The Land: Autumn

It was late afternoon, the wind is screaming its strength. As the red leaves sway with it's anger. The ground is covered with dried leaves, creating a crisp sound everytime you step on it. Standing beside a tall tree, I was mesmerized by the quality of peace. Watching the sky as it turns into purple red. As I breath the fresh air, I wished, I could do this everyday. "But. You. Can't" I was cut in the middle of my thoughts. Selene really know how to piss me off. "I heared that" She hiss, its really amazing to have a friend that could read mind, yes. You heared it right Selene can read mind, she has this what they call telephaty. so you can't really tell a lie in front of her. "Can you stop reading me, you're invading my privacy" I finally said. "Okay. Fine" She surrender, raising her both hands. "But we need to go, Chief Rim is looking for us, its time for the assembly" I nod to her and follows as she walk towards the barracks. "Tonight is the autumns' peak, as we always do each year. I wont allow any mistake understood" The strong voice of my brother echoed inside the four corners of the room. "Now, go to your assigned station. MOVE" Like a snap the room then emptied as everyone lead themselves outside. While standing in the corner, I watch serious faces passed by me. Autumns atmosphere really feels like death. Selene caught my attention as she tap me in the shoulder uttering the words, "I'll go ahead" With a smile, I just nod as a response. "Thala, where were you? You know we had a lot of things to do" Rim growl at me with his voice full of authority, the usual thing he does whenever I do things out of his sight. "I just go for a walk" I murmured "Now, is not the time for walking, come on we need to go to the palace" He then walks towards the exit, I follow him with a frown, I'm not in the mood to argue. I hopped to his green dragon, named emmy and watch the sun ready to sleep. As we reach the palace, high walls with a gothic design, covered with gold thorns starting to fade into brown. Welcome us. The big gold gate turns into bronze. As it open, with a long creek sound. "Autumn really do its job" I said under my breath. The soldiers saluted as we walk between them through the aisle. We then kneel down as a sign of respect to the royal family of Alvia standing before us. "Vah" It means at rest in Alvias ancient language. The king gestured his hand, for us to stand. Rim stands firm as he spokes to the king. "You're majesty" His voice is calm, I stay standing at his back waiting for him to speak again. "The autumns peak will start in a few hours, as the sun set you need to be in the chamber" He continued "Does things goes according to plan?" The king ask with his low pitch tone, but full of power in every word. "Yes, your majesty" Rim continues in stating his report. Each year autums peak happens in alvia. Every third day of the autumn days, the guardians weakens its power and the royal family will lose their power temporarily. It last for a whole night, from sun set to sun rise. Making the whole kingdom vulnerable to any rebels and supernatural creatures, who wants to dethrone the king, by killing him and the whole royal family to destroy the pledge. As a royal guardian it's my duty to keep the royal family safe the whole night. "All chambers were sealed from the inside and the outside, by the use of the last magic gathered last spring..." Rim's explanation was cut, as emerald rush inside, she quickly kneeled and speak between her breath. "Your majesty, pardon me to interrupt but there is a problem to the fourth chamber" She reported quickly "What do you mean by a problem?" Rim ask him with sharp eyes.My brother is a perfectionist, it makes him burst into anger, when things is not perfect. I cant blame him its part of his duty, mistakes could be equal to death or catastrophe. "The magic is not enough to seal the fourth chamber" Everyone gasped as emerald continues. "What should we do now my king? The chamber can only hold one person" The queen state with agony, worries is visible to her face. The king just give her a fake smile, as he tap the queens shoulder. He then speak with my brother. I could see worries on his eyes. But as the king he should not show any fear or worries, sometimes I do envy him, for being brave in facing his all responsibilities. No wonder why Alvians respects him. I hope I could have that courage too. Being a guardian feels like an obligation that is caging me inside. I followed Rim as he lead the way to the secret hall. It was a silent walk, maybe Rim is thinking a solution and while he thinks, I dont dare to intterupt. We reach the secret hall where four chambers stands, it looks like a bubble of water, floating an inch from the floor. It was full of lights inside, that changes every seconds, from yellow, blue, purple, red and gold. Its really beautiful like spring. Rim immediately talk with the head sorcerer. "Araya, what is the problem all about" Rim snaps. Straight to the point without even saying hi. No wonder why their relationship doesn't end up good. Araya was Rim's lover before, but things change and they treat themselves as colleague now. "Sorry chief, the magical rose of spring loses some petals before weldering the chambers, now the magic is not enough for the fourth chamber" Araya explained "How did it happen? No one can hold the magic roses except you" Rim grabs Araya wrist made her whimp in pain under her breath. I could see in her teary eyes, how she tries hiding the pain. She is one of the braviest guardian I knew. She never let others sees her weak. "We don't know about it, someone damage the roses... And...I know it could never be one of my sorcerers" Araya's eyes is pleading, as she spoke those words. "I dont need any alibi Araya, what I want is for you to clean your own mess..." Rim shouts full of anger, that made the whole room tremble with fear. "Chief, I think thats enough" I said hoping the tension to put into ease. "We cant find solution if you keep blaming the sorcerers" I know for sure Im dragging myself into trouble for this, but I dont care, I'll take a risk. "When did you gain a tongue againts me Thala?" Rim glares at me with burning eyes, like a predator eyeing for its prey. "You don't have any authority to remind me of my actions.." Rim was about to gesture his hand for a spell when the king suddenly comes to the room. "Your majesty" Everyone said in chorus. Rim then face toward the king to bow. "Chief Rim, does the problem resolved" The king questioned "My apologies your majesty, there are some things that is out of control, the magical roses loses some of its petals and the magic to welder the fourth chamber is not enough" Rim shows to the king the four roses it was glowing between floating waters moving in a circular motion. The water cages the roses inside like a glass. The three roses is gleaming in white color from its branch to the roots. Only one rose remain its color, red. "We already used the three roses to welder the chamber, those gleaming white" Araya informed. "What happen to the last rose?" The king asked as he pointed the last red rose the petals are falling from it and as it lands to its roots the petal faded into brown and vanished. "Unfortunately, we dont have the answer your majesty" Araya bows her head, maybe waiting for the king to growl at her. "We can never predict the future, dont blame yourself about it" The king gave us a quick smile. I expect for him to shout on us, or punish us But he didn't, why? "I already talk with the queen, minutes from now the sun will set and we dont have a choice but to choose" All of us stands in silence as the king spoke, we feel the tension. I felt something bad is about to happen. Minutes after the Queen enters the hall with Princess Aquaria and Prince Corlex. I bow down "Your majesty the chambers is waiting" I pointed the chambers at my back. "Dont do this Hersimion" The Queen between her sobs. The king decided to join the fight outside. Since there is only three chambers that will make them safe. One must stay outside and fight, the guardians will be on his side but it is still dangerous. The king and queen had a son and a daughter, princess aquaria and prince corlex the heir to the throne. I know for sure its hard for the queen she have to choose between her husband and Children. "My Queen you dont need to worry, I'll be safe even though I cant use my magic tonight, you know no one can beat me with my swordsmanship" The King chuckled giving the Queen an reassured look. He then gave his attention to the princess. The pincess is a real beauty, she has this golden hair, the tip of it is turning brown, her deep blue eyes also faded because of the autumns peak. It is one of the signs that they are losing power. But she still holds the title of the most beautiful woman in the kingdom, indeed. She walks toward the king and hug him. "Father, please... N-No... Please we cant left you outside" She said as she break the hug. She was keeping her tears from the inside. "Princess we already talk about this, we dont have any choice" The King patting her head gently as he spokes. "We can wield another chamber, we still have the magic toghether we can if we try" Tears are starting to form in her eyes. "Shhhh.. We all know we can't build it on our own, its one of our limitations" The Kings word made the princess cry more. "But-" The King stop her mid sentence, by hugging her tight. This is a new scene to me, for five years being a Royal guardian, I keep the Royal family safe, we survives the autumns peak. But this year is different, The fight is not starting yet but I know I already lose. As I stare at the scene, I was reminded with my past. Five years ago, I was pleading my parents too. Pleading for them to choose their safety, fighting for them but I lost. It was almost sunset, Mother and father is busy with the strategic plan they were discussing together with some high rank officers. Were in the barracks tent waiting for sunset, and face the autumns peak again. "Thala, sweetheart. You should be in the safe zone by now, its just a matter of hours before sunset, you know the drill" Mother said in sweet tone "Mother Ill be done with my study in the academy this year. I'll be joining you as a guardian after that. So, dont worry to much about me. I can handle myself." I smiled at her sweetly She chuckles and pinched my nose teasingly " You really grown up" "Mother dont do that, im not a kid anymore" I said while pouting my lips. Its really fun to be with my mother. "Yeah, but you'll remain as my little baby forever-" Mother was cut mid sentence as herald rush into our tent "Chief commander the palace is under attack" Father instanly pull his self up and gave us a glance before leaving the barracks. "Mother, whats happening" I asked "Its fine sweetheart, your father needed me now, Ill accompany you the safe zone" She pull me up and walk together. She state some command to the some soldiers then we walk together to the sacred cave. "Mother, it'll be fine right? We'll see each other after sun rise right? Can you just be with me tonight. Do not join the fight " I asked, my heart is full of worries. I wanted to hear from her that everything is good. "Yeah, of course as always everything will be fine after the night we'll have our breakfast in the secret lagoon, so dont be afraid" She smiles at me, and it made my heart at ease. But the silence was unexpectedly, replaced with a strong sounds of explosion. I face mother, worries are written in her eyes. I pull my self up and ready my senses. As we heard a steps coming. Mother immediately chants spells and withdraw her sword from her back. I was about to help her. When she glance at me and said 'run' I wanted to help so I remain at my position and chanted a spell but before I could release my magic. I felt a huge pain from my back and I can't move myself anymore. I heard my mother screaming my name before it went all black. The sun rise came, Rim hand me a letter. Written into it is the worst news I ever receive. "The palace is grieving for your lost, Commander chief Rimuel and Lady chief Lara, passed away last night as a hero protecting our kingdom" "Hey, are you okay?" I was pulled away from my memories as Selene spoke. "Are you okay?" "Im fine" I said without glancing at her. "Really? Arrgg.. I wish I had my ability right now" She said in irratated tone "Im really fine" I smiled "Anyway cant use the telepathy thing" I said teasingly and glance at her. "Damn.. This autumns peak"She cross her arms in her chest. I chuckled a bit and put my arms around her neck. "Thala, looks like the prince is looking at you, at your back" She said with a big grin "Hmmm?" I turn around, and there I met a pair of eyes. A tantalizing faded green eyes. He wears the same look, he is still handsome as always. Prince Corlex is standing beside the chamber, while looking at our side. I cant read any emotion in his eyes. I wonder, 'does he change?' even years had already passed is he the same Corlex that become our friend in the academy. We stare for a moment until he step into the chamber without looking anywhere. And he is no where to be seen. I blinked for many times as I heard Selene laughing at my side. "What?" I glared at her. "Nothing, just.... You know memories keep flowing to my head." She said while smiling like crazy. "Whatever" I left her there with her craziness and plaster a fierce look, as I face the palace soldiers and guardians. "Attention" I said in a loud voice. They all saluted and gathered in front of me. "You were trained for this day, you know the drill. You know your role. And you know our oath" I said in a voice full of authority. "Keep the Royal family safe, keep the kingdoms peace even if life is at risk" They all chant the pledge in chorus. And with that. I knew this is a hellish night.