The Prophecy (The Guardians) (30 page)

“Yes, only when there is a balance is there peace.” the woman responded.

“Well, I don’t know if you’ve heard or not, but the demons have attacked the humans.
 
They destroyed my home; the scales are far from even right now.” Rachel explained.

“And that is why I allowed you to find me.” Mirada added.

“Allowed us?
 
Uri knew exactly where to find you, you didn’t allow anything.” Gabe chuckled as he responded.

A low growl came from the shadows behind where Mirada sat.
 
Without hesitation, Gabe was at full alert, hand perched on his sword.

“Who’s there?” Gabe demanded.

“Calm down, Mr. Harwood, there’s no reason to be alarmed, it’s just Stimely.” Mirada explained, glancing over her shoulder.

“Who?” Gabe asked irritated.

A large and ghostly figure stepped out from the hiding place he had been lurking.
 
His shoulders were broad, his eyes glowed a pale gray, there was no smile, just a curl at the corners of his mouth as if he were tempting Gabe to make a move.
 
Gabe could tell the being was not human, but he had never seen anything like him.
 
His hair was kept short and tight, his skin was almost chalky in appearance.
 
Gabe stared intensely, unsure what to make of him.

“This is Stimely.
 
I suppose you could call him my bodyguard.
 
If I had not wanted you to find me, he would have made sure you never did.”
 
Mirada explained again.

The oversized man thumped his fist onto his open palm before growling once again.

“What is he?” Rachel whispered to Gabe.

“I don’t know.” Gabe answered honestly.

“Stimely, stand down, I’m fine.
 
Stimely is a Bloodless.
 
When I refused to help the Guardian council any longer, they decided to try and hunt me down.
 
They explained that they could not allow someone with the strength of my abilities to fall into enemy hands.
 
I, however, am not one to leave my fate up to someone else.
 
That is when I acquired Stimely’s services.”

“I’ve never actually seen one—” Gabe said in awe.

“Seen what?
 
What’s a Bloodless?” Rachel asked, staring at her husband’s face, scared to look anywhere else.

“They’re neither living nor dead.” Gabe answered.
 
“They can’t be killed, the only way to stop a Bloodless is to dismember it and bury their parts as far away from one another as you can.”

“Grrr—” the creature snarled.

“Calm down, Stimely, Gabe knows he would be a fool to try anything of the sort with you.
 
Something else about the Bloodless, they are also incredibly loyal.”
 

“Good to know.” Gabe added.
 
Releasing his hand from his sword, he watched cautiously as Stimely slowly backed up into the shadows once again.

“What Baal has done in the human world has drastically shifted the balance of good and evil.
 
If you want to ask me your questions for that reason, I will answer.” Mirada offered.

“I don’t understand what we’re supposed to ask.
 
If you know why we’re here, I shouldn’t need to ask anything.” Gabe argued.

Rachel chimed in, a light going off in her mind, so to speak.
 
“If she just tells us what we should know, she’s no longer neutral because she is guiding the information we learn.
 
If she simply answers our questions though, she’s only restoring the balance, not determining the direction of the future.”

“Very wise, Mrs. Harwood.” Mirada answered.

“So what do we ask?” Gabe inquired from his beloved.

Rachel thought about his question for a moment before turning to Mirada.
 
She looked into the woman’s eyes and asked, “Can Baal be defeated?”

Mirada returned Rachel’s gaze, answering simply, “Yes.”

Without hesitation Rachel continued, “How can we defeat Baal and his army?”

“There were two ways, now there is one.” Mirada answered.

“Here we go with the cryptic answers again.” Gabe snarled.

“Honey, if you’re not going to be helpful, than please, keep quiet.” Rachel demanded.
 
“We don’t understand, what do you mean, now there is one?”

“There is a prophecy that told of a way, a path of sacrifice.” Mirada explained.

“Yeah, we know that one and I prefer a way I don’t die!” Gabe exclaimed.

“I mean it, Gabe!” Rachel said slapping his knee.

“Are you talking about the prophecy that says Gabe will be the protector?” Rachel prodded.

“I am, the Protecter’s death alone will not be enough, he must willingly sacrifice his life in order for Baal to be destroyed.” Mirada confirmed.

“Well, we know all about that option.
 
We want to know more about the other one.” Gabe said, doing his best not to sound antagonistic to avoid Rachel’s wrath.

“There is only one viable option now, and it is the one I have told you of.” Mirada reaffirmed.

“Humor us.
 
Let’s say the other one was still viable, what is it?” Gabe pushed.

“The Guardian’s Crown could have been used to defeat Baal.” Mirada responded.
 
“But like I said, that’s no longer an option.”

“Why is that not an option?” Gabe asked, again agitated by the lack of forthcoming answers.

“The Crown has been broken.” Mirada said.

“What Crown?
 
Where can I find this Crown?” Gabe pleaded.

“I can’t tell you anymore, it doesn’t matter anyways, it’s no longer an option.” Mirada replied.

“Well, I want to know more.” Gabe snapped, leaning forward.

Stimely suddenly reemerged from the darkness, his intentions clear.
 
“Gabe, let’s go, we’ve heard what we need to hear.” Rachel urged, rising to her feet.

“I haven’t heard where I can find the Guardian’s Crown.” Gabe argued.

Mirada stood and walked to Stimely’s side, taking hold of his leather clad arm.
 
“Please tell Michael I said hello and I hope he is well.
 
I assume you all can show yourselves out.”
 
With those words, Mirada and her faithful undead guard turned to walk out of the room.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Gabe shouted.

Mirada did not respond, instead they continued out of sight.

“Get back here.” Gabe commanded, stepping to the side to give chase.
 
Before he could move, Rachel reached out and grasped his arm firmly.

“Gabe, don’t!”

“She didn’t answer our questions, we need to know more.” Gabe looked at her with shock.

“She did answer.
 
Let’s go.” Rachel didn’t hesitate, rushing to the front door and throwing it open.
 
Gabe lingered for a moment, shocked by Rachel’s reaction.

“You can’t be serious!” Gabe groaned, running after his wife.

Rachel bounded down the stairs, walking up to where Haim and Uri waited for them.
 
Gabe followed, pulling the front door closed behind him.

“Done already?” Uri asked.

“No, we’re not done.” Gabe exclaimed, coming to rest between Rachel and Uri.

“Uri, have you ever heard of the Guardian’s Crown?” Rachel asked.

“No, why?
 
What is it?” Uri questioned.

“Do you know of anyone who can help us find out about it?” Rachel asked.

“If there’s anything in the archives, Sophie would probably know.” Uri said.

“Very well, we need to get to Sophie as soon as possible.
 
Can we transport?” Rachel inquired.

“What are you doing, Rachel?” Gabe’s face reflected his confusion.

Rachel sighed, annoyed she had to take the time to explain her plan to Gabe.
 
“You said not to trust the Oracles, why try to get more information out of her than what we absolutely need.
 
There’s no way for us to know if we would be getting whole truths.
 
If we want to find out how to keep our family together, we will need to figure this out ourselves.”

Gabe fell silent, he felt like a fool.
 
He had thought Rachel was siding with Mirada, all along though she kept faith in what he had told her, that the Oracles could not be trusted.
 
She was only trying to find out information she might possibly be able to use, taking all of the woman’s words in with a grain of salt.

“I don’t recommend transporting.
 
It took a lot out of you last time and I don’t think it’s a good idea.” Uri suggested.

“Very well, how long to get back to Iron Gate?”
 
Rachel asked.

“A few weeks.” Uri answered.
 
“I could transport to Iron Gate and request some assistance from perhaps the Alicorns to speed things up if you’re interested.”

“Then we better get started.” Rachel said.
 
“We have a long way to go.”

“I don’t understand, what’s your plan?” Gabe asked softly.

Rachel turned and looked at her new husband.
 
Reaching out she took a step forward, taking his hands into her own.
 
“I’m not going to lose you.
 
We’re going to figure out where the Guardian’s Crown is and put this nightmare behind us.”

Gabe pulled Rachel closer, their lips meeting firmly, the kiss then releasing into a soft and tender caress.
 
“I love you so much, Rachel Harwood.”

“I love you too, Gabe.”

“You two do realize Haim and I are still standing here, right?” Uri moaned.

Rachel and Gabe smiled, the humor of their friend’s words not escaping them.
 
“Shut up.” Gabe punched Uri in his shoulder as he replied.

“In all seriousness though, I want you both to know we’re with you both all the way.
 
If we need to find this crown to stop Baal, then that’s what we’ll do.”
 
Uri assured his friends, Haim nodding in agreement.

“We know, Uri.”
 
Gabe said.

“So, let’s go already.” Rachel said, wrapping an arm around both Uri and Gabe.
 
“We’ll get a safe distance from Mirada’s home and then, Uri, you can transport back and see if you can find us a ride.

The group began to walk towards the unknown.
 
A path filled with ever increasing enemies, all hope resting on the idea of finding a weapon they knew nothing about.
 
They had no other choice.
 
The possible salvation of the world, not to mention their own lives, relied on finding the Guardian’s Crown.