Meridian: Fall of the Guardians

Chapter 1: Justice

Illium: 7th Moon Cycle

"Mommy!... No.. Let me go!" The child whimpered helplessly as he tripped; unable to keep pace with the Guardian that escorted him. The boy's hands were bound tightly. A blue tether of energy encircled his wrists, held firmly by the imposing man as they entered the great hall.

"Mommy help me! Please!!" He sobbed looking back at them desperately. "I don't want to go! It was an accident!" The words were muffled by the boys crying as tears streamed desperately down his face; broken only by the intermittent hiccup as he tried to breathe through his fear.

The boy's mother and father followed behind the procession. Unable to interfere, the mother cried her own tears, helpless against the system of justice to which they were bound. The father, however, shed not a single tear. Instead, his face was rigid, eyes forward, jaw set in a hard line. He never took his eyes from his son as the Guardian led him to his fate.

As they entered the circular hall the Guardian court rose from their seats. A dozen men and women stood calmly around the perimeter of the room. Composed, emotionless, and unyielding, their faces gave nothing away.

"Enough child." Spoke the elderly Grand Master. "Your tears cannot help you now."

The boys crying subdued to a low whimper as he and his parents took seats in the center of the room.

"I trust that you know why you are here." The Grand Master stated formally.

The mother lowered her head and wept into her hands knowing full well what her son had done. The father, a strong well-built man, looked the elderly man in the eye.

"We know." He stated coldly.

"For the members of the court who are not aware." The elderly Guardian continued. "This boy has killed another child."

Gasps escaped the bystanders all around the room. The surprise and shock displayed on their faces. Being reminded of what he had done the boy fell into another bout of sobbing.

"It cannot be denied." The man to his right announced. "I witnessed this happen myself."

"Yocobi.. would you?" The Grand Master gestured at the witness.

Collecting himself the Guardian closed his eyes as silver patterns and symbols on his skin illuminated in a radiant bio-luminescence. Raising his hands to his temples the silver magic flowed into his eyes and collected around them like an undulating mist. When his eyes opened the mist spread out in front of him and condensed into a reflective mirror like surface. Then it began.

In front of the audience, flashing scenes played just as Yocobi had seen it. Two young boys were dueling with sticks; laughing as they played. Jabs, feints, and slashes rang out as the sticks tapped against each other. Midway into the spar, one boy was too slow to block and was struck full in the face. The offender quickly apologized but the damage was done. The other boy snapped and became incredibly angry. A rage out of place in someone his age. Grasping his stick tightly he smacked the boy back not once or twice but repeatedly as he exacted his revenge.

"I'm sorry Ben! Stop! I'm sorry." He tried to say, but the words didn't make it stop.

Suddenly, the defenseless boy saw an opening and ran, terrified. Through the trees he ducked and dodged to escape. He quickly reached the river and started to cross; stepping carefully atop a fallen tree that stretched across. Ben came to his senses and chased after shouting.

"David! I'm sorry, come back! The boy pleaded.

Hesitantly, David came to a halt. Stretching his arms wide to balance himself as he almost lost footing. The water underfoot flowed quickly, the rapids roaring. Ben appeared on the side of the log David had just crossed.