Shadow Guardians - Genesis (13 page)

“So, you know the name that has eluded me for almost eighty years,” the Owl asked Caroth. “I know that all information comes with a price, so let’s get down to it. What will it take from me to get the name of my father from you,” the Owl said. “You and the others leave this place now, leaving only the Seventh Tarron here with us. We will provide the name that you seek once the Seventh Tarron is amongst our ranks.

“It’s true that I have a huge hole in me, not knowing anything about the side of my life that so dominates my existence. I long to know all the deepest, darkest secrets of my kin and myself. I have contemplated some pretty half-brained schemes to get my father’s name in the past. None of them, I’m happy to say involved harming other spirits or putting them within harm’s way, just so my ego and curiosity could be satiated. I’m not about to do that now, especially to a boy as dear to me as Miguel. I couldn’t live with myself knowing that I helped bring the Tarrons one step closer to fully reigning over this domain. I have to reject your offer, Caroth. I cannot help you,” the Owl said.

“So be it,” Beegal said. “Get the boy,” Caroth ordered the Tarrons. Matt, Jericho, Mimi, and the Owl gathered around Miguel. “You’ll have to go through us to get to him,” Matt yelled. Krizel waved his hand, and Matt, Jericho, and Mimi disappeared from their location and reappeared across the room behind some energy field that they were battling to get past. The Owl was on the floor clutching Miguel. “I do not wish to harm you,” Caroth said to the Owl. “Move now, or I will scramble your genes into the form of a fruit fly,” he added. As if to demonstrate the ability to accomplish the task, Caroth waved his hand at a pile of dust in the corner of the room. It changed to several crickets, chirping and hopping around. The Owl slowly moved away from Miguel. The Tarrons moved closer to Miguel in unison.

Miguel lay on the floor, encircled by The Tarrons. He never felt so scared before. Here he was fighting entities who were close to Gods. Here he was losing a fight for the first time in his life. Here he was being treated like a rebel child who refused to go home with his parents. “We will not harm you,” Krizel said. “It is written that we shall not. We want you to join our fraternity and lead it. If you do, you and your friends will reap great rewards, Krizel added. “I know all about you and what you want,” Miguel said. “You want a world where your kind rules all other races and creatures. I do not believe in that cause, and I cannot support it,” Miguel said. Caroth reached towards Miguel to grasp him by the collar and lift him up.

“If you make one more move in this direction, I will use this,” Miguel said, flashing the double-bladed flaming Soulcatcher’s sword he had acquired. “If the only way to end this and save the world from your evil plans is to destroy Miguel Menendez, the Seventh Tarron, then I’m more than willing to slice my own throat with this blade,” Miguel said. “Miguel, no,” shouted Mimi. “No Mig,” yelled Matt. “You can’t do that man,” said Jericho. “Supreme One, no,” the Owl said. The Tarrons immediately froze in their steps. “The Seventh One was prophesized to lead the Tarrons, not to be removed from this place by the Tarrons,” Kristh said. “You can put the blade away, fellow Tarron. You have our attention. What type of deal are you seeking in exchange for not using the blade?

“The Tarrons shall have their seventh member and prophesized leader,” Miguel announced, “if, in exchange for joining your ranks and leading you, each of you makes a great vow. I ask you to vow to devote your days to helping human children who are in danger, being abused, suffering, or otherwise in need of assistance. Grant this, and you will have my leadership. You will obtain your goals. Deny me, and you shall forever want for my leadership and plot to obtain it. What is your answer,” Miguel asked.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: THE REALITY OF IT

“We will always be chased by Soulcatchers who want to end our attachment to this plane of existence. Tarrons will always plot to get Miguel to become their prophesized leader. Shady characters with their own agendas will constantly try to infiltrate us and use us. We still have Fozolorne left to deal with, as well as Selda,” Matt said. On the other hand, the four of us are the best friends one could ask for. We have a true friend—the Owl—who we can count on to help us through the struggles. Most of all, we are able to continue or work, saving children in need and making life better for them,” he added. “One more thing, guys,” Matt said. Every superhero team needs branding—colors, a logo, a secret hideout. Maybe we should even go public. I’ve got some ideas on that to run by you. How does midnight blue with teal strike you for our team colors,” Matt asked. “Miguel looked up to the sky and shook his head. “I’ll pick up my own outfit,” he said. Everyone laughed. Miguel and Owl locked eyes.

Back at the team’s new apartment, Miguel, Matt, Mimi, and Jericho were busy moving furniture, painting walls, and hanging pictures. They were within 10 minutes walking distance from Owl’s place. Owl had truly been a gift to them. Though no one disrespect her by asking, the team speculated heavily that Owl had wings and was really an Angel, performing stunts atypical of a pari-geist. There was a harmony within the apartment. Death was good.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: EPILOGUE

On a stretch of red clay and mud in southern Lousiana, a trail of green plasma slowly oozes forward, getting thicker with each minute. The unorganized form has yet to evolve to at the most minimal level; however, it has a purpose—it always has. “Magda,” it cries. “Magda”!

THE END