Young Guardian Trilogy by Lady Adellandra Dratianos (read aloud .txt) 📕

think so, brother?”
O’Dell raised his staff, secretly telling the Crusaders to hold hands and wish for Orthos’ death.
In the distance, unknown to the Crusaders, the Enchanted Child took her Dreamer friend’s hand, wishing it as well. Somehow, O’Dell knew she was there, and had told her to do the same.
O’Dell raised his arms and called into the air. “As the Lord Guardian of the Mystic Realms, I call upon the combined powers of the Ancient Mystics and the Crusaders. From the East to the West, let the Circle of Ancients tell who is best. On the count of three, let us see. Who will win? On three, only one will reign. One . . . Two . . . Three!”
In a flash of light, Orthos was gone, and the Crusaders had done it. The Dominion Wall fell, connecting the once almighty Dream Realm into one again.
The Dominionite Warriors shook out of their dazes, as the Crusaders had in the Outer Realm. They left, not really knowing what was going on, or where they were going to go.
When it was time, Ariana could tell Mark wanted to talk to her alone.
She told Derrick to wait up while she talked with her soon-to-die in the Outer Realm brother.
When she reached him, he was staring at his body – his soul was now that of a black panther, and he knew it. “What happened to me, Ariana?” Mark asked, bewildered.
Ariana took one of his paws, petting it gently. “You’ve become a Dream Realm Companion.”
“Does that mean I died?”
Ariana nodded sadly. “Soon, if O’Dell wishes, he will take you away for good. Until then, back home in the Outer Realm, your body is in a coma.”
“Why am I a panther?” Mark asked. His eyes were sad, and knew his own desperate destiny.
“The animal you are is the beast within, I’m told.” Ariana told him gently, not knowing where the information came from. “O’Dell must’ve known about you a long time ago to have you remain a Companion. Now, it’s up to you to choose a permanent Companion name for yourself.”
Mark thought for a moment. He stared at his paws again. “Since I am a black cat, why don’t I call myself Panther?”
Ariana smiled, a tear formed in her eye. She didn’t want him to see her cry. “Perfect name, Panther.”
“Ariana?” Mark asked quietly, touching her chin so her tearful eyes met his. There was something on his mind left undone.
“Yeah?”
“Is there any way I can be mortal again, just for a minute?”
Ariana thought about it for a moment, thinking of why he’d want to be human again. “I could try and shift you with Magic.”
Mark took her hand and purred. “Please.”
Wiping a tear from her eye, she pointed to him with her palm. She could feel the magic coming from deep in her heart. “I wish for Panther to become Mortal form whenever he desires.”
The Ancient Mystic Magic rainbow came from her palm and surrounded his body as he watched. In moments, his black fur turned, and his image returned to his human form.
Mark the Mortal pulled her close and kissed her lips tenderly. “I will never stop loving you, Ariana Moon. No matter how much time will pass for us.”
She hugged him tightly, tears flowing this time. “I’ll miss you as Mark, but will learn to love you as Panther.”
“Thank you, Ariana.” Panther whispered, returning to his final Companion form. “That’s all I ask.”
She heard Derrick coming behind her. “I have to return to the Outer Realm. I’ll try to visit as often as I can, okay?”
Panther nodded. “Where will I go from here?”
Ariana hugged him again, kissing his snout. “O’Dell will take good care of you, I promise.”
Panther thought for a moment. “As the tale tells, I’ll soon lose all memory of my Earthbound life.” He pointed out.
“What you wish to remember will come back to you.” Ariana told him before leaving. She blew him a kiss and a message. “Good luck finding Bonnie Marie.”
With that, Ariana Moon Woods disappeared.
Panther noticed Derrick still stood in front of him a few yards away.
“I want to apologize to you, Mark.” Derrick replied, clearing his throat. This was going to be hard, and Derrick knew it.
“Call me Panther.” He told him. “Why would you need to apologize to me? What did you do?”
Derrick had to get it off his chest, even knowing Panther had forgotten. “I’m sorry for the way I treated you. It wasn’t fair for me to keep Ariana from being with you.” He lightened up a bit. “I want you to stay a good friend to your Young Guardian – which I expect you to address her from now on.”
“Aye Derrick.” Panther laughed. “I accept your apology. Wouldn’t want to begin my new-found Companionship on a bad note, now would I?”
Derrick kept his solemn smile. “No, you wouldn’t. We’ll visit soon, okay.”
Derrick walked away, soon disappearing from all sight.
Panther stared for a while before noticing a hand on his shoulder.
When he turned, he noticed it was his Lord Guardian O’Dell, smiling down at him with his human male eyes. The jewel on his chest glowed.
Mark – Panther – knew what to do. He knelt to O’Dell, who told him to rise.
“Come with me, Panther.” O’Dell told him. “Time for you to become a Companion.”
Panther smiled, following his Lord Guardian. 
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Young Guardian Trilogy: #2:
Legacy of the Dawn

Wolf Stargazer’s Find

Wolf Stargazer stared at the little girl playing with some younger Dreamer Children. Something was familiar about her, but he didn’t know what. He stepped from behind the corner, shifted from his full-wolf form to his Companion form and headed to her.
The Dreamer children were afraid, so they disappeared to the Garden.
He didn’t want to frighten her, and when the little girl faced him, she simply smiled, unafraid.
The girl’s reddish-brown hair was in pigtails and her eyes sparkled with interest and delight.
Her eyes are the same color of Young Guardian Ariana’s! Wolf realized as he drew closer. “Sulheya, Young One.” He managed to greet her in a low growl.
“Hello, my Companion friend.” The girl smiled.
He was intrigued. “How do you know of the Companion name?”
The little girl giggled. “I am one of you.”
“Are you not afraid of me, Young One?” Wolf asked. Usually, Earthbounds that visited the Dream Realm in their sleep had fears of him.
“No.” The girl replied softly. “You have a friendly purpose. I can see it in your eyes.” She pointed to the necklace the Ancient Mystic Sisters had given him some time ago during the Crusade. “You wear a Sisterhood Amulet. Why would I be afraid of that?”
Wolf smiled. “Do you know what it means?”
She took it, her eyes searched. “This is from the Crusade. It’s pretty.”
An Earthbound that knows of the Crusade is rare. “How?” He asked her.
“I told you, I’m one of you.” The little girl replied with a giggle. “My name is Kelina Erin, and I’m an Ancient Mystic.”
“I apologize if I had scared your friends away.” Wolf replied. Boy would Kat love to meet her! He thought. “Have you met a Balinese named Katherine Hawk?”
Kelina Erin shook her head. “I know of her, but haven’t met her, yet.” Her face perked up. “May I?”
Wolf would be proud to introduce her to his lovely Katherine. “Come with me.”
Kelina reached for his hand and held it. He looked down at her and she smiled. He couldn’t help smiling back. Wolf Stargazer knew exactly who this little girl was.

Later, little Kelina Erin had to return to the Outer Realm, and Wolf headed to the Sister’s Palace. He rang the hanging bell, and the chime of Romeo and Juliet rung in his ears.
Guardian O’Dell answered. “Wolf Stargazer. May I help you?”
Wolf knelt to him. “Excuse me, Lord Guardian, but it is crucial I speak to either the Sisters or yourself.”
O’Dell could tell his Companion follower was wound up. “Whatever is exciting you?”
Usually, Wolf had respect for O’Dell, not looking his Lord Guardian in the eye, but this was important. “I found Young Guardian’s daughter!”
From the den came Ariana Sister-Woods herself; with her was her Earthly Protector and love Derrick Reading.
“Wolf, are you serious?” She asked, her eyes wide. Derrick had a smile on his lips.
Wolf raced to their sides. “Oh, aye Young Guardian! I believe I found your long-lost daughter!”
“Where is she?” Derrick wanted to know.
“She was in the Garden, playing with some Dreamer Children, but I scared them off.” Wolf said rapidly.
Ariana gawked. “You scared her away?”
Wolf shook his head. “No, no.” He said, calming down. “The Children left, but I spoke with her earlier.”
“What happened?” Derrick asked his friend. “Where is she now? Can you take us to see her?”
Wolf shrugged. “I am sorry, but she is no longer in the Dream Realm. She has returned to the Outer Realm.”
The trio shared determined looks.
O’Dell shared a secret smile with the Ancient Mystic Sisters Enchantra and Challandra as he watched with them from the sidelines. Now was the time to reunite Young Guardian with the Enchanted Child.

Deep in the Unknown

Orthos had been Master of the Dream Realm’s Dominion for generations; until a group of teenagers from the Outer Realm decided to use what Magic they’d had to defeat him. Now, he was stuck in a far-off Realm called the Unknown.
He cursed the day his twin brother O’Dell and younger brothers Lord Byron and Maximaniac ever talked him into actually helping four Ancient Mystic Sisters create the Dream Realm.
Sure, he’d loved it – at first; until his lifelong partner in crime, Maximaniac, decided to Banish himself to the Outer Realm, simply because Orthos claimed his love, Jezebel.
Now, Orthos sat alone, in his rebuilt Dark Tower, sulking.
“What bothers you this time, Master?” Jezebel’s voice rung out in his ears and he looked up at her.
He took her hand, gesturing her to sit in the throne beside him. “I want revenge.”
Jezebel’s eyes widened. “Who is it this time? Young Guardian?”
“Nay.”
“Your brothers? What about my goody-goody sisters?”
“Nay, not your sisters. In fact, I have something planned for all Ancient Mystics.” Orthos replied.
“Lest you forget, I am one of them as well.”
“You were, my pet. You are now one of us.” He pointed out.
Jezebel sighed. Her husband was right and wrong. She was one of the last original Ancient Mystics when they were in the Outer Realm, before coming to the Dream Realm. She was also the one Ancient Mystic that loved the Dark Side of their Magic. Instead of conquering the Dark Magic, she decided to embrace it, learning what she could do.
“I suppose you are correct, Orthos.” Jezebel said, giving up the fight before it began. “What kind of plan are you thinking of? You know as well as I do the power of the Ancient Mystics is a strong force. They will be hard to defeat.”
“I do not wish to defeat them, my love.” Orthos crooned. “I merely wish to shake up their pitiful lives, and show them my gratitude.”
Jezebel was amazed. “Gratitude? For what?”
Orthos took her other hand in his and pulled her close in a kiss. “I shall leave you guessing. Would not want you to run to them with the warning, now, would I?”
Jezebel thought no such thing, but he wasn’t convinced until her eyes glowed red and she started to tease his lips seductively. “Why would I wish to do that? During