Protector of the Innocent

Chapter Three - The Purple Beam

Chapter Three

The Purple Beam

Elder Aquila and I made it back to the Observatory. Usually, the lower level of the floating castle was hustling and bustling with many Celestrians, but it wasn't like that. It was lifeless and bare without everyone there. "They all must be on top where Yggdrasil awaits you." Elder Aquila spoke as if it was odd to him as well. "We must head up together." He began to lead the way up to where the Great world tree awaited us. As we ascended each level, we began to see more familiar faces. Elder Aquila was right, they were awaiting us on higher floors. They all wished me luck and congratulated the both of us. It warmed my heart and I felt truly blessed to be raised with all of them. Finally, we reached the last flight of stairs. At the foot of the stairs stood Elder Columba and Tain, her student. A big smile appeared on my lips as they both greeted us happily. The two elders took a moment to talk amongst themselves and as did we. "Well now, Guardian Cana you did it" The tall Celestrian smiled down at me with great pride. "Thank you for giving me that push forward Tain, it really helped." I thanked him, causing him to chuckle. "You don't have to thank me, what are friends for?" I nodded. I finally felt in place as a guardian and was happy about my progress. I knew Tain truly felt happy for me as well and I hope he could acquire Guardian ship and we could work together soon. Elder Aquila pulled me out of my thoughts for the second time that night and ushered me up the last flight of stairs where I saw Elder Alpus Major awaiting us. The elder smiled and offered me his hand. I took it without hesitation. "Behold Yggdrasil. She is ready to burst into bloom with all the Benevolessences we have offered unto her." Elder Aquila announced. "Ho ho! Yes, she is but hair's breath now from bearing fruit." Alpus Major said aloud as he guided me to the foot of the tree. The World tree began to faintly glow with a soft golden light as we stepped closer and closer. He began a prayer as he ushered me to the foot of Yggdrasil. "Fyggbloom hails the opening of the Heavenly Gates and sets the Celestrians on the path to salvation..." Alpus Major stopped in his tracks and let go of my hand. "...And lo, it shall be in the celestial carriage that we, the chosen custodians, journey unto the Realm of the Almighty." Elder Aquila continued the prayer then suddenly called for me. "It is time, Cana. Offer the Benevolessence you have gathered unto mighty Yggdrasil." Elder Alpus Major quickly hurried back to Aquila's side. "Do so, and she will surely bear fruit at long last." He added as I finally stood at the foot of the tree. I held my arms out and summoned the blue orbs I had gathered only hours ago and offered them to the world tree.

'No! please don't!' a voice had suddenly entered my head as the tree quickly absorbed the Benevolessences. 'Please don't! it isn't safe! He'll kill you! All of you!'

The voice was overpowering me, and I quickly fell to my knees while covered my ears. "Cana...?" Everyone's eyes were on the blooming tree bedsides Elder Aquila, who seemed extremely concern with what was wrong with me. I couldn't hear him calling my name though as I hunched over my knees. This feeling I began to feel... it hurt. It hurt so badly. I couldn't move and I felt as if my body was on fire. My cries were muffled by the whistle of the Starflight Express that had arrived only moments ago. It floated above the tree seeming as if it was about to land on the crescent shaped arch that wrapped around Yggdrasil. Beautiful golden fyggs began to appear on the tree's branches and all the Celestrians began to cheer in happiness down below the many flights of stairs, unaware of what was happening. Elder Aquila was about to make a move and rush to my side but was stopped as multiple bright purple beams shot up from the Protectorate and destroyed the Starflight Express, leaving it to plummet back down to the mortal realm. The beams also bared damage to the Observatory causing all the Celestrians into a great panic. A larger beam shot up from the Protectorate and kept its form as it crept closer to the Observatory. The pain in my bones had faded once the beams had destroyed the Starflight Express, helping me gain my composer. But I opened my eyes to the terrifying sight.

Elder Alpus Major was able to grab onto Yggdrasil's roots and took in the sight of this disastrous power. "Wh-What is the meaning of this?" he cried. "Were we...deceived?" he continued to grip onto the roots for dear life as the power from the beam intensified. I spotted Elder Aquila near the stairs where I last saw him before the offering. "Cana! Don't move! Stay there... it'll be alright!" He called to me as he noticed the frightened look in my eyes as I stayed crouched down near the roots. I gripped onto Yggdrasil tightly, but I felt like something was pulling me away... it felt as if arms wrapped around me as I was ripped away from the tree's roots and into the air. "M-Master!" I reached for his extended hand, but we missed each other by a short hair's length, and I was sucked into the purple beam. "No!!" The Elder Celestrian was about to jump in after me but couldn't as the beam had faded after taking me and something else, I was unaware of. The Fyggs that bloomed from Yggdrasil plummeted down with me to the Protectorate.