming darkness or flee. Many chose to flee..."
"We know them, these ones who fled. They are well established in our world. The kingdoms of old rebuilt."
"I would have liked to see what became of those who left us. But, the matter is that we black rangers are few and we have struggled to make the smallest forays into the cold place she holds. You say you will kill her, but how can you when you can't reach her."
"We came here by magic means, we will reach her the same way."
"You would carve your way to her with magic? Then I wish you the best of luck, but her eyes will be drawn to you as you approach....but if she were distracted...."
"What do you propose?"
"An exchange. If you aid the black rangers by bringing myself and my most elite warriors, my other companions will draw her away from you. And another thing...deep in the cold is a haven protected by the last Avenger. You'll need her help if you want to defeat the Dark Skull."
Bastian nodded and said "Why trust me?"
"Because no one in Grand Moon has had the strength to oppose the Dark Skull in thirty years. Since the Avengers were defeated, there's been no hope."
Here the man finished the coffee and rose "Meet me at the main gate tomorrow as the sun rises if you are, as you say, determined to slay the Dark Skull."
Bastian nodded and again and said to him with a voice strong with commitment "We'll be there. All of us..."

 

[Daft Sikes]

"The last time we trusted your so-called "intuition", I ENDED UP GETTING WASHING DUTY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS! WITH NO EXTRA PAY!" Touka cried.
Their arguing went on for what seemed like hours, until finally Hadrian decided enough was enough and grabbed Touka by the back of the shirt.
"HEY! WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?! LET GO OF ME YOU DAMN-"
"In case you didn't notice, whelp, you haven't taken our order yet." Hadrian growled.
He brought Touka closer. "I came here to have a decent meal, not to listen to an annoying little brat's rant."
He let go of is collar. "Now, I would like what Rena's having, but no extra carrots, and a glass of water, alright?" Touka just stood there, trembling.
Hadrian leaned forward and smiled, showing off his sharp teeth. "Get to it. Now."
Touka ran back to the kitchen as fast as he could, and shouted out their order in a high-pitched squeal.

 

[Kuroneko Aisha]

Rena winced a little bit when he brought up that sore topic. How was she supposed to know the Elders would get angry at them for 'rearranging' some of the furniture in the Main Hall? In her defense, she thought that the new arrangements were more 'efficient' but the others didn't think so. Her uncle definitely made sure to drive that point home through her poor little bottom. Wiggling a little bit, she said to Hadrian after he shooed Touka away. "Please don't be mad at him, kay? He's like a big brother to me. An overprotective big brother, but still."

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

[HEADING=1]Elsewhere on Earth[/HEADING]

Silas stood on the balcony overlooking the mountain steppes. His eye raking over the landscape, and he sighed. He was far from his home, his seat of power, learning from scratch. He itched the symbol on his arm which had become a spiderweb of black lines running up to his elbow. The symbols intermixed, he felt like some sort of blending. He was not human, not illrian, not a steward...he was some mixture of all of them and yet he felt hollow, not full. Something had been drained from him, some ultimate meaning somewhere out of reach he had only to discover to complete his transformation, what transformation that way.
He began to sing, a little under his breath and quietly to the wind that whipped around him.
"I have often dreamed of a far off place where a great warm welcome would be waiting for me...where the crowds will cheer when they see my face and a voice keeps saying 'this is where I'm meant to be'. I will find my way, I can go the distance...I'll be there some day, if I can be strong. I know every mile will be worth my while. I would go most anywhere to feel like I...belong..."
Here he turned and returned to the students below, to continue training and searching for himself. He worked himself until his body refused to work, hoping his exertion would give him some revelation. It had yet to occur.

~~~~

Months later, not knowing what the Guardians were doing or whether they had reached Faerie, Silas had worked hard. Sent on a journey to find a mysterious architect and gain his admittance to the Order of the Stewards. After recovering from his sickness he had begged to be trained, after Malachi reunited with him they began. He was silent at first but his voice returned, a low hum in his mind as he walked. Malachi's voice sung low in his ears, keeping him focused. He knew he would make it, and he would perhaps find what he had been searching for.

~~~

[HEADING=2]Back in Faerie[/HEADING]

Inside Kin's mind, a shadow whispered "Kin..."
The shadow of Silas appeared, faded and barely there.
"Silas...Why are you..."
But he could not finish.
"My time is short but you must know...The Rhyle have accepted me...and I know what I am now..."
"What?"
"I am not just a shadow of an ancient order, I am its ruler. Illrian Shadow was the name given to the regent who would take its place, to await awakening. I am the Illrian Shadow, but I am much more than that...I am an Archon."
"Archon?" echoed Kin, trying to remember.
"I am a Saint blessed by the Light to lead. I am blessed in the Light itself as the Great Guardians are, a demigod. And yet, I feel like a man. I do not feel like a God..."
"You're a god?"
"In a way...I took an Illrian into me, the blackened one who once ruled as an angel of judgement and protection. Now returned to glory, I am something more. I have ascended, and I can see with clarity. I was meant to rule the Illrians, a shining beacon to the blackened and lost. Look to my coming at first light of the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east and I shall appear with the rising sun. I shall appear."
And here the shadow began to fade.
"No! Wait, Silas! What does this all mean?!" but Silas was gone.