Life Beyond Stars

Destiny

"Myra have mercy! I can't be late for Lazarus' birthday again!" I said dashing through the field of berries. Keeping track of time isn't my best suit...at least I have an excuse this time! I was able to find a water gem in the lake! Lazarus is going to love it!...If I can get the gift to him before they scold me. I recklessly ran up the steps and ran through the doors of the castle bumping in to Armelius, the chief guard of our castle and a trusted friend. "Again?! I have to cover for you all too often Cain!" he said with a frustrated tone. "I know I know! Sorry!" I quickly ran down a hall. "They're celebrating in his room this time!" Armelius exclaimed gripping onto my shoulder. "That's all the way up the castle!" I said, "Well run! They're going to have your head this time!" he snapped. Taking a deep breath I ran down another hall and made my way up the steps nearly tripping some guards. Practically knocking the door off its hinges I ran into Lazarus room out of breath, "Made it!..." I said with whatever breath I had left. Mother was giving me her glare again, while Father and Lazarus seemed to be holding back a laugh. "You missed the gift ceremony." Mother said shaking her head a bit,"What was holding you back this time Cain?" I have to choose my words carefully, one wrong move and this just may be the day of my execution...yet that isn't as intimidating as a scolding from my mother."Well...you see, I was skipping rocks on the lake, then I caught something glowing blue out of the corner of my eye." I said, holding up the blue gem for them to see. My father seemed intrigued, he rose from his chair and came up to me with a calm demeanor and an excited smile. "These are rare Cain, you know what they are capable of don't you?" he said. "Of course! A water gem could build up enough water pressure to cut through a stone wall, or even provide drinking water, I wasted not one second to retrieve it." I said excitedly, walking up to Lazarus. "Brother you have more skill with a blade, take it as my gift to you." I said holding it out to him with a smile. A smile spread across Lazarus' face as he reached for it, then he hesitated. He paused for a brief moment,"That may be true, but I've already found a fire gem and if you're ever going to be a sentinel, you need it more than I." he said with a smile. "You're letting me keep it?..." I said. "How else am I going to practice if you don't have one? Besides it will be fun to beat you in a duel." he said with a cocky yet kind smile. I barely noticed the crazed grin on my face as I gazed into the gem, "I couldn't thank you enough Lazarus!" I said excitedly. "Don't make me regret it brother! I want to see you practicing hours upon hours!" he said with a playful tone. My father pulled my mother aside and they began discussing something quietly, after a while my mother walked toward Lazarus and I, placing each of her hands on one of our shoulders. She smiled,"Your father and I were talking, after months of thinking and

observation, we believe you both are qualified to become sentinels." she said calmly. I could not believe what I was hearing, I felt as if this is some sort of trick, yet I am so excited! Lazarus seemed blown away and even astonished. "When do we get to go to the mountain?!" I said excitedly. "We are hoping by tomorrow," my mother said,"but it's fine if you want to wait one more cycle!" she exclaimed with a smile. "We have waited long enough mother!" Lazarus snapped playfully,"I'll begin gathering my belongings, you too Cain we have no more time to waste." Lazarus pulled away from our mother and began grabbing his clothes from shelves and throwing them into a case. "Better listen to your brother, he is the better fighter." father said followed by a short chuckle, he gently grabbed my shoulder and pulled me out into the hall. "I was going to give this to your brother years ago, but he insisted on making his own blade for the sake of customization." My father said while unstrapping a black and silver hilt from his side, it had a slim design and a glassy look to it. "Father I couldn't." I said hesitantly,"You've had this blade for decades." My father gave a soft smile and placed the hilt in my hand. "I've no use for it. I'm too old to keep fighting as a sentinel." he said while gazing at the blade,"This is yours now, what you do with it determines who you will become;the challenges you will face. Do you understand me Cain?" Father looked into my eyes and his grip on my shoulder tightened a bit. "I will not take this honor lightly father, this blade will continue to be used for the most righteous of battles." I said looking up at his eyes. He patted my shoulder with his hand and smiled,"Go on, your future awaits; time to answer your calling."