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The Guardian Vesuvius, Chapter 11: His Face is a Map of the World

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"Right from the beginning I said that every person's reaction to the harsh reality of our world is different. It could be possible to simply accept it and live on as best we can, but human nature denies us that luxury. We require somewhere to place the blame, or it will well up inside us and torture us. Without someone or something to hold responsible for the terrible things that happen to us, we are left with the idea that the fault must lie within. However, is not a great deal of the world’s malice due to those seeking something to blame and to exact revenge upon? What release can there be in becoming that which caused your own pain?

Are the only options left to us when tragedy strikes to either descend into sadness and wallow in our pain, or to descend into evil and inflict it upon others? If so, then mankind is doomed to be forever populated by the hateful, in an eternal cycle. If only all the pain could be kept away from the world, so that a fresh bloom of kindness and peace of mind might get its chance to breathe.

There has to be a better way to deal with our pain."

Since being locked in her cell, Fayth had been desperately trying to find a way out, quite unlike Vesuvius and Misaro, who remained quiet and full of regret. One lacked the will to oppose what was happening, yet had the strength, and one who had the will but lacked the strength. Despite her desperate situation and troubled mind, Fayth was focused and calm. She carefully and closely inspected the whole room. What could she use? Where could she possibly escape from? She looked and looked but there was nothing. The room had nothing in it at all she could move or use; there were no loose bars, no holes to make bigger, nothing. Even in the face of this she continued to look around a good deal longer than most would, but in the end even Fayth's persistent resolve began to fold and her mounting emotions started to overcome her determination. Her body began to shake. Thoughts of escape were replaced by dark thoughts of what could become of her friends, tearing at her strength. Image after image brought her to her knees. She fought them with all her heart, knowing that crying would get her no closer to escape from what had so far seemed a dreadful place, but in the end the tears flowed from her eyes. She could only sob as quietly as she could, to hide it from those outside as well as herself. Her keen eyes had served only to quicken her realisation that there was no escape to be made from here, and no one to plead to that would listen or care.

Or so she thought.

Elsewhere, without any remaining thought of the girl he had just spoken to, Valyos made his way towards the control centre within Ferrah's tower. He kept his head down and stared at the ground. He knew these halls well enough to navigate his way through with just a little of the floor in view. He didn’t need to see anyone and he knew all would clear a path for him, one of the most frightening members of the council. His complete dismissal of the value of his life and the opinions of others; and his dead expression and mood made others uneasy around him. He was well aware of this and, as with all things, he couldn’t care less. As he passed into a main corridor he noticed a wider space in front of him, a wider space in the auras of guardians moving back and forth in this busy time. Someone ahead had a reputation that demanded a greater distance to be kept. Knowing whom it was, Valyos looked up from the floor to greet the fellow council member.

"Shylock... I trust you are on your way to the control centre?"

The other council member stood halfway down the corridor. It seemed he might even have been waiting for Valyos there. He was of average height and build, as far as guardians went. A mask of cloth covered his mouth and neck. The armour, that was seemingly burnt on, plated the centre of his face and continued along his scalp, grey, dead hair spiking chaotically on either side and away from his face. The visible skin around his eyes was black and seemed charred, eyes that were blank and white, faded pupils staring motionlessly forward. He was clearly blind but had a soul-penetrating glare. The spiked black and gold sentinel council armour plated his shoulders and hips, but the usual wrist spikes were replaced by this guardian’s unique weapon. An enormous blade protruded from a special glove on each hand, the blades curving beyond the length of his arms, and laced with strange brass wires. Similar wires covered the armour plates on his arms and face. He turned his head to face Valyos as he called out. He replied in a rough voice, one that sounded as though it was forcefully dragged out of his mouth. Strangely, it wasn’t muffled behind his mask.

"I was... but I felt you near, so I thought I would wait a while and walk with you..."

There was genuine feeling in his voice, devoid of malice or sarcasm, that sat at odds with his dark appearance. His terrible voice even carried a hint of gladness and relieved fear, like he had been saved from loneliness. Valyos continued towards Shylock and hung his head again.

"Hmph, if you must. Actually, there is something I was looking to discuss with you, I suppose I might as well do it now."

Shylock walked with the boy, having to hold back his full stride to go at the same speed as Valyos. Shylock knew full well Valyos would not care to walk faster to keep up with him.

"Oh? What would that be? ...Is it about the guardian withdrawal? You should know my standpoint on this. Whatever needs to be done to keep the Sanctuary safe I support, nothing is more important to me than that. Although I worry for our master..." Shylocks brow furrowed and his voice became more of a growl as he finished, "and what he will go through because of that...traitorous wretch!"

"Yes...he..will suffer a great deal." Valyos fell silent for a while, in spite of his cold, uncaring attitude, he too worried for Zanados, he was the only person in the world that mattered to him, the only person he truly trusted, for it was him who saved Valyos from the surface, who understood the hate Valyos saw in the world and who offered him a father and a home, which he had been repeatedly denied in his life. It seemed the withdrawal was going to do something horrid to Zanados.

Noticing the silence, Valyos quickly started talking again to change the subject.

"Anyway, I didn’t want to discuss the withdrawal, I wanted to speak to you about our adolescent captives. I have a feeling that they are not done causing trouble for the Sanctuary. I noticed something when I had them all together, a courage and forwardness that appeared almost immediately and defied all fear and doubt, all circulated around one girl. I had both of them crippled in fear but once I turned on her, they were ready to attack me if I had gone on. I do not understand what it is, yet for sure, as long as that girl is here, Vesuvius and the boy he dragged into his mistake are liable to bother us. I do not believe Vesuvius even regrets his actions. It’s like his ideals have been transformed by her."

Shylock too took a moment to himself to delve into his thoughts. "One person... who transformed your ideals? One you would defy all fear and doubt to protect?..I understand that feeling...I..." Breaking himself from his thought he spoke to Valyos again. "What matter is it in the end if Vesuvius regrets it or not? In fact, perhaps it is better that he doesn't. That way he will be deemed unworthy to be a guardian and, knowing the secret of our existence, Zanados will have no choice but to exterminate him. The sinner, the fool will be destroyed and all shall return to how it should be here, a populace of completely devoted and loyal guardians. An operation this delicate has no room for the half-hearted... the unreliable... and for definite...the weak. Vesuvius is each of these things." Shylock sneered and gave a dismissive huff at the folly of the subject. "I would be more troubled should Vesuvius be allowed to continue serving. Though I would not doubt the final decision of Zanados, I could never be truly at ease with someone capable of his disregard for the oath, free and on the surface."

Valyos shook his head, "Do not misunderstand me, Shylock, I too care little for Vesuvius and his thoughts. It is, in fact, the final judgement you say you trust that I am concerned about. Zanados, can he really go through with it, should it come to... the worst? This has never occurred before in the entire history of the Guardians. Zanados has been there since the beginning. He cares for us all so dearly and he has already been through more than enough death of those he cares for. With this in mind, will he be able to make the right decision?"

Their discussion had brought them to the staircases in Ferrah's Tower, as with all four towers, levels were accessed through lifts. Lower levels were where the special training took place, the middle level was the control centre and above that was Ferrah's quarters. Shylock and Valyos, knowing full well the seriousness of their conversation, decided to keep quiet as they navigated the nervous centre of the entire sanctuary. You could never be sure who was listening or watching in this place. An awkward, but necessary, silence floated between them until they reached the very entrance of the control centre. Shylock was about to open the door when he turned his head towards Valyos and spoke a single phrase only he would understand. To anyone that was listening, it could mean anything, but to Valyos it had a clearer meaning. It was spoken in a tone so unbefitting, like what he said was nothing, but it carried a heavy message. It only made it more sinister sounding to Valyos. The child simply stared up at Shylock as he pushed the door open, wondering how exactly he meant what he said.

"He won’t have to..."


Only one member of the council was left to arrive at the control centre now, though it was well understood by the others that this one would take a little longer to get there. He was a true mountain of a figure, even by guardian standards. He towered well over the others, at over eight feet tall, though some of that height was the armour he wore. While most guardians were sufficed to simply have the odd set of armour plates here and there, the fourth council member, Guardian Taurg, was easily recognisable by his full body armour. On top of this, his armour was a great deal thicker and bulkier, giving him the appearance of metal giant, gleaming in the light that shone through the tall windows of the castle's halls. The spiked armour all council members wore was integrated in to his armour. A ravaged and torn cape waved behind him. Crimson hair hung out of a metal tube on the back of his head. It was assumed it was his own but no one knew for sure, and no one would ask. Wicked spikes protruded from the helmet's front in a half wheel design. That, coupled with the scowling, metal, skull-like helmet he wore, and the Titanic Hammer on his back, gave him a frightening, almost monstrous appearance. He stomped heavily down the corridors, and those around him would feel the vibrations in the ground as the giant metal boots slammed down.

However despite this, there wasn’t even half the distance between him and the guardians passing him as there was with Valyos and Shylock. Conversely, other guardians seemed rather comfortable around him but they still gave him the due respect and moved clear of his path.

Taurg was about to turn towards the control centre in Ferrah's tower when he suddenly sensed the suffering of someone nearby. Like all guardians, Taurg could read and feel the pain of others around him, and, being a council member, Taurg's senses were very keen. However this was the sort of suffering to which he was particularly sensitive. That of a child. Forgetting about the control centre and those awaiting him completely, Taurg took a different direction and picked up his pace. All in his path hastily got well clear of the fast moving behemoth that stormed down the corridors.

Taurg followed the pain, turning through corridors, scaling and descending staircases until he reached a set of cells. The guardians looking over the cells, only one of which was occupied, became rather uneasy as Taurg moved with some speed towards them. He may have been, for some reason, the least frightening of the council, but someone of his size could startle anyone when they appeared and approached that quickly. He stood before the guards. His voice echoed inside the armour, giving it a resonating sound. It was deep and powerful and sounded rather old, however there was no anger or severity in his voice. Instead, there was a rather relaxing vibration in his voice, like a gentle old man speaking to a loved grandson.

"Keepers, who is in this cell?" Taurg gestured a giant gauntlet at the door he felt the pain coming from.

"Valyos moved one of the children brought here with Vesuvius into this cell, Master." The guardian replied, almost craning his neck to look Taurg in the face. He scowled, although only his frowning eyes were visible through the holes in the helmet. "Children? How absurd, open the cell at once." The guardian did not hesitate and quickly unlocked and opened the door. The weeping girl inside lifted her head from her hands and stared in half fear, half hope at the opening. She nearly shrieked when the enormous metal man squeezed his way into the room, putting her hands over her mouth and almost leaping to the rear of the room. Taurg noticed the fear in the child’s eyes as he looked down on her. It pained him greatly to see it. There was something in his past that made him treasure children and it was heavy blow to his heart to be feared by them. Strong and stalwart as he was, he disregarded the pain and worked to calm the girl. Firstly he knelt down in front of her, knowing it would help if he didn’t seem quite so big.

"Don't be afraid, child, I am here as your friend. I've come to take you from this cell. This is no place for children to reside." Taurg had already felt the painful past of the girl. It grieved him and he wanted to quickly relieve her of more suffering. "Especially a child who's been through so much already. Come now, lets get you to some place warmer." He extended his hand to her to help her to her feet. "I’m sorry all this is happening to you, Fayth."

Not one to judge a book by its cover for long, Fayth quickly calmed down when she heard the gentle and warming voice of the man before him. Her entire impression seemed to change, and couldn’t see any trace of the metal monster she first thought he was. Now all she could see was the sole person who had offered to help her here, with this she could leave the cell and find Zanados, or could this be him? Her mind swung quickly back to her friends. This sudden improvement in her situation gave her hope again. She had to save them.

"NO! ...I don’t want to be taken anywhere warmer... I have to help my friends!" Her voice started off in a pleading tone, then it started to become desperate. "Are you Zanados?! Please listen, you HAVE to stop what you’re doing! You can’t call back all the guardians that protect all those people!" She pulled vainly on the Taurg's arm.

Behind his mask, he smiled and helped her to her feet. "Slow down, Fayth, I’m not Zanados. My name is Taurg, I’m one of the sentinel council." Taurg stood up and folded his arms. "So, what’s this about, do you have friends in the area of the withdrawal?" Fayth nodded slowly, still crying a little. Taurg shook his head and thought to himself. "This is awful... this withdrawal sounds like a worse and worse idea every time it gets mentioned. Maybe… maybe I can help this one girl, at least... I just can’t do nothing for her now she’s asked for my help." Somewhat doubting just what he could actually accomplish for Fayth, he hastily suggested something. "Tell you what, I was just heading down to an audience with Zanados now. Want to come with me?"

Fayth's face lit up and a smile once again adorned her face. "…a ...a ...Yes! YES!"

Taurg interrupted her from going on any further. "I warn you though, I don’t know if he will listen to you. Zanados is a very steadfast man. He knows what’s best for us in the sanctuary and as much as he cares so much for the world, he cares for us first and foremost and is unlikely to deviate from what he is doing. Please understand, Fayth, it hurts him to have to do this, but right now, I don’t think there is any other way. Not to withdraw the guardians would only invite a catastrophe much greater. This is the lesser of two evils. I honestly wouldn’t hope for him to call off the withdrawal. The best we can expect is perhaps to help your friends somehow."

Fayth looked sorrowful but she really had no room to argue. She was sad that so many people were beyond help but she decided she should be thankful that she was getting any favours at all, so with a heavy heart she made herself be content with saving who she could, her friends. If she could see that they at least survived then she owed them that much. Their kindness and friendship had saved her life many times. "I understand… thank you... thank you so much, for doing this for me. You seem to be a lot nicer than the other people here."

Taurg gave a hearty chuckle. "Well, I don’t know about that." He led Fayth out of the cell and into the corridors as he spoke. The guardians watching the cell didn’t stop or question them. If Taurg was taking the captive child with him then they would not be the ones to tell him he couldn't. "You see, there are so many people here who hold this place dear. Everyone one here had thier life on the surface destroyed. It is here that those painful memories are shared, consoled and eventually turned into something good. Here we are given a new life, a new family and a purpose we can be truly proud of. We all need this place. Should it for any reason cease to be or change, we would be lost again, and none of us could stand to lose our lives again. What Vesuvius did on the surface really threatened the safety of our home, which we have protected for so long, so, many of us may come across as cold or cruel, but in reality, we’re just scared." Fayth scowled and was about to yell at Taurg for blaming Vesuvius but before the words left her mouth. As if Taurg knew what she would say, he stopped her by speaking first. "I know Vesuvius well, he served under me in his special training. He is a good man. Though he has a cold exterior, once you get to know him, he has a big heart and he cares a great deal. I know he meant well by what he did. I only hope everything clears up as painlessly as possible."

Fayth smiled. She was amazed how quickly she was able to feel familiar with these guardians, the way they knew everything about you from the start. The way they understood and cared, the way they gave up their life to protect others. Through this kind old guardian, she was beginning to see this place in a new light, for the incredible place it was. Everyone in it was likeable to an angel, even the bitter and hurtful Valyos she had met before, he wanted to save the world from what he thought was evil. They may have done things in ways she didn't understand or agree with, but each of these guardians wanted only to protect other people from their fate, and in return, all they asked was a family and a place to feel salvaged.

By chance she too had become destined to live in this "heaven". She knew she wouldn’t be able to leave now she knew the secret of this place. Slowly, now she finally had a chance to really take in this place, to look out of the windows of the castle and see the beautiful city in the clouds, she began to think that wasn't a bad thing at all. Becoming rather excited in this train of thought she followed after Taurg, to meet with the founder of this magical place. Despite the seriousness of her reasons for seeing him, she could not help but feel a little elated, though her concern for her friends did not leave her mind.

Taurg could sense the pain and sadness in Fayth disappearing and was gladdened. Now, he hoped Zanados would not bring it back.

Outside of Valkeire Castle, Dion had by now stormed out far into the city. Avoiding eye contact, and indeed, any sort of contact with the guardians and children he passed, he moodily made his way to his house some halfway through the city. He could have got there in much less time if he had leapt across the rooftops, but, angered and drained, he didn’t have the will to do that. Instead he took what he knew to be less travelled streets. He once used these streets for time alone and a quiet way home back when his past still upset him. It had been some time since he had felt the need to use them. He never once thought something that Vesuvius did would be the reason he ever used the route again. Arriving at his house he slammed the door shut behind him and sighed heavily. He was still shaken by Vesuvius' sudden retaliation, the moment still pounded in his mind and heart.

As anger began to leave him, sadness rushed in to fill its place. Now alone, he slowly fell to his knees and fought his tears. He slammed his fist on the floor as he saw tears fall from his face.

"...d ...d …DAMN YOU!! ...Damn you, Vesuvius, why, why did you do this to me... I will never forgive you... I TRUSTED YOU! I trusted you with everything." Every time Dion’s pain caused him to raise his voice, he would remind himself to be hushed, lest a passer by hear him. He wanted to be left alone for now. He leaned back onto the wall and slid down to floor as he wept. He continued to think out loud, talking to no one, saying the words he couldn’t bear to say to Vesuvius before, knowing that if he did, he would not have been able to keep his tears back as he did in the cell. " I... I can’t understand... why would you desert me... after everything we went through together? ...Why would you break your promise and turn your back on me for some... some... KID?! SOME STRANGER OFF THE STREET! ...was your friendship for me so fickle? Did you forget me so easily? ...I ...I never forgot you. You... who taught me to open up again... Why?"

As he wept, motionless on the floor, speaking in fluctuating volumes, eyes fixed forward, like in some sort of trance, moments from his and Vesuvius’ past together ran through his mind. "…Did those days... did they mean nothing to you? ...Did I mean nothing? ...Vesuvius... I haven’t got so strong that I can go on with you having forgotten and betrayed me. How could you? …How could you hurt me like this? ...YOU KNEW THAT THIS WOULD HURT ME LIKE THIS! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!..." Dion, wailing like a child, in many ways did not have the chance or time to grow up. The years he would have spent doing that, he spent in despair of his past. Just when it seemed that maybe he had managed to open up and mature, this betrayal by his best friend, he who he once thanked for his new strength and faith, had knocked him back to being a hateful, untrusting, weak child again. He could no longer believe in the strength he learned from Vesuvius. He could feel he was retreating within himself again, becoming the reclusive boy he was when he first got here. He frowned and clenched his fists tighter and tighter, his hate for Vesuvius swelling inside him as he recalled each memory with him and knew now how they were all nothing but a worthless lies to him. All the kind words, all the favours, all the lessons, all meaningless, all lies. The thought ate away at Dion. He started shaking as he tensed his whole body in sickening hatred.

Sharply and angrily picking himself off the floor, Dion wanted to scream at the top of his lungs but instead he swallowed and bottled it all up, thinking to himself, I will never forgive you, ‘I will never trust you again, Vesuvius... I don’t care what judgement is finally passed on you, you will always be a traitor to me, a worthless, wicked traitor! I will never stand by you or with you again!’ With that, Dion decided he had enough of today and wanted only to sleep and just for a while, escape from his torturous emotions.


Taurg and Fayth arrived at the gate to the control centre. All the way there, passing Guardians glanced at Fayth. It was a rare sight indeed for someone so young to be in these parts of the castle, but not one questioned them. Taurg was a council member; his judgement and decisions were respected and certainly not challenged by anyone except other council members or Zanados himself. Fayth kept herself close to Taurg. So far, he was the only nice guardian other than Vesuvius she had met. Though she was beginning to realise a brand new respect for the guardians, she still felt uneasy around them. Taurg turned to her as they stood outside the entrance.

"Wait here, Fayth, I will speak with Zanados and see if I can’t do something for the people on the surface, most importantly, your friends." Before Fayth could give any sort of reply, Taurg had pushed open the door and stepped inside the control centre. The eyes of all inside turned to him, as he stood silhouetted in the doorway. Zanados scowled at him. Taurg knew that the master already knew he had something to ask him.

"Taurg, you have arrived. However....it seems you will be delaying us futher?"

Zanados stared up at Taurg and the guardian knew he had better get to the point. "Master Zanados, I have someone here who would like to appeal to you about the withdrawal and I believe you should hear her out..."

Zanados suddenly cut Taurg off with a slightly raised voice. "Oh? I see, so what makes you believe that this girl will be able to influence the decision WE made? Does she somehow have some insight into the situation our five minds combined did not?"

"Well, yes... she is from the surface... what’s more, she still has her life there. We have long since lost that viewpoint."

Zanados began to shout, and even Taurg was intimidated by the booming voice of Zanados. "I KNOW WHO THIS GIRL IS AND I CAN TELL YOU SHE DOES NOT HAVE A LIFE ON THE SURFACE ANYMORE! THE MOMENT SHE LEARNED OF THIS PLACE, SHE LEFT BEHIND EVERYTHING DOWN THERE. SO MAYBE YOU SHOULD RE..."

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" For the first time since any guardian could remember, a voice spoke out and interrupted Zanados, and the master of guardians was brought to an abrupt silence. Everyone inside the control centre was taken aback. Who would dare do this to Zanados?...and why was Zanados silenced so easily?

Fayth stormed into the control centre. The girl wasn't particularly small, but amongst these guardians she seemed tiny. This didn't seem to phase her, though. She was afraid of them, but when her friends’ lives were in the balance it seemed there was nothing she wouldn't brave. Valyos sighed under his breath, as if he half expected this to happen. It was, after all, just the sort of stuff he had just told Shylock would happen. With the same tone of voice that she scolded Valyos with, she yelled at Zanados.


"Listen to me, I have already accepted the fact that I can’t live on the surface anymore, and it doesn’t bother me now, but I still have the same feelings for those people I left down there. Those people gave me so much, they helped me bear what that monster of man did to me. Because of them, I had the strength to see myself to the day I would be set free. I owe them my life, so I WILL NOT sit idly and just let them all die to save you." Zanados tried to speak but he was cut short again. Fayth had not finished with him. It wasn’t the volume of her voice that silenced him, it was the gentleness of it. It was hard not to be charmed by Fayth but to Zanados, as she spoke, she reminded him of someone, someone he would never dream of speaking a word against. "Now, I know the reason you’re doing this, and I understand how much you care about your new home and lives. Maybe there is no other way than to do this... and as much as it pains me to think of the people who will die without the guardians there, I can accept it as an inevitable truth. In a way, by doing this you are saving the lives of many people by keeping this place a secret ...but… as selfish as it sounds, I couldn't stand to lose my friends. Surely some of you can understand how hard that is. Please ...I beg you ...please, save them. I promise that I won’t cause any more trouble for any of you, if you just make them safe..." Fayth's energy had gone and her emotions took over again. She fell to her knees and sobbed. "...Please... please."

Zanados seemed frozen, his eyes wide open. He seemed shocked by something. There was a painful silence while Zanados pulled himself together. Finally he spoke to Fayth. "...You are aware... the only way your friends can be saved now is to have them brought to the sanctuary with the returning guardians." With his deadly seriousness restored to his character he stared at Fayth as she brought her face from her hands. "Your friends will have to abandon their lives as well... and their friends... and their families... Are you sure this is what you want to do? It is not likely to be something you will be thanked for."

Fayth got to her feet and clenched her fists, determined. She nodded, "Yes... I know I may be hated for this... but I’m not doing it to be thanked, I’m doing it to save their lives... I have to, I can’t let them die."

Ferrah suddenly turned from his screen and quietly spoke to Zanados. "Master Zanados, We can’t withhold the withdrawal much longer. We will have to go ahead with it now. If we wait any longer, some of the guardians may be caught in the chaos and our timing will be thrown off. We will not be able to guarantee their safe and unnoticed return."

Zanados acknowledged this and, with a hint of hesitation, and much to the surprise of everyone there, he granted Fayth's wish. "FINE!! Your friends will be spared, but you must go now and you must not be noticed. You will need to act in great haste and stealth... so Taurg, you will remain here." Zanados suddenly pointed at Valyos, sternly looking at him. "VALYOS, you will accompany Fayth to the surface. Bring back as many of her friends as you can! Don’t let yourself be seen. If you are, you know what to do."

Valyos jerked and grunted in disapproval. He had no choice, though; he had no intention of disobeying an order from Zanados. Fayth, too, was a little less than pleased to have to travel with the horrible boy who had her treated her, Misaro and Vesuvius so badly before but she felt she had no right to complain. Whoever she went with, she was thankful for the chance to save her friends from being slaughtered in the chaos that was about to cover her home. She soon let her disdain for her company disappear as she became overjoyed with Zanados letting her save her friends. As she promised, she had not given up, and just in time, Taurg had appeared before her. It was almost like how Vesuvius appeared before her when things were becoming unbearable with Funuchi. She flung her arms as best she could around the mountain of a man. " Th… thank you so much, Taurg... Thank you Zanados... Thank you... I won’t mess up, I promise!"

Taurg smiled and felt a warmth in his heart that had long ago been ripped from him. "Hahaha, thank me later. You have to hurry now, Fayth, time is not on your side. The withdrawal is about to happen, you’ll have to be quick if you are to save your friends."

Zanados cleared his throat to get Fayth's attention. "I said act with HASTE!"

Valyos marched somewhat angrily over to Fayth. He looked down towards Zanados. "I will see that it is done. Concentrate on completing the withdrawal." With that, he stormed out of the control centre. Fayth waved, bowed and followed after him. Taurg closed the door as they left and glanced towards Zanados. "She does seem a lot like her, doesn't she?"

Zanados did not reply. He simply smiled weakly for a moment before hastily returning to the task at hand. "RIGHT! That’s enough procrastination, Ferrah! Commence the withdrawal now!" Ferrah nodded and turned back to his screen. As he did, the guardians working in the control centre did the same, and the whole place began to bustle again, screens flashing, keyboards tacking and the muddled voices of the guardians constantly speaking to one another through their headsets. Each screen monitored a returning guardian and their surrounding area. One by one, each was sent information on the special frequency only they could hear. The returning guardians on the surface worked together with the guardians in the control centre. They had to make sure the ascent wasn’t seen by anyone, so each guardian returned one at a time while the others monitored the area for miles around. The process was complicated, taxing and lengthy but with master Ferrah's expertise, it would go smoothly. The only one in any real danger of being spotted was Valyos, and he would not let anyone who saw him live.

Fayth caught up with Valyos as he paced quickly towards the dropzone. He glanced back at Fayth as she reached him. "Trust that fool Taurg to let you out of your cell so you could cause more trouble!" His voice didn't sound angry; it was more as though he was being tiresomely inconvenienced by what he had been ask to do. Valyos didn’t get angry, just fed up.

Fayth frowned at him. With the first thing he said, Valyos had already annoyed her. "Taurg is a kind and gentle person. You could stand to learn a thing or two from him."

Valyos continued to face forward. "I do not care for weak emotions. Kindness is an opening to your heart, giving those you show it to an opportunity to strike you where it will not heal... I would not invite pain to myself in these final years. I am content; I couldn’t care less to what others have to offer me. Anyway, it is far from important. Right now I have to concentrate on completing your ridiculous errand without having to kill anyone. It seems you have learned how to drag others into your failings like Vesuvius... Now leave me alone!"

Fayth couldn’t help but be hurt by Valyos' words. She could understood that he didn’t want to let anyone else in, if he had decided to end his life before he became an adult. Valyos must have been keeping everyone out so there was nothing to tie him here, nothing to leave behind, nothing to miss him.

Fayth decided not to let Valyos and his insults get to her now. She had to keep strong for her friends. She promised not to mess up, and she wouldn't, she would co-operate with Valyos regardless of what he said, and save her friends. That was what was important.

As guardians began to arrive at the sanctuary, the commotion outside reached the ears of Misaro and Vesuvius. At the time, Vesuvius was working on the report, while Misaro sat on the bed, his knees pressed to his chest, huddling in the corner to keep as warm as he could. Vesuvius had given him his cape and Misaro had gratefully wrapped it around himself. The large cape wrapped around the tiny boy several times. As the noise outside increased the pair peered out of the barred window. Seeing the guardians returning, Vesuvius wished he had never looked. He knew it was happening but he could have done without seeing it. Guardians were being met from the lifts on the wall and led toward the castle. Vesuvius looked saddened and slowly sat himself back on his chair, eyes downcast.

Misaro knelt down next to him, putting a hand on his knee. Vesuvius glanced at the boy when he felt the hand. The guardian was clearly deep in thoughts of regret. He smiled weakly at the boy who looked up at him with concerned eyes. Misaro was unsure what to do or say. Vesuvius gave a sigh; this cell was no place for someone like Misaro. He felt terrible for causing him to be trapped in here. "Hey, Misaro… look… I’m sorry that I got you into this. You and Fayth, I had hoped to save you two… but now it seems I just made you share the consequences of what I did..."

Misaro smiled back and shook his head. His voice was almost whispered, and he spoke slowly, as he pieced together what he wanted to say into words that made sense. Misaro had to concentrate like this anytime he wanted to say something important or meaningful. "D...don’t be sorry, Vesuvius. Remember, we already agreed we had forgiven each other... Listen... I'm happy that I met you, I'm happy that I helped you save Fayth and I'm happy that I'm here now... so that you're not alone when you're feeling like this. You shouldn't punish yourself so much about this. You don’t have to be proud of what you did... but it’s not exactly something you should hate yourself for doing... Don't you think?"

Vesuvius ruffled the boy’s hair and smiled, he had turned his own words on him. "Heh, thanks... You're probably right… and it’s good to hear you’re finally admitting you helped to save Fayth."

Misaro blushed and was shocked to realise he had said that. "AH! ...Well... I... I... what I meant was..." Misaro found himself stuck halfway through a sentence he didn't know the end of anyway.

Vesuvius chuckled at him as he fidgeted awkwardly, trying to find words to undo what he said. "Hahaha... You know what, Misaro? I’m glad to have you here at this time too... and you DID help us save Fayth, she knows it, I know it, so why don’t you just start accepting and recognising when you do something good? Otherwise you'll never feel better about yourself... okay?" Vesuvius patted him gently on his shoulder and smiled. "Oh... and thanks for cheering me up... and indeed, for helping me find a reason why I ever deserve to be happy in the first place." With that he turned back to his report and started writing again. He didn't want to have Valyos coming back in here because he was taking too long to finish it.

Misaro found a genuine feeling of peace in his heart when Vesuvius thanked him. He somehow knew that Vesuvius wouldn't thank him falsely, and believed in the gratitude he got from him without question. He was one of three people that he felt this way about. Each one was still, little by little, building strength and confidence in the frail boy, even though one of them hadn't been with him for many years, at least not physically. Filled with the happy feeling, Misaro climbed back onto the bed and curled up Vesuvius' cape again. He wanted to watch the guardians returning to the sanctuary, ever fascinated by this new world, but he thought it best not to. He didn't want to draw Vesuvius' attention to it again.

In the control centre, though, all minds were exclusively focused on the withdrawal; each guardian working constantly to make sure everything went as planned. So far there were no faults but the withdrawal was far from finished. This was the first time a return of this magnitude had ever occurred in the sanctuary’s history, but this process had long since been planned. Ferrah himself designed the entire thing, everything from the execution to the system that would run it. There had always been the concern that sometime something like a mass withdrawal would have to happen. Now Ferrah's work was finally being put to practical use, though no one in the sanctuary actually wanted this to happen.

Suddenly the master of the guardians, Zanados, flinched and clutched his stomach. He became pale and sweated like he had a fever, he gritted his teeth and grunted in pain. Sensing his master’s pain, Ferrah turned from his screen sharply to see Zanados hunched over. He gasped and shot up from his seat, rushing to his side. "MASTER ZANADOS!... So soon... so soon things have worsened below. What should we do? Do you need help?"

Zanados fell to his knees. He struggled to look up at Ferrah. His voice, usually so powerful and commanding, was reduced to a shaking, strained moan. "N... N... NO!! Concentrate on the withdrawal, I said!! ...I can take it..."

Ferrah looked upon the quivering figure Zanados had become so suddenly. Many more guardians hurried around him to do what they could, each one deeply concerned for their father. Taurg and Shylock too came to him. Zanados could feel them circle him. Battling the intense pain, he half rose to his feet and swept a hand to drive them back. "NO, I SAY... C…COMPLETE THE WITHDRAWAL! NOW! …I CAN TAKE IT!"

Zanados started to growl as he slowly got to his feet. It grew louder and louder, beginning to reverberate in the ground. Waves of force began to emanate from him. Dust was picked up from the ground and thrown away from him. His cape flailed upwards behind him. Soon the ground itself began to shake. The guardians around him were forced to step back, but as much noise as this was making, Zanados’ deep growl sounded out over it all.

Ferrah clenched his fist and turned to address the other guardians. He had to yell at the top of his voice to be heard. Though it could not be made out in the commotion, Ferrah's voice carried his worry for Zanados. "Y...YOU HEARD OUR MASTER! BACK TO YOUR POSTS! CONTINUE WITH THE WITHDRAWAL! "

Even so, the other guardians were able to sense his pain. They quickly made their way back to their posts, as much to follow the order both from Master Ferrah and Master Zanados as it was to not distress Ferrah further. All the time Zanados was becoming louder. Eventually he gave an enormous roar with all his might. It boomed through the centre and echoed across the whole city with a power so immense that even those aware of the incredible strength of Zanados were in awe of its impact.

Zanados now stood tall and unflinching again. He had focused his strength to combat the pain, yet the amount power he needed just to be able to stand up straight again was telling of the immense pain he was feeling.

"No matter what happens to me we must all remain focused on this task, our brothers on the surface are counting on us. We cannot fail them. NOW, BACK TO IT!"

With no more delay, the guardians snapped back into their trance-like state as they worked at the withdrawal. Each one swallowed his worry for Zanados and gave his full attention to his screen, such was the complete loyalty the guardians had for Zanados. Even something as powerful as emotion and instinct could be instantly defied with his command.

The tremendous sound of Zanados' shout reached the cell where Vesuvius and Misaro were being kept. Vesuvius understood immediately the origin and the purpose of it. It bothered him, to know that he was to blame for the suffering his saviour and father would feel through this withdrawal. He tried to pay it no heed and press on with his report. Misaro, however, had no idea what it was and Vesuvius was already aware that the boy would inevitably ask him, "What was that?! " He seemed rather unsettled, as most would, at the bellow that had filled the air.

Without turning to face him, Vesuvius put down his pen and spoke to Misaro, speaking in a pained tone as the thought of what he had caused Zanados to feel ran through his mind.

"That was Zanados... He was yelling to fight his pain..."

The vagueness of the response confused Misaro. Curious by nature, the boy would never settle for just that for an answer. "His pain? ...What do you mean?"

"Zanados was the one who taught us how to feel the pain of those around us. He was the one who first discovered how to do it, and his ability grew with his strength... and... and Zanados has, through little fault of his own, become more powerful than any of us can imagine. Unfortunately, this has made his ability to sense pain so strong that he feels any and all pain in the entire world. He can’t stop or control it; he just feels it as his own. Every second of every day he goes through pain so terrible... it would probably kill anyone else. It’s thanks to his strength that he is able to seem unfazed, at least on the surface." Vesuvius clenched his fist and slammed it on the table suddenly, making Misaro jump and grow worried. Vesuvius started to cry as he continued. "…I ...it’s because of the withdrawal... the monsters of man... have started already, the horrific and mindless slaughter of the innocent and unprotected has begun. Hundreds and hundreds of people going through torturous pain and Zanados feels it all at once. Not just their pain... but also their sadness, their fear, even the inner torment of those who are watching their loved ones being slaughtered, raped, beaten. Zanados feels all the trauma, the shame, the anguish, and the despair and sorrow that will follow. Right now, as chaos is enveloping that city below, what he is going through... must be unbearable..."
Vesuvius started to weep openly as he folded his arms on the desk and buried his head in them. "I’m so sorry… Zanados... my father... how could I do this to you? ...I… I… I’m so sorry..."

Misaro came up to Vesuvius. He tried to speak to him but he couldn't get him to respond, he tried to hold him but he wouldn't stop crying. He was inconsolable.

Misaro thought to himself, Vesuvius and the other guardians, they always speak of Zanados with such high praise, they always call him "father" or "saviour". They really all do care so dearly for him, like a real father, a hero, to fill the hole the horrible pasts burned into them. Vesuvius, if this is true, if in your heart, Zanados is your caring father, then there is nothing I can tell you that will console you. I know too well that when you find that you are the reason that terrible pain falls upon someone you love, you don’t cry for sympathy, begging for someone to tell you it is all right, you cry because you have failed. You don’t want anyone to tell you its okay because it isn’t. Perhaps it’s the body instinctively punishing you because of it. As he thought about it more, he ended his thoughts out loud. He wasn't sure whether he was talking to Vesuvius or himself but he knew one of them needed to hear it spoken.

"There's nothing I can do. I'm sorry."

At that time, at the underbelly of the sanctuary Fayth and Valyos watched as the hatch in the dropzone slid open. The metal doors on the floor pulled slowly apart to reveal the open night sky and the bottom of the clouds encircling the sanctuary. Fayth was looking around the room, Valyos noticed. He raised an eyebrow in puzzlement. "What are you looking for, fool?"

Fayth turned to Valyos and frowned at him. Would he take every sentence as an opportunity to throw out an insult? She replied, "Where are the parachutes or whatever we are supposed to use to get down to the surface?"

Valyos sneered at her and stood up as the doors fully opened. "That would be an insult to any usual guardian, but saying it to a member of the council? Let’s go already."

Valyos held out his hand to Fayth, who glared, clueless, at Valyos and the hand he held out. She had no idea what he meant. “...What the hell are you doing?"

Valyos took a step towards Fayth and sighed. "Vesuvius really did tell you absolutely nothing, didn’t he? I’ve got no intention or time to compensate for your irritating lack of sense." With that, he hooked his arm around Fayth’s waist and jumped out through the door. Fayth had barely anytime to react; Valyos took her by surprise. Before she knew it, all she could see was the bottom of the sanctuary shooting away from her. It took a few seconds for her to realise they were plummeting through the air, and when she did she squealed at the top of her voice and clung onto Valyos as tight as she could.

"Keep it down! We need to do this without being noticed, remember... Seriously... I don’t see what you’re making such a fuss over." They were falling face first, like a diving bird, and they began to pick up speed very quickly. From the control centre, Ferrah gave Valyos an all clear signal; their descent would go unnoticed. As soon as Valyos laid eyes on the ground he began to scan for possible hiding places for their landing.

The chaos had already taken hold on the surface, and it had started much quicker and was much worse than the guardians imagined. Even knowing this, and knowing there would be no guardians around that would be able to help him, Valyos didn’t feel the slightest hint of fear or concern. Was this due to his numb persona? Or was the level of power within the sentinel council so high that even this posed no threat to him.

Horrific realisations choked the hearts of those in the sanctuary, though the greatest horror being realised was the last thought of many in the now crime-swamped city. Could anyone really be saved from the bloody riot that had so suddenly filled the streets?

The missions were set, all were fighting daunting odds, and the chaos had only just begun.

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Heeheehee that was a big one huh? Well I guess it has been a while since I put a chapter up. Thankies for taking all the time it must have took to read it *glomps* =^.^=

Sooper thankies to my booboo fixer [skwid] for tolerating this amount

Chapter 12: Red Rivers

back to The Guardian Vesuvius: Prolouge