Rune Guardians

Chapter 2: The Wish

I layed in bed and exhaled heavily. Today was very exhausting and I just couldn't wait to catch some sleep for the night. I thought I'd have the night to myself, but my little brother Lucas tackled me by surprise. He was giggling the whole time.

"Ah, Lucas! ¡Come on hermanito! Get off of me!" I tried telling him but he just kept on laughing.

I moved as much as I could just to try to get him off my back (literally). As much as I tried, he just wouldn't stop. I was so annoyed to the point in which I wanted to hit him. But luckily, my therapy sessions from 6 months ago taught me many wonders. Taking my deep breath, I realized that my brother didn't mean to annoy me. He just wanted to play with me, in spite of the exhausting day I had at school. So I laughed along and gently grabbed him, but slippery as he is, he escaped my grasp and began running around excitedly. I chuckled as I amusingly shook my head. I began chasing him. We were both laughing. Seeing my little brother so happy makes me even happier. After what seemed like 15 minutes, Lucas felt very tired. He yawned and stretched his arms and fingers.

"You feeling tired, hermanito? I thought that was fun," I said to him whilst getting his pajamas.

"Uh huh. Can we play again tomorrow?" Asked Lucas looking at me, rubbing his eyes all the same.

"Of course, Luke. Today was the last day of school, so we can play together all summer. Doesn't that sound like fun?"

"Yaaaaaay!" Screamed Lucas excitedly.

Lucas' life wasn't always pure and innocent. He was raised as a Jehova's witness until mom found out that one of my uncles was a child molestor. She made the sacrifice of saving her little boy just so he could be with her, dad, and me. If there's one thing I learned about religious belief systems is that they won't sound as innocent or perfect as described by the people who are a part of them. I know some of them do a lot of good for the world, regardless of what they believe. I'm good with that.

"Hey big bro?" Asked Lucas as I put him to bed.

"Si, hermanito? What's up?" I said as I looked at him in awe.

"Do you think the monster in the closet is going to get me?" He said as he pointed at the closet. I chuckled.

"Oh, hermanito. There's no such thing as a monster," I said as I opened the closet and turned on the light by flipping the switch on the wall.

Lucas chuckled as I smiled and turned off the closet light. I walked to bed and sat next to him. He held my left arm and my heart was feeling warm. I was smiling at him, even as he looked at me and ran out of bed excitedly, giggling. I chuckled again. Lucas then pulled a storybook out of the bookshelf and brought it to me. I held it and took a good look at it.

The storybook had the cover of a brave warrior wielding a magic sword. Next to the warrior was a menacing troll wrapped in a brown cloak, laughing evilly as he conjured up a small thundercloud pouring dark magical rain. The title of the storybook read JOJO THE MEAN TROLL and below it was the author's name: Lily W. Rose. For some strange reason, I found the name very soothing. She sounded like someone wonderful. The storybook looked interesting for that matter.

"Can you please read it for me?" Asked Lucas with the utmost delight.

I smiled and chuckled as I tucked him in bed. I then pulled up a small brown stool next to the bed and sat down. I then opened the storybook to its first page and clearing my throat, I started reading. Lucas watched with wonder and delight.

"Once upon a time in a small town in the middle of an enchanted forest, there lived a magical race known as Mystics. These beings resemble people with pointy ears, like those of elves, and their eyes were like those of a crocodile. They had incredible vision and usage of magic. One dark and stormy night, the Mystics were being terrorized by the meanest troll in the land: Jojo. The troll would begin his terrorizing rampage by pillaging the town, stealing their gold and jewelry. Whenever the kids tried to not get caught, the monster would conjure up small thunderclouds and command them to pour enchanted rain. One by one, the children turned into toads as they hopped for their lives. So just when all hope seemed lost, a hero of pure light rose to fight him. This brave warrior was named Pildred. Son of his deceased father, he vowed to keep his honorable word and help the innocent and helpless. As Pildred sprinted across town, Jojo charged at the hero all the same. As an epic battle ensued, the people cheered for him. Weapons were swung and clashed, magic potions were thrown and dodged, spells were cast and much more. On a daring last attempt, Pildred used his trusted sword to call upon the magic of the almighty Runes of Merlin. These runes are the very core of all magic in the land. As the runes bestowed their magical energy unto the sword, it beamed brighter than any moon. One strike of his sword, and Jojo was defeated. Jojo sinked back to the shadows vowing to one day have his revenge, and suddenly vanished without a trace. Since that night, Pildred visited the town to make sure the people were safe. On his last day, his body turned to pure magic sparks that flew across the sky, taking the form of birds. The people may have mourned, but at least they knew they had a hero. A hero that many will remember for generations to come. The End."