Master Jack was a handsome man with a complicated personality. He had less awareness of the people around him much like his descendant, Master Jill… and yet, Alaric got the vague feeling he cared all the same.

After all, a powerful barrier surrounded the beautiful village courtesy of an old spell cast by the same man. “You’ve probably noticed by now that most of the people here are highly attuned to Spirit Energy.”

“That’s what my guardian told me. I wouldn’t know really,” Alaric replied.

Master Jack nodded knowingly, “What do you know, then?”

“I know this town holds secrets. I know there is much more happening around me than I realise… but I also know I care about my friends more than those things. I asked Master Jill earlier… and the face he made showed me I was not ready yet. It’s a lot, isn’t it?” Alaric asked.

Master Jack laughed while nodding, “Yes, Lord…”

“Just Alaric, please,” the boy raised his hand, a pained expression making its way to his face.

Master Jack breathed deeply, “There are laws that run the spirit world. I’ll assume you know the Spirit World is the same as the world our guardians come from. It’s sometimes referred to as the Higher Plane. In the Spirit World, there are rules… Rules which are meant to keep balance. Most of those rules apply to guardians… and most times, loosely apply to spirits such as myself.

A guardian shall protect their master no matter the cost…

A guardian will ‘guide’ their master in the proper ways of life and virtue.

A guardian will keep their master from straying off the righteous path they’ve chosen. Humans are creatures of mistakes… and guardians know that so they help them.

I could go on and on about the rules but I don’t have much time. You can ask your guardian to teach them to you. With time, you’ll come to know of these two worlds, what makes them so similar yet different and why they should always stay in perfect balance.

You, Lord Alaric, happen to be a very special boy known to all guardians and spirits by name. Ah…” the spirit bit his lip as though thinking through his words. His eyes were dazed for a split second that Alaric almost missed, almost like he was communicating telepathically. When he spoke, however, he didn’t seem to show signs of having lost focus, he just continued undisturbed.

“So special in fact, that a spirit is unable to say your name… without adding a title of respect,” the man responded, “Your life will not be an easy one… but with time, it will all make sense.”

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Alaric blinked and noticed something wrong with Master Jack’s body. The handsome man was now so translucent that he might have been a figment of Alaric’s imagination.

“Keep your friends close and follow that intuition of yours,” the man said before flashing a genuine smile, “I’m so glad I met you this soon. I was afraid I’d be too late.”

With that, the translucent image of the spirit burst into shimmering dust, only for it to fade away just as well. Suddenly, the Colosseum was very silent. Alaric turned back to the exit of the VIP section and noticed his friends were still waiting for him.

It didn’t take long for him to notice why it was so silent. The largest population of Jack’s Fall had been made up of spirits, going back several generations… and now they were gone. Just like that, the full amphitheatre was evacuated, like nothing had ever happened.

The void left by the cheerful loving spirits was palpable, ‘So this is what the people of Jack’s Fall go through every full moon,’ he thought to himself. He couldn’t imagine just how painful it must have been to see a loved one once every month, and then lose them all over again.

Alaric stood up and made his way to his friends. “You okay?” Darla asked.

The boy nodded, “Yeah… Just got a lot to think about now.”

“Of course you do, Lord Alaric,” Garin chuckled, “Let’s get going, brat. Remember, you have to be up early to head over to the Five Hills. I don’t want Marla talking my ear off on how irresponsible I am.”

“I thought she got a letter from Master Jill,” Alaric tried.

“So what if she got a letter? This is the first time I’m spending a night with her aspirants. If I had known you’d be this much of a celebrity, I probably would have dropped you off at the Five Hills first,” the man complained.

As the group exited the cathedral, they found a pair of bored knights dressed in white armour waiting outside. LionHeart was yawning a lot while Gunther played with one of his arrows, sharpening the tip with a small whetstone out of pure boredom.

“I heard the ceremony was a blast,” LionHeart yawned.

“It was… Why didn’t you guys come in?” Finn piped up.

“Nothing really…”

“Nothing?” Gunther fumed, “Alaric, forgive this loser for whatever sick twisted thing he did to you. His guardian wouldn’t even let him in and I had to stay out here to keep him company like some babysitter. I practically missed the whole thing because of him.”

LionHeart flinched at his friend’s tone, then turned sheepishly to Alaric, “He’s… right.”

Alaric’s mind went on pause for a bit… [His guardian didn’t let him in?]

[The last time Aslan saw you, LionHeart had made you mad] Alia clarified.

[But that’s so… whimsical] Alaric slumped his shoulders.

“Can I see your guardian, LionHeart?” Alaric asked.

LionHeart nodded.

The space beside him rippled before a massive magnificent lion with a great golden mane stepped out. The guardian’s aura, unlike before, was subdued and gentle. Nothing like the menacing imposing lion Alaric was getting used to.

[I would like to apologise for my charge’s behaviour] The lion spoke before Alaric could address him, [I’ve tried to make him see reason but… humans are stubborn.]

The dark-haired boy found himself chuckling at the remark.

Wasn’t he a human himself? Wasn’t he also stubborn? All the time he’d so far spent here, he’d refused to accept the title awarded to him by the spirits of Jack’s Fall. But now… now he understood, if only just a little bit, how much of a big deal it was.

He might have been lacking the most important details of his power… but at least now he had an inkling of an idea. Most of all, he knew now more than ever how urgent it was that Alia stayed hidden.

‘How long will that last though?’

[Until you’re strong enough. When you’re strong enough, you’ll be free] the guardian replied to his thoughts.