1 Prologue: Within the Depths of Death

“I understand you can witness the return. You aren’t the only one that knows of this foreboding future after all. But we do not hold any resources, let alone warriors. Is it not possible to go to another and seek one of them to do this task? If it is solely to delay the outcome we must attempt that.” Says a man robed in white. Draped across the robe were intricate designs of golden and amber. The designs swaying back and forth almost with no impact from wind, watching them you could just make out the movement being lively. Each design shifting and almost breathing on its own, each thread holding life imbued within. Around the man was an ankle high pool, where he stood. The edges of the water met gray stone that jutted up and formed swirls and bursts of flower like designs. Not unlike a fountain, mist and salt spread across the upper edges as if it hadn’t been used in a while. The man stood directly in the center leering at on object set in place. The object was a mirror set inside a wall made entirely of lightning ridge black opal which could nearly be mistaken for the night sky. Looking above, below, and either side of the mirror sat ten jewels encrusted in a silver lining. Sitting above lie an Opal split down the middle, in place of the other half of the melded together a perfectly polished and rounded piece of Obsidian. On the left side nearly sharing the same space as the Opal was a gem as blue as the ocean, a Blue Topaz. To the right side of Obsidian sat a small gem with the top half a brick red bleeding into a coal black bottom. This was but a small piece of Barbosalite. Below was the second set of three gems centered by a crystalized green stone, Prehnite. To the right a mixture of yellow brown and orange gem laid cast into the edge, a Citrine. Going to the left of the Prehnite sat milky white and pink infused quartz, Rose Quartz. To the left sat the third set of three gems centered by a clear yet carefully cut gem gleaming, each color of the rainbow, a Diamond. Above the precious gem sat glazed red clay colored stone, a Garnet. Below the diamond sat a hybrid of frosted and clear glass encasing a piece of the blue lagoon, a Moonstone. Finally to the right side of the mirror was the fourth and final set of three stones centered by a stone which color made it seem the soil on earth were bleeding, an Agate. Above it was a multi blue shaded stone infusing the daylight sky, the night sky, and the blue layered together, a Lapis Lazuli. Below the Agate sat a stone which color the embodiment of freezing and polishing faded gray sea foam, a Pectolite. The mirror which was held in place by the jewel encrusted silver held water, just enough to create a reflection, yet not enough to make the background opaque. Although the reflection was not of the robed man standing before it, but another altogether, this man looked as if he was decaying slowly. Chunks of flesh fading away to rot then to bone, then to recreate itself anew or rewind the process altogether rather quickly. A stern look was strewn across his face at the reply he was just given.

“It is understandably noted why you would rather not risk attempting this on your own or with your realms warriors, Alguro. The issue does arise though that this was caused by your doing though. As well as this is the only one they are targeting, you must face them and win; you have seen yourself what happens if this timeline is crushed. Don’t let it happen.” The man says. Alguro stares at him blankly for a few moments then replies. “Father, understand that our creation was caused by you as well. I am not the only one standing with fault to reflect upon. But you don’t understand anything as to what is happening, or how to slow them. Even if I did have warriors, could they take care of it? The last group was lost to the darkness themselves.”

“You know Alguro, which is just a setback. You may need to appoint new guardians but you have three years at most in order to prep them. This battle is growing ever closer to the grove. You need to find a way to fight back.”

“Yes I do. You are Father Time after all why don’t you give me new guardians then. If you are so sure that we will win this battle. You would know who to pick better than me, so pick them, instead of sitting upon your throne playing king. Do your job.”

“Alguro you have no clue what you are talking about do you? I may be able to see the outcomes but I have never been able to see the guardians themselves. This is a choice placed upon you, when you do train them as much as you possibly can. Although regardless of what we may do, these guardians, which are mere children, will have to face this presence and its followers alone.”

“Fine, I’ll do as you ask Father. But don’t think it is with happiness. You know this task is near impossible.”

“This may be a frightening task. But don’t give in you have the strength to face it. I know you can do it, as you have faced many adversaries before, with greater power and won. Don’t be too hasty on the choosing of the guardians though. You know what that could do.”

“Understood sir, I won’t fail. Now if you could take your leave I must find the new guardians.”

“So be it, stay safe Alguro.”

“Stay safe as well sir.”

As Father Time fades from the reflective surface the water drops back down into the pool. Alguro looks around the grove before taking a deep breath. He begins looking at his sleeves and the thread changed scenes from a serene overview of a Cliffside to something much different, something dire. Sprawled across one sleeve a boy nearly into adulthood is standing beside something that one could only make a shadow of. The thread around him begins to swirl and change to a red and yellow shade. The shadow becomes clear now and child lay motionless inside of a home engulfed in an inferno. Picking up the child, while sprinting, he loosely coddles him in his arms. Searching for an exit the thread in front of him turns brown and creates walls with patches of fire. From moment to moment things would fall from nothing showing the house caving in. Finally reaching what seems like the main hallway the door is covered in burning rubble. Only a small hole lies underneath where he or the child can barely fit. Just beyond was the exit was one of the parents level with it watching what would happen. Fear sprawled across both faces. The young man throws his fist through the small gap, tucking the child under him as he does so. Reeling back he strikes again and again until he is able to move some of the rubble making the gap big enough to fit the child through. As gently as he can pushes the child through the rubble and to his parents. Instantly the child’s mother grabs her baby and takes him away from the scene. The father is trying to find a way to clear up the doorway while the boy is inside looking for another exit. The scene ends with the boy lying against the entrance of the home. Letting his body be engulfed by the flames. He closes his eyes and let’s his final moments be in peace. Alguro looks up from the scene and runs out from the pool and across a granite tiled area. The area was no bigger than a local pavilion meant for parties. As such he reaches the other side quickly, where a door stood in place. The door was embroidered with polished steel, creating curly cue designs and designs of flowers. The wood planks made of a dark polished oak. Alguro ignoring the design and grabbing the bronze handles. Throwing the door open with the hinges swinging fast enough to crash into wall, like he was in a hurried panic. Upon passing through the door was a room. It was almost like an old chamber for a wizard from the dark ages. The floor, walls, and ceiling was made of rough stones, growing moss from the moisture accumulation in it. Lined across the walls, nearing the ceiling, every few feet a brazier was lit with enough flames licking the air around it to create lighting for the room. Below the braziers were shelves of books, scrolls, stone tablets, gold plates, and much more. Alguro, who ignores it all due to seeing it all several times before, rushes to the center of the room, where another set of stones circled instead of lying flat the stood up. Inside is an assortment of things, feathers, dice, bones, candles, and much more. But among the mess was a small lamp holding liquid inside it. Alguro hastily moved to snatch once he caught sight of it. With as much haste as possible he moves everything outside of the stone circle. Once finished he holds the lamp up and finds the hatch on the side. Opening it he pours out a scarlet liquid, though only enough to seep within the cracks and crease within.

While watching the liquid fill he says, “From the depths of the void, as far as the lengths of the ever growing heavens. The forged path of a guardian is chosen. For the passing of strength in the world of the living may be one of great sorrow. But for the passing of continuing life the wish of your soul to be carried here is needed.”

Upon finishing somehow the liquid starts to expand more and more. It fills up the stone circle completely, no leaking but looking but bubbling up as if it is going to burst it. Slowly the liquid gains the scent of blood and slowly it starts to climb on its own to form a figure. The same figure from the thread slowly fades away from the robes and garners form in the room. Once done the boy lies motionless after a couple seconds the boy shakes slightly before gasping for air. Stunned and confused he looks around frantically. While looking around he notices a man sitting on his heels and this is where he meets Alguro’s gaze.

“Stay calm young man. You are not in the realm of mortals anymore. But you still exist for a good reason. What is your name?”

In a blind rush the boy jumps to his feet. Now on his feet he continues to frantically look for an exit. Unable to find an exit he rushes from the circle and backs up into one of the many shelves. “Who are you? Where am I now? I was just inside a burning building. There is no way I survived that. The pain is still there.”

While a grin is forming on his face Alguro he replies, “You know you can’t, you still have the scars as such, but you are very much fully here. Every body part is still attached to you. What is your name son?”

Still looking around frantically he notices the hyperventilating. Doing what he has done many times before the boy closes his eyes and clenches his fists for a second then releases slowly. Trying to take longer breaths and slow it down. Now starting to settle down and look at his hands. A mixture of bright red and tan skin covered them. Making clear these are the marks of a fully healed burn victim. Looking up at Alguro he shakily says, “My name is Grant sir. May I ask what is yours?”

Alguro, with the grin now fully formed, quickly mumbles something under his breath. What was left of the liquid retreats from the cracks, he grabs the lamp as the liquid slowly made its way back and up the lamp. Once it starts to fill up he turns the Grant and says, “By all means you are in the right to ask, I am the elder guardian of this tomb. Alguro is what most people call me. It is nice to meet you.”

Grant looks at the robes while calming down and begins to realize that the images on the robe are moving. Grant a little scared and confused asks, “Sir why are your robes moving. I don’t mean because of your movement. But the thread is actually moving and making scenes? Did you drug me, am I not dead?”

Alguro replies while tidying up the room, “No son I am sorry you are dead. You died in that burning home. I felt the strength you had to run in and save that child. Well if I’m to be honest it was the garb. The thread does move on its own and create scenes at random somewhere down on earth. It showed you braving that inferno, and all for a child’s life, so I must ask. Was there ever a thought that you might die in there?”

Grant grabs his shoulder and looks at the ground before continuing the conversation, “No sir I didn’t. That kid deserved to have a future. I feel that I have already lived enough. Things were getting crazy back home so I stood up for those in need. Why do you ask?”

“That is unimportant right now son. Take a deep breath, relax and collect yourself. Don’t worry you will be able to return, but not in the same body. Or maybe even family for that matter.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, the Hindu weren’t far off from the reincarnation aspect of death. But, come on a cow of greatness? That is a bit warped.”

“Oh great a hippy, I’ll hear you out though.”

“I am not a hippy, okay a little bit but that doesn’t mean anything pertaining to this conversation. Now a little more about the robes I am wearing. The robes transcend death and living. That is why it can show scenes from the past or present. In very rare moments it may even sometimes show the future. It is the most treasured item that the grand guardian only can have. Look at my sleeve now.”

Alguro lifts up his sleeve the cuff falling almost two feet down. But on it a scene, as he called it, was unfolding. In the ever changing embroidery a man is lying in a hospital bed. He is surrounded by friends and family alike. The thread fades away, then creates another scene though closer in and shows that the man is fairly young.

“He is only twenty-two, he is dying right now. His aspirations were to become a writer, artist, or musician creating works of inspiration.”

Alguro says defining the scene even more than the thread could. As the man looks around wires from an I.V. drip are connected to his arms. A breathing apparatus is strewn up to him by his nose. The protruding wires, tubes, and tape alone showing that this is a grave situation. Grant starts to straighten out and tense up. But in the corner of his eye tears begin to swell up. The scene backs out slightly showing a monitor showing his heart line. The screen showing the heart line moved up and down almost in a rhythm, but much slower than it should be, showing a slight sign of a beating heart but still there nonetheless. The thread seemed to move to show the man’s face more than previously. Showing his eyes are open but he is blankly looking around the room. No form of knowing other than the light surrounding him. The embroidery changing colors according to the scene as if to see through his eyes.

“Excuse me sir, you did save me right?” Grant asks Alguro,

“In a way yes, but not the way you might be thinking. Why do you ask?”

“Well because if you did so for me what is stopping you from saving this young man?”

“Well you see there are things that can’t be undone or changed. What he is currently going through can’t be changed. However we can save him as you spoke of.”

“Then why haven’t you, I’m just here remember. Can’t really do anything fancy except ask things.”

“Well there is something you can do right now. A choice, rather small in manner but it does hold the life of another in your grasp.” Alguro says looking at his robe.

However he swiftly turns and pushes a book in the middle of the shelf in. It sinks away into what not only looked but emitted the feeling of a void. When, Grant, looked into it the feeling over encompassed him. Knowing that if entered you were to never be found, maybe even what brought you into existence would erase it. Take the words and moments that could take form on a page to describe and discern you and cause them to be unwritten. After a few moments a small stoned pond slid into the space of the bookshelf. Alguro being in a trance quickly turns and grabs the lamp from the ground. He looks at grant, with a forlorn look across his face, but asks, “He may not live for much longer so make your choice with haste.”

Grant a little panicked reacts with, “Wait this is in the present moment? You can do the same thing to him that you did to me?”

Alguro looks at the lamp. “Yes it is about three hours after your death. Before you choose know that you will be in my debt and must serve for this kinship if you save him. Now you have thirty seconds son, you think you could live with him dying. Or should we give him life once more to protect those of the living?”

Grant looks at the sleeves even in the creases still showing the man. Turning to the pond he could see a glimmer of light. Quickly he was able to tell it was the light reflecting off an off color wall in a hospital. Moving to peer in he was able to tell everything about the room. Even mildly hear the murmurs of the other five people crowded in the room. Some were saying he was such a bright young man for this to happen to. Others saying he deserved this punishment above all else. That one in particular irritated grant for some reason. He couldn’t understand why. But he felt angered and pained by the words spoken to spite the boy. He didn’t deserve to be tormented in his final moments of life. Alongside him his mother holding back tears as much as possible. So as not to make him feel despair. But the look in her eyes was of pure terror. The man behind her was assumed to be the father. He stood with his bottom lip furrowing upward. Doing so because of the way he was raised. Grant able to identify it from the people he has met with the same mentality. Grow up and show no pain, for you are a man. Only in pure distress must you show weakness. But you could understand the feeling behind the furrowed lip. Distress stunned him as he bartered the life of the boy in his hands. Knowing that he deserved more than a room full of spite, he made his choice to save him. The heart monitor every growing slower between each beat. He rushes to Alguro and grabs his free wrist. “You need to save him, he is young. He deserves better than coming back to life. He may not get the same shot twice. Save him and I will follow you till the gates of hell.”

Alguro smiles and shakes his arm slightly. Grant releases his grasp on him and steps back. Fear gripping him ever so slightly. Alguro repeats the process as before with grant. He sets the lamp down and says a different saying. “With the loss of life for the dreamers the stars upon the heaven cry. With each passing breathe of the broken hopes. Give life again to the Guardian of dreams, the hope and will of prophecy. The world may be ever so old but reaching unto the expansive heavens, and the mournful life of mortality. I give the essence of life to prophecy of life.”

Upon finishing the words the liquid forms into another human form. The form is younger than the man on the sleeve. As the boy is being formed the embroidery on the robes unraveling. Slowly, but thread by thread it launches off the robe to the forming man. The form and the liquid fully lift off the ground. When the man finally emerges from the liquid it all falls down. Nothing seemed to be wrong with him except for being curled up helpless. Almost as quickly as the liquid seeps back into the cracks of the stone the man gasps for air. He reaches for the air. Grant runs over and clasps his hand with both of his. On his knees he looks at the boy and looks into the young man’s eyes. “Sir one eye is slightly foggy. Is this right?” Grant asks.

“Not that I know of quite yet, not knowing his past before sealing his fate as a Guardian is a dangerous thing to do. He still seems adequate to move though. Coo him let him feel safe in this area now.” Alguro says while rushing to the lamp and waiting for the liquid to enter back inside.

Once all the liquid returns Alguro picks it up and sets in next to the stone circle. Grant let’s one hand go and stands up. Still grasping onto the man’s hand he gestures to get up.

“Who are you?” The man asks.

Grant with a smile just looks at him. “I’ll tell you, but kinda need your name first.”

“I am Alex; I was just in the hospital, mute. How did I end up here?” He says looking around the room fascinated. Yet with a crack of the voice fear is heard by Grant.

“Don’t worry Alex. My name is Grant let me help you up and then I’ll explain all of that.” He says slightly tugging on his arm. Alex takes the offer and is almost thrown over Grant. Grant glancing at his arms in slight shock, but doesn’t show it. In order to make sure that Alex wasn’t alarmed. Stumbling to get his footing Alex looks around the room. Astonished by the surroundings he sees Alguro and shyly hides behind grant. Grant chuckles slightly and gives a look of amusement to Alguro.

“See you scare the hell out of everyone when they get here. Glad it wasn’t just me.” Grant says, turning his head slightly to Alex.

“You still have no idea why you are here though. So come into the grove and I’ll finally explain everything.” Alguro says gesturing to the door.

The two boys look at one another Grant shrugs and follows Alguro through. Alex follows them falling behind a small length. Alex looks around the room again when he reaches the door and in amazement asks through the door. “Are those transcripts of ancient literature?”

Chuckling on the other side Alguro says, “Yes they are you will have time to read them all, my boy. But for now I need you in here. There is something you both need to know, Especially Grant. But thank you for giving us one more Guardian.”

“What is with all this Guardian stuff you keep repeating? It doesn’t make any sense sir.” Grant asks.

“You will understand shortly, Alex come. I promise I’ll explain everything from your death to your new life. Come and enjoy the sunlight.” Alguro says.

Alex takes one final glance around the room before entering the so called grove Alguro is speaking of. When Alex enters the grove it is a garden the size of a professional baseball diamond. On the opposite end of the door is a fountain the size of a small sedan. To the side a garden filled with flowers that would be scattered across the world and even mythos. On the other side a stream so crystal clear it would trick one into thinking it was much shallower than it actually was. It trailed into the garden of flora, but beyond the garden was a small wall the stream came from. Literally nothing there to show the stream starting or to keep flowing, but it did. It curves down and across the grove, making another curve nearing the other end of the grove. A beautiful red birch bridge crossing the stream so as people can pass across with no issues. On the other side grass is growing, almost inviting someone to go and lay down. Take a nap or enjoy a book, or even a picnic. Little flowers of varying colors and types scatter every now and again. Beyond the field the grove seemed to extend much beyond what the eye could see. A mountain range bulged up and it looked rather green showing that there was forestry about. The humming of a waterfall crashing could be heard in the distance. Looking towards the distance you could see it pouring into a lake. A flower field stretched into a Giant crystal field. Showing exactly how vast this so called Grove truly was. But where Alex stood outside the doorway a stone laid semicircle was there. It looked slightly of place. Alex in such awestruck looks around and sees grant looking into the stream. Alguro sitting on a bench with insignias sprawled across them. His gray hair pulled up into a ponytail with some still falling out. His smile so warm it felt as if that was the reason of the beautiful sunshine in the grove. Not too hot, with a breeze coming through cooling everything down. Grant stands up with a grin spread from ear to ear. He walks over to Alguro and takes a seat next to him. Alguro looks to Alex and chuckles with the face of astonishment and disbelief showing with no hint of hiding. Alex’s jaw was still hitting the floor due to the scene. Anyone could tell that the look on his face was an attempt to photograph it and keep it with him.

“Come my boy, you will see this place enough you don’t have to try to remember it.” Alguro says patting the seat next to him. Alex reluctantly takes the seat. Alguro stands up and looks at the two sitting down,

“Look, what I am about to tell you two may be too much. If you wish to go back to the world I will find a way for you to come alive in the same bodies and life that I saved you from okay?”

The two boys look at each other puzzled but turn to him and nod in agreement. He smiles and begins to explain,

“Alright this is known as the grove, every timeline and dimension expanding across the heavens has one. We, the Guardians of the Tomb’s, choose four new guardians to protect their respective humanity. Every Guardian is brought here with a different set of strengths and weakness, but they each serve a purpose for the timeline they protect. Grant you are the Guardian of strength and power, your kindness echoes around your community. But from this moment it will echo across the world as a guardian angel. You shield those in need of it, but don’t let that get to your head. Pride will strike you down. It dwells within like still venom in your veins until triggered. Alex, you are the Guardian of dreams and hopes, your past being that of wanting to write to inspire. To give hope and strength to pursue dreams. There are two more there is no telling what they will stand for, or who they will be. But that doesn’t mean we can’t start our training. You will do wonders and the world will look upon you four as champions. The so called light found at the end of the tunnel. But only if you accept it.”

Alex fascinated by the idea clearly forgetting as to what caused him to be here stands up and puts out his fist to Grant. Grant still sitting down staring at the ground, in an attempt to comprehend what is going on. Disbelief still spreading from every reach of his mind, creating a form of unease he has never felt before. Still trying to grasp an understanding as to how he has life again, and whether or not he will ever be able to see his parents again. Or his three younger siblings, knowing they looked up to him even though he was heading nowhere fast. Looking up at Alguro he sees tears forming in his eyes, fear gripping him but winning out he asks, “Sir how is this supposed to make me feel good, I get to be great for the world. But back home, I had siblings. My parents were getting into a divorce, for the second time nonetheless, but they don’t know what is going on. They miss their father but want to be with their mother. I am barely making it. Things are just too damn hard down there. They don’t deserve to be their alone. I need to be there for them.”

Alguro’s smile fades away and he walks over to Grant cautiously.

Kneeling down and looks at him, light grabs one of his shoulders and speaks lightly to him, “Look I understand that you feel that way. I have been dead and living here since the fifth century. I died believing in gods, not god. It seems at first that it isn’t worth it but stay with me and I’ll ask Father Time to suspend your community in a timeless void. When you make a decision to stay or leave your body will burn in that fire or you will live. With the scars you have now. This chance may be the only one you get to do something for more than a small community or a small minute fraction of the world.”

“You promise we will help the whole world and not just those in great power?” Grant asks with his voice cracking, however holding a stern tone hiding behind his sadness.

“Yes I promise this is something that rarely happens. You stay with me and you will see more of the world than you could ever dream, and even see more of the heavens than you could ever know.”

“Alright, fair enough, but if your robe really can portray any scene in time for however long you want. Let me see my family from time to time, that way I know what we are fighting for.”

Alguro smiles and tightens his grip slightly for reassurance, “Of course. You will do great things here I promise.”

“Alright then where do we start?” Grant says looking up at him with a halfcocked smile.

Alguro hugs him and stands up, “Well let’s look shall we?”