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  Vladok snorted.

  “Let us not forget that fiasco of a raid you led against the Guardians, Vladok!” Lyradis floated forward from one corner of the chamber, “did not go well for either side.”

  “Damn you Lyradis! You could announce your presence in the room instead of sneaking up like that!” Vladok yelled. He did not like surprises.

  “Now, now, dear Vladok. Calm yourself,” she cooed. “I’ll try to remember.” Being the god of darkness and night had great advantages she quite enjoyed. One was sneaking up on the others. Lyradis loved to shock!

  “Oh, you’re just a little testy about that battle, your loss,” she teased. “Oh great god of war and destruction!” Now she was rubbing it in.

  “It was not a loss!” he argued.

  “What do you call it? A win? A victory? There is no victory when the Guardians still stand!” she shot back.

  “Let us not fight amongst ourselves!” a deep commanding voice broke in. Dichune, god of knowledge and power had entered the chamber, behind Orkat. “Calm yourselves and let us focus on the matter at hand.” He said.

  “Everyone, now, sit down!”

  All the Anord sat down at a large, round marble table. There were a total of twelve.

  Lyradis sat at the same spot she’d always been. She scanned the faces around the table. SheHe stopped at an empty chair directly across from her. Darkness slowly started filling the chamber.

  “Lyradis!” Dichune shouted.

  She jumped. The darkness faded and light, once again, filled the room. Lyradis hung her head, a dark fog still surrounding her. “Miss him,” she said in an almost inaudible voice.

  “Yes, we all do,” Dichune soothed, “but we still must discuss our next plan of action. We need your full attention, Lyradis. There will come a time when you will have your revenge for your beloved Koris!”

  Chapter 11

  Terran surveyed the damage to the fortress. “Not too bad. It can be repaired.” He tried to keep his tone a happier one. He did not want to upset her more than she already was. Not after what she’d just been through.

  Payton sat on the stairwell, watching Terran, her eyes wide, thankful for his full recovery.

  He turned to face her, “tell me what happened.” He said. She explained the whole scene from the moment Terran was knocked out. He listened intently.

  “So, you now know some of your greatest powers. Sonic boom, healing …”

  “Healing?” she broke in. “What do you mean, healing? I didn’t do anything to heal you.”

  “Yes, you did,” he said, “your tears, they heal.”

  “I thought you could do that on your own! That night … you were beat up bad … I didn’t …,” she was confused.

  “Yes, you’re right, I can re-generate on my own. But it takes more time. Your tears heal almost instantly,” he explained, “and as for your sonic boom, I’m glad I was not on the receiving end of it.” Orkat must have been thrown off guard with that one, he thought. There was a slight smile on his lips.

  “Is that what it was? I was so angry and scared. He hurt you. I wanted him to just go away,” she said, “wanted him to hurt too.”

  “Oh, I’m sure you hurt him!” Terran replied.

  “He felt only a fraction of what you can do. Your power will grow and so will your ability to control it. Orkat knows this. He’s probably informed the Anord of this latest development by now.”

  Terran started pacing the room, thinking, debating whether he should reveal to Payton the next code word. Would it be too soon? Maybe not,. Itit looks like she may need to recall sooner than later. If they were confronted again, and it will happen again, she will need to know what to do.

  He stopped, turned and walked to the stairwell. He sat next to Payton, took her hand and asked, “Would you mind if I whispered in your ear again?”

  She froze. Her thoughts went back to a few hours ago when Terran last whispered in her ear. The flash, the shaking …and the pain.

  “Why? I thought you said it was supposed to be a slow process.” She said.

  “It is, however, Orkat’s attack came sooner than anticipated. You will need to be stronger next time. You need to remember how to fight.” He said.

  Payton thought about what it might feel like. Did she want to feel that pain again so soon? How much more would will she recall? Wouldill it be enough? She had so many questions. The code words were the only thing standing in the way. Only Terran knew them, and her parents, and the rest in the Guardian council. How did I know that?

  “Are you sure it will help?” she asked.

  “Positive.” He answered.

  “Will you hold me, stay with me until the pain stops?” her eyes welled.

  Terran wrapped his arms around her, pulled her close to him. “Of course,” he said.

  “Okay then,” she replied. “Let’s get this over with.”

  Without hesitation, Terran bent down and whispered in her ear, “Combrac.”

  “Payton’s body stiffened, she saw the flash, and the shaking started. She saw the Guardians in council, . Hher parents were there. They were arguing amongst themselves. Should they send Payton away for her safety, or was she prepared enough to defend herself? Her father was adamant that she be sent away. He feared for her, her mother in tears. As the arguing was still going on, Payton saw a servant refilling goblets of wine. The servant’s eyes darted back and forth; he was listening to all that was being said, so intently that he knocked one goblet over, spilling the wine all over the table.

  There was another flash.

  She saw her home. It was a large, white limestone castle in the clouds. It positively glowed, with the exception of a large, charred mark defacing one wall. It had been a warning from Orkat and his comrades.

  Flash.

  She was inside the walls. Home. All stop. She slumped into Terran’s chest, exhausted. He held her tight.

  “Home,” she whispered, “take me home, please.”

  Terran closed his eyes and spoke:

  “Here our spirits stand alone

  We long for the comfort of home

  With swift speed, send us back,

  The place we love

  To the castle above.”

  Darkness. Payton could feel their ascension; the darkness was dissipating. She could see light, blue sky, light fluffy clouds. Then it came into view, the. The home she grew up in. The white limestone walls; the charred mark had been repaired.

  She looked up at Terran, “You said a spell; you haven’t said any since …..”

  “Oh, but I have, my love.” He interrupted. “I don’t have to say one aloud. I thought we’d enjoy our trip this time. I feel no immediate danger around us.”

  Terran sent a message to his father through his thoughts. “Father, we’re coming home. Contact the Guardians. The Anords have already started to attack. Payton wants to come home.”

  “We are expecting you, my son,” wascame the reply.

  Chapter 12

  Payton burst through the large colonial doors. There stood her parents.

  “Mother! Father!” She shouted and ran into their waiting arms.

  She knew them! As soon as she saw their smiling faces, she remembered. She was so happy. Tears of joy were flooding her eyes and running down her rosy cheeks.

  “How I’ve missed you!” Ardaria cried, . Ttears were running down her cheeks too.

  “My baby!” Liesson choked up, holding Payton so tight she could hardly breathe. She didn’t mind.

  “Now that’s more like it!” A soft voice came from the study doorway. Elrani stood beside Aronon, her arm entwined with his. Terran looked at his parents and strode over to greet both with a hugewarm embrace. “Good to see you and Payton are safe, my son,” Aronon said. Elrani’s face shone with happiness to see her son alive and well.

  All three strode over to Liesson, Ardaria and Payton. Payton embraced Elrani, then Aronon, and with each embrace, there was a flash of recall. She knew them too
. She remembered how they accepted and loved her completely as their own daughter when Terran and she were bound. Payton was glad Terran had whispered that code word. She was remembering so much. She was ready to burst.

  “As much as I’d like to see this happy homecoming continue,” Saer interrupted, “we must meet in the council chambers, immediately.”

  They all filed into the council chambers. Liesson and Ardaria taking their assigned seats, as did Elrani and Aronon. Terran and Payton were left, for the moment, to stand in the chamber doorway.

  “Please, sit” Saer urged, pointing to the two seats reserved for them. The two sat down in unison. Payton scanned all the faces. So many! There were thirteen gods that made up the Guardians. The faces of her parents, Terran’s parents, she knew. The rest looked familiar but she couldn’t recall them. Terran could see how confused and frustrated she was.

  “Payton, it will come back to you in time. Please try to relax.” He said. Her frown faded, she touched his face and gave him a smile, “I will try,” she replied.

  “Ahem …” Saer cleared his throat. “First, we begin with a welcome back to Terran and Payton. Terran, you have done a wonderful job looking after her and keeping her safe. She has some of her memory back?” he asked. Terran nodded.

  “You can ask me, Saer!” Payton shot back at him. “I can speak, you know!”

  “And I see you still have your strong will!” he chuckled. “I apologize, Payton, I will direct my questions about you, to you.”

  “Thank you.” She answered, a little indignantly. Suddenly recalling she had called him by his name,. Sshe smiled to herself. Terran tapped her knee; he caught it too. Saer continued, raising his left eyebrow at Payton. “We have recently discovered a spy in our midst.” Shocked gasps and eyes were large. “Who?” someone asked. Payton did not see who it was.

  “Our servant, Rokan. I found that his interests in our meetings became more intense. In our last one, he disappeared from the chamber rather quickly after we discussed the possibility of bringing Payton back to us. I followed him to his quarters and caught him with note in hand, a. A note to the Anords. It said, and I quote,

  “She will be home soon. Will contact you when she arrives.

  Rokan”

  “Traitor!” Liesson roared, slamming his fist on the large marble table so hard, Payton thought it would break!

  “Calm yourself, Liesson!” Ardaria said. “He was caught!” “What have you done with him?” Liesson demanded.

  “We have locked him up in the lowest level of Lugan Prison. If we put him any lower, he will speak to Hades himself.” Saer answered. “And,” he continued, “he confessed to his treachery. He will be in Lugan for a very long time.”

  “Why don’t you release him to me? I’ll take him for a little hunt in the forest,” Hiar piped up, “should be entertaining.”

  Hiar was the god of the hunt and forests. He loved a good hunt. Although he preferred to hunt deer or elk, he would make an exception for this human.

  “How much did he know?” Niamut, god of knowledge and wisdom, asked.

  “Plenty!” Saer answered. “In fact, he knew that we had thirteen code words that would bring back Payton’s memory. Twelve of these, words we all know. The thirteenth is known only to Terran.” All eyes fell on Terran. He shifted in his seat a little. It was un-nerving to have thirteen of the most powerful gods stare at you.

  “To continue,” Saer broke in, “he also knew that after Terran reveals the final code word to Payton, she would be vulnerable for at least three minutes. That is plenty of time for the Anords to steal her power. She will have full knowledge of her power and her memory; however, it will take those few minutes for all to take effect.”

  “I have revealed three to her already,” Terran said, “and I’m sure I will have to reveal more sooner than planned.” There were random nods of agreement. Payton was uneasy. All this fuss and she couldn’t help, not yet anyway. Niamut stood from the marble table and slowly walked over to Payton. He was directly behind her when he announced, “We must prepare for battle. It will be upon us soon. Terran, you will have to prepare Payton. Remind her how to fight.” Niamut put his hand on her shoulder, “My dear,” he said, “pay attention to what Terran teaches you in the next few days. Learn fast, learn well, for we will need you and your skills in the battle to come. Liesson!” Niamut’s attention now directed to her father, as was hers. “You have the Great Treaty?” he asked.

  “It is safe” Liesson answered. He would not elaborate as to where it was.

  “Very well,” Saer broke in, “we will adjourn for now. Keep alert!”

  Chapter 13

  Terran led Payton through the chamber door. Payton glanced back to see all were on their feet, her parents smiling, but they did not move.

  Terran closed the door behind them. “Come, we’ll have a bite to eat and then rest.” He said.

  “Why aren’t the rest coming out too?; I thought this meeting was over.” She asked.

  “For us, it is.” He replied.

  Chapter 14

  After what seemed like a veritable feast for many, consisting of three different meats, a variety of salads, pastas and vegetables, Terran and Payton retired to a huge master bedroom.

  Payton flopped down on the bed and let out a sighn. “Ugh, I’m so full! I ate way too much, but it was so good! I didn’t realize I was so hungry!”

  “Yeah, no kidding” Terran teased.

  “Hey!” she balked. Terran was still snickering.

  He walked over to the bed and flopped down beside her. She was giggling. He turned, and propped himself up on one arm, facing her. He loved watching her laugh. He wanted her to be happy. Just for her to be happy, whatever it took.

  Payton turned toward him, still giggling, and 0reached out and touched his face. The giggling stopped. He bent down and kissed her gently. She felt herself melting.

  “Stop!”

  “Correct me, but aren’t you supposed to start teaching me how to fight?” Payton asked.

  Terran let out a rather large sigh, “Yes.”

  “So, let’s start!” She was eager to regain the skills she had forgotten when her memory was ‘messed with’.

  “You need to get a couple of hours of sleep, Payton. We’ve been doing a lot of ‘jumping;’ – your word, and you’ve had three awakenings. I know you’re tired. Hell, I’m tired.” said Terran.

  “Ha! Your mind was not on sleep a few seconds ago!” No sooner had she said the words, fatigue started to set in on her. She was exhausted. “Wow, I am … so … tired,” she whispered, yawning. She laid her head on a soft pillow and drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter 15

  Dream

  Light, bright, almost iridescent ,light.

  Floating, I’m floating. Payton looked down at the large, puffy clouds beneath her feet. Blue sky and white clouds. How beautiful. Her awe was interrupted with a CRASH followed by a bright flash and thunder. She spun around. Fighting! There was a battle going on right in front of her. She saw her father, Liesson. His battle armour, shining white, was fighting with another man,. ‘Aanother god!’ She was frozen in place. All she could do was watch. Her father, large and strong, lunged toward his enemy, Koris. She knew, somehow. In an instant, Koris seemed to disappear in a small, but fierce, snow storm. Wind whipped the snow into a total white-out. Liesson, a warrior of combat, anticipated Koris’ move, and whipped around the small blizzard. Koris was famous for his blizzards. He confused and disorientated his enemies with them. When they were in this state, Koris would blast them with a stream of ice, encasing the victim in solid ice. But Liesson knew this. He managed to stay at the edge of the blizzard. He saw a glimpse of Koris’ back. He was slowly turning, searching for his victim, Liesson. Just as they made eye contact, Koris felt it, . Ccold steel. He fell to his knees. The storm faded quickly, and he was now face-to-face with Liesson. Payton heard the two men’s voices, in whispers, but she could hear every word.

  “We w
ill win, Liesson,” Koris gasped for air.

  “Not while the Guardians live,” Liesson replied. “It doesn’t have to be this way. We can, once again, be in harmony.”

  “No!” Koris gasped again. “Tired of being shadows … you are Ggod of Hhonor … give me a true death. Not this … slow …” Koris raised his head, looked straight into Liesson’s eyes. The flash of the blade was the last thing Koris saw before his head was separated from his body.

  “No! ……” Payton turned to see Lyradis running for Koris. She fell on her knees beside his body, sobbing. “You will pay, Liesson!” she was screaming at him now. Tears were streaming down her face. “You will pay!”

  Liesson walked away slowly, . Notnot uttering a word. The battle had stopped the instant Koris was beheaded. All of them stood in complete shock. No Ggod was ever killed before. All Anords vanished, taking Koris’ body with them.

  Ardaria was standing beside Liesson, a sad look on her face.

  “No one has ever slain a god” she said. “Gods have never battled like this before,” Liesson said, quietly.

  All Guardians were now together in a circle.

  “Only a god can kill another god,” Saer said firmly, his lips pressed into a thin line.

  “Let us not forget this.”

  Payton awoke with a start. She stood straight up in bed, her. Her eyes wide. She was searching, searching … for what? She thought.

  The dream,. Tthat’s what it was, a dream. She rubbed her eyes and shook her head a bit. Wake up, Payton, she thought.

  Breathe, she told herself. She Llet out a long, slow breathe, and forced herself to relax. Her eyes closed; quiet,. Nnice calming quiet.

  Chapter 16

  Dichune sat at the head of the long marble table, slowly looking at each empty chair. There were six on either side. “All great gods,” he thought. One missing – Koris. How could such a mighty god fall?

  We Anords must find a way to defeat the Guardians, he thought. We must keep them apart. At least until I figure out how I can bring both to the Anords. Once we have total power, the Ggods of all the Earth will have no choice but to fall on their knees to us. And we, at last, will be all- powerful.

  “Even you, Zeus. You will kneel to me.” Dichune whispered.

  He hated Zeus, and his brothers. They were powerful. Not more powerful than any other, but powerful none the less.