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CONTENTS
Prologue
Chapter 1: An Unwelcome Visitor
Chapter 2: Magical Protection
Chapter 3: Friend
Chapter 4: Unhappy
Chapter 5: Apologies
Chapter 6: Aftermath
Chapter 7: Story
Chapter 8: Temper
Chapter 9: Fire
Chapter 10: Lesson
Chapter 11: Explore
Chapter 12: Intruder
Chapter 13: Truth
Chapter 14: Enlighten
Chapter 15: Overwhelmed
Chapter 16: Durga
Chapter 17: Drained
Chapter 18: Mercy
Chapter 19: Trapped
Chapter 20: Disappointment
Chapter 21: Madness
Chapter 22: Elegant
Chapter 23: Dinner
Chapter 24: Weak
Chapter 25: Heavenly
Chapter 26: Favors
Chapter 27: Unexpected
Chapter 28: Hope
Chapter 29: Faded
Chapter 30: Answers
Chapter 31: Control
PROLOGUE
In a world—a world far unlike our own—there is a legend. A legend heard through the whispers of the wind and the murmurs of the rivers. A legend that is hushed by many lips out of fear and repeated by many more out of awe. A legend powerful enough to dominate the world.
The legend of the guardians.
It begins with a world run by a great power: magic. A magic that is complex, twisted again and again by emotions and intentions; however, this magnificent power does not start out this way. It is created pure, created in a place more revered than the heavens.
There is a forest in this world. Not just a common forest, but one that stretches for miles, dominating almost half of the world. This is the birthplace for the magic. The magic it produces is powerful and not stained yet with sins; light, unclouded by the abuses that are all too common.
Back at the dawn of time a young man encountered the forest. Magic was being created at rapid, unpredictable rates—there was no one to tame it. Well, a man by the name of Aaron Pervel took control, collecting massive amounts of magic for himself, soon becoming the most powerful person in the world. He was right for the title, too. One couldn’t find a more reasonable or kind-spirited man anywhere else.
Now, as with any great power there is greed equal to it. Outsiders wanted the forest for themselves, without any good intentions for the use of its power. They stole some of the forest’s magic and used it disgracefully, darkly, the only thing fueling their passions was a lust for true domination.
Aaron did not like that at all. He used his power to protect the forest from those who had the desire to misuse it. He guarded the forest with his life.
His descendants were blessed with the same power and skill as their ancestor was. They, too, protected the forest. They soon became known as the guardians.
During a period of peace from the dark intruders that came from the surrounding kingdoms, a whole-hearted guardian named Earthaphoria was protecting the forest. She was well known for her love and compassion.
A certain outsider decided to reveal himself and attack the forest, with a single purpose: its destruction. By this time, most wanted the forest gone. Some feared its power; others feared it for the guardians. The man who was attacking was powerful, having used magic in the darkest of ways. His most dangerous factor was his despise for the forest, accompanied with a talent and skill that made him practically unstoppable. His name was Gandador.
Earthaphoria had a daughter named Kiethara. When the young guardian was three, Gandador attacked Earthaphoria.
A huge battle erupted. Magic was used in ways the forest had never seen. Both warriors fought until they were tired and hurt way past their limits, yet Gandador still had one wise move up his sleeve.
He disappeared. Earthaphoria, thinking he had given up, turned her back to check on her young child. At that moment Gandador reappeared and attacked her.
Earthaphoria had finally met her match.
Now, the guardian’s life was so entwined with the forest that you had to destroy the guardian first in order to eliminate the forest completely. Gandador still had one last person to kill: tiny, defenseless Kiethara.
At the same moment of Earthaphoria’s death, however, the Spirit of Aaron Pervel awakened. Gandador knew he was no match for the sheer power of Aaron, so he fled in fear.
Aaron did not disappear. Instead, he stayed so he could train Kiethara. With no parent to teach her how to use her power, Aaron was forced to do so. And so he did.
Kiethara’s story did not spread far, but to those it did reach they were plagued with doubt. Most thought she would fail. There was only a girl to protect the massive forest; what hope could possibly remain? Aaron was only a spirit. Everyone figured all was lost for the legendary forest.