portal prophecies 01 - keepers destiny (16 page)

Mike shrugged. “I thought it was one of those conspiracy books that keep popping up. This group looks like a bunch of groupie wannabes looking for a supernatural thrill.”

William walked over to the others and asked to see a portal guard symbol on any of their arms. The three guards stepped forward and put their arms together so all the pictures were beside each other matching perfectly. William dismissed his other men and led the group to a house, about a five minute walk away.

Outside the cabin type building, more men and women were stationed each carrying weapons similar to the ones the men in the forest had and positioned at fairly even intervals from one another.

Inside, the main room had a couch, some chairs and floor pillows all situated around a fireplace, which was lit and heated the room to a balmy temperature. To the back was a separate space just enough room for a wooden table and chairs.

William and Mike motioned to most of the group to sit down in front of the fireplace and had the guards follow them to the table. Willow took it upon herself to join them.

“Why don't you sit with the others?” Mike motioned to Willow.

She looked at him, then William, then the guards. Faramund had a smile on his face and was trying not to laugh. She turned around and faced Mike. “I think I am more qualified to be at this table than you are.”

William laughed. “There will be time for argument, but for now if we could sit down maybe we could find out what is going on.”

“I only know parts of the back story about the ongoing war with the Serpent Ancients, the Xiuhcoatle and the prophecies.” Willow paused.

“What happened tonight? What brought you here is what we are most curious about,” William said still smiling.

Zsiga responded. “Our world was invaded and destroyed. We are all that escaped death or capture. We are the last of our kind.”

“Forgive me if I don't look surprised, but we had written off our home world long ago when no further reinforcements were sent.” William's facial expression embodied all the qualities of a boy who had just lost his best friend.

“Communication was lost and the Council feared the worst,” the head guard responded.

“That we can explain, the serpents and their allies found a way to weaken the space between the worlds, in short punching holes in them,” William said leaning back in his chair so that the two front legs lifted off the ground.

Mike picked up the story. “Some of your portals when active created a strain on the weakened space, so the forces you had left here at the time, disabled them and hid the stones needed to activate them again. That way no further damage could be done.”

“So, we lost contact because you disabled some of the portals disrupting the telepathic connection?” Willow asked.

“You catch on fast. A guardian could still open a portal from the other side to move through, but they closed after use. No one did,” Mike replied.

“They separated our forces. I am the last guard left in the this world. These men and women, working with me, are individuals whose lives were touched by the war. They have lost family and friends and joined the cause to help protect this world. They are good people but we are losing the battle. Perhaps with your help we can hold on a bit longer,” William said.

“With the portals closed, what are you fighting?” Willow asked.

“Not all the portals are inactive. There are a few we monitor. There are also a few rogue holes in space that have been created, that we don't know how to repair. All manor of beings have come through. From what we know they open and close on their own and only for a certain amount of time.”

“We are lucky this world has an imagination and loves conspiracy theories. They make their own stories up about everything that happens. A few rumours in the right ear and they cover it up for us. That's what we thought your group was, thrill seekers looking for proof of something or anything.” Mike added, “Sorry about that.”

Willow didn't believe at all he was sorry. There was something about his sheepish grin that said he had enjoyed annoying her.

“It's late and most of us have had too much excitement for today. Would you mind if we slept here?” she asked.

“Of course, we have extra buildings with beds that are all empty at the moment. Mike can get you all settled and tomorrow we will show you around,” William answered. “Tomorrow perhaps you can explain how you opened a sealed portal.”

“Easy,” Willow said. “I read the book.” She pushed the prophecies book across the table.

Mike showed them round back of the house where there were a series of additional buildings. They were directed to the third building. Inside were beds with full body cushions, evenly spaced throughout the main room. Each bed had a storage chest and a small closet for personal items. Mike informed them this was their own place since no one else was staying there and showed them the bathrooms and showers.

“Someone will be by in the morning to show you the rest of the facility,” Mike said. “You should be safe here. The patrols are out.”

Before Willow and the others could thank him, a gun shot sounded in the distance, followed by some shouting.

“Stay here and lock the door. Don't open it for anyone,” Mike yelled as he ran out towards the sound of another gun firing.

Malarchy bolted forward and locked the door, then moved away from it and began checking the windows to make sure they were all also locked.

“What are you doing? We should try to help.” Willow wasn't sure what the noises outside were about but she was certain someone could be hurt and need their help.

“We don't even know what we would be up against and we don't know anything about this world. We need to wait till morning,” he replied sternly.

“As much as I hate to say it Malarchy is right. We can take shifts sleeping until day light and hopefully someone sends for us.” Zsiga was already setting up with the other two guards to have at least one of them awake at all times till morning.

Willow sat down on a bed and Clairity joined her. “They are right you know, we will be more help in the morning. I have that feeling.”

“Thanks.” Willow smiled at her friend's words. Clairity's intuition had been bang on these past few days.

“One thing I wanted to ask you, back at the stone table, why didn't Kiera and Aslo just tell you how to escape? We almost died.”

Willow took a big breath and let it out while trying to find the words to explain. “Because...there are some things I needed to find out for myself...When I read the prophecy, I knew I could do it. I had never used anywhere near that amount of power before...but I knew I could. If someone had of just told me I could, there would have been doubt. I wouldn't have believed in myself enough to create the force that was needed.”

“I get it.” Her friend smiled. “Best we get some sleep, tomorrow I think may be a full day.”

Willow lay down. Sleep wasn't going to be easy. What was out there? Would there be anyone left to come for them in the morning?

Chapter Seventeen

A loud knock on the door jolted Willow awake. She wasn't sure how long she had been asleep, but it wasn't long. The yelling outside had continued through the night. Iskander opened the door, letting Mike in. With daylight shining in the windows, she was able to see more of his features. His hair was cut very short and if it were longer she imagined it would be a similar colour to her own. His eyes were a dull green which matched the clothes he was wearing. From the dark circles around his eyes, she could tell he had had little sleep last night as well.

“We have arranged an escort for you back to the main building. Bring anything you need. You won't be back here again till later tonight,” Mike said to the guard, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

There wasn't anytime to think. The escort was waiting and they were on their way within minutes to hopefully some answers about last night.

When they arrived at the room they had been in the previous night, it looked completely different. It had been transformed into a command centre. There were large boards with maps and coloured flags inserted at different points. Men and women were buzzing around with hand held devices they were talking through. One woman with her hair tied back in a neat bun wearing all green the same colour as Mike's shirt, was pinning more flags in several of the maps. William was going over more maps at the table. He looked up and brushed the hair from his eyes. With a smile he extended an invitation to join him at the table.

“Sorry things are a bit crazy round here today. We had a ... well problem arise last night.”

“What happened?” Willow asked. “Maybe we could help. It doesn't look like you have solved the problem yet.”

“Best you stay here where you won't get hurt and let the experts handle this,” Mike answered.

William shook his head still smiling. “The opening of the portal you came through created one of those holes we told you about and a dozen or so creatures managed to come through, maybe more. We haven't seen anything like them before. We don't even know what world they came from.”

“What did they look like?” she asked.

“Humanoid, pale greyish skin, razor sharp teeth, hands and feet looked more paw-like than human and the females appeared to have wings of some sort. Rather ugly really, but super fast and deadly,” Mike answered.

“Hannulate!” Nathan said.

“Sounds like it,” Willow agreed. “They were once one of the most beautiful races to exist. They were peaceful and fun loving creatures who lived in magical realms. A direct cousin to faeries and pixies.”

“That doesn't sound much like the creatures I described,” Mike snorted.

“Because they changed. During the blood wars an evil king captured them, all of them, the entire race. Kept in chains in a dismal dungeon, they were tortured but kept alive to harvest their blood to fuel the kingdom's war. Their species has a unique ability to adapt, and they did just that, developing sharp teeth and razor claws that could extend at will and strong enough to cut the chains that bound them. Then one night, while the armies were away waging war to acquire more possessions, they escaped and murdered any person they met. They considered all humans a threat, and probably still do. It took less than an hour for them to wipe out the entire kingdom.”

“Great...any good news?” William asked.

“Yes, and no. They are at the moment nocturnal and during the day they will want to hide and rest. You have a window of opportunity to find them in day light.”

“And the bad news?”

“I told you they adapt, it won't be long before the day light won't bother them anymore. Then they will be harder to track,” she answered.

“Except by following the body count,” Mike added. “We need to double up the search now, call everyone back, double shifts till dusk. Let's destroy them before nightfall,” Mike said speaking to the men and women waiting for instructions around them.

“Destroy them?” Willow shrieked. “No, you can't! It isn't their fault.”

“They are killing people. We should just let them?” Mike argued.

“Did anyone try talking to them? Did you even listen to what they have been through? People made them this way. They adapted to being abused, in order to survive. With a little compassion they could change back into the beautiful creatures they were meant to be.” Willow was now directly facing Mike and the two were standing only inches apart from each other as if having their own argument and no one else existed.

William cut in, “This isn't a capture operation Willow. Even if we could, what would we do with them? They pose a threat to everyone around. We aren't going to take that chance. They will be destroyed and people of this world will be safe.”

Willow heard a gasp from Kiera. She didn't even have to think what it meant, she knew. “When did you change our purpose?” Willow asked with tears swelling in her eyes.

“Hope this place is rain proof,” Malarchy said to Diana. Willow hadn't noticed the comment she was too involved in what was happening. Malarchy was right of course, the clouds were forming outside, rain was ready to pour down on them.

“What do you mean?” William asked moving closer to her, looking as if he was angry at being accused of something. Faramund moved to Willow's side, poised to protect her at all costs.

“I mean the guardians meant to protect all worlds and all creatures, not just this one and these people. As portal guards you defend against threats yes, but these beings didn't choose to come here. They didn't come through the portal to attack. They are victims. Yet you feel you have the right to condemn them, judge them and sentence them. That isn't and never was our birth right and purpose,” Willow said not backing down.

“Look around little girl, this isn't a game. I am all that is left. These people are here helping me hold on, to protect this world. They didn't sign up for guardian philosophy 101. Without them I would be gone by now and then there wouldn't have been any of us left in this world.” William's anger raged, blood rushing to his face turning it bright red.

“You aren't one of us,” Willow said wishing she hadn't. But she was right, he had forsaken the duty he was bound to for the well being of one world and had been doing so for sometime.

“What do you know about it? What makes you the expert on what the guardians would approve of?” he snapped.

“I know the mark on your arm is fading as we speak. I know you could be removed of your duty if you do this,” Willow said echoing Aslo's words in her mind.

William looked at his arm. What had once been a dark blue had faded to a light baby blue. He looked perplexed. “I have had this policy for sometime now. Why all of a sudden?” His words faded off.

“I guess you didn't notice until now. It was probably a subtle change taking place over time.” Willow heard Aslo's voice again and relayed his message. “I believe you will find it will darken again should you chose the path you were meant to follow.”

William looked hurt. He moved to the table and sat down. “We have done our best here. It hasn't been easy.”

“I am sure it hasn't, but our best isn't always what is right. These creatures deserve a chance and I plan to try.” She turned her attention to the others. “Nathan can you take a yellow flag and mark on the map where the portal to their homeland is please.” Turning back to William she asked, “Is the portal at that location active?”