Rebirth

Chapter 11: The Guardian's of the Devil's Gate

Apparently, more has happened in the week that I've been gone. Not too long after I left, Zhaniah had a run in with another group. A cult if anything, that called themselves "The Guardians of the Devil's Gate." They could be identified with simple shadow like cloaks. However, they are people who can use advanced forms of magic spells. They range from natural born magic users, like me, or people who can channel magic, but use the incantations from spell books and magic tombstones.

How the conflict sparked, was something Zhaniah didn't tell us. I couldn't really figure out any actual reason for Wizards to clash with wolves, aside for maybe stealing food or killing one of their own. It was a very strange match up, one I never thought would even exist. After she told us, I figured it would be best for Cynthia to figure out her abilities here. I was gifted with magic, and Zhaniah became a strong as hell Wolf Queen. Since she didn't have any extra ears on her head, I was hoping she could learn magic. I wasn't even in full control of my abilities myself, but I did manage to get the basics of it during the crystal cave job. I'm a fast learner after all.

I wasn't sure how much time we had for to prepare, but I was determined to squeeze in as much magic training as I could. The more prep we had, the better this would go for us. We were basically drafted, and we should be ready to the best of our ability.

"So, how does this magic thing work, Ma?" Cynthia and I were in the middle of the woods, about 5 miles away from the town. She had her hair in a bun, and was wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt. I sat, criss-cross and thought hard. "I guess the easiest way to explain it would be... Think of wanting to bring out the energy inside you. Concentrate it, and give it a shape or form of something."

She stared at me, and I knew I somehow lost her. Groaning, I rose my hands and pushed them close together. "Easiest way is to show you I guess." A small spark of white fire began flickering between my palms. "Basically.. You're searching for the 'will' in your heart. Whatever you want can happen, magic makes anything a possibility or reality." I increased the flame size. "The 'energy', is the focus and concentration you place into the will. Your 'mind' gives that energy shape and existence." I rose the flame overhead, increasing the size at least five times what it was. "Then it comes back to 'will', and how much of the magic you want to bring out from inside." The flame faded, and I looked at her. "You try."

"Does it have to be fire?" She asked.

"Fire is usually easier, but do whatever you can imagine." I replied, shrugging.

"If I did, you wouldn't wanna teach me." She said quietly, but brought her hands close together. Closing her eyes, she began focusing. As she did, the breeze picked up around her slightly, blowing out gently past me. I watched, a tiny light flicker between her palms, and she held it out to me. Then, taking two fingers, she began to draw letters in the air, spelling "Fire". The letters swirled together and around me, and I smiled... Until the letters set me and my clothes on fire!

"Oh crap! Sorry Ma! I'll get water!" She said, standing quick.

"Don't worry," I said. I was actually very lucky fire was my element, and that her flames were weaker than mine. I summoned my own flames, snuffing hers out and wiping my forehead. Not one burn, lucky me. "That was good, I didn't expect you to get it on your first try."

"T..thank you." She said. I got to my feet brushing my pants. "Now, just practice and improve. You'll get the hang of it in no time." I said, stepping past her. She stayed where she was, looking at the grass, and her next sentence stopped me. ".. Do you think we'll ever find Richard?"

I stopped then. That was a topic I wasn't sure about myself. Thinking about it now, I wasn't exactly sure I never thought about finding him. I guess I assumed he'd find his way to Zhaniah no problem. They were best friends after all. Even so, when she brought it up, I felt an immense amount of guilt settle in my stomach. I couldn't lie to her, just tell her we'll find him, and everyone actually, no problem. No, that wouldn't be right, so I just told her the truth. "... I don't know Cynthia.. I have no idea where he is, or what he could be doing." I turned to her, and caught her trembling. She was holding back her emotions and feelings, I could read that too well. "... Hey. I'll do what I can."

"Still. Mama.." She turned to me, and was about to speak, but the explosion behind me shook us from the conversation. I whipped around quick, spotting a black cloud rising into the air. The distance from where the cloud rose, and the angle is was rising, told me only one thing. "The Guild!"

We pushed past the surrounding crowd and guards, making our way inside. It was totally trashed inside, worse than what we did during the brawl. The pack was tending to their injuries, moving the broken beams and pieces away from the smouldering rubble. Cynthia went forward, looking for Zhaniah. I was about to follow, until I spotted Beowulf hunched up against the wall leading into the guild. I approached him, slinging one of his arms over my shoulders for support. "Thanks.." He said. "They came at us out of nowhere.. When we weren't even expecting it.. We were just about to send for you two for the plans when.."

"Sh. Don't talk." I said, helping him walk towards the inside of the Guild. "Where's Zhaniah?" I asked him. Nothing but silence came from him, and when I looked at him, I knew why. His face was of shame and disappointment, and nothing but regret filled his eyes. "She.. She was captured."

"I figured..." I said, sighing as we moved towards the back of the Guild, into the infirmary. I laid Beowulf on one of the beds, watching him as he closed his eyes in pain. Poor guy. These past two weeks must've sucked for him. I should do something nice for him when he gets better.

I turned, leaving the infirmary, thinking hard about what to do. We needed to crush the Guardians, but I knew next to nothing about them. The only one who would know is Beowulf, and he's unconscious right now. Stepping into the main hall, the black clouds emitting from the rubble was ceasing, and the pack was lining up for Sansas, who surprisingly wasn't injured whatsoever aside from a few scratches, and Cynthia who was helping Sansas with the medical distribution. They looked battered and broken spirited. They lost their Queen, and most likely blamed their own weaknesses because of it. They need motivation and uplifting, and since Beowulf was unconscious and Zhaniah was captured, that left the second highest power which was... Crap, I hate public speaking.

I pushed a few boxes together, making a stage for me to stand on. When I got up top, everyone turned to me, and my minor fear of stage fright came bursting to the surface. I cleared my throat, and began speaking. "I'm sorry, to all of your, for the damage you've suffered here today. I won't sugarcoat anything. Your Queen is gone, and one of your best men is down for who knows how long. The Guardians attack you by sheer surprise, and overwhelmed you. Truly, I cannot express how I feel for all of you today, but now isn't the time to give up and keel over."

"Easy for you to say. You weren't even here when it happened!" Someone yelled. Murmurs began boiling up, their looks of brokenness turning to anger. "I know." I said, solemnly. "I should have at least been here, to at least help. Part of this is my fault."

"No..." All eyes turned to Beowulf as he practically dragged himself to the main hall. I jumped from the stand, rushing to his side and helped him up. "You should be in bed."

"It takes more to kill this old wolf..." He chuckled. "I'll be fine soon..." He cleared his throat. "Look, my brethren.. Justin is an outsider, this is true, and should he had been here at the time, I have no doubt he would have been able to fend off our enemies. However, what's done is done. We cannot blame him for unforeseen events, and we shall not hold him accountable because of our loss. We can rebuild the guild, and tend our wounds. However, should we lose our Queen, we may never have another. Justin has proven, in my eyes during our fight, that he has the brains, spirit, and courage of any old wolf in our pack. I trust him.. Completely and utterly, and out of all of us.. He's the only one capable of bringing our Queen home."

His words had hit me deep. He really had the utmost respect and trust in me. Outsider or not, he viewed me as his own kin. It brought a smile to my face honestly, and slight tears to my eyes. The pack themselves, looked at me once more, their anger soothing and turning into shame. They knew he was right. Everyone did.

"Beowulf, do you know where they took her?" I asked.

"From the information.. We gained.. They operate on a.. Remote island..." He said between breathes. Guess that speech took a lot out of him.

"Ok. Think you'll be healed enough in time?"

"You're.. taking me.. with you?"

"You, me, Cynthia, and Sansas. We need a small group for this job, because we're bringing our Queen back home." I said, smiling at him. He nodded, smiling himself, and the two of us began forming a plan of how to go up against a magic cult.