Edge Of A Blade (Completed)

Chapter 13- Meeting the Guardians

Ryan's POV

I opened my eyes and I was standing in a forest. I expected to feel pain with every breath I took but there wasn’t, I looked down and there was only dried up blood on my body but there were no cuts. Cautiously I pressed the skin were a deep gash should be, there was no pain, just the feel of my skin. Something is not right, was all I could think as I took slow and careful steps towards the deeper part of the forest.

“...she needs to awaken, she has to know her power,” I heard faintly as a voice was carried over the wind. I started walking in the direction of the voice. “She’s scared, she does not know what’s happening to her, you have to be patient,” another voice argued. The voices became louder with each step I took. In the distant I saw the faint glow of a fire and shadows surrounding it. With careful steps I neared the fire, crouching down behind a bush and peaked at the people through a thinning in the bush.

“We have been patient for years, she has to shift now.” A man said with a deep rumbling voice. “You will not put the girl through the pain of forced shifting,” A woman scolded stepping closer to the fire, looking more intimidating with the fire’s glow dancing across her face. “She has been through worse pain, you do remember the boy and the cuts,” A man said his voice softer than that of the other man. I scanned the people surrounding the fire.

There were five people standing around the fire. Three men and two woman; An old man who looked mean and grumpy, a younger man with long brown hair and another man or boy who had his back to me, from what I could see this boy had jet black hair and was well built. There was a woman next to the boy her back also to me, she had short blond hair and soft features, the other lady was standing across from them, she had the aura of a mother. She reminded me of my own mother; she had a caring look on her face, her eyes filled with love and her smile always welcoming.

“But this pain will be worse,” The motherly woman said, a frown forming on her face. “She has to shift and it has to happen now. I don’t care whether she will be in more pain; she will die if she is not awakened. And don’t you give me the motherly crap Anita.” The old grumpy man said at the motherly woman-Anita.

“Now Martin, I don’t appreciate you talking to Anita that way. It’s not called for.” The younger man said addressing the old grouch-Martin. He looked at each of them and then laid his eyes on the flames of the fire as he spoke. “I know we need her to awaken but we have to think this through. Have any of you felt her yet?” He didn't pause for answers, “she is unconscious and if we act quickly we can make her shift while being unconscious. The pain won’t be as bad,” he stated. Everyone nodded but the old man.

“Edwin, you want us to make her shift while she is unconscious?” Martin asked incredulously, shaking his head in disapproval at the young man who spoke-Edwin. “She would not know what happened to her when she wakes up.” He muttered.

“Martin, he has a good point. I will stand behind you on this one Edwin.” The other woman said smiling warmly at Edwin. “I will second Claire’s words. I agree with Edwin, the girl will be in less pain and she might have a better chance at shifting right. I also see where you are coming from Martin, but don’t you know that she is here?” Anita said, looking straight into my eyes.

My breath caught in my throat and I slowly backed up, ready to make a run for it. I stood up and started running when a voice stopped me. “Ryan, please don’t go.” I stopped abruptly, almost tripping over my own feet. “Erik?” I asked and turned around, it was Erik, the boy who I couldn’t see was Erik, but what is he doing here?

“I know this is a lot to take in but just stay... with me?” He asked holding out his hand to me. I looked around and everyone was a bit shocked except for Anita and Erik, the others looked baffled. I took a slow step towards them; there was still a good ten feet between us. “You don’t need to be afraid dear, we are your guardians,” Anita said smiling a warm motherly smile at me. It helped a bit and I quickened my step towards them.