Guardians 1: Ashes

Chapter 60: Freedom, Hope, Calm, Anger, Love, Acception

Ross POV

I had this weird feeling that Shelby wasn't okay. I decided to tell Adam.

"Adam."

"Yes Ross?"

"I think something is wrong with Shelby, and the others." I said a little louder then expected.

"How do you know that?" Rex asked.

"Cousinly knowledge?" I said more of a question.

"We should pick up the pace then, we will be coming across the Fort soon, lets just hope the others didn't run into trouble." Adam said starting to walk faster.

"I have a better idea." I summoned the earth to push us all up, up to the top of the mountain, and it listened.

In no time we were at the entrance to the fort.

The people greeted us and we gladly exchanged supplies, I was so eager to leave and make sure the others were okay.

One person gave Adam a letter, and Adam opened it on our way out.

"N. Fort West has been captured!? What!" Adam shouted in disbelief.

Rex tried to grab the note but Adam shoved him away and continued to read to himself.

"No no no no no..." Adam said as he continued to read in his head.

"Hey earth to balloon boy, what did the letter say?" Rex said annoyed.

Adam balled his hands in a fist, clenching the letter. He gritted his teeth and his words were like daggers, "It says they were attacked by a hoard of skeletons..."

Rex's eyes opened wide and he snatched the letter to read it himself.

He mumbled pieces but spoke clearly saying," Many soldiers found withered away, some frail and bones will break to the touch? Most were withered and already dead by wounds... Bone fragments... shadow jumping monster? THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT CORY!" Rex yelled angrily as we made it down the mountain.

"I swear I will have this kid's head when I'm done with him." Adam muttered.

"Not if I get it first." Rex scowled.

"You should be a little more sympathetic Rex." I said casually.

"What do you mean?"

"You should understand the most out of all of us what is happening. Cory doesn't really have a choice, he did forgive you after what you did." I said.

Rex paused and looked straight into my eyes. I saw anger, but I saw guilt and acceptance as well. I nodded at him with a grin.

"You're right." Rex said sagging his head.

"Well I don't need to! This punk just took out an entire fort practically on his own! Think about what he will do once the stupid Prodótis kingdom actually realises what an asset they have!" Adam yelled angrily.

Rex swallowed hard. "They already do... they had this training technique, some major head breaker one. I didn't know who they would use it on, I didn't think it would be possible to kill that many people but... I think they used it on Cory."

"What are you talking about?" Adam demanded.

"Basically, they wanted a perfect soldier, one that can last days on a battlefield without getting tired. When I got there, they already had done the research, predicted who it was gonna be... I now think that is why they kidnapped those kids. They new the kid that was gonna get that gift, was going to be born in Kalá. But they had "killed" him instead. They wanted him from the start, with the ability to steal other people's energy, you have the power to keep going... keep wasting magic, keep fighting while others can't."