The Guardian

   Traversing these dark streets, they all walk in silence.  All the buildings were black, yet varied in size.  The sky is a dark purple with a full moon.  It was a dark reflection of the real world, a world created within Brian’s mind.  They were all here looking for something.  Rather, someone.

   Isabelle walked by his side, along with her twin sister, Laura, Brian’s best friend, Gambito, and their mentor, Maxine.  There was one more guest travelling with them, a mysterious man named Peter, who is a Viking warrior who has been dead for centuries.  His short black hair connected to his scraggly beard.  He wore a red, sleeveless overtunic, with a hood attached, and over a long sleeved light brown tunic.  Black bracers covered his wrists, yet they were decorated with a metallic symbol and had furry edges.  Dark brown gloves covered his hands; brown pants covered the lower half of his body along with dark brown boots.  A black belt is wrapped around his waist, and attached to his back a quiver full of arrows along with a wooden long bow.  He appeared to be in his mid-30s.  When the group ran into him prior, they didn’t know if he was friend or foe.  They are still unsure, yet he claims he can help with Brian’s current problem and he suspects that her knows who the someone is they are looking for.  He offered up no other detail aside from that the person is a “she.”

   The incidents that lead to this particular adventure began with a previous one, Bane’s return.  At the time, they all thought the Beast was dead.  Isabelle remembers vividly, witnessing Brian behead the monster in a particularly violent and emotional showdown between the two.  They all thought it was over, but they were wrong.  Bane returned, stronger than ever and when they confronted him, he was victorious.  Brian’s sword broke in the battle, now simply reduced to the hilt.  In this mental, astral plane they appear healthy; in the real world they still bore the signs of the confrontation.  Brian’s abdomen is wrapped in bandages; Gambito’s arm was in a sling, but not anymore.  His arm still noticeably bothered him though.  Laura suffered the least, but was still rattled, Isabelle as well for that matter.  She hasn’t made a full recovery, not mentally.    

   Seeing Brian near death is haunting for her.  Every confrontation between him and Bane increased in violence and brutality.  She thought she was going to lose him that time.  Still, since that time, something strange took place and that was the fact that Brian, waking out of a coma, hummed a two note tune.  This would occur randomly, often while he sleeps.  He claims that when he does it, a voice responds humming the same tune, although sometimes it turns into a 3 note tune with the third being longer.  He said it sounded like a woman’s voice.  None of them could hear it though, only him.  The stranger, this Peter, another Spirit, says he recognizes the tune.  He claims it as a lullaby.  Soon this same voice would call out to Brian, trying to get his attention.  He couldn’t ignore it.  This led them to seeking Maxine as she’s the proven expert on all supernatural things.  She revealed what they all suspected; it was another entity inside of Brian.  How did it get there, they weren’t sure.  Peter hasn’t revealed much, so they were virtually blind.  In the real world, they all are sitting in a circle around Brian, linking up with him mentally and here they are now.

   Isabelle’s eyes fall on the bracelet on Brian’s wrist, the very one he made for her but never got to deliver.  Almost on instinct, she reaches for his hand, before looking at her sister and regaining her sense.  It wasn’t that long ago that she discovered that Laura has feelings for Brian.  Isabelle isn’t angry, yet what can she do with that knowledge?  She’s not sure how Brian feels, often being the type to close himself off and not show what he’s thinking or feeling.  Things between them weren’t sunshine and rainbows.  Before her death, she hurt him, and there were unresolved feelings because of it, feelings they both carried.  She wanted to redeem herself, yet has no idea where to start.  They’ve fought by each other’s side, had moments of peace, even enjoyed each other’s company, yet never fully moved beyond past sins.

   Isabelle was in her usual form of dress, the denim jacket over a black, short sleeved shirt with the text “I heart monsters”, blue jeans, black and white Chucks, and her brunette hair down to her shoulders with side swept bangs.  Being dead, having to change clothes was no longer a factor, though she can change to any form of dress she desires if she wills it.  Brian usually wore a white hoodie with a faux tie printed on the front, now that was no longer the case.  He wore an actual white collared shirt with a tie, a black bomber jacket over it, black gloves, matching black jeans and tennis shoes. Black horn rimmed glasses adorned his face, his head shaven into a flat Mohawk, with a goatee for facial hair.  Laura sported the same hairstyle as Isabelle; except her bands were swept to the opposite side and she too wore glasses. A black, partially zipped hoodie was worn over her own short sleeve shirt with a black tie.  A book bag hung off her shoulders, the strap aligned diagonally while the bag contained her grimoire.  She wore a matching black skirt along with fingerless gloves and black combat boots.  She too used to wear a white hoodie with the faux tie.  It was a “uniform” look they used when hunting.  This was clearly their new look.  Gambito was a standout, having used to worn actual shirt and tie, or clothes fit for combat.  Now he wore a black, short sleeved shirt with a collar and tie, but all covered by a tactical vest with multiple pockets.  Each pocket held a deck of cards inside.  An automatic rifle was strapped to his back, a pistol holstered at his waist, with a combat knife sheathed to his thigh. His outfit was complete with black camo pants, boots, and gloves.  He’s a Columbian male with a buzz cut, having been in the military.  He’s Brian’s friend since childhood.  Of the group, he’s the one with little to no filter.  Their pale skinned, redhead mentor, Maxine, sported her favored short bob hairstyle and crimson lipstick.  She wore her black coat over a dark red shirt, blue jeans, and long black boots.  An e-cig dangled from her lips as she followed the group.  Though being their mentor, she worked closer with Laura than any of them, taking her as an apprentice.  She recognized Laura’s potential for witchcraft and hoped to help her master it.

   “So tell me something,” Gambito said, finally breaking the silence.  “Your name is Peter.  Doesn’t that sound a little… modern since you’re supposed to be a Viking?”

   “It’s spelled differently from what it is today,” Peter replied.  “Besides, it’s not that modern.  Wasn’t Peter also the name of one of your Bible characters?  Also I’m not supposed to be anything. I am a Viking.”

   “In that case,” continued Gambito.  “Tell me how to spell your name.”

   “Purisaz, ehwaz, teiwaz raipo,“ answered Peter.

   “Forget I asked.”

   “Gladly.”

   “Probably looked it up anyway,” Gambito grumbled before continuing to prod Peter.  “Tell me something else, Peter.  Why do you talk like the rest of us?  Shouldn’t you be using the old timey talk?  Thou, thee, tally ho, and all that?”

   “Is he really this stupid?” Peter asked Brian.

   “Unfortunately,” Brian replied.

   “I don’t see how you have the patience,” Peter said before finally addressing Gambito’s question.  “Listen, one, all that “thou” crap was from a comic book. Thor or any Viking doesn’t talk like that.  Two, yes we have our so-called “old timey” lingo, but it definitely didn’t sound like that.  Three, I may come from a different age, but that doesn’t mean I can’t adapt to the times.  I’ve been around for centuries.  I’ve picked up things and educated myself.  Besides, it’s easier to communicate with some of you that way.”

   “If you say so,” dismissed Gambito.

   “How are we supposed to find who we’re looking for?” Isabelle asked, wanting to end the previous discussion.  She could tell Peter had little patience.  Then again Gambito could test the will of a monk.

   “I…” Brian began, but paused, clearly contemplating her question.  “I have no clue actually.  I thought that once we were in, we’d be right where we need to be.”

   “What if we are?” Laura chimed in.  “Maybe she’s here, but we’re not looking hard enough like… what if she’s underground or in one of the buildings?”

   “Sounds about right,” Brian said.  “Now we just have to figure out where to start.”

   “You can start with the obvious,” Maxine finally spoke.  “You said that she responds to a tune.  Hum it, she hums back, and you can track her down.”

   “Talk about the obvious not registering with you,” Brian sighed.

   Silence falls between them.  Brian closes his eyes, listening out for a response and blocking out everything else.  He then hums the simple, two note tune, “Hm-mmm.”

   “Hm-mmm.  Hmmmmmm.”

   His eyes snap open.  There it was!

   “Everyone else heard it?”

   “Yea,” replied a surprised Isabelle.  “I heard it.  In fact, it was really close!”

   “Almost as if it’s behind us,” Laura said.

   They stood in silence then, Laura’s words now a haunting suspicion.

   “Brian,” Peter said.  “Hum it again.”

   With a nod, Brian does as told, humming the tune without a second thought.

   “Hm-mmm.  Hmmmmmm.”

   They all turn around, spotting a cage.  Inside, a black bear cub sat staring at them all.  The cage itself had no door, no lock.  No possible way for the cub to squeeze her way out, let alone escape.

   “That was not there before,” Laura said.  “We’ve been walking through this street, passed that very spot and that wasn’t there before!”

   “She was drawn to the humming,” Maxine said.  “Just as I said.  Somehow you were able to summon her, but she’s still trapped as you can see.”

   While everyone watched the cub, noticeably, Gambito had his rifle drawn and aimed at the creature.

   “What the hell are you doing?” Maxine asked.

   “None of you are bothered that this little beady eyed future furry tank was able to sneak up on us?!” Gambito replied.

   “She’s in a cage,” Isabelle pointed out.  “What could she do from there?”

   “She was able to pop up behind us in a cage.  You think I want to find out what else she can do?”

   Brian brushes pass him, walking towards the cage and grabbing the bars.

   “Don’t worry,” he said to the cub.  “I gotcha.”

   “Hey!” Gambito called.  “The fuck are you doing?!”

   Brian ignores him, pulling on the bars with his hands.  In little time, he rips them from the cage before grabbing more to do the same, creating more space for the cub to get out.

   “Come on,” Brian said, holding out his arms. “I won’t hurt you.”

   The cub begins to take a step when darkness sweeps over them all.  When the scene returns, Brian, the cage, and the cub are all gone.

   “You see?” Gambito said.  “If you let me shoot the damn bear, this wouldn’t have happened!”

   “Shut up,” Isabelle warned before directing her attention to Maxine.  “What happened?!”

   Maxine doesn’t answer, instead walking to the spot Brian and the cub were.  Crouching down, her hand hovers over the ground.  Her eyes closed, she’s focused, trying to locate their energies.  Opening her eyes, she stands and turns, spotting the now free cub on all fours with her body low to the ground with ears flattened against her head.

   “Don’t do anything,” Maxine warned.  “No threatening moves”-she looks at Gambito-“And definitely not anything stupid.

   Peter, mysteriously silent through the proceedings, steps in front of the bear, hands up as a sign of peace.

   “Mom…” he began.  “It’s me.  It’s Peter.  I felt you were in trouble and came as soon as possible.  I had a feeling you were with him, but never-“

   “What a damn minute!” Gambito interrupted.  “Mom?! Him?!  You mean to tell me you were in on this?!”

   “Do you remember me?” Peter asked, ignoring Gambito.  “Do you recognize your son?”

   Mom.  Son.  What was going on?  Isabelle still stood surprised.  She looks at her sister, who is every bit as confused.  Like Gambito, she wanted answers.  If the “him” is Brian, then there’s a reason she’s here.

   “Peter,” she began, voice low as a ball of energy appears in the palm of her hand.  “I think we all deserve answers.  Starting with what happened to Brian.”

   Peter doesn’t taking his eyes off the cub, but still answers, “You will get your answers, bu-“

   “How about now?!” Gambito snapped, gun pointed at Peter now.  “I’m sick of your cryptic bullshit!  Start coming forward or I start blasting.”

   “Put the gun down you idiot,” Maxine warned.

   “Why?!” Gambito challenged.  “Brian isn’t here, we got the creepy bear here and apparently, this guy’s dad is in the habit of bestiality!”

   Isabella once again found herself agreeing with Gambito.  So much was happening right now and she can only believe in what she’s seeing and what she’s seeing was not good.

   “Insult my parents again,” Peter began, finally turning to face Gambito.  “And I will show decimate you to nothingness.  I’ve fought monsters, demons, undead warriors, Jotunn, and Gods.  You think I’m going to have any trouble with an annoying brat with a gun?!”

   “You forget the fact that this gun is pointed right at you,” Gambito countered.  “So as far as I’m concerned, your sick ass father can go to hell and your mom… well I been looking to see what having a bear skinned rug is like.”

   Then it happened, the air seemed to grow thick, almost heavy.  The ground shook and rumbled.  Laura opens her book bag, removing her grimoire from it.  Isabelle generates another energy sphere in her other hand.

   “Everyone,” Maxine said.  “Listen to me.  This is not necessary.  She is not a threat to you.  For once, listen to me and talk it out with her. Convince her that you’re not a threat.”

   Isabelle didn’t lower her guard, neither did Laura or Gambito.  She’s sure Maxine is right and yet, she doesn’t know this… bear.  Peter only recently came into the picture and was a mystery before this.  There only concern was for Brian and if they had to beat answer out of these strangers, they will.  Isabelle looks at the cub, which then turns her head and returns a look.  Something about this gave Isabelle a start.  Something felt… strange.  It’s almost as if she knew the cub.  The cub begins taking slow steps towards Isabelle.  The spheres in Isabelle’s hands increase to the size of soccer balls as she raises her hands.  The pink-violet spheres begin hovering above her palms, ready to be launched.

   “Not a threat my ass!” Gambito said as he turns his gun on the cub and pulls the trigger.

   A light blue aura engulfs the cub as she disappears in the blink of an eye.  Before he could react, Gambito feels four little paws slam into his chest and knock him off his feet.  In a blur, the cub bounces off of him and into Laura, then Isabelle in ricocheting motion before landing on the ground.  All three were in mid-air simultaneously before hitting the ground.

   “Fucking morons…” Maxine said under her breathe at the display.  She steps back, deciding to let the scene play out from this point on.

   “I didn’t…” Laura coughed while getting back to her feet and rubbing her chest.  “Think bear cubs were so strong”

   “Well I bet you also didn’t think they attract bullets,” Gambito said, getting to his feet and aiming his gun again.  As he’s about to pull the trigger, an arrow is lodged into the barrel.

   “The hell?”

   Gambito spots Peter, hood over his head and bow drawn with a smirk on his face.  Gambito tosses his rifle aside before opening one of the pouches to pull out a deck of cards.

   “Oh I was hoping I get to kick your ass!” he gloated.

   He tosses a card at Peter, the flat object cutting through the air at rapid pace, but it is met with an arrow, cutting off its course halfway.

   “Not with such pathetic skill,” Peter mocked.

   As the two begin an exchange of cards vs arrow, Laura joined her sister’s side, grimoire hovering in the air next to her.  The two stare at the cub, which lowers her body to the ground again.

   “You help Gambito sis,” Isabelle said.

   “But-“ started Laura.

   “I can handle a bear cub, Laura,” assured Isabelle.

   Nodding, Laura heads towards the current battle between Gambito and Peter.  The whole deck of cards floated around Gambito as he would grab two at a time, tossing them at his enemy, who counters with more arrows, his defense having yet to be penetrated.  Thrusting her palm forward, the grimoire flies to the front of her hand, spreading open as a bolt of energy is fired from it.  Peter tucks and rolls out of the way of the bolt and spins out of the way of another playing card upon getting to his feet.  Checking his hood, he finds the fabric is cut.

   “You know,” he said, taking another arrow out of his quiver.  “Just because I’m dead doesn’t mean you can just damage my clothes willy nilly.  I really like this hood.”

   Peter shoots the arrow at Laura, who manages to cover herself with a force field.  The projectile breaks in half upon impact.  Gambito seizes the opportunity to throw another barrage of cards at Peter, who is quick enough to dodge them and return shots of his own.

   As the trio battle, Isabelle and the bear continue their standoff, circling each other, both on guard and keeping their eyes on the other.

   Do you really think you can… handle me as you say Eira?

   That voice… did it come from the cub?  Who is Eira?  Isabelle stops pacing, staring at the cub.

   You don’t remember me?

   “Why should I?” Isabelle inquired.

   You and I have crossed paths many times.  Perhaps, showing you my true face will light the spark of memory, yes?

   “Who are you?!” Isabelle demanded.

   A light blue aura engulfs the cub again, turning brighter and brighter until she is no longer visible.  The light is almost blinding, enough to cause the other battle to come to a pause as they all watch.  Where the bear cub once stood was a woman, lean and toned, raven haired.  Her hair is partially braided, a braided strand lining along both sides of her head as well as one on top.  They all unite into one singular braid that reaches her shoulders like the rest of her hair.  She wore a dark brown, sleeveless tunic, over that a dark brown armor corset, a dark blue dress that went to her knees and were split in four corners, dark brown bracers with the symbol of Freyja marking them as well as brown fur decorating the edges, dark brown gloves on her hands, and black boots.  In her hand, she held a wooden staff that glowed with light blue runic symbols.  She spun the weapon with expert technique before getting into a stance, pointing a blunt end at Isabelle.

   “My name is Helen,” said the now revealed true form of the cub.

   “Not ringing any bells,” Isabelle said.  “And right now, I could give a damn!”

   Isabelle launches the spheres at Helen, who bats them away and begins her counter, spinning her staff and heading towards Isabelle.  Isabelle throws more energy spheres at her opponent, who is proving unstoppable as she continues batting away with the projectiles, getting closer to her.  She swings her staff, missing Isabelle’s head as she ducks, but changes her course as she aimed to strike at her feet.  Isabelle hops over the sweeping weapon and generates a force field to block another blow, narrowly avoiding being hit.  Helen slams the staff against the field to no effect.  Then, the runic symbols appear on her staff again.  With a roar, Helen smashes her staff against Isabelle’s shield, shattering it.  Such force is created that it knocks Isabelle off her feet and to the ground.

   “H-how?!” Isabelle stammered.

   “Same old tricks, Eira,” Helen said, driving her staff downward, but hitting the ground as Isabelle logrolls to safety.

   “Stop calling me Eira!” Isabelle snapped, spheres encasing her hands.

   She launches her next attack against Helen, throwing punch after punch, but each blocked by Helen’s staff.  Helen ducks a roundhouse and spins around to Isabelle’s back, her staff striking her there.  A hunched over Isabelle blocks the next strike, parrying with a cross.  Helen narrowly avoids it, almost side swiped by the attack, but counters by striking a hard blow to Isabelle’s sternum, dropping her to her knees.  Though a Spirit, Isabelle still felt the sensation of the wind being knocked out of her.

   “Surely you can do better than that Eira,” Helen mocked.

   “Who the hell is Eira?” Gambito asked.

   “How the fuck should I know?!” Laura replied, still blasting energy bolts at Peter.  Though not one to swear much, she was caught up in the heat of battle at the moment.

   An arrow slams into her grimoire, knocking it out of the air.

   “My grimoire!!” Laura shouted.  “Maxine’s going to kill me!”

   She rushes to her book, seeing the arrow sticking through it.  Maxine warned her in the past to take special care of her grimoire.  Now there’s an arrow penetrating it.  Gambito pulls out another deck of cards as all of them shoot out into the air.  They all come down, sprawled all over the field, all of them face down.

   “Let’s play a special mine edition of 52 Pick Up!” Gambito says, digging a quarter out of his pocket.  “Usually, the point is to not step on a card.  If you do… boom!”-begins flipping the coin and catching it before repeating the process-“Greater the card, greater the blast, but this is my game.  I make the rules you smug son of a bitch!  And I don’t play fair!  I’m going to flip this coin.  Heads, all of them go off.  Tails, only half.  Feeling lucky?”

   Peter retrieves another arrow from his quiver, knowing he can hit the coin, yet thinks better of it.  For all he knew, hitting the gain would make no difference.  It needs to land and as Gambito pointed out, he doesn’t play fair.  Gambito flips the coin while Laura is chanting, repairing her grimoire.  The coin hits the ground, spinning briefly before revealing heads.

   “Well shit,” Peter said as the cards begin exploding similar to a domino effect.

   Peter makes a break for it, trying to leave the faux mind field of cards.  He shoots an arrow into the side of one of the buildings before retrieving another arrow.  The head of the arrow began glowing, revealing a runic symbol on it.  He drives the arrow into the ground, just as it appeared that the exploding mine field claimed him.

   Helen leaps over an attempted leg sweep from Isabelle, who quickly gets back to her feet.  She creates new spheres over her hands, this time with added electricity flowing off of them.  She attacks Helen, trying her best to land a hit but to no avail.  The experienced shieldmaiden is able to dodge and block her blows.  In the furious exchange, Helen parries with a powerful palm strike, launching Isabelle into the air and back down.  Isabelle felt her frustration growing.  All the battles she’s had, the triumphs and failures, and she’s being beaten like she’s new at this.   Standing to her feet, she launches a flurry of spheres as Helen.  Instead of moving out of the way, Helen spins her staff in front of her rapidly.  Every sphere collided and shattered against the wooden weapon, yet did not cause Helen to falter in the slightest.  Her defense is impenetrable.  Helen finds the opening she needs, ceasing her defensive position and gripping her staff with both hands.  She strikes a sphere, launching it back at Isabelle as it slams into her chest, knocked her back down again.  Isabelle was getting real tired of that.

   As the dust settles, Gambito and Laura both are shocked to see that Peter isn’t there.  Instead, he’s hanging from the building in which he shot the arrow earlier.  The arrow holds up well with his weight and grip.  Plucking the arrow out, he drops to the ground before standing upright and dusting himself off.

    “Bull,” Gambito said, amazed. “Shit.”

   “No,” Peter said.  “Magic.  A special teleporting technique.  Helps when I’m in a bind.  Now we play my game!”

   Reaching into his quiver, he seems almost surprised to find that he ran out of arrows.  He doesn’t seem worried as he draws back his bow anyway, a row of runic symbols appearing along the curve, then energy converging and shaping into an arrow.  He aims at the sky, shooting the arrow.  It disperses, multiplying into many arrows, all dropping towards and embedding into the ground.  Gambito knew what was coming. Payback.

   “Oh.  Fuck.”

   With a snap of his finger, the arrows begin glowing before erupting into explosions.  Gambito begins running through the arrow mine field, trying to outrun the explosion.  He sees his path cut off as an explosion goes off in the direction he’s heading.

   “Shit.”

   He changes direction, only to be halted by an arrow flying by him.  He spots a smirking Peter, loading up another arrow and taking aim at him.

   “Shit!”

   He changes direction again, trying to escape, but if it’s not an explosion in his path, it’s Peter’s arrows threatening to tear into him.  All the while, he continues to repeat the same swear.  In almost no time, he finds himself trapped, the explosions converging on him.  All of a sudden, a pink-violet force field appears over him, protecting him from the destruction and perhaps his death.  Looking up, he sees Isabelle, arm outstretched, palm facing his direction.  She saved him, but the distraction would cost her as she takes a hard blow from Helen’s staff to her face.

   “Isabelle!!” Laura called out.

   This fight is not going in their favor at all.  Their enemies are proving to be their betters and they still don’t know what happened to Brian.  All the while, Maxine is hanging back, not lending a hand.  That only frustrated Laura.

   “Why won’t you help us?!!!” she shouted.

   Turning towards Peter, she finds a target to take it out on.  Bringing her hands together, they are placed in front of her stomach.  She slowly brings them up, starting a chant of her own making, her eyes closed.

   “Internal energy you and only you have control over,” she recited.  “Magic made for battle.  Gather the elements.  Wind.  Oversoul.  Pick your target.  Find the wicked one.”

   While her words seem random, it is her way to focus, her own chant.  She learned from Maxine that rhyming, incantations, even drawing symbols are all bullshit.  The purpose of such things usually helped spell casters focus on a particular type of spell.  All one needs is focus and intent.  They can come up with any gibberish they want or say nothing at all. It all is according to the will of the user.  He joined hands rise to her chest, to which she then opens her yes and separates her hands slowly.  A ball of swirling energy appears between them, growing more and more before she finally pushes the energy towards Peter.  He shoots an arrow at the ball of energy, his arrow glowing and transforming into energy itself.  The two powers collide, created a powerful gust of wind.

   New plan.  Gambito draws his combat knife, launching his own assault against Peter.  Slashing and cutting at the Viking warrior, Peter grips his bow like a staff, blocking the deadly blade in the exchange.  He slams the bow against Gambito’s jaw, and then follows up by sweeping his leg with it.  The moment Gambito is on the ground, he reaches for his pistol and aims at Peter, who already proving to be a quick thinker, manages to shoot an arrow into the barrel.  The arrow glows and explodes, destroying the gun.  Gambito yells in pain, clutching his hand.  He hurriedly scoots away from Peter, getting back to his feet, combat knife at the ready again.  Peter shoots the weapon out of his hand.  Gambito, desperate grabs cards out of one of his available pouches.  His right hand still stinging from his gun exploding in it, he’s forcing himself to fight through the pain.  Instead of launching the cards, he rushes Peter, using them as melee weapons rather than projectiles.  He hacks and slashes at Peter, who once again is blocking with his bow as well as dodging.  He parries and counters with blows of his own, driving his fist into Gambito’s jaw, aiming palm strikes at his chest and face, striking him with his bow and driving him back.  The odds remained in Peter’s favor.  While this happened, Laura continued her current spell.

   “Power,” Laura says, left hand covering her right wrist while her right arm folded upward.  She slides her hand up and down her forearm in the motion of cocking a gun.  Her right hand is open as she gathers energy.

   “Destruction,” she continues.  “Wind.  Oversoul.  Destroy.  Harm.  Oxygen.  Hydrogen.  Energy.  More power.”-unfolds her arm, now having it outstretched as her palm is open and aimed at Peter, left hand still covering her wrist-“Battle magic. Hand Cannon.”

   A ball of destructive energy launches from her hand, flying through the air.  Gambito is pushed off with a kick as Peter leaps and rolls out of the way.  The energy cannon ball slams into the building, creating a large explosion and chaotic force.

   “She’s gotta teach me how to do that,” Gambito said, feelings the effects of his beating as he steps back, not wanting to get caught by the assault.

   Helen’s attention is grabbed by the explosion, observing the other battle as concern for her son grew.  Isabelle tries to take advantage and deliver a punch to Helen’s face, but her fist is caught in her palm.

   “Good,” Helen said.  “You know to attack when your enemy is distracted.  Unfortunately for you, I am all too familiar with that tactic.”

   Helen backhands Isabelle, the blow powerful enough to force Isabelle to give up her back.  Helen strikes Isabelle’s back with her staff, provoking a painful yelp from her, before slamming her foot into Isabelle’s rear, pushing her to the ground.

   “Give up,” Helen said.  “You’ve all lost.”

   “Fuck you!” Isabelle spat.  Getting to her feet, she tosses another energy sphere at Helen, who bats it away, but is caught off guard by a powerful punch from Isabelle.

   Helen actually looks impressed, but her expression turned serious in an instant, gripping her staff with both hands, ready for Isabelle’s next attack.  The spirit moves quick, faster than before, hands covered in spheres again.  Her blows are blocked and countered as Helen smashes her staff into her, aiming for her stomach, then her back, before striking her face with an uppercut from her weapon.  As Isabelle rises back to her feet, she creates a force field, seeing Helen coming in for an attack.  Like before, it is not effective as Helen’s staff shatter’s her shield.  Isabelle doesn’t give up, backing up and creating distance between them, launching her spheres at her enemy.  Isabelle switches tactics, creating more spheres but flattening them into discs.  The discs cut through the air at rapid pace, forcing Helen to dodge and leap over some when she couldn’t afford to block them.  One manages to cut her arm.  She can’t deflect them as she did the spheres.  She can’t bat as many since they came faster than the spheres.  Isabelle creates a row of platforms in front of her, creating a faux set of stairs as she quickly runs up them.  Above her head a large sphere is created, energy crackling from it.  When she reaches the top, she leaps off.  Helen doesn’t move, instead preparing herself.  The runic symbols appear on her staff again.  Isabelle drives the large sphere down as it collides with Helen’s staff.  Helen feels the pressure from the large ball of energy, the texture different as she noticed all of Isabelle’s attacks were actually shield constructs, meaning the young woman’s power revolves around the aegis.  Along with the large aegis sphere, it began to feel as if gravity was also working against her, trying to force her down, adding more weight onto the sphere.  With a final, bear like roar, Helen presses her counter, finally able to bounce the sphere off her staff and send it flying into the night sky.

   “No…” Isabelle said, looking in disbelief.

   By this point, both women were heaving, feeling exhaustion begin to set in, especially after that exchange.  Both stared at each other, once again at a standoff, but neither willing to admit defeat.  Isabelle makes a fist, she’s still ready to fight and so is Helen.  The two women run at each other, colliding halfway in a series of exchanges, this time Isabelle able to dodge strikes from Helen’s staff, yet still unable to land a proper blow on her.  The tide simply shifted into an even one now.

   The destructive cannonballs had Peter on the defensive, forcing him to flee and dodge the assault. He needed to find a good opening.  Drawing back his bow, four arrows appear.  Turning his bow sideways, he shoots the arrows into the ground in front of him.  A wall of energy is evoked as the next cannonball collides against the magical barrier.  Another ball hits, but it’s not enough to break the wall.  Still, Peter began noticing the cracks appear. It was not going to hold.  The next ball shatters the wall.  It was now or never.  Peter draws back his bow and shoots an arrow in the general direction of the cannonballs.  He couldn’t see through the thick cloud of smoke that clouded the field, but hearing a yelp of pain told him he hit his target. As vision returned, he sees an arrow sticking out of Laura’s shoulder as Gambito is kneeling over her.  Peter actually sighed in relief.  This fight has become too heated and he didn’t want anyone to die as a result.  Perhaps it was time to bring this all to an end.  He thinks he proven his point by now.

   With a cry of pain, the arrow is pulled out of Laura’s shoulder.  Even unleashing an attack like that didn’t help.  Peter’s telling them about his experience was no joke.  They may be out of their league this time.  Still, Brian was in danger and he needed their help.  If they can’t help him, they will surely die trying.  Getting to her feet, she shoves Gambito away with her good arm as he tried to help her up.  Palm facing Peter, Laura unleashes an anguished yell as she fires another cannonball at him.  It appeared Peter was not going to avoid or survive this one.  All of a sudden, a figure appears in front of him, holding up a large, circular shield as the cannonball collides with it.

   Amazingly, the force is not enough to destroy the figure, but did slide him back.  Helen and Isabelle’s battle is interrupted as Helen rushes to the scene, worry for her son fully overtaking her.  Isabelle pursues her.

   “We’re not done!” she called.

   Isabelle spots Gambito and Laura, noticing the blood on her sister’s shoulder.  She abandon’s her pursuit of Helen, choosing to rejoin her sister’s side.

   “Are you ok?” she asked.

   “I’m fine,” Laura said icily through gritted teeth while gripping her shoulder.

   Isabelle looks up at Maxine, who is watching them all, shaking her head in disapproval at the events.

   “Lot of help you were,” Isabelle said.

   Maxine seemed unaffected by the statement, locking eyes with Isabelle, e-cig resting on her lips, arms folded.

   “If you all listened to me in the first place,” she said, taking the e-cig out her mouth and exhaling vapors.  “This wouldn’t have happened.  You are all too thick headed.  Speaking of, your concern shouldn’t be for me, you got bigger problems now.  I suggest this time; you actually try and diffuse the situation before it gets worst.”

   Isabelle’s anger rose.  This was not like Maxine.  She’s not this cold hearted.  Brian is missing, they all got their asses handed to them and she’s blaming them?!  Before she could responds, she felt the air thicken again.  It felt like the gravity bowed to this force as she almost felt like dropping to her knees under its weight.  She looks at the source, a new face that entered the battle.  A lean man, a dirty blonde with his hair in a ponytail, beard sporting two strands of braids from his chin, decorated with beads.  He was shirtless, a shield strapped to his left forearm, a sword in the other.  His tunic was wrapped around his waist.  He wore black pants and boots that also matched his gloves.  He was the fresh one and he was clearly one not to be trifled with.  Helen and Peter stood by, both staring at him as if seeing a ghost.  The irony of that situation.

   “You…” said the man, voice deep and threatening in tone as he points his sword as Isabelle and company.  “You will not bring further harm to my son or my love!”

   “Bring him harm?!” Gambito replied.  “Bro, are you blind?  We’re the ones got harmed!”

   “As well you should be,” spat the man.  “But now I am here and for your actions towards my son and mistress, I shall spare you no mercy!”

   The mysterious Viking warrior took a step forward and that was all it took, the overwhelming power that sprung from him, this world seemed to respond to him even, rumbling with every step.  They were not prepared for this.  Isabelle creates a force field around them, knowing this was not boding well for them.

   “Bjorn wait!” Helen called, which actually surprised Isabelle.

   The Viking, revealed to be named Bjorn, paused, turning to face Helen.  “They have attacked you, I can’t let that stand!”

   “And I am grateful to still see the passion for my wellbeing as well as our son’s,” Helen said.  “But my king, my love, please spare them.”

   King?!  Did Isabelle hear that right?  Is this man a king?  That more than explains the commanding presence his energy created.  Still, Isabelle is surprised at seeing Helen, the woman she fought earlier, now pleading with him to spare them. Seconds ago, they were enemies and now… she doesn’t know what is going on.

   “Why should I Helen?” Bjorn asked.

   “Because, Bjorn,” Helen began, now pointing her staff at Isabelle.  “Look, do you not recognize your queen, your wife, Eira?”

   Wife!!  Queen!  That answers the question about Eira, but Isabelle is still thrown off by everything.  This Helen clearly has her mistaken for someone else.  She’s not this Eira.  She’s never even been married.

   “Congratulations?” Gambito whispered to Isabelle.

   “Shut up!!” Isabelle replied with annoyance.

   Bjorn is silent, staring at Helen, then at Isabelle.  Walking towards the trio, he gets a closer look.  He touches Isabelle’s shield, quickly withdrawing his hand as the energy stung it.

   “Still using your aegis Eira,” he said.  “And still in conflict with Helen I see.  I thought you two settled your differences.  Nonetheless”-he drops to one knee, bowing his head-“forgive me, I did not realize it is you.”

   Isabella is lost on what to say and how to response.  Laura gives her a nudge as Bjorn continued kneeling before them.

   “You’re uhhh,” Isabelle started.  “You’re... forgiven?

   Bjorn rises to his feet as he replies, “Thank you.  Please, lower your shield Eira, I do not intend to do you harm.”

   Isabelle hesitates, but ultimately honors his request.

   “Are you crazy?!” Gambito said.  “This guy is one step away from going full on Conan on us!”

   “Zip. It,” Isabelle warned.

   “What is this place?” Bjorn asked.  “I do not remember how I got here.  I remember Ragnarok, fighting for Odin and Freya, battling Surtr and giving my life… I awaken to find you and Petr under attack.”

   “It…” Helen began.  “It is a misunderstanding.  This place, this is a new time, a new age and while I have missed seeing you”-she cups his face with her hands-“I am afraid that you have to return to slumber my love.”

   “What are you on about Helen?” Bjorn said, confused. “I am not tired.”

   “It will make sense soon,” Helen said, a tear falling down her face.  Isabelle actually felt one of her own, yet couldn’t explain why.

   “You have awakened already,” Helen said.  “You just do not know it.  You are simply, finally, remembering your life, your kingdom, your family.”

   “Remembering...” Bjorn repeated.  “Remembering. Of course I remember. I am…. I am…”

   He pauses.  He looks to Helen, then Peter, then the trio.  He looks lost, confused as he looks around.  It appeared as if he’s come to a realization.

   “I-I could never forget you…” he continued, his voice changing as it sounded like two people were talking and one of those voices belonged to Brian.

   Isabelle’s eyes widened.  She heard it.  That was Brian’s voice.  What did this mean?  The more things unfold, the more she’s questioning.  Eira, Helen, Peter, a family, a queen, a mistress, and king.  No, no more questions.  It was finally coming together.  She finally sees it.

   “Brian…” Isabelle called, to which Bjorn actually looks at her.  “It’s ok.”

   Bjorn closes his eyes, becoming transparent before disappearing; in his place was Brian with his eyes closed.  Opening them, he looks around, noticing the state of things and confused.

   “I…” he began.  “What… what happened? Who am I?  I have... I have a son?  My…”-looks at Peter-“My son… I don’t, I just…”

   Still absorbing everything that just happened, he walks over to Peter, embracing him in a hug.  His face still revealing confusion, yet also revealed love, a love that Brian doesn’t understand fully, yet felt that love compel him.

   In the real world, they all gathered around, Brian still mulling over the events that happened.  Isabelle was as well.  Gambito actually stayed quiet, so did Laura.  Back and forth, Brian paced, mumbling to himself before finally sitting down.

   “I guess I should start,” Maxine said, finally done with her e-cig and breaking the silence.  “As I was trying to explain to you all earlier, Helen here did not intend to do Brian any harm.  You on the other hand, she didn’t know you”-looks at Isabelle-“not all of you at least.  She had to be sure you can be trusted.  She is his guardian, his protector.”

   “Also his side chick,” Gambito chimed in.

   An arrow embeds itself into the wall next to Gambito’s head.  A warning shot from Peter.

   “Ok, ok I get it,” Gambito said. “Respect your mom.”

   Peter says nothing, folding his arms and leaning against the wall as Maxine stopped shooting daggers at Gambito and continued, “People have guardian spirits, some can have really strong ones, completely devoted to them.  Their job is to protect their hosts from any evil spirit or anyone who intends to do them harm.  Also their life is connected to those they protect.  Basically, if their host dies, so do they.”

   “Why weren’t you able to protect me from Bane?” Brian asked Helen.

   “At the time,” Helen began.  “He was still part of you and he took me by surprise.  Also, he had your face and I wasn’t sure if harming him would also harm you.  It’s how I ended up in my cage.”

   “And this… King Bjorn?” he said.  “What is that about?”

   “There’s a simple explanation for that,” Maxine said.  “Bjorn is who you were in a past life.  You are his reincarnation Brian.  I assume the same thing about Isabelle and Eira.  Eira was your wife and queen, Helen was your mistress and the mother of your son, Peter.”

   Gambito is getting ready to comment when he looks at Peter, thinking better of it.

   “Perhaps this will help,” Helen offered as she stepped towards Brian and Isabelle.  “Give me your hands.”

   Brian and Isabelle look at each other before each took a hand.  Helen closes her eyes as they felt a rush of energy go through them.  With that energy, followed a rush of memories, some from Helen and like a domino effect, unlocking their past memories.  Helen, her father, Ulfric, and mother, Astrid, a pet bear named Hertha, Hertha’s cubs, the tragic day in which her parents and Hertha were murdered, her quest for vengeance, becoming a shieldmaiden and later one of the King’s guards and best warriors.  The day she met Bjorn, protecting him from bandits and assassins, Helen teaching him how to fight, the two falling in love and giving to their passion. Eira’s jealousy, a battle between Eira and Helen in the dining hall, Eira using her shield abilities, similar to Isabelle, the birth of Peter, Helen humming that two note tune to baby Peter while holding him in her arms, Eira giving Bjorn children as well, a son who would become a mad king, his sweet daughter who would rule after his downfall, Peter and the prince, growing up as friends and brothers but becoming bitter enemies, Bjorn falling in battle, Bjorn’s funeral, Helen and Eira finally coming together as allies and friends, Peter starting a family of his own, the death of his first wife, Helen’s passing, Peter’s first meeting with Thrud, daughter of Thor, and later giving birth to his other son, making Bjorn a grandfather to a demigod, gods, monsters, undead warriors, the collapse of Yggdrasil, Ragnarak, Surtr, and Jormungand, the memories became more rapid, revealing an entire history in the span of seconds.

   The moment it’s over, Brian and Isabelle jerk their hands back.  Everyone stares at them, waiting on a response.

   “Wow…” Isabelle mustered.  “Just… wow.”

   “I don’t even know what to say,” Brian said. “That was... intense… it’s like watching a fantasy novel take place.”

   “Well I’m still getting over the fact that you turned into a white guy and use to be one,” Gambito said.

   “Forgive my racist friend here,” Brian sighed.  “He has no filter.”

   “Is he always like this?” Peter asked.

   “Unfortunately,” Brian replied.  “So what do we do now?”

   “First,” Helen said.  “I will take you to see Freyja.”

   “Freyja?!” Isabelle said.  “So gods are real?!”

   “Why yes,” Helen said.  “In your memories, it should’ve revealed to you the fact that we have met them face to face, including-“

   “The fact that I’m a grandfather to the son of Thor’s daughter,” Brian finished.  “He couldn’t have taken that well.”

   “He… didn’t,” Peter admitted.

   “As I’ve come to understand,” Helen continued, getting back on point.  “You’ve lost a sword.  I can help build you a new one, but with Freyja’s touch.”

   “Why Freyja?” Brian asked.  “I know your family worshipped her and all, but is there something I’m missing?”

   Helen steps in front of Brian then, looking him in the eye.  Her face displayed worry and regret.

   “I am your protector,” she began.  “I’ve devoted myself to seeing that you stay safe, but I unfortunately cannot protect you from everything, not from heartbreak, not from the pain you feel in your heart.  I am hoping that Freyja can help you finally discover what it feels like to love again, to embrace the strength of it, and not its pain.”

   Brian nods; he didn’t have anything to say to that.

   “We can see her as soon as you are ready to,” she said.  “It is clear that you are all in need of getting stronger.  There are forces out there that will make past enemies seem weak.  You also need a way to defeat Bane once and for all.  Freyja has trained me and Bjorn to fight.  We’ve fought and defeated gods. You need that same knowledge.”

   “So you mean I can finally kick a god’s ass?!” Gambito said, excited, already lost in his fantasy.  “Oooo here I come, Cupid you trolling asshole!”

   “In a manner of speaking,” Helen replied.  “Yes, but that doesn’t mean you should just pick a fight with one either.  For now, I recommend rest.  It has been an… interesting experience.  Give me your answer when you’re ready.”

   In a flash of light, Helen disappears, the trail of light flowing into Brian.

   “And that would be my cue,” Peter said.

   “Wait” Brian said. “Y-you’re going?  But, I… we…”

   “You’ll be fine,” Peter said, placing comforting hands on Brian’s shoulders.  “Unlike mom, I didn’t make an oath to be your guardian, but I will always be around if you need me.  Besides, there are some descendants I have to look after.”

   “Descendants?!” Brian repeated.

   Peter could only laugh before embracing Brian in a hug.

   “I love you dad,” he said.

   The two stood there, locked in a hug, not even Gambito dared try to ruin this moment.

   “I’ll see you around,” Peter said, switching to a jesting tone. “Old man.”

   “Hey, you’re never too old to get a spanking!” Brian chuckled.

   “It’s been nice meeting,” Peter began before his eyes fell on Gambito. “Most of you.”

   Similar to Helen, he disappears in a flash of light, leaving the rest of them to reflect on the day’s events.

   “Wait,” Laura said. “I didn’t even get to ask!  What about me?  We’re twins.  Did Eira have a twin?  What’s up with that?!”

   “What if you’re both Eira,” Brian theorized. “Like… two halves made from one person.”

   Laura is set to respond and refute but then pauses.  She looks at Maxine.

   “Yes,” she revealed. “It is entirely possible.”

   “That might explain why my ex was so nuts,” Gambito said.  “Two women in one… you’d think a guy would be into that. But nope, it’s not fun. At all.  You know what... I wonder who I was.  Maybe Alexander the Great?”

   “Or Napoleon,” Brian added.

   “Come on bro,” Gambito replied.  “That’s not funny.”

   “It’s a little funny.”

   “I was going to suggest Hitler,” Maxine threw in.

   “Ok, now that is just wrong!” Gambito snapped.

   “Richard Nixon,” Laura said.

   “I was born before he died,” Gambito whined. “That’s not even possible!”

   “Not unless you’re one half of the same person,” Isabelle said.

   That caused an eruption of laughter from everyone in the room, much to Gambito’s dismay.