Free Guardians of Rhea by Jose Rodriguez Page A

did
the Persians and Anubians come together?”
    “It was during the Ancient War,” Nedim began.
“Long before the Pelasgians ever stepped foot on Rhea. In that
time, the other races were more powerful than either of us. My
people and the Persians realized the only way to survive was to
join forces. That's how Hegira was formed.”
    “Leon said Rhea united when the Pelasgians
invaded.”
    “That was only temporary,” Nedim said. “It'll
probably be the same thing this time too.”
    Several yards ahead, Leon and Janah led the
way.
    “We both know the dangers involved,” Leon
said.
    “That's why I volunteered,” Janah said. “You
always get the exciting stuff.”
    “Janah, you've never even seen a Pelasgian,
and I'll tell you right now, there's nothing exciting about
them.”
    Janah's grinned. “To be honest, as nervous as
I am, I've always wanted to kill one.”
    Leon laughed. “You're a great fighter, Janah.
I'll give you that, but don't underestimate the Pelasgians.”
    “Sara just needs to see the Shadow Realm,
right? Avoiding any Pelasgian should be no problem. One step in,
one step out.”
    “Well, my friend let me tell you from
experience –it's never that easy. Plans never go according to
plan.”
    “Then I have to ask. What kind of trouble do
you think we can expect?”
    “I could ask you the same,” Leon said. “Go
ahead and try to think the worse and I bet you it'll be a lot
worse.
    Kamala and Gillan were only a few feet behind
Sara and Nedim.
    “So, Sara, you're a Guardian?” Gillan asked.
“I've heard stories of your fighting prowess.”
    Sara cocked an eyebrow. “I see my reputation
precedes me.”
    “I'm sure!” Gillan laughed.
    “We've all heard of how cunning the Guardians
can be,” Kamala said. “There are stories of how a small group of
you once disguised yourselves and spied on us for several days.
That’s why no one is allowed to wear their mask in the city
anymore.”
    Sara was stunned. “Really? I never heard of
any assignment like that. Did you catch them?”
    “No, they escaped, or that’s what they say. I
don't know how we would survive without our ability to control the
elements.”
    “Can I see that?” Sara asked.
    Slowing her pace, Kamala looked to the
ground. With a wave of her hand, a melon-sized rock quickly floated
over and hovered in mid-air just in front of her. “My caste, the
Komodo, can control the earth.”
    “I've heard.” Sara said. “The Typhon can
control fire. The Draco, air. And the Leviathan-”
    “Water,” Gillan said, forming a perfect,
floating sphere of water in the palm of his hand.
    Sara looked in awe. “Wait a minute. Where did
that water come from? I thought you had to be within a certain
distance.”
    “Believe it or not, it's in the air all
around you,” Gillan said. “In small amounts, of course.”
    “Well, good to know dehydration won't be a
problem,” Sara said, opening her canteen and holding it out for
Gillan to place the water in.
    Kamala cast the rock aside. “Of course, we
have limits. Much like the Vesuvians, our level of control depends
on the amount of practice.”
    “At least you don't need to drink blood,”
Sara said.
    Kamala and Gillan cringed at the thought.
    The group passed the boundary of the city.
Several yards away was an outcrop of boulders surrounding the
entrance to an underground tunnel.
    “Oy!” A Vesuvian cried out, running towards
the group with Caycee right behind him.
    “Darek?!” Leon said. “What are you
doing?”
    “We're coming with, lad,” Darek answered.
    Caycee was a little bit more dressed up,
armed with a bow and arrows, and a rapier.
    “I never would have figured you for an
archer.” Sara said passively.
    Caycee held her arms out and bowed. “In case
you haven't heard, the Siena are the greatest archers in the
world.”
    Leon scratched his head. “By the time we get
to the Shadow Realm, we're going to have an army.”
    Darek grabbed Leon by the shoulder. “Why do
you