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The Guardian Vesuvius, Chapter 9: Escaping Pasts and Futures

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Vesuvius clenched his fists and shut his eyes. It seemed that this entire ordeal had stripped him of all his strength. Aside from his size, nothing about him spoke of power now. Misaro was confused. How could someone who devoted his life to protecting those who could not protect themselves suddenly regard himself as a sinner, someone who had just put his life at risk to save him and Fayth? What on earth had happened to him? Misaro was about to ask him but Vesuvius spoke before he could. "How is Fayth?"

Misaro looked over at her, still sleeping against the wall. "She seems to be... okay." Misaro worried deeply about how this would affect her. He had almost forgotten he had woken up in some sort of jail and had no idea where they were. She had spoken about being so happy to be free to live again just before this. It was terrible for her freedom to be taken away so soon. He turned back to Vesuvius as he heard him getting to his feet. Misaro could still see the utter despair written all over him. "What about you, Vesuvius? What's the matter with you?" Vesuvius glanced down at the boy who looked up at him with pleading eyes. Even now Misaro seeked desperately to understand him and his world. He may just get the chance now, Vesuvius thought. The poor boy had been thrust into that world and he didn't even know it. There was no point in tormenting Misaro futher with further secrecy now. Their lives were twisted together. Vesuvius sighed and stared blankly forward as he spoke.

"In order to finish Funuchi off for good I had to break the Guardian’s Oath, Misaro. All Guardians take the oath the day they begin their training, to disappear forever from the lives of those on the surface, to never let anyone know that they exist. I broke it… and now... now there is a police investigation looking for me." Vesuvius’ face turned angry, anger that was directed at himself as he recalled his terrible sin. "So... in order to protect the other Guardians and the entire organisation, Zanados has had to call back all the Guardians that proctected the area in and around where I killed Funuchi."

"I don’t understand, how does that make you-" Misaro began.

"Misaro! With no Guardians there, many lives will be lost. The innocent people on the surface have no idea, but the amount of crime and corrupt power in the world now is out of control. The only reason things seem to be okay is because the Guardians are always there, secretly keeping the people safe from the monsters of man. Without them, the people are helpless..." Vesuvius was upsetting himself and he battled to keep his tears to himself again. It was a short while before he continued, "...and Zanados refuses to let me hand myself in to the police because, even on my own, I would reveal too much to them... and also because, unlike me, he does what he can to protect each and every member of our family... I have betrayed them all and now I’ve got you and Fayth involved too."

"Me and Fayth? But how?"

"Somehow... they managed to find out that I revealed myself to you and Fayth, so Zanados ordered you both captured to protect our secret." Misaro gasped. So that's where he was, the castle in the clouds Vesuvius had told him about, the home of the Guardians. His suprise was quickly forgotten when Vesuvius began crying again as he spoke "…it’s all my fault, Misaro, I should never have shown myself to either of you. How could I have been so stu-" Vesuvius was cut short when he noticed Fayth slowly sit up.

She seemed strangely alert for someone who had just been sleeping, or maybe she wasn’t at all. She looked up at Vesuvius and, after a moment, shook her head slowly. She spoke, her voice sounding upset and pleading. She couldn't understand how her saviour could be feeling this way about rescuing her. "I don’t know the entirety of what’s going on here... but there is no way you could be a sinner, after what you did. There was nothing evil or… or stupid about it. You’re a hero, Vesuvius, not just mine, but Misaro's and everyone whose lives Funuchi was ruining. How... how can anyone punish you for that? For doing what was right?"

Vesuvius stared at the ground, a pained look on his face. "Fayth... it's a lot more complicated than right and wrong. I…"

Before Vesuvius could even start explaining, the creaking of the opening door interrupted him. He wondered who would come to see him, but more than that, prayed that it wasn't Dion. He didn't think he could bear another confrontation with him right now, especially not in front of Misaro and Fayth, yet who else could it be?

The door opened to reveal a small figure, even smaller than Misaro, standing between the two escorts. A large, black hood mostly hid the figure’s face. Light blue hair was just visible around the edges. His black cape and spiked armour revealed his Guardian status and Vesuvius immediately knew who it was. He began to think that he might have preferred Dion. Nothing favourable could come from a visit from a member of the sentinel council, especially this one. Vesuvius could not speak. In the presence of sentinel council members you only spoke when asked to, yet it was mostly the powerful presence they commanded that rendered those around them mute. The council member dismissed the escorts with a gesture as he stepped into the cell, without looking up or speaking a word. The escorts nodded and closed the door. There were a few seconds of awkward silence before the council member spoke, his face still concealed. "So, these are the two unfortunates you dragged down with you, Vesuvius? You don’t look any better for trying to share your blame, what a shame for you." The voice was that of a young boy, yet it was piercing and demeaning, the sort of voice that made you feel alone, weak and hated.

"Master Valyos…" Vesuvius closed his eyes and focused. He had to end this quickly and without causing any more problems. The sooner Valyos left the better so he tried to make him get to the point, knowing that, left to it, Valyos would put him down like this for a long time. "...I don’t imagine your reason for coming was to remind me of my sin. What is it you require of me?"

Valyos finally looked up from the ground. His voice was no evasion from the truth; he was indeed a young boy, younger than Misaro. Blue eyes stared past fair blue hair that fell around Valyos' sombre expression. Misaro was shocked that someone so young was a guardian. What was almost as surprising as that was that Vesuvius was calling him master. Curious as Misaro was, he was quick to decide he should not draw attention to himself. Misaro could feel the frightening aura Valyos emanated.

"You’re right, Vesuvius, there is something I need from you. The council and Zanados have decided that you will report to us the exact details of what you did on the surface, everything leading up to your breaking of the oath, including the reasons you decided to betray us all and sink into sin. Zanados wants to know the full extent of your betrayal and the level of danger to the Sanctuary’s secrecy. Seeing as you’ve already shown that amongst your sins is a habit of lying, somone who can be sure of extracting the truth shall get the information from you. A member of the sentinel council. Myself, to be precise. I expect the entire truth from you, or you will find yourself in much more trouble. You have a lot of time on your hands so I shouldn't imagine it will take you long to be finished."

Valyos took out a stack of paper on a clipboard and placed it on the desk in the cell then turned away from Vesuvius and wrapped his cape around himself. As he went to leave he stopped and peered over his shoulder at Vesuvius, though his face could not be seen. "I would have thought that even someone of your age could evade corruption. You had been trained here since you were young to be focused and decisive. I guess you were weak after all. What a waste, now you’re nothing but a worthless, blackened traitor..." Valyos may have continued but out of complete silence, Fayth, who had been getting angry with Valyos since he started insulting Vesuvius, suddenly shouted at the boy.

"How can you say things like that? What sort of horrible person are you? You call him all these terrible things but Vesuvius has given me back my life. He went out of his way, put his life in incredible danger, just to help me, someone he hardly knew. I owe him so much and I won’t stand by while you attack him for doing something so wonderful! You say he raked us in to share his blame? What do YOU know? I don’t care who you are, there's no way you have the right to treat him like that!" Fayth spoke like a mother scolding a child. She didn’t fear Valyos at all. Right now she was the strongest one of the three and, even when she finished, she still frowned down at him.

Vesuvius couldn’t believe what he had heard. His heart sank in fear of what Valyos would do to her now. Yet he simply turned to face Fayth and stared back at her for a while, his eyes seeming to gaze right into her soul. Then he stared at the floor again as he finally spoke. "I see. Well, how could I expect anything more than clueless garbage from someone who is stupid enough to care for the death of such putrid creatures as parents."

Fayth gasped and put her hands over her mouth. "H…how do you know about my parents? ...Who are you?"

Valyos turned away and made his way towards the door again. "Hmph..With Vesuvius revealing all our secrets I thought you'd already know. Guardians can read people’s pain. I know all about your past with Funuchi and how he forced your family into bankruptcy and eventually killed them and took you as one of his... toys. A sick monster of a man, I'm sure we agree. Such a shame that you can't see that your hero here, and your parents, are very much like him." Valyos knocked on the door to tell the escorts he was done and to open the door. Then he noticed something. The boy and Vesuvius were visibly angry with him, thier eyes fixed on Valyos showing no trace of fear. It was likely that if Valyos had continued demeaning her they would have intervened. Valyos was at first irritated that Vesuvius overcame his submission, but then became intrigued. Who was this girl? Who seemed to instill such boldness in these two, who, just a few seconds ago, were gripped with fear of him, especially the boy, who Valyos had sensed was far from a strong willed person. The escorts opened the door for him and Valyos made a decision. A bond like this was unwise to keep together, especially if he wished to keep Vesuvius afraid enough to give a completely honest report. He directed the guards’ attention to Fayth. "Take her. Bring her with me." The escorts did not question the request, simply following the order at once. Misaro leapt to his feet, ready to do anything to protect Fayth. "NO! Don’t you dare tou..." He was reduced to silence as Vesuvius restrained him. Misaro looked up at Vesuvius, a look as confused as it was upset across his face. Vesuvius shook his head.

"Vesuvius... but..." Misaro saw the deadly serious stare in Vesuvuis' eyes. He knew Vesuvius would have his reasons for this, and for definite understood that he knew nothing about this place, yet Fayth was being taken away from him, she looked scared. Misaro's heart ached as he found himself powerless, once again, to help her. He could only yell in desperation, resisting Vesuvius' grip, but he could never overpower him. "FAYTH! Leave her alone! Don’t hurt her!"

Fayth kicked and screamed but the Guardians easily restrained her and took her from the cell. Valyos kept his back to them as she was carried to him. "I am a Guardian, Misaro, we dont hurt innocent people. You should know that by now. Fayth is safe here, certainly much more than she was on the surface, especially now that the place she lived has become one of the most dangerous places in the world. All thanks to your... hero." Valyos gestured one of the escorts to close and also now lock the door. He suspected this strangley powerful bond between the three might give the pair incentive enough to try something. The closed door between them, Valyos spoke out to Vesuvius, his voice, along with Fayth's struggling cries quieting as they left the cell. "Be sure to get on with that report, Vesuvius. Zanados has no more patience to spare for you, do not keep him waiting."

As the sound of Fayth faded away completely, Misaro fell to his knees and burst into tears. Watching as she was again taken against her will after only just realising a sense of freedom tore at Misaro's fragile heart. He had become truly sick of watching those he cared for beset by tragedy while he was unable to do a single thing to help. His belief that he was too weak and cowardly to ever help anyone throbbed in his mind. This moment was too much like other painful memories, both recent and years ago. Would he be this worthless all his life? He started to think it would be best to completely alienate himself again. At least that way he couldn't constantly let down those who had been so selfless as to befriend him, the pitiful child. As the thought rushed through his mind Misaro wept harder. Vesuvius could only stand and listen. He didn't know how to console him, he couldn't bring anything positive into his mind to use. He was still torn himself by the guilt of what he had caused. Vesuvius could feel himself breaking down again. Then as his head began to hang he saw Misaro, his head buried in his hands, his body hung forwards, and a unusual feeling came over him, it was more than simple concern. For the moment his own troubles disappeared and a growing need to cease Misaro's pain took thier place. Vesuvius didn’t notice it, but was powerless but to act on it.

He knelt down in front of Misaro and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hey... Misaro, pull yourself together, kid, there's no use crying like that. It won’t do anyone any good."

Misaro looked up from his hands at Vesuvius, tears still running down his face. "What difference does it make? No matter what I do I can’t do anyone any good... I’m completely worthless. I… I…" Misaro had difficulty forming his sentence in his state, and soon gave up finishing it.

Vesuvius gave him a stern look. "How can you still be saying things like that. Misaro? Don’t you remember how you lived for your mother while she was here? Because of the strength you gave her, she battled her illness for longer and lived a happier life. Even now, because of you, Fayth is safe, away from Funuchi. If not for your big heart, Fayth and countless others would still be in that monster’s possesion."

Misaro looked to the floor and shook his head, "No… no, I did nothing, that was all you... You even ended up having to do my part. I was so useless. I’m so sorry for that, Vesuvius... even all this… even all this is because I couldn’t do my part. If I hadn’t been so incompetent you wouldn’t have had to reveal yourself... You and Fayth would still be..." Vesuvius could hear no more and cut Misaro off.

"NO! Can’t you see it yet, Misaro? I would never have gone after Funuchi if you hadn't taught me compassion. You didn't cause this, so don't be sorry... It’s me who should be apologising to you!" Vesuvius' tone went quieter as he spoke.

Misaro slowly looked back to Vesuvius, who seemed to be troubled again. "Apologise to me? ...What for?" The notion seemed ridiuclous to Misaro

Vesuvius was now the one looking to the floor. "Ever since I met you, it seems all I did was hurt you, push you away and mock you for your weakness. Still, through all that, you only sought to reach out to me and befriend me. You never gave up in me and showed me only care, and all I ever did was reject and hurt you. So I know it’s a little late and probably doesn't mean much now... but I'm sorry." Vesuvius sounded as though he thought his apology was worth nothing and shouldn't be accepted, rather much like the apology he owed to Dion and the whole of the sanctuary, he thought. Misaro managed to stop crying but kept say solemnly silent. Vesuvius smiled to see he had at least calmed down a little. He got to his feet and gently ruffled Misaro's hair. "Fayth will be fine, okay, Misaro? Despite his cold attitude, Valyos is a Guardian. What’s more is that he is one of the sentinel council who serve directly under Zanados, so he has a pure heart and wouldn't hurt her, so don't worry. I'll do what I can to get you and Fayth back to the surface once this is all over."

Misaro looked up at him with his teary eyes, a weak smile slowly showing on his face. Vesuvius smiled back at him "Tell you what, let’s agree to forgive each other. We can worry about forgiving ourselves later." Misaro's smile widened and he nodded eagerly. Satisfied that Misaro would be okay for now, Vesuvius got to his feet and sighed. He felt the despair creep back into him, as his thoughts came back to the situation. "...best get on with this report, then."

Vesuvius turned to desk where Valyos had left the paper. Then suddenly Misaro got to his feet and almost fell into Vesuvius, wrapping his arms as best he could around the man as he started to cry again. Vesuvius looked down at Misaro smiling, shaking his head. "What’s the matter with you now, huh?" He asked in an amused tone.

Misaro clasped tighter on to him. "Don’t be so content in knowing just me and Fayth are okay. What about you? What’s going to happen to you? I… I…" Misaro paused, though it wasn’t because he was lost for words. He knew what he wanted to say. Misaro didn't understand it; it was similar to when he tried to say things to Fayth.

Vesuvius could tell how serious Misaro was and that same feeling of concern came back."...Misaro?"

Though Vesuvius couldn't see it and Misaro wasn’t aware, the boy was blushing. "…I want to find the words to make you feel okay, too... You and Fayth make me feel so happy... and it seems so easy for you... Won’t you let me try and find a way... I want to find a way to make you happy, too."

Vesuvius smiled and put an arm around Misaro. "You silly boy, I already told you, you’re the one who reminded me of importance of caring. If it wasn't for you, I don't think I would ever have remembered how to be happy." He placed his other arm around Misaro and closed his eyes. "...but if you really want to find a way into this heart that has been closed for so long, if you still seek to understand me, then I owe you that... at the very least. From now on, Misaro, no more secrets. I promise."

Misaro smiled and as Vesuvius held him, his body relaxed. All his pain and worries melted away and he started to fall asleep. This feeling, this warmth and peace, this embrace that made him so sleepy, he hadn't felt it for so long yet he would never forget who gave it to him. Perhaps some of his wishes to her were in Vesuvius after all, his wishes to be saved, his wishes for Fayth to be saved. Not even the most star-blanketed sky would make him feel as close to her as he did now. Vesuvius felt Misaro's grip on him loosen and he caught him as he started to slip. He lifted Misaro up and placed him on the one bed in the cell. He looked down on the sleeping boy fondly. It was different to friendship in a way; it was more like a father looking down on his son, though Vesuvius would not recognise it as that, having never been a father. "You still can’t see your wings yet, can you? ...I wonder if that’s the fate of the angels caught in the hell of the surface. ...If there was a way to redeem myself now, it would be to make you believe in your wings one day ...and maybe, you might show me if I can get mine back."

Vesuvius closed his eyes and cleared his head. Now wasn't the time for daydreaming. He went back to the rickety wooden desk. Upon it were an oil lamp, a pen and the paper left by Valyos. He lit the lamp, sat himself down and with a heavy heart, began to recall the events leading to his betrayal of the oath. Misaro slept peacefully and quietly behind him.

Meanwhile, Valyos and the captive Fayth had reached Valyos' tower. On Valkeire castle, four towers reached high above the main structure. Each member of the sentinel council owned a tower, and it was here that Guardians received their specialised level of training. During a Guardian’s basic training, their strengths were observed and once that training was complete, they were assigned a member of the sentinel council to serve under who best suited those strengths. The rest of their training would be done in the tower of their new master. Also, in these towers, each sentinel council member had a field of expertise that they developed. Higher level Guardians would work with the council member themself in working and advancing that field. Valyos was the master of weapons development. Each Guardian’s weapon was unique and tailored specifically to their individual traits to the finest detail, so that each Guardian’s weapon was their perfect tool in combat. No two Guardian’s weapons were ever the same.

The nature of the tower’s expertise was reflected in its daunting interior, the stone walls were lined with countless weapons, thier jagged blades seeming to point delibaretly at her, the air shimmered with the heat of the glowing forges, casting long shadows and red colour all around, to the young girl, it seemed an almost hellish scene. Fayth had exhausted herself struggling already, but it was the tower that intimidated her into silence. Yet as she looked around, she couldnt find another distressed face, quite the opposite, the guardians at work there exuded pride and focus, they were more than happy to be there, it was intriguing to her but the least of her thoughts right now. Finally they arrived at the top level of the tower, the loud din from the training area and workshops faded from beyond the corridor that lead to Valyos' quarters. The escorts released Fayth as they came through the doors and awaited Valyos' dismissal before they left, closing the grand doors to Valyos' quaters behind them.

Being a young boy, Valyos' quarters were smaller than that of the other members of the council. Although Fayth would not know it, a more striking difference was the complete absence of any memorbillia. Most guardians kept photos or items that reminded them of the special something they had lost to the cruelty of the surface world, the special something that they had forgone the rest of their life to become a Guardian and avenge the loss of. Valyos had nothing like that. His quarters contained only things he aquired in his time in the sanctuary. It had a sad feel to it, like the room of someone who did not enjoy life and did not care to try . Fayth took some time taking in this lonely setting, then brought her thoughts to the little brat that had her carried up here after insulting her hero so terribly.

"What the HELL do you think you’re doing? Why have you brought me here? ...And where is here anyway?" She still spoke full volume, without an ounce of hesitation or fear in her voice. She scowled at Valyos who flicked his hood down, not turning to Fayth or indeed moving at all as he replied.

" 'Here' is the greatest place you could be, The Sky Sanctuary, secret home of the Guardians, you should be honoured to be here. And as for your first question, there are a few reasons. To eventually answer you, allow me to pose a question of my own." Valyos turned to face Fayth now. His fair blue hair reached to just above his shoulders at the back, while at a front a lengthy fringe covered a large portion of his face. The same curious armour that Vesuvius had was plated up the centre of his stomach and around his wrists. In this dimly lit room it was hard to be sure, but Fayth thought it looked like it had been burnt onto his skin. His appearance took her back a little but she stayed strong and didnt show it. Valyos stared right into her eyes once more and continued. "Did Vesuvius tell you the reality of the situation on the surface, about the corruption and crime?"

Fayth's scowl dissapeared. Her face turned sorrowful as she recalled what she had overheard Vesuvius say to Misaro. "He said something about the 'amount of crime and corrupt power in the world is out of control' and the guardians bieng the only reason things seem okay... I had no idea it was so bad. I knew the world had terrible people in it, people like Funuchi... but how could it be so bad? Why is there so much evil?"

Valyos turned to face the window. Its view looked away from the city and out into the wall of clouds that surrounded the castle. "It was a gradual change, we think, society has slowly transformed man into a thoughtless, selfish beast. It may even still be getting worse. Some of us say the stars themselves sent Zanados, the valkerie, the creator and master of the Guardians to this world to save it from mankind’s growing evil." Valyos stared back at Fayth. "It is greed and jealousy that drives man to evil, sins that can only exist in the minds of the aged. It is a product of a society born of those sins. All adults are to blame, world leaders, buisnessman, even parents like yours. They are all the source of the evil. They feed off each other like sick parasites, consuming the weak and wounded in any way they can to better themselves. It is in everything they do!"

Fayth sharply frowned at Valyos, raising her voice. "Stop that! How dare you talk about my parents like that?! You don’t even know them!"

Valyos sneered and turned away. "What a sad sight, you are among the many who cannot see it. To me it is clear as day, it is the maturing of the mind that opens us to sin. In youth we are innocent and carefree, we will not kill or scar each other, we cannot rape or lie, we do not long for money or power and we are immune to the net of greed the adults have trapped themselves in. Once we are old enough, we become part of the net and become corrupt. Your parents were just as evil as Funuchi, equally feeding into and from the net of sin the surface is wrapped in." Valyos turned back to Fayth and spread his arms in gesture "HERE! Up here in the Sky Sanctuary we have a utopian society, free from that network of greed and jealousy. Those who age here are safe. In some case it is even possible for the tainted to be cleansed of their corrupt desires here, as some Guardians have proven." Valyos let his arms slowly fall to his sides and extended a hand to Fayth.

"I feel sorry for you and Misaro, who are caught in the delusions of your parents’ innocence. Take Misaro, he can’t see how his mother sapped the strength he needed to cope with life to prolong her own waning life. Thanks to her selfishness, she doomed that child to a lifetime of weakness and incompetence. Then there’s you. Right now you cannot see how it was your father's greed that got him into debt with Funuchi, and your mother’s jealousy and vanity that caused you to be so concious of your appearance. She pressured you into a form she could present to others to better her own image. It is a common sin amongst parents, to use their child as a some kind of accesory to better thier own image." Valyos seemed to be getting angry as he spoke about his very apparent hatred for grown people, especially parents, it seemed. Whenever he said the word, he almost spat it. Suddenly his voice became soft. "I can show you... show you that your grief for your parents is misplaced, show you how to forget the pain completely. What do you think?" Valyos didn't smile or carry a persausive tone in his voice. His face was as solemn as it had been throughout and it sounded as if he didn’t really care either way. Regardless, Fayth's answer would not have changed.

"NO! I WON’T! I would never do that... I love my parents. They did so much for me and they were taken from me. They cared for me so well. I don’t ever want to forget them, how can you not understand that? How could you hate parents so much? You’re so young, how could you have so much hate. Why?" Fayth's caring nature caused her to be concerned for anyone’s misfortune, even this boy, who had done nothing but slate Vesuvius and her parents, some of the most important people to her, ever since she saw him. Fayth was very fond of children. She once worked in a playschool, helping her mother, who ran the place. It troubled her that this young boy could be such a hateful person, especially to something as wonderful as parents she thought. Valyos did not answer. He simply turned away, putting his hood back up and wrapping his cape around himself. Was this his way of hiding from his pain and hiding it from others, Fayth wondered. Her heart would not take silence for an answer.

"...Why?"

Elsewhere in the Sky Sanctuary, somewhere along the walkways that crowned the great wall surrounding the city, Dion had caught up with another member of the sentinel council, the one who had been his master. Dion had only been able to think of Vesuvius since he was brought to the city. He couldn't tell whether it was worry for his friend or hatred for the man’s betrayal. Either way, he had to know what became of him and he knew his master, sentinel council member Ferrah, would be the easiest person to reach who would know. Ferrah had just finished speaking with a group of Guardians when Dion approached him. Ferrah turned as the other Guardians left him and saw Dion approaching him, his brow furrowed as Ferrah peered into his soul and felt Dion's emotion. "Dion, I had a feeling you would be wanting to speak with me soon," he called.

Ferrah was about as tall as Vesuvius and everything about him seemed sharp. His angled face and narrow, dark eyes gave him an ever serious and piercing stare. His raven black hair spiked downwards to his shoulders, save for a extra long part that was tied up at the top of his head and fell down to his waist. His black cape and spiked armour marked him as a council member. Yet most unique of Ferrah was the enormus, peculiar gauntlets and boots he wore. The stories that formed his legend spoke of a strange humming emanating from him when he fought. He had been known to seemingly fly in his battles, and sometimes be able to strike his opponents from great distances. Despite his fearsome legend, Ferrah was a kind, approachable man, very unlike Valyos, and was well known as bieng prone to worrying a great deal about others, many guardians sought to speak with him when they were troubled. Some thought it curios though, that Ferrah himself had never reached out for help, as he was like all other guardians and had a dreadful past that brought him to the Sky Sanctuary

Ferrah was the master of Tactics and Stragety. His field controlled and enhanced the movement of Guardians on the surface, and to and from the sanctuary. Dion had become a high-ranking Guardian in Ferrah's field and so had become quite familiar with his master. They often spoke casually but now Dion had something of serious importance to talk about and Ferrah was well aware of what it was.

The two Guardians’ hair and capes trailed to the side in the wind. Dion walked up to Ferrah and paused awkwardly before he was able to speak, somewhat uneasy with his own question. "What became of Vesuvius, Master Ferrah? Did the council and Zanados pass a verdict on him?"

Ferrah bore a pained expression a while before answering, turning to face out into the sky. He glanced across at Dion, who seemed tense, his stare fixed intently on Ferrah. "You two are close friends, aren’t you? I remember you two spending alot of time together before Vesuvius left for the surface."

Dion frowned and gazed towards the ground, a mixture of regret, hate and hurt showing on his face. He almost coughed out his reply "That’s all in the past. That bastard... he threw everything away, our oath, our friendship... for what? I hate him now." Dion tried to mask his pain and sadness with anger, even though he knew that Ferrah would see through it.

"Really? Is that so?" Ferrah said with a tone of doubt. "Well, if you really want to know, the final action decided was a withdrawal and supsension of all Guardian activity in the vicinty surrounding the police investigation Vesuvius caused. Vesuvius himself is to be kept in the holding cell for the duration of the supsension. Guilt was his punishment, Zanados said." Ferrah sighed, for such a thing to happen weighed heavy on his worrying mind. " Wether or not Vesuvius will remain as a guardian has not yet been decided. The withdrawal is top priority at the moment."

Dion was shocked by Ferrah’s news. "Is Zanados serious? ...A Guardian withdrawal?! Surely he knows what that would mean for the people in that area. He's dooming them all!"

Ferrah sharply turned to him, his voice snapping at Dion. "Zanados does what is best for us, his family. He places our safety and protection above all other things, you know that! If anyone is to blame, it is Vesuvius, for forcing Zanados into taking such serious action."

Dion's shock turned to rage. He clenched his fist tight and snarled, "Vesuvius... you... I will NEVER forgive you."

With that, Dion stormed off towards the castle, towards Vesuvius. Ferrah simply listened to him stomp away and sighed. "What a terrible shame," Ferrah murmured, "for such a strong bond to be destroyed like this. Vesuvius... what were you thinking?"

At the same time, Valyos had decided to tell Fayth what she wanted to know, which was unusual for him. Still wrapped in his hood and cape and facing away from Fayth. For reasons that puzzled him, he felt compelled to divulge his past to her, the reasons for his hate. "I was born about fifteen years ago as a result of a brutal rape. My mother was only seventeen when she gave birth to me. She never showed me any compassion. To her, I was nothing but a reminder of that foul experience. She gave me away for adoption when I was barely two years old. The young couple that took me in a year afterwards treated me no better. They took me in only because they did not want the hassle of childbirth, and so that they could have a child of their own to keep up with their equally shallow friends who had already had children. The house had no love, the man had a gambling problem, and the woman was an alcoholic. The desperate facade that I was forced to be a part of in the presence of others was the only peace I knew... and I knew it was fake. Eventually their addictions lead them to money troubles and they couldn’t afford to keep me any more. I was returned to the orphanage, where with my now open eyes I watched adults come and go to see the children. I saw the same corruption in them all, even in those who worked at the orphanage. They were all the same, shallow, greedy, jealous, vain... I hated them all and didnt want any of the children to go with them. I started to drive adults away, to stop them from using those kids I called friends as their tools. It wasnt long before I had to be isolated from the others, in a locked room so I couldn't intefere anymore."

Fayth was upset; she couldn't bear to hear the pain of others. It seemed that, right now, all the anger she had for Valyos had gone, she only felt pity for him now. He continued regardless. She had wanted to hear why, so she would hear it, let it shatter her faith he thought. His voice carried no emotion, not even a hint of pain. To him, this was not a painful memory being recalled, this was merely a recital of the past. He didn't care what had happened to him, it had brought him here, to a place he was safe from mistreatment and manipulation.

"I was in despair. I could see too clearly the terrible web of sin that this adult world had spun over itself. I could do nothing to stop it, nothing, it was too complex, too interwoven into the society to ever go back. Then he appeared to me, the saviour, the valkerie, Zanados. He gave me hope that the world could be saved, he showed me a way I could protect people from the sin, a way it could be stopped and someday destroyed." Even as he recalled the moment he was carried to this safe haven, Valyos’ tone didn't alter, he didn't seem to express any care about anything. Fayth could feel it. Why was it he felt nothing in the world around him? Why was he so numb?

One question bothered her enough to be asked out loud. Through her heartache for Valyos she managed to ask, "But... Valyos, you must know... one day you will be an adult too. Wha-"

Valyos interrupted her sharply and she fell silent as the boy turned to face her. Now deadly serious eyes glimmered in the dim light that reached them inside his hood. "You are wrong, I won’t ever be an adult. I won’t ever allow myself to be anything similar to those monsters. I won’t see the day that I become the thing I hate. That, above all things, I could not live with and so...I won’t.... Do you understand what I mean, Fayth?"

Fayth gasped, "No... no... y-you can't.."

While pasts were revealed in the sky, on the surface one man was hard at work trying to reveal the truth of another. The plaque on his desk read ‘Detective Alex Davids’. The middle-aged man ran his hand roughly through his hair and over his stubbly face as he battled his weariness, sifting through papers and photos of a mangled car and the crushed body of a recently deceased crime lord. The lit cigarette in his mouth dropped ash on the papers he was reading. "Gah! Dammit." He tutted and brushed the ash away. The phone on his disorganised mess of a desk rang. He shoved away sheets of paper as he tried to uncover it, picked it up and leant back on his swivel chair, taking the cigarette out of his mouth. "Yo! What did you find out?"

The voice on the other side belonged to an older man. He sounded cold and calm. "Nothing but a bunch of wack eye witness accounts, Al. I'll let you have a look at them but... you know, it’s the sort of stuff you hear about UFO sightings. I'm not sure about this case. Don’t you think that maybe the people on that road were confused? I mean, a giant man running past cars on a motorway with a sword?"

Al got up from his chair and loosened the collar of his shirt. "I know, Ted, ...Thanks anyway... uhhh yeah, bring in those accounts tomorrow. Just… trust me on this, okay? I’ve got a weird feeling about this."

"Ha! I’ve never trusted you... All right then, I'll get going. See you tomorrow! ...Oh, and for God’s sake, I want to see you've slept by then, you sound like a wreck. You sound older than me!"

Al smirked and stubbed out his cigarette in a filthy ashtray that sat precariously on the edge of his desk, Al had to grab it as nearly fell off. "Haha! ...Fine, fine, I'll get some shut-eye soon. Seeya tomorrow, bye now." Al hung up the phone and leaned his head on his arm as he rested it against a filing cabinet. He sighed and furrowed his brow as he thought to himself,

"I... I know that this has to be the same man I saw. ...I will find you this time, you murderer!!"

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Heehee that one was a little long wasnt it ^.^''

THANK YOU FOR READING! *glomps* =^w^= , for those who are interested, Dion and Valyos badges have been added (Thankies!!) and I am doing my best to do a Fayth badge too, I suck at drawing girls ^.^'.

Chapter 10: Worlds Dividing

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