Guardians of the Light (Book 1: Rebirth)

Chapter 2

How could this be, he did not understand how could she be here right now in front of him. This had to be some sort of dream or illusion, a trick his mind was playing on him. Flash backs to that very day he killed her came flooding back as he stared at her motionless body. An Archdemon had been able to wrap his mind into darkness so that the Guardian had no longer been filled with light; this Archdemon played puppet master with Ronin forcing him to kill the very woman he loved and have no control over the fate that had been sealed. She had died he was sure of it, he had watched in horror all those years ago as she took her last breath, her blood staining his hands forever.

Mentally Ronin had never gotten over what he had done to Lillian, each night when he laid down to sleep the moment he closed his eyes, the event played over and over again letting him never forget what he had done. He still could not explain how she was here right now; he reached down and pinched his arm to make sure this wasn't some type of dream or vision. Feeling pain as he pinched his skin alerted him that this was in fact very real. Ignoring the questions he might have, there were more pressing matters at hand, he tossed the motorcycle helmet aside and kneeled down to her level watching for any signs of life.

The time seemed to slow down as he waited before minutes after she took a gasp of air and opened her eyes quickly looking around. Ronin placed a hand on her shoulder to reassure her, "Easy now, you've been in an accident, does it hurt anywhere?" he asked smoothly. Brown eyes stared up at him as she moved to look at him better to Ronin's relief she shook her head telling him that she was not injured from the crash. For a moment, he thought she might remember him but as she kept her eyes on him, her facial expressions told him, there were no signs of recognition on her part.

Ronin wasn't about to tell her who he was and their history together, that would be too much to handle and frankly he didn't want to relive any emotions around their last moments together. He focused on helping her and nothing more, "Can you walk?", there was a nod from Lillian as she slowly started to sit up wincing as Ronin wrapped an arm around her middle section to support her as she sat up fully. He melted into her touch as he helped her to her feet, she held onto him close as she stumbled for a few moments.

Regaining her balance turning to him to speak, "Thank you for helping me I am okay now. My names Lillian", pushing out the thought that her voice was still the same as he remembered it, he let go from where he was holding onto her because he trusted that she was safe now. When she offered her hand in greeting Ronin hesitated at first but ignored his gut feeling and reached out to shake her hand. As soon as their skins touched, tiny sparks flew through his body like the first time before when they had met all those years ago. Legend has it that when a Guardian finds their soul mate in another Guardian they felt electricity between their very souls.

It had been that way when Ronin and Lillian had first met as recruits in the Guardianship and now again after they had shaken each other's hands. Ronin smiled lightly, "I am glad you're okay Lillian and it's nice to meet you my names Ronin. I can give you a ride home or somewhere if you like?". He watched as the women thought about it for a few minutes then nodded her head, said thanks and it would be great if he could take her home. Ronin walked over to where Lillian's motorcycle had crashed up against a brick wall, the bike was damaged and was not drive able, and Lillian was not in any condition to drive.

He bent down and picked up the bike, thankful for the in human strength that came with being a Guardian. When he got the motorcycle into the back of his jeep he walked around the side of the jeep and opened the door so Lillian could get in, slipping off his leather jacket to wrap around her shoulders, ignoring again the electricity between them as he shut the passenger side door. He climbed into the driver's side and turned the engine on.

Ol Betty roared to life once again and Ronin headed down the road following the directions Lillian had given him to her house, the drive there was quiet, as not a word had been spoken between them. In the silence the wheels in Ronin's brain were turning, could Lillian be the unknown female Guardian the scouts had talked about. He did not know for sure but he would express his findings when he arrived at the Guardian council headquarters.

If it were Lillian, it would explain why the scouts had not recognised her, all files and cases to do with Lillian had been sealed away or burned by the Guardians. It was a tradition when a Guardian died, that no record of them be left for the creatures of darkness to find or for it to fall into human hands. Ronin was pulled from his thoughts when Lillian spoke up, "This is the one right here", as his eyes followed where her finger was pointed to a small tradition New Haven style home. Ronin pulled his jeep into the driveway, turning off the engine and getting out opening the door so Lillian could get out.

Offering his hand, Lillian slowly stepped out of the jeep using Ronin's hand to stable herself. They were not even a few steps away from the jeep when the front door of the house slammed open and a young girl came out rushing towards them screaming out Lillian's name. Ronin knew quickly who the young girl was; he had seen her face many times across the Guardian reports and in his vision. Sara Danvers, one of the new Children of the Light, she didn't seem to know who he was or what he was, the same could be said about Lillian. Ronin sensed that she had not unleashed the power of the light energy held within her. It would not take long before an event would trigger the energy to release itself and Sara would become who she was born to be.

The creatures of darkness were gathering in large masses, it was only a matter of time before they built an army and destroyed the world. The sooner both Sara and James embraced their powers, the sooner the Guardians could stop The Darkness from spreading across the world.

Their plans were unclear now, no leader was behind the gathering of all the creatures from across the world but Ronin knew from experience that there was always someone pulling the strings in the background, the Guardians just had to find out whom.

Sara seemed to know Lillian by name and was quite close as she took Lillian close to her Lillian leaning on her for support as they walked towards the open door. Ronin stayed where he was and just watched as the two women entered the doorway before Lillian turned around to face him, "What about your jacket?", she asked lightly. He smiled before shaking his head, "Don't worry about it love, I'll come by another time and collect it". Sara whispered a thank you across her lips before taking Lillian fully into the house and closing the door.

Ronin stood there for a few moments taking in everything that had happened today, he was sure going to need a strong glass of whiskey when he returned to his apartment after the council meeting. Walking back to his jeep in silence taking one last look in the rear view mirror at the house before pulling onto the road and heading to Headquarters. Ronin knew the Guardians of the council would not be happy to learn that a Guardian thought to be dead wasn't and the last Child of Light hadn't fully developed her powers yet, it was going to be a long night ahead.