The Guardian Vesuvius, Chapter 13: Faces and Phases of the Heart
"Passion is a dangerous force. It has the power to drive a person towards an ideal or goal in the exclusion of all other things. It alone can induce an unflinching, and sometimes ignorant, persistence. At its extremes, it is likable to possession, taking control of the person and acting of its own accord. When we believe in something with enough passion, nothing can shake that belief, not even the risk of death, either your own or, more frightening, that of other people, maybe those close to you."
“Passion is the medium of the heart, an instrument of incredible power. Those who have been cursed with big hearts are at their mercy. They are equally capable of making our bodies seethe and writhe with hate as they are able to make us weaken and melt with love, equally able to make us break and despair with sorrow as they are able to make us lift and shine with happiness. They dictate how we feel and so how we act."
“When a person becomes consumed by an extreme of their heart they become exiled and feared, detested and reviled. Yet this is nothing more than purity of emotion in the complete absence of rational thought. Take obsession, just the purity of love and admiration, and delirium, only the purity of happiness.
“To what extent is it safe for us to follow and feel from our heart? Are we even in control of how far we go once we begin to listen? Could it be that the only safe way is to completely ignore it?"
“If we ignore the heart, we dispel passion. We deny the chance or will to dream, to love, to share or to achieve. Yet, are not all these selfish desires? The heart is a weapon of incredible power. Would we unleash it on those around us for selfish desires? Numbness may very well be a twisted, absolute form of kindness."
Some distance outside the now hell-ridden city, Ted and Al had narrowly escaped the cruel and gruesome fate that was claiming people by the second. While Ted had found himself badly shaken by the ordeal, Al had retained a curious single mindedness to the investigation he was working on. Knowing him to be no workaholic, and also knowing that Al was conducting the investigation into Funuchi's murder of his own accord and not by assignment by the department, Ted was becoming increasingly concerned and suspicious about the whole thing. After the events of the past few hours, Ted was nearing a point where he was ready to demand answers from his partner.
Al hadn't looked up from the eyewitness accounts he was reading since he was given them. He was so engrossed he had forgotten where he was, whom he was with and what had just happened to him. Everything left his mind now other than his nearing closure to something that had been bothering him for years. Finally though, his trance-like concentration was broken by a loud bang and the tinkling of the teaspoons on the table as Ted threw his fist down onto it. Al looked wide-eyed and puzzled at Ted. "...What the hell is the matter with you?"
"That’s my line, Al!" Though agitated enough to yell, Ted was too old and too worn out to. He was sufficed just to have his attention, anyway, so he kept his voice down. "Listen, I've been dubious about this case ever since you started looking into it. For God's sake, you’re not even part of the investigation team for it. Now, I’ve put up with it up till now, but after today enough is enough." His voice leaned towards a more pleading tone now, and he gestured toward Al with both his hands, as if to emphasise each word as he spoke it to finally get them to Alex's head. "Al... What are you looking for? What is this case all about to you?"
A saddened look swept across Alex's face as the answer floated in his head. Slowly, he set the reports on to the table and sighed. "I know you don’t trust me, pal, and I don’t blame you... but this one time I need you to just let me do this. I'd love to tell you about what it is that’s driving me, but I... I just can't." Alex seemed troubled, like he was having difficulty bringing the words out.
"Why?" Ted quickly replied. "I mean, how can you expect me to help you when you’re keeping me in the dark like this?”
Alex could only stare awkwardly down. He had no answer for that question. In fact, he knew that Ted was right. After a short silence, Al ran his hands down his face and sighed again "It’s just... you really won’t like it. Ted, I don’t think you'd help me if you knew... but it’s really important to me, okay?"
Ted could see that this questioning was deeply troubling Alex but he didn't want to stop. The more he saw how peculiarly important this was to Alex, the more he wanted to know exactly what was going on, not just to satisfy his curiosity, but so he could really start to help him with it. Though he rarely showed it, Ted cared a great deal about Alex. He had known him for nearly twenty years, and on top of that, he had been asked by someone very special to them both to look after Alex. For this reason, Ted was relieved that Alex had become a detective like him, so they could work together and he could keep an eye on him, though he had never really found out why it was Alex suddenly became so interested in this kind of work. It puzzled him from time to time, but never enough to make Ted ask him. Now though, a much more burning question was all he wanted answering. Little did Ted know that both questions had the same answer.
"Al, you’re my partner… and if this case is so important to you, no matter the reason, I'll help you out. If anything, to get miserable looks like that off your face. They don’t suit you. You’ll never find yourself a nice woman wearing the droopy faces you have since you picked up this crazy case." Ted relaxed his tone in an effort to relax Alex. It seemed to work as he leant back against the chair and seemed ready to give.
"All right, all right! …I'll tell you." Alex raised his head and fixed Ted with a serious stare. "But! You have to promise to keep helping me, no matter what I tell you... okay?"
Ted nodded immediately. He was confident that whatever Alex had to tell him it couldn’t have been worse than what he just been through. "I promise. Now tell me already. I'm not getting any younger, you know."
At the same time, inside the prisons of Valkerie Castle, way up atop the Sky Sanctuary, someone else had come for answers and he too had a promise to keep. The two men here, though, were far from friends. In fact, there was a tense air in the cell now that was near unbearable for Vesuvius, who struggled to keep himself together in the haunting presence of Shylock. Even Misaro was surprised at how afraid he was. After what felt like hours, Shylock’s grating voice was finally heard. He may as well as have been spitting his words, there was so much suppressed hate escaping with them. "If I had it my way, you would have been put to death the moment you stepped foot back in the Sanctuary, traitor." Vesuvius' heart sank, and he wondered whether he had preferred it when Shylock wasn't speaking. "...However I value the opinion of our father over my own... and in his kindness he has given you a chance to justify what you did. I trust you have completed your report?"
As calmly as he could, Vesuvius took the report from the table and handed it to Shylock. Despite being blind, the council member snatched it from his hands, almost pulling Vesuvius off his feet. Misaro flinched at the sudden movement. Vesuvius’ heart pounded as Shylock turned his head towards the cowering boy, but Shylock soon disregarded him and faced Vesuvius again. Vesuvius was barely able to feel relief for him leaving Misaro alone over his consuming fear for himself.
"There is... one other thing that I need from you, Vesuvius." Shylock took an intimidating step towards him. "Zanados asked me to somehow make sense of what you were thinking... when you decided to threaten EVERYTHING the Sanctuary stands for, and indeed the Sanctuary itself. Everything that had nurtured you after your life fell apart." Shylock began to pace about Vesuvius, his voice steadily rising. "You felt it necessary to put at risk the chance for others to be granted the salvation you were given AND the new life so many of us now depend on." Shylock was working himself up and Vesuvius felt that it would only be a matter of time before his rage got the better of him.
"Why... why would you do that? ...I mean... what... WHA... what kind of monster are you?!" Shylock seemed like he was going to yell, but all of a sudden his tone changed and what came out was more of a desperate, confused cry. Shylock was more likeable to a distraught child now, appearing more disturbing than frightening. Perhaps it was this sudden change in Shylock that gave Vesuvius enough confidence to speak.
"I have explained my actions in the report, Master Shylock. I’m sure you will fin..." Vesuvius was suddenly cut short as Shylock lunged at him. He flinched, closing his eyes tight and turning his face away, but not moving to protect himself. Even panicked, Vesuvius could still control himself. If he had guarded against Shylock it would only have angered him further. Heartbeats passed but Vesuvius felt nothing. Shylock had halted himself mid-strike and after a deep sigh, drew himself away from Vesuvius. He opened his eyes to see Shylock standing seemingly calm and controlled once more. All signs of the frail behaviour had disappeared. Despite being spared the attack, the hollow stare of Shylock kept Vesuvius in constant fear.
The raspy voice of Shylock grated their ears again. "I would warn you not to take that tone with me again. As your level of guilt has yet to be determined, I shall refrain from any punishment as of yet, in the case it turns out too severe... or too lenient." He slowly raised a pointed finger at Vesuvius and scowled. " I don’t care about the supposed truth of your actions that are in the report. What I need to understand is the reasoning of your mind and the feelings of your heart that lead you down this sick path. What twisted line of thinking caused you to risk this terrible sacrifice on ALL our behalves? ...Let me tell you what I think the truth of that is, Vesuvius. I believe that such selfish tendencies have been with you from the very start, oh, yes. Once you had recovered from the grief of your loss and attained strength by the compassion of the saviour you no longer required the Sanctuary and the other Guardians. What became of all of us, those of us who are still recovering, those of us who still need this place to go on, you couldn't care less. You just wanted to fling your power around like a cruel, spoilt CHILD!"
As soon as those words left Shylock's mouth, Misaro leapt to his feet, tears streaming down his face and fists clenched. "TH... TH... THAT’S NOT TRUE!" He yelled, as loud as he could. He was still unsure if he really wanted to speak, yet he simply couldn’t be silent and still while Vesuvius was slated by person after person. They were wrong, he knew it. He still didn’t understand much about Guardians and the Sky Sanctuary, but he knew at least that Vesuvius wasn't selfish or cruel, he was nothing like that. Shylock and Vesuvius sharply looked over at him.
Shylock slowly turned to face him and Vesuvius turned pale. "NO!" He screamed in his mind "Why, Misaro? You should have just kept quiet!"
Misaro, still empowered by his desire to protect Vesuvius, was able to stand his ground in the face of Shylock but was unable to mask his fear. Not that it really mattered to Shylock that it was written all over the boy's face, he could sense the terror coming from Misaro's aura. "Go ahead, my child." A surprisingly delicate tone appeared as he stepped towards Misaro. "I have been waiting eagerly for when you would finally speak. ...Why don't you tell me what you think the truth is?" Shylock loomed over the child. Lifeless eyes that were hollow in more ways than one raked Misaro's heart with fear, but he had gone this far and this was his time to be heard. He simply had to put a stop to Vesuvius' persecution.
With his eyes to the floor and his voice anything but raised, Misaro fidgeted as he spoke. "...I...I...I don't have it all in my head, like you do. I can't put reasons and logic behind everything... and I know I haven't known Vesuvius as long as you, and that I'm still clueless about this place... but you make Vesuvius sound like he's some sort of evil person. Out of nowhere he spoke to me and helped me while no-one else would look twice, he listened to me while no-one else would care... through a whole life of having no-one but my mother, this man, a stranger to me, saved my life. Even though he didn't seem happy about at first, he shared in my company. Even though he was yelling, he looked out for me and gave me advice... and even though it wasn't for me, he put his life on the line to help someone I cared about." Misaro's eyes teared again and he rose his head to look up at Shylock. "…A...and even though he did it all to have me die in the end, he decided he would save us both, no matter what happened. ...Maybe he made some unwise choices in the panic of the moment, but he followed his heart and protected us. …How can someone who would do something like that, how can a hero like Vesuvius, be a monster? How can you punish someone for being a good person?"
Vesuvius was taken back by what he heard. Not only was he touched by the words, but he was surprised that even through his fear for him and Misaro he was still able to feel it in his heart. He had no idea why his heart was so easily warmed by Misaro's words. However it was only brief, for as soon as he saw Shylock move, his eyes and mind were back on the fearful man. Shylock's arms were shaking, Vesuvius feared terribly for Misaro. After having spoken out against Shylock he could be in mortal danger. Vesuvius had no idea what he could do if Shylock lashed out at the boy but inside he felt a willingness to act growing like a building pulse in his heart. Moments passed as Misaro stared up at Shylock, waiting for some kind of response. The council member remained still, his body trembling slightly. Was this his fury boiling inside him?
On the outside of the walls, Valyos, Fayth and her recently rescued friends, Vance, Mirril and Nicola, were being lifted up to safety, high up above the clouds. Vance and Nicola stared below them as they went further and further from the ground. What once might have been a breathtaking view was now only a dreadful shock, for from here, the sheer scale of the destruction and terror going on below could clearly be seen. The whole city was being swallowed in smoke and fire. Mirril simply clung tightly onto Fayth, no longer able to bear witness to any more of the horrific image.
"We'll be there soon, so take your last looks at the surface world. Chances are, you won’t be going back there ever again." The cold tone of Valyos, the only one not affected by the state of the city, quickly caught their attention, some for different reasons than others. Vance frowned and caught Valyos' stare, still feeling he was owed some sort of explanation. “What do you mean by that? Just where are you taking us? ...I think it's about time we got some answers!"
Despite being younger than all of them, Valyos felt like he was dealing with pestering children half his age, a feeling he had grown more than fed up with of late. He had no intention of going over the whole scenario again. He imagined Vance would be one of those people who didn't stop asking questions and he wanted very quickly to be rid of them all. He was looking forward to returning to his tower. "Once we arrive, you will find you have plenty of time on your hands to ask your questions... and people more willing to answer to them. I've already expended way more effort than I wanted to saving your lives..." Before Valyos could say another word, a gentle tug on his sleeve stopped him and brought his eyes down. A tearful Mirril looked back up at him and that same whisper left her lips, the one she only wanted Valyos to hear. "Thank you..." Though it was impossible to tell, Valyos went slightly pale as he heard those words. He lost the will to rant and stared upwards, the Sanctuary starting to come into view as they passed through its wall of clouds.
"Here we are." He abruptly said. To take attention from himself, he pointed upwards at the rapidly nearing structure. "This will be your new home, the safe haven in the clouds, The Sky Sanctuary." The lift began to slow down as it scaled the enormous walls of the Sanctuary. As each moment passed, the three newcomers were more and more stupefied by what they saw. This was beyond anything they could have imagined existed. None of them expected they would be coming to a place like this, a huge, majestic floating castle way, way up in the clouds. It was like something out of a fairy tale. The lift came to a gentle stop at the top of the wall and the Guardians awaiting them helped them off the lift and onto the pathway. One spoke out in a warm voice, swelling with pride. "Welcome to the city of Valkerie Castle, the Sky Sanctuary. I hope that you can find release and consolation from your misfortunes within our father's walls."
Vance was completely enchanted by the magical scene. He saw a city of what seemed to be warriors of honour, like his family, and questions and observations raced through his head. While the three of them took in the incredible sight of the city and the castle, feeling almost like they had gone back in time as they were going through the sky, Valyos spoke with one of the Guardians that had met with them on their arrival. After a short conversation he headed over to the group and gained their attention one more time. "Word of your arrival has been sent. Master Zanados has appointed two members of the sentinel council to show you around and answer your questions. This is a great honour so be sure to pay attention... and not to speak out of turn or in an aggressive tone." Valyos threw a glance at Vance, then, rather abruptly, turned and made his way down the path and away from them. Fayth chased after him and grabbed his arm. Without turning he sighed and yanked his arm free of her grip. "Before you say anything, don't thank me. I did what I did solely because Zanados ordered me to, that’s it. You'd do well to make sure you and your friends have nothing more to do with me; I’m already sick to death of all of you. Got it? I may very well have you put back into that cell. After all, it’s where you should be until Vesuvius has been judged, so don't go giving me any praise!" Without giving Fayth a moment to reply he stormed away in somewhat of an uncharacterist
ic hurry, like he was afraid of something.
"Huh! " Vance exclaimed as the three caught up with Fayth, "I'm glad to finally see him leave. He should get his story straight, I saved my OWN life! Anyway, I hope there aren’t any more like him."
Mirril watched Valyos walk away. Of all the questions she wanted answering the most important seemed to be, when would she see the boy who saved her life again? Surely, she thought, there was more to him than his abrasive attitude. After all, it had been such a soft, comforting voice he used when they first met. Fayth turned back to face her friends. With this chance to breathe she finally was able to fully appreciate them all here and safe like she had so badly wanted. Tears came to her eyes and she smiled. "I’m so glad that you’re all here, that you’re all okay."
Nicola shook her head. "Fayth, we may be here, but we're not okay. ...We don't even know where here is... and what about our families? What about our friends? They're all gone... aren’t they? Everything... is... is gone!"
Nicola had very different tears in her eyes. The heart wrenching pain of what had just happened to them caught up as the surprise at the castle faded. While they had managed to escape with their lives, they had ended up arriving at the Sky Sanctuary in much the same way as all the Guardians did: young, distraught, their lives and loved ones cruelly taken from them. Fayth put her arms around Nicola as she started to cry, "I know, I know... but I promise you, this is a place where pain is healed and lives can start again."
Vance could only do his best to put on his strong act once more and fight his own tears. He put on a smile for Mirril and put an arm around her and rubbed her shoulder as he noticed she was becoming upset again. The Sanctuary and the Guardians in it had been healing young and broken hearts since its founding. Fayth prayed that there was room for four more in its walls.
Having made their own escape from the terrifying chaos in the city, Ted and Alex may had found refuge from the bloodbath but, unlike those in the Sky Sanctuary, they had not found refuge from the past. At least, not as much as Ted would had liked, as a crucial question of his was about to be answered. Why was it that Al, normally little more than half-hearted about his cases, was so fixed on one he had not even been assigned to?
"It's...it's about Sandra," Al finally brought himself to say, "...there’s something I never told you about how she died." Alex's eyes were fixed on the table; his voice clearly showing how deeply troubling this was to him.
Ted felt he was ready for anything that came out of Al's mouth when he asked the question but he had never even for a moment thought this could have had anything to do with Sandra. "...What? How could this bizarre case have anything to do with your sister? Sandra was found shot dead in her car, police discovered she had resisted a car thief, right?"
Alex slowly nodded. "That’s right, her and her fiancée were in that car, blood from them both was found at the scene. The body of the fiancée and the criminal, who fled the scene without the car were… never found."
Ted wasn't being told anything he didn’t already know and still couldn't see any connection to the case. "Al, ...what the hell are you getting at. Sandra's fiancée was considered a suspect but evidence mounted against that, and seeing as neither he or the criminal were found. Just what have you been hiding?" Ted was becoming increasingly anxious, as the clear severity of this secret seemed to escalate.
Alex cut him off at the end of this sentence, continuing, " I... I saw that man, Sandra's fiancée. I saw him again when I visited her grave. ...He was dressed funny, he had a cape and a huge weapon of some sort... but I am definite it was him I saw!" Alex voice raised and tears began to roll down his cheek. " I...I…I yelled at him, I asked him... I asked him if he had killed her ...and ...and he said it was him, that he had been the reason she died. Those where his EXACT words! I will never forget them. Then he left, he jumped...like..inhumanly far and left." Alex shot up from his seat and slammed his hands down on the table. "WHO DOES THAT REMIND YOU OF? It has to be him, Ted! IT HAS TO BE! Cape, sword, inhuman agility...its the man who killed the crime lord."
Before being able to continue, Ted violently grabbed him by the collar and shouted at Al from the bottom of his chest. "YOU IDIOT! HOW DARE YOU, HOW DARE YOU DIG UP THAT TERRIBLE MEMORY! HOW COULD YOU! CAN'T YOU JUST LET HER BE AT PEACE! ...HAVE... have you forgotten? Sandra was like a daughter to me, she was such a sweet girl. I'm as torn up as you that there was never a closure to her murder... but... but this is too much, Al, we have to let it go or it will tear at us forever." Ted was seething with anger but his sadness soon overpowered it. After what he had just been through, he had never been less ready to hear of Sandra's tragic death again.
However Alex was not deterred. "NO! No, it’s the truth, I swear! I saw him that day... and the way he looked then, he fits the description of the man in this case perfectly. It has got to be him. Please, Ted, you have to help me find him... PLEASE!"
Ted literally threw Al back onto his chair and pointed a stern finger right at him. "Listen to me, Alex, you’ve got yourself obsessed over this and now you’ve let it take over. No wonder you’ve been such a mess lately. GAAH! You IDIOT, why are you doing this to yourself? Wasn't it painful enough when it happened?" Ted sighed, as all Al did was stare back at him, not flinching from his request and not phased by Ted's pleas. "How can I help you with this? How can I even let you do this? You know I promised her I'd look after you... and this crazy investigation is making a wreck out of you."
"...Ted ...please... I know it must hurt you... I know... but I'm begging you... please, help me...this is something I HAVE to do, that man...he killed my sister. Haven't you ever wondered why I became a detective like you? It was for this chance, a chance to put our hearts at rest, so... just stay with me through this and I swear... I swear no matter what happens at the end of it, even if I get nothing from it, I PROMISE that I will drop it forever." Alex begged so sincerely that Ted found it difficult to look at him straight.
After an awkward and tense silence, Ted gave another huge sigh and rubbed his forehead. "...Get a hold yourself, for Christ’s sake, begging like a child. You look pathetic. You’re a grown man, Al, you'll never get anywhere unless you start to think like one."
"D...does that mean… you'll help me?"
Still not looking at Al, like he was somewhat ashamed that he had buckled this easily, Ted sat himself back down and tried to relax. "Well... I figure you've got yourself so hung up on this you won’t stop with or without me... so... I won't very well be able to look after you if I let you wander off alone, getting yourself into all sorts of trouble." Ted’s voice had a jovial tone but he meant every word he said. Alex smiled and wiped his eyes and gave his partner a nod of gratitude.
Ted gave a determined grin and put an open hand onto the table, "Well then... show me what you got. Let’s catch that bastard."
Back inside the control centre, with the withdrawal at its end, all that remained were far simpler final checks and procedures. All the Guardians from the city had been returned safely and without detection, a difficult task that had been completed perfectly despite it being the first time it had ever been executed. Still, there wasn’t a single cheer or sigh of relief, for they all knew the terrible consequences this had had on the people on the surface and the toll it had taken on their father, Zanados. It weighed heavily on all their hearts. The only words that were spoken were quiet consolations between Guardians. It was Zanados who was first to break the silence and in an instant, he had the ears of everyone in the room.
"My dear children, thank you, thank you for bringing your brothers home safely. You have made me extremely proud of each of you... of your determination, dedication and strength of heart in this troubling time for us." His voice echoed off the walls of the curved room and resounded in the souls of them all. He raised his arms outwards and bowed his head slightly. "Now... share that strength with your brothers and sisters that have returned. Can you feel their sombre hearts? They are torn to leave so many people to this fate, the very people they have sworn to protect. Go to them and welcome them home. Our home... where our broken hearts can always heal, our crying eyes can always find a shoulder that cares, and our fire to fight on can always be rekindled." The words of Zanados would always reach right into the core of the Guardians. Uplifted, inspired and forever in awe of their saviour, the Guardians filed out of the control centre, more than eager to be there for the Guardians that had just come from the chaos. The strong bonds that existed between each and every Guardian, forged by years of sharing in each others sadness and helping to make their happiness return, was exactly want Zanados wanted this place to create. Each time he saw it come forth in the character of the Guardians, even the whole of the world's pain that shredded him inside could not drown out his pride and love for his family.
Before Ferrah and Taurg left Zanados caught their attention and signalled them to him. He had a special request for them, one that was incredibly important to him for reasons that Zanados was not particularly proud of but even he was powerless to fight. "There is a very different group of people who have recently arrived that I would like you two to meet. It is the girl from the surface and her friends."
Taurg's heart leapt at the news, his sheer happiness clear in his tone. "So they have all made it to the Sanctuary?" A hearty sight escaped him. "That’s wonderful! I’m so relieved to hear that."
Ferrah smiled at Taurg and gave a slight chuckle. This must be such an amazing thing for Taurg, he thought to himself, after what had happened to him. This girl had brought a whole new level of warmth to him. He had been so lonely in the tower. Training those who were learning under him, Taurg hardly ever got to spend time with the children in the city. Ferrah was happy for him and although he was glad to hear the kids had managed to get here, he was more relieved that nothing had happened to Valyos.
Zanados gave a warm smile of his own and nodded. "Indeed, Valyos would never had let us down. Now, I would ask the two of you to gently introduce our new brothers and sisters to the Sky Sanctuary. Take them around the city and castle, tell them about the world and lives of the Guardians. Most importantly, help them to find their homes here. They will need these walls now as much as any of us." Ferrah noticed how much more enthusiastic Zanados had become about the children coming here. It was only earlier today, at the start of the withdrawal that Zanados was yelling at the girl.
Having felt his puzzlement, Taurg broke Ferrah's train of thought when he felt the giant's hand rest on his shoulder. " Ha ha ha... you mean you didn't notice, Ferrah? Didn't the way she spoke remind you of someone?"
Zanados ushered the two of them to be on their way, as if he didn't want the rest of their conversation to go on where he was. "Go now, don't keep them waiting. This place probably seems somewhat intimidating to them at the moment." He watched as Ferrah and Taurg bowed their heads and hurried up the staircase and out of the control centre. The door closed and Zanados was left in the room alone, in complete silence, besides the subtle humming of the computers.
"...Sandra... is this the right thing for me to do?...Am I... being selfish again?" Zanados stared at the ground, but he was seeing only the past. "...I ...pray that she can be happy here... so my answer to you remains true." With slow steps, Zanados headed back to the Pivot, where he would soon be required to make a very difficult decision.
Also praying at that time was Vesuvius, his heart racing as he felt an unusual mix of powerlessness and readiness. Shylock had done nothing but stand before Misaro and tremble slightly. Though it could not be seen in his blank eyes, Shylock had been dragged into an unwilling recollection of his past by Misaro's words. In particular, the child’s last few words echoed inside his head as his mind spiralled into his painful memories.
"P...p...punished... for being a good person?" Shylock suddenly whispered, in a trance-like state. "How indeed, Misaro... how… could anyone do that?!" Shylock's voice had never sounded more delicate and vulnerable, his face contorted like he was in horrific pain, but he didn’t make any noise. If Shylock had been able to cry his eyes would have been watering then. Misaro found himself even more afraid of Shylock as the Guardian seemed to have some sort of episode right in front of him.
Vesuvius could tell how much this was distressing Misaro and couldn't help but to speak out to put an end to it. "Master Shylock? What is the matter?"
As soon as the words left Vesuvius' mouth, Shylock snapped back to reality almost instantly, his breathing a little heavy. Suddenly appearing embarrassed, and upset, Shylock moved away from the pair and towards the door. As he did, he sharply pointed a finger at Vesuvius. "I'm warning you, Vesuvius! If you or ANY of your surface friends... even come CLOSE to endangering the Sky Sanctuary and those who depend on it again... I will NOT hesitate in killing you all before you do any more damage. Do you understand!?"
Despite Shylock's state, his words were clearly deadly serious. Vesuvius nodded, gripped by fear even as Shylock signalled to the guards to be let out. "Yes, Master Shylock, I understand completely"
The cell door opened. Shylock shoved his way out and adopted a hurried pace down the corridor. He needed solitude and he needed it now. When the guards had closed and locked the door once more, Vesuvius knew that the reason to be afraid had left but somehow the feeling lingered, as though residues of Shylock's dark, haunting aura remained and still choked his heart. Still, he was able to approach Misaro and kneel down next to him. The poor child had burst into tears once again. His fragile heart simply could not deal with the sheer terror he had experienced. Vesuvius was about to speak words of calming but as soon as Misaro heard his voice come from so close to him, he threw himself into Vesuvius and grasped onto him, bawling into his shoulder. Vesuvius smiled and held the boy close. "Go ahead, it'll make your heart ease faster if you let it out now. But, you know, you don't need to be so afraid while I'm here. I swear, I'll protect you... no matter what!" Misaro seemed to calm down a little. Vesuvius set the boy's feet back on to the ground and wiped his eyes dry. "Thank you for believing in me... and not being ashamed to show it. It means a lot."
Misaro smiled and blushed slightly, then half wanting to change the subject to something less awkward for him and half for his own curiosity, Misaro asked, " S...so, why is Shylock like that? I mean... other Guardians may be moody or angry... but he…"
Vesuvius sat down next to Misaro and leant against the wall, staring into space. "Well... there are very few in the Sanctuary that know the whole story on Shylock. His soul and aura are usually empty so not many get to read his feelings or know his past. All I know was that his father was in the military, a loyal and brave soldier, but he was framed by his government, becoming an unwilling scapegoat for them. He was wrongfully convicted of heinous war crimes and sentenced to hanging. Shylock's real trauma was to come when he rushed to the execution to try and put a stop to it. He had never believed his father could do such things, he knew there was something terrible going on." Vesuvius turned his eyes to the ground and a saddened face swept over him to match his saddened tone. "But he was too late. He was only small back then and wasn't able to push through the crowds of people watching...not that he would have been able to stop it anyway. He could only watch as his father, to whom he was apparently very close to and proud of, hung until dead while the whole world cheered and applauded. It must have ripped his heart apart to hear it, to hear all those people cheer at his father's death. The rumour is he burnt out his own eyes shortly after because he became so angry and nauseated by the sight of people. I don't know when Zanados brought him here or what state he was in...but Shylock's always been the way he is, as far as anyone knows. He was the one who developed the Brand Armour all Guardians wear, his tower is like the hospital of the Sanctuary. It’s there that all Guardians go to get their armour burnt onto their skin, or any medical attention they need."
Misaro was shocked. So the armour was burnt on after all, he thought. Yet more surprising to him was that the terrifying man he had just met was in charge of looking after the injured and sick. "How could someone like that... who doesn't even want to see people anymore... have any interest in making people feel better?"
Vesuvius shook his head. "Misaro, you must remember, at the moment I am not a particularly popular person here. Shylock simply cares a great deal for this place. He is one of those Guardians who truly depend on this place to go on at all. True enough he's a pretty scary character but Shylock isn't really a bad person. He cares a lot for the people here and so it’s understandable he would be that way with me. They are people who, like him, have lost all they cared for and were left with only anger and sadness. So he can confide and relate here. The problem is that Shylock... well... Zanados told me once, that sometimes, a heart can become so powerful and devout that it consumes its owner, that’s how it is with Shylock. I guess you could describe him as a fanatic or obsessive... but here in the Sanctuary, we know it as heartsworn. A person who has devoted themselves entirely and unquestioningly to the cause in their heart, and for Shylock that is the Sky Sanctuary."
Misaro turned his head up and stared up into the sky out of the window. "Heartsworn..." The word and its meaning floated in Misaro's head. He wondered if some people he knew were heartsworn too.
Fayth and her friends had just about managed to calm each other down now, consoled in each others’ company, forgetting for a moment where they were, when suddenly one of the Guardians who patrolled the walls spoke to them. "Excuse me, but your escorts have arrived."
The group got to their feet to be pointed towards the two Guardians heading towards them. Fayth recognised them to be members of the Sentinel Council, and in particular one of them to be the friendly metal man who helped her get the chance to save her friends. She had a lot to thank him for; he had gone against the word of his master, who Fayth knew to be a rather daunting figure, to help her out. Vance however, was a little less enthusiastic about the massive metal figure stomping towards them. "Woah! …W…what is that? ...I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this!"
Fayth giggled as Vance started to back away slightly. "Oh, no, no, don't worry, he's one of the nicest people here! There's really nothing to be afraid of."
Somewhat embarrassed, Vance looked down. "Wh…who said I was afraid?" Vance’s eyes suddenly widened as he realised something. "Wait a minute! Do you mean you..." Fayth had already run ahead before Vance was able to ask her. "...She's been here before? J…just what on earth is going on?"
Taurg smiled as Fayth ran up to him. He knelt down to her level and she put her arms around him as best she could. As delicately as he could, which was surprisingly so, he held her with one of his giant arms. "Ha ha ha... it's good to see you back here safe, and it looks like you managed to rescue all your friends too, huh?"
"I did and it's thanks to you, Taurg. This means so, so much to me, I don't know how I'll ever be able to pay you back for all you've done already. I mean..."
Taurg hushed Fayth with a finger held in front of her mouth. This close to his face, she could just make out his smile from behind his helmet. "Just you make sure you and your friends are happy here, okay? That will be more than thanks enough for me."
Fayth smiled back and wiped tears of joy from her eyes. She felt so safe and looked after around Taurg and yet she hadn't even known him for very long at all. He had a natural fatherly feeling to him that made her feel familiar with him. She thought, that if someone like Taurg was looking out for her and her friends here then it couldn't be that bad of a place to be. Maybe Taurg could really help her friends feel better and find a new home here. "Come on!" She became rather excited suddenly. "Let me introduce you to my friends!" She pulled on his arm to get him moving.
Ferrah smiled at the charming scene. This is exactly what Taurg needed in his life, he thought, as he followed along after them. Fayth pulled Taurg along all the way back to her friends, not that her pulling was actually making him move any faster. Yet this way in which Fayth seemed to ignore or even not think about Taurg’s monstrous size and appearance only warmed his heart more. He wouldn't be the one to tell her to let go. Fayth's friends, on the other hand, were understandably intimidated by the sight of him, but seeing Fayth so calm and trusting around him, they weren't as scared as they would have been.
Ferrah was quick to avoid any awkward silence and cleared his throat. "Hello. My name is Ferrah and this is Taurg. We are aware of the unfortunate circumstances that have brought you here to the Sky Sanctuary. Due to these events, this place is now your new home, as I'm afraid you can never again return to the surface. This place must be kept a secret from the surface world, I know this is alot to take in but you will understand in time."
The newcomers may have been shocked at bieng unable to leave this place, but there was nothing left to return to, so they just stared sombrely to the floor, even Vance, who would have been quick to protest could find no reason he would want to go back.
Ferrah cotinued. "We can only hope that after we have shown you around and told you about what it is that we do here, that you can find happiness here and come to know it as your sanctuary, too."
Taurg knelt down before the four of them in an attempt to make himself less frightening as he spoke. " As guardians, we are able to see into your pain and through that, your past. You will find no strangers here, Vance, Mirril, Nicola, so all that remains is for you to find out about us. So..shall we go? Fayth..im eager to show you the beauty of our world beyond this terrible withdrawal."
Ferrah smiled and nodded, and the formal mood was swiftly lifted from the group. The children began to get excited and in turn, Ferrah and Taurg were looking forward to showing them around. After all, the Sanctuary, everything about it and being part of it, was something every Guardian was proud of. Sensing the surge in enthusiasm in the children, Ferrah and Taurg wasted no more time and started the tour.
They were first told what a Guardian was and how Guardians came to be in the first place. They were shown in and around the incredible and powerful architecture of Valkerie castle, its towering halls and corridors and the training grounds of newer Guardians, learning and honing skills and levels of power the kids had never imagined could have been real. Vance in particular was amazed. He had trained since childhood with his father so he was able to really appreciate what he was seeing. To think that such potential existed in the human body was a revelation for him.
It wasn't hard to notice Vance's fascination. He was transfixed on the training until Taurg's deep voice rang out. "Seems you’ve taken quite an interest in this particular part of the castle, huh? You’re a fighter at heart, and Guardians use their hearts to fight." Taurg placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder. "You’re just like these people, brought to the sanctuary after losing so much. There’s no obligation to, my boy, but if you want you could begin training here too."
Vance was too much in awe of all this to even answer but Taurg understood from his expression alone. He was even reluctant to move on when they were done. Vance had very quickly developed an enormous respect for the Guardians. The way they channelled their anger and sadness into devotion and discipline was not unlike the way his father had taught him. Also, the way the used their power to prevent other people suffering as they had while at the same time getting back at the deplorable kind of people that were responsible, it fitted in with every code he had been taught by his father. The prospect of being among them began to excite him more and more.
Mirril and Nicola had their turn to be enchanted when the tour took them through to the city itself. Despite being surrounded completely by the tall walls of Valkerie Castle and populated almost entirely by a warrior people, the city still had a peaceful feel to it. The houses were single floored, made of white stone within frames and roofs of wood. They were likeable to small cottages. Many of them had gardens at their fronts. Ornate lamps lined the stone roads of the curving streets. The city had nothing other than these houses in it, as all other needs of the populace were provided for within Valkerie Castle. The city was completely self sufficient so there was no currency; everyone simply got what they needed and were more than happy with that.
They were all touched by the kindness and serenity of the city and its people. Here was a city where everyone knew everyone else and respected and loved them. It was free of greed and crime, all those elements of mankind had been left on the surface. Ferrah stepped forward and slowly swept his arm across the scene as he spoke. "It is possible for the world, the WHOLE world to be like Valkerie City. After all, we are all human beings here. That is the ultimate goal of our father, to not only protect innocent people from the monsters of man and to care for those whose lives have been ruined... but also to one day destroy the evil of man completely so that the suffering of the world can come to an end." Ferrah let his arm fall to his side and turned to face the group with a sad expression. "However, we have been forced to lose sight of that dream. As you have all regretfully witnessed, all we have been able to do is hold back the full horror of mankind’s evil."
Taurg knelt down to the kids’ level once more to speak, his voice was somewhat hushed. "To many of us, the Sky Sanctuary is the only place we will ever be able to call home. We could never bring ourselves to live on the surface again. That is why this place is so important to protect and keep secret, we want the Sanctuary to remain completely separate from the surface world, especially while it is in the terrible state it is."
Nicola didn't like the blue mood that had settled over the group suddenly, so she nudged Taurg and wearing a cheeky grin she asked. "So...don't you let girls be Guardians here? ‘Cause I haven’t seen any!"
Taurg and Ferrah smiled and the metal giant stood up and gave a hearty laugh. "Were you getting worried you were trapped in a man's world my dear?" Taurg pointed up to Valkerie castle. "You've just been unlucky, there are many women who decided to become guardians, and as a member of the sentinel council I can tell you they are every bit as strong and devoted as the men."
"In fact" Ferrah added." Everything here only came to be because of one woman. Who would show us everything it means to be a good person and how important it is to care for others." Ferrah smiled warmly, as if recalling a very fond memory. "She must have really been an amazing woman... to have made Master Zanados into the great man he is."
Respect, admiration and love for Zanados was within in every Guardian. Even though his temper and wrath was enough to shake the very castle, there was next to no fear of him. Each and every Guardian had no desire to cross him and was more than happy to follow out his every command to the very best of their ability, forever wanting only to make him proud and to repay him for all he did for them.
However, for one Guardian, crossing Zanados had seemed inevitable and it was no minor thing that he had done either. For Vesuvius, fear of what Zanados would do had been plaguing his mind ever since he had killed Funuchi. As he sat in his cell with Misaro, he thought back to when he was brought before him and Zanados had knocked him to the floor. He hoped that the next time he had to see him he would not have to go through that again. To see his saviour and father so angry with him that he would have struck him hurt his heart far more than the blow had hurt his face.
There was a knock on the door. Vesuvius jumped straight to his feet, Misaro following him up and standing beside him. Great, he thought, whose turn is it to yell at me now?
The door opened to reveal only the Guardians who had been standing at the door. "Word has been sent to us that Zanados is ready to pass judgement on you now. We will take you to the Pivot. He is waiting for you there."
Vesuvius nodded and turned to Misaro. "Stay here, Misaro. I’ll be back soon." Before Vesuvius could say another word or even take a step, Misaro grabbed his arm and stopped him. "No! Do you think I can't see the fear in you! I'm not going to leave you on your own now... and even if me being with you does nothing to help you..." Misaro pushed his forehead into Vesuvius' arm and held onto him tighter. "I would feel a lot better going with you than staying here alone. So please let me come."
Unable to keep himself from smiling, Vesuvius ruffled the boy’s hair with his free arm. "All right then, you can tag along... and don’t you worry, having you with me is going to be a big help. I mean, if it weren’t for you, I’d have been a lot more beaten up and scolded right now, wouldn't I?"
Misaro smiled back and let go of his arm, following closely behind him. The two of them followed the escorts through the castle back to the Pivot, where Vesuvius had been taken when he first got back to the Sanctuary. Now Zanados had the report he had written with him and he knew everything, there would be no need to discuss or clarify anything. There was only one thing that needed to be done. Zanados would tell Vesuvius whether or not he would be trusted to be a Guardian again.
If it were decided that Vesuvius was not to be trusted to be a Guardian again, he would be the first in the history of the Sanctuary. He would be probably be confined to the city, hated forever by the other Guardians and branded a traitor. If he could get another chance to prove his dedication to the Guardian cause, he would at least be able to eventually rebuild the trust and bond he had with his brothers and sisters, maybe even the devastated bond with Dion. However, he was more worried for Misaro and Fayth. If he became forever doomed to be a hated traitor, that would ruin any chance of those two being accepted here. He dreaded that happening, it would be something he could never forgive himself for. The closer they got to the Pivot, the more fear, worry and anxiety built up inside him.
The journey seemed longer than usual but eventually they reached the Pivot. One of the Guardians that were standing at the entrance to the room knocked on the giant door and entered partially. "Master Zanados!" he called out, "Vesuvius has arrived!"
From within the room the powerful voice of Zanados boomed out, "Thank you, send him in to me."
Vesuvius felt his fear peak as he heard Zanados' voice. Still, he managed to keep himself composed. After all, he didn’t want to worry Misaro any further, or be a state in front of Zanados. Vesuvius was lead up to the door, then one of the Guardians raised his arm at Misaro to stop him. "I'm afraid you may go no further, only Vesuvius has been permitted to enter. You must remain out here."
Misaro was unable to think of anything to argue his way into the room, though he wanted badly to go inside with Vesuvius. The problem was, even he was unsure why it mattered to him so much. Vesuvius was about to turn and console Misaro when all of sudden, Zanados' voice boomed out of the room once more. "Let the boy in also!"
The Guardian immediately moved his arm out of Misaro's way without question. He looked about the people around him, confused, until eventually he looked up at Vesuvius, who nodded and smiled slightly. "Come on... I wanted you to meet him one way or another."
Misaro stood beside Vesuvius as he pushed open the massive doors to the Pivot and, swallowing his fear, stepped inside calmly and stood at the door, letting it close behind him. Misaro looked around and fidgeted, probably even more anxious than Vesuvius at that moment. He was about to meet the man who was the ruler here. Misaro caught sight of Zanados in the distance. He was rather intimidated by the very appearance of this place, not to mention the enormous figure sitting on the throne. He almost squealed when the soul-shaking voice he had heard before suddenly rolled like thunder across the huge hall.
"Vesuvius! Misaro! Come forward to the centre!"
Vesuvius walked as steadily as he could and Misaro followed close behind him, not wanting to stray too far into view. Once they had reached the centre, Zanados rose from his throne. He placed some papers in his hand down on the arm of his throne. That must have been my report, Vesuvius thought to himself. The master of the Guardians walked to the edge of the balcony and into better light, his serious stare spearing Vesuvius. Fighting his fear, Vesuvius returned the stare up at his master, his expression telling Zanados that he was ready and willing to accept whatever future had been decided for him. Knowing that the moment that all would be decided for Vesuvius was drawing close, Misaro became still and silent, though the tension in the room was agonising for the little boy. He could only close his eyes and pray in his mind, to whom, he didn't really know nor have the calm to decide.
"I have reviewed the report you wrote for me." Zanados eventually said. "...And as you have stood before me now I have looked into your heart and understood its influences. Using the report, I have envisioned those feelings in the situations you have written here. From this I have made my choice. Do you consider this fair, Vesuvius?"
Zanados' power to sense feelings in people and their hearts was so powerful it spanned over the whole world, maybe even further. Nobody understood the workings and ways of people’s hearts like he did. He spent every second of every day experiencing all the emotions and feelings in the world, so when he judged the decisions you made using your heart, you knew he was right. Vesuvius nodded slowly, "Yes, I do, Master Zanados."
The master nodded back and raised his voice as he replied. Vesuvius knew this meant he was going to speak his verdict. Please, Zanados, Vesuvius pleaded inside his mind, being a Guardian is my life now, please don't let my life disappear again.
"Vesuvius, you are not an evil or selfish man, you acted out of instincts long since carved into your heart. HOWEVER! You broke your Guardian’s oath and put the whole world in terrible risk. As such, I have decided that..."
The moment dragged on.
Misaro's entire body tensed.
"...Please…"
GASP! Cliffhanger, teehee 0w0
Thank you once again for reading, I hope you liked it and Im sorry for the people I made wait, which is pretty much all of you *bows head*. The new badges for this chapter will be Vance, and one for Ted and Al so theyll be up soon I hope. Big thankies once again to [skwid] for doing her part in record time, shes getting faster while Im getting slower XP.
Chapter 14: Painful Pursuits
Back to The Guardian Vesuvius: Prolouge
Stumble!