Chapter 2
The Decision
Garage work was difficult, but simple. At least for Meredith, after a day that had been filled with an unexpected amount of encounters and activity, coming back home to work on the Corps’ skyship was something familiar. It was also exciting given what it was, but when Meredith had returned home, put her mechanic’s overalls on and stepped near the engine, any thoughts of the trials and Royston Masters fled her mind.
All that was there with her was the engine, her tools and her hands, tinkering away next to one of her father’s apprentices. From the jet-powered wingspan, to the sleek, glass-domed top and the open-air observation deck, all the way into the underbelly where the engine and levitation parts sat, Meredith was kept occupied.
It was such engrossing work, that by the time she was done checking over every inch of the moderately-sized ship and was headed to the shower, the sun was beginning to sink below the horizon. That gave Meredith a breath of relief, realizing she’d met her father’s deadline, even if she’d had help to do it (and it wasn’t like the ship was broken in the first place). Of course, as much as she wished to stick around to see the commander fly off, and to offer another promise of clearing the path towards becoming a Guardian, the allure of food and washing the grime off was too strong.
So it was that after a quick shower, a rummage for presentable dinner clothes (rather, those that didn’t have wayward grease splotches), and a confident look at the various Guardian Corps paraphernalia she’d collected, Meredith left her room for the kitchen. She passed by a training room and the door to the garage before arriving to greet her parents. It was no surprise that her mother was already there, sitting at the table and going over some invoices for the garage, the hearty meal of fish and potatoes sizzling on the stove.
More surprising was that her father was also there, looking over a map that was far too familiar from Meredith’s own studies.
“New jobs, dad?” she asked. Her hand went to filch some of the fish until her mother glared at her. Her father likewise stopped his own action and wrapped the map up, the teenager catching sight only of the red markings on it.
“Not quite,” was the answer. “Though it’s been a while since I’ve gotten shipments from the Metropolis.”
“We’ve had to rely on orders from some of the archipelagos to the east,” her mother said, sipping a glass of water. Not having much else to do, Meredith flopped into her seat, looking over to her parents and their shared gazes. Her mother sighed and shuffled her papers into order. “Recent news of the Renegades has made people deem sending shipments so far south too much of a risk. They speak of the possibility they’ll raid shipments for information. It’s an annoyance, to say the least.”
“Renegades, huh? Like the guy who stole from Eddie today…”
“Oh yes, I’ve heard of your little mishap in the streets, Mera.” Meredith flinched, grimacing towards her mother. The woman pinched her nose, adjusted her glasses and brushed away her ponytail. “Shameful. I didn’t teach you swordplay to have you make such a blunder in judgment.”
“How’d you hear about that? Wait, was it Captain Clive? Or was it Eddie? That traitor!”
“I told her,” her father said. He was now standing, shuffling over to the cooked dinner and moving it to plates without any complaint from her mother. “You impressed me, Mera, and clearly the commander, but Evelyn…”
“I hold different standards for my daughter, Richard,” she said, now letting go of her nose and leveling an icy glare at Meredith. The black-haired teen could do naught but smile as her father placed the dinner plate before her. “Mera, what was that? You’ve asked me for training, and yet…”
“I…er…made a miscalculation in judgment,” Meredith admitted. The glare persisted, and then the sigh came with a smile.
“You see, Richard? ‘Miscalculation’. This wouldn’t happen if she didn’t spend all day tinkering in the garage,” Evelyn said with a snap. Richard chuckled, sitting back down with his own food and sliding a plate over to his wife. Meredith tried to ignore the bantering between her mother and father, cutting into her fish and eating with silence. “I know she’s the best mechanic, but she keeps on neglecting training and we get issues like this.”
“Don’t tell me you’re actually gonna punish me…” Meredith said, continuing to eat. Evelyn looked over, smirking and chuckling simultaneously. Before answering, the mother took a bite of her fish as well.
“Not in the slightest. I just think it’s time for some real-world experience.”
The statement made Meredith look up, some potatoes plopping down from her fork while she blinked rapidly. Did that mean what she thought it meant? Surely it couldn’t have been? Not after so long.
Wanting to know, Meredith leaned towards her mother with a barely concealed grin and said, “Experience like a trial?”
“Maybe.” To her surprise, the answer came from her father. Her mother’s eyes remained coy. Unsure where to keep her attention, Meredith continued spinning her head back and forth. Her jaw resisted the urge to drop, waiting for her mother or father to continue speaking. “The commander was quite pleased with your assistance today, at least. Said he’ll be officiating the Trial of Desert after routine public appearances at the Trial of Power, or the Metropolis Stadium. And there’s no denying that bold statement you made to him.”
“Oh…that…I mean…” Finding herself at a loss for words, Meredith leaned against her chair, but kept her back straight. “I meant what I said.”
“Never doubted it,” said her father. Silence followed. “Meredith, you’ve long dreamed of this, yes? Taking the trials, becoming a Guardian. It’s not just a whim.”
“No.” Simple. Straightforward. Like her father always appreciated from his mechanics.
“I’m sure Ray’s success fueled it, as well,” her mother said, returning to her fish. It made activity resume at the table despite the unexpected, serious topic. “We’ve been thinking it over recently, as well, and today’s events merely spurred the discussion further. It’s been difficult, though.”
“Has it?” Meredith asked, now shoveling in her dinner. “I know I haven’t made things easy, but this was always something I wanted: to become a Guardian, just like Ray. To take the trials…just like you guys did…”
“Following in your old dad’s footsteps, huh?” Richard said, earning a pair of rolled eyes from his wife. He adopted a solemn expression with that, scratching at the thin mustache on his face. “You’re not the only one. Plenty of youth take the trials for more than just becoming a Guardian. To a lot, it’s about finding who they are. It’s how I figured out I wanted to be a mechanic, and your mother…”
“It’s how we met, and the Guardian life wasn’t one for me,” Evelyn confirmed. To Meredith’s surprise, her mother was nearly done with her silent consumption of dinner, wiping at her lips. “But it was all too beneficial…even if some lose themselves along the way, I suppose.”
“Like the Renegades?” Meredith’s question brought tension along with it. “I don’t know much about them, but the commander mentioned how it’s rare for them to have magic; makes them troublesome. I just thought, since Captain Clive’s always saying people without magic can’t pass the trials, that maybe a whole bunch of them are the Renegades.”
“That idea has merit. But don’t listen to everything Captain Clive says; he’s only where he is because his father held the position many years ago. Magic isn’t everything. You know that.”
“Not to say it’s an easy road, Mera,” her father said in turn. Evelyn offered a nod in agreement. Meredith finished her meal and folded her hands. Dreaming about the road that was the Six Trials of the Corps and actually hearing about them from ones who experienced them was a vastly different thing. “There are countless candidates out there, some wanting to get stronger. Some have an advantage over others, including yourself, either from legacy, training or other means. In the end, some are even aiming for the same thing you are, and the Corps can’t accept everyone that tries to walk in their doors.”
“That doesn’t matter to me, dad!” Meredith said, her cries of protest reverberating around the kitchen, swallowed by the darkness covering the sky. “Competition or not. Mountains or not. I will become a Guardian. I will make that difference. Just like they do. Fixing things here can only go so far and I-”
Realizing she’d just given an outburst, Meredith bit her tongue and backed off. Embarrassment flooded her veins. Yet, it was an embarrassment that was curbed by her mother reaching over and placing a reassuring hand over hers, while her father wore the same look she’d seen on him earlier that day.
“We know, Mera. Everyone in Lumarina knows,” her mother said, eyes crinkling with kindness. “You’ve been waiting a long time, not wanting to let the garage down since Ray left. Trust me, it’s a hard decision all around, but maybe it’s time. Maybe you’ve waited long enough. After all, there’s a big world out there, and what kind of parents would we be if we didn’t let our daughter discover it for herself.”
“Even if you fail, there’s still a home here for you. Same as Raymond, though he seems content to let information about his successes just trickle through the Corps’ grapevine.”
“Richard, shut up.” Ignoring her mother’s remonstration, Meredith looked to the ceiling, a smile mixed with confusion upon her face.
Her parents had never discussed the trials, outside of times they were reminiscing about the past where they met. It always seemed to her that they were so content with their life here on the coast, fixing one skyship at a time, that any thought of the world beyond was no longer relevant to them. Of course, that wasn’t true. They watched the news and tried to find out anything they could about their son. It just felt like they never really discussed her own future in all the years since Ray had left to take the trials, himself.
Confused didn’t begin to cover the conversation they were now having.
“Mom. Dad. Why now? Is it because of this afternoon?”
“Part of it,” admitted her mother. The older woman stood and gathered the plates from the table, bringing them over to the sink. “It certainly impressed on us how restless you’ve become, and how undeterred you’d be.”
“In reality, though, we just thought…maybe it’s time,” her father said, leaning back in his chair and folding one leg over the other. “Ray’s been gone, what, four years? The garage is doing well, and I’ve got plenty of apprentice mechanics on hand. Might not be as skilled as you, but they get the job done. Plus, I’m sure your mother wouldn’t want those talents she’d drilled into you going to waste.”
“No, she wouldn’t.” Meredith couldn’t help the giggle. Her parents’ words instilled relief, and there was no denying the yearning inside. The same flame that had caused her to make those declarations to all of Lumarina was alive and well, if mingled with that small kernel of doubt that this was just her parents placating her. “I didn’t know you were thinking of that all this time. Almost makes me feel a little selfish.”
“Don’t be, Mera,” her mother said. Like Captain Clive before her, she ruffled her daughter on the head, though this felt kind, rather than condescending. “Kids your age shouldn’t be cooped up in a garage. You need to be out there, traveling, living life, fulfilling dreams! Becoming a Guardian and making the Childs’ name proud with your brother wouldn’t be a bad perk, either.”
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“It’s not a whim from any of us, Mera. More like today was an impetus that drove us to say we think you’ll be okay,” came the conclusion of her father. Meredith twisted her lip a bit, biting it just slightly. “If you’re still not sure, take the night. You’ve waited too many years to even consider leaving and taking the trials; another night to make sure you have no regrets about doing it now won’t hurt. Always important to consider every angle, after all, just like when you’re fixing up a troublesome aerilator!”
“Must you make everything mechanical, Richard? The world isn’t inorganic. It’s constantly changing. Things on a trial quest aren’t what they were when we were kids. Not with the Renegades and the World Restoration Order. Meredith can’t just think of things in terms of how they’ll be, because they may not be the same tomorrow!”
“I’m just saying, Ev…”
“Dad has a point, mom!” Meredith said, unable to cease the laughter that was bubbling out. “Maybe the world is different and more dangerous or whatever, but even fixing things isn’t as immovable as you make it seem. Every gear has a voice, and every spark a connection! A skyship is living, from stem to stern, wing to wing, just like the world outside! Seeing it all…well, maybe that’s what I have to do!”
“Just take your time to decide. Make sure you want to do this now, Mera,” said her mother. It was a definitive statement, and one that Meredith knew she’d have to deliver her decision on.
Years of yearning, and the beginning of the goal was suddenly right in front of her. Now she just needed to make the first step towards it.
Without warning, Meredith stood and flung her arms around her mother and father as best she could, leaving her body looking rather awkward. A momentary pause, and then they hugged their daughter back. The reassurance was all Meredith needed to give clarity to her thoughts.
Before any more could form, however, she whispered in her parents’ ears, “Thank you.”
Their continued embrace said more than those words could ever hold.
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Even with her parents’ reassurance, and the moment they’d given her to think things over, Meredith still felt just the slightest bit listless late that night. Twirling the tubular hilt of her sword in her hand, she stared up at the ceiling with her back to her bed. For all the dreaming and waiting, the surreal feeling was still there. Every voice that said she was ready for this, as she’d so proclaimed, was countered by a thought that maybe she needed to stay a little longer, for her family, or Eddie, or maybe even the town, itself.
Her hands soon stopped spinning the tube and looked at it, gleaming in the moonlight that streamed through the windows. When that gleaned no answers for her, Meredith brought it down to look at the device, built by her father, gifted by her mother. In some way, though she’d never really thought about it, it was a present from the both of them; a belief in her future. She had always been so focused on what Raymond had been doing, what the Corps was beyond her tiny little world, that it had escaped her notice.
Now, the blade and everything it was connected with came as a promise for her to achieve her dream.
“There’s really nothing holding me back, then. Right, Ray?” she said aloud to the room. Her head turned, looking at the pictures littering her desk alongside the little metal parts from her latest tinkering work (which happened to include her own maintenance on the sword).
The photograph was just visible in the light, but Meredith knew it by heart as the day her brother set off for his own trials four years ago. Raymond was front and center, looking far more like their mother than their father, including glasses, and Meredith hung off his side. She could never forget how happy they both were. A moment for changing the world was what they believed it was, and their parents had indulged them or encouraged them.
Nor were they alone in the photo, with Eddie and his own parents at the corner of the picture, nervous but excited for the party they’d thrown then.
Meredith shot upwards, eyes wide.
“Of course! How could I forget?! Eddie!” With the realization in her head, Meredith slipped out of her bed and opened the bedroom door outwards. All was silent in the house beyond, her parents sleeping well after rendering their decision. She crept along without a sound, careful not to wake them. The snoring told her that wouldn’t be a problem, but she persisted until reaching the front door and exiting to the equally quiet streets of Lumarina.
It wasn’t long before she realized that she’d left any semblance of footwear behind, but she didn’t turn back for them. Instead, she jumped from stone to stone on the street, matching the rhythm of the waves. No one was out, with only the furthest pub in town and the Corps’ headquarters having any lights on as far as businesses went. Even the restaurant that Eddie and his family lived above was dark.
That didn’t deter Meredith. She and Eddie had always partaken in enough adventures that the diner being closed didn’t stop her from dragging him along. Skidding to a stop on the street, she squeezed in between the diner and the nearest shop, locating the perennial trellis lined with flowers, and began to climb upwards until reaching the large window of the only room with lights on. She took a peek, noticing Eddie on his bed, watching the news and surrounded by books. The sight made her blanch, and she rapped on the window.
The noise immediately drew Eddie’s attention and he turned. There was no surprise that he threw her a disapproving gaze. Without turning off the television, he stood, walked over, and opened the windows outward. Meredith nearly fell, but when she regained her balance, she grinned at her best friend. There was a brief moment of the television sounds emanating out before Eddie could begin admonishing her.
“…ire in a northern village near a trial site, though residents insist nothing was damaged, and nothing of value was taken. This marks what seems to be another unanticipated move by forces unknown, though no proof as to the perpetrator’s identity is known, be they Renegades or the World Restoration Order, or unrelated entirely. The Guardian Corps-”
“Mera…I wasn’t aware you’d be stopping by,” said Eddie, cutting off the television. “Not that I ever am…”
“You know you love it.” Eddie gave no further response, though he did walk away to his bed and turn the television off. Meredith pulled herself up, sitting nicely on the windowsill. From here, she had a much better view of the town and the sea beyond. If she squinted, she swore she could even see the snowy plains to the north that were the site of a trial. Most importantly, though, she could see the cliffs that rimmed the eastern edge of Lumarina, just beyond the town’s borders. Eddie had to have seen her looking in that direction, because he came close, looking less like someone ready for bed and more like someone ready to sneak out. Meredith grinned to him. “Got something to talk to you about.”
“I figured as much, Mera. You’re not hard to understand. Not after all these years.” Meredith bumped him with her shoulder, noticing the crack all too well. Then she swung her legs back out and climbed down the trellis, with Eddie swiftly following.
Despite their earlier teasing, neither teenager said a word once they hit the street and ran back in the direction Meredith had come from. With each step, the cliffs came closer, as did the border to the town. No Guardians were stationed there, but that was no surprise to Meredith; Lumarina was never in any danger except for when some of the tides covered up the beach, and that was more a threat to the fishermen than the other citizens. As a result, the duo had quickly crossed the border and made to travel up the cliffs that overlooked the sea. Eddie lagged behind a bit, hands in his pockets, but Meredith wasn’t waiting for him to catch up.
There wasn’t far to go until Meredith stopped at the edge of the cliff, looking down into the water, where the most motivating sight rested before her eyes. A skyship was sunken beneath the surface, the insignia of the Guardian Corps noticeable even under the dark waters.
To her, it was the constant reminder of what she dreamed to be.
To Eddie, it just appeared to be a long trek up a steep hill.
“You’re so out of shape, Eddie!” Meredith called back. Wrenching away from the seawater lapping the broken skyship and cliffsides, the black-haired teenager flopped down on the grass, staring up at the canopy of stars. Soon after, some fresh water splashed on her face and hair, causing her to splutter. Eddie soon joined her with a grin, which she didn’t share, bumping him with her shoulder once again. He bumped her back, the two laughing it off.
“Feels like it’s been a while since we did this, you know?” Eddie said, stretching next to her. “We’ve been so busy and all with me at the restaurant and you at the garage; nothing at all like when we were kids. You used to drag me up here every day.”
“Good times.” Eddie grunted his agreement. Meredith rolled over, now laying on her stomach, and she stared at her best friend’s face. He was still staring up at the stars, oblivious to her, a far-off expression adorning his face. She found it cute.
As she continued to watch him, Meredith was reminded of just how much her best friend had grown in all the years that she’d known him. Since they were little kids whose parents had known each other and brought one another together to play, they had always been by one another’s side, from school to the playground and beyond. Maybe it had been some tenet of fate, or maybe it was that they fell into a pattern where they clicked, even as opposites.
She was brash and loud, he was respectful and quiet. She was always breaking down walls, while Eddie was content sitting behind them. She was magic-less, and Eddie had all the gifts of a premier sorcerer…though he never chose to pursue that path.
That was the reason she adored him so. They may have been very different people in their dispositions, a trait she’d known since they became friends, but their similarities also shined. Their loyalty to their families. Their rather glib position amongst the town gossip. Most of all, was their attention to detail that existed in their separate lines of work.
Eddie was someone Meredith trusted above all else, and always would. She simply couldn’t imagine life, imagine a journey, without her best friend. It was with that she saw him turn away from the stars, away from those infinite possibilities that he had no idea to choose from, and look at her.
“So, what did you call me out for?”
“Mm, mom and dad were talking apparently, and they think it’s time.” Eddie didn’t respond right away, but the light behind his eyes showed that he knew exactly what she was talking about. There could have been no need to say more, but still Meredith spoke. “And I want it, you know? I’ve dreamed of this. They say it’s all good, and I believe them, even if I don’t want them to think I’m leaving for good like Ray did. That’s not the issue, it’s-”
“You should do it, Mera,” Eddie said. It was an unwavering statement. Conviction rested in every syllable, and Meredith knew he meant it from his gaze alone. “I know you, and you’ve always wanted to be a Guardian. It was the reason we always came out here, so you could see that ship and know the kind of difference you wanted to make. If your mom and dad think it’s time, then it is. The Lumarina Garage will be fine without you, Guardian Meredith.”
She couldn’t deny that it had a nice ring to it, but things still weighed on her mind. She sat up. “It’s not Lumarina I’m worried about.”
“I don’t think the garrison needs your thief-catching skills.”
“Oh, shut it, Eddie! Not like your magic is much better!” she snapped. He was sitting up now, as well, and she reached over to push at him. Eddie offered little in the way of resistance. “Last I checked you made little pebbles. Pebbles!”
“That…I’m not good with high pressure situations, okay?! Not on my own.”
“Maybe you need a little training, huh?” Meredith said, bounding to her feet. She grabbed the hilt of her blade and spun the tube around. Eddie’s nose crinkled in displeasure.
“Nah, think I’ll pass. The last time we sparred you nearly took my nose off,” he protested. Meredith offered a huff and folded her arms in indignation.
“Barely…and you practically singed my hair!” Eddie must have found that funny, because he started laughing. She didn’t, but it also didn’t take long for a smile to stretch her face. “You know, I think you’d be a great magic-user. The captain’s always talking about it. I’m magic-less, far as I can tell, so it’s hard for me to know, but every time I see you use it, I feel like I see someone who can be great.
“Makes me admire you.”
“Don’t be silly.” Eddie stood, drawing even with her, though his height put him just a couple inches above her. They looked to each other. Silence arrived, followed by Eddie’s sigh. “I think I admire you. The way you push forward on a dream that you’ve always been told has no certainty of success. Mom’s stated more than once that she wishes that would rub off on me, finding a dream of some sort, but I just can’t figure out what that could be. Working at the restaurant wouldn’t be bad, but…”
The wind and waves filled the void of sound he left behind.
“But you want to find something more, right? Something uniquely you?” Eddie chuckled and looked back up at the stars. Meredith joined him. “I’m sure there’s something.
“Lumarina isn’t the place to find it, though.”
“Wha?” Eddie took a step back, tripping over his own two feet in surprise. His hands flew out, a cushion of air supporting his fall to prevent any damage. It was rough, like Meredith had been when her mother first put a blade in her hands, but just like that, Meredith knew he could refine it and make it shine. So, the second his back hit the ground, Meredith stepped forward, placing a foot next to him and leaning down, the hilt of her collapsible sword pressed against him.
“Eddie, I’m going to become a Guardian. I’m going to protect people, like my brother and all those who gave their lives and time to serve the people for a better tomorrow. It’s my dream. So, I’m going to take the trials.” It was the official confirmation she needed to make, the steel glint shining from her green eyes. “And to me, doing that means protecting your dream, and helping you find it. ‘Cause I just know you’ll be great, whatever it is.”
“What exactly are you asking of me, Mera?” Eddie’s voice was tremulous, his lip quivering with unshed tears. Meredith shook her head and leaned forward, their foreheads touching as she closed her eyes.
“You’re always such a crybaby, Eddie…yet you’re always someone I can depend on. No matter what road I take…I need you, because you always help remind me of what I’m fighting for. The best in the people of Lumarina.” At last, Meredith let go of her hilt and placed her hands on the damp grass, continuing to press her forehead against his. He soon closed his eyes as well. After a time, Meredith put the question forth that she knew needed to be asked, even if she was still unsure of the answer.
“Eddie, will you take this journey with me?”
Her best friend was silent, and after a minute of no answer, Meredith pulled back to sit cross-legged on the grass. He remained lying down.
She could only imagine what was going through his mind. Of what he’d leave behind. Of the cold, scary world that could swallow them whole outside of Lumarina. And at the end of it all, there had to be the thought of what he could gain, and the dream he could find or the magic he could learn. It wasn’t a light decision, but when Eddie sat back up and opened his eyes, she knew the decision had been made.
“Of course. Let’s have the greatest adventure together, Mera.”
The two then watched the sea and the stars until they fell asleep, dreaming of dreams and the future before them.