Aster

"Is this really happening?" I sat there sitting in the room I was drugged and brought to. After given a very basic amount of information. I had fallen asleep to continue to heal from the drug. Instead of screaming when I woke up, I was calm and just taking in this sparse room. There was a set of nice clothes on the bed with a simple note.

Please wear this for the trial.

"Why not." At this point I had nothing to lose. I've already been kidnapped, what else cold go wrong? Oh Keepers, I did not just think that. Are they really the keepers? I mean they did give a good showing...or they could just be weirdos. I mean they did say they would give me a night to think on if I wanted to join and soak all this in. I think it was more to let the drugs run out of my system. At least they were nice enough for that. I finished puting on the suit they had provided for me when I heard *Knock*.

"Come in."

Zin opened the door, looking the same as the night before. "Have you thought on what I told you yesterday."

"Not a dream then?"

Zin smiled. "Nope."

"Since it was not a dream. You guys really expect me to believe you are the keepers? The guardians of humanity? The holders of the secret? The ones who hold the sky? The fallen gods?"

"That last one was never true." Zin corrected

I just stared at him. Before he caughed. "What do you want to know?"

I thought for a second and smiled. "So what is the secret?"

"What secret?"

"THE secret?" I stressed

"Secret."

"I walked into that one."

"Yup." I can't decide if I like Zin's casual attitude about all this. But for some reason it was keeping me from freaking out.

"Besides the kidnapping, how do I know you are the keepers."

"Here's the thing." Zin seemed a little embarrassed. "Can't really give proof unless you decide to join."

"Ok...What do I have to do to join?" I'm way to far into this at this point.

"Ah. Well that isn't up to me. You would need to go through initiation first. Which is a trial and a task."

"Trial?"

"Its more like me pitching you to the team."

"Weird. Then what is the task"

"That is decided at the trial by the council."

"Ok...Then. So let me get this straight."

"I'm listening."

"You kidnapped and drugged me. In an attempt to recruit me into an organization that I thought no longer existed. That I may not join or may not be able to join if they don't like me. Even then I would have to pass some sort of test."

"Thats pretty much it, you have to go on faith until your fully initiated."

"Faith. In you?"

"Yes."

"A guy I've only just talked to once."

"Yes."

"A guy who runs a hat shop... that I am 90% sure is an actual hat that was expanded."

Zin Had a huge smile when I mentioned the shop "I think You get it."

"..." I stared at him. I had been through a lot and I was crazy curious as to whether this was all real or not. Besides my team wouldn't just abandon me...would they? "Fuck it. I'm already here, let's see where this goes."

"Thats the spirit!" Zin looked down at a non-existent watch. "Since you would like to join the council will be meeting in a minute so we should go."

"That's some confidence there. How'd you know I would go?"

"No reason not to. And we've been watching you."

Are their camera's in here. I looked around looking for something to indicate a camera, but came up emtpy. "Well thats unsettling."

"No follow up?"

"Not sure I want to know."

Uncomfortable at what Zin was saying "So what if I decided to not join?"

"We knock you out and send you on your way. Or possibly kill you so you forget you were ever here. We are just far enough away from the crystal that this all would easily be mistaken for a dream and like a dream hard to remember." The nonchalance at Zin's statement shook me. I had no doubt they were prepared to kill me. I was a nobody.

But the more I thought the more something didn't make sense. "What keeps me from saying no or revealing your identity later?"

"What Identity?" Zin's face, body and clothes changed to that of the man from the transfer shop.

"Is that really you?" I knew the answer but I had to ask on the off chance it was.

"Might be. Or..." Zin turned into another person. Someone I knew well. Tall, sturdy, with a big brown beard, someone with a face you could trust, Cane. "...Maybe this is me."

I was shaken. This was definitely not Cane I knew him to well to be fooled by this illusion. Cane despite traveling would always help me out when I needed it. I was always bothering him when I was young about stories from the outside. He's who I went to for advice before I left. It was rather embarrassing what we talked about. They really did their research. "Can you choose someone else, that one makes me feel uncomfortable."

"Of Course." Zin changed back to the hat shop attendant.

"I see. I really have no information."

"Nope and if you told anyone. They would just think you got pranked or they wouldn't believe who we really are. So nothing on our end to really worry about... yet."

What's that supposed to mean? "That...is not reassuring."

"Not supposed to be." Zin held up his wrist and pointed at his non-existent watch. "We need to head out."

"Anything I should know?" All kinds of butterflies were flapping around my stomach.

"I am going to pitch you to the team. You should stay quiet, not that you have a choice. You may be asked questions. Then they will decide." Zin too a breath closed the door the room. Then grabbed gestured for me to join him. "If they decide you join. You will be given a task. If not..."

"Ah."

"Let's go. Zin opened the door.

The door no longer opened to the hall I had seen previously but to a large open room. Plainly decorated...No not plain there were carvings all along the walls. I tried to make them out but the more I concentrated on them the more they looked like plain wood. It was only when I wasn't focusing the images became clear, even then I could only make out what looked to be a dome surrounded by town crystals. What is that. I took my attention away from the wood paneling taking in the rest of the room. The entire room was empty except for a raised dais with 7 seats.

"I was right next tot the council room?" Maybe it was always here?

"Nope. There is normally a hall there. We can't have you knowing to much so, we connected your room to this one."

"What?"

"Magic!" He was way to excited giving that answer.

Fine I'm not getting any answer's there. How about a normal question. "Where is everyone?"

"Give it a minute. This is my favorite part."

I looked around trying to see what he was talking about. There was just an empty dais in front of me and a door behind me.

The lights in the room began to dim. At least I thought it was until I saw the light being pulled from the lighting to one of the chairs. I stared at the chair on the far end of the dais that was suddenly pulling in all the light. Quickly the light filled in a human shape, exactly like water in a glass.

'That's not how light works.'

When the form was filled the light shattered away revealing the form of a man with long white hair, a beard and lots of wrinkles, wearing a black robe. The room's immediately brightened as the man's light shell dissipated.

'Odd.'

I didn't have any time to let what just happened sink in when I suddenly felt a strong heat to my back. Looking towards the source I saw a flaming dragon, serpentining quickly behind me. Before I could react it circles us once. Then jumped up to the dais on the opposite end from the other judge. When the dragon landed it fully formed into a asian woman who also had long gray, hair, and wrinkles.

'Why do they have so many wrinkles.'

Suddenly, a crowd of people proceeded to enter the room and walk around us.

'Are more people getting judged?'

It wasn't until I realized all the people in the crowd had the same face that I realized this was another council member. She was shorter then the other 2 with long black hair with streaks of gray. She also had a lot of wrinkles and large brown spots all over her skin. She walked up the dais and all her forms walked into each other until only one was left.

It appeared each councilor was going to have their own entrance.

*Crackle. Crackle* Looking around the room I could see sparks of lighting all around discharging all around. One bolt hit next to me causing me to jump. The air smelled burnt...kinda sweet.

'Huh. That's what ozone smells like.'

The councilor appeared in a clap of thunder. He appeared stout, and tall,dark brown skin contrasted by his bright white hair, and a prominent jowl .

*Swish* I heard the sound of air tearing. Looking around I didn't see anything. *Swish* Again the sound but this time I saw something. Just for an instance I saw a person. *Swish* Again they appeared then immediately disappear. *Swish* *Swish* *Swish* With every sound the person kept disappearing and reappearing in random spots. The sound rapidly sped up.

*Swish* *Swish* *Swish* *Swish* *Swish* *Swish* *Swish* *Swish* *Swish* *Swish* *Swish* *Swish*

Until they appeared behind the dais with a rapier in hand and bowed. Taking a seat. This person was thin and pale, with a bald head with white hair circling his skull. With wrinkles and discoloration around his skin.

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As the man took his seat Flower petals began to rain down. The covered the entire room, but not a one was touching the ground. Right before they hit the ground they would circle and move toward the dais. The flowers rained for a few seconds before they all gathered and formed into a caramel skinned man. With dark gray hair, and deep smile lines on his face.

With the man seated, a giant shadow appear behind the dais's final chair. The shadow was larger then life and seemed to emit a large pressure. I felt heavy, scared and terrified all at once as I watched the shadow get closer. The shadow shrank as it moved until it finally to the shape of a woman with short white hair curled, with deep jowls and deep wrinkles. With her form shifting from shadow to tangible, the pressure vanished. She took here seat in the center of the Dias

'Why do all these people look so...weird. I've never seen someone with so many wrinkles. Maybe one or to but never more then that.'

I stood there with Zin not sure on what I was to do. When the woman in the center spoke. "Welcome. We are the Keeper's Council. From here you will be given the chance to join us. Your advocate here, has briefed you on what is to happen?"

I nodded.

"Good. Do you wish to continue?"

I nodded.

"We need to here you speak the words."

"Yes." That makes sense no room for ambiguity.

"One more time. Do you wish to join the keepers?"

"Yes!" Thinking they wanted me to say it louder.

My whole body froze. Locked in place as a blue screen appeared.

Trial for the Keepers requested.

Compliance Required...

Received.

Confirming Councilors...

Required Number of Councilors present.

Starting Trial...

For the duration of the trial you will be unable to move or speak, with the exception of questions directed to you.

Trial will now begin.

"The trial Has Begun!"

As one the council asked. "Who Have you brought before us?"

"Aster Datura."

"Again we Ask. Who have you brought before us?"

"Aster Datura, Rouge, Cat, and Smith!" Wait how do they know all this?

"One final time we ask. Who have you brought before us?"

"Moonflower." Wait how did he know my class? Can they see me?

"Moonflower! We see you. But we don't know you. This one." Raises there hands pointed toward Zin. "This one believes you have the potential to join the keepers."

Zin nodded at this.

"Today, you will be assessed and judged."

His next words felt heavy, and hard to hear. Like the words contained a mountain. "Moonflower. We are the Keepers. We are the ones who Keep humanity alive, we Keep humanity ready, and we Keep the hope alive, Keeping the true secrets until the world is ready." The man paused for a moment letting the gravity of what is accruing sink in. I was barely standing. His words had so much weight to them. Not just metaphorically, the gravity in the room was increasing with every word. "Moonflower, this is a heavy burden. This weight you feel now never forget how light it feels." Light I feel like I gained 200 pounds. "The world will only become heavier the deeper you go. So let us see if you can bare this weight." The man no longer looked to me instead towards Zin. "Who was Moonflower?"

"Moonflower was once a child in the nursery. A child who never stopped. A child with no true focus. A child who learned. A child who grew. A child isolated. A child who persevered. A child who fought till the bitter end. A child betrayed. A child who died. A child who became a Man." How the hell could they have known about what they James and the others did? The pressure was getting hard to endure, if it wasn't for forcibly being locked into place. I would have fallen to the ground.

"Again we ask. Who was Moonflower."

"Moonflower was once Man new to this world, thrown into chaos. He was a Man who chose his own destiny. A Man who found his own way. A Man who was elusive. A Man erratic and unpredictable finding a solution that no one thought of before." Do they know how I passed my guild exam? "A Man who became a Rogue."

"One final time we ask. Who was Moonflower."

"Moonflower was a Rogue. A Rogue who trained. A Rogue who never stopped. A Rogue who never failed. A Rogue who never stopped. A Rogue who achieved no name. A Rouge who created. A Rogue who appears a fool. A Rogue unseen moving shadows, helping the light. A Rogue underestimated. A Rogue forgotten. A Rogue who began a story. A Rogue who became a Moonflower."

"With words from others we will listen. Please present those whose words you have chosen."

Zin pulled out 3 separate sheets of paper and began. "The first is one who was like a mentor to Moonflower. He was asked by the teachers at the school to give his opinion whilst Moonflower was going through a troubling time. A man named Cane."

Aster tends to fly under the radar and is constantly underestimated. Whether contrived by others or not. He will not give up, and he will surprise everyone, whether good or bad...it could go either way."

"Then their was one who was sent to asses you. A man named Thorn."

Aster's performance is not as reported, inept and barely able to balance. He was highly skilled at dodging, counter attacking, and attacking. He has respectable fighting instincts, but lacks full control; however he is highly adaptable always seeming to finding footing in most unlikely places. At high speeds his aptitude only appeared to increase, conversely due to this aspect his aptitude would appear to decrease with lower speeds. In my opinion Aster's progress is being stilted on purpose, and find the practice deplorable. In my final evaluation, it would be recommended Aster look into a Rogue or Warrior class that specializes in high speed combat.

'Wait! I was being purposely stilted?'

"Finally! One who has taught you. An evaluation chosen from a list of many from a man named Noame."

"Aster maintains a positive attitude despite his isolation. In my previous observations and conversations, I found Aster to not be like the quite boy you expect. He is smart clever and quick. Sometimes his body moves before his mind, thinking to do some clever thing. It's something you can see in the way his face goes from excited to "OH No" When he does this. Aster while also appearing to be unfocused and easily distracted, also can be intensely focused when he finds something he enjoys. This leads me to believe he is always searching for something. This is only conjecture."

"We have heard the words and acknowledge who Moonflower once was. Time to learn who Moonflower is, and see who Moonflower might be."

The pressure vanished. I would have wobbled from the sudden release if I was able to. Whatever ritual that was going on appeared to have finished, as everyone sat down at the table. Starting to go through files in front of them.

"Moonflower we have heard of the praises of those who have taught you. We have others both positive and negative. We have reviewed them all and have decided on 2 questions. You will be able to answer once one is asked. You will only be able to speak in answer of the question. All other words will be unable to be uttered. If you wish to not answer say so. This will count as your answer. Do you understand?"

I began to nod my head yes. Realizing I could move if only my head shocked me.

"Moonflower we need you to answer allowed please."

I took a minute to realize that was a question originally thus allowing me to answer. "...Yes."

"Good. Moonflower, during your training you fell behind. By all accounts you barely passed your forms assessment, stumbling, barely keeping balance, and appearing to be unable to aim. When moved to sparing and practical training, again the same evaluation. Except, it appeared to have gotten worse. We received the conflicting report from one other teacher, who we are told only stayed with you for a day. Our question is why did you fail, when by all reports now you are thriving?"

I stood trying to think of an answer to there question. It was very thorough and encapsulated my time in training. When I finally thought of an answer I was surprised at myself. "I think...I think why I was failing was I never had a goal."

"Please elaborate."

"There was always the far off nebulous goal of passing, but for me that never felt real. Each form had an objective but the goal was to fight and I never had a target. I could never focus my movements towards something. Eventually time blended together and even the goal of finishing felt like...like it wasn't real." I stopped to take a breath and gather my next words. "When I learned I only had one final chance, suddenly the goal became tangible. I lost myself in the forms just moving. I think it was the lack of over-thinking that let me pass."

"What about the practical training?"

"Oh. That's much simpler. It was to slow?"

"To slow?"

"Yes. To slow. My instructor must have thought I needed to gain confidence or something. They never explained it to me, but when we would spar we would move at a crawl. Like a really slow dance."

The council were conversing with each other, appearing to be a little concerned. The spoke with one another, and I was once again locked in place unable to speak. Soon enough they turned back to me. "Thank you, for that answer. We now understand why the one instructor thought you were being purposely held back." Wait what? Was I really trained wrong? What the fuck!? "Our second question has to do with the incident with the other student." Is this really still going to come back on me. How many times do I have to explain I did not hurt him on purpose. "During the incident, after the student was struck, unconscious and bloody on the floor, you did nothing to help him. In fact the report here says you taunted him. Why did you do this?"

Seriously? I let out a tired and exhausted sigh. Let's see if they will believe me. I started to counted to count of on my fingers. "One! I did not injure him on purpose. Two! This was my first spar, this was his...I don't know how many but he was experienced, so I though he was screwing around pretending to be injured. Thus the taunting. Three! When I realized this was not the case and he was actually hurt. I attempted to help but was told to not go near him, that I would be punished otherwise. I believe that was reported as attempting to cause further harm." There it is the looks on there faces. OH! I think a couple of them...no all of them might believe me. Something about the look of pity on there faces. Huh? I did not expect that

"Is there any other information you wish to disclose Advocate?" The Council looked towards Zin.

Zin smiled mischievously. "3 things. He is a quester...one of the first. I'm sure you heard of them on the news."

News? We were on the news? When? Why would we have been on there? I looked up to see the councilors. Any semblance of boredom was gone. They had his full attention. Is being a quester good? What is that anyway?

"He is the fool." The councilors appeared confused but intrigued.

Wait is that the quester thing he was talking about. I was unable to move but that didn't stop the blood from rushing to my face.

"Finally, he has already created an alter ego, whether purposefully or not, that his team probably would never believe it was him." How is that relevant, and why do they all suddenly look excited? That can't be good.

The councilor stopped to converse once more. "Thank you Advocate. We have heard you and we have heard your testimony. Moonflower, this is your chance. You may ask questions in a moment that we will answer if possible. Now what are your questions?"

With nothing to loose I rapid fired questions. They where just as quick to answer.

"Are you really the Keepers?"

"Yes."

"What is a quester?"

"People who are chosen to join the quest."

"Why did you appear excited about me being one?"

"We've always stayed out of the quest. But things have changed and we need to do something."

"What is the 'Quest'?"

"It is the quest you began with those shadow wolves. The Mayor is one of the quest givers."

"There are more people doing this?" I knew we couldn't have been the only group doing this.

"Yes. We have people from all over doing the quests. Each quest is unique to the party it is given to. Changing based on what the world needs."

"Why. What does the world need?"

"A hero." Oh, that can't be good.

"Why do we need a hero?"

Silence. The room was silent for a few minutes before one of the council members to pity and answered. "The world just needs someone to believe in.That is all we can say on this matter."

"What is 'THE' secret?" This drew a smile from most of the council.

"That is something you may one day find out but not today.

"What would I be doing if I join?"

"That will be decided after you join."

"Why do you all look so...strange? I've never seen anyone with so many wrinkles or gray hair like that, heck I don't think I've ever seen jowls on a human."

The entire council looked towards each other, excitement on there face."Now that is a good question. This " The woman in the center gestured to herself. "Is all about power and age. This is a choice, once you become strong enough only those with real power can look as we should. This is what humanity would look like if we didn't stop aging at 25. I probably look like an ancient human would have at...85. Now I am much, much older then that. So just remember if you run into someone like us. Gray, wrinkled, or even fat. There is some true power there, although fat isn't as strong."

This was old age. Weird. I wonder why humans looked like that when they got older. It doesn't look like there was any advantage to it. No matter how I looked at it I didn't understand it.

"Now we must confer, and render our decision." The entire council began to blurred into movements to fast to see. Talking at high speeds I had no idea how long they spoke but to me it was only a few seconds before. "We have made our decision. We see the potential of Moonflower, and the future worth he can bring. Moonflower is worthy to join the Keepers." I was excited, and something else. I felt some weight fall off my shoulders as I was finally recognized, instead of ignored and disbelieved. "One final test will be given to show his desire to join." I knew there was going to be some kind of catch. "As we are a 'SECRET' society no egg will be given. Your advocate will explain your task and send you on your way. This Trial Has CONCLUDED."

A blue screen appeared at his words.

Trial for the Keepers has been concluded.

Verdict...Worthy.

Speak with your advocate for more information.

We are the keepers. The holder of humanity. One day we will need to spread our secrets held in trust. The world will heal. The universe will remember, and we will be found.

Trial Ended.

The council was just gone. The disappeared without a word or sound leaving me alone with Zin, who was smiling from ear to ear.

Before I could get excited I remebered my team. "While I would like to do the task, whatever it might be. I need to get back to my team."

"Here's the thing." I don't like the way he said that. "It's been 3 days since we grabbed you."

"???"

"And we have it on good authority they've already left on the next leg of the quest. So they'll be gone for a while."

"Why would they leave without me." Was I really that bad on our last mission?

"The mayor fed them some story of you learning a new skill. So they think you will be out for 2 weeks."

I looked at him incredulously "And they believed him."

Zin moved his hand indicating kind of.

I let out an annoyed sigh. I couldn't say that I blamed them. I mean 2 weeks is a long time. I bet they even think they would finish before I would be done with the skill. But that is still annoying. "Since I now have nothing else to do. What is the task?"

"The task is simple.Find us."

"Thats it? Any time-limit?"

"3 days to find us."

"Do I at least get a clue?"

"Of course."

"Well?"

"What is it?"

"We are also called the gardeners."

"Thats not very helpful."

"It's a clue. Think on it."

"..."

"Now that you are all set." I was not set. I had a ton of questions but Zin just kept talking. "Be aware this will be your last chance to walk away from this." With that everything went black. No fair.

It was strange one moment everything was black the next I was standing in front of the city's crystal. I was standing just across the bridge toward the crystal. Was all of that even real?

I think it was. Now how do I find them? Do I need to look for places gardeners hang out, or is it something more metaphorical?

It wasn't even a question. I was going to join the keepers, I needed to know what the blighted lands was going on.