Alright guys. New chapter fresh from editing. This is the longest chapter to date, 49 pages, nearly twice as long as chapter 14. I'd like to thank anyone who has read this far. This chapter is dedicated to my special someone who has been a constant inspiration and muse to my writings. This chapter spans multiple posts just a heads up. Without further ado.
Chapter 15: Inner Strength
“Don’t worry humans, we’ll have that mine opened back up fer ya in no time.” The burly chiseled stone statue smirked at the crew and McCoy as they walked into Durem.
“Welcome humans to the grand city of Durem. A cultural center if there were one. It is home to several civilized animated that have learned to live side by side with the Gaians who also call the world home. Though be careful there are still some who believe in fighting between naturals and animated so just be careful.” McCoy was leading the crew down various pathways.
“McCoy where are you taking us?” Jeremy asked as they seemed to wind back and forth through brick roads.
“There is an inn at the clock tower. And we Anari have found someone who is ready to join the fight.” As they rounded a corner they found themselves gazing upon a tall, majestic clock tower.
“Well that’s good we could use any allies we find.” Mikey stopped as a group of armored figures marched down the street in front of them. Their armor was that of the Barton Regulars but their stride was much more uniform. As he got a better look he could see they were empty suits.
“Animated armor?” Henry asked.
“This city is protected by a unified group of Gaians and animated. These Guardians are one of the animated units trained by Leon himself.” McCoy seemed to smile like a friendly tour guide.
Penelope’s stomach made an audible gurgling sound as she smiled nervously,
“Guess I’m hungrier than I thought. Is there something to eat at the inn?”
“I don’t think we’ve eaten since just before Frosti. I’m so hungry I could eat a bootsnake.” John interjected.
“Wouldn’t that be rubbery and leathery tasting?” Kerri asked.
“That is an interesting thought, eating animated. Wouldn’t that make us like the Landshark?”
“Mmm Brain Clam chowder, or Barton Fried Coatl, or what about OMG surprise?” Mikey’s stomach growled as they entered the small inn.
“The Clock Tower Inn, Durem’s finest in accommodations and cuisine. Home of the Moira Pie, try it today.” Read the placard outside.
“You must be the ones for that table for 13. Right this way please.” A pale waitress with dark hair led the group to a large table in a back room. Seated around the table were the remaining five Anari and huddled in the corner looking beaten and bruised sat KJ. Henry and Jeremy both stopped and raised their rings ready to attack. “Hey if you’re going to fight do it outside where there aren’t paying customers!” The waitress said before walking away.
“There is much to discuss humans.” Deanna looked up from her steaming cup of tea.
“The momentum of the coming war is shifting in your favor but you still have much to learn.” Hoshi poured herself a cup of tea from a steaming kettle on the table.
“Old enemies and new allies.” Miles continued to read something in front of him.
“KJ here has already lain the groundwork for the beginning of your army.” Archer said as everyone sat down.
“An army?” Mikey said in disbelief.
“The only army we need is right here.” Jeremy showed off the rings on his fingers.
“And just how far will that army get you when you truly have to fight?” Sisko could only do what Jeremy figured was a chuckle,
“The Phantom is mustering everything we has to face you. Or have you already forgotten the loss you experienced in the Phazian Wastes. You may be able to take his generals one at a time but their strength came from their unity. That is a lesson you have yet to learn.”
KJ finally spoke up,
“I’m sorry I caused any of you any kind of pain. But, if The Phantom is to be stopped we need to start working together. You have managed to do what no other crew before you has. You have managed to collect half of the elemental amulets now. This has left him afraid of you and what you can do. See the ability to stop him once and for all is contained within the combined power of the six. And I know where the other three amulets are.”
“Really now?” Mikey rolled his eyes.
“And just what is this information going to cost us?” Henry looked from Mikey to KJ.
“Consider it may way of starting to make amends. One amulet free as the breeze in Durem lies, an amulet bound to the earth has taken to the skies, steeped in the darkness of the underworld the last one hides. You have already collected the amulets of light, fire and water. What remains are the amulets of air, earth and shadow.” She slowly reached for the cup of tea in front of her. Her hands were shaking and bruised as they closed around the cup,
“I also don’t think you are ready to face The Phantom yet, but I know of someone in Durem who could train you to be. For now though, let’s eat.”
“Here’s the special. Hope you brought an appetite.” The waitress set down a massive pan it was piled high with a mountain of cheeseburgers.
“Yay! Let’s eat!” Jeremy and everyone dug in. The pile was large enough that everyone had at least two burgers in their hands and two more on their plates.
“Guess there’s one thing about humans that Kamila got right. They can be like a pack of ravenous wolves. " KJ said as she watched in horror at the sight of John stuffing two cheeseburgers in his mouth.” KJ said as she watched in horror at the sight of John stuffing two cheeseburgers in his mouth
“So KJ who is this teacher you say that you’ve found for us?” Mikey asked between mouthfuls of burger.
“His name is Guardus. He’s a master of the ancient martial art of Ghirate, and his dwelling is around Durem somewhere.” KJ responded rather quickly.
“And he is supposed to teach us how to fight?” Henry chomped down on another burger.
“He is an accomplished hero in his own right. There is a story told around Durem that he was one of the original animated who forged the peace this town experiences. I don’t know the story so well though. But the only other crew that asked his help, while never finding the amulets, did manage to fight The Phantom to a stalemate in his own castle. They were wiped out but Guardus and his two comrades managed to infiltrate the castle and rescue two members of the crew. So you tell me, does he sound like he is worth talking to?” KJ slowly chewed on a cheeseburger.
“Excuse me, did I hear ya talking about Guardus?” the waitress had come back and was refilling their drinks.
“Yeah, do you know anything?” Kerri asked.
“Why sure I could. I know all the myths surrounding The Harmonious Ones by heart. I work weekends at the library.” She pulled up a seat and sat between Henry and Jeremy.
“Alright so tell us quickly.” Penelope gritted her teeth because the waitress seemed to stare at Henry and his figure.
“When the animated first started appearing, and this was before the Gambino event, long before, well when the animated began appearing they attacked everything on site. They were mindless and full of rage against the naturals. Durem was blockaded and the population had to learn to fend for themselves. Eventually, the animated began to become intelligent, it happened about the time the library became affected by whatever makes things animated. Three creatures eventually rose up and stood between the fighters in the expanse between the animated and the natural armies. One of them was a creature who possessed the qualities of both animated and natural creatures, one was a beautiful woman who appeared to be carved from stone, and the last was a suit of armor that carried a massive blade. As they stood their ground they demanded both sides agree to peace, they discouraged anyone who tried to launch an attack. Eventually the two leaders relented and sat down to a negotiation mediated by The Harmonious Ones. With a peace agreed to the naturals and animated began rebuilding, they found that together they were stronger than they ever were apart and so a spirit of friendship and trust evolved between the peoples. Guardus was one of The Harmonious Ones, his fighting skills are legendary as he once single handedly fought off a regiment of the Blade Corps.” The waitress was excited in telling the story.
“So this Guardus where is he located around here? We need to find him.”
“Well that’s just the thing, nobody rightly knows. Anyone who does is sworn to secrecy or never seen again. There is however person who might be able to help you.” She smiled.
“Well it seems important that we find him so who is this person.” Mikey reached for another burger.
“Lord Iwadi Kepi, sovereign of the Durem Library, he knows just about everything about everything. Rumor has it he was born when the encyclopedia section of the library became animated and all that information merged into one being.”
“Great so we have to find an animated library in this huge city. How are we supposed to do that?” Henry groaned.
“Well I’d be happy to take you after my shift ends sweetie.” The waitress giggled as she left the table.
“Uhhhh.” Henry was dumbfounded.
“If that big chested, thin waisted, brown haired NPC bimbo thinks she’s going to touch my Henry she’s got another thing coming.” Penelope gritted her teeth as she whispered to herself.
“Hey calm down Penny, I’m sure Henry’s not going to fall some NPC when he’s got you.” Kerri whispered back.
“He better not, for his own sake.” Penelope finished her burger and sipped on the tea that sat in front of her.
“So you humans are in agreement to seek out Guardus and be trained in the art of combat.” Hoshi gazed at each of the crew members.
“The training will not be easy, it may push each of you to your very limits.”
“That’s assuming they can even find the legendary Guardus. Durem is a big city and finding one individual amongst the thousands.” Miles and Sisko eyed the crew.
“Dessert’s on the house a slice of Moira Pie for everyone.” The waitress set out plates with slices of some kind of fruit filled pie in front of everyone. The fruity syrupy filling was a black purple color.
“Hmm tastes like some kind of grapey blueberry.” Jeremy slowly chewed on his slice of pie.
“Ughhh I think I ate too many burgers.” John leaned back in his seat with a pained look upon his face.
“So how long until you are off work miss?” Archer kindly asked the waitress.
“Oh I get off as soon as I finish up with you. My shift ended about 10 minutes ago, just wanted to make sure y’all got the best service. By the way my name’s Bianca.” She winked at Henry as he was obliviously absorbed in his slice of pie, Penelope noticeably grinded her teeth at Bianca’s gesture towards Henry.
“Well then, this should more than pay for the meal and an ample gratuity.” McCoy placed a stack of various gold coins on the table.
“Alright, thank you kindly. I’ll be right back to take you around the city as soon as I ring this up.” Bianca walked out to the front of the inn. When she came back she had let her hair down from the tight bun it was in, the mass hung on her shoulders. The white apron she had been wearing over her red and black dress was balled up in one of her hands. “Alright then, to the library. Oh and be careful there are some less than savory areas we’ll have to go through to get there.”
As she led them around Durem there were various shops and outdoor bazaars along the streets. At some point Jeremy believed that he could hear a street band of animated musical instruments playing a
song, the group stopped just long enough to listen to the entire song. They threw some gold coins into the hat the instruments had set out before continuing on their path to the library. It was finally when passing H.R. Wesley that they saw the library.
“Just ahead is Durem Library the finest repository of all knowledge this world has to offer, it just so happens my shift as librarian starts in a few minutes.” Bianca said as she took them inside.
“So you’re a waitress until 3PM, then a librarian until…” Jeremy began.
“9PM.” Bianca answered, “Girl has to make an honest living, and besides I love books. Some of my best friends quite literally live in this library. Well anyways, Lord Iwadi Kepi is way back in the reference section just take a left at the card catalog and go all the way back to the wall. Can’t miss him he has thick spectacles and a beard.”
They followed Lily’s directions and found themselves surrounded by empty bookshelves, the air felt thick and musty.
“We’re looking for a Lord Wiki- I mean Lord Iwadi Kepi. Is he present here?” Mikey spoke calmly.
“Many seek the knowledge of the master encyclopedia; few prove themselves worthy of it. To ask the questions for which you seek answers to your worthiness must be evaluated. Thirteen of you have entered but only three may participate in the trials of wisdom, courage, and power. Then you will be worthy of an audience with the lord. When you are ready your three must step forward into the ancient ring.” A glowing circle with symbols all around it lit up as the pathway back to the rest of the library closed.
“Who do we pick? Only three of us get to take these trials and I don’t think they’ll just let us go if we fail.” Penelope started.
“I vote Jeremy be one of our representatives. He knows just about everything under the sun, no offense but you are a bit of nerd.” Kerri began.
“Hey! Well okay I guess. I think we need Mikey on this one, he’s the most versatile member of our team with all the random things he can do with his computer warping abilities.” Jeremy spoke up.
“I believe that miss KJ should also assist you. She may yet know something or possess some ability you need in the trials.” Miles said.
“You want me to help?” KJ asked rather shocked.
“Well you are going to be part of the team what better way to break you in?” Mikey said dryly. He, Jeremy, and KJ stepped into the glowing ring. The room split open and the three became separated from the rest of the team by a deep chasm.
“So the trials have become. The first is the test of power, survive the Bookends and prove your worthiness as heroes.” The echoing voice boomed.
“If I remember correctly Bookends were small animated created from books, they come in several flavors which determine how they attack. There’s the comedy which sporadically attack, the horror which targets your vitals with precision, the fantasy that tries to cut you with massive blades pulled from its pages, the sci-fi does the same with guns, the young adult and children’s varieties use themselves as living weapons, while the self-help variety copies your attack and sends it back at you, as for the mystery variety their attacks are a complete mystery, go figure.”
“Da-ding. Buur-ring. Ding.” Numerous colored books began to float off the nearby shelves and circle the three chosen for the trials. One of the books pulled a knife from its pages and stabbed at Mikey. He retaliated with a quick hack which only split the Bookend into two.
“Okay that didn’t work” Mikey grimaced.
“Their spawning isn’t stopping we need to start killing them fast or we’re going to be overwhelmed. Don’t you have some massive aoe that could take them all out?” KJ broke through a Bookend with something that spat ice freezing it solid then punching it.
“Way to restate the obvious KJ.” Jeremy spun several times whipping away several Bookends.
“I got something that might work but it has a long recharge, so we’ve got to get them all together. Buy me as much time as you can give me.” His open spot began glowing crystal blue.
“He do this often?” KJ and Jeremy began rounding up the Bookends.
“Only when he wants to be a hero, or when nobody else has a better idea.” Jeremy and KJ regrouped on Mikey once they had everything clambering after them.
“Now!” Several geysers of water erupted from the ground and swirled around Mikey before forming a tidal wave. The wave carried off all the Bookends as they were thoroughly soaked. But Mikey collapsed from the effort of using the effects.
“John?” Kerri asked as she watched.
“Wild Rapid Tsunami, an epic ring crafted from Heavy Water Balloon, Dervish, Improbability Sphere, Wish, 10,000 Charge Orbs, and 2,000 Shadow Orbs. Like the meteor ring he used in the mines this one also has recoil damage but thankfully the splash heals nearby teammates with ‘cleansing water.’ I’m surprised he got to test some of these rings enough to perfectly copy them so perfectly.” John said plainly as he watched.
“You have passed the test of power. Next you shall be faced with the test of wisdom.” The voice echoed.
“That’s great.” Mikey groaned.
“The world is born of six elements. But to these are six ancillary elements. Presiding of all is a legendary presence. Before you is a pedestal and 20 cards solve the puzzle of the pedestal and move on.”
“So we have 20 cards and 13 spots. And only one combination is correct.” KJ fanned the cards out and looked at the symbols,
“Hey wait, these are the symbols for various elements around Gaia.”
On the pedestal was an outer ring with six depressions sized for the cards. In the middle of the ring there was another depression. Around this depression was an asterisk that had six points, each point ended in a depression.
“Fire, gravity, ice, souls, insects, time, water, metal, stone, earth, air, light, plants, lightning, shadow, body, acid, magnetism, sonics, and life. We have to pick 13 of these 20. It looks like the inner six need to be placed in a certain way.” Jeremy stared at the pedestal.
“That asterisks makes me think the inner six need to be arranged that opposites are across from each other.” KJ ran her finger across the depressions.
“That makes sense, light and shadow are definitely opposites. So are soul and body.” Mikey looked at the cards.
“How do you figure that?” Jeremy looked skeptically at Mikey.
“You can either develop your body or your mind.”
“The mind does not necessarily mean soul. Fire can be an opposite to ice or to water or even plants.”
“Wait a minute. Fire, water, air, earth, light and shadow are the elements bound into the amulets we’re collecting. Among those six each one has an opposite: fire’s is water, air has earth, and light has shadow.” Jeremy laid out the asterisks.
“Souls, plants, metal…that’s starting to sound like the Anari who are here to help the amulet bearers.” Mikey pulled out the cards for souls, plants, metal, rock, ice, and lightning.
“Wait there’s a grand asterisks indicating those need to be laid out in opposites too.”
“Metal can be opposite of plants, but if you associate it to machines it can be opposite of souls. Plants and rock, or even plants and ice.” Mikey murmured.
“I think you’re onto something with metal and souls. I think ice and plants are another opposite. That leaves rock and lightning.” Jeremy laid out the cards.
“That only leaves the middle square and the choices that make the most sense are gravity, life and time.” KJ looked at the remaining seven cards.
“The power of the amulets seals away the Time Axis. The center card is time!” Jeremy pulled out the card marked time.
“You sure?” Mikey placed the other 12 cards in a formation they had worked out.
“Positive.” Jeremy responded.
“Go with it.” As Jeremy put the time card into its depression the grey-brown stone of the pedestal began glowing gold.
“I commend you for your wisdom. You now move to the final trial, the test of courage. Before you sit three cups each one a different color. One cup contains poison, the other two are harmless. The test ends when the three cups are drunk.”
“Russian roulette with drinks. Wonderful any ideas on which is poison?” Mikey looked into each of the cups that appeared on the pedestal. One was green, one was red, and the last was blue.
“KJ what are you doing?” Jeremy exclaimed as KJ took all three cups.
“The voice never said we each have to drink one just that they are drunk. And honestly, your lives are much more valuable than mine, so if anyone is going to die it should be me.” KJ quickly gulped down one cup after another, until all three were empty.
“Facing death requires great courage. Sacrificing oneself so that others may live requires even greater courage. You have passed the test of courage, and fear not the poison was a bluff. You have been deemed worthy of an audience with the great Lord Iwadi Kepi.” The room rearranged itself back into the original shape it was in, and then two of the book shelves split open.
“I am Lord Iwadi Kepi, I have watched as you completed my tests. Very good show, I must say not many have passed the trials. I am at your disposal humans, Anari and in-betweens.” The grey mustache on the Bookend’s spine rustled every time he made the sound of an s. His glasses also changed shape to reflect his mood.
“Lord Kepi, we were told you could help us to find a being known as Guardus. It is important that we find him.” Mikey asked the old Bookend.
“Guardus? Oh yes, the last of The Harmonious Ones, he dwells past the arc in a house near a house of ink. To gain entry to his home first the library’s curse must be lifted. Each of the elder Bookends who slumber in darkness must be brought back to light to free the keys. But be careful, the master of evil approaches, he will use his ghostly pawn destroy everything you hold dear.” The ancient Bookend looked from each of the team members to the next. “McCoy my old friend how are you?” McCoy and Iwadi stalked off lost in some old conversation while everyone else looked around at each other.
“I guess we are to seek out these elder Bookends?” Henry stared.
“Isn’t that the obvious conclusion? To find Guardus we must first free the library.” Deanna chuckled.
“So where do we begin looking?” John asked.
“We could split into teams and search the library. Dibs on Mikey.” Kerri began.
“Guys.” Jeremy was trying to be heard.
“Well that conversation was refreshing, there are 13 of us and six directions to explore in. So six teams of two and an odd person to relay messages?” McCoy began.
“Guys!” Jeremy tried to be heard again but went ignored,
“Okay you guys want to search that way, I’ll search my own way.” Jeremy stormed off.
“And if anyone sees anything fire a beam straight into the air.” Penelope and Henry went off in one direction, Mikey and Kerri another, John and KJ went another way, McCoy and Hoshi fluttered down another, Archer and Deanna another, Miles and Sisko were jabbering as they took the last path.
“They never listen to me when I have good ideas. Hello we came here with a librarian, why not ask her, she probably knows.” Jeremy walked up to the counter where Bianca was seated behind a computer.
“Why hello again, Jeremy was it?” She smiled as he approached.
“Hi Bianca, I was wondering if you could help me with something. I’m looking for some books. And they’re really old books.” Jeremy began.
“You’re looking for the Bookend elders, aren’t you?” Bianca motioned for Jeremy to join her behind the counter.
“Yeah. How did you know?” Jeremy pulled a chair up next to Bianca.
“Well, all your friends went off in different directions and you came here. Seems everyone was looking for something, guess you’re the smart one huh?” Bianca was trying different searches at her computer.
“Yeah, but nobody listens to me unless it’s life or death. Everyone is always underestimating me.” Jeremy sighed.
“Want to talk about it. The search is running and it could take a while before it finds anything.” Bianca turned to face Jeremy, she placed a hand on his.
“It’s always been this way as long as I can remember. I’ve always been the smart kid at school. I used to try and tutor my classmates until I started getting beat up for my intelligence. I remember in 6th grade there was this one girl who always had pink ribbons in her hair. And her looks… you know she looked a lot like you. But thing was, everyday someone was always beating me up for being the nerdy kid.” Jeremy started.
“Jeremy did you go to Bowman Middle School in Plano?” Bianca asked.
“Yeah, how did you know?” He looked.
“No reason, never mind. Tell me more?” Bianca said.
“Even in labs and group projects nobody listened to me. I was the smartest guy in the class but I never got anyone to pay me any attention. What was worse, I was always ridiculed and humiliated.” Jeremy looked away hiding his tears.
“Like the time that you were hung from the bleachers by your pants and everyone called you Jerry Stands instead of Stans.” Bianca mumbled.
“How did you know that?” Jeremy turned back quickly.
“You stopped trying to get the ribbon girl’s attention after that didn’t you?”
“Are you really an NPC Bianca?”
“Look the search turned up something. Six Bookend elders were tainted with evil by The Phantom, where once they had helped Guardus maintain order, they imprisoned him within a tomb. Six heroes venturing through the town were able to seal the elders away in the Forbidden Section of the library though they could not purify their taints. To find the Forbidden Section you must begin at the Adventurer’s Compass. The path shall take you 100 paces north, 30 west, 50 south, 70 west, 90 northeast, 70 east, 100 north, and finally 40 northwest. The entrance veiled by stone requires both fire and water to open. The lurkers within the section shun the light.” Bianca read off the search result as Jeremy frantically scribbled them down on his notepad.
“Bianca what’s the Adventurer’s Compass?” Jeremy nervously asked.
“It’s one of the tile artworks on the tile floor here. Come on.” Bianca grabbed Jeremy’s arm and dragged him to some tile work that resembled a giant compass. “The Adventurer’s Compass marks the exact center of the library. So it is said to lead you on your great journeys into the worlds of literature. I’ll go with you, if you tell me more about the ribbon girl.”
“Oh okay, thanks.” Jeremy said as he started counting his paces,
“Well she was a year older than me. And she was the prettiest girl in the class, at least I thought so. But she always seemed like her mind was elsewhere.”
“She was probably daydreaming because she was bored.” They turned to go in another direction.
“Maybe, but that didn’t stop me from fantasizing. I almost asked her to one of the school dances.” Jeremy continued.
“What changed your mind?”
“Mostly the humiliation day after day from other kids. I figured that if I was humiliated like that, she’d never be able to like me the way I liked her. I thought she would be embarrassed to be seen with me.” Jeremy grimaced as they continued following the directions.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
“Henry, what am I to you?” Penelope asked as they were taking books off of a shelf.
“We uhh. You see, you’re a good friend. And you’re a reliable partner.” Henry replied nervously.
“Is that all I am to you?” Penelope asked, she had a tone of disappointment in her voice.
“Well uhh uhh. I was hoping uhhm well. I was hoping after all this phantom stuff is over if we could be something more than friends.” Henry turned red while he put a few books back on the shelf.
“Why wait until then?” Penelope reached over for Henry’s hand.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
“So Mikey, what are your plans once we defeat The Phantom and go back to our lives?” Kerri shyly asked Mikey while pulling a book off a shelf.
“I haven’t really thought that far ahead yet. To be honest I thought I would just go back to my life of being a Target middle manager. How about you?” Mikey pulled a book from its shelf.
“Well there’s this guy. And I wanted to introduce him to my family. And maybe be a bigger part of his life.” Kerri said.
“Oh?’ Mikey pulled on a book and ended up buried in a pile that spilled out.
“That and I’d like to get to know him better after all we’ve been through together.” Kerri smiled.
“I’m sure he really wants to get to know you better too Kerri.” Mikey leaned his head on some books as he watched Kerri going through some books on a shelf.
“Mikey can I tell you something?” When Kerri didn’t hear an answer she assumed it meant yes,
“I love you.” She turned around to see Mikey had dozed off and was sleeping peacefully in the pile of books.
“Guess between the mines and the trials exhaustion caught up with him.” She picked up some of the books around him.
“I know you do.” He whispered as she turned her back.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
“So KJ what changed your mind?” John asked.
“Change my mind about what?” KJ tilted her head.
“Well you’re openly helping us now, when before your plan was to quietly pass us information. What changed your plan?” John began looking through some of the books on the shelves.
KJ shrugged her shoulders and rummaged through some of the books before she answered,
“It was a combination of things. Because of Kamila, The Phantom was soon catching on to my sabotage. He was going to torture me for my failures in capturing you and in failing him as a minion. So I disappeared, I thought the safest place to be would be with your team. I sought out the Anari when I saw Deanna wandering around the Durem bazaars, after speaking with them, they promised I could remain with them.”
“Well I suppose that’s good. Just I’m keeping my eye on you.”
“I didn’t think you would trust me so soon.”
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
“So Sisko, what is your opinion of the humans?” The two Anari were taking their time ambling down a row of shelves.
Sisko shrugged his shoulders and chuckled,
“They are a heroic bunch. But they are stubborn and overconfident. They have power but lack the discipline to harness it fully. Maybe in time they will be ready.”
“Especially if this Guardus lives up to his reputation.” A smile crept across Miles’ metallic face.
“Of that I am skeptical.” The two Anari continued in silence.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
“Well if that doesn’t say entrance to a prison, I don’t know what does.” Bianca pointed out a stone door in front of herself and Jeremy. It was held fast by several ancient looking locks.
Jeremy raised his hand into the air and fired his lancer into the air, its green light glowed across the entire library,
“Bianca, I can’t thank you enough for your help.” Jeremy smiled.
“Well I… just come out of there alive please.” Bianca ran back to the front desk before Jeremy had a chance to react.
“Remarkable.”
“How did you find this?” The rest of the group reached Jeremy.
“Unlike all of you who stormed off randomly searching I did some research. And I found directions leading me here.” Jeremy laughed.
“How are we supposed to get in? It looks like these locks are pretty solid.” John tried to pull on one of the locks.
“Just watch this. Pitcha!” Penelope used focused beams of fire to melt the locks.
“Nice one Penny.” Kerri said.
“Why thank you Ker.” Penelope replied.
“Hee-yo!” Henry kicked the door open once the melted locks fell off.
“Wheew it smells dank in there.” Hoshi stepped back.
“Well good luck humans and KJ.” Deanna said.
“What? You mean you Anari aren’t coming?” KJ was shocked.
“Think of us more of guides, we’re here to lend our experience as it’s needed. Regardless, we need to speak more to Lord Kepi about some other things you need not burden yourself with right now.” McCoy said.
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