Young Guardian Trilogy by Lady Adellandra Dratianos (read aloud .txt) 📕

the Wars for Power, my own sisters sent me here, forcing me to wait until you returned to my side. I would only wish the same revenge on them.” Her hands went below the waist, and he jerked, a smile on his face. “Now, where do we start?”
“Time is of the essence, Jezebel.” Orthos gave her a clue, then a kiss.
A girl with dark black hair, bright red eyes, and a wicked smile with blackened lips interrupted them.
“Mother, Father, you would not guess what I heard!” The girl screeched, pulling her dress up so she wouldn’t trip over the pitch-dark pleats. “It is about the Crusaders.”
“On with it, Sabrina,” her father Orthos sighed.
Sabrina took a deep breath before telling them, with a snide smile on her lips. “I overheard them talking. They wonder what would have happened if they had never met.”
“I know what would happen.” Jezebel said. She snuck a glance at Orthos. “Total and complete chaos!”
“Perfection, darling.” Orthos took her hand and kissed it. He turned to his daughter. “Send for Damian. We have plotting to do.”
“Aye, Father.” Sabrina bowed, racing in the opposite direction to find her brother.
Jezebel still held the smile. She stood from her throne and started to pace. “I wonder what my sisters will think of this...”
Orthos laughed. “Who cares what they think? I just want to have fun.”
“Fooling with the Young Guardian, though?” Jezebel asked him.
“Only the best will do, my dear.” Orthos’ black eyes glowed. “My brothers will never know what hit them.”
Jezebel excused herself to tend to her Dark Mirror. She had something on her mind, but didn’t want Orthos to know of it.
Waving a pale arm over it, as she’d done so many times before, Jezebel’s eyes glowed red and widened. The images of her sisters, Enchantra and Challandra came to view.
As did the image of a very lonely Lord Maximaniac – Orthos’ younger brother.
Her heart jumped as she watched him with a new Companion follower, Panther.
“My love,” she whispered, “what have I done? Our affections were that of a lonely resort, and I took advantage of your kindness.”
She stared at Maximaniac, and then called for the Mirror’s magic to show her the Lord Guardian of the Dream Realm, Orthos’ twin brother O’Dell. He was a Pegasus, flying in the air with a girl on his back. The girl was O’Dell’s successor’s daughter, the Enchanted Child, Kelina Erin. She stared at the vision. The girl had long, dark reddish-brown hair pulled up in a pretty braid in the back of her head. Kelina was beautiful, and Jezebel was glad she was finally in good hands.
“If only there was some way to keep them safe.” Jezebel thought out loud.
When her thoughts turned to good instead of dark and evil, O’Dell finally sensed her watching. He stopped flying and descended to the ground below. He waited until Kelina was safe with the other Young Dreamers before actually saying anything.
Jezebel, what do you wish from us? He thought to her.
A warning. I have already warned Sister Luna in some way, and even your own Young Guardian, Ariana Woods. Jezebel thought to him.
O’Dell’s human head turned toward her. His eyes were trusting, as was his face.
She was glad.
Warning for what? What are you planning, Jezebel?
Jezebel herself took a breath and let it out slowly before answering.
Not I, my Lord Guardian. Jezebel sent in her mind. Orthos is planning to send your Crusaders into the past, so they never meet. His plan in the long run is to change time and reality. Destiny will never be fulfilled if the Crusaders do not meet, my Lord Guardian.
What about yourself? O’Dell was suspicious, but listened.
My Lord, I have changed my ways. I see what I had done in the Wars was cruel and uncalled for. I wish your forgiveness, and understanding.
O’Dell was silent for a moment, pondering her words.
Why do you confess to me? Why now?
Perhaps you can somehow help them. If they lose their identities, not to mention each other, disaster will occur. Not only that, but Orthos will win, and you will, dare I say it, die.
O’Dell gasped. Thank you, Jezebel. I will tell your sisters. Together, we will think of a special incantation for this. Does Orthos know you are confessing his scheme?
Nay and I do not wish him to know. Jezebel regretted. Please, my Lord, keep this between us?
Call me O’Dell. He stared into her eyes from the Mirror’s image. I promise, Jezebel. It will be between us only.
Thank you, O’Dell. I owe you my debt.
Jezebel’s eye had a single tear from it, and she waved her hand to clear her image.
The only thing to do now is wait until Lord Guardian’s spell took.

An All-Realm Chronicles Short Story:
Dusk Before the Dawn

Part One:
Destiny Borne


Brakkon Dratianos

It was war. The Dragon Nations were fighting the Demon Realms for the millionth time. This time, within the war was a male Draconian and his son, both chaotic and dangerous. The male Draconian was destroyed by his own son. Being a God within the Realms of All the Worlds, Brakkon was sent back with his fellow Gods. In a form not his own, an Immortal-male more Mortallan than Draconian, he plead for forgiveness.
“I know my deeds were many and the losses from them more.” Brakkon pleaded to the God Damascus. “I realize I have done wrong in the eyes of my people, but please, let me have the time to reform myself.”
“Why do you ask this of us, Death?” Damascus used his Elder God Name to remind him.
“I only wish to fix my wrongs.”
“They have already been done. There is no retraction.” Stated the voice of a Goddess, Tera. “Tell us why we should reincarnate you so quickly? It takes at least a regeneration of thirty years for a soul to be ready for its next incarnation.”
“One reason.” Brakkon-Named-Death supplied seriously. “My People need me, as I need them, and my family.”
“What do you know or care of family?” Damascus sneered. “Once your mate was sent to the Summerlands, you forgot all about family. No, family was not your priority, nor was it your Draconian people, Brakkon. Your mind was clouded with so much hate; I am surprised that Darkness kept his head so long before he destroyed you.”
“He went chaotic after I renamed myself Thorn.” Brakkon replied. “What was once a nickname between my son and I, it was now a totally different personality. I was not myself. If you look over your records and chronicles of my previous lifetime, it will tell you Draconis destroyed not me, his father Brakkon, but the soul of Thorn.”
“Was it not true you created him from your own soul with your blood and power?”
Brakkon looked down, ashamed. “Aye, Damascus, but I never meant for Thorn to go this far. Please, I beg of thee, reincarnate me now.”
“You know what it means should we do so?” Tera asked gently. “You will remember all of this lifetime and carry it with you in the next.”
“Why should we?” Damascus scolded her before Brakkon could answer. “It is clear to all he is not ready, nor is he sorry for his actions.”
“That is not true!” Brakkon stood and shouted. His eyes were black and his form changed. “I know I have a long way to go, but I am truly sorry for causing the destruction of my people and Realm! Please, you must grant me reincarnation now so I may redeem myself.”
Damascus was silenced, in thought. He studied Death’s eyes and heart. His eyes showed he was serious and sorry for his actions, and his heart wished to redemption. Even Tera was confused by her mate’s silence. Brakkon awaited his response.
Damascus spoke. “What would you sacrifice for reincarnation? Power? Wealth? Royalty?”
“I would do anything, Damascus, as you know.” Brakkon said roughly. “I would give up all rights as Lord Emperor of the Dragon Nations.” Damascus was impressed, so he went on. “I would give up all my power as a Dragon. I would become a mere peasant to retain my immortality. I care not for the flashy titles or the brilliant powers if all it does is corrupt and destroy me or those I love.”
Damascus smiled, and nodded. “Very well, Brakkon Dratianos named Lord Death, former Emperor of the Dragon Nations. I grant your reincarnation, but on the following terms.” He started. “Your memories and mind will be intact, your powers limited, your form to mere peasant, and your rebirth as a full adult.”
“What will my form be?”
Damascus smiled mischievously. “You will find that out for yourself.” With a place of a hand to his Immortal chest, a bright light appeared, blinding Brakkon. “Pleasant Journeys, Braken Hawk.”
That was Brakkon’s only clue. Companions used the blessing of “Pleasant Journeys” throughout the Realm of Dreams.
So he was reborn as the Companion, Braken Hawk.

Brakkon Dratianos, now named Braken Hawk, knew the rules of this particular realm. Once gathering himself, he searched his surroundings.
“Ah, the Province Wood.” Braken whispered aloud. “Not far, I believe. Not far to Lord O’Dell’s castle indeed.”
“Just who are you talking to, Companion?” He heard a female voice above him.
Looking up, he saw a large black falcon with shining silver eyes.
That’s odd, he thought to himself. A falcon with silver eyes?
“I am talking to myself, lady falcon.” He responded, heading away from it.
The lady falcon flew down, shifting form to an Immortal with long black hair and a flowing black gown. Braken stopped in his tracks and smiled, nodding.
“Where are you headed, Companion?” She asked him.
He started to walk again. “The name is Braken Hawk and I am headed to Lord Guardian’s castle.”
“May I join you?” She asked, smiling. Her silver eyes sparkled.
Braken looked at her. “Of course, dear lady.” He crooked his arm for her to take. Once she did, he continued. “May I ask your name?”
The lady hesitated, taking a deep breath and bowing her head. “My name does not matter, Braken.”
“There must be something I can call you.” Braken smiled, touching her chin so she met his eyes and smiled as well. “Besides ‘Beauty Beyond Compare’.”
The lady giggled, blushing. “Very well, you may call me Sibylline.”
Braken blinked. He covered his embarrassment by kissing her hand. “Pleasure is mine, lady Sibylline.”
With that, they continued on their way to Lord Guardian O’Dell’s castle.
When they arrived, Sibylline looked to the castle and sighed. “It has been a pleasure walking with you, Braken Hawk. I must be on my way.”
“As I said, my lady. The pleasure is mine.” Braken kissed her hand and cheek. “Here’s wishing you pleasant journeys.”
Sibylline curtseyed, hiding her blushing face as she shifted to her falcon form and disappeared.
Braken took a deep breath and walked in the doors. “O’Dell!” He called to the air, walking further into the building. “I need to speak with you! O’Dell! Are you around, old friend?”
O’Dell’s Immortal male form came from the corridor. “What is all this fuss about?” Once he saw