The Zodiac Cycle

1.19 The Guardian

Keith had ended up with Iris, and both were running as fast as they possibly could. Keith couldnt help but glance back at the two monsters chasing them, and Iris seemed to be watching the canopy above for some reason.

"There." She pointed to a bit of a clearing. "Fly!"

Ah yes, Keith was so terrified that he had forgotten for a moment that he could do that. He flapped his wings hard, lifting off the ground as he got to the opening.

The monsters were faster though, one swiping at him and shooting pain across his lower back as he was batted back down to the ground.

He turned over, seeing the other beast carhing up as well. The one that had knocked him down had stopped and was reaching for him. He tensed, closing his eyes as tight as he could, when he felt something warm wrap around him.

I hope Iris got away.

"Keith! Get up!" He was yanked out of the way, and he opened his eyes abruptly, seeing Iris there with her arm around him. His body followed her orders, running alongside her once again, but his brain panicked.

"What are you doing? Why didnt you get away?" He shouted at her, a bit of anger slipping through his voice.

"And let you die? Nuh, uh. Not going to happen." She helped him weave through the trees even as his back screamed at him. "Are you okay?"

He curled his wings against his back, feeling a bit of warm liquid soak his feathers. "I- I'm not supposed to interfere, that's one of the rules."

"What in the world are you going on about now?" She slid to a halt. They had come across a sheer cliff going straight up past the treetops.

"I'm just the Guardian. If you die saving me, that's against the rules." He knew he couldn't fly again, but they didn't have the time to scale the cliff, and the beasts were already closing in. "Fly up the cliff and get away. It's my fault we are here in the first place." He pulled her off of him. "I should have listened."

She slapped him.

He looked at her, shocked, holding his cheek.

"You are not just the Guardian. You are my friend, and I'm not going to leave you." She put her hands on her hips and glared at him, then turned to see the beasts creeping out of the shadows.

"But-" Keith backed up a bit, feeling his back press against the rock wall.

"No buts, Keith. What do YOU want? Do you WANT to die for someone else?"

"Of course I don't!" Was she crazy?

"Then don't!" She stepped out in front of him and spread her arms out protectively, her feathers spreading out as well. He could see her shoulders trembling as she stared down the monsters. She was just as scared as he was.

But she didn't back down.

He doubted what he had talked about with Amber a little while ago.

"We havent heard anythig from Zveck since the Cooperative." Keith brought up.

"Why do you think that is?" Amber replied.

"Perhaps he had some motive other than killing Nolan. We thought he was going to kill Iris, but I dont think he really even attacked her during the fight."

"What do you think his other motive was."

"An inside agent." Amber looked at him nervously.

"What do you mean?"

"I think one of the four we picked up in the Cooperative is working for Zveck." Keith had been thinking about it for a while, and Zvecks actions just hadn't added up.