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The Guardian Vesuivius, Chapter 14: Painful Pursuits

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"The act of forgiving is a delicate and sometimes fickle thing to undertake, it stems from the heart and so, like the heart itself, can be broken, be abused and can cause us to lie and mislead ,as much ourselves as it does others.

I said the heart is a weapon of frightening power, yet in stark contrast to this it also extremely vulnerable, even the slightest harm to it, to the feelings we keep inside it, will scar forever. Hurting in our heart from each sadness may eventually fade, but as soon as the heart is hurt again, all those past damages resurface and ache all over again. Especially if they all share a common source.

Our lives only involve so much of the world, the bonds in our hearts only reach out within that space, so to be hurt by the same thing more than once is no rarity. At the very least each of us has one unrelenting constant in our lives, and that is ourselves, the hardest person to forgive, the easiest person to be hurt by.

This is where forgiveness shows its double edged sword. While it may initially provide closure and easing of our pains and concerns, it will also serve to worsen any more pain caused to us by those we forgave. In forgiving we put our hearts at even greater risk, sometimes without even knowing it, and the pain we don’t expect is by far the worst. Yet, if we tried to instead keep all our grudges forever, they would surely swallow us up in bitterness and make monsters of us.

So much of the heart forces us to choose between hurt and anger. It is the hope for all those hurt by our hearts, which sadly, is all of us, to find that treasured yet cruelly rare middle ground, where the heart gives us joy, and hold onto it as fast as we can. Surely such peace in the heart could come only from our special something, yet as some know, that pursuit can also lead to the worst pain our hearts can feel.

Give me strength, old heart, old friend, to face this fear of pain, and forgive! I have already lost my special something, so without my trust in this, all I have left, I could not go on."

Vesuvius waited in agony as Zanados delivered his decision on his future as a Guardian, so much was at stake for him here, not just his life as a guardian. To be branded the first ever traitor to the Guardian oath would surely doom him and his new friends from the surface to be exiled and hated for the rest of his days, the very thought didn’t bare thinking about. Vesuvius, like all Guardians, had already suffered greatly in his heart, he would not be able to take such a heavy blow again, and Misaro, who had only just started to grow in strength, it would crush Vesuvius to see it robbed from him like this, he felt physically sick as the horrid thoughts tortured him, he battled it all and kept silent and still before Zanados.

Finally, after what seemed forever, Zanados finally spoke. “...as such, I have decided that to cast a judgement on you now would be foolish, the circumstances that lead to your betrayal were extreme, so it would be unfair to judge your heart on that alone. Instead, you will undergo a trail period to show your true loyalties”. Zanados swept his arm slowly outward. “It will be up to your brothers and sisters whether or not you are worthy or becoming one of us again, they will see your heart and know whether or not you have lost faith in our cause! Work to earn the respect of those who you betrayed, and prove to us that you are the same devoted Guardian that departed to the surface. If you can do this, then you can become a one of us once again!”

Vesuvius raised his head and his eyes widened, the feeling of his spirit lifting was so intense it was difficult for him to hide it and keep composed before his master, he did though, save for smile that was impossible to keep from his face. “Th...Th-Thank you, Master Zanados! Thank you so much for this!” Of all the things that could have been decided as punishment, this was among the best things Vesuvius could have hoped for, as he spoke he welled up with emotion, he would have cried had he not channelled it all through his words. “I won’t let you down!..No.. I won’t let the Guardians down!” He proclaimed, his voice full of volume and confidence again, like it had been when he had first met Misaro.

Misaro, much less able to control his emotions, laughed out loud in happiness, this had been nearly as tense for him as it had been for Vesuvius. He was so happy to see a smile back on Vesuvius face and for him to be free of all the worries that had been crippling him since he had come back here. The young boy had been deeply concerned, having been with Vesuvius through this whole ordeal and now it had finally ended in a way that brought Vesuvius back to life, he was able to share in the feeling of relief and joy.

Zanados smiled at the sight, feeling more confident that he made the right choice, it pained him greatly to put any of his beloved Guardians through misery, no matter what they had done, he too was relieved that it was over and was eager for Vesuvius to become a Guardian once again and for this terrible event to behind them all. Still he was far from at ease, he knew his decision would be unpopular with some and there was still the matter of the city below. The control tower was constantly monitoring the developing situation, Zanados, along with all the Guardians wanted to get a Guardian presence back into the city as early as possible, but that would be even harder than the withdrawal.

Returning his focus to Vesuvius, Zanados gestured for the gleeful pair to leave. “Go now, you have much to do Vesuvius. Many bonds that you will need to repair!” Then Zanados turned his eyes on Misaro. “As for you little boy.” Misaro was quickly silent and to attention when he heard the booming voice speak his name. “Your friend who was brought here with you is currently being shown around the city, you should join her. I can sense you are eager to know that she is well and you too should learn about our home.” The warm smile Zanados showed eased Misaro, this man, though daunting, was far from the terrifying man Misaro had expected, beyond the coarse exterior was a kind and gentle soul, rather much like Vesuvius he thought, Zanados spoke again, but this time Misaro felt much more relaxed at the sound. “I’m glad you’ll finally get to see our home, your home, beyond the cell and witness its true wonder.”

Misaro smiled as big a smile as his face would let him, “Yes..yes, I’m glad too..thank you so much.”, then his mind suddenly snapped back to Fayth, last he saw her she was dragged away from him before her eyes and he was powerless to help, and the time before that, just before he had woken up in the Sky Sanctuary, they had held each other and he was moments away from telling her how he felt, a moment he wouldn’t had dared dream would happen. His heart raced, he longed to see her again. “Vesuvius!” He quickly turned to him and pulled on his sleeve. “Let’s go find Fayth, can we?” his anxiousness hurrying his words.

Zanados nodded “It would be a good start for you Vesuvius, aid Ferrah and Taurg in showing our young arrivals around the Sanctuary, what better way to demonstrate your faith and pride!”

More than happy to oblige both Zanados and Misaro, and eager to get started in rebuilding his lost bonds, he nodded back to his master. “I would be honoured, Master Zanados.” With a beckon from Vesuvius, and a hasty bow from Misaro, the pair turned and made their way out of The Pivot, Misaro running off ahead as the doors were opened before them. As they closed again, the bang of the mighty doors echoed through the room, accentuating the sudden silence that had fallen over the hall, Zanados remained still, taking a moment alone to his thoughts he closed his eyes, the feelings of the world forever raced through his body but those closest to his heart were felt more profoundly. He opened his eyes and stared downward with a concerned expression, “So many flaring hearts....I pray that...they find no more pain..not here.” With that, he solemnly made his way out, wrought with worry.

Making their way towards castle’s exit to the city itself, Vesuvius caught up with the rushing Misaro and shook his head as the child dashed about in all sorts of directions. “ Haha, Hold on Misaro, do you even know which way you’re going?”

Misaro stopped and faced Vesuvius, a little out of breath as he replied, “Well...no...not really..or at all I guess, hahaha.” Misaro was still full of excitement from the good news, he hadn’t been this happy for a long time and the feeling was racing through his whole body. He almost leapt back over to Vesuvius and held him tightly. “I don’t know...I’m just.so happy for you. I just wanna....go..and not stop..never let this feeling stop.” The more Misaro thought about how much things had changed for him, the more elated he seemed to get, just weeks ago he was miserable and alone, barely coping with each and every day and trapped by self loathing. Now, he had found a new home, a new family, a friend who understood him and had gotten so much closer to Fayth than he would ever have imagined. He was even beginning to challenge all the horrible things he thought about himself, he could almost feel himself pulling further and further away from the person he was, and he absolutely loved it. “I think...I think things are going to be okay.” To say those words, and truly believe them, had been a feeling he had been missing for years.

Vesuvius could see the changes in Misaro almost as clearly as Misaro felt them, he felt so relieved for him, now The Sanctuary could do for him what it was meant to, heal his broken heart, he patted the boys head gently and smiled “I know what you mean, but take it easy silly, you’ll end up fainting if you keep bouncing around like that. Come on. I’ve sensed where Fayth and the others are. It’s back this way.” The pair headed through the large archway that lead to the city. “I can show you a bit of the place while we head over.” a whole new lease of life had come to them both, but even through all this joy and relief, in the corner of his mind Vesuvius still had room to think about the more serious picture, it would not be easy to regain the trust of the Guardians, it was no small thing he did and many of them would resent him for it, to prove he could be trusted again would be something he would have to do through actions, not words. Then there was Dion, he doubted if he could ever share the same bond he did with him again. No matter what it takes, he thought to himself as the soft breeze that flowed constantly through Valkeire city greeted him, now that he had a chance to redeem himself in the eyes of the Guardians, he would definitely give it his all.

Back on the surface, Ted and Al had left the cafe they escaped to. Now fully working together on Al’s personal investigation, the pair got into Ted’s van, the least damaged of their two vehicles. They had decided, after battling many reservations, to go back to the city and see if the chaos was still going on.

As Al slipped into the passenger’s side, he eyed over the shattered and bloodstained windscreen and bonnet and grimaced at the thought of returning to the city, it had been a good few hours since they had left, but they had no idea if things had gotten any better, or worse. Ted sighed heavily as he settled back into his chair and tried to relax himself.

“So...we’ll drive up close enough to see what’s going on, if we can get back in, we go to your apartment.”

Al nodded as he fumbled out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it, waiting to take a drag before replying. “That’s the plan...but I’m not holding my breath, I mean, it was totally out of control in there. So let’s not take any chances, we were lucky to get out at all. So if we’re unsure, let’s not bother.”

“Right, there are plenty of leads outside the city we can follow for now anyway.” Ted went to wind down the passenger window when he saw Al smoking, frowning when he realised it wasn’t there anymore anyway. “Gah!...It’s gonna cost me a tonne to fix this wreck.” He angrily started the van and started down the road towards the ill fated city. Al leant back and put his feet up on the dashboard, “Huh...at least yours was worth keeping, mine was a total write off, ah well, I wanted an excuse to get a new one anyway.”

Ted scowled at Al’s feet and opened his mouth to tell him to take them off his van, but he gave up, deciding it didn’t really matter with the state it was in, instead he just groaned. “Man...I haven’t been up that long, and I’m done with this day already!”

The two sat silently until some way down the road, when Ted suddenly came out with a question he had brewing in his head for the past half an hour. “Al, do you honestly think that Richie could of killed Sandra?...those two...they were really in love, him especially. I just can’t picture him doing that...and this super human swordsman that they said killed Funuchi.” Ted shook his head as he recalled Sandra’s fiancé. “Richie was such a timid and fragile boy, it just doesn’t piece together at all.”

Al sat himself up and gazed upwards as he too reminisced. “I know what you mean Ted...but you didn’t see him that day, at Sandra’s grave. It was Richie without a doubt, and he was, at least...ten times bigger than he was, and he basically confessed to killing her right in front of me. I couldn’t believe it either.” Al shifted his eyes to Ted. “The way he looked, it was bizarre...like nothing you’d ever see, and he jumped away like...christ I don’t even know what, it was at least 3 storey’s high. So I reckon, how many other people are gonna be like that...it’s got to be him, if not somebody who knows where Richie is.”

Ted still couldn’t make sense of it. “Alright, but then...why reappear now after so many years and kill some crime boss. The guy who killed Sandra wasn’t one of his thugs, he was some crazed smack head.”

“I’m as clueless there as you are pal, hopefully we can get some answers soon. Cause I’ve been stuck where I am now with this for too long. Damn it Ted, I need to know what happened to her...my little sister, she was...such a sweet girl.”

Al’s painful memories were interrupted when Ted noticed something up ahead as they neared the entrance of the city. “Head’s up Al, looks like the this is as far as we go.” Al shot up in his seat and was puzzled to see a heavily guarded military road block ahead of them. A soldier signalled for them to stop and came over to speak to Ted as he reached the blockade.

“I’m afraid you can’t continue sir, a situation has occurred and high risk military operation is underway in the city.” The soldier explained.

Al leant over Ted and started at the soldier before Ted even had a chance to talk himself. “We know all about the situation! We just managed to escape it a few hours ago. What the hell caused this?”

“I can’t disclose any information at this time detective, please turn around and head away.”

Al was about to protest but Ted placed the back of his hand on his chest and shook his head to quiet him, Al noticed the stern glare from Ted and settled for a mere huff in protest and reluctantly sat himself back down. Ted nodded at the soldier “Thanks for the heads up, we’ll head off.”

“Thank you, sir.” The soldier barked and rigidly marched back to the other soldiers, Ted watched them curiously as the soldier spoke secretively to one of the others, casting a glance at the pair as he did. The other soldier looked and Ted and Al and then disappeared behind the blockade. Ted remained deathly silent as he turned the truck around and drove away. Al waited till he saw the soldiers disappear from view till he spoke.

“What did you notice then?”

“Huh...I’m surprised you didn’t notice it too.” Ted stared over at Al, his face spoke of concern. “We both know the military shouldn’t be there, not in that kind of level, not so quickly. Something is definitely wrong, something underhand with the higher ups is going down and it’s connected to what happened in the city.”

Al, still annoyed at having to give in to the soldier so quickly, started to raise his voice “Well...yeah I figured as much but we didn’t have to turn tail for that, we should of pressed that soldier more, he sure as hell knew something.”

Ted, not fazed by Al’s temper, continued. “Alright...so, didn’t you notice he called you detective? We never told him we were detectives. You know, I think there might be a bigger connection to our caped vigilante and what’s happening in the city than we both thought...and those higher ups that got the military here have ties to the department...and know you’ve been looking into it. Those soldiers certainly had something to tell somebody about us.”

Al chuckled at the idea. “Oh come on....that’s a pretty outlandish guess. There’s no way that someone like me is ‘of interest’ to some corrupt suit...I mean, my investigation isn’t exactly credible is it? Plus it’s a personal thing, not like I’m digging up some corporate secret. You’re just being paranoid old man. He probably just read us right is all.” Al closed his eyes and waved his hand as he jested.” Mind you, with all the crazy stuff that’s been going on, I hardly know what to expect anymore.””

Ted didn’t reply, he just gazed into nowhere, tense and worrying. After a pause he decided to change the subject.”Regardless, we’re not getting in, I’m a little thankful for that to be honest. Might as well follow up those accounts outside the city.”

Beyond the blockade, deep within the decimated city, a convoy of armoured vehicles surrounded an expensive car, its pristine metallic black and silver body reflected the raging fires that tore through the city. All around, military personal worked endlessly to put out the fires and subdue the maniacal rioters. The city was littered with enormous military vehicles, none of which were being used but had none the less been ordered to the city.

The car was escorted outside the city hall, where the armed forces were spearheading their operations, it was one of the few buildings left untouched by the chaos. A soldier hurried to open the door of the car, from within clambered out an aged man, well groomed and dressed in a fine suit and trousers. He was clearly a man of great importance, he was broad with a prominent chin and brow, dark grey hair and black bushy eyebrows outlined his serious and threatening face. He had the look of a man who was short of patience and humour.

The soldier stood back and saluted to the man, “Mister Governor, the situation in the city is close to being stabilised, and as per your orders sir, we are taking each of the rioters alive and into temporary cells. Also, the ordnance units you requested arrived, but sir, there really is no need for such firepower to be present, our on foot squadrons are more than capable to...”

The soldier was suddenly silenced with a swift and brutal blow from someone behind the Governor, knocking the startled man to the floor. Surrounding soldiers were about to rush to the man’s aid but stopped when they saw who had delivered the attack. Stepping from behind the broad governor’s frame, was his personal bodyguard, a man with a horrific reputation as an ex-assassin and secret agent. The soldiers froze in place, knowing that if they had gone to help the man, they would have been next to the floor, or worse.

The governor’s deep, sneering voice sounded out as he arrogantly walked pass the scrambling soldier, not so much as looking at him as he spoke. “Crevan will be in charge of all military decisions from now on, anyone with a problem with that can take it up with him. Understood Crevan? I trust you remember my plans for ending the riots in this city.”

“No problem, Mr Baxton, it’s all frrrresh in my mind.” The twisted grin from the man and the deranged tone of his voice spoke volumes about his intentions and thoughts, but no one there would dare let themselves ponder what they might be. Crevan was slender and quite tall but his musculature was obvious, his jet black hair was tied tightly back into a short pony tail save for a few strands that arched erratically away from his face, underneath his unbuttoned shirt his skin tight assassin’s clothing was visible, which he was rumoured to have never removed despite ending his official work as one many years ago. Only in a world so beset by crime and corruption could a man so sadistic have been allowed to work as a bodyguard to the governor. Carrying a foreboding long briefcase, he strolled after the Governor, making sure to lay a heavy boot on the soldiers hand as he passed, the soldier whimpered as quietly as he could to avoid any more attention, the others there waiting till the terrible man had disappeared into the building before helping the soldier.

As they helped him up, one soldier said fearfully to another, “With those two here, things are going to get seriously ugly in this city...”

Way up at the Sky Sanctuary, Ferrah and Taurg were almost finished with the tour of Valkerie city, although called a city, it wasn’t at all that large a place. It only had around two hundred people living there and was more likeable to a small town, The Guardians had come to call it Valkerie city though in honour of Zanados and in the hope that one day the Sky Sanctuary would be the home for many more people. The four friends had really taken to this fantastical place, each in their own way. Like many before them they arrived after feeling the cold sting of the reality and so where amazed and ecstatic to find themselves in a what seemed like a whole new world, like something pulled right out of a fantasy tale, where none of the things that had hurt them or let them down in the past existed.

Satisfied that the kids had no more reservations of being here, the guardians were leading the group back towards the castle to end the tour when they were met by familiar faces.

Fayth gasped as she recognised Misaro and Vesuvius at the end of the path ahead. Despite all that happened with her friends, she never forgot about her two newest friends that had saved her from her nightmare at Funuchi’s hands, at the sacrifices and risks they went through for it.

“Misaro! Vesuvius! Over here!” She waved her hand high in the air, nearly overcome with joy to see them again, she had so much she wanted to tell them about all that had happened since she was taken from the cell. Upon hearing her call his name, Misaro’s heart fluttered in his chest. It was still unbelievable to him that after so long hovering outside her life, they had become this close so quickly. He gave a much more withdrawn wave back to Fayth and headed over to her, he might have rushed over but he had recognised Fayth’s friends, he’d seen them many times with her in the Citylight club over the years he went there. He didn’t know their names of course, having never spoken to them. All apart from Vance, he recognised him especially well and was worried what might happen with him being here.

Vesuvius cast his eyes to Taurg and Ferrah, he knew that these two members of the council were much more good natured that Shylock or Valyos and that he was very close with Taurg before he left, still he was concerned what they might think of him now. He waited till Taurg signalled him over before he followed after Misaro.

Misaro was still a good few steps away from them before Fayth, perhaps too excited to wait, rushed forward and threw her arms around him, nearly knocking him over. That same whirlwind of emotion that had rushed through him when this happened before came to him again now. Blushing uncontrollably, he summoned the courage to put his arms around her and managed to whisper to her, too overcome by his feelings to speak with any volume.

“A...are you okay? I... was so worried about you”

Fayth had no such inhibitions and her voice was clear and loud. “Oh Misaro, I feel great! You would never believe what I’ve been doing! I’m just happy you’re both out of that cell. I was the one who was worrying!” She was so much more alive and happy now than she had ever been on the surface and both Misaro and her friends noticed the change. She spoke so fast and changed topic so quickly it was impossible for Misaro to keep up, but it didn’t matter to him, he was entranced in seeing her so happy, ever since he found the diary he had been praying that this moment would come.

A wonderful thought swept through his mind.”This must be it, I have seen it now Vesuvius, her true smile....and it’s more beautiful that I could ever have imagined.”

She gasped suddenly and her voice quietened and slowed to a more normal pace. “Oh...Taurg told me about what was happening to Vesuvius, did he get sentenced yet?” Her eyes were wide and her heart raced as she remembered the fateful moments Vesuvius would face, all because he saved her.

Misaro smiled, glad it was good news he had to give, he would of felt awful to take Fayth’s cheer away from her, “It’s okay, Vesuvius just needs to prove himself and he can be a Guardian again.” He let out a little laugh. “It’ll be easy for him.” Misaro had no idea what Vesuvius needed to do to prove himself or how hard it would be, but he had faith in him and knew Vesuvius cared so much about being a Guardian so he knew he could do it.

Vesuvius made it over to the group and Fayth dashed from Misaro over to him, half expecting it he picked her up and swung her gently around before putting her down, the three of them were all so happy to see each other again, this time in so much better circumstances. Vesuvius could sense what Fayth had been through since they last met and, although he didn’t expect it, he wasn’t so surprised. “It seems like you’ve been busy since I last saw you!” He smiled warmly. “You’ve been so brave Fayth, to have fought so hard like you did in what must have been a strange place. I’m so glad, now that Funuchi is gone, you’ve started to show you’re true strength.”

Fayth started tearing up and held Vesuvius again, the way in which he, like all guardians, saw into your heart and knew your true feelings threatened her at first, when Valyos knew about her parent’s death, now though, after Vesuvius and Taurg had showed her how it made the Guardians such amazing friends, she felt so unburdened and relaxed around them. Struggling to speak through her welling emotions, she whispered into his chest, “Thank you... I owe you and Misaro so much.”

Easing Fayth off him, Vesuvius gave her a little pat on the shoulder and smiled. Then he adopted a much more serious attitude as he stood up straight to face his superiors. The gap in their abilities meant he could not sense their thoughts very well, so he could only wait till they spoke them. Taurg approached Vesuvius, the two stared at each other, the bond between a council member and those beneath them was much more than merely master and pupil, but Taurg was especially fond of Vesuvius, noticing many of his own caring qualities in him, so the two had become close friends despite Taurg’s station. After a short silence, the metal giant placed his hand on Vesuvius shoulder. Vesuvius could not see Taurg smiling from behind his helmet, but he could sense the feeling in his aura and smiled back, relieved to see his master did not resent him.

“I have always believed in you Vesuvius, from the first day I met you, to when you left for the surface....I believed in you when you were brought back.” Taurg nodded at him and took his hand away. “and I believe in you now, you don’t need to prove anything to me my friend, you are always one of us to me.”

Ferrah smiled and moved next to Taurg, “Likewise, we are a people who depend on our solace in each other, we cannot allow ourselves to start separating individuals, for if we did, then we would be true traitors. Betraying what it truly means to be a guardian.”

Vesuvius had to bow his head to hide how touched be was by their words, to hear such words from none other than the sentinel council, in a time he thought he would be short of friends was an amazing thing. Soon after though, Ferrah continued with a word of warning. “However...do not deviate from the task Zanados has asked of you just because some of us accept you straight away, there are those who don’t know you as well as we do, who are less forgiving , you must prove to those people what we know, that you are still one of us!”

Vesuvius raised his head, now with Ferrah and Taurg’s belief in him he had greater resolve than ever. “I will! Master Ferrah, Master Taurg, thank you! I will show your faith in me is not misplaced.” Before he could go on, his was suddenly stopped mid thought when he felt Fayth pull on his cape. “Vesuvius! Let me introduce you to my new friends!” she was still bouncing with excitement and simply couldn’t bring herself to wait.

Ferrah chuckled and gestured Vesuvius away. “Alright that’s enough heavy for now. Go and enjoy yourself.” He cast a smile up at Taurg and made his way away from the group and back towards the Castle. “You too Taurg, I think you should stay a while with the kids, the withdrawal has been hard on you, it will do you good to unwind some more. I’m going to monitor the situation below, Zanados is eager to return the guardians to the surface as soon as we can.”

Taurg shook his head as Ferrah departed and sighed. He muttered to himself. “Ferrah, surely you don’t think I don’t see what you’re doing.”

As the rest of the group introduced themselves to each other, Vance kept a short distance from them all. He stared uneasily at Misaro and Vesuvius, seeming to grow more and more displeased as Fayth showed more affection to the two. Eventually, he caught Misaro’s attention and signalled him away from the group, once on their own he spoke bluntly to him, his tone was far from friendly. “Don’t I know you from somewhere?”

Misaro seemed panicked by the question, after a slight silence he quietly replied. “Um...no...no I don’t think so. I’m Misaro, a friend of Fayth, what’s your name?”

“Vance...I’m also a friend of Fayth’s, we’re pretty close...we’ve known each other a long time.” Vance seem to deliberately emphasise words that showed how much closer he was to Fayth. Misaro, fully aware who Vance was, smiled and acted oblivious to Vance competing with him. “Oh...that’s nice, you must be happy you all made it here together, I hope you like it here.”

Vance nodded, the threatening look never leaving his face. “Yeah...yeah I think I will.” With that he slowly wandered away from Misaro. Misaro might have worried himself over Vance for some while but Nicola grabbed hold of him and pulled him back into the group. The tiny boy nearly yelping he was pulled with such sudden force. “Hey! No standing on your own!” She pulled him in front of her and wagged a finger at his face, her voice was loud and vibrant. “Misaro isn’t it? I’m one of Fayth’s friends, Nicola! She told me how shy you can be so I came to you!”

Misaro was a little shaken by the mix of being yanked around and almost yelled at, managing an awkward smile. “Eh-heh...she said that?”

“Oh yes” Nicola grinned and patted him hard on his shoulder, much harder than Misaro was ready for. “Don’t you worry though, I’m good with people like you, I’ve been friends with Mirril since forever.” She pulled Mirril, who was standing nearby, into a friendly headlock and gave her a gentle knock on the head. “and she is as shy as they come!Isn’t that right, fairy cake?”

Thought it was hard to tell with how little she moved or spoke, Mirrl was a little distracted and was taken by suprise by Nicola, despite her being this way with Mirril all the time.“ What?...Um...yes...ow..Nicola stop it.” She giggled timidly as Nicola let her go, the two of them were almost total opposites but they understood of how each other worked and even admired each other for it, they were about as close as friends could get.

After sorting herself out, Mirril smiled sweetly at Misaro, her voice was quiet and reserved, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you Misaro, Fayth has been telling us all about you since we got here.”

Misaro blushed uncontrollably, “Oh...really?” Misaro had hadn’t spoken to anyone about Fayth, except for Vesuvius, and he knew his feelings would become obvious if he spoke to Mirril and Nicola, he wasn’t exactly able to pretend he didn’t feel that way when it was written all over his face.

Mirril gasped, though it was more like a squeak. “oh...maybe I shouldn’t have said that...I’m sorry.”

Nicola laughed heartily, “Listen to you two, you’re almost exactly the same, you’d been perfect for each other! Too bad you already have eyes for someone else!”

Mirril’s eyes widened and she splurted out her words in what for her, was a raised voice. “What? I...I...I never said that, what are you talking about Nicola?” She blushed almost as vividly as Misaro.

Nicola gave Mirril a puzzled look, “Umm...I was talking about...Misaro...” she smirked at Mirril and prodded her in the shoulder, playfully teasing the tiny girl. “Is there something you’re not telling me?...Has Mirril FINALLY found somebody she likes?...The world must be coming to an end!”

Mirril squealed and protested widly. “No...no of course not!...” She stared off to nowhere to hide her face. “I...I just got confused...a..andI told you not to make fun about stuff like that Nicola!” Even as she tried to scold Nicola, Mirril couldn’t sound assertive at all.

“Aaaalright...I’ll leave it alone...for now.” Nicola turned to Misaro, and gestured for him to follow. “Come on Misaro, your one of us now! So you can introduce me to Fayth’s handsome new friend.” Nicola gave her unique cheeky grin and pulled Mirril along with her to where Fayth, Vesuvius, Vance and Taurg where talking.

Misaro stayed quiet and watched the two of them, thankful that the subject was off his feelings for now. He laughed to himself and thought how happy he was to be among these people, he had seen them with Fayth many times and had longed for friends like them. Now it seems he could call those very same people his own friends. Ever since he had met Vesuvius, one after another all the things he felt he was missing, all the voids in his heart, were being filled. He raised his head and let his eyes wander around the Sky Sanctuary, he thought about what might have happened to all the friends and family of Fayth’s friend and yet already they were so full of life, and how he and Fayth had changed since they got here. The tall walls and towers which once daunted him, now felt like they were protecting him, exactly like his feelings towards Vesuvius.

“This place...” He said under his breath, “It really does...heal broken hearts.” A smile, once something he rarely ever wore, now seemed to be something he simply couldn’t keep away.

Ferrah had since made it back to the control centre. The centre had less than half the people at the computers now than it did during the bustle of the withdrawal, returning mostly to its normal operations now. Ferrah though, had the unfavourable responsibility of deciding when it was safe to return guardians to the city, although he felt the pressure from the others who were anxious to return, he would not allow himself to be rushed, despite sharing that same anxiousness. The safety of the Sky Sanctuary rested on him making the right choice, and Ferrah had to keep a level head.

He sat himself upon his master terminal at the foot of the staircases that scaled the depth of the centre, the seat and computer were integrated into a single ‘C’ shaped unit that arched underneath him to over his head. The powerful machine came alive as soon as Ferrah rested into the chair, only he could access this computer and it would not switch on for anyone else. As it powered up, the terminal raised slightly, lights and screens blinking to life, keypads and interfaces unfolding to surround him. The fluid and efficient design was a testament to Ferrah’s genius, keeping the sanctuary and the guardians a secret and running smoothly was an enormously difficult task that without Ferrah would simply not be possible.

Ferrah linked the screens to the Sanctuary’s cameras. He had already noted the disproportional military force in the city and he could only dread what purpose they would serve. He keenly surveyed the entire city, occasionly typing something he observed into another screen. His eyes darting from screen to screen rapidly, to anyone who didn’t know better, it would appear like he was simply looking and typing totally at random, but Ferrah was as precise and efficient as the machines themselves.

“Wait...what’s this?” He thought out loud, focusing the camera on the unusual sight. “What’s going on here? This... doesn’t make sense.” Ferrah zoomed in the camera on the town hall, he the temporary cells the captured thugs were being kept in, but since Ferrah had last looked their number had more than tripled. Even cells Ferrah knew to be have been full for hours were still there.

Bemused, Ferrah leant back in his chair and pondered the scene before him, “This isn’t right...they shouldn’t be gathering them up this way...and they definitely shouldn’t be keeping them around. It’s as if...as if they’re saving them for something.” The events in the city were becoming more and more ominous and Ferrah worried himself with what they would culminate into.

His thoughts were broken when he heard a voice call up to him. “Ferrah! How are things progressing down there?” Ferrah looked over to see Valyos beneath him. Though the boy was a prodigy in the guardian arts, he was still young and not as able to mask his thoughts as well as other members of the council. Ferrah could feel Valyos was sick with worry for Zanados, perhaps the only person who had found a place in Valyos’ closed heart. Zanados would be going through unimaginable pain during the withdrawal, both through his empathic link with the world and his’ own pain of having to order such a thing, Valyos wanted it to end. Ferrah chose to ignore it for now, knowing Valyos would wish it that way, he simply replied to him. “It’s very curios Valyos, I fear that something terrible is brewing in the city...” as the terminal reached the ground he titled a screen towards the boy, “Here, take a look.”

Valyos regarded the screen and his heart sank at such a foreboding sight, “Are they...the monsters of man? Why are they being...stockpiled this way?” Valyos looked up at Ferrah, ever so slight signs of heartache managed their way through his still expression, only someone who knew him like Ferrah would have noticed them.

Shaking his head Ferrah stared into the screen again, “I don’t know...I have theories but they don’t bear thinking about." Ferrah stared solemnly downwards, wishing he had something to say that would console Valyos, but there was nothing “I’m afraid, with things how they are...that it will be some time before Guardians can return to the city. I’m sorry” He placed a hand of Valyos’ shoulder which was quickly pushed away.

“Don’t!” Valyos snapped.”...I will be fine. Zanados...if he can cope with all of this, then I will too.” He folded his arms and pulled his usual displeased face, “However...what will truly try me is those insufferable kids that Vesuvius wound up dragging here. I can’t believe all that stupid Fayth girl has gotten away with since she arrived!”

Ferrah smiled, “Oh...I imagine there’s some explanation.” Happy to change the subject he pryed a little futher, “You seem unusually bothered by them Valyos, did something happen when you went to the surface to rescue them?”

“Huh!...no, it’s not that. I just hope that is the last time I have to deal with any of them.” Valyos kept his eyes to the floor, his body was tense and his tone seemed defensive, like he felt threatened by something. Ferrah noticed it, something must have happened he thought, because there was a definite change in Valyos. Again, Valyos was not completely able to mask his feelings from Ferrah and he suddenly picked up on a name that was circling in Valyos’ mind. It was a extremely guarded thought and Ferrah couldn’t detect it for long. Valyos went to great lengths to maintain his abravise persona and keep people from getting close, so he thought it best to not mention what he had picked up on, knowing Valyos would probably lash out and flee if he did.

“Give them a chance...” Ferrah finally said, “Before long I imagine there being here won’t bother you anymore.”

Valyos huffed and turned to leave, growing tired of the conversation. “I can only hope...let me know if anything changes on the surface, thats all that really matters now.” Valyos emphasised the last few words, as if he trying to convince himself as well as Ferrah.

As Valyos exited the centre, Ferrah dwelled on what he had seen in Valyos’ feelings. It was in Ferrah’s nature to care deeply for other’s and do whatever he could to help them, and so Valyos’ vow to end his own life before he became an adult troubled him deeply, it had done for a long time. He knew Valyos well enough to know that he wouldn’t be able to simply persuade him out of it.

“Maybe...” He thought, “If he would only let it, this could restore his faith in life. Those kids...” He thought back to how they had affected Taurg and Zanados.”It seems like fate that they ended up here.” With a heavy sigh, Ferrah returned to his work on the surface, even with all that might unfold here in the Sanctuary, the truly fateful events would be below, within the city.

By this point, it was deep into the evening, Ted and Al had been to the addresses of several people from outside the city, people who had claimed to have seen someone fitting the description of the man who killed Funuchi. However, they hadn’t learnt anything new from speaking to them, except that however this person or people were, they seemed to only appear to stop criminals. Al sifted through his notes as Ted parked up at the next address.

“So...” Al mumbled, speaking to nobody in particular. “It seems that Richie, if it is him, has become some kind of superhuman vigilante.” Al spoke as if to mock his own conclusion, he had seen someone he believed to be Richie display unnatural dexterity, but even that was nothing compared to some of the things the people had been telling the pair.

“Well, that would explain why he killed that Funuchi...” Ted added, suspending his disbelief for a while, he wasn’t buying all this superhuman talk at all, even though Al has seen it to. “Anyway, you’re best not bothering yourself with what those people say; I told you on the phone, most of them are complete loons.”

Staring out to the house they stopped at, Ted sighed. “looking at this place...I’d say were in for another loon.” It was rickety farmhouse, a good distance from the city and a fair distance from anything else, secluded at the centre of several fields on. The weather vane creaked loudly as it was blown from side to side. “You know what these people are like Al...they’re seeing things all the time.”

As they exited the car Al noted that there was no lights on in the building, or indeed any other sign of life about the place. “There might not be any people here at all.”

Almost as soon as Al had ended his sentence, a man’s voice sounded from not far behind them. “The only reasons I see things all the time is cause I know to look!”

The two detectives nearly jumped out of their skin, caught completely by surprise by the man, his voice was gruff and strained and he continued like he hadn’t noticed the two of them yell in fright and spin to face him. “...I’m guessing you two are those detectives who called me, not a lot of people come out here...and next to nobody at this time.” He wore a large overcoat and a woolen hat, his beard looked matted and unkempt and glasses sat atop his knobbly nose.

Ted shouted at the hunched figure before him. “I’m not surprised! Don’t you know not to sneak up on people you crazy son of a...” Ted angrily patted his jacket where his firearm was holstered. “What if I had shot you?!” The old man didn’t seem to care, he just stared back at the pair as if waiting for the right question to be asked.

Catching his breath, Al gestured for Ted to calm down, “It’s alright...let me handle this one.”

Still annoyed, Ted dismissively raised his arm as he turned and got back into the van. “GLADLY!” slamming the door hard as he did.

Al approached the old man, feeling the need to lean a little forward to speak to him he was so short. “Umm...yes sir, we called you earlier. I’m Detective Alex Davids, I’m very interested in hearing about what you saw during the night of the gang leaders murder in the city, you’re aware of when that was right?”

The old man hobbled over to a fence as he spoke, Al following behind. “It wasn’t just that night! I’ve been seeing them for weeks now. People just like the ones you said you were looking for! They come down from the sky!” He raised his arm unsteadily and pointed up at the clouds.

Al rolled his eyes, thinking to himself that Ted was right before, this guy was definitely a loon, but nonetheless he decided to hear what else he had to say. “...Sir, can I ask...have you seen any of...umm...them around here? I mean...close by” Al thought, if he could start to isolate the sightings to nearer the city his search would be easier.

The man shook his head, not taking his eyes off the clouds. “No...no they haven’t come here...not since they...” The old man’s voice seemed to grow pained and he hung his head slightly. Suddenly that all vanished and went back to how he was, Al didn’t notice it at all. “No..no never...it’s only ever over the city.” He pointed at again at the sky. “It’s a shame, you missed it before, there were lots of them, they all went back into the sky...it was just before all the fires started in the city...”

Al started to take the man more seriously now, Ted said earlier that there may have been a connection between this case and the chaos in the city. Al began to wonder whether all the accounts him and Ted had been dismissing as crazed people where much more than that. What they all mentioned may have been ridiculous to believe, but they did all say the same ridiculous things. He eventually forced it from his mind, he thought if he started getting caught up in all these unreal stories he would never find out what happened to Sandra.

The old man broke his thought as he rambled on “...haven’t you ever noticed...that cloud?” he pointed yet again to the sky, only now that the man mentioned it did Al realise he was pointing to the same cloud every time.

The more the man said the more Al felt he was getting nowhere, but he played along all the same. “No...I can’t say I have...It...err...just looks like an ordinary cloud to me.” Al pretended to look closely at the cloud to keep from annoying the man.

“Well you wouldn’t” The old man scoffed, “far too busy with your rat race city life!...Out here I can see all around and I leave myself time to appreciate it. I can tell you that cloud has been circling the city for weeks...and that’s where they all come from!”

Al, growing tired of hearing about it, tried to move away from the subject of the cloud. “Sir, if I may...could I ask about what you saw on the night in question. The one we spoke to you on the phone about?”

The old man hobbled away from the fence and back towards his house, “You told me what you’re looking for, I told you where they are...that’s what I said I’d tell you and I have. Now get lost.” The man had suddenly seemed to have gotten mad, Al watched puzzled as the old man hurried away.

“Well...uh...thank you for your time sir” Al wasn’t able to finish before the man had grumbled off into his house. Left to his thoughts, Al found himself staring up at the cloud. “You know” he mused “I suppose it does look a little weird.” Al laughed half heartedly and headed back to the van, hoping Ted was in a better mood now, he’d had enough grumpy old men for tonight. Al tired to see the funny side of it all, but he couldn’t escape from the hurt this was all causing him, Ted was right to have been concerned about digging up the memory of Sandra’s death, and with his efforts so far yielding nothing, he started to regret ever starting this painful pursuit.

“God dammit!” Al struggled against the pain and fought back tears. “I...I just can’t give up now.” He pulled himself together and breathed deeply. “I can’t let Ted see me like this, he’ll give me no end of hassle.” Putting on a brave face, heavy footed and tired, he ambled over to the door of the van.

Inside the house, the old man was sat in the darkness on a rocking chair as worn and aged as he was, it faced a dirty window that looked out onto the field he had shown to Al, he stared up at the cloud and wept silently. “I know I don’t deserve anything from you...” He whispered under his breath, “but...just one more time...let me see you just one more time before I pass on...if only to say how sorry I am. I...I...should have been better to you." He shook his head and shakily clasped his bony hands together. " so...so much better to you.” He sat and stared, and waited, looking to that cloud and hoping.

“...my son, I pray you are...much happier now.”

Unbeknownst to Al, someone was watching him, hidden around the side of the house. Seeing that the conversation with the old man was over, the man made a silent retreat as he produced a phone from his pocket and contacted someone.

“Tell Mr Baxton I have what he asked for, and I’m on my way back now.”

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A good 2 years after the last update, I finally got round to doing this, the story is really kicking off now and I'm really looking forward to writing some of the stuff I have planned for later chapters ^w^.

Thank you THANK YOU readers old and new for taking the time to read this. I'd love to know what you think even if you think its rubbish you still get a big hug for telling me ^0^.

Chapter 15: Faith in Life

Back to The Guardian Vesuvius: Prolouge

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