g by his mobile ringing. He rolled over with a

ube

aned in the bed below,

n you pass

imself up easily and took the mobile from the bedside table. He handed it to Lucas; his injury had

went back to sleep as Lucas flipped

Dra

your phone' Drake sang merrily

do you

long? We haven't practiced our magic in ages; d

Lucas repl

ing that kind of answer. 'Did you split with Sian; you k

. 'I didn't split with her. I ju

u mean you've found a new gua

a littl

want to meet h

ra

an I me

ra

at your place. Be th

ra

and a half. I'll

e hun

he mobile back to Reube

and more like Lau

n asked opening his eye

e'll be around here soon.

rning over. 'Wake m

asked nervously, holding her hands before

as she gave him a worried look. 'Drake is a n

if he does

id. 'Like me, like Reuben.

looking down.

ced himself into her arms and stared at Lucas in a way tha

, there came a knock at t

face breaking into a smile. 'So you must be the new guardian that Lucas has found.' He strode acros

said extending a han

, beaming back at h

sing an eyebrow in confusion

s explained to Drake. 'She says that people don't

y. 'Most people seem to look right through me; e

rrible' Dr

I met Lucas. And Reuben' she said glancing at him. 'I've never had such wonderfu

'I've not heard of a guardian being unseen unle

said. 'In the last

d, scratching his chin.

y said. 'And only

re' he digressed, speaking to the brothers. 'It was very odd. The closer

rawn to me'

E

my powers. I don't know why. It's just always been

you…?' Luc

n aberrant nearby, just before he saw Ebony. He and Reuben had also seen severa

up and facing this new stranger. Drake's

that move?' he

n her lap, and for the moment the

ic to make him come to life, he keeps me com

e said. 'And no one is

ncertain glance

jealous' Lucas

oked on i

d. 'Why don't we invite over Jacob and

ie doesn't come

them to come ov

dian, and the other isn't. Maybe we can find out what's happenin

ckly, taking out his

ys at Ebony. 'What d

ed. 'He se

you two woul

e hem of her skirt. Pokie was by her side, standing wi

ready for this?'

d at her. 'They're n

ey'll be here shortly' he declared

ay towards it. Reuben, picking up some of Ebony's tension sat rigid in his se

came a beaming Lauralie, a

nding in. 'It's so great to s

acknowledgment. Jacob entered the room after her, immediately notici

dded to him. 'Did yo

with a glare and her hands on her hips. 'Why are you always so mean to me?

Lucas sa

king her tongue out and show

say then I'm not going to listen to

to Drake. 'I see you have your cast off Reuben. Tha

y who sat silently next to him

'You didn't tell m

ced, looking back at Jacob an

ssed all in black. He smiled uncertainly, quiet and

y, hovering in the air beside Ebony. It c

aid to Ebony. 'We all g

houlders and looking down at her lap, t

ame' Jacob replied

's a wood' E

no indication that she had noticed her existence at all. 'I was so mad at first when you left m

t all the wonderful things she and the brothers Diz and Adrian had gotten up to since they first met. 'Not only

' Ebony mum

talking about?' Jac

Jacob, 'is because we wanted to know if you coul

rrowing his brow in confusion and glancing at Lauralie as she rambl

's why I can't live with m

ible.' Jacob

her hand. 'It didn't used to be this bad. But now it seems th

f that happening be

ave we' Lu

nd on to Drake about the street dancing brothers. Drake appeared to be

d after him as Jacob struck up a conversation with Ebony. The brother

leaning forwards on the kitchen counter

ight?' Reube

r fox-like head, letting out a series of whooping howls. She called her companion to her side. Kreas was there in an instant, he too picked up th

ere completely oblivious to their presence. They skidded to a halt outside a block of flats. Li lifted her head high, sniffing the air with lips cur

hissed eagerly. 'I

s skulking in the alley just below the window. Two creatures

e. They spotted Lucas through the window, snarling silently and run

away from the window; he began to

worry laced his tone. He had

s brother, paling.

oom as they cowered in fear and shock. Ebony lowered her arm she had raised to protect herself, seeing the beasts advancing into the room. S

l-less glaring at her. Li was the first to attack; lunging forwards she snatched the toy Pokie from the air and decimated it. Shaking it violently

argeting two individuals, the stronges

and La

s and into the kitchen where Lucas stood. She clashed with his defence, teeth striking a h

defend her, Lauralie shaking and frozen in horror could only watch. She can see,

ly trying to break free. The creature began to spin, turning over and over again in circles, trying to free himself from Drake's grasp. The table in the centre of the room was struck by one of K

ack, but was deflected another two times, thi

d he was thrown back when the creature swung its head back again the other way, hitting him and throwing him to the ground. Drake grimaced, picking himself up off

s hissed. 'A weak

Drake breathed i

side him Lauralie clung to his arm, her skin was a sickly

. Instead backing off momentarily, calculating the situati

med her words with her canine mouth, 'to

s eyes at the bea

dian like yourse

u want?' Re

ng down on him joyfully. He pressed a great clawed hand upon his chest

ered, 'the girl.

the room tur

you, and take her anyway

glaring down at Drake, who continued to

then, blinking several times a

me a fabulously bright blue glowing orb that had no effect whatsoever. The

y beside him, holding it tight and ignoring the pain as its sharp sides cut his palm. Slashing wildly at the air above him he cut Kreas at the throat, sending the beast rearing up in pain and shock as blood sp

rled up into a ball, nursing his wound carefully and trying to stem

round device, small enough to hold in your fingertips. Li tried to stop him, but her snapping jaws just

to the living room where the others were, grabbing just before h

bo

he smoke, trying to find her, s

bo

m h

tinctively struck out with his weapon and stabbed. It

uc

bo

eing her ther

he lifted his head, hearing

ly round Ebony and lea

to her companion Krea

er the wound. The brother Reuben still remained in the kitchen, Jacob stood away from the creatures near the corner of the liv

ng!' Li howled.

eatures crawled through the

was almost all gone, along with the t

d to the sky, unfurling his wings at

an Indigo cried. He braced himsel

ead round, her bl

alled to th

d created from the downwards thrust of his wings drew the attention of the people in the streets, who wond

' the Indigo snarled t

nsulted

clear…he

d on her. 'He's f

'it's not them, not the o

' her mother Shir

lightly, looking down into the sw

and upon her dau

re told her. 'We c

the enemy. She goes with Lucas willingly; they

We must catch them up. We m

hey Siren?'

poin

in that d

d was strong, and the ground beneath her moved quic

her stomach told her that she was descending. Her feet tou

she asked, lookin

her go. 'I don't know what those thing

ers?' Ebony voiced. 'Wh

l' he shrugged. 'The creatures were only after you…or so th

y reassured him. 'They wouldn't have h

s asked her. 'Whatever the rea

ingly as she gazed past him. 'I suppos

lked away from hi

e of barbed wire ran along to the side of them, sections of the fence were broken and toppled over. What lay beyond was unremark

who walked beside her. 'What a

d unconsciously tried

othing' he

e-bomb, you used it

f the remaining two from his

ike scrap metal, shaped like a piece of paper that ha

ny said as she lo

on' Lucas replied advertently. 'Lik

d it awa

d, taking in the ambience

ed looking over his shoulder at the build

smiled then, taking a deep breath and stretching her arms high towards the sky. She sighed happily, allowing

. 'My brother and I used to pl

his f

inted. 'Just on the o

aban

r one was built within the town i

id beaming and holding

the tall grass with open hands as she went, comp

cas called

glancing b

t is

ucas began. 'The

shoulder

talk about this

id of isn't it? The whole time

back to face

r seen the

hat they are' L

rt

is arms. 'Ebony, you need

ant' she admitt

e sort of connec

nothing

n wh

sigh

my power. I h

u stronger than oth

lifted curiously. '

you s

ian. You called me so many time

the days they had spent together, and he realised then that

aised h

' he asked her, 'i

g his gaze. She looked for a moment towards the di

, facing Lucas with conf

ilosopher

n of the conflict from far away, feeling the magic still in the atmosphere. Now

s. Seeing a broken window pass by him, he turned in t

ura

oved gingerly, observing the scene of carnage that was the living room. What seemed like mere secon

curled up shivering ball. Her hands were over her mouth, her k

ghed wearily, wal

er her shoulder, almost as if too cautious to touch he

ben bent forwards to get a better look at

s in

nd at the unfamiliar voice. Jaco

was his firs

eed' the guar

he crawled into the room through the window, straightening up and surveying casually the mess and

!' Reuben

xclaimed. 'You

breath. Reuben gave a glance to Jacob, and

ore Jacob's face. 'Snap out of i

ed, shaking himself

?' the elder guardian

eft.' Reuben indicated t

guardian frowned.

irl' Drake

himself, seeming to forget for a moment that the othe

en told h

s girl well?' Cu

N

hasn't t

ger; it was like listening to someone who was talking in riddles. He

told us y

ltu

n scoffed. 'That

eptical look, b

briefly; it seemed as if she had

on. 'Which one of

gasped. 'How

placing a hand upon her hea

for many years' he s

Lucas repeated flatly.

pable of turning metals into gold or silver' Ebony explained. 'It ca

Lucas laughed sceptically. 'I

c

u done i

N

you know it

rious they were, as if holding some deeper

it were otherwise? To everyone else, I look just like a normal girl. I even fooled

here's more

k there's another one no

rtainly. 'What? An

just over the

ea

oned jovially. 'Let'

y w

d towards the lip of the hill. Ebony pulled back as they

sections of woodland, and beyond that, another town, thou

in bright colours that were now faded and chipped. The metal beneath was dark and rusted. And where the wood-chippings had been, was overgrown. Now there wa

freely about her shoulders, lifting in the air as she swung back and forth on the swing. She was young, not quite twenty in age, though

he air towards Ebony and Lucas. And fo

given, rise

nd pure, w

people, rejoic

w gone, d

doing?' Lu

s sin

girl fell in

ispered, 'let's go

aded down the hill, Lucas fo

looking not in the least bit surprised to see eith

et on the ground, bring

suddenly like he should be giving the two girls space, feeling that there was more to this

ul song' Ebony bega

ony for a moment with steely g

ss the demons brought with them.' She smiled then. 'The demons were mischievous, and the two creatures, so different from the other, found that they could not live together. The angels chased the demons away, the demons, being lazy, had not cared for their weapons, they became rusted a

y happen?' Ebon

's just a story.' She rose from

me is

or a while now. I was wondering when I would meet you. Another philosopher's st

ice name' E

t a guardian with you' she said looking to Lucas, ackno

hastily. 'In fact he

ked away before Lucas had a chance to answer, speakin

ated looking worried n

d here, can yo

m, stiffening as she suddenly noticed

her. 'There is a net, surrounding this wh

d' Ebony begged. '

pression, and she half turned f

ave allowed both of us be become trapped.' She sighed. 'But perhaps it's for the best to be caged here. I am so tired of running after all.'

reathed. 'They w

ir attention most. I am older…my powers…stronger.' She lifted her arms and indicat

hey watched. Ebony saw even larger ones at a distance, some colossal, sitting on the

er.' Crystal lowered her arms smiling. 'They are thought so o

rouching close to the ground in submis

s shoulders and upwards pointing horns protruding from both the heads of the a

yes contentedly. It accepted her touch graciously. Crystal chuckled lightly with joy, straightening up again. The two heads of the aberrant bared their teeth, but it did not look

Lucas spoke up. 'It's because they were following y

my life' she explained. 'I can keep them away most

emerald faceted eyes and a mechanical body made of many different pa

ctions just as typical dragons do. Ebony sensed a sort

t was quite large in size, larger than was natural, and on closer

ed. 'His name is Cid. He keeps me c

suddenly, and faded a

membering Pokie sa

alive' Crystal went on, speaking about the mechanic

her dark thoughts. It was gone in an instant t

long time' Crystal went on,

se and without explanation, she turn-tailed and ran, her movement smooth and graceful. Her long white hair swis

e going?' Lu

ing' Ebony

m wh

n't k

linking away in the tall grass or fleeing into the trees as C

at the feeling of being suddenly so alon

ers?' Lucas began, still loo

bony re

why don't you try to protect yourself? Why didn'

all doses, my true power lies inside' she said

good i

other guardians sometimes. I mean…what use is i

ow you even ha

inside me. I know what I am. The fact t

d towards the forest Cry

this magic then h

My magic can only be obtain

ha

dden inside me appears…no…it's like my very flesh

s?' Lucas asked curiously

row filled her heart. 'Her body vanished' she spoke quietly, 'leaving behind a stone. I remember seeing it, it was bright pink.' She lifted a hand to her face, touching a finger to her eye. 'My foster parents always wanted me

king a small step back. Her eyes now

'My sister had eyes like these, it's one of the reasons she wa

as the information slo

than those that try to protect. It

for such power'

of the few' Ebon

een hiding a

I'm slowly learning that the world is not such a c

ounded Ebony and Lucas, like three points of a triangle. Ebony glanced around at them, instincti

rl with long blue wavy hair, h

' she sai

n Ebony's arm, pullin

oved to stand with her daughter Siren, as if to show that they meant no ha

?' Indigo asked Sire

s of black tattoos, each running from below his eyes, down his cheeks and down his neck and chest. He wo

ed Siren told him, clutching the orb she carried in both han

air back, placing his hands on his hi

s, what are

ared suspiciously, resenting be

eaking directly to Lucas now. 'Why are you

She consulted the orb. '

ha

ed on her. '

e' Siren

o himself. 'This certain

ng for the gap Shire had left. But Shire was there in an instant to stop them;

from her, pullin

of outrunning three elder guar

frustration. Li saw her target, the philosophers stone dressed in black, with the young male who protected her, Lucas. Inexperienced as he was, it was easy pickings. She was abou

re outn

he tensed, 'so sly, they

rrrg

d back t

ell is wron

left shoulder was a handle. In their haste to chase after t

o peeler' Kreas hissed. 'Th

your w

l again, joining Kreas as he pawed at the thing stuck in his shoulder. Li grabbed the handle with her teeth, jerking it backward sharply and

d. 'We'd better

ve' Kreas cackle

been found, but not the one we

!' Kreas sniggered cruell

elling fast. We must be swift t

can' he sneered. He had fin

not argue a

ack swiftly towards the centre

red guardian said, 'my name is

nt with her?' L

rotec

re ly

ed. 'If we had wanted to harm her, I wou

d into Lucas' ear. 'I told you didn't I? I tol

ontinued speaking to Ebo

bo

. 'I am Indigo, and these are Shire and Siren' he indicated the e

Ebony and Lucas. Sire

handedly, still sticking close to Lucas. 'Except the e

ld and yellow. Siren's we

. 'Have you run into other b

tures, one black and smaller, a

re curled her l

rn clothes and the scratches and nicks over his body. 'And what's this?' he asked, glancing to Lucas'

cas grumbled, avo

on topic. 'You're safe with us now, the

s about them?' Lucas

before' Indigo replied. '

my h

denly alarmed. 'What about

ther was there, and t

ill see to them, just t

briefly how to find the place, and

they are well' sh

' Indigo said ea

de away; she vanished into thin a

ck to see if they'r

me' Indigo went on, distracting himself momentarily and speaking now with some level of amusement to Lucas. 'How did one su

ken window gazing outwa

other…where

nd muttering inaudibly under his breath. Drake sat quietly beside them on the

can do for her?' Jacob

rant replied. He stretched his wings, Jaco

of help?' D

er' the aberrant replied. 'Magic has done

yes turned to her, Drake slowly straightened up at the sight of the blue

she appeared, he moved away from the window

you?' h

guardian replied shortly

where she sat. Her eyes were glazed over, and she appeared to

Shire asked as she approa

ralie.' D

r words calm and clear. 'L

ponsive' Cul

my and her shallow breathing was rapid.

d. 'The girl's hyperventilating; she

ory?' Cult

. 'If she enters the progressive st

g and turning his back on the others,

right?' Shi

f. His body hunched over. 'It hurts…'

the aberrant's body relaxed agai

Jacob repeated, more urgently

umbled. She spoke to Cult

to her. 'Are you prepared t

ps it is fate' she whispered. 'I am willing to save her' she spoke loude

d, brushing Lauralie's auburn hair b

aid' Shire soothed. 'Everyt

o?' Jacob asked nervousl

uralie in the centre of her chest, right a

lfing the entire room and all with

to catch the blue haired woman as she stumbled backwards, suddenly overcome with fatigue. Cu

time to recover' Cul

alie?' Ja

ure finished. 'Rest will re

breathing had returned to normal, and the colour was slowly co

t a deep sig

d them all. 'There is still danger out ther

g into existence a ball of light. He played wit

ben hissed. 'It's magic t

id absently. 'She

head curiously to

in his hand mesmerized. 'My name' he continued, clo

's stones?' the

with pleasure and anticipation as the

s?' their master ask

t replied. 'I saw them wit

ggered in agreement. 'O

s inter

ge anything?'

plied coolly. 'Now we h

ardians?' Li asked her maste

to the Ancient Worl

head. 'I ca

eas interjected quickl

find her' th

will remain here' Li said, 'until they

ick' the master said. '

ms to have an attachment to one of

ster n

you have the chance. Strike when the elder guardians drop the

g guardians' Kreas hiss

o what needs to be done. Whatever the cost. We

n in no particular direction. The area grew more open the further away they walked, and they passed ea

stone' Indigo said, after hearing the story Luc

iefly, she ran off just before you guys arrived. She seemed

oming before we arr

eplied, glancing

to himself. 'She must be a sharp one in that c

the second philosopher's stone if she was

You on the other hand seemed to come from nowhere.' He paused. 'It'

htly behind, Siren followed after them several steps

ilosopher's stone went?' Indigo aske

uspiciously at

w' Ebony shrugg

whined. 'This is

turning on him. 'What

be protected'

bony told him, 'nor would she want it. I th

now her?' Indi

N

ou know what s

stubbornly. 'Because I

. 'If her power gets

ou find her?' Ebony asked him. 'And now th

Ancient World' Indigo replied

here as I would be

e amongst fr

ng a flock of geese flying in formation overhead. 'I

rs pause

ersisted. 'There are more guardians, there is mor

She continued walking, the others followed suit. Lucas beside her was completely

d fewer people know ab

around' Indigo went on. 'Do you have any idea of the

new and loved. Her sister, screaming for Ebony to run, bef

ured, slowing to a

that case how important it is that we return bot

lied dreamily, as if she

o demanded, his tone

hide from you all this time then you will struggle to find

ill te

and crossing her arms, an action th

me' Indigo began, raising his vo

between them, shoving Indigo in

e ordered, ne

rst time as Indigo made a move to step forwards. 'You

of them, shaking his

uffed storming away, th

We truly mean you no harm. But we have been searching a

ething about this girl that calmed

Within it she saw a handsome character dresse

ed Venom?' she asked sudd

' he he

Siren o

ucas asked he

assured him. 'He is we

out my b

med. 'What does

here like this and do nothi

t safe t

t safe t

on't want to try to find my brother?

e could, just to keep his mind occupied. When he had finished, he grew quickly bored, and restless. He sto

e' Culture said off handed. 'It's

e with a hand. 'How do we know L

with them by now' Cultur

ds I assume?' Venom

feeling well.' He unconsciously touched his chest as he said this

e here to meet Eb

the curtain b

ting dark

sat in one of th

and Reuben's mind began to wander

h any colour in a room….easy to get dirty though, I guess tha

'I'm talking to you, a

u'll wake them up' he said in

for them' Venom said. 'We

ld be one hundred miles away for all we know. This town is large enough, and be

do?' Venom continue

said in a tone that suggeste

d Reuben became quick

ght seeing it on the floor. I guess he did

e sold the TV. I wouldn't worry' Reuben waved as if this didn't matter, 'I'm sure they're bo

brow as he glanced towards Culture, who stared mutely b

at Culture also, befor

he said. 'I think we can tru

s arms, not ent

your right' V

ence, as the minutes

king any time soon. Drake had been watching over Lauralie for the last several min

ke said suddenly, spea

lture lo

our heart hurts'

in one of the armchairs in the room, resting with his elbows o

ng?' Drake

, answering only reluctant

e aberrant confessed.

He took at every detail

s slim and looked young, and his skin was utterly perfect. His appearance suggested th

derstand' D

span than humans do' Culture drone

rake said, 'if you d

nty

that

past twenty five, and my heart has gotten worse day by day, but there is nothing to be done

re fine' Siren repeated yet again

' Lucas insisted.

amusement. 'Even that La

itantly, giving her

ching Lucas' arm in reassurance

ore the word'

s she threw a disapproving look towards Lucas. She

with us to the Ancient World, I want

the grass that now r

, sit w

ss, only the tops of their heads could be seen. Ebony noticed briefly the figure of Indigo, facing them a short distan

is given to the wildlife, you can travel for miles in one direction and see nothing but wilderness. If you go in another direction, you will see the most fabulous towns.' Siren paused for a moment, gazing down at her orb. She lifted her head

out there' Lucas said triumphant

ight' Siren agre

ds are there?'

his world, the Ancient Wor

World?' Eb

d desolate, or so it first appears. All a

pear in this world?'

that can use magic' Sire

as raised an eyeb

old us all about that. He originally came from the Aberrant World. Many aber

cas leant for

orld to another' Siren told him. 'It

e portals?' Luc

fore you can open them, that can sometimes be tricky. Only t

a portal?' Lucas

a guardian, and I don't know much of your po

sunk it, trying hard to

d Siren' How is it that people

spoke, 'and I'm afraid we don't

others who don't have magic'

that

parents barely noticed me. But

as you grow older. Guardians though are not as powerful. They can be seen by others, but not the magic that they use. If a

Ebony admitted. 'But why are

drawn to philosopher's stones. That's why we brought Culture along.' A smile tweaked her l

enly by Indigo. He stood o

digo said moodily to Lucas. 'We sho

n cast her hand out and used her magic to tr

of relief and reassurance into his ear. Lucas in turn, held him back instinctively. Drake and the newly christened Venom both rose as the group materialized into the living room. Discussions began in a murmu

darkened to almost pitch black, Dr

got to go home, I'm visiting Eleanor

alright?' Lucas ask

m a guardian' he said confidently.

as warned him, 'that there a

' Venom laughed. 'And anyway, Dra

them, as Ebony shyly waved th

l' Drak

when you both get home, just

treating back into the apartment he propped the newly fixed door back in its place. It had been b

Everyone was quiet, except for Culture and Ebo

the other aberrants are Lucas th

inutes later from Drake and Venom, tel

he mobile back

d to his brother.

ben asked, indicating the el

lanced

comfortable, if not a little chilly.' He gl

p, and Siren stayed close to

as sighed, 'even if I could be bothered t

oiced. 'Her body and mind ha

own bedroom, Reuben trailing after him, and Ebony following them headed to her own room once belonging to their mother. Collapsing on his

from

seeing you

g the mobile off the edge of the bed

f again, until he wa