Atop the pristine silver clouds sat the magnificent fortress of infinity. It was here, among this peaceful sky and strong stone walls that the Council of Candracar convened. Within the walls four Guardians of Infinity and one of the three Regents of Earth addressed the council.

“The Keeper has gone missing.” The Oracle, a bald man that stood in the center of the council, placed a hand to his chin. “And the fact that I did not sense or see this concerns me.”

“Do you know if there is a way to find her?” Taranee asked and all of the eyes in the group looked at the Oracle. They were hoping that someone on Candracar would be able to try something.

“What happens when you try to contact Will telepathically, Taranee?” Halinor, the previous Guardian of fire, asked in a caring tone. Her eyes showed the worry that the other guardians felt.

“Just static. It’s as if she was out of range.” Taranee tapped her head some then sighed. She also didn’t have the same headache that she had when Halinor and the others tried to contact her from inside Nerissa’s seal.

“Perhaps if we where to try together.” Halinor asked while looking to the Oracle. He expressed that it was worth a try, but after a few moments the two opened their eyes and shook their heads.

“There is one thing that we could try.” The Oracle said as he walked up to Taranee. “However, it can be very dangerous.”

“We just want Will back.” Matt expressed his opinion. It happened to be the opinion of all of the red haired guardian’s friends at that moment, but that was different. Taranee nodded and soon the group was teletransported to the chamber of the Aurameres.

“Luba,” the Oracle spoke to the cat like woman. “We are going to try to find the Keeper. It may mean that we have to use the Communion.”

Luba’s eyes widened and she nodded. She placed her hands together and the five Aurameres reacted by flashing. The four that represented Fire, Water, Earth, and Air flashed three times, but it was the fifth one. Will’s Auramere wouldn’t stop. Luba started to hyperventilate and back away.

“What wrong,” Hay Lin asked noticing the worry and fear in Luba’s eyes.

“This is impossible. The Keeper would have to be in the form you five took to defeat Cedric just to attempt to keep this up.” Luba placed a hand over her mouth. She could feel the Aurameres and here there connection to the Guardians. While the other four were normal, though a little high in connection Will’s was at least three times the other guardians, and it was still growing.

“What is it my friend?” The Oracle asked. Luba had dropped to a knee. He had no idea why, was there something wrong with the Aurameres. If Luba was saying something like that then the Communion would work easier.

“As all of you know you each have a connection with the Aurameres, through the Heart of Candracar.” Luba explained and got nods from the group. “I can sense how powerful that connection is, and each of you four Guardians connections are normal for the moment. They would grow if you were in Guardian form, but if I had to say anything. You all are at least at twelve to thirteen percent.”

“What does this have to do with finding Will?” Matt asked only for the Oracle to raise his hand.

“And Will’s is?” Taranee gulped. If it was zero did that mean that Will was dead? The rest of the girl’s looked just as worried. They wanted there to be a number. Any number but zero.

“Forty-seven percent.” Luba said calmly. “She would have to be one with her element just to keep living under that level of connectivity, but that would not explain why it is increasing.”

“Then the Communion would work.” The Oracle said with a smile.

“Okay, what is this Communion thing anyway?” Irma asked as she looked around the room. She was a little more worried about Will’s safety at first, but now that they knew she was alive.

“It is an ancient magic in which we use the connection a Guardian has to an Auramere in order to obtain contact with that Guardian.” Luba spoke.

“So the higher the connection the better.” Taranee pushed her glasses up. She still didn’t know how it would be of any help in contacting Will, and she was still questioning why the Oracle was deciding to help. He had to know what was going on, but the thing was that he was not willing to tell.

“Taranee, Halinor, please step forward.” The Oracle spoke with a sigh. “We will use Will’s Auramere to enhance your telepathic power.”

“Okay,” Taranee said in a collected tone. There had to be something more to this. Something that made this have to be worth it.

“It is best to advise you that you must be careful.” Halinor said. “I will be there to help, but this could cause damage to both minds.”

“What,” Taranee yelled, “don’t you think it is better that you told me that sooner.”

“Taranee,” Hay Lin said with a smile. “Do it for Will. She’d do the same for us. At least try to let her know we’re looking for her.”

Taranee gulped and looked towards Luba. Halinor then began giving instructions and Taranee followed as she closed her eyes and concentrated.

The young fire guardian found herself in an ashen desert. The sand glistened in deep silver. Flashes of lighting cracked across the surface of the moving sand. In front of her was a figure, but she couldn’t make out who it was. Was it Will.

“Will, is that you?” Taranee mentally screamed as loud as she could. The figure picked itself up. Its huge wings ending in terrible large plates. Spikes jutted every which way and lightning arched all around it.

“I am Abaragus. What is your name Fire Maiden?” It was in front of Taranee so quickly. She didn’t even see it close the gap.

“Taranee Cook,” she introduced herself. The being wasn’t exactly acting hostile. “I’m sort of looking for someone.”

“If it is the girl with red hair.” Abaragus looked up at the top of a dune behind Taranee. Taranee turned to see Will glaring at the creature, or was it at her. With a crack some of the spines detached from Abaragus’ body and flew around Taranee. Taranee watched as Will rushed forward, but then felt a slight tingle as the spines all fired blasts of black lightning at once.

“Taranee,” Will shot up in her bed. She was shaking and was having trouble catching her breath. This world was tormenting her even in her dreams now. She didn’t know how much more she could take.

It was a tapping sound atop the dresser that drew Will’s attention. A small creature, that looked like a four legged insect made out of an erector set, landed short of Will’s bed and then climbed up. It shook itself a little and nudged against Will. It was as though it was trying to cheer the girl up.

“Hey there,” Will poked the metallic creature and it backed up in response before taping Will’s hand. Will giggled at it and the creature scuttled around her. It then stopped and lay by the girl’s side as a dog would do for its master.

Will smiled at the small thing as she got out of bed and put her clothes back on. The sun was shining brightly through the window of her room. The sounds of the bustling city came out and about around her. She flipped up the hood of her vest and walked to the door. She stopped and turned to reach out her hand to the creature. “You want to come?”

The creature jumped up at Will’s question and was soon rushing up her leg to rest slightly on her shoulder. Will smiled and left the room. Maybe with this thing to take care of she wouldn’t be as lonely.

“Well hello stranger?” The priest from last night greeted Will at the bottom of the stairs. He wore a friendly smile and one of his hands was in his pockets. “You seem to have picked up a new friend.”

“Yeah,” Will smiled to the boy. The insect on her shoulder turned and moved to her other shoulder. “I don’t know what I’m going to name him though. If he’s a him.”

“I’m sure you’ll think of something. I didn’t get to introduce myself last night. The name’s Daniel.” He grinned wildly and pointed his thumb at himself.

“I’m Will.” She stuck out a hand and smiled wider. She needed to get used to new people. So why not start here. “I was thinking of going into town for a while. I could use a guide.”

“I’d be happy to oblige.” Daniel said as a mischievous smirk played at his lips. “But it is such a nice day…” He reached up quickly and pulled down Will’s hood before she had a chance to react. His eyes widened in shock as he saw Will’s red hair puff out around her head. He looked around to ensure that no one else could see her hair and pulled the hood back onto Will’s head. “Well, now I know why you keep covered up.”

Will grabbed hold of Daniel’s wrists as he pulled back. A flash of lightning shot through her eyes as she glared angrily at him. She held tightly as he tried to pull away. Her breathing became heavy. “You…”

“I won’t tell anyone.” Daniel winced as Will’s grip tightened onto his wrist. He felt a slight shock as she held tightly onto the boy.

“How do I know you’re not with Sheng?” Will demanded through a growl. She had an angry tone and her eyes hardened slightly.

“I…” Will squeezed harder and more flashes of lightning shimmered in her eyes.

“How do I know?” Will yelled slightly. Thankfully the church was empty at this time of day and no one was around to hear the girl yell. The insect hopped around her shoulder as electricity hopped from its pieces. It shook a little and the shocks had no effect on it.

“You don’t okay,” Daniel pulled himself loose. He curled back and stepped away from Will. His eyes showed fear of her. She averted her gaze and stuck her hands within her pockets. “You just have to trust me.”

“Okay,” Will looked back to him apologetically. “I’m sorry. It’s just.”

“It’s alright.” Daniel replied while he shook his wrist. “I can understand. Sheng had my parents killed when I was young so I’m even sketchy of people who work for him. I kind of assumed that you might have been on his side last night, but now I know you’re not. Kinda.”

“I’m sorry okay.” Will snapped and turned towards the boy. He grinned and slid back. “I’m going for that walk now.”

“I’ll still come with you. At least for some company.” Daniel grabbed a strange staff with a large cross on it. He then caught up to the hooded girl and the two left the church.

“Frociel,” Sheng walked to a window of his throne room and looked into the daytime sun. He looked over his shoulder at his mage with a silent glare. “I have received word that you sent one of your monsters to attack the girl.”

“I merely wished to give your assassin some help locating her prey.” Frociel was on one knee and a grin grew on his face.

“I see,” Sheng reached up and stroked his long white beard.

“I take it that she is still on the hunt, my lord.” Frociel said with confidence. Egypt was already on route to the red haired girl’s last location. He was sure that his sphinx could track the girl down and bring her to him. Then and only then would the power of quintessence be his.

“She will bring me the girl’s head by the end of the day.” Sheng turned toward Frociel. “The girl is in the seaside city of Lavensuer.”

“Really, my lord.” Frociel chuckled a bit.

“Yes, but in case she fails me again.” Sheng walked across the hall to a mirror. He tapped it and it rippled like water. He saw the trader and reheard the trader’s words. “We must think of a contingency plan.”

“You seem to be in a better mood.” Daniel said to Will after she had a friendly conversation with a jewelry vender. Will was smiling and kept walking alongside the boy. The vender had given her a gold bracelet with a small emerald in the center.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Will glared to her side before returning to look ahead of herself. The insect had crawled down and was fiddling with accessory. That was when Will felt the small tingle on the back of her neck. The last time she had felt that tingle that woman in white was around.

“Well, the way you snapped at me earlier.” Daniel said as he looked out into the crowd. He noted that Will had become nerved by something that was there but unseen. He tried not to think about it.

She walked along the roof. Her prey was now with a boy. A priest of Holic. He would be a challenge if she wanted to get close. Then there was that damn creature on the girl’s arm. It prevented the girl’s death before with an acidic mist. She barely escaped with her life, but the creature still posed a problem. It seemed to protect the red head. Why the creature did so was beyond her.

She jumped to the next roof and followed the two until they were alone in an alleyway. The girl was not a skilled fighter. So now would be the time to strike. This time she would not fail. This time the red haired girl would be lying in a pool of her blood.