The Guardian [Part two]
1899 Words
''Can you see? You could have done this all along, everything you need....''
''Has been given to me...Yes I know.'' I say. He smiles at this and tells me to sit on the ground.
''I haven't spoken to anyone in over five thousand years.'' He says with a smile.
''Five thousand? How old are you?'' I ask him, visibly shocked.
''I was Thirty five when I got trapped here, although I haven't grown physically, I am quite old in age.'' He says.
''That's crazy.'' I tell him
''I know.'' He says.
''So basically, if you leave this place......''
''I'll be no more.'' He says flatly.
''Then why are you so anxious to leave? You should just stay here forever.'' I tell him and he laughs in response.
''Child, how long will I continue to leave like this? I have seen my wife, children, grand children, great grand children, great great grand children, pass away, no one knows of my existence, no one cares either. I have nothing to live for except to fulfil the last wish of my Father; which is to ensure The core is in safe hands.'' He says.
''And you think I am safe hands?'' I say with a short laugh.
''Why me? Why am I the chosen one? Why did you choose me?'' I ask again
''I didn't choose you...The core did.'' The man says kindly.''
''The Core?''
''Yes Child, The core has been passed down our generation under my guidance and it has been in the possession of so many people but the core didn't choose any of them, it brought you here, not them; it chose you for a reason, one I do not know but I am sure it didn't make the wrong choice.''
''So you think the core has a mind of it's own? I ask him
''Of course not, that's absurd...I know it does. In fact, it is the one keeping my sanity in check. I would have gone crazy a long time ago if it didn't keep me company.''
''You can talk to it?'' I ask him
''Well...not exactly but I can communicate with it.'' He says
''Oh...Okay.'' I say.
''What's your name?'' I ask him.
''I am sure you already know mine.'' I add.
He laughs for a while and says.
''I have been waiting for you many years Child, I know everything about you.'' He says.
''Everything?'' I ask
''Everything.'' He says.
What's my middle name? I ask with a curious smile.
''Vanilla.'' He says almost immediately before breaking into a laugh.
''I also know how much you hate it.'' He adds and I smile in return. My parents were terrible at giving names, who names their child; Riley Vanilla Swanson?
''Favourite food?''
''Veggie Fried Rice.'' He says and I couldn't stop myself from laughing, he didn't get the pronunciation right, it was hilarious.
''Okay...so you do know a little about me.''
''Dear Dear, I have been watching you before you were born, your every step, ensuring no harm came your way, I don't just know a little about you, I know a lot. From your birth, to school and how you got here; I know everything.'' He says kindly but this did not sit well with me.
'' So you watched me go through all of that and didn't do anything and now you're claiming to have been protecting me? Unbelievable!''
''I knew you would say that.'' He says
''Is that all you have to say?'' I ask him getting up.
''Where are your manners? Don't let the minute power you have just absorbed get into your head because then; you'll be no better than the rest.''
''I want an explanation, I want to know how you have protected me in all the years of my miserable life?''
''The fact that you're alive today isn't because you're smart or beautiful, it's not because you're good, there are a lot of people better than you who are no more. You should be grateful for your life. Several factors have a role to play in this, with or without your knowledge, somethings are working behind the scenes. You have a purpose Riley, a gift, you have with you something people would kill to possess. Not everyone is happy about your existence. While you spend your day worrying about your present state. Someone has been watching out for you from the very beginning, ensuring what's ahead of you isn't snatched away; Think about it Riley.'' He says and I kept quiet for a while.
''But don't you get it?'' I ask him. ''It's not just about me, I'm talking about my Parents; didn't you know that their death would devastate me? Did you even try to protect them? They were important to me and they didn't deserve to die in such a horrible way.''
He takes a deep breath and says;
''I watched my wife and two sons die from a horrible illness, the same one that almost took my life and even after five thousand years, the memory is vivid and clear. I have witnessed the death of my line from every passing generation. I was present when a knife was placed on my mothers neck. My Father was mocked and humiliated by hundreds of people as he was forced to surrender. If I couldn't save all of those people, how could I have saved your parents? Do you think that I had the power to stop death, I wouldn't use it? Let's not forget, your father is related to me, a part of the tribe and if not for the centuries between us, he is more or less my grand son. He was like a son to me and your mother was the kindest woman I have ever met, she had such a good and plain heart. Your parents were special; their union was what brought a thousand year prophecy to pass. If I had the power to save them, I would do that in a heart beat. Don't you dare blame me for their deaths, I am just as unhappy about it as you are.'' He says angrily.
I didn't know how to process the information and I knew I had crossed a line but I couldn't help myself.
''I apologise. I guess I expected too much of you; it's just, I'm not used to the notion of having someone watching me, In fact I find it hard to believe. Ever since my Parent's accident, I have learnt to look out for myself. I have always felt alone and I had gotten used to that. I'm really sorry about the things I said. I was rude, judgemental and irrational, I had no right to say any of those things.''
''It's alright, Child. I understand. Sometimes, it is difficult to come to terms with certain events in our lives, especially when it goes in the way we do not want it to. However, we have to be brave and stay strong with the hope that everything will be fine.'' He says kindly.
''When I told you to face your fears, I wasn't referring to the jump. I was referring to your past. If you do not let go of your past; It would be difficult to move towards the future. All the pain and hurt you have felt would only prepare you for what is to come; you have to let go. He adds and I couldn't help but agree with him. I was going to face my present and future, the past is done and gone.
''I can see your resolve is stronger, you'll need it.'' He says again.
''Since you are the guardian of the core and you have been around for so long, will you teach me everything there is to know about it?'' I ask him.
''I thought you'd never ask.'' He says with a short laugh.
''You are very lucky to have the core all to yourself. You would be trapping pure and direct energy and this would make your training four times faster. There's a chance you would be able to practice all of the five techniques but that is only a possibility. We will find out in the course of your training.'' He says thoughtfully.
''When do we start?'' I ask him excitedly.
''As you can see, I have nothing to do but to watch you all day but unfortunately, you have spent too much time here. You need to get back to the real world. Till next time; young child.'' He says with a smile and waves.
''I didn't answer your question earlier. My name is Ridorz.'' He says with his usual kind smile.
I was about to protest, I wasn't ready to leave but then, I started hearing someone calling my name repeatedly; the voice was so familiar but far away and after a while, I realised it was Xander. I opened my eyes slowly and saw Xander staring at me visibly worried.
''Riley?'' He says again
''Are you alright?'' He adds.
''I'm fine....it's just, how long have I been like this?
''Seven hours.'' He says and I widen my eyes in response.
''I have never seen anyone so relaxed and focused for that long....It must be the core.'' He says thoughtfully.
''I can't believe it's been seven hours, it feels like I have only closed my eyes for like twenty minutes.'' I tell him.
''Yeah, I understand.'' He says finally. I could see he was still in the same mood as this morning.
''Xander, I know we've just met and you don't really know me and to be honest, neither do I; but you and Kimer are the nicest people I have ever met and I really can't stand seeing you like this, it's so not you; my point is if there's anything bothering you and if you need anyone to talk to, you can always talk to me.
''Why are girls so emotional?'' He says with a groan and I laugh in response.
''It's my father. He's always complaining about me, nothing I do is ever enough for him. He's always saying I'm not manly enough, not serious enough, not good enough and I am trying all I can to meet up to his standards but it is always never enough. Sometimes, I try to control myself from laughing or playing pranks, or laughing or just being myself but it is so hard to be someone I am not and no matter how hard I try, my best is never good enough.''
''One thing I have learnt is you can never be someone else. You can try but you can never be that person, it just doesn't work that way, the best thing is to be yourself and work on your flaws if you think you have any but if you ask me, I don't think there's anything wrong with you Xander. You're a wonderful person just the way you are. Your father just hasn't seen that side yet.'' I tell him.
''Even though I gave you worms for breakfast?'' He says with a small smile.
''Besides that actually.'' I say and we both laugh.
''Thanks Riley.'' You're the first person who hasn't taken my Father's side. Everyone thinks he is right, even Kimer, I don't blame her; she practically adores my Father.'' He says with a small smile.
''You'll see it's nothing to be upset about.'' I tell him with a smile.
''That's not why I'm upset.'' He says.
''Why are you upset?'' I ask him.
'' I don't really feel like talking about it now.''
''Oh, that's fine.'' I tell him.
''I will tell you though, just not now.'' He says with a small smile.
''Let's start training then.'' He says with a wide grin and I was glad to see that he was back to his usual self.
- Writer
