by Lucky Charms

Disclaimers: See Part 1.

Screamin' Sex Alert!: If the thought of two guys having a fun ol' time just doesn't float your boat, turn back now. You have been warned.

Feedback is always welcome: luckycharms@e-scribblers.com.

Copyright © 2004 by Lucky Charms. All Rights Reserved.

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Chapter Sixteen

Date: October 5, 3021
Time: 5:02 pm
Location: Brian’s Cabin

Aeryk shakes his head at the wintry spectacle before him. The early evening in the mountains brought a constant, light shower of snow that was collecting on the already snow-covered ground nicely. "I used to watch my brothers and sister practically explode when the radio announced a snow day back home. I always hated the cold."

"Even the snow?" Brian asks as he busies himself by putting his and Aeryk’s clothes in the armoire located at the opposite end of the elegantly, if not gaudily, decorated room.

"At least it quiets things a bit, I’ll give it that." Aeryk replies, still gazing out into the white blanket of snow. "Don’t expect me to go out there and have a snowball fight like last year."

Brian smirks as he places the last of the clothing in the armoire and walks behind Aeryk and slips his arms around his lover’s slim waist. "Don’t worry your pretty little head over it love, I’ll keep you warm and safe inside."

"Thank you." Aeryk whispers as he continues his silent vigil over the mountain valley.

"It’s nice having you here with me." Brian says softly in Aeryk’s ear after a short while. "I can’t imagine having anyone else here but you. What do you say we follow the doctor’s orders," The evening Aeryk was released from the hospital after his miraculous recovery, the doctor insisted that Aeryk take a few days off and allow his body to recuperate despite the fact that he has never been in better health. "And make some dinner and watch a movie or two? By the way, what is in that bag you so adamantly forbade me to look in."

"Just the book and some notes." Brian lets out a moan. "It’s important that we do this Bri, did you forget about what happened the other day?"

"How could I forget? You still owe us an explanation I think." Aeryk refused to explain the reasoning for the tattoos to his friends in the hospital and promised to tell them during their vacation in the mountain.

"I know. I promised I would tell you, and I will. When everyone gets here tomorrow I’ll explain everything okay?"

"Are we going to like what we’re going to hear?"

"I don’t think it really matters. It all depends on what you choose to do from now on Bri."

Brian lets out a growl of frustration and storms away from his lover. "Why can’t you just tell me now? You’ve been acting weird the past couple days and hardly say anything to me at all! I can’t stand this Aeryk! I want you to talk to me now."

Aeryk turns to face Brian calmly. "I don’t want to scare you Brian. You have enough problems as it is and I don’t want to add to them."

Brian waves off the comment. "It’s not like you weren’t going to anyway. Just tell me Aeryk, now, please."

Aeryk lets out a sigh and nods. "Alright. The book says that when the world was made, a Child was born to carry out the wishes of the four Gods, Genbu, Seiryuu, Suzaku, and Byakko. That Child had seven guardians whose only meaning in life was to protect him. They, each, were given special abilities or talents." He looks up at Brian meaningfully. "That mark on your forehead is the mark of the Ogre. You are one of the Child’s guardians, my guardian. I am the Sacred Child."

"And everybody else?"

Aeryk nods. "The rest of my guardians." He bows his head when he sees Brian look toward the door as if seeking some sort of escape. "I know it’s a little hard to believe, maybe even a little scary. Believe me when I say I didn’t ask for this. I would never choose to do this to you."

"But this is how things are." Brian says lowly, looking back at Aeryk. "This is all too strange. But it also seems so right. If I were meant to protect you, that might explain how I’ve always felt about you. So what happens now? Are those people a part of this too?" Aeryk nods. "How much do you know?"

"Not much. Listen, I don’t want to ruin the night Brian. Can we talk about this tomorrow?"

Sensing his lover’s tension, Brian walks over and collects Aeryk in his arms. "I’m sorry. I asked for this, didn’t I? I didn’t know it was so hard on you."

"I’m just a drama queen, that’s all. Don’t worry about it."

"I will anyway, you know me. I promise that this won’t ruin our time together if you do." Aeryk nods, smiling faintly. "Okay, I’ll go see what we can do for dinner. You do your thing."

"You need help?" Aeryk asks as Brian walks away.

"I’ll be fine love." Brian smiles faintly as he leaves the room and walks down the steps toward the kitchen.

Great! Aeryk curses himself as he turns to watch the snowfall. You lied to him Aeryk. You do know more about this. You know everything. "But how can I tell them that I’m destined to..." He falls silent, unable to say the last word. "I can’t do that to them, to him. I’ve already asked too much of them. The journey we’re to go on may cost their lives. And I know they’ll do it without question."

"Hey." Brian says when Aeryk walks slowly into the room. "Hope you don’t mind having something simple. I figured we’ll have the other stuff when everyone else gets here."

Aeryk sees Brian’s wide grin and smiles himself. "Smells like something I’d enjoy." Ah yes, Mac and Cheese. My shinning light at the end of the tunnel.

"You better! I don’t make this stuff for just anybody."

Blessing Brian for his ability to help him forget his troubles, Aeryk laughs and rushes into a tight hug. "I love you."

"I love you too." Brian kisses Aeryk’s head. "You feeling better?"

"Yeah, thanks." Aeryk falls in a chair set by a small kitchen table to watch Brian as he continues preparing their meal and begins to think about what life has been like for them up until this point.

I don’t think I can ever get tired of thinking about how happy he has made me. He’s sacrificed himself for me and done things most other people wouldn’t. You make me so happy Brian I hope you realize that. A picture of Jason appears in his mind and Aeryk grimaces, turning his face away so that Brian wouldn’t notice. I’m over it. I’ve moved on. You can’t hurt me anymore. But, you’ve done something far worse that you might know.

Aeryk remembers the time when Brian made his first effort to initiate sex between the two. The event of Jason raping Aeryk was too fresh in the young man’s mind, and he lapsed into a crazed state. The times after that were much better off, though Aeryk was still unable to allow himself to become vulnerable again.

I’ve got to do this for him. If I have moved on... "What was that?" Aeryk asks.

"I asked if you wanted to watch movies tonight." Brian repeats himself, giving Aeryk a funny look. "What were you thinking about? Don’t try and lie to me, I know that look." He smirks.

Aeryk smiles faintly. "I was just, thinking, about us and how things have been."

"Oh really?" Brian walks over and kneels before Aeryk and takes his love’s smaller hands into his own and kisses them. "What kind of things?"

Smiling from the feeling of Brian’s strong hands around his own, and the fierce love in his eyes, Aeryk smiles wider before forcing it to fade away. "The issue with Jason. I can’t stop thinking about it and how much it hurts me not being able to be close to you like that. I keep on remembering how cold and alone I felt when he..." He heaves out a shivering sigh. "I know he can’t hurt me anymore, and I know you’ll never be like him. But sometimes,"

Brian reassures Aeryk by brushing a gentle finger down his face. "I know it’s hard for you bud. I’m sorry I tried to force you into it before. It was wrong of me." He stops Aeryk from protesting with a sharp look. "You’re not to blame here. I can wait, Aeryk. For you, I’ll do anything."

For you, I’ll do anything. Aeryk repeats to himself and smiles faintly at Brian. Me too, Brian, it’s time that I repay you. "Can I go into town by myself and get the movies?"

"Sure," Brian replies and walks over to the oven just as the Mac ‘n Cheese finishes. "You sure though?"

"I just want to be alone for a bit." He smiles reassuringly when Brian’s eyes widen. "It’s not about you Bri, I just need time to think about some things."

Deciding it best not to press the issue, Brian nods in silent agreement, serves the their meal and, begins eating in silence.

Brian waves to Aeryk as he drives off from the porch and quickly ducks in the house from the cold before letting out a wide yawn. Wonder why I’m so tired all of a sudden. Brian says to himself, not knowing that in his room upstairs the book has begun to glow a faint red and the character for "ogre" appears on the cover.

"Might as well take a nap while Aeryk’s gone." He says before jumping deftly onto a couch and makes himself comfortable just before he falls into slumber.

Brian finds himself walking into a circular room atop a tall hill. Four massive pillars support a circular roof that has paintings of four beasts within it. An alter made of creamy green jade rests in the center of the room surrounded by four wooden stands, each resting on the four cardinal directions.

"You have come at last." A voice says from behind Brian and chuckles when the man whirls around, ready to fight. "I guess I should have expected this sort of reaction from you. We are not so different after all."

"Who are you?" Brian asks, narrowing his eyes at the other man with long black hair and rich dark brown eyes. "What’s going on?"

"You want to know what this is all about," the man motions to the temple around him. The long sleeves of his shirt falling back to reveal strong muscular arms. "Do you not? The book responds to the thoughts and desires of the ones it serves."

"You mean the book brought me here?" Brian asks, shocked.

The man nods, smiling. "You bear the mark of the Guardian on your forehead, as I did once."

"You were a guardian too?" Brian says. "Then you can tell me what this is all about?"

The man, named Gui, walks closer to Brian. "You are a Guardian, chosen to protect the life of the Sacred Child."

Brian crosses his arms with a frown. "Aeryk already told me that. But he’s hiding something from me. What does he know that he’s not telling me?"

Gui shakes his head mournfully. "The life of the Child is a difficult one. He will go through many trials in life to prepare him for the final hardship. What happens to him was meant to happen."

"Then him being raped by Jason was...?" Brian falls silent. "How could you let this happen?"

"It was not me who did this Brian." Gui reminds him.

"But you knew it was going to happen?" Gui nods. "Why? Why does he have to suffer? He lost his family, he got raped, and he was on the brink of death. When does it all end?" Brian demands.

"When the Four Gods are summoned, the Child’s suffering will end, as will all the worlds suffering."

"Then we’ll just have to summon the Gods then." Brian states. "What must we do?"

"The Temple of Genbu awaits within the eternal frosts of the north. You must go there and retrieve the statue, only then will the other temples open to you."

"You mean we have to go to the Artic?" Gui nods. "What about the, uh, things?"

"The ring and the necklace are key to preventing the Blue Dragons from controlling the Child. Find them, and keep them safe." Gui grimaces. "We were not so successful in saving the Child in my time. You are the hope of the future. If the Blue Dragons find the statues and summon the Four Gods while controlling the Child, all is lost."

"Don’t worry, you can count on us." Brian says seriously.

Gui smiles and chuckles. "You are a strange one, Guardian of the Ogre."

"Why’s that?"

"You love the Child?"

The thought of Aeryk and his smiling face brings warmth to Brian’s body and he nods, his expression softening. "With all my heart."

Gui chuckles again, shaking his head. "I will never understand how this happened, and maybe I was not meant to." He turns a serious gaze to Brian. "Protect him. His life means more than you will ever know in a lifetime. Cherish the love you have right now. One day, it might not be there."

Before Brian could respond to that, he awakens to a gentle kiss on his lips and a whisper of his name. "How long was I asleep?"

"As long as I was gone." Aeryk responds softly, running his fingers through Brian’s hair. "I had to put some stuff away though, and I let you sleep. I like watching you sleep, you’re so cute."

Brian manages a sleepy laugh and grabs Aeryk’s arm before he can walk away. "Don’t leave me."

"I’m not going anywhere babe." Aeryk chuckles, kissing Brian. "Have a bad dream or something?"

"No," Brian replies, looking at Aeryk with scared brown eyes. "You promise you’re not hiding anything from me bud? I can’t do my job as a Guardian if I don’t know anything."

Taken back by the tone in Brian’s voice and the sudden interest in his Guardianship, Aeryk freezes in his lover’s grasp. "What are you talking about?"

"I dreamt that I was in some temple somewhere. I met this guy who was a Guardian like me. He told me some stuff that really bothered me. He said that our love might not be here anymore. What did he mean by that?"

Aeryk lowers himself to his knees again and faces Brian evenly. "Our love isn’t going anywhere Bri. My love for you," he shakes his head. "I cannot describe how I feel for you. Don’t let some strange dream get to you."

Brian places Aeryk’s hands between his and gives his love a meaningful look before nodding slightly. "I won’t. I just can’t imagine you not being here yah know?"

"Why don’t we put the movie on hold for a bit," Aeryk begins pulling Brian to his feet. "And you and I take a shower?"

"Together?" Brian is shocked because Aeryk was also very afraid of being in the shower with anyone, one more thing added to Brian’s list of reasons to kill Jason. "You sure bud?"

"Just trust me okay?" Aeryk says, exasperated as he pulls Brian along up the stairs. "I did some thinking when I was driving into town," he continues as they enter the bedroom. "And I think I should put the past where it belongs and trust that everything will be okay in the end. What do you think?" Aeryk stops.

Brian tugs Aeryk into a fierce embrace and kisses Aeryk’s head. "I hope I didn’t pressure you into this bud. I know it has been hard for you and I don’t want to think I am responsible for forcing you into something you’re not ready for. But if you’re honestly ready..."

"Which I am." Aeryk replies with his head on Brian’s chest.

"Then promise me you’ll say if I go too far or too fast. Not that I know what I’m doing anyway," he chuckles. "Do I sound too girly?"

Aeryk laughs. "Yeah you do, but I don’t mind." The younger man looks up and smiles warmly at Brian.

Brian smiles back before Aeryk suddenly assaults him as he wraps his arms around Brian’s waist and begins kissing him passionately, their tongues doing a familiar bout for dominance.

"What are you doing?" Brian asks in a near pleading voice when Aeryk backs away and proceeds to remove all of Brian’s clothing save his boxers.

Aeryk smiles devilishly. "Lay down and just let me do all the work, okay?" he whispers as he gently places Brian on the bed and straddles him over the waist. "You’ve got a nice body, you know that?" Brian barely lets out a response as Aeryk lowers his head down and begins trailing his tongue gently down his chest and around his nipples, given them an occasional bite.

Everything will be okay. Aeryk tells himself, preventing any fear or nervousness from taking over. There is love here. Not the emptiness of an enraged man tearing at me like some craved beast. There will be no loneliness at the end. There will be no more pain. Just... Brian.

Aeryk slides down Brian’s body, leaving a trail of soft kisses and stands at the foot of the bed and glides over to the CD player and walks back as the song Sadeness begins playing it’s deep, seductive melody.

Aeryk always had a fascination with this song and the dark undertones in the lyrics. When he was younger, and was alone, he often played this song and was surprised to find his body performing some of the most erotic moves he didn’t think he was possible of performing.

Taking his place at the foot of the bed again, watching as Brian makes himself more comfortable on the bed (a difficult process when ones manhood fails to be obedient), Aeryk succumbs to the music and slowly, seductively and to the beat of the music, begins to take of his clothes.

Unable to resist any further, Brian reaches under his boxers and begins stroking his shaft as Aeryk begins taking off his jeans and underwear. Dear God he’s so hot! Brian lets out an approving groan. I better watch him more carefully.

Aeryk sends Brian a dark, reproachful look when he notices his love touching himself but lightens his demeanor when Brian reluctantly removes his hand. He then slides onto the bed again and brushes his naked body along Brian’s until they are face to face.

Love, not anger. Aeryk smiles faintly at Brian as he runs his strong hands through his hair. Gentleness, not force. I can feel the warmth and I know he will do nothing to harm me like Jason did. This is what this is meant to feel like. Two souls becoming one in love and trust not in anger and fear.

Brian lets out a moan as Aeryk’s slight hands softly take his engorged cock into his hands and begins stroking it gently. Brian takes Aeryk’s head and forces him into another bout of fierce, passionate kissing before Aeryk pulls away again and slides off Brian’s boxers and tosses them away.

The feel of Aeryk’s tongue licking off the pre-cum sends Brian into another world of pleasure and he begins bucking his hips. Aeryk maneuvers his tongue around the head of Brian’s thick head then trails it down the shaft and around his sack.

Slowly, Aeryk takes in Brian’s cock and begins sucking on it, tasting the bittersweet pre-cum as Brian begins bucking his hips more and more forcefully.

Far too soon for Brian, Aeryk rises up to face Brian again and grins widely. "Enjoying yourself?"

"Fuck yeah I am." Brian breathes. "Where did you learn to do that?"

"Nature darling," Aeryk chuckles. "Wait here okay?"

Brian watches Aeryk slide off the bed and walk over to a plastic bag and pull out a clear tube of some liquid he instantly recognizes. "Aeryk, you sure about this?" he asks worriedly. "I know that Jason, well...," he trails off. I know that Jason raped you love. I can’t begin to imagine what you went through. I promise never to hurt you like that, or any other way, as long as you and I are together. You are my world Aeryk, I hope you know that.

Aeryk straddles Brian again, takes a bit of lube in his hand and begins stroking himself. "More sure about it than anything in the world love." He says as he dips some more lube in his hand and reaches behind him then begins stroking Brian as well.

Brian sits himself up and begins giving Aeryk soft, tender kisses before looking him deeply in his loving green eyes. "I love you so much Aeryk. I can’t imagine anything more perfect in the world than you. But thinking about what Jason did to you," he grimaces. "I don’t want to hurt you like that."

Aeryk responds by gently placing Brian on his back again and directs his throbbing manhood toward his ass and gives himself a moment before slowly allowing Brian’s sex to slide inside him.

When Aeryk sucks in a breath of pain, Brian nearly stops his love, but remains where he is when Aeryk gives him a reassuring smile. Moments later, Brian and Aeryk are surrounded by a soft, warm red light that fills the room around them.

Brian shifts himself and rests Aeryk on his back and gazes into his eyes. "Are you doing this?" Just enjoy yourself, Guardian. A familiar voice says in Brian’s mind. Become one with him. I’ll take care of everything. Gui’s voice says before disappearing. Brian grins to himself as he begins pumping into Aeryk, his pleasure growing with every moment.

"Feels so good being inside you baby," Brian breathes, leaning onto Aeryk to kiss him. "I can’t believe this feeling." This is amazing, it’s like my soul is merging with his. Wait, I can see... Images of Aeryk’s past life before the F.Y. flash before Brian like a slideshow. Pictures of his family, the building collapsing on them, of him holding his dying sister, Aeryk walking around the dark streets not knowing what to do with himself, rush by Brian almost too fast for him to grasp.

His pain, Gui’s voice explains. This is what the Child is. Know it Guardian for it will become yours. You and the Child will hold a special link that none other has ever experienced. Feel him in and around you. Touch his soul and feel the searing heat of the passion and love that you both have created. Never forget your duty to him. Never forget this feeling Guardian.

Time seems to slow down as Aeryk and Brian continue to make love, the red light washing around them as if protecting the two from the outside world. Their moans and cries of pleasure resonate around them. Brian brushes his fingers along Aeryk’s soft flesh and tastes it with his lips.

This is Brian, Aeryk senses tears of joy demanding to be set free. I can feel his love flowing into me. Jason, you’re gone forever. There is only Brian now.

A powerful, yet gentle, force wraps around Brian and Aeryk and the two suddenly find themselves near orgasm. Aeryk begins pumping his sex furiously, urging for Brian to fuck him harder.

The two cry out in unison as they both orgasm, Aeryk shooting his hot cum over his chest, Brian unloading himself deep within Aeryk.

The light fades away as Brian pulls out of Aeryk slowly and rests his head next to Aeryk’s sweaty body. "What was that?"

"Some call it an orgasm." Aeryk replies sarcastically.

"I meant the light," Brian insists. "Did you do that?"

"What light?" Aeryk asks.

"Oh."

"You sure this isn’t your first time Bri?" Aeryk quips. "Seeing lights?"

Brian chuckles for a moment. "How about we take a shower?" he motions to Aeryk’s chest while waggling his eyebrows.

"Yuck." Aeryk says succinctly before sprinting to the bathroom.

Date: October 6, 3021
Time: 12:10 pm
Location: Brian’s Cabin

"I told you so." Jackie says as she leans out the window of Aaron’s Land Rover, watching him glower at the muddy predicament preventing them from continuing their way to the cabin. "Be more careful!"

"It’s a little late to be saying that now, don’t you think?" Aaron kicks the tire and takes out his cell phone. "Bugger, no reception ‘ere either. Looks like we’re stuck until someone drives by, eh?"

Jackie grimaces as Aaron enters the car with a huff. "Well, I’m still tired from all that partying last night. I’m taking a nap, you watch out for cars."

"But I...!"

"Wake me when a car gets here." Jackie says sweetly as she makes herself comfortable in her seat and shuts her eyes. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Aeryk and Brian as they are busy pummeling each other with snowballs outside, the book glows red and the character for "willow" glows brightly above it.

Jackie finds herself standing within a beautiful garden with graceful willow trees all around her and soft cherry blossoms floating around her in the gentle breeze. The sun is just resting over the top of a distant mountain range when Jackie feels that she’s not alone.

"Welcome Guardian." A velvety voice says from behind Jackie.

"The name’s Jackie actually." Jackie says snidely. "Who the hell are you?"

"Some call me Liu Ping." The woman with long black hair and fierce black eyes replies, "Do you know why you are here?"

"I’m dreaming. Usually people come to places like this for no apparent reason. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m hoping this guy I checked out at the party will be here."

Liu Ping chuckles. "I’m afraid that won’t happen. You’re here for an important reason."

Jackie grimaces. "Don’t tell me this is going to be one of those psychic dreams you see in the movies in which your entire life is shown before you in an elaborate display of lights and stuff?"

Liu Ping gives Jackie a blank stare for a moment then says, "I am here to answer your question."

"I asked you a question?" Jackie asks.

"About your Guardianship, correct?"

Jackie displays the red character on her chest. "You mean this thing?" Liu Ping nods. "How did you know about this?"

"Because I was once a Guardian like yourself. I had the honor of protecting the Sacred Child."

"Oh."

"Do you not want to know about your destiny?"

"I try not to get into all that girly stuff, if you don’t mind. Destiny is for wimps. I prefer to shape my future, but thank you all the same." She turns to walk away.

"He will die if you don’t help him." Liu Ping says suddenly.

"What?" Jackie whirls around again, her fists clenched.

"Your friend, the Sacred Child, he will die without you." The Guardian says calmly.

Jackie storms forward and grabs Liu Ping by the neck of her robe. "What do you mean he’ll die without me? I don’t like people talking about him like that, let alone strange women who inhabit my dream."

Liu Ping smiles faintly as Jackie slowly releases her grip. "Then you feel it, the power that draws you to him?"

Jackie sighs. "I do feel attached to Aeryk, yes. He’s been a good friend to me as long as I can remember. He also has been through a lot and I feel like I should protect him."

Liu Ping nods. "The sign of a true Guardian. There is a special bond between the Child and his Guardians. They would gladly hand down their lives for him, even if they were perfect strangers to begin with."

"So what am I supposed to do then? There is more to all of this isn’t there? I mean, that Vincent guy is up to something isn’t he?"

"The Lan Long, the Blue Dragon, is fighting to return to your world and bring about a terrible chaos. This Vincent you speak of, I sense he is one of them."

Jackie slams her fist into her palm with an audible smack. "I knew he was up to no good. What can we do?"

"The Child knows the path you must walk. Follow him and all will be well in the end. Do you believe in this?"

Jackie chuckles. "Glowing tattoos, people rising from the dead, dragons wanting to bring chaos to the world, it all sounds like a dream to me." She looks up at Liu Ping with a feral look to her eyes. "But if what you are saying is true, then I can’t allow anything bad to happen now can I?"

A powerful wind begins to swirl around the two women and the character for "willow" glows brightly on Jackie’s chest and Liu Ping takes several steps back and says, "Then I command for the power of the Willow Guardian to arise and perform her sacred duty to protect the Child and bring about peace to the world. Accept this power by the names of the Four Gods."

A pair of simple, yet beautiful, bracelets appear on Jackie’s wrists and she looks down at them in awe as she feels a strange and warm energy course through her. "These are...?"

Jackie awakens to a loud curse and she looks back to see Aaron busy kicking the back of his car. "What is that idiot doing now?" She asks herself as slowly gets out of the car and into the chill. "What are you doing?"

"I was trying to find a way to lift this bloody car out," he motions to a broken log. "Obviously that didn’t work."

Jackie heaves out an exasperated sigh as she casually walks to the back of the car, lifts it out of the ditch and calmly places it back on the road as if it were nothing. Then reality strikes her like a semi-truck and she gasps, "Did I just do that?"

Aaron gapes at her and barely manages to nod. "Y-yes love, but ‘ow...?"

Jackie looks at her hands and sees the bracelets slip down her arm softly. "It wasn’t a dream?"

"No, just do what you can for me alright?" Derryk says curtly over his cell phone. "I’ll deal with the red tape, just get what I need as soon as possible! No, I don’t care about the cost and," he grimaces as the voice on the other end interrupts him. "Of course not, have I ever broken my word? Thank you, and I appreciate this. Just do what you can for me and I’ll handle the rest."

The Chief turns off his phone, not wanting to be interrupted by anyone else, and tosses it over his shoulder to the back of his car. He lets out a long sigh and lets his thoughts drift to the strange vision he had at home just before he left this morning.

"Who are you?" The startled Derryk asks as a ghostly apparition of a beautiful man with long black hair and seemingly endless brown eyes appears before him.

"You can call me Xing." The man replies with a soft, gentle voice.

"You are," Derryk stammers. "Here to see me I assume?"

Xing nods. "I have come to awaken you, Guardian. The time is nearly upon you and soon all that you know and hold dear will be lost if nothing is done."

"What do you mean?"

"The final battle with the Lan Long," Xing begins. "The ultimate test for humanity, you must protect the Child and allow him to summon the Four Gods who will finally bring peace to the world."

"The Child, you mean Aeryk?" Xing nods. "I remember him saying something about the story of the Sacred Child and the Four Gods. Never did I think... what is going to happen?"

"I cannot say." Xing replies. "All you can do is follow the Child and protect him."

Derryk nods in understanding. "I’ve known Aeryk for years now. I raised him the best I could and tried to be the father I didn’t have. I love him but," he pauses. "Can you tell me...?"

Xing shakes his head. "It is not my place. Do you believe in the Child? Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for him?"

I would gladly sacrifice myself for him. He means more to me than anyone would ever know. He has brought a light to my life and I will not allow it to be extinguished. He looks up when he notices Xing giving Derryk a critical glance, as if he knew what Derryk was thinking about. "I will do anything for the Child, even give up my own life."

Xing nods and the character for "star" appears on Derryk’s neck. "Then I command the power of the Star Guardian to light the path for the Child and lead him to glory and the glory of the Four Gods. Accept this power and perform your sacred duty as Guardian to the Child."

In a bright flash of light, a magnificent sword appears in the air before Derryk and he cautiously takes it into his hands and senses a warm energy flow through him. "This sword...?"

Derryk looks back and sees the sword giving to him by Xing resting on the leather seat and grimaces. "He knew, didn’t he? If I learned anything from Aeryk is that one should never hide from one’s problems and face them head on. Maybe, I should talk to him."

"So he warned me about using the power." Brent says. "I guess it drains my energy or something."

"Ahh." Jeff replies.

"So what about you?" Brent asks. "Are you going to explain your new toy?"

Jeff snorts. "I was busy sleeping when I suddenly found myself in this strange temple, much like the one you described to me actually..."

Jeff turns around when he hears a metallic clang ring behind him and sees a man wearing, what Jeff would guess to be, traditional Buddhist monk attire holding a strange staff with four rings attached to an intricately decorated headpiece. He is smiling when he says, "Greetings Guardian of the Water well. I am Jing."

"Okay." Jeff says reluctantly. "What do you want?"

If it were possible, the man looked put out. "I was hoping you would be more like me you know? All the other Guardians seemed less cynical you know?"

"I’ve had a tough life." Jeff says guardedly. "Why are you smiling like that?"

"I have come to warn you about the dangers ahead, you know? Things are only going to get stranger Guardian."

"Stranger than they are now?" Jing nods happily. "What do you mean then?"

"I’ve spent most of my lifetime learning about such things and you expect me to just hand the secrets over? You are going to have to learn them yourself, you know? But I can tell you it has something to do with the Sacred Child." He smiles patiently when Jeff gives him a funny look before finally saying, "Aeryk."

"Aeryk? What do you mean? What’s wrong now, and why aren’t I waking up?" Jeff demands.

"It’s okay, you know?" Jing says calmly, his otherwise high pitched and happy voice suddenly lowering to something sadder. "The Child is safe for now. I only wanted to alert you Guardian, for your sake and his."

"What’s going to happen?"

Jing takes off his mask, revealing a face with a horrible scar along his eye. "The end of the world, if you don’t act quickly. You and your friends have been charged by fate to protect humanity’s only hope. If you do not believe, and protect him, all is lost."

"Then what happened with Brent the other day," Jeff mutters. "Then that means all of this and the book isn’t some story?"

Jing shakes his head. "He has the gift of the healer, the Guardian of Sadness. No, it is all true."

"So, it is my destiny to fight some evil and protect Aeryk from it, correct?" Jing nods. "That scar, where did you get it?"

Jing solemnly replaces the mask. "It is the curse from a deed I did long ago. You were lucky Guardian, I was not." He ignores Jeff’s startled gasp. "Will you accept your fate and fight along the Child?"

Jeff manages to compose himself the best he can and nods. "I will do what I can."

"Then I command the Guardian of the Water well to arise and perform his sacred duty and bring about justice and truth. Accept this by the Four Gods and use your power well, Guardian."

The staff floats out of Jing’s hand and rests in Jeff’s before glowing with a warm power. "I can feel..."

"Then I woke up." Jeff finishes. "I tried leaving the stupid thing back home, but I felt as if it was calling to me or something."

"I guess Aeryk is going to have some explaining to do when we get to the cabin." Brent says. "I would imagine he knows more than he’s letting on."

Date: October 6, 3021
Time: 3:24 pm
Location: Brian’s Cabin

"I did not!" Joe cries when Danny accuses him of using an illegal mind expanding drug. "You know I don’t do stuff like that!"

"Then how else could you explain some strange little kid coming before you in a dream and telling you about some sacred duty you must perform or it means the end of the world?"

"Well you’re no help." Joe sighs. "Anyway, I better get going I’m about to pull up to the cabin."

"Okay, well give me a call if you have any more strange and frightening dreams involving little boys."

"Shut up!" Joe snaps before hanging up his cell phone and dropping it on the passenger seat. He neglected to tell Danny about the strange scroll given to him written completely in ancient Chinese and, shockingly enough, he is able to read it. "Maybe Aeryk will know what this is all about."

Just as Joe gets out of his car, Jackie, Aaron, Brent, Joe, and Derryk arrive and he waves to them with a smile on his face. "Hey Joe," Jackie says as she walks up to greet him. "What’s up?"

Joe rolls his eyes. "All sorts of strange things," he ducks into his car and produces the scroll. "Check this out."

"Ah," Aaron says as he looks over the scroll. "Sorry mate, all Greek to me. Where did you get it?" he hands it back to Joe who looks suddenly embarrassed.

"Would you believe some kid gave it to me in a dream?" there is an uncomfortable silence. "What?"

Jackie adjusts her bracelets and looks up as Jeff brings out his staff and Derryk shows his sword. "Uh, would you believe if we told you almost the same thing?" she asks.

"It would seem that we all have something in common." Brent says. "Maybe we should ask Aeryk about this."

The group walks up to the door, rings the bell, and is greeted by an astounded Brian who calls out to Aeryk. "Uh, you better come see this."

"What do you mean...?" Aeryk asks walking up and gasps when he sees his friends and their various additions.

"I guess I wasn’t the only one bud." Brian says softly. "Uh, make yourselves at home guys. I’m sure you all, uh, have some questions."

After the rest of the group settles themselves in, they all meet in the large living room, looking expectantly at Aeryk as he stands before them in front of a fire. Before long, Aeryk lets out a faint breath and says, "I wasn’t expecting any of this to happen. I was hoping it wouldn’t actually."

"What," Jeff insists. "Exactly happened Aeryk?"

"I believe the Guardians of the past came to you and awoken the powers latent within you all." Aeryk says. "That’s the best I could come up with after Brian told me about his dream."

"Well I don’t know what everybody is talking about," Aaron says irritably. "I ‘aven’t ‘ad any strange dreams or anything."

"Good thing too," Jackie quips. "I don’t even want to think about what you’re capable of!"

"So what else do you know?" Brent asks.

Aeryk avoids the gazes from the seven other people in the room. "We have to head to the North Pole. There we will find the first clue to what is happening here."

"You mean about the Four Gods?" Derryk asks and Aeryk nods. "Any idea on the exact location?"

"No, but I have a feeling it will make itself known. I’ve seen the temple in a vision once. I ended up in the very center of the Pole. I don’t know how I knew I was there, but if we do a little research, we should find it."

"Come to think of it," Joe begins. "I’ve heard reports on the news about a strange storm hovering around the center of the Pole. Nobody has been able to get near it and the satellite orbiting over the Pole can’t see into it. That could be where the temple is."

"So we have a good lead on that." Derryk says. "But we can’t forget why we’re really here. We have to get those stolen items back. If what Aeryk has told me before is true, then he could be in danger if we fail as well as the rest of the world."

"Any idea where these guys are?" Jackie asks.

"I brought my tracking equipment," Joe states. "There are only a couple more cabins in the area and one of them has been vacant for years. The other one from the telephone report I got has been very active the past months."

"Then we head out tomorrow." Derryk says. "We take this time to rest up and prepare ourselves."

The group nods in unison then split up to explore the cabin or the outside, Brian gives Aeryk a smile and walks away when Aaron challenges him to a snowball fight outside. "What’s up?" Aeryk asks when Derryk walks up to him.

"You’re hiding something from us. I know you better than that."

"I’m not hiding anything." Aeryk replies.

Derryk shrugs. "Okay, suit yourself kid. But you know that we’re here for you if you need us. And I’m speaking as a friend and someone who has seen you at the worst of times, Aeryk, not as your Guardian."

"You’re taking it seriously." Aeryk comments as the two walk out and along a small trail running behind the cabin. "Brian is acting the same way, and it looks like everybody else is too. It’s a little strange, but I’ll get used to it."

"I think, deep down, we all knew." Derryk says softly. "About you being the Sacred Child I mean. I can’t really explain the feeling I got when I first saw you. I felt this strong pull toward you and my heart told me to protect you no matter the cost."

"Really?" Aeryk asks.

"Of course. I thought it was because you were homeless and lost in a city you didn’t know." Derryk says.

"Well, I don’t know what to make out of it. I would hope that our friendship doesn’t depend on me being the Sacred Child and you being my Guardian. I, honestly, am very happy and lucky to have everybody in my life." Aeryk looks down somberly. "I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t, you know?"

Derryk cautiously pulls Aeryk into an embrace and holds him close. "Don’t think about such things, okay? You are a very special person to me."

Aeryk remains silent as he stands nervously in Derryk’s arms. "Derryk...?"

"Just let me hold you a bit longer, please?" Derryk asks softly, almost pleading. "I’ve been trying to find a way to tell you how much I love you Aeryk and that I wish you were mine. From the moment I saw you smile and the time I’ve watched you grow into the beautiful man you are now, I’ve fallen more and more in love with you."

Aeryk stiffens and his heart begins beating rapidly. "But Derryk I..."

"I love you Aeryk." Derryk says passionately as he takes Aeryk’s face in his trembling hands. "I love you."

"No!" Aeryk yells and pulls away from Derryk. "No!"

"What the hell is going on?" Brian demands, running up and stands in front of Aeryk protectively. He gives Derryk a dark, menacing look.

Derryk gives Aeryk a pleading glance. "I only want what’s best for you Aeryk. I can give you the love you deserve."

Brian glowers at Derryk, astounded by the temerity of what he just said. "What did you say?"

"Stop it Derryk." Aeryk orders.

"Don’t you remember what you went through?" Derryk asks. "I can give you so much more."

Brian storms forward, his eyes ablaze with fury, and slams his fist in Derryk’s face and towers over the fallen man. "I don’t care who you are, but if you touch him or say anything to him that I don’t like you’ll receive more than that."

Derryk gingerly touches his face. "You’re a big man, aren’t you? Something threatens you and you lash out. Is that it?"

Brian clenches his fists tighter and looks very ready to attack Derryk again. "Brian stop it!" Aeryk cries. "This isn’t solving anything!"

Suddenly, Derryk’s sword is in his hands and he aims the blade at Brian’s neck. Brian’s eyes widen in terror, and then darken with anger, as he stands off with Derryk, the air around them thick with tension.

Moments later Jackie, Aaron, Jeff, Brent, and Joe, hearing the commotion, race up and gasp as they see the spectacle before them. Aeryk stands and tugs Brian behind him and stands defiantly before Derryk. "Put the sword away," he says evenly. "Now."

The sword remains where it is, albeit trembling slightly. "I’m sorry kid, but I can’t stand around and watch you get hurt anymore. He has done so much damage to you already."

"What is he doing?" Jackie asks softly, and then calls out. "Derryk put the sword down!"

"I’m sorry kid, but I can’t." Derryk takes one step forward then an intense red light emits from Aeryk’s body. The sword begins to warm.

"Obey us Guardian." Aeryk’s voice resonates loudly and sounds as if four other voices speak as well. "You forget yourself and the duty you have sworn to do. We will not tolerate this further. You will not stand in the way of Fate any further." The sword in Derryk’s hand is now extremely hot and the blade is glowing white with heat. "You will remember our words and the words you swore to us. You exist to protect the Child. The Child has chosen his path and we will not allow you to befoul it."

Unable to hold the sword much longer, Derryk drops it and watches as it slowly melt into the deep snow then walks off with seven pairs of eyes burrowing deeply into him.

"Aeryk," Brian begins uncertainly when the red light finally fades away.

"You must learn to control your anger Guardian," The same voices state. "Most of all. You all must realize that now is not the time for petty quarrels. You must work together, as one, or you can not hope to bring peace to the world."

The sword rises out of the snow and lands gently in Aeryk’s awaiting hands. "I’ll go talk to him." He says in his normal voice. "Don’t follow me Brian, just trust me with this okay?"

As Aeryk walks past the stunned group, a shadowy figure appears in the dense forest just beyond them and watches with interest.

"So, the Child has finally arrived." Danny says with a faint grin on his face, his eyes gleaming. "His bond with the Gods is stronger than the last ones. He might be a little more difficult to kill."

You will kill him, or I will kill you demon. A terrible and blood chilling voice says within Danny’s mind. I do not tolerate failure.

"Yes, my master." Danny says before vanishing into the darkness.

Continued in Part 17

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