Around The World With You

THIRTEEN: A Darker Earth

Blake and I sat opposite each other, eating pancakes. Or Blake called it pancakes, i couldn't say the same. We were really quiet. Perfect strangers. Blake tried to make conversation.

"What's your name?"

I think a little, trying to remember what the HOH told me before I transformed. And then I answer.

"Jake Wiggle"

"So you're him. Most interesting name on the invitation list. You going to that wedding?"

I looked up at him in confusion. I was about to act innocent and say politely I didn't anything about any wedding. However, something about this stubborn guy changed my mind. 

"Yeah, looking forward to it. Are you?"

"Who wouldn't miss a trip around the world?"

"People with commitments."

"Do you have any?" Blake dragged his fork on the ceramic plate. I stood up to wash the dishes.

"Yes. To save the world." Blake laughed at that, a manic laugh, full of spite. 

"You're very funny, Jake Wiggle." Then as I finished cleaning up, he asked the question that angered me. "Stay away from Rachel. She's mine." My jaws clenched. This is exactly what I feared. 

"No."

"No?" I nod. He stands up to face me, thick eyebrows and long hair shrouding his face. He ran a lazy hand through his hair. "Look, you gotta help me out, I like her, a lot. I need this to work. Rachel, she is special. A different kind of human. I want her." 

I stare at his eyes and I know. I know who he is. 

"Different, you say? Different human or different blood? You want her, why? To love her or too collect the Elixir?" 

Blake's eyes widened and his knuckles turned white. He stuttered and almost fell over. "You-you-you're...a Guardian...no way...Guardians can't be human...but how?"

I smirk and hold his collar, keeping him at bay. "We are meant to do the impossible. You will not get the Elixir from her, so leave. her. alone. You are powerless, Darker." I had found him. Now everything will be easy to protect Rachel. Just eliminate this Darker and everything will be fine. She will be out of danger. I hear a deep grunt and Blake grabs my hand at his throat and twists it behind my back and presses me to the ground, face down all in one swift motion. His voice rasped, just like how Darker's is supposed to,

"You belong in the heavens Guardian...over here you are, as a matter of fact, powerless. Earth is our world, our domain. Here we are strong. I knew you Guardians were skilled, but not stupid! We will get the Elixir, and we will finish you all, claim the White Palace and rule the multiverse. Nothing can stop us. So don't even try, Kaden Guardian." 

Black devilish fumes emerged from his hands and surrounded me, tying me to the ground until he commands otherwise. I was paralyzed. I missed my Guardian powers so much. My Guardian name brought nostalgia to my thoughts. But I didn't worry, Rachel will be here soon. The Darker will be forced to be Blake again.

.....................................

Spending a night with a Darker is the worst. At night they become something else, they become black air and float around. They do this so they can entire the dreams of insecure sleepers. They eat on their fears. This Darker was locked up so I was the only one it can torture. I let it. I never imagined as a Guardian I would be tortured by a Darker. But I didn't imagine I would become human too...that, is a totally different story.

After the Darker brought nightmares to my sleep, I couldn't sleep. Black air swam around me and I felt the Darker's true presence. It's true name filled my mind, just like that.

Rygon Darker.

Rygon's was a very familiar name at the White Palace. It was known for making humans fall into dangerous traps in the most gruesome ways. My heart pained for Rachel. What had she done to meet with such fate. It is up to me to protect her. 

The next many hours were unbearable. It tortured me in different ways but I don't want to mention what they were right now. The sun set and Rachel finally opened the doors. She found us both sitting on the couch. 

"I am surprised you didn't tear the house down." A smile lit her face. She beckoned to us and tossed the keys to me to drive the car to the theater. I gladly took it and drove. Rachel by my side and the inconspicuous Darker at the back. I held the steering wheel lightly as I drove, my insides still jelly from the hits I got and my mind tired from the torture. Rachel doesn't know what is coming for her...I have to protect her, I will. I will never leave her....

But what if I can't? What if I am not good enough without my powers? Am I, right now a puny human, match for a powerful Darker?

I glanced at Rachel twice or thrice and I heard a growl from the back. I turned a right as goosebumps danced on my arms.