Seth awoke abruptly from his dream. That same dream he’d had the night before. The dream that was all about destruction and chaos. The sheets were wet with his sweat and he threw them off himself, throwing his legs over the side of his bed while wishing away the remainder of the dream from his mind. Seth glanced back over the bed and noticed that Chase was, again, gone despite whatever ungodly hour it was. Where was a clock when you needed one?

Deciding against trying to sleep more, lest the dream return again, Seth pulled himself from the bed and put on the clothes he found set out nearby. Chase was quite the caretaker towards his house guests, and Seth found that he didn’t mind at all. The clothes slipped on more comfortably than previously and he realized that they’d been fitted for him. Who’d had time to not only figure out what size he was, but also to fix up some clothing for him? It was very odd and almost a little uncomfortable, feeling as though someone must always be watching him.

a voice said in his head, the golden eyes attached to that voice visible from across the room.

“Yes, well, you better at least be on my side since we’re supposed to be connected.” Despite his wariness, he felt that Midnight would always put Seth first, and would do nothing to harm or go against him. Unless he felt it was for Seth’s own good. Like throwing him to Lorten the previous day, which had been entirely unexpected and cruel. But how much did I learn? Seth thought to himself as he finished getting dressed. In truth he’d learned quite a lot. For starters, these people weren’t lying. There really were people who had the ability to make the world do things for them. And people who guarded them. And animals that were a part of them. And how he could see now, so differently from before.

Life. Life was a part of everything. Sure, people had said things like that before, but you generally thought they were either tree-huggers or maybe just not completely there with their mental facilities. And yet there was literally life in everything. He had yet to see anything completely dead since his new abilities had been shown to him. Since his tree had literally shown him the birth of the Planet itself. An event he had numerous questions about. And also questions about that tree itself. How it had magically appeared and grown. And given him a vision.

The vines parted for him as he stepped from the bedroom to the larger area outside that seemed to serve as everything from living room, to dining room, to kitchen. It was the epitome of saving space. Yet it didn’t look as bad as Seth would’ve imagined. It was all blended together well yet kept separate enough to not have a person cooking in someone else’s lap. It was…unique. That was the best way Seth could come up with to describe it.

Vines parted once again as Seth stepped through the thicker grouping that blocked away outdoors from indoors, Midnight following on his heels. The air outside was cool but overall pleasant thanks to the summer season. The strange looking bugs littered pathways and houses, each again looking as if it knew its exact place in the grand scheme of keeping the Haven lit at night.

Seth took the time now to stop and examine one of the bugs closer, though not too close since he wasn’t sure how – defensive – they might be. Black carapace covered its heads and outlined its body, including six long legs, and it was at least two feet long. Antennae stuck out of its head, not as long as he’d expect for, say, a two-foot roach, but not incredibly short either. In fact, now that he thought about it, it appeared to be a mix of roach and firefly. Odd.

The clear part was in its backs and took up most of the body, and whatever made it glow was inside that area. Despite his earlier reservations about getting too close to the bug, Seth was intrigued by what lay inside the glowing area and so leaned in slowly to try and get a closer look. And then it moved. Not a lot, just a little turn on the wall. It was enough to cause Seth to straighten and take a step away, much to the humor of Midnight. Midnight and another person who Seth hadn’t even realized was nearby. When Seth turned to see just who saw the rather childish reaction on his part, he was surprised to see a person he recognized, though not exactly in this setting.

“Lyle?” Seth was surprised. Very surprised. Lyle was the youngest of his extended friends that had come from the dojo. Back home. Back in a different time and place now. The young man was easily in his late-teens. Adulthood, but just barely. He was five-nine, strongly built like a construction worker, with green eyes and brown hair. He was most definitely a looker amongst the small group that lived back home. He was also one of the nicest people that Seth had ever met. Seth used to blame that on his young years and not really knowing how the world could be, but that was just the pessimist in him.

“That’s right,” Lyle was grinning like the happiest person ever, and perhaps it was no surprise since he’d more than likely seen Seth’s blunder with the light bug. “You seem surprised to see me!”

“I am,” Seth admitted at first, but then he hesitated as he thought back to what he’d heard about his life. How the Earthen had orchestrated everything from the orphanage to his foster parents to his house and even his job. How many people would have to be in the know around him to make sure that everything worked okay and he was protected? “I am, but I guess I shouldn’t be. The others too?” He asked, wondering just how many from the dojo were now here at the Haven.

“Not all, but a few. Sensei, Katy, Jesse.” Lyle dropped the names and Seth found himself being rather unsurprised this time. Of the ten or so people from the dojo, those were the ones he’d pin for being Guardians. With himself and Derrick that left only a few people actually from the town who had no idea what was going on. Or were they like the other human helpers that had been mentioned by his mother. “I’m sure you’ll run into them at some point if you keep wandering around on your own out here.” Lyle’s voice broke Seth out of his thoughts as his gaze returned to the younger man. “Which is something I’m preeeetty sure the Council wouldn’t want you to be doing.” Lyle continued, walking up to Seth to give him a friendly pat on the shoulder. “It’s all good though, I won’t say anything.”

Seth was so relieved to see that familiar face and hear his voice that he almost broke down and hugged Lyle. But he managed to keep himself in check as he instead asked questions of someone who might be willing to answer. “So…you’re all…Guardians, right?” Not the best start, but it had to be somewhere.

Before responding Lyle waved for Seth to walk with him, Midnight falling into place behind the pair as they followed barely visible paths between houses. “Yep, that’s us. UnLinked Guardians, or Uni’s as we tend to be called. We’re often assigned to help guard half-breeds like yourself.” He didn’t seem to mean to, but there was a hint of disgust at the word half-breed. It was something that made Seth realized that he was going to be looked down on for being what they called a ‘half-breed’. Lyle seemed to realize how he’d said the words and it caused him to turn just a tinge red, something he hadn’t really seen from the youth outside of exercising in the dojo.

“It’s alright. It’s good to know where I am supposed to be in the pecking order here. At least now I know why people will be looking down on me.” But then again, he hadn’t really experienced that yet had he. Maybe it wasn’t as bad as Lyle made it sound.

“No, I still need to say I’m sorry.” Lyle appeared abashed, though Seth didn’t feel he should be. Before he could say anything else Lyle continued. “You’re not really a half-breed anyways. You’re different, since you still have your Earth Mending abilities. There’s really not a name for whatever you are.”

“Well, if my abilities are the same, wouldn’t that just make me an Earth Mender?”

“Yes…but no, because you’re half human.”

“Am I?” Seth said with sudden realization. “Maybe my father was another Earth Mender and my mother wasn’t aware.” Even Lyle’s face shown a hint of surprise as those words settled in. Could that be possible? Could his mother have unknowingly slept with another Earth Mender?

There was so much more there to think about, but Seth’s attention was suddenly diverted by a spoken voice overhead. “You are to report to the training grounds with the Guardian Lyle. He is to assess your physical combat ability.” That, of course, drew his attention skyward where he saw a large macaw sitting on a low branch, staring directly at him. There was no mistaking the voice had come from that bird, yet it had been clear enough to have come from a human mouth, not some beak.

Midnight chimed in, speaking directly into his thoughts. Whatever that meant. The black wolf didn’t seem like he was going to add anything additional to what he’d already said and Seth just sighed at the lack of information.

Lyle, meanwhile, had paused as if he knew what was going on, but had the look of someone who hadn’t understood and was waiting to hear from someone who had more information. That someone, of course, being Seth since he was the only other one around. “We’re supposed to go to the training yard so you can ‘assess’ my fighting prowess.” Seth wasn’t entirely thrilled at having his life dictated to him, but he also knew right now he was on dangerous ground with these Earthen. He’d play along with their games for the time being.

“I’m not sure how you’re going to do that, considering you were the worst in class, but I guess…” Seth trailed off as a memory from only a few short days before struck. Derrick had always been just a little better than Seth in the dojo but, when it’d come to those Demons from before, his friend had shown an ability that was far beyond anything he’d ever exhibited before. Seth’s tone was dry as he stated, “You’re actually really good and going to kick my ass, aren’t you?”

That caused Lyle to smile, proving Seth’s fears to be correct. “Let me just put it this way.” Lyle’s smile turned into a grin, a very evil looking one at that. “It’s going to be good to get some payback for all the times you whooped on me at the dojo.”

*

Despite the early hours a small gathering was waiting at the training area, and it didn’t take long for Seth to realize they were there to watch him. It became rather evident the moment they all turned to look at him, some speculative, some excited, most with their noses in the air as if they expected this to be some kind of beat down. “Tell me you’re not going to beat me into the ground,” he said softly to Lyle, making sure they were still out of earshot when he asked.

“Maybe, but not with a crowd. This is ridiculous.” Seth was glad he wasn’t the only one that thought so. Who comes out just to watch someone get beat down? And how did word get around so fast?

Midnight explained, answering his thoughts before he could actually even voice the question. That was scary.

Meanwhile, Lyle continued talking as well, affirming Midnight’s own words. “They probably spread the word so people could see how you don’t fit in. The Council definitely has a hand in this. That was one of their birds that told us to come here. Most Earth Menders don’t have time to take up a physical weapon since their studies focus on using the Planet to protect themselves, amongst other things.”

So he was being setup to look bad in front of a group of people. After only training once with his Earthen abilities and what little he’d been able to learn to use a sword he was being put on display. They must really not want people to feel sorry for him, but why would they care so much? What was the point of embarrassing him in front of others. Was it so when they kicked him out no one would say anything? Based on the looks he’d been getting he was the talk of the Haven right now, so what was that talk like?

“There,” Lyle said suddenly if softly, nodding his head slightly to the side. “All the Council’s Animals.” A pair of cats, a gopher, and a few different types of birds all stood together watching. “You can bet they’ll be reporting everything that happens.”

“All of them? Even my mother’s?” Seth asked, wondering how much of a hand she had in all of this. Derrick had made it sound like she had a certain amount of pull, so why would she allow this? Or was she truly trying to get rid of him?

Lyle was quiet for a moment as he threw a glance towards the animals to take them all in, finally looking straight ahead again. “No. Her hawk isn’t there.” He seemed even more uneasy than before. “Something is off about this.” The words rang true, but there was no more time to contemplate as they reached the crowd. “Wow, quite the gathering.” Lyle’s voice was loud and cutting, much to Seth’s surprise. Yet he did his best to control his features, settling for any entirely neutral look rather than the mix of annoyance he felt towards the Council and fear he had of getting his ass handed to him.

“We heard you’re going to smash in the face of the half-breed,” someone answered from the group before stepping forward.

“Jaysen, why am I not surprised to see you here.” Lyle spoke in a voice that seemed to drip poison. There was something Lyle didn’t like about this man, and just from looking at him Seth could almost agree. Tall with a firm build, he looked like someone straight out of a story book built to be a bad guy. But this was no story.

“You know I’m a fan of a good fight.” The tall man’s eyes slipped to scan over Seth before he added. “Well, a fight at least.” His dark eyes slipped back to Lyle then. “Unless, of course, you throw the match. Wouldn’t that be an embarrassment.”

Lyle looked pissed. Like, pissed in a way that Seth hadn’t ever seen before, even when Seth had been wailing on him back in the dojo. He was always one to just brush it off. But not here and not this time, not from the way he looked ready to fight Jaysen instead. Seth quickly nudged Lyle past Jaysen and the crowd and onto the sand of the training area instead. “I won’t tell you to ignore him, but I will tell you not to give into whatever bullshit he’s trying to pull.” The last thing Seth wanted was Lyle getting into some kind of scrap with the large, scary looking…well, he must be a Guardian. He wore a sword on his hip like all the others. “C’mon, let’s just do this. And don’t hold back.”

Laying in a nearby rack, just as if they’d been waiting for the two, were a pair of shinai, the bamboo swords they’d used inside the dojo. Someone had definitely set this up. But why? The question still nagged at Seth, but he didn’t have much time to think it through as the crowd was watching with Jaysen right there at the front of them.

Seth and Lyle each picked up a shinai and took a few steps away from each other before turning to face one another and bowing slightly. Their bamboo blades came up and a silence fell over the area. The watchers had gone quiet as had the various nearby animals, Spirit and normal alike. It was like someone had laid a hush over the surrounding area so that all Seth could hear was his own breathing and his quickening heart.

The two had faced off before, though in full gear for protection. More often than not Seth had been the victor in those fights due to the fact that Lyle had been holding back. He knew that Lyle had held back just by the strong and precise stance he now took. What lay ahead of Seth was almost certainly a severe beating.

A foot shifting aside sand was Seth’s only warning and he quickly brought his shinai down to meet Lyle’s, but the speed of the young Guardian was not something he’d expected and before he could even begin to bring his blade up to block the next strike he heard a loud thwack! as the bamboo compressed together on his shoulder. A jolt of pain went through his arm before he realized that Lyle hadn’t just hit him, he’d hit a nerve in his shoulder to cause his arm to tingle. Oh this was really going to be bad.

Seth tossed the blade to his left hand as he tried to shake out his right. Lyle hesitated only a moment, giving him only the barest of times to recover before he came in again. This time Seth managed to block three blows before the shinai hit him hard in the side, hard enough that it would most likely bruise. For a short time at least, if his last bruises had been any indicator.

The people were certainly getting a show, although from the varied expressions he wasn’t quite sure if it was the outcome all of them were expecting. Some, like Jaysen, seemed almost giddy at the beating he was receiving while others simply looked disappointed. He wasn’t sure what exactly they’d expected of him, or maybe if they’d been told lies as to where exactly his ability stood against another such as a trained Guardian.

It struck Seth just then. Not only what was going on here, but also a punch to his solar plexus. He stumbled backwards a few steps, willing his breath to return so he didn’t pass out now that he’d figured out what they were up to. This really was something to make him less likeable to have around because it didn’t matter at this point if he won or lost. Either way would only disappoint at least half of the crowd while the others only took their time to either pick on or cheer on Lyle. Seth was going to lose either way, whether or not he won this impromptu spar.

There was only one outcome that may be unaccounted for. Seth wasn’t quite sure what the reaction would be, but he knew that now he’d have to push for it. And for that, he was going to need a little help from the Planet. I don’t know if you can hear or understand me, but I could seriously use some help right now, Seth thought to no one in particular.

As Lyle came at him once again Seth brought up his shinai as if to block the blow, estimating what Lyle’s most likely path would be after that. The Guardian’s greater speed over Seth was making him follow the path of least resistance, making him predictable. Lyle was still trying to help him, despite the onlookers. His opponents blade came down and connected with his own. Then, before Lyle could bring his bamboo sword back around Seth found the grounds lifeline and yanked on the spot beneath his opponent, intending to do no more than cause the ground to tremble. Instead the ground erupted upward and caused Lyle to flip backwards. Seth pushed the ground back down to see a surprised Guardian climbing back to his feet.

Keep going, Seth mentally willed towards Lyle, trying to get the youth to continue his fighting. The Guardian seemed to understand what Seth wanted and so he again lashed forward, changing his steps a little to make it harder to guess where he’d strike. It did little now that Seth had control of the ground beneath him and, with a little more care, he was able to make Lyle stumble or nearly trip after an exchange of strikes and just before Lyle’s finishing blow would connect. What had been a one-sided fight turned into more of a stalemate. There was no way Seth would be able to go on the offensive, not when he was barely able to defend himself against the attacks, but Lyle was having increased difficulty getting to him.

A few more quick exchanges came and went with the same results before Seth realized he needed to finish this soon. His energies were waning and he wasn’t yet used to using the Planet for himself like this. It was like a new weight-lifter, lifting his max weight just barely and only once. Seth didn’t know how to pace himself and was putting a blast of his own energy into every movement, every request, he made of the ground. It was time to finish this. Hopefully as he’d planned. If he was wrong then he might just end up with a broken neck.

Somehow, Lyle seemed to understand as they exchanged looks. He put his all into his last attack, coming at Seth with speed and force. Seth was ready and as the shinai came down towards him a sheet of dirt flew up to meet it. Not only meet it, but knock it back skyward, leaving Lyle open. As the ground dropped Seth was already swinging, bringing the bamboo straight towards Lyle’s neck. Unfortunately, the speed difference didn’t truly leave Lyle open for long and, just as Seth was swinging so was the Guardian. Blades stopped, bodies stopped, even breathing seemed to stop. The silence from before had returned now that they stared each other down, both with swords at necks. A draw.

“That’s enough!” A powerful voice boomed from just behind the stunned, gathered crowd. It was enough to break them out of their stupor and send a good many of them scampering off, while others left nonchalantly. As Seth and Lyle lowered their shinai they saw who had come at the end to stop the show. Walking purposefully forward was Seth’s mother. And she was staring down Lyle with a deadly cold gaze as she neared. The poor kid looked about ready to shit himself.

Seth stepped in between the two, finding his vision wavering slightly at the quick move. He felt like he’d just jogged a marathon rather than having a five-minute spar. Enora stopped a short distance away and stared straight into Seth’s eyes were her own icy blue ones. “Someone tell me what exactly is going on here.” Her eyes flicked from Seth to the one that hid behind him, then back again to Seth while awaiting the answer she had demanded.

“Well, mother,” Seth replied with some heat to combat her own icy tone. “We were ordered by someone from your Council to spar so that they could assess my physical abilities.”

“That’s nonsense,” Enora said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “No such thing was ordered or I would’ve been informed.”

Lyle stepped forward slightly as if he was about to say something but Seth held up a hand, stopping him in his tracks. He hadn’t really meant to boss the Guardian around, but he also wasn’t in the mood for anything to get between him and his mother for the moment. “Well obviously you weren’t informed. If I had to guess, I would say that they hadn’t wanted you to know, considering all of their Spirit Animals were here but yours was nowhere to be found.”

Enora’s mouth formed into a grim line as she heard Seth’s statement, looking him over as if she could assess his words by only examining him. After a few heartbeats, she finally asked, “Who was it that told you to come here?”

“It was Zuldin’s bird, Council Woman.” Lyle would know more about that than Seth. He’d just seen and heard the bird, but he had no idea which Animal belonged to who. All that Seth truly understood at this moment was someone, or a group of someone’s, had it out for him. That and he hurt from the unexpected ‘spar’. And he was feeling drained.

At least part of what Seth was feeling must’ve shown through because Enora’s gaze softened. Just the slightest. Or maybe it was a figment of his imagination. “Guardian, escort my son to Lorten’s home. I’ll inform him you’re coming.” Her eyes shifted then from Lyle to Seth, explaining before he could protest. “We have ways of restoring our energy from the Planet as well as mending our wounds. He will show you.”

“Wow, I didn’t realize you actually cared,” Seth couldn’t keep the sarcasm from his voice. Again. It was hard for him to treat anything she said with the proper respect thanks to her keeping him in the dark all these years. Plus, he still wasn’t entirely sure what her intentions were. Did she really not know what had been happening, or had she just stayed away to have an excuse.

Midnight said in his mind, seeming troubled by it. It had Midnight unsettled, and Seth felt a chill go up his spine.

Seth thought towards the wolf, not entirely sure how he was able to do it but trusting his instincts to guide him.

That just made Seth worry more. The more he heard the less comfortable he was with sticking around the Haven. If this happened on only his second day in, what else lay ahead?

“Guardian,” Enora’s voice broke into Seth’s conference with the wolf. “You may take him now before he falls into unconsciousness.” If she’d said anything else while he’d been talking with Midnight than Seth had missed it. What a shame. At least she’d taken his momentary lapse as mere exhaustion instead of him conversing about what may or may not be happening in the Haven.

“Of course, Council Woman. C’mon Seth.” Lyle grabbed Seth’s elbow and turned to lead him out of the training yard and towards wherever it was that Lorten lived.

*

The walk wasn’t far and couldn’t have been more than five minutes. For Seth, however, it felt like an hour. Each step was more and more difficult to take and it felt as if his body might give out at any moment. All he wanted to do was sit down and take some time to recover, but Lyle kept him moving. More people were out now and Seth knew he was earning odd looks, but not unsurprisingly he didn’t care in the least.

Lorten’s house was much like the others, a natural looking mound covered in vegetation with an entrance covered in vines. Vines which parted as they neared. Lorten stood there, waving them into the mound of a house and stepping away. When he stepped away the vines stayed open. That was a trick Seth would have to learn.

“Guardian, you are dismissed,” Lorten stated simply, motioning for Lyle to leave them alone. Despite a hint of hesitation, Lyle nodded to Lorten, patted Seth on the back, and turned to leave. “You, sit.” The layout of Lorten’s house was similar to Chase’s own, which made finding a seat in the kitchen easy enough. The older Earthen finished mixing something at the stove and brought a cup over to Seth, setting it in front of him. “Drink this. It will help with the fatigue.”

It was a tea of some sort by Seth’s best guess and he gave it a sniff before mentally shrugging and taking a sip. It didn’t taste very bad. Somewhat bland, but no worse than regular tea. “What is this?” he asks.

“Featherleaf tea.” Seth had never heard of it, but it was fine. It still tasted fine so it couldn’t have been anything too bad. “Finish drinking the tea, then I will show you how to draw energy from the Planet to replenish your own.” While he drank Lorten stood and went to gather a few more items from nearby. A few plants that were somehow in a potted shape without the pot. It was just dirt. A few pokes at it helped him to understand. The outside dirt was hardened enough to not give while the inside remained normal. Just more Earthen things he had to learn.

“Normally it’s better to regain energy on your own, with a little assistance from the Planet. Just being in contact with it will give your energy regeneration and healing a boost. However, you can also pull energy from it, with consequences to the Planet itself. Because of that, we generally use it as a last resort. But since we’re crash coursing you through this we’ll just take that loss.”

Lorten sat across from Seth before motioning to the plants. “Take hold of a leaf.” Seth did as he was told, holding a leaf between two fingers. “Now look at the life flowing through the plant. Take hold of those lifelines and attach them to yourself, then pull.” Again, Seth did as he was told. It wasn’t a fast process by any means but he was able to manipulate the lines of energy within the plant and point them to his fingers. Once that was done, he pulled on the energy with all his might.

A wash of energy flowed over Seth, causing him to gasp slightly in surprise as he felt just as good as when he’d woken up only an hour or so before. He felt energized and his body no longer ached from the bruises. It was a complete rush. Whatever the negatives were, this feeling had to make up for it. That’s what he thought, anyway, until he actually opened his eyes and looked at the plant again. He quickly released the now dead and wilted plant as if he’d been burned. “I did that?” he asked with unease.

“Mmm, yes, and faster than I would have expected. You’re definitely something else boy.” Lorten motioned then to the other plants, “Take more if you need it, but you now know the consequences. You will kill whatever you take the life from. The Planet itself will lose a part of itself should you draw it from the ground, and it will take time for life to filter back in to a dead area.”

Seth was quick to decline needing more, already feeling bad for having completely killed the plant. “No, I’m fine. Thank you.” He finished his tea and stood. “I think I need to go, but thank you for the lesson.” Before Lorten could protest Seth made a quick retreat, meeting up with Midnight just outside the home. What was he and why could he do these things? What made it so easy to take life?