Angel of the Sun

By Zurette Cogill

Angel of the Sun is filled with short stories born from the imagination of the author which makes you part of the journey of the characters within this stories. Each story has a deep darkness from which light flows taking part in this world filled with magic, dragons, demons, angels, vampires to a outers pace experience of created warriors, planet wars and more. The personal conflict inside the beings are echoed by the conflict between the the dark, the evil and the light. A story of growth, enlightenment and acceptance of destinies. Each story has their own theme, but the genre of fantasy and science fiction is evident in all the stories. A first novel from the pen of this Author, and many more to come.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781387156221

Book preview

Angel of the Sun

ANGEL IN THE SUN

WRITTEN BY ZURETTE COGILL

COPYRIGHT © 2017 BY ZURETTE COGILL

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

2017

ISBN#:978-1-387-15622-1

Lulu Press, Inc.

P.O. BOX 1588

SWAKOPMUND

ERONGO REGION

NAMIBIA

9000

http://www.sacred-ankhtemple.com/

COMPILATION OF SHORT STORIES

Author’s note

Prologue (p5)

Keeper of the Gods (p6)

Angel of the Sun (p46)

Blood revenge (p144)

Dagger of Tuarana (p227)

Devonia (p334)

Amidra Chronicles (p370)

Epilogue (p535)

Author’s Note:

Hi there. This is not a serious literature work piece out to earn the Nobel peace prize!  No, this is my creative skills at work.  Something I tried over the last 10 years and by all odds succeeded in completing it now.  It is a dream come true to have a book on the shelves or just floating around on the internet (even if only one person read it – Thanks Ma!)

Not one of these stories were based on real events or people. This is not a historical, factual, religious or any other non-fictions type of book.  This is a work of pure imagination and of my dreams and visions put together in words, so where I referred to certain places on our good earth its plays a part in my imagination and not used to describe real events. So please take note that not one of my words were taken from real life situations or based on any person. It is a work of Science Fiction and fantasy. If any event or story in this book describe an event or an actual person or place in real life, please note that it is only accidental and has no bearing on that person (you), event or on that place.

Remember this is my dream, my ideas, my thoughts, and my imagination.  It is the beginning of my dream and I am still working at perfecting my skills. I am an amateur who tried something and said yes to my talents and so I want you to enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. 

Believe in life, believe in your talents and let the sun shine on you every day so that you can give your dreams wings to let them fly free!

This book is dedicated to:

My Parents who taught me that the Earth is one step away from the reaching the Universe

My Mother’s Mother (grandmother) that told me to believe in myself no matter what

My Ex-husband who encouraged me to complete the book

Friends and family across the planet, from China to Namibia, to America.

Thank you

Prologue

Writer’s block! 

I have the gift of writing stories, but consistently being plague by writer’s block.  What kind of gift is that, one would ask. 

I have all these wonderful stories in my mind, to the finest detail.  I know that I am really gifted in being able to fantasize it to the finest detail.  Still, I am not able to transfer all that to paper!  I have the pictures but have no words to write! 

The reason for that block, I was told, could be anything …

I feel like somebody up there really had a ball handing out my gifts, I bet the Powers of Be sat down one Saturday around a table and while playing cards and drinking bear discussed my dilemma.  I picture the eldest power would say: Look at this one: She will be able to dream, fantasize, build pictures to the finest detail and give her also the gift of writing, but let’s put a ‘nooky’ here in her life’s story and that is writer’s block. Another will then ask why?  The elder will just smile and say that she received this wonderful gift, but there must be a level of difficulty to it.

They really had a ball up there! Today I will beat the Powers of Be and do my thing.

As I moved in front of my computer I had the thoughts of trying to write again.  What shall it be this time?  Dragons, wizards, aliens, planets, vampires, elves, magic …. 

Maybe I must start with something simple …..

Keeper Of The Gods

1.

Kairo knelt in front of the priest.    He blessed me, Kairo thought.  Did I feel anything? Was I supposed to feel anything?  He looked at the priest, into his eyes.  They look far beyond me not really seeing me. It was if I was just another job to him, did he know about my struggles?  Did he really care whether I live or die today?  Does anybody care what he had done?  Kairo nodded, turned and walked away.

The blessed Body and the Blood are burning inside his body.  He noticed that they do burn today more than ever.  Is this a message that the man above knows what he has done and that there will be no forgiveness?  He feels nothing, no burning desire rising in him to praise this God that all human beings choose to pray to.  He looked up and saw the sea of so called holy faces praying for mercy.  He guessed that this all meant something to them? Was this real, these masses following the priest’s every move who did not really had the attitude that he was enjoying this. He looked around and saw faces that had joy on it, but there were also those that had anger, pain and dull looks on them. Do they really get want they want in this place?

What about the mercy he craves?  Will it never be his?  Questions raked his mind, making him shake his head vigorously. Was he forsaken? Was he being toiled with?  Why did he feel nothing with these blessed gifts inside him?  What is wrong with him?  Was this the truth as was preached?

The priest said that the sacraments they received would reach out and touch their souls; all must accept its power.  Yet he feels nothing, no touching or any other emotion.  It is not working, why is He not reaching out to save me? The thoughts scream through Kairo’s mind.  He knew he was indirectly responsible for that girls’ death.  He did confess it and was forgiven by the priest, but why did he have the feeling that God did not forgive him.  He could not help what had happened? Did he do to little or was he supposed to feel like this?

He looked up unto the Christ figure in front of the church.  He could swear that the statue’s head was turning and its eyes were staring back at him.  He sat back in amazement.  He looked around him, no one noticed.  He looked again at the statue; yes, this time it was smiling at him, but not a smile of proudness, no it was more one of sadness! Then, it was as if he saw the eyes closing.  They were not looking at me anymore, he thought.  He was shocked and perplexed.  What was the meaning of that?  His mouth hung open and he could not breathe.  He looked up again and this time the head was turned away from him.  What was happening? 

He felt an anxiety attack rushing inside him, the fingers of it slamming into his mind forcing him to see things and think things.  He stammered up and ran out the church.  He knew the priest was looking at him and so the whole church.  He didn’t care, he had to leave this place, and he had to get some fresh air into his lungs.   He stopped on the side walk vomiting into the gutter.  In his vomit, he saw the Bread and Wine he just received.

As he vomits he saw the statue with closed eyes turning away from him. Was all this real? He glanced back at the church and saw something that shocked him even more. There was a kind of shimmer that hung over the church, a kind of dark shimmer and in it he could see a figure staring at him. He felt more convulsions from his stomach and as the figure turned away in his head words echoed: Yes Kairo, I am not the only one but we are many and each of us are the path to enlightenment. Men have made up their own minds in their greed and lust for power who to follow and how to force all of nations to do that.  I am here for all who believe in me, but your path does not lie with me.

Kairo closed his eyes and again saw that girl.  She was an average looking girl with the bluest eyes he has ever seen.  Those eyes of her made him forgot about his pain and he felt he could lose himself in those eyes. He had the feeling that she was made of love, for he knew that she had never done anything wrong, he felt she was pure. She felt like an angel to him.  Suddenly his mind swirled away and a question popped into his mind: Why did she have to die? 

He stood up from the gutter, wiped his mouth with his sleeve.  He looked at the cars and the people around him.  No matter how hard he tried to seek redemption, his mind always told him that he lost since his birth. Now the statue even told him so – he smiled at this thought for he knew that people will think him crazy if he told what a statue told him.  His mind went back to the sermon where the priest said that only a few chosen dammed souls can ever find redemption on this path.  He wondered if he was one of those that were totally lost and did the priest spoke to him? He threw his hands in the air as he walked away saying aloud: Talking statues in shimmers and priests with weird messages, what is next?

He stomped his food in a puddle of water sending up droplets to cling to his pants and splatter all over and as the droplets found their way back to earth something caught his eye.  He looked down into the puddle and noticed an outline of a head.  He bent forward to take a closer look and noticed that it was an image of a head, her head!  She was smiling at him, and it looked to him like there were wings in the background.  A bright light surrounded her.  He looked at the angel girl in the puddle and he saw the lips moving slowly.  The apparition spoke saying that he was forgiven for what he did had a purpose in life.

He felt sick again and within seconds his stomach turned itself upside out. He leaned over in the gutter and puked.  Why now?  Why did he see that strange stuff, what is wrong with him?  His mind was recounting the actions of the morning: Priests with damnation redemption story, then a statue telling him that he is not walking its path and now an angel in the water telling him he had a purpose? What did it mean this purpose in life?   Why at this time of his life is this happening?  Did he not sacrifice enough?  Why is he not good enough for His kingdom?  Suddenly from nowhere an anger swept up in him, burning through him and when it burst out he shouted: Then to hell with you and all you stand for. If I was not made for your path then so be it, I will choose my own path! 

He stood up, wiped his face again with his sleeve and walked to his car.  He looked up and noticed again something strange across the road.  He wiped his eyes for he did not believe what he was witnessing.  He looked again and yes it was still there.  He looked back to the puddle of water and then back to the shop across the road.  First, he thought he saw an angel in the water and now he thought he saw two demons across the road staring and laughing at him.  It was as if they were waving to him, beckoning him across the road.  He laid his head on the roof of his car.  Breathed deeply and looked up.  Nothing!  What is this?  Is he going mad? 

What he witnessed made his stomach pushing itself into his throat and decided a third time to vomit is too much. He climbed into his car and raced home.  The whole trip home was in a daze. Hours later he did not even remember entering his flat. The only thought that stuck in his mind was the face of the girl and those two demon-like creatures.  Was everything in his life done in vain? Why did the girl in the pond said that he had purpose and then the two demon creatures waved him across the road?

He fell on his bed and lay there staring at the ceiling.  His eyes found all the cracks and marks that accumulated during the years.  He wanted to feel something, but there was only emptiness.  His brain was numb.  Why was he alive?

*************************

Shall we go to him? 

No, he is not yet ready.   We must wait a bit longer.

Why?  Does he really need to go through all that pain?

Yes, they all must!

Why? The young angel asked

The elder of the two angels spoke, Because, if he does not relinquish all, he will never be able to do the job which he was chosen to do!

He looked at the young angel next to him as he spoke.  The young angel was recently assigned to this outfit.  Their work is sacred and yet they work with the outcasts and the rejects of this world. He smiled at the young angel and said to himself: Androla you have much to learn.

Can he see us? Androla asked.

No, not yet.  He must first walk the path before he can see either us or them.

Path?  Them? I have much to learn! The elder smiled at the words of the young angel and said: Come on Androla, you cannot be that dumb.  What are you doing here if you don’t even know about the paths these chosen outcasts must walk?  

I apologize, I did not think. The ‘them’ you speak about is not of our side?

Sagiel looked at the angel.  He was right.  He did not mention the evil ones. Suddenly he felt so old and done. He was doing this work now for centuries and still the Universal Divine Spirit chooses him to teach these young angels in these situations. He sighed softly and said: Come, he will be vulnerable and can be easily influenced.  We’ll have to watch him closely. Take note that when these chosen cast outs discovered that they were sort of rejected like he discovered this morning, they are easily prey to those that seek to damn them!

What is this path you are talking about?

It is the road they must take in which they relinquish all in this life, casting themselves out and landing themselves on death’s door.  There we will collect him and lead him back to his chosen path.

Oh!  Androla looked at the older angel.  This is his first mission in this outfit working with Sagiel.  He knew he is still in training mode, and yet he is ready for this mission. Will Sagiel notice this of him that he is ready? They say Sagiel was a warrior when he was human and that he also walked this path.  He is heaven’s warrior.  He looked at Sagiel and noticed the old angel looked tired. How long has he been doing this job of rescuing the damned and fighting the evil ones? Yes, he thought to himself, Sagiel didn’t need to say it because he knew it was the evil ones he was referring to. As he turned his head to watch the damned he wondered when will he be as wise as Sagiel? 

He looked at the man on the bed.  His heart was going out to him and he could feel the despair that the human was in.  It is not good to find out that you are rejected by the one you claim to praise and worship and you do not know why!  He did not understand why these humans were treated this way and why they had to be the chosen for those jobs.  Were angels not good enough?  They had not had a successful hybrid in millennia.  Why this one?  He looks like trouble and Androla guessed that this man was trouble to all around him. 

Sagiel, why humans?

Because we are good, and the demons are evil.  We cannot be subjective, meaning we only look out for our own and forget about the rest.  Throughout time we wanted to destroy each other and made man suffer for taking out places.    We misused man and his world so it was decided by the Powers of Be, all the Gods of creation of life and death that we need someone in between to look after all three worlds.

That’s a big job!  Do you think he can handle it?

Why do you ask? the older angel looked confused at the young one.

Look how the death of that girl affected him. Androla answered

I know! he also now looked at the man, But the thing that has him in a knot is that he could have stopped her death and he didn’t.

Was he supposed to?

No!  Sagiel breathed in deeply, No she was to die, and all is as it should be.  She had done her job as she was instructed.

Excuse me, what do you mean by that Sagiel?  Who was she? Androla was totally confused by this information.

She was sent to watch over him and then to hold him back from walking this path by making him fall in love with her.  It nearly worked, but he suddenly turned around and did what he always does, pushed her away causing her death.

What is so good in that?  He should go down to the fires…

Don’t you understand Androla?

Apparently not!

If he fell in love, our guardian was lost and could not protect the human race from extinction as the gates of heaven and hell opened and our war will spill over to the human kind. If we sent him to the fires of doom they then will let him be reborn as their guardian, completely evil working only for their cause.  We are trying to keep him to work for his own kind not choosing any side! Sagiel looked at the young angel and saw how this knowledge was settling down. He knew that this young angel has still much to learn and he smiled softly thinking of his first mission.

Sagiel moved his wings and looked up to the sky like there was no roof in this apartment.  He could see the other angels in his group preparing for this event, some flying in circles to keep all safe.  He’ll have to keep a sharp eye on this human, he is a rebel and he does not want to lose another of his charges.  He knows that one second of lapsing the demons will dig their claws into this human and claim him.  I will not allow this to happen again, he thought to himself!

Sagiel. he felt the other pulling his arm.

What is it? he wanted to shout back irritated at this angel disturbing him, but then he saw what the other was pointing at.

You said he could not see us!

Yes, they cannot see us until their souls were at Death’s door and were claimed by the Charging of the Chosen.  Sagiel answered while turning to face the younger angel.

But he is looking directly at us, it is as if he is seeing us…

Cannot be!  Sagiel boomed and he looked down at the human. He was stunned.  This can’t be! He could not see them, his soul is not yet claimed for the task ahead, how could ….

Oh no! he exclaimed out loudly and a silence followed. He knew all the angels above him also went quiet for they all felt this disturbance.

Did they claim his soul? The angel was frightened, for he heard about the deeds of the foul creatures when they capture an angel, I did not see any of them, were they here?

No, they could not be, I am not feeling them.  He was shaking his head.  It could not be so and yet…

************************

Why?  What did I do so wrong?  Why have I been rejected?   He felt tears welling up in his eyes, letting one escape down his cheek.  He had enough.  Why was everything always so torn between what he wanted and what reality wanted?  He felt the pain of her death again; saw her lifeless body and then he felt himself running.  Closing his eyes, he saw her face in the puddle of water and she looked so alive.  He suddenly felt a numb feeling running across his body.  Those pills are not doing their work.  Did he not drink enough?  He tried to see his parents, tried to cry out for help but he could only remember them talking about the mark, a mark that no one liked!  He remembered tattooing his back to get rid of the mark.  Only she loved his mark!   Why did she come into his life? Was his life not screwed up enough for her also to come trouble him?

He lay there and realized he could not feel his legs and arms.  So, it was working, he thought to himself.  This was it them, he smiled and decided that he will never be claimed by either the so called good or evil sides of creation.  He will spoil their thoughts and descent into the oblivion of nothingness before giving himself to those that claim souls for they were not there when he called on either side to carry him and to make him not feel so rejected.  There was nothing to lose anymore and he will just disappear into creation as he came.  He became silent inside him and realized that he was never fully happy since he could remember and that with her love, he also was not happy and content. The silence inside him spoke and told him that he was never meant to be alive. 

His eyes felt heavy.  He could feel death tugging at the edges of his mind.  He smiled for he actually felt peaceful in the realization that there was noting that he had to live for any more and that all this trouble will go away.  The silence in him grew and consumed him. He couldn’t anymore feel the tug of evil or of good as he did, he forgot about her, he forgot about all and became still. He looked up at the ceiling and just as he wanted to close his eyes, his eye caught something strange.  He turned his head.  Yes, it was there, he did see the movement in the corner.  What was that?  He tried to focus and spoke softly into the air, for his whole body was going numb, Come out into the light, for I can see your movement.  Who are you?  You are too late, I am dead! 

Then before his eyes they appeared, two angels.  He stared at them and he knew they were staring at him.  He could see amazement on their faces and knew that not only hem but they were also caught off guard by him seeing them. 

A smile tickle around his lips as he said Looks like we both got surprised.  Who are you and how did you get into my house? It’s too late for you to claim me as I am at deaths door….  He forced the words out.

The older angel looked at him and the younger one faced the older angel.  He could see them speaking to each other.  He felt himself drifting into unconsciousness and smiled at them saying, You watching over me and the other side waving at me, it’s too late for both…. I am not to be taken….by either of you….!

Before he sank into the blackness he saw them drifting down towards him and he saw the older one spoke some words, but he did not hear.  He closed his eyes and as darkness closed around him.

Sagiel, who... the young angel one asked worriedly

I know, so they already made themselves visible to him.  Sagiel was angry at himself for letting things lay too long.

Do we still have time? the young one asked and he could see the worry on the old angel’s face.

I think so, we need to get him out of here before they come looking.  They already got his sent and will haunt him.

Are you suggesting that we intervene? Didn’t you say he can only be claimed…. The young angel said confused and with irritation the older repeated: Yes I said so, but circumstances changed, because he saw them and now he can see us also. This one is truly different… come we need to move. As they came into motion the angels above him also started moving into different directions.

2.

Welcome child!  His eyes fluttered open.  The light made him close his eyes immediately again.

We thought we lost you there for good, but I guess you were strong enough to pull through.

Where…where am I? He stumbled over his words as his mouth was as dry as a desert.

He had to lick his lips and bit his mouth on the inside to get some moist.

Here, drink some water, you need this to survive and I apologize for not giving this to you sooner.  I have not had a human here for centuries.

I was dying…. dead…. he stumbled and the voiced answered him: Yes and then you were brought here. Rest now…

His eyes shot wide open as the words sank in and he looked at the creatures in front of him.  They were three, and old lady and two creatures that looked like angels.  Somehow, they look familiar.  It must be the angels from his room, he thought. 

He saw her smile, I know all this will be confusing and strange to you, but you must sleep now, we will talk later.  She said calmly and stood up.

What is all this? he stumbled through his words.

I will tell all about it and teach you what you need to know in the next few days?

He looked at her, she was old but he could see that there was something much deeper to her.

Are you angels? he asked feeling himself floating into sleep.

She laughed and he felt like he was walking in a rose garden.  When she spoke, her voice was soothing and calm and it made him feel more calm and peaceful.

No, my dear, I am a keeper.  They however are the angels that brought you here before you … she ended sadly.

Before I would have died! he said softly to her with his eyes closed.

No, before you were claimed by the evil ones…. She whispered back.

The room was consumed by silence.

One of the angels broke the silence and asked: Will he be safe here?

Yes, they are all safe here.  It is when they leave that they fall prey to everything.  I hope this one is stronger than the rest before him. He could hear the worry in her voice.  What are they talking about; he wondered but was too tired to ask the question out loud.

Shall we not put a guard here to protect this creature who is going to be the chosen one? It was a different voice – a young voice and he guess it was the younger of the two angels.

No guard!  Yes, they will attack him and maybe even take him down into the depths of their world, but at the end of the day he must make the choice for himself.  We cannot change it.  We can only guide him to see what he is supposed to do, what he is chosen for.  The rest is up to the human himself. The old voice was silent.

Things inside Kairo were still and his mind was quiet. He heard the words they spoke, but chose not to wonder about it for he knew that time will reveal all. He let the silence inside him grew and before he sank down into the depts. of darkness he heard the old lady spoke, You need to return to your world before the demons find your sent.  Prepare for the Charging of the chosen. I will teach this one but I have a feeling he will be trouble

********************

He awoke with a blast and sat up straight.  For a moment, he was dazed and his head swing dangerously.  His hand went up and held his head to steady the spinning inside his head.  He sat for a while, eyes closed.  When the spinning subsided, he opened his eyes and swings his legs to the floor. 

The room was simple and small.  One bed, a wooden chair, a table with a washing basin, a cupboard and the door was probably two steps away from the bed.  He liked the peacefulness of the room and felt like going back to bed, but he wanted to know more about this chosen business he found himself in.  Slowly he stood up not to repeat the spinning episode in his head.  He splashed his head with water from the basin and looked into the mirror above the basin.  He looked the same, but noticed that there was something different in his eyes.  He stared at himself, trying to remember what happened, how all this came about, but he could only see his eyes and remember nothing. Was this death?

He left the room and entered the living area where he found her sitting in a rocking chair knitting, Ah, the sleeping boy awoke at last! she said with a smile. He could only smile back for suddenly all his words dried up.  She stood up and walked to the kitchen.  She beckoned him to follow her and he did so.  She pointed at a chair at the table and he sat down.  She placed a soup bowl in front of him with a brownish colour soup in it.  The colour was not that good, but the smell that escaped from the soup was wonderful and made him want to eat.  He ate as if he had not eaten for a while.  The soup filled him on all levels and he felt that he was being made whole again.  He felt his troubles slipping away from him and he wondered what kind of soup this was.  He looked up and saw her smiling.  Her eyes told him to eat up and he did. He asked for seconds which he also consumed. He was not only full but felt filled in his being.

When he was done eating he felt sleepy again and she helped him up and back to his bed.  He asked her what was happening and she said that he was mending and that he has to give himself time to heal.  He wondered what kind of soup he just ate as he fell asleep.

He woke up again feeling much better than before.  His mind woke up with the thought of more soup.  He stood up and went to the kitchen and there his bowl was waiting with more soup.  He ate.   He slept again.

He woke feeling no tiredness anymore and he felt that somehow his spirit was lifted. For the first time in a long time he felt like living again, there was no tiredness in his soul, no sadness, no darkness that clouded his mind.  He could not feel any pain anymore. He could not remember any of his troubles; it was as if he didn’t have a past.  He felt like a new person.

He smiled as he realized maybe the soup that he ate was more than normal soup.  He now noticed a tub with warm water was in his room, and he wondered how she fit in it with all these things in this small room.  He undressed stepped into the tub and washed him properly, feeling refreshed all over.  On the chair, he found a fresh set of clothing.  When he was done dressing he turned around and looked at himself in the mirror. 

The black boots gave his legs length and the black pants took to the form of his legs, showing his muscles.  The white shirt fit comfortable around his torso hanging loose over his hips.  His face was clear of the troubles.  He noticed that his eyes had that shine again and smiled.  He missed himself, he missed the worrier of the streets, the sport he’d done.  He enjoyed this feeling of being alive that was washing over his body and which was making its way down into every part of his body.  He knew that the soup and the water, including this room, were filled with magic. Magic to heal him and he was thankful for every bit of it for he felt an energy growing inside him since his first soup bowl. He could feel the energy swirling inside him and healing him and making him whole again. He stretched out and let the energy took control of every part of his body. He closed his eyes and for a moment got lost in the burning sensation of the energy that was forming him, as if it was rebirthing him again. He opened his eyes and looked at himself in the mirror and knew that this is him as he saw himself in his mind’s eye.  He turned around and looked at the room.  He smiled and left the room.

You are well rested? the old lady asked him as he entered the kitchen.  He smelled the aroma of different foods cooking on the stove.

I am Ariella She introduced herself to him and he nodded at her and he said: Thank you for the soup.  I do not know what was in it, but it really worked well.

She smiled at him, You liked what you saw in the mirror this morning?

He was stunned at her words, but still answered yes.  The picture in the mirror reminded him of who he was a while ago.  She nodded.

Before he could ask another question, she said, First eat then all the answers you need!  She dished him a plate full of food.

No soup today? he asked

No, the soup had done its job, now it’s time for something different.  I hope you enjoy it for I did not cook food a while.   She left the room leaving him to eat.  He could hear her leave the house.  He wanted to eat faster to follow her, but decided there is enough time to ask what he wanted to ask.

Finish eating, he sat back.  He felt strength returning to his body and felt like he could climb Mount Everest in one go.  He could feel the stirring of the energy inside him and the power it pulsated through him. Must be the food, he thought.  He stood up and left the kitchen and walked into the living room.  He looked around the room and saw that it was plain and simple, just right for an old woman.  He smiled as a thought crossed his mind that no one would suspect him to hide in a place like this.  He walked to the front door.

It was then that he noticed the swords on his left side hanging on the wall as he entered the hall way to the front door.  He walked straight to it forgetting his thoughts of following her.  He could not take his eyes of it.  It was magnificent.  His one hand reached up to it, but hovered just in front of the shield which held two protruding blades.  Still holding his hand in front of the shield he looked around him to see if someone was looking.  He smiled at himself realizing what a fool he was.  Who would be looking, the old lady is outside and no one else is here in the room with him.  He looked back at the swords and his hand caressed the shield. It felt cool to the touch of his fingers and to his shock it also felt some familiar to him. I placed the palm of his hand flat on shield and knew that somewhere he has felt this insignia before. He shook his head to get rid of this ridiculous idea. He smiled at himself and told him all this magic is getting to his head. Inside him he heard his conscious urging him to draw a sword and his eyes followed the path of his consciousness, and so did his hand.

His hand now reached all the way to the sword on his right side and he took it out of the shield.  He stepped away and lifted the sword with his right hand in front of him and then brought it back for closer viewing. He ran his left hand across the blade.  He noticed to himself that the blade was of excellent quality and he knew a master forged these blades.  He again ran his finger over the blade and felt that both sides were quite sharp. He lifted the blade in front of him and noticed it was hundred percent straight.  His eyes then went to the hilt. 

It formed part of the blade and he noticed that it would not be easy to break it.  The silver blade ran into the hilt guards that were gold.  He turned it around and brought the front of the hilt closer to him.

In the center, where the blade met the hand guards there was a ruby.  It was not a round ruby, but more in a crystal form like with protruding ends.  He held the blade closer and noticed that around the ruby was the picture of a dragon crafted into the blade with its wings spreading out across the sides of the hand guard.  The wings of the dragon were protecting the hands, he thought to himself.  The tail of the dragon ran down onto the blade itself merging the silver of the blade and the gold of the handle. While the wings went sideways the head of the dragon was resting on top of the red ruby with its eyes looking directly at him. For a moment, he was caught up by the glare of the eyes staring at him, but he shrugged his head and took the sword again with his right hand holding it in front of him. He lifted his arm and suddenly from the blade he felt a power running up his arm into his body calling him, no urging him to use it. 

He took hold of the sword and lightly sliced through the air.  He watched his hand moving the sword through the air with grace as if he was doing this many years and he liked the feeling of the blade in his hands. While slicing the air his eyes caught a movement on the sword and he stopped suddenly now looking at the dragon and was not sure if his mind was playing tricks on him.  He was sure the dragon moved.  He closed his eyes to put the thought from his mind for he knew that light play can trick the eyes to see anything.  He opened his eyes and took a fighting position and sliced the air with the blade again, cutting through the air with more courage.  He liked the movement of the blade and it felt right in his hand.  He would love to learn to use it.

*************************

She turned the water in the bowl over and over pondering about the young man in the room next door.  They say he was going to be the next chosen, but she has her doubts.  He is in a bad state.  She fed him her soup, the healing soup with her magic and healing potion in it.  She watched him as he sat there eating the soup, day after day and what she saw brought a light back in her. She was just hoping that he was not too far gone for her to reach.  Maybe just maybe the angels were right.  Maybe we will have a guard this century, the Power of Be know how we need one.  Things are going very bad between all three groups.  She was tired of waiting for a new one and she knew she was getting old in this domain.  She hoped again that he was the one so that she could go back home where she could be herself again.  They had so many before that had promise but turned out to be to lost souls. They lost before they even started their journeys as guardians. She remembered the girl that came before this one. While she remembered the girl, her heart gave a tremble for that was a strong girl that fought the battle well that had all their hopes for success.  For a very long time she held her office well and they all thought they could go home, but then one day she just disappeared.  Her death rocketed through all three worlds and still no one can explain how she died.  Yes, she thought to herself, that was a long time ago, but the effects are still felt to this day. They still wondered who it could be who could destroy a guardian without anybody knowing it. While stirring the food she wondered if this one will be strong enough to stand up to all of this and that force.

She looked into the water to see if he was still sleeping. No there is a stirring in his sleep, he will be waking soon, better put some hot water in for him to wash.  She knew that sleep was over and that he was entering a new chapter in his life.  She smiled for she knew that sometimes a good warm bath does help a lot in relaxing you and opening you for things that you would not have handled while being in a confused state of mind. She also knew that this bath will instill him with energy which will help him to be complete again, she smiled as she wondered how he will accept this all. She walked over to his room and with her wand changed the room. She looked at him where he was lying in bed.  He did look better, she thought to herself.  The tiredness and emptiness did leave him she could see it in his face; maybe just maybe they were right.  She smiled and when she left a tub filled with warm water stood in his room.  She will wait for him to come to eat then he will take his first steps into the direction of his training and Charging.

Later she heard a noise from the room and she knew he was awake and washing, she turned the water in the silver bowl on the pedestal next to her chair and noticed that he was finished dressed.  He looked at himself in the mirror and she could see the surprise on his face and she smiled because she knew he was surprised to see the remarkable change that came over him.  He was the one she nodded to herself and said aloud to the kitchen, Now he has to discover it all by himself and I hope when he does so he will accept his path before the war starts!  She walked over to the stove and began to stir the pots on the stove and suddenly the most delicious smells came from them. 

She dished for him and while he ate she left the kitchen.  She entered the passage to the door and noticed the shield and swords on the wall.  How beautiful they are, she thought to herself.  She walked to the shield and looking up at the swords she said bowing her head, My lords if he is the one he will notice you and take you up and wield you without any problem. If not then we are lost even before we began!

From the swords a deep voice came, Have faith, Ariella, all is not lost.  We have a feeling that this time we chose right.  We just hope that he will accept his calling.

You also said that about the girl! she closed her eyes and remembered.

Yes, we were not wrong.  She was, but we cannot predict the future of every soul that wields us and the powers outside our range that can influence such callings.  Their destiny is to wield us, but the outcome of that depends on the choices they make and the powers around them.

Keep your shine and emblem very simple and yes our problem lies in those outside powers we never could foresee! and she left the room.

She knelt in her garden and started to fidget in the ground.  She was not really going to work in the garden, but she had to leave him room to explore and to discover, hoping that choices were made for the better this time.  She also needed space for herself to prepare her for the next few weeks of training.  It was a long time since she last taught someone.  She sat on her haunches with her hands on her knees.  She lifted her head to the sun and breathed the air in deep.  She knew it would not be long before they discovered his existence, but for the moment they all believe him dead and she wanted to keep it that way.  She could not feel any evil, human or angel presence at this moment.  She hoped that those two angels that brought him here are safe for she knew that there are factions in the angel reign that would like to see their work go undone and those powers from the unknown that could destroy all.  She smelled the air listening, hoping and waiting. As she worked with the plants she saw her protection field rising around the homestead. She smiled for she knew that they will be safe, even if it is only for a while.

She did not have to wait long before she felt the blade being taken from its resting place against the wall.  She sat back and closed her eyes, sighing out loud and smiled. She lifted her middle finger to touch her forehead and in her mind, she saw everything. He noticed it and his hand was resting on the shield as if he was reunited with it. She felt his every move he made with the blade.  She smiled, maybe just maybe!  She could feel his amazement of being able to handle the sword with such ease.  Both her hands came to rest on her chest clasping each other while she prayed that he will not put it away but do as the sword tells him to. She could feel his amazement and wonder and also the shock when the sword spoke to him. She could feel his hesitation, but she also picked up his curiosity.  She felt him swing the sword again and nearly screamed of happiness.  He is the one!

She turned around as he came outside with the sword in his hand.   He walked over to where she sat and looked down at her saying, I do not know what is up with me and this chosen business the two angels spoke about, but I would like to learn how to use this blade.  I know this sounds silly but I have this feint feeling that it was made for me and I like the feeling it has on my touch!  She noticed his excitement and just looked at him standing there with the sun behind him giving him a white aura.  She knew he was the one that could see it through this time.

Please give an old woman a lift, will you? She gave him her hand and he pulled her up to her feet.  Their hands touched and she could feel his heard beating with excitement. She could feel the energy rushing through his body and she felt the dragon’s touch in his being. She could feel his power and the pureness which made him the chosen one. His eyes were sparkling and as she looked into them she wondered if they will keep on sparkling when the war finally struck. 

Mam, who can teach me to use this blade? He asked her again

The mam is too much.  Please I am Ariella, keeper of the guardians and only the maker can teach you! she said and beckoned him inside the house.  She did not want anyone to notice him for the blade’s magic is very powerful and could be noticed by those that seek.  Only when he took the vows will he be safe, and that is two days from now when the moon is full!

What do you mean by the maker? he asked her perplexed.

She answered softly as she entered the house, Your first lesson!

I don’t understand, what is this lesson? I want to know who the maker is! He nearly shouted at her and she pointed to the wall signaling for him to go there. She could see he was confused and a bit caught offside with her behavior, but she stood her ground. Guardian or not he must do everything in a proper way. He was on his way to put the sword back when she stopped him, No Kairo!

He stopped halfway with arms hanging in the air looked at her over his shoulder with a confused image on his face, I thought you… he started but she cut him short saying, Once the sword is pulled a choice must be made. He let his sword arm down and looked at her. She walked pass him and went to stand against the wall with the shield and second sword above her head.

Excuse me, I don’t understand. He answered and she knew he was following her every move.

She looked at him and said, How do you feel when you have the sword in your hand and when you wielded it?

It felt good, he was nearly out of breath when he spoke and she knew that he found something that he liked, I took it and wielded it as if I could do it for years.  Man, it felt good to have my strength back and to be able to do something I like! He looked at her and she saw the stars in his eyes.  She smiled.

Lesson one, if you accept the sword, you must accept the way of the sword and take up the second sword also.  She pointed at the second sword still on the wall and he looked at it, The swords will become the extension of your power and you will wield it to enforce the rules of the creation.  It will become you and you will become it.  It will give you power and courage to do the work you were chosen to do She looked at him to see if he was taking it in and if he could handle the news. She knew she was giving him a bit more information that was needed, but somehow, she knew he could handle this.

She continued, With all this power that the swords will bring you, you will also have the responsibility of the future of existence of many worlds on your shoulder.  The choices you make and the way you will wield these swords will lay out not only your destiny, but the destiny of millions.  If you feel that what I said is too much and you think that you will never be able to fulfill such a position and be able to carry all the responsibility, then put it away, otherwise take the second sword….  She looked at him knowing he was now torn between the feelings the sword brought him earlier and that which she told him.  She knew that what she spoke about this big responsibility might just be too much for him. 

She could see him struggling with what she told him. His eyes told her everything and she knew that he loved what he felt when wielding the sword and she felt sorry for him for the rest of the message just put a damper on those feelings. She gave a slight smile not only to give him courage but also the smile reminded her of the past guardians who had the same feelings. Only then they had more time to adjust to the story, this time there is no adjustment only haste.  Unsure of himself and the information he just received he asked, Must I make a choice before I know the whole story?

Her hand came to rest on his shoulder and she softly replied, I’m afraid so…  She halted looking into his eyes holding them captive searching and then she saw it.  He did struggle with this lesson, but he did not lose hope all together.   There was still hope left in them.  She continued softly, If you like what the sword was giving to you and you would like to make them part of your existence, make a choice to continue using it letting it take you where you never have been in your life.  I know it is a lot for our first lesson, but I have to confess that we do not have more time available. Make a choice to enjoy them.  However, if you feel that this is too much and you do not want the responsibility that comes with it, reject the sword and place it back in its holder. She breathed slowly now dreading what she had to say, but knew that it had to be done.  Every chosen must have two choices.  She closed her eyes and said sadly, You have been chosen to be a guardian of all worlds. You were born for this job but you have a choice. If you do not want to be part of the future that the swords hold, place the sword back in it holder, open the front door and walk away, but know that the evil ones do have your sent and they will hunt you and kill you or do worse for you are a threat to them. She breathed in and continued, The other choice is to accept the role as guardian and take up both swords and fight the war against the humans, angels or demons that want to destroy all of creation. Be the protector of all realms and domains of creation. It is a big job with an even bigger responsibility… her words trailed of and she let go of him.

While listening to what she said he turned and faced the sword on the wall.  Yes, he liked what the sword was doing to him.  He looked at the sword blade in his hand.   For the first time in his life he was free, had a clear mind about himself and wasn’t bothered by dreadful thoughts.  He was himself again and he liked it!  He knew he felt it as he touched the sword the first time and he was feeling it now again that there was something much deeper connected him to this sword.  He knew that they had a history, maybe in one of his past lives and he looked at the dragon on the sword.  His hand clasped the hilt and he lifted it a bit higher letting his thumb rub over the dragon on the hilt. He felt the dragon looking back at him, urging him in his mind to take up the other sword and not to give in or to the have doubt in who he is to become.  He breathed out deeply and inhaled deeply trying to steady his insides.  What a lesson he thought as he looked up at the other sword on the wall.

His life has been nothing up till now, what can happen more?  For the first time, he felt safe and rejuvenated, felt like he could take on heaven and hell and everything created in between and around it, never to mention other worlds.  The sword made him feel like a warrior and he wanted more of that feeling. The feeling which made him whole and he loved it.  He made a choice in his mind as he reached out to the sword on the wall that he will accept all responsibility that comes with the swords.  He was free of his old life and ways and he was ready for something new and felt inside him that he was born for this.  Slowly he withdrew the other sword from the wall. 

He turned around and gave way to his urge to wield the two swords cutting through the air and then brought them to a halt in an X form in front of his chest.  At that moment when the blades came to rest in front of him he felt an enormous power rushing down his arms into his body, filling him with such energy like he never has experienced before, leaving him breathless. 

Then from nowhere a voice cried out, We have a new master! With a shock, he realized it was from the blades in front of him and he dropped them to the ground. 

The voices kept on talking filled with joy and happiness, We have a new guardian, a clumsy one, but a new master and we are glad to make our introduction to you. We are Gregona, the protector of the dragon wielder, the guardian of the worlds.

Gregona, let’s first give the young man time to get his breath for if not he is going to faint.  This is all new to him. The old woman interrupted calmly looking at the young man.

I am sorry, where is my manners! the dragon said

Come sit and relax. She saw he was totally confused and she did not want to scare him more, but she knew she had to carry on, Lesson two!

He tore his eyes from the speaking swords to look at her in disbelieve, What? was all he could get out.

She pointed at the swords and told him to pick it up.  He was hesitant but did so.  He held the sword in his hands looking at the dragon prints on the hilts.  He could not believe what had happened.  He looked back at her and saw that she pointed at something.  He turned to look where and saw it was the couch she was pointing at.

When he was seated she said, "I feel that we are going too fast and I am scared that if you hear too much you will run, but you have opened the door and I must continue telling you about its creation and