With Noelle on her back, Phoenix had a harder time keeping pace with Roman, who ran unencumbered. Still, knowing her speed almost matched his gave her a little thrill--her strength was nowhere near Maverick's. 

Roman slowed to match her pace, and though Noelle's body blocked her arm movement, Noelle felt light as a feather. It wasn't until Roman unexpectedly changed course that things went horribly wrong.

His body slammed into Phoenix's. She let out a shout, but neither could correct as they plowed through the trees, trying to dodge the branches as they lost control.  All three crashed to the ground, Noelle rolling off of Phoenix's back. Roman collided with a tree trunk. 

"What...the hells?" Phoenix spat out mulch as she struggled to sit up. Pain shot through every muscle, and her head pounded. "Why'd you do that? Roman?" Phoenix ignored her body's cry of protest, forcing herself to kneel. "Noelle?"

She glanced over and saw Noelle a few yards away, her eyes closed and her body limp. Not far from her, Roman lay on his back, blinking up at the sky, but not responding. Phoenix crawled to Noelle, scooping her up.

"No, no, no. I'm so sorry." She hugged Noelle tight, panic rising. "Selene? Please, I need you."

Selene appeared in a flash of silver light. "Phoenix? What's wrong?" She caught sight of Noelle. "Oh dear."

"Can you help her?" Fat tears filled Phoenix's eyes, threatening to spill over. "Can you heal her like you healed Mav?"

Selene blinked. "I didn't heal him." She knelt down next to Phoenix, placing her hand on Noelle's shoulder. "I don't have healing touch. I can create healing water." 

That doesn't make any sense. "Can you get some, then? She's hurt badly." The tears slipped down Phoenix's cheeks, splashing onto a cut on Noelle's cheek. A soft fizzing sound drew Phoenix's attention as the wound healed. "W-What?"

Selene smiled despite the serious situation. "You're the healer, Phoenix. Your tears seem to have the same effect as my healing waters. Don't be afraid. You can seal most wounds this way."

"But what about if it isn't a wound?" Phoenix asked, tears still tumbling down. Noelle didn't have many cuts, but she remained unconscious. "How do I help her?"

Selene pursed her lips. "I can bless your water and she can drink it." Selene moved to where Phoenix's bag had landed and fished out the skin of water. She pulled open the top and circled her hand around it, silver light descending into the container. "Here."

Phoenix accepted the blessed water and tipped a small bit into Noelle's mouth. She didn't want to choke her. The silvery water passed over Noelle's lips, and for a few seconds nothing happened. Noelle shot up, coughing and sucking at air. Phoenix let out a shriek of delight and threw her arms around her. 

"You're okay!"

Noelle still spluttered as she turned to Phoenix. "What happened. Why did he--" She stopped at the sight of Selene, her eyes widening. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Who is that?"

"My mother," Phoenix whispered back, finally leaving Noelle to see what had happened to Roman. He still lay on his back, blinking rapidly.

"Roman? Roman can you hear me?" 

His gaze flickered to hers, but he didn't speak. Phoenix lifted his head gently and placed the water pouch to his lips, tipping it so he could drink. When he'd had a healthy gulp, she lay his head back down, waiting.

"Ow," he finally wheezed. 

"Why'd you knock us down?" Phoenix asked, unable to keep the harsh tone from her voice. "What was that?"

Roman twisted, but couldn't manage much movement. "I heard them. I was trying--trying to steer us away, but I didn't realize we were so close together." He groaned. "I'm so sorry."

"You were lucky," Selene said, standing over the both of them while supporting Noelle. Roman's eyes grew round as saucers. "If Phoenix hadn't been able to help you, you two wouldn't have made it." She gently lowered Noelle down beside Phoenix. "You aren't going to be able to travel for at least a day. The water may be blessed, but it isn't instantaneous. Your bodies need to heal." 

"Who are you?" Roman asked.

"My mother," Phoenix said again. "Selene--the moon." 

Roman paled, but nodded. Noelle let out a soft, painful laugh. "You keep things interesting. That's for sure." She smiled up at Selene. "Thank you."

"No need for thanks. You are a friend to my child. She needs you beside her." Selene glanced at Roman, a curious frown spreading across her lips. "You I can't read. Who are you?"

"Roman Treck," Roman said through gritted teeth, trying to move into a sitting position. Phoenix helped him so his back was against the tree for support. "I'm from Achal."

"Hmm," Selene narrowed her gaze, "if you say so. You hurt one hair on my daughter's head--"

"Has Finny found him?" Phoenix asked, cutting Selene off. "Has--has he been found? Is he safe?" She didn't want to say Maverick's name. Something in her told her to keep quiet until she knew she could trust Roman with that information. 

"No." Selene sighed. "Wherever he is and whomever he's with, he's keeping a low profile. It's unusual for someone of his nature to disappear like this."

"He isn't dead, is he?" Phoenix got to her feet. "You'd know if he was, wouldn't you?"

"Who are you talking about?" Roman asked, placing a hand against his head. 

"Her brother," Noelle said without thinking. Her eyes went wide as Phoenix looked down on her. "I mean--well..."

Selene placed a hand on Phoenix's arm, drawing her attention. She met her mother's gaze and felt the same gift she hadn't used since she'd been with Maverick so long ago.

He doesn't know about Maverick? Selene's question was clear in Phoenix's mind. Phoenix almost laughed--of course she got this gift from her mother.

No. He thinks Maverick Knight is dead.

Then we'll keep it that way. Forgive me, my child, for what I'm about to tell you.

Phoenix frowned at Selene, who turned back to Noelle and Roman. "Phoenix's brother was taken from me and Elyo when he was only a baby. The foul beast of Fangralee forest--the beornach--stole him. He was hidden from us, and we never saw him again. We don't know if he's alive or if he's dead."

Phoenix's mouth dropped open. Nothing Selene said was a lie. The truth pounded like a drumbeat with each syllable. 

"What?" Noelle asked, looking shocked. "I thought--"

"His name was Ares. We used to picnic in Fangralee, near Treywick, as a spot where our children could be on earth. Could grow and feel the land beneath them. We also wanted them to be close to the Knights." Selene closed her eyes. "I turned my back for only a moment, and he was gone." 

"I don't understand," Phoenix said, keeping her voice low.

"We knew it was because of us that Ares was taken," Selene continued. "The creature and whoever sent it sensed us--knew where we were because of how powerful our signatures are. Our children didn't show those traces." Selene's gaze flickered to Phoenix's necklace chain for the shortest moment. "We knew we couldn't keep Phoenix with us if we wanted her to grow up safely. She couldn't remain with us among the stars, but we couldn't be with her on earth. So we chose to have her hidden in the village of Treywick."

"That's what you're doing out here?" Roman asked, looking up at Phoenix from where he still sat resting against the tree. "Looking for your long lost brother?"

Phoenix didn't answer, not sure she could say "yes" and still have it apply to Maverick, who wasn't long lost anything. Noelle answered for her.

"We're looking for her brother, yes." 

"You two should rest." Selene gestured to Noelle and Roman. "Phoenix, a moment?" Selene pulled her aside, her face drawn. For once, she almost looked like a mother who had long suffered instead of the serene immortal. 

When they were out of earshot, Phoenix let loose her whispered rant. "Are you insane? Why didn't you tell me this before? Why'd I never think to ask? How long were you going to keep this from me? Did you ever plan to tell me? Why now? What--"

Selene held up a hand. "We didn't want to tell you when you were younger because we worried it would cause you fear. If Ares had been taken, perhaps you could be, too. We didn't want that to trouble you--especially with the amount of time you spent in Fangralee."

"Don't you think you should have told me for that reason alone?"

Selene shook her head. "As I said, the creature sensed us, not you or Ares. As long as we weren't in Fangralee, you had nothing to fear."

"How do you know what took him if he was gone so fast?"

"We heard him scream, and as I turned back, I saw him grasped in its clutches. Your father shot it with light, but the creature disappeared into the forest. We chased it down, searched--never stopped searching--but Ares is either dead or hidden from us."

"Where was I when all this happened?"

"In my arms. Your father had turned to coo over you, and Ares had wandered too far."

"Why did you tell the truth?"

"For Maverick's sake."

Phoenix arched a brow. "You'll lie to me for years, but for Maverick's sake you'll tell the truth?"

Selene sighed. "I didn't lie, or you would have noticed. We just never told you the full truth. Maverick may be the rightful ruler of Braskey. If you don't trust this boy," she gestured back in the direction of Roman and Noelle, "then I am willing to do whatever necessary to keep Maverick safe. Ares might not even be alive. Even if he is, Roman is no threat to him."

Still feeling as though she'd been punched in the gut, Phoenix turned away. "Were you ever going to tell me?"

"I planned to tell you as soon as the Army left your village. I didn't want anything to slip while they were present. But then, after what happened to Claire and Norman..." Selene trailed off, and Phoenix understood.

"You didn't want to burden me with any more." 

Selene nodded. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. Elyo would have. It's one of the reasons you haven't seen him much--aside from his rather busy schedule. He knew he couldn't keep the truth from you if you asked."

"What was he like? Ares, I mean." Phoenix glanced up at Selene.

"A handful." A smile graced her mother's lips. "Nothing could stop him. When he threw a tantrum, the skies turned black and thunder pealed. When he laughed, it rumbled around the world. As much as you are like Elyo," Selene reached out and touched Phoenix's red tresses, "he was like me. Blonde curls graced his cherub cheeks, long and free."

"And you've never sensed him? Ever?"

"Not in these long years. I've heard the thunder, but it doesn't sound the same."

"How could he just disappear? I mean, if he's still alive."

"The same way we suppressed you, someone could have suppressed him. We made you for your gifts to develop naturally, over time. If someone wanted to keep him from us--if they suspected what he was born to do--they would only have to bind his abilities. He could grow up an average boy of no noteworthy talent and never know who he truly was."

"What was he born to do?" Phoenix blinked at Selene. "The same as me? Guardian of Braskey?"

"Neither of you are simple Guardians, my daughter." Selene let out a soft laugh. "Though when Ares was taken, that's all we ever wanted for you. It seems no matter how hard we try, your fate is determined to shine through."

"What fate?"

Selene arched a brow. "A Guardian is the child of two Ancients, yes?" Phoenix nodded. "Who are the most powerful Ancients in all of the universe?"

"The...oldest Ancients?" Phoenix guessed.

"Precisely. There are ten originals. Eight stars and the sun and the moon."

Phoenix's mouth popped open. "What? You're that old? How did you not have kids before now?"

Selene laughed, light and bubbly. "We knew what our children would be. Of the eight, two chose our path--Castor and Altair. They never produced offspring."

"And the other six?"

"None of them paired with each other," Selene said with a shrug. "But when Adonai created more stars, five paired with those and created the first Guardians."

"What of the last--oh." Phoenix placed a hand over her mouth, her mind whirring. "Tremaine?"

Selene nodded. "Tremaine chose a human. His pairing created the royal family all those centuries ago."

Phoenix frowned, considering what Selene was telling her. "But that means I'm--we're--the only two Guardians born of the originals." 

"Precisely. Adonai told us of the power such Guardians would have. Guardians of Braskey have long had the same position. They protect the land and the royals against harm."

"Yes..."

"That's not your destiny. Yours is to correct it."

Phoenix stared at her, opened her mouth, closed it again, and shook her head. "I don't even know what that means."

"Guardians protect the king - even a bad king. Guardians protect the land. They don't have the power to go against the royal family, or to change the course of Braskey's history.  You do."

Phoenix turned on her heel and marched back toward where Noelle and Roman were.

"Where are you going?" Selene called.

"I'm not dealing with this right now. I'm mad at you," Phoenix shouted back. "All you've done is lie to me without it being a lie so I couldn't tell! Now you're telling me I'm supposed to do more? That someone else was supposed to do it with me?" Phoenix shook her head. "No. I'm going to go find Maverick. He's the one who needs me right now. I'm his Guardian, and I'm going to protect him."

"That's why you're his Guardian." Selene glided up to Phoenix's side. "Because you can change things. He isn't necessarily the rightful heir. We've always known there could be another. But you have the power to make it so."

"Just go." Phoenix pushed past her. "I don't want to see you right now."

She kept walking, but heard Selene's quiet response. "I'm sorry, Phoenix. I love you."

When she returned to the others, she found them both sound asleep - Roman slumped against the tree and Noelle's head resting on his shoulder. It seemed Selene had been honest about one thing. They would need time for their bodies to heal.  

Phoenix sat down nearby, digging through her satchel. A sliver of guilt wriggled around inside her, but she pushed it away. She was allowed to be angry. Selene and Elyo had kept things - important things - about her life away from her. She couldn't just get past that.

Finding what she had been looking for, Phoenix stopped digging and pulled it out. The little leather pouch held her brother's farewell letter - Maverick's farewell letter.

"I'm going to find you," Phoenix said, pulling the note out and reading it again. "Whether you like it or not."

Whaaaaaaaaat?

Some of you called it - there's another Guardian! Phoenix has TWO brothers! Do you think she's going after the right one? Do you have any thoughts on who the curly-haired Ares might be? He may not have cherub cheeks anymore...still, I love thunder.

Not only that, but Phoenix and Ares (assuming he's alive) have a BIG job - maybe one Phoenix already knew about in part, but now with more implications. 

Speak now and tell me your thoughts in the comments after voting for this chapter. Eek!