Chapter 11 || Legend

-

-

-

- Iris's POV -

-

- a week after the attack.

-

Armed officers were stationary all throughout the school.

No one could seem to understand why a large-scale Endermen attack's aim was a schoolyard filled with children; absolutely no one could name the reason that caused Endermen, usually isolated, to work together. So, semi-permanent defense was placed within campus in case the event decided to occur again.

That night, reinforcements did eventually come, but in the end they were too late, because forty-seven students and five teachers all died that day.

Kylie Jacks hadn't been one.

That's why I was standing here, in front of my parents' grave, staring at my hands. The hands that brought breath back into the cold body of a dead girl.

The sky was clear again, and a warm glow spread across the graveyard, but it did nothing to make me feel any less cold. Emerald and Jonathan McKinnon, marked the gravestones. Gone before their time.

I stared at my hands again; that night, they had released golden powers that didn't only save Kylie. They also brought death to a man.

We'd been so flabbergasted over Kylie that we didn't realise that the soldier I brought in had died - he had been dying, true, but not quickly, and from a bloody wound - but that wasn't how he died. When Kai checked over the man, he didn't have any blood on him, not even from the injury that had been killing him. Instead, there were two golden bands around his wrists, like painted shackles.

It was then I figured out that I didn't just save Kylie; I also condemned a man. The powers required a cost. They required a trade. A life for a life.

Some privilege it was to be a Soul Wielder.

-

-

-

- Kai's POV -

-

Mum was standing beside me as we watched Iris from a distance as she stood over Emerald and Jonathan's tombstones. She was sagged and dreary, burdened by the knowledge of the school attack. Her eyes weren't as bright.

A woman I couldn't recognise from where I was with long brown hair and a sword strapped to her back approached Iris, and when she reached her they shared a hug. I was confused, but Mum had a smile on her face. She raced up to meet them both and I followed, confused.

As we got closer I realised who it was, and seeing her there made me light up in happiness. Mum and Gemma threw themselves into a hug, Iris dropping back beside me, a grin, although small, on her face.

Gemma was Mum's good friend, but we didn't get to see her often. She was part of the Individual Explorers of Minecraftia, and spent most of her days in complete wilderness; she was a celebrated expert in her career and rarely took breaks. Her sword was old and worn but tough, and so was she, eyes dark brown and unchanging from their knowledgeable gleam despite the fact that I could see some gray hairs on her head. Both Iris and I were taller than her, but she made up for her lack of height with skill.

"It's so good to see you," Mum said, smiling wide. "When was the last time? How are you? How's everything?"

Gemma held Mum's hands. "Notch, way too long ago, an odd eight years," she said, excited and joyful. "You haven't aged at all! And everything's good, I got a town named after me a few months ago. Redd Place. It's pretty nice, last time I checked. What about you? And Zach and Kai and Tali?"

The way Mum spoke was careless and relieved, as if the weight on her had been lifted as she spoke to her old friend. "They're fine," she laughed. "This is Kai, much older now."

I shuffled uncomfortably when Gemma gasped. "Since when were you so tall?" she questioned. "And Iris so blue? Wow, you guys have grown up way faster than I'd imagined."

Iris grinned a little broader. "That's what you get for being away for eight years."

Gemma gushed all the way home. "So much has changed," she was saying. "Sam has his own license now, he isn't just an apprentice explorer. He still hangs around with me, though. I get access to the best destinations. I just got back from Jayligh, which is hanging on the eastern border, practically on the edge of the map. Sam's with me here, actually, he's gone to tie the horses of somewhere. And . . ."

They kept talking on and on, so Iris and I hung back, her arms crossed over her chest and my hands stuffed into my pockets. We didn't speak a lot. I could see a distant look in her eyes, which I took as a 'don't bother me' signal. She rarely visited her parents' graves - I knew it pained her too badly to see the tombstones - but she had made a request to Nya, who would never have denied it. So we were at the cemetery.

We got home and when Dad opened the door I noticed a few scratches along his arms. "Gemma!" he exclaimed, astonished. "Welcome back! Wow, apparently the whole crew was invited. Thanks for telling me, Ny."

A man appeared from behind Dad; his hair was short, eyes sharp and face even sharper. There was a bloody dried cut on his cheek. "Ethan!" Iris exclaimed. My mouth dropped open - what was with all this meeting up? Gemma, now Ethan?

Ethan Hawley graduated as a superb swordsman and, after a long and gruelling career, was able to finally settle with the position of best in the South under his belt. He lasted longer than dad did, but didn't accomplish as much. The ultimate title of the best swordsman of all time was still argued by them, and they liked to use it as an excuse to fight physical all the time, but they were still really good friends. I was named after him; Kairen Steve Ethan Dare. A mouthful, but it was better than Talia Emily Mackenzie Dare, I supposed.

Dad and Ethan explained that they had battled in the backyard, and they both claimed to have won, causing Ethan to blow up in anger. Gemma glared at him, and he shut up pretty quickly. It was funny to see the four of them work. It used to be six.

We talked into the night, sharing stories and making fun of each other, listening again to Ethan's recounting of that one girl he met in Riverglare, again to Gemma's discovery of the Lygan Jungle, again to Mum's tales of me falling into oceans and nearly drowning. I was not a good swimmer. It was all nice, though. It felt like family.

I heard about their other friends, too; Jordan was a businessman in Blaneville, Vent was a teacher in Bloquear, Liz owned a salon in Hurricane, Harry was jumping around and doing all sorts of jobs all over the place. He liked to show up at here on random occasions. Sometimes, we'd get home from school, and he would be rummaging around the house looking for food, singing into a carrot. He was like that one crazy uncle everyone has.

Iris retired to bed early; I guessed that seeing everyone together was hard on her. I followed not soon after, leaving Mum, Dad, Ethan and Gemma in their noisy huddle.

That night, I dreamt again.

My family was dying, as usual. They were all burning against a backdrop of ash. After the dozens of times I'd visualised the scene, it began to make me feel numb rather than panicked.

But then, something different happened.

The scene fell away into nothing and a girl appeared before me; but she wasn't just a girl. Her eyes were silver with starlight, glimmering against skin pale as snow, and her hair wasn't just black; it was filled with stars and galaxies and moons, spreading out behind and around her in a crown of beautiful colours and nebulae. Her hair was the night sky and beyond, her eyes burning stars themselves. I didn't recognise her face, although for some reason it seemed familiar.

When she spoke, it was with weight, and her voice was even and cool. "Kai Dare," she said. "Son of the Fire Wielder and Guardian of the Dark Blade. Your task will be measured by the world's survival."

I blinked. "What?" The woman did not move, and her face remained cold.

She continued without hesitation or acknowledgement to my confusion. "The glory of the night and the creators will stand beside you in this battle. You will grace the earth with war and peace, and in the end, it will be your courage that will decide your world's - every world's - fate."

"Who are you?" I questioned. I looked around and saw only black void, the endlessness of it frightening. "Where am I?"

To my surprise, the girl smiled, and it was warm. "It will make sense soon, I promise. Would you like to learn about your task?"

I hadn't the faintest idea who she was or where I was or why we were talking about dark blades and glorified missions but there was something in her voice, something in her face, something in her eyes that made the words escape my mouth in a soft whisper; "Okay."

She shut her eyes for a moment and when they reopened, they seemed more alive, brighter. "The Dark Blade is the Creator's wield," she said. "But the Creator does not wield it. You do. It's power is more raw and valuable then anything else in this universe, and it is your duty, Kai Dare, to protect it at all costs, no matter their expense."

I was able to wrap my head around her words, and it made my heart beat in horror. "What is the Dark Blade?" I asked, digging my nails into my palms. "Why me?"

Her sigh sounded like the softest breeze of dawn. "Perhaps you should learn the legend, then. The true story of the dragon."

I didn't answer her, but I didn't need to, because in a second she was beside me, and a painted canvas of stars drew an image into the void around us. They lined themselves into images to match the words of the woman as she told me a story.

"Thousand of years and many lifetimes ago, the Ender Dragon reigned free upon the Overworld, causing destruction death and havoc wherever it was, almost causing the extinction of life itself. It was only then the universe's leader - the one known as the Creator - fought back with the power of day. He tied the dragon to the ground in chains of light, forever unable to fly or rebel, and banished him to the End. However, as the Creator bent the light into shackles, the dragon absorbed some of the cosmic energy; but the dragon is darkness, not day, so it turned that light into black spirit in the form of a sword.

"Only that sword has the power to break the Ender Dragon's chains. Not even the Creator himself can shatter the ablaze iron. So the dragon hunts for the blade, sends its Endermen to scour the earth for it, in order to bring itself what it once lost in a battle against a god: freedom.

"The dragon cannot have that freedom, for it would mean the death of all things. The servants of light do have an advantage in this war; Endermen are the embodiment of darkness, and thus, they cannot touch the blade's dark metal, lest they be absorbed into it. That it the purpose the Ender Dragon's Child serves; to be its tool of liberty. She is partly human. She can touch the Dark Blade. She can wield it. She can cut the chains of light.

"So you must defend the blade. You must not let the Child take it to the dragon's lair, in the blackness of the End, and you must not let the dragon fly free across the world again, or you will lose everything. This is not a game, Kai Dare. This is not chance or luck. This is reality, and it is cruel and cold but true nonetheless. You must fight for it. That is your duty, young Guardian."

The stars dissipated into the air and left nothing but the woman and I in a void of emptiness. My head felt dazed, my hands frozen, my lungs filled with dirt. The woman vanished from my side and appeared in front of me again, her eyes pale and luminous, holding secrets I'd dare not even dream about. Wait, dream. Dream. This is a dream, I remembered. This is all a dream, just a dream, I have to wake up . . .

"I am sorry this responsibility falls on you, Kai. No child deserves pain. But you have been chosen. Keep your friends and family close, trust no one, and be careful and brave." She turned around, hair of outer space trailing behind her, like portals into unknown dimensions. She looked over her shoulder at me, and this time, her smile was wistful. "Tell your mother I said hello, Kai. Tell her it wasn't her fault, that it was my choice, and that I miss her. Tell her we all wait for her."

And then she disappeared.

So did the void, and I awoke with a painful burning in my chest and, when I pulled myself out of bed and stumbled to the window to breathe the crisp night air, I looked up at the stars and for the briefest of moments, the smallest of seconds, I thought that I could have seen a woman gazing down at me from the sky, her face pieced together by bits of space, time and shattered light.

But really, who am I to be sure?

-

-

-

Bright sunshine and green oaks greeted Iris and I as we made our way through the school gate. It was early morning but still warm, with leaves casting intricate shadows onto lush grass, with not a cloud in the sky. If I blinked, my eyes would open suddenly to scenes of blood and darkness and storms, so I held Iris's hand as we made our way to the lockers. She looked just as cheated by the lovely morning as I felt.

Xavier had sprained his wrist, but Scott, Zoe, Flora and Eve were all uninjured from last week's attack, besides a few bruises that healed days ago. Flora waved at us, and Eve yelled "Hey, losers!"

Xav smiled wide when he saw us approach. "Anything up?" he asked, leaning against his locker.

I let go of Iris's hand and went to open my own locker, tossing my bag in absent-mindedly. It had been ages since I saw the sky so wonderfully bright. It was practically raining positivity, but like, invisible positivity, 'cos otherwise there'd be something weird falling from the clouds. I wonder what liquid positibity would look like? Would it be shiny? "No thanks," I answered.

"No thanks is up," Xav stated, deadpan. I blinked hard and turned to him, confused and a little lost.

"What are you saying?" I questioned, attempting to raise an eyebrow but failing miserably.

He shrugged. "No thanks is up."

I glanced around us. "Um, okay, then. Whatever you say." Man, he can be odd sometimes. I remember a few years ago, on my twelfth birthday, he . . . I forgot what I was saying. Wow, I thought. I'm really distracted today.

He gave me a look mixed between worry and amusement. "Are you feeling alright, Kai?"

"Yeah, yeah, fine. I just had a weird dream. Everything's fine." I closed the locker door shut with a sigh. My limbs felt heavy with lack of sleep, and my eyes were droopy with tiredness. The starry woman and her strange words meant that whatever sleep I'd managed to get was little, and quite shallow.

"It's been hard on everyone, so you've got us behind you," he said, flashing a grin. Behind it, I caught a glimpse at a boy who watched some of his friends die in a battle he couldn't fight in. His hazel eyes, though usually such a clear and careless window, were shadowed with hauntings. It made me sad to see him like that.

The bell rang in a rude, loud chime, and the groans of two hundred teenagers followed. Xavier and I grabbed our stuff for our first classes - mine was nature studies, and it meant - I hoped - that I could see Phoenix again. He'd been gone for a while.

Iris and I made it to the classroom on time, while Xavier went to his P.E class in the gym. The class started as per normal; Mr Hayes was rambling about ghast tears, and their importance to the potions industry. On a normal day Iris would uncharacteristically beam at the mention of potions - it was her mum's profession, as well as my own, and a secret passion of hers. But today wasn't really normal, and Emerald didn't have a profession anymore. So we all kept silent.

No one sat at the desk to the right of Iris; Phoenix's seat. He'd been gone the full week after the attack and I hadn't heard a word from him, nor from Ember or Kylie. After the Endermen retreated and recovery had been made, all three of them disappeared. I knew Iris was worried, especially about Kylie. We tried not to speak about what happened that night - the way Kylie's eyes snapped open and her lungs started working again like practiced clockwork, or her voice as she spoke words she never should have been able to say. I was dead, she whispered. I knew Iris needed to speak with Kylie, to find out what she did, and what she could do.

It was a double-period, and at the bell to mark the end of the first half, I began to think scary possibilities - maybe Kylie was some kind of zombie? Maybe Ember decided to join the Ender Dragon's Child to avenge Kylie's death? Maybe Phoenix . . . got severely hurt from his wounds? Were they okay? And where were they?

It took me a while to register that all three were standing in the doorway.

But when I did, my stomach leapt up in delight - Ember, stoic as always, Kylie, eyes dancing in her happy fashion, and Phoenix, tall and smiling and healed, all stood at the doorway, all facing the class, all apologising to Mr Hayes for being late. A huge grin stretched across my face. They took their seats, and I ripped up a piece of paper and started scribbling on it; Welcome back! What happened? Is everything okay?

I folded it up and passed it to Iris, nodding to Phoenix who sat beside her. She stared forwards as she passed it over to him, and I glanced up at Mr Hayes as he continued to teach the lesson. He was saying something about zombie pigmen, I think. Oh, I was supposed to be reading chapter three. I buried my head in the book and fought to compress my jumpiness. Thank goodness they were all alright.

Iris handed me the same piece of paper, but this time with Phoenix's handwriting joining my own, spelling out a messy reply; Thanks. We had to get out of here for a bit. The wound wasn't healing as well as we'd hoped.

I wrote another message, and used Iris again as forwarder. But it's all good now? You're all fine?

Then another answer, on a new piece of paper; All fine. What about you guys?

"Kai, stop passing notes to Ice," Mr Hayes scolded from the front of the class. Iris sent me a blaming glare.

"Sorry, sir," I said as thought of my reply. A little messed up, but not physically hurt or anything, which is good. Iris was really stressed about Kylie. Oh yeah, d'ya know what happened with that?

No clue, came the returning note a minute later. Iris was starting to look like she would strangle somebody. But at least Kylie's here now. Kai, are you sure you're okay? I mean, about the Child? About Ember and I?

I bit my lip and scrawled writing in any spare space on the tiny piece of paper I could find. Yeah! As long as you guys are safe. That was a lie. I mean, Endermen - that was not easy to take in. I wouldn't tell him that, though.

I passed it over to Iris, who pinched my hand in a mild threat of anger, and then continued it on to Phoenix. His handwriting was terrible, I reflected. I guess didn't have that much practice, though - plus, he was blond, so - wait, scratch that, fake blond. Did that count? Probably not. Oh well.

His eyes stayed on me as I read over the crumbled paper. Good. Remember that you're special, right? You've gotta stay safe.

The starry woman's words ran through my mind - 'You have been chosen. Keep your friends and family close, trust no one. Be careful and brave' - and remembering them made me feel suddenly weary. She said my task was to protect the Dark Blade, but I hadn't a clue what is was, never mind where it was. My reply was brief; I will.

When the letter reached him, he read it, then smiled at me. He had a really nice smile; warm and full and sweet. I smiled back.

Something slammed down and made us both jump our attention to the front. Mr Hayes was glaring at Iris, who sat in between us. "Ice!" he bellowed. Then he glanced at me. "And Kai! One more note is all I need to see until I read out that whole bloody paper to the entire class!"

Iris raised an eyebrow and nodded at me. "Give him the detentions," she instructed. "He's the one who keeps pestering me about what shoes he should wear on his date."

Mr Hayes turned to me, unimpressed. "And what was your choice for this occasion, Kai? Surely, with all that paper, you must have decided on something," he taunted.

Quick, quick - think of a shoe! my brain ordered. "Ballet flats," I spurted out. I heard Helix snicker behind me.

The class continued without a second word, all scared of the teacher in a bad mood. When it finished and we stepped out of the classroom, Iris and I started to walk down the hallway, but before we could speak or do much at all, something startled the wits out of us. Kylie hurled herself into Iris's back, hugging her tightly, digging her face into Iris's shoulder.

"Thank you," she murmured, clutching onto Iris's shirt material. "Thank you so much."

Iris, wide eyed and obviously taken aback, was only able to manage "It's fine." Kylie let go and ran back towards Ember and Phoenix, who were still under the classroom door frame. Iris watched her go with a bewildered stare - it made me laugh a little bit, actually. Rarely does Iris get confused.

"Let's go," I said, slinging an arm around her shoulder. For once, I was feeling light and breezy. My friends were safe. My sister and my parents were okay - Gemma and Ethan were at home, probably playing stupid games with Dad, and Phoenix had called me 'special'.

Unfortunately, all my thoughts led down a path that always ended at the starry woman, and the prophecy she outlined in a voice smooth as stone.

This is not a game, Kai Dare. This is not chance or luck. This is reality, and it is cruel and cold but true nonetheless. You must fight for it. That is your duty, young Guardian.

Kai Dare. Son of the Fire Wielder. Guardian of the Dark Blade.

Somehow, the titles made my heart shrivel into a frightened, burnt anticipation. I could still feel the fire in my chest flaring, as it always did. I knew my eyes would be flickering like flames, as they always did.

I hoped everything would be as it always was; safe, comfortable, free, calm - protected. But I guess hopes aren't always the best way to believe.

-

-

-

- ??? -

-

Oh, Nya, I see your life; I see what it grew to become, a tree with roots that dig deep into the fate of the world, leaves that drink the lights of hope and love and freedom. I see it, and although I am so proud of it, my only simple wish is that I could have remained on the earth to witness it unfold.

I see everything you've done and all you've felt; there's so much pain in growing up, in watching your friends die, your children learn, your own reflection age. I wish I was standing beside you in the mirror. I wish I could've gone to your wedding. You looked so beautiful, Nya. I saw you in your dress, in your ring, in your smile.

Others here miss you, too. They wish the same as I do. Nya, all I want is to talk to you, so badly - just to tell you how much I love what you grew to become, how strong your heart is, how tough your tears are. And I want to thank you, thank you so, so much, for your daughter. She's beautiful too, Nya, and when you named her, I felt so wonderfully happy. Thank you for that.

There are great things in being released into the night sky - I get to watch over you and believe in you, I get to see mum and dad live together soundly into their old age, I get to laugh over Harry and how stupid he can be. In the end, though, it isn't enough.

I miss you, Nya. I miss the world. I hope you know that.

And Nya?

I haven't forgotten your promise. We will be safe, and happy, and free, together. I'll see you soon, sis.

-

-

-

I have so many things to say! Thanks for all the guys who've stuck around this long. Seriously, my updating habits are severely flawed. You guys deserve a congratulations for being so patient with my stupid self.

Anyway, CONGRATS NORTH AMERICA!! MARRIAGE FOR ALL!!! Now all I need is a girlfriend and a ticket to Texas. And maybe a fake identity.

I really, really wanna write more action in coming chapters, but in all honesty it may take a while? Or it might not, because I've gotten rid of most of the writer's block. Eugh, nasty stuff, writer's block. Someone please remove it from existence.

<>

QOTC: Favourite Avenger?

(aotd: natasha, thor or steve, i think. or maybe just all of them)

<>

Anyway, see ya and love ya all! Looking forward to uploading the next chapter faster, this time.

- Jazz

Bonus: More Clare, plus some Tali! I couldn't help myself. I'm such a loser.