Guardian of Elements

Chapter 57 - Revelation

Most of the time, the Guardians were talking with each other about everything that had happened during their time apart. Although that didn't really matter now, they were still happy to share their stories, but mostly it was about their time with Kate. Raya was listening closely to Lerinth and Tawarthion, while Kate herself took Eriana a bit aside.

"What is it?" she asked.

"It's about Arneia," Kate said. "When the world became as in the old days, it included her. She's now five years younger than she was before. She won't remember me, her human friend or anything that happened in those past five years, just because it didn't for her. I... just wanted to apologize for it."

"Apologize? You don't have to, of course. Maybe this is another chance for me too, to give her a happier life than being caged on one meadow all the time," Eriana smiled. "But be sure to stop by and meet her again, and take the others with you, it's time to show her to them," she added, and Kate nodded. Then, she went to Verilion.

"Verilion, what about the Shard of Time?" she asked him. "Had it chosen someone?"

Verilion's expression grew darker.

"I'm not sure," he replied after a moment." We were blinded by the explosion, but I think it flew out of the tower. If there is a new Guardian, we'll find her, that will be our next quest," he smiled.

Soon, they reached the pass leading to Morcion's domain. They went through it together and they found nothing that would remind of the horrible battle that took place here. The mountains were calm, snowy again.

Kate went aside for a moment and submerged herself into a big pile of newfallen snow. The cold finally brought some relief from the burning pain in her body. She was resting there for a minute, and when it became too cold, she created her heat bubble and followed the others to the crossing.

"So, I guess we'll split up here," said Eriana, slowly heading to the east.

"Wait," Lerinth stopped her. "Come with me, you all, to my domain. There's someone I'd like you to meet." And he winked at Kate. She nodded back. It was time indeed for them to meet Andúril's spirit.

So, the group headed south instead. From above, Kate could swear that the forest of Souls was enveloped in dim, golden glow. They were descending further, until they reached the grass strip between the forest and the mountains. As they went towards the shade of trees, Kate saw a white streak out of the corner of her eye, which appeared behind them but quickly went into treetops. She smiled. Andúril was toying with them.

When they entered the forest, she noticed one big difference: there were no fallen leaves on the ground anymore. Also, the trees were no longer in the shades of yellow and brown, but in united bright golden. The forest was not dying from the evil souls it had to house before.

Lerinth was leading them to the Tree of Spirits, and many blue ghost animals joined them on their way. There were much fewer orange ones than during Kate's last visit, and although she recognized two or three, many spirits were unknown to her. But just like the last time, they seemed joyful, happy about seeing someone alive.

"I've almost forgotten how amazing they are," said Eriana, after a rabbit descended from a tree, looked at her closely, and then transformed into a wisp and darted away.

"Yes, and how annoying," grunted Morcion when a raven circled him three times.

"Couldn't have you healed his soul as well?" she turned to Kate with a smile.

"Yes, if you threw him out of the tower, but it would also erase his memory," she smiled back.

A weasel came to her, jumped around her cheerfully, and then went through her body. Kate felt only happiness from its thoughts.