by Lucky Charms

Disclaimers: See Part 1.

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

Copyright © 2004 by Lucky Charms. All Rights Reserved.

---

Chapter Eighteen

Date: October 15, 3021
Time: 5:45pm
Location: North Pole

The sound of barking dogs rings clearly through the dissipating snow flurry as Aeryk and the rest of the elite F.Y. Police force race along the snow covered ground of the North Pole.

"Do you have any idea what we should be expecting once we get to the temple?" Brian calls over to Aeryk as he forces his dogs to catch up.

"Haven’t a clue." Aeryk replies. "The book just hinted at their location and I’m lucky enough to have figured out this much. I don’t think we will be in much danger though. Why would anyone want to set traps on the only person who can save the world?"

"I suppose." Brian says. "But we should stay alert just in case. I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Something isn’t right you know?"

"You’re just being paranoid." Aeryk smiles with a wink.

Jen lowers her binoculars and grins faintly. "They’re on their way to the temple." She says over to Vincent as she hands him the binoculars. "If we stay behind as planned, we’ll easily obtain the element of surprise."

Vincent watches the eight men and women race along the icy slopes for a moment before tossing the binoculars back to Jen and says, "We have to tread lightly from here Jen," he warns. "They are a bit more well equipped for this than we are."

"That won’t be a problem anymore." Danny walks up to Jen and Vincent with a smug look on his face.

"What do you mean?" Vincent asks.

"I know of a way to even out the odds." Danny’s eyes glimmer maliciously as he explains the details of his knowledge.

"Did you hear that?" Joe gasps when the sound of a howling wolf shatters the silence. "I didn’t know there were wolves around here."

"It could be possible." Jeff replies. "The earthquake distorted many ecosystems. Some wolves might have ended up here somehow, though I can’t think of any logical reason why that would be."

"It could have been the wind." Brent says.

"It’s so cold!" Jackie roars. "Give me that fan of yours will you?" she demands.

"Will you stop it?" Aaron maneuvers his dogs away from Jackie’s sled before she can steal the fan.

"They’re going to hit each other if they’re not careful." Derryk calls over to Aeryk, chuckling.

"Nah, I think the dogs know what they’re doing." Aeryk responds and winces when Aaron and Jackie have a near collision. "Maybe not."

"Oy!" Aaron suddenly calls out. "Get a load of that!"

The eight stop their dogs and gape at the massive twirling black clouds some miles ahead of them, which seem to rise into the skies forever. "That’s where the temple is." Aeryk says darkly. "The clouds will go away once we get there."

"Are the clouds protecting it or something?" Brian asks.

"That, or they are acting like a beacon to me." Aeryk replies. "What’s the matter?" he asks when he notices Brian looking intently behind them.

"I can’t shake this feeling that somebody’s following us." Brian says.

"Do you think it’s them?" Joe asks. "We never were able to locate them after they ran off. They could have found a way to follow us undetected."

"We can worry about if there is anyone following us later." Derryk states. "Right now we better focus on the temple and getting the first statue. I don’t want to be here any longer than the rest of you."

As Derryk motions for them to head out a large shadow appears on the top of a hill. "Kill them." Richard says hoarsely. "Child must live." He sniffs the air a moment before letting out a primal roar.

Date: October 15, 3021
Time: 7:02pm
Location: Temple of Genbu

"Let me guess," Aaron says as the group walks up the massive steps leading into the temple of Genbu. "Turtle theme."

The marble steps are littered with mosaics of turtles and the looming pillars are actually carved replicas of Genbu stacked atop each other, two statues of Genbu stand beside the door leading inside the Temple.

"Could this get anymore boring?" Jackie complains. "They could at least make the statues look a little more scary or something." She casually kicks the leg of the nearest statue and sends the thing crumbling into a pile of marble shards. "Oops."

"Hey Aeryk!" Joe calls as he motions Aeryk to the door. "What do you make of these?"

Aeryk looks over the ancient Chinese characters elegantly painted on the wooden door. "I never got into ancient Chinese, I can’t make a thing out of these. But why are there gaps here?" he points to various sections on the door where there are noticeable spaces between the characters.

Joe takes out his scroll when he feels it vibrating faintly in his pack. "Maybe this will help us." He opens the scroll and the Chinese characters written within it begin glowing a bright green. Suddenly shimmering images of the ancient language fly off the scroll, dance around Joe’s head a moment before finding a place on the door which gives off a faint click before swinging open. "Well that was easy."

The eight cautiously enter the temple and are greeting with a large circular foyer with enchanting emerald floors, walls, pillars, and a domed ceiling which has a small opening that allows the waning sunlight inside. Four doors stand on the far northern section of the room.

"Green," Aaron scoffs. "Lovely."

"I looks like whomever built this place had a thing for green and turtles." Jackie states. "What is this place?"

"The temple of Genbu." Aeryk replies.

"It was a rhetorical question." Jackie grumbles. "So what now fearless leader?"

"The doors," Brian points. "Maybe we’re supposed to choose one of them."

The eight walk over to the doors and inspect them for a latch or some means to open them up. "Looks like there’s more Chinese characters." Jeff states. "Like the ones on the entrance."

Joe examines each door, and holds up his scroll to each one. "Not working. What now?"

"I know a way." Jackie marches forward, cracking her knuckles.

"Wait a second there Tex!" Derryk warns. "Look at your chest."

"Huh?" Jackie asks as she looks down. "Why were you looking at my chest?" she squeals out indignantly, covering herself up.

"I meant your character is glowing." Derryk says exasperated.

"Oh," Jackie says. "I knew that."

Aeryk looks at Jackie’s glowing character, then at the door she’s standing before and snaps his fingers. "I got it!" he races over to the door, feeling stupid for snapping his fingers. "This character right here," He points to the glowing character, which has changed from its ancient form into the modern character meaning "willow". "Stands for willow. It looks like the doors react off the power of certain people."

"You’re right." Brent says looking at his glowing palm. "My character is glowing too."

"Everybody check your characters by the doors okay?" Aeryk says and stands back as everybody stands by a random door. A light feeling inside his heart makes him smile when he notices that Jackie and Aaron are paired by their door as well as Jeff with Brent, Derryk and Joe, and Brian standing by himself by his own door. Moments later, as Aeryk walks over by Brian, four independent clicks are heard and the four doors open. "Looks like we have to split up."

"If that’s the case we better wear the headsets." Jeff says reaching into his pack and placing it on. "Hmm," he mutters as he messes with different frequencies. "I charged the batteries before we left."

"It’s the dead zone," Joe says. "Nothing works while we’re here."

"Then what are we going to do?" Jackie asks. "It’s not safe going off alone when we don’t have any idea what’s beyond those doors."

"I don’t think we’re in any immediate danger." Aeryk says calmly. "Remember, we’re all here for a reason and I doubt whomever built this place has our deaths in mind. Just keep a clear head and I’m sure everything will be alright."

Jackie gives Aeryk a speculative look before nodding. "Alright, just be careful okay?"

Aeryk smiles reassuringly. "You too. See you guys later."

Jen and her entourage stand beyond the border of the storm protecting the temple of Genbu. "Any ideas?" she casually asks Vincent.

"I don’t think there’s anything we can do now but wait."

Jen frowns. "I hate waiting." An idea strikes her. "Send Richard in there. Perhaps he will be successful and eliminate a few of the Child’s Guardians for us."

Vincent smirks and makes a slight gesture before Richard blazes forward and into the lethal storm. "You know very well he could be killed in that storm before he gets to the Child and his Guardians."

"Let him." Jen replies. "Set up camp. We’ll wait here."

"Can I ‘ave my fan back?" Aaron asks. "It’s not that cold you know." He states, even though they’re now walking along a snow-covered path in a forest with a large hill looming in the distance.

Jackie irritably hands over Aaron’s fan, which she used to warm herself. "Do you know where we’re going?"

"No clue," Aaron shrugs. "I’m just walking. ‘Opefully we’ll find a sign or something along the trail."

Jackie lets out a sigh. "I feel bad." She says softly.

"About what love?"

"I was a bit of a jerk to Brian on the plane."

"You think?" Aaron chuckles.

"Maybe we should turn back and find them so I can apologize."

"Nah, don’t worry about it Jackie. Brian’s a big boy and can ‘andle ‘imself quite well. Besides, ‘e laughed and that’s all ‘e needed at the time. Why don’t we focus on what we need to do now and leave the other problem for later? We don’t really know enough to make a smart decision anyway."

"I guess you’re right." Jackie mutters. "Have you thought of anything?"

Aaron shrugs. "I try not to think about it actually. It’s too ‘ard really. ‘Ow can you think about a friend dying?"

"Yeah." Jackie pauses a moment and falls heavily onto a tree, which uproots the thing and causes it to collapse to the ground. "Oops."

"Don’t let it get you down Jackie." Aaron says encouragingly. "Aeryk’s a resourceful guy. I’m sure ‘e’ll think of something."

"But what if he doesn’t?" Jackie asks. "What if the time comes and he makes the wishes, what then? I can’t go through another Corey, Aaron. It was hard enough the first time."

Aaron steps closer to Jackie. "Is that what this is about?"

"I’ve already lost one important person in my life," Jackie begins looking down. "I’m not ready to loose another you know? Aeryk has been so great to me, to everybody. What kind of reward is that for somebody like him? He has lost so much, but gave much more in return. How can we let this happen?" she demands. "It’s just not right!"

"Life is rarely fair." Aaron says evenly. "I know what it’s like to loose somebody you love. I lost my brother before I came to America." He sighs. "It was ‘ard. It took me a while to get over the fact that ‘e was gone. It shocked me, when I first joined the F.Y., ‘ow much Aeryk looks like my brother I almost couldn’t ‘andle it. But, over time, I got used to it and got to know Aeryk better. ‘E really is a great guy, isn’t ‘e?"

"Hey," Jackie cries. "Do you think those Gods, or whatever, will know a way to save Aeryk? I mean, they created him after all, they’ve got to know a way to save him right?"

"Maybe." Aaron replies. "But we won’t know until Aeryk summons them."

"Then we better find those statues." Jackie says, her eyes cold with resolution.

"I’d love to study this place once this is over." Joe says looking around him like a child in a candy store. "Don’t you think this is amazing?"

"Yeah." Derryk says quickly. "Is that scroll telling you anything?"

Joe shakes his head. "Nothing. Is everything alright Chief? You seem a little irritable."

"I just don’t like this one bit." Derryk replies. "Why did we have to split up anyway? It’s fairly obvious we have to head to that hill over there," he casually motions toward the hill in the distance. "So why split us up?"

Joe shrugs. "I don’t know. Maybe there’s a special reason for this, don’t you think? Why do Gods do half the things they do?" he shrugs again. "I don’t think about it actually. It’s a waste of time if you ask me."

Derryk grimaces. "I guess I see your point. But I’m worried about Aeryk."

Joe pales a bit and says uncertainly, "Don’t you think you shouldn’t? Look at the trouble you caused yourself earlier and..." he stops when he sees Derryk’s angry glare. "Sorry."

"I’m worried about how quiet and submissive he is." Derryk says sharply. "Ever since he told us about what will happen to him when this is over he became more quiet and reclusive. He has hardly spoken to anyone, even Brian, about anything and avoids it completely when he’s confronted with it."

"Maybe he’s just thinking of a way around it." Joe offers. "It’s like a contract really. There might be a loop-hole somewhere we haven’t thought of yet."

Derryk frowns. "You’re being a little light about the subject aren’t you?"

Joe smiles, abashed. "I guess I have a lot of faith in Aeryk. A part of me looks up to him like the older brother I never had. I mean, he looked death in the face and turned his back on it. He’s the savior of the world if you want to look at it that way!" he pauses a moment. "Anyway, he has always been real kind to me."

Derryk smiles faintly. "That’s one of his better traits. Believe me, he has much worse ones."

Joe laughs. "That’s right, you know him better than anyone else except Brian."

Derryk shrugs. "I guess. He didn’t open up to me very much in the beginning."

"What was he like when you found him?"

"Quiet, reserved, didn’t like anybody or anything." Derryk chuckles. "He wasn’t the nicest person in the world, and understandably so."

"It’s hard to think of Aeryk any different than he was before this." Joe comments. "Do you think he’s really going to die Derryk?"

"I hope not Joe." Derryk replies after a moment. "I really hope not."

"You’re surprisingly quiet Brent." Jeff jokes.

Brent smirks. "I was just thinking..."

"About what?"

Brent takes a step over an exposed root before replying, "About how much our lives have changed and what will happen to Aeryk once this is all over."

"Yeah." Jeff says. "It’s strange, isn’t it? I know I should feel sadder, but I can’t help but focus on something more happier you know?"

"That’s just your way of dealing with it." Brent states. "You’ve done that as long as I’ve known you."

"You mean ignore the plain truth in front of me and place a wall of lies before it?" Jeff snorts self-derisively. "You’re right, I’ve always done that. And it looks like I’m not going to change any time soon."

"Only you can break the cycle." Brent says.

"You’re right, as usual." Jeff responds before looking behind them. "Did you hear something?"

"No."

"Hmm, must’ve been some snow falling off a branch or something." The two walk in silence a while longer before Jeff says, "So how do you feel about it? Aeryk dying and all."

"It’s strange. I mean it’s strange how he seems to have accepted his fate with little, if any, resistance. I always thought Aeryk was a fighter. It bothers me he became so submissive."

"So it irritates you too, eh?" Jeff inquires.

"I suppose."

"Well I think it’s stupid." Jeff states, much to Brent’s amazement. "Why does he have to die, just for the sake of the world well on its way to destruction? I think Aeryk should just forget about this and live his life. I don’t want him dying for me. I don’t want anyone dying for me for that matter. Nobody’s death is worth a strangers happiness."

"So you’re going to tell Aeryk how you feel once we see him again?"

"I don’t think it’s my place to tell him." Jeff sighs. "You’ve seen how determined he looked when we got to this place. For me to tell him that fighting for something you believe is wrong is, well, wrong! That, and I’m afraid to."

Brent puts a comforting hand on Jeff’s shoulder. "If there has been one thing I’ve learned from Shannon’s death, is that being afraid of nothing makes as much sense as a box of hair."

Jeff laughs. "Something must be wrong with you if you’re actually joking Brent."

"Shh, did you hear that?" Brent says suddenly.

"More snow falling off a branch?" Jeff offers.

"No, something else."

"Ow! You dumbass!" Aeryk wails when Brian pelts him with another snowball.

"I can’t help it if you suck at this." Brian laughs as Aeryk sends a snowball onto a tree several feet beside him. "You throw like a girl you know."

"Shut up!" Aeryk runs over to Brian and throws his body onto him, sending the two into a pile of snow.

After the two wrestle for several moments, Brian pins Aeryk onto the ground and grins evilly at him. "Well what do I have here." He licks his lips dramatically. "Delicious."

"Get off me you weirdo." Aeryk chuckles. "We have work to do."

"All work and no play makes Aeryk a dull boy." Brian grins widely. "Lets take a break, okay?"

"What do you call the past half hour?" Aeryk asks, arching a sardonic brow.

"You’re no fun." Brian pouts as he helps Aeryk to his feet. "Okay, lets go."

Aeryk smirks as Brian quickly wraps a free arm around his shoulder and escorts him along. "I wonder where the others ended up."

"Can’t be anymore interesting than this place." Brian comments looking around the dark forest. "You think the statue’s somewhere around that hill?"

Aeryk shrugs. "It seems the most likely spot, seeing as the trail leads directly toward it. What’s the matter? You’re acting weird again."

Brian turns his gaze from behind and looks down at Aeryk. "I can’t shake the feeling that there is something near us. Don’t you feel it?"

Aeryk stops and focuses on the forest around him, straining his hearing for the slightest of sounds. "You’re right, there is something wrong with this place."

Two men appear before Aeryk and Brian, each with deep blue hair, ice blue eyes, blue robes, and pale skin. "You are the Sacred Child, no?" One of the strange men asks with an oddly familiar accent.

Brian steps protectively in front of Aeryk. "What of it?"

"The Child is to be tested for his worthiness of the power." The other man responds with the same accent. "You didn’t think we would just give it to him, did you?"

"What do you mean, test?" Aeryk asks.

"Listen," Brian interrupts. "We don’t have time for this. We know all about how his life was meant to be a living hell, blah blah blah. Either you let us by now, or there will be trouble."

"The Ogre." The first man snickers.

"That explains things." The other man replies. "I’m sorry Guardian, but this is the way things are. You have to accept them."

Brian storms forward and grabs the man by his robe and lifts him off the ground. "Listen to me damn it. I’ve had a very difficult day and you being here doesn’t necessarily improve things. Now let us by or I’m going to loose my temper!" He drops the man to the ground and looms over him like a storm cloud.

"We know more than you probably think we do." Aeryk says calmly, standing beside the fuming Brian. "Please understand that we have no intention of fighting right now. All we want is to finish this once and for all."

"What do you mean by you knowing more that we think?" the first man asks. "What do you know?"

"We know those bastard Gods made it so that he’ll die when he makes his three wishes." Brian hisses. "Great huh? Yet he continues with this."

"Believe us when we say we sympathize with you." The second man says. "But it is our mission to prove the Child is worthy."

The men in blue suddenly fall silent and they slowly turn to face in the hill’s direction. "There is somebody here." The first man mutters.

"Duh," Brian cries. "It’s probably the rest of the Guardians."

"No," the first man says. "One of the Blue Dragon’s chosen, the tormented wolf."

"The who and the what now?" Brian asks before the two men race off.

"We better follow them." Aeryk mutters. "I don’t like the feeling I’m getting from this."

"Nice rock." Jackie comments as she and Aaron approach a large cave with a massive boulder standing before the opening. "Well, might as well get this thing out of the way."

"Jackie watch out!" Aaron orders as he pulls out his fan and says. "Rekka Shin’en!" Aaron summons the fires from his fan and directs them at the monstrous man who suddenly appears from the forest and attacks them.

Richard deftly jumps out of the way and faces his foes. "Where is the Child?"

"It’s that guy from the cabin." Jackie says to Aaron as her gauntlets form over her wrists. "He won’t be much trouble for me. Take that path over there and find Aeryk!"

"I’m not leaving you alone Jackie." Aaron states. "We’re a bloody team, remember?"

"Just go!" Jackie snaps. "Protect Aeryk."

Aaron casts Richard another glare and nods. "You be safe, alright? I’ll be back with reinforcements soon."

"I still need to pay you back for that lump you gave me." Richard growls.

"There’ll be a lot more where that came from." Jackie smirks. "Why is it so hard for men to learn that if I kick their ass once, I’m not interested?"

Richard chortles. "I don’t think it will be that easy this time Guardian." Without warning, Richard plows through the snow like it was air and lands a right hook across Jackie’s face well before she even knew he moved. "Courtesy of the Lan Long." He chuckles as he watches Jackie soar through the air and land in a mound of snow some distance away from him.

Jackie stumbles to her feet, gently touching the side of her bruised face. When did this happen? Crap, this is where your cockiness gets you Jackie. Please hurry up with those reinforcements Aaron. "Lucky shot." She calls. "This time we finish this for good!"

"Aeryk!" Aaron cries when he see his friend racing after a pair of strange men in blue robes. "We better hurry, Jackie is..."

"You left her alone?" one of the strange men demands of Aaron. "You fool! She could get killed!"

"What are you talking about?" Aaron gapes. "Jackie’s like bloody Super Man, that guy shouldn’t be any problem."

"That monster," the second man begins. "Is one of the Blue Dragon’s chosen, the tormented wolf. He has the skill, agility, and strength of an entire pack of wolves. If this Jackie is the Guardian of the Willow, she’ll be lucky if she gets away with her limbs intact."

"What do you mean?" Aaron demands as he grabs the man by his robe.

"The tormented wolf is a killer through and through." The first man says lowly. "Too many Guardians have lost their lives to his fury. His soul is torn between the world of man and the world of the wolf. If one dies, the other will take over."

"So what you’re saying is that Jackie is now fighting a mad man who could easily tear off my arm like it was nothing?" Aaron says. "Damn it!" he roars as he runs off toward the hill.

Jackie cries out when Richard backhands her hard enough to send her into the wall of the cave. "Too fast." She whispers. "I’ve got to find a way to get away from this guy."

Richard eyes Jackie like a hungry animal waiting for the final strike. "What’s the matter Guardian? Where’s your friend? I could use that silly fan of his to toast your delicious looking body."

My only chance is to find a way to distract him long enough for me to make a run for it. Jackie grins as she slowly slips off her coat. Might even knock him out of I’m lucky. "Toro!" she taunts Richard. "Toro!"

Blinded by fury at being tormented, Richard charges Jackie and suddenly finds him in the darkness. Jackie quickly kicks Richard in the stomach before running clumsily in the snow toward the path that Aaron took when she suddenly feels a crippling jolt of pain tear through her body.

Richard lets out a primal roar as he lifts Jackie off the ground, his hand engulfed in Jackie’s back with blood streaming down his arm as he tears off Jackie’s coat with his free hand.

A bright light shines through the clouds above and covers Jackie’s shocked face before she coughs out a small amount of blood. Corey...

Images of Jackie’s life, from the moment when Corey was born until now flash before her eyes with crystal clarity. She remembers the time when Aeryk first arrived on the force, seeing him with a look of utter loss on his face. She remembers the time when she and Aaron forced an escaped convict to jog the entire distance back to the jail with nothing but his socks and underwear on.

"Corey?" she whispers before skillfully twirling off of Richard’s hand and wrapping an arm around his neck, the other hand trying to snap his neck.

"Die." Jackie cries over the pain filled roar from Richard’s throat. "DIE!" There is a gut-wrenching crack before all is silent. Jackie drops Richard’s body onto the bloody snow.

"Aaron is going to kill me." Jackie mutters as she falls to her knees, then slowly turns her head and looks at the boulder. "I better move that thing."

After a couple failed attempts to get to her feet, Jackie stumbles over to the boulder guarding the cave entrance and struggles to lift it. Too heavy... she grimaces as she fights to remain conscious. Please, if there is anybody listening give me the strength. Aeryk, please fight on. I know you will find a way. The rock budges. Don’t leave that idiot Brian alone. Aeryk, don’t forget me. "Aeryk!" she cries as she lifts the boulder over her shoulders and sends it colliding into the trees.

"There, that wasn’t so hard." Jackie turns her head when she hears a group of voices calling out her name. A faint smile forms on her face when Jackie sees Aeryk through her hazy sight as she collapses onto her back.

"Jackie!" Aeryk slides next to her. "Speak to me please."

"Is he dead?" Jackie whispers, still smiling.

"Yeah," Aaron says. "You did good Jax."

"We need wood." Brian says quickly. "Make a signal or something."

"I’ll ‘andle it." Aaron rushes a few feet away and cries out, "Rekka Shin’en!" as he sends large pillars of flames into the sky.

"Just hang on Jackie." Aeryk says softly. "Brent will get here soon so he can heal you."

"There’s no way I’m leaving you alone with him." Jackie manages to motion a finger in Brian’s direction. "You stupid, glutton for punishment why are you crying?"

Aeryk quickly looks away. "I’m not you idiot. I’m going to help Aaron." He rises to his feet and runs away calling out Brent’s name.

"You know I’m going to be in line right after Aaron to kick your silly ass for being so stupid." Brian tries to keep an even voice. "And here I thought I was the reckless one."

Jackie points a bloodied accusing finger at Brian. "You be good to him, got that?"

Brian smiles. "Of course Jackie. You’re going to be okay, don’t talk like this."

Jackie places her palm on Brian’s face. "You both are such idiots when you’re together. Don’t let go of that love you both have, promise me."

"I promise." Brian says solemnly just before Jackie’s hand slips lifelessly down his face and onto the snow-covered ground. "Jackie?" he cries out.

Aaron and Aeryk stop when they hear Brian’s voice and brushes past the two silent men in blue robes. "No, she’s not dead." Aaron states. "She’s just tired, that’s all. Come on Aeryk, lets go find Brent so ‘e can," he looks up when Brent, Jeff, Derryk, and Joe slowly walk up the hill.

Brent stands aside when Brian motions him over and grimaces when he hears all the known details. "...We were too late." Brian finishes.

"No, shut up!" Aaron cries. "You son of a bitch! Who do you think you are, dying on us now? Coward! Oy, I got an idea." With a shaking hand, Aaron motions Brent over. "I’ve got something for you do to. Use your powers and bring ‘er back." He chuckles in Jackie’s direction. "Think you can pull a fast one on me do you?" Aaron looks over at Brent when he fails to move. "What are you doing? Why are you just standing there? You can do it, can’t you?" His lips begin to tremble. "Can’t you?" The reality of the situation sets in. "It’s useless..."

Brian gives Brent a helpless look and Brent nods in understanding before kneels beside the weeping Aeryk. "Aeryk, she’s gone now."

Aeryk shakes his head. "No, she can’t be. We were supposed to get through this together!" Without another word, Aeryk lurches to his feet and runs off.

Brian calls after Aeryk before he pursues him. When Brian manages to catch up to Aeryk, he finds him sitting under a tree, humming a song to himself as he idly plays with a snowball he made.

"Aeryk, we need to go back." Brian begins. "We need to send Jackie," the name causes a lump in his throat and Brian is forced to swallow it before his can continue. "We need to say goodbye to Jackie. Aeryk?" He says softly when he fails to respond. "Come on hun, let's go. We need to get the statue."

"How can you say that?" Aeryk snaps. "How can you even think of that when Jackie just... Is it all really worth it? I can’t do this anymore Brian! I can-..." He lets out a cry of pain when Brian storms over and forcefully picks Aeryk off the ground. "Ow, stop it! You’re hurting me!"

The group looks over when they hear Aeryk’s frantic voice and say nothing when Brian throws Aeryk before Jackie’s body. "Look at her." Brian orders.

"No." Aeryk sobs, turning away.

"I said look at her!" Brian screams. "Are you going to let Jackie’s death be for nothing? You should know better than anyone else why she did what she did!"

One of the men in blue step forward. "We understand the pain you are going through, but you must fight on."

"How can you possibly understand?" Aeryk demands. "You don’t know her like we do!"

"We were one of the first Guardians to the Sacred Child." The second man says calmly. "We lost one of our own to the tormented wolf, much the same way you have."

"Then why were you trying to stop us before?" Brian asks.

"We weren’t trying to stop you." The second man replies. "We came here to prepare you for the trial."

"How is it that you’re still alive?" Derryk asks.

"We asked to be live long enough to prepare the Sacred Child, the prophesized one who will save this world from the Lan Long." The first man says.

"You’ve done on hell of a job." Jeff says sarcastically.

"We did all we could." The second man says. "But we are patient."

"So when will you die?" Aeryk asks.

"Once the Child succeeds and frees the world from the Lan Long, forever." The first man says. "When that happens, we will be free to rest."

Aeryk nods. "Brent, is there anything you can do about the wounds?"

Brent looks down at Jackie’s body and summons his healing power and casts the light over her and watches with relief as the wounds close and her torn clothes mend themselves. He then takes off her bracelets and hands them to Aeryk. "I think she would want you to have them."

Aeryk slowly takes the still warm bracelets and slips them around his wrists and shuts his eyes. Don’t worry Jackie. I’ll get them back for this. Your sacrifice won’t be in vain. "What must I do?" He asks after the group shares a moment to mourn over their terrible loss.

The first man in blue nods, "Your spirit and body must be tested, though we cannot tell you what will happen."

"Can he die from this?" Brian asks, worried.

"It has happened, yes." The second man replies evenly. "There must be no interference."

Brian clenches his fist. "Hasn’t he suffered enough? Haven’t we all suffered enough?"

"The Child must be prepared for the ultimate hardship." The second man says. "He must be prepared to sacrifice himself for the betterment of humanity. I thought you would have realized this."

"It’s alright Brian." Aeryk smiles softly. "I’ll be fine."

The first man motions for Aeryk to stand before him and says, "You are indeed a strong young man. We have seen the pains you have endured. May the Gods watch over you and guide you through this trial."

The two men surround Aeryk and raise their hands as they begin chanting lowly. Aeryk winces when a chill pain shoots through his body as ice begins forming around his feet and slowly up his body.

Brian, watching Aeryk grit his teeth in pain, calls out when Aeryk finally lets out a cry. "That’s enough! You’re hurting him!" He races forward and slams bodily into a barrier of ice. "Bastards, what is this?"

"Rekka Shin’en!" Aaron cries as he summons flames from his fan and watches in disbelief as the wall quickly replaces the lost ice. "Damn, no good."

Derryk takes out his sword and slashes violently at the wall. "It’s too thick."

The two men turn to face the remaining Guardians when Aeryk is completely encased in ice. "He has passed the trial of the body. Now it is the question of his will to live." The first man says.

It’s so cold. Aeryk is surprised he can speak to himself despite the lethal cold surrounding his body. I can feel my heart beating so slowly. Damn, how am I going to get out of this. He tries to move his arms but is doomed to failure. I can’t do this! I’m sorry Jackie I let you down.

Stop being such an idiot will you? A familiar voice whispers in Aeryk’s ear. You’re nearly as bad as they are. You should see them screaming and clawing at the ice wall like a bunch of animals.

Jackie? Aeryk asks in shock. Is that you?

Who else would it be? Listen, I wanted to say I’m sorry for what happened. I was careless. Actually, what good is it that I apologize now? She laughs. Anyway, how are you holding up? Looks like you got yourself in a bit of a fix.

You can say something like that. With the way things are going it looks like I’ll be joining you soon.

Drama queen. Jackie accuses fondly. You don’t honestly think I’m going to let you off that easily don’t you?

But it’s too hard. I’m so helpless. Aeryk says dispiritedly. It’s so cold.

Do you think you can fulfill your promise to me by giving up this easily? Jackie demands. I heard what you said Aeryk and I’m not about to let you flake right now. So what things are a little tough right now? Isn’t life about pain? Aren’t you the one usually telling us things will get better? You’re a pathetic hypocrite.

I tried Jackie, I really did. I’ve pushed on and smiled all my life. I’m tired now. Aeryk replies.

And you’re just going to let everybody else suffer because of your unwillingness to stand on your own two feet and get over yourself? So what if you think you’re all alone! Don’t you realize that you have people around you that love you? Brian, Derryk, Aaron, everyone! They all love you! You’re not alone anymore Aeryk. Yes, you lost your family but it’s time to move on and live the way they would’ve wanted you to! Your life has only just begun. You have a duty you must fulfill! You promised me!

Jackie...

Stop moping around like a damn baby and get your silly ass out of the ice and do me proud boy!

Jackie’s bracelets begin glowing brightly and the character for willow shines on Aeryk’s chest just before the ice surrounding him shatters in a rain of color reflected off the sun. The wall before Brian and the others vanishes and they all rush over to Aeryk’s side when he collapses to the ground, cold yet alive.

"Aeryk, can you hear me?" Brian pleads. "Hang on! Brent?"

Brent kneels beside Aeryk and checks his pulse and nods in satisfaction. "He’s fine. Probably asleep."

"Amazing." The first man mutters to his companion. "Did you see?"

"Yes." The second one interrupts. "In all our years we’ve never seen that happen before."

"What?" Derryk asks.

"It would appear that the bond between the Child and the Guardian of the Willow surpassed the gates separating this world and the next." The second man replies. "She may have saved him from death."

"Do you have any place warmer we can rest at?" Joe asks, his teeth clattering.

"Yes, indeed." The first man motions them into the cave and escorts Brian, Derryk, Joe, and Brent down the long trail toward a brightly lit room, leaving Aaron and Jeff to bury Jackie. "You have a strange relationship with the Child." He mentions to Brian, who has collected the slumbering Aeryk in his arms.

"What do you mean?" Brian snaps. "There’s nothing strange about it."

"Hey Brian," Derryk says. "Give them a break. They’ve been cooped up in this temple for who knows how long. A lot has changed." He says to the two strange men. "What are your names by the way?"

"Airleas." The first man says, nodding. "And this is Baran."

"Gaelic names. I thought I recognized that accent." Derryk mutters. "Just how old are you both?"

"Only a few hundred." Baran replies, grinning. "And this is what we call home." He motions to the brightly lit room filled with silken curtains attached, with no particular fashion in mind, to several tall marble pillars. Countless comfortable, and very large, pillows of all colors and shapes litter the room. A fountain stands in the center of the room some several feet before a massive hearth with a warm fire burning brightly in it. "Please make yourselves comfortable."

As Brian and Brent rush over to the fire and place Aeryk’s head on a pillow, Derryk walks up to Airleas. "Will he have to go through more tests like that?"

Smiling to alleviate the worried look on Derryk’s face, Airleas says, "No. This will be the only one. Your Child has done well, you all should be very proud of him."

"We are." Derryk says sullenly. "Where is the statue?"

"It’s safely locked away until the Child is ready to receive it." Airleas replies. "There is food and drink on the table over there. Why don’t you rest and build your energy. You have a long trip ahead of you."

"Hey bud." Brian says warmly as Aeryk slowly opens his eyes. "How are you feeling?"

"A little bit of a headache." Aeryk replies. "But I’m fine, thanks. Where are we?"

"We’re in the cave, Airleas and Baran brought us here."

"Who?"

"The two guys who tested you before, remember?"

"Oh, them." Aeryk grimaces. "And I was hoping it was a dream."

"Sorry, but it’s not a dream." Baran says, kneeling beside Aeryk and handing him a warm drink. "This should help with the headache."

"Thank you." Aeryk says before drinking down the sweet tasting liquid. "So what happens now?"

"The statue is ready for you." Baran says with a wide smile. "From here you head east to the Temple of Seiryuu."

"Which is where?" Brian asks.

Baran shrugs. "The location of the temples change all the time. For all I could know it could be at the bottom of a volcano."

"Lovely." Brian mutters.

"Don’t worry," Baran chuckles. "The Child will know."

"Then take me to the statue, please." Aeryk says rising to his feet. "I need to get out of this place."

Baran nods and motions for Airleas to gather the remaining Guardians. "If you all would follow me." He guides the Guardians down a long hallway toward a pair of massive doors made out of glass and emerald. "Just place your hand on the doors and they will open to you."

Aeryk steps forward and places his hand on the cool glass and watches as they creak open for him, revealing a room full of gold, emerald, and the statue of Genbu in the center. "What’s with all the gold and emerald?"

Airleas shrugs. "It was here when we arrived. But I wouldn’t touch any of it if I were you." He says when he spies Aaron reaching a greedy hand out.

"Just a souvenir." Aaron laughs nervously.

Aeryk and the others shuffle into the room and surround the foot tall statue made completely of emerald. "I hate green." Aeryk mutters before he collects the statue and lets out a gasp when a picture of the temple of Seiryuu appears in his mind. "Whoa, you weren’t kidding were you?" he asks Baran.

"What?" Jeff asks.

"I know where the temple of Seiryuu is." Aeryk replies. "We’re heading to China next."

"What?" Aaron cries. "You’ve got to be kidding!"

Aeryk shrugs off the comment. "Might as well leave now and make this trip as short as possible. Thank you both for saving us from the cold."

"Think nothing of it." Airleas says.

"We’re used to it." Baran winks. "Best of luck to you all."

Aeryk gazes at the image of the turtle God standing on its hind legs with interest as they walk toward the exit of the cave. "Funny how something so small contains the power to summon Gods."

Brian squeezes Aeryk close. "I was thinking the same thing about you." He jokes.

As the group emerges into the starry night, they pause a moment and give their final respects to Jackie. "I feel terrible for this." Aeryk says. "We can’t even mourn for her. Who’s going to tell her parents?"

"We will mourn for her when time allows us." Brent says lowly. "I think she would’ve understood."

"I’ll tell her parents." Derryk says. "I have to stay back home in D.C. anyway, sorry. I can’t stay away from the force for too long without things getting out of hand."

"I understand." Aeryk replies and they begin walking down a path leading out of the temple.

"Wait." Jeff hisses. "What happened to that guy’s body?"

As if in response to Jeff’s question a large black wolf leaps out from the darkness of the forest plows into Aeryk’s body, dislodging the statue from his grip, picks up the fallen idol and pauses a moment to watch the outraged F.Y. officers.

"Bloody ‘ell!" Aaron snarls. "Why didn’t they tell us about wild animals?"

"It’s not a normal wolf," Jeff faintly remembers a trail of prints leaving the sight where Richard’s body once was. "Impossible."

"What?" Aaron demands, watching the wolf warily. "Are you saying that was the guy that killed Jackie?" he takes out his fan and aims it threateningly at the wolf.

The wolf tears off into the distance before anyone can react. "Damn it. That means they’re here." Derryk says darkly. "How did they find us?"

"It doesn’t matter. We need to find a way to get that statue back!" Brian says.

"We’ll worry about it later." Aeryk states. "By the time we catch up with them, they’ll be long gone. I doubt they’ll be able to find out about the location of the next temple. So lets just head back home and we’ll figure everything else out then."

Sometime later, outside the temple, the scorched remnants of the black wolf lies on the snow at the foot of Vincent Graves, the statue of Genbu in his hand. "You will never fail me again."

Continued in Part 19

Feed the Scribbler: luckycharms@e-scribblers.com.