Chapter 9: Always Have Hope

Dido flew at Scylla, desperate fury overwhelming the Guardian of Compassion. Everything that Dido had cared for was gone. She had nothing left to lose. She would fulfill her vow and protect the king and queen with her life.

Metal clashed against metal as the Teardrop Glaive and the Sword of Sorrows collided again and again. Dido was tiring quickly as Scylla continued to strike with untiringly malice. Taking a chance, she knocked Scylla down with a sweep of the glaive and stepped back.

Scylla rose to her knees, eyeing the other Guardians warily. “You have lost. Amalthea will have Cignus.” She rose to her full height, the Sword of Sorrows pointed at the monarchs.

“Amalthea has destroyed Cignus,” Cassandra said. “It is not too late to follow your vows of duty.”

“I am following my vows,” Scylla said. “I will protect my Empress.”

“Empress?” Iphigenia asked, poised to throw her boomerang at a moment’s notice.

“Yes, Her Imperial Majesty, Hecate,” Scylla replied. “The new ruler of Cignus.”

A vicious wind roared, forcing everyone to shield their eyes from the flying dirt and debris. As suddenly as it appeared, the gust died. Scylla placed herself between the new woman and the monarchs.

She was tall, her pure white hair skimming the waist of her black gown. While the gown was ankle-length with long sleeves, it was revealing, the numerous slits and splits displaying patches of ivory skin. Her ice blue eyes sparkled with unadulterated malice.

“Amalthea,” Dido gasped, amazed by the transformation. The curly blonde hair of the princess was now snow white and perfectly straight. The blue eyes that once shown with joy were icy cold.

The woman laughed. “The Amalthea you knew exists no more,” she said. “I have returned for what is rightfully mine. As Hecate, I will rule Cignus. Surrender to me and your lives will be spared.”

“I have vowed to protect the throne and future of Cignus,” Cassandra said, her eyes never wavering from Hecate. “If I have to die, so be it.”

Hecate turned to Iphigenia. “I will never serve the Child of Darkness,” the Guardian of History stated.

With a smug smile, Hecate turned to Dido. “I am a Guardian of Cignus, and I will fulfill my vow to the House of Light.”

“As you wish,” Hecate said, snapping her fingers. Several figured emerged from the shadows, advancing toward the Guardians and the monarchs.

“Do not worry, Dido,” Scylla said, circling her sister. “Adonis will not outlive you long.”

“The foretold warrior will be born,” Dido countered. The Teardrop Glaive glittered in the gloom. “Then Hecate, you, and the rest of her minions will be powerless and peace will return.”

“Wishful thinking,” a male voice replied, drawing Dido’s attention to him.

The foul breeze was ruffling his jet black hair as his gray eyes studied Dido. A black whip dangled from his hand. ‘He seems so familiar,’ Dido thought.

“Find your own victim, Nadomus,” Scylla growled. “Dido is mine.”

‘Nadomus? Werla’s son?’ Dido’s thought was cut off as Scylla sprang at her, the Sword of Sorrows held high above her head. Moving to her right, Dido deflected most of the blow with her glaive. However, the sword managed to bite into her shoulder.

“You’re getting slow, Dido,” Scylla remarked, her eyes lingering on Dido’s bleeding shoulder. “Have you lost your will to fight?”

Dido tightened her grip on the Teardrop Glaive. She ignored the searing pain in her shoulder, focusing totally on this battle with Scylla. Resolved to her purpose, she was prepared for Scylla’s next attack.

Again, her glaive blocked Scylla’s sword. Keeping the glaive up with one hand, she delivered a series of quick punches to Scylla’s stomach. Retreating, Scylla glared at her sister.

“That hurt,” Scylla growled between puffs of air.

“I’m not giving up easily, Scylla,” Dido replied icily. “I have nothing left to lose.”

“Only your life,” Scylla sneered, standing at her full height.

“My life was Cignus, and it’s gone,” Dido stated.

“Don’t you mean Adonis?” With that remark, Scylla sprang at Dido once more. At the last minute, Dido stepped away. However, the glaive remained, slicing through Scylla’s side.

Screaming in pain, Scylla whirled and plunged the Sword of Sorrows into Dido’s back. Scylla smiled in triumph as Dido collapsed to her knees. “I have won,” she said, falling to the ground.

Dido watched her sister emotionlessly. “For now,” she murmured. As everything began to dim, Dido surveyed the surroundings. Nadomus was slowly strangling Iphigenia with his whip, the young Guardian’s eyes pleading for Dido to help.

Summoning what strength she had, Dido rose to her feet, willing herself to help Iphigenia. She used the glaive as a support, hoping that Iphigenia could hold on. With his back to her, Nadomus was unaware of the blow until to late.

With wide eyes, he turned and faced Dido, releasing Iphigenia. The Guardian of History fell to the ground, her weak hands struggling to undo the whip. Kicking Nadomus away viciously, Dido knelt to help her.

“We have to help Cassandra,” Iphigenia rasped.

“We will,” Dido said soothingly, helping her to her feet. Together the two limped to where Cassandra was fighting a group of misshapened, black figures. Dido hoped that they could continue to hold out.

* * * * *

“Amalthea, you don’t have to do this,” the queen cried, her tear-filled eyes pleading.

“I am Hecate!” she bellowed, black energy crackling around her. “Amalthea is gone! I, Hecate, will rule Cignus!”

“There is nothing left for you to rule but ruins!” the king cried.

“But they will be mine to rule and not Adonis’s!” she countered. “Cignus will be mine!”

The king and queen joined hands, summoning their power. Hecate sent a wave of black energy at the pair, threatening to overpower the monarchs.

“For Cignus,” Cassandra yelled, her staff coming down at Hecate. Hecate jumped out of the way, stopping her attack on the king and queen. She glared at Cassandra.

“You dare to defy me!” A ball of black energy hit Cassandra hard, sending the Guardian of Hope flying. With a terrifying thud, she landed against a pile of rubble. With a satisfied smile, Hecate turned her attention back to the king and queen.

“I draw upon the powers of the Shadow Moon!” she cried, stretching her hands above her head. “Darkest night, help me defeat those who oppose me!”

A black mist began to swirl around Hecate’s hands, intensifying with each passing moment.

“It is time, my love,” the king said, turning to his wife.

“The hour that we have dreaded has come,” she murmured. “But we must protect the future.”

The blinding light surrounded the king and queen once more, rivaling Hecate’s darkness.

Dido and Iphigenia knelt on each side of Cassandra. “Cassandra, are you okay?” Dido demanded, shaking the leader’s shoulder viciously.

Cassandra’s eyes fluttered before finally opening. “Barely, Dido. Just barely,” she murmured, struggling to sit up. “I don’t think I can fight anymore.”

“In truth, neither can I,” Dido admitted, weakly gesturing to the growing stain of her tunic.

“Then it is up to the king and queen,” Cassandra murmured. Iphigenia, her shoulder now bleeding freely, simply nodded.

Just then, they were hit by debris and a roar as something exploded. As the dust settled, the three Guardians found Hecate slumped against a broken tree. Her eyes opened, flashing with malice.

“You will not win!”

The king and queen answered with another strike, weakening Hecate further. Roaring in fury, Hecate directed a final strike at the king. The blow caught the monarchs off guard.

With a final smug smile, Hecate collapsed. The queen knelt beside the king, holding him against her tightly. “No, no,” she chanted.

“Rhea,” the king whispered, “protect the future. We must protect the future, Adonis’s future.”

“Of course, Chronus, my love,” she replied, smiling into his face. “Of course, we will protect the future.”

The king’s eyes began to close. “Stay with me,” the queen demanded, shaking him. “I need you. I can’t do this alone.”

“You are never alone, dearest Rhea. I will always be with you. But always,” his voice stilled for a moment.

“Always have hope,” he whispered softly. Then his eyes closed forever.

The queen slowly lowered his body to the ground, running her hand over his cheek one last time. “Wait for me,” she murmured. “I won’t be long.”

The queen surveyed the destruction around her. Everything that she had known, everything that she had worked for, everything that she had loved was now gone, taken away by a fit of rage and jealousy.

“To protect the future,” the queen recited in the royal language, “to offer hope, I call upon the powers of Cignus, of the House of Light and Love. I call upon mercy, compassion, memory, hope, love, harmony, joy, truth, wisdom, and justice. With all these and with all my power, I banish this evil from Cignus. I bind this evil until the coming of the foretold warrior. Hecate, you and your minions be gone!”

A beam of yellow light erupted from the queen sweeping the entire planet. When Dido was finally able to open her eyes, she saw that Hecate and the others were indeed gone. She turned and watched in wonder as the queen approached.

“Your Majesty,” Dido whispered, bowing her head. Her numb body refused to move any greater.

“My powers are fading quickly,” she stated, a sweet sadness in her gray eyes. “The prophecy must be fulfilled. Please protect Adonis and his descendants. The Child of Darkness must be defeated.”

Dido felt herself rise, encased in warmth. As she surrendered to her weariness, she thought she heard the queen speak one last time.

“No matter how dark things become, always believe, Guardians. Always have hope.”


Always Have Hope Dido flew at Scylla, desperate fury overwhelming the Guardian of Compassion. Everything that Dido had cared for was gone. She had nothing left to lose. She would fulfill her vow and protect the king and queen with her life. Metal clashed against metal as the Teardrop Glaive and the Sword of Sorrows collided again and again. Dido was tiring quickly as Scylla continued to strike with untiringly malice. Taking a chance, she knocked Scylla down with a sweep of the glaive and stepped back. Scylla rose to her knees, eyeing the other Guardians warily. “You have lost. Amalthea will have Cignus.” She rose to her full height, the Sword of Sorrows pointed at the monarchs. “Amalthea has destroyed Cignus,” Cassandra said. “It is not too late to follow your vows of duty.” “I am following my vows,” Scylla said. “I will protect my Empress.” “Empress?” Iphigenia asked, poised to throw her boomerang at a moment’s notice. “Yes, Her Imperial Majesty, Hecate,” Scylla replied. “The new ruler of Cignus.” A vicious wind roared, forcing everyone to shield their eyes from the flying dirt and debris. As suddenly as it appeared, the gust died. Scylla placed herself between the new woman and the monarchs. She was tall, her pure white hair skimming the waist of her black gown. While the gown was ankle-length with long sleeves, it was revealing, the numerous slits and splits displaying patches of ivory skin. Her ice blue eyes sparkled with unadulterated malice. “Amalthea,” Dido gasped, amazed by the transformation. The curly blonde hair of the princess was now snow white and perfectly straight. The blue eyes that once shown with joy were icy cold. The woman laughed. “The Amalthea you knew exists no more,” she said. “I have returned for what is rightfully mine. As Hecate, I will rule Cignus. Surrender to me and your lives will be spared.” “I have vowed to protect the throne and future of Cignus,” Cassandra said, her eyes never wavering from Hecate. “If I have to die, so be it.” Hecate turned to Iphigenia. “I will never serve the Child of Darkness,” the Guardian of History stated. With a smug smile, Hecate turned to Dido. “I am a Guardian of Cignus, and I will fulfill my vow to the House of Light.” “As you wish,” Hecate said, snapping her fingers. Several figured emerged from the shadows, advancing toward the Guardians and the monarchs. “Do not worry, Dido,” Scylla said, circling her sister. “Adonis will not outlive you long.” “The foretold warrior will be born,” Dido countered. The Teardrop Glaive glittered in the gloom. “Then Hecate, you, and the rest of her minions will be powerless and peace will return.” “Wishful thinking,” a male voice replied, drawing Dido’s attention to him. The foul breeze was ruffling his jet black hair as his gray eyes studied Dido. A black whip dangled from his hand. ‘He seems so familiar,’ Dido thought. “Find your own victim, Nadomus,” Scylla growled. “Dido is mine.” ‘Nadomus? Werla’s son?’ Dido’s thought was cut off as Scylla sprang at her, the Sword of Sorrows held high above her head. Moving to her right, Dido deflected most of the blow with her glaive. However, the sword managed to bite into her shoulder. “You’re getting slow, Dido,” Scylla remarked, her eyes lingering on Dido’s bleeding shoulder. “Have you lost your will to fight?” Dido tightened her grip on the Teardrop Glaive. She ignored the searing pain in her shoulder, focusing totally on this battle with Scylla. Resolved to her purpose, she was prepared for Scylla’s next attack. Again, her glaive blocked Scylla’s sword. Keeping the glaive up with one hand, she delivered a series of quick punches to Scylla’s stomach. Retreating, Scylla glared at her sister. “That hurt,” Scylla growled between puffs of air. “I’m not giving up easily, Scylla,” Dido replied icily. “I have nothing left to lose.” “Only your life,” Scylla sneered, standing at her full height. “My life was Cignus, and it’s gone,” Dido stated. “Don’t you mean Adonis?” With that remark, Scylla sprang at Dido once more. At the last minute, Dido stepped away. However, the glaive remained, slicing through Scylla’s side. Screaming in pain, Scylla whirled and plunged the Sword of Sorrows into Dido’s back. Scylla smiled in triumph as Dido collapsed to her knees. “I have won,” she said, falling to the ground. Dido watched her sister emotionlessly. “For now,” she murmured. As everything began to dim, Dido surveyed the surroundings. Nadomus was slowly strangling Iphigenia with his whip, the young Guardian’s eyes pleading for Dido to help. Summoning what strength she had, Dido rose to her feet, willing herself to help Iphigenia. She used the glaive as a support, hoping that Iphigenia could hold on. With his back to her, Nadomus was unaware of the blow until to late. With wide eyes, he turned and faced Dido, releasing Iphigenia. The Guardian of History fell to the ground, her weak hands struggling to undo the whip. Kicking Nadomus away viciously, Dido knelt to help her. “We have to help Cassandra,” Iphigenia rasped. “We will,” Dido said soothingly, helping her to her feet. Together the two limped to where Cassandra was fighting a group of misshapened, black figures. Dido hoped that they could continue to hold out. * * * * * “Amalthea, you don’t have to do this,” the queen cried, her tear-filled eyes pleading. “I am Hecate!” she bellowed, black energy crackling around her. “Amalthea is gone! I, Hecate, will rule Cignus!” “There is nothing left for you to rule but ruins!” the king cried. “But they will be mine to rule and not Adonis’s!” she countered. “Cignus will be mine!” The king and queen joined hands, summoning their power. Hecate sent a wave of black energy at the pair, threatening to overpower the monarchs. “For Cignus,” Cassandra yelled, her staff coming down at Hecate. Hecate jumped out of the way, stopping her attack on the king and queen. She glared at Cassandra. “You dare to defy me!” A ball of black energy hit Cassandra hard, sending the Guardian of Hope flying. With a terrifying thud, she landed against a pile of rubble. With a satisfied smile, Hecate turned her attention back to the king and queen. “I draw upon the powers of the Shadow Moon!” she cried, stretching her hands above her head. “Darkest night, help me defeat those who oppose me!” A black mist began to swirl around Hecate’s hands, intensifying with each passing moment. “It is time, my love,” the king said, turning to his wife. “The hour that we have dreaded has come,” she murmured. “But we must protect the future.” The blinding light surrounded the king and queen once more, rivaling Hecate’s darkness. Dido and Iphigenia knelt on each side of Cassandra. “Cassandra, are you okay?” Dido demanded, shaking the leader’s shoulder viciously. Cassandra’s eyes fluttered before finally opening. “Barely, Dido. Just barely,” she murmured, struggling to sit up. “I don’t think I can fight anymore.” “In truth, neither can I,” Dido admitted, weakly gesturing to the growing stain of her tunic. “Then it is up to the king and queen,” Cassandra murmured. Iphigenia, her shoulder now bleeding freely, simply nodded. Just then, they were hit by debris and a roar as something exploded. As the dust settled, the three Guardians found Hecate slumped against a broken tree. Her eyes opened, flashing with malice. “You will not win!” The king and queen answered with another strike, weakening Hecate further. Roaring in fury, Hecate directed a final strike at the king. The blow caught the monarchs off guard. With a final smug smile, Hecate collapsed. The queen knelt beside the king, holding him against her tightly. “No, no,” she chanted. “Rhea,” the king whispered, “protect the future. We must protect the future, Adonis’s future.” “Of course, Chronus, my love,” she replied, smiling into his face. “Of course, we will protect the future.” The king’s eyes began to close. “Stay with me,” the queen demanded, shaking him. “I need you. I can’t do this alone.” “You are never alone, dearest Rhea. I will always be with you. But always,” his voice stilled for a moment. “Always have hope,” he whispered softly. Then his eyes closed forever. The queen slowly lowered his body to the ground, running her hand over his cheek one last time. “Wait for me,” she murmured. “I won’t be long.” The queen surveyed the destruction around her. Everything that she had known, everything that she had worked for, everything that she had loved was now gone, taken away by a fit of rage and jealousy. “To protect the future,” the queen recited in the royal language, “to offer hope, I call upon the powers of Cignus, of the House of Light and Love. I call upon mercy, compassion, memory, hope, love, harmony, joy, truth, wisdom, and justice. With all these and with all my power, I banish this evil from Cignus. I bind this evil until the coming of the foretold warrior. Hecate, you and your minions be gone!” A beam of yellow light erupted from the queen sweeping the entire planet. When Dido was finally able to open her eyes, she saw that Hecate and the others were indeed gone. She turned and watched in wonder as the queen approached. “Your Majesty,” Dido whispered, bowing her head. Her numb body refused to move any greater. “My powers are fading quickly,” she stated, a sweet sadness in her gray eyes. “The prophecy must be fulfilled. Please protect Adonis and his descendants. The Child of Darkness must be defeated.” Dido felt herself rise, encased in warmth. As she surrendered to her weariness, she thought she heard the queen speak one last time. “No matter how dark things become, always believe, Guardians. Always have hope.”


Chapter 10: Beginnings Jupiter's Gone