Author’s Note: This chapter is a short transition scene, where not much action takes place. However, please read it to understand the next chapter. Thank you.

Chapter 9: The Choice

You’re not alone
Together we stand
I’ll be by your side you know I’ll take your hands
When it gets cold, and it feels like the end
There’s no place to go you know I won’t give in
No I won’t give in
~Avril Lavinge

“Come dear, we must go,” Raeken said as he and Annikabelle stood upon the edge of the towering cliff, looking down upon their smoldering house. He let go of his wife’s hand and sauntered over to his children.
“My children, be strong. Life will throw many hardships at you. We will get through this, together.” He looked firmly down upon Guosim and SolarKatz.
“I wish none of this ever happened,” Guosim sobbed as she collapsed into her father’s arms.
“So do all who meet such times, but all you have to do, is to decide what to do with the time that is given to you.” Raeken replied soothingly. He pulled his daughter up and looked to his son, who’s messy hair was covering his blue eyes. SolarKatz shook a little as he cried silently to the ground. Raeken sighed sadly and walked over to him.

Aaru’s eyelids fluttered open, revealing her dazzling purple eyes.
“Reptina, she’s awake, Aaru’s awake!” Latia shouted to her friend. Reptina rushed to Aaru’s side once more and grasped her hand warmly. Mark followed closely and kneeled down beside Aaru.

Aaru looked up wearily. Misty figures swirled above her, watching over her. Suddenly, her world came back into focus, and she watched as her two best friends came into clear view. Tears dripped down onto Aaru’s chest. Aaru looked up and smiled warmly at Reptina and Latia with tears slowly welling into her eyes.

Reptina and Latia both swooped down and embraced Aaru tightly. They cradled Aaru in their arms. Their souls were finally reunited again. Mark looked on at the sidelines. He smiled as he watched the three friends smile and laugh. He looked back towards Vanya and Will, who nodded at him, smiling warmly. Somehow, he knew everything was going to be alright.

“Aaru,” Mark said as he trudged up to her, “We must go. We must take you to our leader. She is waiting for you.” Aaru looked up at him with her teary purple eyes. She held out her hand, which Mark took gently and lifted her up to her feet.
“Please, tell me, what is your name?” Aaru asked in between muffled sobs.
“I am Mark,” Mark replied calmly. He waved his hands in the direction of Vanya and Will, “These are my superiors, Vanya and Will. Our task is to bring you to our leader.
“But-,” Aaru started, but was interrupted by Mark.
“All of your questions will be answered once we reach her.” Mark simply replied. For a moment, they all stood there in silence, letting the gentle wind blow past, ruffling their hair calmly. The fresh breeze refreshed them after all the morning had in store of them.

“We must go,” Mark finally said, still holding onto Aaru’s hands.

Vanya and Will sauntered up to the grieving family. “I know this is hard,” Vanya tried to comfort them, “but we must move on. The Rangers will be back for Aaru. Raeken, you know how important she is. We must get her to our leader.” Raeken looked up at Vanya. Both mages stared into each others eyes dark eyes.

“What about my family?” Raeken asked, “Where will they go? What will they do? Our home is gone, destroyed,” he added darkly. Vanya looked at Annikabelle, Guosim, and SolarKatz.

They would only slow us down, Raeken. Vanya stared into Raeken’s eyes, which suddenly widened in shock. Annikabelle looked up curiously.

Telepathy is dangerous, Vanya, Raeken thought back, Even the people who have mastered it do not know its unfathomable depths. You never know who else is listening.

In these times of great peril, we have but little choice. Vanya returned sharply.

[i]I will not abandon my family![i] Raeken’s angry voice boomed in Vanya’s mind.

Vanya looked down upon the three sitting upon the ground, tears dripping down their fronts and splashing down onto the crisp green grass. He sighed and had pity upon them, and looked back at Raeken.

We need you, Raeken. Your family can only slow us down!

I am not leaving them! Annikabelle’s eyes suddenly looked up at her husband, aroused by something that had just blasted through her mind.

I’m telling you, I cannot let anything endanger our mission. Aaru is our first and only priority, you know that Raeken!

What’s all this? A female voice suddenly boomed into the two men’s heads. Raeken and Vanya both turned to stare into Annikabelle’s furious eyes. Are you seriously going to leave us Raeken? What happened to till death till us part? Who are you Raeken? Where is that man that I married so long ago? Annikabelle fumed at the surprised Vanya and Raeken.

Raeken stared back into Annikabelle’s eyes sparkling with angry tears. “I love you Annikabelle, I will never leave you.” He returned his gaze to Vanya. Raeken walked forward and put his hand upon Vanya’s armored shoulder. “We are coming with you, to the end. We are together as one.” Raeken returned to his wife and children.

Vanya and Will stood there, rooted to the ground. The sudden blast from Annikabelle had shaken his thoughts completely.
“Wat wuz dat Vanya?” Will asked confusedly as he looked from Vanya to Raeken to Annikabelle and back to Vanya again, “Wat are dey gonna do?”
“They come with us,” Vanya finally managed to say, “Yes, they will come with us.”

Mark gently held Aaru’s hand behind him as he walked in Vanya’s direction. Latia and Reptina closely followed behind, glancing from Aaru to Mark. Mark looked behind at Aaru who was being led on by his hand. She wore a curious, but frightened expression upon her face as she followed him. He sighed and smiled quickly to himself and looked back towards Vanya.

Mark, Vanya, Will, Aaru, Reptina, Latia, Guosim, SolarKatz, Annikabelle, and Raeken all got up. The ten of them took one last look at the smoldering ruins of their home, and one by one, turned away into the Forests of Ellinia. The shades of the giant Magic Trees blocked out glimpses of the golden sun as the ten moved into the trees. With a rustle of leaves and a quick blow of the cool wind, they were gone.